The Argentine midfielder arrives at The Herons at 31 after spending four seasons with Atlético de Madrid.
Played 187 matches for the Spanish sideScored 14 goalsJoins initially on loan through the end of the yearGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Rodrigo De Paul’s arrival at Inter Miami is already making headlines – and not just in MLS circles. The Argentine midfielder, a key piece in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, has joined on loan from Atlético de Madrid, a move that has generated negative reactions in his home country just months before the 2026 World Cup.
"Does De Paul want to play with less pressure and in a second-tier league just to enjoy himself alongside Messi? Is he not concerned about joining a tournament with little prestige, where winning or losing doesn’t really matter to anyone? Is he thinking about leaving the national team, or does he simply feel he’s completed a cycle under the demanding Diego Simeone and now wants to play with less stress?" wrote Argentine journalist Alejandro Fabbri for
“De Paul’s departure from Atlético Madrid to play for Inter Miami, in a league considered to be of a lower level, surprised both insiders and outsiders alike, as he joins his friend Lionel Messi,” reads an article in the renowned Argentine outlet
News of De Paul’s departure didn’t sit well with Atlético de Madrid fans, either. The midfielder played 187 matches for the club over four seasons and was named to La Liga Team of the Year last season. After the club made the move official on social media, many users flooded the post with insults and backlash over his decision. Comments like “Thanks for leaving and never coming back,” and “Just go and don’t return,” were among the more common – and milder – reactions from Aleti supporters.
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“The excitement that brought me to Inter Miami is the desire to compete, to win titles, to help write this club’s history,” said Rodrigo De Paul in an official statement released by the team. “It’s a club that is being built to become great, to create a legacy, and for many people to follow this incredible team,” he added.
AFPDID YOU KNOW?
Rodrigo De Paul will become the third 2022 World Cup winner to play in MLS, following in the footsteps of Thiago Almada and, more recently, Lionel Messi. He will be the 18th World Cup champion in history to join MLS.
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI?
The Herons will host FC Cincinnati this Saturday in a match where they’ll be without Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba, both suspended after skipping the All-Star Game.
Either Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur will miss out after identifying Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie as a target in the summer transfer window's final week.
Hincapie interested in Arsenal transferSpurs have made an offer to LeverkusenDeveloping saga reminiscent of Eze situationFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
After Arsenal stepped up interest in Hincapie, revealed that the Ecuador international is taken by the project on offer should he move to the Emirates Stadium from Germany. The 23-year-old centre-back is described as "keen" on the proposed switch and an agreement on personal terms is not expected to be an issue after initial talks began.
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Tottenham have also shown interest in Hincapie, reportedly putting forward a proposal to Leverkusen comprised of a loan and $60 million (£52m/$70m) obligation to buy. That fee, while delayed until 2026, matches the relase clause in the player's contract. Arsenal, meanwhile, are trying to negotiate a lower figure to secure a permanent deal of their own.
It follows the Gunners snatching Eberechi Eze from under their rivals' nose, although Hincapie is no way near as close to joining Spurs as the England international was last week.
DID YOU KNOW?
Arsenal are potentially offering less money than Tottenham, although Leverkusen stand to receive cash sooner. But with Hincapie's apparent preference for a move to the Emirates, his desire could influence or shape how the Bundesliga side respond to offers. It is a different situation to Eze because the rival proposals are not currently the same, whereas Arsenal had matched Tottenham's bid to Crystal Palace.
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?
Romano adds that no Arsenal bid for Hincapie has yet been made, with the Gunners first needing to find new clubs for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior. The latter is the subject of interest from Porto, who are reported to have made an approach over a loan with obligation to buy. Arsenal are looking for around £25m ($32m) for the Poland international, potentially half of what it might take to sign Hincapie.
Sinergia. Essa é a palavra de ordem do presidente do São Paulo, Julio Casares, para tentar manter equilibradas as contas do clube, que sofre com cerca de R$ 700 milhões em dívidas e a cobrança da torcida pela perda do protagonismo para rivais nos últimos anos.
Em live realizada com torcedores na tarde desta quinta-feira (5), o mandatário tricolor destacou o que considerou ‘uma postura cautelosa’ do clube do Morumbi no mercado de transferências. Isso mesmo com cinco reforços contratados (Rafael, Alan Franco, Welington Rato, Marcos Paulo e Pedrinho).
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+ Saiba por onde andam hoje os artilheiros das últimas dez Copinhas + Confira as principais negociações do futebol nacional no Mercado da Bola do L!
– Resolvemos o emergencial e ainda temos pendências financeiras. Precisamos ter sinergia entre equilíbrio financeiro e time competitivo, e estamos fazendo isso. Tivemos seis possibilidades de final e chegamos em três. Temos que trabalhar os alicerces principais. A gente não pode chegar aqui e fazer loucura.
Para o dirigente, o trabalho a conta-gotas é fundamental para o clube recuperar o seu espaço de novo de disputa de títulos. E destaca o fato do São Paulo ter fechado com lucro pela primeira vez em três anos.
– Devagar nós vamos atuar novamente no cenário nacional. O São Paulo estava desacostumado, hoje temos transparência e nessa linha vamos fortalecer o time sem arrebentar as finanças. É algo duro, mas necessário. Se tivesse jogado tudo para o futuro, deixaria o clube como recebi. O importante é que estamos em um processo de reconstrução. Depois de três anos que o São Paulo teve déficit, estamos caminhando para um superávit, vocês vão ver. Estamos equilibrando as finanças, sanando as dívidas.
– Chegamos no São Paulo com uma dívida muito grande com empresários, assumimos a folha de pagamento, uma parte dos tempos de pandemia não foi paga. A pressão no fluxo de caixa muito grande. E 2022 foi um ano desafiador, porque tínhamos que pagar as contas de curto prazo, alongar a dívida e montar um time com jogadores vindos por empréstimo ou com compra parcelada. Como conseguimos retomar a credibilidade, o São Paulo teve condições de negociar jogadores, o agente sabe que o São Paulo vive um momento delicado e aceita parcelar, aceita empréstimos. Estamos em um processo de reconstrução – completou Casares, que vê evolução no clube.
– Estamos entrando em 2023 com a mesma premissa de responsabilidade. Estamos reforçando o time com muita criatividade. Estamos pagando algo agora e parcelando em 2024, 2025, ou emprestando e tendo a opção de compra no futuro. Me lembro quando cheguei em 2021, sentei na cadeira e fiquei desesperado, porque chegavam oficiais de justiça querendo bloquear bens. Hoje melhorou muito. Estamos num processo de reconstrução.
> Confira jogos, classificação e simule os resultados do Paulistão-23
Arsenal are set to complete the signing of 17-year-old Salford City starlet Will Wright after Liverpool dropped out of the race for the young forward.
Arsenal set to sign Salford teenager WrightAcademy manager Per Mertesacker at the centre of itLiverpool beaten in raceFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Arsenal have reportedly offered £250,000 plus add-ons for striker Wright report , blowing Liverpool's bid of £100,000 plus add-ons out of the water. Wright only made his first-team debut against Manchester City in January, making two League Two appearances at the back end of last season. His form in pre-season, where he has found the net for Salford four times, has seen the teenager hit the headlines.
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report that the signing of Wright is an example of Arsenal's new youth strategy under academy manager Per Mertesacker, who has been given a 'dedicated budget' to purchase the best youth talent. Wright comes right under that bracket and will be expected to play for Arsenal's Under-18 and Under-21 sides if he arrives in north London, with previously rumoured suitors Liverpool believed to be out of the race.
DID YOU KNOW?
Wright scored over 50 goals across age groups for Salford last season and is in the second year of a scholarship at the club, having been spotted playing for non-league sides Euxton Villa and Fylde. A move to the Emirates would therefore represent a massive step up for the young man.
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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR WRIGHT AND ARSENAL?
Wright is likely to feature for Arsenal's youth sides next season and it may be a couple of years before his name is mentioned around Mikel Arteta's first-team squad. But the Gunners have offered opportunities to other youth players in recent seasons and so the teenager will hope to get his chance if he impresses at his new club.
England hope that Brydon Carse can replicate Liam Plunkett’s success in the middle overs after drafting him into their World Cup squad as a replacement for the injured Reece Topley.Carse will arrive in Bangalore ahead of England’s match against Sri Lanka on Thursday, though is unlikely to be considered for selection having last played competitively four weeks ago. He featured in one of England’s four ODIs against New Zealand last month after impressing in the T20I series, and also played for their second-string side against Ireland.Carse, 28, was born in South Africa but is a UK passport-holder who plays for Durham and Northern Superchargers in domestic cricket. A tall, powerful seamer who can also contribute with the bat from the lower order, he has won 12 ODI caps and three T20I caps since making his debut in 2021.”He’s a brilliant all-round package,” Joe Root said on Monday. “He can score some handy runs for you, is very dynamic in the field and has a unique wicket-taking ability. He’s got that [Ben] Stokes element to him where sometimes, you feel like nothing is happening and he’ll pick up wickets.”England had swiftly and unceremoniously moved on from Plunkett after the last World Cup, when he was 34, and Carse is the closest like-for-like replacement that they have used in the four years since. “He almost feels like a junior Plunkett,” Root said. “He’s very similar. Pudsy [Plunkett] might not like me saying this, but he’s probably got even more to offer with the bat as well.”Root also expressed his sympathy for Topley, who was officially ruled out of the World Cup on Sunday after scans confirmed a fracture in the index finger of his bowling hand. “The poor lad, it just doesn’t seem to stop for him,” he said. “Every time he does extremely well and gets a string of performances together where he’s playing good cricket, he just seems to get a setback.”England travelled from Mumbai to Bengaluru on Sunday afternoon following their 229-run thrashing by South Africa. They will train on Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon before playing Sri Lanka at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday, the first of five must-win group fixtures as they aim to reach the semi-finals despite three defeats in their first four games.”The situation we find ourselves in now, we’ve got to make sure that we’re ready and in the best possible place to perform well in the next game,” Root told Sky Sports. “We’ll look at that as a World Cup final now – then do the same for the game after that, and the game after that. All we’ve got to do is really focus on Sri Lanka.”I’ve played in a number of different England teams, good ones and bad ones,” Root said. “This is one of the very best. It’s a very together team. We know what we need to do… We’ve got some very simple messaging in front of us right now: we have to go out and win. In some ways, that unshackles us and frees us up to do what we do.”
The win gives Brave an outside sniff of a direct entry to the final
ECB Reporters Network19-Aug-2023
Georgia Adams and Freya Kemp added 73 off 38 balls in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand•ECB/Getty Images
Georgia Adams slammed her highest Hundred score as Southern Brave bettered Oval Invincibles by seven wickets, ending the two-time champions’ reign.Allrounder Adams took control of a faltering chase with an unbeaten 50 off 32 balls while Freya Kemp – unable to bowl this season due to a stress fracture in her back – scored 41 not out off 21.Suzie Bates had scored 55 as Invincibles posted a creditable 130 but Adams and Kemp added 73 in 38 balls in front of another record crowd of 10,832 for a women’s match at the Ageas Bowl.Brave had already booked their place in the knockouts but still have an automatic final spot in their grasp, while their nemesis in the first two finals can no longer progress.Bowling first after losing the toss, Anya Shrubsole was shown a farewell video on the big screen ahead of her last Ageas Bowl appearance before retiring. She responded to the ovation by picking up Lauren Winfield-Hill’s wicket with her fifth ball, thanks to a stunning catch at mid-on by Maia Bouchier. The wicket slumped the Invincibles to 6 for 2 after Alice Capsey had already cross-batted Lauren Bell to midwicket.But the early trouble was abated by Bates’ anchoring during stands of 53 and 63 with Marizanne Kapp and Paige Scholfield. The New Zealand veteran’s innings was guided through her control and ability to pick out the right balls to score off, without getting bogged down. To typify that approach, her fifty came off 40 balls.Kapp played a similar role to get the visitors out of trouble but fell for 27 when picking out Chloe Tryon on the deep-square-leg boundary.At 59 off the first 55 balls, the tempo needed to flick towards allegro and former Brave all-rounder Scholfield reset the metronome with 30 off 17 balls, which included getting dropped on 3 and plundering a six next ball.Brave, often great at the death, once again flourished in the last end as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Georgia Adams saw off Scholfield with her 15th wicket and Bates was run out for 55. Nadine de Klerk slog-swept the penultimate ball to deep square leg with three wickets falling for 11 runs in the last ten balls.A slow start and the loss of both openers within the first 26 balls put Brave’s chase on the back foot. Smriti Mandhana top-edged a swing across the line off Kapp and Danni Wyatt was bowled by de Klerk – the Charlotte Edwards Cup’s top wicket-taker on her first appearance since replacing Dane van Niekerk.Bouchier and Adams put on 38 but the asking rate was rising after 17 balls without a boundary – caused by Kapp’s 1 for 18 – and the pressure saw Bouchier slap to cover.Brave desperately needed a Scholfield-esque innings; Kemp provided it, with Adams upping her strike rate. The game swung on Mady Villiers being smashed for two sixes in three balls as the duo stepped things up with 42 off the last 16 balls to end the game – Kemp hoisting a maximum to do it in style with four balls to spare.
The two-Test series, which will begin on February 4 in Tauranga, will currently clash with the latter stages of the SA20
Firdose Moonda19-Jul-2023
South Africa may be forced to send a makeshift Test side to New Zealand if the tour isn’t postponed•Getty Images
The increasing encroachment of T20 leagues on the international calendar could force South Africa to seek a postponement or field a second-string side on next year’s tour to New Zealand. The two-Test series, which will begin on February 4 in Tauranga, will clash with the latter stages of the SA20, South Africa’s T20 franchise competition, and will present Cricket South Africa (CSA) with a conundrum over player availability.A significant proportion of South Africa’s Test players, including captain Temba Bavuma, new Durban Super Giants captain Keshav Maharaj and the entire frontline pace pack – Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen – are contracted to teams in the SA20 and will either have to miss parts of the tournament or opt out of the Tests, with the latter more likely.Although South Africa’s players are contractually bound to both CSA and the SA20, CSA has guaranteed the SA20 first rights to the players over the January window and as such, the players will be obliged to play for their franchises rather than the national team. It is, therefore, almost certain that South Africa will have to send a makeshift Test side to New Zealand. CSA’s CEO Pholetsi Moseki told ESPNcricinfo that the organisation will have a better idea of which players are available for the Tests, “after the SA20 mini-auction in September,” and that they are still trying to have the New Zealand Tests moved.The 2023-2027 FTP, which was made public in August last year, had South Africa scheduled to play two Tests in New Zealand in February 2024. NZC announced the fixtures this week which confirmed matches from February 4 to 17. Given the distance and time difference, CSA plans to send their Test squad to New Zealand about a week in advance, which will be around January 28 but would have preferred to send them at least a week later, at the conclusion of the SA20.The SA20 will begin in the week of January 7, after India’s tour to South Africa, and should end around February 4. Ideally, CSA would have wanted the New Zealand Tests to be held from mid-February, but NZC was unable to accede to that because they are also due to host Australia, whose players need to be free by late March for the IPL. The three T20I and two-Test series against Australia runs from February 21 to March 12, while the IPL is understood to be pencilled in for after March 20 at the earliest.South Africa forfeited the three ODIs against Australia earlier this year to play in the SA20 instead•SA20
CSA has also asked NZC to consider hosting the Tests during the IPL, in April, which would impact player availability for both sides, but this request could not be accommodated. Both CSA and NZC have players contracted to the IPL, though in South Africa’s case it is far fewer than those who will be involved at the SA20. CSA maintains that they are still trying to find an alternative window to propose to NZC but “if you look at the FTP – there’s nowhere to move the matches because we need to complete the WTC cycle by 2025,” Moseki said.Asked if South Africa, who only play two-Test series for the entire 2023-2025 WTC cycle, would consider forfeiting the matches, Moseki said they “want to avoid cancelling matches because we are aware of our bilateral obligations,” but also admitted “the SA20 is too important,” to jeopardise. The SA20 turned a profit in its first year and CSA is hedging the game’s financial future on the event which is why they have reneged on an international before. South Africa did not play three ODIs against Australia earlier this year in order to launch the SA20 with all their players available and as such, put themselves in a tough position on the World Cup Super League table.Despite making that concession, the first season of the SA20 still faced scheduling difficulties. A World Cup Super League series against England had to be sandwiched into the tournament window and it had to move out of the Cape Town, Paarl and Port Elizabeth in order for those venues to ready themselves for the Women’s T20 World Cup. As a result, the SA20 started off in the Western and Eastern Cape before fixtures were held up-country and on the east coast, and took an eight-day break after 22 matches to accommodate for the England ODIs.The organisers were hoping for a smoother schedule this time around but, because of the clash with the New Zealand series, will have to wait until 2025 for that. Moseki said CSA has ensured there are no future issues in the SA20 window for the remainder of the ongoing FTP. However, South Africa are due to host Pakistan for two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is deep into January in 2025, West Indies for five T20Is in January 2026 and England for three Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is in early 2027.NZC has been contacted for comment.
GOAL and INDIVISA writers debate the state of the USWNT after two impressive showings in international friendlies
Another window, another excellent pair of results for the USWNT. Emma Hayes has the U.S. rolling once again. Entering the friendlies, the USWNT was coming off a pair of close losses earlier this year – to Japan and Brazil – and was playing with a roster missing three of its top players in Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson.
But with back-to-back wins – 3-0 over China last weekend and then 4-0 over Jamaica on Tuesday – Hayes improved her USWNT record to 18-2-2 since debuting with the team last June, and reinforcing her status as one of the best managers in the game.
She's been excellent in her first year in charge. It's not just the Olympic gold medal. The former Chelsea boss has ushered in a new era of talent, expanded the player pool, and showed why this side could be very, very good for many years to come. And this window was no different.
Her favored front three are all out? No worries, here's a rejuvenated Alyssa Thompson and a charging Ally Sentnor. Need help in central midfield? How about the tempo-controlling 17-year-old Lily Yohannes?
It all makes for positive vibes around a team that has an admittedly long ramp to the next major tournament in the 2027 World Cup. The results are good, but are they meaningful?
And with questions around an uncertain goalkeeper situation, are the U.S. any closer to figuring out who will be between the sticks when the games start to count for something?
GOAL and INDIVISA writers debate the state of the USWNT after a pair of impressive showings in international friendlies in the latest edition of… The Rondo.
Getty ImagesWho was the surprise performer in this camp?
Ryan Tolmich: She's only turns 18 next week, but there aren't many better passers in the world than Yohannes. She's rapidly evolving into one of the most fun players to watch in the USWNT, largely due to her innate ability to make the near-impossible look so effortless. Her passing range is ridiculous, as is her vision, allowing her to dictate games in ways that few players in the world can. The scary thing is that she's getting better, too. If she can add some goals to her game, Yohannes will be a special, special player – and in truth, she probably already is.
Celia Balf: Lo’eau LaBonta. Being called into camp and then earning her first cap at 32 years old was absolutely something special. But the way she fit into the game with the utmost poise and delivery showed she deserved to be out there – and be out there. The midfield is a tough place to enter on the USWNT, yet she came in for Cat Macario in win over China as the nine and held her own. And then she came in for Sam Coffey in the midfield against Jamaica.
Jacob Schneider: The real surprise was from someone who didn't perform. It was rather strange that Crystal Dunn didn't get a look. Seems her veteran presence might be appreciated a bit more – tough for her to not get in against Jamaica, and – unless there was some injury issue – perhaps this is a sign that she's on the outside looking in.
AdvertisementGetty Images Is Alyssa Thompson a starter going forward?
RT: Until someone proves otherwise, absolutely. Even when Triple Espresso does come back, they might return to a USWNT featuring a very different version of Thompson – one that has taken a huge leap forward in confidence and ability. Her pace makes her an absolute menace, while her decision-making in front of goal has seemingly improved, as well. No attacker is just walking into a fully fit starting lineup, given the amount of options up front. But Thompson made a strong case to be a go-to starter.
CB: Yep. Her speed is unmatched on the wing, plus she has been involved in almost every goal the USWNT has scored in the past few games. She may not be scoring much herself – yet – but her delivery, and the chaos that she brings to the opponent’s backline is on another level. She also complements Cat Macario really well with runs off of her.
JS: Absolutely, especially with Wilson, Rodman Swanson all unavailable. Without question, she is a locked-in starter.
Getty Images Sport What are the takeaways from the goalkeeper competition?
RT: Realistically, not much, except for the fact that Phallon Tullis-Joyce is Hayes' pick for No. 1 at the moment. That situation is fluid, of course, but the fact that the Manchester United goalkeeper started both games is a pretty clear indication that she is, at the very least, near the top of the list. There will be other opportunities for the contenders in the future, but for now, Tullis-Joyce has done nothing to hurt her case to be the USWNT starter.
CB: Hayes has Tullis-Joyce at the top, for now. Earning back-to-back starts is a statement, and two clean sheets is another. Granted, Tullis-Joyce hasn’t been fully tested, with both games being snooze-fests for the USWNT defensively. But getting minutes and earning a clean sheet is never a bad thing for a keeper. The USWNT have a bit of a break before the next group of friendlies, so we’ll see if Emma brings another new keeper into the mix, as she did with this camp.
JS: Tullis-Joyce is the starter at the moment, but we haven't learned much her. Rarely tested across both matches, she's yet to have a real challenge on the international stage. However, Hayes seems to trust her – which is not something to be taken granted.
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Getty ImagesWere these two victories meaningful?
RT: Not particularly. The USWNT plays some of the sport's heavy-hitters throughout a calendar year – and these two teams were not that. Was this productive? Yes. Will players have learned some lessons? Sure. But are these two games that, ultimately, will have any impact? Not really, at least on a team level, particularly in comparison to the last window's battles with Brazil.
CB: Yes and no. Near-term, no. But in the big picture? Yes. Nearly every game the USWNT plays matters. While the result may not move any kind of needle or alter global standings, it’s all part of fitting into the larger vision that Hayes has for this team. No one likes to win more than Emma, so to say the results don’t mean anything will never be true. However, now is the time for her to experiment, for things to not necessarily be perfect. That's how players learn, and it gives Hayes time to correct.
JS: It's progress for the team from the perspective of growth and unity. This is a new-look core compared to last summer. Sure, there are a few familiar faces, but this group is relatively young – the starting XI against Jamaica had the fewest combined caps of any USWNT in the past 24 years – and is still learning and uniting. So in that respect, yes, the results matter.
The body will have up to four weeks to bring back the PCB’s 2014 constitution
Umar Farooq21-Apr-2023
The Najam Sethi-led committee had been given 120 days to bring back the PCB’s 2014 constitution•PCB
The PCB’s interim management committee headed by Najam Sethi is set to get an additional two to four weeks to reimplement the board’s 2014 constitution. The committee was initially given a term of 120 days, which will expire on Saturday.Ehsan-ur-Rehman Mazari, the federal minister for inter-provincial coordination (IPC), confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that a request for the extension has been made to the prime minister, and that they have requested to name two nominees on the new board, one of whom is expected to become the PCB chairman.A copy of the IPC note to the prime minister’s office, seen by ESPNcricinfo, reads: “The tenure of the management committee expires on April 21 and PCB is directed to submit a comprehensive report of activities so far after the revival of the PCB constitution of 2014 from 22 December 2022 to 20 April 2023. Following the development, the IPC is in its opinion to extend the tenure of the committee for a period of two to four weeks (maximum) to materialise the outcome of the action.”Mazari said the delay was primarily due to the ongoing limited-overs series against New Zealand at home, and the process to bring in a permanent set-up in the PCB will begin next month. Nothing so far indicates that Sethi will not take over as the chairman once the transformation is complete.Related
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The process will begin with the election commissioner convening a special meeting with member boards according to the 2014 constitution. The board will comprise ten members: four regional representatives (top-four teams from the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy), four representatives of services organisations (top-four department teams), and two members to be nominated by the patron at his discretion. The federal secretary of the Ministry of IPC or any other officer nominated by him shall be an ex-officio, non-voting 11th member. The term of each member of the board of governors is three years – equivalent to one term of the chairman – in a bid to promote continuity in the set-up. Among them, anyone can submit their papers to enter the election process.In December last year, it was announced that Sethi would lead a 14-member management committee to run the PCB’s affairs on an interim basis after Ramiz Raja was removed as chairman and the board’s 2019 constitution was abolished. The committee was expected to revert the PCB’s constitution to the 2014 version, and revive the regional and services department set-up in domestic cricket. The committee was tasked with the responsibility of forming a board of governors and electing a chairman, with Sethi himself in the fray, according to the 2014 constitution.The Ramiz Raja administration was removed last year as it had been functioning as per the constitution formed by Imran Khan’s government, which abolished the department structure in 2019 and had six teams representing Pakistan’s provinces in all tournaments. Imran had been a long time advocate for Pakistan’s domestic model to replicate that of Australia. The six-team model, however, was not popular outside the Imran administration and it was always likely that a new government in power would change the structure of Pakistan’s domestic cricket once again.
Chelsea’s revival under Enzo Maresca continued on Thursday evening as they secured an important 2-1 victory over FC Copenhagen in their last-16 Conference League tie.
Given the strength of their squad, plus the nature of the teams left in the competition, if the Blues don’t claim the trophy, it will be a major disappointment indeed.
If they do, they will become the first team to win the Champions League, Europa League, Cup Winners’ Cup and now Conference League, placing them in their own unique bubble.
Winning trophies is what the supporters are desperate for, especially after a tough few years.
Maresca certainly looks as though he is at Stamford Bridge for the long haul. If he does win the Conference League, it should give him and the club a major boost heading into the 2025/26 season.
They have come a long way since being managed by Frank Lampard, that’s for sure…
Frank Lampard’s time in charge of Chelsea
When Lampard took his first managerial position at Derby County ahead of the 2018/19 season, eventually taking the reins at Chelsea was something which could happen at some point in the future, depending on how well his career in the dugout panned out.
After leading the Rams to the Championship playoff final, he managed to secure a return to the Blues in the summer of 2019, taking over from Italian, Maurizio Sarri.
It was the biggest gamble in Roman Abramovich’s tenure so far, especially considering the calibre of manager he could have lured to London.
Lampard led the club to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League during his maiden season, despite the season being interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020.
It was a decent showing, especially with a transfer embargo placed upon the club, meaning the former Blues midfielder had to field several young talents.
Unfortunately, despite the presence of youngsters such as Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham, Lampard was sacked in January 2021 with Chelsea sitting ninth in the table, after spending nearly £200m in the transfer window.
His replacement, Thomas Tuchel, ended up leading the club to Champions League success, with both Mount and Abraham playing key roles in the club’s success.
The duo looked like they could be the future of the Stamford Bridge side heading into a new era under the German coach.
First Impressions
Lampard gave them their chance in the first team, and it was Abraham who looked like he could lead the line for the Blues over the coming years.
Tammy Abraham’s Chelsea record
After an impressive start to the 2019/20 season, Lampard lauded praise on the striker that October after a goal against Southampton, saying:
“Tammy’s goal was incredible. It’s confidence. When people are in good form, things happen for them. And that comes from how Tammy has handled himself all season form the early moments when people were questioning him.
“The work ethic behind the scenes that gets him in such good nick. He’s not just a handful for defenders, he has good feet, holds up the ball well. He is also getting goals which is brilliant for him.”
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2023/24
12
1
0
2022/23
54
9
6
2021/22
53
27
5
2020/21
32
12
5
2019/20
47
18
4
2018/19
42
26
3
2017/18
39
8
4
2016/17
48
26
4
That campaign ended with the Englishman scoring 18 goals in all competitions, including 15 in the Premier League, setting him up nicely for the following campaign.
He was even hailed by former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, who dubbed Abraham as “Didier Drogba-esque” after a goal during the 2019/20 season. High praise indeed.
His development continued despite managerial changes at the club, netting 12 goals for the Blues as they claimed their second Champions League trophy courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Manchester City.
It looked as though he was going to be the main man under Tuchel, but during the final few weeks of the summer transfer window, he was sold to AS Roma.
Why Chelsea struck gold selling Tammy Abraham
Overall, his spell at Chelsea yielded a total of 30 goals in 82 appearances for the club, but when Roma came in with an offer of £34m, it was clear that Tuchel was ready to cash in and use the money elsewhere.
Perhaps a fresh start would work out well for the English striker, as plenty of players from these shores have shone upon moving to continental Europe.
Indeed, 27 goals and five assists for the Italian side in all competitions proved why Mourinho spent that sort of fee in bringing him to the club. He added the Conference League trophy to his collection in the process.
Roma striker Tammy Abraham
The following two seasons weren’t quite as productive, with injuries during the 2023/24 campaign meaning the 27-year-old played just 13 times for the Serie A side.
With just days left of the 2024 summer transfer window, AC Milan announced that they had signed Abraham on a season-long loan deal from Roma. This gave him a chance of a fresh start in Milan after a year of hell.
Across 34 matches for the club, he has managed to score just eight goals, with only two coming in Serie A. Hardly the most productive of loan spells.
In the Italian top flight, the striker averages only one shot per game while missing ten big chances. Furthermore, he has completed just 5.1 passes per game along with taking 13.2 touches each match for Milan.
If he continues this sort of form, there is only one way the player will go, and this could see his value decrease significantly. At present, he is valued at just £17m, as per Transfermarkt, half of what Chelsea originally sold him for.
Aside from his debut season for Roma, Abraham’s spell in Italy hasn’t quite produced the goods. While injury issues can be blamed on his poor form last term, since joining Milan, he has struggled under the weight of expectation.
This certainly suggests that Chelsea hit the jackpot in selling him way back in the summer of 2021, no doubt about that.
He wants to leave: Chelsea must finally sell dud who cost £680k per game
Chelsea desperately need to sell one player to avoid losing more money after his big-money move.