Bajan hits 67 not out off 37 then takes two key wickets as Welsh Fire fall short

ECB Reporters Network16-Aug-2022

A superb all-round display from ex-West Indies star Deandra Dottin led Manchester Originals to a thrilling 11-run women’s Hundred victory over Welsh Fire at Emirates Old Trafford.Dottin’s 67 off 37 balls underpinned a total of 156 for 2 having been inserted, the fourth-highest in competition history.But, in a clash between two sides who had lost their opening games, Fire were on course for victory as Dottin’s fellow Bajan Hayley Matthews whacked an equally impressive 69 off 41 from the top of the order.She shared 110 in 72 balls with fellow opener Tammy Beaumont. However, Sophie Ecclestone bowled Matthews and Dottin later struck twice in two balls with her medium pace, and Fire were left needing 19 off the final set of five. They finished on 145 for 3.Related

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The game, which saw Beaumont finish unbeaten on 45 off 42 and Dottin with 2 for 21 from 15 balls, narrowly avoided a controversial ending.Fire actually bowled 101 balls in their innings following a miscount from the umpiring team, and the rogue delivery was cut for four by Emma Lamb at the end of the third set of five. For large parts of the chase, it was very realistic that the extra four runs would come into play in the final reckoning.As it was, Dottin’s double-strike to get Australians Rachael Haynes caught at mid-on and Annabel Sutherland caught at midwicket left the score at 123 for 3 after 83 balls and brought about a telling squeeze in the run rate.Deandra Dottin picked up two wickets in two balls to hurt Fire’s chase•ECB/Getty Images

The Manchester innings included contrasting scores in the mid-thirties from England duo Lamb and Ecclestone. Dottin muscled eight fours and two sixes in 37 balls, while opener Lamb struggled for momentum in 35 before unbeaten Ecclestone added an excellent quick-fire late 36 off 18 with two sixes.Dottin, the self-professed ‘World Boss’ who retired from international cricket at the start of the month, came in at No. 3 with the score 27 for 1 after an early wicket for the excellent Alex Hartley, the left-arm spinner returning to home turf.Dottin, who reached her fifty in 31 balls, dominated a second-wicket stand of 67 with Lamb before adding an unbeaten 62 with Ecclestone in the final 31 balls.She was strong on both sides of the wicket, hitting two sixes over midwicket off Matthews and another over long-off against Katie George.Originals scored 96 off the final 50 balls of their innings, a competition record.Hartley, an Original last year and still a mainstay of the Old Trafford-based Thunder’s regional team, was superb with 1 for 17 from her 20 balls, making the initial breakthrough by getting Lizelle Lee caught at short fine leg off a top-edged sweep.Matthews was strong on both sides of the wicket, punishing anything too short or too full as she hit 12 fours.Like Dottin, she reached her fifty off 31 balls. But when she was bowled trying to cut a quicker ball from Ecclestone’s left-arm spin, it proved a key moment in an entertaining fixture wrapped up as Kate Cross defended 19 against Beaumont and Fran Wilson.

Manchester Originals take their defence of 120 to the wire in low-scoring thriller

Vithushan Ehantharajah03-Sep-2022

Trent Rockets 121 for 8 (Malan 19, Little 2-18) beat Manchester Originals 120 for 9 (Turner 26, Cook 4-18) by two wicketsOne of the many criticisms of the 2022 edition of the men’s Hundred was the lack of close finishes. The kind which build legends and tear down legacies, or even simply give mortals a taste of nectar or soul-crushing agony. Now, in the 32nd and final game, we had it.Trent Rockets won the Hundred, and to work out how would require starting right at the end. A chase of 121 which always felt on the verge of going off the rails had somehow stayed upright until the final five deliveries, with a seemingly unlikely 11 required for victory. Lewis Gregory, captain of the Rockets, Somerset till he dies, England once in a while, found them within three.A miraculous flat six over square leg from a near-perfect leg-stump yorker was the surprise knife into the side of Manchester Originals. The four flicked around the corner from a next-ball full toss, then the single to take Rockets over the line, simply twisted it.As Gregory roared like a man finally being allowed to exorcise the tension he had managed so well up to that point, Richard Gleeson fell to his knees, eyes red from the pain of knowing he was most to blame. More so through having the courage and trust to deliver that final set. His second ball could have been better, but the first was more or less exactly what he wanted. It didn’t matter what the third was.Having been there at the end of Lancashire’s last-ball defeat in the Vitality Blast final against Hampshire, this was another demoralising moment for Gleeson – at the end of an otherwise breakthrough summer in which he’s made his England debut and earned a role as a designated reserve for the T20 World Cup. One crumb of comfort was how quickly he rose to his feet to congratulate the victors. The 34-year-old is no stranger to returning from adversity.How we got to this finish will remain a mystery, because nothing about how the match’s previous 195 deliveries suggested anything close to a high drama, high-quality finale. There was ebb and flow, which isn’t exactly what this format is supposed to be about. The scores and balls go up, then they come down, while the broadcasters assure you this is the best thing ever. By the end, they weren’t even hamming it up.Everyone got what they wanted at the toss. Manchester Originals chose to bat first, which suited Trent Rockets who were going to bowl. Midway through the fifth set, with Originals reeling on 22 for three – captain Laurie Evans, wily fox Wayne Madsen and soon-to-be England’s T20 starting opener Phil Salt all seen off in the space of 23 balls – it looked like one team had it very wrong.Sam Cook made the initial breakthroughs•Getty Images

Perhaps cues should have been taken from the women’s game. Oval Invincibles played a tacky pitch better than Southern Brave, in part because they could plan a route to their target of 102 rather than thrash around blindly on a pitch that wasn’t conducive to an engaging spectacle. By CricViz’s metrics, this was the toughest surface for batting in the Hundred this season.It was made that little harder by Sam Cook and Samit Patel, whose variants of seam and spin claimed four for 18 and three for 23 respectively. Cook’s were split evenly between the first 20 and final 20 deliveries. Evans was trapped lbw and Madsen bowled, before he returned at the death to remove Tom Lammonby with a leg-stump yorker and then castle Gleeson.Patel’s work, however, kept an explosive middle-order under wraps. Tristan Stubbs was undone by a bit of bounce – a top-edged sweep to fine leg taken superbly by wicketkeeper Tom Moores as he tracked the ball towards fine leg. The long levers of Walter came and went, as a leading edge found a sprawling Dawid Malan at cover to leave Patel on a hat-trick.The third did not come immediately, but it was perhaps the most valuable of the lot. Ashton Turner, Originals’ replacement for Andre Russell, was finding more joy than any of his team-mates, even striking Patel into the stands at midwicket for the only six of the innings. An attempt to repeat the shot against the 37-year-old found Cook in the deep. Nevertheless, the Australian’s jolt of adrenaline was enough for the tail to sneak to 120.Even with the deck as it was, the expectation was of a comfortable Rockets win, given a line-up packed full of international experience. However, their three T20I centurions all underwhelmed: Alex Hales clubbed Little to cover, Malan (19) gifted Stubbs a leading edge into the covers off Walter, and Colin Munro (16) gave Parkinson the last laugh with a catch at long-off after striking him for back-to-back fours.Patel offered little with the bat. He was struck on the head by a Walter short ball and then fell for just nine from 13 to leave a testing yet achievable 36 from 26. By the final 15, just after Moores had become Walter’s second, there were 24 required which became 15 from 13 when a scampered three was followed by a Daniel Sams heave to leg off Tom Hartley that was carried over the boundary by Lammonby.Related

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Another go at clearing that region went too straight and into Stubbs’ mitts at long-on, the first of two wickets for four runs in the eight balls that led to Gleeson’s fateful final five.The journey to that point had been long and winding, beginning at the start of August and featuring a Friday-night detour to the Ageas Bowl for Manchester Originals to earn the right to be here. And now, thanks to two wickets each for Little, Walter, Hartley and Parkinson, they were on the verge of doing it the hard way. Now they’ll have to start from the beginning and do it all again.As for the Rockets, this was no less than they deserved. They have set the standard in the men’s competition, right down to leaning on Nottinghamshire’s fashioning of Trent Bridge into one of the best short-form venue experiences in the world. For the longest time, the ground and the county have set a high standard for white ball cricket. Now they have another trophy to show for it, after a match that served a timely reminder that, no matter the format, cricket always wins.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has claimed the Premier League is stronger than ever, citing stiff competition against Manchester City's 'unlimited' wealth.

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Slot claims City have 'unlimited' moneyPraises his team's ability to competeHits back at accusations PL has been poorFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Liverpool head coach was hitting back against accusations that Liverpool's expected title win is less impressive given the perceived lack of strength at the top of the Premier League this season, with rivals like Man City and Arsenal picking up a fraction of the points tallies they have in recent seasons. Slot's response was bullish, with the Dutchman claiming his players are competing against the "unlimited amounts of money" held by Man City.

AdvertisementWHAT SLOT SAID

Slot said: "Is it stronger than the season before or two or three seasons before? That’s up to everyone to debate. But during the week you saw Aston Villa, who are seventh, being so good and unfortunate not to go to extra time against Paris Saint-Germain, a team that together with Manchester City have unlimited amounts of money to spend. That could be an example of saying ‘yes, the Premier League is really good at the moment’. We also saw in the week what a team Newcastle is and the fact they played so well against us in the League Cup final is not a surprise anymore. So what a league we are in. I think it is stronger than ever." He conceded: “The amount of points could be an argument. City, a few years ago, got 100 points and then Liverpool had 99. Was that the best Premier League there ever was or was it too easy for Liverpool and City to win their games? You can look at things whichever way you want."

AFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

For Liverpool fans, this season's points haul won't be a huge concern as long as they can get the trophy over the line. Last summer, the general outlook was that this would be a transitional season for the Merseyside club, so their electric, table-topping performances have shocked many within the game (although Slot himself says it's no surprise Liverpool are competing for the title again).

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

The Reds have a chance to wrap up the league title this weekend with five games to spare. If Arsenal fail to beat Ipswich Town on the afternoon of Sunday 20 April, Slot's team have the opportunity to inch over the line and secure only a second league title for the club in 35 years with victory at Leicester City. It's a huge moment in what has been a marvellous first Premier League campaign for the Dutch coach.

MatériaMais Notícias

No Couto Pereira, o Coritiba teve Igor Paixão inspirado para derrubar o Botafogo e pegar o elevador na classificação do Campeonato Brasileiro.

– VEJA A TABELA DO BRASILEIRÃO

Na coletiva de imprensa, Acuña, que substituiu Gustavo Morínigo, exaltou o seu elenco e a dedicação dos atletas.

‘Temos um elenco muito bom, demonstrou que estamos bem. Hoje em dia, se não está bem fisicamente, o Brasileirão é muito difícil. Estamos trabalhando sempre, queremos melhorar dia a dia, partida a partida’, destacou.

Com o resultado, o Coxa é o 3º colocado, com 13 pontos conquistados, dois a menos que o líder Palmeiras.

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حُسمت هوية الفرق المتأهلة من الدوري الإسباني إلى بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، موسم 2024/25، مساء يوم الأحد، بعد انتهاء منافسات الجولة السابعة والثلاثين.

وشهد مساء يوم الأحد، إقامة كافة مباريات الجولة المذكورة من الليجا، في توقيت واحد، من أجل تكافؤ الفرص.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ترتيب الدوري الإسباني بعد فوز ريال مدريد وأتلتيكو مدريد وهزيمة برشلونة

كان برشلونة قد حسم لقب الدوري الإسباني، يوم الخميس الماضي، بعدما فاز على إسبانيول بهدفين دون رد.

وحسم برشلونة وريال مدريد وأتلتيكو مدريد تأهلهم إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا بالفعل، منذ فترة، ولحق بهم أتلتيك بلباو.

في حين أن فياريال تمكن من الحصول على بطاقة التأهل الأخيرة إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا، من الليجا، اليوم، بعدما فاز على برشلونة بثلاثة أهداف لهدفين.

ومن المعروف أن أصحاب المراكز الأربعة الأولى في الدوري الإسباني يشاركون في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وحصلت إسبانيا على مقعد إضافي في دوري الأبطال، بفضل تصنيفها الجيد، بالنظر إلى نتائج فرقها في المسابقات الأوروبية هذا الموسم.

As they look to welcome the first signing of the Graham Potter era, West Ham United have reportedly turned their attention towards a shock defensive target they want to sign ahead of rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

West Ham transfer news

Following a busy summer transfer window which saw the likes of Niclas Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville arrive alongside new manager Julen Lopetegui, West Ham had reason to be optimistic. Six months later, however, and it’s fair to say that was simply a false dawn. Fullkrug is quickly heading towards flop status, as is Summerville – although the winger is still young – and Lopetegui has been shown the door.

In his place, Potter has since been tasked with turning things around and desperately needs reinforcements if he is to do so. With Michail Antonion, Jarrod Bowen and Fullkrug all injured, the Hammers have been linked to the likes of Jhon Duran who was even reportedly the subject of a January bid from the London club which was turned down by Aston Villa.

It’s not just a blunt frontline that needs fixing though, given that the Hammers have suffered a leaky backline since the beginning of the season in a problem that Potter could yet solve in the future using a surprising option.

According to The Boot Room, West Ham and Potter are now eyeing a move to sign Jack Taylor from National League side Sutton United ahead of fellow interested club Tottenham this month.

The 19-year-old spent the start of the season on loan at Hampton & Richmond Borough in the National League South before doing enough to earn a call back to his parent club where he has impressed even further.

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Now, having started the season in England’s sixth tier, Taylor could get the chance to end it by playing in the Premier League at West Ham in what would be a sensational move.

"Talented" Taylor would be a gamble

Of course, the most famous success story from non-league to the Premier League has been Jamie Vardy. Leicester City took an early gamble and it has paid off more than ever, with the veteran striker now an undisputed English football legend and someone who played a vital part in arguably the greatest Premier League title win in history when the Foxes sealed shock glory in 2015/16.

Now, Taylor could follow a similar path from the National League all the way to the Premier League and West Ham. Although the interest of the London club may come as a shock to many, however, Sutton manager Steve Morrison may not be among those.

The experienced manager told the club’s media channels when asked about Taylor’s return from loan: “I want him to come back in and put his mark on this squad and I think he’s earned the right to do that. And he’s a talented boy and one that can be a big player for us.”

Morrison may not get very long to enjoy Taylor’s talents if West Ham come calling this month to solve defensive problems of their own, making the 19-year-old one to watch.

Well, Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League has been slashed. It’s all doom and gloom (joking, it’s not). Arsenal might have won at home against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday but Liverpool remain four points clear and with a game in hand.

Arne Slot’s side have been brilliant this season and are favourites for the title, but it would be remiss to think that the Reds will storm away and out of sight before January’s done and dusted.

It’s remarkable that Liverpool have even found themselves in such a promising position after Jurgen Klopp stepped down, with most assuming that Anfield would tussle for a place in the Champions League.

But Slot’s tactics and managerial expertise have propelled the Merseysiders into the ascendency across a range of fronts, and while Liverpool have only won three of their past seven top-flight fixtures, it’s anticipated the smoother sailing will return after a tough winter.

Liverpool have endured. They usually do. And anyway, the Redmen often dip into the January transfer window to make one or two well-placed improvements, and that might take place in the coming weeks.

Liverpool & the January transfer window

Liverpool and the January transfer window, a match made in heaven. Be it Virgil van Dijk or Takumi Minamino, FSG have always enjoyed making a wonderful winter signing to advance Liverpool’s cause.

Van Dijk is the gold standard and his £75m move from Southampton might even be the Premier League’s greatest January transfer, revolutionising Jurgen Klopp’s backline and leading Liverpool to glory.

Years before, let’s not forget, Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge both joined from different outfits in January 2013, with Luis Suarez completing a £23m transfer from Ajax two years prior.

More recently, however, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo enjoyed mid-season switches to Merseyside, having now gone strength to strength under Slot’s wing, integral parts of the Anfield make-up.

The Red Devils were left munching dirt clouds as Liverpool welcomed Gakpo to the fold, and now, FSG are looking to repeat the trick with one of the Premier League’s most underrated midfielders.

Liverpool eyeing Prem midfielder

As per Football Insider, scouts from Liverpool and Manchester United have been tracking Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes in recent months and could strike a deal this year.

Wolves are battling relegation but have improved under Vitor Pereira in recent weeks, and it would take a mammoth fee to convince the Old Gold to part with their engine this month.

However, a deal could certainly be struck this summer, with previous reports suggesting that the Anfielders would have to cough up something in the ballpark of £50m.

What Joao Gomes would bring to Liverpool

Gomes is a talented midfielder with an eye for a tackle. Wolves signed Flamengo’s prospect for £15m in January 2023, so he’s already accustomed to a winter rehousing.

71 appearances later, Gomes has scored five goals and assisted three more for his English employers, making good on talent scout Jacek Kulig’s praise that he is a “warrior” who “always gives 100% on the pitch.”

Gomes’ seasonal heatmap from the English top flight says it all: his boundless energy and enthusiasm across the different facets of the midfield game, completing 85% of his passes, 62% of his dribbles and averaging 5.1 ball recoveries per game.

He might be a dynamic and multi-faceted midfielder, but Gomes is a ball-winning monster at heart, ranking among the top 1% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for tackles (4.05) per 90, as per FBref, emphasising that he would bring combative energy to Liverpool’s rich engine room.

17th-placed Wolves might be embroiled in a fight to stay in the Premier League but Gomes has been a machine in the middle, capable of playing deep and more advanced.

His energy and expertise as a “box-crasher,” as analyst Ben Mattinson has called him, could bear dividends for a Liverpool side that has enjoyed so much success with Ryan Gravenberch as the deep-lying playmaker.

Liverpool needs to get this one done, especially when considering the rich history in welcoming winter talent to the first team. Given that the aforementioned Gakpo had been on Man United’s radar, like Gomes, there’s an even more pressing reason to ensure that he’s added to the ranks.

Leaving PSV Eindhoven, Dutch sensation Gakpo was only 23 when he moved to Liverpool, the same age as Gomes is now.

He’s been one of the key attacking pillars in Slot’s system this season, firing 12 goals and placing four assists across 30 appearances in all competitions.

The Netherlands international has been hailed as “Liverpool’s man for the big occasion” by reporter Beth Lindop, not blessed with the audacious prolificness of Mohamed Salah but indispensable as a title challenge is mounted.

How Liverpool would love to strike a blow in Man United hearts once again, strengthening their midfield ranks with a player who would be perfect for Ruben Amorim’s system.

The Old Trafford side have endured much market misery over the past decade but Liverpool’s talent radar is usually unerring, so it would be a travesty to lose this player to their rivals, who are desperately seeking a resurgence.

Whether Gomes is ready to make the jump is open to question, but based on the evidence from within tough conditions at Molineux, the Reds might just score a blinder by adding this one to the fold.

Huge Nunez upgrade: Liverpool eyeing "one of the best CFs in the world"

Liverpool are ready to hijack a big rival in order to sign this Darwin Nunez upgrade.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Jan 14, 2025

Ange Postecoglou has been the manager of Tottenham Hotspur for a season and a half now, and it would be fair to describe his tenure as mixed.

The Australian has managed to turn his team into one of the most entertaining in all of European football, but that, combined with injuries, has also seen them become rather easy to play against.

On the transfer front, he’s welcomed in some brilliant players, like Dominic Solanke, Micky van de Ven and Archie Gray, but he’s also signed Radu Dragusin and Timo Werner.

The German winger has not been a success in North London, so it’s good news that recent reports have touted an ideal replacement for a move to the club this month.

Tottenham chase incredible talent

According to a recent update from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham are one of several clubs interested in Bayern Munich gem Mathys Tel.

Transfer Focus

Romano has revealed that, alongside the Lilywhites, Manchester United and seven other unnamed teams have made contact over signing the player on a loan deal for the rest of the season with talks set to open soon.

However, according to the Italian journalist, the player is after assurances over game time, which, with Solanke out injured, could be something Postecoglou could give him.

Moreover, reports from earlier this week revealed that the German giants would be willing to accept the offer of around £40m to sell the youngster permanently, should Spurs decide that the best course of action.

In all, while there is a lot of interest in Tel, the North Londoners should do what they can to bring him to N17, as even on loan, he’d be the perfect replacement for Werner.

Transfer Focus

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

How Tel compares to Werner

So, if Spurs can convince the 19-year-old that he should join them for the rest of the season or more, then that would mean he’d be coming to the club under the promise of regular football.

Therefore, he’d surpass Werner in the pecking order, and based on comparisons between the pair, we think that would be entirely correct.

For example, when you compare the Frenchman’s form from last season, when he was actually playing, to the German’s from this same campaign, the difference is night and day.

For his part, the “unbelievable” prospect, as dubbed by reporter Florian Plettenberg, scored ten goals and provided six assists in 41 appearances, totalling 1406 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.56 games, or every 87.87 minutes.

In contrast, the former Chelsea ace scored four goals and provided four assists in 28 appearances, totalling 1295 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every 3.5 games, or every 161.87 minutes.

Unfortunately for the Stuttgart-born star, the comparison is even more one-sided when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers from the start of last season to today.

For example, the Sarcelles-born dynamo comes out on top in the majority of forward-relevant metrics, including, but not limited to, actual non-penalty goals plus assists, shots and shots on target, goals per shot and shot on target, successful take-ons, shot and goal-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.55

0.66

Actual Non-Penalty G+As

0.83

0.44

Shots

3.62

2.54

Goals per Shot

0.14

0.06

Shots on Target

1.37

0.85

Goals per Shot on Target

0.36

0.19

Shot-Creating Actions

3.59

3.57

Goal-Creating Actions

0.97

0.56

Successful Take-Ons

3.33

1.43

Ultimately, Tel is the far superior player in every meaningful way and significantly younger as well.

Therefore, Spurs should be doing all they can to bring him to North London this month, and maybe on more than a loan deal.

Perfect Son replacement: Spurs weigh up late move for "unstoppable" PL star

Spurs could replace Heung-min Son with a late move in the transfer window.

3 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 29, 2025

Chelsea have often been known to make a move or two in the transfer window, especially since the takeover of Todd Boehly back in May 2022 from Roman Abramovich.

It’s safe to say the American has shown ambition in signing players to try and secure the club their first Premier League title since the 2016/17 season under Italian Antonio Conte.

Conte’s compatriot Enzo Maresca is the latest man tasked with the challenge of ending the drought, with the club’s investment crucial in handing him the best opportunity to be a success at Stamford Bridge.

On the flip side, outgoings are just as important, balancing the books to prevent any financial breaches, whilst also raising funds to reinvest into the playing squad.

Given the quantity of players currently on the payroll of the Blues, it’s no surprise to see numerous players linked with a move away, including one talent who only recently joined up with Maresca’s side.

Chelsea star in talks to leave Stamford Bridge

According to Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo, Chelsea star João Félix is already in talks over a move away from West London, just a couple of months after permanently moving to the Bridge.

The Portuguese international cost owner Boehly around £46m in the summer, with academy graduate Conor Gallagher moving to Atlético Madrid as a separate deal, but used as a sweetener to allow Felix to move.

However, the transfer hasn’t gone as planned for the Blues, starting just three Premier League outings to date, registering just one goal with the majority of his minutes coming off the bench.

The report claims that the 25-year-old has been in direct talks with former Blues boss José Mourinho over a move to join Turkish side Fenerbahçe this month, whether that be on a temporary or permanent basis.

The Benfica academy graduate is said to be ‘uncomfortable’ with his current situation under Maresca, as per the report, opening the door to a move should the right offer fall his way.

Should he move, it could see a repeat of a deal for one other star who moved to the club with high expectations before moving on quickly, allowing the hierarchy to cut their losses.

Why Felix could be a Morata repeat for Chelsea

Striker Álvaro Morata may have joined from Real Madrid rather than Atlético, but he was another LaLiga talent who moved to Chelsea with real hope of being a success given the huge price tag.

The 32-year-old cost a whopping £70m including add-ons back in the summer of 2017, with real expectations of transforming the frontline after notching 20 goals with the Spanish giants the season prior.

However, despite scoring 15 goals during his only full year in England, it was soon apparent that he wasn’t the right fit for the club, only lasting another six months before departing on loan to join Felix’s former side Atlético.

Whilst they didn’t lose a whole host on their investment, leaving permanently for £58m at the end of his temporary stint under Diego Simeone, it was a move that didn’t pay off – very similar to that of Felix in 2024/25.

Since leaving West London, Morata has moved to AC Milan in Italy, but has registered double figures in every campaign since leaving the English outfit – potentially allowing the club to rue their decision given their recent hunt for a number nine.

2019/20

44

16

4

2020/21

44

20

11

2021/22

48

12

7

2022/23

45

15

3

2023/24

48

21

4

Total:

229

84

29

Should the Portuguese ace, who earns £130k-per-week, depart this month, it would be a shame to see a player of his quality to leave, but it’s clear that he’s currently not in Maresca’s plans moving forward given his lack of action to date.

The “sensational” 25-year-old, as dubbed by journalist Alex Goncalves, hasn’t been given the opportunities to showcase his star quality and given the fact he’s set to enter his prime years, he desperately needs to be playing regular football.

Given the form of former talisman Morata after departing West London, the club need to consider all viable options to prevent a similar situation from occurring once again.

Felix is certainly deserving of more time in England to allow Maresca’s side to reap the rewards of his attributes and to prevent themselves from prematurely offloading a player who could aid their top four push in the next few months.

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A key update has emerged regarding Celtic signing an attacking “jewel” in the current transfer window, with Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph sharing the news.

Celtic transfer news

The Hoops were reportedly in talks to complete the signing of Sevilla striker Kelechi Iheanacho on Saturday, with the Nigerian keen on a move away from the La Liga side. Brendan Rodgers worked alongside him during their time at Leicester City, and he could help fill the attacking void left by Kyogo Furuhashi.

Celtic are also believed to be eyeing up a last-gasp move for Slovan Bratislava forward David Strelec, with attacking reinforcements seemingly the order of the day at Parkhead. He has scored 10 goals in 11 league starts this season, as well as netting twice in the Champions League.

Manchester United left-back Tyrell Malacia has been mentioned as a transfer target for the Hoops, too, with Alex Valle moving back to Barcelona earlier this week.

Whether the Red Devils would be willing to sell remains to be seen, especially given Luke Shaw’s injury woes, but it would be a real signing of intent by Celtic, ahead of their Champions League playoff clash with Bayern Munich later this month. Now, another transfer claim has dropped regarding a fellow target.

Update on Celtic's move for attacking "jewel"

Writing on X on Saturday, Joseph reported that Celtic’s talks with Brondby over the signing of Mathias Kvistgaarden have “broken down”, with a move for the £10m-rated attacker seemingly off:

This is a disappointing update for Hoops supporters, considering what a strong addition Kvistgaarden could be, not only in terms of the present, but also the long-term future.

The 22-year-old has found the net 10 times in only 12 starts in the Danish Super Liga this season, while football talent scout Jacek Kulig has described him as a “jewel” of a footballer.

Hopefully, there is still the potential for Celtic to sign Kvistgaarden in the summer, even if he doesn’t move to Parkhead during the current window, but the fact that Joseph points out that other targets are now being looked at suggests that may not happen.

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It’s now a case of frantically signing an alternative before Monday’s deadline, but the Hoops must make sure they don’t panic buy, bringing in the wrong player in the process.