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Inspired by Brendon McCullum, Tim Seifert ready for greater New Zealand role

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

“At the same age, he’s ahead of where I was as a batter” – McCullum on Seifert

Deivarayan Muthu23-Nov-2020Before his first innings as a T20I opener – a match-winning 43-ball 84 against India in Wellington last year – Tim Seifert searched for videos of Brendon McCullum on YouTube. After displaying shades of McCullum in that innings, Seifert said his hero reached out to him, congratulating him on that innings. This year, Seifert has had a chance to spend four months with McCullum, tuning up his keeping and batting skills in the CPL and the IPL.After being part of the Trinbago Knight Riders juggernaut that enjoyed an unbeaten run to the CPL title under coach McCullum, Seifert had less than 24 hours to spend at home, during which he “dropped the knee” to his girlfriend Morgan Croasedale and won her approval.Then, he dashed out to the UAE to link up with the other Knight Riders franchise, Kolkata, also coached by McCullum, as a replacement player. Seifert didn’t get a game in the IPL; nevertheless it has been an incredible few months for him.”I found out that KKR were interested in me to go to the IPL with about three days left in my New Zealand isolation,” Seifert said during a virtual media conference. “Then, I got out [of managed isolation after CPL] on a Wednesday about midday, and the next day at 5 o’clock I was flying out to Dubai. It was about 20 hours at home. I dropped the knee to my girlfriend which was quite exciting, then it was straight on the plane to the IPL.”ALSO READ: Tim Seifert likes to go bam bamSeifert continues to work with McCullum, who is acting as a guest coach for New Zealand’s IPL contingent that is under Managed Isolation Quarantine (MIQ) in Christchurch. Seifert even said that his relationship with McCullum has “grown as a mate thing”.”Before this [four months], we’ve had some real good conversations over the phone and the odd session here and there,” Seifert said. “But to be able to have four months with him – it has been outstanding from not just his ways of how he played the game but for myself as well to ask him about my game. Also, it’s a lot easier working with someone when they’re there than over the phone. He has been doing a bit of shadow-keeping, he’s been behind me and so he’s getting the same views that I’ve been getting.”

“At the same age, he’s ahead of where I was as a batter at the same time.”McCullum on Seifert

As for McCullum, he delivered a glowing appraisal of Seifert, saying he had improved his game so much that he could push for a spot in other formats as well in the future. Seifert is New Zealand’s first-choice T20I keeper, but has played just three ODIs so far, and is yet to make his Test debut.”His game is very similar to mine. At the same age, he’s ahead of where I was as a batter at the same time, and in a wicketkeeping point of view, he’s really improved in a short space of time that he was with Trinidad in the CPL and Kolkata in the IPL,” McCullum gushed. “He continues to impress and I think he’s in for a breakout season for the Black Caps.”Yes, I do [see Seifert as a long-term player]. He’s a special talent,” McCullum added. “To see how quickly someone can improve and develop skills and his attitude and how much he wants in this game is something to behold. If he gets the opportunity, and can take it early on, he can put some pressure on the incumbents in other forms of the game as well. But first and foremost, he’s going to get the opportunity in T20s and I think he has had a little bit of success in international cricket and I think his best days are certainly in front of him.”Seifert’s batting position has been a talking point in the recent past. As a big-hitter, he prefers batting at the top of the order and in the powerplay – his 40-ball hundred, a Super Smash record, came right at the top. However, with Martin Guptill and Colin Munro going strong as an opening pair, Seifert has opened in only five of the 29 T20Is he has played.But with Munro now set to head across the Tasman Sea for a BBL stint with Perth Scorchers, Seifert could move back to the opening slot in the upcoming T20I series against West Indies.”I haven’t had those [batting position] discussions with Steady [coach Gary Stead] yet. But, for me personally, I do enjoy batting up at the top,” Seifert said. “I think that’s where I can probably execute my skills the best and try and get the team off to a good start. But, at the same time I’ve batted a lot in the middle order in the franchise cricket for TKR and obviously in my domestic and international career. To be honest, wherever I bat, I’m happy, but if I had to choose, I probably want to stay at the top.”Seifert could face some competition from Glenn Phillips, who is back in the New Zealand mix after being the top-scorer for Jamaica Tallawahs in CPL 2019 as well as CPL 2020. Earlier this year, there was a toss-up between Seifert and Phillips in the CPL knockouts and it could continue in New Zealand’s home season.”It’s always good having those guys around, but I think I have to go out there and do my job and whatever I can do for the team,” Seifert said. “Hopefully, that helps win every game and win the series. It’s great as a team to have people there with you and help your game move forward and help each other. I think it’s great for Glenn. He’s back in the side, and he’s got runs, and that’s all that matters.”Seifert also reckoned that his stint with Kieron Pollard at TKR could help him provide clues for the New Zealand attack to counter the West Indies captain.”Before going to the CPL, how to bowl to Polly, I wouldn’t have known at all,” Seifert said. “But, spending those couple of months with Polly in the CPL and him being captain…being able to sit down with him and actually talk about his career, I could easily go into the Black Caps environment and give my two cents on how we should bowl to Polly – rightly or wrongly. I think it gives you a great insight of these guys and how they actually do things because they do open up to you because you’re in the same team and they want franchise teams to go well. It’s a great opportunity to learn from those guys, but it is also nice to get told what they think.”

Fortaleza x RB Bragantino: onde assistir, horário e escalações do jogo pelo Brasileirão

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

MatériaMais Notícias

Fortaleza e Red Bull Bragantino se enfrentam neste domingo (28), na Arena Castelão, pela quarta rodada do Brasileirão. A bola rola a partir das 18h30 (de Brasília), com transmissão do Premiere (pay-per-view). O Leão do Pici soma quatro pontos em duas partidas até aqui, enquanto o Massa Bruta lidera a competição com sete pontos em três jogos.

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➡️Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

➡️ A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!

Quer apostar nesse jogo?

Ambos times vêm de compromissos pela Copa Sul-Americana no meio de semana. O Fortaleza venceu o Boca Juniors, da Argentina, por 4 a 2, enquanto o Bragantino bateu o Sportivo Luqueño, do Paraguai, por 2 a 1. Apesar da boa campanha que faz o Massa Bruta no Campeonato Brasileiro, as odds do Lance! Betting apontam os mandantes como favoritos no Castelão. Apostando R$ 100 na vitória do Leão, você pode levar R$ 195 para casa! Por outro lado, se confiar nos visitantes, o mesmo valor de aposta pode virar R$ 406!

APOSTE JÁ!

Confira abaixo todas as informações que você precisa saber sobre o confronto entre Fortaleza e Red Bull Bragantino (onde assistir, horário, escalações e local).

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✅FICHA TÉCNICA
Fortaleza x Red Bull Bragantino
4ª rodada – Brasileirão

📅 Data e horário: domingo, 28 de abril de 2024, às 18h30 (de Brasília)
🏟️ Local: Arena Castelão, em Fortaleza (CE)
🟨 Árbitro: Davi de Oliveira Lacerda (ES)
🚩 Assistentes: Fernanda Kruger (MT-Fifa) e Douglas Pagung (ES)
🖥️ VAR: Rodrigo Nunes de Sa (RJ-Fifa)

⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES
FORTALEZA (Técnico: Juan Pablo Vojvoda)
João Ricardo; Tinga, Brítez, Titi e Bruno Pacheco; Zé Welison, Hércules e Pochettino; Pikachu, Moisés e Lucero.

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RB BRAGANTINO (Técnico: Pedro Caixinha)
Cleiton; Hurtado, Douglas Mendes, Luan Cândido e Guilherme; Jadsom, Eric Ramires e Gustavo Neves; Vitinho, Mosquera e Eduardo Sasha.

Tudo sobre

BragantinoBrasileirãoCampeonato BrasileiroFortalezaOnde assistir

Kohli and Test cricket gave each other their best

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

His competitiveness was something to behold, his love for Test cricket infectious, and he had this special ability to take you along on the ride

Sidharth Monga13-May-20251:38

AB de Villiers: ‘I did get a hint that Kohli would retire’

Now I feel old, man. Virat Kohli has run out of the fight to play Test cricket.Virat Kohli.I never imagined a day would come when Virat Kohli would wake up, decide to meet the selectors, and tell them that his body, mind, heart and spirit were not giving him enough to be able to play Test cricket to his standards anymore.Test cricket. The format he lived for. Anyone who has seen Kohli play knew it would take something extraordinary to take him away from “the quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever”. What a beautiful farewell note he has written. Only father time could dim Kohli’s boundless enthusiasm and love for Test cricket.Related

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Virat Kohli retires from Test cricket

Kohli has been Indian cricket's most influential figure

Feel old yet?All through my writing career, I have been certain of one thing: the fight in Kohli, especially for Test cricket. It has been the one constant in my time of covering Indian cricket. Don’t get me wrong, he has not been the only one with the fight for Test cricket, but not everyone is blessed with all the attributes required to live every minute of the Test cricket they play: natural physical strength, combativeness, ability to understand and fine-tune a good-enough technique, and the sheer love for Test cricket that makes you work on everything else, that makes success in Test cricket an obsession, a non-negotiable.I have seen and felt this energy and fight across the world. I experienced it first-hand long before Kohli played Test cricket. This was even before he had unleashed his competitive side in the Under-19 World Cup final when India scored just 159 and he took offence at the South African players’ premature dropping of the guard. He was not even a regular in a Delhi team that included Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Aakash Chopra, Shikhar Dhawan, Mithun Manhas and Rajat Bhatia.Delhi were playing Maharashtra in this small hill town of Nagothane in late 2007. This was an Australia tour selection audition for Sehwag and Chopra. Sehwag was proving his fitness, Chopra his worth, and the Delhi batting was too packed to include Kohli in the XI.The Delhi nets were a daunting place, what with all these stalwarts, and Manoj Prabhakar in the coaching staff. The loud laughter from the nets looks and sounds like fun and games from the outside, but it is a seriously competitive place where every newcomer must earn their respect. “These days even Kohli is blocking,” Prabhakar was heard saying when Kohli defended a ball in the nets. Cue laughter all around. What is a 19-year-old kid to make of it? Isn’t he supposed to work on his defence in Ranji nets? He hit the next ball for a six, and went back to defending.There weren’t many lodging options, and we all ended up in the same resort. After a day’s play, with nowhere else to go, a few Delhi youngsters ended up with us in the table tennis room. None of us was playing seriously. Until I happened to beat Kohli. Even in a casual, almost joke of a table tennis match, this 19-year-old couldn’t bear losing to a 24-year-old journalist he was never going to be in competition with.By all accounts Kohli is a chill kinda guy outside cricket. I don’t know him off the field, but everybody says he is funny, an exceptional mimic, and has interests outside the game.2:54

Pujara: Kohli brought a shift in India’s fitness culture as captain

Once the cricket switch was flicked on, though, the lack of chill was something to behold. And it extended to every activity within cricket. Kohli couldn’t help but compete. He had to be the ‘est: the best, the fastest, the loudest, the coolest, the funniest, even the nastiest when nasties were needed. And he had this special ability to take you along on the ride. Not just the players who felt drawn to rallying with him, but those watching and living the game through him.My quintessential visual memory of Kohli the Test cricketer is not from his batting or catching. It’s him at second slip, living every ball bowled by his fast bowlers. In that brief moment after the ball was played, you could look at Kohli and tell what had happened. The little hop if the ball was good. Asking the crowd to cheer when the bowling felt flat. If the edge was taken, he wouldn’t wait for the catch to be completed. He would start running towards the bowler, passing very close to the batter. His sculpted arms swinging in celebration.Kohli would compete anywhere, anytime. If any opponent’s celebration went out of the ordinary, he would outdo them when the time was right. If someone sledged him, he would unleash his fury on them when they batted. When the drunk barrackers in Sydney tried to bully him, he flipped them the bird. When there were calls to drop him when the seniors were failing more than he was, he expressed his anguish at the injustice. When he failed against the seaming ball in England, he didn’t go into a shell; he became intent on meeting the ball even earlier. Even press conferences were a competition. Even when he was injured during the 2016-17 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he kept on fighting from the viewing area. Even as recently as his last Test series, Kohli was beefing with a debutant.Perhaps nobody knows better than Kohli that batters have limited agency in Test cricket, but his competitiveness made him must-see at all times. Neither spectators nor the opposition could take their eye off him. Even when he was not at his best, Kohli’s wicket brought the biggest celebration from the opposition. Even with a glaring limitation during his last few years, just his presence meant they were in a fight. By being in this aroused, hyper-charged state all the time, Kohli brought the best out of both teams, and elevated the spectacle of Test cricket.It is ultimately a sport of runs and wickets, but Kohli’s presence went beyond. Anyone who watched him felt that energy. The crowds danced to his tune. They hung on to every gesture. He was their conductor, they his orchestra.Kohli lived every minute of the Test cricket he played•Getty ImagesIt was impossible not to be touched by Kohli’s energy. I have been inspired by it. From him I have learnt that it is not about the choice you make, it is about how honestly and committedly you follow through with it. That it can be crippling if you fret on choices, whose success or failure depends on circumstances you can’t accurately predict. That when you look back, you look back not at what you decided to do but how committed you were to doing the thing you chose to do.The relentless pursuit of 20 wickets that asked more of the batters, the insistence on a certain coach that turned the whole fraternity against him for a while, the challenging pitches at home that denied him an average of 50, the team selections – you could argue about their merit, but you could never question his commitment to any of his choices. He never second-guessed himself.Kohli didn’t court instant success. On his first Test tour, West Indies bounced him out, making him question if he belonged. There were holes in his game, but his sheer will and obsession fashioned a highly successful Test batter out of him. Even at his best, most of Kohli’s greatest hundreds came in defeats: twin tons in Adelaide in 2014 to Centurion, Edgbaston and Perth in 2018. He suffered many a heartbreak – from Adelaide 2014 to the two South Africa tours he captained in to the 2018 tour of England – but because he had this ultimate commitment to Test cricket he would bounce back every time and lead the team to more wins than any India captain did. Sachin Tendulkar is the only Indian cricketer with more Test wins than Kohli.Even in his last act as a Test cricketer, Kohli has reiterated the high regard he held Test cricket in. The selectors told him they were going to take him to England. Two relatively easy home series were to follow. He could have easily hung around and completed 10,000 runs. A farewell series at home to boot. His love for Test cricket, though, is purer than that. The moment he realised he was not able to rouse himself to give this format his best, he retired. Test cricket deserved nothing less than his best. It gave Kohli its best in return.May everyone find their equivalent of what Test cricket meant to Kohli.

India 58 runs away from 2-0 sweep of West Indies

by csb10.top Uncategorized

India 518 for 5 dec and 63 for 1 (Sai Sudharsan 30*, Rahul 25*, Warrican 1-15) need a further 58 runs to beat West Indies 248 and 390 (Campbell 115, Hope, 103, Greaves 50*, Bumrah 3-44, Kuldeep 3-104)India wanted to get out of the joint as soon as possible when they enforced the follow-on less than halfway into the match, but 200 continuous overs of bowling on an unyielding pitch later, India will have to come back on the fifth morning to complete the win. Having been set 121 to win, India only briefly tried to finish the match on the fourth evening, ending on 63 for 1.Signs that it was going to be hard work was apparent when the last two West Indies wickets hung around for 25.2 overs in the first innings, but India disregarded the conditions when asking their bowlers to go back in after having bowled 81.5 overs. India perhaps expected West Indies to roll over, but they dug in: John Campbell brought up his maiden century, Shai Hope scored his first in eight years, and the last wicket added 79 in their second-best partnership of 2025.That the last wicket didn’t give them squeaky bums was down to the second new ball giving them just enough to turn 293 for 4 into 311 for 9. Mohammed Siraj started the West Indies slide with Hope’s wicket before Kuldeep Yadav took three in quick time to go with five in the first innings. Just how desperate India were was evident from how they didn’t bowl a single over of Nitish Kumar Reddy, whom they want to put in live situations as evidenced in his promotion to No. 5 when India batted.West Indies began the day 97 behind with eight wickets in hand. The 49-over-old ball offered India nothing on a lifeless track even though they did stick to the task. Campbell, resuming on 87, went to his hundred with a massive slog-swept six. The sweep shot had been his ally throughout the innings, but when he pulled out the reverse for the first time, he missed it comprehensively and was caught in front. This shot was likely a result of Ravindra Jadeja’s move to round the wicket, which began to threaten both the edges. One ball before he got out, Campbell had got away with an outside edge too thick for the keeper to catch.Centuries from John Campbell and Shai Hope made India toil•Associated Press

Hope and Roston Chase looked comfortable during their 59-run stand but the second new ball, taken as soon as it became available just after lunch, created just about enough for India. Siraj was the one to create the breakthrough, getting Hope played on off a wobble-seam ball. The wicket took him to the top of wicket-takers’ list in Test cricket in 2025.Kuldeep, having been targeted for 63 runs in 16 overs with the first ball, decided he needed to get even quicker in the air when Tevin Imlach took him down for a four and a six in his first over with the new ball. The length went slightly shorter, and he managed to draw just enough low bounce and pace from the middle of the pitch to get the wickets of Imlach and Chase, the former lbw and the latter caught at short midwicket.Khary Pierre, who began the resistance in the first innings, played a loose slog early to be caught at mid-off, and Jasprit Bumrah got rid of Jomel Warrican and Anderson Phillip with the lead still 41.With the ball now soft, the pitch went back to sleep. Justin Greaves didn’t even feel the need to shield Jayden Seales. The tired limbs and frustrated minds began to show as the middle session was stretched because West Indies had only one wicket standing. The two played out that extra half hour without any incident. For large periods, India’s best spinners, and thus the world’s best, bowled at the No. 11 with only one slip and no other catching man.Greaves and Seales batting for long enough to take them into the territory where they will wistfully wonder what might have happened if they had not collapsed against the second new ball. Seales eventually fell to a confident shot off Bumrah, forced to bowl yet another spell 10 overs into the final session, holing out to deep forward square leg. He had pulled Bumrah for four earlier in the over.Set 121 to win, with 18 overs and a possible extra half hour left in the day Yashasvi Jaiswal came out trying to finish the match on the fourth evening, but was caught at long-on off Warrican in the second over. India proceeded to bat normally and finish the match on the fifth morning. Unless it was a personal decision that Jaiswal made, he has reason to feel disappointed at India’s flimsy commitment to finishing the game on the fourth evening.

Man City player ratings vs Leeds: Phil Foden raises the roof! England star comes up clutch to spare calamitous Josko Gvardiol & Matheus Nunes as anonymous Erling Haaland hardly has a sniff

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Phil Foden spared Manchester City's blushes as he struck late to snatch a 3-2 win after his side had chucked away a two-goal advantage at half-time. Foden scored in the very first and last minutes of the game, rescuing all three points for Pep Guardiola's side which could prove vital at the end of the season. Josko Gvardiol bundled in a second goal in a dominant first half from the hosts.

But everything changed after the break as relegation-threatened Leeds put up a fight for their under-pressure boss Daniel Farke. They produced a spirited comeback and even believed in victory themselves but Foden diminished that, deciding the game with a brilliant finish from outside the area in the first of the 10 minutes of additional time. 

The England forward scored the fastest Premier League goal of the season to give City the lead after 59 seconds, firing in first time after a cross from Matheus Nunes. The midfielder was denied a second goal by a brave block from James Justin, who threw himself in front of the ball from close range, and then by a super save from Lucas Perri. 

Leeds could only resist the City dominance for so long, though, and the second eventually arrived from a corner, Gvardiol sliding in to stab home following Nico O'Reilly's knockdown, helped by some abject goalkeeping from Perri.

City had the bit between their teeth and pushed for a third before half-time but to no avail, with Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders having shots blocked and Perri repelling a strike from Nico Gonzalez, while O'Reilly headed wide.

Leeds came out for the second half with a double substitution and a totally different mindset and they immediately pegged City back. They fired out a warning minutes after the restart when Donnarumma patted a free-kick away only for it to land at the feet of Ethan Ampadu, with Reijnders making the block. One minute later Dominic Calvert-Lewin halved the deficit, losing the ball on the turn then snaffling it back off Nunes to strike. City's nerves began to set in and Leeds then won a penalty when Gvardiol rushed into a tackle on Calvert-Lewin and sent him flying.

Donnarumma guessed right to parry Nmecha's penalty but the rebound fell straight back to the German forward for him to tap in the leveller. The Etihad fell silent but when Foden buried the ball in the bottom corner after dribbling across the outside of the box, the stadium erupted and secured a valuable three points for Guardiola and his troops.

GOAL rates Man City's players from the Etihad Stadium…

  • AFP

    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Gianluigi Donnarumma (5/10):

    After a placid first half he didn't transmit much confidence under pressure. Flapped at a free-kick, did the hard part saving the penalty but sent the ball to the worst place possible.

    Matheus Nunes (4/10):

    His bright forward play which led to the lightning-quick opening goal was cancelled out by his clumsy defending gifting Calvert-Lewin the goal that made Leeds believe. His botched clearance gave Leeds possession again and then after tackling Calvert-Lewin he surrendered the ball to him.

    Ruben Dias (5/10):

    Had a flawless first-half display but couldn't show the necessary leadership when Leeds grew in confidence.

    Josko Gvardiol (4/10):

    Like Nunes, his poor defending undid his good work in doubling the lead. Couldn't communicate with Nunes for the first goal and then produced an awful tackle for the penalty.

    Nico O'Reilly (6/10):

    A strong physical display, showing his hunger by attacking Perri from the corner and setting up Gvardiol. 

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    Midfield

    Bernardo Silva (5/10):

    Didn't really put his usual stamp on the game.

    Nico Gonzalez (6/10):

    Dominated the first half, barely giving Leeds any glimpses behind him. Struggled to adapt to the visitors' changes.

    Tijjani Reijnders (6/10):

    Contributed his share in defence and attack although was the first to come off when Guardiola wanted a reaction.

  • Getty Images Sport

    Attack

    Phil Foden (9/10):

    Dangerous and decisive from start to finish. Could have had a hat-trick in the first half and when everyone else had lost belief he grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck and won it.

    Erling Haaland (5/10):

    Failed to score for the third game in a row, barely getting a chance in front of goal. He obediently did his defensive work, though, and was a useful presence nullifying Leeds' ariel threat.

    Jeremy Doku (5/10):

    Couldn't do his useful damage and struggled to prise Leeds' defence open down his left flank.

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  • Getty Images Sport

    Subs & Manager

    Rayan Cherki (6/10):

    Gave City a bit more guile going forward and gave the ball to Foden for the crucial strike.

    Omar Marmoush (N/A):

    Saw a header saved by Perri one minute after coming on.

    John Stones (N/A):

    Brought on in the 95th minute to run the clock down.

    Pep Guardiola (6/10):

    A very strange game for the coach to digest, pure dominance followed by a loss of composure and belief. To his credit, his changes helped swing the game back in City's favour, even though he owes Foden a massive pat on the back for digging him out of the hole.

'He will be a top player' – Enzo Maresca tells Chelsea wonderkid Estevao how to match Barcelona ace Lamine Yamal

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Enzo Maresca has urged Chelsea wonderkid Estevao Willian to ignore comparisons with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, insisting the Brazilian should focus solely on improving himself. Ahead of a huge Champions League clash between two of Europe’s brightest teenagers, the Blues boss backed Estevao to become a “top player” if he keeps developing at his own pace.

  • Maresca opens up on Estevao's comparison with Yamal

    Chelsea head coach Maresca has moved to calm comparisons between 18-year-old sensation Estevao and Barcelona prodigy Yamal as the pair prepare to share the pitch in a blockbuster Champions League encounter. Estevao has made an impressive start to his debut season in England, contributing goals and assists in limited minutes as Chelsea carefully manage his adaptation to Premier League football. His explosive dribbling and natural flair have made him a fan favourite already, and the youngster heads into the Barcelona match in strong form after impressing for both club and country.

    Maresca has repeatedly praised the winger’s maturity and willingness to learn but stressed that comparisons to more established players could add pressure at a stage where Estevao is still adjusting to European football. With four goals and one assist in 16 appearances, the Brazilian has already demonstrated he can influence high-level matches when used correctly. Chelsea consider him one of the cornerstones of their long-term project, but Maresca insists development must be gradual.

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    Maresca urges Estevao to enjoy football without pressure

    “Estevao is already playing at a high level and is starting games for Brazil,” Maresca told reporters ahead of the Barcelona clash. “He is very young and for sure can do many things better, but we are very happy with him. It’s nice for people who love football to watch players like Estevao, Lamine Yamal, Pedri. We are happy that Estevao is with us.”

    “Estevao is going to be an important player for this club in the future, no doubt. The most important thing for Estevao now is that he has to enjoy his football, he has to be happy, and not think about being better than this player or that player.” Maresca stressed the need to avoid external pressure. “He just has to be better than himself day by day, work hard and improve, and for sure he will be a top player for this club.”

    The Chelsea manager also warned that comparisons to Yamal are unfair and premature given their different trajectories. Yamal’s 31 goals and 42 assists in 118 Barcelona appearances place him in a more advanced career phase, while Estevao is only months into his European journey. Maresca finished by reiterating that enjoyment, learning and steady improvement remain the keys to Estevao’s development.

  • Estevao's promising start at Chelsea after move from Palmeiras

    Estevao has been one of the breakout stories of Chelsea’s season, arriving from Palmeiras with enormous hype but immediately demonstrating he can handle the demands of elite football. His four goals and one assist only tell part of the story, as his speed, creativity and fearlessness have added a much-needed spark to the Blues’ attack. His international form strengthens his profile further, with five goals in his last six matches for Brazil signalling the rise of a future Selecao star.

    The winger’s journey from Palmeiras to England shows why Maresca is urging patience. At his former club, he registered 27 goals and 15 assists in 83 appearances, developing into one of South America’s top young prospects before Chelsea secured him. Despite the excitement, Maresca is aware of the challenges faced by young wingers entering the Premier League and wants to protect Estevao from comparisons that could hinder his growth.

    On the other side of the pitch is Yamal, whose prodigious emergence at Barcelona has set new standards for teenage talents. Having broken multiple age records and already established himself as a decisive force in La Liga and the Champions League, Yamal’s trajectory is unique even among elite prospects.

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    Chelsea take on Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday

    Estevao is expected to feature in some capacity against Barcelona, though Maresca may continue to manage his minutes carefully given the intensity of the fixture. The club’s long-term plan is to gradually increase his influence as he adapts physically and tactically to English and European football. A strong performance on the Champions League stage would further elevate his status but Chelsea remain focused on steady, sustainable development.

    Meanwhile, Yamal will be the first name on Hansi Flick's team list as the Catalan side finally start to receive players back from injury ahead of the packed winter schedule.

Nick Woltemade breaks silence on 'idiots' Newcastle claim made by Bayern Munich chief after German champions lost race to sign £65m striker

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Germany's new star forward Nick Woltemade finally broke his silence on the 'idiots' Newcastle claim made by Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge after the Bundesliga champions lost the transfer race to sign the striker from Stuttgart for £65m. After selling Alexander Isak to Liverpool on deadline day, the Magpies brought Woltemade as the Swede's replacement.

  • Rummenigge called Newcastle 'idiots' after losing Woltemade race

    After missing out on one of their key transfer target for the summer, Bayern board member Rummenigge branded the Magpies 'idiots' for spending a massive transfer fee and even sarcastically congratulated Stuttgart for cashing in. The Bundesliga champions made several attempts to bring the German striker to the club over the summer, with their final bid reportedly touching €60m (£52m/$70m). Stuttgart, however, refused to let the player leave below their asking price of €75m (£65m/$87m).Ultimately, a desperate Newcastle made a club-record £69m bid and got the deal done.

    Speaking to , Rummenigge said: "I can only congratulate them in Stuttgart for finding, so to speak, an idiot who would pay that much money, because we certainly wouldn't have done that. I said: We're coming in on a scale that I no longer find acceptable. We shouldn't meet all of their demands. 

    "The players and their agents must also be careful not to trap themselves. The money has to come from somewhere, and that comes from expanding competitions or creating new ones."

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    Woltemade reacts to Rummenigge's comments

    The Magpies star has now finally reacted to Rummenigge's comments as he told : "My team-mates commented on it, I didn't. I think that was the right thing to do. A lot was made of my name, Bayern, and transfer fee during the summer; that was the story of the summer. To answer your question: the headlines everywhere said 'idiots.' But I read Mr Rummenigge's entire statement – it was certainly somewhat unfortunate, but not quite so dramatic.

    "When I arrived at the national team, everyone congratulated me. Bayern players also congratulated me. When they see a player taking a step forward, you get congratulations. That was the case for me too. There were no negative comments, especially since my circumstances were special."

  • Ex-Newcastle star hit back at Rummenigge

    Reacting to the Bayern chief's harsh comments, former Newcastle winger Chris Waddle told : "They probably thought they had him at a lower price. Newcastle have obviously looked for a centre-forward after the saga with Isak. They've looked around and thought who's available? They've looked at Woltemade because he's a good player. He's a tall guy. He's quite mobile. Technically he's all right. 

    "Bayern Munich thought, 'he’s a player we can snap up who could replace Harry Kane in a couple of years.' They probably thought they had a deal done. But Newcastle came in and I think it's a little bit of sour grapes. I think Newcastle's offered a better contract, better wages, better everything. Bayern Munich would probably think they would get him at the price that they think he's worth. They think Newcastle's paid over the top. Time will tell on that."

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    How is it going for Woltemade?

    Woltemade has made an instant impact since moving to the Premier League from the Bundesliga in the summer. He has appeared in 14 matches for the Magpies thus far across all competitions and scored seven goals, including four in eight league appearances. 

    He has also performed consistently for his national team and he recently starred with a brace in Germany's close win over Luxembourg, which kept their hopes alive of securing a direct berth at the World Cup next year. The 23-year-old will be back in action for Germany on Monday as the four-time world champions face Slovakia.

Cristiano Ronaldo to the rescue: Inevitable superstar scores brace, including last-minute penalty, to maintain Al-Nassr's flawless start to Saudi Pro League season

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved why he remains football’s ultimate clutch performer, dragging Al-Nassr from the brink of frustration to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Al-Feiha on Saturday night. After being knocked out by Al-Ettihad from the King's Cup, their weekend could have been spoiled, but their Portuguese talisman decided otherwise. They are now leading the domestic standings after getting off to a perfect start with seven wins from seven matches, and on Saturday evening, the men in yellow once again showed why they are more determined than ever to be crowned as Saudi champions during their comeback victory.

  • Nassr's comeback

    The hosts were dominating proceedings right from the first whistle, and Joao Felix came close to opening the scoring in the sixth minute but saw his effort tipped over the crossbar. However, almost against the run of play, Al-Feiha drew first blood after Jason was put through on goal. The goal came from a tactical misfire. Jorge Jesus’ high defensive line, designed to suffocate space, backfired horribly. Jason latched onto a simple long ball, broke free of the sluggish backline, and slotted calmly past Nawaf Alaqidi. It was a sucker punch that left the hosts stunned and briefly scrambling for rhythm.

    Despite going behind, Al-Nassr refused to panic. With Ronaldo barking instructions and Sadio Mane buzzing around the left flank, the home side resumed their onslaught. The equaliser appeared imminent when Mane squared for Kingsley Coman, who smashed the ball home, only for VAR to intervene. After a painstaking review, the goal was chalked off. Mane had strayed offside by a matter of inches when Ronaldo released him down the wing. The decision left Ronaldo visibly fuming, throwing his arms in the air in disbelief.

    A frustrated Ronaldo rallied his teammates again, and in the 37th minute, the Portuguese icon produced the goods to bring his side back on level terms. It was a perfect team goal, which was started off by Felix as he played a cheeky through ball to Coman. The French star split Al-Feiha's defence, and Ronaldo kept his calm to finish the move with a clinical finish. 

    As the second half unfolded, Ronaldo led the charge for a breakthrough. He saw two efforts fly agonisingly wide, while Felix’s long-range strike was parried brilliantly by Mosquera. With every passing minute, it felt as though time was slipping away. Al-Feiha’s players began to sense they could escape with a draw, until fate intervened deep in stoppage time. Fortune smiled on the hosts, and after a lengthy VAR check, a penalty was awarded to Al-Nassr.

    Up stepped Ronaldo, calm and collected. As the whistle blew, he took his familiar stance, stuttered in his run-up, and smashed the ball into the net. He wheeled away in celebration, pounding his chest as the crowd erupted. Three more points!

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    The MVP

    Ronaldo popped up at the right time, at the right place, to once again save Al-Nassr's blushes. His numbers this season have been mind-boggling. The winner was his eighth league goal and number 36 in the calendar year. He is currently 48 goals away from the 1000-milestone, and the forward will back him to create more history after signing a two-year deal in the summer, which will keep him at the club until 2027. 

  • The big loser

    While his side walked away with all three points, Jesus’s tactics left much to be desired. His defensive strategy gifted Al-Feiha their goal, and his inability to chalk up a Plan B could have cost them a perfect start to the season. If not for Ronaldo’s late intervention, this could easily have been the night Al-Nassr’s flawless run ended.

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    Match rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐

USMNT's Gio Reyna can’t get out of his own way: A lack of accountability over past World Cup drama could cost him a place for 2026

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Reyna had a chance to build bridges with U.S. teammates and staff, but declined 'to take all the blame' for 2022 antics

Gio Reyna just had to speak. 

The smart move, in the Reyna cinematic universe – one of opinions, ego, controversy yet undeniable talent – is generally to keep quiet. In fact, given Reyna's recent record of injury, underperformance and selected absence, it would be rather prudent of the American to keep his head down, play soccer and not say anything controversial.

Interviews should be tame and full of platitudes. Reyna's brand, at this point in his career, should be that of the guy who wants another chance, who knows that he is good enough to deserve one.

He should take responsibility for his well-documented 2022 World Cup antics. Ultimately, Reyna should disappoint the hungry Twitter merchants, just be a stream of agreeable cliches and let his game do the talking. 

So much for that. Reyna, in a quite remarkable display of poor PR, took the opposite approach earlier this week. His interview with the Associated Press was pretty short, all said. But he did offer a glorious sound bite. When asked to explain the temper tantrum at the 2022 World Cup and subsequent benching, Reyna distanced himself from responsibility.

"I'm not just going to sort of sit here and take all the blame for something that was made out to be completely my fault, which I believe it wasn't, and also my family's, too," he said.

Well done, Gio. There are hundreds of better replies. Most of them would probably start with some version of "I'm sorry." Or at least don't take the bait, pass on the answer. But once again, he pinned the blame elsewhere. This was a chance to close a chapter of sorts, to look towards the future, for a great talent of U.S. soccer to rebuild his image.

Instead, Reyna only reinforced the public perception – fair or not – that this is a character who lacks the maturity and accountability. Not the spot to be in with the 2026 World Cup less than eight months away.

GettyVery few words that say a lot

This may seem like an awful lot of extrapolation from very few words. And that's a fair point. After all, this is American soccer, a world often constructed on tension and insecurity, with a need to make the most out of very little. There have been times – especially in recent memory – in which many have read into things too much (just ask Christian Pulisic what he was up to last summer). 

But Reyna isa special case. To understand that quote, it is worth examining Reyna, the character. It isn't particularly outlandish to suggest that the attacking midfielder is the most naturally gifted player in the pool at the moment. He was thrust into the Borussia Dortmund side at a young age, and after a series of impressive performances, held in high regard.

It helped, of course, that he was the son of Claudio, a U.S. legend in his own right. But Gio was . And for a while, for both club and country, he proved it. 

However, 2022, was a strange year. He was performing effectively for Dortmund, but his relationship with then-U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter was difficult. At the time, with no context, it was a puzzling thing. Reyna was an immense talent. But Berhalter largely froze him out at the 2022 World Cup, allowing the Dortmund player just two appearances, both of which came off the bench.

It was later revealed that Reyna was nearly sent home from camp due to fractious relationships with his teammates and a poor attitude in training. Put simply: Reyna had all the talent in the world. But he rather got in his own way. And Berhalter knew it.

AdvertisementAFPA subsequent scandal

And after the World Cup, as has been well chronicled, things got even worse. The Reyna and Berhalter families fell out publicly and in quite unhealthy terms. There were allegations and denials and decisions about the coach's standing with US Soccer.

The bad blood stemmed from Berhalter's handling of Reyna at the 2022 World Cup, Reyna's response – for which he was nearly sent home – Berhalter's role in revealing the incident and the subsequent disclosure of a decades-old domestic violence allegation to US Soccer by Reyna's mother, Danielle. Berhalter was rehired by U.S. Soccer following an investigation.

After the World Cup, Berhalter – speaking at what was presumed to be an off-the-record leadership summit – was later quoted as saying, “We had a player that was clearly not meeting expectations on and off the field. One of 26 players, so it stood out. As a staff, we sat together for hours deliberating what we were going to do with this player…

"We were ready to book a plane ticket home, that's how extreme it was. And what it came down to was, we're going to have one more conversation with him, and part of the conversation was how we're going to behave from here out. There aren't going to be any more infractions."

The day after Berhalter's comments went public, Reyna posted a message on social media calling the reports of nearly being sent home from the World Cup "highly fictionalized," adding he was disappointed that details regarding his participation in Qatar were not kept "in house."

Three years on, Reyna had the chance to set the record straight. He was given the chance to perhaps outline why he was almost removed from the camp. 

Getty ImagesA misguided interview

His comments to AP have made the rounds on social media, and don't read kindly for Reyna's image.

"At the end of the day, I was just upset that, you know, I wasn’t really playing," he said. "I was playing at Dortmund. I thought that I wanted to play at the World Cup and ultimately in the end, I didn’t do that, and that’s really what it stemmed from. I guess the frustration and the disappointment was just wanting to play and help my country."

Lack of apology notwithstanding, there isn't much accountability, either. Berhalter was a limited coach, but he was by all accounts a vibes guy who created a strong culture. Reyna's actions tainted the harmony. His words, published on this week, could have at least acknowledged that he was part of the problem.

And even if he didn't do that, Reyna must, deep down, know that he has bridges to build with people inside US Soccer.

Sure, he has been injured, absent, and unavailable for selection. But almost getting kicked out of a World Cup camp takes some flagrant effort. And yes, this is soccer, where everyone reads everything. Reyna, we are safe to assume, still has teammates to deal with.

This was as much about symbolism as sincerity. Even if Reyna didn't mean it, he could have, at least, offered a casual "my bad." 

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Getty Images SportMauricio Pochettino, the culture guy

When the U.S. hired Mauricio Pochettino last fall, they thought they were getting a masterful tactician with a certain aura – a man manager, yes, but mostly a head coach who would earn the respect of his players on resume alone. Pochettino isn't a soccer nerd. But he wasn't supposed to be hardline, authoritarian, Jose Mourinho-lite.

And while he hasn't followed "the special one" with quite the same vigor, Pochettino has proved to be far more of a culture guy than many might have expected. 

The tactics here are what they are – and may yet develop. But Pochettino's calling card with the USMNT, so far, can best be summed up by a lengthy soliloquy given after being peppered with questions about Pulisic's absence from the Gold Cup squad. It was a wonderful thing, Shakespearean, even.

But the quote that has stuck is a simple: "I am the head coach. I am not a mannequin.” And that sums it up nicely. You will not walk all over him. You won't really question him, either. He doesn't like excuses, and he certainly doesn't feel the need to offer explanations.

It is in that light, then, that Reyna's comments look even more misguided. He has pointed out repeatedly that he wants to be on the World Cup roster next June. He has even been selected by Pochettino before (managing little more than a forgettable cameo in a Nations League third place match dead rubber in March).

But his recent comments suggest he just doesn't understand the vibe of the new manager. Of course, Pochettino wasn't head coach three years ago. The news may well have passed him by (he was probably more focused on his beloved Argentina than the state of a U.S. team that got knocked out in the last 16). 

But in the here and now, Reyna – already struggling for playing time at the club level in Germany – did himself no favors with the new coach.

Better signing than Kudus: Levy hit gold on Spurs star who's "like Modric"

by rastrear-estafeta.com Uncategorized

Tottenham Hotspur have come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of years, as seen by some of the achievements on the field under various managers.

Ange Postecoglou may have been handed his marching orders over the summer window, but he managed to achieve something which various managers have failed to do in North London.

The Aussie claimed the Europa League title with a victory over fellow Premier League side Manchester United in Bilbao, subsequently ending the 17-year trophy drought.

However, it wasn’t enough to keep his job, with the 60-year-old replaced by Thomas Frank, with the Dane tasked with the responsibility of taking the Lilywhites to the next level.

Their ability to win the Europa League has allowed the club to feature in the Champions League, whilst also recruiting some top-level talent in the process.

How Spurs struck gold in Daniel Levy's final window

During the recent summer window, Frank made a beeline to improve his forward line, subsequently making a move to land Mohammed Kudus from rivals West Ham United.

The Ghanaian cost a reported £55m during the off-season, but he’s already shown glimpses of being a shrewd addition for the Lilywhites in 2025/26 and beyond.

He’s registered five assists in his first ten outings in North London, as per Transfermarkt, with the forward also getting off the mark during the recent 2-1 win over Leeds United, lashing home from just outside the box.

Kudus wasn’t the only big-money addition during the off-season, with the hierarchy also forking out £52m for the signature of attacking midfielder Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.

A new number ten was on the agenda all summer long, subsequently landing the Dutchman after missing out on the likes of Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White prior to his arrival.

The 22-year-old has so far made seven outings across all competitions, but unlike Kudus, he’s failed to find the net and has also only registered one assist in the process.

Despite the aforementioned additions, one other player in the first-team is rapidly becoming a better signing than the pair after establishing himself in Frank’s plans.

The Spurs star who’s becoming a better signing than Kudus & Simons

Over the last couple of years, Spurs haven’t been afraid to splash the cash to help them achieve their goals on the pitch, with the hierarchy spending well over £400m in the last three years.

Numerous areas of the pitch have been subject to investment, as seen by the additions within the final third, but the defensive unit has also been bolstered in recent years.

The partnership of Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero at the heart of the backline has already contributed to Frank’s side keeping five clean sheets in 2025/26 to date.

However, the middle of the park is arguably one of the most important, with Lucas Bergvall already making huge strides after the Dane took the reins during the off-season.

The Swede was an unknown quantity to many a little over 12 months ago, when the hierarchy forked out a fee in the region of £8.5m for his services from Djurgarden.

Yet, swiftly said to possess “a first touch like Modric” by the Athletic’s JJ Bull, at the age of just 18 when he moved to England, the midfielder made an immediate impact during his debut campaign – racking up 45 appearances across all competitions.

Whilst he’s primarily a deep-lying option, he managed to net his first goal for the club in the Carabao Cup semi-final over Liverpool – but it was unable to catapult the side to the final.

The 2025/26 campaign has seen the youngster go from strength to strength, already featuring in ten outings under Frank and leading to Squawka describing him as “incredible”.

Bergvall has already added to his goalscoring tally, netting his first English top-flight effort in the recent 3-0 triumph over West Ham at the London Stadium.

Games played

6

Goals & assists

2

Pass accuracy

84%

Dribble success

70%

Tackles won

2.2

Duels won

5.2

Recoveries made

3.9

Shots taken

1.5

His underlying stats this season are just as impressive, making 2.2 tackles per 90 and winning 5.2 duels per 90 – subsequently showcasing his excellent ability to regain possession for the side, before transferring the ball into attacking areas for the likes of Kudus and Simons.

The Swede has also achieved an 84% pass completion rate, whilst also completing 70% of the dribbles he’s attempted – arguably being the perfect box-to-box option at the heart of the team.

At just 19, it’s scary to think about how impressive Bergvall can become in the years ahead, especially if he continues on the trajectory he’s put himself on in recent months.

There’s no disputing that Kudus and Simons will be excellent additions in the near future, but the move for Bergvall was a bargain and one that could go down as one of the best in their history if he reaches his full potential.

It's not Kudus: Spurs talent could now steal the #10 shirt from Maddison

Tottenham Hotspur have a star who looks set for a huge future at the club in the years ahead.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 3, 2025