أثار البعض الشائعات حول نية المدافع المغربي صلاح مصدق فسخ عقده مع نادي الزمالك بسبب المستحقات المالية المتأخرة، ما أثار جدلًا واسعًا داخل الوسط الرياضي.

مصادر بطولات في نادي الزمالك أكدت أن هذه الأنباء غير دقيقة، وأن اللاعب ملتزم تمامًا بعقده مع النادي ولم يصدر أي إنذار رسمي أو شكوى بشأن مستحقاته.

اقرأ أيضًا.. خاص | أقرب الراحلين عن الزمالك من الصفقات الجديدة في يناير المقبل

وأوضحت المصادر أن صلاح مصدق يركز حاليًا على أدائه، ولا توجد أي خطوات قانونية أو مطالبات رسمية تتعلق بفسخ العقد، ما ينفي كل ما تم تداوله في وسائل الإعلام ومواقع التواصل الاجتماعي.

وعن مستقبله في يناير المقبل، أشارت المصادر إلى أن الأمور لا تزال غامضة بعض الشيء، لكن الاتجاه الأقرب داخل الزمالك هو التفكير في رحيله خلال فترة الانتقالات الشتوية المقبلة.

وأضافت المصادر أن استمرار صلاح مصدق في الفريق يعتمد على اتفاق النادي مع حسام عبد المجيد بشأن تمديد عقده، وهو الشرط الأساسي قبل اتخاذ أي قرار رسمي يتعلق بمصيره.

وبحسب المعلومات، لم يصل أي خطاب رسمي من اللاعب أو وكيله، بينما يدرس الزمالك خياراته بعناية، مع التركيز على ترتيب صفقات الشتاء وإعادة هيكلة بعض مراكز الفريق.

واختتمت المصادر بأن موقف صلاح مصدق ثابت حتى الآن، وأن الشائعات المتداولة لن تؤثر على علاقته بالنادي، مع تأكيد أن أي خطوة بشأن مستقبله ستعلن رسميًا بعد حسم إدارة الزمالك جميع التفاصيل.

He joined Leicestershire on loan after The Hundred prior to joining full time next season

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay24-Sep-2025

Leicestershire 392 for 7 (Eskinazi 150*, Tattersall 47, Patel 44, Budinger 44) vs NorthamptonshireStephen Eskinazi hit an excellent unbeaten 150, his first century for his new county Leicestershire as the Division Two champions pressed home their advantage on day one of this Rothesay County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.Former Middlesex batter Eskinazi, who joined Leicestershire on loan after The Hundred prior to joining full time next season, led a fightback after pacer George Scrimshaw’s double strike reduced the visitors to 122 for 4 at lunch.Eskinazi shared a fifth-wicket stand worth 98 off 145 balls with Jonny Tattersall (47) before adding 76 with Liam Trevaskis (37), and 64 with Logan van Beek (26). His 150 was his highest Championship score since 2018, Leicestershire closing on 392 for 7.Northamptonshire spinner Rob Keogh, who bowled with a lot of drift either side of tea, accounted for both Tattersall and Cox and finished with figures of 2 for 44.Leicestershire had got off to a flyer in the morning, Sol Budinger smashing five fours and two sixes in his 44 in an opening stand of 70 with Rishi Patel (44), but Scrimshaw (2 for 80) arrested their rapid early progress with two wickets in two overs.It was a determined display with the ball from Northamptonshire’s youthful looking attack, but they were left to rue periods in both afternoon and evening sessions when they erred in line and length, allowing Leicestershire’s batters to settle and get back into the game after the early fall of wickets.Earlier Northamptonshire almost broke through with the day’s first delivery when Patel edged Justin Broad to first slip, Saif Zaib shelling a regulation chance, Budinger then inside-edging Ben Whitehouse just past leg stump.But Leicestershire soon found runs easy to come by, Budinger pulling Whitehouse for six and crashing his next ball through extra cover, while Patel pulled and cut Scrimshaw for back-to-back boundaries.Budinger brought up Leicestershire’s 50 in style, pulling Scrimshaw over fine leg for six but was undone by a fine delivery from Broad which nipped back to trap him lbw as he moved across his stumps.Skipper Ian Holland (4) played the anchor role as Patel accelerated, coming down the ground to attack teenage spinner Nirvan Ramesh.But Scrimshaw’s dual strike removed Holland when he edged behind, cutting too close to his body and Patel who miscued a straight pull, Whitehouse taking the catch as he ran across to mid-off.Ramesh then got among the wickets when Lewis Hill bottom edged a sweep, keeper Lewis McManus taking a sharp catch behind the stumps.After lunch though Leicestershire grew increasingly comfortable, Tattersall taking back-to-back boundaries off a wayward Ramesh, while Eskinazi meted out similar treatment to Broad. Scrimshaw meanwhile was guilty of offering too much width, Tattersall prospering as he collected consecutive boundaries.Ezkinazi brought up Leicestershire’s 200 runs in the 48th over before punching Whitehouse through the covers to bring up his half-century.Tattersall though fell just short of his fifty when he edged behind off Keogh, the ball ballooning up off the keeper’s gloves, Broad taking a juggling catch at first slip.Ezkinazi continued to accumulate, smashing Whitehouse through extra cover, while reverse sweeping Keogh for four more.Ben Cox (20) deposited a Whitehouse full toss over deep square leg for four and almost collected a six off Zaib, only for some sharp boundary work from James Sales which saved five runs. Keogh though struck on the brink of tea, spinning one back in to bowl Cox and leave Leicestershire on 252 for 6.After tea Ezkinazi hit Keogh over long-on for six to move into the nineties before running a single to move to his tenth first-class ton off 168 balls.When Justin Broad took the second new ball, Eskinazi responded by stroking three silky cover boundaries in an over. Trevaskis, who had struck Keogh down the ground for back-to-back boundaries, departed though when he flashed outside off-stump against Whitehouse, nicking a catch through to second slip.New batter van Beek made the most of a reprieve when he was dropped in the slips off Broad, crunching the bowler for consecutive boundaries down the ground.With his 150 in sight, Eskinazi was given a life when Scrimshaw bowled him, only to be called no ball for overstepping, and duly brought up the milestone soon afterwards.

Jordi Alba has rubbished comparisons between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, claiming that Barcelona’s all-time leading goalscorer “has no rival”. Teenage wonderkid Yamal has been thrust into an obvious debate ever since he stepped out of the La Masia academy system. He has become a global superstar in his own right, but there will never be another Messi.

• Messi vs Yamal: La Masia graduates always being compared

  Alba, who spent many happy years alongside the iconic Argentine at Camp Nou and is now a club colleague of the all-time great at MLS side Inter Miami, has always considered Messi to be the best in the business.

  Yamal, at 18 years of age, is showing signs that he could tread a similar path. Records have tumbled around the youngster on the back of making his senior debut at just 15. As a left-footed forward that glides past opponents and boasts an unerring eye for goal, he was always going to be likened to Messi.

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• Getty/GOAL
  

  Nobody like Messi! Alba steers clear of Yamal debate

  Alba is, however, eager to steer clear of that discussion. He told when naming three other Barca stars that deserve the same amount of credit as Yamal: “I think he's a great player, but there are others at Barca, like Pedri, Gavi, [Frenkie] de Jong. And I'm leaving out many. I think comparing him to Leo… there's no comparison, but that's because Leo has no rival.”

  Alba is preparing to sever professional ties with Messi. While the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has committed to a new three-year contract at Inter Miami, his close friend has decided to retire at the end of the 2025 MLS Cup play-offs.

  Explaining that decision, 36-year-old full-back Alba said: "Honestly, physically I could have lasted another year or two. But because of how I've felt, especially at the beginning of the season, and because of the new projects that are coming up…

  “It's a well-considered decision, and I'm very clear about it. I'll miss football, but I'm happy with what I've been able to achieve. I still enjoy the matches, but the day-to-day grind and traveling every week is harder. The enthusiasm you have at 20 years old fades. When you have a family, it shows.”

• Retirement calls: Will Suarez follow Alba & Busquets?

  Sergio Busquets is heading into the same direction, as he prepares to hang up his boots, with Alba adding on his fellow former Barcelona legend: “His retirement? Obviously, these decisions are very personal. We've talked about the situation we were in during the year. It's a decision for each of us. I'm lucky to share a team and a friendship with him; our families also get along very well. We live very close to each other in the same residential area.”

  Luis Suarez is another ex-Barca star that is yet to decide what the immediate future holds for him. The Uruguayan striker has struggled with knee problems in recent times, but continues to score goals ahead of turning 39 in January.

  Alba added on Suarez potentially playing on alongside Messi: “There he is, the guy. I don't know if he has a contract for years, but it's everyone's own decision. It's not just about changing teams anymore, it's about quitting football, what you've done your whole life. I'll be sad, but it hasn't been hard for me. I've accepted it and I'm taking it calmly.”

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  MSN reformed: Will Neymar reunite with Messi & Suarez?

  It has been suggested that Messi and Suarez could see their fabled ‘MSN’ strike force with Neymar reformed in 2026. That is because the Brazilian superstar is running down his contract at Santos and heading towards free agency.

  Any move to Florida would generate plenty of interest, with some headlines being stolen away from Yamal in Europe. The teenage wonderkid does, however, appear to be destined for greatness himself – with some suggesting that he could go on to eclipse Messi’s record-shattering haul of Ballons d’Or. Yamal finished second in the 2025 Golden Ball vote, behind Ousmane Dembele, but has time very much on his side – unlike Alba and Busquets.

Hampshire finish as runners-up again, one day after the men fell short against Worcestershire

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay21-Sep-2025Lancashire bookended their season with trophies as Gaby Lewis’ century secured the inaugural Metro Bank One-Day Cup women’s competition over Hampshire.Ireland international Lewis led a brilliant chase of 289 with 141 off 143, helped by an exceptional 72 from Seren Smale – with whom she put on 144.Lancashire started the season by winning the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup, and added a second piece of silverware of 2025 when Ailsa Lister sprinted through a single with nine balls to spare.For Hampshire, whose total was underpinned by Maia Bouchier and Georgia Adams’ fifties, it was a double One-Day Cup heartbreak – after they lost to Worcestershire Rapids in the men’s competition final on Saturday.Chasing 289, Alice Clarke was run out by a Freya Kemp direct hit in the fifth over, but it was a blip before Lewis and Smale seized the initiative and put their side on the winning march.Despite never pulling away from the required rate, the pair oozed control as they both serenely scored half-centuries as they added 144 together to break the back of the chase.Both survived strong run-out shouts in their 60s before Smale was brilliantly caught at short midwicket by Kemp, and then Fi Morris was undone by a Naomi Dattani direct hit from the boundary.Threlkeld copied Smale’s low-thrills approach to guide Lewis to three figures – brought up after 121 balls and celebrated with a modest fist pump the moment the ball left her bat for a single.Lewis never looked in trouble, blocking where appropriate but also finding the ropes in all areas of Utilita Bowl – striking 16 fours in total.Lancashire skipper Threlkeld got her side even closer to the winning line before flailing to midwicket – handing former England bowler Freya Davies the final wicket of her career before retiring.But Lewis and Lister ticked the final 46 runs off with relative ease to spark the celebrations.Earlier, having been stuck in, Bouchier and Rhianna Southby got Hampshire off to a flier as they found the boundary at will in a 70-run opening partnership.Southby was caught at mid-on, but Adams continued to keep the momentum with Bouchier – the pair putting on 48.Bouchier came into the season with low confidence after a nightmare Women’s Ashes campaign, but has been crucial for Hampshire at the top of the order.She passed 1,000 runs across the Vitality Blast and One-Day Cup on her way to a run-a-ball fifty – her eighth of the season – in an innings of high-quality.Bouchier chipped to mid-on, but again it didn’t impact Hampshire’s impetus, as Freya Kemp bashed a quick-fire 41, with Adams supporting in a 75-run alliance.Even when Kemp squirted to cover, Abi Norgrove found runs flowing with Adams – who followed her semi-final century with a classy 77.With 300 on the cards, Lancashire pulled Hampshire back with regular wickets at the death. Grace Potts had already dismissed Southby, and added Norgrove and Nancy Harman to take three for 47.

This improving Manchester United side was given more than just a fresh lick of paint over the summer, with the signings of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, in particular, breathing new life into Ruben Amorim’s ranks.

That said, for all the delight over Mbeumo, following his return of six goals in his first 12 United games, a key problem still needs to be solved – central midfield.

Casemiro, to his credit, has silenced the doubters amid his recent resurgence, although the Brazilian’s inability to last the full 90, alongside the lack of an adequate replacement for him, is becoming a growing problem.

Of the 20 goals conceded across the Premier League and Carabao Cup, 15 of those have come when the 33-year-old was not on the pitch, with Manuel Ugarte’s diminishing status highlighted by reports that he received a dressing down from his former Sporting CP boss at Carrington late last season.

With the more attack-minded Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo the only other senior central midfielders in the first-team ranks, hopes of the Red Devils kicking on surely rest in that department being addressed in 2026 – be it in January or next summer.

Adam Wharton, rising star at Crystal Palace, remains a leading target to fill that void – but is he the only solution?

Latest on Man Utd's interest in Adam Wharton

The frustration surrounding United’s errant recruitment in recent years is perhaps best pinpointed in the case of Wharton, with respected journalist Andy Mitten having revealed that the Old Trafford side were offered the chance to sign the elegant left-footer from Blackburn Rovers, prior to his move to Selhurst Park.

Unfortunately, the powers that be didn’t appear to see the merit in prising a relatively unproven teenage talent from the Championship, with Wharton going on to join Palace for a fee of around £20m in the 2024 winter window.

That investment has paid off handsomely for the Eagles, with the 21-year-old now a central figure in a side that claimed FA Cup glory last term, resulting in claims that the south London club had placed a £100m plus price tag on his head over the summer.

Amid parallel interest in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, reports in the recent window did suggest that Amorim and INEOS were keen on potentially reviving their prior interest in the England international, although the £250m outlay on their four actual signings likely put paid to that transfer chase.

Now, with January looming, United could go back again for the in-demand talent, with reports last month indicating that they are keen to steal a march on Real Madrid by making a £60m offer for his services.

Wharton, in an interview with The Athletic’s David Ornstein, has addressed such speculation, wisely suggesting that he pays little attention to the rumours:

Whether he actually wants to join or not, a problem still remains with the price tag that Palace could demand. With that in mind, might an in-house solution be the best bet for United’s sake?

Man Utd's answer to Wharton at Carrington

In the darkest of days in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, each manager has found a shining light from the academy set-up, be it Adnan Januzaj under David Moyes, to Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo under Erik ten Hag.

Surprisingly, Amorim – who helped to kickstart the career of 17-year-old Geovany Quenda in Lisbon – has thus far refrained from dipping into the youth ranks too readily, with this season yet to see the new boy wonder emerge.

Chido Obi, for what it’s worth, did make eight appearances last term amid United’s centre-forward injury crisis, although the Danish teenager hasn’t been seen since, with promising full-back Harry Amass also allowed to go out on loan after making his senior debut at the back end of 2024/25.

Recent Man Utd Academy Debutants*

Player

Game

Date

Tyler Fredricson

vs Wolves

20/04/25

Harry Amass

vs Leicester

16/03/25

Chido Obi

vs Spurs

16/02/25

Toby Collyer

vs Liverpool

01/09/24

Ethan Wheatley

vs Sheff Utd

24/04/24

Omari Forson

vs Wolves

01/02/2024

*in Premier League only

Stats via Transfermarkt

The lack of European involvement has been a factor in Amorim’s decision to overlook the young crop, with little need to rotate his side right now – not least amid this five-game unbeaten run.

Central midfield is one area the Portuguese coach does need to quickly address, however, hence why turning to a figure like Jim Thwaites could prove to be a masterstroke.

Still only 17, the dynamic midfielder is of slight frame and stature, although he has certainly caught the eye at Carrington of late, with recent comparisons even being made to the likes of Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick.

Like Wharton, he isn’t an imposing physical specimen, yet Thwaites makes up for that with his eye-catching technical prowess, with analyst Ben Mattinson – now a scout for Serie A side Como – suggesting that he looks as if he’s “stepped out [of] La Masia”.

La Masia remains the birthplace of the best and brightest that Barcelona has to offer, from Xavi to Gavi, the Catalan outfit certainly know how to cultivate the next midfield star of the future.

Like those at Camp Nou – as well as Wharton – Thwaites has that ability to collect the ball from a deep-lying role in between the centre-backs, before either producing a progressive carry or pass to spring United into life.

Already this season, the rising star has scored twice and provided one assist from his ten U18 Premier League outings, as per Transfermarkt, a respectable haul considering he has operated as a number six in each of those appearances.

The Bolton-born maestro – who is set to turn 18 next month – is certainly not as far along in his development as Wharton, although amid the prospect of having to fork out over £100m for the latter man, INEOS could well do with starting to develop their own future superstars instead.

At a club renowned for its academy work in the past, United need to get things back on track again. Thwaites, while it’s still early days, might be the best place to start.

Related Not Mainoo: Amorim can replace Casemiro with "Pogba-esque" star at Man Utd

Manchester United could have a wildcard solution to their midfield woes…

Posts ByRobbie Walls Nov 13, 2025

Juan Soto made headlines when he admitted that he's being pitched to differently in the New York Mets' lineup without the protection of New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. Soto's comments, which came during an interview with on Monday, took on a life of their own in the heavily-scrutinized New York media market, especially in light of Soto's decision to leave the Bronx for Queens this offseason.

So, naturally, reporters wanted to know what Judge thought of Soto's remarks. When asked, the Yankees captain responded perfectly.

"I’m not really going to go back and forth with this," Judge told MLB.com. "He’s got probably one of the best hitters in the game behind right now in what Alonso is doing. It has been fun to watch. He’s hitting close to .400. He’s driving the ball to all over the field, driving guys in.

"I've seen Soto now watching the league for so many years, and getting a chance to see him up close — he can look at what I did last April for an example of, he just needs to keep being himself. He's going to be just fine."

Judge, who won the '24 American League MVP, and Soto, who posted a career-best 41 home runs and a .989 OPS, did their best Babe Ruth-Lou Gehrig impression while leading the Yankees to an AL East title and the club's first AL pennant since '09. Soto benefited from hitting behind Judge in more ways than one, but in no way more impactful than the record, $765 million contract he signed with the Mets after his productive season in the Bronx.

Soto, with just two home runs in 16 games in '25, hasn't been as productive from a slugging standpoint so far. But the four-time All-Star is still among the game's leaders in walks and runs scored for a Mets team that is currently in first place.

And Alonso, who's batting .345 and leads the National League in OPS, looks to be in the midst of a career year. Judge is likely right.

Soto will be just fine.

Rob Thomson caught some flak from Philadelphia Phillies fans and pundits for not emerging from the dugout to argue a controversial called strike three on catcher J.T. Realmuto in a 10-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Monday night. So contentious was home-plate umpire Tony Randazzo's call that both the Phillies and Giants broadcasts were in agreement on its seeming egregiousness.

Speaking to reporters in the dugout at Citizens Bank Park before the second game of the series against the Giants on Tuesday, Thomson explained why he didn't risk an ejection to argue the call against Realmuto.

"I generally don't let things that I can't control bother me," Thomson said, per Devan Kaney of Philadelphia’s 94WIP. "And I think it's important to stay in the game and stay calm for your club. There's a time when you may want to rally the troops a little bit, but I didn't feel like that was the time."

"Not necessarily," Thomson said when asked if April was too early to light a fire under a team with an ejection. "But, I mean, it was a ball but it wasn't egregious I didn't think. And I can't tell from the side anyway."

Umpire Scorecards, which uses MLB's advanced pitch tracking data to rate the accuracy of home-plate umpires, in its evaluation of the Phillies-Giants game showed that the called strike on Realmuto was well off of the plate. The site also determined that the call was among the most impactful in terms of largest changes in run expectancy.

The controversial call occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning with the Phillies mounting a two-out rally down 8-4. Philadelphia had two men on base—and the tying run would have came to the plate had Realmuto walked instead of being called out on strikes.

The Phillies (9-7) have lost two straight games and are 4-6 in their last 10 contests.

After the 3-0 triumph over Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, the feel-good factor is well and truly back at Nottingham Forest under the keen eye of Sean Dyche.

The hometown hero has installed a reason to be proud of the first-team squad once again after Ange Postecoglou’s failed attempts to make the Reds a force to be reckoned with.

Back-to-back victories have teed the side up perfectly for the latest Europa League clash with Malmö, which is no doubt going to be a meeting for the ages.

However, the bigger picture will certainly be coming into view over the next few weeks, with the transfer window creeping on the horizon and opening in a little over a month’s time.

Numerous players have already been touted with a winter move to the City Ground, with Evangelos Marinakis looking set to get his chequebook out once again after the summer spending spree.

Nottingham Forest’s hunt for January additions

Over the last couple of weeks, Forest have been touted with a surprise reunion with James Garner, after the midfielder spent two years on loan with the Reds in the Championship.

He’s since moved to Everton, plying his trade under Dyche, which no doubt will have pushed the rumours over a potential switch back to the East Midlands this winter.

The 24-year-old has played every minute in England’s top-flight to date, with the Toffees unlikely to sanction his departure away from Merseyside this window.

However, he’s not the only Englishman in the hierarchy’s sights at present, with Brighton star Jack Hinshelwood another player being targeted by Dyche and Co.

According to the Daily Mail, Forest have made the 20-year-old their top target for January, after only featuring in four Premier League games for the Seagulls in 2025/26.

The report also states that the youngster, who’s an England U21 international, is happy at the AMEX at present, whilst also failing to mention the rumoured fee it would take to prise him away from Fabian Hurzeler’s squad, although Transfermarkt value him at around £21m.

Why Hinshelwood would be perfect alongside Anderson

Back in the summer of 2024, many Forest fans would have been unaware of the talent of Elliot Anderson, but it’s safe to say his success is recognised more than just at the City Ground in the present day.

The 23-year-old arrived in a PSR deal from Newcastle United, which saw goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos moving in the opposite direction – with the Reds paying a net £15m for his signature.

18 months on, such a deal could be one of the best in the club’s history, with the midfielder now a full England international and currently being valued at the £100m mark.

He’s featured in every minute of the Premier League campaign to date, subsequently ranking at the top of countless stats compared to other midfielders in the division.

Anderson has been partnered by various players at the heart of the side, but he may have the perfect partner should the hierarchy complete a deal for Hinshelwood in the coming months.

The 20-year-old’s stats from the ongoing campaign highlight the talent he possesses, with such a deal potentially being yet another excellent piece of business.

Hinshelwood, who’s been dubbed a “superstar” by content creator Ryan Adsett, has made 2.8 tackles per 90 and won 64% of the duels he’s entered – arguably being an excellent ball-winning option.

Such numbers would be perfect for Anderson, which could allow him to be freed up and continue his vein of completing the most passes into the final third per 90 of any player in the Premier League this season.

As for the Seagulls star, he’s also made a staggering 5.6 recoveries per 90 along with 1.7 aerial duels won – further showcasing his incredible ability without the ball.

However, the 20-year-old has also showcased his ability to pop up with a goal at key moments, with the youngster finding the winner in the clash against Brentford last weekend.

As previously mentioned, it’s unclear whether a deal for the Englishman could be agreed, but it would be a move that would add serious defensive quality to the current midfield.

The prospect of Hinshelwood starring alongside Anderson is certainly one for the fans to get excited about, which could see the club be the home to two of the country’s brightest talents.

Nottingham Forest can sign Wood 2.0 in "one of the best STs in Europe"

Sean Dyche could unearth his next Chris Wood in a Nottingham Forest swoop for this impressive marksman.

By
Dan Emery

Nov 26, 2025

Middlesbrough are already working on Kim Hellberg’s first signing and are now reportedly in pole position to sign a Ligue 1 winger for their new manager.

Hellberg: Championship promotion is the "clear aim"

After hijacking Swansea City’s move, Middlesbrough unveiled Hellberg earlier this week and watched on as their new manager instantly set his sights on promotion to the Premier League. The 37-year-old will be desperate to simply pick up where Rob Edwards left off and secure a win on his debut against Derby County this weekend.

Speaking to reporters for the first time, Hellberg outlined his Premier League ambition, saying: “To get to the Premier League, that’s the clear aim,” said Hellberg in his first press conference. “If it’s this year or next year, it is of course difficult to say.

“It’s an opportunity when you’re in this position, to aim for it and to work as hard as possible to get into that spot that gets you to the Premier League. That’s nothing to hide from.”

It is, of course, easier said than done to achieve promotion from the Championship, but Boro have certainly put themselves in a strong position to do exactly that.

Despite defeat against Coventry City late on in midweek, those in Riverside only sit third on goal difference and could move into the automatic promotion place if results go their way this weekend.

Meanwhile, when it comes to the playoffs, Boro have given themselves a four-point gap inside the top six. Everything is set up for Hellberg to make a promotion charge, before potentially welcoming his first arrival at the club in 2026.

Middlesbrough in pole position to sign Cheikh Sabaly

According to Africa Foot and relayed by Sport Witness, Middlesbrough are now in pole position to sign Cheikh Sabaly from FC Metz in 2026. The winger is set to become a free agent next summer and has also attracted the interest of Southampton, but it is Boro who are currently most likely to seal a bargain deal.

The Senegal international is certainly talented and England fans saw that talent for themselves back in June, when he scored in a stunning 3-1 victory for his country against Thomas Tuchel’s men.

Now, Sabaly could get the chance to become the star of the show every week in England, courtesy of Boro. Whether the promotion contenders wait until the winger is a free agent to make their move is the big question.

In Ligue 2 last season, Sabaly scored 15 goals and provided four assists. Whilst he has struggled to make the same mark in Ligue 1, there’s every chance he would rediscover his best form in the Championship.

Hellberg starts instant Middlesbrough overhaul as Viveash handed new role

If you are of an Arsenal persuasion, then it’s likely you’re sitting very happy right now. The Gunners are top of the table, and Mikel Arteta’s side have just dispatched their fierce rivals. Life doesn’t get much better, right?

The sequence of events that played out at the Emirates made their 4-1 victory all the more sweeter.

Speaking in the build-up to the game, Thomas Frank jokingly replied to a reporter’s question about Eberechi Eze by saying, “Who’s Eze?”

The England international infamously rejected a move to Tottenham in the summer despite everything looking as though it was agreed. He joined their rivals instead, heading to his boyhood club, the club of his dreams. The club that rejected him when he was just a boy in the academy.

Well, let it all work out. Frank certainly knows who Eze is now. Draped in Arsenal red, following a few slow months to start the season, he is now a hero.

Arteta’s men strengthened their grip at the top of the Premier League table by recording a remarkable win and much to Frank’s dismay, Eze was the man of the moment, scoring a quite breathtaking hat-trick.

How Eberechi Eze downed Spurs

Wow, just wow. What a moment this was. A few years ago Eze revealed that he cried in his room when he was rejected by Arsenal.

It was always his dream to play for the club and well, that dream became a reality in the summer. Never in his wildest dreams, however, did he expect what played out on Sunday, even if he did pray for such a moment to occur.

This was one of the finest individual performances from an Arsenal player that we can remember. To recount more recent memories, it’s up there with Declan Rice’s performance against Real Madrid last term, with Andrey Arshavin’s four-goal haul at Anfield. Sometimes a player delivers a performance that is so perfect it gets talked about for years to come. This was that moment.

Eze has had to work hard to find form this term, playing a mixture of games on the left flank and in the middle. With skipper Martin Odegaard out injured, he’s had a chance to showcase why he was purchased for £67.5m in the summer.

Yet, before that clash with Spurs, the former Crystal Palace man had scored just once in the league. How quickly things change in football.

Each goal Eze scored just seemed to get better. The first was supplied by Declan Rice and perhaps rather fortuitously, he managed to get a shot away amidst a bunch of Spurs players. It rifled past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 after Leandro Trossard had opened the scoring.

Eze’s night got better in the second half when, minutes after the half-time interval, he darted onto Jurrien Timber’s pass and found the corner of the goal with his left foot.

His third and final goal came late on when Spurs had thrown players forward. Trossard was at the centre of things again, playing the ball into Eze, who was standing inside the area. He took a touch to set himself and then lashed it home. It capped off an incredible performance, one that will live long not just in his memory, but in the memory of supporters.

Still, he’s not the only one in red and white who had their best game in Arsenal colours.

Not just Eze: Another Arsenal star had his best game for the club

There was a primary reason Arsenal signed Eze in the summer. They needed more depth and they needed more quality on the left flank.

Noni Madueke had already been signed from Chelsea but in Gabriel Martinelli and the aforementioned Trossard, they lacked spice. Between them, they scored eight goals each in Premier League action last term.

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The Belgian was perhaps questionably handed a summer pay rise to keep him at the club but when Eze signed, his career at the Emirates Stadium looked as good as done.

Well, how wrong were we? Trossard, in the words of Arsenal writer Connor Humm, has “arguably been the best winger in the Premier League this season.”

Always a man for the big occasion, the 30-year-old rose to the mark again and put in a performance that was equally effective as Eze’s.

Trossard opened the scoring in the first half in brilliant fashion. It was a run from out to in, one that was said to be “like Robert Pires” by Gary Neville on Sky Sports commentary, that made the goal.

Mikel Merino still had plenty to do, however, but he clipped a pass beautifully into the path of Trossard. He took the ball down, spun and then found the net on his left foot. Advantage Arsenal.

Trossard’s work was not done there. The £27m man registered two key passes, one of which proved decisive as he supplied Eze’s goal that sealed his hat-trick.

As The Standard’s Simon Collings noted when the Belgium winger was substituted late on, it was “probably one of his best games in an Arsenal shirt.” Quite.

Trossard vs Spurs

Minutes played

78

Goals

1

Touches

39

Accurate passes

11/23 (48%)

Key passes

2

Assists

1

Shots on target

1

Accurate crosses

1/1

Successful dribbles

0/4

Duels won

4/10

Stats via Sofascore.

It was a tireless performance and one that epitomised the former Brighton forward’s time in London.

In the 32 matches in which Trossard has scored for Arsenal, they have never lost. The games he’s scored the most goals of his career against? Liverpool (6), Chelsea (4) and Spurs (4).

The winger is no Usain Bolt, he’s not the quickest player in the world. He’s no Bukayo Saka either, he lacks the same explosiveness. However, what he lacks in that regard, he makes up for in technical ability and mental fortitude. He is a mental giant and one of the hardest-working players in this team.

Eze certainly stole the show at the Emirates but Trossard deserves his flowers too.