While it’s not been smooth sailing, Chelsea are not doing too badly so far this season.

They are currently third in the Premier League and should still qualify for the next round of the Champions League.

Moreover, Enzo Maresca’s side have had to make do without Cole Palmer for most of the campaign so far.

The Englishman is undoubtedly Chelsea’s best player, and so fans should be excited about reports linking them with an incredible talent who could be another Palmer-like addition to the team.

Chelsea target Palmer-like star

Since making his Chelsea debut, Palmer has been one of the very best players in the Premier League, if not in European football at large.

For example, even though he had a few barren runs last season, the former Manchester City prospect has amassed a staggering tally of 74 goal involvements in 101 appearances for the Blues.

The 23-year-old is a truly special player, and while Maresca and Co are never going to find someone just like him, they are clearly looking to sign players who could develop in a similar way.

Transfer Focus

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

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At least that is according to a recent report from journalist Simon Phillips, who claims Chelsea are interested in and have reopened contact with Kenan Yıldız.

The report has revealed that, alongside the Blues, Liverpool and Manchester United are keen on signing the Juventus gem, who is currently in talks over a new deal with the club that is not going all that well.

This situation has opened the door to interested parties, though, according to other reports, if West Londoners do want to sign the Turkish wonderkid, they’ll have to stump up around £88m.

It could therefore be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Yıldız’s immense ability and potential, it’s one Chelsea should be fighting for, especially as he could be another Palmer.

Why Yıldız would be a Palmer-like signing for Chelsea

So to be considered a ‘Palmer-like’ signing, the player in question has to be someone capable of arriving at Chelsea and, within a relatively short space of time, establishing themselves as one of the best players in the squad and a true game-changer.

Now, while it might still be early in Yıldız’s career, he certainly seems like the sort of player who could fit that description perfectly.

For example, despite being just 19 years old last season, the Regensburg-born maestro scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in 52 appearances, totalling just 3520 minutes.

That comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 2.47 games, or every 167.61 minutes, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down this season.

In fact, his tally of three goals and four assists in 14 appearances, totalling 1155 minutes, comes out to an even better average of a goal involvement every other game, or every 165 minutes, which lends more credence to one analyst’s claim that he’s “one of the best wingers in the world.”

Yıldız’s Scout Report

Statistics

Per 90

Percentile

SCA (Live-ball Pass)

3.22

Top 3%

SCA (Defensive Action)

0.11

Top 3%

Shot-Creating Actions

4.87

Top 4%

SCA (Shot)

0.45

Top 5%

Passes into Penalty Area

1.95

Top 6%

Tackles (Mid 3rd)

0.97

Top 6%

Successful Take-Ons

2.21

Top 6%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

0.56

Top 7%

Touches

55.64

Top 7%

Touches (Live-Ball)

55.64

Top 7%

Touches (Att 3rd)

28.18

Top 9%

Carries

36.12

Top 9%

Passes Received

41.82

Top 9%

Passes Completed (Short)

19.41

Top 11%

Key Passes

2.14

Top 11%

Progressive Passes

4.53

Top 12%

Goals – xG

+0.10

Top 12%

Non-Penalty Goals – npxG

+0.10

Top 12%

Passes Attempted (Short)

21.69

Top 12%

Live-ball Passes

38.97

Top 12%

SCA (Take-On)

0.49

Top 12%

GCA (Take-On)

0.07

Top 12%

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 Serie A Season

In addition to the youngster’s impressive output, his underlying numbers from last season make for some spectacular reading.

According to FBref, he ranked in the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Serie A for shot-creating actions from live passes, the top 4% for outright shot-creating actions, the top 6% for passes into the penalty area and successful take-ons, the top 9% for carries and more, all per 90.

In other words, even when he’s not directly scoring or assisting a goal, the superstar in the making is heavily involved in the team’s attacks.

Ultimately, while it is still early in his career, there is no denying that Yıldız is one of the most exciting talents in European football, and therefore, Chelsea should sign him, as he could have a Palmer-like impact on the team.

Related Bye-bye Tosin & Chalobah: Chelsea submit bid to re-sign "the world's best CB"

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 20, 2025

The Blue Jays beat the Yankees in Game 2 of the ALDS on Sunday, 13-7. Toronto had a 5-0 lead in the bottom of fourth when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. came to the plate and hit a grand slam. It was an incredible moment inside the Rogers Center as the home crowd errupted.

Outside the Yankees dugout there might have only been two people completely silent, and they were both in the WFAN broadcast booth. Dave Sims and Suzyn Waldman were there to call the game for the folks listening on the radio back in New York and Gueerrero's grand slam did not seem to excite them.

"So you got Giménez at third, Straw at second, Springer at first," Sims described to the fans listening on the radio. "One out. Guerrero at the dish and a 2-1 count. He's looking to unload right here. 2-1. Pitch. He did. Deep drive, left field. Grand Slam."

It doesn't get shorter or more to the point than that. A full 20 seconds passed before Waldman finally broke the silence and confirmed how badly things were going for the Yankees.

Before the game, a much happier Sims posted a picture with Waldman that definitely could be classified as an image that precedes an unfortunate event for Yankees fans.

The Blue Jays now lead the series 2-0 with a chance to win the series on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium.

Aaron Boone and his Yankees are heading north of the border for the AL Division Series after taking care of the Red Sox. Now, they have another rival in front of them in the AL East champion Blue Jays.

Toronto and New York finished the regular season with the same record (94-68), but the Blue Jays took the division and a bye to the ALDS thanks to owning the tiebreaker over the Yankees. During the division race, Blue Jays broadcaster and former big leaguer Buck Martinez didn't hold back his true thoughts on the Yankees.

"Ya know, the Yankees, they're not a good team," Martinez said on a broadcast Sept. 9. "I don't care what their record is. They have a lot of wild pitches, they make a lot of mistakes in the field, they don't run the bases very well. If they don't hit home runs, they don't have a chance to win."

Boone certainly recalled those choice words and is using them as motivation ahead of Game 1 against the Blue Jays Saturday.

"I feel like the last couple months, we started to play really well. Contrary to some thoughts up here, we're a really good team," he said to reporters Friday via SNY.

After a follow-up question, the Yankees manager addressed Martinez's shade directly. "I know Buck had some thoughts, that's all I was responding to. He's wrong," he continued.

The Yankees won a decisive Game 3 against Boston Thursday at Yankee Stadium to keep their season alive. And ironically, they didn't hit a home run in the big 4-0 win. Now, Boone's squad has an opportunity to prove Martinez wrong with a trip to the ALCS on the line.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Fluminense recebe o Alianza Lima-PER nesta quarta-feira (29), pela sexta e última rodada da fase de grupos da Copa Libertadores. A bola rola a partir das 21h30 (de Brasília), no Maracanã, com transmissão da Globo e do Star+ ((Clique aqui para assinar e assistir no Star+!)).

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Confira todas as informações que você precisa saber sobre o confronto entre São Paulo e Talleres (onde assistir, horário, escalações e local).

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
FLUMINENSE X ALIANZA LIMA
COPA LIBERTADORES – 6ª RODADA

🗓️ Data e horário: quarta-feira, 29 de maio de 2024, às 21h30 (de Brasília)
📍 Local: Maracanã, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
📺 Onde assistir: Globo e Star+
🟨 Árbitro: Jhon Ospina (COL)
🖥️ VAR: Nicolas Gallo (COL)

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⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES

FLUMINENSE: Fábio, Marquinhos (Guga), Martinelli, Felipe Melo e Marcelo; Alexsander, Lima e Paulo Henrique Ganso; Jhon Arias, Keno e Germán Cano Cano. Técnico: Fernando Diniz.

ALIANZA LIMA: Saravia, Zambrano, Garcés, Ramos, Freytes e Huamán; Castillo, Neira e Cabellos: Arriba Serna e Waterman. Técnico: Alejandro Restrepo.

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Faça as suas apostas na Libertadores 2024: quem será o campeão? Vem pro Lance! Betting!

Tudo sobre

FluminenseLibertadoresStar +

أعلنت لجنة المسابقات عقوبات لاعبي ريال مدريد، عقب أحداث مباراة سيلتا فيجو في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لموسم 2025-2026.

وتعرض ريال مدريد للهزيمة من سيلتا فيجو، بهدفين دون مقابل، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني “الليجا”.

وشهدت المباراة طرد لكل من ألفارو كاريراس وفران جارسيا خلال المواجهة، وسط احتجاجات من لاعبي ريال مدريد.

وتوترت الأجواء خلال المباراة في النهاية، وقد زادت احتجاجات العديد من اللاعبين، بما في ذلك رودريجو وفالفيردي وكاريراس، وإندريك الذي تلقى بطاقة حمراء (من على مقاعد البدلاء).

وبحسب ما ورد في تقرير الحكم، قام داني كارفاخال قائد ريال مدريد بمهاجمته قائلاً له هذا هو مستواك، ثم تبكي في المؤتمر الصحفي!”. 

اقرأ أيضًا | تشكيل ريال مدريد أمام مانشستر سيتي في دوري أبطال أوروبا.. موقف مبابي

ووفقًا لما ورد في صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، يُعاقب إندريك بالإيقاف لمباراتين بسبب احتجاجه على طاقم التحكيم.

ويُعاقب ألفارو كاريراس بالإيقاف لمباراتين بسبب سلوكه غير اللائق أو المُهين تجاه الحكام، وإيقاف داني كارفاخال مباراتين إضافيتين للسبب نفسه.

وفي حالة فران جارسيا، اقتصرت العقوبة على إيقافه مباراة واحدة فقط لحصوله على بطاقتين صفراوين في دقيقة واحدة.

يذكر أن ريال مدريد سيواجه ديبورتيفو ألافيس يوم الأحد المقبل في الدوري الإسباني، ثم يلاقي تالافيرا بكأس ملك إسبانيا، وعقب ذلك يستقبل إشبيلية في الليجا يوم 20 من شهر ديسمبر الجاري.

Lamine Yamal's frustrations at being substituted off in Barcelona's 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday night might have rubbed some people up the wrong way, but the Spanish star proved he has the elite mentality that only the game's greatest – such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – possess.

• Yamal hooked in Champions League

  Yamal missed a total of five minutes at the end of the Champions League win over the German side at Camp Nou on Tuesday, but that did not stop him from showing his frustrations after his number was held up in the 89th minute. His night was fruitful, providing an assist, creating two chances, and having 110 touches of the ball, but it's not the first time his emotions have seemingly got the better of him. A few weeks ago, in the 3-1 win over Alaves – a game in which Yamal scored – he pulled off a similar stunt, giving a stone-faced look at his manager as he walked straight past him and to the bench. That night, the 18-year-old admitted he was frustrated with how he played, and that he holds himself to higher standards. The match against Frankfurt looks to be a similar situation, with Yamal proving he has a Cristiano Ronaldo-esque mentality, that there is always room for improvement, and he wants to be on the pitch for every minute possible.

  That will not stop Flick from bringing his brightest talent off if he feels it is necessary, as he explained after Tuesday night's clash. He said: "We changed Lamine with a few minutes to go because he was booked and it was late," the German said. "If he was a bit annoyed, then I fully understand and I like it. I was a player too. It's fully acceptable, not a problem." Yamal is not the only star in La Liga to have erratic reactions to being hooked. Vinicius Junior has often caused a stir with his outbursts of emotion on the pitch, and it almost always comes down to the big-name players feeling like they have more to contribute. More often than not in modern football, the player outlasts the manager, and in Flick's case, he must manage Yamal carefully to avoid his own early dismissal. To his credit, he's doing everything right up to now.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Following in CR7's footsteps

  Ironically, Yamal plays for Real Madrid's biggest rivals, but there are a lot of clear similarities between him and the great Cristiano Ronaldo. Like the Portuguese superstar, Yamal wears his heart on his sleeve and isn't afraid to show emotion. All he cares about is winning, not emulating those who came before him. Barca's No.10 went out of his way to claim he does not want to be Lionel Messi, the man who wore his shirt number for so many years in Spain and to such incredibly high standards. He said: "I think that Lionel Messi is the best footballer of all time, but he also knows that I’m a good player. There will be mutual respect if we play against each other. He knows that I’m not trying to be him, to play like him, or wear the 10 like him. I want to follow my own path."

  The truly elite players in football want to be involved in every minute of every game across the season; that much has been evident in Yamal's time at the top so far. At 18, he has played over 8,000 minutes, significantly more than most players of his age, due to his astonishing breakthrough at just 15 years old. For that reason, Flick's decision to rest him at every available opportunity is somewhat justified. But what the German might find, going forward, is that Yamal's demands will increase, as he grows older, gets even better, and becomes a more globally recognised figure in the sport. When that moment comes, it will be better to just step back and let him shine. 

• Overwhelming support for Barca's wonderkid

  The consensus across social media is that Flick handled Yamal's frustrations in the media well enough – another clear indicator that it would be wise for the Blaugrana head coach not to get on the wrong side of the evolving superstar. One fan, @BEANle, explained his interpretation of the moment: "Lamine Yamal wasn't mad he’s just passionate. Kids who love the game never want to come off and that fire is exactly what makes him special."

  Another, @DKostanjsak, reminded everything of the importance of the Barca man, adding: "Lamine Yamal is still the biggest game breaker in the world of football. His ability to flip the script from 0 to 100 is one of Barcelona's biggest weapons. But it's up to Flick to maximise that. At the moment, we're not getting the most out of the world's best."

  Finally, @Ayse_Crypt said: "Barca fans should be relieved. We finally have a young talent who doesn’t hide when things get tough. He wants every minute, every duel, every moment. These are the guys who become club pillars."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  A long career ahead

  Unless there is a dramatic change, Yamal is going to be a Barcelona player for a long time. He has the ability to smash records, both in Spain and Europe, but only if he is given the freedom to grow into a role filled by Messi before him. As much as he might not be fond of them, the Messi comparisons aren't going anywhere. Lamine Yamal is going to be a name associated with football for the next decade at least, and it is not too-far fetched to suggest he could go on to become one of the greatest players of all time. While no player is bigger than the club, the support of the manager in ignoring the minor misdemeanors is only going to help Yamal on that path to legendary status. And Flick, for now, appears to have it spot on.

Heung-min Son touches down in London next week to bid farewell to the Lilywhites fanbase at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Thomas Frank’s side are set to take on Slavia Prague in the Champions League, and what they could do with a prime version of Son and Harry Kane leading the line.

It’s fair to say that the world-class forwards have not been replaced since both departing in recent years, and that has been to the detriment of the new manager’s project.

Creatively, Spurs have not been at the races, but the need for an elite centre-forward has been just as severe. Talismanic figures like Kane are hard to come by, though.

Why Spurs are missing Harry Kane

It is not hard to work out why Tottenham miss their all-time record goalscorer, whose shooting skills are second to none and who, regardless, has so much more to his game than mere finishing.

Harry Kane

435

280

Jimmy Greaves

376

266

Bobby Smith

316

211

Heung-min Son

454

173

Martin Chivers

350

167

Now a superstar with Bayern Munich, the Three Lions captain is one of the most prolific forwards in world football, actually described as “the best player in the world” by writer Mitch Fretton.

This might just be the case. Kane has posted 25 goals from 21 matches in all competitions this season. His Bayern side are runaway Bundesliga leaders already.

He is the star of the show, the cream of the crop. Just as he was at Tottenham.

How Frank must wish for such a player leading his line. Although saying that, the Danish coach does has a Kane-esque star in his ranks, even if this player is performing on the other side of the field.

Spurs have a new Kane-like talisman

There isn’t a single forward in Tottenham’s first team who would scratch the same surface as Kane in his north London pomp right now, but Cristian Romero is showing off talismanic properties, albeit in a different way.

The Argentina international has been something of a divisive figure at times down N17, boasting world-class talent but also an erraticness and rash streak that has pulled him away from the action at times.

But he’s still an immense player, evidenced when he came up trumps as Spurs salvaged a draw at St. James’ Park on Tuesday evening, scoring a brace against Newcastle United.

Romero is hardly a similar player to Kane, but they share some similarities that suggest Romero could be the club’s new version.

They are both leaders. Kane was never anointed as Tottenham’s first-choice captain due to Hugo Lloris, but he’s undoubtedly a top leader. In this, Romero and him are alike, with the Argentine both a vocal and lead-by-example skipper, so imposing and aggressive in the heart of the defence.

The 27-year-old is a “monster” of a player, as dubbed by journalist Charlie Eccleshare, with Sofascore recording that he has averaged 2.5 tackles and 5.7 duels in the Premier League this season, winning 64% of the latter.

Micky van de Ven, lauded by some as Tottenham’s best player, has not yet achieved the same kind of defensive mastery, averaging only 1.1 tackles per game and winning just 51% of his duels.

It’s clear in this regard that Romero boasts surpassing quality, more roundedness, more completeness. As per FBref, he ranks among the top 10% of Premier League defenders this year for goals, the top 7% for successful take-ons and the top 5% for tackles per 90.

Let’s hope he remains under Frank’s wing over the coming years. On the basis of the evidence, the head coach is going to need him.

The new Son: Spurs prepared to pay £65m to sign "world-class" talent

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to fork out a hefty sum to land a new attacker for Thomas Frank.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 3, 2025

Manchester United’s supporters have been largely left frustrated over the last decade, with the club unable to achieve any sustained success since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

The Scotsman decided to call it a day at the end of the 2012/13 season, with the Red Devils yet to claim Premier League glory under the guidance of any other manager.

Ruben Amorim is the latest manager to try his luck at Old Trafford, with the hierarchy already backing him in his quest for success during his tenure in the role.

He’s already spent upwards of £220m since his appointment last November, with the majority of his spending being directed into the final third of the squad.

However, with January rapidly approaching, the board have shifted their attention to the midfield department, which has led to a whole host of players being touted for a move to join the club.

The latest on United’s move to land Elliot Anderson

Over the last couple of weeks, United have been hugely touted with various moves for a number of central midfielders to help bolster Amorim’s squad in the second half of the season.

The likes of Adam Wharton, Joao Gomes and Ederson have all been linked with moves, but none of the aforementioned talents appear to be their main target.

Such a luxury has fallen into the hands of Elliot Anderson, with the Nottingham Forest star seemingly being the Red Devils’ number one target this January.

The 23-year-old has been in remarkable form for Sean Dyche’s side this season, leading to the youngster becoming a regular starter in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.

It’s been reported that Amorim’s side are willing to pay £60m for the signature of the midfielder in the upcoming window to try and solve their issue at the heart of the squad.

However, such a deal could well be rejected out of hand, with Forest wanting at least £100m for their star man, who has three and a half years left on his current deal.

Anderson also has no release clause in his current deal at the City Ground, which puts Dyche’s men in full control over negotiations when it comes down to conducting a transfer.

If Amorim’s men are to land the Englishman this window, the £100m deal would see a new club-record being paid for his signature – surpassing the £89m paid for Paul Pogba nearly a decade ago.

The player who Amorim could sell to fund the Anderson deal

£100m is a mammoth sum, even in today’s market, but Anderson’s stats from the current campaign showcase why he’s so highly-rated by his current employers.

He’s ranked top of numerous different categories across the Premier League this season, ranging from touches of the ball to possession won for his side.

His tally of 8.6 progressive passes per 90 highlights his phenomenal ball-playing ability, but it’s his work out of possession that could be the selling point to Amorim and the board.

A real ball-winner is what the club have lacked in recent times, with the Englishman’s dominance in winning the ball back seemingly what’s prompted the recent interest.

However, after splashing around £200m on new additions in the summer, it remains to be seen how much the board are willing to spend in the upcoming January window.

As a result, numerous players may have to be offloaded from the current squad, with Kobbie Mainoo just one star who could be sold by Amorim.

Such a sentence would have been absurd 12 months ago, but the midfielder has simply been unable to showcase his talents since the arrival of the 40-year-old.

In 2025/26 alone, the 20-year-old has featured just eight times in the league, but none of which have come from a starting role – restricting him to just 170 minutes of action to date.

He’s since dropped behind the experienced Casemiro in the pecking order, with the manager evidently favouring the Brazilian over the academy sensation.

However, it could get worse for Mainoo in the near future, with the Red Devils having youngsters such as Sekou Kone who could also rise above him in Amorim’s plans.

Anderson’s arrival would also do just that, potentially seeing Mainoo become surplus to requirements at Old Trafford – something which is a real travesty.

Games played

25

Minutes played

1656

Pass accuracy

87%

Chances created

1.7

Successful dribbles

1.3

Tackles won

63%

Duels won

5.9

Interceptions made

1.2

Recoveries made

4.8

Just a couple of years ago, he was scoring key goals in FA Cup finals and local derbies, even leading to journalist Liam Canning labelling him as the club’s “best player”.

However, it’s evident the boss doesn’t have as much faith in the player as many outsiders do, which could force the youngster to move on to reach his full potential elsewhere.

It’s likely he would still command a hefty fee should he be sold in January, with such funds potentially playing a key role in any pursuit of Anderson in the weeks ahead.

The downfall of Mainoo has been truly devastating for the fanbase to witness, especially after the joy he gave them when he breezed into the first-team setup as an 18-year-old.

However, it’s crucial the club cash in on him before his value declines further, with the board needing to make huge calls if they are to land the Forest star or keep the academy graduate happy at the club.

Joao Gomes upgrade: INEOS ready Man Utd talks for "out of this world" star

Manchester United look set to make another move for a central midfielder ahead of the January window.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 28, 2025

Melbourne Renegades duo Georgia Wareham and Courtney Webb have produced a match-winning partnership to sink Sydney Sixers and keep the defending WBBL champions in finals contention.The win had significant ramifications ahead of next week’s finals, ending Sixers’ three-game winning streak and meaning Hobart Hurricanes will finish top of the ladder.That means Hurricanes will host the final on Saturday week. Adelaide will host Hurricanes tonight at Karen Rolton Oval, with Strikers needing an upset win to stay in the top-four hunt.By winning their last regular-season game Renegades also improved to fourth, while Sixers are third. But Renegades must sweat on other results to find out whether they play in the finals.Chasing 131 for victory, Wareham (49 not out) and Webb (33 not out) took Renegades to 134 for 4 from 16.2 overs on Friday in Melbourne.The pair put on a whirlwind unbroken 85-run stand, rescuing Renegades from a wobbly 49 for 4 in the tenth over.Wareham, who earlier took three wickets, finished with a furious flourish, cracking five fours and two sixes from her 29 deliveries. And Webb also found the boundary four times as Renegades (five wins, five losses) climbed from sixth to fourth on the table.Sixers (five wins, three losses) remain third after failing to capitalise on an Ellyse Perryspecial with the bat.Perry top-scored with 65 from 47 balls but Sixers struggled to 130 for 9. The allrounder dominated Sixers’ innings, hitting nine fours and a six, despite frequently losing partners.Only one other team-mate – Ash Gardner (16) – reached double figures amid some excellent legspin bowling from Wareham (3 for 21 from four overs).Alyssa Healy made a six-ball duck and the middle order failed to fire around Perry, who was dismissed in the 18th over when caught at long-on from the bowling of Alice Capsey (2 for 27).Ellyse Perry put on a one-woman show with the bat for Sixers•Getty Images

Renegades hit early trouble in their chase when Maitlan Brown snared two wickets in the second over.Opener Davina Perrin (28 from 27) and Capsey (10 from 15) briefly steadied before both fell in a three-over patch, leaving Renegades in serious strife four down.But Wareham and Webb launched a power-packed counter-punch with Brown (2 for 45) the only multiple wicket-taker for Sixers.All three games over the weekend will affect the top-four finishing order. The Melbourne Stars are second and on Saturday cannot afford a slip-up when they host the Sydney Thunder, who are out of finals contention.The late Saturday game will feature fifth-placed Perth Scorchers at home against bottom side Heat, while Sixers host Adelaide Strikers on Sunday in a massive end to the regular season.Only three points separates Stars from the sixth-placed Strikers.Tuesday’s knockout final will feature the third-placed team at home against fourth.The winner of that game travels to the second-placed team on Thursday for the challenger final and that will decide who faces Hurricanes for the title.

As the only Omani national in their Asia Cup squad, he faced different challenges on his way to the top

Shashank Kishore14-Sep-2025For Sufyan Mehmood, 33, playing in the Asia Cup carries an extra layer of pride. He is the only Omani national in the current squad, a distinction that fills him with great honour.A seam-bowling allrounder known for his accuracy and lower-order hitting, Mehmood would have been in the UK studying – perhaps he might have even had a corporate career – if his father had his wishes. But Mehmood chose to decline an admission to Loughborough University to pursue business administration because he wanted to play cricket.”Unlike others who come to Oman to make a career, I didn’t have those challenges,” Mehmood told ESPNcricinfo. “I had all the comforts, and didn’t have to worry about building a life. But my challenges were different.Related

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“Everyone in my family were academically inclined. My older brother is a dentist at the health ministry, my younger brother is a petroleum engineer, [and] my younger sister is also a dentist who runs a private practice. My father grew up the ranks from being a salesman to now being CEO of a company he joined nearly 30 years ago.”Now, I guess you can understand what my challenges were: how to convince my family I wanted to play cricket in a country that didn’t have a culture. But ever since I started, I saw kids in school taking up this new sport, and wanted to play it.”Mehmood first made the Oman Under-15s, he said, in “2005 or 2006 – I can’t remember”. What he does recall, though, is that on his first tour, to Thailand, he was the Player of the Match in just his second outing. “It was against Iran, I was 14 years old.”From there, he made the Under-17s, and was finally part of the national squad in 2009. “The depth wasn’t as much, so if you did well in one or two games, you could progress,” he said. “Straight off that Under-19 tour, I played for the senior team.”Sufyan Mehmood: “Domestic cricket in Oman is basically corporate cricket”•Sufyan MehmoodThat must have been a massive moment in his young career, but because games were far and few, the significance of that moment dissipated very quickly.”When I started playing cricket, I didn’t know that we would play a World Cup one day,” he said. My parents wanted me to study. So after rejecting my offer from Loughborough University, I enrolled in an Omani university that was affiliated to another UK university – at least temporarily my dad was pacified,” he said with a laugh. “I would manage my classes, speak to my professors, tell them I had matches, and cover it up later. They supported me well.”But staying back in Oman meant figuring out an alternate career too, outside of cricket.”Domestic cricket here is basically corporate cricket,” he said. “Companies will have their teams in the premier division, they will hire you and give you a job.”In my first year, I couldn’t find any job, so I just found one job outside cricket, in an event management company. I played after working [for] hours. After that year, I got an offer from Enhance, who had a cricket team. I worked for them for four-five years in the HR department before moving to Renaissance Services, where I lead the cricket side. We’ve won two trophies in the last two years under me.””Against India in the Emerging Asia Cup [in October 2024], I took Nehal Wadhera’s wicket and got him bowled”•Sufyan MehmoodIn 2015, Mehmood had his first big taste of top-flight cricket when he was part of the Oman squad that qualified for the 2016 T20 World Cup in India. In 2021, too, he was part of the squad when Oman hosted the first leg of the tournament. In last year’s T20 World Cup, Mehmood was part of the reserves. That he was in the reserves is because much of his 2023 went in recovering from a meniscus tear, which meant he didn’t have much game time.”And I didn’t have enough form to carry with me in the limited games,” he said. “In Oman, most doctors told me to get operated. But I went to Mumbai to meet Dinshaw Pardiwala, the same doctor who had treated Rishabh Pant after his accident. He told me I didn’t need surgery. I just had to do strengthening, and be meticulous with my physiotherapy and rehab for two-three months. I followed his advice, and I was fine.”Through all this, Mehmood held on to one belief: never give up. “It would have been easy for anyone to give up at any stage I went through, both career-wise, [and] cricket-wise – especially in a country where cricket is not a national sport,” he said.

“After the World Cups, they saw cricket was growing in Oman. Now they ask me how much I scored, [and] how many wickets I took. They might even come [to] watch me in the Asia Cup. They are excited.”Sufyan Mehmood on his family getting interested in cricket

Even now, the Asia Cup feels like a new chapter. “The last year has been really good. In the ODI series in the USA [in the Cricket World Cup League 2], I scored 72 against them and took three wickets. Against India in the Emerging Asia Cup [in October 2024], I took Nehal Wadhera’s wicket and got him bowled.”Against Pakistan, I dismissed Umair Bin Yusuf, and hit a six off Imran Khan Jr. I even spoke to players like Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. Just sharing thoughts on cricket felt special.”His family, once hesitant, is now firmly behind him. “After the World Cups, they saw cricket was growing in Oman,” he said with a smile. “Now they ask me how much I scored, [and] how many wickets I took. They might even come [to] watch me in the Asia Cup. They are excited.”For Mehmood, being a cricketer is no longer about proving anyone wrong. As the only Omani-born player in the team, he knows what his presence means.”See, it feels great because I know how much struggle I went through to reach this stage, not the typical struggle to settle and be financially independent, but the struggle to prove myself and get an identity. I never had a proper coach, [and] no real facilities. I learned by watching YouTube videos. That is why I am proud of this journey.”