Celtic ended the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership campaign with a 1-1 draw against St Mirren at Parkhead, having already clinched the title at the end of last month.

Jonah Ayunga’s goal gave the away side a shock lead at the start of the second half, but James Forrest stepped up in stoppage time to score a league goal for the Hoops for the 16th consecutive season – an extraordinary achievement.

As you can see in the clip above, central defender Liam Scales failed to get good distance on his headed clearance, which teed up Ayunga to rifle the ball into the back of the net.

Liam Scales' performance against St Mirren in numbers

The left-footed defender came into the side to replace Auston Trusty next to Cameron Carter-Vickers, with a chance to catch the eye ahead of the cup final.

Whilst he may not be happy with the goal that Celtic conceded and his part in it, Scales did a lot of good work in the match to keep the away side at bay.

The central defender ended the 90 minutes with eight clearances, four interceptions, and eight duels won, including seven out of 11 aerial battles won, which shows that he made a number of key defensive interventions.

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Meanwhile, central midfielder Paulo Bernardo was even worse than Scales and should be dropped by Brendan Rodgers for the SFA Cup final clash with Aberdeen next weekend.

Why Paulo Bernardo should be dropped

The Portuguese midfielder was given another chance to impress in the middle of the park ahead of the cup final, as Reo Hatate has been ruled out through injury.

There is a vacancy in the midfield next to Callum McGregor and Arne Engels, due to the Japanese star’s absence, and it should be Luke McCowan who is given the nod, not Bernardo.

In the clash with St Mirren, the former Benfica starlet lost 67% (4/6) of his duels and failed to create a single chance for his teammates in 54 minutes on the pitch.

This shows that he struggled in and out of possession for the Hoops and was even worse than Scales, who at least made numerous defensive interventions and completed 94% of his attempted passes.

Vs Aberdeen & St Mirren	Luke McCowan	Paulo Bernardo
Key passes	6	1
Big chances created	1	0
Assists	2	0
Shots	4	6
Goals	1	0
Duels won	4/9	7/12
Tackles + interceptions	4	6
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, in the two matches since Hatate suffered his knee injury, McCowan has provided far more quality in possession from a midfield position in comparison to Bernardo.

These statistics suggest that the former Dundee man is more likely to make a big impact from the start at Hampden Park against Aberdeen next weekend, given his recent form in front of goal.

Therefore, Rodgers must take Bernardo out of the starting XI to bring the Scottish dynamo back into the side when the team takes to the field with the ambition of winning the treble.

Rodgers can sign Jota 2.0 in Celtic move for star who could be worth £30m

Celtic could find their next version of Jota by swooping to sign this star this summer.

1

By
Dan Emery

May 17, 2025

FSG aren’t resting on their laurels this summer, brushing away the cobwebs like a house servant possessed ahead of Arne Slot’s second season in charge at Liverpool.

Cobwebs, admittedly, are few and far between. Liverpool won the Premier League last season, in case you missed it, having achieved the feat with a squad almost identical to the one Jurgen Klopp left behind when he departed 12 months ago.

But Slot hasn’t replicated his predecessor in facsimile, instead taking the same pieces and crafting something new. However, for all of the Anfield side’s success on the league front, they did fall across the various cup competitions, and it’s clear that increased depth will be needed to take this brilliant team to the next level.

Just imagine what he might achieve when backed to the hilt in the transfer market. Luckily, such dreams will become the reality of Reds supporters all over. Liverpool are mercilessly attacking the transfer market.

Liverpool's summer transfer plans

Liverpool have already offset the disappointment of losing Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid by signing the rapid Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.

Advanced discussions also seem to be coming to a head in regard to Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez, who has been targeted as Andy Robertson’s long-term successor at left-back.

However, with Mohamed Salah extending his contract by two years, it’s the left side of Liverpool’s squad that requires more attention, especially with Luis Diaz mooted for a transfer to the Saudi Pro League.

Florian Wirtz is at the heart of lengthy and complicated negotiations between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen, with FSG prepared to offer what would be a British-record bid of £118m to secure the world-class playmaker.

He’d nestle into the number ten spot, though, which is why Liverpool have centred on Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon, should Diaz leave. The former Everton star could fetch an £80m fee to bring back to Merseyside.

Though Diaz would need replacing, Gordon might not automatically walk into Slot’s starting XI, no matter the fee required to bring him over from Tyneside.

Indeed, Cody Gakpo has produced a stunning season for Liverpool.

Liverpool have hit gold on Cody Gakpo

When Liverpool signed Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven for £35m in January 2023, he arrived off the back of an eye-catching World Cup showing with the Netherlands, scoring in each of Oranje’s group stage fixtures.

However, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. The initial half-season Gakpo spent on Merseyside was one of great turbulence for Liverpool, but he still managed to impress in bursts.

And after a 2023/24 campaign that promised further improvements, albeit with Gakpo’s best position proving a nebulous thing, Klopp shuffling him across every inch of the park, he’s hit his stride in Slot’s system, recording his most productive haul yet.

24/25

49

18

7

23/24

53

16

7

22/23

26

7

3

Hailed for his “monster” season by journalist Declan Carr, the 26-year-old’s quality has been such that suitors are beginning to take note of his skills.

Indeed, with Liverpool looking set to have beaten Bayern Munich to the signing of Wirtz, the Bundesliga champions have focused their sights on Gakpo, report Sky Germany.

However, given that FSG have set their asking price at €100m (£84m), it’s unlikely that Die Roten will continue to chase their quarry.

The player’s price tag does illustrate his calibre, indeed proving even more than one of English football’s finest wingers in Gordon.

Just for reference, take a look at how the Dutchman compares with Gordon for Premier League performance last season. Is it fair to say Gordon arriving for an £80m fee might not even be able to oust Gakpo for his leading role on the left flank?

Matches (starts)

35 (23)

34 (28)

Goals

10

6

Assists

4

5

Shots (on target)*

1.6 (0.70

1.7 (0.6)

Big chances missed

6

10

Pass completion

84%

81%

Big chances created

11

6

Key passes*

1.1

1.5

Dribbles*

0.9

1.1

Tackles + interceptions*

1.1

1.1

Duels won*

3.1

4.4

Of course, Gordon showcased a deeper level of quality the previous term, when he was crowned Newcastle’s Player of the Year after posting 11 goals and 15 assists in the top flight, but Gakpo’s progress at Liverpool has been incremental, which bodes well for the upcoming campaign.

Gakpo’s prolific ability could also see him combine well with Kerkez, who is expected to sign as Liverpool’s new left-back. As per FBref, Gakpo ranked among the top 5% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League last season for goals scored per 90 (0.47).

Kerkez’s energy and enthusiasm may prove perfect for the continuation and progress of Liverpool’s £120k-per-week star. The Hungarian, who Bournemouth want £45m for, has been a “revelation” for the south coast side over the past two years, claims pundit Jamie Carragher, and will drive forward and supplement Gakpo’s attacking intentions just so.

Defensive players rarely cost as much as their forward-placed counterparts, but Gakpo’s vastly higher value makes a firm comment on the high regard Liverpool hold him in.

If Liverpool do sell Diaz to Al-Nassr or the like this summer, bringing in a player such as Gordon wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world.

However, Gakpo has gone from strength to strength since Slot took to the dugout, and might just find himself reprising his first-choice role on Liverpool’s left wing next term.

Move over Wirtz: Liverpool can sign Salah's next Firmino in £84m "magician"

Mohamed Salah is going to have some exciting new attacking talent alongside him next season.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 8, 2025

da betway： And with that, the Premier League is done and dusted for another year. Arsenal, the division’s second place side, ended things with a win but the real work starts now for new sporting director Andrea Berta.

da cassino online： Mikel Arteta declared post-game on Sunday that work for the new season would commence quickly.

Where do they need to strengthen?

It’s pretty obvious unless you have been living under a rock.

For the first time since the 1923/24 season, yes, over 100 years ago, Arsenal failed to find a player who scored double figures in a league season.

Injuries have no doubt led to this but so has the club’s poor recruitment over the last 18 months.

A new striker and potentially also a winger simply has to be sourced this summer.

Arsenal’s transfer plans post-season

It’s set to be out with the old and in with the new this summer for the Gunners.

Kieran Tierney scored on his final outing for the Gunners at Southampton but it may not have been just his final outing.

Indeed, Raheem Sterling will head back to his parent club while Thomas Partey and Jorginho see their contracts expire in a few weeks time.

Leandro Trossard – linked with Saudi last January – could sign a new deal at the Emirates Stadium this summer, but that is unlikely to have an impact on whether or not they sign a new forward.

For that central berth, the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko seem the most likely of candidates but there’s also the potential for a new winger to arrive in the shape of Real Madrid star, Rodrygo.

The Brazilian isn’t the only wide player on their shortlist with reports in recent weeks suggesting that Arsenal have been working on a deal for Rafael Leao.

The Milan star is also wanted by Bayern Munich this summer but there’s has been a new development in Arsenal’s chase.

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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That’s according to French publication, Foot Mercato, who suggested over the weekend that while the Portuguese winger is on the club’s ‘shortlist’, Berta actually had a phone call with the player in the last two weeks.

The purpose of that call was to tell Leao that there is definite interest in him from the Gunners.

Arsenal don’t have an endless supply of cash this summer, and with other areas needing to be improved, they will have to spend wisely. Thus, a reported £145m release clause is unlikely to be met too well by the club’s recruitment team.

How Rafael Leao compares to Rodrygo

Speaking last week ahead of the game with Southampton, Arteta was actually asked about the prospect of signing Rodrygo from Real Madrid.

While he didn’t explicitly reveal that Arsenal were interested, he was slightly more open to the prospect of discussing transfers than he was a week or two ago, stating: “If you want to win titles, you have to be the best in the market. The teams that win have the best players.”

Well, speaking of the best players, who would be the better option here?

Rodrygo is an electrifying talent and there is a belief that if he moved away from the Bernabeu and was the main man, he’d be a genuinely scary proposition. After all, this is a player who has scored 50 goals since the beginning of the 2022/23 season.

In comparison, Leao – who’s actually been compared to a young Thierry Henry for his play style on the left flank – has scored 43 times in the same time frame.

So, with fewer goals, why is the Portuguese more exciting?

Leao vs Rodrygo since 2022/23

Stat (per 90 mins)

Leao

Rodrygo

Goals

0.40

0.34

Assists

0.31

0.24

Shot on target %

36.0%

36.3%

Key passes

2.06

1.91

Progressive passes

4.12

3.76

Shot-creating actions

4.60

4.71

Successful take-ons

2.64

2.56

Progressive carries

5.20

5.63

Stats via FBRef.

A genuine speedster, the Milan forward has notably been described by the Athletic’s Alex Barker as “one of the best dribblers in the world”, the numbers certainly showcase that.

He ranks within the top 5% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues this season for successful take ons per 90 minutes with 2.84. In contrast, Rodrygo only ranks among the best 23% with 2.08 per 90 mins in 2024/25.

Evidently both very capable dribblers, over the last three seasons it’s the Milan superstar who comes out on top in most areas, most importantly producing more end product (goals and assists) every 90 minutes.

Leao isn’t just a dribbler and a goalscorer, but he’s also capable of providing assists, delivering more key passes and progressive passes than Madrid’s wing sensation.

It’s likely the latter would be a cheaper acquisition but based on the numbers it’s the Portugal international who looks like the more exciting talent.

Combine that with comparisons to Henry and you have a genuine world beater here capable of getting Arsenal fans off their seats again.

It’s safe to say they’ve lacked that star quality and X factor on too many occasions this season.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes May 22, 2025

Goals, goals and more goals; if there is one thing Arsenal lacked this season, it was goals.

Mikel Arteta’s side finished second in the Premier League for the third season on the bounce this year and produced the best defence in the competition.

Yet, the North Londoners scored 17 goals fewer than champions Liverpool and three fewer than Manchester City, who finished in third.

So, fans should be excited about recent reports linking the club to a Premier League-proven goalscorer, who’d be a significant upgrade on Kai Havertz.

Arsenal's striker search

It feels like every other transfer story concerning Arsenal this summer has been related to a striker, specifically Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres.

According to reports from earlier this week, RB Leipzig are holding out for up to €100m for the Slovenian star, which is about £85m, while the Sporting CP star might be available for up to €70m, which is about £60m.

However, with progress seemingly stalling with both, another name has re-emerged: Ollie Watkins.

Transfer Focus

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

According to a recent report from Gary Jacob of the Times, Arsenal could go back in for the Aston Villa star this summer.

The Gunners had an offer of around £40m for the Englishman turned down in the winter window, but according to other reports from earlier this week, an offer of that much might be enough to seal the deal this summer.

It might not be the striker signing fans were hoping for or even expecting at the start of the window, but Watkins is Premier League-proven and would be a massive upgrade on Havertz.

How Watkins compares to Havertz

Now, even though Watkins can play in a few positions across the frontline and even played in midfield in his younger days, his best position remains up top, leading the line, so much so, in fact, that podcaster Rohan Jivan described him as “one of the best centre-forwards in Europe.”

Therefore, with Gabriel Jesus set to be out for the rest of the year, his main competitor for game time at Arsenal would be Havertz, but who comes out on top when we compare them?

Well, when it comes down to their raw output, which is ultimately what matters most for a centre-forward, it is the Englishman who comes out on top.

For example, in 54 appearances this season, totalling 3578 minutes, the former Exeter City gem scored 17 goals and provided 14 assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.74 games, or every 115.41 minutes.

In contrast, the Gunners’ number 29 scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 36 appearances, totalling 2809 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.8 games, or every 140.45 minutes.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.59

0.57

Non-Penalty G+As

0.76

0.58

Progressive Passes

1.07

2.93

Progressive Passes Received

5.71

5.43

Progressive Carries

1.90

1.68

Shots

2.84

2.54

Shots on Target

1.25

1.01

Passing Accuracy

72.4%

78.4%

Key Passes

0.83

0.82

Passes into the Penalty Area

0.45

0.43

Shot-Creating Actions

1.84

2.02

Goal-Creating Actions

0.42

0.14

Successful Take-On %

24.4%

23.7%

The comparison isn’t much better for the German international when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers, either.

For example, while he does better in some areas, such as progressive passes, shot-creating actions and passing accuracy, the Claret and Blue star comes out on top in the vast majority of relevant metrics, like expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, goal-creating actions, shots and shots on target, key passes and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, Havertz is a useful player and will likely continue to be next season, but if Arsenal want to genuinely upgrade their frontline, then they could do a lot worse than signing Watkins this summer.

Benjamin Sesko has now made "unusual" demand in Arsenal transfer talks

The Slovenia international wants something out of the ordinary.

ByEmilio Galantini Jun 20, 2025

Derbyshire are on the brink of ending a five year red ball drought after Jack Morley put Glamorgan in a spin on the third day of the Vitality County Championship match at Derby. The on-loan left arm spinner from Lancashire took 3 for 35 from 20 overs to put Derbyshire on course for a first Championship victory at the County Ground since August 2019.Glamorgan were fighting back at 226 for 4 but they lost three wickets in the space of six balls and closed on 236 for 7, still 25 behind. Colin Ingram and Kiran Carlson scored fifties but Morley and Pat Brown (2 for 50) bowled Derbyshire to the verge of a first Championship win anywhere for 25 months.After rain washed out the morning session, Brown and Zak Chappell started Glamorgan’s decline with three wickets in six overs. Billy Root did not profit from his escape the previous evening, scoring only 13 before he pushed at a ball from Brown he could have left and was caught behind.Brown tempted Ben Kellaway into a loose waft that gave Brooke Guest another victim before Chappell bagged the big wicket of Sam Northeast. The Glamorgan skipper had started purposefully but there was little he could do with a ball that was angled in and straightened enough to get through his defence and pluck out middle stump.A shower held up play for 20 minutes which would have helped keep the bowlers fresh and disrupt the batters concentration but both Carlson and Ingram settled in well after the restart. Carlson was more circumspect after he got away with a big drive early in his innings and Ingram, who scored a century on this ground last season, was quick to pounce on anything short or overpitched.With Anuj Dal off the field, Derbyshire were a bowler down and there was frustration for Brown when Carlson saw an edge loop just over third slip before Ingram was given a life on 25. Brown tempted him into a drive and the edge went low to Guest who could not hang on diving to his left.Ingram reached his 50 off 93 balls the over before tea which arrived with Glamorgan recovering well to get the deficit below three figures. But all the hard work was undone three overs into the final session when Ingram attempted a big slog-sweep at Morley and was bowled to end a stand of 110 from 179 balls.Colin Ingram made a fighting fifty for Glamorgan•Getty Images

Derbyshire thought they had Carlson in the next over, caught behind off David Lloyd, but the umpires ruled correctly that the ball had been played into the ground.Carlson completed his 50 off 125 balls before Derbyshire lost Brown who limped off with what appeared to be an ankle injury four overs into his second spell.Lloyd took over and struck when Chris Cooke tried to drive and was bowled, breaking a stand of 50 from 122 balls. Derbyshire moved a step closer to victory in the next over when Carlson inexplicably gave Morley the charge and was stumped.Timm van der Gugten was lbw first ball and although Mason Crane averted the hat-trick, Glamorgan will need something remarkable on the last day to deny Derbyshire that long-awaited home win.

‘Who knows what cricket is going to look like in even two years’ time?’ says England Test captain

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Jul-2024Ben Stokes has called for more player input over the international schedule, ahead of an overloaded 12-month period for England’s red- and white-ball sides.Speaking ahead of the third and final Test against West Indies, England’s Test captain reiterated his long-held criticisms of a congested fixture list, further complicated by the rise of franchise cricket. Having previously worried about its effect on the quality of cricket, Stokes is wary of the negative impact it could have on the development of England teams as a whole.While Stokes’ focus is on building towards the Ashes in the winter of 2025-26, the limited-overs set-up is looking towards a new dawn, with a decision to be made imminently on the futures of head coach Matthew Mott and captain Jos Buttler. Such are the commitments ahead for both squads, it is highly unlikely that each will progress at a similar rate.Related

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After the conclusion of this series in Edgbaston, the Test team will reconvene for a three-match series against Sri Lanka which begins at Emirates Old Trafford on August 21. The day after the third Test is due to finish in September, England begin a T20I series against Australia.That is followed by an ODI series against the same opponents that finishes just eight days before the start of a three-Test series in Pakistan. Three days after that tour concludes, England begin an ODI series in Antigua, which ends in St Lucia eight days prior to the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.The start of 2025 offers some respite with no overseas Tests in the first half of the year, but England will play five white-ball matches in India as preparation for the Champions Trophy in February. The home season then plays host to four visiting teams, with an ODI series in Ireland running parallel to the India Test series.England are blessed with a playing pool that can be adequately split for the obligations that await. But the pull on their multi-format players such as Harry Brook, Mark Wood and even Jofra Archer, who is mooted to return to the Test side in 2025, will become a problem, particularly as they continue to seek opportunities on the T20 franchise circuit.Stokes believes his role as Test captain allows him to have a firm hand on the tiller when it comes to what is best for his team. But he acknowledged problems on the horizon and urged boards such as the ICC, who produce the Future Tours Programme (FTP), and the ECB, who rubber-stamp it, to collaborate more with players at an uncertain time for the game’s ecosystem.ESPNcricinfo Ltd”I hope not,” answered Stokes when asked if his ambitions with the Test team will be hampered by the schedule. “It is something that does need to be addressed.”Who knows what international cricket is going to look like, with all the franchise stuff that is going on as well? It does need to get looked at. The landscape is constantly changing. I don’t think anyone can put their hand on their heart and say they know what cricket is going to look like in even two years’ time.”I think some consultation might be quite nice, obviously to Jos (Buttler) and myself. The FTP could maybe see the people playing in it consulted, and I think we could have some good input in that.”Asked whether he had been consulted on the recent FTP running from 2023-27, Stokes was tight-lipped: “Yes and no. Make of that what you will.”He was similarly guarded when asked about his own white-ball career, unwilling to entertain the question on the eve of a Test match. Having reversed his ODI retirement to play in the 2023 World Cup, he subsequently opted out of the T20 World Cup last month to focus on his Test duties. He also refused to acknowledge reports in last week that he has signed a bumper £800,000 deal with MI Cape Town in the SA20, which clashes with the India white-ball series at the start of next year.

Mumbai Indians have been rampant in overs 16 to 20 thanks to Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard but in Jaipur they were both outdone

Shashank Kishore in Jaipur20-Apr-20193:17

Bit surprised when Royals made me captain – Smith

There was an air of anticipation among Mumbai Indians fans as Kieron Pollard and Hardik Pandya stood in the middle for the last five overs of their innings. After all, three of the most expensive death bowlers in this IPL are Royals men. And Mumbai – mainly because of Hardik and Pollard – have been the best hitting side in the same period.This was Royals’ make-or-break moment. With the season on the line, they could not afford to concede too many runs and set up a big chase, not against an opposition with Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga. With new captain Steven Smith in charge and protagonists Jofra Archer and Jaydev Unadkat getting it right, they clinched the match there and then.Death bowlers have repeatedly got it wrong against Hardik this season. They’ve gone full and straight and Hardik knows if they miss an inch, he can loft them anywhere between long-off and deep midwicket. That’s because his method is so very simple. He stands deep in the crease, converts yorkers to near half-volleys and then relies on his bottom-handed power to do the rest. It helps his balance – a key to big hitting – that he doesn’t try to throw the bowler off gear by moving around a lot in the crease.Against spin too, he backs himself to clear the ropes, whether he hits with or against the turn. This mantra helped him wallop 6, 4, 4, 6 against Pawan Negi last week with Mumbai needing 22 off 12 on a rank Wankhede turner.Jofra Archer was Royals’ outstanding bowler on the night•BCCISometimes, Hardik’s plans may seem high-risk, but he plays with the confidence that he has Kieron Pollard and older brother Krunal for insurance. Invariably, one of the three have provided the final kick to Mumbai.Royals tried to negate this death-overs plan by keeping their best bowler for the end. Archer delivered overs 16, 18 and 20 and, having sussed up the conditions early, he relied on a lot of slower ones to tie the batsmen up. The ball was holding up beautifully and he kept cramping them for room. All Hardik could do was bunt singles and watch from the other end. Then, when Hardik was expecting a slower one, Archer bowled a sharp bouncer that zipped past his helmet and because Archer has pace, it gives batsmen little time to ramp or paddle. Hardik could only sway out of the way.Lengths aside, Royals also worked out whom to bowl from which end. The leg-side boundary from one of the ends was clearly longer. By sticking to a middle-and-leg line, Unadkat, who has struggled, possibly under pressure of his INR 11.5 crore (USD 1.8 million) price tag, kept forcing them to hit against the breeze to the longer side. Archer was patrolling deep midwicket. It was a perfect plan and Hardik fell into the trap by heaving one across the line. The only mistake was Archer reacted late and fluffed his opportunity. Hardik was on 14. To add insult to injury, Pollard walloped the next ball into the stands for six.Prior to this game, Mumbai’s 70 boundaries were the most at the death this season. Surely, with a catch dropped and the batsmen going for broke, Royals were on a slippery slope. Fortunately, Unadkat’s chance of pace worked and Pollard, attempting another heave, ended up missing a delivery and was bowled.Then in the 19th over, Archer dropped his third as Hardik muscled another short ball to deep midwicket. The next ball disappeared, but Archer made amends in his next over, the final one, by going full, straight and hitting Hardik flush on his toe to claim an lbw. Mumbai scored 50 off the last five, and there was a sense that despite the fielding lapses, Mumbai were denied. Two hours later, it was clear that they this was the clincher for the Royals.

Tottenham Hotspur finally put an end to 17 long years of hurt last night.

Despite their diabolically poor domestic campaign and the absence of Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and Lucas Bergvall, Ange Postecoglou’s side managed to do what would have been unthinkable a few months ago and won the Europa League.

It wasn’t the prettiest or highest quality of games, but that hardly matters, as all the fans will remember is their players’ gritty, backs-to-the-wall performance and how they brought home the club’s third European trophy.

Moreover, one of the players in the squad now has to go down as one of the biggest legends in Spurs history, someone who now has an even bigger legacy in North London than Gareth Bale.

Spurs' heroes in Bilbao

Before getting to the legend in question, it’s worth going over some of the other heroes for Spurs last night, such as Micky van de Ven.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The Flying Dutchman was a rock at the back for the North Londoners, and on helping to suffocate Manchester United, he also managed to pull off a sensational goal line clearance after Guglielmo Vicario misjudged a cross mid-way through the second half.

Equally impressed with the former VfL Wolfsburg star, Spurs writer Alasdair Gold awarded him a justifiable 10/10 match rating at full-time, the same rating he gave Cristian Romero.

The World Cup winner, who has now won all five of the finals he’s played in, was named the Man of the Match, and, to be honest, that’s a difficult decision to argue against, as he was utterly immense.

If the Argentine titan wasn’t getting his head to a ball or intercepting a pass, he was getting the heads of United’s players, and by the end of the game, he had a number of them on strings.

Both Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro were also handed 10/10 ratings by Gold on the night, with the former actually being the more attacking of the two as the encounter went on and the latter showing that when it really comes down to it, he can put in a solid defensive showing at right-back.

Finally, while he only got a 7/10 from the football.london journalist, we reckon Richarlison was just as important as anyone else on the team last night, as from the first minute until he was taken off in the 67th minute, the Brazilian forward worked like a dog.

If he wasn’t making runs down the left, the former Everton star was putting in a monstrous defensive effort that most probably wouldn’t associate with him, and if the 28-year-old does end up leaving in the summer, he’ll do so as a cult hero for his display.

However, with all that said, another player who didn’t even start last night can now go down as one of the most important players in Tottenham’s history and someone with an even greater legacy than Bale.

Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore

The Spurs star with a greater legacy than Bale

While every player in the team last night will now go down as a Spurs hero at a minimum, there is one star for which the victory secured him a legacy that few in the modern era can match: Son Heung-min.

Yes, even though the South Korean superstar only came on in the 67th minute, and aside from a free-kick that Kevin Danso almost got on the end of offered very little, he has now gone from club icon to club legend.

Arguably, the only player in the last 25 years who can be placed on a higher pedestal than the former Bayer Leverkusen star is Harry Kane, and that’s only down to him being the club’s all-time goalscorer.

Moreover, while Bale has a good legacy with the North Londoners, he only played one game in their successful League Cup run in 2007/08.

In contrast, the Chuncheon-born superstar made ten appearances in the Europa League this season, scoring three goals and providing one assist.

Furthermore, the victory last night was just the icing on the cake to remove any question over his status as a club legend, as since he moved to N17 in the summer of 2015, he has been nothing short of brilliant.

For example, in 454 appearances for the club, the “incredible” phenom, as dubbed by Postecoglou, has scored 173 goals and provided 101 assists, which is an absurd average of a goal involvement every 1.65 games.

Appearances

454

Minutes

32186′

Goals

173

Assists

101

Goal Involvements per Match

0.60

Minutes per Goal Involvements

117.46′

Major Trophies

1

Ultimately, Son was always going to go down as a Spurs icon regardless of what happened last night, but the victory in Bilbao has now ensured he’ll leave the club as a legend and as someone with an even greater legacy than Bale.

Spurs hero just proved why he's a £100m star in the making in Bilbao

Spurs ended their 17-year trophy drought by lifting the Europa League trophy in Bilbao.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes May 22, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

da betobet： Guilherme Arana não poupou palavras ao comentar a eliminação do Atlético Mineiro diante do Palmeiras, nas oitavas de final da Libertadores. Durante a coletiva de imprensa pós jogo, o lateral desabafou:

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da roleta： – Me incomoda, porque é o único titulo que me falta no Brasil, que é a Libertadores. Independentemente do campeonato, você ser eliminado é uma merda. Não é o que nós jogadores queremos – disse Arana.

+ Emocionado, Igor Rabello fala sobre lesão: ‘Estiramento, eu acredito’

Pelo Galo, o camisa 13 já conquistou Campeonato Mineiro, Brasileirão, Copa do Brasil e Supercopa. Das competições disputadas pelo clube, a Libertadores é a única que falta. Com a eliminação, só resta ao Atlético o Campeonato Brasileiro em 2023, o qual ocupa a 10ª colocação após 18 jogos.

+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Galo!

A próxima partida do Galo é contra o Bahia, no Mineirão, pela última rodada do primeiro turno. A seis pontos do G6, o time busca recuperação no Brasileirão e uma vaga na próxima Liberta.

Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy also likely to be retained by last season’s IPL finalists

Nagraj Gollapudi16-Oct-2024South Africa power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen is set to be the top retention for Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of IPL 2025. ESPNcricinfo has learned that Klaasen will get INR 23 crore (US$2.74 million approx.) as the first retained player. The franchise has also finalised two other retention deals: Australian allrounder Pat Cummins, who was Sunrisers captain in 2024, at INR 18 crore (US$2.14 million approx.), and India allrounder Abhishek Sharma at INR 14 crore (US$1.67 million approx).It is understood that Sunrisers are also likely to firm up the retentions of Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy soon. The IPL set October 31 as the deadline for retentions ahead of the mega auction that will be held later this year.Cummins, who had captained Sunrisers to the final last season, will continue as captain in 2025.Related

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• CSK waiting on go-ahead from Dhoni before retention deadline

• October 31 set as deadline for IPL teams to finalise retentions

• IPL mega auction: Six retentions, RTM back, Impact Player to stay

• Two-year ban for overseas players pulling out after IPL auction

Recently the IPL decided that a franchise can retain up to six players – including a maximum of five capped players (Indian or overseas) and two uncapped Indians – from their 2024 squads. Franchises can hold on to their players via any combination of retention deals and right-to-match (RTM) cards at the auction.The purse for the 2025 auction is INR 120 crore. The IPL also set various retention slabs – INR 18 crore, INR 14 crore, and INR 11 crore for the first three capped retentions, and INR 18 crore and INR 14 crore for the next two, with uncapped Indians fetching a maximum of INR 4 crore – but franchises are allowed to divide the capped retention pot of INR 75 crore among five capped players as they wish.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Successful units have always looked to retain their core, and hence it is no surprise that Sunrisers have decided to go down this route. Cummins, who was the second-most expensive buy at the 2024 mini-auction (INR 20.50 crore or US$2.47 million approx.), made use of his leadership experience in international cricket and combined well with Sunrisers coach Daniel Vettori to help steer Sunrisers to the playoffs after three disappointing seasons. In monetary terms, Cummins gets a 12.2% reduction on his 2024 price.The freedom the Cummins-Vettori leadership group allowed youngsters like Abhishek and Reddy helped them to flourish in the company of Head and Klaasen. Head and Abhishek formed arguably the most dangerous opening pair ever seen at the IPL, with both consistently hitting 200-plus strike rates. Head finished the season fourth on the overall run-getters list, with 567 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 191.55.Klaasen provided equally robust finishing touches, with his six count behind only that of Abhishek’s. While Abhishek made 484 runs at a strike rate of 204.21, Klaasen scored 479 runs at a strike rate of 171.07.Klaasen’s burgeoning reputation as one of the best T20 batters going around is reflected in a 338% increase from the INR 5.25 crore Sunrisers paid for him at the mini-auction ahead of IPL 2023. He has aggregated 927 runs in 26 innings at a strike rate of 174 in his two seasons at Sunrisers so far.Abhishek’s successful year in T20 cricket sees him rewarded with a value hike of 115%. He earned an India T20I call-up on the back of his IPL 2024 exploits, and will earn more than twice of what Sunrisers paid for him at the mega auction ahead of the 2022 season (INR 6.5 crore).Abhishek has a T20 strike rate of 194.84 to date in 2024, which is the highest for any batter who has faced more than 200 balls in the format this year. At IPL 2024, too, he had the highest scoring rate among the tournament’s top-ten run-getters.Twenty-one-year-old seam-bowling allrounder Reddy – who debuted for India in the recently concluded T20I series against Bangladesh, smashing 74 off 34 in his second game – had proven a reliable support act for Sunrisers in 2024, with 303 runs at a strike rate of 142.92 and three wickets.If Sunrisers firm up all five of these retentions, and do not add a sixth to their list before deadline day, they will have one RTM card at the auction, which can only be used for an uncapped Indian.