All posts by h716a5.icu

Things are looking up for Chelsea.

Despite a couple of poor results earlier in the season, Enzo Maresca’s side are second in the Premier League, with a chance to cut Arsenal’s lead to just three points on Sunday.

Then on Tuesday night, they showed the continent just how dangerous they are by beating Spanish champions Barcelona 3-0.

One of the stars of that game, and of Chelsea’s season, was Estevao, and so fans should be excited about reports linking them to someone who could be seen as the original version of the wonderkid.

Chelsea target the original Estevao

The transfer window is still over a month away from opening, but that has not stopped Chelsea from being linked with a host of potentially game-changing signings.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, Nottingham Forest’s man-mountain Murillo has been touted for a £79m move to Stamford Bridge, as has Athletic Bilbao’s £62m Nico Williams.

However, as talented as those two are, neither one can accurately be described as the original Estevao, unlike Vinícius Júnior.

Yes, according to a recent report from Football Insider, Chelsea are one of a couple of teams interested in signing the Real Madrid superstar.

In fact, the report goes further, revealing that should the Brazilian be up for sale in the summer, the Blues will be one of the frontrunners for his signature, alongside Manchester City.

However, the report has confirmed that, even though he’d have just a year left on his deal, Los Blancos would demand a fee of around £80m.

Even so, Vini Jr is a genuinely world-class player and someone Chelsea should be happy to break the bank on, especially as he’s the original Estevao.

Why Vini Jr is the original Estevao

Now, when it comes to the similarities between Vini Jr and Estevao, there are a few that are quite obvious and somewhat surface-level.

For example, they’re both exciting wide players, they’re both Brazilian, and now they’ve both played for the national team.

However, what makes the Madrid star the original version of the Chelsea star is how they were both spoken about prior to their big-money moves to Europe.

The Blues ace, for example, was labelled a “future Ballon d’Or winner” by respected analyst Ben Mattinson a few months before his deal was agreed.

Likewise, when the 25-year-old arrived in Spain over seven years ago, president Florentino Perez said: “He’s a player who is already considered one of the great hopes of Brazilian and world football.

In short, the West Londoners’ new prospect looks to be following in the footsteps of the former Flamengo ace, and they’ll certainly hope he continues.

After all, despite having a slow start to life in the Spanish capital, the São Gonçalo-born monster has now amassed 340 appearances for the biggest club in the world, during which he has scored 111 goals and provided 89 assists.

Appearances

340

Starts

267

Minutes

24,291′

Goals

111

Assists

92

Points per Game

2.15

Moreover, he’s helped the club win everything there is to win in the game, including two Champions Leagues, three La Ligas and one Copa del Rey.

Finally, he also has some sensational underlying numbers to his name, with FBref ranking him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries, the top 3% for successful take-ons, the top 6% for shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, with all that in mind, it’s hard to disagree with Ronaldo’s assertion that Vini Jr is “the best player in the world,” and therefore, Chelsea should be doing all they can to sign him next year, especially as he could help Estevao’s development.

Chelsea have already signed another exciting star who's "just like Estevao"

Chelsea have already signed another youngster who could become another Estevao for Enzo Maresca.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 26, 2025

Wojciech Szczesny has lifted the lid on an emotional San Siro moment, revealing how he consoled young Barcelona defender Gerard Martin after last season’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter. The veteran goalkeeper opened up about the tearful exchange, his unexpected Barca comeback, and the physical toll of his career in a candid new interview.

A dressing room father figure in a young Barcelona squad

Szczesny may not be Barcelona’s starting goalkeeper, but his influence inside one of Europe’s youngest dressing rooms has become invaluable. The 35-year-old arrived at the club last season after a brief retirement and quickly became a mentor figure, especially during tense, high-pressure matches.

One of those moments came during last season’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter. Barcelona were minutes away from a historic final before conceding a 92nd-minute equaliser, a sequence that began with a challenge on Martin that the full-back believed should have been given as a foul. The youngster, who earlier had delivered two assists, took the defeat heavily and blamed himself for the decisive moment.

As the squad tried to process the heartbreak inside the San Siro, Szczesny stepped in with the kind of calm perspective only experience can offer, setting the stage for the emotional exchange he later revealed.

AdvertisementAFPSzczesny’s emotional speech that stopped Gerard Martin’s tears

During an interview with , the Polish goalkeeper recounted the San Siro scene, offering a rare, human look behind the curtain of elite football. “‘Why are you crying?’ I asked. He told me he had lost the semi-final. So I reminded him of his own journey. ‘Where were you two years ago? Playing mediocre football in any stadium. And today you played a Champions League semifinal! You’ll lose a hundred important games and win another hundred. But look where you are now. Man, this is the bathroom at San Siro — and tonight you were in a Champions League semi-final. You say we lost. Fine, we lost. But look how far you’ve come.’”

The former Juventus keeper added a humorous twist as he explained how he kept delivering the pep talk: “I take a drag. I wait. He needs to process it. Then I see him straighten up and say: ‘Damn, I even got an assist today!’ And he stops crying. He remembers who he is. His pass was an assist in a Champions League semi-final. And when he walked out of that bathroom, that’s exactly how he felt — chest out, head high.”

Szczesny also opened up about how he ended up returning to top-level football after briefly calling time on his career: “It wasn’t that football no longer excited me. I just wasn’t passionate about the options I had, even though the 10 biggest clubs were sending offers… Three days before announcing my retirement, I spoke to Robert Lewandowski and told him I didn’t want to play for any club again. When Barcelona called, he probably suspected he could persuade me. I played my entire first season for free. What I received from Barca was exactly the amount I had to repay Juventus for terminating my contract early.”

A veteran fighting through pain to guide Barcelona’s future

Beyond his mentorship, Szczesny also revealed the gruelling physical reality of a career that once saw him break both forearms in a gym accident during his Arsenal days. The injury left him with metal plates in both arms plates that remain to this day. “During training, there comes a point when I completely lose feeling in my hands and can’t even hold a water bottle because of the pain… I’m exhausted from this suffering.”

He continued with more detail about how the condition affects him throughout a season: “It’s hardest during pre-season, in the most demanding sessions. During the season it’s easier — you train twice, then you play, so your hands get some rest and the pain eases. It spreads from the wrist to the elbow.”

Despite the pain, Szczesny remains an integral squad figure. His contract runs until 2027, and while Joan Garcia has taken over as the club’s current No.1 during Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s absence, the Polish veteran continues to be valued as a mentor and steady presence.

With Ter Stegen’s long-term future uncertain following tension with the club hierarchy over the summer, Barcelona may yet call on Szczesny for another season even if this was expected to be his final year as a professional.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty/GOALWhat comes next for Szczesny and Barcelona

The Catalan giants return to action against Alaves with the aim of stabilising their form and continuing their development under Hansi Flick. While Szczesny is no longer the starting goalkeeper, his leadership and experience remain vital components inside a youthful squad navigating pressure, expectations and big European nights.

Whether this is his last season or the start of one more unexpected chapter, Szczesny continues to leave an imprint far beyond the pitch, one pep talk, one story and one lesson at a time.

Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Adil Rashid made gains in white-ball rankings

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Oct-2025Pakistan left-arm spinner Noman Ali has rocketed up four places to No. 2 in the ICC Men’s Test bowling rankings after his ten-wicket haul in the first Test against South Africa in Lahore, which included a first-innings six-for. His 853 rating points are also a career-best for the spinner.South Africa quick Kagiso Rabada, who earlier occupied that second position, slipped down three positions to fifth after picking up just two wickets in Lahore.Allrounder Marco Jansen also saw a drop in his ranking, as he slid out of the top ten after he was left out of the South Africa XI in Lahore.Full rankings tables

Click here for the full team rankings

Click here for the full player rankings

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi moved up three places to 19th after his second-innings 4 for 33 helped Pakistan seal a 93-run win.Ryan Rickelton, who made 71 in the first innings against Pakistan, moved into the top 50 for the first time in the batting rankings.Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood moved up six spots to 10th in the ODI bowling charts after Australia’s win over India in a rain-affected game in Perth. Mitchell Starc moved up four spots as well, to 21st.Adil Rashid, meanwhile, claimed figures of 4 for 32 in England’s win over New Zealand in Christchurch and shot up three spots to third among T20I bowlers.

The Seattle Mariners announced on Monday that they are retiring Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson's No. 51 jersey in 2026.

Johnson played for six teams in MLB over 20 years, but spent the most time with the Mariners, where he pitched from 1989-1998. During his time with the Mariners, Johnson was a five-time MLB All-Star, four-time MLB strikeout leader, and Cy Young award winner.

Though Johnson was a franchise legend, his jersey retirement has come long overdue. Even so, he's delaying the jersey retirement until 2026 for a special reason—to let Ichiro Suzuki have his moment.

The Mariners announced earlier this year that they are retiring Suzuki's jersey this season. Rather than Johnson also having his jersey retired this year alongside Suzuki, Johnson wanted Suzuki to have his own day to celebrate, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. For that reason, Johnson is waiting until next year to see his jersey get retired with the Mariners.

Suzuki, who initially wrote a letter to Johnson to ask if he could wear No. 51 as well, will have his number retired on Aug. 9 this season. With the Mariners, Suzuki was a 10-time MLB All-Star, American League MVP, and 10-time MLB Gold Glove winner and an all-time franchise great.

While Johnson will wait until Suzuki to give him his moment to shine, Johnson has already had his No. 51 jersey retired by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who he won the World Series and World Series MVP with in 2001. Johnson has been honored by the Mariners by getting inducted into the team's Hall of Fame, and will see his jersey retired by them as well in a year.

It was a joyful and poignant moment when Heung-min Son made his homecoming before Tottenham Hotspur defeated Slavia Prague in the Champions League.

He implored Spurs supporters not to forget him, and that’s not something that’s likely to happen after the club legend crowned many years of thrilling service with a European trophy before the summer.

But Son’s return emphasised this new era down N17. Son plays in the United States with Los Angeles, and fellow talisman of the past, Harry Kane, is fighting for glory and maybe the Ballon d’Or over in Germany with Bayern Munich.

Tottenham have had to refashion themselves, especially with Thomas Frank now pulling the strings in Ange Postecoglou’s old seat.

There have been ups and downs so far this season, but recent results suggest that things are coming together in his post-Son world. Indeed, Frank is unearthing new leading figures.

The biggest winners under Frank so far

He hasn’t been perfect, but Richarlison has undoubtedly made a solid start to the season, having scored seven goals and supplied two assists in all competitions this season. The Brazil international has filled a hole left by Son’s departure and Dominic Solanke’s frustrating injury problems.

However, Richarlison hasn’t been the standout forward in the Londoners’ squad. Mohammed Kudus, for example, has stood out since completing a £55m transfer from West Ham United during the summer. His pace and playmaking have been shining lights throughout a difficult start to the season for the club as a creative front.

Mohammed Kudus

14

6

Bruno Fernandes

15

6

Rayan Cherki

10

5

Jeremy Doku

15

5

Seven players…

n/a

4

Xavi Simons now has two goals in two games. In the Premier League last weekend, he was immense, converting against Brentford after a spectacular solo run and finish.

The 21-year-old has endured a tough start to life in England, but he’s really coming into his own now, looking every bit the £50m-plus player that ENIC Group paid for. Who knows, he might even play himself into a more affluent ballpark down the line.

He’s not the only one, though. One of Tottenham’s most promising youngsters has really settled into this new Spurs system, making headway after a season under Ange’s wing that left him exposed and under the cosh.

Spurs' "future £100m" superstar

Tottenham have a long-term project which promises so much. Plenty of polish still needs to be applied, but the likes of Lucas Bergvall and out-on-loan stars Mikey Moore and Luka Vuskovic are stars of the future, for sure.

However, Tottenham also have an up-and-coming English talent who could shape into Frank’s own version of Arsenal centrepiece Declan Rice in Archie Gray, who has already chalked up 57 senior appearances for the Lilywhites for about £30m in July 2024. He was 18 years old and a product of the Championship.

Not only has Gray established himself in Spurs’ first team despite more than his share of adversity, but he has been noted as a “future £100m centre-midfielder” by analyst Ben Mattinson, gifted technically and combative and cultured beyond his years.

His performance against Slavia Prague on Tuesday drew plenty of plaudits and served as a reminder to those of a Spurs persuasion that they have a prospect with the potential to be as good as any of his English countrymen.

Rice burst onto the scene with West Ham, led David Moyes’ side to their golden era, lifted the Conference League title before leaving.

Now plying his trade for Arsenal, Rice is gunning for the Premier League title. He is one of the best midfielders in the world, having completed his move to the Emirates for a £105m fee.

Could we see Gray hit the same high notes? There’s certainly a weight of expectation around the 19-year-old’s skillset, and now that he is playing most of his football in midfield, his natural area, he is shining, making progress.

Postecoglou’s injury troubles last year led Gray to be shoehorned into central or wide defensive roles. This came at the expense of fluency and progress on an individual level.

He’s making headway now, alright, with content creator AliceTalksFooty even noting that, “Archie Gray has really impressed me every time I have seen him play under Thomas Frank.”

Minutes played

59

Touches

34

Passes completed

92%

Tackles won

2

Long ball accuracy

100%

Recoveries made

2

Duels won

75%

Interceptions made

1

Keep an eye on this one; he might just be shaping into the new Rice.

Spurs have a "freak" teen talent who's a bigger star than Williams-Barnett

Tottenham Hotspur have already struck gold one player who is setting Europe alight in 2025/26.

ByEthan Lamb 5 days ago

No men’s internationals have taken place in New Chandigarh, but most of the India players have been here during IPL 2025

Sidharth Monga10-Dec-20251:28

Why did it feel like Hardik batted on a different pitch?

Big picture – New Chandigarh makes men’s international debutThere is a feeling India are such strong favourites for the home World Cup in two months that the one way to deny them a successful title defence is to catch them on the wrong side of the toss on a damp pitch or a dewy night.South Africa discovered first-hand in Cuttack that India are formidable even on such a night. They will now scramble from eastern India to the north-west with no training day in New Chandigarh and go again on Thursday evening.Related

Hardik shows what he can do when fit and firing

India will be aware that despite their 6-2 head-to-head record against South Africa in recent encounters, T20s can surprise any team on a given night. They want to have reacted to almost every kind of contingency in their nine remaining matches at home before the World Cup. New Chandigarh will be just one such stop.This, incidentally, is the first men’s international at the venue. India and Australia played two women’s ODIs there in September this year.Form guideIndia WWWLW
South Africa LLLWLThere is nothing wrong with South Africa’s combination, but India might just be a bit too strong for them in these conditions•Associated PressIn the spotlight – Arshdeep Singh and Quinton de KockThe first over of the chase in Cuttack set the tone for the rest of the night. Arshdeep Singh sought to make the most of whatever movement was on offer, and he got the dangerous Quinton de Kock in the first over. It is a match-up that Arshdeep has had the better of in all T20 cricket: 41 balls, 38 runs, five wickets. Watch out for this contest again. Perhaps South Africa might let Aiden Markram take first strike because de Kock is a key batter for them.Team news – Changes only if conditions ask for themIn Cuttack, India were close to their best XI if you leave aside the question of Rinku Singh. If the pitch is dry, they can stick in Kuldeep Yadav for Arshdeep; if they worry about batting depth, Harshit Rana can play in Arshdeep’s place. Other than that, they don’t need to fiddle.India (probable): 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Shivam Dube, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Varun Chakravarthy, 11 Jasprit Bumrah.South Africa might have lost big but the combination didn’t have much wrong. At a pinch, they might think of an allrounder in Lutho Sipamla’s place.South Africa: 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Aiden Markram (capt), 3 Tristan Stubbs, 4 Dewald Brevis, 5 David Miller, 6 Donovon Ferreira, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Lutho Sipamla/Corbin Bosch/George Linde, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Anrich Nortje.1:29

Jitesh on competition with Samson – ‘He’s like a big brother’

Pitch and conditionsWith no tall stands around it, the playing surface of New Chandigarh tends to not get affected too much by the dew. Teams batting first in the IPL hold a 6-5 record in New Chandigarh. Scores of above 200 have been defended successfully, as has been a 111. Fast bowlers tend to hold sway there.Stats and trivia Only three players have hit 100 sixes and taken 100 wickets in T20Is. Hardik Pandya is one wicket short of joining this list of Sikandar Raza, Mohammad Nabi and Malaysia’s Virandeep Singh. Arshdeep has taken the joint-highest powerplay wickets for India: 47. He is tied with Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Jasprit Bumrah is only the fifth player to have taken 100 wickets in each of the three international formats. Shakib Al Hasan, Lasith Malinga, Tim Southee and Shaheen Shah Afridi are the others.

Former Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has died at the age of 79. A spokesperson for the American businessman confirmed he died in Dallas on Saturday, with his family at his side. Hicks owned the Reds for three-and-a-half years before selling the club in October 2010 and now tributes have been paid to the multi-millionaire.

Hicks has 'remarkable life'

On Sunday, Hicks' family said their "cherished" dad had passed away. They added he remains a "guiding force" for them and they want to continue his legacy.

"Of everything he accomplished in his remarkable life, Tom Hicks' most cherished title was, 'Dad'," his family said in a statement. "No matter the trials and tribulations he faced in life, he was constant in his generosity and love for his family. He remains a guiding force for our family, and we are deeply honoured to continue expanding his legacy. Although we are devastated by this loss, we are profoundly grateful to have been his children."

AdvertisementAFPLiverpool pay tribute to Hicks

The Reds sent their best wishes to Hicks' family and friends during this "difficult time".

A statement on the club's website reads: "Former Liverpool FC co-owner Tom Hicks has died at the age of 79. Hicks, who also had spells as owner of the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers US sports franchises in his home state, passed away on Saturday. He and fellow American businessman George Gillett completed an acquisition of the Reds in early 2007. The pair’s tenure at Anfield concluded in October 2010 when current owners Fenway Sports Group sealed a takeover. LFC sends its condolences to the Hicks family and Tom’s friends at this difficult time."

Before joining Liverpool, he owned American baseball team, the Texas Rangers, and the ice hockey side, the Dallas Stars.

Difficult Liverpool spell

Hicks' time at Anfield with fellow American investor George Gillett wasn't all that popular. During their spell in charge, the club's debts mounted amid a backdrop of division between former chief executive Rick Perry and manager Rafael Benitez. The Spaniard was replaced by Roy Hodgson in a short and unsuccessful spell, and during their time at the Merseyside outfit, they failed to win a trophy. They eventually sold Liverpool to Fenway Sports Group 15 years ago.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPWhat comes next for Liverpool?

Following Liverpool's tribute to their former co-owner, they will now be focusing on trying to beat Inter Milan on Tuesday in the Champions League before taking on Brighton in the Premier League next weekend.

There were reports that the New York Yankees held a players-only meeting in the aftermath of Tuesday night's 4–0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, their fifth straight loss and third consecutive shutout defeat.

The Yankees haven't gotten a single run on the board since Saturday's 4–3 loss to the Boston Red Sox, having gone 29 straight innings without scoring. Winless in their last five games, it would certainly stand to reason that players in the team may have held a meeting to try to turn things around.

But according to manager Aaron Boone, no such meeting took place, at least not formally.

"Our guys talk all the time and get together in different formats," Boone said. When asked if it was a closed-doors meeting, Boone said, "No. No."

A usually potent offense, New York's recent slump has been somewhat concerning, but it seems reports of a players-only meeting were exaggerated, at least to some degree.

Cody Bellinger did share with reporters that he had spoken with some teammates about their recent cold spell, saying that he had some "good conversations" after Tuesday's loss.

The Yankees will look to salvage the closeout game of the series against the Angels on Wednesday and avoid being swept in a second consecutive series.

New York Yankees infielder Anthony Volpe had quite the up-and-down game in his team's eventual 7-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday night.

While going 2-4 at the plate with a 452-foot home run—the longest of his career—and two RBIs, the 24-year-old shortstop also committed two brutal errors in the infield. Here's a look at both blunders:

Volpe now leads MLB in errors on the season with 15. After the game, he owned up to his mistakes in the field.

"I gotta make those plays, obviously," the former Gold Glove winner said. "That's about it."

"I've never really experienced something like this," he continued. "But we've got really good guys around me. I consider myself—I know what I'm capable of, so. It's obviously frustrating but it's not discouraging, and I know the standard that I have for myself. I'm just gonna keep pushing until I just prove it to myself every day. Every day's a new day and that's just what I'm gonna do."

With their win on Tuesday night, the Yankees improved to 58-49 on the season and remain four games back of the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East.

Dave Roberts has made his pitching decisions for the next few games.

On Tuesday, the Dodgers' manager announced that Tyler Glasnow will start Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, while Shohei Ohtani will start Game 4. That follows Blake Snell's start in Game 1 and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2.

L.A. entered Tuesday with a 1–0 lead over the Brewers in the series after a tight 2–1 win in Game 1 that featured a truly absurd double play.

It's easy to extrapolate from there that Snell would be back on the mound for Game 5 if necessary, with Yamamoto following for a potential Game 6, then Glasnow for Game 7 if the series goes that far.

Game 4 will mark Ohtani's second start of the postseason. He earned the win on Game 1 of the NLDS against the Phillies when he went six innings and allowed three runs on three hits while striking out nine.

Dodgers starting pitchers are dominating the postseason

So far during the 2025 playoffs, L.A.'s starting rotation is dominating the competition. The Dodgers have played seven games, and their starters are a combined 5–1 with a 1.65 ERA, a 0.76 WHIP, and opponents are hitting .141 off of them. They have also only allowed two home runs as a group. The WHIP and ERA are both the best among active teams.

Snell has been phenomenal. After being sidelined for much of the season due to shoulder issues, the 32-year-old lefty has been outstanding since the postseason began. Through three starts, the two-time Cy Young Award winner is 3–0 with a 0.86 ERA, a 0.52 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts against five walks in 21 innings. Opponents are hitting .090 off of him.

Yamamoto (1–1, 2.53 ERA) and Glasnow (0–0, 0.00 ERA) have also been solid, though the latter has only made one start and thrown 7 2/3 innings.

L.A.'s weak spot all season has been the bullpen, and that has continued into the playoffs. While Roki Sasaki has helped solidify the ninth inning a bit, as a group Dodgers' relievers have a 5.91 ERA, a 1.92 WHIP and 18 strikeouts against 18 walks in 21 1/3 innings. Opponents are hitting .280 off the team's bullpen.

If L.A.'s starters continue to dominate and go deeper into games, their weakness at the back end won't be as troubling.