Colin de Grandhomme and Thomas Kelly revived the chase but the home side broke a run of eight defeats

AAP23-Dec-2022

Brisbane Heat ruined former favourite son Chris Lynn’s return to the Gabba, a Sam Billings half-century helping the home side to an upset six-run win over Adelaide Strikers.Undefeated Strikers sat atop the BBL table with three wins going into Friday night’s clash against the last-placed Heat, who had lost their opening two games of the season following on from a six-game losing streak to end their last campaign.But Billings fired the Heat to 166 for 9 after the home side won the bat flip, with the Strikers losing early wickets to be 38 for 4 before finishing their 20 overs just short.Related

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Colin de Grandhomme (37) and Thomas Kelly shared a 73-run partnership, Kelly making a career-high 43 off 33 balls, and some lusty late hitting from Harry Nielsen (24) saw the visitors needing 32 runs from the final three overs.But Michael Neser took a wicket and gave up just four runs in the 19th over to put the game out of Adelaide’s reach.Mark Steketee was the most successful of the Heat bowlers with figures of 4 for 34 from his four overs.Lynn, the face of the Heat franchise for 11 seasons, made 12 before he was given out lbw in contentious circumstances in the first meeting against his old side.The all-time BBL leading run-scorer strode to the crease in the first over after Neser trapped Jake Weatherald in front with the first ball of the innings.In an eventful over, Lynn advanced down the wicket to the first ball he faced, which was one of three wides Neser bowled that over, played and missed twice and edged one past a diving second slip for four.The visitors were in trouble at 14 for 2 when Matt Short went in the second over and worse was to come when Lynn was given out off the first ball of the fourth.Strikers were left to rue a wasteful DRS challenge by Weatherald that was unsuccessful, which meant Lynn was unable to review his decision, with replays showing the ball clearly going over the stumps.Earlier, Billings, who was dropped on 22 and 42, bludgeoned 27 runs, including three sixes, off the 19th over bowled by Peter Siddle. He eventually departed for 79 off 48 deliveries, his innings including six fours and four sixes.Max Bryant was the next-best batter for the Heat, with his 46 including eight fours. Short missed out with the bat, but claimed career-best figures of 3 for 14 from his three overs of offspin.Quick Henry Thornton, the BBL’s current leading wicket-taker, finished with 1 for 37 to take his season tally to 12.

Heat prevailed and meet Renegades in a knockout final at Marvel Stadium on Sunday

Tristan Lavalette27-Jan-2023Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne emerged from T20 droughts with spectacular half-centuries before rain thwarted Sydney Thunder’s hopes of chasing down Brisbane Heat’s massive total in the BBL elimination final.Kicking off the finals series, Khawaja and Labuschagne combined for a 128-run partnership to power Heat to the highest ever total at the Sydney Showgrounds.Chasing 204, David Warner was in a belligerent mood with 36 off 20 balls to provide hope for Thunder before Sydney’s temperamental weather reared in the seventh over with the home side eight runs short under Duckworth-Lewis Stern calculations.Play was set to restart with Thunder facing a revised target of 90 runs off nine overs – they were already 52 for 1 after 6.5 – but the match was ultimately called off due to persistent rain.Heat prevailed and meet Melbourne Renegades in a knockout final at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, while Thunder’s see-saw of a season ended in disappointment.Khawaja and Labuschagne smash ThunderKhawaja’s impact for Heat since returning from Australia duty has mostly been through his captaincy, like when he helped guide inexperienced quick Spencer Johnson in high-pressure moments.He had only averaged 16 in six innings in a disappointing start for his new BBL franchise. But against his old team, who he powered to the title in 2016, Khawaja showed his liking for the big stage and put the foot down after the drinks break with an assault on spinners Chris Green and Usman Qadir. He was unstoppable with a slew of innovative strokes, including reverse sweeps, to devastating effect, but his best shot was a gorgeous straight six off Qadir.Khawaja fell short of a deserved century but his fluency seemed to rub off on Labuschagne, who had struggled with his timing as he played anchor before unleashing some inventive strokes of his own to notch his first BBL half-century in his 23rd innings.Labuschagne, who had averaged just 16 runs with a strike-rate of 104, hit his first six of the season when he clubbed seamer Daniel Sams over long-on in the final over. He repeated the dose three balls later to lift Heat past 200 before his 48-ball 73 ended on the penultimate delivery of the innings. Labuschagne proved a point to critics that his formidable longer format batting can translate into T20 cricket.Pawson’s horror debutThunder were shorthanded without frontliner seamer Gurinder Sandhu, who injured his calf in his last game against Melbourne Stars. The 28-year-old Ross Pawson was thrown into the deep end with a debut in the elimination final.Nathan McAndrew’s struggles in the powerplay led to Pawson coming into the attack in the third over and he was immediately lined up. His first ball was carved through point for a boundary by Khawaja, who then smashed two short deliveries to the rope. A rattled Pawson then dished up a waist-high full toss to cap a 15-run first over in the BBL. He hoped his fortune might change when he returned in the 11th over but it only stirred the ruthlessness in Khawaja, who hit two sixes.Pawson, who had earned his call-up through solid form in local Sydney ranks, did show glimpses of rapid pace but just couldn’t get his length right and finished a tough initiation with 0 for 32 off two overs.Warner starts fast before rain spoils the partyUnlike his mate Steven Smith, Warner had struggled in his long-awaited BBL return and averaged just 12.6 in five innings. But here, he started aggressively and took a liking to left-armer Johnson by smashing three boundaries in the fourth over. It was the best Warner had looked during this BBL season and he threatened to play a heroic knock before rain intervened to end Thunder’s season.

Champions Liverpool have five players in our all-star selection after romping to the title – but who else has earned inclusion?

The end of the Premier League season is upon us, with the final round of games set to be played on Sunday. There are, of course, still precious Champions League places up for grabs, but Liverpool have long since been confirmed as champions after surging away from the chasing pack over the winter break and never really looking back.

It won't come as a surprise, then, to learn that the Reds have more representatives in GOAL's Premier League Team of the Season than any other club (five) – or that not a single Manchester City player has made the cut after a dreadful title defence from Pep Guardiola's men.

However, there is well-deserved recognition for players from some of the 2024-25 campaign's surprise packages, including Fulham, Brentford and Nottingham Forest…

AFPGK: Matz Sels

The big Belgian's first spell in England with Newcastle didn't go well at all, with Sels sold after just one season in the Championship, but he's been brilliant for Nottingham Forest since arriving at the City Ground last year.

Indeed, Nuno Espirito Santos' side wouldn't have even got close to a top-five finish had it not been for the 33-year-old. No goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets in this season's Premier League (13), while Sels also boasts a very impressive 72.39 save percentage.

AdvertisementAFPRB: Trent Alexander-Arnold

It's a shame that Alexander-Arnold's Liverpool career is ending in such acrimony, given he was so integral to their success under Jurgen Klopp – and this season's title triumph under Arne Slot.

The right-back with the David Beckham-esque range of passing weighed in with six assists, while he also scored three goals himself, including the vital winner against Leicester City at the tail end of April.

Getty Images SportCB: Gabriel Magalhaes

What little hope Arsenal had left of catching Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table arguably died the moment Gabriel picked up a season-ending injury at the start of April.

The Gunners struggled badly to keep clean sheets without their brilliant Brazilian centre-back, who once again showed that he's not just a fearsome man-marker, but also a serious threat at set-pieces.

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Getty Images SportCB: Virgil van Dijk

If this season has proven nothing else, it's that Virgil van Dijk remains the most dominant defender in the Premier League.

Liverpool's inspirational and imposing captain continues to cope so comfortably with world-class forwards such as Erling Haaland that it beggars belief, while he's still a colossus in the air, as he so memorably proved with his crucial late winner against West Ham.

MatériaMais Notícias

No Beira-Rio, o Internacional ficou três vezes em vantagem diante do São Paulo, mas cedeu o empate e ficou no 3 a 3.

– VEJA A TABELA DO BRASILEIRÃO

O placar foi lamentado pela torcida, elenco e, principalmente pelo técnico Mano Menezes, que não escondeu a irritação.

Na coletiva de imprensa, o treinador fez questão de citar os erros cometidos que geraram três gols do adversário.

‘Primeiro, dizer que achamos um grande jogo, um 3 a 3 com mais duas chances para cada lado. Jogo bom. Um pouco chateado por sair três vezes com a vantagem. Você tem que saber aproveitar, ser maduro para saber aproveitar. Deixamos escapar por três vezes a vitória que começamos a construir. Temos que saber reconhecer a qualidade do adversário, um trabalho bem formatado. A gente sai com sentimento de deixar escapar a vitória’.

Palmeiras

No próximo domingo, o Internacional vai até o Allianz Parque encarar o Palmeiras de Abel Ferreira e cia.

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South Africa wicketkeeper Trisha Chetty has retired from all cricket, bringing the curtains down on a 21-year domestic and 16-year international career. Chetty retires because of a recurring back injury which also made her miss last month’s T20 World Cup at home.She finishes with a record 182 dismissals with the gloves in women’s ODIs, 46 more than the second woman on the list, Sarah Taylor.Chetty, 34, last played for South Africa in an ODI against England in July 2022. Having not represented the country in almost eight months, it was also unlikely that Chetty would have received a national contract that is set to be announced later this month.Related

• Dane van Niekerk confirms her international retirement

She made her international debut in 2007 and was among the generation of players who rose as women’s cricket transitioned from amateur to professional in South Africa. She finishes with 134 ODI caps, 82 T20I appearances and two Test outings. Chetty and Dane van Niekerk, who also retired recently but only from internationals, join Mignon du Preez and Lizelle Lee from the first generation of South African professional women’s players to retire.Chetty initially impressed in her early teenage years from 2002 after a stint with Kwa-Zulu Natal Cricket Union and Dolphins. She then broke into the national team as an 18-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, taking over from Daleen Terblanche. She struck 20 half-centuries in internationals with a high score of 95 against Ireland in an ODI in 2016.”I can still remember the incredible feeling I had back in 2007 as I walked over the boundary rope, dressed in green and gold for the first time,” Chetty said in a CSA statement. “For the past 16 years, it has been a privilege to represent my country and play for the Proteas, and that feeling has never gone away – each time I pulled on my South African kit I felt honoured to be doing so.”But now, due to a recurring back injury for the past 5 years, the time has come for me to hang up my boots and let the gloves catch dust. I have tried everything to keep playing and have pushed as hard as I can but my body is signalling that it has no more to give and it is time to retire from all forms of cricket.”This was not an easy decision for me, and even now, I can’t quite believe my career is over. However, my cricket career has been a life-changing experience and I look back with no regrets and a full heart.”I am extremely grateful to my mum and dad, family, and friends for being there for me through all the ups and downs, the successes, and the losses. Without my support system, I would never have been able to take this journey.”Cricket has taught me about life, being disciplined, what it means to be professional and how to be a team player. For this, I will always be grateful. And I choose to continue to be grateful for cricket as I retire and transition into the next chapter of my life. Lastly, thank you to the fans for all your undying support over the years. I will never forget it.”Chetty represented South Africa in four ODI World Cups (2009, 2013, 2017 and 2022) and all the T20 World Cups from 2009 to 2020, barring the one in 2018. She reached four semi-finals at the World Cup events across the two formats.She also holds the wicketkeeping records for most dismissals (23) in an ODI series, most catches and stumpings (joint record) in ODIs, a unique record of scoring a half-century and claiming five dismissals in an ODI, and with the second-most catches in T20Is, after Alyssa Healy.CSA director of cricket Enoch Nkwe hailed Chetty as “one of the greatest wicketkeepers to ever play the game.””Chetty’s commitment and dedication to the sport and towards the rise of women’s cricket throughout the years has been exemplary, and her legacy will be revered for many years to come as the next generation aspire to follow in her footsteps,” he said. “I trust Trisha will experience another fruitful voyage in her future endeavours as her impact and presence, on and off the field, will live long amongst the cricket fraternity.News of Chetty’s retirement comes one day after van Niekerk confirmed her own retirement. Unlike van Niekerk, though, Chetty is not expected to continue appearing in franchise competitions.

Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and defending champions Gujarat Titans will be among the bidders

Nagraj Gollapudi13-Jan-2023

At least eight of the 10 men’s IPL franchises will be bidding to own teams in the Women’s IPL. The BCCI is set to announce the winning cities along with the franchises when it opens the sealed bids on January 25.ESPNcricinfo has confirmed that Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and defending IPL champions Gujarat Titans will be submitting bids. The two remaining IPL franchises – Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants – did not confirm whether they had bought the tender document and whether they would enter the bidding for the five-team Women’s IPL, which is scheduled to be launched in March.Related

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The IPL teams are not the only entities to have bought the tender document, which the BCCI put on sale from January 3. Interested bidders have until January 13 to submit questions, with January 23 the deadline to submit the technical bids for evaluation, which the BCCI will conduct along with the Mumbai-based law firm Argus Partners.The BCCI has listed 10 Indian cities and the venues in the tender, which allows a single party to bid for more than one city. There is no base price set, and bids will be accepted for a 10-year period (2023-32).Among the eligibility criteria listed in the tender document, the BCCI has said the audited net worth of the bidder must be at least INR 1000 crore as of March 31, 2022. Consortiums or joint-ventures companies, the BCCI has said, are not eligible.How will the bids be evaluated?
The BCCI has included a key clause in the selection of the winning bid, saying it would not be “obliged to accept highest monetary offer”. This is similar to the clause the ICC had laid down when it sold media rights for women’s global events for the 2023-27 period last year. The BCCI has stated it will look at the vision bidders have towards enhancing the profile and accelerating the growth of women’s cricket in India.Listing the objectives it desired in a potential successful bidder, the BCCI said: “establishing a stable, successful, financially secure, long-term Franchise to participate in the League; ensuring the widest coverage and the widest possible audience for the League; assisting in the development of the game of women’s cricket in India at all levels; maximizing and enhancing exposure, wherever possible, for each of the official sponsors of the League; increasing and enhancing exposure for women’s cricket in India both within India and the rest of the world.”The BCCI has earmarked March as the window for the WIPL in the tender. While the BCCI has not formally announced the dates for the inaugural season, it is expected to start around March 5 and finish around March 23.

West Ham United manager Graham Potter is privately blown away by one player who wasn’t fancied by his predecessor, Julen Lopetegui, with the squad member potentially in line for a more key role as a result.

West Ham aim for solid 2024/2025 under Graham Potter

In his first interview as Hammers boss, Potter pledged to bring a brand of entertaining football to the London Stadium, and you can make a case that we have already seen flashes of that promise over his first few games in the dugout.

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Emilio Galantini

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West Ham were involved in a five-goal thriller at home to Fulham, where they came out on top in a 3-2 victory and secured Potter’s first win at the club. They were also dramatically knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa in Potter’s first ever game, despite holding a one-goal lead for most of the clash, with late goals from Amadou Onana and Morgan Rogers ending their cup run very early.

The Irons arguably should’ve come away from Stamford Bridge with something to show for their efforts after a promising display overall, but were instead on the receiving end of a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea, courtesy of second-half strikes from Pedro Neto and an Aaron Wan-Bissaka own goal.

Nevertheless, there are signs of promise from the first stages of Potter’s reign, as West Ham aim to finish 2024/2025 in solid fashion in preparation for the next campaign.

They currently sit 10 points above the relegation zone but too far off the European qualification places, but Potter will be keen to embed his style of play into this West Ham squad as quickly as possible ahead of 2025/2026.

West Ham signed Evan Ferguson on loan in a bid to solve their striker crisis, with both Michail Antonio and Niclas Füllkrug out injured for the long-term, while the club also decided to re-call James Ward-Prowse from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest.

Ward-Prowse was told by Lopetegui that there was no place for him at West Ham, according to some reports, with the Spaniard giving his green-light for him to go out on a temporary spell to Forest.

Graham Potter privately blown away by James Ward-Prowse at West Ham

However, it appears Potter’s stance on the 30-year-old is drastically different.

According to a report in the print edition of The Sun newspaper (via WHZ), Potter has been impressed by Ward-Prowse in West Ham training sessions since his return to the capital, and he could even start today’s clash at home to Brentford.

The tactician is also said to be keen on immediately reincorporating him into the West Ham side, so this could be one to watch over the coming games.

The Englishman – who bagged seven goals and 12 assists during David Moyes’ final campaign in charge last term – could be a major asset for the east Londoners, with Ward-Prowse’s famed set-piece specialism handing Potter a brand-new weapon for the remaining season.

It is quite remarkable that a somewhat ‘disappointing’ season could still end in FA Cup glory and a top-four finish for Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola’s side having the chance to go out on a high despite witnessing the end to their Premier League dominance.

As their crushing Champions League defeat to Real Madrid showcased, this is not the Man City of old. But is that such a bad thing?

With Guardiola on board until the end of the 2026/27 campaign, at least, the Etihad side have the chance to rebuild and go again, with the hope of fashioning a new and exciting squad. Out with the old – Kevin De Bruyne and co – and in with the new?

That intriguing revamp has, it would appear, already started following an influx of January additions, with the Citizens’ taking a far more youth-centric approach with the signings of Vitor Reis (19), Abdukodir Khusanov (20) and Nico Gonzalez (23). Omar Marmoush, 26, is the only outlier of the bunch.

That wave of fresh faces has since been followed by the belated arrival of Argentine teenager, Claudio Echeverri, with the 19-year-old now finally able to make his mark in a City shirt.

What Claudio Echeverri brings to Man City

It has become the norm of late for Premier League clubs to snap up South American talent in their teenage years, with top-flight outfits looking for long-term success, as well as short-term gains.

Indeed, this summer will see Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez finally make the move to Chelsea from Brazil and Ecuador, respectively, while Manchester United are also set to welcome Paraguayan full-back, Diego Leon, at the end of the season, having initially struck a deal in January.

Patience is key with such moves, with City having also been forced to wait to see young Echeverri arrive in Manchester, after actually confirming the £12.5m deal with River Plate back in January 2024, before sending him back on loan to his homeland.

Still only 19, the promising playmaker certainly looks to have a bright future in the game, with data analyst Ben Mattinson lauding him as a “proper superstar” and an “ideal successor to Bernardo [Silva]” at the Etihad.

The teenager has also only recently been handed a surprise call-up to the senior Argentina squad, ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay later this month, with that coming off the back of his stunning displays at the U20 South American Championship, where he registered nine goals and assists in total.

Stat (*per game)

Record

Games

9

Goals

6

Assists

3

Big chances created

2

Key passes*

0.9

Pass accuracy*

77%

Interceptions*

0.2

Tackles*

0.8

Successful dribbles*

1.6

With 12 goal involvements in 48 games for River to boot, Echeverri appears to warrant the hype, with it intriguing to see just how he will be eased in by Guardiola over the coming weeks and months, as well as how his introduction will impact the current squad…

The potential loser from Echeverri's arrival

What is certain is that the attacking midfielder will only serve to increase the competition in an already well-stocked department in Manchester, with the youngster set to compete with the likes of Silva, De Bruyne and Phil Foden for a starting berth.

Such an exciting addition could then serve to nudge the likes of James McAtee even further down the pecking order, with the 22-year-old still yet to truly establish himself, despite showing flashes of late.

Lauded as a “special player” by his manager, McAtee – who spent the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United – has scored six goals in 21 games in all competitions in 2024/25, albeit with just six of those outings coming from the start.

The left-footed academy graduate remained with Guardiola’s side despite rampant speculation surrounding his future during the January window, with clubs in the Bundesliga and Premier League seemingly keen to take him off City’s hands.

Guardiola had admitted that he understood if there was any “frustration” from McAtee regarding his limited involvement, albeit having stressed his desire to keep hold of the Englishman amid the mounting interest in his signature.

It could be said that with Echeverri now in the door, the upcoming summer window could present the perfect time to finally cash in on McAtee, even despite his undoubted promise, with the Argentine representing a readymade replacement in the squad.

There have been suggestions that losing the Salford native would be akin to “another Cole Palmer situation”, yet that might be a risk that the Citizens are willing to take, should Echeverri be afforded the chance to go on and flourish instead.

Pep must sell Man City star who Txiki thinks is an "incredible talent"

Manchester City must move a few players on this summer to reduce the wage bill.

ByRoss Kilvington Mar 4, 2025

Wydad Casablanca are interested in a stunning move to sign Cristiano Ronaldo for the Club World Cup.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Wydad playing in expanded competition
• Interested in deal to sign Ronaldo
• Future at Nassr currently unclear

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per Marca, Wydad are interested in a stunning deal to sign Ronaldo on a short-term deal specifically for the Club World Cup. They want both the sporting and commercial benefits that Ronaldo's presence would bring, amid doubts over his future at Al-Nassr.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ronaldo's contract expires on June 30 and the Club World Cup is scheduled to take place between June 14 and July 13. Wydad would only sign Ronaldo for the duration of the tournament, in which they will face Manchester City, Juventus, and Al-Ain in the group stages.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Nassr have endured another trophyless season despite Ronaldo's presence, and have also failed to qualify for the AFC Champions League, meaning he could seek pastures new in the summer. Brazilian club Botafogo are interested, while Sporting CP have also been linked with an emotional move for their former youth star.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Nassr play Al-Khaleej on Wednesday before their final game of the season against Al-Fateh this weekend. It is not yet clear if these will be Ronaldo's final two fixtures in a Nassr shirt.

One Manchester City star has agreed personal terms with a new club, however, those at the Etihad want a £40m+ fee to green light a sale.

Man City transfer rumours

The Citizens made numerous moves during the January transfer window, with Pep Guardiola’s side uncharacteristically splashing the cash midway through the season. After signing Savinho and bringing back Ilkay Gundogan in the summer, City went on to sign five new players in the winter window, with striker Omar Marmoush the marquee arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Man City’s January signings

From

Fee

Omar Marmoush

Eintracht Frankfurt

€75m

Nico Gonzalez

FC Porto

€60m

Abdukodir Khusanov

Lens

€40m

Vitor Reis

Palmeiras

€37m

Juma Bah

Real Valladolid

€6m

Deals for three young defenders were also secured, and attention is already turning to the 2025/26 season, with City out of the title race and the Champions League.

Guardiola can still win silverware in the FA Cup, and in the market, City are thought to be eyeing up more new signings, including recent rumours to Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise.

Related Man City send officials to watch £6m gem who Arsenal scouts are tracking

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Posts ByBrett Worthington Mar 3, 2025

There could also be exits, with Kevin de Bruyne out of contract and heavily linked with moving to the MLS with San Diego FC. It isn’t just De Bruyne who could be on the move, though, going off a new development.

Bernardo Silva agrees personal terms to leave Man City for PSG

According to reports in Spain, Bernardo Silva is set to leave Man City at the end of the season, with Paris Saint-Germain a likely destination. It is claimed that Silva has already reached a personal agreement with PSG, who see the attacking midfielder as a player that will fit perfectly into Luis Enrique’s plans due to his versatility and quality.

Guardiola and City are happy for Silva to depart, however, they have set a €50m (£41.5m) asking price on his shoulders. The 30-year-old, who has been at the Etihad since 2017, picks up £300,000-a-week with the Sky Blues and has won 17 honours with City, including six Premier League titles.

Silva has come in for plenty of praise during his Man City career, with Guardiola saying towards the end of 2023: “I could stay here and talk for 10 minutes on what Bernardo Silva means for me and our team. He is a player that is beyond good in all departments – solidarity, intelligence, he understands everything. We are in love with him.

“The problem is he has no big cars, he dress maybe not for high style. He is humble and everybody loves him in the locker room. We were lucky not to lose him. He is irreplaceable. I know he is happy here.”

It looks as if his days in Manchester could now be numbered, and it’ll be interesting to see if PSG match City’s £40m+ asking price over the coming months.