Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is set to run a brutal pre-season training regimen as he bids to transform the club's fortunes.
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United endured awful campaign
Finished 15th and lost Europa League final
Amorim to get tough in pre-season
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Per The Sun, Amorim is poised to run a brutal pre-season as United aim to return to form in 2025/26. The club finished 15th in the Premier League table, and also lost the Europa League final to Tottenham. Now, the Portuguese is set to demand that his players return to Carrington by the end of the month, with players set a target of achieving personal bests, when it comes to fitness, by the middle of July.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Amorim has reportedly told players that failure when it comes to their fitness targets will see them sidelined. Players have also been told to report where they are going on holiday as he bids to keep tabs on his top stars.
DID YOU KNOW?
United will not be playing in Europe next season, so they are likely to be playing one game a week for the majority of the campaign. As a result, Amorim is keen to improve fitness levels as United look to put a terrible campaign behind them.
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WHAT NEXT?
United's next pre-season friendly comes against Leeds on July 19. The two sides will play at Friends Arena in Sweden; ironic, given their lengthy rivalry.
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.
Following the departure of Diego Carlos to Fenerbahce, another Aston Villa player who just earned the praise of Unai Emery is reportedly set to complete a move away from the Midlands.
Aston Villa transfer news
For some time, it looked as though Loic Bade would be on his way only for his valuation to rise outside of the Villans’ range this month even after Carlos’ departure. In a race to secure back-to-back top four finishes, it’s the type of transfer frustration that Villa could do without and the type that would have only been increased by Mings’ ill-timed injury blow.
Loic Bade for Sevilla.
Speaking about his side’s transfer activity which has so far seen both Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia arrive and Carlos leave, Emery told reporters as relayed by the Times and Star: “We’re doing everything we can and we have to control everything that’s in our hands.
“This transfer window is not easy, we did not want him to leave but he decided to leave because he accepted an offer from Turkey and we’re trying to get one centre-back to replace him. But there are still days to decide how we can do it.”
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To make room for another central defender, meanwhile, the Villans have seemingly shown the door to another player. According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, Emiliano Buendia is now on the verge of joining Bayer Leverkusen on loan with an option to buy.
The former Norwich City man may well fall into the category of what might have been at Villa Park, but a move away to Leverkusen could yet hand him the revival that he so desperately needed.
"Fantastic" Buendia needed move
When Buendia first arrived from Norwich, it was a move full of excitement. A spell full of frustrating injuries later, however, it’s one that could have been so much more. At this stage, the Argentine midfielder desperately needed a move away having failed to start a single game in the Premier League all season.
His struggles didn’t stand in the way of Emery’s recent praise though. The Spaniard was quick to speak highly of Buendia following his performance despite the fact that his side suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of AS Monaco in the Champions League.
Emery told reporters as relayed by the Birmingham Mail: “Today, especially with Emi Buendia, because he has the option to leave but today we needed him and he played fantastic with his qualities, fantastic mentality and fantastic with his commitment with the squad.”
It now looks as though the £75,000-a-week man has taken that option to leave and join up with Bundesliga champions Leverkusen in what is an impressive move. It’s there under Xabi Alonso that Buendia could rediscover his best form.
As they continue to look for bargain deals, Newcastle United are reportedly ready to trigger the release clause of a World Cup winner in a deal that would be worth just €12m (£10m).
Newcastle transfer news
The Magpies have been limited by profit and sustainability concerns in the last two windows, leaving Eddie Howe to come up with internal solutions more often than not. But when the summer arrives, they could look to bring an end to that problem by selling before they can buy.
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Just who heads for the exit door remains to be seen, however. Those at St James’ Park already ditched Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly in the January transfer window to free up some space in their budget, but they could yet need to do more if they want to welcome blockbuster signings.
Of course, Alexander Isak is a name who’s been linked with a move away in recent weeks amid another excellent season. Whether Newcastle sacrifice their star man when the summer arrives seems unlikely, however. Instead, the they could look towards the transfer market in pursuit of bargain deals.
According to reports in Spain, Newcastle are now ready to trigger Paulo Dybala’s €12m (£10m) release clause before it expires at the end of July at AS Roma. A World Cup winner and a player who needs little introduction, the Magpies would be landing an undeniable bargain if they secured the Argentine’s signature.
At 31 years old, Dybala is far from a long-term option but the depth he would provide is no bad thing. Newcastle already suffered the consequences of failing to welcome fresh faces the last time they qualified for European football. Now, two points away from the Premier League’s top four, they won’t want to make the same mistake.
"Phenomenal" Dybala would thrive alongside Isak
Whilst keeping hold of Isak may limit Newcastle’s spending once again in the summer, it would quickly prove to be the right decision if they managed to welcome a bargain buy in Dybala, who would thrive next to the Swede. The Roma star would arrive with plenty of European experience and as a player who has earned plenty of praise wherever he has starred in Italy.
That unsurprisingly includes in Rome, where club legend Francesco Totti told reporters: “Dybala is phenomenal, he’s above the rest, he’s always proved his worth and I’m really happy that he’s come to Roma, he deserves it all.
“It’s fair that the city has a player like him, of his level. You can tell when players are a bit different from the others, and he’s showing it by scoring and by playing great. We’re happy to have him with us at Roma and we’re enjoying it.”
Praise can get no higher than that of Totti’s in Rome, but that may not prevent Dybala from heading for the exit door if Newcastle come calling. The World Cup winner could have quite the decision to make when the summer arrives as the Magpies pursue a bargain deal.
Newcastle United will hand a key player the “highest contract” in the club’s history, according to an exciting claim from football finance expert Stefan Borson.
Newcastle prepare for Arsenal after quiet January
In the end, it was a January transfer window to forget at St James’ Park, with the Magpies not spending a single penny throughout the whole month, much to the chagrin of some fans.
There was a feeling that Newcastle needed reinforcements in some areas of the pitch, including centre-back, but the likes of Paul Mitchell and Eddie Howe were seemingly content enough with the squad, as well as having to adhere to Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules at the same time.
Newcastle United managerEddieHowecelebrates after the match
It is now a case of the Magpies knuckling down and looking to enjoy a memorable second half to the season, not only looking to finish in the top four in the Premier League, but also winning the EFL Cup, although they may first have to get past Arsenal without Joelinton in the squad.
While new signings will clearly be looked at when the summer window arrives at the end of the campaign, there are also a host of current players who are indispensable figures and need to be tied down to new deals. Now, a promising update has emerged regarding one such figure.
Newcastle backed to hand "highest contract" to star
Speaking to Football Insider, Borson claimed that Newcastle will offer Alexander Isak a new contract that will smash their previous record deal, which is Bruno Guimaraes’ £8.32m-a-year contract.
“I am sure it will be the highest contract they have offered. The reason they have held onto their big players is because it would be very expensive to sign Guimaraes or Isak. There are very few teams that can play that game and compete for signings over £100million.
“I think Arsenal could do it if they really wanted to. If it wasn’t Arsenal, who is going to buy Isak and who can afford him? Basically nobody and I include basically everybody. Bayern Munich have got Harry Kane, PSG seem to be in a new world, where their acquisitions seem to be in that £70million range, so they are not going to pay £100million. Nobody in Italy can do it. Man City don’t need Isak as a priority. You always want quality players, but City won’t buy Isak, so there are no buyers.
“The bottom line is, there are not many places he can actually go. They will offer him a new contract. He’s already got quite a lot left on his contract, but he’s clearly one of the best players in the Premier League right now and I don’t see him going anywhere.”
Alexander Isak
Isak is Newcastle’s star player currently, enjoying an outstanding season that has seen him score 17 goals in 22 appearances in the Premier League. In this form, there arguably isn’t a better striker in Europe, and for Magpies supporters, losing him to another club in the summer doesn’t bear thinking about.
Isak clearly needs to see Newcastle as an ambitious side who can match his dreams in the coming years, and offering him such a lucrative contract would be a good place to start.
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At 25, there is still an enormous amount to come from the £120,000-a-week Swede, and if the Magpies can retain him for the foreseeable future, he could be one of the greatest strikers in the club’s history.
حسم التعادل الإيجابي بنتيجة 1-1، مباراة المصري وفاركو، التي أقيمت بينهما اليوم الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
والتقى المصري مع فاركو، على ملعب استاد السويس الجديد، في إطار الجولة السادسة من عمر المرحلة النهائية لبطولة الدوري المصري.
ويتواجد فريقا المصري وفاركو، في المجموعة الأولى المتنافسة على لقب الدوري هذا الموسم، الذي يقام بشكل استثنائي.
وتقدم فريق فاركو، عن طريق لاعبه أحمد شريف في الدقيقة 51، بهدف رائع من تسديدة من على حدود منطقة الجزاء سكنت أقصي الزاوية اليسري لحارس المصري محمود جاد. هدف فاركو الأول أمام المصري في الدوري
بينما تعادل للنادي المصري، لاعب فاركو بالخطأ في مرماه، أحمد عوض ذلك عند الدقيقة 70 من عمر اللقاء. هدف تعادل المصري أمام فاركو في الدوري
وبتلك النتيجة، يحتل فريق المصري، المركز الخامس بترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 36 نقطة، ويتواجد فريق فاركو في المركز السابع برصيد 31 نقطة.
طالع | ترتيب الدوري المصري بعد فوز الأهلي على سيراميكا كليوباترا
وتقام بطولة الدوري المصري هذا الموسم بنظام استثنائي، ينص على إقامة المواجهات من دور واحد كمرحلة أولى، بعدها تم تقسيم الأندية إلى مجموعتين، بداية من المركز الأول حتى التاسع، تتنافس على لقب الدوري، بينما الأندية من المركز العاشر حتى الثامن عشر، تتنافس على البقاء والهبوط، على أن يهبط فريقان فقط بدلًا من ثلاثة إلى دوري القسم الثاني.
Tottenham Hotspur and chairman Daniel Levy are attempting to get another January signing over the line imminently, making a promise to one player which could help to seal an agreement in the next few days.
Tottenham explore further January reinforcements in multiple positions
It is no secret that Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou has been forced to deal with major player selection issues over the last two months, with Guglielmo Vicario, Fraser Forster, Ben Davies, Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Richarlison, James Maddison, Pape Matar Sarr and Wilson Odobert all unavailable for their last game against Liverpool on Wednesday.
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Spurs are seriously interested.
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While a portion of the aforementioned players are set to make a return soon, this wave of absences has exposed Postecoglou’s serious lack of depth in key areas, with technical director Johan Lange and Levy looking to back their under-fire boss in the winter transfer market as a result.
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Forster’s underwhelming goalkeeping performances in place of Vicario motivated the Lilywhites to strike a £12.5 million deal to sign young shot-stopper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague, and it is a move which paid real dividends against Liverpool in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
The Czech put in an outstanding display on his full debut, as Postecoglou’s side shut out the Premier League frontrunners to clinch a 1-0 win over them at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Legendary English striker Clive Allen even dubbed Kinsky’s performance as one of the best debuts he’s ever seen at Tottenham, and it highlights the serious impact new arrivals can have if recruitment chiefs get their homework on players spot-on.
The 21-year-old could be joined by more transfer targets as we navigate our way through this window, and Fabrizio Romano says that Spurs could make up to three major signings by deadline day on February 3.
Credible media sources suggest that Postecoglou’s next acquisition could well be PSG outcast Randal Kolo Muani.
The north Londoners are reliably believed to be exploring a loan deal for Kolo Muani, who is out of favour under Luis Enrique and currently expelled from their Ligue 1 matchday squads.
Some outlets report that Spurs are close to agreeing terms with Kolo Muani, which is somewhat backed up by an overnight update from GiveMeSport.
Tottenham hope to finalise Randal Kolo Muani deal by the end of the week
GMS write that Tottenham are hopeful of finalising a deal for Kolo Muani by “the end of the week”, and they’ve made a key promise to the France international which could prove crucial in tempting him with a move to the English capital over Juve and Man United.
The club have apparently assured him of significant game time in a mapped-out role under Postecoglou’s tutelage, with talks between the 26-year-old and Spurs progressing over a contract.
Tottenham are in negotiations with PSG over Kolo Muani as well, holding club-to-club talks this week as they attempt to beat Ruben Amorim and Thiago Motta to a temporary deal.
Both the Ligue 1 champions and Spurs were locked in discussions as recently as Thursday, and it is believed that the potential loan deal will also include an option/obligation to buy clause. Unsurprisingly, Tottenham are in favour of an option, while PSG are keen for the clause to be obligatory.
Newcastle United are “keen” on completing the signing of “one of the brightest forward talents” in his country, according to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.
Latest Newcastle news
It has been another good week for Eddie Howe’s side, whose superb run of form continued with a precious 2-0 win away to Arsenal on Tuesday night. It means the Magpies have one foot in the final of the EFL Cup, as they look to end their long and painful trophy drought.
Up next for Newcastle is FA Cup third round duty, with Howe’s men hosting Bromley on Sunday afternoon. Their opponents are currently playing in League Two, so it goes without saying that elimination for the Premier League side would be one of the biggest shocks in the competition in many years.
Newcastle players celebrate
With the January transfer window now in full swing, it’s no surprise to see the Magpies being linked with plenty of players, including Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. With Martin Dubravka leaving St James’ Park this month, a backup option to Nick Pope is needed, as well as a potential long-term successor to the England international.
Former Reds stopper Kamil Grabara has also been mentioned as an option in goal for Newcastle, with the 26-year-old Pole currently playing for VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
Newcastle "keen" on signing talented youngster
According to Plettenberg on X, Newcastle are among the Premier League clubs “keen” on signing PAOK forward Stefanos Tzimas, who is considered a huge attacking prospect currently starring on loan in the 2. Bundesliga for FC Nurnberg.
Not much may be known about the 19-year-old ace, but the fact that Plettenberg speaks about him in such a positive light already suggests that the Magpies would be signing a player with an immense amount of potential.
Tzimas has scored eight goals in just 15 appearances on loan at Nurnberg this season, outlining his quality, and he has been capped for Greece across four different youth age groups, scoring a combined 16 goals in 32 caps.
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The POAK teenager is the type of player that Newcastle should always be looking to snap up, in terms of young footballers with high ceilings, and the hope is that they acquire his signature, allowing him to come in and learn alongside the world-class Alexander Isak.
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There is clearly strong interest in Tzimas, which is only natural, but the Magpies could be seen as the most exciting option currently, given their imperious form under Howe.
Walter, Critchley stage belligerent rearguard following on to frustrate Northamptonshire
ECB Reporters Network30-Apr-2022
Shane Snater launched an impressive rearguard•Getty Images
Paul Walter and Matt Critchley staged a belligerent rearguard action to frustrate Northamptonshire’s hopes of claiming a morale-boosting victory at Chelmsford.The fourth-wicket pair came together at 58 for 3 shortly before tea and were still there at stumps having put on 91 valuable runs as Essex fought to save the LV= Insurance County Championship match.Essex, eventually dismissed in their first innings for 193, with Ben Sanderson finishing with 4 for 32, were asked to follow-on by Northamptonshire. By the close on day three they were 149 for 3, requiring another 48 to make the visitors bat again. Walter was 40 not out, Critchley 44.That Essex are still in the game was largely down to Shane Snater, who almost single-handedly ensured the calamitous batting of the previous evening – when they were reduced to 83 for 8 – did not become even worse. However, his career-best unbeaten 79 could not prevent Essex going straight back in again, 197 runs in arrears.Snater dominated stands of 69 for the ninth wicket with Mark Steketee and 41 for the last with Sam Cook. More importantly for Essex, in their attempt to avoid back-to-back Championship defeats, his stoic resolution took a session out of the equation.The Zimbabwean-born Dutch international shone with a series of hooks, pulls and drives that were as effortless as they were exquisite. He accounted for the majority of the 98 runs scored for the loss of the last two wickets in an entertaining morning session.When Snater dabbed down to the vacant third-man boundary for the ninth of his ten fours, it carried him not only from 47 to 51 but to both his highest score for Essex (previously 48) and his highest in first-class cricket (50 not out for the Netherlands).Northamptonshire’s tactics seemed a little awry on a pitch that returned to its earlier placid state, and it was 70 minutes before front-line bowler Gareth Berg was finally introduced. To underline what his absence might have missed, with his fourth ball he had Steketee playing all around a full-pitched delivery and losing his off-stump.Still, Snater motored on regardless, capping his 94-ball knock with a towering straight six off Rob Keogh. His fun was curtailed, though, when Cook pushed forward to the off-spinner on the dot of lunch and was snaffled at slip.Without a moment’s hesitation Essex were asked to bat again. They were breifly in trouble losing three wickets in 14 overs. Sir Alastair Cook went for 19, caught at first slip off Tom Taylor, who had just been hit for three back-foot, off-side boundaries in an over by the former England captain.Tom Westley was next to go, pinned in a muddle of indecisiveness on his crease by Luke Procter, before Nick Browne wafted at Keogh and became the latest victim to a slip catch.Browne’s wicket went down in the midst of a sequence of 38 dot balls as Essex bustled along at a rate of barely two an over. There was another spell of five successive maidens that epitomised the Essex approach as Walter and Critchley effectively shut up shop after tea.
The England defender has arguably been the best performer in the Women's Super League this season, and she is now looking to replicate that in Europe
There was no more interesting duel in Saturday's Women's League Cup final than that between Millie Bright, the Chelsea centre-back, and Khadija Shaw, Manchester City's star striker. At the opposite end of the pitch, Mayra Ramirez's overwhelming success in her battle with Laia Aleixandri proved to be a big difference-maker in the Blues' 2-1 win – but Bright's ability to lock down Shaw, who managed just one shot on target all match, was perhaps just as significant.
While Bright didn't win every header and every little duel with Shaw (arguably no defender could), she limited her effectiveness massively, so often getting in the way to block shots and restrict her space in the box to prevent the Jamaica international from impacting the game. Combining well with Nathalie Bjorn to prevent City having many clear cut chances, Bright was one of Chelsea's best performers on the day, and her reward was the opportunity to lift the League Cup for the first time in four years.
However, the England star's display was simply a continuation of what she has shown all season. Now, after some real bad luck with injuries, the Chelsea captain is primed to be fully involved in the final stretch of the season again and, for the first time in four years, has the opportunity to make a real difference in their quest for that elusive Women's Champions League title.
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Making up for lost time
The last time a fully-fit Bright played a significant role in the knockout phase of the Champions League was way back in the 2020-21 season, when she helped Chelsea reach the final for the first time. After a difficult group-stage exit the following year, the Blues were in the quarter-finals again in the 2022-23 season, but it was in the first leg of their win over Lyon that Bright limped off with a season-ending knee injury.
Last season, it was quite the opposite situation, with Bright sidelined for five months and actually making her return in the Champions League in late April, albeit only as an 84th-minute substitute in the second leg of Chelsea's semi-final loss to Barcelona. Thrown on as a makeshift centre-forward as the Blues desperately searched for a goal to keep them in the competition, she could not impact the tie as she would've hoped to.
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In flying form
But now, in her first campaign of full fitness since 2021-22, Bright has reminded everybody of her incredible quality. She has been immense all year long and should certainly be a strong contender for top honours when the end-of-season awards come around.
Ranking among the top five players in the Women's Super League for most successful passes, aerial duels won and interceptions made, Bright is also among the top three Chelsea players for winning tackles, duels and possession, while leading the Blues' squad for blocks made and most successful long passes. Only Manchester United have conceded fewer goals than Sonia Bompastor's still undefeated side this term, and their captain has been a big part of the reason why.
"Her performances have been great," Bompastor said of Bright on Saturday. "She's really having an impact on the team. I'm really pleased for her because she's a really good player, but also a good person. It's always positive when one of your leaders, and the main leader in Chelsea, is performing at that level. I think she just sets the tone for everyone else and as a captain, she shows the example."
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Leader and a performer
That's the other element of Bright's value that cannot be quantified. Her leadership is immaculate, as further evidenced by the fact she earned her the role of England captain when Leah Williamson was ruled of the 2023 Women's World Cup, and led the Lionesses to the final there.
England have a lot of depth at centre-back and there are a lot of differing opinions among observers about who should be starting at this summer's European Championship. Many have long wanted to see Alex Greenwood in there regularly, owing to her world-class displays over the last few years, while Jess Carter has always been solid when she given the opportunity. Then there is Williamson, the captain and a player who has looked good for Arsenal in the second half of this season. Others, such as Esme Morgan, Millie Turner and Maya Le Tissier, will also hope to throw their hats in the ring over the next few months. It's one of the most competitive areas in the entire team.
Right now, though, it's hard to argue against Bright being the most in-form centre-back at England's disposal. She has been the most outstanding player in that position in the WSL this term and Sarina Wiegman will certainly hope she carries that momentum into the summer.
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Stepping up
That's been especially important lately, too, as Chelsea have endured some serious bad luck in the position. Kadeisha Buchanan suffered a devastating ACL injury back in November, thus curtailing her season. When the January transfer window opened, the Blues strengthened in the position in the most emphatic manner possible, signing United States international Naomi Girma for a world-record fee. However, she arrived with a knock and has not played since limping off during her eventual debut over two weeks ago. Maelys Mpome has also been out since mid-February, leaving Bompastor with just Bright and Bjorn as her only natural centre-back options.
Fortunately, both have been superb. "It's really important, especially having the chemistry between these two players in the back line," their coach noted at the weekend. It was no surprise that their strong understanding on the pitch was top of mind for Bompastor, given the comments came shortly after the pair had worked together to deal so well with Shaw's threat.
There are other players who have deputised in the heart of defence when absolutely necessary, be it the incredibly versatile Sjoeke Nusken or England's Lucy Bronze, and Bompastor did admit she may need to think about those options in the coming weeks, if others do not return soon, in order to give Bright and Bjorn some rest.
For now, though, neither look to be feeling any negative effects of the increasing importance of their top form and instead look primed to simply continue it as the big games come thick and fast.