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New York Yankees All-Star second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. will compete in the Home Run Derby for the first time in his career on Monday night at Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga.

And Chisholm has the benefit of receiving a few pointers from his New York Yankees teammate Aaron Judge, who in 2017 won the Home Run Derby during his illustrious rookie season.

Judge, speaking to reporters on Monday, offered some simple—yet effective—advice to Chisholm.

"Just have fun, take your swing," Judge said. "Feel like BP [batting practice]. Don't try to do too much. You're gonna get excited. You're gonna get amped up with the crowd and everything going on. But just enjoy the moment. That's the biggest thing."

If anyone would know tips and tricks to win a Home Run Derby, it's Judge, as he belted 47 homers, including four that traveled 500-plus feet, to win the '17 Derby.

Chisholm, whose swing was likened to that of former three-time Home Run Derby champ Ken Griffey Jr. by Yankees manager Aaron Boone, enters the Derby on a heater, having belted 10 home runs since returning from the injured list on June 3.

Brazil are short in key areas, while Belgium's golden generation has been and gone – but they're not the only ones who might struggle

Once the World Cup draw is over, the months that follow tend to bring plenty of excitement. This is the time to dream, to find the positives. Now, fans can look at their group and start to believe, piece together the math that would allow qualification, or an unlikely run. 

But of course, the opposite can also be true. Even in an expanded World Cup that will see 32 out of 48 teams advance to the knockouts, there are reasons for concern. Whether it be inexperienced sides who might find it hard to get out of a group, or presumptive favorites who could struggle to squeak by, not everyone can succeed here. 

And there are a fair few candidates to get it all wrong next year. Brazil look weak. Belgium's golden generation has come and gone. Meanwhile, Croatia simply are too old to make a run (then again, we've said those words before).

GOAL looks at the teams to worry about now that the World Cup groups are set…

Getty Images5Egypt

This really depends on which version of Mohamed Salah shows up. Let's be honest, the Egyptian has struggled for months now, reaching back into the end of the 2024-25 season. He doesn't look like the same player, while off-field turmoil hasn't helped. If Salah goes quiet for his country, Egypt have few other apparent attacking weapons. It could be a difficult one – even if they do have an admittedly kind group. 

AdvertisementGetty Images4Croatia

This is where the story ends, right? Croatia were, for some time, football's great overperformers, making a historically unlikely run to the World Cup final in 2018, and managing to stay alive in pretty much every major tournament since. That tendency came on the back of a real belief in their quality and, in recent years, experience playing in the biggest of moments. But now they're very old. Luka Modric was once the architect of it all, and he's 40(!) 

Getty Images3Mexico

The serious issue with the Mexican national team is the expectation that follows them around them. represents a truly mad soccer nation, and haven't had a successful World Cup campaign in years. Surprisingly, the talent pool has rather dried up. Raul Jimenez and Chucky Lozano are very much players of the past – even if they still might make the side. And the new crop of players looks a little mixed. Gilbert Mora is 17, and, at the moment, is the guy expected to carry the team on his shoulders – which tells you all you need to know. 

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AFP2Brazil

Brazil have never quite convinced under Carlo Ancelotti in his six months at the helm. Sure, the former Real Madrid manager was handed a tough job here. hadn't truly settled on a manager after Tite left in the wake of the 2022 World Cup. And it showed. Managers came and went, players struggled for form. Ancelotti was supposed to be the stabilizing force. Thus far, his record as Brazil manager reads: three wins, one draw, one loss, with one goal conceded – but only nine scored. It's the very antithesis of what Brazilian football should be. 

And in World Cup games, can they really be trusted? Vinicius Jr is in rotten form. Raphinha has failed to hit the heights of last year. There are question marks at the back. Neymar is a complete enigma. It's tough to see a run here. 

Ahmed Daniyal first defended six runs in the final over of the game before conceding just six runs in the Super Over to set up Pakistan Shaheens’ win

Ashish Pant24-Nov-2025In a dramatic low-scoring thriller that went into a Super Over, fast bowler Ahmed Daniyal kept his composure as Pakistan Shaheens defeated Bangladesh A to lift the Asia Cup Rising Stars title in Doha, Qatar.Daniyal, defending six runs in the 20th, bowled a nerveless over to take the game into a Super Over. He then removed Abdul Gaffar Saqlain with his second ball in the Super Over and then clean bowled Jishan Alam to restrict Bangladesh A to only 6. Saad Masood and Maaz Sadaqat took just four balls to chase down the target and spark celebrations in the Shaheens camp.This, however, was a game which ebbed and flowed all the way through. Sent into bat, Shaheens lost three wickets in the powerplay, and then continued to slip to eventually be bowled out for 125. Bangladesh A started the chase rapidly, but the spin quartet of Arafat Minhas, Saad Masood, Maaz Sadaqat and Sufiyan Muqeem spun a web around the batters to derail the chase.At 53 for 7 in the 13th over, the game looked as good as done, but Rakibul Hasan (24), Saqlain (16) and Ripon Mondol (11) – Bangladesh A’s last three – staged an unlikely comeback. Mondol, however, wasn’t able to repeat his semi-final Super Over heroics in the final as Bangladesh A went down.Bangladesh A couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the game with Shaheens losing Yasir Khan first ball of the match, courtesy a stunning under-arm direct hit from Saqlain running in from mid-on. Mohammad Faiq was cleaned up by SM Meherob, while wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori was bowled by Rakibul as Shaheens slipped to 25 for 3 in the fifth over.Maaz Sadaqat struck two fours and a six in his 23, but when he fell in the seventh over, Shaheens lost their way. Captain Irfan Khan scored a sedate 9 off 22 balls, with only Masood and Minhas providing anything of note on the Shaheens’ scorecard. Mondol bowled a terrific 19th over, picking up three wickets, and the innings ended with a run out as Shaheens were bowled out in 20 overs.In reply, Bangladesh A opener Habibur Rahman Sohan was quick off the blocks, tonking Ubaid Shah for a six over deep midwicket. While Alam was trapped in front of the stumps by Minhas, Habibur kept going as he smashed Masood for a six and two fours in the fourth over. But the bowler had the last laugh when Habibur pulled a long hop straight to square leg, and the Bangladesh A middle order caved in.Minhas trapped Mahidul Islam Ankon lbw before Muqeem’s left-arm wristpin bamboozled Bangladesh A. He got Akbar Ali to chop one back onto his stumps, and then struck twice in two balls, cleaning up Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury with identical wrong’uns. Rakibul went after Masood but Bangladesh A kept losing wickets, with the required rate rising.Then came another twist with Bangladesh A requiring 27 off the last two overs and only Saqlain and Mondol, the last two batters at the crease. Shahid Aziz, bowling the 19th over, missed his yorker three times and the batters smashed him for three sixes to flip the script. Daniyal, however, bowled a terrific last over, mixing his lengths to rescue Shaheens.

This has been a whirlwind four days for Liverpool Football Club.

The problems engulfing Arne Slot and his side are no secret; they’re well-documented, but things have only got worse in recent days.

The pressure on Slot has never been greater. That 3-3 draw with Leeds was rough, but Mo Salah’s post-game comments lit a fire that’s been burning away since Saturday.

Liverpool chose to drop him from the squad and who knows whether we’ll see the great Egyptian in the famous red shirt again.

Salah posted a picture of himself in the gym as the rest of his teammates prepared in Milan for their Champions League clash with Inter.

Slot’s side, however, were resilient, they showed an improved attitude and it got them over the line on Tuesday night. They kept things tight to seal a late 1-0 win inside the San Siro.

How Slot's tweaks improved Liverpool

With Salah absent from the squad, Federico Chiesa out with illness and Cody Gakpo missing through injury, it meant that Slot decided to operate with a diamond formation.

Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak operated as the two central strikers with Alexis Mac Allister behind and while the forward line was still largely non-existent, the defence was hugely improved.

As Slot said a few days ago, Ibou Konate has been a “little too much at the crime scene” this season, referring to his mistake-riddled performances.

Well, the Frenchman and indeed club captain, Virgil van Dijk, looked back to their best against Inter. They did so against two menacing centre-forwards in the shape of Marcus Thuram and Lisandro Martinez.

The Liverpool centre-backs reduced the two strikers to just one shot on target. Konate and Van Dijk also won seven of their 11 duels, competing on average 92.5% of their passes.

The midfield three in front of them got through plenty of work to aid the defensive cause. As a consequence, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch and match winner Dominik Szoboszlai look undroppable.

Add Florian Wirtz into the equation at the weekend too, and you would sense that the German is tailor-made for a diamond formation at the front of the midfield.

That being said, not everyone in red did their duties well. Some might say Liverpool’s big-money summer signing is as much a problem as Salah right now.

Liverpool's big problem after Inter

While Salah has been excluded from the squad, Slot needs to find a way to get more goals from his side.

Starting Isak and Ekitike together is a start but there is one huge problem; the Swede hasn’t been good enough.

His fellow striker has been one of Liverpool’s most impressive players this term, bagging eight goals in all competitions. In many senses, he looks like the £100m plus addition, not Isak.

We can no longer make any excuses for the £125m man. Of course, with no pre-season, he needed several weeks to get up to speed but we are now in December, he should be at full fitness, playing like a man who cost more money than any English club has ever spent on a single player.

Chalkboard

Two goals later and he looks like one of the biggest flops in football history. There is still time for the former Newcastle United attacker to come good but judging by his display in Italy this week, it won’t be anytime soon.

Once again, Isak lacked the energy and desire to press hard from the front. He also lacked the ability to link the play and most vital of all, he didn’t have any goal threat.

Minutes played

68

Touches

25

Accurate passes

10/11 (91%)

Shots

1

Shots on target

0

Successful dribbles

0/1

Key passes

0

Successful crosses

0/1

Duels won

3/7

Liverpool World’s Will Rooney handed the record buy a 5/10 rating, noting that he ‘faded’ as the first 45 minutes wore on, bemoaning the fact that the club are still ‘failing to make the most of his attributes’.

That bit may be true, but he’s not doing enough himself either. He registered fewer touches than Alisson (45) and also only completed ten passes against Inter.

While you don’t always need your centre forward to have too many touches to impact a game – Erling Haaland is the prime example of that – they need a higher degree of influence from Isak now.

If Salah is going to leave Merseyside behind then they’ll need someone to step up as soon as possible. Sadly, Isak doesn’t look capable of doing that.

It’s likely Slot will keep the same formation he operated with on Tuesday when Liverpool face Brighton in the league at the weekend but that team shouldn’t include Isak. Perhaps it’s time to give Chiesa a run in the team.

FSG can keep Salah at Liverpool by hiring "the best young coach in Europe"

Arne Slot has only a tenuous grasp on his position in the Liverpool dugout.

ByAngus Sinclair 6 days ago

The first update from 2025 MLB All-Star voting was revealed Monday, and it comes as no surprise that New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, who is set to make his first pitching appearance of the season Monday evening, are leading the way as the top vote-getters.

This year's All-Star Game will be played at Atlanta's Truist Park on July 15, and fans were already given an early preview into what the team's uniforms will look like.

With about a month until the midsummer classic, Judge is leading all MLB players in the early voting update, having already racked up more than 1.5 million votes. Ohtani is second in baseball and first in the National League with just under 1.4 million.

We'll take a look at the top players at each position for both the AL and NL after the first update.

2025 MLB All-Star Voting First Update ResultsAmerican League

Position

Player

Team

Number of Votes

Catcher

Cal Raleigh

Seattle Mariners

1,043,168

First Base

Paul Goldschmidt

New York Yankees

667,258

Second Base

Gleyber Torres

Detroit Tigers

535,079

Third Base

Jose Ramirez

Cleveland Guardians

968,754

Shortstop

Jacob Wilson

Athletics

562,696

Outfield

Aaron Judge

New York Yankees

1,568,527

Outfield

Riley Greene

Detroit Tigers

675,070

Outfield

Mike Trout

Los Angeles Angels

475,265

Designated Hitter

Ryan O’Hearn

Baltimore Orioles

353,029

There are some close races atop various positions in the American League. Paul Goldschmidt is just narrowly ahead of Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in voting results, while Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals is in close apursuit of Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson. Additionally, Cleveland Guardians' Steven Kwan trails Mike Trout for the third outfield spot by less than 18,000 votes.

National League

Position

Player

Team

Number of Votes

Catcher

Will Smith

Los Angeles Dodgers

1,124,629

First Base

Freddie Freeman

Los Angeles Dodgers

1,136,389

Second Base

Ketel Marte

Arizona Diamondbacks

850,572

Third Base

Manny Machado

San Diego Padres

955,122

Shortstop

Francisco Lindor

New York Mets

1,019,273

Outfield

Pete Crow-Armstrong

Chicago Cubs

1,126,119

Outfield

Kyle Tucker

Chicago Cubs

704,740

Outfield

Teoscar Hernandez

Los Angeles Dodgers

685,553

Designated Hitter

Shohei Ohtani

Los Angeles Dodgers

1,398,771

The National League is largely dominated by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are tracking to fill four of the nine starting positions. In fact, the Dodgers have a player who received the first or second most votes at every single position in the first update of All-Star voting.

Phase one of All-Star voting runs until June 26, after which the votes will be tallied and the top two players from each position will advance to phase two, which runs from June 30 to July 2. More on that can be found here.

Phil Foden and Rebecca Cooke have dropped another hint that wedding bells will soon be ringing, with the Manchester City star’s partner flashing a huge diamond engagement ring. The childhood sweethearts have three children together and would appear to be drawing up plans for a tying of the knot. There has been no official word that they are preparing to get married.

Is Foden getting married? Engagement speculation

Speculation has, however, been rife for several months. Eldest son Ronnie has helped to fuel those rumours. He has shared a video on his Instagram account – which now boasts 4.2 million followers – that features his mum and dad.

In that, which sees the Fodens getting into the Christmas spirit, Cooke can be seen sporting a dazzling piece of jewellery on her left ring finger. She has been making no attempt to hide that sparkler across a series of images and videos that have been posted online.

AdvertisementRing shopping: No official word on wedding

Foden and Cooke sparked engagement gossip when they were spotted ring shopping in Wilmslow, Cheshire. They were seen heading into a local jewellers after arriving in a £400,000 Mercedes G-Wagon.

Back in February, Cooke was seen sporting a ring on her left hand. It was reported at the time that Foden had popped the question during a romantic break in Paris – with the England international apparently getting down on one knee as the new year was welcomed in.

The happy couple – who both hail from Stockport – have been together since they were teenagers, with City playmaker Foden now 25 years of age. A source has told : “The pair of them have been together since they were young and their family and friends have been expecting them to get engaged for a while.

“The time seemed right for Phil to pop the question. He took her away to Paris for New Year's Eve and when they came back Rebecca had a sparkling diamond ring on her engagement finger.”

The insider added: “The ring is absolutely huge. It's a massive diamond. She loves it and she's very proud of wearing it although she hasn't announced anything about it. But all the wags know and all the players know in Manchester about the ring and everybody is looking forward to maybe an announcement soon that something has happened, maybe an engagement.

“It would certainly be a massive wedding full of footballers and celebrities and WAGs. Rebecca loves a party and has hosted some amazing baby showers.”

Star-studded ceremony: Foden & Cooke are parents of three

A Foden-Cooke wedding would certainly be a star-studded affair, with several international footballers likely to be in attendance. Extended family would also be invited along, with Foden having remained close to his roots since bursting onto the senior stage. A source has previously told the Daily Mail: “Phil is very close to his family, particularly his parents.”

Foden and Cooke became parents for the first time in 2019, when Ronnie was welcomed into the world. The Manchester City and England star said of that experience: “I was there for the birth. I walked out of the room, gave it a little tear and then went back in like nothing happened.”

The couple's daughter, True, was born in 2021. Cooke gave birth to a second son in June 2024, with Foden being released from European Championship duty with England in order to be at his partner’s side in the delivery room.

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Getty Images Sport2026 World Cup dream: Foden hoping to make England squad

He is hoping to grace another major tournament next summer, with the Three Lions having secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup. They will discover their group stage opponents for that event when said draw takes place on Friday.

Foden has not always been called upon by Thomas Tuchel, with the German tactician making it clear that there are no guaranteed selections in his ranks, but a welcome return to form has been enjoyed with club and country. The classy midfielder has registered four goals across his last two Premier League appearances for City – against Leeds and Fulham.

Amy Jones aced the chase after New Zealand’s batters had a disappointing outing

Valkerie Baynes26-Oct-2025

Amy Jones celebrates her fifty with Heather Knight•ICC/Getty Images

England 172 for 2 (Jones 86*, Beaumont 40) beat New Zealand 168 (Plimmer 43, Smith 3-30, Sciver-Brunt 2-31, Capsey 2-34) by eight wicketsAn injury to key bowler Sophie Ecclestone proved no barrier for England as Amy Jones overhauled a meagre target to send New Zealand out of the World Cup with a heavy defeat.Ecclestone injured her bowling shoulder while fielding and sent down just four deliveries, including a wicket, before England bundled New Zealand out for 168 inside 39 overs in their final group game.Her fellow left-arm spinner, Linsey Smith, overcame a difficult start to capture three wickets while part-time off-spinner Alice Capsey and seamer Nat Sciver-Brunt took two each before Jones’s unbeaten 86 took England home with ease.Related

The truth is, cricket owes Sophie Devine a lot

Allrounder for all seasons – Sophie Devine's ODI career in numbers

The result meant that England secured the No. 2 spot behind Australia, meaning that in the unlikely event of their semi-final against South Africa being washed out in Guwahati on Wednesday and on the subsequent reserve day, they would progress on the basis of holding a superior position on the table.It also ensured there would be no fairytale farewell for New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, who has played her last ODI in a match where New Zealand’s batters collectively failed convert starts and their bowlers struggled to put dents in England’s top-order.On the face of it, England had an easy ride into their semi-final campaign, but Ecclestone’s injury was cause for concern and they had to overcome a wayward start with the ball and in the field while their re-jigged middle-order went untested.The openers Jones and Tammy Beaumont broke the back of the run chase with a 75-run partnership and Jones combined with Heather Knight for an 83-run stand that took England within 11 runs of victory.England’s top four have all scored runs at this tournament, with Knight and Sciver-Brunt posting centuries and Beaumont and Jones reaching fifty before this game. Down the order they brought in the vastly experienced Danni Wyatt-Hodge for her first match of the tournament, replacing Emma Lamb who has struggled at No. 6.Knight’s dismissal, lbw to Devine for 33, prompted England to send Wyatt-Hodge in at No. 4 ahead of Sciver-Brunt to give her some exposure in the middle ahead of the knockout phase, although it was limited as she faced seven deliveries for 2 not out.Sophie Devine waves farewell after her final ODI•ICC/Getty ImagesBeaumont raced to 26 off 20 balls, with four of her five boundaries up to that point coming in one Jess Kerr over. Back-to-back fours off Amelia Kerr put Beaumont in touching distance of 40 but, once she arrived there, she was struck on the pad by a Lea Tahuhu nip-backer right in line with middle stump.Knight carved the next ball expertly through backward point for four and, having overturned an lbw dismissal to New Zealand’s bemusement as Melie Kerr’s delivery was shown to be going over the stumps, Knight advanced down the pitch to power a huge six over long on in her next over.All the while, Jones had been steadily creeping towards her half-century with excellent timing and she brought up the milestone with six off Suzie Bates. Jones upped the tempo and helped herself to three fours in a row off Rosemary Mair before eventually bringing up the winning runs with consecutive boundaries off Devine, who left the field through a guard of honour from both teams.Earlier, Ecclestone took a tumble trying to intercept a boundary from Bates off the second ball of the match and jarred her shoulder after running from mid-off to chase Capsey’s misfield at extra cover.Bates only managed to reach 10 before spooning a waist-high full toss from Smith straight to mid-off where Lamb stood as a substitute for Ecclestone.Struggling to grip the new ball, Smith continued to serve up some wayward lengths and, after Bates had failed to capitalise, Kerr did with four boundaries on the trot as she set about rebuilding through a 68-run partnership alongside Georgia Plimmer.Sophie Ecclestone picked a wicket in the four deliveries she bowled before going off with injury•Getty ImagesWith Smith pulled from the attack and Ecclestone still off the field having her injury assessed, Capsey entered to make a crucial strike as Kerr sought to go big down the ground and picked out Charlie Dean, who then struck with the first ball of the next over, pinning Plimmer on the pad for 43 as England wrested back control.Ecclestone returned briefly to remove Brooke Halliday, caught by Sophia Dunkley at deep midwicket, but then Dunkley bowled the remaining two balls of the over as Ecclestone, feeling more discomfort in her shoulder, left the field for the remainder of the innings.So it fell to Devine to make one last stand with the bat, even more so when Capsey took an excellent diving catch off her own bowling to remove Maddy Green – although she dropped another off Izzy Gaze next ball – but it wasn’t to be. Devine managed 23 off 35 before she strode forward to a Sciver-Brunt off-cutter which kissed the inside edge before landing in the glove of wicketkeeper Jones.Smith returned in the 29th over and, more comfortable with the worn ball, removed Gaze playing around a slow, full delivery that angled in to hit the top of off stump.Sciver-Brunt grabbed her second wicket by pinning Mair lbw and Jess Kerr was run out by a good throw from Dean at extra cover to Jones to put New Zealand on the brink of being bowled out. Dean finished it with a superb catch over her shoulder while running back at mid-off to remove Tahuhu and give Smith her third.

Everton are set to spend this summer. Recent reports have outlined The Friedkin Group’s plans to work with David Moyes and strengthen the flanks, both from defensive and more forward-focused vantages.

With an overload of first-teamers out of contract this summer, there’s certainly a lot for incoming Director of Football Angus Kinnear to sort out, but it’s exciting to note that there’s been a shift in mentality in the short time since Moyes returned to the dugout.

All of a Toffees persuasion want flashy new forwards to enter the fold, but a sprinkling of pragmatism must be woven into the strategy to create a balanced team of high quality.

Everton are lining up one such player in a shrewd move.

Everton make first move to sign Premier League ace

According to Caught Offside, Everton have made their first move in an effort to sign Manchester United centre-back Victor Lindelof, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

The report claims that they are one of a number of clubs to have made contact with the player about a possible move to Merseyside this summer.

Everton will hope that their new project and the geographical closeness to Old Trafford may hold sway in negotiations, but with Everton, Fulham, West Ham United, and Wolverhampton Wanderers also keen, time is of the essence.

The Merseysiders have received a boost in their bid for the 30-year-old after he made known his desire to remain in England, despite interest from Juventus, Inter Milan, and former club Benfica.

What Victor Lindelof would bring to Everton

When Moyes returned to Goodison Park in January after 12 years away, Sean Dyche was resigned to his fate, in both senses of the word.

Matches

19

14

Goals

15

19

Goals against

25

15

Clean sheets

7

3

Points

17

21

The former Burnley manager felt he had taken Everton as far as he could, and his vision did not align with TFG’s vision. However, Moyes will no doubt thank his predecessor for having left such firm defensive foundations – foundations from which incomings such as Lindelof could use to turn out as bona fide successes.

Lindelof has been a feature in the Premier League for some time, signing for United back in 2017 in an initial £31m move, departing from Benfica.

He’s ebbed and he’s flowed, truth be told, making 277 appearances and winning the Europa League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup. However, the Sweden international has been locked in a sort of purgatory in recent years, peripheral in the Premier League.

There’s a solid, ball-efficient player in there, though, and Moyes may well be the perfect man to unlock the chained hasp. Given Lindelof’s looming free agency, his vast experience in English football, the veteran may well prove to be Moyes’ own version of James Tarkowski.

Tarkowski, Everton’s acting captain with Seamus Coleman on the margins, joined from relegated Burnley in 2022 at the end of his contract, proving to be a smart piece of business indeed.

Though he was 29 at the time, Tarkowski brought a wealth of practice in the Premier League to Merseyside, and he has started every single league match since his arrival (albeit that will soon change after he was forced off against Manchester City last weekend with a hamstring injury).

Now 32, the English centre-half has been a wonderful mentor for Jarrad Branthwaite, perfectly upholding Dyche and now Moyes’ fundamental defensive values.

Lindelof could add another string to Everton’s defensive bow, ranking among the top 14% of defenders across Europe for pass completion, as per FBref, and once being labelled Man United’s “best player” by former boss Jose Mourinho.

All told, if Kinnear and co can perhaps reduce down Lindelof’s present £120k-per-week earnings, this might just prove to be an astute piece of business from an Everton side set to lose Michael Keane at the end of his deal.

Bramley Moore beckons, signalling more than just a change of scenery. It’s a new era for Moyes’ Everton, but the manager might just hit gold by repeating a trick and signing a player in a similar vein to Tarkowski before turning toward those flashier forward players to really get the new ground rocking.

Shades of Cahill: Everton chasing PL "revelation" to upgrade on Doucoure

David Moyes is looking to strengthen his Everton team in the transfer market this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 24, 2025

After putting on five-star display against Crystal Palace, the good news could be short-lived for Manchester City amid reports that one midfield star is willing to take a pay cut to get his move this summer.

Man City put five past Crystal Palace

When Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards struck to hand Crystal Palace a shock 2-0 lead at the Etihad, it looked set to be an all too familiar story for Pep Guardiola’s side. That is, until Kevin De Bruyne took a hold on proceedings.

The Belgian, into his last six games of his Manchester City career, scored a stunning free-kick before playing his part in Omar Marmoush’s swift equaliser midway through the first period.

Putting on a show, Manchester City then hit three goals without a response to seal all three points against an in-form Crystal Palace side. Speaking after an excellent display, De Bruyne told TNT Sports: “I thought the first 20 minutes, it was actually alright. We had a couple of chances but they pounced on two chances, one a corner and then obviously the Eze chance.

“I was wondering, ‘What’s going on here?’, but I think the reaction was really good. Obviously, scoring very quickly the first and the second changed the feeling of the game. I think overall we played really well.”

Man City in contact with "electric" £30m full-back with Walker-esque pace

The Citizens could land a bargain deal…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 11, 2025

It may well prove to be an all-important victory for the Citizens as they battle to secure Champions League qualification, with De Bruyne hoping to ensure of a fitting farewell in the process. That said, the Belgian may not be the only one saying his goodbyes in the coming weeks if recent reports are anything to go by.

Benfica eyeing Bernardo Silva move

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, as relayed by Sport Witness, Benfica are now plotting a move to sign Bernardo Silva, who is reportedly willing to take a pay cut in order to secure an exit away from Manchester City.

In doing so, the midfielder would be going full circle back to his boyhood club. Now 30 years old and a player who’s been past his excellent best at times this season, Silva would be completing a fitting move.

If that is to be that for the Portugal international in Manchester, there’s no doubt that he’ll be bowing out as a modern-day legend at the home of the Premier League champions. Guardiola’s praise has often reflected that legend status, too.

The Spaniard told reporters in December: “We are lucky with the players we have, for example, like Bernardo. I know he’s a special player for me, but how he puts his heart into those positions.

“He is an incredible winner and example for us in how he behaves in different positions and always tries to help and read what happens in certain positions. Playing attacking midfield, holding midfield, always defensively he makes an incredible effort.”

Fulham are reportedly expected to hand one of their most influential players a new contract, according to a promising new update regarding his future.

Fulham still eyeing European finish

The Cottagers face a massive game this weekend, taking on Chelsea in a match that not only represents a west London derby, but is also a key fixture in the race for European football in the Premier League.

Monday’s 1-0 defeat away to Bournemouth leaves Marco Silva’s Fulham side sitting ninth in the table, meaning they are now trailing sixth-place Chelsea by six points.

Realistically, only a win will do for the Cottagers at home to the Blues this weekend, but even if they do fall short in the quest to be in Europe next season, it has still been a positive campaign overall.

The key is for Fulham to build on this season, and the right players will need to be signed this summer, in order for them to find another gear, such as Werder Bremen full-back Felix Agu who has been linked in recent days. Now, a key update has emerged regarding a player who it is vital to keep hold of.

Fulham plot new contract for Rodrigo Muniz

According to The Boot Room‘s Graeme Bailey, Fulham are “ready to hand” striker Rodrigo Muniz a “bumper” new deal at the club, in order to tie him down, amid interest from Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

“They think they’ve got a real gem there, there’s also a real chance Brazil’s number nine at the World Cup might end up being Muniz. He thinks he’s got a great chance. A bumper new deal, because there are other teams sniffing around him, West Ham and Forest. His goal-scoring record has been great. He’s in line for a big new deal at Fulham. They’re very happy with and want him to commit.”

Sealing a contract extension for Muniz is vital, with the £50m-rated star a vital figure throughout the campaign, scoring eight goals in as many Premier League starts, also coming off the substitutes’ bench 23 times in the competition.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has heaped praise on the Brazilian, with the former England captain knowing a thing or two about what makes a top striker.

“He really was a handful. Tough to play against, horrible to play against in fact. That’s always a good thing for a centre-forward, that’s what you have to be. “He was strong, he ran the channels, he brought players into the game and he really upset the Bournemouth defenders in every way, in everything he was doing.”

Fulham now looking at signing £12m ex-Tottenham player in free transfer

He could be a bargain.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 17, 2025

The fact that Bailey mentions Muniz starting for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup says so much about his ability, showing why Fulham will do all they can to retain his services. To lose him now would be a major blow, especially as he is still only 23 years of age.