Newcastle United have a big one this weekend, with title-chasing Arsenal coming to St. James’ Park in search of three points in the Premier League.

Perhaps boasting the two meanest backlines in English football, Arsenal and Newcastle typically play out hard-fought encounters, but the Magpies have shown themselves to have a strong advantage when on Tyneside, and Eddie Howe will hope to apply that once again on Sunday,

Newcastle have kept four clean sheets from five Premier League fixtures so far this term, but have also struggled for their attacking sparkle.

It’s been a testing start to the season for homegrown star Lewis Miley. The 19-year-old brims with potential but was harshly criticised after the Cherries stalemate, and the manager may want to take him out of the firing line.

Why Howe should drop Lewis Miley

Howe said that the incendiary remarks, few though they were, were “totally unjustified” after Newcastle played out a drab goalless draw on the south coast.

Described as a “really good young player” by his teammate Joelinton, who rebuilt himself at Newcastle after a tough start of his own, Miley’s natural eye for a pass and his high work rate suggest he could be a real force for the Toon in the years to come.

But Howe needs to manage his rising prospect, for sure. Bruno Guimaraes is bound to return to the starting line-up against the Gunners, and Howe is likely to revert to his more compressed and accomplished three-man midfield.

Miley, let’s not forget, is a teenager and an academy star. He has a big future on Tyneside, but Joe Willock, who has also flattered to deceive this term, faces a steep fight for his future under Howe’s wing.

Newcastle's "disappointing" star has lost his place

Guimaraes missed out as Newcastle drew 0-0 with Bournemouth last weekend, ending his 67-match run of starts in the Premier League.

He returned in midweek and will be ready to influence from the outset once again as Arsenal look to chase Liverpool following the first-placed Reds’ defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.

Howe has various combinations he can tinker with in the engine room, but it’s certain that unleashing Willock from the start must not be among them. The versatile midfielder flattered to deceive when awarded a start in Guimaraes’ place last weekend,

Having been branded as “disappointing” a year ago by The Athletic’s Chris Waugh, Willock’s innate ability on the ball and his progressive athleticism have never been up for debate, but injuries have been his enemy on Tyneside of late, and he’s now blown a golden opportunity to lay down his marker and take a starting spot.

Branded with a 4/10 match rating by the Chronicle Live during that clash against Bournemouth on the south coast, ‘unable to make any sort of impact’.

Newcastle have their tried-and-tested midfield trident, and they should start against Arsenal. Miley deserves another shot to make a positive impression off the bench, but Willock’s days at the club appear to be numbered at this stage.

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Newcastle have added some exciting talent to their ranks this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Sep 25, 2025

The 2024/25 campaign was undoubtedly one of the worst in Manchester United’s history, with the Red Devils registering their lowest-ever Premier League finish under Ruben Amorim.

His side ended the year in a measly 15th place, just a handful of spots above the relegation zone, but it didn’t stop Bruno Fernandes from impressing within attacking areas.

The 31-year-old registered a total of 37 combined goals and assists across all competitions – certainly preventing the side from being dragged into a relegation battle.

Such a year was one of the best of his career at Old Trafford, with the Portuguese international often being the go-to man to get them out of trouble, which is something needed in a club captain.

However, he’s often had to revert to operating in an unfamiliar number eight role since Amorim took the reins last November – a decision that has proved a huge talking point in recent months.

The real question is, where is Fernandes best suited and how effective are the team as a whole depending on which role he operates in?

The effect of Bruno playing in the #8 compared to the #10

Since Amorim’s appointment, Bruno has been named in the starting eleven on 34 occasions in the Premier League – missing a couple due to suspension or being rested ahead of the Europa League.

The Red Devils have lost 50% of their games with the 31-year-old operating in a deeper position, compared to just 37.5% when he started in his natural position.

Such a record could indicate that Amorim’s side have often lacked creativity in attacking areas – something which is backed up by the goalscoring figures.

In such a period, United averaged just 1.06 goals per 90 when Bruno featured deeper, whilst posting 1.3 per 90 when operating further forward – further backing up his incredible ability to create carnage.

The only benefit of the former Sporting star operating deeper is the goals conceded tally, letting in 0.19 goals fewer when playing in one of the two box-to-box roles.

All the aforementioned figures showcase how important the captain is in forward areas, with Amorim needing to utilise him in such an area as a result.

However, that could take away the minutes of one other player in the process, leaving the manager with a huge conundrum if he is to save his job at Old Trafford.

The United star who’s becoming a Bruno-type player at United

During the recent summer transfer window, the United hierarchy handed Amorim a £200m budget to make the changes he required to his squad after the dismal 2024/25 campaign.

He decided to use the majority of the funds within the forward areas, landing two players to operate in the number ten positions of his infamous 3-4-2-1 system.

Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha were the players to fill such roles, as seen by the majority of the outings in recent months following their respective moves to Old Trafford.

The latter of the duo has missed some action due to a hamstring injury, which has handed Bruno the opportunity to feature in his preferred role – but such chances have been few and far between.

However, he’s not alone in being forced to feature in another position, with Amad Diallo similar to Bruno in having to make do with minutes in other areas of the pitch.

The Ivorian joined the Red Devils back in the winter window of 2021, arriving from Italian side Atalanta as a right-sided winger with huge potential to explode in England’s top-flight.

Given the difference in system, the 23-year-old has been forced to operate in either a number ten role or a right-wing back position over the last couple of months.

Amad, who “plays football like a kid” as described by Gary Neville, has been questioned over his best position, but it’s clear that he’s more suited to a wing-back role.

His best display of the 2024/25 campaign came at Old Trafford, where he scored a hat-trick against Southampton – doing so whilst operating in a somewhat deeper position.

Games played

26

Goals & assists

14

Pass accuracy

86%

Shots taken

2.6

Chances created

2.4

Successful dribbles

2.1

Touches in opposition box

7.2

It’s also allowed him to bring out his creativity, as seen by the 4-0 triumph against Everton, subsequently registering two assists and claiming the Man of the Match award.

The similarities between him and Bruno are there for all to see, with both needing to adapt their games in recent times to make an impact within Amorim’s philosophy.

Both have popped up with key contributions in numerous matches, undoubtedly making them two players who will be vital if the club are to return to their former glory in the near future.

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1 ByAngus Sinclair Oct 16, 2025

Aston Villa have had a rocky start to the 2025/26 season, struggling to find consistency in the Premier League.

Their first win came only in late September against Fulham, and they followed that with a narrow 2–1 victory over Burnley, a result that temporarily lifted spirits at Villa Park.

Despite these wins, Villa currently sit 13th in the league with a goal difference of -1, reflecting the challenges they’ve faced in converting performances into points.

Their upcoming fixtures are equally testing.

The Villans travel to Tottenham Hotspur next before heading to the Netherlands to face Go Ahead Eagles, meaning Unai Emery must carefully manage his squad to avoid fatigue and injury.

While domestic form has been inconsistent, Villa are faring better in the Europa League, sitting third in their group after wins against Bologna and Feyenoord.

These results highlight the importance of rotation and squad depth, particularly when competing on multiple fronts.

Emery has already shown a willingness to trust young players, such as Morgan Rogers, who flourished when given the chance.

With Villa balancing league and European ambitions, this season could be the perfect opportunity to integrate another academy product.

A young midfielder drawing comparisons to one of the club’s most reliable performers over the last decade.

John McGinn's start to the season in numbers

For Aston Villa, few players embody consistency like John McGinn.

The 30-year-old joined Villa from Hibernian when the club was still in the Championship and has been central to their rise to the Premier League and European football.

Known for his work rate, leadership, and eye for goal, McGinn has scored in both the Champions League and Europa League, including the winning strike in a 1–0 victory against Bologna this season.

In the 2025/26 campaign, McGinn has made ten appearances across all competitions, scoring once in the league and twice in the Europa League.

John McGinn – Premier League 2025/26

Matches Played

7

Minutes

546

Goals

1

Progressive Carries

9

Progressive Passes

25

Source: FBref

His influence goes beyond goals, with last season’s stats underlining his consistency: 49 appearances, four goals, six assists, and 3,306 minutes played.

At international level, McGinn has been equally dependable, earning 80 caps for Scotland and scoring 20 goals.

He ranks in the 86th percentile for pass completion (82.1%) and the 86th percentile for interceptions per 90 minutes (0.69), as per FBref.

No matter the circumstances, McGinn consistently performs, providing Villa with a reliable presence in midfield that stabilises both defensive and attacking transitions.

With Villa facing demanding fixtures and balancing multiple competitions, McGinn’s influence is vital.

His consistency provides the platform upon which Emery can experiment with younger players, confident that the backbone of the midfield remains solid.

The next McGinn who Emery should trust

Aidan Borland, an 18-year-old centre-midfielder, could be Villa’s next player to emulate McGinn’s impact.

Signed from Celtic’s youth academy in 2023 for a nominal fee, Borland has already shown maturity beyond his years.

This season, he has played six times in Premier League 2 (540 minutes) and featured once in the EFL Trophy (90 minutes).

He was also on the bench during Villa’s Carabao Cup defeat to Brentford, a game they lost on penalties after going ahead through Harvey Elliot.

Borland’s style of play mirrors many of McGinn’s traits.

He is an aggressive dueller and tackler, covers significant ground, and reads the game well, frequently making interceptions to break up opposition attacks.

He approaches each action positively, keeps his play simple, and leads by example – characteristics that have already drawn praise from youth coaches.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

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Analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a “youth version of John McGinn,” a comparison that Villa fans will find encouraging given the midfielder’s reliability over the last decade.

Physically and mentally, Borland is prepared for the step-up.

His high work rate, intelligence, and composure on the ball suggest he could thrive if given first-team minutes this season.

Emery, known for integrating academy talent effectively, could find a key option in Borland to rotate alongside McGinn or cover in European fixtures.

With Villa seeking to balance league stability with Europa League progression, giving the young midfielder a chance could accelerate his development while providing the team with fresh energy in central areas.

If Borland adapts to the pace and intensity of Premier League football, he could become a player Emery trusts to mirror McGinn’s consistency, leadership, and attacking contribution.

For Villa, nurturing talent from within the academy has already proven successful, and Borland has the potential to continue that tradition, providing both quality and longevity in midfield.

For a club navigating a tough start to the season, the emergence of players like Borland could be key to sustaining performance across competitions, helping Aston Villa challenge for higher league positions while continuing their European journey.

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Posts ByBen Gray Oct 9, 2025

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has ruthlessly snubbed one of his most influential former Blues teammates when naming his all-time Premier League XI.

Football FanCast ranks Premier League's greatest-ever players

Football FanCast have now ranked the greatest players in Premier League history, and there is certainly no shortage of Chelsea players among them, with former captain John Terry named as the best centre-back to have ever played in the top flight.

Petr Cech also tops the list of goalkeepers, while Didier Drogba is regarded as the ninth-best striker in Premier League history, having maintained a fantastic record in front of goal throughout his time at Stamford Bridge, culminating in the Blues winning the 2012 Champions League final.

Season

Drogba PL appearances

Goal contributions

2004-05

26

15

2005-06

29

26

2006-07

36

24

2007-08

19

14

2008-09

24

9

2009-10

32

40

2010-11

36

24

2011-12

24

6

As such, it will come as no surprise to learn that Terry, Cech and Drogba all feature in Obi Mikel’s all-time Premier League XI, but the former central midfielder has ruthlessly snubbed one of his former teammates.

As reported by talkSPORT, the Nigerian named N’Golo Kante and Paul Scholes as his two central midfielders, leaving out Frank Lampard, and he even went on to clarify that the ex-England international wouldn’t have featured in a three-man midfield either.

Lampard undoubtedly one of the greatest Premier League midfielders

It is a little strange that the 38-year-old opted to omit his former teammate, given that the Englishman is without doubt one of the best Premier League midfielders of all time, particularly impressing on the front foot.

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The Coventry City manager chipped in with a remarkable 211 goals and 149 assists in 648 professional appearances for Chelsea, cementing his place in the Premier League Hall of Fame in the process.

That said, Kante is also a fantastic choice from a more defensive point of view, given what the Frenchman achieved at Leicester City and Stamford Bridge, winning two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the 2020-21 Champions League and the 2018-19 Europa League.

Lampard played in a golden era of midfielders, sharing the stage with the likes of Scholes and Gerrard, and a number of other former Chelsea stars, who also feature in our list of the best Premier League midfielders of all-time.

Manchester United have launched a complaint to the Premier League over their fixture list. The Red Devils are unhappy with the number of midweek games they will have to play at home between next week and Christmas Day, with their weekend matches all coming away from Old Trafford. Saturday's fixture against Brighton represents their last weekend game in front of their own fans until December 26.

• No weekends at Old Trafford until Boxing Day

  In the time between now and Christmas, United will host Everton, West Ham and Bournemouth. However, the club are unhappy with the scheduling, given both the Everton and Bournemouth games have been shifted to Monday night kick-offs that they can be shown on television. The clash with the Hammers falls in the usual round of fixtures held in midweek in early December.

  On weekends, United will travel to Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Wolves and Aston Villa. The Red Devils are unhappy and believe their fans are being treated unfairly compared with other clubs in the division.

  report that United CEO Omar Berrada has had words with the Premier League CEO Richard Masters about the Red Devils’ disgruntlement.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Red Devils fans shown 'unfair treatment'

  At the root of United's complaint is the treatment of their loyal supporters. Berrada and the club's hierarchy wanted to point out that their fans will be the ones made to suffer, given the long-distance travel and potential accommodation needed impacting the lives and pockets of the fans.

  report details that United also requested a change in how fixtures are scheduled, demanding a decision on which games will be selected for television to come far earlier than it currently is. The club want to ensure that fans can be prepared for any changes to dates and times and make necessary adjustments and plans in advance of the festive period.

  The complaint came after the Manchester United Fans’ Forum established their concerns and put them to the club in a letter. The Red Devils then shared the concerns of their supporters over the difficulty of travelling in midweek, rather than the weekend, particularly closer to Christmas.

• Saudi friendly plans thrown into doubt

  The concerns of the club come amid United plans to fly to the Middle East to take on a number of sides mid-season in a handful of lucrative, but ultimately meaningless, friendlies. United, whose financial difficulties are well documented, had been exploring the possibility of playing teams from the Saudi Pro League and beyond as a way to bring in some extra revenue.

  When asked about the possibility, United boss Ruben Amorim reluctantly remained diplomatic. "We have to do it," he said. "We knew that when we missed out on Europe, we have a lot of things to do. We have our fans, we have the budget, we have to compensate for a lot of things. So, we have to do it. We will do it. We want to be with our fans around the world. If you have to do it, you have to manage to find the space to do it."

  The economic impact of missing out on European football has hit deep in the Old Trafford coffers. When the Red Devils were humiliatingly beaten by Spurs in the Europa League final in May, the club missed out on a heavy financial bonus and put further pressure on their unsteady balance.

  United were still able to make a series of high-profile attacking signings, but they have come at a cost and mid-season friendlies could have eased the burden. Now, with the fixture list blocking out most of the midweek spots, their plans could be put into jeopardy.

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  United fans look to keep cheering

  United have been able to give their fans something to smile about recently. The Red Devils have won two games in a row for the first time under Amorim and the support is buoyant following a stunning 2-1 victory over rivals Liverpool last weekend. On Saturday, looking to burst the small bubble of optimism, Brighton come to Old Trafford knowing victory will send them above the Red Devils.

Maxwell finishes with 149 ODIs and two ODI World Cup titles after conceding his body could not handle ODI cricket any more

Alex Malcolm02-Jun-2025Glenn Maxwell, the architect of arguably the greatest ODI innings ever played, has announced his retirement from the 50-over international format effective immediately but he will remain available for T20 internationals and looks set to continue until next year’s T20 World Cup.Maxwell, 36, joins fellow two-time ODI World Cup winner Steven Smith in ODI retirement after Australia’s semi-final exit from the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Maxwell has not formally retired from Test cricket yet but is unlikely to be selected to play red-ball cricket again.Related

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Glenn Maxwell vs the world

Maxwell announced his retirement in a long-form interview on the on Monday and revealed that the physical toll of ODI cricket had become too much on the back of his broken leg in 2022, having pulled up sore after matches during the recent Champions Trophy.”I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how body was reacting to the conditions,” Maxwell said. “I had a good chat with [Australia chair of selectors] George Bailey and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward.”We talked about the 2027 World Cup and I said to him ‘I don’t think I am going to make that, it’s time to start planning for people in my position to have a crack at it and make the position their own’. Hopefully they get enough of a lead-in to hang onto that role.”I always said I wasn’t going to hand my position over if I felt like I was still good enough to play. I didn’t want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons.”They are moving in such a clear direction so this give them the best look at what the line-up is leading into that next World Cup. I know how important that planning is.”Maxwell bows out with an extraordinary record in ODI cricket although his raw numbers of 3990 runs at 33.81 and 77 wickets at 47.32 from 149 games do not do him justice.By his own admission Maxwell was promoted to Australia’s ODI team well before he was ready, having played in just 14 List A games for Victoria before making his ODI debut in 2012. But in just his sixth game for his state he made the fastest 50 in Australian domestic one-day cricket in 2011, off just 19 balls. It was a record that stood until 2023 when Jake Fraser-McGurk broke it on the way to the fastest List A century of all-time.But it was a portent of things to come for his ODI career. Besides Andre Russell, no player in the history of ODI cricket has a higher strike-rate than Maxwell’s 126.70, and of the players with more than 2000 runs no one strikes at better than 117.05.Maxwell maintained that strike-rate whilst averaging 33.81 as a finisher and scored four centuries including his stunning 201 not out against Afghanistan in Mumbai during the 2023 World Cup, which was the first double century by an Australian in an ODI and the first by any player in a chase. It was also the first double-century by any non-opener and he did it from No. 6 after Australia had slumped to 91 for 7 chasing 292.”I’m extremely fortunate that I was able to have my moment,” Maxwell said of his greatest innings. “Everything that you’ve worked hard for, the peak of your powers, being able to put it in front of the world to see and it’s almost like saying, this is the best of me, you can either take it or leave it, but this is all I’ve got.”Maxwell earlier posted the fastest ODI World Cup century, off just 40 balls, against Netherlands in Delhi in the same tournament. He also owns the fourth fastest ODI World Cup century off 51 balls which he made in the 2015 World Cup against Sri Lanka in Sydney.Maxwell’s other ODI century came in a successful chase at Old Trafford against England in the Covid affected 2020 series when he and Alex Carey combined to pull off a remarkable pursuit of 303 after Australia has slumped to 73 for 5.”I think that was probably one of my favorite memories,” Maxwell said. “Being out there with Alex Carey, he had had a bit of a tough start to his innings, but once he started to get the get the ball in the middle about a few times, it was great fun out there. And to be a part of his first one-day hundred out there, and to play a huge role in winning that series with everything that went on over the [previous] few months, not playing cricket for a long time, and having everyone in a bio-secure bubble and doing quarantine non-stop, it just made it all worth it.”Beyond his centuries he played a multitude of other vital innings at key times in ODI cricket. In his second last ODI innings he made 32 not out off 15 balls as Australia chased a Champions Trophy record of 352. He made an unbeaten 44 in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final against Pakistan after taking two key wickets with the ball.Two-time ODI World Cup winners – Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith, Josh Hazlewood, David Warner, and Mitchell Marsh – strike a pose with the trophy•ICC/Getty ImagesHis bowling contributions for Australia are far greater than his numbers suggest. He played as Australia’s lone spinner in the 2015 World Cup win, taking six wickets at 36.33 and an economy rate of 5.70, and the second spinner in the 2023 triumph. He conceded just 4.81 per over in the 2023 World Cup in India in 68.3 overs across the tournament and bowled a key spell in Australia’s vital first win of the campaign against Sri Lanka and took the key wicket in the final to halt a charging Rohit Sharma inside the powerplay and help set Australia on course for victory. He also famously bowled a double-wicket maiden in the final over of an ODI against Pakistan in 2014 to win the game when defending just two runs.Maxwell will also be remembered as one of the best all-round fielders for Australia having been positioned in key positions in the ring and the outfield throughout his career.”Glenn will be known as one of the one-day game’s most dynamic players, who had key roles in two ODI World Cup victories,” Bailey said. “His level of natural talent and skill is remarkable. His energy in the field, under-rated ability with the ball and longevity has been superb. What else stands out is his passion for and commitment to playing for Australia.”Fortunately, he still has much to offer Australia in the T20 format. All things going well he will be pivotal in the next 12 months as we build toward the World Cup early next year.”Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said Australia was indebted to Maxwell for what he achieved in the format.”Congratulations to Glenn on what has been one of the most exciting and influential one day international careers in the format’s history,” Greenberg said. “Glenn’s ballistic batting has lit up the cricket world and been one of the cornerstones of Australia’s continued success in the 50 over game, including his heroic role in the 2023 World Cup triumph.”As with other greats of the game, crowds have flocked to grounds just to watch Glenn bat and children have been inspired to pick up a bat after seeing him put opposition attacks to the sword with a breathtaking array of shots.”Australian cricket is indebted to Glenn for his ODI exploits and excited that he will now focus on our quest to win the ICC T20 World Cup next year.”Maxwell is currently recovering from a broken finger he suffered during the IPL but is expected to be fit for the start of Major League Cricket in the United States in less than a fortnight and looks set to be part of Australia’s T20I squad for the five-match tour of the Caribbean which starts on July 20 following the three-Test series.

كشف الهولندي فيرجيل فان دايك، حقيقة تواصله مع زميله السابق ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، لاعب ريال مدريد، خلال مباراة الفريقان ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وواجه ريال مدريد نظيره ليفربول مساء أمس، الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، على ملعب “آنفيلد”.

واستطاع ليفربول أن يحقق فوزًا غاليًا على نظيره ريال مدريد بهدف نظيف سجله أليكسيس ماك أليستر بضربة رأس رائعة سكنت شباك الحارس كورتوا الذي ظهرر بمستوى مميز ورائع للغاية في المباراة.

كان آنفيلد في مباراة الأمس مليئًا بالحماس وهتافات جماهير الريدز خلقت طقسًا مختلفًا وفريدًا من نوعه خلال المباراة، وظهر ذلك في أداء لاعبي الفريقين سواء تألق ليفربول أو ظهور ريال مدريد بأداء هزيل للغاية.

وتحدث فان دايك عن المباراة بشكل كامل مؤكدًا أن أهم شيء للفريق الآن هو الهدوء قبل مباراة مانشستر سيتي يوم الأحد المقبل، (للمزيد من التفاصيل اضغط هنا).

وشهدت المباراة نزول ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد بديلًا في آواخر الشوط الثاني وبدأت معه أهازيج الجماهير وصافرات الاستهجان الكبيرة مما زاد من حماس وشدة هتافات جماهير ليفربول وهذا ما انعكس بالسلب على اللاعب والفريق.

وفي ضوء ذلك، خلال ظهور فان دايك مع شبكة “سكاي سبورتس” البريطانية، سُئل قائد ليفربول عما كان إذا تحدث مع أرنولد قبل المباراة أو إذا كان ينوي التحدث معه، لكنه أجاب: “لا”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O fato de Lucas Perri estar na lista de convocados da Seleção Brasileira para as próximas rodadas das Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo pode causar dores de cabeça ao Botafogo. O camisa 12 tem chance de desfalcar a equipe alvinegra em uma das rodadas do Brasileirão.

A partida da Seleção Brasileira com o Uruguai está marcada para o dia 17, uma terça-feira, no Estádio Centenário. No dia seguinte, os botafoguenses medem forças com o América-MG, no Independência.

+ Condição especial para matrícula no curso Gestor de Futebol, aprovado por Dante, Petković, Léo Moura e outros craques. Saiba mais!

Com isso, o retorno do jogador de 25 anos ao Brasil exigirá uma logística especial. Caso Perri não possa jogar, Gatito Fernández ficará na meta.

O Botafogo atualmente lidera o Brasileirão, com 51 pontos, sete a mais que o Palmeiras.

Glasgow Rangers finally got their first win on the board in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, after they failed to win any of their first five league games under Russell Martin.

There would not have been a more relieved man in the ground than the Light Blues head coach when Max Aarons popped up in stoppage time to score the winning goal for the away side.

The Ibrox loanee came off the bench to rattle a finish into the bottom corner from Nicolas Raskin’s corner to prevent Rangers from falling to a fifth draw in six league games.

James Tavernier’s penalty miss did not help matters in the first half, as the captain failed to make it 2-0 before half-time, but the Gers still conceded a sloppy goal and lacked a cutting edge in the final third before Aarons scored the winner.

It was a win and a much-needed one for Martin. However, the manager may not be too pleased with some of the individual performances that were on display when he goes back to review the match.

Summer signing Bojan Miovski is one of the players who may end up finding himself on the bench because of his underwhelming start to life at Ibrox.

Why Bojan Miovski may be dropped to the bench

The Macedonia international was signed on a permanent deal from Girona in the summer transfer window to bolster the club’s attack, as a player who has already proven himself in the Premiership.

Miovski, as shown in the graphic above, scored 32 league goals in the division during his two seasons at Aberdeen before a move to Girona in the summer of 2024. This shows that he can score goals at an impressive rate at that level.

The Light Blues are yet to see the best of the left-footed forward in front of goal, though, as he missed a huge chance to open the scoring in the 2-1 win over Livingston on Sunday.

It was like watching Miovski at Aberdeen to create the chance. His movement on the last line to beat the offside trap was superb and he looked in control and composed, up until he needed to find the target.

The 26-year-old marksman, who scored his first goal for the club in the League Cup against Hibernian, has not done enough in his Premiership outings to warrant keeping a place in the starting line-up.

As you can see in the table above, Miovski ranks lowly among his positional peers in a host of attacking and physical metrics, as he has failed to deliver quality in the final third and reliability out of possession.

This is why Martin must drop the former Aberdeen and Girona centre-forward from the starting line-up, because he has not offered enough to the team in or out of possession.

The Macedonian number nine is not the only Light Blues star who showed that he should not be starting for the club at the moment in the win over Livingston on Sunday.

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Thelo Aasgaard was selected once again in the left-sided central midfield role in Martin’s 4-3-3 system, but he failed to justify his inclusion in the team with a strong performance.

Why Thelo Aasgaard should not be starting for Rangers

The Norway international was signed from Luton Town during the summer transfer window with a view to adding an attacking threat to the team from a central midfield position.

Aasgaard scored 11 goals in 45 matches in all competitions for Wigan Athletic and Luton combined in the 2024/25 campaign, which shows that he did offer a decent threat in front of goal last term.

The English-born star, who was described as a “huge talent” by former Wigan communications officer Jamie Allen, has yet to show the Rangers fans what he is capable of at the top end of the pitch.

That has not been through a lack of opportunity, though, because Martin has provided him with six starts in all competitions, yet the attacking midfielder has not delivered a single goal or assist.

Aasgaard made no key passes, did not complete any dribbles, and did not register any shots on target in 73 minutes against Livingston, per Sofascore, which shows that he offered next to nothing in possession for the Gers.

Unfortunately, a lack of quality at the top end of the pitch has become a theme for the Norway international in the Premiership for Rangers so far this season.

As you can see in the table above, the summer signing from Luton has created one chance in four starts in the league, with no goals or assists to his name.

These statistics show that he is not offering enough to the team in front of goal, as is also the case with Miovski, despite being in the side to provide a spark and break down opposition defences.

This is why the Rangers head coach should ruthlessly drop both players from the starting XI for the trip to Falkirk in the Premiership after Thursday’s Europa League clash with Sturm Graz, because both of their performances on Sunday showed that they should not be starting.

Miovski and Aasgaard are not terrible players, as their records at previous clubs prove, but they are not delivering enough quality on the pitch for the Gers, which is why they should have a spell on the sidelines.

Worse than Tavernier: Martin must drop Rangers flop who was saved by Aarons

Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin must drop this flop who was saved by Max Aarons against Livingston.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 29, 2025

If the two attackers can impress off the bench and start to show more promising signs at the top end of the pitch in matches, then they can earn back their place in the XI and start to kick on at Ibrox.

Romelu Lukaku’s long road to recovery may soon be over. After a brutal thigh injury sidelined him for over two months, the Belgian striker is now returning to Italy to undergo final medical assessments. Coach Antonio Conte and Napoli’s staff are hopeful of a December return, as the club looks to reignite their attack and reshape their Champions League ambitions.

Romelu Lukaku is back in Naples!

Lukaku is finally on his way back to Italy. The Napoli forward suffered one of the most serious injuries of his career during a preseason friendly against Olympiacos in August. After a strong start that day, the Belgian collapsed clutching his left thigh, a moment later confirmed as a high-grade tear of the rectus femoris muscle, with partial tendon damage.

Initial scans estimated a 100-day recovery period, ruling him out of the start of the Serie A season and Belgium’s World Cup qualifiers. Lukaku chose not to undergo surgery, instead committing to a conservative rehabilitation plan in Belgium, working under close supervision from both Belgian specialists and Napoli’s medical team.

His program focused first on physiotherapy and gym conditioning, before progressing to controlled on-field work which is essentially a restart of preseason training. further confirm that Lukaku is set for his final assessment in Naples, marking day 77 of his recovery. Although optimism is high, there’s still some time to go before a permanent return is confirmed.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportNapoli form careful plan for injured striker

Napoli are preparing meticulously for Lukaku’s reintroduction. Coach Conte has been in constant contact with both the medical and fitness departments, keen to balance ambition with caution. The plan is simple: get Lukaku back only when he’s 100 per cent ready, even if it means waiting until mid-December, just before the Supercoppa Italiana.

Conte has designed a two-phase reintegration – extended gym sessions to rebuild muscle strength, followed by simulated match conditioning. Lukaku’s frame and playing style demand precision; a rushed comeback could risk aggravating the injury. If all goes well, he could even be named in the Champions League squad, potentially replacing Kevin De Bruyne, who is now out long term.

Napoli’s optimism stems from more than just numbers, it’s about restoring presence. Lukaku, when fit, brings power, leadership, and a focal point to Conte’s system. His recovery could not only change the team's attack but also their European trajectory heading into the crucial winter phase.

De Bruyne’s injury casts a shadow

While one Belgian edges toward recovery, another faces a devastating setback. De Bruyne’s return to top form was abruptly halted during Napoli’s 3-1 victory over Inter, when he limped off just minutes after scoring a penalty. Post-match scans confirmed a high-grade tear to the biceps femoris in his right thigh which is the same muscle he had surgery on in 2023.

The diagnosis rules him out until late February or early March 2026, effectively ending his season. It’s a crushing blow for Conte, who had built Napoli’s creative engine around De Bruyne’s composure and vision. The midfielder had already registered four goals in eight matches, redefining Napoli’s tempo and transition play.

Without him, Conte must reconfigure midfield control, possibly by relying on Frank Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka to maintain balance. De Bruyne’s injury has not only weakened the squad but also forced Napoli to rethink how they distribute attacking responsibility.

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Getty Images SportA testing stretch ahead for Conte’s Napoli

Upcoming fixtures against Lecce, Como and Eintracht Frankfurt demand results, while the Supercoppa looms as an early test of their resilience. Conte’s biggest challenge lies in managing the transition while reintegrating Lukaku carefully, compensating for De Bruyne’s absence, and maintaining their sharpness in Serie A.

Napoli currently sit joint-top of the league with Roma on 21 points, but depth is becoming an issue. Conte will need tactical adaptability, alternating between a 3-5-2 and 4-3-1-2, ensuring flexibility in both defence and midfield. Integrating Lukaku’s return gradually could stabilise their finishing woes, while the squad’s fitness management will dictate whether they can sustain their title push.