Tag Futebol

With Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma ruled out of the Perth Test, it remains to be seen at what position Rahul will bat

Tristan Lavalette17-Nov-202416:26

Runorder: Will Australia end up dominating the Border-Gavaskar Trophy?

With Shubman Gill set to miss the Perth Test, KL Rahul’s return to training came as a big boost for India on Sunday. He shrugged off injury concerns as he returned to batting during the team’s training session at the WACA in Perth.Rahul left the field early in India’s intra-squad match simulation on Friday after being struck on the elbow by a rising delivery from Prasidh Krishna. The blow left him grimacing and he trudged off the ground after seeking medical attention. Rahul did not return to the crease later that day as India’s main batters had another turn at the crease.But Rahul was put through a solid workout during India’s training session on Sunday morning that lasted nearly three hours. After two days of match simulation – featuring effectively India’s main XI against a line-up comprising fringe or India A players – some squad members trained on the WACA centre wicket and nets.Related

• Injured Gill to miss first Test in Perth with fractured thumb

• Gambhir: Rahul can open if Rohit misses first Test

• What India and Australia can expect at the five venues

• Can Jaiswal counter fire with fire in Australia?

• Gill picks up thumb injury a week before Perth Test

Rahul spent about an hour having a hit on the ground before a short workout at the nets. There were no signs of discomfort although Rahul did not look as fluent as before his blow during the match simulation when he opened the innings alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal.”Based on the reporting, I was a lot more confident that he should be fine,” Yogesh Parmar, one of India’s physiotherapists who accompanied Rahul for the X-rays and scans, said on a post on X from BCCI. “It was just a matter of controlling the pain and him getting some confidence. From a medical point of view, he is absolutely fine””I’m feeling good and I’ve batted today,” Rahul said, “getting ready for the first game. [I] was happy that I could come here early, get some time to get used to the conditions. I’ve got a lot of time preparing for the series and I’m excited and looking forward to it.”Rahul’s improved fitness status came just hours before Gill’s unavailability for Perth was confirmed. Gill suffered a thumb injury on the second day of India’s intra-squad training match. His position in the batting order, however, remains uncertain following the news that Rohit Sharma will not arrive in Perth in time for the first Test, after he and his wife Ritika Sajdeh had their second child on Friday.Rahul’s availability is key, especially with Gill picking up a thumb injury in the series build up•Getty Images

Gill, who made 28 and an unbeaten 42 on Friday, picked up the injury while fielding in the slips and left the field. He wasn’t sighted at Sunday’s training session which did not feature several of India’s leading batters, including Jaiswal, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.Amid reports that he underwent scans recently, Kohli batted without any sign of discomfort across two innings on the first day of the match simulation. He made 15 and 30 not out, but struggled at times against short-pitched bowling on a relatively sedate WACA surface.India’s frontline bowling attack, led by vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, was unleashed during the match simulation on day two and they also trained on Sunday.After an initial three days at the nets followed by three days of match-simulation practice on the centre wicket, India have completed their block of training at the WACA. Tuesday onwards, they will resume their preparations at the Optus Stadium, where the first Test begins on November 22.While some net sessions and the first day of match simulation were open to the media, the weekend activities took place behind closed doors owing to logistical reasons.Hosts Australia, meanwhiless, start their first Test preparations on Monday with a training session at the WACA.

He is at the peak of his powers, and brings to the World Cup a well-rounded squad full of the players he has fought for and trusts. Can he lead them to a legacy-sealing triumph?

Nagraj Gollapudi04-Jun-20191:27

Kohli on Rabada’s jibe: ‘He can discuss with me man-to-man’

World Cups define the legacy of leaders. Some of the greatest have tasted success at the biggest tournament in cricket: Lloyd, Border, Imran, Waugh, Ponting and Dhoni.Like those giants, Virat Kohli is his own man. He has set an example first, and then asked others to follow him. His men swear by him. yet there remains a perception that Kohli’s success as a captain owes a lot to MS Dhoni, who has been the guiding force in terms of tactics and controlling the pace of the game. This World Cup offers Kohli the opportunity to walk out of Dhoni’s shadows.And he’s been working on it.Kohli sowed the seeds of change at The Oval, the day India lost the Champions Trophy final in 2017. The key issues he identified included fitness and fielding, and, significantly, an inability to take wickets in the middle overs.To this end India left out the experience of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, and brought in a pair of wristspinners in Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, who have become integral to India’s success.MS Dhoni has some tactics to discuss with Virat Kohli while Rishabh Pant looks on•Associated PressKohli has always had a vision as captain. While Dhoni might take charge at different points during a live game, Kohli is in control of the team, and has shaped it in his image. This World Cup will be his ultimate challenge. The squad is full of the men he wanted, fought for, and kept his faith in. He got all the resources he wanted and asked for. He even got the latest start of all teams, with India’s first match coming against a team playing its third game in a week. Now it’s for him to put all this to use, smartly.The long format of the tournament, where every match is important, will no doubt test Kohli’s mettle as a leader – not just his man-management skills, but also how flexible he is in his thought processes, how quickly he can conjure up plans in tight situations, which will pile up fast as the tournament moves towards its business end.A day before India’s World Cup opener, Kohli seemed at ease. He addressed a 22-minute-long media briefing without getting restless. Wearing his prescription glasses and white team T-shirt Kohli looked relaxed, and sounded confident and clear.Asked whether tomorrow, his first day as India’s captain in a World Cup, would be any different to all his other days on the cricket field, Kohli said no. “Honestly for me I have this feeling before every game I play. I can’t differentiate,” he said. “Obviously if you just say the word “World Cup” it brings a different kind of feeling to your mind and heart. Apart from that when you step onto the field as a cricketer you really think like you are stepping into a World Cup game.”Eventually you go and play the game of cricket. And that excitement and anticipation and bit of nerves is the right combination I have always had before every game that I play. 2011, 2015, similar kind of butterflies in your stomach. Even when you walk in to play in a Test match and you walk in at 10 for 2 you have the same kind of butterflies in your stomach. So that is a very consistent factor. I am just glad and it is going on.”Kuldeep Yadav and Virat Kohli celebrate a wicket•Associated PressIndia are favourites to win the tournament along with hosts England. Yet Kohli knows India can easily come second. Take the recent home series against Australia where his team led 2-0, and yet were surprised 3-2. Reviewing the series Kohli said the reason Australia won was because they played like one unit, poured more passion and energy in every situation, and showed the belief that they could win in any situation. India did not.Like any upcoming captain Kohli has made his own mistakes. Six months before the World Cup he said, with an air of certainty, that Ambati Rayudu would be his No.4. Against Australia, Rayudu was dropped eventually, and then the selectors left him out of the World Cup 15. Immediately after KL Rahul scored a century in the warm-up game against Bangladesh last week, Kohli said he would be the No. 4.Kohli can get excited. He admitted that leading at the World up is going to be his most challenging assignment. “Looking at the length and format of the tournament, yes, it will be tough for any captain including me, playing nine games. It is a long tournament. You are playing every side once.”And you have to think on your feet, you have to adapt very quickly. It is not a bilateral [series] or you are not playing a team twice where you can play them once and plan again and come back and play again. So you have to be precise, on that day make good decisions, stay ahead of the 8-ball. So from that point of view, yes, it will be a very, very challenging tournament.”To his advantage Kohli has a group of proven matchwinners. In Jasprit Bumrah he has possibly the best bowler in cricket today. In Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, he has two openers who can score big, blazing centuries. In Dhoni, he has the best glovesman in the tournament and a master strategist. In Hardik Pandya, he has an instinctive and ruthless batsman, who can turn the game in matter of a dozen deliveries. Then there are the two “pillars”, Kuldeep and Chahal, who can choke teams in the middle overs.KL Rahul goes for a sweep•IDI via Getty ImagesBut it is on days when these men are struggling that Kohli will need to bring to the fore more than just his intensity. He is only 30, but Kohli has a wealth of experience to fall back upon. “It is very gradual,” Kohli said on his growth as a captain. “The errors you would make when you are not that aware of game situations, they will slowly start to taper off as you play more and more cricket. What happens also is, when you have experienced people in your team, who have also grown with you as cricketers, eventually you all start making good decisions, you have discussions, you think of the right things.”Sometimes instinctively I would want to do something, which I will stick to, sometimes you go and discuss. It is important to find the right balance. It is important to try and make the right decision, but own up to your mistakes and accept the errors as well. Gradually, with time, everyone sort of understands that process well, which is happening to me slowly.”On every occasion he has spoken in the past month, Kohli has acknowledged the pressure every match in a World Cup will bring. The only way India can stay ahead, Kohli has repeatedly stressed, is by working as one and staying composed.In the past week India have managed to blend training with recreation – they have had team-bonding sessions involving paintball. Some might scoff at it, ask what adults are doing playing a child’s game. But sport is best enjoyed while invoking the inner child. Kohli understands this.Remember the unforgettable line Kohli delivered moments after Dhoni sealed the 2011 World Cup with a six? As he and his team-mates lifted Sachin Tendulkar onto their shoulders, Kohli said it was only fitting since Tendulkar had carried the burden of a billion dreams on his shoulders for more than two decades. Today that burden has moved to his shoulders.

The allrounder called Suryakumar’s leadership skills “amazing” for thinking out of the box

Andrew Fidel Fernando31-Jul-20241:44

Washington lauds Suryakumar’s ‘amazing leadership skills’

Sri Lanka needed nine to win off the last two overs in the third T20I. India still had the bowling of Mohammed Siraj to call on (Siraj had conceded just 11 off his first three overs). They also had one over from Khaleel Ahmed, who could have bowled the 20th.But with Kusal Perera still at the crease, captain Suryakumar Yadav went to the offspin of Rinku Singh, which had never before been seen in a T20 international. It worked out brilliantly – Perera first top-edging a cross-batted shot so badly, Rinku himself could get under it. Later in the over, Ramesh Mendis also holed out, to deep midwicket.Having watched Rinku concede only three runs and claim two wickets in a pressure over, Suryakumar made the decision to bowl his own offspin in the final over, taking two further wickets himself, and conceding only five to win the match.Related

Washington, Suryakumar, Rinku bowl India to Super Over win

Suryakumar after Super Over heist: I told the team I had seen such games

Sri Lanka's latest collapse a chef's kiss on their incompetence

After the match, Washington Sundar, the frontline offspin bowler in the team described this spell of captaincy as “amazing”. The pitch was taking big turn, and Sri Lanka were struggling hugely against the slow bowlers. Suryakumar gambled on two rank part-timers.”It was amazing from Surya and his leadership skills,” Washington said. “I think he felt given the situation if he bowled more spinners we’d have a good chance to win the game. Given the wicket and the situation, he took one or two options, and it did wonders for us.”There were only 12 balls to go and Kusal Perera was batting. Rinku got him out and Surya himself came on in the last over and almost won the game for us. We all know he has a big heart when he goes out there to bat, but he also has a big heart in leadership as well.”Washington himself then played a key role, bowling a Super Over in which he conceded just two runs, but took two wickets. In regular play he had taken 2 for 23.”Honestly, I had no idea I was going to bowl. It was after the batsmen walked out that Surya turned behind and said: ‘Washy, you’re on.’ I was very happy, to be honest. When the captain wants you to bowl especially in tough situations, in a Super Over. I thought it was a great opportunity for me to step up and win games for my country. Thank God it went well.”Although India didn’t seem capable of defending 137 for the vast majority of the chase, Suryakumar never lost hope, Washington said. Sri Lanka, at one stage, needed 28 runs off 28 balls, with nine wickets in hand. India would then set in motion a huge collapse.”Surya kept teling us that one or two wickets, and the game would definitely change,” Washington said. “In these kinds of wickets, in low-scoring games, even run-a-ball could be a lot of pressure on the batsmen because there’s something for the bowlers in the wicket.”He said one or two wickets in the middle overs would get us in the game, and that’s exactly what happened. I hope the audience enjoyed it because you will only see such games every now and then. To be a part of this game feels great.”

Barcelona have been told they made the wrong call regarding Marc-Andre ter Stegen's future as Ivan Rakitic says the goalkeeper should be first choice.

Rakitic says Ter Stegen should start ahead of GarciaCalls decision “very easy" and says he's world's best goalkeeperFlick expected to evaluate options during pre-season preparationsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Former Barcelona midfielder Rakitic has strongly backed Ter Stegen to remain the club’s undisputed No. 1 under the German manager. In an interview with , Rakitic insisted the German international should start ahead of other options like new signing Joan Garcia, calling the decision “very easy” and labelling Ter Stegen the best goalkeeper in the world.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ter Stegen, currently recovering from injury, has been told he will not be first or second choice this season, with Garcia and veteran shot stopper Wojciech Szczesny being preferred much to the German's dismay. However, Rakitic pointed to the veteran’s leadership, captaincy role and elite standing in European football as key factors that should be enough to guarantee him a place in the starting XI.

WHAT IVAN RAKITIC SAID

Rakitic, who recently retired from football, said: "I spoke to him and he seems very excited and happy. I hope his injury is nothing serious and he can return soon. Between Joan García and Ter Stegen it's very easy, Ter Stegen plays. He's the captain and a highly respected player. With Marc healthy, there are no doubts. I wish all Barcelona's problems were choosing between three great players. Joan has a lot of talent and he's going to have to earn it. It's one thing to play for a La Liga team and another to be Barcelona's number 1. I don't see a better goalkeeper in Europe or the world."

Imago ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BARCELONA?

Ter Stegen may require surgery to solve an injury he has been struggling with, which could ruin Barcelona's hopes of selling the 33-year-old, who insists he will not leave despite the club insisting he will not play.

MatériaMais Notícias

da pixbet： O Botafogo deve contar novamente com Marçal no clássico diante com o Fluminense. O atleta, que não atuou na derrota por 3 a 2 diante do Athletico-PR, na Copa do Brasil, devido a questões físicas, está confirmado para o Clássico Vovô marcado para este sábado, às 18h30, no Nilton Santos.

RelacionadasBotafogoPromessa de casa cheia: Botafogo divulga nova parcial de sua torcida clássico diante do FluminenseBotafogo19/05/2023BotafogoPrestes a oficializar sua chegada ao Botafogo, Diego Hernández divulga foto de seu embarque para o BrasilBotafogo19/05/2023BotafogoBotafogo x Fluminense: onde assistir, horário e escalações do jogo do BrasileirãoBotafogo19/05/2023

da bet7： O técnico Luís Castro, porém, ainda tem dúvidas para montar a equipe que lutará pela manutenção da liderança da competição nacional.

+ Veja a tabela e os jogos da Série A do Brasileirão 2023

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

As dúvidas se voltam principalmente para o meio de campo alvinegro. A forte sequência física ainda deixa em aberto algumas vagas. Marlon Freitas e Tchê Tchê podem ter um descanso.

A provável escalação conta com: Lucas Perri; Di Plácido, Adryelson, Cuesta, Marçal; Marlon Freitas (Gabriel Pires), Tchê Tchê (Lucas Fernandes) e Eduardo; Júnior Santos, Tiquinho Soares e Victor Sá.

Chelsea have now joined the race to sign a £43m striker, who is also being targeted by a number of other Premier League clubs, according to a report.

Blues making moves to sign new attackers

As we edge closer to the summer transfer window, the Blues have started to step up their pursuit of new forwards, having now opened talks to sign Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, amid the uncertainty surrounding Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho’s futures.

Madueke has emerged as a target for AC Milan, with the Italian club lodging a £33m bid for the England international, while there have been widespread reports that Sancho could be sent back to Manchester United, if Enzo Maresca’s side pay a £5m fee.

Not only are the west Londoners keen on strengthening out wide, but they are also well-known to be interested in a new striker, and Jon Obi Mikel recently revealed Napoli’s Victor Osimhen “really wants” to move to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Chelsea willing to bid £60m+ for "extraordinary" star who is ready to move

Enzo Maresca is looking to take advantage of his situation this summer.

1

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Mar 23, 2025

Other options include Premier League stars Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, with a pre-summer bid for the Englishman believed to be in the works.

There is no shortage of strikers on the shortlist, but Chelsea have now joined the race for another forward, with a report from Viola News revealing they are now closely monitoring Fiorentina’s Moise Kean, who is a subject of interest for several English clubs.

Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are also in the race for Kean, who has a €52m (£43m) release clause in his contract with the Italian club, which is starting to look like a bargain fee.

The Italian recently bagged two goals for his national side against Germany, which has thrust his name back into the spotlight, and there is a feeling £43m could be way below his actual value.

"King of kings" Kean impressing for club and country

The Italy international made a real statement by scoring a brace against Germany on Sunday evening, and he has also been extremely impressive at club level this season, picking up 20 goals and three assists in all competitions.

The former Everton man is showing real signs of development this season, with football writer Mina Rzouki claiming “his performances just keep getting better”, while also dubbing the 25-year-old the “king of kings”.

It looks like the striker’s career could finally be taking off, having been inconsistent in the past, failing to adapt to life in England during his time with the Toffees, while also struggling to regularly provide goals for Juventus over the past three seasons.

While his previous spell in England will be a concern, it is exciting news that Chelsea are in the race for Kean, and if he is able to maintain his current levels of performance, £43m could prove to be a bargain fee.

Tottenham Hotspur are now believed to be in a good position to seal the astute capture of an “interesting” striker this summer, despite him attracting plenty of attention from elsewhere.

Tottenham play Liverpool as Postecoglou looks to avoid 19th Premier League defeat

Ange Postecoglou’s sacking at the end of the season is highly likely as things stand, according to reports, and it could occur regardless of what happens in their Europa League campaign (The Telegraph).

Tottenham talking about appointing "special" manager wanted by Real Madrid

Spurs decision-makers now want to show ambition.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 26, 2025

Spurs have tasted defeat a woeful 18 times in the Premier League this season, and a 19th loss against Liverpool today would equal the Lilywhites’ record for most defeats in a single campaign since the competition was formed in 1992.

Liverpool (away)

Today

West Ham (away)

May 3rd

Crystal Palace (home)

May 10th

Aston Villa (away)

May 18th

Brighton (home)

May 25th

Postecoglou’s side will come up against a side who could be crowned champions of England, so Tottenham will have to be at their very best to avoid a rout and bring confidence into their all-important Europa League semi-final clash against Bodo/Glimt.

“I think you want to do more than that,” said Postecoglou on whether Tottenham just want to come through Liverpool unscathed.

“You want to go there and compete against, obviously, a very good side, and compete well and its not just about getting through unscathed, you want to get through having played well against the top team. And I think irrespective of what’s on the horizon. That’s the primary importance.

“They have been brilliant in the league this year. They have been really consistent, maintained a really high level. They have had the best players playing all the time and playing at a really high level. That is a credit to Arne, his coaching staff and the players themselves. They have been close in the last few years and the fact they are on the cusp of potentially winning another title is a credit to everyone involved.

“In the cup game first leg, I thought we were really good, we took the game to them even though again we had quite a few absences and. worked really hard to get a win in that game, so we know it’s going to be tough at the weekend, but at the same time I think it’s a great challenge for us.”

Tottenham "well-placed" to sign Feyenoord striker Zepiqueno Redmond

Away from their tough trip to Anfield, news has come to light of the club’s transfer activity ahead of this summer.

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, writing for Football Insider, Tottenham are now “well-placed” to seal a deal for Feyenoord striker Zepiqueno Redmond – who will leave the Eredivisie side on a free when his contract expires and could be a “bargain signing”.

The highly-rated 18-year-old, a Netherlands Under-19 international, has broken into the Feyenoord first team this season, making four senior league appearances, but they now look set to lose him for nothing as Spurs seek to take full advantage.

He is apparently regarded within the game as a real snip, with Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig labelling him among the Netherlands’ “interesting” crop of brand-new talents.

Chelsea have now identified an “incredible” midfielder as a potential summer transfer target, but there may be fierce competition for his signature, with a whole host of Premier League clubs keen, according to a report.

Blues stepping up summer transfer plans

While the Blues have long since been out of the Premier League title race, they are still on course to have a fairly successful season, with Friday’s 1-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur solidifying their place in the top four.

However, if Enzo Maresca’s side are to compete with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool next season, they may need to strengthen in a number of areas, with a striker believed to be of particular interest.

A £59m bid has been submitted for Real Madrid’s Endrick, while Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is also interested in a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, with a deal possible for a fee of around £68m.

Chelsea player criticised for "horrendous" attitude as Boehly looks to sell

He’s been slammed for his “arrogance” behind-the-scenes.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 3, 2025

Central midfield hasn’t been a problem position this season, with Moises Caicedo receiving rave reports, but there have been suggestions Maresca could also look to strengthen his options in the engine room this summer.

According to a report from The Boot Room, Chelsea have now joined the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson, but there could be fierce competition for his signature, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool also keen.

Larsson’s impressive performances this season have put him in the Blues’ sights, with checks being conducted, and they are planning to watch him closely when he comes up against Tottenham in the Europa League next week.

Previous reports have suggested the Swedish midfielder is valued at £50m, but his stock could well rise if he continues to perform well between now and the end of the campaign.

"Incredible" Larsson could be excellent signing

Maresca is blessed with some quality options in the middle of the park, with Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez among Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League this season, but there are plenty of signs the Frankfurt midfielder could still be a solid addition.

Sport1-journalist Christopher Michel has lauded the 20-year-old as “incredible”, and he has proven himself as a major goalscoring threat for Frankfurt over the past year, ranking in the 92nd percentile for non-penalty goals per 90.

Perhaps in part due to his goalscoring ability, the Frankfurt star has been lauded as “very similar to Bellingham” by football scout Ben Mattinson, who has also praised him for his ability in possession of the ball.

Larsson could be an excellent signing for Chelsea, but given that they are already well-stocked in midfield, signing a top striker should be their top priority this summer.

Arsenal are now preparing a bid for a midfielder who has “enormous potential”, and they believe he would be a perfect fit for Mikel Arteta’s system, according to a report.

Gunners pursuing a midfielder

Arteta will undoubtedly be very pleased with Declan Rice’s performances recently, with the Englishman scoring two remarkable free-kicks to put the Gunners in a very strong position to reach the semi-final of the Champions League.

However, the manager is keen to strengthen his midfield even further this summer, with the Spaniard and new sporting director Andrea Berta looking to bring in a partner for Rice, and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi remains one of the key targets.

The north Londoners are set to trigger Zubimendi’s £51m release clause, having already reached an agreement on personal terms, but there is set to be stiff competition for the midfielder’s signature, with Real Madrid also keen.

Arsenal now among favourites to sign £39m forward after Sane blow

The Gunners are switching to a different option.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 13, 2025

The Real Sociedad maestro is not the only La Liga midfielder on the shortlist, however, with a new report from Spain revealing Arsenal are now leading the race for Valencia’s Javi Guerra, who has emerged as a key player for the Spanish side this season.

Guerra’s performances have attracted the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs, but the Gunners are currently in the driving seat, and they are now preparing to make a considerable offer for his services.

Having closely followed the maestro’s performances, the north Londoners are convinced he would be a perfect fit for Arteta’s system, but it could be tricky to get a deal over the line.

Valencia are reluctant to sanction the midfielder’s departure, given his emergence as an important player, but there is an awareness it will be difficult to keep hold of him, amid widespread interest in his signature.

"Explosive" Guerra could has "enormous potential"

The youngster has established himself as a key player for Valencia this season, making 30 appearances in La Liga, during which time he has picked up two goals and three assists, and there are signs he could get even better.

Valencia director Miguel Angel Corona clearly believes the central midfielder is a future star, saying: “We are fully aware that we have a player with enormous potential for the future and the ability to perform at a good level now.”

Freelance scout Ben Mattinson has also given an overview of the Valencia star’s abilities, while praising him for a solid display against Celta Vigo earlier this season.

Guerra could be an excellent addition for Arsenal in midfield, so it is exciting news they could soon formalise their interest by making a huge bid.

Crystal Palace have confirmed the departure of sporting director Dougie Freedman, and now the Eagles are eyeing up a controversial move in a bid to replace him, according to a recent report.

Freedman leaves Selhurst Park for Saudi Arabia

The 50-year-old has been with the South Londoners since 2017 and has been at the heart of their recent success off the pitch in terms of bringing players such as Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, Adam Wharton, and Dean Henderson to the club.

Crystal Palace eyeing Griezmann-esque £21m forward who's an "absolute star"

The Eagles are closely following a young forward who has been compared to Antoine Griezmann.

ByDominic Lund Mar 12, 2025

Freedman was linked with moves to Manchester United and Newcastle United in the past to take up similar roles, but he remained at Crystal Palace and continued to work with Steve Parish. However, on Monday, that came to an end, as he has now left his role at Palace to take up a role overseas, believed to be in Saudi Arabia.

Palace confirmed Freedman’s departure in a statement on their official website, in which Freedman also spoke and stated how much of an “honour” it had been to work at Palace, and he is “incredibly proud” of the work that has been done. “I would like to extend my thanks to Steve Parish, the other owners and to all the staff, managers and players who have been at the club during my time here. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning from and working alongside you all.

“It’s been an honour to represent the club, and I am incredibly proud of the work that’s been done, with the Chairman’s support, in growing the football club into its current position. To be leaving the club with a squad full of exciting talent led by an excellent manager, I truly believe the foundations are in place to be built upon.

“Finally, a huge thank you to all the fans for your continued support and passion – especially with how you’ve helped new signings and academy products settle into life at Selhurst Park by supporting and getting behind the team.

Fulham (FA Cup)

A

Southampton

A

Brighton

H

Man City

A

Newcastle

A

“Crystal Palace is and will always remain in my heart, and I will continue to look for results and follow the club’s progress closely.”

Crystal Palace eyeing controversial move to replace Freedman

As Freedman’s departure has now been confirmed, according to The Daily Mail, Parish and Crystal Palace are eyeing up Iain Moody to replace the 50-year-old.

The report states that Palace are looking to re-shape their recruitment team, and Moody is likely to take up a more prominent position. Moody has been working as a managing director at Sapienza Football Consulting for the last 10 years and remains close to Parish.

Moody has worked with the Eagles before, but his time with the club was very controversial. He was the club’s sporting director for 11 months between 2013 and 2014 before he resigned under a very big cloud after it was alleged he had sent racist, homophobic, and sexist text messages to Malky Mackay, who he had worked with at Cardiff City.

Since his exit, Moody has been back at Selhurst Park to watch Crystal Palace games, and given his relationship with Parish, he could be one to watch as a replacement for Freedman.