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Após o fim da sequência de jogos em casa, que se encerrou na última quarta-feira (17) na vitória por 3 a 0 diante do Fortaleza, pela partida de ida das oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil, o Palmeiras agora se prepara para uma maratona de quatro confrontos longe do Allianz Parque.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol LatinoAntes da Libertadores, Boca Jrs derrota Argentinos Jrs com gol de ex-PalmeirasFutebol Latino19/05/2023PalmeirasOLHAR DO PORCO: Rios titular do Palmeiras? Calma que não é bem assim, porcada…Palmeiras19/05/2023Fora de CampoVeja quem narra Santos x Palmeiras e onde assistir ao clássico paulista no BrasileirãoFora de Campo19/05/2023

+ Santos x Palmeiras: onde assistir, escalações e desfalques do jogo da 7ª rodada do Brasileirão

O Verdão vai até a Baixada Santista para disputar o clássico diante do Santos neste sábado (20), às 21h, na Vila Belmiro, pela sétima rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Em seguida, na próxima quarta-feira (24), viaja ao Paraguai para jogo importante contra o Cerro Porteño-PAR, pela quarta rodada da fase de grupos da Libertadores. Depois, vai a Belo Horizonte encarar o Atlético-MG pelo Brasileirão e, por fim, encerra a maratona com a decisão na Copa do Brasil: mede forças com o Fortaleza no dia 31 de maio, no Castelão, pelo jogo de volta da competição.

Embalado após a vitória diante do Leão do Pici, o Palmeiras chegou a 29 partidas de invencibilidade no seu estádio, superando a marca anterior, que era de 28, alcançada entre agosto de 2016 e junho de 2017. A última derrota do Verdão no Allianz Parque ocorreu no dia 2 de julho de 2022, diante do Athletico, pela 15ª rodada do Brasileirão. Desde então, foram 22 vitórias e sete empates.

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Já campeão paulista e da Supercopa do Brasil nesta temporada, o Palmeiras quer conquistar mais títulos no ano e vem bem nas três competições que disputa: é o vice-líder do Campeonato Brasileiro com 14 pontos, um a menos que o primeiro colocado Botafogo, está na segunda posição do grupo C da Libertadores com os mesmos seis pontos líder Bolívar-BOL, porém atrás devido ao saldo de gols e com larga vantagem para a partida de volta das oitavas de final da Copa do Brasil contra Fortaleza.

+ Palmeiras recebe a quarta certificação do gramado sintético do Allianz Parque pela Fifa

O Palmeiras vem de oito vitórias consecutivas e 11 jogos de invencibilidade contra o Santos (nove vitórias, dois empates, 19 gols marcados e oito gols sofridos). Logo, neste sábado (20), pode igualar a maior sequência de vitórias na história do clássico, de nove triunfos consecutivos, registrada duas vezes: entre 1921 e 1926 e entre 1940 e 1942.

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Leeds United are “now leading the race” to sign a £30m+ star for Daniel Farke in the final days of the summer transfer window.

Farke wants two more Leeds signings after Arsenal defeat

The Whites suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season on Saturday evening, losing 5-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Mikel Arteta’s side only had five shots on target but were dominant throughout, with Farke admitting after that it won’t be a “season-defining” loss for his side.

“I think it’s fair to say that Arsenal deserved to win this game today. They were the better side, they deserved also to win this game with a good proper goal difference.

“I’m not sure if it was actually a 5-0 because five shots on target and they scored with all five of these shots. Long story short, it’s more like when a team like Arsenal are on it – a team who in the last three years is probably the best team in the whole of Europe at least in consistency you could argue – not title winners but no other team has showed this consistency – then it’s always difficult. It’s not a season-defining game for us. We accept they were better than us.”

A Longstaff repeat: Leeds considering late move for "outstanding" PL star

Leeds United appear to be targeting yet another Premier League talent before the transfer deadline.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 23, 2025

Farke was also asked how the result would impact the club’s transfer plans, with the manager confirming he wants at lest another winger and full-back before the Monday September 1 deadline.

Winger Largie Ramazani was a notable exclusion from the traveling squad at the Emirates, and by the looks of things, Leeds may have found the winger they and Farke are after to potently replace him.

Leeds “leading the race” for £30m+ Dilane Bakwa

According to Sacha Tavolieri, Leeds are “now leading the race” to sign Dilane Bakwa from Strasbourg.

A Sky Sports reporter, Tavolieri said that the Whites are now ahead of Nottingham Forest for the 22-year-old and are ready to meet the €35m (£30.3m) asking price.

“Leeds United now leading the race for Dilane Bakwa. LUFC are now ready to meet Racing Strasbourg expectations which around €35M to make a deal happen. NFFC has not left but the newly promoted are now ahead.”

Should a deal materialise for the “very exciting” forward, £30m+ Bakwa would easily become the 49ers’ most expensive signing of the summer and take the club’s spending over £100m.

A versatile attacker capable of playing on either wing, Bakwa is left-footed and appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €25m Transfermarkt valuation.

Signed by Strasbourg in 2023, Bakwa has scored 11 goals and registered 19 assists in 68 games for his current employers, and by the looks of things, could be heading to Elland Road over the next week.

After Thomas Frank’s appointment earlier this summer, no Tottenham Hotspur fan could’ve envisaged the perfect start the side has made to his tenure.

The Lilywhites have won both of their first two Premier League matches, scoring five times and keeping two clean sheets – a third of their tally from the previous campaign.

Their victory over Manchester City has undoubtedly been the best victory of the Dane’s spell in charge – restricting Pep Guardiola’s side to limited opportunities at the Etihad.

However, the 51-year-old is still hunting for further reinforcements in the transfer market, especially after missing out on Eberechi Eze to North London rivals Arsenal.

Numerous players have been on their radar over recent days, potentially offering the new boss the talent he craves in such a position for 2025/26 and beyond.

Spurs’ hunt for a new attacking midfielder

Over the last couple of days, Spurs made a £61m offer for Como star Nico Paz, highlighting the hierarchy’s ambitions of improving the squad before the September 1st deadline.

However, the offer for the Argentine was swiftly rejected by the Serie A side, with the player himself wanting to stay at Cesc Fàbregas’ side for the time being.

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As a result, the Lilywhites have moved on to different targets, resulting in Leicester City talent Bilal El Khannouss once again appearing on the club’s radar ahead of the end of the window.

According to GIVEMESPORT, Frank’s side have made the decision to enter the race, after Crystal Palace made a move to land the 21-year-old.

It’s been reported that he’s set to leave the Foxes before the end of the window, with a £22m transfer fee being mooted to prise the youngster away from the Foxes.

The playmaker had been widely expected to move to the Eagles but is now giving thought to moving to Spurs.

It’s alleged that ‘there is a serious possibility that he will choose’ Tottenham over Palace when he makes a decision on his future this week.

Why Spurs’ £22m target would be perfect for Kudus

Earlier this summer, Spurs landed the signature of Mohammed Kudus, costing £55m from West Ham United – becoming the first major signing of Frank’s tenure at the helm.

The Ghanaian, who can operate in numerous positions, has started both of the club’s Premier League outings – cementing his place at the top end of the Lilywhites squad.

Whilst he’s failed to get himself on the scoresheet, the 24-year-old has registered two assists in his first two outings – both of which came in the triumph over Burnley in North London.

His direct dribbling and ability to create carnage within the final third has already caught the eye of the supporters, potentially being a bargain despite his big-money transfer fee.

However, despite Kudus’ impressive start to life under Frank, he could reach the next level in the months ahead if the side land a deal for El Khannouss in the coming days.

Despite relegation from the Premier League last season, the youngster produced numerous impressive figures that would bring the hierarchy’s hunt for a new attacking midfielder to an end.

El Khannouss, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by analyst Ben Mattinson, ranked in the 90th percentile for passes into the final third (3.7) and the 86th percentile for progressive passes (5.3).

Games played

32

Goals & assists

5

Pass accuracy

75%

Progressive passes

5.3

Passes into the final third

3.7

Key passes made

1.7

Progressive carries

3.1

Carries into the final third

1.9

Take-on success

57%

Both figures would allow the Moroccan to provide countless chances for Kudus within attacking areas, helping the former Hammers star build on his impressive start to life at the Lilywhites.

He also completed 57% of the take-ons he attempted, whilst making 1.9 carries into the final third per 90 – having the ability to glide past the opposition and cause problems for the opposition in dangerous positions.

Such numbers are impressive, but the end product is just as important, something which El Khannouss has demonstrated by his tally of five combined goals and assists in England’s top-flight throughout 2024/25.

Given the Eagles’ interest in landing the 21-year-old, Frank and the Spurs hierarchy need to act quickly to make a move for his signature to avoid missing out on yet another summer target.

If they do land the youngster, it would be a bargain transfer and one that could hand Kudus the platform to reach the next level in his career during his stint in North London.

Their own Paz: Spurs likely to see £47m bid accepted for "ridiculous" star

Spurs are looking for alternatives after their Nico Paz setback.

1 ByWill Miller Aug 26, 2025

Manchester United are expected to make an offer for a £70m star, who is now leaning towards a move to Old Trafford despite interest from another Premier League club, according to a report.

Man Utd pursuing striker amid Hojlund uncertainty

With less than two weeks to go before the start of the Premier League season, Man United are still yet to get a new centre-forward through the door, which is likely to be a concern for Ruben Amorim, given that his current options struggled last season.

Rasmus Hojlund scored just four Premier League goals in the 2024-25 campaign, and the Danish striker clearly hasn’t done enough in pre-season to convince Amorim he deserves another chance, with United now open to a departure.

Indeed, widespread reports have suggested the Red Devils would be willing to take a major loss on Hojlund by cashing in for just £30m.

In recent times, it has emerged that RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is one of Amorim’s major targets to replace Hojlund, although Newcastle United are also in the picture.

In a promising update from Sky Sports, however, it has been revealed that Sesko is leaning towards a move to Old Trafford, despite rival interest from Newcastle, with Man United now expected to make a formal offer.

United have held talks with Leipzig regarding how much a deal would cost, with Newcastle also in ongoing negotiations, having already made a second bid in the region of £70m.

Sought-after star who wants to stay at Man Utd now targeted by Erik ten Hag

The Red Devils could be set to receive a surprise proposal.

BySean Markus Clifford Aug 4, 2025 Sesko would be statement signing for Man Utd

United would be making a major statement if they were able to secure a deal for Sesko, despite not having any European football on offer next season, and there are plenty of signs the Slovenian would be a fantastic addition to Amorim’s squad.

At 22-years-old, the centre-forward is capable of leading the line for the Red Devils for many years to come, and he has regularly been among the goals at RB Leipzig over the past two campaigns, scoring a combined 27 in the Bundesliga.

Season

Bundesliga appearances

Goals

Assists

2023-24

31

14

2

2024-25

33

13

5

It is promising news that Sesko is leaning towards a move to Old Trafford, but Man United may have to move quickly to secure his services, given Newcastle’s level of interest.

Steven Smith has set his sights on the 2028 Olympics, declaring he wants to prolong his short-form career and return to Australia’s T20 team for the Los Angeles Games.Smith produced one of the finest T20 innings of his career on Saturday, smashing an unbeaten 121 from 64 balls for Sydney Sixers against Perth Scorchers to set up a BBL victory.Australia’s former T20 captain hit seven sixes in his knock, manipulating Scorchers’ bowling and getting inventive in his efforts to target the short boundary.Related

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• Stats – Smith, Short shatter BBL batting records on Super Saturday

Smith has become something of a forgotten force in T20 cricket in recent years, and even missed selection in Australia’s squad for last year’s T20 World Cup. He has also been overlooked in the past four IPL auctions, the only franchise cricket he played last year being for Washington in the USA’s Major League Cricket.But Smith’s BBL form has regularly shown he is among the best T20 openers in the country, hitting three centuries in his last seven matches in the competition. The trio of tons brought him level with Ben McDermott for the most in tournament history, with Smith having played just 32 games to McDermott’s 100.His average of 45.88 is the highest of any local, while he holds the sixth best strike-rate of any player with 146.3.But Smith says he does not want to be a domestic-player only in the shortest format, eying off a return to Australian colours.”I’d like to play the Olympics, I reckon that would be cool,” Smith said. “We’ll see how far I go in terms of long-form cricket. But I am going to play short-form cricket for a while I think when I do finish. You never know. There are a lot of good young kids who are smacking the ball out of the park.”Steven Smith was spectacular at the SCG•Getty Images

Smith will be 39 by the time cricket returns to the Olympics in 2028, with the sport featuring for the first time since 1900 when only Great Britain and France featured.He has not yet outlined his retirement plans for red-ball cricket, but has made no secret of his desire to play T20s longer into the future.Smith entered Saturday’s game with virtually no T20 preparation, with a 15-minute net before the BBL game his only hit against the white ball following the India Test series.He has played solely as an opener in T20, with his record generally improving the longer a tournament goes on. And with the likely chance to focus solely on the 20-over format in years to come, Smith believes his game could improve further.”I find the more I play back-to-back games you get in sync with the game,” Smith said. “Even [Saturday] I don’t think I played my first 10 balls really well. I was probably going a bit too hard for how the wicket was playing.”But if I am playing T20s regularly, I probably come out with a slightly different mindset at the start, give myself a bit more time. It’s just the gears and going up and down in the gears throughout the innings [that change for T20s]. And just playing the percentages.”

حسم التعادل الإيجابي مباراة منتخب ليبيا، أمام نظيره الرأس الأخضر، في اللقاء الذي جمعهما اليوم الأربعاء، ضمن منافسات التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى كأس العالم، بنتيجة 3-3.

وأضاع المنتخب الليبي فرصة حسم تأهله إلى كأس العالم 2026 بعد تعادله المخيب للآمال، في الجولة التاسعة من تصفيات المجموعة الرابعة.

طالع.. تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام جيبوتي في تصفيات كأس العالم.. مصطفى محمد أساسيًا

افتتح روبرتو بيكو التسجيل بالخطأ في مرماه لصالح ليبيا في الدقيقة الأولى، بعد عرضية من فاضل سلامة، وقبل نهاية الشوط الأول، أدرك تيلمو أركانجو التعادل لصالح الرأس الأخضر في الدقيقة 30.

وعاد عز الدين المليمي لتسجيل الهدف الثاني لليبيا في الدقيقة 42، ثم أضاف محمود الشلوي الهدف الثالث في الدقيقة 58 من تصويبة صاروخية من ركلة حرة.

وتمكن الرأس الأخضر من استغلال خطأ للحارس مراد الوحيشي، حيث سجل سيدني لوبيز كابرال هدفًا من منتصف الملعب في الدقيقة 76، قبل أن يخطف ويلي سيميدو هدف التعادل القاتل في الدقيقة 82.

وبهذا التعادل، توقف رصيد ليبيا عند 15 نقطة في المركز الثالث، فيما تصدر منتخب الرأس الأخضر المجموعة برصيد 20 نقطة.

Chelsea look on course to agree to a dramatic late exit ahead of the Monday 7pm transfer deadline, thanks to super agent Ali Barat, who has brokered the transfer.

Enzo Maresca’s side, without a doubt, take this summer’s crown for most industrious selling club.

In total, Chelsea have raised around £310 million in player sales, having agreed the departures of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Armando Broja, Lesley Ugochukwu, Renato Veiga, Alfie Gilchrist, Carney Chukwuemeka and Christopher Nkunku.

Chelsea’s summer transfers (permanent only)

Incoming

Outgoing

Joao Pedro

Noni Madueke

Jamie Gittens

João Félix

Jorrel Hato

Djordje Petrovic

Liam Delap

Lesley Ugochukwu

Dario Essugo

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Mamadou Sarr

Renato Veiga

Estevao

Armando Broja

Kendry Paez

Carney Chukwuemeka

Alejandro Garnacho

Mathis Amougou

Basir Humphreys

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Marcus Bettinelli

Christopher Nkunku

Nicolas Jackson

Alfie Gilchrist

Lucas Bergstrom

Madueke, Amougou, Dewsbury-Hall and Nkunku’s departures have helped Chelsea to make room for new summer signings, which is crucial for the west Londoners to register their new recruits in Maresca’s Champions League squad, due to a complex agreement with UEFA.

Nkunku agreed to join AC Milan earlier this week for a fee of around £36 million (including add-ons), while Jackson was tipped to leave imminently this week by his own agent, Diomansy Kramara, in a public statement.

Now, the decision with hours to go looks like Nicolas Jackson will be a Bayern Munich player after days of back and forth.

Nicolas Jackson set to join Bayern Munich from Chelsea

The Senegalese is set to compete with one of Europe’s best strikers, Harry Kane, in a star-studded Bayern side who are favourites to clinch another Bundesliga title under former Man City captain Vincent Kompany.

On Saturday morning, Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg broke the news that Jackson will join Bayern on loan for £13m – a record loan fee – with an option to buy for around £56 million in 2026. The deal was helped on by Barat, who worked as a mediator between the parties, with the representative helping Chelsea trim their squad whilst also securing a mammoth move for Jackson.

At one point, after the injury to Liam Delap, the Blues wanted Jackson to return to Stamford Bridge. Instead, they ended up recalling Marc Guiu from Sunderland and now look on course to give Jackson his wish with a move to Bayern, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 24-year-old bagged 13 goals and six assists in 37 appearances for Chelsea last season, including a strike in the Conference League final against Real Betis, but scored just once in the Premier League since the turn of 2025, with the Blues securing the biggest loan fee in football history for an out of form player.

Celtic are set to be extremely busy in the closing hours of the transfer market.

After failing to qualify for the Champions League this week, dumped out by Kairat on penalties in the play-off round, Brendan Rodgers is demanding signings ahead of a Europa League campaign.

Well, he has so far got his wish, with winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha arriving from Royal Antwerp for £5m, while left-back Marcelo Saracchi has also joined on a season-long loan from Boca Juniors, with a £2m option to buy.

However, Celtic supporters’ main focus remains the striker situation, so could the Celts land their number one target, a forward reminiscent of Giorgos Giakoumakis?

Celtic's search for a striker

Somewhat out of nowhere, as reported by various sources, Swansea City have agreed to sign Adam Idah for £7m.

The Republic of Ireland international only joined Celtic permanently for £9.5m last summer, but has yet to nail down a regular starting spot, hooked at half time of the miserable Champions League first leg against Kairat at Parkhead.

Idah successfully completed a medical in South Wales on Friday, but will only be allowed to leave if the Hoops secure a replacement.

So, as reported by the Herald, Celtic’s first-choice target to be just that is Kasper Dolberg.

The Hoops’ opening bid has been rejected, with Anderlecht valuing the Danish international at around £8m, with the Celts ‘yet to match’ this valuation, after initial talks.

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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The Belgian club are, somewhat, under pressure to sell, having crashed out of the Conference League on Thursday, beaten 2-0 by AEK Athens, but are ‘reluctant’ to lose their star attacker, so will Celtic make an offer that satisfies the record-34-times Belgian champions?

What Kasper Dolberg would bring to Celtic

Still only 27 years old, it feels like Dolberg – who Peter Bosz once claimed can “become absolute world-class” – has been around forever.

The Dane first burst onto the scene at Ajax, scoring an impressive 45 goals in 119 appearances for the Amsterdam-based giants, a key figure in the side that reached the Europa League Final in 2017 and the Champions League semi-finals two years later.

This form earned him a big-money move to Nice in the summer of 2019 but, despite scoring 11 Ligue 1 goals during his first season in the French Riviera, he did not live up to expectations.

He was shipped out on loan to Sevilla and then Hoffenheim, scoring no goals for los Nervionenses and just two in the colours of die Kraichgauer, but has really rediscovered his best form since moving to Anderlecht two summers ago.

In 95 appearances for the Purple and Whites, Dolberg has accumulated 44 goals, only two players bettered his tally of 18 in last season’s Jupiler Pro League, scoring five goals already this season, on target against Häcken, Sheriff Tiraspol and AEK Athens in UEFA qualifiers.

His form in Brussels has also seen Dolberg work his way back into the international picture, likely to be leading the line for Denmark against Scotland in a World Cup qualifier next Friday night.

So which Celtic striker from the not-too-distant past would Dolberg be reminiscent of?

Well, like the Dane, Giakoumakis joined Celtic in his mid-20s, having bounced around various European clubs, as the table below documents.

Clubs

6

7

Appearances

324

186

Goals

115

57

Assists

31

12

International caps

55

6

International goals

12

1

As the table notes, Dolberg in the present day has achieved far more in his career than Giakoumakis had when he was signed by Ange Postecoglou in August 2021.

Well, the Greek international made quite the impact at Parkhead, scoring 26 times in Hoops, averaging a goal every 97 minutes, picking up the Premiership golden boot during his sole full-season in Glasgow.

Thus, if Dolberg could replicate anything like that, he would be a roaring success, surely representing a major upgrade on the outgoing Idah.

Rodgers can forget Yang: Celtic in talks over late move for £5m sensation

After crashing out of the Champions League against Kairat, Celtic need new attackers, now in talks to sign a £5m Yang Hyun-Jun upgrade.

ByBen Gray Aug 28, 2025

Real Madrid wonderkid Franco Mastantuono congratulated his Clasico rival and Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal for finishing second in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings. The young Argentine was asked about being compared to Yamal after the former River Plate sensation scored his first goal for Los Blancos in Tuesday's 4-1 win over newly-promoted Levante.

Yamal misses out on Ballon d'Or

Yamal was widely tipped for a high finish in the 2025 Ballon d'Or rankings, with fans, pundits, and former players all backing the Barcelona teenager to claim the prestigious award. However, the Spanish international finished runner-up, with Paris Saint-Germain talisman Ousmane Dembele taking home the award on Monday evening. Yamal didn't leave empty-handed, though, winning the Kopa Trophy for the second year in a row. 

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMastantuono sends his wishes to Yamal

Yamal received congratulatory wishes from Mastantuono, who has already started to be compared with his Clasico rival given they are both 18 and play in the same position.

"I congratulate Lamine Yamal on his second place in the Ballon d'Or. I think he's a great player," Mastantuono told reporters on Tuesday. 

When asked about being compared to Yamal, the Argentine international added: "Obviously, it's not my place to say that. I try not to compare myself to anyone, but rather to play for my team, which I believe is what ultimately leads to individual success."

Mastantuono opens Real Madrid account

Mastantuono started his fifth game for Los Blancos and his third on the bounce, as Xabi Alonso's side cruised to a 4-1 away win over Levante. The teenage sensation scored Madrid's second goal of the evening to finally open his account for his new team. Coincidentally, Madrid's eternal legend Alfredo Di Stefano – an Argentine signed from River Plate – scored his first-ever goal for the Merengues exactly 72 years ago, on September 23, 1953. 

"They told me [about Di Stefano's first goal] when I came in, it's unbelievable. It makes me incredible proud to share that day with him," said Mastantuono. 

"Of course, I wouldn't compare myself to such a great player, but these kinds of small details are lovely. It's a special feeling and an incredible moment. I've been waiting for tonight for a while and luckily it happened for me. And the team got a great result, so that's really positive, I'm really happy."

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Getty Images SportWhen will Mastantuono and Yamal face each other?

The talented young duo will face each other on the pitch for the first-time ever next month, when Madrid welcome Barca at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 26. Before that, though, Mastantuono will be eager to continue his stunning start to life with Madrid on Saturday against Atletico Madrid. 

England have lost nine of their ten white-ball games this year, culminating in their early exit from the Champions Trophy

Matt Roller26-Feb-20253:13

Knight: Will be tough for Buttler to hold on to captaincy

Jos Buttler has conceded that he will “consider all possibilities” about his future as England’s white-ball captain after they were eliminated from the Champions Trophy following an eight-run defeat to Afghanistan on Wednesday night. It was their ninth loss in ten white-ball matches this year.Buttler won the 2022 T20 World Cup, his first ICC tournament as captain, but England have underperformed ever since. They lost six out of nine games at the 2023 ODI World Cup, were thrashed by India in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in 2024, and have now gone out of the Champions Trophy with one group match remaining following back-to-back defeats to Australia and Afghanistan.Related

Decline and fall: England face up to scale of ODI rebuilding job

Zadran 177, Omarzai five-wicket haul knock England out

Matthew Mott lost his job as England’s coach after last year’s T20 World Cup and Buttler admitted that he had feared for his own job at the time. He has since captained the team on a tough tour to India, where they won only once in eight games, and appeared to concede that his time in charge was likely up in the aftermath of Wednesday night’s game.”It’s tough to say, stood here right now, and I don’t want to make any sort of emotional statements,” Buttler told . “But I think it’s fair to say that you’ve got to consider all possibilities.”I’ve enjoyed it [the captaincy]. I’ve seen lots of people say it doesn’t sit well with me, but I do enjoy it. I enjoy the challenge. Obviously, I don’t enjoy losing games of cricket and the results. And, of course, when they’re not going well, you do look at yourself in the mirror and say, ‘am I part of the problem or am I part of the solution?’ I think that’s what I’ve got to work out.”Buttler admitted at his post-match press conference that his future may not be in his own hands. “You [the press] are probably not the first people I’d discuss that with,” he said. “I’ll take a little bit of time to work out, personally, what I think is right, and obviously the guys at the top are in charge, and they’ll have their own views as well.2:16

Buttler on captaincy: Have to work up whether I’m part of the problem or solution

“I enjoy leading. Even before, when I wasn’t captain, I’d like to think of myself as a leader in the team. But results are tough, and they weigh heavy at times. Of course, you want to be leading a winning team, and we haven’t been that for a while now, so obviously that brings some difficult moments.”Harry Brook captained England in their ODI series against Australia in September and is their official vice-captain at the Champions Trophy, while Liam Livingstone (ODI) and Phil Salt (T20I) have also deputised in Buttler’s absence. After Saturday’s game against South Africa, England’s next white-ball fixtures are against West Indies in June.In Lahore, England fell just short in pursuit of the 326-run target set by Afghanistan despite Joe Root’s first ODI hundred since 2019. Buttler said that their failure to reach the target on a flat pitch was a reflection of the team’s wider struggles.”I think a confident team would’ve romped home tonight,” he said. “That’s the way sport goes sometimes. When you’ve been short of results in those 50-50 games, you probably find ways to lose as opposed to win when you’re a really confident, flying team.Buttler fell for 38 after an 83-run partnership with Joe Root•Getty Images

“The last ten overs with the ball got away from us: they scored 113 runs in that phase. If we could have restricted them, that would’ve made the chase a lot easier. Joe Root played an unbelievable innings, full of class and character as usual, and we needed one of the top six to go longer with him.”Everyone is going to be very disappointed, and it is going to be raw… You’ve got to allow things like this to push you forward and drive you forward in your future – as an individual, as a team, and, as an England white-ball side, to get back to the level that we want to be at, competing in these tournaments and being here to win.”Buttler fell for 38 at a critical time in the run chase after an 83-run stand with Root, opening up an end for Afghanistan to target. He has been short of runs in 50-over cricket for some time, with 352 ODI runs at 22.00 since the start of the 2023 World Cup.”I think when I’m at my best, I’m one of the best players in the world,” he said. “I’m not performing at that level at the moment. I’ve felt in good touch, but I’m not getting the scores that I’ve been used to over time, so that’s frustrating.”