“As a leader, I want to empower everyone to be the best version of themselves”

Valkerie Baynes13-May-2025

Nat Sciver-Brunt hasn’t just been juggling life as a new working mum in recent weeks, but also an intensive rehab programme on an Achilles injury that means she will start her tenure as England Women’s captain playing as a batter only.Speaking publicly for the first time since her appointment as Heather Knight’s successor a fortnight ago and becoming a mum with wife Katherine in March, allrounder Sciver-Brunt said she had been battling Achilles tendinopathy “on and off for years”. But her maternity leave had allowed a clear six-week window to treat the injury – including painful shockwave therapy – which had her on track to bat during her first assignment as captain, when England host West Indies in two white-ball series starting on May 21.”For now I haven’t been bowling,” Sciver-Brunt said. “Just from an Achilles perspective to build up my workload through playing, batting is important in terms of the next step up. So certainly for the first part of the summer I’ll be playing as a batter.”My intention is to keep bowling. I mean, bowling 10 overs every 50-over match probably isn’t something that is sustainable for me. But I’d like to have a good role with the ball as well.”It just came to a head and was very sore during the winter, so I was really glad to have a chance to have a good period of rehab so that I can go through the summer more pain-free, obviously with a big 50-over World Cup after the summer. I’m on track, which I’m really happy about.”Related

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Sciver-Brunt said she was still adjusting to “a new normal” since the arrival of son Theo, who will join Nat and Katherine on tour as England look to put their 16-0 Ashes drubbing at the hands of Australia in January behind them.”It’s been interesting, obviously doing everything I can to get back into cricket and whilst rehabbing my Achilles was important,” she said. “Doing all of that and then being at home and there for Katherine and Theo has been tricky at times, but looking after a newborn is really rewarding.”To be asked [to be captain] is a huge privilege and one that I didn’t want to turn down. Obviously that doesn’t come without its challenges in terms of where I’m at in my life and the changes that have happened outside of cricket, to becoming a mum and getting used to all of that, so it will be a new thing to get used to, but hopefully something I can take in my stride.”West Indies named their squad – without the injured Chinelle Henry and Deandra Dottin – on Tuesday and England were set to follow suit within 48 hours. During that time Lydia Greenway is expected to be confirmed as the national women’s selector, a new position created to work alongside head coach Charlotte Edwards, England Women’s managing director Clare Connor and director Jonathan Finch on a four-person selection panel.Unlike Knight, Sciver-Brunt won’t be part of the selection panel as captain, although she will have share her views in pre-selection meetings with Edwards and have a say in the starting XI for each match.England are yet to settle on a leadership group to support Sciver-Brunt and on whether they will have a vice-captain. In her role as deputy, Sciver-Brunt was called upon a number of times to lead the side in Knight’s absence, most recently midway through their T20 World Cup defeat to West Indies in October which resulted in England failing to reach the knockout phase of the tournament. Sciver-Brunt has a 9-3 win-loss record in the 12 matches she has captained for England – 11 T20Is, including at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and one ODI.”We’ve had some great success when I’ve stepped in to captain, but also lost a few games as well,” she reflected. “Just learning from those experiences and working out the best way to help everybody on the pitch stay level and in the best place to perform well, that’s the biggest learning, how to help people get back to their normal, which we’ve done a lot of as a group over the last year or so.”I’ll be having conversations with everybody just to work out the best way to work with them when we’re on the pitch and what they would need from me to help them best work.”As a leader, I want to empower everyone to be the best version of themselves, as a group I want us all to work really hard for each other and the team and themselves, and also making smarter decisions, with learning about the game and different experiences and using what we’ve done really well in the past and just tweaking it a little. We’ve got a great chance with a new coach, a new captain to start fresh I suppose, and look forward as a group. We’ll look to tweak a few things and hopefully we can win a few more games.”

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has dropped an important injury claim regarding one of his teammates ahead of the Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid.

Van Dik excited about "fantastic" Isak

The Premier League champions won 1-0 at Burnley on Sunday afternoon, being frustrated for large periods but winning it through a last-gasp Mohamed Salah penalty.

Liverpool could have done with new signing Alexander Isak’s ruthlessness at times, and speaking after the game, captain Virgil van Dijk waxed lyrical over the Swede, having trained with him last week.

“Very good! Listen, he is going to be very important for the football club. Obviously he is a fantastic player and he has to realise that this is another step up, there’s more things to be asked from him on and off the pitch, but I’m not worried whatsoever.

“He is going to do pretty well, like the other new boys as well. It’s time for him now to get as fit as possible as quickly as possible and be important with goals, with link-up play – like Hugo [Ekitike] is already as well. It’s good to have competition. We have to push each other to be successful and I’m confident that will be the case.”

Alisson drops injury update regarding teammate

Speaking to ESPN after the Burnley game [via Sport Witness], Alisson claimed that Alexis Mac Allister should be fine after being on the end of a bad tackle at Turf Moor, suggesting he should be fit for Liverpool’s visit of Atlético Madrid on Wednesday, also praising the Reds’ new signings.

“He’s a very strong man. Nothing’s wrong with him, he was just in a bit of pain. I think he’s fine.

“All the players who left were important. Lucho, Darwin, they all made a difference for us with goals or their playing, fighting, defending. They had good energy, and we miss them. The ones who arrived are stars, they’re doing very well with their contributions, they have a lot of quality. It’s clear we want to improve because we need to; we have many competitions to play.”

Mac Allister hasn’t quite got going this season, having been injured at one point, and he was off the pace at Burnley, perhaps due to his exploits for Argentina during the international break.

That said, the 26-year-old still has a strong claim for being Liverpool’s most important midfielder, with his blend of quality, work rate, intelligence and leadership making him one of the first names on the team sheet.

It will be interesting to see if Arne Slot starts Mac Allister against Atlético, though, perhaps deciding to give him a breather, partnering Ryan Gravenberch with Dominik Szoboszlai.

Big-money Liverpool star is now in danger of becoming Slot's new Nunez

Arne Slot will already be concerned that this expensive Liverpool attacker is turning into his next Darwin Nunez.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Sep 15, 2025

That would then allow Mac Allister to be fresh for Saturday’s Merseyside derby clash with Everton at Anfield, which is the more important game at this stage of the season.

A second century in three days from England’s Tammy Beaumont led The Blaze to a fourth straight win as they continue to set the pace in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup women’s competition.Essex captain Grace Scrivens impressed with a fine unbeaten 120 but 231 for 9 from 50 overs always looked a difficult total to defend against their top-of-the-table opponents.The England A batter had support from Jodi Grewcock (28) and Amara Carr (34) but from too few partners overall as Ireland allrounder Orla Prendergast and England legspinner Sarah Glenn took three wickets each.Beaumont followed her unbeaten 112 against Hampshire at Trent Bridge on Sunday with 116 not out here, with backing from Scotland skipper Kathryn Bryce (47) and England’s Amy Jones (41) as The Blaze won by five wickets with 55 balls to spare. Esmae MacGregor took 3 for 42 as the pick of the Essex bowlers.Put in, Essex were 37 for 2 after 10 overs, left-arm seamer Grace Ballinger having dismissed Alice Macleod, bowled, and Cordelia Griffith, leg before.Having been 17 for 2, Scrivens and 20-year-old Grewcock built a decent recovery, adding 59 before the introduction of Ireland international Prendergast brought about a mini-collapse.Prendergast bowled Grewcock, on the back foot, and dealt Essex two more blows from balls banged in short, Florence Miller gloving behind and Sophia Smale chopping on, as 76 for 2 became 95 for 5.Scrivens found more support from Carr in adding 80 for the sixth-wicket, passing 50 from 79 balls with her fourth boundary, putting Essex in a decent position at 175 for 5 going into the last 10 overs.But Glenn, after a wicketless first spell, returned to dismiss Carr, who skied to mid-off, and Eve Gray leg before with consecutive balls before MacGregor also fell leg before in her next over. Ballinger could not complete her allocation after an injury in the field.Scrivens survived a difficult chance to long-on on 92 off Josie Groves, going on to reach 100 with her ninth boundary from 120 balls, picking up another couple and a six, off Kathryn Bryce, as she and Kate Coppack added 35 for the ninth wicket.The Essex attack struggled to contain Jones and Beaumont as the England duo propelled their side to 54 without loss in the opening powerplay. Jones eventually mistimed MacGregor to be caught at mid-on for 41 out of 92, Beaumont completing a second consecutive half-century from 54 balls with six fours and a six to the short straight boundary off Grewcock’s legspin.Jones gave way to Kathryn Bryce, with no let-up for Essex, the second-wicket pair putting on 104 in a 20-over partnership, Beaumont hitting her second six over the sightscreen at the athletics track end of the Haslegrave Ground, before Bryce feathered one behind.Sarah Bryce and Georgie Boyce both holed out chasing – in vain – a bonus point on offer for winning inside 40 overs, and Prendergast was bowled swinging, before Beaumont, whose hundred came from 110 balls, restored order by hitting Gray square of the wicket for the winning boundary, her 13th to go with two sixes.

Former Argentina striker Hernan Crespo has opened up on the "damned story" of AC Milan's Champions League final loss in Istanbul to Liverpool in 2005. Despite scoring twice in a 3-0 first-half lead, the Milan, Inter, Lazio and Parma legend admits the specific defeat is a major career regret and one that he still finds difficult to discuss.

• Champions League final loss still stings after 20 years

  Crespo has admitted the Rossoneri's infamous 2005 Champions League final defeat to Liverpool is a "damned story" that he struggled with for years. In a wide-ranging interview with Italian outlet , the 50-year-old, who scored twice in the final, reflected on the most painful moments of a decorated playing career.

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  The 'damned story' of Istanbul 2005

  Crespo was central to one of the most memorable finals in the competition's history. AC Milan stormed to a 3-0 half-time lead at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, with captain Paolo Maldini opening the scoring in the first minute before Crespo added a clinical brace in the 39th and 44th minutes. However, a remarkable six-minute spell in the second half saw Liverpool draw level through Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso, before eventually winning 3-2 on penalties. The defeat remains iconic among fans, but a significant regret for the Argentine.

  Asked what the biggest regret of his career is, he said: "Istanbul 2005, Champions League final between Milan and Liverpool. After Maldini's goal, I scored a brace, we finished the first half 3-0 up, and then the English came back and we lost on penalties. It's not easy to stomach a defeat after scoring a brace… For years, I didn't want to watch that match again. Only recently have I made peace with that damned story. But let's not dwell too much, otherwise I'll get angry again."

• Praise for Argentina successor Lautaro Martinez

  Crespo, who scored 35 goals in 64 appearances for his country, also commented on being overtaken in Argentina's all-time top scorer list by Inter captain Lautaro Martinez. The Inter star is currently level with the ex-Chelsea forward but is expected to overtake him and take fourth spot, behind Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Batistuta and Lionel Messi.

  "He's a complete striker, and he's proven it over the years at Inter and with Argentina," Crespo said. "He's deadly in the penalty area, and he sees the goal like few others. He knows how to play as a team, communicates with his teammates, and attacks the spaces. He's a good dribbler. What more can I say? Yes, I consider him a champion. He has personality, opposing defenders fear him and double-mark him. This means he's reached full maturity."

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• World Cup 'regret' with Argentina's golden generation

  Despite a stellar club career with Parma, Lazio, Inter, and Chelsea, Crespo revealed his failure to win a World Cup with a talented Argentina side remains a major source of disappointment. Playing alongside the likes of Batistuta, Juan Sebastian Veron and Diego Simeone, Crespo's national team career ended with quarter-final exits in 1998 and 2006, and a group stage elimination in 2002.

  "Throughout my career, I've chased the World Cup: my generation was born with the myth of Maradona and the 1986 Cup," he explained. "We dreamed of making the Argentinians relive those magical moments, but we didn't succeed. It's a regret I carry with me."

Leeds United will hope they can consolidate themselves as a Premier League club this season, with another promotion hunt on the cards to get up to the top-flight, not the most attractive proposition.

Instead, Daniel Farke’s Whites will pray they can comfortably stay up, despite all the weighty pressure against them, and become a top-flight regular again, much like their heyday in the 90s when Champions League football was even on the menu.

The German is working against his own label as an unproven manager at the very top, too, with a relegation blotting his otherwise sparkling CV in England when at the helm of Norwich City.

Still, the early signs suggest Leeds could be here to stay, with the Whites in a promising 11th spot at the time of writing, after a Sean Longstaff-led effort clinched a 2-2 draw against AFC Bournemouth last time out.

Longstaff's promising start at Leeds

Longstaff nearly held the individual honour of being Leeds’ match-winner against the Cherries, with his fierce effort that cannoned in off the post, gifting his new employers a slim 2-1 lead.

Unfortunately, Bournemouth had other ideas late on when Eli Kroupi scored a last-gasp equaliser, but Andoni Iraola’s men snatching a share of the points shouldn’t detract too much from Longstaff’s sublime showings all season long.

Up against their South Coast visitors, the former Newcastle United man would amazingly notch up seven key passes.

One of those passes saw Joe Rodon head home from an inch-perfect corner kick delivery – while also showing off a fiery side to his game when winning a high ten duels to keep plugging away up against the likes of former Leeds man Tyler Adams, lining up for the away team.

It will just be up to the brand new Leeds number 8 to keep up this sterling, having often fallen victim to recurring injury issues at St James’ Park that saw him fade into the background under Eddie Howe.

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For just £12m, however, Leeds look to have struck gold on an instant bargain. Yet, it could be argued that the Whites gave up an even bigger talent than Longstaff last summer, when parting ways with a midfielder for a mere £3.7m.

Former Leeds star is now better than Longstaff

Leeds have fallen foul of many blunders in recent transfer windows, with their summer activity before their relegation out of the top-flight come the end of the 2022/23 season seeing them purchase many a half-hearted presence.

Faces such as Rasmus Kristensen, Luis Sinisterra, and the aforementioned Adams would all down their tools after their demise to the Championship was confirmed, with Marc Roca also falling into this bracket of failed signings who then shied away from the intense battles to follow in the EFL.

The seven-time Spain international would only go on to make 36 first-team appearances in West Yorkshire before then packing his bags to head to his native country initially on loan, after the Whites crashed out of the promised land.

He did show signs of his top-flight quality for Leeds, even if he did sour his relationship with the club when exiting at the first possible chance after relegation, with one goal and two assists being notched up by the 28-year-old in Premier League action sticking out, alongside winning a high 4.1 duels per game

Roca’s league numbers at Betis

Stat (* = per game)

23/24

24/25

Games played

26

14

Goals scored

2

2

Assists

2

2

Touches*

56.7

47.2

Accurate passes*

38.1 (85%)

32.9 (88%)

Ball recoveries*

5.7

3.6

Total duels won*

3.7

2.4

Stats by Sofascore

Former Leeds favourite Tony Dorigo would even hail Roca as a “wonderful” talent when displaying these bursts of quality, with the Real Betis number 21 further validating that his stint in England was an off-spell by starring in La Liga consistently.

Indeed, when looking at the table in greater detail, it’s clear that Roca is a similar level talent to Longstaff or even greater, with 5.7 ball recoveries on average sticking out during his debut season back on Spanish soil. Longstaff, despite his energetic Yorkshire beginnings, has only averaged 2.7 to date.

He even reminded English crowds of what he is capable of recently when assisting Antony’s leveller in the Europa League against Nottingham Forest.

With the Spaniard also capable of slotting in at left-back or as a centre-back if needed, it could well be now that Leeds look back on the sale of the “outstanding” – as he has been labelled by journalist Jose Rodriguez for his efforts in La Liga – Catalonian as one they regret, especially for such a low amount at £3.7m.

Still, the proof will be in the pudding as to whether Roca is a stronger talent than Longstaff or not come the end of the season, as the Newcastle-born number eight attempts to make his showing against Bournemouth a commonplace expectation.

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Chelsea’s summer transfer window once again made headlines, combining record spending with significant sales.

After finishing fourth in the Premier League last season, winning the Europa Conference League, and lifting the Club World Cup by beating PSG 3-0 in the summer final, the Blues are back in the Champions League for the first time since 2023.

The club continued to invest heavily, bringing in João Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, Jorrel Hato, and Liam Delap, among others, for huge fees.

At the same time, Chelsea balanced the books by offloading players such as Christopher Nkunku, João Félix, and notably, Noni Madueke.

Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s youthful squad has shown promise but also inconsistency.

Two wins against Fulham and West Ham have been tempered by draws with Crystal Palace and Brentford, a reflection of a side still searching for rhythm.

Their return to the Champions League offered a reality check about the demands of competing at Europe’s highest level. While Madueke thrived for Arsenal, a Blues winger struggled.

Noni Madueke: From Chelsea to Arsenal

Madueke was once seen as a cornerstone of Chelsea’s rebuild.

The 23-year-old right-winger scored 20 goals and registered nine assists in 92 appearances during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Explosive when on form, he could change games with pace, dribbling, and direct running.

However, his Chelsea career was defined as much by frustration as by highlights.

The club decided to sell him to Arsenal for £52m this summer, a transfer that drew an immediate backlash from Gunners supporters.

More than 5,000 fans signed a petition under the hashtag #NoToMadueke, questioning the move.

Arsenal pressed ahead regardless, handing Madueke a full 90 minutes on his Champions League debut against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday.

Statistically, Madueke has always been a player who offers high involvement in forward play.

Last season, he averaged 6.81 progressive carries per 90 minutes, a measure of how often he drives the ball upfield.

He also attempted a high volume of shots, posting 1.33 shots on target per 90 minutes with an accuracy rate of 37.5%.

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These numbers highlight both his intent and his end product – a winger eager to make things happen, though not always efficient. One Chelsea winger is like that now.

Chelsea's new Noni Madueke

Chelsea’s 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener showed just how raw this youthful team remains.

Defensive errors – including Trevoh Chalobah’s own goal after Michael Olise’s cross and a clumsy Moises Caicedo foul that gifted Harry Kane a penalty – set the tone for a tough night.

In attack, Pedro Neto was handed the role of left-winger in Maresca’s 4-2-3-1.

It proved a difficult evening. Neto was replaced in the 68th minute after a performance that earned him a 5.8 match rating.

His individual numbers reflected the struggle:

Touches

25

Accurate Passes

11/14 (79%)

Crosses

1 (0 accurate)

Dribble Attempts

4 (2 successful)

Grounds Duels

7 (2 won)

Possession Lost

9 (2 won)

Neto’s inconsistency mirrored some of the very frustrations Chelsea fans once voiced about Madueke.

He can explode with pace and creativity, but also drift out of games, as he did in Munich.

Across last season, Neto managed 35 matches with ten goal involvements – identical to Madueke’s tally in 32 appearances.

While Neto averaged fewer progressive carries (5.00 per 90) and shots on target (0.67 per 90 at a 28.8% accuracy), he outperformed Madueke in progressive passing distance, covering an average of 96 metres per 90 minutes compared to Madueke’s 82.0.

The data illustrate why Chelsea’s decision to sell Madueke and entrust Neto with a similar role has sparked debate.

Both wingers bring pace and unpredictability, both contribute to chance creation, and both are capable of flashes of brilliance. But the numbers confirm their limitations as well.

Madueke’s higher output in progressive carries and shots suggests a winger more inclined to take risks and force opportunities.

Neto, on the other hand, contributes more in ball progression through passing, reflected in his superior progressive passing distance.

Each offers something slightly different, yet neither has consistently delivered match-winning influence.

When comparing shot creation, the two players are virtually inseparable. Madueke averaged 3.50 shot-creating actions per 90, while Neto produced 3.57.

This parity shows that both are involved in their teams’ attacking buildup, even if their execution varies.

Madueke’s numbers underline why Arsenal were willing to pay a premium despite fan scepticism.

His willingness to carry the ball forward and threaten goalkeepers with regular attempts makes him a high-upside option.

Neto’s profile fits Chelsea’s philosophy under Maresca – linking play, stretching the pitch, and helping transition through midfield – but his display against Bayern revealed how much more is needed to reach Champions League standard.

For Chelsea, the swap of Madueke for Neto feels less like a fresh direction and more like a gamble on a winger with a strikingly similar profile: exciting, unpredictable, and still searching for the consistency required to define matches at the highest level.

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1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 18, 2025

Sai Sudharsan and Gill continue to be the one-two at the top of the Orange Cap table

ESPNcricinfo staff26-May-20252:36

Will Brevis and Noor be central to CSK’s plans next season?

Purple Cap tableNoor Ahmad finished his season with 24 wickets from 14 matches after taking 3 for 21 in CSK’s last league game to go clear at the top of the table. Noor has one more wicket at this stage than Prasidh Krishna of GT, who picked up 2 for 22 and now has 23 wickets from 14 innings. For Prasidh, though, there are more games left in the competition with GT having progressed to the playoffs, unlike is the case with CSK.Prasidh’s team-mate, R Sai Kishore, moved to No. 5 after his 1 for 23 from two overs took his tally to 17 wickets from 14 games. Varun Chakravarthy of KKR also has the same number of wickets from 13 innings after he went wicketless in Delhi on Sunday – he had figures of 0 for 54 from his three overs as SRH blasted their way to 278 for 3. Varun slid down to No. 6 as a result.Mumbai Indians’ (MI) Trent Boult, who has 19 wickets and is at No. 3, and Josh Hazlewood of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is at No. 4 with 18.Orange Cap tableDespite a 83-run loss in Ahmedabad, GT openers B Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill continued to be the one-two at the top of the Orange Cap table. Chasing CSK’s mammoth 230 for 5, GT were skittled for 147. Sai Sudharsan was still their top-scorer, having made 41 off 28, and took his overall tally to 679 runs from 14 matches, while Gill, who fell for a nine-ball 13, remained second with 649 runs.MI’s Suryakumar Yadav, Mitchell Marsh of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Yashasvi Jaiswal of Rajasthan Royals (RR) round off the top five while Virat Kohli of RCB, currently No. 6 with 548 runs, gas a great shot to move up the table.Here’s what ESPNcricinfo’s MVP table looks like.And here are some other IPL 2025 tables that show the season’s best performers in different aspects of the T20 game. Highest batting strike rates Best bowling economy rates Most sixes Best bowling figures in a match

Noa Lang has expressed frustration over his lack of playing time at Napoli, revealing he has only spoken to Antonio Conte once since joining in the summer. After being benched in a humiliating 6-2 defeat to former club PSV, the Dutch winger admitted he “has to accept” his situation while Conte warned he must avoid being “selfish” and focus on the team.

Lang’s frustration grows as minutes remain scarce under Conte

What should’ve been a special return to PSV turned into a nightmare for Noa Lang. Napoli were thrashed 6-2 in Eindhoven, with the Dutch winger who came through PSV’s youth ranks once again left out of the starting XI. He was only brought on in the 58th minute to replace Billy Gilmour. Lang has featured in just six games this season, all as a substitute, totalling 110 minutes of action since his €28 million (£24m/$30m) move in July.

Lang didn’t hide his frustration after the full-time whistle. Speaking with visible anger, he admitted he expected more opportunities by now and was shocked to remain on the sidelines during such a heavy defeat. He added that while he is training hard, selection is out of his control and all he can do is “accept the situation for now.”

The 26-year-old signed a long-term contract until 2030, but just months into his Napoli career, the relationship between player and coach already appears strained. His comments suggest a breakdown in communication with Conte, raising early concerns about his role in the squad.

AdvertisementAFP‘I’ve only spoken to him once’ – Lang’s strained relationship with Conte

Lang openly voiced his frustration with the team’s performance and his role: "I better not say anything," he said with a mix of anger and disappointment. "The result says it all," sighed Lang on . "Losing 6-2 to PSV? That's just scandalous. We didn't even get a chance. We were simply outplayed." 

He added: "I wasn't allowed to play? I don't know what else to do. I'm training hard. I have no other choice. I signed a contract here, so I have to accept it as it is right now.

"I don't speak to him [Conte] very often. I spoke to him once. I'm a bit confused now after this result. It's better not to say anything."

Conte fires back and warns against selfishness

The Italian was questioned shortly after Lang’s comments but refused to focus on one individual. Before addressing his winger specifically, the coach made it clear that no player can put personal concerns ahead of the collective.

"We need to talk about the team, not just one player," he said. "I don't want to talk about just one player, because it's dangerous if you become selfish. That's not good for our season. He needs to keep working hard. If I decide to play him, I will; otherwise, he'll stay on the bench."

Gli Azzurri's form has made the situation even more tense. They have suffered back-to-back defeats against Torino and PSV and are struggling to find stability in Europe losing twice already in their Champions League group. While they sit third in Serie A and only one point behind leaders AC Milan, pressure is mounting on Conte to quickly restore order.

Lang, who registered 11 goals and 10 assists for PSV last season, was expected to bring creativity and unpredictability to Napoli’s attack. Instead, he finds himself on the fringes of the squad at a time when expectations are high and results are slipping.

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Getty Images SportWhat next for Napoli and Noa Lang after PSV humiliation?

The Scudetto winners' schedule now intensifies. In Serie A, they face Inter next – a direct rival level on points in second place before returning to Champions League action against Eintracht Frankfurt, Qarabag and Benfica in a must-win run of fixtures to stay alive in Europe.

For Lang, the path forward is simple but demanding: continue working, stay patient, and wait for Conte’s trust. The winger remains under contract until 2030, but unless his situation improves, frustration could quickly turn into something more serious.

Conte, meanwhile, will be judged not just on results, but on how he handles big personalities in the dressing room. With pressure building, Napoli’s next few matches could shape both their season and Noa Lang’s future.

MatériaMais Notícias

Desde a saída de Róger Guedes, a vaga no lado esquerdo do ataque do Corinthians segue sem dono. Vanderlei Luxemburgo começou testando os garotos Wesley e Biro, mas Romero está “mordendo pelas beiradas” e vem mostrando que pode ser ocupar o espaço deixado pelo ex-camisa 10.

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+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

O paraguaio iniciou a partida contra o Estudiantes no banco de reserva, mas ganhou a disputa com Wesley e entrou no segundo tempo, sendo uma das gratas surpresas do Timão na segunda etapa, dando chapéu e quase conseguindo mais uma assistência nos minutos finais.

Após o segundo jogo seguido entrando e mudando a dinâmica da equipe, o camisa 11 falou sobre a disputa por posição na vaga de Róger Guedes e deixou claro que está bem fisicamente para ser titular.

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– Tem muitos bons jogadores nessa posição, muitos meninos. O treinador sabe o que está fazendo, ele que decide, nós só trabalhamos para ficarmos à disposição. Eu estou aqui para somar, como titular ou reserva. Aos poucos estou me sentindo bem, vinha de uma liga totalmente diferente do Brasil. Aqui tem mais jogos e competições. Hoje me sinto bem e mais à vontade dentro do time. Estou à disposição e pronto para jogar de titular – disse o atacante na zona mista da Neo Química Arena.

Romero recebeu sondagens para deixar o Corinthians no meio do ano, mas conversou com a diretoria e deixou claro o desejo em lutar por espaço e reencontrar seu futebol no Timão. O paraguaio celebrou seu atual momento no clube e pediu pés no chão para o confronto de volta contra o Estudiantes, pelas quartas de final da Copa-Sul-Americana.

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+ Veja tabela com datas e horários das quartas de final da Sul-Americana

– Feliz de poder ter minutos, é o que eu estava buscando, estou aproveitando bem. Essa vantagem é importante, tiramos vantagem em casa, mas a vaga na semifinal não está ganha, temos que ir lá jogar da mesma maneira que jogamos aqui. Vai ser muito difícil lá, com a pressão da torcida deles, mas temos qualidade e experiência – concluiu Romero.

Apesar do bom momento, Romero não balança as redes pelo Timão há 28 jogos. O último gol dele pelo Corinthians foi em julho de 2018 , contra a Chapecoense.

The circus surrounding Celtic’s transfer business will now have to be put to one side, ahead of the return of domestic action this weekend.

The fallout of what went on this summer continues, however, with it yet to be seen just how Brendan Rodgers’ side will be impacted by their lack of adequate investment, particularly in the centre-forward ranks.

At present, the Northern Irishman has been left with a pool of strikers that all have question marks around them, in the form of Shin Yamada, Johnny Kenny, Callum Osmand and late arrival, Kelechi Iheanacho.

The experienced Nigerian – who has been snapped up from Sevilla on a free transfer – scored just four times for the LaLiga side and for Middlesbrough last term, albeit while having previously flourished under Rodgers at Leicester City.

With the Hoops boss now pondering how to get the best out of the 28-year-old again, attention turns to the man he has replaced, Adam Idah, with the Republic of Ireland international departing for Swansea City following a mixed time at Parkhead.

How Idah compares to recent Celtic strikers

It is difficult to know quite what to make of Idah’s spell in Glasgow, with the 24-year-old enjoying notable highs, albeit while failing to truly deliver on a consistent basis.

Nine goals during just 19 games of his initial loan spell makes for good reading, as does his return of 20 goals in all competitions last term, despite having started just 26 games, as per Transfermarkt.

In his own words, the former Norwich City man felt that such an impact went “a bit unnoticed”, albeit with it hard to argue against his disappointing overall record of just 29 goals in 76 games in total in green and white.

Considering his £9m price tag, the man who previously scored just 17 senior goals at Carrow Road certainly underdelivered, having failed to hit the heights of those who came before him in recent times.

Of course, former teammate Kyogo Furuhashi is the gold standard when it comes to modern Celtic strikers, although even the likes of Georgios Giakoumakis fared far better, having almost matched Idah’s tally from 19 fewer games.

Odsonne Edouard – signed from PSG for a similar fee of £9m – also enjoyed a far more fruitful spell in Scotland, as did his predecessor Moussa Dembele, with the French duo playing a starring role as the club’s attacking figurehead.

Despite his £9m price tag and number nine shirt, Idah, by contrast, never truly earned such lofty status. A swift exit has now been secured, with it yet to be seen if history will repeat itself in the case of a certain Arne Engels.

The Celtic star in danger of being the next Adam Idah

The burden of a significant price tag can weigh heavy, as the case of Idah shows, with Celtic perhaps somewhat fortunate to have recouped a fair chunk of their initial investment, amid the Irishman’s £7m deadline day departure.

Time will tell whether the club will go on to cash in on young Engels for a far more handsome fee later down the line, with the £11m signing enduring his own turbulent time of things at Celtic Park thus far.

As Rodgers has been at pains to stress on numerous occasions, at 22, the promising Belgian is “nowhere near the finished article”, with there perhaps a need to look beyond the eye-catching nature of that transfer fee.

He is a player of “potential” according to his manager – having also been described as “so underrated” by talent scout Jacek Kulig – with time needing to be given for the midfielder to properly bed in at Celtic, considering his relative youth.

That being said, as was the case with Idah, that £11m figure will hang like an albatross around his neck if he continues to underwhelm, with the youngster having also dipped in and out of the side over the last 12 months or so.

Indeed, the early weeks of the new season have seen Engels start just three of a possible seven games, including a disappointing outing against Rangers, having notably been introduced off the bench for both legs of the shock defeat to Kairat Almaty in Champions League qualifying.

A return of 24 goals and assists in 59 games in all competitions to date is certainly reason for optimism, although the former FC Augsburg man is yet to truly stamp his authority on this Celtic side, having notably been usurped by summer signing Benjamin Nygren in the midfield pecking order.

With a swift departure having actually been touted over the summer, it already looks like the four-cap international could head the same way as Idah in the near future, should his standing not improve under Rodgers.

That night in Munich has highlighted what he can produce when at his best, with time still on his side to prove a success in a Celtic.

That said, if he’s not careful, Engels could well prove to be the club’s next Idah as another expensive gamble that has gone awry.

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