The MLB postseason is approaching, and every team in the hunt is looking to close out the regular season strong – especially when they’re facing a team that’s also in the race. 

That’s the case for the Kansas City Royals and starter Seth Lugo on Tuesday, as they look to avenge Monday’s loss to the Minnesota Twins to keep pace in the AL wild card race and the AL Central division. 

Lugo is one of my favorite prop picks for today’s MLB slate, but there is also a run line play that I’m eyeing in the National League. 

With every MLB team in action, here’s how to bet on Tuesday’s action in today’s edition of Walk Off Wagers. 

MLB Best Bets Today for Tuesday, Aug. 13

Seth Lugo OVER 17.5 Outs Recorded (-180)Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5 (-122) vs. San Diego PadresNestor Cortes OVER 2.5 Earned Runs Allowed (+110)Seth Lugo OVER 17.5 Outs Recorded (-180)

All season long, Kansas City Royals righty Seth Lugo has been impressive, posting a 2.72 ERA across 24 outings, leading the Royals to a 14-10 record in those games. 

Lugo – a former reliever – has shown an ability to go deep into matchups, pitching six or more innings in 20 of his 24 outings. So, the fact that he’s set at just 17.5 outs recorded on Tuesday is pretty shocking.

Earlier this season, Lugo made a pair of starts against the Twins, going six innings in both of them while allowing a combined eight hits and just one earned run. The Twins do rank sixth in the league in OPS, which makes them a tough matchup, but Lugo has been lights out against the Royals’ division rival in 2024. 

I’ll take a shot on him to get through six innings again, especially since he’s done so more than 80 percent of the time this season. 

Pittsburgh Pirates +1.5 (-122) vs. San Diego Padres

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in trouble.

They’re now in last place in the NL Central after dropping their eighth consecutive game on Monday night, but I’m going to to cover the run line on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres.

Pittsburgh comes into this game with the second-best record in MLB on the run line (66-52), and it has thrived on the road (37-23) when it comes to covering. Now, the Pirates aren’t winning games as of late, but they aren’t getting blown out either.

Over this eight-game losing streak, the Pirates have five losses by one run, including three of them against this Padres team. 

With the Pirates set as massive underdogs against Michael King and company tonight, I can’t help but take them to at least cover here. Not only will Pittsburgh eventually pick up a win, but it has played an insane 43 games that were decided by one run or less in 2024. 

Buy low on the Buccos on Tuesday. 

Nestor Cortes OVER 2.5 Earned Runs Allowed (+110)

New York Yankees lefty Nestor Cortes Jr. has been awful as of late, posting a 7.67 ERA over his last six starts – dating back to the start of July. 

The Yankees aren’t good in Cortes’ starts overall this season, going 8-16 straight up, and they’re coming off a horrible showing in a loss to the Chicago White Sox on Monday.

The White Sox put up 12 runs in that win, and I wouldn’t be shocked to see the league’s worst offense get to Cortes, who has allowed 39 hits and 10 walks in his last 29.1 innings of work. 

Cortes has allowed at least three earned runs in seven of his last eight starts, so getting this prop at plus money feels like a no-brainer, even though the Chicago offense hasn’t been good in 2024.

Something feels different about Arsenal this season, doesn’t it? The Gunners sit pretty at the top of the Premier League table and they have a 100% record from their three Champions League matches.

A year ago, it was a struggle. Multiple red cards and injuries plagued a heavily talented squad and, until the latter stages of European competition, they struggled to hit top gear.

Yet for all of the reliance on set-pieces, for all of the ridiculous comments on long throws in recent days, Arsenal looks like the best team in the land.

Steady on. We know. Let’s not count our chickens just yet, but everything is looking rather rosy. Mikel Arteta’s men have shipped just one open-play goal all season and are yet to concede in the Champions League.

Their forward line, as demonstrated in that stunning 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid, is improving all the time too.

That’s hardly a surprise. Andrea Berta – once of Atleti’s parish – invested KSE’s money heavily over the summer on the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze.

Gyokeres went nine goals without finding the net before his brace on Tuesday night. The relief and delight were clear to see on the Swede’s face.

The number 14 has some way to go before he can be considered an all-time great but amidst Arteta’s setup, there are a few faces beginning to make themselves modern icons. Gabriel Magalhaes is the prime example.

Why Gabriel is now the best centre-back on the planet

Swing in a corner or set-piece and there is usually one result. Gabriel will be on hand to head home.

His record in recent years and indeed this season has been extraordinary. No central defender across the top five leagues in European football has scored more goals than his tally of 22 since 2020.

The big Brazilian is inevitable and his remarkable record in 2025/26 has only strengthened his argument as the best goalscoring defender around.

In his last five games, he has scored twice and also picked up two assists. There was that crashing header in the dying embers to win the game at Newcastle United and he followed that up by flicking on Bukayo Saka’s corner for Leandro Trossard’s winner at Craven Cottage a few days ago.

His performance against Atleti, however, was colossal. It was the 27-year-old who headed the Gunners in front from Declan Rice’s teasing free-kick and it was Gabriel who got on the end of Rice’s corner minutes later in the second half. He didn’t find the net this time but he did put it on a plate for Gyokeres to score from a matter of yards out.

But, can he defend too? You bet he can. Gabriel is one of the sternest central defenders in the land.

He has been dribbled past just 0.4 times per game in the league this season and is winning 77% of his ground duels. For context, of Premier League defenders to win more than ten ground duels in 2025/26, he ranks joint-fifth for percentage of ground duels won. He sits level with Virgil van Dijk in that regard.

1. Joel Veltman

89%

2. Noussair Mazraoui

82%

3. Daniel Ballard

78.57%

3= Trevoh Chalobah

78.57%

4. Kenny Tete

77%

5. Virgil van Dijk

76.92%

5= Gabriel

76.92%

Defenders who have won 10 + duels only

So, he’s a set-piece menace. He’s a warrior, he’s a leader of men and he’s a pretty damn good defender too.

Is there anything Gabriel cannot do? Perhaps not. He is undoubtedly one of the best players we’ve seen in the Emirates Stadium era. But, is he the best?

Arsenal's best player since Arsene Wenger retired

While Arsene Wenger’s final few years at Arsenal were not as victorious and triumphant as the early days, he is still remembered fondly. Besides the great Herbert Chapman, he is the finest manager the club have ever had and he had some remarkable players in his armoury.

Whether it was Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira or Robert Pires, the greats of Arsenal were around when Wenger was.

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Yet, since he retired, the Gunners have struggled and it’s not until recent years that Arteta has transformed them into title challengers again.

The aforementioned Gabriel has been a big part of that. As has Saka. Without him, there’s a very realistic chance that Arteta wouldn’t even still be in the job.

During the infancy of the Spaniard’s coaching career in north London, it was the Hale End marvel who got the Gunners out of plenty of sticky situations.

Yet, in recent years, they’ve found a transformational player, a generational talent who looks like he could eclipse some of the best players we’ve seen at Arsenal since Wenger walked away. Mesut Ozil? He’s making a bigger impact than him. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang? He’s certainly earned more respect than their former no.14.

Even better than Gabriel and Saka? Arguably so. Rice is your man and he’s becoming one of the finest specimens in world football.

Back in 2023, Edu and Co moved heaven and earth to bring the England international to the Emirates, paying a club-record £105m to sign him from West Ham. They fended off serial winners Manchester City to do so. It was a landmark move.

Well, since heading to Arsenal, Rice has made that fee look like a bargain. Since when has that sort of money ever looked cheap? Well, West Ham must be cursing their luck that they did not get more bang for their buck.

The midfielder was a mighty fine player at West Ham but he has gone on another level after his big-money move.

At the Irons, he was seen as a defensive midfielder but Arteta has transformed him into one of the best, if not the best box-to-box midfielder in the land. Rice’s work rate is simply incredible and his ability to win the ball back is second to very few.

But, at Arsenal, he’s now become a threat in the final third. He scored nine goals and registered ten assists last term, his best tally in a single season.

While the 26-year-old has only scored once in 2025/26, he has registered four assists, all from set-pieces. Indeed, that’s one area where Rice has been exceptional, particularly in the last year.

You won’t need a reminder but we’ll bring it up again anyway. His free-kicks against Real Madrid last season were a thing of beauty. However, it’s his delivery into the box that stands out most.

He was involved in two of the four goals against Atleti this week, swinging in a delicious ball for Gabriel to head home and then firing in the corner that led to Gyokeres’ second.

In the words of Sky Sports reporter Sam Blitz, the Three Lions star is now “the best set-piece taker in world football.”

If you didn’t think Rice could get any better, think again. He is the perfect all-rounder. Gabriel is a menacing centre-back and Saka’s creativity skills are sublime. Yet, the £240k-per-week earner has it all. He can score, he assist, he can defend and he’s arguably got the best set-piece delivery in Europe.

Few will argue against just how good Rice has been since he moved across London. The best signing we’ve seen since Wenger left? It’s hard to suggest he hasn’t been.

What a game it was between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The evening kick-off in the Premier League brought plenty of fireworks, with the Blues running out 2-1 winners in stoppage time, in a game that felt like it could have gone either way.

For much of the game, it was a diligent performance by Enzo Maresca’s side. The West Londoners took the lead inside the first quarter of an hour, and what a strike it was. Moises Caicedo unleashed a thunderbolt from the edge of the Liverpool penalty area, which flew into the top left corner.

Liverpool did manage to get back into the game, which coincided with the introduction of Florian Wirtz at half-time. The Reds scored through Cody Gakpo, with the Dutch winger getting on the end of a lay-off from Alexander Isak, although whether the Swede meant it is another question.

The game became incredibly open in the final 20 minutes, and Chelsea, who hit the post in stoppage time, left it until the 97th minute to score. It was Estevao who bagged the winner, which caused a huge celebration across Stamford Bridge.

It was a fantastic way for the game to end for Chelsea, with Estevao saving the day off the bench.

Estevao’s cameo vs. Liverpool

Brazilian wonderkid Estevao has already left a huge impression during his short Chelsea career so far. The 18-year-old bagged his first goal for the club against Liverpool, adding to the assists he got away to West Ham United.

What a way to win the game it was, too. The former Palmerias star capped off a good team move, sliding in at the back post to put Marc Cucurella’s cross into the back of the net.

He showed excellent instinct and understanding despite his inexperience.

It was a brilliant contribution off the bench from the teenager, which former Blues striker Daniel Sturridge described as a “top drawer” effort. Aside from the goal, he made three touches in the opposition box and made six ball recoveries.

That is why Football London journalist Bobby Vincent gave Estevao an 8/10 for his night’s work. Like Sturridge, Vincent was full of praise for the 18-year-old, describing his stoppage-time strike as a “memorable” goal.

It was certainly a night to remember for Estevao, who saved the day for Chelsea and spared the blushes of one of his fellow attackers.

The Chelsea player who was saved by Estevao

On the whole, Chelsea’s win against Liverpool was a good performance. Estevao was one of the standouts, with the likes of Caicedo and Cucurella also putting in good shifts at Stamford Bridge.

Yet, there were a couple of players in that famous Blue shirt who struggled. Centre-forward Joao Pedro was one of those. After a fast start to life in West London, the Brazilian international has now failed to score in his last five games in all competitions.

The game against Liverpool was certainly a tough outing for Pedro.

He only managed 17 touches during the 75 minutes he was on the pitch, fewer than Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. The striker only had one touch in Liverpool’s box, and one shot, which was off target.

Pedro stats vs. Liverpool
Stat	Number
Minutes	74
Touches	17
Passes into final third	3
Touches in opposition box	1
Shots	1
Duels won	2/6
Stats from Fotmob

Vincent also seemed to agree with the sentiment that Pedro struggled against the Premier League champions. He gave the Blues number 20 a 5/10 for his evening’s work, and said he was ‘quiet’ overall.

Perhaps it is a concern for Maresca that Pedro is struggling to get into the game when Cole Palmer is not on the pitch. The pair have combined for two goals in seven matches so far, according to Transfermarkt.

Of course, the England international is the key creator in this Chelsea squad, and it was the case at times that it seemed Pedro could not get on the ball unless he was there linking things up.

The Brazilian has chipped in with goal involvements this season, without Palmer on the pitch. Yet, the Chelsea number 20 has already said that they look to “combine our ideas so that it works in the games.” Perhaps we are seeing the effect that Palmer not featuring in the Chelsea side can have on Pedro, with the rest of the side struggling to get him the ball.

It is certainly food for thought for Maresca, who will surely look to find a way to get Pedro more involved when Palmer is not on the pitch.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Oct 4, 2025

Russell Martin may be gone, but there is no change in fortunes for Rangers and the Ibrox masses.

On Saturday, the Gers failed to win in the Scottish Premiership yet again, this time held to a 2-2 draw, their sixth of the campaign.

Thelo Aasgaard broke the deadlock in sensational fashion for Rangers, but they required a late equaliser from James Tavernier to pinch a point in Govan.

This means, remarkably, the Light Blues have still only won one of eight Premiership matches to date, currently sixth in the table, a whopping 13 points adrift runaway league-leaders Hearts.

Martin was dismissed following the underwhelming 1-1 draw at Falkirk a fortnight ago, but no permanent successor has yet been found, U19s coach Steven Smith in interim charge for the foreseeable future, but when the new boss does belatedly arrive, could that be bad news for one of Martin’s summer signings in particular?

The latest on Rangers' search for a new manager

During the international break, Rangers were seemingly turned down by their top two managerial targets.

First, Steven Gerrard rejected the opportunity to return to Ibrox, following talks with the club, before former Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Röhl also pulled out of the running.

As a result, Kevin Muscat became the front-runner to take the job; he made 26 appearances for the club during the 2002/03 season as Alex McLeish’s team won the treble.

Since becoming a coach himself, he began at A-League side Melbourne Victory, overseeing 200 matches, winning four major trophies, including two grand final titles.

He then endured a very brief stint in charge of Sint-Truidense, before succeeding a certain Ange Postecoglou as Yokohama F. Marinos manager, winning the J1 League title, as well as the Japanese Super Cup.

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Since December 2023, he has been in charge of Shanghai Port, adding a Chinese Super League and FA Cup double to his roll of honours in 2024.

Yet, despite it looking as though a deal had been agreed, it was reported on Sunday evening by journalist Ben Jacobs that the Muscat move “is now off”. Subsequent reports indicate that the aforementioned Rohl has entered the frame again.

Whoever the new manager is, whether it be Rohl or not, one of Russell Martin’s summer signings should be feeling the heat.

Rangers flop on borrowed time under a new manager

Rangers made a whopping 13 new signings this summer, the majority of whom have massively underwhelmed.

Youssef Chermiti, Aasgaard, Joe Rothwell and Emmanuel Fernandez and others have, to date, not justified their transfer fees, while young loanee Jayden Meghoma has appeared out of his depth.

The left-back arrived on a season-long loan from Brentford, having made only four appearances for the Bees, as well as just four for Southampton and 14 in Preston North End colours, underlining his inexperience.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that he has struggled to make an impact in Glasgow.

Minutes

759

9th

Starts

7

5th

Tackles per 90

2.6

1st

Interceptions per 90

0.4

10th

Clearances per 90

1.2

5th

Possession lost per 90

14.4

3rd

As outlined, Meghoma has been a regular starter for Rangers this season, named in the lineup for ten of the 11 matches since his debut, the draw with Falkirk, which proved to be Martin’s final match in charge, the sole exception.

Some of his statistics are impressive, most notably tackles, but the possession lost tells the story, with the teenager continuing to be a weak link in the Rangers back line.

He was once again poor in the draw with Dundee United, failing to complete a single tackle, winning only four of his nine duels and losing possession 17 times for good measure.

Thus, if and when a new manager is appointed, he’ll surely prioritise experience at the back, thereby shifting Max Aarons over to the left or asking Derek Cornelius to fill in there, with Meghoma a leading candidate to be cast aside.

Martin once claimed that he has “big potential” but ultimately, we’re yet to see that in Glasgow. Interim manager, Steven Smith, must drop him next time out.

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ByDan Emery Oct 18, 2025

A winger is arguably the most eye-catching position on the football pitch. Whether it be pinpoint crossing ability, a bag of skills or electric pace, we have seen some iconic wide men over time get plenty of plaudits.

Currently, Barcelona star Lamine Yamal and 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele are seen as the best wingers in world football, but who is the GOAT?

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Here is a list of 20 of the most iconic wingers football has ever seen, factoring in longevity and consistency at the highest level, while also looking at their personal accolades and honours they have won.

20 Greatest Wingers of All Time

Rank

Name

Country

1

Lionel Messi

Argentina

2

Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal

3

Garrincha

Brazil

4

George Best

Northern Ireland

5

Ronaldinho

Brazil

6

Stanley Matthews

England

7

​Paco Gento

Spain

8

Neymar

Brazil

9

​Luis Figo

Portugal

10

Jairzinho

Brazil

11

​Ryan Giggs

Wales

12

​Arjen Robben

Netherlands

13

Eden Hazard

Belgium

14

Rivaldo

Brazil

15

Mohamed Salah

Egypt

16

Gareth Bale

Wales

17

​​​​David Beckham

England

18

Jose Macia Pepe

Brazil

19

Tom Finney

England

20

Robert Pires

France

20 Robert Pires

Beginning the countdown is Robert Pires, who was actually voted sixth in the list of Arsenal’s best-ever players, showing the impact he made in England.

A Euros and World Cup winner with France, Pires played on the left and bundles of skill and claimed two Premier League titles and three FA Cups at Highbury.

He’d often go under the radar due to playing alongside Thierry Henry, but Pires was world-class in his prime.

19 Tom Finney

One of the greatest two-footed wingers during the 1940s and 1950s was Englishman Tom Finney, who spent 20 years with Preston North End.

Although his career wasn’t glittered with honours, Finney has gone down as one of the finest versatile attackers of the early era, scoring 240 goals for Preston and England.

18 Jose Macia Pepe

Jose Macia Pepe won the World Cup with Brazil in 1958 and 1962 with Pele and starred alongside for Santos during his club career.

An iconic left-winger over 15 years, Pepe scored 405 goals in 705 games for Santos, a remarkable number for someone who played out wide.

17 ​​​David Beckham

One of the best crossers of the ball in history, David Beckham played on the right-hand side for some of the biggest sides in world football during his career.

Man Utd, Real Madrid and AC Milan all had the pleasure of having Beckham take set pieces, delivering the ball with precision on a regular basis.

The first major football celebrity, Beckham’s ability on the pitch is sometimes forgotten, but on his day, the English icon was unstoppable.

16 Gareth Bale

A five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Gareth Bale always delivered in the big moments for Los Blancos, scoring some of the club’s most iconic goals in finals.

His overhead kick against Liverpool in the Champions League and solo run against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey are two standout moments from a glittering career, with Bale also starring in the Premier League with Tottenham and on the international stage with Wales.

15 Mohamed Salah

Now a certified Liverpool legend, Mohamed Salah’s return to England after a failed spell with Chelsea has turned him into one of the greatest the Premier League has ever seen.

Pace, excellent dribbling and clinical in front of goal, Salah was key in Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League triumphs. The Egyptian King has got better with age and broke plenty of records at Anfield.

14 Rivaldo

An extremely versatile forward, Rivaldo’s greatest displays during his 25-year career came out wide. Best known for his time at Barcelona, the Brazilian starred on the left, where he won the Ballon d’Or in 1999.

Netting 130 goals in 235 appearances at the Nou Camp, Rivaldo also won the World Cup in 2002. He had pace, power and could also take a free-kick which came in handy at various points during his career.

13 Eden Hazard

Retiring at the age of 32, Eden Hazard was hampered by injuries in the latter years of his career following his big-money move to Real Madrid from Chelsea.

However, in his prime years, Hazard was untouchable at Stamford Bridge and couldn’t be stopped by Premier League full-backs.

One of Belgium’s best ever players in history, Hazard was known for his dribbling ability, and his iconic goal against Arsenal summed up what he was like as a player.

12 ​Arjen Robben

A serial winner with PSV Eindhoven, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, ​full-backs often knew what Arjen Robben was going to do but still couldn’t stop him.

Cutting in off the right and onto his unbelievable left-foot, the Dutch icon’s career lasted 20 years, and for his country, he made almost 100 appearances.

The scorer of the winner in the 2013 Champions League final with Bayern Munich, Robben’s technical ability was unmatched.

11 ​Ryan Giggs

Another winger who wasn’t the quickest but is still one of the best is Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs.

Giggs was influential in numerous Red Devils sides under Sir Alex Ferguson and had a wand of a left-foot at Old Trafford.

The Welshman has the record for most appearances in the Premier League (632) and the most Premier League assists (162), and his tally of 13 league titles highlights his longevity at the top level.

Tottenham Hotspur have made an excellent start to life under Thomas Frank over the last couple of weeks, with the Dane only losing one of his first nine games at the helm.

Part of his success in North London has been down to the immediate impact of summer addition Mohammed Kudus, with the Ghanaian nailing his place in the starting eleven.

The 25-year-old cost £55m from Premier League rivals West Ham United, already hitting the ground running and contributing to the Lilywhites’ success on the pitch.

He’s already registered four assists across all competitions, two of which came on the opening day in the 3-0 triumph over Burnley – a game which was his competitive debut for the club.

Such an achievement matched a record set by one other first-team member, but the new addition has yet to feature alongside him in the early stages of the 2025/26 campaign.

James Maddison’s highs and lows at Spurs

James Maddison became the first player in Spurs’ Premier League history to register two assists on his league debut, subsequently being joined in such a club by Kudus.

The Englishman joined the Lilywhites back in the summer of 2023 for a fee in the region of £40m from Leicester City after the Foxes’ relegation the season prior.

Since his transfer, he’s racked up 75 appearances for the Lilywhites, scoring 16 times and registering 19 assists across all competitions – but such numbers don’t tell the whole story.

Injuries have massively plagued the 28-year-old over recent years, already suffering four injuries in his two-year spell, subsequently missing 25 matches through various setbacks.

Maddison has since suffered an ACL injury, further adding to his frustrations and is now expected to miss out on the vast majority of the Dane’s first campaign in charge.

There’s no denying that the attacking midfielder is a player who possesses huge talent, but ultimately his lack of fitness has constantly prevented him from making an impact on a consistent basis.

As a result, he could easily lose his number ten shirt in the near future, with one player already on the books deserving of the opportunity to wear such a historic shirt.

The Spurs star who could steal Maddison’s #10

Over the last couple of years, Spurs have been fortunate to see multiple top talents wear the number ten shirt – none more so than former striker Harry Kane.

The centre-forward emerged through the ranks in North London, before making his mark in the first-team and cementing himself in the Lilywhites’ history forever.

He found the net on 280 occasions during his decade-long spell with the club, subsequently surpassing the late Jimmy Greaves and becoming their all-time top-scorer.

However, Maddison was the player to inherit such a shirt after the former’s departure to join Bayern Munich, but the club may look to hand another first-team star the responsibility of wearing such a historic number.

Pape Matar Sarr joined the Lilywhites as an unknown quantity to many of the supporters, but it’s safe to say he’s now become one of the club’s best players at present.

The Senegalese international joined for just £14.6m in 2021, but would have to wait until the following summer to make his first competitive appearance for the English outfit.

However, since such a day, the 23-year-old hasn’t looked back, subsequently racking up over 100 appearances in all competitions – five of which have come in the Premier League under Frank.

Sarr, who’s been dubbed “unbelievable” by Jamie O’Hara, has already registered a goal and two assists in England’s top flight this season, highlighting his attacking quality despite his deep-lying role.

He’s now posted a total of 10 goals and eight assists since making the move to England, which has allowed him to be a vital component within the club’s midfield department.

Games played

5

Goals & assists

3

Pass accuracy

83%

Dribble success

50%

Fouls won

1.2

Duels won

5.1

Recoveries made

4.8

Touches in opposition box

2.3

Out of possession, Sarr has been just as impressive, winning 5.1 duels per 90, along with 4.8 recoveries made – arguably being one of the best box-to-box options in the league.

At 23, he had plenty of time to build on his early success in North London, potentially playing a crucial role in any future success achieved during Frank’s tenure in the role.

As a result, he could easily be handed the number ten shirt by the club to reflect his importance, but such a decision could prove to be harsh in Maddison, given his recent struggles.

However, football is a cruel industry and it remains to be seen what level the Englishman is at after such an injury lay-off, with the hierarchy having a huge call to make on his future.

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ByEthan Lamb Oct 3, 2025

Barcelona’s turbulent season has taken another turn, with coach Hansi Flick reportedly informing his staff that he plans to leave the club at the end of the campaign. Frustrated by player attitudes and a perceived lack of support from the board, Flick’s disillusionment has been deepened by ongoing issues surrounding Lamine Yamal’s conduct and the club’s lenient approach toward their young star.

Frustration reaches at breaking point for Flick

Flick’s tenure at Barca appears to be nearing an early end. According to , the German coach has privately informed his staff of his decision to step down at the end of the season, admitting that he feels “very tired” and disillusioned by the atmosphere within the squad.

Flick, who had originally envisioned a three-year project in Catalonia, has grown increasingly exasperated with what he sees as a decline in professionalism and unity among his players. Despite good performances in certain spells, the German is said to be concerned by a lack of focus and commitment, particularly from individuals who have, in his words, “lost the humility that once defined them.”

The coach’s frustrations are not directed at results alone, but at what he considers a cultural issue within the dressing room – a team distracted by fame, social media, and individual interests rather than collective goals. Flick has reportedly discussed these concerns with his assistants and analysts for months, expressing doubts about his ability to change the mentality from within.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportYamal at the heart of Flick’s discontent

At the centre of Flick’s frustration lies Yamal, the teenage sensation whose talent has been overshadowed by off-field distractions. The club’s willingness to indulge the 18-year-old’s behaviour from special privileges on team trips to skipping recovery routines for media obligations has reportedly caused tension within the coaching staff.

Incidents have piled up: from Yamal flying to Milan after the defeat against Real Madrid instead of returning with teammates, to filming commercials while nursing a groin injury. Even minor breaches, like using golf carts reserved for staff or being the only player served meals at his table, have fuelled Flick’s sense of unequal treatment. The teenager also sparked controversy before El Clasico when he jokingly remarked on Twitch that “Real Madrid steal, they complain…”, a comment that angered several Madrid players and drew criticism within the club. His recent breakup with singer Nicki Nicole has further added to off-field distractions, amplifying the perception that Yamal’s focus has drifted away from football.

For Flick, the problem goes beyond discipline, it’s about values. He believes Yamal’s decline in performance stems from a waning sense of responsibility, and that the player’s recurring pubalgia injury reflects a lack of proper commitment to recovery. The coach, who prioritises strict discipline and mental focus, is frustrated at being repeatedly asked about Yamal in press conferences rather than team performance. This has reportedly led him to express his dissatisfaction to senior club figures, including Joan Laporta’s confidant Alejandro Echevarria and communications head Gabriel Martinez, who have tried to ease tensions internally.

Divided visions: Flick’s discipline vs Barcelona’s indulgence

Despite the growing strain, the 60-year-old's relationship with president Laporta and sporting director Deco remains polite and professional. However, significant philosophical differences persist between the coaching staff and the club hierarchy. Flick believes in firm discipline, a philosophy reminiscent of Luis Enrique’s approach that transformed Ousmane Dembele, who went on to win the Ballon d’Or. In contrast, the club prefers to protect and appease its young stars, allowing personal freedom in hopes of maintaining morale and avoiding public fallout.

This divergence has led to frequent internal debates over how to manage Yamal’s situation. The club argue that flexibility is necessary given his age and public profile, while Flick insists that indulging such behaviour undermines accountability and team culture. As he first warned back in September that “Egos kill success,” he has reportedly repeated the same message to his staff in recent weeks, a clear sign of how deeply the issue has frustrated him.

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Getty ImagesCan results change Flick’s mind?

Despite the clear tension, also reports that Flick’s departure is not yet final. His closest assistants believe the situation could still change, particularly if results improve and harmony returns to the dressing room.

Those within the coaching setup point to the emotional volatility of football, where a winning run or a major trophy could shift the narrative completely. A strong finish to the season, or even a Champions League triumph, could convince Flick to complete his third and originally planned final year at the club.

For now, however, the feeling around the Barca headquarters is one of uncertainty. A fractured dressing room, a fatigued coach, and a generational talent struggling under the spotlight have once again plunged Barcelona into familiar turmoil, leaving the future of Flick’s project hanging by a thread.

India’s spin allrounders add 99 runs in the session – 100 for their partnership – to erase England’s lead

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Jul-2025

Ravindra Jadeja celebrates his fifty as Washington Sundar looks on•AFP/Getty Images

Tea Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja batted through the afternoon session, frustrating England and helping India creep towards a doughty draw. Washington and Jadeja both made battling half-centuries as England’s bowlers toiled without reward, adding exactly 100 in an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership that took India into the lead.Washington batted at No. 8 in India’s first innings, below Shardul Thakur, but was promoted to No. 5 for the first time in their second. He brought up his half-century by hooking Ben Stokes for six, then pulling him for four, and Jadeja raised his later in the same over thanks to Zak Crawley’s misfield.Dropped first-ball by Joe Root at slip off Jofra Archer’s bowling, Jadeja brought out his trademark sword celebration to mark his fifth half-century in his last six innings. He also became the seventh Indian – and the third this week, following KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant – to reach 1,000 Test runs in England.England’s close fielders were occasionally excited by tight leaves or half-chances, but there were far fewer genuine opportunities than they would have anticipated. Liam Dawson and Root both wheeled away between spells from the four seamers, but found little joy from a pitch which has not deteriorated as much as they must have hoped.India’s slender lead means that England will have to chase down a target if they do manage to run through the lower order, but the draw is the clear favourite. The two captains could shake hands at the start of the last hour if they wish, though Stokes will be reluctant to accept what would be only the second draw of his tenure as captain.

AC Milan officials met with Robert Lewandowski's agent as they look to replace disappointing forward Santiago Gimenez next season. The Barcelona forward is nearing the end of his existing contract and is likely to leave the Blaugrana next summer as a free agent as the Catalan giants are yet to offer a contract extension to the veteran Polish forward.

• Lewandowski's future remains uncertain

  With just months left on Lewandowski's current Barcelona contract, the 37-year-old striker has been closely linked with a move away from the Spanish side next summer as a free agent. Even his representative Pini Zahavi recently claimed that the striker could leave the Catalan side, saying: "Lewandowski's contract with Barcelona expires in the summer of 2026, and no decisions have been made yet. We'll have to wait and see what happens in the coming days."

  Zahavi, however, dismissed rumours suggesting Lewandowski could head to the Saudi Pro League as he added: "There's nothing official regarding negotiations with Saudi Arabian teams. There are no offers at this time."

  As Lewandowski's future remains uncertain, reports have emerged that the Catalan giants have started to prepare for life beyond their star striker, with Ferran Torres adapting to a central role under Hansi Flick this season. Sporting director Deco recently stated that Barcelona will not immediately pursue a replacement, yet names like Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez and Etta Eyong continue to surface in reports.

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  AC Mila eye move for Lewandowski

  Per , AC Milan officials met with Zahavi to discuss a potential move for Lewandowski as the Serie A giants are looking for a new forward. They signed Gimenez in February on a four-and-a-half-year contract but the Mexican striker has turned out to be a major flop at San Siro. Gimenez endured an ankle injury, which has hampered his performance in Italy and in the current season, the 24-year-old has appeared in 11 matches, where he scored one goal and provided two assists for the Rossoneri. 

  Gimenez recently opened up about his injury troubles, writing on social media: "For several months I've been playing with an ankle injury that hasn't allowed me to be 100% fit or feel comfortable on the pitch. With determination, I continued to help the team, I continued to play, but the pain increased: the time has come to stop. Now I have to focus on my recovery and prepare to be back with you as soon as possible. God is in control. Thank you for your support, see you soon!"

• Which club will Lewandowski play for next season?

  The veteran forward is yet to make up his mind about his future as he focuses on getting to his best shape this season and competing for the Blaugrana. Should the striker choose to depart next summer, he will no doubt have a long list of suitors lining up contract offers in an attempt to persuade him to join their club. Saudi clubs will be amongst those options, but even at 37 years old, Lewandowski looks as if he could keep playing at the top of European football for years to come.

  He was also briefly linked with a move to Manchester United as Ruben Amorim reportedly wanted to sign the experienced forward to motivate the youngsters at the club, however, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly blocked the move as he won't approve transfers of players who are at the twilight of their careers. 

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  Diminished role at Barcelona

  So far in the 2025-26 campaign, Lewandowski has played in 11 matches across all competitions and has featured in Flick's starting lineup only four times. He returned to action against Elche last weekend as he came on as a substitute in the second half. Having recently recovered from an injury, Lewandowski will now hope to start for the Blaugrana in their upcoming La Liga game against Celta Vigo on November 9.

  "I don't know what's in his DNA, but he recovers in three weeks from injuries that should last five," Flick said of the Polish veteran's return.

وجّه الإعلامي أحمد شوبير رسالة خاصة إلى ناصر ماهر، لاعب الزمالك، بعد حالة الإحباط التي عبّر عنها اللاعب عقب استبعاده من قائمة منتخب مصر لمعسكر نوفمبر الجاري في الإمارات.

وينطلق معسكر المنتخب المصري في الفترة من 10 إلى 18 نوفمبر، ضمن استعدادات الفراعنة للمشاركة في بطولة كأس الأمم الإفريقية 2025، ويتخلله لقاء ودي أمام منتخب أوزبكستان يوم 14 نوفمبر على ملعب هزاع بن زايد.

وقال شوبير في تصريحات عبر برنامجه الإذاعي صباح اليوم الأحد: “أولاً، أبارك لأحمد الشناوي انضمامه لصفوف المنتخب الوطني، وهو انضمام مستحق تمامًا، لأنه يقدم موسمًا مميزًا جدًا”.

وأضاف: “أنصح أي لاعب، سواء كان متواجدًا في المنتخب أو تم استبعاده، أن يلتزم الهدوء والصمت، لأن الفرصة دائمًا قادمة، أحيانًا تلعب وأحيانًا تكون خارج القائمة، لكن المهم أن تواصل العمل دون تذمر”.

وتابع: “من الأسماء التي أعلنها حسام حسن، مثل محمد إسماعيل لاعب الزمالك، فهو نموذج للاعب الذي فرض نفسه باستحقاق، لم يكن كثيرون يتوقعون تألقه، لكنه اجتهد وتألق حتى نال مكانه في المنتخب”.

طالع أيضًا | مصدر في منتخب مصر يكشف لـ”بطولات” سبب عدم استدعاء ناصر ماهر لمعسكر نوفمبر

وأردف: “من حق ناصر ماهر أن يشعر بالضيق، وهذا طبيعي، لكني كنت أتمنى منه بعض الصبر، هو مؤخرًا فقط بدأ يستعيد مستواه في آخر ثلاث مباريات، وبعد فترة طويلة لم يكن فيها في أفضل حالاته”.

واستكمل: “نحن الآن في معسكر أولي استعدادًا لأمم إفريقيا، وستكون هناك معسكرات أخرى وفرص جديدة، الموسم طويل، وهناك مباريات كثيرة في الدوري، والباب لم يُغلق أمام أحد”.

واختتم: “الأفضل دائمًا هو الصمت والعمل الجاد، مع احترامي الكامل لمشاعر ناصر، لكنه في حالة فنية رائعة حاليًا، وإذا واصل بهذا الأداء فسيعود بقوة للمنتخب في أقرب وقت”.