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It’s one step forward and two steps back for Newcastle United, who were defeated on the road in the Champions League against Marseille, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the double.

Eddie Howe’s side responded with vim and vigour after the international break to beat Manchester City at St. James’ Park, but this served as a sobering reminder that there is much work to be done away from Tyneside, with the Toon having won only one game away from home all season.

Harvey Barnes’ fine form continued as he swept home from close range only minutes into the affair, but United failed to channel their counter-attacking approach and were ultimately overwhelmed by the French hosts.

It was a frustrating performance, epitomised by the woes of Nick Pope between the sticks.

Why Howe must consider dropping Nick Pope

Pope joined Newcastle from Burnley for about £10m in 2022, and he has since. This season, he has started all 12 of the Magpies’ Premier League fixtures, though he has failed to keep a clean sheet across five successive matches.

There have been tenuous calls to drop the 33-year-old all year, but these are rising in volume and intensity, and the veteran’s mistake in France will only fan those flames, with United losing clarity and conviction in their performance after the gaffe.

Given that Aaron Ramsdale is patiently waiting in the wings, having been signed on loan this summer, there’s justification for dropping Pope going forward, it may be that Howe needs to drop his mainstay between the sticks and start to rewire his defence, as has already started through the likes of Malick Thiaw and full-backs Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento.

Newcastle still have three wins from five in the Champions League this season, and may yet find the form to seal a place in the automatically-qualifying top eight.

But Howe does need to continue to chop and change, and Pope isn’t the only one whose starting berth is at risk.

Newcastle star is now relegated to the bench

At the end of the 2023/24 campaign, Anthony Gordon was awarded Newcastle’s Player of the Year. But last year was a testing one for the England international, in contrast with United’s resurgence, and he has fallen further into the mire since the summer.

Against Marseille, Gordon’s woes continued as he proved utterly ineffectual in a makeshift centre-forward role.

Writer Firdie Idris remarked that the decision to field Gordon, a pacy left winger, as a central striker “never works”, and his display against Marseille only corroborated that claim.

In his central berth, Gordon only created one chance and hit the target with only one shot. He didn’t even attempt a dribble and won only one of five duels, as per Sofascore. He also completed just 14 passes as an isolated figure in Howe’s offensive line.

Penning their post-match thoughts, The Shields Gazette could only hand the Three Lions star a 4/10 match rating, criticising him for being on the back foot throughout the contest.

Anthony Gordon for Newcastle (25/26)

Match Stats (* per game)

PL

UCL

Matches (starts)

7 (7)

5 (5)

Goals

0

4

Assists

0

1

Touches*

35.4

39.2

Shots (on target)*

2.0 (0.7)

2.2 (1.0)

Accurate passes*

14.7 (80%)

16.4 (77%)

Chances created*

1.0

0.4

Dribbles*

1.4

1.4

Ball recoveries*

2.6

3.2

Tackles + interceptions*

0.7

1.4

Duels (won)*

4.7 (49%)

4.0 (41%)

Data via Sofascore

Truthfully, Gordon has been out of sorts all season. Prolific on the continent, he has yet to kindle any semblance of good form on the domestic front, and this was not a display to imbue within him a kind of confidence that will be needed ahead of Premier League clashes against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Given that Gordon is one of Newcastle’s most profitable players, there’s reasoning behind the call to cash in down the line. Certainly, given the need for further investment over the coming transfer windows, it’s something PIF might consider as Barnes continues to go from strength to strength.

In any case, Gordon needs to raise his level. He is one of the outfit’s most talented players and is horribly underperforming. Like Pope, Howe would be wise to drop him for the forthcoming fixtures and rekindle his will to win.

Related PIF can fund Anderson move by selling Newcastle star who's a "nightmare"

Newcastle are proving themselves to be a team in transition this season.

Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 25, 2025

Also picked is batter Karima Gore, who has represented USA in eight T20Is

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Sep-2025West Indies have named five uncapped players in a 15-member squad to face Nepal in three T20Is in Sharjah later this month. With several first-choice names, including regular captain Shai Hope, rested, West Indies will be led by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein.The five uncapped players are top-order batter Ackeem Auguste, batting allrounder Navin Bidaisee, legpsinner Zishan Motara, left-arm quick Ramon Simmonds, and wicketkeeper-batter Amir Jangoo. Also picked is batter Karima Gore, who has represented USA in eight T20Is, but is yet to play for West Indies.Gore impressed for his franchise Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the ongoing CPL 2025, where he scored 219 runs in 11 matches.Apart from Hosein, the experienced members of the squad include Fabian Allen, Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers. Hosein, who has played the most T20Is among the squad members, will be leading West Indies for the first time across formats.In April 2024, West Indies A had toured Nepal for five T20s. Although the hosts lost the series, they still beat the visitors in two matches.The first T20I between West Indies and Nepal begins on September 27, with the next two matches on September 29 and 30.West Indies squad for Nepal T20IsAkeal Hosein (capt), Fabian Allen, Jewel Andrew, Ackeem Auguste, Navin Bidaisse, Jediah Blades, Keacy Carty, Karima Gore, Jason Holder, Amir Jangoo, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Zishan Motara, Ramon Simmonds and Shamar Springer

The Houston Astros are reuniting with their World Series champion shortstop Carlos Correa.

According to a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Minnesota Twins, who have been very actively selling their roster at the deadline, have agreed to trade the three-time All-Star shortstop back to Houston. Correa waived his no-trade clause to secure the reunion with the Astros.

Correa played his first seven seasons with the Astros before leaving the franchise in free agency ahead of the 2022 season. He helped the Astros capture the 2017 World Series title.

Correa, 30, is hitting .267 this season with seven home runs and 31 RBI in 364 plate appearances. He will likely spend the rest of his career back in Houston, as he is under contract until 2033, when he will be 38 years old.

At home, India have not lost both the Test and ODI series of a tour since 1986-87

Sidharth Monga05-Dec-20253:38

ten Doeschate: A different start time could bring down dew effect

Big picture – Can India end rotten luck with the toss?

The last time India lost both the Test and ODI series as part of the same bilateral tour was in South Africa in 2021-22. At home, though, India haven’t lost both the series of a tour since Pakistan beat them 1-0 in Tests and 5-1 in ODIs in 1986-87.South Africa go into Vishakapatnam with a chance of achieving that rare double. It is evident by now that it could well come down to the toss. The dew anyway plays a big part in ODIs in India, which is now getting accentuated by use of only one ball from overs 34 to 50. The side bowling in the afternoon gets the advantage of using an older, softer ball, which gets nullified in the dew in the night. South Africa won the last ODI despite being 35 behind India at the 34-over mark, which is when the fielding side gets to choose one of the two balls to bowl the rest of the innings with.Given such a premium on the toss, India will be desperate that they finally win one after 20 straight losses. The last time India won a toss in ODIs was in the semi-final of the last World Cup, and we are already talking about combinations for the next World Cup.The teams will have no option but to maximise the new ball in the afternoon and go for an above-par total for the conditions they are batting in. And then maximise the new ball in the evening before it stops moving. India managed to do both of those things in Ranchi, but only one in Raipur. It will be interesting to see if South Africa have capability to do both, but for that India will have to win the toss.

Form guide

India: LWWLL
South Africa: WLLWLMarco Jansen is staking claims to becoming a genuine allrounder•Associated Press

In the spotlight: Virat Kohli and Marco Jansen

Virat Kohli has gone back to back with centuries 11 times in his career. He has converted one of those into a hat-trick. Three centuries in one week. One of them came at his favourite venue, Vishakapatnam, where he comes back with four ODI hundreds and one Test ton to his name. He averages 97.83 there in ODIs at better than a run a ball. He has also scored 299 Test runs there for three dismissals. The form that he seems to have hit, you won’t want to bet against another hat-trick of ODI hundreds.Marco Jansen, who is staking claims to becoming a genuine allrounder, will still want to do more in his core discipline of bowling than four wickets at an average of 34.75 and an economy rate of 6.95. If Nandre Burger doesn’t recover in time, he could get the new ball and look to play a role in controlling Kohli and Rohit Sharma.Related

• Shadowing the king: When Gaikwad matched Kohli shot for shot

• When South Africa and India went off the scale

• Gaikwad: 'I was pretty much confident' of batting at No. 4

Team news: Eyes on Burger, de Zorzi

India will have no reason to make any changes in the XI that has won one and narrowly lost the second despite losing both tosses. Especially after Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a hundred that almost matched Kohli shot for shot. Prasidh Krishna is going at 8.48 an over, but India don’t have a replacement bowler in the squad. And they won’t replace a specialist bowler with an allrounder.India (probable): 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Ruturaj Gaikwad, 5 KL Rahul (capt. & wk), 6 Washington Sundar, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Harshit Rana, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Prasidh KrishnaSouth Africa had two players go down with hamstring injuries in the second ODI. Neither of them played any further role in the match. Hamstrings don’t heal this quickly so expect Burger and Tony de Zorzi to be replaced by Ottneil Baartman and Ryan Rickelton.South Africa (probable): 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Temba Bavuma (capt.), 4 Matthew Breetzke, 5 Ryan Rickelton, 6 Dewald Brevis, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Corbin Bosch, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Ottneil Baartman

Pitch and conditions

The last two ODIs represent the extreme of the conditions in Vishakapatnam. India went from scoring 387 against West Indies in December 2019 to being bowled out for 117 against Australia in March 2023. With no weather challenges in the pitch preparation, expect more of the former. The temperature should be warmer than Ranchi and Raipur, but still pleasant for cricket.

Stats and trivia

• Kumar Sangakkara holds the record for more centuries in consecutive ODI innings: four. A host of others, including Kohli, have managed three in a row.
• The last team to beat India in India despite losing the toss was South Africa in October 2022.

It’s been a great week for Chelsea, and an even better one for Estevao.

Enzo Maresca handed the Brazilian a start in the club’s Champions League game against Barcelona, his third on the bounce in the competition, and to say he shone would be an understatement.

The Catalan side couldn’t live with him, and thanks to some brilliant close control, he was rewarded with a goal early in the second half.

The teenage sensation looks destined to be a world-beater, so fans should be excited about reports linking Chelsea with a striker who’d be a dream teammate for him.

Chelsea target a dream signing for Estevao

While he has been billed as one of the next big talents for over a year now, nobody would have expected Estevao to have had the start to the season he has.

Transfer Focus

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

Across all competitions so far, the youngster has made 17 appearances, totalling 740 minutes, in which he has scored five goals and provided one assist.

Moreover, three of those goals have come in the UCL, while his only Premier League goal came against Liverpool.

In other words, the Franca-born gem has already proven that he’s more than capable of performing in the biggest games for the Blues, and that might explain why the club are now targeting a striker who’d be a dream teammate for him.

At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which has claimed Chelsea are interested in Samu Aghehowa.

In fact, the report has revealed that the West Londoners are plotting to swoop for a couple of promising young stars in January, one of whom is the Porto star.

However, the Blues are not the only ones keen on the Spaniard, with reports from earlier this week linking Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur with a £79m move.

In all, it could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Samu’s immense ability and potential, it’s one Chelsea should fight for, especially as he’d be a dream teammate for Estevao.

Why Samu would be a dream signing for Estevao

The first reason, and the most crucial reason Samu would be an excellent signing for Estevao and Chelsea overall, is that he’s a proven and reliable output machine.

For example, across all competitions last season, the Spanish international made 45 appearances, totalling 3400 minutes, in which he scored 27 goals and provided three assists.

In other words, he averaged a goal involvement every 1.5 games, or every 113.33 minutes, which is all the more impressive given that it was his first campaign in Portugal.

Fortunately, that level of output does not look like an outlier, as so far this season, the Melilla-born monster has been even more dangerous.

For example, in 15 appearances, totalling 885 minutes, he has scored nine goals and provided one assist, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.5 games, or more impressivley, every 88.5 minutes, which is a rate of return that lends to journalist Zach Lowy’s description of him as “one of the best STs in Europe.”

Appearances

45

15

Minutes

3,400′

885′

Goals

27

9

Assists

3

1

Goal Involvements per Match

0.66

0.43

Minutes per Goal Involvement

113.33′

115.57′

Points per Game

1.67

2.53

Now, on top of utterly bossing it in Portugal, the 6 foot 4 titan has also got some decent experience in a top-five league, as he spent the 23/24 season on loan with Deportivo Alavés, where he made 34 appearances in La Liga, totalling 1924 minutes, in which he scored eight goals and provided one assist.

Finally, on top of being someone who could help bolster Estevao’s assist tally with his impressive finishing, the four-capped international is still relatively young at just 21 years old.

This means that he could develop alongside the Brazilian and, over the coming years, create a potentially game-changing partnership with him.

Ultimately, given his ability and potential, Chelsea should do what they can to sign Samu in January, as he’d make the team far more dangerous and could be a perfect teammate for Estevao.

Shades of Estevao: Chelsea have another "left-footed magician" out on loan

Chelsea and Enzo Maresca could have another Estevao-type talent on their hands next season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 27, 2025

Chair of selectors George Bailey played down concerns over Cameron Green’s fitness while lauding the form of Marnus Labuschagne early season

Alex Malcolm and Tristan Lavalette18-Oct-20251:14

Mitchell Starc: Smith ‘has been a great sounding board’ for Cummins

There is growing optimism among Australia’s selectors that captain Pat Cummins will “play a major part” in the Ashes but there is still no decision on his availability with less than five weeks to go before the opening day of the series.Chair of selectors George Bailey was also very confident that Cameron Green would be fully fit and available as an allrounder for the first Test after “conservative” management of his side soreness saw him ruled out of the ODI series against India and he also confirmed that Beau Webster was a lock for the first Test squad after equally careful management of his rolled ankle.Related

Cummins says he's 'less likely than likely' to play in the first Ashes Test

Green ruled out of ODI series against India with side soreness, Labuschagne called up

Konstas wins the battle, Boland wins the match for Victoria

There was no update on Cummins’ progression despite coach Andrew McDonald suggesting late last week that a decision would be made on Friday regarding the skipper’s fitness for the first Test. Cummins then spoke on Monday and said he was “less likely than likely” to be fit for Perth and would need a minimum of four weeks of bowling to be ready.Bailey had no further information on whether Cummins had started bowling, but suggested there were positive signs in his training progression over the past week.”I actually have no further update on that from when I think the last time Pat spoke,” Bailey told reporters in Perth on Saturday. “It’s progressing. He’s building up. He’s optimistic about it. I think actually the more he’s done over the last few days, the more optimistic he’s become but I categorically don’t know if he’s bowled a ball.”We know time is getting short and there’s permutations around that, not just around the back, but other factors as well. It’s positive. [We’re] really confident that he’s going to play a major part. Hopefully it’s the first Test. If not, then we’ll pick it up.”Bailey confirmed that Steven Smith would captain Australia if Cummins were to be unavailable. Smith has arrived in Sydney from his home in New York and is set to play the next two Sheffield Shield games for New South Wales after missing the opening two rounds.Bailey added he would catch up with Smith when Australia’s ODI squad reaches Sydney on Friday but noted that discussions on the batting positions of Smith and Green in the Test XI would be had at a later date.Cameron Green remains on track to play two more rounds of Sheffield Shield cricket•Getty ImagesAllrounder questionsGreen’s withdrawal from the ODI squad after experiencing side soreness raised concerns, but Bailey said that scans had cleared him of injury and played down any worries about his availability to play as an allrounder in the first Test.”It is minor and it’s conservative, and I think this decision probably ensures that we do have enough time to make sure,” Bailey said. “We put so much time and energy into building out the plan for him to be available for the first Test as an allrounder. So for the sake of, he was only going to play the first two ODIs anyway, the way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively.He’ll keep his plan of playing Shield [round] three and Shield four. I’m not across what overs there will be in that, but the plan will remain, and that should provide pretty good time that he’d in a good place to be ready to bowl.”Green’s minor injury aside, his return to bowling and the form of Marnus Labuschagne and Jake Weatherald had led to public conversation about whether Webster could be squeezed out of Australia’s XI for the Ashes.Webster has missed Tasmania’s opening two Shield matches due to a rolled ankle, although he wanted to play in the second game against Western Australia. He was urged not to by Bailey who gave the strongest endorsement yet that Webster would be a key part of Australia’s Ashes plans.”Last time he rolled his ankle, I think about five weeks later, he had a bit of a soft tissue injury,” Bailey said. “[We] just sort of [took] Beau through the journey of let’s work back from Sydney, rather than up to Perth. For the sake of one extra week, get it right, launch yourself into into Shield three.”I think [his] allround package has been really important. He’ll be in Perth. Everyone can relax.”Marnus Labuschagne is primed for a recall but debates over the batting order will continue•Getty ImagesSigns positive for LabuschagneBailey stopped short of guaranteeing Labuschagne’s return to the Test side but he had seen both his Shield centuries in person this summer and was impressed by what he watched.”I thought out of everything that he’s played, I really liked the innings in Adelaide,” Bailey said. “I liked the intent, I liked the movement, liked the way he built the partnerships. It’s a nice bowling attack South Australia have got, so he’s batting nicely. We know he’s a quality player. We know there’s a hell of a lot of class there.”To see him putting the runs up that has been really pleasing. And long may it continue.”Bailey noted Weatherald’s match-winning innings of 94 on a difficult surface in Hobart as another sign of his quality. He also thought there were positive signs in Sam Konstas’ 53 against Victoria on a tricky pitch at Junction Oval and added that the intense scrutiny on his domestic returns were “probably not helpful” given he’s in a “learning” phase of his career.Bailey also confirmed that Australia’s squad for the last three matches of the T20I series against India was still being finalised but there was a strong possibility that Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott will all be released to play in the fourth Shield round.Josh Inglis looks set to miss the entire ODI series against India after suffering a setback with his calf injury eight days ago as he ramped up his running but there is confidence he will be fit for the entire T20I series. There are no plans at this stage to send him to play Shield cricket despite being in the Ashes frame as a reserve batter and reserve wicketkeeper.The squad for the first Test will be named in early November after the conclusion of the third round of Shield matches.

Renuka Singh, Alyssa Healy set to return to action in what will be the first international at the New Chandigarh stadium

Sruthi Ravindranath13-Sep-20251:11

Healy: ‘India a sleeping giant for a long time now’

Big Picture: A dry run for the ODI World CupCan either team get better preparation than this in the lead-up to the ODI World Cup? India get to face the defending champions, while Australia get to play one of the tournament hosts and have a chance to acclimatise to the conditions well before other competing teams.Having won nine of the 11 ODIs they have played this year and having beaten England in their backyard in July, India will carry a lot of confidence into this series. However, Australia can be a formidable opponent: they have beaten India in 12 out of the 13 ODIs since Harmanpreet Kaur’s epic knock in the 2017 ODI World Cup semi-finals.India were whitewashed 3-0 in the last two series they had played against Australia. Four out of the last five times they’ve met in an ICC tournament, India have lost, including the semi-final of last year’s T20 World Cup. India will want to use this series not just as a dry run to get their team combination right but also to come up with plans to get past the Australia hurdle. If India win this series, they will enter the World Cup as favourites.Australia, meanwhile, haven’t played ODIs this year since January, when they wiped England out 3-0 in the Women’s Ashes. The last tournament they played was the T20I series against New Zealand in March. But they have ten players who were also part of the 2022 ODI World Cup side in this squad, and have lost just three out of 28 matches they played since that tournament. So, they will back themselves to shake off the rust and hit the ground running. They will be playing in New Chandigarh, a non-World Cup venue, but they will benefit from some quality practice, specifically against spin in the middle overs, which is expected to play a big role in the ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.Related

Harmanpreet says India believe they can beat Australia 'any day'

Australia ready to embrace 'little bit of unknowns' at ODI World Cup

Healy hopes wicketkeeping 'tinkering' avoids recurrence of injury

She gets knocked down but she gets up again: Sneh Rana's journey

Form GuideIndia WLWWW (last five matches, most recent first)
Australia WWWWWIn the spotlight: Alyssa Healy and Sneh RanaA ruptured plantar fascia at the 2024 T20 World Cup, a knee injury during the WBBL, and a stress fracture in the right foot during the Women’s Ashes. Australia captain Alyssa Healy has been dealing with recurring injuries since late last year which also affected her wicketkeeping. But she made a strong comeback for Australia A in the recent white-ball series against India A, making scores of 91 and 137 not out in the last two one-dayers and also keeping wicket, saying she made a few wicketkeeping ‘tinkering’ to avoid such injuries. A force for Australia in World Cups, she will hope to remain injury-free as she gears up for her first ODI World Cup as captain.Offspinner Sneh Rana has been on a roll ever since her comeback into India’s white-ball sides. A superb WPL season resulted in an ODI call-up, and she impressed immediately with 15 wickets in five games in the tri-series in Colombo in May. She followed that up with three wickets in the ODIs against England. With India expected to go spin-heavy for this series, and the World Cup that follows, Harmanpreet indicated during the squad announcement press conference that Rana will continue to be crucial in the middle overs.Alyssa Healy is set to return to action from injury•Getty Images

Team news: Renuka Singh returns from injuryWith Renuka Singh back for the series from injury, she is expected to start ahead of Arundhati Reddy, who had played the ODIs against England, with Kranti Goud as the other fast bowler. India are also likely to go in with Rana, N Sree Charani and Deepti Sharma as spin options.India (probable): 1 Pratika Rawal, 2 Smriti Mandhana, 3 Harleen Deol, 4 Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), 5 Jemimah Rodrigues, 6 Richa Ghosh (wk), 7 Deepti Sharma, 8 Sneh Rana, 9 N Shree Charani, 10 Kranti Goud, 11 Renuka SinghWill Australia tinker with the XI that last played against England in January? Though left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux is back in the side after a lengthy injury lay-off, she has not been given the green light to play. Healy said Molineux wasn’t “quite ready for the ODI format” and that Australia are “ready to have her back when she’s ready to go” at the press conference on the eve of the first ODI.Australia (probable): 1 Alyssa Healy (capt, wk), 2 Phoebe Litchfield, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Beth Mooney, 5 Annabel Sutherland, 6 Ash Gardner, 7 Tahlia McGrath, 8 Georgia Wareham, 9 Alana King, 10 Kim Garth, 11 Megan SchuttPitch and conditionsThis will be the first international fixture at the New Chandigarh stadium, which has hosted 11 IPL matches in the last two years, so the conditions are a bit of an unknown for both sides. The weather is expected to be a bit cloudy on Sunday, with the possibility of showers in the afternoon, and clear for the rest of the day.Georgia Voll and Ash Gardner at the nets•PTI

Stats and TriviaIndia last beat Australia in an ODI at home in February 2007. They have lost all ten encounters since.Harmanpreet is set to become the third Indian to feature in 150 Women’s ODIs.Megan Schutt is set to become the ninth Australian to feature in 100 Women’s ODIs.Since June 2024, Smriti Mandhana has scored 1346 runs in 23 ODI innings, 581 runs more than the next best batter. She has scored six hundreds in this period, three more than any other batter.Quotes”No doubt, they [Australia] have been very dominating. They have played well all over the world and dominated. But we are also at a stage where, as a captain, we have the belief we can beat them on any day. The processes in the last one and a half years has been good, we have improved quite a lot. Even in England, we beat one of their best sides. These show that we are on the right track.”
“This is the most stable Indian team I’ve seen and I think they’re in a really good place heading into this World Cup, so I’m looking forward to that challenge. The rivalry continues to grow. I know how much they love beating Australia and I know how good they are in their home conditions and that’s really a challenge for us. I think it’s going to be a really enjoyable, hard-fought series.”

Julian Nagelsmann has fiercely defended his public warning to Leroy Sane, stating that his comments were not "for fun" and had been discussed with the player beforehand. The Germany boss faced criticism in the media for his handling of the Galatasaray winger, but Nagelsmann reiterated his expectations for Sane's performance on the pitch.

• Nagelsmann defends Sane comments amid criticism

  This week, the Germany coach reiterated his warning that Sane will not be given "countless" opportunities to show he deserves a place in the squad, having previously suggested that his move to Galatasaray will see him frozen out unless he puts in particularly outstanding displays in the Super Lig and Champions League.

  His comments drew criticism from prominent football personalities, including former Bayern Munich director Matthias Sammer and German football legend Lothar Matthaus, who questioned the wisdom of such public statements. However, Nagelsmann defended his stance, telling reporters: "I didn't do this for fun. It was discussed with him. I know what he's capable of and I want him to bring what he's capable of onto the pitch," said Nagelsmann . "Leroy knows what is required and he also knows that there are not countless opportunities left to prove himself at the national team level, at least not under my leadership.

  "I didn't use the phrase 'last chance' either. I said that he doesn't have countless chances anymore. That's a fact."

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• AFP
  

  Experts criticise Nagelsmann's public approach

  Despite Nagelsmann's defence, several football figures have openly questioned his method of publicly criticising Sane. Former Schalke coach Jens Keller, who managed Sane and handed him his professional debut, suggested that such comments should be reserved for private conversations.

  Keller told : "I suspect Julian Nagelsmann wanted to provoke him, but I would have handled it differently. It's not my style to communicate publicly and increase the pressure like that. Leroy may be a laid-back guy, but he's also very sensitive." Keller believes that while Sane "used to need a talking-to now and then," it should always be done in private. "You can tell him your opinion in private, and he accepts it," he added.

  Ex-German Football Association director Sammer echoed this sentiment, arguing that individualists require a different approach. "My experience is that individualists need love, need so much love that it causes a clash. That's just the way it is," Sammer stated. 

  Nagelsmann, however, countered by saying: "Love so intense it's explosive? He got plenty of that from me for years."

• Sane's return to the Germany squad and club form

  Sane's recall to the Germany squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Slovakia marks his first inclusion since the Nations League finals in June. The 29-year-old winger moved to Galatasaray from Bayern as a free agent over the summer and has since experienced a mixed start to his tenure in Turkey.

  Nagelsmann acknowledged an improvement in Sane's recent performances, stating in a press conference on Monday: "His scoring rate and performances have improved significantly compared to the beginning, both in the Super Lig and in the Champions League. But he still has steps to take to improve even further – both here and at the club." Sane himself had previously admitted to that he "had to settle in first" at Galatasaray, but now feels "very happy with my performances." He has scored three goals and delivered three assists in 15 games across the Super Lig and Champions League.

  Despite his recent form, the circumstances of Sane's call-up were also noted by Nagelsmann, who implied it was partly due to a lack of alternatives. "If we had six or seven players to choose from in that position, then it would be significantly more difficult for him," he had said earlier in the week.

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• Getty Images
  

  What next for Sane and Germany?

  Sane is expected to start in Germany's attacking lineup alongside Serge Gnabry, Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade for the World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg on Friday. The match provides an immediate opportunity to respond to Nagelsmann's challenge on the pitch. Germany will then face Slovakia on Monday, a team that previously stunned them with a 2-0 victory, which Nagelsmann will be keen to avoid repeating.

  Germany are at least certain of a place in the World Cup play-offs, but will be eager to seal first place in the group to confirm their place in the competition. They sit level on points with Slovakia and three ahead of Northern Ireland heading into the last two matches of the round.

Mohamed Salah has come in for huge criticism following the bombshell post-match interview, where he took aim at Liverpool boss Arne Slot and accused the club of "throwing him under the bus", but Egypt national team boss Hossam Hassan has posted a message of support for his star forward. Salah was an unused substitute in the 3-3 draw with Leeds, the third match in a row he has been named on the bench.

Damaging draw too much for Mo

Leeds United secured a dramatic draw in a match Liverpool led twice, with Hugo Ekitike scoring a quickfire second-half brace, but were pegged back both times. Dominic Calvert-Lewin's penalty and Anton Stach's goal made it 2-2, Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool's lead and the Reds looked like they had sealed the three points, but Ao Tanaka's 96th-minute equaliser sealed a point for the home side. And while there was high drama on the pitch, the main headlines came after it, following an extraordinary rant from Salah. 

Speaking to reporters, Salah said: 'I can’t believe it, I’m very, very disappointed. I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season. Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.'

He added: 'I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am on the bench for three games, so I can’t say they keep the promise. I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club. This club, I always support it. My kids will always support it. I love the club so much, I will always do. I called my mum yesterday — you guys didn’t know if I would start or not, but I knew.'

AdvertisementGetty Images SportPundits queue-up to slam Salah 

Danny Murphy and Chris Sutton have strongly criticised Salah for his explosive post-match interview. Murphy labelled the Egyptian's timing as poor, arguing such issues should be handled internally, stating: 'Salah is making it all about him when the focus should be on Liverpool's draw. That just creates more problems.'

And Sutton posted to X on Saturday night: 'Embarrassing from Mo Salah and disrespectful to his team-mates and his manager. Salah is no different from any other player … if a player’s form drops as Salah’s has he is the same as anyone else and has to accept being benched… but he thinks he’s too good to be benched sadly…'

Egypt boss shows support

While pundits formed an orderly line to criticise Salah, he found support in the shape of his national boss, Hassan. Salah will join-up with his national team later this month to participate in AFCON and could miss as many as eight games for Liverpool. Hassan posted a picture of himself and Salah on Instagram, with the caption (originally in Arabic): 'Always a symbol of determination and strength.'

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Getty Images SportMilan showdown next up for Reds

Liverpool head to Italy for a Champions League clash with Inter Milan on Tuesday and fans will wait with baited breath to see the team sheet, and specifically whether Slot has included Salah. The Reds are desperate for victory after the damaging 4-1 home defeat by PSV Eindhoven in their last match and need wins in their remaining league phase matches to stand a chance of automatic qualification through to the knockout stage.

Rohit Sharma made an unbeaten 121 and Virat Kohli finished 74 not out to win by nine wickets after Harshit Rana’s 4 for 39 bowled Australia out for 236

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Chopra sees a lot of IPL interest in Cooper Connolly

The majority of the SCG crowd got what they wanted as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, playing what will surely be their final matches in Australia, guided India to a consolation nine-wicket victory which avoided a series whitewash.Rohit, building on the fighting 73 he made in Adelaide, went to his 33rd ODI century from 105 balls, a ninth against Australia, while Kohli responded to his twin ducks to start the series with an unbeaten 74 in front of a packed stadium of 40,587, most of whom cheered their every move.The pair, who have more than 26,000 ODI runs between them, finished with an unbroken stand of 168 from 170 balls as Rohit brought the target in view with a flurry of boundaries before Kohli finished it with a delicate glide to deep third.Related

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It was a dominant performance by India after Australia slipped dramatically from 183 for 3, losing 7 for 53 to be bowled out for 236. Matt Renshaw’s maiden ODI half-century had given them a solid platform, and all the top six made at least 23, but none could convert as Harshit Rana claimed a career-best 4 for 39 while India’s trio of spinners all bowled well.Rohit and Shubman Gill gave the chase an ideal platform but, even as the openers did what the team needed, the cheers for Kohli only grew louder. Shortly after Gill had deposited Cooper Connolly for six he edged Josh Hazlewood behind and the stage was set.Kohli made his way out of the dressing room to huge cheers, but those paled compared to a few moments later when he was off the mark first ball with a flick wide of mid-on. Kohli got into the spirit of the moment with a little smile and clenched fist.Virat Kohli celebrates his first run of the series after two ducks•AFP via Getty ImagesFrom there, it was largely the Kohli seen on so many occasions – a straight drive off Mitchell Starc was a standout – although he was a little fortunate to survive an lbw appeal against Nathan Ellis on 36 which was millimeters from being overturned on DRS.One of the highlights of Rohit’s innings was an inside-out lofted drive for six against Adam Zampa and he later added another six off the legspinner with a slog sweep. The century came in understated fashion, a gentle drive to long-off, and a gentle wave of the bat around the ground.Despite the series being wrapped up, Australia resisted resting either Hazlewood or Mitchell Starc. They ended up only bowling 11 between them – Hazlewood was again excellent – but they weren’t brought back when the result was assured, perhaps a nod to what is to come. Ellis, who had been brought in for Xavier Bartlett, endured a difficult night.Mitchell Marsh had opted to set a target when the coin fell his way, making it 18 consecutive tosses India had lost in ODIs. Marsh and Travis Head, who became the fastest Australia men’s batter to 3000 ODI runs by innings, picked up the pace during the opening ten overs with Marsh pulling Prasidh Krishna’s first ball for six in an over that cost 13.Harshit Rana took career-best figures of 4 for 39•AFP via Getty ImagesAustralia were beginning to motor when Head spooned a catch to backward point although the run rate at that stage of more than six over would prove deceptive. Two balls later India could have had a second wicket after a mix-up left Matt Short stranded but Gill missed the stumps.Marsh’s promising innings ended the first ball after drinks, when he gave himself room against Axar Patel and was bowled. A relatively quiet period followed as Short and Renshaw worked into their innings. Short, who made a career-best 74 in Adelaide, had given himself a base when he swept Washington Sundar to square leg where Kohli held a stinging catch to the delight of many in the crowd.Renshaw did not hit a boundary until his 33rd delivery when he pulled Sundar powerfully through the leg side but kept the scoreboard ticking over so effectively that his fifty arrived from 48 balls.Alex Carey struggled for momentum and was on 8 off 23 balls when given a life, Krishna unable to hold a tough chance running in from long-on. He and Renshaw had given Australia a good base for acceleration when the pair fell in the space of four overs.Carey was spectacularly caught by Shreyas Iyer running back from backward point, taking the ball over his shoulder and slamming into the ground which caused him significant pain. During the drinks break which followed he left the field with the physio and during India’s chase was taken to hospital for further assessment.Renshaw, who is in the contention for a place in the Test squad for the Ashes, then fell lbw to Sundar as he advanced down the pitch with the DRS confirming the ball would have taken middle and leg.In Adelaide, Connolly and Mitch Owen put together a stand that turned the game firmly in Australia’s favour but there was no repeat here. Owen, staying leg side of the ball, edged a rising delivery from Rana to slip meaning the bowlers were exposed with more than 12 overs remaining and they were bowled out with 20 deliveries unused. But what the crowd had really come to see came next.