BCCI president expects the tournament to be “as big and grand a success as men’s IPL”
ESPNcricinfo staff04-Feb-2022
Sourav Ganguly: “2023 will be a very good time to start a full-fledged women’s IPL”•BCCI
The BCCI is at the final stages of planning for a Women’s IPL, according to BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, who has said he strongly believes that the tournament should take off in 2023.”We are at the level of formulation to have a full-fledged WIPL. It is certainly going to happen,” Ganguly told PTI on Friday. “I strongly believe that next year i.e. 2023 will be a very good time to start a full-fledged women’s IPL which will be as big and grand a success as men’s IPL.”After India finished runners-up to England in the 2017 ODI World Cup, and then second-best to Australia at the T20 World Cup in 2020, the women’s game in the country has cornered a lot more attention than it had previously.But despite prominent voices asking for a T20 league for women in India along the lines of the WBBL or the now-defunct Kia Super League (the women’s Hundred has taken its place), the BCCI has opted not to go ahead, so far, choosing instead to only host a three-team Women’s T20 Challenge alongside the playoffs of the men’s IPL. This started in 2018 as a two-team event, with one exhibition match, and expanded to a three-team affair in 2019 and 2020, but was scrapped in 2021, even though the men’s tournament took place (in two parts because of the Covid-19 situation).The BCCI’s argument against the Women’s IPL has been that Indian cricket doesn’t possess the sort of depth in its domestic circuit that is required for the tournament to be worthwhile. In 2019, Ganguly had, in fact, suggested that a seven-team women’s IPL could well come to fruition in 2023, when he had said, “You need a lot more women players. I see that in four years’ time, to get a seven-team IPL with the best women players [in participation].”As such, there are at least 1100 registered women’s players in India in any domestic season, and around 40 players who have either played for India since the 2018-19 season or are on the fringes of selection.
Arsenal have joined the race to sign an exciting midfield star in 2025 as they look to continue their push for an elusive Premier League title under Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal's unbeaten start over
Arsenal’s third red card in eight Premier League games finally came back to haunt them as they fell to a 2-0 loss to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, ending their unbeaten start to the season. Goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert in the second half were enough for the Cherries to record a famous win, after William Saliba saw red in the first half for a last-man foul on the halfway line.
Though Arsenal fans are keen to point out the inconsistency in decisions, their red card record so far this season will need improving if they have any chance of lifting the Premier League trophy in May, 20 years on from their last success.
Red Cards in the Premier League 2024/25
Arsenal
3
Nottingham Forest
2
Southampton
2
Six teams
1
Wins for rivals Manchester City and Liverpool compounded the misery for Arteta’s side, who now sit three points behind the former and four points behind Arne Slot’s Reds. It makes their home tie against Liverpool all the more important, for which they will certainly be without William Saliba and likely to remain without Martin Odegaard, who continues to recover from an ankle injury picked up on international duty.
With the injury to the Norwegian, the Gunners have looked a shadow of their best selves, having sold Emile Smith Rowe and loaned out Fabio Vieira in the summer, while young talent Ethan Nwaneri is clearly not yet fully trusted by Arteta despite a series of impressive cameos. It means that a solution for future issues will need to be found, and now the Gunners may have found one.
Arsenal join race for talent with "huge future"
That is according to CaughtOffside, who claim that the Gunners have joined a growing queue of clubs showing a strong interest in RB Salzburg midfielder Oscar Gloukh. The 20-year-old has already made 14 appearances for the Israeli national team, and has enjoyed a fine start to the new season in Austria. In seven outings, he has managed five goals and two assists from midfield, building on his 22 goal contributions in 2023-24.
He has been dubbed as a player with a “huge future” by Talent Scout Jacek Kulig on X, who added that he is “one of Salzburg’s biggest jewels”.
As per the report, Arsenal are “showing strong interest” in the youngster, who is also wanted by the likes of Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund.
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Though there will be a tussle for his signature, it is claimed that Salzburg are “prepared to listen to offers in the region of €35m” (£29m) and that the player himself is “open to a move to the Premier League”, which could encourage the Gunners.
Opener made 134 out of 220 as Head missed out; Siddle bagged four wickets before Wakim scored 68 in reply for Tasmania
Alex Malcolm11-Nov-2021
Henry Hunt scored his second successive century•Getty Images
Henry Hunt played an extraordinary lone-hand for South Australia, scoring his second consecutive Sheffield Shield century to defy Tasmania on the second day of the rain-affected clash at Bellerive Oval.Hunt made 134 out of South Australia’s 220, with Liam Scott (42) the only other team-mate to reach 15, as Peter Siddle ripped through the visitors, taking 4 for 42.Charlie Wakim made a fine 68 in reply, and Tim Ward faced 102 balls for 29 in the late afternoon to put Tasmania in a solid position only for Nathan McAndrew to remove both men in the fading light to leave the game well poised.Earlier, Hunt stood firm after South Australia collapsed to 5 for 78 in overcast conditions, with Test hopeful Travis Head falling cheaply for 14, chopping Lawrence Neil-Smith onto his stumps, attempting a lead-footed drive on the up. Since dominating the early season matches at Karen Rolton Oval, Head has had diminishing returns of 53, 23, 21, 9 and 14 on spicier surfaces at Adelaide Oval, the WACA and Bellerive Oval.Alex Carey also fell cheaply, slicing Siddle to point. Hunt was rock solid by comparison in his 236-ball epic. He struck 15 fours and three sixes to remain resolute while wickets tumbled at the other end. Scott provided excellent support in a brisk 65-run stand. Hunt was the last man out after adding 28 for the 10th wicket with David Grant facing just one ball. Jarrod Freeman picked up three wickets at the end of the innings.Daniel Worrall struck early in Tasmania’s first innings, squaring up Caleb Jewell with a peach to have him caught at third slip. Worrall operated with five slips at one stage, but Wakim and Ward negotiated the seaming conditions well as the sun came out in the afternoon. The pair shared a 96-run partnership, with Wakim striking eight boundaries in his fluent 68. But Wakim lost his off bail to a cracking off-cutter from Nathan McAndrew. Ward struck just one boundary in 102 deliveries he faced, playing very cautiously. But he fell driving at a ball that held up in the last over of the day, slicing McAndrew to point. Ben McDermott and Tasmania’s perennial night-watchman Neil-Smith survived to stumps.
Heading into the international break, Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace sit 18th in the Premier League, still winless after seven games, having drawn three and lost four.
Palace have managed to score just five goals in their seven games played, only Southampton scoring fewer with four. This comes with the Eagles averaging 48.6% possession (11th best in the league), and averaging 13.1 shots per 90 (tenth best in the league).
Two of their five Premier League goals have come from striker, Jean-Phillipe Mateta, who has scored four goals and provided one assist in his nine appearances across all competitions so far this campaign.
Mateta's Crystal Palace career in numbers
Mateta signed for Palace back in 2022, having spent a year there on loan from January 2021. The Eagles reportedly paid around £9m to secure the striker’s services permanently from Bundesliga side, Mainz.
The 27-year-old has since made 115 appearances for the club, scoring 33 goals and providing seven assists, totalling 5,922 minutes played.
Last season, he was heavily leaned upon to provide the output from Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze’s creativity, scoring 16 goals in the Premier League in 35 games, whilst also providing five of his seven total assists that season.
The Frenchman has started this campaign fairly strong, netting four times in total, twice in the Premier League, but his chances have been far fewer so far, as the loss of Olise is causing Palace a few issues early in the season, to replicate the chance creation he added.
However, things could look even more different now had Palace made a striker signing in the summer window of 2023 after Mateta only scored two goals in the 2022/23 season, failing to find the net on a regular basis.
Crystal Palace's links to Che Adams
Back in August 2023, Palace were reportedly battling to sign Che Adams. The 28-year-old instead stayed at Southampton for the 2023/24 season before leaving on a free, joining Torino in July 2024.
One that got away
The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast's One That Got Away series.
Adams has started the season strong in his new Italian setting, making nine appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals, and providing two assists, with three of his four goals coming in Serie A. Torino currently sit seventh in Serie A, having won three, drawn two, and lost two of their opening seven fixtures.
Initially not thought to be too prolific in English football, he’s proving the doubters wrong rather swiftly and is actually bettering Mateta in a host of metrics throughout 2024/25.
Goals
0.71
0.58
Assists
0.36
0.14
xG
0.35
0.33
Progressive Carries
0.70
0.59
Progressive Passes
0.93
1.57
Shots Total
2.14
1.30
Shots on Target
1.43
0.43
Goals/Shot
0.33
0.33
Shot-Creating Actions
2.79
1.96
Aerials Won
1.40
1.57
As you can see from their numbers, Adams is smashing it over at Torino, with manager Paolo Vanoli describing him as the “perfect player” for their plan.
Southampton striker Che Adams.
He is scoring more goals per 90 and providing more assists per 90 than Mateta, has more xG generated per 90, more progressive carries, a higher shot volume and shot accuracy, whilst also scoring at a rate of 0.33 goals/shot.
Mateta is providing better aerial battle numbers, which is to be expected with his 6 foot 3 frame, and whilst Mateta is scoring fewer, he is still scoring at the same rate per shot taken, with a 0.33 goals/shot ratio.
Southampton striker Che Adams
Palace probably won’t see this as a mistake, as Mateta showed last season what he can provide, and is still showing what he can do this season with limited service, but the Scotland international could have provided a different option upfront for the Eagles, as he is now showing some of his best form in Italy.
South Africa Women will tour the Caribbean for three T20Is and five ODIs starting August 31. The tour serves as preparation for both teams, with just seven months to go for the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand.All the matches will be played in Antigua. While the T20Is and the first two ODIs will be hosted by the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, the remaining three ODIs will be played at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.”It’s fantastic to be able to announce our schedule to the West Indies,” head coach Hilton Moreeng said. “A timely coming back for us to competitive cricket after a lengthy period without game time.”Every ODI series for us carries even more weight as we have our sights firmly set on the cricket showpiece that will be taking place next year, and I believe it is just as important for our hosts as they strive towards qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup.”South Africa last played an international series in India in March, when they won both the limited-overs series in Lucknow. However, a number of top players have had game-time lately. Mignon du Preez, Laura Woolvardt, Shabnim Ismail, Dane van Niekerk, Chloe Tryon and Lizelle Lee are all currently part of The Hundred in England.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
In comparison, West Indies are coming off a victorious limited-overs series at home against Pakistan in July. The upcoming series will help them prepare for the World Cup global qualifiers to be held in Zimbabwe this December, after failing to secure a direct entry for the World Cup.West Indies will have their third High Performance training camp, under head coach Courtney Walsh, as part of their preparations for the series. Three of their top players – Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews – are part of The Hundred competition in England, and will likely join the squad ahead of the series.”We are delighted to have more cricket on the horizon as this will be a vital part of our preparations for the ICC World Cup Qualifiers,” Walsh said. “We are at a crucial juncture as we prepare for this big event and again, we want to thank CWI for organising this camp to get the girls up to speed.”We were fantastic against Pakistan last month and we want to bring that winning momentum into this series of matches as well. We are going in the right direction, with the way we want. There is a lot to play for and we will be up for the challenge.”
An update on the future of Wolves boss Gary O’Neil has been provided ahead of his side’s Midlands derby with Aston Villa after a tricky start to the Premier League season.
Wolves continue poor start to the season
Midweek Carabao Cup action did nothing to lift spirits around Molineux as Gary O’Neil’s side fell to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of fellow Premier League side Brighton at the AMEX stadium.
It means that Wolves have won just one game so far this season, and are yet to taste success in the Premier League. A defeat against Arsenal on the opening day was followed by a thrashing at the hands of Chelsea, before they picked up their sole point of the campaign so far in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.
With games against Liverpool, Aston Villa, Man City and Brighton all in their next five games, it could prove difficult to find any sort of form between now and November, which could see them dragged into a relegation dog-fight.
Wolves’ next five Premier League games
Aston Villa (A)
Liverpool (H)
Brentford (A)
Manchester City (H)
Brighton (A)
O’Neil bemoaned the defeat in midweek, admitting that he was beginning to sound “like a broken record”.
“Unfortunately, I have to sit here again and talk to you about a defeat but one that probably shouldn’t have been a defeat”, the Wolves boss explained. “We made a lot of changes and the team still found a way to function, to function fairly well.
“The 3-1 sucker punch was a tough one because I think everyone in the stadium felt we were very, very much on top at the point and it feels a bit this way at the moment, which makes these chats with you guys (the media) a bit awkward because you don’t want to sound like a broken record. We did enough today to get a result out of the game and we found a way not to again, so it’s a similar theme.”
Now, an update on the manager’s future has been provided ahead of his pre match press conference on Friday, which will take place this afternoon.
Update on O'Neil's Wolves role
That comes as GiveMeSport claim that despite the poor form, O’Neil’s job remains completely safe at Molineux. They explain that the Wolves boss is “under no pressure in terms of losing his job whatsoever”, and they add that is unlikely to change in the coming weeks either.
Wolves manager Gary O'Neil
Given the tough fixtures ahead, they reveal that “it is likely O’Neil will be judged on games following that period of the campaign”, with the fixture list looking somewhat kinder heading into November and beyond for the Old Gold.
Reported to take home just £1.5m per year, O’Neil is one of the lowest paid managers in the Premier League, which means that should Wolves decide to pull the trigger it should not have too much impact on their finances.
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For now though, they are willing to stick with the man who guided them to midtable and safety last season.
It is safe to say Newcastle United have come a long way in recent years. Following promotion in 2017, Premier League finishes of tenth, 13th, 13th, 12th and 11th during their first five years looked like they had established themselves as a side who wouldn’t quite achieve a European place, but who also wouldn’t suffer relegation.
This changed when Howe arrived, as his first full season saw the Magpies claim a stunning fourth place finish during 2022/23, their highest since 2012.
While they could only secure seventh place last term, hopes are high after a promising start this year and Howe certainly appears to be the man to take the club back into Europe.
Long gone are the days when Sam Allardyce was in charge, as the club slipped back down the table rather than forcing their way up as contenders for Champions League qualification.
Sam Allardyce’s Newcastle statistics
At Bolton, ‘Big Sam’ created a team that not only secured promotion to the top flight, but one that remained there until 2012, with players such as Ivan Campo, Fernando Hierro and Jay-Jay Okocha ensuring they were one of the finest cult teams in the history of the Premier League.
He even secured European football for the club and came close to winning the League Cup in 2004, but when the Toon job became available, he took the opportunity with both hands.
The Englishman made a promising start to life at Newcastle, recording five wins and two draws from their opening nine league matches, but form started to drop off.
He was sacked in January 2008 after just eight months in charge, failing to inspire the team to much success.
Might it have been a different story had he signed the players he wanted to bring to Newcastle? Rather than settling for those who failed to make a difference.
Newcastle’s signings under Sam Allardyce
During the summer of 2007, players such as Alan Smith, Joey Barton, Mark Viduka and Habib Beye arrived at St James Park – to varying degrees of success.
Hopes were high that Allardyce could attract high-class players due to his stature in the Premier League, but it didn’t quite turn out like that, which ultimately led to his downfall at the club.
Player
Club signed from
Alan Smith
Manchester United
Mark Viduka
Middlesbrough
Joey Barton
Manchester City
Jose Enrique
Villarreal
David Rozehnal
PSG
Abdoulaye Faye
Bolton
Habib Beye
Marseille
Geremi
Chelsea
Claudio Cacapa
Lyon
One of the most experienced players who linked up with Allardyce was former Real Madrid gem Geremi, who had featured for Chelsea under José Mourinho.
Geremi’s statistics at Newcastle
The Cameroonian won the Champions League and La Liga titles with Madrid during a three-year spell in the capital before moving to Chelsea in 2003. After 109 appearances in which he won the Premier League twice, Geremi was available on a free transfer.
Allardyce wasted no time, snapping him up that summer. Geremi would play just 54 times for the Magpies during his spell in the north-east as he was clearly slowing down as a player.
While the utility midfielder was seen as somewhat of a decent signing, things may have turned out a lot better for the club had they signed one of their main targets – Luka Modrić.
Newcastle missed out on Luka Modric in 2007
Speaking a few years after leaving the club, Allardyce claimed that he was keen on bringing the playmaker to Newcastle during his first summer transfer window, saying:
“I was then on the way to getting Luka Modric from Dinamo Zagreb, but by then, Mike saw the scale of the full debut and put the clamps on, so I had to make do with Geremi from Chelsea.”
Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric.
What might have been at St James Park if the manager had gotten his wish and signed the young Croatian talent 17 years ago? He could have potentially saved his job, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
The current Real Madrid star hasn’t done too badly since then.
Luka Modric’s career statistics
Modric did eventually end up in the Premier League, but it wasn’t with Newcastle. After impressing in his homeland, he joined Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2008, going on to make a total of 160 appearances for the London club, emerging as a player to watch.
Luka Modric for Tottenham.
Former teammate Darren Bent hailed Modric as “incredible” before lavishing further praise on his ex-teammate while speaking about him, saying: “When Luka joined Spurs, the first thing you noticed was his technique.
“I had played against him for England but when you watched him up close, he was a player you knew straight away was levels above everyone.”
His performances clearly impressed Real Madrid, who came in for him in the summer of 2012, going on to become a club legend.
The 39-year-old has played nearly 550 games for the club, winning all there is to win in the process, but it has been at international level in which Modric has demonstrated his influence.
Not only did he lead Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final (losing 4-2 to France), but he came close to repeating the trick four years later, as the country had to settle for a third-place finish.
This is remarkable given the nation has a population of just 3.8m, smaller than Scotland. For his exploits in Russia and his club displays for Madrid in 2018, the midfielder won the Ballon d’Or, becoming the first player from Croatia to win the award.
Luka Modric
What could have been if Modric had signed for Newcastle all those years ago? Would he have become a club legend? Unfortunately, no one will know, but his career trajectory may have changed significantly if he had pitched up on Tyneside rather than in North London, that’s for sure.
As it is, the Magpies – and ‘Big Sam’ – had to settle for Geremi…
Newcastle United chase £21m gem who outscored Erling Haaland at youth level
Manchester United have made a €50m (£43m) offer to sign an "extraordinary" world-renowned player this summer, according to a new update.
Man Utd transfer news
A productive summer at Old Trafford appears to be improving all the time, with numerous top-quality names coming in. Bayern Munich pair Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui look set to be the next players to arrive, but the Red Devils' spending may not end there.
Ex-Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso has emerged as a target for United, with the 29-year-old now an experienced head capable of thriving at centre-back and left-back.
Mario Hermoso
Midfield additions are still needed ahead of the new Premier League season, with Casemiro an ageing figure, and Borussia Monchengladbach ace Manu Kone has been backed to seal a move to Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Burnley's Sander Berge could be an alternative option in that area of the pitch as he looks to seal a transfer away from the Championship club.
Another striker isn't out of the question in the coming weeks either, with Brentford star Ivan Toney continuing to be linked with a switch to United. A "late-window" bid for the England international has been mooted, in what could be an eye-catching piece of business.
Man Utd make offer for "extraordinary" player
According to Catalan outlet El Nacional (via The Faithful MUFC), Manchester United have submitted a €50m bid for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong as they look to add him to their list of summer signings.
The Catalan giants are believed to have rejected the approach, instead demanding somewhere in the region of €85m (£73m) instead, which is a huge increase – albeit with €15m of that fee in potential add-ons.
Manchester United transfer target Frenkie de Jong in action for Barcelona.
De Jong could be a perfect addition to Erik ten Hag's midfield this season and beyond, possessing elite-level natural ability and the talent to dictate a game from the middle of the park. His former manager, Xavi, is under no illusion as to how gifted he is, saying of him in the past:
"He’s an extraordinary footballer. A midfielder that is not afraid to receive the ball in difficult areas, I’ll repeat it, he’s a very good player. At Barca you need an excellent level to play. You get there and there is Messi, Griezmann, Pique, Busquets… the best in the world in your team."
At 27, De Jong is coming right into the peak years of his career, so the idea of him in a United shirt is a mouthwatering prospect, with the Dutchman not only an artist on the ball but effective out of possession, averaging 2.2 tackles per game in La Liga last season – only Gavi averaged more for Barca.
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While not necessarily the most dynamic when it comes to outright pace, he could dovetail beautifully with Kobbie Mainoo in a double pivot at the base of the Red Devils' midfield, allowing Bruno Fernandes more freedom in front of them. A huge bid will be needed for the situation to change, though.
Bayern Munich came close to matching their own record set under Pep Guardiola in 2014 during Saturday's win over Heidenheim.
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Bayern made close to 1000 passes vs HeidenheimSecond to Guardiola's record from 10 years backBundesliga leaders won 4-2 in BundesligaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Jamal Musiala came off the bench to strike twice as Bayern clinched a 4-2 win over Heidenheim in a Bundesliga clash on Saturday. During the match at Allianz Arena, Vincent Kompany's side played a whopping 988 passes as they came close to matching their record from 10 years back. In the last two decades, only once had the Bavarian club played more than 1000 passes during a Bundesliga clash – against Hertha Berlin under current Manchester City boss Guardiola's tutelage.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
In March 2014, during Guardiola's maiden season in charge of the German giants, the club played 1109 passes as they outclassed Hertha 3-1 courtesy of goals from Toni Kroos, Mario Gotze and Franck Ribery. Kompany, who spent three seasons playing under the legendary Spanish manager at City, is heavily influenced by his mentor and is trying to implement a similar possession-based style at Bayern.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Bundesliga giants remain unbeaten in the league and are now six points clear at the top of the table. Star striker Harry Kane missed Saturday's fixture due to an injury, but the England captain is inching closer towards a return to action.
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Kompany's men will be back in action on Tuesday as they take on Shakhtar Donetsk in a crucial Champions League clash.
Chelsea are closing in on another signing this summer after agreeing a £17m+ deal for the next exciting talent out of Brazil, according to recent reports.
Chelsea building for the future
It has been a strange two years since Todd Boehly's arrival at Stamford Bridge, with much of the first team sold off to fund moves for future gems.
Significant sums have been spent on players who are either yet to join or who have been sent out on loan for the most part, with only Romeo Lavia, Malo Gusto, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu likely to be part of Enzo Maresca's squad for the upcoming Premier League season from the teenagers signed.
Teenage signings since Todd Boehly's arrival
Player
Fee
Gabriel Slonina
£7m
Romeo Lavia
£58m
Andrey Santos
£18m
Cesare Casadei
£12m
Carney Chukwuemeka
£20m
Malo Gusto
£30m
Lesley Ugochukwu
£23.2m
Angelo
£13m
Deivid Washington
£17.2m
Omari Kellyman
£17m
Caleb Wiley
£8.5m
Marc Guiu
£5m
Estevao
£30m
Kendry Paez
Undisclosed
The method is yet to truly bear fruit either, with Chelsea finishing in a Europa Conference League spot last season despite five straight wins to end the season, a finish that saw them part ways with manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Meanwhile, homegrown talents are being sold off to make space for the additions; Ian Maatsen has joined Aston Villa this summer and Conor Gallagher is on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid, while Trevoh Chalobah continues to be ostracised from the squad amid reports he could leave the club too.
Trevoh Chalobah
Chelsea agree deal for "Neymar-esque" forward
Chelsea have reportedly finally agreed a deal to sign 16-year-old Brazilian talent Gabriel Mec from Gremio. The attacker is yet to make a senior appearance for Gremio, and has just six U20 appearances to his name, registering one goal in the process.
However, he is already widely touted as a future superstar; Football analyst Ben Mattinson described him as "a 2-footed, skilful Brazilian attacker" with a "Neymar-esque play-style" on X. He tends to play in the wide areas or as a number 10, but it is added that "wherever he plays he’ll drop deeper or central to receive the ball".
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Now, the same outlet that broke Chelsea's initial interest in the teenager have claimed that a deal has been agreed, with the Blues ready to pay in excess of 20m euros (£17m) with add-ons included.
Meanwhile, other reports claim Mec is "open to the move" to Stamford Bridge, where he would join a growing contingent of Brazilian youngsters with Estevao already set to make his way to west London to join Angelo and Andrey Santos.
Of course, Mec can not leave Brazil until he turns 18, which will see him head across the Atlantic in the summer of 2026 to join his new club. If he lives up to the weight of expectation that surrounds him, he could prove an excellent piece of business for the Blues, albeit at the cost of their current squad.