The Boston Red Sox sent shockwaves through the baseball world over the weekend when they traded superstar slugger Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for four players.
It was a move that felt all too familiar to the Boston faithful, which has watched their organization part ways with stars Xander Bogaerts (which turned out to be a good move) and Mookie Betts (which turned out to be a very, very bad move).
Jim Bowden, who worked as the general manager for the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals, believes the Red Sox' latest big move will be remembered similar to their highly criticized Betts trade.
"It can't happen. This is egregious," Bowden said Monday on the show. "The ego affects the progress of mankind, it always has. An ego got in the way here. Whether it's [chief baseball officer] Craig Breslow's ego after Devers wanted to meet with [manager Alex] Cora and [owner] John Henry, and not him—or whether it's John Henry's ego upset that he's paying a guy $300 million that didn't want to run over and play first base. I don't know the reasons behind it; they have their own reasons. But no, this is unacceptable."
The disagreement Bowden is referring to is when Devers refused to move from third base to first when the Red Sox signed Alex Bregman back in February. Instead, Devers made all 73 of his appearances in a Boston uniform this year at designated hitter.
While that dispute didn't go well in the front office, Bowden believes it didn't impact Devers's reputation among players in the clubhouse.
"The players love Rafael Devers. He's their best player," Bowden said. "I don't care if he hurt Breslow or Henry's feelings for not wanting to do something. Either you make the player do it, and if you're not going to make him do it, you deal with the consequences.
"But you certainly don't trade him for this return, under any circumstances."
Whether it truly was a baseball move or motivated by front office ego like Bowden suggests, the Devers era in Boston has come to an end. He'll make his San Francisco debut this week as the Giants begin a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario did not enjoy his best evening in North London during the team’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
It was his significant error when trying to clear the ball near the corner flag that ultimately lost the Lilywhites the match, as Harry Wilson’s long-range finish turned out to be the winning goal.
Per Sofascore, Vicario had 30 touches of the ball and conceded two goals from three shots whilst making one error that directly led to a goal for the Cottagers, which was the error in the clip above.
Whilst it was a disappointing display from the Italy international between the sticks, Thomas Frank’s goalkeeper was merely one of a number of poor performers on the night.
Ranking Tottenham's worst performers against Fulham
Vicario, because of the nature of his error and the fact that he only made one save, was the team’s worst performer on the night. It is hard to get away from that conclusion.
Destiny Udogie, though, rivalled him with a disappointing showing. The Italian full-back lost four of his five ground duels, per Sofascore, and deflected Fulham’s opener past his goalkeeper as he failed to block Kenny Tete’s shot from distance.
Ranking Tottenham’s worst performers vs Fulham
Rank
Player
1
Guglielmo Vicario
2
Destiny Udogie
3
Richarlison
4
Pedro Porro
5
Archie Gray
As you can see in the table above, Archie Gray, who won one of his four duels in 60 minutes on the pitch, and Pedro Porro, who was bailed out by Micky van de Ven after a Vicario-esque error, were also among the worst performers for Spurs.
Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Bergvall, who linked up for a brilliant goal in the second half, were the only players who did anything of note offensively for the Lilywhites as they looked to get back into the match.
That is why Richarlison was also among the worst performers on the night for Spurs, as the Brazil international is becoming the new Roberto Soldado in North London.
Why Thomas Frank must drop Richarlison
The Spurs boss must ruthlessly bin the former Everton centre-forward from the starting line-up for the trip to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Tuesday night, due to his dismal showing on Saturday.
Per Sofascore, the Brazilian forward failed to register a single shot on goal from his 21 touches of the ball, fewer touches than Vicario had in goal, and he did not create a single chance for his teammates.
Richarlison has scored six goals in 21 appearances in all competitions this season, including some stunning strikes like the ones against Burnley and Arsenal, but that is still an underwhelming return for the money that was once spent on him.
Tottenham paid a whopping £60m to sign the striker from Everton in 2022, which made him the club’s most expensive striker signing since they broke their transfer record to sign Roberto Soldado from Valencia for £26m in 2013.
The Spanish marksman scored 16 goals and provided 11 assists in 76 appearances, per Transfermarkt, which worked out as a goal contribution every 2.8 games on average. That was a solid return in front of goal on paper for the attacker, but it was not worth the club-record transfer fee.
Spurs career
Richarlison
Soldado
Games
111
76
Goals
26
16
Games per goal
4.3
4.8
Assists
12
11
Games per assist
9.3
6.9
Games per G/A
2.9
2.8
Stats via Transfermarkt
As shown in the statistics above, Richarlison currently has a worse goals per goal contribution rate in his Tottenham career than Soldado managed during his time in North London.
This speaks to how underwhelming the £60m signing has been on the whole for Spurs, even if he has had his moments of magic, which is why the Lilywhites should be looking for a long-term replacement in the number nine position.
With this in mind, Frank should give Randal Kolo Muani, who scored twice against PSG in the Champions League, a run of matches as a lone centre-forward to see how he fares in that role.
Tottenham looking to offload Spurs regular in January, Frank doesn't want him
Tottenham have reportedly made an eye-watering initial offer to sign Real Madrid forward Rodrygo ahead of the January transfer window after contacting Los Blancos president Florentino Perez.
Rodrygo’s once-prominent status at Real has come under serious threat this season, with the Brazilian winger’s reduced role fueling speculation about a potential departure from the Bernabeu.
The 24-year-old’s situation has deteriorated rapidly since Xabi Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti in the dugout. Despite featuring in 13 matches this season, Rodrygo has managed just 359 minutes of playing time in all competitions, less than 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono, Arda Güler and the exit-linked Vinícius Júnior.
More tellingly, he hasn’t completed a full 90 minutes in any game at all this term, suggesting a serious fall down Alonso’s pecking order.
Rodrygo’s career at Real Madrid since joining from Santos
Appearances
283
Goals
68
Assists
53
Bookings
12
Red cards
0
Minutes played
16,512
Rodrygo has started just three of his 13 competitive matches in 25/26, including only one start in his last seven La Liga games, raising serious questions about his future at the club where he’s won two Champions League titles.
The former Santos sensation, speaking to reporters in Brazil’s mixed media zone earlier this week, opened up about his lack of chances and put on a dedicated front.
However, behind-the-scenes, whispers are indicating that a January exit could be on the cards for him.
Rodrygo was attracting interest from Tottenham in the summer, with north London rivals Arsenal also holding talks over signing the South American as far back as May, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.
While a move to the English capital didn’t materialise for Rodrygo, it could well be revisited in January, with ESPN Brasil reporting that he’s privately open to leaving Real after growing dissatisfied under Alonso.
From Tottenham’s perspective, it is believed that Thomas Frank’s side are prepared to spend a club-record fee on bringing Rodrygo to N17, as per reports from Spain, and there’s now been another update on his future, again involving Spurs.
Tottenham make 'initial offer' for Rodrygo after contacting Florentino Perez
As per Spanish media sources, the Lilywhites have approached Perez with a proposal already.
Tottenham are now said to have made an ‘initial offer’ of around £75 million for Rodrygo, with £62 million to be paid in full plus a further £13 million in add-ons. Right now, they’re apparently showing the ‘most interest’ of any potential suitor, with Johan Lange and Fabio Paratici setting their sights on a statement signing.
However, that isn’t to say they’re alone in the race, as other unnamed Premier League clubs have inquired about Rodrygo as well.
The Lewis family recently backed Tottenham with a £100 million cash injection which could be put towards the club’s recruitment drive, and reports of this nature suggest that they’re looking to usher in a post-Daniel Levy era with real aplomb.
Tactically, he offers Frank exactly what the Dane has been missing — creativity.
His strengths include exceptional dribbling, key passing, finishing and crossing ability (WhoScored), providing that spark from wide areas which Tottenham have desperately lacked so far, bar Mohammed Kudus.
Rodrygo’s versatility across the front three would give Frank real tactical flexibility as well, given he’s capable of operating on either flank or even centrally.
The winger scored 14 goals and bagged 11 assists in all competitions under Carlo Ancelotti last term, with Jude Bellingham calling him their most ‘gifted’ and ‘underrated’ player.
Tottenham Hotspur were left reeling after being thumped by north London neighbours Arsenal last weekend. It was a sobering afternoon for Thomas Frank, who did take solace days later in his side’s spirited 5-3 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain.
Much of the frustration around Spurs’ start to the season has centred around attacking struggles. To be sure, Ange Postecoglou’s unshackled offensive system is no longer discernible down N17, though Frank has undeniably instilled a more stable base.
Premier League 25/26 – xG Leaders
Club
League Position
xG
(1) Chelsea
2nd
22.1
(2) Man City
3rd
21.8
(3) Arsenal
1st
20.7
(4) Crystal Palace
5th
20.2
(5) Man Utd
10th
19.9
(17) Tottenham
9th
11.1
Data via FBref
However, while there is work to be made on the creative front – and remember, injured playmakers James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have not kicked a ball this season – nine goals shipped in the last week underlines the wider problems.
It’s for this reason that the new hierarchy is considering a winter move for a centre-back.
Spurs' search for a defender
In Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, Tottenham have one of the most robust defensive partnerships in the Premier League. However, the balance isn’t there at the back.
The Lilywhites have been sold short in key areas. You could make a top starting 11 in a fully-fit Spurs stadium, but the wider squad leave plenty to be desired, Kevin Danso and Ben Davies applicable in regard to central defence.
That’s why Spanish sources have confirmed that Tottenham are planning a winter move for Juventus centre-half Gleison Bremer, who could be available for a cut-price €40m (£35m)
The report suggests that Spurs ‘would be willing to negotiate’ and offer an ‘attractive financial package’ in order to tempt the Old Lady into a sale.
What Bremer would bring to Spurs
Two months ago, Bremer suffered a meniscus injury to his left knee. This week, he returned to full team training. Considered one of the best defenders in Europe for his defensive security and “world-class” performances, as said by CBS commentator Matteo Bonetti, against elite forwards.
Juventus defender Bremer.
In truth, he hasn’t played much football over the past year, but Bremer is returning to full fitness now and started the Serie A season off strongly, Sofascore recording that he won 63% of his ground duels across the first four fixtures of the term, averaging 5.5 clearances and 4.5 recoveries per game. He set up two goals, underscoring the ball-playing quality that Frank needs to help establish build-up patterns down N17.
Van de Ven, of course, would provide Bremer with stiff competition in front of Guglielmo Vicario’s goal, but there’s a case to be made that the Brazilian is a stronger defender than his Dutch counterpart, who has only won 52% of his duels in the Premier League this season, ranking among the bottom 36% of positional peers for tackles won per 90 (0.36).
The 24-year-old is an athletic phenomenon, and no mistake.
Top Recorded Speeds in the Prem (since 20/21)
Player
Club
Speed (km/h)
Micky van de Ven
Tottenham
37.38
Kyle Walker
Man City
37.31
Jackson Tchatchoua
Wolves
37.30
Micky van de Ven
Tottenham
37.23
Micky van de Ven
Tottenham
37.12
Data via Premier League
But he’s hardly flawless. Van de Ven has made two direct mistakes in the Premier League this year (Bremer has yet to blunder), and he needs to continue to develop his positioning and tactical alliance with those around him.
Maybe Van de Ven feels overburdened by the weight of responsibility at times. He has a lot of ground to cover, after all, especially with Romero in and out of the team due to injuries.
Hailed as a “monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson for his physicality and power, Bremer might just be the solution for a Tottenham side desperate to make headway after an up-and-down start.
This ferocious defender would offer a different flavour, and maybe that’s what Frank’s rearguard need to stabilise and create a more fluent overarching system.
Juventus legend Sergi Brio described Bremer as the “best defender in Serie A” two years ago, and though his match action has been limited thereafter, there’s no question that this is a star who could make a marked difference at Frank’s Tottenham, providing a counterpoint at the back while deepening the squad as they look to kick on.
Frank can unearth his own Dembele by unleashing "generational" Spurs gem
Tottenham can unearth their next Mousa Dembele against Fulham this weekend by unleashing this star.
Mike Dean has recently opened up on what it was like to referee Arsenal during his 22 years as a Premier League official, and suggested legendary manager Arsene Wenger wasn’t his biggest fan.
As with most referees, Dean is a divisive figure, but he is one of the Premier League’s most talked about referees, not least because of some of his bizarre antics on the field.
Although officials are much-maligned, it is an impossible job to keep every player and manager happy, with the 57-year-old recently revealing that Craig Bellamy was the toughest player to referee, despite being fine to deal with off the pitch.
Speaking to Jamie Carragher and Wayne Rooney on the latest edition of The Overlap Fan Debate, the former referee also named which manager he found it difficult to get along with, revealing the feeling was very much mutual…
Mike Dean names Arsene Wenger as "hardest" manager to deal with
The Tranmere Rovers supporter revealed he was told by people who used to work at Arsenal that Wenger would effectively write off games when Dean was in charge, believing the Gunners had “no chance”.
Clarifying why Arsene Wenger was tough to deal with, he said: “I never got on with Arsene Wenger, and that was just, I don’t know what it was, whether it was every time I reffed them they lost, I don’t know, but I just couldn’t get on with him.”
Every referee in the 2025/26 Premier League ranked
In 2009, the Arsenal legend was also sent to the stands by Dean in the dying embers of a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United back in 2009, having been seen kicking a water bottle in frustration.
Dean has previously shared details of a particularly ferocious run-in they had after the Gunners drew 1-1 against West Bromwich Albion back in 2017, saying: “He was very aggressive leaning towards me, pointing aggressively at me saying: ‘You’re not honest’ on numerous occasions.
“I replied: ‘So you’re calling me a cheat.’ He replied: ‘I maintain what I say, you’re not honest.
“He then said: ‘You’ve done this to us many times before, you’re supposed to be professional, you’re a disgrace.’ He was then ushered out of the room by the West Brom safety officer.”
While they didn’t see eye-to-eye prior to the 76-year-old leaving Arsenal in 2018, it appears they have since managed to put their differences behind them, with Dean saying: “Since he has finished football I have seen him and he has been great. Cross the white line and everyone is different, like referees. We are normal people.”
Every referee in the 2025/26 Premier League ranked
كشفت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية أن نادي ليفربول ينتظر رد الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم، فيفا، قبل اتخاذ أي قرار نهائي فيما يخص مشاركة النجم محمد صلاح في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا.
وتستضيف المغرب نهائيات كأس أمم إفريقيا في الفترة بين 21 ديسمبر 2025 و18 يناير 2026.
وذكرت شبكة “thisisanfield” الإنجليزية أن هناك حالة من الترقب داخل أروقة ليفربول فيما يخص قرار الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم بشأن الموعد الإلزامي لإطلاق سراح اللاعبين المشاركين في كأس أمم إفريقيا، قبل اتخاذ قرار بشأن محمد صلاح.
وتضمن المشاركة في دور المجموعات وحدها غياب محمد صلاح عن صفوف ليفربول، عن ثلاث مباريات على الأقل، ولكن من المرجح أن تمتد فترة غيابه.
وسيخوض منتخب مصر مباراة ودية ضد نيجيريا يوم 7 ديسمبر المقبل، حيث يأمل الاعتماد على الثنائي محمد صلاح وعمر مرموش في ذلك اللقاء الذي يعني بدء المعسكر التدريبي في وقت مبكر من الشهر المذكور.
اقرأ أيضًا.. كوناتي يوجه رسالة مهمة إلى جماهير ليفربول: سنتجاوز المحنة
وأوضحت أنه رغم رغبة حسام حسن، فإن ليفربول وكذلك مانشستر سيتي ينتظران ردًا من فيفا حول الموعد الإلزامي للتخلي عن خدمات محمد صلاح ومرموش لصالح منتخب مصر، والذي من المتوقع أن يكون قبل أسبوعين من انطلاق البطولة.
وأفادت أن ذلك يعني أن الموعد النهائي هو 8 ديسمبر، وفي حال تطبيق هذا، فإن محمد صلاح سيغيب عن مباراتي ليفربول ضد إنتر ميلان في دوري أبطال أوروبا، 9 ديسمبر، وبرايتون 13 ديسمبر في الدوري الإنجليزي، بخلاف المباريات الأخرى في فترة البطولة الإفريقية.
وسيسافر منتخب مصر إلى المغرب في 17 ديسمبر قبل مواجهة زيمبابوي (22 ديسمبر)، وجنوب أفريقيا (26 ديسمبر)، وأنجولا (29 ديسمبر) في المجموعة الثانية.
وإذا طٌلب من محمد صلاح مغادرة ليفربول والسفر مبكرًا، وفي حال وصول منتخب مصر إلى المباراة النهائية أو تحديد المركز الثالث، فإنه قد يغيب عن 9 مباريات رفقة كتيبة آرني سلوت.
وشرحت الشبكة الأمر على النحو التالي:
أقرب موعد محتمل لمغادرة محمد صلاح صفوف ليفربول: 8 ديسمبر.
ليفربول وإنتر ميلان خارج ملعبه، دوري أبطال أوروبا: 9 ديسمبر.
ليفربول وبرايتون على ملعبه، الدوري الإنجليزي: 13 ديسمبر.
الموعد المتوقع سابقًا لرحيل محمد صلاح عن ليفربول (حال عدم إجباره على المغادرة مبكرًا): 14 ديسمبر.
ليفربول وتوتنهام خارج ملعبه، الدوري الإنجليزي: 20 ديسمبر.
ليفربول وولفرهامبتون على ملعبه، الدوري الإنجليزي: 27 ديسمبر.
نهاية دور المجموعات في كأس أمم إفريقيا: 29 ديسمبر.
ليفربول وليدز يونايتد على ملعبه، الدوري الإنجليزي: 1 يناير.
دور الـ16 من كأس أمم إفريقيا: 3/5/4 يناير.
ليفربول وفولهام خارج ملعبه، الدوري الإنجليزي: 4 يناير.
ليفربول وآرسنال خارج ملعبه، الدوري الإجليزي: 8 يناير.
دور ربع نهائي كأس أمم إفريقيا: 9/10 يناير.
دور نصف نهائي كأس أمم إفريقيا: 14 يناير.
ليفربول وآرسنل على ملعبه، الدوري الإنجليزي، 17 يناير.
مباراة تحديد المركز الثالث في كأس أمم إفريقيا: 17 يناير.
نهائي كأس أمم إفريقيا: 18 يناير.
ليفربول ومارسيليا خارج ملعبه، دوري أبطال أوروبا، 21 يناير.
Fim de preparação, porque vai começar o Campeonato Brasileiro. O Vasco ficou mais de um mês sem jogar, por ter sido eliminado precocemente do Cameponato Carioca. O Cruz-Maltino fez três jogos-treino durante este período até a estreia na competição e venceu em todos os testes.
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⚽ VASCO 5 X 0 OLARIA O Vasco goleou o Olaria por 5 a 0 no CT Moacur Barbosa. Os gols foram de David, Clayton (2), JP e um contra. O técnico Ramón Díaz optou por escalar um time completamente alternativo.
Escalação do jogo-treino: Keiller, Puma Rodriguez (Lucas Eduardo), Maicon, Luiz Gustavo (Lyncon) e Victor Luís; De Lucca, Mateus Carvalho e JP; David (Rayan), Serginho e Clayton.
continua após a publicidade
⚽ VASCO 2 X 0 VOLTA REDONDA No segundo desafio do hiato sem partidas oficiais. Os gols cruz-maltinos foram marcados por David e Clayton
Sem informações sobre a escalação.
⚽ VASCO 2 X 1 AMÉRICA-MG O Vasco venceu por 2 a 1 no último desafio desta intertemporada. O América-MG foi a vítima. Clayton e Vegetti balançaram a rede pelo lado Cruz-Maltino, enquanto Fabinho descontou para o Coelho.
Sem informações sobre a escalação.
Agora, o próximo desafio do Vasco na temporada é oficial. O Cruz-Maltino estreia no Campeonato Brasileiro contra o Grêmio, às 16h, em São Januário.
The Australia fast bowler has endured an injury-hit career and may not play at all this season
Andrew McGlashan25-Oct-2025Fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck has admitted she is “shattered” to have been ruled out of the upcoming WBBL season for Melbourne Renegades after a slower-than-expected recovery from the shoulder injury she suffered at last year’s T20 World Cup.Vlaeminck, 26, is one of the quickest bowlers in the world but has had an injury-hit career, making just 29 international appearances since her debut in 2018. Her latest setback came when she dislocated her right shoulder diving in the outfield early in Australia’s opening game against Pakistan in the UAE.The WBBL, which starts on November 9, had been earmarked as a potential comeback for Vlaeminck but her shoulder has not responded well to an increase in bowling workload over the last month. It means that she will miss her fourth consecutive WBBL having not featured in the competition since joining Renegades in 2022.Related
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“I’m obviously a little bit shattered about missing out,” Vlaeminck told reporters in Sydney. “Unfortunately my shoulder’s just not loving bowling at the moment, so there’s not much I can do about that. I think we were hoping that my shoulder would probably respond a little bit better to bowling than it has.”We lined up Big Bash to be that sort of end point. We sat pretty nice there [at] that year mark, and just in the last four weeks trying to ramp that up it just hasn’t responded the way we sort of thought it would.”We got to a space where I pulled the pin. I probably didn’t feel confident enough to be able to actually perform if I got out for the Renegades. It’s one thing to get out on the pitch and be back playing, but you actually have to sort of back yourself in to be able to perform and do well for a team, which I didn’t feel like I was going to be able to do.”Vlaeminck’s list of injuries includes two dislocations of her left shoulder and stress fractures of the foot. Prior to her international debut she had undergone two ACL reconstructions. However, she has tried not to bemoan her bad fortune and Cricket Australia retained her on their central contracts list earlier this year.”I think you always go there initially, but I don’t think it’s overly helpful being in that space,” she said. “I just like to consider myself pretty lucky that Cricket Australia have stuck by me throughout this whole thing.”I’ve got heaps of support and hopefully over the next four to six weeks I’ll be able to continue to work on it and see how we go for the back end of the season.”Australian Women’s physiotherapist Kate Beerworth said: “Tayla’s recovery has been impacted by ongoing limitations, restricting her ability to progess her bowling and work through the end stages of her return to play plan. We’ll continue to work with Tayla, the Melbourne Renegades and Cricket Victoria to support her through this next phase.”
“I feel that because of the unity we play with, we defeat the strongest teams,” says Vidarbha’s spinner
Abhimanyu Bose15-Oct-2025
Harsh Dubey’s 69 wickets last season were the most by any bowler in Ranji Trophy history•PTI
Harsh Dubey, the left-arm spinner who has been at the centre of Vidarbha’s strong red-ball campaigns over the last two seasons, feels it is the the team’s discipline that makes them stand out from other Indian sides.Last season, Dubey’s 69 wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season were the most for any bowler in the competition’s history. Part of Vidarbha’s age-group set-up before graduating into the senior team, he also said the closeness of the squad and the structure in place has helped Vidarbha become successful.”I will not say [Vidarbha are the] strongest, because I feel that more than being the strongest, we have the most disciplined cricketers overall in India, because of our structure, our team bonding,” Dubey said on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai. “So, I feel that because of the unity we play with, we defeat the strongest teams. This is my observation.”Related
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For Agarwal, it's all about cashing in when the call comes
Shami: If I can play Ranji Trophy, I can play 50-overs
Vidarbha have been on a roll over the last two seasons in red-ball competitions. They reached the Ranji Trophy final in 2023-24, won it in 2024-25 and have started the 2025-26 domestic season by securing their third Irani Cup title. They also won back-to-back Ranji Trophy titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19.”See, honestly, the current lot that’s playing now, we have won at least 2-3 trophies in age group cricket. So, we know that winning habit,” Dubey said. “And even the structure of our off-season camps in the VCA, it makes a lot of difference as to how strong your basics are.”Because our coach, Usman Ghani, he was most of our players’ coach in U-14 or U-19. So, I think he has a very good understanding of the players – ‘who can be useful to me and when’.”And even the role of of our backroom team, our trainers, our physios, their role is very important. So, I think we are getting the result of their hard work in the last 7-8 years.”Despite Vidarbha’s successes, very few players from the team have made the national side. Karun Nair, who has now moved to Karnataka between seasons, made a comeback in England, while Jitesh Sharma’s white-ball credentials have made him a regular in the T20I team. However, the list is sparse, with Umesh Yadav being the standout from the team over the past two decades.When asked if players from Vidarbha not getting picked for India can demoralise the team, Dubey said it was all a matter of perspective.”I think it’s a matter of motivation,” Dubey said. “That just ‘this much’ won’t do. You have to do more. So, if you think positively about this negative point, then I think you will have a mindset that will help you do even better.Akshay Wadkar’s leadership has been a standout in Vidarbha’s recent successes•PTI
“So, I think the players who are doing well – like Yash Rathod is doing well, Danish Malewar is doing well, our skipper [Akshay Wadkar] is doing well – there are a lot of such players. So, if you keep doing well consistently. You will get an opportunity at some point.”Vidarbha have replaced Nair in the squad by signing up ex-Karnataka batter R Samarth for this season, who has made the switch from Uttarakhand. It leaves a big gap in their middle-order, but Dubey said the Irani Cup performance of beating a strong Rest of India team showed there’s no void.”I read this in another place that if Karun Nair is not here, how will Vidarbha win Irani Trophy?,” Dubey said. “We won the Irani Trophy. We won without Karun Nair, and even Samarth didn’t even play this time.”So it’s not that if a player leaves, it will leave a gap. I think we have enough good players and even if we don’t have professionals, we can still do well. But yes, having a professional is an additional benefit because they bring experience with them and you get to learn new things many times. I don’t think if anyone leaves Vidarbha, there will be a gap.”On Wednesday, Vidarbha began their Ranji Trophy title defence against Nagaland in Bengaluru. They are in a tough Elite Group A alongside Jharkhand, Andhra, Baroda, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Nagaland.
Arsenal are now prepared to break the bank to sign Vinicius Jr, amid a major new update on the forward’s future at Real Madrid.
The Gunners should be well-positioned to start competing for the signatures of some of the world’s best players once again, having announced themselves as serious contenders for the Premier League title as a result of the 4-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Signing the Real Madrid star would certainly be a major statement of intent, given that he is still regarded as one of the best wingers in world football, despite narrowly missing out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or, finishing as runner-up behind Manchester City star Rodri.
Interestingly, an exciting new report has now suggested that the move could be a realistic possibility, following a major new update on the Brazilian’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu…
Arsenal prepared to break the bank for Vinicius Jr
According to a report from Spain, Arsenal are now prepared to break the bank to sign Vinicius Jr, with the Emirates Stadium now one of his most likely destinations, having informed Real Madrid chairman Florentino Perez he does not currently wish to sign a new contract.
The winger’s unwillingness to put pen to paper on a new deal stems from a difficult relationship with manager Xabi Alonso, and negotiations have now stalled, which could open the door for a move to north London, and Stan Kroenke & co clearly mean business.
However, the Gunners may need to be willing to make the Brazil international one of their highest earners to get a deal over the line, given that he has been demanding a very high salary to extend his stay with the Spanish club.
In truth, the 25-year-old isn’t having the greatest of seasons, failing to score or assist in his last 10 matches for club and country, so it is no surprise he has fallen down the pecking order at Madrid, most recently being benched for his side’s 2-2 draw against Elche.
The forward’s attacking output has been very impressive previously, however, having contributed a whopping 111 goals and 87 assists in 339 matches for Real Madrid, and Liverpool manager Arne Slot sung his praises earlier this month.
With Arsenal looking to lift the Champions League for the first time in their history this season, it would make sense to bring in Vinicius Jr, who has won the competition twice, and ranks very highly in the 2026 Ballon d’Or Power Rankings…
Where Vinicius Jr ranks in the 2026 Ballon d'Or Power Rankings Ballon d'Or 2026 Power Rankings
Who will be lifting the individual honour in 2026?