All posts by h79snht.top

Liverpool have seen lots of players leave for huge money in the past, but who are the most expensive departures in their history?

Transfer business was relatively quiet at Anfield in recent windows before owners FSG splashed the cash on the likes of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in 2025.

Related Liverpool's most expensive signings of all time

Liverpool have splashed the cash in recent years, but who are their priciest additions?

Posts ByLewis Thompson Sep 5, 2025

In the past, Liverpool have generated huge funds through the exits of certain players. Here are the 20 most expensive sales in Reds history.

Liverpool’s most expensive transfer sales

Rank

Player

Sold to

Year

Fee

1

Philippe Coutinho

Barcelona

2018

£142m

2

Luis Suarez

Barcelona

2014

£75m

3

Luis Diaz

Bayern Munich

2025

£65.5m

4

Fernando Torres

Chelsea

2011

£50m

5

Raheem Sterling

Man City

2015

£49m

6

Darwin Nunez

Al-Hilal

2025

£46.2m

7

Fabinho

Al-Ittihad

2023

£40m

=8

Sadio Mane

Bayern Munich

2022

£35m

=8

Jarell Quansah

Bayer Leverkusen

2025

£35m

10

Christian Benteke

Crystal Palace

2016

£32m

11

Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid

2009

£30m

12

Fabio Carvalho

Brentford

2024

£27.5m

13

Mamadou Sakho

Crystal Palace

2017

£27m

14

Ben Gannon-Doak

Bournemouth

2025

£25m

=15

Danny Ings

Southampton

2019

£20m

=15

Sepp van den Berg

Brentford

2024

£20m

17

Dominic Solanke

Bournemouth

2019

£19m

18

Javier Mascherano

Barcelona

2010

£17.25m

19

Neco Williams

Nottingham Forest

2022

£17m

20

Andy Carroll

West Ham

2013

£15m

10 Christian Benteke Liverpool to Crystal Palace (£32m)

The signing of Christian Benteke in 2015 never quite felt right for Liverpool, during a time when doubts were starting to creep in about Brendan Rodgers as manager.

The Belgian had admittedly caused the Reds plenty of problems in an Aston Villa shirt in the past, but his performances at Anfield were lacking, and he only spent one season at the club.

Granted, Benteke’s overhead kick away to Manchester United was stunning, albeit in a losing cause, but a tally of just 10 goals in 42 appearances outlined his struggles, as he failed to justify his £32m price tag. Like Sakho, he was sold to Crystal Palace, with Liverpool breaking even following his departure.

9 Jarell Quansah Liverpool to Bayer Leverkusen (£35m)

Jarell Quansah was a product of Liverpool’s academy, so his £35m transfer to Bayer Leverkusen in 2025 was seen as pure profit to help with FFP and the club’s summer spending spree.

The centre-back made 58 senior appearances for the Reds prior to his move to the Bundesliga, and there is thought to be a buy back clause included in the deal.

8 Sadio Mane Liverpool to Bayern Munich (£35m)

It’s easy to think about current stars Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Salah as the poster boys of the current era at Liverpool, but Sadio Mane cannot be ignored.

The Senegalese was an unbelievable servant for the Reds during a six-year period between 2016 and 2022, scoring 120 goals in 269 appearances and arguably standing out as his side’s best player in the title-winning 2019/20 season.

Fast, skilful, strong, tenacious and full of end product, Mane was a world-class player at the peak of his powers prior to moving to Bayern Munich for £35m, just when he was showing signs of being on the wane.

7 Fabinho Liverpool to Al-Ittihad (£40m)

Fabinho felt like a huge piece of the jigsaw being filled when he joined Liverpool from Monaco in 2018, and it is no coincidence that the Reds won the Champions League and the Premier League in his first two seasons at the club.

A dominant presence at the heart of the midfield, the Brazilian was one of Europe’s leading No 6s in his prime, combining an elite reading of the game with his underrated quality on the ball.

However, Fabinho’s legs seemed to go in 2022/23, as was the case with Jordan Henderson, and it made sense to sell him to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad for £40m the following summer.

6 Darwin Nunez Liverpool to Al-Hilal (£46.2m)

Darwin Nunez cost Liverpool an initial £64m from Benfica back in 2022, and after failing to hit the heights at Anfield across three seasons, the Reds decided a change was needed.

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal came calling in 2025, and with the Reds already having Hugo Ekitike through the door at Anfield and soon signing Alexander Isak, cashed in on Nunez for just over £46m.

5 Raheem Sterling Liverpool to Manchester City (£49m)

Raheem Sterling’s meteoric rise at Liverpool was hugely impressive, with the Englishman going from youth team star to key first-team player in no time during the early part of the 2010s.

He was outstanding in the 2013/14 season despite still being a teenager, coming so close to playing a big role in the Reds winning the Premier League, and performed at a level of maturity beyond his years.

However, Sterling burned his bridges with Liverpool fans when he opted to join Manchester City for £49m in 2015, and many appearances at Anfield since have seen him booed relentlessly.

4 Fernando Torres Liverpool to Chelsea (£50m)

When Fernando Torres joined Liverpool from Atletico Madrid in 2007, he felt like one of the most exciting signings in the history of the club.

The Spanish star backed up the hype, becoming one of the world’s best strikers in his first couple of years on Merseyside, giving defenders nightmares – not least Nemanja Vidic. He may not have won a trophy at Liverpool, but 81 goals in 142 games was a stunning return.

When Torres controversially joined Chelsea for £50m in January 2011, many supporters were devastated, but the truth is that his very best days were already behind him.

3 Luis Diaz Liverpool to Bayern Munich (£65.5m)

Luis Diaz was brilliant for Liverpool during his three-and-a-half-year stay at Anfield, so it was a slight surprise that he wanted to pursue a move to Bayern Munich in 2025.

The Colombia international, who cost the Reds an initial £37m, won the Premier League before heading to the German giants, with Liverpool making a tidy profit on Diaz in the process.

2 Luis Suarez Liverpool to Barcelona (£75m)

Has there ever been a more talented player in Liverpool’s history than Luis Suarez?

What the Uruguayan achieved in a Reds shirt between 2011 and 2014 was unforgettable, with only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo arguably better than him during that period.

Suarez came painfully close to inspiring Liverpool to title glory in 2013/14, scoring 31 goals in just 33 league appearances, and his £75m exit to Barcelona at the end of that campaign was hard to take.

1 Philippe Coutinho Liverpool to Barcelona (£142m)

In hindsight, the £142m sale of Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool to Barcelona in 2018 is one of the best pieces of business the Reds have ever done.

While there was discontent about him leaving at the time, having grown into his side’s attacking talisman, it allowed Liverpool to use the funds to sign Alisson and Van Dijk, and the rest is history.

The legendary goalkeeper and centre-back completely transformed the Reds as a team under Klopp, turning them into one of the best club sides of their generation. Meanwhile, Coutinho’s career has completely petered out ever since, with injuries and patchy form turning him into a shadow of his former self.

حقق الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، فوزًا غاليًا على بيراميدز بركلات الترجيح بنتيجة 5-4 بعد انتهاء الوقت الأصلي بالتعادل السلبي، في نصف نهائي كأس السوبر المصري.

والتقى بيراميدز مع الزمالك في السابعة والنصف من مساء اليوم على استاد آل نهيان بنادي الوحدة الإماراتي في العاصمة أبوظبي، في إطار نصف نهائي كأس السوبر المصري للأندية الأبطال.

وتقام بطولة السوبر المصري للأبطال في الإمارات، في الفترة من 6 إلى 9 من شهر نوفمبر الجاري، بمشاركة أندية الأهلي والزمالك وبيراميدز وسيراميكا كليوباترا.

طالع| 3 قنوات تنقل مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في نهائي كأس السوبر المصري

وكان الأهلي قد فاز على سيراميكا كليوباترا، بثنائية مقابل هدف، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين، مساء اليوم، على ملعب هزاع بن زايد، ليتأهل إلى نهائي كأس السوبر المصري.

وضرب الزمالك موعدا مع الأهلي في نهائي كأس السوبر المصري بعد الفوز على بيراميدز بركلات الترجيح في مباراة ماراثونية. موعد مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في نهائي كأس السوبر المصري

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الأهلي مع الزمالك، يوم الأحد المقبل الموافق 9 نوفمبر في تمام الخامسة والنصف مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة والسادسة والنصف مساءً بتوقيت السعودية والسابعة والنصف مساءً بتوقيت الإمارات.

Surrey snatch victory in dramatic finale after Jason Roy, Laurie Evans steer chase

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay12-Jun-2025

Chris Jordan and Laurie Evans walk off after sealing victory•Surrey CCC/Getty Images

Chris Jordan hit a boundary off the last ball as Surrey beat Kent Spitfires by four wickets in a South Group thriller at the Kia Oval. It was quite a night for Jordan who had earlier taken 4 for 10 – his best figures in the competition – in Kent’s 171 for 7.Jason Roy (56) and skipper Sam Curran (32) seemed to have the chase under control when they put on 90 in nine overs but there were more twists to come.Wes Agar removed both in the 12th over and Tom Curran was run out as Surrey lost three wickets in nine balls to find themselves 109 for 5. But Laurie Evans and Mitch Santner added 48 off 33 balls and when Santner was dismissed in the 18th over the experienced Evans and Jordan took control.Evans struck successive fours off Tom Rogers in the 19th and, with their seamers bowled out, legspinner Matt Parkinson was given the last over with an extra fielder inside the circle because Kent hadn’t bowled their overs in time.Six runs came off the first five balls before Jordan perfectly dissected two fielders as he found the boundary at wide long-on. Evans, with 46 off 29, had played a crucial role too.Surrey had inserted the opposition for the first time this season and Kent needed the impetus of Joe Denly’s 40 off 22 balls to post a competitive score.Daniel Bell-Drummond and Tawanda Muyeye had scored 46 in the fifth over when Jordan made the breakthrough with a short ball which Bell-Drummond hoisted to midwicket.Harry Finch was making his first appearance of the season after scoring three fifties in four second XI T20 games, but both he and Muyeye found it difficult to accelerate. The pressure told in the 11th over when slow left-armer Santner struck twice in three balls. He dragged a delivery wider when he saw Muyeye coming down the wicket and the batter toe-ended an easy return catch. Finch then mistimed a drive down the ground and was caught at long-off.Having scored 46 in the first five overs, it took Kent a further eight to double their score. But Denly hit three successive boundaries off Dan Worrall and three sixes in the 16th over off Nathan Smith as the fifth-wicket added 52 before Jordan again made good use of the short ball to have Denly caught behind and Grant Stewart taken at mid-off as he matched his previous format best for England against USA in last year’s World Cup.Surrey lost Dom Sibley to a fine diving catch by Finch at deep square leg and Will Jacks got a bottom edge in the powerplay. Curran and Roy got Surrey back on track before Agar’s double strike turned things Kent’s way again.Curran spliced a pull to long-off and Roy, having taken his tally in this season’s Blast to 256 with his third fifty, gloved a short ball, although he stood for several seconds while Kent’s fielders celebrated before trudging reluctantly off. In the next over Tom Curran was run out by Stewart’s throw. Kent seemed to be on top, but Evans and Jordan stepped up.

Nuno Espírito Santo is still waiting for his first win as West Ham manager since taking over from Graham Potter last month, and the January window could represent a lifeline amid their torrid state of affairs.

West Ham fall to another defeat with January looking vital

Last Friday, it was Leeds United’s turn to inflict yet another damaging defeat on West Ham.

Early goals from Brenden Aaronson and former Tottenham defender Joe Rodon piled more misery on Nuno, with a late consolation from summer signing Mateus Fernandes coming as too little, too late for the Portuguese’s side.

Nuno is still tinkering with his West Ham team as he looks to discover the best formula to steer them away from this season’s relegation dogfight.

West Ham’s results in the Premier League so far

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

After raising eyebrows with his rather questionable team to play Brentford last Monday, Nuno opted to play Lucas Paqueta as a false nine yet again at Elland Road, with Andy Iriving and Tomas Soucek chosen to start in midfield, similar to their defeat a few days prior.

Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman were also called upon once more to play as the starting centre-back pair, but just like their defeat against Brentford, they had no joy as Leeds gave West Ham a mountain to climb early doors.

Nuno apparently doesn’t fancy Callum Wilson or James Ward-Prowse, with the latter excluded from all of his matchday squads so far and a January exit appearing likely for the Englishman.

It is becoming abundantly clear that West Ham may not have a good-enough squad to compete at this level, so reports have begun flooding in that chairman David Sullivan and co are planning to be active when the transfer window reopens.

In a bid to save their season, it is believed that Nuno has urged both Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady to sign a new defender, midfielder and forward in January, with Sky Sports also reporting funds will be available for West Ham to spend.

Niclas Fullkrug’s injury problems have been a thorn in West Ham’s side since his transfer from Borussia Dortmund last year, and the need for a reliable goalscorer is evident given Nuno’s reported stance on Wilson.

Callum Marshall is another option to lead the line, but so far, Nuno is still reluctant to hand the Northern Ireland international a chance to prove himself as he reaches for makeshift options like Paqueta.

Taking this into account, West Ham are in the market for a new number nine this winter, and Real Madrid starlet Endrick is believed to be a key target.

The Brazil international, thanks to a combination of fitness issues and competition for places, has struggled to establish himself as a Real regular, despite firing them to a Copa del Rey final last season before Los Blancos eventually lost out to Barcelona.

Endrick was a target for West Ham last January on loan, and their long-term interest has remained.

According to some reports, West Ham have already held talks with Real about signing Endrick on a temporary deal ahead of January, and the Hammers are also fond of his teammate, Gonzalo Garcia.

Endrick preparing to leave Real Madrid after alleged West Ham talks

Now, as per reports from Spain, Endrick is “preparing to leave” Real amid these alleged West Ham talks, but it is no guarantee that the teenager chooses a switch to east London amid a growing clamor for his services.

Endrick, who is still widely regarded as one of Brazil’s brightest upcoming talents, could also make a move to Brentford.

Keith Andrews’ side are named as a “clear” candidate for his signature, while La Liga sides like Real Sociedad and Sevilla are also keen on snapping up the ex-Palmeiras sensation who cost Real £53 million to sign back in 2022.

While West Ham are firmly in the mix, they’ll need to move quickly ahead of what looks likely to be a scramble for Endrick when the January window opens.

However, going by Carlo Ancelotti’s past praise of the striker, it could definitely be worth the effort.

علق محمد رشوان خبير اللوائح على قرارات اتحاد الكرة بشأن العقوبات ضد الأهلي والزمالك في بطولة كأس السوبر المصري، والتي تم إعلانها اليوم.

وقال محمد رشوان في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “صدى البلد”: “ما زلنا نلعب لعبة التوازنات، وأتمنى كمواطن مصري المشاركة في بطولة خارجية دون مشاكل، لكن للأسف كل مرة تحدث أزمة تُعكر الصفو، لأننا لا نملك تعريفًا واضحًا للوائح”.

وأكمل: “الجميع قالوا إنه لا توجد عقوبة محددة على زيزو وفق اللوائح، لكننا فوجئنا ببيان اتحاد الكرة ثم تعديله لاحقًا لإضافة عقوبة زيزو، السباب الجماعي يجب أن يُواجه بحزم، والغرامة البالغة 100 ألف جنيه ليست رادعة، فلا بد من مواقف أكثر قوة”.

وواصل: “المشكلة ليست فقط في زيزو، بل تتكرر مع دونجا وأزمة النقاط وغيرها، وطول ما التوازنات هي التي تتحكم، لن نستطيع تطبيق القانون، البيان ذكر تكرار السباب الجماعي، ومعناه أن العقوبة يجب أن تكون مضاعفة”.

طالع.. رسميًا | عقوبات السوبر المصري 2026/2025.. تغريم الأهلي والزمالك وموقف زيزو

وأشار: “هشام نصر قال إنه لم يكن سيسلم على اللاعب، كلام لا يصح، وهو نفسه يستحق الإيقاف، لأن الموقف لا يُدار بالعواطف، ولازم تكون المسطرة القانونية واضحة”.

وزاد: “زيزو سيتظلم على القرار، وسيستند إلى ما قاله هشام نصر بأنه لم يكن سيسلم عليه، وإلى أنه صافح أحمد عبد الرؤوف واللاعبين على الدكة، وسيطالب بإبراز النص في اللائحة الذي يعاقب اللاعب إذا لم يصافح أحدًا”.

وبسؤاله هل ممكن يتم معاقبة مسؤول وفقا للائحة؟، أجاب: “لا يوجد، لكن الأصل في القانون أن يطبق على الجميع وأي عنصر من عناصر اللعبة، لازم يكون ليك علاقة كعضو مجلس إدارة، والأصل في الطعن هي على العقوبات التي لا تستند إلى القانون، زيزو سيقول أريد النص في اللائحة الذي على أساسه إذا لم أصافح أحد توقع على عقوبة”.

وأتم: “الزمالك أيضًا من حقه أن يتقدم بتظلم على عقوبة بيزيرا، وأعتقد أن العقوبتين سيم رفعهما، لكن أهم شيء أن تكون اللوائح واضحة منعا للقيل والقال”.

Ben Cox makes defiant 70 on return to New Road but old team-mates have the final say

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay13-Jul-2025

Ben Cox, a former Worcestershire stalwart, starred in vain for his new team, Leicestershire•Getty Images

Worcestershire Rapids delivered a complete performance with bat and ball to secure an impressive six-wicket victory over Leicestershire Foxes at Visit Worcestershire New Road, keeping their quarter-final hopes alive heading into the final round of fixtures.Chasing a target of 174, the Rapids timed their pursuit to perfection, anchored by a stunning, unbeaten 56 from Ethan Brookes, his clean ball-striking and composure under pressure proving the decisive factor.The all-rounder arrived with the match finely poised at 134 for 4 and accelerated superbly through the closing overs, hitting five sixes and four boundaries in just 28 balls to seal the win with 13 deliveries to spare.The chase was set up by a positive start from Isaac Mohammed and Brett D’Oliveira, who added 50 for the first wicket inside the power-play.Though both openers departed in quick succession, Gareth Roderick’s punchy 26 from 13 balls kept the tempo up and ensured the Rapids never lost control of the required rate.When Kashif Ali fell for 16 in the 15th over, there was a flicker of opportunity for the Foxes.But Brookes, alongside a composed Henry Cullen (18 not out off 12), ensured there would be no further stumble, launching a fearless assault on the Leicestershire attack.Earlier in the day, Worcestershire’s bowlers had combined well after the Foxes opted to bat first. Tom Taylor was the standout, picking up 3 for 25 in an outstanding spell that dismantled the top order and removed both openers inside two overs.The Foxes were reduced to 5 for 2, and when Rehan Ahmed was dismissed for 32, they had stumbled to 59 for 4 inside eight overs.Former Worcestershire wicketkeeper Ben Cox, however, produced a determined recovery.The Foxes wicketkeeper played with authority and placement en route to a defiant 70 not out off 44 balls, guiding his side to a competitive total.His partnerships with Louis Kimber (32) and Tom Scriven (9*) helped stabilise the innings, but the Rapids’ bowlers held their nerve well at the death. Ben Dwarshuis, Khurram Shahzad, and Adam Finch each picked up a wicket, and boundaries were largely kept in check after the 15th over.Despite Cox’s efforts, Leicestershire’s total of 173 for 6 always felt slightly under-par on a quick-scoring surface, and Worcestershire’s clinical response with the bat proved just that.The win keeps the Rapids back in the mix in the North Group standings ahead of the final round of fixtures, with one of their most complete performances of the campaign so far.

MatériaMais Notícias

No São Paulo desde julho, quando chegou como um dos reforços mais estrelados do ano, James Rodríguez ainda não conquistou tanto espaço assim na equipe.

RelacionadasSão PauloCBF altera três jogos do São Paulo pelo Campeonato BrasileiroSão Paulo08/10/2023São PauloDorival Júnior compara James Rodríguez a Arrascaeta e explica espaço do jogador no São PauloSão Paulo08/10/2023BrasileirãoVÍDEO: assista aos melhores momentos de Vasco x São Paulo pelo BrasileirãoBrasileirão08/10/2023

Com apenas nove jogos pelo clube desde quando chegou, James foi reserva em quatro. Além disso, soma um gol e uma assistência.

Porém, segundo as palavras do próprio Dorival Júnior, o principal motivo que justifica o porquê de James Rodríguez ainda não ter se firmado como o esperado no São Paulo diz respeito justamente a confiança e adaptação. Antes de chegar ao Morumbi, o colombiano não entrava em campo desde abril, quando ainda defendia o Olympiacos, da Grécia.

+ Transforme sua paixão pelo futebol em profissão. Descubra o caminho com o curso Gestor de Futebol!

Mas de acordo com o treinador, o meia está buscando sua melhor condição e tentando evoluir. Para Dorival, desenvolver esta confiança ‘não é tão fácil assim’. Além dos poucos jogos, outros fatores também influenciaram esta visão de um desempenho um pouco mais abaixo do jogador.

Contra a LDU, pelas quartas de final da Copa Sul-Americana, James Rodríguez desperdiçou um pênalti na cobrança, e com isso, o Tricolor foi eliminado da competição. Contra o Fortaleza, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro, mais uma vez cometeu um erro assim. Em uma penalidade assinada durante a partida, no Morumbi, pediu a responsabilidade da cobrança, mas bateu mal. Entretanto, buscou a redenção neste mesmo jogo e marcou o único gol do time, na derrota por 2 a 1.

+ Leão da Ilha! Aposte R$100 e ganhe mais de R$240 com o Sport na Série B!

+ Molecada de Xerém! Aposte R$100 e ganhe R$410 com o Fluzão na Copa do Brasil Sub-20

– O James está crescendo, está buscando confiança. Isso não é fácil, mas ele mesmo vai buscando sua melhor condição e tem contribuído bastante – explicou Dorival Júnior.

Dorival também falou sobre as comparações que são feitas com Lucas Moura. No caso de Lucas, que chegou praticamente junto com James, a adaptação foi diferente. Logo no começo, Lucas Moura – que teve uma passagem no passado pelo São Paulo -, logo assumiu a titularidade no elenco, e inclusive, um papel de líder. Mas como o treinador explicou, era outro contexto, uma vez que Lucas Moura não estava tanto tempo parado e conhecia melhor o futebol brasileiro.

– O Lucas é uma realidade diferente, ele chegou em uma situação adiantada e aproveitamos suas melhores condições, adaptamos ele em uma função onde foi importantíssimo – completou.

James Rodríguez assinou um contrato com o São Paulo por duas temporadas, até o final de 2025.

Former Celtic centre-forward Chris Sutton was particularly scathing of the club’s recruitment after they lost 2-0 to Dundee in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, the pundit said: “Celtic have massive problems. They have to get to January and still stay in touch. This is a bang average Celtic team and I think Brendan recognises that.

“The signing of Kelechi Iheanacho summed everything up. That was desperation. I’m not saying he’s a bad player but you think back to when Celtic were rotating Giorgos Giakoumakis and Kyogo Furuhashi, that quality, that’s the difference.”

It is hard not to point to the recruitment department when looking for the reason why Celtic have failed to score in six competitive matches already this season.

Celtic needed a striker in the summer, before they sold Adam Idah, and they failed to bring in Kasper Dolberg from Anderlecht, before selling Idah without getting a replacement in. Kelechi Iheanacho then arrived on a free transfer, but they were still down another forward.

Meanwhile, Hearts signed Claudio Braga from Aalesund on top of keeping Lawrence Shankland, and have fired their way to the top of the Premiership table.

What Celtic can learn from the recruitment at Hearts

Tony Bloom invested in Hearts and brought his data expertise with him to bolster their recruitment, and it already looks to have paid off big time for the Jam Tarts.

Braga scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 37 appearances in the second tier of football in Norway in the 2025 and 2024 campaigns for Aalesund, per Sofascore, before his move to Scotland in the summer.

The versatile forward, who can play as a number ten, a second striker, or as a centre-forward, scored two goals against Kilmarnock on Saturday to take his tally to eight goals in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

Braga’s highlights from their win over Kilmarnock in the clips above show that he can operate in positions all over the pitch, with almost a free role because of Shankland’s presence as the focal point for the team.

The Portuguese star is free to roam around the pitch and drop deep when needed to get touches of the ball to make things happen for Hearts, as evidenced by his statistics.

25/26 Premiership

Claudio Braga

Appearances

8

Touches per game

42.8

Goals

5

Big chances missed

4

Key passes per game

1.1

Assists

1

Successful dribbles per game

0.9

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Braga takes around 43 touches per game on average and has been directly involved in six goals in eight matches to show that he is making the most of those touches.

Celtic can learn from the recruitment that Hearts have done for multiple reasons. One, that they do not need to splash £10m on a player from a major European league, as Braga was picked up from the second tier in Norway and has outscored every Celtic player in the Premiership.

Two, that the recruitment needs to be well thought through. Hearts knew they had Shankland leading the line, so they signed the Portuguese ace to be the perfect partner for him.

Celtic, meanwhile, signed two left-wingers, despite Daizen Maeda scoring 33 goals as a left-winger last season, and did not sign a right-winger to replace Nicolas Kuhn, whilst they also sold Adam Idah, a target man and physical presence, and signed Iheanacho, who does not have a similar profile to Idah.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Expand Collapse

Despite being signed to be the main number nine, Iheanacho has the attributes and the quality to be Brendan Rodgers’ own version of Braga, but the Hoops do not have their own Shankland.

Why Kelechi Iheanacho can be Celtic's own Claudio Braga

For all of the former Manchester City man’s strengths, the Nigeria international is not a target man. He is not going to cause too many problems for opposition defenders with his physicality.

Per Sofascore, Iheanacho has won 1.5 duels per game and won just 38% of his duels in total, whilst Shankland has won 4.4 duels per game and 44% of his total battles on the pitch.

He does not look suited to being the sole number nine for Celtic as a target man, because of his lack of physicality, and that is not his fault, because it is something that the recruitment team should have factored in when they made the signing.

Last season, Michael Carrick utilised Iheanacho as a second striker behind another number nine, which meant that he had the license to drift around the pitch and get involved in the game, instead of being isolated up front.

This means that he has the potential to be Celtic’s own Braga because of his ability to play off another striker. Meanwhile, Maeda is more suited to playing out wide, and has been utilised on the left and right flanks this season, after scoring 33 goals as a left winger last term, per Transfermarkt.

25/26 Premiership

Kelechi Iheanacho

Percentile rank vs STs

Chances created

1.77

Top 1%

xA

0.17

Top 24%

Pass accuracy

79.5%

Top 12%

Long pass accuracy

100%

Top 1%

Dribble success rate

100%

Top 1%

Touches in the opposition’s box

8.15

Top 12%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, Iheanacho has shown great technical ability and link-up play in the Premiership this season, but he has yet to score a goal from open play.

Shankland’s presence and physicality occupy opposition defenders and create space for Braga to ghost into and score, but Celtic do not have a number nine like that who can take the pressure off Iheanacho.

Instead, it currently looks like he has to play the role of Shankland and Braga on his own, which may be why the Hoops have struggled so much in front of goal.

Iheanacho’s position for Middlesbrough and the qualities that he has shown in the Premiership so far suggest that he is more suited to playing like Braga, off another striker, but Rodgers does not have that outlet in the centre-forward position that Hearts do.

Related Forget Yang: Rodgers can solve Maeda blow by unleashing Celtic star in new role

Celtic could solve their Daizen Maeda injury blow by unleashing this star in a new role.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery Oct 20, 2025

Maeda is a winger, not a target man, so he is not the answer. Therefore, the Hoops need to dip into the market in January to sign a striker who can complement Iheanacho and get the best out of him in the second half of the season, so that he can be as effective as Braga.

Bracewell will return to the UK to link up with Southern Brave after the conclusion of the first Test

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jul-2025

Michael Bracewell is already in Zimbabwe as part of New Zealand’s T20I squad•AFP/Getty Images

Michael Bracewell has been named replacement for the injured Glenn Phillips for New Zealand’s first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.Bracewell, initially unavailable for the series due to his commitments with The Hundred, was already in Zimbabwe as part of New Zealand’s T20I squad for the tri-series. With his schedule allowing him to feature in the opening Test, head coach Rob Walter said the decision to include him was a straightforward one.Phillips had been ruled out of the Tests due to a groin injury. He had suffered the injury while playing for Washington Freedom in the Major League Cricket (MLC) final on July 13.”Glenn’s injury provided a gap in the Test squad and Michael is the closest like-for-like replacement,” Walter said. “His experience and skillset will be a great asset and allows us to keep the same balance of the team.”Bracewell will return to the UK to link up with Southern Brave after the first Test. A decision on a replacement for the second Test will be made in due course, according to an NZC release.The two-match series begins in Bulawayo later this week, marking New Zealand’s first Test tour of Zimbabwe since 2016.

MatériaMais Notícias

No jogo dos desesperados da Série B, Chapecoense e ABC ficaram no 0 a 0 e viram a luta contra o rebaixamento ficar ainda mais árdua na classificação. Apesar da falta de gols, os times tiveram muitas oportunidades, com direito a penalti desperdiçado para a equipe catarinense. A partida foi válida pela 31ª rodada da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro.

RelacionadasCruzeiroCruzeiro: Confira matemática necessária para o time se manter na Série ACruzeiro05/10/2023NotíciasSérie B: como foram os últimos jogos entre Chapecoense e ABC?Notícias04/10/2023NotíciasSérie B: como foram os últimos jogos entre Criciúma e Vitória?Notícias04/10/2023

No primeiro tempo do jogo, o ABC ameaçou a Chape com chutes de fora da área que assustaram a torcida na Arena Condá. Mas na metade da etapa inicial, o Verdão do Oeste melhorou e tomou conta das ações ofensivas. A postura foi recompensada com um pênalti, após mão dentro da área. O centroavante Henrique Dourado partiu para a cobrança, mas jogou para fora.

+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000

Na etapa final da partida, brilhou a estrela de Michael, do ABC. O goleiro do time potiguar fez grandes defesas e segurou a pressão da Chapecoense no segundo tempo. O Alvinegro saia nos contra-ataques e levou muito perigo para o gol da Chape, com direito a bola no travessão e chance cara a cara com o goleiro Airton, mas que foi para fora.

+ Veja a tabela da Série B

O empate acaba sendo ruim para as duas equipes, que seguem no Z4. A torcida presente na Arena Condá protestou na saída do time do campo. A Chapecoense ocupa a 17ª colocação, com 30 pontos. O ABC é o lanterna, com 20 pontos.