Alex Bregman will more than likely put on a new uniform next season after nine MLB seasons, all with the Houston Astros. Although Jose Altuve campaigned for Bregman's return to Houston at the end of last season, Houston signed first baseman Christian Walker to a three-year, $60 million deal, which signaled the likely end of Bregman's time with the Astros.
Before the Astros signed Walker, they were one of four teams in the running to sign Bregman according to a report last month from MLB's Mark Feinsand. On Dec. 11, Feinsand reported that the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees were most interested in Bregman, in addition to the Astros.
Now, the favorites to sign the top remaining free agent appear to be whittled down. On Wednesday, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reported that the Red Sox and Tigers were the "most likely" landing spots for Bregman.
"I do think the Red Sox and Tigers are the most likely landing spots for Bregman," Heyman said Wednesday on a stream. "They both had meetings with Bregman and to me they make sense. The people who have coached and manage Bregman, they absolutely love him. So you have Alex Cora with Boston and A.J. Hinch with Detroit. They both want him badly. I think Hinch loves him, I'm not sure who loves him more but Cora does too."
Bregman, 30, had a strong 2024 campaign, which was capped off with his first Gold Glove award. Last season, he posted a .260/.315/.453 slash line with 26 home runs and 75 RBIs.
“It is still no excuse for some of the decisions we made with the bat. But this pitch is not up to international standards”
Mohammad Isam20-Jul-2025One game into the Bangladesh-Pakistan T20I series, the pitch at the Shere Bangla National Stadium has come under the scanner as expected.While Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson admitted that his batters hadn’t read the pitch correctly, he branded the surface as “unacceptable” for international cricket, after Pakistan were bowled out for 110.Related
Pakistan's batting approach faces litmus test against well-tuned Bangaldesh
Pakistan suffer rude awakening at the start of Bangladesh T20Is
Litton Das and Salman Agha steel themselves for Dhaka's surprises
“I think (the pitch) is not ideal for anybody,” Hesson said. “Teams are trying to prepare for the Asia Cup or the (T20) World Cup. It is not acceptable. It is still no excuse for some of the decisions we made with the bat. But this pitch is not up to international standards.”Pakistan had slipped to 46 for 5 by the eighth over, with most of their batters falling while going for big shots. Pakistan’s cause wasn’t helped by three run-outs either, as they eventually folded in 19.3 overs.”We got off to a little bit of a flyer. Fakhar Zaman played four or five shots. It gave us a false indication about how the surface was playing,” Hesson said. “We didn’t help ourselves through the middle. We chose some poor options. When the ball started to nip through, and bounced steeply, we probably didn’t assess that it was a bit more challenging to play high-risk shots. Couple of run-outs also didn’t help.”Bangladesh opener Parvez Hossain Emon, however, disagreed with Hesson’s assessment of the pitch. Emon said that Bangladesh winning comfortably – by seven wickets and with 27 balls to spare – was an indication that the surface wasn’t all bad.”We didn’t feel (it was a bad pitch) as we chased it down in less than 16 overs,” he said. “We could have scored 150-160 runs if we batted the full 20 overs. It may be so that they couldn’t adjust to the pitch. We adjusted better than them. The Dhaka pitch usually benefits the bowlers. We tried to assess the wicket quickly. It was our first plan.”Hesson, though, felt such pitches wouldn’t help even Bangladesh prepare for sterner tests away from home.”You need good cricket wickets to develop cricketers. There was some good wickets during the BPL, to be fair. It is not up to the standard when international cricket is being played.”I don’t think it helps them when they leave Bangladesh. But I think also batting first in these situations is challenging. When you aren’t quite sure whether 100 or 130 or 150 is good enough. I don’t think (the pitch) is good for anybody. It still doesn’t take away the fact that you have to perform better in any surface. We will look at it as a team.”
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.
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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.
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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.
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– 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.
Faf du Plessis slammed a 51-ball 100, but he had to do it alone, pretty much, for Texas Super Kings. That was the difference between Super Kings and San Francisco Unicorns on the day, since Unicorns had two men doing it, doing it at well over a-run-a-ball, and doing it for long enough. The quick half-centuries Matthew Short and Finn Allen hit were not only enough to take Unicorns over the line in a chase of 199, but get there with 23 balls in hand. The win kept them at the top of the MLC 2025 table with four wins in four, with Super Kings one spot below after their first loss.Super Kings were asked to bat, and du Plessis had two big partnerships for the first two wickets, but he had to contribute exactly 100 runs to those, which added up to 166. In the first stand, of 97, Devon Conway was unusually slow, scoring 23 in 23. In the second, worth 69, Saiteja Mukkamalla did better than Conway had, contributing 38 to du Plessis’ 30, though they went at roughly the same strike rate.To make matters worse for Super Kings, Mukkamalla, du Plessis and Marcus Stoinis fell in an eight-ball spell to Xavier Bartlett and Haris Rauf, and that derailed them at a point when they looked good to top 200.Faf du Plessis did most of the scoring for Texas Super Kings while he was around•Sportzpics for MLC
Du Plessis, though, was supreme in getting his first fifty-plus score since April 29, when he hit 62 in 45 balls for Delhi Capitals against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025. There were six fours and seven sixes in his innings as he scored at a strike rate of exactly 200 before being dismissed.But even if Super Kings had crossed 200, it’s unlikely Allen and Short would have cared.Allen barely got any of the strike in the first three overs as Short sped off the blocks, getting to 33 in 16 balls even as Allen was 1 off 2. After that, though, it was a different story. Over four, five and six went for 10, 23 and 15, and Unicorns were 83 for no loss after the powerplay and Allen was 34 off 16 to Short’s 46 off 21.The runs kept coming, and the half-centuries too, as the two took the total to 117 before being separated when Short holed out off Daryl Mitchell for a 29-ball 61. Allen was on 52 at that point in the ninth over, and batted on to score 78 in 35. When he was dismissed, by the impressive Adam Milne, Unicorns were just 30 runs away with 7.4 overs to go. Jake Fraser-McGurk took care of most of those with a 25-ball 37.
Heading into the dying moments of the Premier League clash between Brentford and Chelsea on Saturday night, it looked as if Enzo Maresca’s Blues were going to join the exclusive club of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and AFC Bournemouth in winning three of their first four league clashes of the season.
However, former Anfield youngster Fabio Carvalho had other plans late on, with his 93rd-minute finish from a long Kevin Schade throw-in clinching the Bees a share of the points in a dramatic 2-2 draw.
The away side were right to feel dejected at the final whistle, with Moises Caicedo gifting the visitors the narrow lead with just five minutes remaining on the clock, before the heartbreak of added-on time ensued.
At one stage, however, the West London outfit might well have been staring down the barrel of a defeat, only for the usual heroics of Cole Palmer to come to the rescue once more.
Palmer's heroics for Chelsea
Palmer had barely been on the pitch for five minutes before he curled home an ice-cold finish to hand Chelsea a way back into the contest at 1-1.
Making only his second league appearance of the season after picking up an injury on the opening day, it would have been a welcome relief for fans of Maresca and Co to see their former Manchester City star back to his best.
The 23-year-old superstar was arguably unlucky not to add to his solitary goal during the action-packed affair, too, having seen another of his many efforts be saved by a very busy Caoimhin Kelleher.
In total, Palmer registered five efforts on the Brentford net, despite only being in the thick of the action for 34 minutes. To add context, Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto – who both played the full 90 minutes – could only muster up a weak three shots between them.
It goes without saying, therefore, that Maresca should bring the dazzling midfielder back into his main XI, as the Blues now face the daunting task of trying to beat both Bayern Munich and Manchester United in quick succession.
While the bright number ten looks to break back into the first-team fold for good, the Italian occupying the Stamford Bridge dug-out might well look to drop a notable underperformer.
Chelsea's 4/10 star must now be dropped
Unfortunately, while Palmer showed off his obvious class when being introduced, others donning Chelsea blue really did recede into their shell when trying to make openings happen at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Debutant Facundo Buonanotte had a forgettable first 45 minutes in a Blues shirt, with zero shots or successful dribbles registered, which then allowed for Brentford to race into a 1-0 lead before the half-time break.
It wasn’t just the Argentinian who floundered in isolation, though, with fellow new signing Jamie Gittens also looking somewhat out of his depth during a flat 45 minutes for the ex-Borussia Dortmund ace.
Reinstated into the starting lineup for the first time since the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, Gittens should have been champing at the bit to prove himself.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Instead, he failed to ever get going across his drab 56 minutes on the pitch, only to then have more salt added to his wound by being outclassed by Palmer’s stylish cameo.
Gittens’ performance in numbers
Minutes played
56
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches
17
Accurate passes
11/13 (85%)
Shots
1
Offsides
2
Stats by Sofascore
As can be seen glancing at the table above, Gittens would only manage to amass a lacklustre 17 touches of the ball during his brief time on the pitch, with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez even bettering that amount at 23 touches.
Palmer surpassed Gittens’ touch tally too at 26, with the “anonymous” attacker – as he was branded by the Sun’s Lloyd Canfield – amazingly also managing more offsides than troubling shots on Kelleher’s net.
Alejandro Garnacho could well get the nod to start over the below-par number 11 against Bayern Munich; therefore, with Football London’s Bobby Vincent further dishing out a low /10 post-match rating to the attacker, who was noted as trying but ultimately failing to ever make an impact.
This will hopefully act as a learning curve for the £48m summer purchase, who could well look to Palmer now for some inspiration as he attempts to kickstart his stuttering Blues career sooner rather than later.
Chelsea scouts spotted watching 17 y/o gem who's been dubbed the new Kante
The biggest story of the transfer window was undoubtedly Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool, but West Ham United had their own saga going on.
For a moment in time, it looked like Lucas Paqueta might have been leaving the club, with Aston Villa reportedly keen to sign him.
However, to the delight of the fans, the Brazilian maestro made it abundantly clear in his celebration against Nottingham Forest that he had no intention of leaving.
The former Lyon ace has been a brilliant player for the Hammers, although they did once come close to signing an upgrade who is now worth more than Isak.
Paqueta's West Ham career
It would be fair to say that since joining the club for around £51m in the summer of 2022, Paqueta hasn’t always had the easiest time of it at West Ham.
However, when you discount the off-pitch issues, it’s impossible to deny that he’s been more than worth the investment the Hammers initially made in him.
For example, despite playing under several different managers and in various systems, the 28-year-old has amassed an impressive tally of 21 goals and 14 assists in 124 games.
That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.54 games, and, crucially, he produced five goal involvements in the club’s historic Conference League winning campaign.
In all, Paqueta remains one of the most talented players in West Ham’s squad, and someone who could make all the difference for them in what could still be a tough season.
Lucas Paqueta in action for West Ham.
Yet, things could have been very different, as just a couple of years ago, the club came close to signing someone who would have been a significant upgrade, someone now worth more than Isak.
The Paqueta upgrade West Ham almost signed
All clubs have their own list of star players they’ve missed out on over the years, and West Ham is obviously no different.
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.
However, there are some players who are worse to miss out on than others, and that is certainly the case for Cole Palmer.
Yes, according to David Moyes, the Hammers were very “close” to getting the former Manchester City gem before his move to Chelsea, but the deal broke down, in part because Paqueta’s potential move to City fell apart.
It would have been an utterly sensational signing for the East Londoners, for good as the Brazilian is, the Englishman would be an upgrade.
For example, since moving to Stamford Bridge, the “world-class” superstar, as dubbed by Pat Nevin, has scored 43 goals and provided 29 assists in 98 appearances, totalling 7950 minutes.
Appearances
98
124
Minutes
7950′
9340′
Goals
43
21
Assists
29
14
Goal Involvements per Match
0.73
0.28
Minutes per Goal Involvement
110.41′
266.85′
That means he’s averaged a goal involvement every 1.36 games, or every 110.41 minutes, with the West Londoners, which is an outrageous rate of return.
Unsurprisingly, his out-of-this-world ability has seen his valuation skyrocket over the last couple of years, and according to the CIES Football Observatory, he is now worth up to 164m, which is about £142m, or £18m more than Liverpool paid for Isak.
Ultimately, there is no point crying over spilt milk, but we can’t help but think West Ham would be in a better position today had they secured a deal for Palmer two years ago.
West Ham now join the race to sign £60m star who was a major Spurs target
The Hammers are keen to bring in a “sensational” player, who was a key summer target for Tottenham Hotspur.
O Flamengo conquistou mais uma vitória no Campeonato Brasileiro. No sábado, dia 1º de julho, o Rubro-Negro venceu o Fortaleza por 2 a 0 no Maracanã, pela 13ª rodada do Brasileirão, alcançando assim sua oitava vitória em 13 jogos. Os gols foram marcados por Gabigol e Arrascaeta.
A noite de sábado no Maracanã também foi especial para Gabigol. O atacante marcou seu gol de número 150 com a camisa do Flamengo ao balançar as redes contra o Fortaleza. Desde 2019 no Rubro-Negro, o jogador alcançou essa marca em 246 jogos.
1º tempo
O Flamengo tentou impor intensidade no jogo nos primeiros minutos, assim como nas últimas partidas. O Fortaleza respondeu bem, recuou suas linhas e buscou os contra-ataques. Aos 8 minutos, o time nordestino criou uma chance perigosa após um roubo de bola e Thiago Maia cometeu um pênalti. No entanto, o goleiro do Mengão, Matheus Cunha, defendeu a cobrança de Pikachu.
A resposta do Flamengo foi quase imediata; a equipe passou a pressionar o Fortaleza e ameaçar o gol de João Ricardo. Assim, aos 13 minutos, Arrascaeta fez um cruzamento de trivela para a área e Gabigol marcou com a perna esquerda. Esse gol coloca o atacante no nono lugar na artilharia histórica do Flamengo, com 150 gols.
O Mengão teve um breve momento de distração após o gol e contou com duas excelentes defesas de Matheus Cunha para evitar o empate. No entanto, retomou o controle do jogo a partir dos 30 minutos. Pouco depois, Gerson fez um belo passe para Ayrton Lucas, que cruzou na direção de Arrascaeta, mas o chute parou no goleiro adversário.
No final, apesar de alguns momentos de desatenção na defesa, o Flamengo foi superior ao Fortaleza no primeiro tempo. Assim, vai para o intervalo vencendo por 1 a 0.
2º tempo
O Flamengo seguiu a estratégia do primeiro tempo na segunda etapa: pressionar nos minutos iniciais. Como resultado, Pedro quase ampliou o placar aos 6 minutos. O atacante recebeu um passe de Gerson na entrada da área e finalizou buscando o ângulo, mas João Ricardo fez uma grande defesa e evitou o gol.
O domínio rubro-negro continuou nos minutos seguintes, e o segundo gol parecia apenas uma questão de tempo. Aos 20 minutos, Ayrton Lucas lançou a bola na área do Fortaleza, e ela sobrou perfeitamente nos pés de Arrascaeta. Como de costume, o uruguaio acertou um chute indefensável e ampliou o placar.
Após o segundo gol, a equipe diminuiu o ritmo da partida e passou a controlar o resultado. Assim, o clube venceu o Fortaleza por 2 a 0, conquistando a terceira vitória consecutiva e assumindo a vice-liderança do Brasileirão.
A equipe carioca mostrou sua força e determinação, garantindo os três pontos e consolidando sua posição na tabela. Após essa vitória, o Flamengo ocupa agora o 3º lugar, com um total de 25 pontos. Enquanto isso, o Fortaleza, que lutou bravamente durante toda a partida, está atualmente na 11ª posição, acumulando 20 pontos. A liderança do campeonato está nas mãos do Botafogo, que impressiona com sua performance até o momento, somando 33 pontos.
As informações sobre as apostas esportivas na Campeonato Brasileiro podem ser encontradas no site legalni bukmacherzy. Este site é uma fonte confiável para os fãs de futebol e apostadores que desejam obter dados precisos sobre os jogos, estatísticas das equipes e odds atualizadas. Os usuários podem explorar uma ampla gama de opções de apostas disponíveis e tomar decisões informadas antes de realizar suas apostas.
Newcastle United frustratingly drew blanks across the entire 90 minutes away at Aston Villa on the Premier League’s opening day.
The obvious question on everyone’s minds post-match was whether the Magpies would have been so wasteful if Alexander Isak were leading the line, but the superstar Swede was notably absent, as he remains insistent on a summer switch away from St James’ Park.
With the ex-Real Sociedad striker seemingly set on leaving, Eddie Howe and Co. will be desperate to land a striker in a similar vein to their potent number 14 before the transfer window slams shut, with plenty of targets popping on the Toon shortlist.
Newcastle given encouragement over striker deal
It’s not exactly been a closely guarded secret this summer that the Magpies are in the market for an explosive, new centre-forward.
They could finally be about to land long-term target Yoane Wissa, with the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope recently revealing that a deal could be wrapped up by next week for the 28-year-old to leave Brentford behind for pastures new on Tyneside.
Isak vs Wissa 2024-25 stats (timeless)
While his 19 goals last season would make him a suitable Isak replacement, he isn’t the only clinical attacker on Newcastle’s shopping list.
Indeed, Hope has also revealed that the Isak-less Toon have been handed some “encouragement” over securing the services of Paris St. Germain hotshot Goncalo Ramos, who has also been reportedly looked at by the likes of Liverpool and Aston Villa this window.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Hope said: “Goncalo Ramos, the PSG striker, is back on the agenda. He was and then he wasn’t, I was told last week that it’s not happening. Then I was told yesterday [Friday] that actually there’s a chance it might, Newcastle have been given some encouragement there.
“But again, I think that would be a really hard one to do. I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one for want of a better phrase. But they are looking, he is an option absolutely. I’ve had that confirmed, that’s why I put the story out there last night.”
PSG forward Goncalo Ramos
How Ramos possesses shades of Ekitike
It’s still some way off from being near completion, but landing the Portuguese attacker could see the Magpies win a striker who possesses shades of Hugo Ekitike’s clinical game.
Amazingly, Ekitike was yet another striker Howe and Co. missed out on this summer, as Arne Slot’s Reds ultimately won his signature over picking up Ramos.
The Magpies must be forlorn that the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker decided to uproot to Anfield over St James’ Park, considering he already has two goals next to his name for the reigning top-flight champions, which included a fierce strike getting Liverpool up and running on the entertaining opening night of the campaign.
Any lingering disappointment surrounding the Frenchman choosing the luxuries of Liverpool over Newcastle would soon be forgotten about, however, if Ramos were to make the switch to Howe’s men, with the 24-year-old a recognised goalscoring menace in Europe, much like Ekitike was before Merseyside came calling.
Already, Tottenham Hotspur are aware of his red-hot instincts in front of goal, with Ramos only needing 14 minutes of action against Thomas Frank’s Spurs in the Super Cup final before delivering this sucker punch of a header to level proceedings at 2-2.
This has been a tale of his entire stay in Paris to date, with only 28 Ligue 1 starts coming his way across his last two seasons in the French capital.
However, that hasn’t stopped him from going on to bag a mightily impressive 21 league goals across those limited opportunities.
Coincidentally, Ekitike also struggled for gametime during his own up-and-down stay at the Parc Des Princes, but slipped up in the goalscoring department with only four strikes registered.
Ramos career record vs Ekitike
Stat
Ramos
Ekitike
Games played
248
153
Goals scored
102
52
Assists
29
26
Trophies
10
3
Top goalscorer accolades
3
0
Sourced by Transfermarkt
The brand new £79m Reds signing, of course, fought back from this underwhelming stint in Paris, with a promising return of 26 goals from 64 games for Frankfurt winning him the lavish move.
However, when assessing the table above, the “outrageous” 24-year-old – as he’s been lauded previously by scout Jacek Kulig for his unerring accuracy in front of goal – has actually had a far more glittering career path than his Anfield counterpart, with 50 more career strikes next to his name.
Goncalo Ramos at Benfica
Therefore, the former Benfica marksman will be loving the prospect of having his own moment in the Premier League spotlight with Newcastle, as he potentially goes head-to-head with Ekitike in the demanding division.
Once hailed by Bruno Fernandes as having “all the qualities to play in the Premier League”, the proof will soon be in the pudding if Ramos does make the move, as Newcastle’s hunt for a fresh striker looks to go the distance.
Better than Ramos: Newcastle set to see bid accepted for "outstanding" CF
Newcastle United are closing in on a deal to sign a Premier League forward to bolster their squad.
Atuando fora do país desde 2018 após defender o Juventude, César Martins retornou ao Brasil nesta temporada. Desta vez para vestir a camisa da Grêmio Novorizontino, que disputa a Série B do Brasileirão.
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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão da Série B clicando aqui
Diante desse retorno e com experiências acumuladas no exterior atuando em países como Portugal e Bolívia, o defensor destacou pontos importantes que o fizeram voltar ao cenário nacional.
– Sinceramente para mim foi muito bom (voltar ao Brasil). Voltar estar perto dos amigos, familiares. Todos os campeonatos aqui no Brasil são muito competitivos, pois os times são qualificados com bons jogadores. Eu cheguei em um clube sério, que possui planos para o futuro e espero fazer parte desse planejamento deles – disse antes de completar sobre os desafios que possui com a camisa do Tigre.
– O Brasileiro da Série B é muito competitivo. Os times são bastante equilibrados com jogadores experientes que já disputaram campeonatos(importantes) também e isso o torna mais difícil. Você nunca sabe pelas primeiras rodadas os quatro que vão subir, assim com os quatro que irão cair. É um campeonato de muitas reviravoltas, pois quem começa bem o primeiro turno pode ser que não vá tão bem no segundo. É preciso achar o equilíbrio para se fazer bom campeonato e brigar lá em cima. É isso que vamos buscar fazer para quando chegar no final da competição, quem sabe, conseguir esse acesso tão sonhado – analisou.
Nem bem chegou ao novo clube e César Martins já teve o gostinho de conquistar algo importante: o acesso na Série A-2 do Campeonato Paulista, competição que o ex-flamenguista chegou como reforço já na fase de mata-mata.
Após esse começo positivo em Novorizonte, o xerife ressaltou os planos que possui com a camisa do clube na continuidade da temporada.
– Esse início foi muito bom. Cheguei e já participei desse aceso com quatro jogos, então creio que consegui ajudar a equipe. Fiquei muito feliz de ter esse acesso para a primeira divisão do Paulista. Mas agora já é outro campeonato, aqui no Brasil é assim. Agora é virar a chavinha e começar a conquistar os pontos para que a gente conquiste os nossos objetivos o mais rápido possível. Primeiro a permanência e depois quem sabe sonhar com o acesso. Mas é algo jogo a jogo, passo a passo. Estamos trabalhando forte aquilo que o professor está pedindo. A gente sabe que é um campeonato muito complicado, mas temos um time qualificado e vamos brigar até o fim – completou.
Luke Littler has emerged as one of the best-known sportsman in the UK after turning the darting world upside down.
Making his World Championship debut in 2023, the teenager is already a Triple Crown winner, lifting both the World Championship and World Matchplay in 2025, on top of his Premier League triumph in 2024.
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With plenty of media duties for Littler to abide by on a regular basis, he is questioned on numerous topics, including football.
A huge Manchester United supporter, Littler was asked for his top five Premier League players recently and included some stars from rival sides Liverpool and Manchester City.
5 Eberechi Eze Arsenal
Arguably a surprise inclusion in the list despite a wonderful 2024/25 season with Crystal Palace is Eberechi Eze.
The England international helped the Eagles win the FA Cup with a victory over Manchester City, a team Littler won’t be fond of due to his Red Devils ties.
Eze’s fine form in the final third as an attacking midfielder saw him score eight goals and provide eight assists in the Premier League. Those incredible performances were enough to earn him a big-money move to boyhood club, Arsenal, during the summer.
4 Bruno Guimaraes Newcastle United
Another name in Littler’s list that may catch some off guard is Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
The Brazilian did help the Magpies qualify for the Champions League, defeating the Red Devils both home and away. Guimaraes scored in the 4-1 win for Newcastle over Ruben Amorim’s side at St James’ Park in April.
3 Bruno Fernandes Manchester United
Littler had to include Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes in his list, with the Portugal international having a standout season despite the overall struggles at Old Trafford.
Fernandes scored 19 goals and registered 19 assists in all competitions, helping United to the Europa League final, while also lifting the Nations League with Portugal.
2 Rodri Manchester City
Coming in at number two is Manchester City star midfielder Rodri, who missed large parts of the 2024/25 season through injury.
Littler highlighted the fact that the Spaniard is a Ballon d’Or winner, and his absence from Pep Guardiola’s side was huge, with City struggling without their main midfielder.
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ByCharlie Smith Sep 23, 2025 1 Mohamed Salah Liverpool
Despite Littler being a United fan, he had to name rival Mohamed Salah as his top Premier League star following his unbelievable season for Liverpool.
The Egyptian King broke records in 2024/25 as the Reds won the title, with Salah scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists in the top flight. The first name in Littler’s list, it’s hard to argue against him when it comes to the Liverpool star being the best in the Premier League.