In a groundbreaking move, Demetri Mitchell, the former Manchester United prospect, has revealed he used ChatGPT to handle his contract negotiations at Leyton Orient, bypassing the need for an agent and pocketing extra cash in the process. Mitchell, now 28, had been on the books at Old Trafford but never made an impact on the first-team stage.
Jitesh Sharma credits his T20 resurgence to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor Dinesh Karthik, who believes the wicketkeeper-batter can evolve into a true “360-degree” player.”It’s been a great journey till now because in the off-season, I really worked hard with him [Karthik],” Jitesh said ahead of RCB’s IPL 2025 game at home against Delhi Capitals (DC). “I think whichever shot which I am playing right now is the replica of what he used to play. He is trying to create a new player in me, because he believes that I can play 360 degrees. I am really enjoying myself in this new role.”Among the things Jitesh has been most excited about was being able to execute shots he didn’t think he had. And this, he said, had only been possible because of the team’s backing. On Monday, he hit a high-value unbeaten 19-ball 40 to kick RCB’s innings into top gear in the death overs against Mumbai Indians (MI). It made a massive difference to the end result, with RCB winning by 12 runs.Related
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“While I am playing those shots, I am very happy [with the execution] because I have never tried those shots,” he said “And I am going to execute thanks to all the backing they give me. It’s been a wonderful journey which I am still excited about.”The off-season Jitesh referred to were the two high-performance camps Karthik and RCB’s coaching staff, led by Andy Flower, conducted for their Indian players in January and February. Among the things Jitesh worked on was his tough game, an added dimension to what is typically a robust power game.”My confidence doesn’t rely on the score. It always depends on my process and how I train in my practice,” he said. “Because if I have confidence in the end result, then the variables can go up and down. So I mostly keep my confidence high in the practice only.”Jitesh’s run of form with RCB has been a shot in the arm for his young career. Last season, Jitesh scored just 187 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 131. The lacklustre season also set his India aspirations back a fair bit.”I think last year’s performance was my mental thing,” he said about his slump. “I was not mentally in the game at that moment. I was thinking about future things. But right now, when I met Dinesh , he told me that it’s a human error. It’s not rocket science. It does happen to everyone so it’s fine.Jitesh Sharma has been executing shots he didn’t think he had•BCCI
“When he saw my batting, the way I bat, how I try to dominate, how I look to take the game forward… I am someone who always looks for the win. I don’t have the craze to take out runs. I have the craze to win matches. He saw and found out there are some shots that are still lacking, and we’ve started working on that. We are still in the process.”Jitesh has been a massive point of difference as a finisher for RCB, lending muscle to their lower-middle order. Jitesh is among seven batters – colleagues Rajat Patidar and Tim David are also in the list – to average over 40 while striking at more than 150 this season. Asked about this surge, Jitesh underlined how all of it was down to a process they had worked on behind the scenes.”I think we are playing very smart cricket,” he said. “It’s not like we are just going and bashing every bowler [recklessly]. We know everyone’s strengths in the batting line-up and the team management has given a proper role. Like Jitesh Sharma will go after certain bowlers, Phil Salt will go after some. That’s the kind of strategy we have. So we are going very smartly. We are not trying to dominate blindly.”
Harry Kane opened up on his relationship with Nicolas Jackson after Bayern Munich's Champions League rout of Pafos. The Bavarians unleashed a merciless storm in Cyprus, tearing apart Pafos with a crushing 5-1 continental triumph. Kane bagged a brace, Raphael Guerreiro and Michael Olise also chipped in, and Jackson grabbed his first goal since arriving from Chelsea in the summer window.
Getty Images SportBayern blitz leaves Pafos in ruins
Bayern had the game in the bag by half-time, storming into a 4-0 lead. The demolition was historic too: the third time Bayern have rattled in four goals within the opening 35 minutes of a Champions League away clash. Roma in 2014, Viktoria Plzen in 2022, and now Pafos all know the feeling of being steamrolled by the German giants.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportKane gives credit to Jackson
After the final whistle, Kane was quick to shine the spotlight on his new strike partner Jackson. The England captain also explained how the duo worked in tandem to wreak havoc, which could serve as a blueprint for the rest of the season.
"Jackson played from the start today. At times, I dropped back a bit, more like a number 10; he came in, received balls," Kane explained. "I think it's important to keep surprising the defenders and not do the same thing the whole game. Nico was fantastic today: a goal, an assist, and almost another goal at the end. I'm very happy for him."
Kane made it clear that Jackson isn’t just a stopgap loan signing, but a crucial weapon.
"We'll need him all season; he should stay fit and fresh," he added. "Today was a really good game from him. It might have looked easy, but that was due to how we played. With our pressing, the second balls, the way we played through the lines. We have this momentum and we're determined to maintain it."
Jackson delighted to get off the mark
For Jackson, the strike was more than just a number on the scoresheet; it was a release. After a rough few months, the forward admitted he’s still rebuilding his sharpness.
“It wasn’t easy, but we played a very good game and worked hard,” Jackson said. “I’m very happy to score my first goal for the club. I’m still getting back to full fitness because I hadn’t played and trained alone for two months. I’m working hard every day.”
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Nine wins, no slip-ups
Bayern are looking unstoppable on all fronts so far this season. The thumping victory over Pafos extended their perfect start to nine wins from nine this season, leaving rivals across Europe on notice. Not a single point has been dropped, nor a single ounce of momentum wasted.
MatériaMais Notícias
O técnico Eduardo Coudet está de volta ao Internacional. Na manhã desta terça-feira, o argentino foi anunciado nas redes sociais do Colorado.
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Ao lado do presidente Alessandro Barcellos, Coudet posou com a camisa do time gaúcho e assinou contrato até o fim de 2023.
No Inter, a principal função do treinador será de ajustar a casa e potencializar o elenco, que anda em baixa nos últimos meses.
Libertadores
Além da recuperação do lado técnico, Eduardo Coudet vai precisar de uma boa estratégia para levar o time longe no mata-mata da Libertadores.
Nas oitavas de final, o Inter encara o River Plate, considerado por muitos um dos favoritos ao título continental.
Primeira passagem
Esta será a segunda vez que Eduardo Coudet irá comandar o Colorado. Em 2021, a sua passagem foi marcada por derrotas contra o Grêmio e uma saída inesperada, quando o time brigava pelo título do Brasileirão, Chacho aceitou uma oferta do Celta de Vigo-ESP.
EA Sports FC 26 is released later this month, amid much excitement, so we’ve shared the 10 fastest players on the game, from Kylian Mbappe to Vinicius Junior.The much-anticipated game gets its worldwide release on September 26th, as football fans across the globe look to show off their gaming expertise.The question is: who are the fastest players on the game? And is their place fully merited? Here are the top 10…
10 Ousmane Dembele Speed: 91
It has been quite a 12 months or so for Ousmane Dembele, who has not only won the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, but is also the favourite to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or later this year.
The Frenchman is known for his quick feet and end product, but his blistering pace arguably stands out more than anything, hence him sneaking his way into the 10 fastest players on EA Sports FC 26.Dembele gets a 91 rating for speed – something most of us can only dream of!
9 Sophia Wilson Speed: 92
The first female entry on the list is Portland Thorns FC forward Sophia Wilson, who is renowned for the pace she is able to generate in attacking areas.
The 25-year-old is a key player for the USA at international level, scoring 24 goals in 58 caps, with her speed helping her get into great positions and take down her opponents.
Wilson is one of four players here to get a 92 pace rating.
8 Victor Osimhen Speed: 92
One of the most dominant strikers in the world on his day, Victor Osimhen has been a nightmare for defenders to face in recent years, not least during an unstoppable period in Serie A for Napoli.
Not only does the Nigerian possess power and stature leading the line, but his speed is the cherry on top, allowing him to make runs in behind before finishing in deadly fashion.
Osimhen may not always look like one of the fastest players around, but when he gets going and reaches full pace, he is a sight to behold.
7 Achraf Hakimi Speed: 92
Is there a better right-back in the world at the moment than Achraf Hakimi? It would take a bold person to claim that anyone is better.
The Algerian has matured into a wonderful player for PSG, playing such an important role in his side’s Champions League success last season, providing scintillating pace from deep.
Hakimi’s pace is also a valuable asset to have at the other end of the pitch, allowing him to thwart danger if he is out of position, and he is the seventh-fastest player on EA Sports FC 26.
6 Kadidiatou Diani Speed: 92
Kadidiatou Diani is next up, with the Lyon attacker one of the fastest players in the women’s game and topping the scoring charts in the Champions League in 2023/24.
Now 30 years of age, there don’t appear to be too many signs of her pace dwindling in her autumn years, and she places at a highly impressive sixth on the list of quickest players.
5 Nico Williams Speed: 93
Lamine Yamal may take the limelight as Spain’s star winger in the current game, but Nico Williams is a fantastic player in his own right, not to mention a speedier option than Barcelona’s teenage superstar.
The Athletic Bilbao wide man has a devilish combination of lightning pace and strength in wide areas, allowing him to give even the best full-backs in Europe a tough assignment, and he is a joy to watch at his best.
Williams edges his way into the top five here, outlining just how quick he is.
4 Melchie Dumornay Speed: 93
Lyon midfielder Melchie Dumornay is rated here as the fastest player in the women’s game, notching a 93 rating for pace, which is the same as Williams.
The 20-cap and 20-goal Haiti international was named the Champions League Young Player of the Season in both 2023/24 and 2024/25, and it is going to be fascinating to see how her career pans out.
The unstoppable pace that Dumornay has in her locker is such a great weapon to have.
3 Nuno Mendes Speed: 95
If Hakimi was impressive for PSG on the right flank, Nuno Mendes may have been even better at left-back for the reigning European champions.
Surely the world’s best player in his position currently, the Portuguese has been given a speed rating of 95, which seems entirely fair when you watch him in the flesh.
The pace that Mendes can provide on the overlap is a great foil for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, allowing the Georgian to cut inside from the left wing, and at just 23 years of age, there will be so many more years of seeing him flying down the left-hand side.
2 Vinicius Junior Speed: 95
Vinicius Junior is one of the best attacking players of his generation, possessing Brazilian flair and a relentless flow of goals and assists from his favoured left-sided role.
The Real Madrid icon can be unplayable on his day, proving capable of cutting inside and also hitting the byline, and a lot of that is due to the incredible speed that he has in his armoury.
Vinicius is deemed to be the second-fastest player on EA Sports FC 26, getting a 95 rating to put him on the same level as Mendes. So who comes in at No.1?
1 Kylian Mbappe Speed: 97
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Kylian Mbappe is still seen as the fastest player in the world – in fact, there aren’t many footballers in history who can lay claim to being as quick as him.
The World Cup and Champions League-winning Frenchman is arguably the world’s best player currently, but for all his inch-perfect finish and cleverly-timed runs, it is his speed that most associate him with.
Mbappe in full flight almost feels like you’re watching peak Usain Bolt, with the 26-year-old’s giant strides allowing him to pull clear of opponents and so often find the back of the net.
He is a worthy choice as the fastest player.
The 10 fastest players on EA Sports FC 26
Pace rating
1. Kylian Mbappe
97
2. Vinicius Junior
95
3. Nuno Mendes
95
4. Melchie Dumornay
93
5. Nico Williams
93
6. Kadidiatou Diani
92
7. Achraf Hakimi
92
8. Victor Osimhen
92
9. Sophia Wilson
92
10. Ousmane Dembele
91
Leeds United failed to deliver on what Daniel Farke wanted from the end of the summer transfer window, as he wanted further attacking reinforcements added to his squad.
The German head coach wanted the 49ers to bring in more quality to bolster his options at the top end of the pitch, to add to Noah Okafor, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Lukas Nmecha.
Speaking ahead of the deadline, the manager said: “In defence and midfield, goalkeeper position and full-back position, we’ve done really good business. But we spoke quite open and honestly about it, we would need to add some more quality up front. We need to stay awake until the last hour of this window.”
Leeds were interested in a deal to sign Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, before Chelsea swooped in to sign him on loan to push the Whites out of the way.
The Argentine attacking midfielder reportedly earns £25k-per-week and could have been a shrewd and cost-effective signing for the Championship champions on loan.
Why Buoanotte would have been a value-for-money signing for Leeds
When you consider some of the wages that are being paid by Leeds within their current first-team squad, Buoanotte could have been a value-for-money addition to the group on a season-long loan.
Per Capology, for example, Jack Harrison is the top earner in the squad on a weekly wage of £90k, despite the fact that he scored one goal in the Premier League on loan at Everton last term and is not currently a starting XI player for Farke.
Whilst it is worth noting that Noah Okafor (£72.5k-per-week) is the only new signing whose wage is reported on Capology, Harrison does not appear to be providing value-for-money for the output that he offers on the pitch.
Particularly when you consider that Buonanotte scored five goals on loan at Leicester, per Sofascore, in the top-flight last season and only earns £25k-per-week, suggesting that he would offer more value for money than the English dud does.
Jack Harrison
£90k
Dan James
£70k
Pascal Struijk
£50k
Brenden Aaronson
£45k
Joe Rodon
£40k
Ethan Ampadu
£40k
Wilfried Gnonto
£30k
Illan Meslier
£30k
Jayden Bogle
£30k
Karl Darlow
£30k
As you can see in the table above, Brenden Aaronson, Karl Darlow, and Illan Meslier also feature within the top ten earners who were at the club at the start of the window, yet they have not started any games this season in the Premier League.
Aaronson, though, has at least come on as a substitute in all three of the team’s league matches so far, which shows that he is still part of Farke’s frontline plans.
The same cannot be said for Meslier, though, as the French goalkeeper has not made any of the matchday squads in any competition for the first-team this season.
He currently earns £5k more per week than Buonanotte does at Brighton/Chelsea, which emphasises how little the Whites are getting back for the wages they are paying him.
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The 49ers should be pushing to cash in on Meslier before the transfer windows in other countries around the globe slam shut, so that they can save roughly £1.5m-per-season on the shot-stopper.
Why Leeds should sell Illan Meslier
Leeds missing out on signing Buonanotte at £25k-per-week, when he scored five goals in the Premier League last season, puts into perspective how little the club are getting back from the wages that they are spending on some of their current squad.
As aforementioned, Meslier has not even made the bench for a match this season, with Lucas Perri and Darlow both ahead of him in the pecking order as it stands, yet he is earning even more than the promising Argentine playmaker.
This is why the 49ers should be pushing to sell him to any potentially interested clubs, whether that is in Turkey or elsewhere, in the coming weeks, if not then in the January transfer window.
Leeds United managing director Robbie Evans told The Athletic that there was some interest in Meslier before the English window slammed shut, but that it was not as strong as he expected for “a player of his calibre”.
Whilst the club are entitled to value the Frenchman as they wish, there has to be a degree of realism because the left-footed dud was unlikely to attract much high-level interest, in terms of clubs or possible transfer fees, after being dropped last season and demoted to third-choice at the start of the current campaign.
The 25-year-old dud made three errors that directly led to goals and conceded 2.73 more goals than expected in the Championship before being dropped for Darlow, per Sofascore, which speaks to how underwhelming his performances were.
Meslier’s struggles in the 2024/25 campaign were far from unpredictable, though, as he has rarely been an impressive or consistent shot-stopper in his career at Elland Road.
23/24 (Championship)
40
-3.1
22/23 (Premier League)
67
-12.4
21/22 (Premier League)
79
-16.2
20/21 (Premier League)
52
-3.4
As you can see in the table above, the French flop conceded a staggering 32 goals more than the post-shot xG expected him to in his three seasons in the Premier League.
This is why there needs to be some realism around a potential sale of Meslier because other teams will look at these performances, and the fact that he has dropped to third-choice this season, and wonder if it is worth spending millions to sign him for their club.
The left-footed goalkeeper, who was once dubbed a “massive liability” by journalist David Kent, has been too poor for too long between the sticks for Leeds, hence why he has found himself in this awkward position at the start of the season.
Therefore, the 49ers must finally try to work out a deal with any of the aforementioned interested teams that Robbie Evans mentioned, if their respective transfer windows are still open, in order to part ways with Meslier.
Worth more than Buonanotte & Wilson: Leeds hit gold signing "electric" star
Leeds United have hit the jackpot with this star who is worth even more than Facundo Buonanotte and Harry Wilson.
ByDan Emery Sep 2, 2025
It may have to wait until January when more teams are available to snap him up, but the lack of quality performances, or any performances at this moment in time, on the pitch shows that the club are not getting value for money out of his wages.
Everton’s transfer business this summer has been characterised by a calculated blend of experience and youth, with David Moyes’ return to the dugout sparking fresh ambition at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The Toffees may have stumbled on the opening day at Elland Road, but subsequent back-to-back wins against Brighton in the league and Mansfield Town in the EFL Cup have steadied the mood and underlined a sense of momentum.
Moyes’ early recruits – Thierno Barry, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jack Grealish, and Tyler Dibling – all suggest a clear desire to build a side that balances quality with potential.
The pursuit of Dibling in particular was emblematic of Everton’s new strategy. Secured from Southampton in a £42m deal, the 19-year-old England U21 winger represents a bold bet on long-term potential.
Yet the Merseyside club appear far from finished in the market.
Having already explored moves for Tomas Soucek and Hayden Hackney, Everton are actively searching for further midfield reinforcements.
One name has emerged late in the window, and while he would not be an easy capture, the upside is undeniable.
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, the Toffees are “in the mix” of clubs considering a late swoop for Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo.
The 20-year-old, a graduate of Carrington and one of England’s most highly regarded young midfielders, is understood to be pushing for more regular minutes in what is a World Cup year.
Having started just 15 of manager Rúben Amorim’s 44 matches in charge, Mainoo has found opportunities limited in recent times.
The youngster’s frustrations were compounded at the weekend when he remained an unused substitute for the second match in succession, this time in United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham.
Sources close to the player suggest he is open to testing himself abroad, but Everton’s willingness to provide immediate Premier League opportunities could yet prove persuasive.
From United’s perspective, a permanent sale seems unlikely, albeit with a fee of around £45m having been touted.
Mainoo is seen as part of the club’s long-term project and has already enjoyed moments that underline his pedigree, including a start in the Euro 2024 final for England and a goal in the FA Cup final triumph over Manchester City the previous season.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
However, a carefully managed loan is not out of the question, particularly if Amorim remains committed to fielding Fernandes as his central fulcrum.
For Everton, the potential arrival of Mainoo would continue a trend of targeting young English prospect, having been described by Rasmus Højlund as a “generational talent”.
Dibling’s addition last week brought creativity on the right flank, while the pursuit of Hackney showed the club’s intent to provide pathways for domestic players with significant headroom for development.
Mainoo, however, arguably represents a higher ceiling than any of those previously linked.
In tactical terms, Moyes’ side would benefit enormously from the injection of someone like Mainoo’s profile.
Last season, Mainoo played 25 times in the Premier League, demonstrating his composure under pressure and ability to progress play through congested midfields.
In Europe, he added a goal and an assist in the Europa League in eight appearances, evidence of his capacity to influence games beyond simply recycling possession.
His underlying metrics reinforce that promise.
|
Kobbie Mainoo – 2024/25 |
|
|---|---|
|
Matches Played |
25 |
|
Starts |
19 |
|
Shots |
15 |
|
Progressive Carries |
22 |
|
Progressive Passes |
65 |
|
Tackles |
46 |
|
Source: FBref |
|
He ranked in the 72nd percentile for tackles per 90 (2.44) and the 78th percentile for dribblers tackled (1.25), numbers that speak to a player unafraid to impose himself defensively while still maintaining balance in transition.
Compared to Everton’s existing options, the contrast is stark.
Where recent departure Abdoulaye Doucouré thrived on vertical runs into the box and late goals – scoring 21 times in 166 appearances for Everton – Mainoo offers a calmer, more technically polished alternative.
He is the type of midfielder who can set the tempo rather than merely follow it, giving Moyes a platform on which to build his attacking structure.
However, this does not diminish players like Dibling’s importance.
The teenager’s statistical profile already illustrates a winger who can carry the ball with intent, draw fouls and press from the front.
According to FBref, he ranks in the 92nd percentile for fouls drawn, the 98th for penalties won, and the 87th for take-ons attempted, indicative of a player capable of stretching defences and providing Moyes with the sort of dynamism Everton have sorely lacked in recent times.
But for those qualities to shine, Everton require a midfield that can win possession, circulate it quickly, and release their wide forwards into space.
Mainoo’s presence could be the glue that connects the dynamic talent of Dibling with the more established threats Moyes is shaping around Grealish and Barry.
From a financial perspective, a loan deal would also represent a pragmatic approach.
While Everton have shown a willingness to invest in young players – spending £42m on Dibling – balancing that with opportunistic loans could be the smartest way to deepen the squad without overstretching resources.
For Mainoo, the benefit is equally obvious: regular Premier League football in a competitive environment that would accelerate his development and enhance his case for an England spot at the World Cup.
If Everton can pull it off, the move would symbolise the club’s transition under Moyes.
No longer merely plugging gaps, the Toffees are assembling a squad built with both present competitiveness and future growth in mind.
With Dibling already secured and Mainoo potentially next through the door, Everton could be positioning themselves not just for survival, but for a return to relevance in the top half of the Premier League.
The new Barry: Everton chasing late move for another "special" English star
Everton are interested in signing an England U21 star.
1
By
Will Miller
Aug 29, 2025
Iyer said he made the decision despite the dew because of the trend of teams batting first winning
ESPNcricinfo staff15-Apr-2025
This is the first time Nortje is playing for a team other than DC in the IPL•NurPhoto via Getty Images
Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bat against his former team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Both the matches in Mullanpur this IPL so far have featured 200-plus targets and successful defences. Iyer said he made the decision despite the dew because of the trend of teams batting first winning.There were caps handed out on both sides. Anrich Nortje made his KKR debut replacing Moeen Ali. It was clear KKR wanted to go express pace against a side whose Indian batters have been doing well.In the absence of the injured Lockie Ferguson, PBKS handed out a debut to Xavier Bartlett, the Australia fast bowler, who can bat a little down the order. They also beefed up their batting with the introduction of Josh Inglis to go with their India-heavy batting. Marcus Stoinis was left out.Related
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PBKS are likely to bring in Yash Thakur when bowling in the second innings. KKR had Angkrish Raghuvanshi as the extra batter among their substitutes.This was expected to be an emotional match for Shreyas, who led KKR to the title last year, but wasn’t retained by the team, who were left scrambling for a captain by the end of the auction.Punjab Kings 1 Prabhsimran Singh (wk), 2 Priyansh Arya, 3 Shreyas Iyer (capt.), 4 Josh Inglis (wk), 5 Nehal Wadhera, 6 Shashank Singh, 7 Glenn Maxwell, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Xavier Bartlett, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 Arshdeep SinghPBKS bench V Vyshak, Suryansh Shedge, Yash Thakur, Harpreet Brar, Pravin DubeyKolkata Knight Riders 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Sunil Narine, 3 Ajinkya Rahane (capt.), 4 Rinku Singh, 5 Venkatesh Iyer, 6 Andre Russell, 7 Ramandeep Singh, 8 Anrich Nortje, 9 Harshit Rana, 10 Vaibhav Arora, 11 Varun ChakravarthyKKR bench Manish Pandey, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Rovman Powell, Luvnith Sisodia
Celtic confirmed their place in the last four of the League Cup on Sunday afternoon with a comfortable 4-0 win over Partick Thistle away from home.
The Hoops strolled to a victory that was never in any serious doubt throughout the 90 minutes, thanks to goals from Hyun-jun Yang, Liam Scales, Sebastian Tounekti, and Luke McCowan.
After a promising debut against Kilmarnock last time out, creating four chances (per Sofascore), Tounekti caught the eye once again with his performance on the left flank.
Why Sebastian Tounekti is already a star player for Celtic
Brendan Rodgers handed the Tunisia international another start after his bow in the Scottish Premiership last weekend, and was rewarded with an impressive display.
Tounekti was a constant threat down the left side, particularly in the first half, and Premier Sports pundit Michael Stewart described him as the “danger man” for Celtic, because he “unsettles” defenders.
He was heavily involved in the opening goal for the Hoops with his excellent pass in behind for Benjamin Nygren to cross to the far post for Yang, as shown in the clip below.
The left-sided attacker then showed his quality in front of goal by scoring after a one-two with Kelechi Iheanacho, which is why the forward should be considered a star player for the team already, as he can create, he can dribble, and he can score goals.
Tounekti was far from the only impressive performer on the park for the Scottish giants, though, as Iheanacho showed that he is a player for the fans to be excited about.
Why Celtic fans should be excited about Kelechi Iheanacho
After the disappointment of deadline day, it would be hard to blame any supporter for not being too excited by the arrival of the Nigeria international on a free transfer after Sevilla were willing to terminate his contract.
The left-footed striker only scored four goals in 26 appearances in all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore, for Middlesbrough and Sevilla combined, which did little to help the lack of excitement around his signing.
However, Iheanacho’s first two performances have shown that he is a player who the supporters should be excited about, after scoring a 96th-minute penalty against Kilmarnock on his debut last weekend.
Vs Kilmarnock
Kelechi Iheanacho
Minutes
20
Touches
9
Shots
3
Goals
1
Passes completed
3/5
Duels won
0/2
Stats via Sofascore
The former Manchester City striker was rewarded with his first start for the club for this clash with Partick Thistle and delivered an impressive centre-forward showing.
Premier Sports commentator Rory Hamilton claimed that Iheanacho and Tounekti are players “to be excited about” moving forward this season, and both players combined for the third goal in the match for Celtic.
As you can see in the clip above, the Celtic striker did brilliantly to flick the ball round the corner to tee the winger up to score, showing great awareness, creativity, and technical ability.
That was not a one-off for Iheanacho in the match. He consistently held the ball up and produced impressive flicks to find teammates making advances towards the opposition’s box.
The 28-year-old star, who was handed a 7/10 player rating by GlasgowWorld, was a fantastic facilitator for his teammates with the creativity and reliability in his hold-up play, against Partick Thistle defenders who wanted to get tight and physical with him.
Iheanacho was as good as Tounekti, as both players showed that they were too good for the opposition to deal with, and supporters must now be excited about what the forward can produce over the course of an entire season if he can stay fit.
Worth more than Tounekti: Celtic are brewing the new Reo Hatate at Parkhead
Celtic have a brilliant midfield star who could be the club’s next Reo Hatate in the middle of the park.
ByDan Emery Sep 16, 2025
Hopefully, Rodgers will select both players in the starting line-up when Celtic kick off their Europa League campaign against Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday night.
أعربت رويدا هشام، المرشحة على منصب العضوية تحت السن ضمن قائمة الكابتن محمود الخطيب في انتخابات النادي الأهلي المقرر إجراؤها يوم 31 أكتوبر الجاري، عن سعادتها البالغة بالثقة التي منحها لها رئيس النادي، مؤكدة أن اختيارها ضمن هذه القائمة يعد شرفًا كبيرًا ومسؤولية تتطلب بذل أقصى جهد لخدمة الكيان.
وقالت رويدا في تصريحات إعلامية إن الكابتن محمود الخطيب دائمًا ما يدعم الشباب وأبناء النادي، ويؤمن بقدراتهم على العطاء والتجديد داخل منظومة الأهلي، مضيفة: “الخطيب يرى أن الاستثمار في الكوادر الشابة هو الطريق لاستمرار نجاح الأهلي، وفق مبادئ النادي الراسخة التي تقوم على فكرة (جيل يسلم جيل)”.
وأضافت أن كرة القدم تحظى باهتمام جماهيري واسع في مصر والعالم، لكن داخل الأهلي يتم التعامل مع جميع الألعاب بنفس الأهمية، مشيرة إلى أن إدارة النادي تعمل على دعم كل الفرق الجماعية والفردية، وهو ما انعكس على تفوق الأهلي الرياضي في مختلف البطولات محليًا وقاريًا ودوليًا.
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وأكدت: “المرأة نصف المجتمع، واهتماماتها يجب أن تكون جزءًا أساسيًا من عمل المجلس، وسأسعى لأن أكون ممثلة حقيقية لصوت السيدات والشباب داخل النادي، من خلال الاستماع لمقترحاتهم وتبنيها على أرض الواقع”.
وأوضحت أن أعضاء الجمعية العمومية للأهلي دائمًا يحرصون على تقديم اقتراحات بنّاءة تصب في مصلحة النادي، مشيرة إلى أن قائمة الخطيب استمعت بعناية لكل الملاحظات والمقترحات خلال جولاتها الانتخابية، وتم وضعها ضمن خطة العمل المستقبلية.
واختتمت رويدا هشام تصريحاتها قائلة: “الأهلي اسم كبير وله مكانته في كل المحافل، وواجبنا جميعًا التواجد يوم 31 أكتوبر والمشاركة في الانتخابات لتجديد الثقة في قيادته. لا يوجد ما يسمى بالفوز بالتزكية، فالمشاركة هي تأكيد لانتماء الأعضاء ودعمهم للنادي، ننتظر حضورًا قويًا من الجمعية العمومية وثقة الأعضاء حتى نواصل العمل والتطوير بما يليق باسم الأهلي وتاريخه”.