Wolves have reportedly struck a deal to appoint former defender Rob Edwards as their new manager after Middlesbrough rejected their initial approach. The Molineux-club parted ways with Vitor Pereira, whose nightmare reign ended with a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Fulham. Wolves have turned to a man who has been one of their own, and the appointment is a sort of homecoming for Edwards.
Edwards suspended as talks begin
Wolves' approach immediately sparked chaos in Teesside. Middlesbrough initially rejected Wolves’ overtures, furious that the Premier League side had come knocking for their head coach so soon after his appointment. Subsequently, Edwards was stood down from his managerial duties ahead of Boro’s Championship clash with Birmingham. He didn’t take training and was notably absent from his pre-match press conference, which was abruptly cancelled. Hours later, Middlesbrough issued a statement confirming they had reluctantly granted Wolves permission to speak to Edwards.
A club statement read: "Middlesbrough Football Club have, subject to the completion of an agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, given head coach Rob Edwards permission to speak to Wolves. We initially rejected an approach from Wolves on the basis that Rob signed a three-year contract with MFC less than six months ago.
"Following discussions with Rob we were disappointed to learn that he wanted to speak with Wolves regarding their head coach vacancy. We have now agreed terms with Wolves, subject to the completion of the relevant paperwork. First team coaches Adi Viveash and Harry Watling, and Academy manager Craig Liddle, will take charge of team affairs for Saturday’s game against Birmingham City at the Riverside."
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Boro accuse Wolves of misconduct
Middlesbrough’s frustration, however, didn’t end there. According to , senior figures at the club believe Wolves breached Premier League conduct rules in their pursuit of Edwards.
“Unfortunately, Wolves have behaved at a standard less than we expect and we believe their conduct is in breach of Premier League regulations”, a club source told the news outlet.
Ex-Ireland defender Tony Cascarino was also furious with Edwards and said: "To jump ship and go to Wolverhampton Wanderers after what? We're through 10 games now in the Premier League. I think I'd want to see it through at Boro. I always felt like if I signed a contract, I wasn't going knocking on doors to try and get away. I never asked for a transfer in my career. And I think if you're a manager, how can you just jump ship? You know, just leave. When you're asking players to be loyal and stay at a football club and we're on a journey, and then suddenly this journey changes because you've been offered a job…"
Edwards’ deep roots at Molineux
Edwards is no stranger to Wolves. Between 2004 and 2008, he made 111 appearances for the club as a reliable defender before returning years later as a coach. He first joined the youth setup in 2014, working with the Under-18s, before rising through the ranks to assist the senior side and eventually manage the Under-23s. His reputation as a bright young coach was cemented during his spell at Forest Green Rovers, where he masterminded promotion to League One in 2021. A short-lived stint at Watford followed, but his true managerial breakthrough came at Luton Town. Against all odds, Edwards led the Hatters to Premier League promotion in 2023.
Even as speculation swirled this week, Edwards tried to play down the rumours linking him to his old club.
"You know my links to the club [Wolves]," Edwards said. "But my full focus is on this job here, which is a brilliant job, and trying to turn things around. Speculation is hard for me to comment about. We've done a decent job so far. It's all speculation anyway. I never get drawn on stuff that's all hypothetical and I don't want to get drawn on that.
"I love being Middlesbrough manager and that's what I want to think about. All I can say is I've not given it a single thought because my focus is just on this. It's all the stuff that my daughter was telling me about."
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A titanic task ahead for Edwards
Wolves’ situation is dire. Rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, nine points adrift of safety, they look like a club in freefall. Interim head coach James Collins will oversee Saturday’s daunting trip to Chelsea, which is their final fixture before the international break and likely the last game before Edwards takes over. For the new manager, the mission is immense. He inherits a broken squad short on belief and ravaged by inconsistency. But if his past triumphs at Forest Green and Luton taught anything, it’s that he thrives in adversity.
Worcestershire 196 for 5 (D’Oliveira 52, Jack 2-34) beat Hampshire 194 (Gubbins 60, Allison 6-35) Ben Allison’s career best figures of 6 for 35 helped Worcestershire secure a comfortable five-wicket win over Hampshire in Group A of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.Allison bowled with pace and control from the outset, as regular wickets stunted Hampshire’s progress, with Nick Gubbins’ half-century the highlight in Hampshire’s total of 194 all out.In reply, a composed 52 from Brett D’Oliveira and thirties from Kashif Ali and Jake Libby put the hosts in control of their chase as Hampshire’s bowlers struggled. A quickfire cameo from Ethan Brookes saw Worcestershire ease their way to a convincing five-wicket win and continue their unbeaten start to the group stage.Allison pushed the home side in front early as he drew Ali Orr into an unnecessary waft at a full delivery outside his off stump in the first over of the contest, shortly before producing a peach of a delivery to account for the vital wicket of Tilak Varma, without scoring. Hampshire rallied from 14 for 2, with Gubbins taking his side past 50 without further cause for concern in sublime batting conditions at New Road.Scotland’s Brandon McMullen (29) gave his wicket away after a promising start, but Gubbins continued his fine solo efforts, raising his bat after passing fifty for the second time in this year’s One-Day Cup. Joe Weatherley’s afternoon was brought to a premature end when he was in single figures, as he retired hurt, unable to continue having been struck on the hand earlier in his innings.Gubbins’ classy knock saw him relatively unphased, stroking nine boundaries on his way to 60, but when Ethan Brookes trapped the opener LBW in front with a darting, full ball, the home side were back on an even keel, with Hampshire 115 for 4.Worcestershire youngster, Jack Home, making his first appearance of the season for the Rapids, returned to the action after a turbulent two-over spell earlier on in the piece to spark the biggest reaction from the crowd of the day when he zipped a ball through the defences of England U19 teammate Ben Mayes, watching a shard of middle stump fall victim of his pace, as the home side tightened their grip on the first-innings.File photo: Ben Allison takes the plaudits•Getty Images
At 121 for 5 and faltering on the back of the metronomic Brookes’ spell, a sixth-wicket partnership of 62 between Tom Prest and Felix Organ provided some stability for the visitors.But Worcestershire hit back, with the impressive Allison taking the wickets of both aforementioned batters in the 38th over, with a stunning caught and bowled spelling the end for Prest on 36. The seamer capped a sensational day with two more wickets in his final over, as he returned career-best figures of 6 for 35 to bundle Hampshire out for a below-par 194.Isaac Mohammed fell early in the reply when he was LBW for 10, but Kashif Ali and Brett D’Oliveira put on 59 for the third wicket, with Kashif continuing his excellent run in the competition as he searched for a third consecutive half-century.He perished 14 runs short of the milestone however when he found Prest at mid-off, but his departure didn’t halt Worcestershire’s momentum as they batted on past 100 in the 22nd over.D’Oliveira made his way to a composed half-century from 79 balls as Worcestershire strolled through the middle overs, but Hampshire had a brief moment of optimism McMullen struck in the 30th over to see the back of D’Oliveira.Brookes’ quick fire cameo of 35 from 24 balls propelled the home side up to 168 for 4, as the late loss of he and Libby (32) did not derail what was a comfortable chase with the Rapids securing a five-wicket win with more than ten overs in tact.
While they’ve not all been hits, Chelsea have signed some seriously talented players over the last few years.
The best of them all, though, has undoubtedly been Cole Palmer, who has taken the Premier League by storm since his arrival in 2023.
The Englishman has already produced 74 goal involvements for the side in just 101 appearances and, so long as he’s fit, will most certainly be going to the World Cup with England.
So it’s great news that Cobham looks like it may well have just produced Chelsea a right-footed version of the ice-cold superstar.
Chelsea's most exciting academy gems
Cobham has long been one of, if not the best, academies in England, and there are once again a handful of seriously exciting academy prospects who could soon be making a significant impact on the Chelsea first team.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
For example, Shim Mheuka has been on fire for some time now and even made a few appearances for the senior side last season.
As things stand, the 18-year-old phenomenon has scored 13 goals and provided three assists in just 12 appearances across various youth sides, totalling 977 minutes.
Appearances
61
Goals
34
Assists
9
Goal Involvements per Match
0.70
That comes out to an outrageous average of 1.33 goal involvements every game, or one every 61.06 minutes, and helps to explain why respected talent scout Jacek Kulig has described him as “the future of Chelsea and English football.”
Moving deeper down the pitch, and while it’s likely going to be a couple of years before he’s given a chance in the first team, Reggie Watson looks to be the real deal.
The 15-year-old can, and has played in a few positions for the youth sides, but is at his best as a six, with respected analyst Ben Mattinson describing him as a “midfield powerhouse.”
Another analyst has highlighted his impressive “passing and vision” as well as his knack for “dictating the tempo of the game.”
He’s not just impressive at club level either, as, after producing six goal involvements in six appearances for England’s under-15s, he was moved up to the under-16s, where he has already scored three goals in just six games.
With all that said, there is another gem who is arguably the most exciting of the lot, and the one who could be Chelsea’s own homegrown Palmer.
Chelsea's homgrown Palmer
While there are an impressive number of academy talents who could become first-team stars at Chelsea, one of the most exciting, and the one who could become the club’s homegrown Palmer, is Reggie Walsh.
The 17-year-old gem joined the Blues at the under-8s level and has worked his way through the academy, impressing at every step of the way and made his competitive debut for the club in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final against Djurgarden last season.
He then became the club’s youngest European starter in the second leg, aged just 16 years and 200 days.
With all that said, what about him means he could be the club’s next Palmer?
Well, while he hasn’t got an outrageous goalscoring record with the youth sides, he, like the Blues starman, is a proper entertainer on the ball, someone capable of doing the simple things while also playing with some flair.
For example, he has been described as a “truly ridiculous” talent by Como scout Felix Johnston, and when asked about him last season, Maresca was full of praise for his playstyle, describing him as “perfect for our system.”
As if that wasn’t enough, another analyst claimed the youngster is “a joy to watch”, and u23 scout Antonio Mango went even further than that, stating that “watching Reggie Walsh perform is a thing of beauty.”
The right-footed gem isn’t just making waves at club level, though, as he’s gone through England’s u15s, u16s, u17s and u18s.
Ultimately, it is still so early in his career, but Walsh is clearly a star in the making, and like Palmer, is a truly entertaining player to watch.
Forget Delap: Cobham star who "lives & breathes goals" is Chelsea's future #9
The incredible Cobham gem could be a star for Chelsea but a problem for Delap.
Celtic clinched their place against St Mirren in the final of the League Cup on Sunday with a 3-1 win over their Glasgow rivals at Hampden Park.
The Hoops needed extra time to get past their ten-man opponents, though, with goals from Callum McGregor and Callum Osmand in the last 30 minutes sealing the win.
Interim head coach Martin O’Neill has won his first two matches in charge of the club, after beating Falkirk 4-0 in his first Scottish Premiership game last week.
Football Insider now reports that the interim boss has a chance to land the role until the end of the season if he picks up positive results in the next two games.
The outlet claims that O’Neill is closer to landing the job on a ‘permanent’ deal after beating Rangers 3-1, which would provide the club with more time to find a longer-term successor to Brendan Rodgers.
Whether Sunday was his last game or if he will be at the club for the rest of the season, the experienced manager appears to have unearthed a diamond for the next head coach in Callum Osmand.
Why Callum Osmand is an exciting prospect for Celtic
The Welsh youngster was signed from Premier League side Fulham in the summer after his contract with the English side expired at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.
In the club’s official announcement post, Rodgers said: “He’s a quick and powerful striker and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”
Unfortunately, though, despite those comments from the Northern Irish boss, Osmand did not play a single minute of football under Rodgers before his resignation last week.
Callum Osmand’s U18 & U21 form for Fulham
Season
Appearances
Goals
Assists
24/25
22
11
4
23/24
29
21
6
22/23
21
11
2
21/22
1
0
0
Total
73
43
12
Stats via Transfermarkt
The 19-year-old centre-forward arrived at Parkhead as an incredibly exciting prospect because of his return of 43 goals in 73 matches for Fulham at U18 and U21 level.
His complete lack of minutes under Rodgers, though, meant that supporters were unable to see his quality on the pitch, which they have now seen under O’Neill in the last two games.
Osmand scored his first goal for the club in the 3-1 win over Rangers on Sunday, sliding in to convert Kieran Tierney’s cross, and came off the bench for his Scottish Premiership debut against Falkirk in O’Neill’s first game in charge.
To come on in such a big game, at a crucial time, and make a vital impact speaks to the youngster’s maturity and his quality, which is why he looks like such an exciting prospect for Celtic at the age of 19.
Osmand is not the only teenage attacker at the club who could be unearthed as a potential future superstar by O’Neill at Parkhead, though.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
The interim manager has shown that he is willing to bring young players into the first-team squad, as evidenced by Osmand’s emergence, which is why he should also look to unleash Rhys Dargie from the B team.
Why Rhys Dargie is as exciting as Callum Osmand
O’Neill could unearth another future superstar for the Scottish giants, as he has with Osmand, by bringing the versatile Scottish attacker into the senior side in the coming weeks, should he remain in post.
The 18-year-old predominantly plays on the right wing for the B team, per Transfermarkt, but he can also play on the left, through the middle as a striker, and in central midfield.
Dargie has produced four goals and three assists in ten appearances in all competitions so far this season, per Transfermarkt, whilst Benjamin Nygren (six) is the only first-team player with more than four goals.
The teenage talent is currently out with an injury, with no return date out in the public domain, but his form before his spell on the sidelines suggests that he is a player who should be on O’Neill’s radar when fit and available.
Dargie racked up nine goals in 11 matches in the Lowland League in the 2024/25 campaign, per Transfermarkt, whilst he also scored against Rangers in the Glasgow Cup final at the end of the season.
These statistics suggest that the young winger has the potential to provide goals and assists at first-team level if he can handle the jump up in quality, as Osmand has in recent days.
There is no guarantee that academy form will translate to senior level, of course, but Dargie’s performances at youth level suggest that he is as exciting a talent as Osmand is.
Academy form
Callum Osmand (Fulham)
Rhys Dargie (Celtic)
Appearances
75
26
Minutes played
5,324
1,601
Goals
46
13
Minutes per goal
114
123
Assists
13
3
Minutes per assist
410
533
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, the 18-year-old forward has scored and assisted goals at a fairly similar, albeit slightly worse, rate at youth level, which is impressive when you consider that Osmand is a striker and the Scottish forward mainly plays on the wing.
This is why O’Neill should look at Dargie as a potential option on the right flank in the coming weeks, if he is fit enough to come into contention, as he could emerge as a surprise star for the club.
Osmand’s big moment against Rangers on Sunday shows that a change in management can unearth talent that was not being utilised by the previous coaching group, which could also be the case for Dargie if he is given an opportunity to shine.
O’Neill, therefore, could provide the next permanent Celtic manager with two incredibly exciting talents who could be future superstars for the Hoops by offering Osmand and Dargie first-team experience.
What "VAR said" about Auston Trusty's kick on Jack Butland in Celtic v Rangers
Manchester United have now gone four games undefeated in the Premier League, which is perhaps a sign of things changing for Ruben Amorim’s side. His first year in charge at the club has been underwhelming to say the least, and it has taken time to adapt to his infamous 3-4-2-1 system.
Well, one of the most important positions in Amorim’s system are the two number 10s. It took him some time to find the right solution in those roles. Bruno Fernandes has been operating in the pivot, with Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount two key options.
Bryan Mbeumo has also made a fast start to life at United.
Mbeumo’s exceptional October
October felt like the month where Mbeumo truly arrived at United. He had played well in the weeks before that, scoring against Grimsby in the Carabao Cup and Burnley in the Premier League, but it was last month that he began to shine truly.
Mbeumo played three games in October for United, chipping in with at least one goal or assist in each of them. In total, he contributed four goal involvements in three games last month for the Red Devils.
It is perhaps easy for United fans to pinpoint which was the most important. Mbeumo’s strike at Anfield against Liverpool just seconds into the match summed him up.
Their number 19 managed to run in behind the Reds’ defence and fire home first time on his weaker right foot.
After grabbing an assist for Mount against Sunderland at the start of the month and scoring twice against Brighton and Hove Albion, Mbeumo was nominated for Premier League player of the month.
Club legend Wayne Rooney said the Cameroonian star is “by far United’s best player of the season.”
It is certainly exciting that United are brewing the new version of Mbeumo in the academy.
United’s homegrown Mbeumo
For decades, United have produced some exceptional players in their academy. In the current crop of youngsters, there are some exciting talents. JJ Gabriel is a player who has a lot of hype surrounding him.
Another young talent United fans can get excited about is 18-year-old Shea Lacey. After overcoming injury issues in recent seasons, the Liverpool-born attacker has shown exactly how good he is this season.
In nine games across all competitions, Lacey has found the back of the net on three occasions and assisted two other goals for teammates.
They have come in just 507 minutes, leaving him with an average of a goal involvement every 101 minutes.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
One of the best examples of Lacey’s talent came in the under-21s’ recent 2-0 EFL Trophy victory away to Notts County. Operating on the right-hand side, the 18-year-old scored one and created one chance.
The “wing wizard” – as hailed by the Daily Mail’s Chris Wheeler – was a handful for defenders all night, completing three from five dribbles and winning two fouls
Touches
72
Pass accuracy
80%
Passes completed in opposition half
24/32
Ground duels won
8/14
Ball recoveries
7
Dribbles completed
3/5
Chances created
1
Goals
1
One of the striking things about Lacey is his technical ability. He thieves in tight spaces in the right half-space, which could certainly make him suitable for Amorim’s system, playing in the right 10 role just like Mbeumo does now.
The England under-20 star was described as a “creative talisman” by Academy Scoop on X, a page dedicated to the Red Devils academy sides. That is easy to understand, with the 18-year-old having passes like this in his locker.
It is certainly easy to see how Lacey can be United’s own Mbeumo. The talented youngster is comfortable on the right wing or as a number 10, just like the Red Devils’ number 19.
Both are left-footed attackers, too.
It remains to be seen when Lacey will get his first-team debut at United, but it is bound to happen sooner or later. He is a superb talent who has even trained with England’s first team this season. United have another gem on their hands.
Man Utd have a "deadly" academy star who's another Fernandes in the making
Man Utd might not have to look far to replace Bruno
Aston Villa are now prepared to make an offer for FC Barcelona forward Ansu Fati following a request from manager Unai Emery, but a clause in his loan deal at Monaco may complicate matters.
Villa’s interest in a new forward comes amid Ollie Watkins & co flattering to deceive, with the striker scoring just one Premier League goal in ten matches so far this season, having fallen way short of his usual lofty standards.
Despite Liverpool struggling from a defensive point of view this season, having already conceded 14 goals, Emery’s forward line barely caused the Reds any issues at the weekend, failing to create a single big chance in the 2-0 defeat.
Some of the manager’s summer signings are yet to hit the ground running too, with Jeff Stelling ripping into the Spaniard for his decision to substitute Jadon Sancho against Manchester City, having only been brought on himself in the first half.
With Harvey Elliott being omitted from the squad entirely for the victory against City, Emery clearly has doubts over some of his summer signings, and he has now made a plea to the board…
Aston Villa prepared to make offer for Ansu Fati in 2026
According to a report from Spain, Aston Villa are now prepared to make an offer for Barcelona forward Fati, who is currently on loan at AS Monaco, in light of the fantastic start to the season he has made in Ligue 1, but there could be competition for his signature.
Sunderland are also willing to make a move for the Monaco loanee, while the French club retain a clause to make his stay permanent for a fee of just €11m (£10m), which is viewed as an affordable fee, given the form he’s in.
Emery has personally requested the signing of a top-level forward, in order to compete for the European places, and Villa are now poised to make a move for the 23-year-old, should he not join Monaco permanently.
Once hailed as “extraordinary” by former Barcelona manager Xavi, the Spaniard was ultimately unable to make the grade at the Camp Nou, but he is still young, and the start the left-winger has made to the season has been very impressive.
Fati at Monaco
Appearances
Goals
Ligue 1
7
5
Champions League
3
1
Indeed, the Guinea-Bissau-born attacker has put in a number of eye-catching performances already this season, showcasing that he could still be capable of reaching the very top, if he steers clear of injuries, having spent too much on the treatment table at Barcelona.
There may be some concern over the fact the 10-time Spain international didn’t set the world alight during his previous stint in the Premier League, registering just two goals and zero assists in 19 top-flight outings for Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, Fati’s recent performances have been much-improved, and if he continues to perform at this level, Aston Villa should undoubtedly make a move.
Aston Villa now join race for "insane" former Bayern Munich striker
Aston Villa now join race to sign "insane" £35m former Bayern Munich striker
The Villans are looking to sign a centre-forward, with Unai Emery keen on greater strength in depth in attack.
Opening stand of 202 with Nick Gubbins sees Leicestershire brushed aside
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay15-Aug-2025Hampshire 253 for 3 (Orr 131, Gubbins 81) beat Leicestershire 252 (Budinger 65, Masood 57, Cox 55, Abbott 3-36) by seven wicketsAli Orr’s first List A century for three years made sure Hampshire got their Metro Bank One-Day revenge on Leicestershire Foxes with a seven-wicket mauling.The Foxes beat Hampshire in the 2023 final, having also beaten them in the Group Stage that year, before knocking them out in the quarter-final last season.Kyle Abbott’s three wickets kept the hosts down to 252, despite fifties for Sol Budinger, Shan Masood, and Ben Cox, before Orr and Nick Gubbins – who now has 325 runs in the competition with 81 here – made light work of the chase. The opening duo put on 202 and raced to the winning line with more than six overs to spare.The only moment of worry came for Orr when he chopped onto his stumps, but didn’t dislodge the bails. Otherwise, it was a steady accumulation through risk-free batting, progressing through 59- and 67-ball fifties – the former for Gubbins going with his 144 not out, 40 and 60 in his other three One-Day Cup innings.Since arriving from Sussex at the start of last year, Orr has been beset by injuries – most notably a broken arm. He was finally able to add to the Rothesay County Championship hundred he scored against Durham in May 2024. His second for his new county coming in 126 balls and celebrated with gusto.Gubbins fell to a great diving catch by Budinger, Orr was lbw for 131 with five to win and Brandon McMullen was bowled for a duck, but the damage had been done.Earlier, Abbott was mesmerically accurate throughout and found the early breakthrough when former team-mate Ian Holland’s push was stunningly caught by Ben Mayes in the first over.The Abbott and Mayes combination also brought the downfall of Lewis Hill – attempting to charge a bouncer. But Budinger aggressively countered, and with Masood built the foundations the Foxes planned for having won the toss.On the back of a century against ex-employers Nottinghamshire Outlaws, Budinger oozed class in his 41-ball fifty but he started a trend of reaching a half-century but not kicking on. He tickled Felix Organ behind to end a 75-run stand, before Peter Handscomb loosely drove to extra cover.Masood watchfully passed his 52nd List A fifty but wastefully ran himself out for 57, with Cox keeping him company for his own 55.But after the pair had put on 63, the visitors struggled to build partnerships and rather tiptoed to 252. Having dismissed Handscomb, Andrew Neal also had Liam Trevaskis slogging to deep midwicket to take an impressive 2 for 43.Brad Wheal chipped in with two wickets on his return from injury, Abbott ended with 3 for 36 and Mayes – for the second time in the competition – four catches with the gloves, as Hampshire ended strongly.They carried that momentum into their batting as Orr and Gubbins clinically ticked the runs off.
A sublime unbeaten 141 from Ed Barnard gave Warwickshire’s qualification hopes in the Metro Bank One Day Cup a boost as his side beat Durham by four wickets, despite a magnificent century from Alex Lees. Consistent wickets plagued Durham’s innings, but the reliable Lees displayed a mix of grit and fluency to pick up a List A best of 148 and was well supported by Ben Raine (46) to get the home side to a total of 300 for eight.Warwickshire got off to a shaky start, but skipper Barnard and Hamza Shaikh combined for a partnership worth 106 to give them the edge.Shaikh was dismissed, but Barnard continued the charge and along with Michael Booth he took his side home with 14 balls to spare.The visitors put Durham into bat at an overcast Banks Homes Riverside and they got their first early on as Ollie Robinson attempted to pull an Ethan Bamber short ball, but he mistimed it and Kai Smith made no mistake with the catch.Will Rhodes then departed for 15 as he attempted a pull shot to a Bamber ball, but he got a nick on it and Smith clung on to it behind the stumps.Emilio Gay should have been walking back to the pavilion early on, as he top edged a Booth short ball but a running Bamber couldn’t cling on to it.Gay then played a couple of delightful cover drives, but he then went for 26 as he pulled an Ed Barnard ball straight to Alex Davies on the boundary.Lees remained solid in the face of consistent wickets and he swept a Taz Ali ball for four to reach fifty from 73 balls.The opener then crunched consecutive Booth deliveries for four to build some much-needed momentum for the hosts.Durham’s struggles against the short ball continued as Colin Ackermann tried to lift a Booth short ball over Smith’s head, but he didn’t get enough on it and was caught behind for 23.Youngster Robbie Bowman then went for one, as Taz Ali produced a beauty to dislodge his off-stump, while George Drissell went for seven caught behind off a Barnard ball.Ben Raine came in and showed some intent, picking up 10 runs from two Rob Yates balls and Lees reached his century from 117 balls at the other end.Lees then moved into T20 mode as he launched back-to-back Booth balls for six and Raine followed that up by smashing an Ali ball down the ground.Raine departed at the hands of Hannon-Dalby for an entertaining 46, while Lees was run out on the last ball for an excellent 148 to take his side to 300 for eight.Warwickshire started their chase of 301 with Barnard and Yates tasked with starting their chase.Barnard played a lovely shot through point off the bowling of Mitch Killeen for four to put pressure on the hosts.Raine got Yates for nine as the opener chopped one on to his off-stump, but Barnard continued to look good as he heaved a Sam Conners ball for six.Malik then backed that up with a lovely lofted straight drive for four off Raine, but the Durham bowler struck back as Malik pulled a short ball straight into the hands of Conners.Warwickshire then found themselves in a bit of trouble when Killeen got Davies LBW for seven.That brought Hamza Shaikh to the crease and he hit Archie Bailey for two boundaries early on and Barnard brought up his half-century from 48 balls at the other end.Barnard steadied the ship and punished a ball from Drissell, launching it down the ground for six and Shaikh got his first maximum as he heaved one over the long-on boundary.The England Under-19s man then reached his fifty from 67 balls, but Raine got him caught in the deep next ball for 51.It became a double salvo for Durham as Killeen got Smith for five, but Barnard notched up his century from 96 balls.However, he was running out of partners as Vaansh Jani was removed by Drissell for 15.Barnard was determined to bring the points back to Birmingham and he scooped a Conners ball for six to take them closer to the target.Booth smashed a Raine short ball for six to give the visitors momentum and he backed that up with a four off Conners, he then won it with a six off the same bowler.
اعترف عمرو السولية، لاعب النادي الأهلي السابق وسيراميكا كليوباترا الحالي، أن انتقاله من الإسماعيلي إلى القلعة الحمراء جاء عن طريق “كوبري”
وكان عمرو السولية انضم إلى صفوف الأهلي، في يناير عام 2016 قادمًا من الشعب الإماراتي، وحصد 24 لقبًا.
وقال السولية خلال تصريحات عبر قناة الكأس: “النادي الإسماعيلي كان يرفض تمامًا انتقالي إلي النادي الأهلي مباشرة، أنا كانت لدي رغبة في الانتقال للأهلي، رئيس النادي حينها قال أنت لن تستطيع أن تخرج من الإسماعيلي مباشرة للنادي الأهلي، وعليك أن تجلب أي عرض للنادي من خارج مصر وأنا سأوافق عليه”.
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وأضاف: “أريد أن أوضح أن الأهلي لم يكن له علاقة بعرض فريق الشعب، هي كانت رغبتي وأنا من أحضرت العرض”.
وأردف: “قمت بإلقاء ميدالية المركز الثاني في دوري أبطال إفريقيا بعد الخسارة من الوداد، بسبب الأحداث التي كانت قبل المباراة وشعورنا بالظُلم بأن نلعب النهائي الثاني في نفس البلد أمام الواد على ملعبهم، في نهائي من مباراة واحدة ولا يوجد مجال للتعويض، فكنا نشعر بالظُلم، لأن كان المفروض النهائي يكون على مباراتين”، لو عاد بي الزمن سأفعل نفس الموقف ولن أندم”.
وأكمل: “كان يوجد عرض من الزمالك وقت التواجد مع الإسماعيلي ورفضته، أيضًا تلقيت عرضاً من نادي بيراميدز عندما كنت في الأهلي، وصراحة لم يكن عرضًا صريحًا، لكنه كان مغرياّ، لكني رفضت لأنني كنت أريد الاستمرار في الأهلي ولدي أشياء كثيرة لم أحققها، ولم أكن أريد خسارة حب الجماهير”.
وبسؤاله، وإذا وصل لك عرض من الزمالك الآن هل تُفكر في الموافقة، رد لاعب الأهلي السابق: “لا لن أوافق”.
واستمر: “أتمنى مسح مباراة نهائي إفريقيا أمام الترجي، مباراة الإياب، أيضًا مباراة صن داونز 5-0 في دوري أبطال إفريقيا”.
وأتم: “أعرف إمكانيات منتخب المغرب، إذا تلاقي المنتخب المغربي مع مصر في نهائي كأس العرب، ستكون مواجهة صعبة جدًا على الفريقين لأنه ديربي إفريقي، ممكن يصل لركلات الترجيح ونحن سنفوز حينها إن شاء الله”.