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Greg Chappell, Mike Hussey and Brad Hodge go through the talent pool to pick two separate squads each

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jun-2020In the era of Covid-19, the cricket calendar will need be redrawn and there will be a crush to fit in all the fixtures that were deferred. It has even been suggested that two formats could be played at the same time. While that may not actually happen, it throws up some intriguing selection questions.If we consider playing a Test and a T20I on the same day, West Indies would probably have the fewest selection headaches, given they already have very different five-day and limited-overs squads.Tests: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Shai Hope, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Shane Dowrich, Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel.T20Is: Chris Gayle, Lendl Simmons, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Oshane Thomas, Sheldon Cottrell, Sunil Narine.But how would the three best-resourced sides in the world – England, India and Australia – fare in having two teams play at the same time in a Test and T20I?Australia have already gone down the path of picking two separate international teams, when, in 2017, the T20I side took on Sri Lanka at home while the Test team was in India. We asked recent selector Greg Chappell and former batsmen-turned-commentators Michael Hussey and Brad Hodge to pick two squads of 12 for the challenge. The idea is to treat the matches as equally important and pick the best balanced squads.ESPNcricinfo LtdGreg Chappell: My focus was to get the best team for both formats. Obviously Smith and Warner could fit easily into each, as could Starc and Cummins. I must admit I was not prepared to weaken the Test team to bolster the T20I team. Both teams are competitive in my view. And, to me, Cameron Green is the next superstar of Australian cricket. He is a genuine prospect with bat and ball, but I think his future is as a batsman who can offer some quality overs. Cameron is a batsman of rare talent. At 6ft 7in, he could become something very special. I would bat him at No. 6 to start with, but I reckon No. 4 is his long-term position. The sooner he gets to play at this level, the sooner he will become the player that he should be. He has proven that he can make runs at the first-class level, so the sooner he can prepare and play alongside Warner, Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, the sooner he will work out what he needs for the highest level from these champions.ESPNcricinfo LtdMichael Hussey: The process I went through was: I wrote down the Australian Test No. 1-12, then a T20I 1-12, and I put the players in that are definitely Test and definitely T20 players. With the gaps, I tried to find the right balance in a team with players who were maybe just outside the squad. David Warner was a tough one because he’d be a first pick in both the Test and T20I teams, but I wasn’t that confident in the other openers in T20. I know there’s D’Arcy Short, but I just thought Usman Khawaja was too good a player not to have involved, so that’s why he’s at the top of the order in Tests. Steven Smith in the middle is probably more effective in Test cricket, although very effective in T20s as well, and then Mitchell Starc is a tough one as well. His ability in white-ball cricket, particularly with the new ball and at the death in T20s, is just so good. I felt I could cover him in the Test team with the likes of James Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins – more sort of Test specialists. It wasn’t easy, but two pretty good teams, I reckon, and hard to beat.Getty ImagesBrad Hodge: I thought Warner was irreplaceable in the Test side given his record opening the batting and averaging 50 is substantial, even though he has an unreal T20 record. I felt you could still replace him – you might not get the same output, but you’ll get something close to it with Marcus Stoinis or Chris Lynn up the top. If you took him out of the Test side, I think Australia are completely vulnerable to the new ball. Khawaja, I didn’t put him in just because he’s been dropped, and Nic Maddinson has scored a pile of runs in the last two years of Shield cricket and deserves a chance. With Stoinis and Moises Henriques, I went for more experience – taking Smith out of that XI along with Warner – ahead of Short and Mitchell Marsh.MSK Prasad, Kiran More and Ajit Agarkar each picked a Test and T20I team for India here. And Ian Bell, Mark Butcher and Graeme Swann picked XIs for England here

Bayern Munich were forced to come from behind to beat Sporting CP 3-1 at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday in the Champions League. A Joshua Kimmich own goal gave the visitors a shock lead in the game but the hosts hit back through Serge Gnabry. Teenage superstar Lennart Karl then sealed another impressive performance by firing Bayern ahead before Jonathan Tah wrapped up another European win for Vincent Kompany's side.

• Karl the star as Bayern come from behind

  Bayern thought they had broken the deadlock just minutes into the encounter. Karl controlled the ball and swept home a fine finish from just inside the penalty area, but the goal was chalked off as Gnabry had strayed fractionally offside. The hosts went on to have the better chances of the opening 45 minutes but couldn’t find a way past goalkeeper Rui Silva. Harry Kane was denied by the post, while Karl went even closer just before half-time after a jinking run but saw his effort palmed away by Silva.

  Those misses proved to be costly as Sporting stunned the Allianz Arena at the start of the second half. A quick break down the left flank saw Joao Simoes beat Tah and fire a ball across goal. A lunging Kimmich tried to block the shot but succeeded only in diverting the ball past Bayern stopper Manuel Neuer to hand the visitors a shock lead.

  Bayern hit back within 10 minutes courtesy of some criminal defending by the visitors. A corner in from the right by Michael Olise found Gnabry completed unmarked at the far post and left with the simple task of hooking the ball home to make it 1-1.

  Four minutes later, Bayern were in front and it was no surprise to see the irrepressible Karl netting. The 17-year-old ran onto a ball in the box, cushioned it perfectly on his left foot before lashing home with his right to put Bayern in front for the first time in the game.

  Sporting's resistance was broken and Bayern went on to seal the win through Tah. Kimmich went some way to making amends for his earlier own goal by pinging a ball from deep into the penalty area for Olise to head back into the danger area. His header found an unmarked Tah with all the time in the world to poke home Bayern's third to seal the win.

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  The MVP

  Karl enhanced his growing reputation with another stellar performance and a vital goal to ensure Bayern took all three points. Even with Harry Kane on the pitch, Karl looked Bayern's most likely source of a goal against Sporting and it was no surprise to see him pop up with the goal that put Bayern 2-1 up. Karl also wrote his name in the history books with his latest strike, as he becomes the youngest player in Champions League history to score in three consecutive games at 17 years and 290 days.

• The big loser

  Kimmich had an evening to forget against Sporting. A poor moment saw the 30-year-old inadvertently hand the visitors the lead as he put through his own net in the first half. Kimmich's frustrations then boiled over in the second half when a brief brawl erupted between both sets of players after Bayern had equalised. The Germany star was booked for his part in the proceedings to compound a less than impressive showing from the veteran.

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  Match rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐

Inter Miami crushed New York City FC 5-1 to win the Eastern Conference title and reach the first MLS Cup final in club history. After the match, manager Javier Mascherano praised the team’s unity, calling them an “unbreakable group” and crediting the players for believing in the project. The Herons now await the Western Conference champion.

Getty Images SportDominant showing

Mascherano said Miami’s performance mirrored exactly what he had hoped for. 

“One always imagines the best when thinking about games – being able to play a great match, dominate, create clear chances,” the Argentine said. “We knew it would be difficult. New York didn’t create chances, and until the 60th minute or so, they were still alive.”

Miami rode a strong showing from Tadeo Allende, who had a hat-trick, along with Jordi Alba's creative genius to power their rout. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTeam unity

He emphasized that Miami’s transformation has come from players fully committing to the path laid out for them. 

“The credit is theirs,” he said. “I’d highlight the last two months – they’ve been incredible. But the merit goes to the players for convincing themselves of where we wanted to go. We’ve reached the end of the season with a brotherhood inside the team, everyone pulling in the same direction, and the power of a group is unbreakable. We’re on the verge of playing the game we dreamed of, at home, with our people.”

Mascherano also reflected on what Inter Miami have become – and how past setbacks helped shape this moment. 

Getty Images SportPraising Martino's previous impact

Mascherano made a point to acknowledge predecessor Gerardo Martino’s impact.

“I think it would be unfair not to recognize what Gerardo Martino did,” he said. “He was the first to give this team its identity. A Leagues Cup, competing for the Supporters’ Shield… the desire to compete and lift the club to another level kept growing. Beyond the big signings we made, you need players with hierarchy.”

The turning point for Miami, Mascherano explained, came earlier in the postseason. “Before Game 3 against Nashville – that was the moment when it felt most like last season would repeat itself. A similar match, playing against a lion at home. What happened last season… we wouldn’t be experiencing this today if we hadn’t gone through that elimination. In one way or another, the guys understood how to face the final stretch.”

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'Make history with this club'

Rodrigo De Paul echoed the sense of fulfillment as Miami now prepares to face either San Diego FC or the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS Cup.

“An emotion, a reward for the effort, for the work, with clear ideas to make history with this club,” De Paul said. “The happiness is immense. Every game has big meaning and importance – that prepares you for the big matches, and today we played a perfect game.”

Inter Miami will host the winner of San Diego FC vs. Vancouver next Saturday at Chase Stadium – the last MLS match the venue will host before the team moves to its new home in 2026. 

Legendary former West Ham United and Charlton Athletic player Billy Bonds passed away on Sunday, aged 79. Bonds started his career at Charlton in 1964 and spent three seasons at the club before heading to the Hammers, where he spent the remainder of his professional career. Two years after his retirement, Bonds returned to West Ham as a manager and led the club for four seasons.

Billy Bonds passes away aged 79

West Ham shared the news of the passing away of their beloved icon with profound grief on Sunday. In an official statement, the club shared a message from Bonds' family that read: "We are heartbroken to announce that we lost our beloved Dad today. He was devoted to his family and was the most kind, loyal, selfless, and loving person. “Dad loved West Ham United and its wonderful supporters with all his heart and treasured every moment of his time at the Club. "He will always be in our hearts and eternally missed. We take comfort knowing that his legacy will live on forever."

AdvertisementHulton ArchiveWest Ham paid heartfelt tribute

The tribute from the Hammers read: "One of the greatest competitors English football has ever seen, Billy passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, at the age of 79. He stands unrivalled as the longest-serving player in the Club’s 130-year history, having made a total of 799 appearances across a magnificent 21-year career that saw him captain us to two FA Cup triumphs and a Second Division title, win four Hammer of the Year awards, and awarded two testimonials, a PFA merit award and an MBE for services to football. 

"After hanging up his boots at the grand age of 41, Billy was handed a coaching role by the great John Lyall, working alongside Tony Carr with the Club’s Youth Team. In February 1990, he was appointed as first-team manager, leading the club to promotion from Division Two and an FA Cup semi-final in 1991. After relegation in 1992, Bonds immediately led the Hammers back into the top-flight in 1993, as we became a Premier League Club for the first time. Signed from Charlton Athletic in May 1967 for just £47,000, Bonds made his league debut for the Hammers in August that year against Sheffield Wednesday and went on to become one of the greatest figures in the Club’s history. 

"He left Upton Park in 1994 after 27 years of impeccable service, and in 2013 was presented with the Club’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement award. In 2018 he was voted by fans as West Ham United’s greatest-ever player, and a year later made an emotional appearance at London Stadium when the Billy Bonds Stand was opened in his honour. An extremely private and loyal man, Billy was completely devoted to his family – wife Marilyn, who sadly passed away in 2020, daughters Claire and Katie, and grand-daughters Eloise and Elissa. Never one to crave the limelight, he was universally loved, respected and admired by his team-mates, players and supporters, who will forever consider themselves ‘Billy Bonds’s Claret and Blue Army’. 

"The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at West Ham United are with Claire, Katie, Eloise and Elissa as they come to terms with their loss, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this sad and difficult time. A period of appreciation to honour Billy will be held before kick-off at today’s Premier League home fixture v Liverpool, and a full tribute will take place at our next home fixture against Aston Villa, on Sunday 14 December. Further tributes will also appear across Club channels in the coming days. Rest in peace Billy, our courageous, inspirational, lion-hearted leader."

London Stadium stand named after Billy Bonds

In 2019, West Ham paid the ultimate tribute to their legend by naming a stand at London Stadium after his name. At that moment, an emotional Bonds had said: "It's a great honour and means so much to me and my family. To think that I am only the third West Ham player to receive this honour after Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking – you can't get better than that."

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Hulton ArchiveTributes pour in for legendary footballer

Bonds' boyhood and first professional club Charlton Athletic wrote: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former player Billy Bonds MBE. Our thoughts are with Billy's family and friends at this extremely difficult time."

Liverpool's message read: "Deepest condolences from all of us at Liverpool FC. Our thoughts are with Billy’s family, friends and everyone at West Ham United."

Arsenal wrote: "The thoughts of everyone at Arsenal are with Billy’s family, friends and all at West Ham United. Rest in peace, Billy."

The England national team paid tribute as they wrote: "One of the greats of our game. Rest in peace, Billy."

Captain Rovman Powell led the way, smashing an unbeaten 41 off 17 balls, as Barbados Royals secured their first win in CPL 2025. Despite that, Royals remained at the bottom of the points table and David Wiese’s St Lucia Kings remained at the top along with Nicholas Pooran’s Trinbago Knight Riders. Currently, only net run-rate separates Kings and TKR.After they were asked to bat first, Royals didn’t start well. They lost Quinton de Kock to left-arm fingerspinner Khary Pierre in the third over and by the end of the powerplay, they had managed only 39 for 1. Tabraiz Shamsi, the left-arm wristspinner from South Africa, then stifled Royals even further by taking out Brandon King (42), Kadeem Alleyne (39) and Sherfane Rutherford (16) in his four overs which cost Kings only 26 runs.When Powell joined Chris Green, Royals were 120 for 5 in the 16th over. Powell then teed off, lining up Alzarri Joseph for two sixes and a four in the 19th over. In the final over of the innings, bowled by rookie Delano Potgieter, Powell and Green combined to take three fours and a six.Green wasn’t done just yet. He struck with the new ball, dismissing Johnson Charles and Roston Chase. Wicketkeeper-opener Tim Seifert raced to 24 off 13 before he was bowled by Jomel Warrican. Tim David, one of the most dangerous finishers in the world, then threatened to take the game away from Royals until Daniel Sams interneved and cut his innings short on 44 off 28 balls.David’s dismissal left Kings at 94 for 6 in 12 overs, needing 98 off 48 balls. Cameos from Wiese and Joseph got Kings closer, but Royals finally wrapped up their first victory this season and kept their hopes of making the playoffs alive.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele picked up the 2025 Ballon d’Or, but who will lift the famous individual honour in 2026?

With the 2025/26 season well and truly underway, players are beginning to make their case to land the historic award, and in a World Cup year, there could be many twists and turns.

Here are the 20 players who are best placed to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or right now, based on current form and their respective team’s chances of silverware.

Ranking factors: To help rank the players in order, we have considered the following criteria:

Current form – how well a player has performed in the past few months Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their teams’ performances Reputation – what others say about them

2026 Ballon d’Or Power Rankings

Rank

Player

Age

Club

Nation

1

Kylian Mbappe

26

Real Madrid

France

2

Declan Rice

26

Arsenal

England

3

Lamine Yamal

18

Barcelona

Spain

4

Harry Kane

32

Bayern Munich

England

5

Erling Haaland

25

Man City

Norway

6

Vitinha

25

PSG

Portugal

7

Pedri

23

Barcelona

Spain

8

Michael Olise

23

Bayern Munich

France

9

Ousmane Dembele

28

PSG

France

10

Gabriel Magalhaes

27

Arsenal

Brazil

11

Luis Diaz

28

Bayern Munich

Colombia

12

Lionel Messi

38

Inter Miami

Argentina

13

Vinicius Jr

25

Real Madrid

Brazil

14

Cristiano Ronaldo

40

Al-Nassr

Portugal

15

Jude Bellingham

22

Real Madrid

England

16

Raphinha

28

Barcelona

Brazil

17

Scott McTominay

28

Napoli

Scotland

18

Joao Neves

21

PSG

Portugal

19

Mohamed Salah

33

Liverpool

Egypt

20

Gianluigi Donnarumma

26

Man City

Italy

10 Gabriel Magalhaes Arsenal and Brazil

An injury halted the Brazilian’s progress but he is currently the most in-form defender on the planet, scoring goals, dominating in both boxes and leading Arsenal’s incredible defensive record.

While the spotlight often went to William Saliba in recent seasons, Gabriel has emerged as the true rock at the heart of the best defence in world football.

9 Ousmane Dembele PSG and France

Could he go back to back? Well, if PSG continue their dominance in France and in Europe, and if Ousmane Dembele helps his country to a World Cup win, there is every chance.

The forward netted his first goals of the season at the end of August before a hamstring injury halted his progress. Still, the 28-year-old has plenty of time to return to full fitness and make his claim of another Ballon d’Or.

8 Michael Olise Bayern Munich and France

Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise has continued his fine form at the Allianz Arena into his second season.

A regular on the right wing under Vincent Kompany, Olise is already into double figures for goal contributions with Munich. Meanwhile, his national manager, Didier Deschamps, has said Olise “has everything”, with France and Bayern teammate Dayot Upamecano calling the attacker a “magician”.

7 Pedri Barcelona and Spain

Pulling the strings in Barcelona’s midfield, Pedri is seen as one of the greatest midfielders in football and will be looking to improve on his 11th place finish last time out.

The Spaniard has even caught the eye of iconic midfielder Paul Scholes, with the Man Utd legend calling Pedri his “new favourite footballer”.

Hansi Flick has also called Pedri a “special” player, adding that he “is also becoming a better leader” for his side.

6 Vitinha PSG and Portugal

Vitinha’s stunning hat-trick against Tottenham in the Champions League vaulted him up the rankings, with the all-action midfielder providing a mixture of end product, tenacity and control in Paris, averaging over 100 passes per game this season.

The Portugal star has gone from strength to strength in recent seasons having won the quadruple with PSG in the 2024/25 campaign, and will look to cement himself as one of the best in world football at next summer’s World Cup.

5 Erling Haaland Man City and Norway

Jamie Carragher has recently called Erling Haaland the “greatest goalscorer to ever play in English football”, with his ridiculous start to the season leading to the forward himself saying he’s in his best form ever.

Scoring goals for fun with Man City and Norway, Haaland will now play at his first World Cup in 2026, which will be his country’s first since 1998. A strong performance to take them on a knockout run would cement his status as a legend of Norwegian football.

4 Harry Kane Bayern Munich and England

Harry Kane is continuing to do what he does best – score goals on a regular basis. With Bayern Munich, Kane scored a remarkable 17 goals in the first nine games for the German champions, becoming the fastest player this century to reach 100 goals for a side playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

The England captain will also have his eyes on the 2026 World Cup, which could be his last at the age of 32. Delight for club and country in 2026 will put him in a strong position.

3 Lamine Yamal Barcelona and Spain

Lamine Yamal has won the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards for the last two years, so it feels as if it is just a matter of time until the Barcelona star takes home the major individual honour.

However, Barca currently trail Real Madrid in La Liga and have already dropped points in the Champions League group stage.

Still, if Yamal carries the Catalan giants to silverware and stars in his first World Cup, 2026 could be his year.

2 Declan Rice Arsenal and England

Now a vital member for club and country, Declan Rice is arguably the best midfielder in the world right now, shining in a slightly further forward role at the Emirates under Mikel Arteta.

After his two stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid in the Champions League last season, Rice has continued to add end product to his game and has been praised by England legends David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

1 Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid and France

Leading the way as the current 2026 Ballon d’Or favourite is Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe.

The Frenchman has begun the 2025/26 campaign in red-hot form in front of goal, registering the second fastest Champions League hat-trick of all time in a win over Olympiacos, even scoring a fourth for good measure.

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has even called Mbappe the “best in the world”, and on current form, it’s hard to argue against the Madrid fan.

Monday’s Major League Baseball action features a shorter slate with several teams traveling, but that’s not going to stop us from diving into the prop market – especially with some of the starting pitchers in action. 

There are two starters that have been red hot that I’m looking to target on Aug. 12, and one of them – New York Yankees rookie Luis Gil – has arguably the best matchup in baseball tonight. 

Let’s break down these prop plays and their odds for tonight’s action. 

Best MLB Prop Bets Today for Monday, Aug. 12Luis Gil UNDER 4.5 Hits Allowed (-160)Blake Snell OVER 17.5 Outs Recorded (-190)

Luis Gil UNDER 4.5 Hits Allowed (-160)

All season long, Luis Gil has been a tough pitcher to get to, giving up just 73 total hits in 117.2 innings of work. Even though he’s struggled with command at times, he still has an ultra-impressive 1.11 WHIP this season. 

Now, Gil gets a crack at the worst team in baseball – the Chicago White Sox – who rank dead last in OPS and batting average and 29th in the league in total hits. 

Gil has allowed four or fewer hits in 16 of his 22 outings this season, including just two hits across five innings in his last start against the Los Angeles Angels. 

It’s possible that New York limits the innings of the young starter down the stretch to make sure he can pitch in the playoffs, and Gil’s elite strikeout stuff makes him a tougher pitcher to get to regardless. 

With Chicago’s offensive struggles in 2024, Gil is a must bet at this number on Monday. 

Blake Snell OVER 17.5 Outs Recorded (-190)

San Francisco Giants lefty Blake Snell threw a no-hitter back on Aug. 2, and he’s been on fire since returning from the injured list in early July. 

Snell has made six starts over that stretch, allowing just 12 total hits and posting a 1.15 ERA across 39.0 innings of work. 

After being limited to just 73 pitches in his first start back (he still got through five innings), Snell has thrown six or more innings in the other five outings, including two games with seven or more innings pitched. 

Even though the Atlanta Braves aren’t an easy opponent, Snell is too hot to fade right now when it comes to an outs recorded prop. If he continues to limit baserunners, it would be very surprising to see him pulled before clearing six innings on Monday.

Paris Saint-Germain are moving swiftly to extend the contract of club prodigy Senny Mayulu. The 19-year-old midfielder who scored in the 2025 Champions League final is being monitored by Premier League giants Manchester City and Chelsea as his current contract expires in 2027. However, the French champions are finalising a contract extension that could secure the future of one of Europe’s most exciting young talents.

• PSG move to protect their homegrown star

  The Parisian club are quietly working to secure their long-term future and that means keeping Mayulu, the French prodigy who exploded onto the scene last season. Having risen through the club’s academy since 2018, Mayulu became a symbol of PSG’s renewed focus on developing local talent rather than losing them early, as seen with past departures like Kingsley Coman and Moussa Diaby.

  At just 19 years old, Mayulu has already earned his place in coach Luis Enrique’s rotation, impressing with his creativity, ambidexterity, and ability to handle pressure. The midfielder’s technique and tactical maturity have drawn comparisons to Warren Zaire-Emery, another PSG academy success. With Mayulu's contract extension, PSG not only wants to secure the talent they have but also intent to retain Parisian roots in a superstar-filled squad.

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  Man City, Chelsea and Tottenham eye Mayulu signing

  According to transfer specialist Nicolo Schira, PSG are now finalising a new three-year contract extension for Mayulu amid persistent interest from City, Chelsea and Tottenham. Scouts from all three English clubs have reportedly monitored his progress since late last season, viewing him as one of France’s most complete young midfielders, who is equally capable of dictating tempo or breaking lines.

  However, Mayulu’s priority remains clear. He wants to continue growing in Paris, surrounded by mentors like Enrique and Marquinhos, and within the environment that shaped him. “Paris is home,” a source close to the player told , emphasising his desire to repay the club that trusted him. 

• Mayulu's rise from academy to Champions League history

  Mayulu’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. After debuting professionally in January 2024, he made 39 appearances in the 2024-25 season, scoring six goals and registering three assists across all competitions. His defining moment came in the 2025 Champions League final, when he came off the bench to score PSG’s fifth goal in a 5-0 rout over Inter, becoming the youngest French player ever to score in a Champions League final at just 19 years and 14 days old.

  That goal not only rounded off PSG’s capture of a first European title but also announced Mayulu as a top prospect. By the end of the campaign, he had also lifted his second Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles, contributing key goals in each tournament. Across his senior PSG career so far, Mayulu has 54 appearances, nine goals, and five assists to his tally.

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  The future of PSG’s midfield

  With his current deal running until June 2027, PSG’s push for an extension is more about protection than urgency. The club want to ensure Mayulu remains untouchable amid Premier League interest, mirroring their approach with Zaire-Emery. Enrique, a long-time admirer of technically gifted and disciplined players, reportedly sees Mayulu as a cornerstone for the next phase of PSG’s evolution.

  Internationally, Mayulu continues to rise through France’s youth ranks, already a key figure for the U20 national team after success with the U18s. If his trajectory continues, a senior call-up seems inevitable.

GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, including a Premier League matchup of USMNT stars

Though Christian Pulisic's injured hamstring was an unfortunate headline for the USMNT, Mauricio Pochettino's October camp, overall, was a success. The team dictated the run of play against two World Cup-bound opponents, Ecuador and Australia, and are unbeaten in three straight games.

There is more clarity on who Pochettino views as his core group. With the international break now over, those key players will want to continue their momentum with their clubs.

Weston McKennie, for example, was one of those players who had an uncertain standing with Pochettino. The Juventus midfielder said during camp that he's taken a new approach that appears to be benefiting both club and country. He'll hope to continue his progression when his team travels to Serie A upstarts Como.

Then there's Crystal Palace's Chris Richards, who will want to get back to his best after two uneven performances. His side hosts Tyler Adams' Bournemouth in a battle between two surprise teams vying for a Champions League spot.

And Tim Weah and Olympique Marseille continue to show they just might be the team to take PSG off its perch. OM sit just one point back on the French giants and play 14th-placed Le Havre on Saturday. 

GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad this weekend.

AFPAll eyes on Pulisic's injury

AC Milan confirmed on Friday Pulisic will miss at least 10 days with a low-grade injury to his hamstring. After returning to Italy, tests indicated a low-grade lesion, with the club saying he would be reexamined in 10 days. play Fiorentina on Sunday.

Milan hope to have the current Serie A joint-top scorer back for the match against Roma on Nov. 2 at San Siro. Failing that, they would target the away match against Parma six days later. The club do not expect him to be in danger of missing the Milan derby against Inter on Nov. 23.

The USMNT, meanwhile, will play friendlies against Paraguay on Nov. 15 and Uruguay on Nov. 18.

All of that is unfortunate for the 27-year-old, who was having the best start to a club season in his career with four goals and two assists. Pulisic has shown in the past that recovery can adversely affect his performance.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMcKennie on the upswing?

One of the biggest benefactors of Pochettino's new tactical approach was McKennie, who played in a new role as an attacking midfielder alongside Malik Tillman and Pulisic. While the traditional central midfielder isn't penciled in as a lock for that role just yet, it did offer a glimpse into how McKennie could be effective under Pochettino.

As a result of his solid tackling, relentless running, and typically strong work rate, he often gets miscast as a defensive midfielder – a role that requires players to sit back and kill attacks from the opposition.

But against both Ecuador and Australia, McKennie was effective in playing more like Yaya Toure during his Manchester City days. Toure used to serve as City's No. 10, but he was more combative in the role than being a facilitator. And McKennie, although not as dominant as the Ivorian, did many of the same things. 

He was pressing up high and capitalizing on the team's mistakes at a higher on-pitch position to create attacks for the U.S. on the break. And playing such a role requires top fitness, which the midfielder – at times – has come under criticism for. Those issues didn't appear to hold him back during national team duty, with McKennie saying it came down to a challenge issued by Juventus manager Igor Tudor. 

"My coach back at Juventus, Tudor, really put pressure on me and said, 'Hey, you're getting older, and your body's not gonna be able to bounce back from games the way that you used to be able to, and you need to cut down some weight, and that's the only way you're gonna be involved with this team,'" McKennie told TNT. "So I put my head down and worked like I usually do. Got on a diet. Don't snack as much anymore. If I do, it's healthy snacks, and I work out more often.

"So that's what I've been doing, a lot of running. This summer was the first summer I didn't mind taking my shirt off at the pool." 

McKennie's renewed fitness helped him on the club level. After having an inconsistent role at the start of the season, McKennie played 90 minutes in draws against Villarreal in the Champions League and Milan in league action. They face Cesc Fabregas' surprising Como on Sunday.

The former Arsenal star is a shareholder at the side, but he's more than proved his merit as a manager with the tight-budgeted Como sitting eighth in the league. Juventus have slipped to fifth, but have a chance to get back on track. Both sides are stout defensively, tied on goals allowed with five – good for third in Serie A. But Como have struggled scoring, sitting mid-table in goals scored with seven.

Getty Images SportAmericans clash in London

Bournemouth are fourth in the Premier League table, while Palace sit sixth. Both clubs have rising managers in Andoni Iraola and Oliver Glasner, and have already picked up results against top sides. It’s still early, with just seven matches played, but Saturday’s meeting offers a chance to spark their challenges for Champions League spots.

Adams didn’t feature for the USMNT during the international break, excused for the birth of his child. Richards played, but endured two mixed outings for Pochettino’s side. The 25-year-old was beaten badly on the goal conceded to Ecuador and didn’t help when Australia scored, despite being in a position to do so.

If there’s one area in which Richards continues to show progress, though, it’s his leadership. He was furious with Australia’s physical play on Pulisic that led to the forward’s injury and publicly issued a warning to the Socceroos and other opponents.

“They’re lucky it was a friendly. I was ready to go,” Richards said after the match. “And if [the referee] didn’t give me a sh*t yellow in the corner, I probably would’ve killed somebody.”

Richards was understandably emotional, but the reality is the U.S. could use more of that edge. The team has been labeled soft at times, and every good side needs an enforcer. Richards seems ready to embrace that role, with some even suggesting he should be considered for the captain’s armband – an intriguing thought given that he’ll be facing the team’s 2022 World Cup captain, Adams, this weekend.

This is an opportunity for Palace to rediscover their sizzling September form after a surprising loss to Everton. If last season’s meetings are any indication, this one could be tight – both matches ended goalless.

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AFPReintroducing Weah, USMNT fullback

There were some early struggles, but Weah is slowly starting to demonstrate why he is ideally placed as a wingback. He's got good strength and pace, tracks back decently enough, and has just enough attacking prowess to be a threat to opposing defenses. More impressively, he can play on either the left or the right – crucial for Pochettino. 

With Antonee Robinson and Sergino Dest dealing with injuries, Weah can slot in for either and provide more than solid play. While he likely wouldn't replace either when fully fit, having that option – especially on Robinson's end – ensures the Americans won't miss a beat. Weah's versatility has also been a boost for Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille. 

After flirting with Ligue 1 contention last season, OM are fully in it this season, and the American has played his part. His stats aren't jaw-dropping, with zero goal contributions in seven games, but the ability to line up on any part of either flank has allowed De Zerbi to have tactical flexibility, creating hassles for opposing managers in their preparations.

This is a big weekend for OM, one that could potentially see them leapfrog PSG into first. Le Parisiens face Strasbourg, who are a surprising third in the table, while Marseille host relegation-battling Le Havre. If PSG drop points and OM play as expected, there might be a new leader in France's top flight Monday. 

In an attempt to return to their former glory, Manchester United haven’t been afraid to splash the cash over recent years to aid their efforts in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have now gone over a decade without a league triumph, with Ruben Amorim the latest manager to try his luck and end the drought at Old Trafford.

In the last three years alone, the hierarchy have handed various managers over £700m worth of funds to try and improve the playing squad and move closer to title glory.

This summer alone, Amorim spent over £200m on reinforcements to try and right the wrongs of last season, which saw the side finish in a measly 15th position.

However, one player who was brought into the side before his arrival may well be out of favour in the coming months after his dismal stint in England’s top-flight.

Why Casemiro’s United career may be over

Back in the summer of 2022, United forked out a staggering £70m for the signature of midfielder Casemiro from Spanish giants Real Madrid – with such a deal raising eyebrows across England.

After making over 300 appearances in Madrid, there’s no denying he possessed quality, but such a fee was a mammoth one, given he was 30 at the time of his transfer.

However, his time in Manchester has been a disaster, often falling way below the standards many expected – with Jamie Carragher even claiming he needs to move to Saudi Arabia.

Despite his decline, Amorim has still utilised the experienced man in every Premier League game in 2025/26, starting and scoring in the victory over Chelsea on Saturday night.

In true Casemiro style, he ruined his contribution, subsequently picking up his second yellow and being sent off after dragging down Andrey Santos on the counterattack.

Such a dismissal was his fourth sending off since joining the club three years ago, often being an unreliable figure given his lack of discipline, which has cost the side in key moments.

The Brazilian is also on a whopping £350k-per-week – the most of any player in the squad – with the club desperately needing to cut ties when his contract comes to an end in 2026.

It’s clear a new midfielder is needed to help improve the squad, but with the window closed, there’s manager has to work with the options at his disposal – with one former player slipping through their net.

The former United star who’s now ahead of Casemiro

As a result of the club’s heavy spending in recent years, the hierarchy have had to make sacrifices and offload players from the squad to try and balance the books.

From established first-team members, to squad players and academy graduates – countless options have had to be moved on to allow for funds to be generated.

Numerous players have slipped through their net, with regret undoubtedly being felt by many involved with the club after their mistakes in offloading talents too prematurely.

James Garner is one of the players who certainly falls into such a category, with the hierarchy sanctioning his move away from his boyhood club in the same summer as Casemiro’s arrival.

The midfielder joined the Red Devils at the age of just eight, rapidly developing through the youth ranks and going on to make just seven first-team appearances – with his spells away from the club catapulting him to stardom.

Garner would spend 18 months on loan at Nottingham Forest, catching the eye with his box-to-box displays, registering eight goals and 10 assists over his two separate loan spells at the City Ground.

Such performances led to a permanent move to Everton three years ago, leaving the Red Devils for just £9m – a fee that now appears far too cheap given his rise away from Old Trafford.

He’s now become a key member of David Moyes’ Toffees squad, subsequently outperforming Casemiro in various key areas in the Premier League throughout 2025/26.

Garner, who’s been labelled “incredible” by one analyst, has completed more of the passes he’s attempted (82%), whilst also making more passes into the final third per 90 (4.6).

Games played

5

5

Goals & assists

1

1

Pass accuracy

82%

81%

Key passes

1.2

0.7

Passes into the final third

4.6

3.7

Tackles won

2.4

1.4

Interceptions made

1.6

0.7

Take-ons completed

25%

1%

Aerials won

67%

45%

Such numbers highlight the quality the youngster possesses in possession, with such quality something which the side have massively lacked in recent months.

However, out of possession is where the side need further improvement, but the 24-year-old possesses ball-winning quality in abundance – as seen by his tallies of 2.4 tackles won and 1.6 interceptions made per 90.

Both figures are higher than those of Casemiro, further demonstrating why the former United academy graduate is now a better talent than the Brazilian.

Given the remarkable rise of Garner, there’s no denying that the Red Devils made a huge mistake in allowing the Englishman to depart the club – with their loss now Everton’s gain.

Next summer will be huge for the club as they look to finally strengthen in midfield, but it’s safe to say they would’ve saved millions had they kept faith in one of their own.

Forget Bruno & Amad: Man Utd's 8/10 star is becoming Amorim's best player

Manchester United finally stopped the rot with a crucial victory over Chelsea last night.

ByEthan Lamb Sep 21, 2025