He rescues visitors from 87 for 4 in their second innings before rain ensures a draw at Lord’s

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay11-Sep-2025Brooke Guest’s unbeaten half-century steered Derbyshire to safety against Middlesex and kept their promotion hopes alive ahead of next week’s vital Rothesay County Championship meeting with Glamorgan.Guest finished on 65 at Lord’s, having added 66 with Martin Andersson (31 not out) after third-placed Derbyshire had slumped to 87 for 4 in their second innings, an advantage of just 72 over their hosts.An afternoon downpour brought the contest to a premature close and left Derbyshire 27 points adrift of second-placed Glamorgan, who they host in the penultimate round of Division Two fixtures.Middlesex, a further three points behind Derbyshire, still retain a slim chance of promotion following the draw, which was also enough to confirm Leicestershire’s elevation to the top flight after 22 years.The home side’s hopes of forcing a victory were boosted after the opening four overs of the day, in which they captured two wickets to leave Derbyshire three down with a slender lead of 31.Luis Reece added just five to his overnight 17 before he was given out lbw to a Ryan Higgins delivery that zoomed some way back down the slope and Wayne Madsen soon followed in similar fashion to Toby Roland-Jones.Guest rode his luck at the start of his innings, with two inside edges off Higgins (2 for 49) that zipped just past the stumps and rolled to the rope, as well as surviving a persuasive lbw appeal by Olly Stone to a ball that kept low.The England pace bowler, in the first of a two-match loan from Nottinghamshire, was unlucky not to gain greater reward for an impressive pre-lunch spell, although he did remove Harry Came with a beauty that cannoned in to send middle stump flying.Having given away just six runs in his first eight overs, Stone conceded the same from one short-pitched delivery after the interval as Andersson pulled him into the Mound Stand to stretch Derbyshire’s lead to three figures.A brief rain stoppage with Guest on 47 could not derail the Derbyshire wicketkeeper, who punched Stone through the covers for four to complete a fifth half-century of the campaign soon after play resumed.Although Guest got away with a mistimed pull off Higgins that looped up and fell to safety, his work was already done and the dark clouds menacing the ground duly unloaded an hour into the afternoon session to confirm a stalemate.

Having made the decision to sack Alan Sheehan after just six months in charge earlier this week, Swansea City have now reportedly opened talks with Kim Hellberg.

The South Wales outfit felt a change was needed following a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Ipswich Town on Saturday which left them as low as 18th in the Championship. Sheehan lasted just six months at the club and ended his tenure with 17 wins in 39 games.

Ultimately, despite a positive start to life at Swansea last season, it was Sheehan’s recent four-game losing run which acted as the nail in the coffin for his tenure. The international break also hands the club some much-needed time to get their next appointment right.

Swansea owners Brett Cravatt and Jason Cohen told the club website after announcing their decision: “Alan has been instrumental in helping improve the club through two periods of time. Alan has a tireless work ethic, an honest approach and a positive attitude.

“He has put his full effort into the job on behalf of the club. The club would like to place on record its thanks to Alan for all of his hard work during his time at Swansea City. We wish Alan and his family all the best for the future.”

Those in Wales will hope to have an appointment through the door by the time that they return from the international break to face Bristol City on 22 November. They’ll also be desperate to hire a manager that lasts longer than six months and can provide a long-term solution to their current struggles in the Championship.

Swansea hold talks with Kim Hellberg

As reported by Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, Swansea have now held talks with Hellberg, who is currently in charge of Swedish side Hammarby IF. The Swans are reportedly “keen” to hire the 37-year-old and have identified him as one of the early leading candidates to take their vacant role.

Whilst Hellberg isn’t the most experienced manager that Swansea could find, he is impressive in his own right.

The young manager has earned plenty of praise from those in Sweden, including IFK Varnamo sporting director Enes Ahmetovic, who worked with Hellberg at the club and said: “An incredibly skilled football coach. He spends a huge amount of time on every detail. I’m completely convinced that Hellberg will coach much bigger clubs than IFK Värnamo.”

Operating in a 4-2-3-1 system, Hellberg would also suit Swansea’s current squad who are used to the formation thanks to their time working under Sheehan.

Every Premier League and EFL manager sacked in the 2025/26 season

Hazlewood has been outstanding in the IPL following injury and indications from last season are that the hierarchy remains

Andrew McGlashan01-May-20252:12

What makes Hazlewood a much-improved T20 bowler?

Plenty of Australian cricketers are currently plying their trade overseas, and Josh Hazlewood is going as well as any of them for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the IPL in what has been an encouraging return from injury and shapes as bad news for Scott Boland’s hopes of featuring in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.As of Thursday, Hazlewood was the leading wicket-taker in the IPL – with 18 wickets in ten matches – and while the role and requirements of T20 are considerably different to a Test match, his trademark back-of-a-length mode of attack has been key to a number of his dismissals.Two years ago, Boland was the beneficiary when the selectors opted to preserve Hazlewood for the Ashes that followed the WTC final against India as he returned from a side injury picked up in that season’s IPL. Boland went on to bowl brilliantly at The Oval, claiming five wickets in the match, as Australia won the mace by 209 runs. This time, barring any setbacks for Hazlewood over the next month, it looks like going the other way.Related

• Boland: 'I just want to make their decision as hard as possible'

• Webster set for Warwickshire debut ahead of WTC final

• Green's return brings into focus Australia's big selection calls

• Finch: Selectors may have to 'cherry pick' Hazlewood's Tests

• RCB have the (Hazle)wood on their opponents now

For all Boland’s success that sees him sit with a Test record of 56 wickets at 17.66 from 13 matches he has only once been a first-choice selection when the big three quicks have been fit or not rotated: that was the opening Test of the 2023 Ashes when he was selected ahead of Mitchell Starc at Edgbaston. The two matches Boland played in that series have been the only occasion when a team has consistently dominated him – he finished with two wickets at 115.50 and an economy rate of 4.91 – as England’s Bazballers used his metronomic length to their advantage.Last season against India, Boland was the ultimate super sub. He replaced an injured Hazlewood in Adelaide where he zipped the pink ball around but then immediately made way in Brisbane only for Hazlewood to then suffer a calf strain. Boland took 16 wickets in the next two matches at the MCG and SCG, but the pace-bowling hierarchy remained clear. Again, Boland will likely need someone else’s misfortune to make the XI at Lord’s.Josh Hazlewood had an interrupted series against India•Getty ImagesHazlewood cut a distraught and frustrated figure as he walked off the Gabba after a ginger one-over spell on the fourth day after he tested the extent of the calf strain. Having emerged from an injury-hit period between 2021 and 2023, where he played just four Tests, he featured in 12 out of 13 matches after the WTC final, only missing at Headingley in the Ashes when he was rested.As Hazlewood recovered from the calf injury, a hip problem emerged, which ruled him out of the Champions Trophy. Through the various setbacks – both the recent ones and during 2021-2023 period – Hazlewood has remained adamant that it’s largely been bad timing rather than an indication that his body is becoming a genuine concern although Aaron Finch has previously suggested the selectors may need to start cherry-picking the Tests he plays.”I’ve had a little history of sides and calves, they are probably the two things that have kept me out for the majority of the last four years, but I [can] sort of just keep adding another layer to the defence hopefully,” he said late last year. “I’ve ticked a lot of boxes in the last 12 months and it’s just the timing again – they are only little two or three-week injuries, it’s just the timing of it and missing big games so that’s probably the frustrating thing.”Hazlewood has the 300-wicket mark in his sights should he be able to string appearances together this year, currently sitting on 279 at 24.57. There are landmarks approaching for all the big three: Pat Cummins is on 294 Test wickets, while Starc has 382 and is four games away from reaching 100 caps.There will be a couple of training camps in Brisbane during May for the Australian players who are based at home, which includes Boland who opted not to play county cricket after finishing the domestic season with a knee niggle.Initial WTC final squads, which will be 15 players, need to be submitted to the ICC by May 11 but can be amended until the end of the month. After that, the technical committee’s approval will be required for any injury replacements. Australia are expected to have a couple of travelling reserves with them in England, from where they head straight to the West Indies for a three-Test series.

West Ham chiefs are understandably making moves ahead of the looming January transfer window, and their winter recruitment could end up being crucial as Nuno Espírito Santo looks to maintain the club’s Premier League status.

The Hammers have finally found something to smile about after securing back-to-back Premier League victories, providing some much-needed optimism they stand a chance of avoiding the drop.

Nuno’s side ended their miserable nine-month wait for a home league win by beating Newcastle 3-1 before following that up with a dramatic 3-2 comeback against Burnley at the London Stadium.

The Newcastle triumph represented Nuno’s first win in charge and provided a crucial boost for a side that had been languishing dangerously close to the foot of the table.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

West Ham 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham 3-2 Burnley

Against Burnley, West Ham demonstrated their newfound resilience by fighting back from Zian Flemming’s early header. Callum Wilson levelled just before the break with his eighth career goal against the Clarets, before substitute Tomas Soucek once again proved decisive – bundling home from close range.

Kyle Walker-Peters then wrapped up the three points with his first goal for the club, and you can argue that this international break comes at a terrible time for the east Londoners, considering they were just starting to find good form.

However, while West Ham are currently basking in a ray of sunshine following their dismal start to 2025/2026, Nuno realises that his current options just aren’t enough.

According to reports, West Ham are actively preparing for the transfer window with several targets identified. The club have PSV Eindhoven’s attacking midfielder Ismael Saibari, who has scored 10 goals in 17 matches this season, on their radar alongside many other options.

The 24-year-old Morocco international is viewed as the ideal player to add creativity and goals to Nuno’s struggling attack (Football Transfers), with David Sullivan and co also looking to bring in a new striker and defender amid links with former Brentford star Ivan Toney.

Brazil could be an interesting market for Nuno as well, following reports that West Ham have been offered both Pedro and Kaio Jorge ahead of the winter.

West Ham make approach to sign Brazilian sensation Allan Elias

Now, according to journalist Eduardo Burgos for AS, as translated by Sport Witness, they’ve also joined the race to sign one of Brazil’s most exciting young talents.

West Ham are said to have made an approach for young Palmeiras attacking midfielder Allan Elias.

The 21-year-old has emerged as a prime target for several Premier League clubs, with the Hammers joining Fulham and Everton in making enquiries about his availability. The trio have apparently established contact over the versatile starlet, who has been turning heads across European football, and it is believed that an offer north of £17.5 million could be enough despite Elias’ £84 million release clause.

What makes Allan particularly intriguing is his potential. He is a product of Palmeiras’ famed academy system – the same development setup that produced Chelsea sensation Estevao Willian, who has taken the Premier League by storm since his summer arrival at Stamford Bridge.

The academy, renowned as one of South America’s finest talent factories, has also produced stars like Endrick, who was also a reported target for West Ham before Lyon entered the fray.

Allan joined Palmeiras’ youth ranks in 2019 from hometown club Figueirense and has worked his way through the system to become a key figure in the first team.

His great form this season, with 10 goal contributions across 50 appearances in all competitions, seems to have caught the attention of scouts, with West Ham among the sides taking notice.

Burgos describes Allan as yet another “diamond” to come through at Palmeiras, and amid his dream of playing for Brazil, a move to the Premier League would surely appeal to him ahead of next year’s 2026 World Cup.

CI chair Brian MacNeice met with players to address concerns about lack of fixtures

Matt Roller19-Sep-2025Cricket Ireland (CI) hopes that India’s men will tour for a white-ball series next summer on their way to England.India will travel to England for five T20Is and three ODIs from July 1-19 next year, and ESPNcricinfo understands that CI officials have held discussions with their BCCI counterparts over a potential visit before that tour begins. India’s men have toured Ireland three times for short T20I series in the past seven years (in 2018, 2022 and 2023) and attracted strong crowds at Malahide on the outskirts of Dublin.Paul Stirling, Ireland’s captain, said on Tuesday that he was “disappointed” that his side had played so little home international cricket this summer, and described them as “underprepared” to face England in their ongoing T20I series. Brian MacNeice, CI’s chair, said after Friday’s washout in Malahide that he had met players and staff to address their concerns.Related

Stirling 'frustrated' by Ireland's sparse summer schedule

Dublin downpour leads to Ireland-England washout

“I opened the meeting by saying, as far as I’m concerned, the quantum of cricket that we’re playing in ’25 isn’t good enough to prepare you guys to play international cricket and to be competitive at ICC tournaments,” MacNeice said. “I’m not hiding from that.”We mapped out our views and thoughts on what the schedule for ’26 and ’27 looks like, and I wanted to get their input not just on the international schedule, but also the domestic schedule… It was a really positive session yesterday. There’s more work to be done, honestly, but it was a good session.”Sunday’s third T20I against England will be Ireland’s ninth and final home men’s international of the 2025 summer, with four of the first eight lost to weather. Their slimline fixture list is, in essence, the result of the high costs they incur while converting club grounds into international venues and the relatively low value of their broadcast rights deals.”[The players] understand the challenges that we’re facing and some of the reasons why we had what we had, but they also are very clear about what we’re trying to achieve. I think they’re fully bought into that,” MacNeice said.Per the ICC’s Future Tours Programme, Ireland are due to host New Zealand (one Test), Bangladesh (three ODIs and three T20Is) and Afghanistan (one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is) next summer. “There’s still a couple of variables that have to be figured out before we lock in the final schedule, but we’ll be hosting Test cricket here next year,” MacNeice said.MacNeice also said that Ireland’s new stadium project at Abbotstown on the outskirts of Dublin is “very much on track”, and said that he has held positive meetings with senior ECB officials this week around the 2030 men’s T20 World Cup, which Ireland, England and Scotland will co-host.He confirmed that he would be “very supportive” of a proposal for a two-division World Test Championship featuring Ireland, and said that the process of hiring a new chief executive to replace Warren Deutrom is going “really well”, with the hope of making a recommendation for his successor to the board in late October.MacNeice was appointed chair of the board for the planned European T20 Premier League (ETPL) on Thursday, with Deutrom becoming the league’s director. The ETPL was due to launch in 2025, but its inaugural season was postponed to 2026 after it struggled to find buyers for franchises.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is keen to buy a £13.5m Barcelona mansion as his divorce with wife Cristina Serra nears completion. The pair are finalising the final details of their separation with reports in Spain stating there is no way back for the pair. Guardiola and Serra confirmed that are to part ways back in January, with the divorce described as 'imminent' in August.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Relationship between pair described as 'amicable'

  The couple have been together for over 30 years having first met in 1994 and married in 2014. However, despite separating, reports suggest that Guardiola and Serra have remained amicable and continue to see themselves as a family with their three children.

  Negotiations over their divorce have been described as "friendly" as the pair use the same lawyer to iron out the finer details in their divorce. By using the same lawyer, it means that the end of their marriage will not be contested by either Guardiola and Serra.

  The divorce was described as "imminent" back in August with reports in Spain suggesting that there is no way back for the Spanish pair as the couple. And Guardiola is said to be eyeing up a £13.5m Barcelona mansion, which is just a short walk from Guardiola and Serra's £8.5m marital home.

Advertisement

• 'The only limit is the horizon' to Pep's new home

  A brochure for the £13.5m mansion, which is situated in the affluent Barcelona neighbourhood of Pedralbes, claims: "The space, light and views are more powerful than anything that can be built. The scope of each super-luxe villa stretches far beyond its four walls and expansive grounds. The only limit is the horizon – as far as the eye can see."

  Developers also promise to protect the privacy of owners with "evergreen oaks, lemon trees, cypresses, magnolias and ancient olive trees".

  One source added that the property is being viewed as a future home or potential investment for the couple's youngest daughter, Valentina, who is just 17 years of age.

• AFP
  

  Guardiola could leave City in 2027

  Pep Guardiola is currently the longest serving manager in England's top tier having taken over the City reins back in 2016. In that time, the 54-year-old has won numerous pieces of silverware for the Cityzens, including the Premier League six times, setting a record for four successive title triumphs between 2021 and 2024.

  In addition, Guardiola has overseen two FA Cup successes, while City also won the Champions League for the first time in their history in 2023, having finished runners' up to Chelsea back in 2021. The Spaniard signed a new deal at the Etihad Stadium last November in the midst of a downturn of domestic form to keep him at the club until 2027.

  However, Guardiola has vowed to leave City once his current deal in Manchester expires in 2027, which would bring to an end an 11-year spell as Cityzens boss, marking his longest stint in charge of a club since his move into management in 2008 with Barcelona.

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• What comes next?

  City though lost ground in the Premier League title race on Saturday night as a Harvey Barnes brace condemned the eight-time champions to a 2-1 loss at Newcastle, a match in which Guardiola appeared to bizarrely confront a camera operator. The defeat, City's fourth in the Premier League this season, saw the Manchester giants drop to third in the table after Chelsea claimed a solid 2-0 win at newly-promoted Burnley in Saturday's lunchtime kick off.

  City remain four points off top spot in England's top tier, with Arsenal looking to extend their lead at the summit to six points over the second-placed Blues when they take on Tottenham on Sunday afternoon. The Gunners are currently top the table with 26 points from their opening 11 games as they look land their first Premier League title in over 20 years.

  However, while the Gunners have a fine home record against Spurs, Thomas Frank takes his men to the Emirates in fine form away from home. No team can better Spurs' return of 13 away points in the Premier League this season, and they travel to the Emirates as the only side yet to lose a match on the road this season.

Absence of England, South Africa and overseas players comes after lengthy gap from group stages

Matt Roller12-Sep-2025

Finals Day will be devalued by the absence of several key names•PA Photos/Getty Images

The T20 Blast’s “absolutely ludicrous” scheduling will see all four teams involved in Saturday’s Finals Day missing key players for the showpiece occasion of the county calendar.Now in its 23rd season, the Blast is the oldest professional T20 competition in the world, but also the longest. The 2025 edition started in late May and will finally come to an end more than 15 weeks later at Edgbaston on Saturday, with Lancashire playing Somerset in the first semi-final, Northamptonshire facing Hampshire in the second, and the final rounding out the day.Counties have chosen to stage the Blast’s knockout stages in September for the last two seasons, given that a long gap after the group stage – during which the Hundred takes place – allows them more time to sell tickets for the quarter-finals. But it also limits player availability for Finals Day, with overseas players leaving and England involved in white-ball series.The ECB confirmed on Friday that the Blast’s knockout stages will be shifted forwards next summer with Finals Day set for July 18, immediately before the Hundred starts. The Blast’s format will also change next year, with teams split into three groups of six rather than two groups of nine, and each team playing 12 group games instead of 14.Lancashire are particularly badly affected this year, with four players missing on England duty – Jos Buttler, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt and Luke Wood – and both of their overseas players unavailable. Chris Green is at the CPL with Barbados Royals, while Ashton Turner has been recalled by Western Australia ahead of the start of the state season next week.”It’s not ideal,” Keaton Jennings, their captain, told BBC Radio Lancashire. “I don’t want to point fingers [but] I do think the scheduling is absolutely ludicrous. You can’t have eight weeks between a last group-stage game and a final. There’s no other competition in the world that does that… It is frustrating. It feels like a massive kick in the teeth.”Steven Croft, Lancashire’s head coach, has hinted that they could even hand a player their T20 debut on Saturday, with mystery spinner Arav Shetty named in their squad after taking nine wickets in seven One-Day Cup appearances. Lancashire last won the Blast in 2015 when Croft was captain, with Liam Livingstone also involved.Related

Warwickshire retire Birmingham Bears moniker for revamped T20 Blast

Scott Currie relishing 'dirty work' as Hampshire target more Blast success

Bopara: 'When I feel a bit dead, that's when I'm at my best'

Hampshire target white-ball double as coach Birrell prepares to step down

Devastating Dickson powers Somerset to Finals Day

Somerset, their opponents, will be missing Riley Meredith (recalled by Tasmania), Matt Henry (recalled by New Zealand) and Tom Banton (England duty). They have named a single overseas player in their squad, the South African Migael Pretorius, who has made only two previous T20 appearances for them across the last two seasons.Hampshire have two available overseas players in Chris Lynn and Bjorn Fortuin, but are without Liam Dawson (England duty), Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (South Africa duty) and Hilton Cartwright (recalled by Western Australia). They are targeting a record fourth title and a domestic white-ball double in Adi Birrell’s final season as head coach.Northamptonshire are considered outsiders by the bookies after their shock win at The Oval last Wednesday but will have the same squad to choose from, with Tim Robinson and Lloyd Pope both available as overseas players. Pope’s availability owes to the fact that his state – South Australia – are not scheduled to start their domestic season until next Saturday.However, South Africa’s Matthew Breetzke will not be available as hoped. “We’ve had some bad news today about Breetzke,” Darren Lehmann, Northants’ head coach, said. “We were hoping to get him back, but he misses out due to personal and family reasons. We wish him and his family all the best. Everyone’s health and wellbeing is the most important thing.”Overseas players at T20 Blast Finals Day:
Somerset: Migael Pretorius (South Africa)
Lancashire: None
Hampshire: Chris Lynn (Australia)
Northamptonshire: Tim Robinson (New Zealand), Lloyd Pope (Australia).

India batter Smriti Mandhana has reclaimed the top spot in the ICC rankings for women’s ODI batters following her half-century in the first ODI against Australia on Sunday.Mandhana’s 63-ball 58 helped her overtake England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt at the top of the charts. Australia’s Beth Mooney also rose three places to fifth, while Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield are joint 25th after their half-centuries.Australia chased down their 282-run target in New Chandigarh with eight wickets and 35 balls to spare. The teams play the second of three ODIs on Wednesday.This is the fourth time Mandhana has achieved the No. 1 ranking for ODI batters. She did it first in January 2019 and most recently in July before Sciver-Brunt overtook her. Harmanpreet Kaur (12th) and Jemimah Rodrigues (15th) are the other India batters in the top 20.In the bowling rankings, Australia’s Kim Garth and Alana King achieved their career-best rankings of fourth and fifth. India offspinner Sneh Rana, who took 1 for 51 moved up five places to 16th.England spinner Sophie Ecclestone continues to lead the ODI bowling rankings with Deepti Sharma at No. 7 being the only Indian in the top ten.

Como coach Cesc Fabregas believes that Argentine midfielder Nico Paz should not be restricted, describing him as an incredible talent. The former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder compared Paz to a magician on the pitch, saying he can pull a trick out of his hat at any moment, which is why he should never be “caged”.

Paz's entry into Serie A and his explosion

Paz has quickly become one of Serie A’s brightest young stars since joining from Real Madrid in 2024 for a fee of €6 million (£5.2m/$6.9m). In his debut campaign, he delivered eight goals and six assists, earning the award for the league’s best young player. His impact has only grown stronger this season, where he has already contributed four goals and four assists, showing remarkable consistency and maturity for his age.

A major reason for his rise has been his seamless fit in Fabregas’ system. Fabregas has given him the freedom to dictate the tempo, find pockets of space, and drive the team forward, allowing Paz’s intelligence and technical quality to shine. The coach has even placed him in the “Lionel Messi category” in terms of how opponents react, noting that rival teams do everything they can to stop him from receiving the ball. Paz is now beginning to show that he can be a worthy successor to Messi in the national team as their primary creative force.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesFabregas' praise for Paz

In an interview with , Como coach Fabregas praised Paz, saying the young midfielder does incredible things on the pitch, saying: “Nico does incredible things. He is a footballer capable of pulling a trick out of his hat at any moment.”

Fabregas also highlighted Paz’s versatility and unpredictable nature, explaining that his ability to attempt and execute crazy ideas makes him difficult to contain. For this reason, Fabregas believes Paz should not be restricted this season, adding: “He does crazy things that are unpredictable, which is why he should not be caged.”

Inter's interest in Paz and Madrid's buy back clause

Inter are preparing to make a major statement in the upcoming transfer window by submitting a €58 million (£49m/$63m) bid for Paz. The club view the young midfielder as a long-term partner for Lautaro Martinez and believe his creativity and versatility would strengthen their attack for years to come. However, Inter face a significant obstacle in Madrid. The Spanish giants hold a buy back clause on Paz, reportedly valued at €8 million in 2025, €9 million in 2026 and €10 million in 2027. This contractual leverage gives Madrid the power to either block the move or bring the player back at a fraction of Inter’s proposed offer, complicating the Nerazzurri’s ambitious pursuit.

Como President Mirwan Suwarso addressed Paz's transfer situation, explaining that Real Madrid are fully entitled to re-sign him based on the terms agreed in the original deal. He made it clear that the club respects the arrangement and that the player's future remains his own choice. Suwarso said: “I couldn’t care less. It’s a situation we agreed on from the beginning. Real Madrid are allowed to buy him back whenever they want. It’s up to Nico to decide what he wants to do with his future. We are very happy to have him. We like to build a home for him in Como. He chose to stay this season, and we take it day by day. We see how it goes. Does he go back to Madrid next season? Madrid have every right to do that. Will he stay with us? It’s up to him whether he wants it or not.”

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Getty ImagesPaz’s Central Role in Como’s Success This Season

Paz has been central to Como’s impressive campaign, with the club currently sitting seventh and pushing for European qualification. His performances have directly contributed to key results, including a memorable win over Juventus and a hard-fought draw against defending champions Napoli. With Paz in strong form, Fabregas will aim to shape his system around maximising the midfielder’s impact, ensuring he remains the driving force behind Como’s pursuit of a historic finish.

تحدث مدرب ريال مدريد تشابي ألونسو في تصريحات أعقبت الفوز أمام أتلتيك بلباو في منافسات الدوري الإسباني، وأشاد بمهاجم الفريق كيليان مبابي.

وتغلب ريال مدريد على أتلتيك بلباو بثلاثية نظيفة، وسجل مبابي هدفين وصنع هدفًا، ونشرت صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية تصريحات تشابي عقب المباراة.

وقال تشابي: “كيليان مبابي في حالة رائعة، يتمتع بحركة ممتازة وتناغم قوي مع فينيسيوس، دخل الفريق المباراة عازمًا على الفوز منذ الدقيقة الأولى، كانت لحظة مهمة للعودة إلى سكة الانتصارات خارج أرضنا، وسنعود إلى أرضنا يوم الأحد”.

وتابع: “مبابي كان أداؤه جميلًا وسلسًا في هدفيه الأول والثاني، وتعاون بشكل رائع مع فينيسيوس، نحن بحاجة إليه”.

وعن تصديات كورتوا، أضاف: “ليس من المستغرب أن يقوم بتصديات حاسمة، لقد سمح لنا بالحفاظ على تقدمنا ​​ومواصلة اللعب”.

وعن تواجد أردا جولر بديلاً ومشاركته في الدقيقة 69، علّق: “بالطبع يمكنه اللعب مع بيلينجهام (في وسط الملعب) لقد لعب ثلاث مباريات متتالية، ونحن نلعب كل ثلاثة أيام، كان هذا قرارًا خاصًا بمباراة اليوم فقط، إنه مجرد قرار تكتيكي”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رجل مباراة ريال مدريد وأتلتيك بلباو في الدوري الإسباني

وأردف: “أداء الفريق، والجودة الجماعية، وكيف سيطرنا على المباراة، كان الأداء متسقًا للغاية، بعد التعادل أمام جيرونا، كانت لحظة مهمة، والآن علينا التفكير في سيلتا فيجو، جدول المباريات حافل بالمباريات ولا يسمح بأي تأجيل”.

وواصل: “قدمنا ​​مباراة متكاملة ومركزة للغاية، تقدمنا ​​بجدارة، نافسنا بشكل جيد، كنا بحاجة إلى ذلك، وحافظنا على هدوئنا، علينا مواصلة التقدم، كانت تلك اللحظة مهمة، ولعبنا واحدة من أكثر مبارياتنا اكتمالًا”.

وأشار: “لقد لعبنا ست مباريات خارج أرضنا، ونفتقد بالفعل ملعبنا وجماهيرنا، وعلينا أن نحافظ على هذا الزخم، كانت مباراة مهمة؛ أردنا كسر سلسلة الهزائم، دخلنا المباراة بهدوء واستعداد”.

وأكد: “كان أداءً متكاملاً للغاية، كنا في غاية التركيز طوال التسعين دقيقة، ولم نتلقَّ أي فرص تُذكر، بل خلقنا العديد منها بأنفسنا، كان أداؤنا الأكثر اكتمالاً في ملعبٍ مُتطلب، لكننا نأخذ الأمور ببساطة ونمضي قدمًا”.

وعن هدف كامافينجا، أتم: “كان لديّ شعور جيد حياله، وجدنا ترينت على الجناح الأيمن، كانت الأهداف الثلاثة رائعة، برأيي، كانت جميلة جدًا، وسلسة للغاية”.