David Moyes knows his stuff. This was a well-known fact across the blue streets of Merseyside and merely underscored upon the Scots’ return to Everton in January.

He lifted Everton away from the relegation zone, up and up to the security of a mid-table Premier League finish. Positivity was restored as Goodison Park said farewell to the Toffees’ men’s team, and the summer that has since passed has welcomed exciting signings capable of lifting the club higher still.

Would a challenge for some form of European football be too ambitious? Certainly not. The Blues are playing with confidence and quality, even if the focal strikers are leaving plenty to be desired.

What Everton could do with is an academy star to emerge and contribute effectively over the coming months. Moyes has welcomed his share of top talents, and the production line has remained strong in the many years between the 63-year-old’s two tenures.

Everton's best academy talents

The staple of Everton’s modern academy success would, of course, be that man Wayne Rooney, who dazzled when breaking through under Moyes’ wing in 2002, scoring a sumptuous strike against Arsenal and playing with true quality before earning a record-breaking £27m move to Manchester United, aged 18.

He might be the Finch Farm showpiece, but Everton continued to strike gold at academy level after Rooney and then, years later, Moyes left the club, both headed toward Old Trafford.

Ross Barkley was actually forced to downplay “natural” Rooney comparisons as he emerged over a decade later, a powerful and commanding attacking midfielder whose start to life at his boyhood club was a truly remarkable thing.

But Barkley tapered off when completing a £15m move to Chelsea, and now it’s Anthony Gordon who has proved the top youth talent to have surfaced from Everton in recent years.

Gordon completed 78 first-team appearances for Everton before forcing his way out and joining Newcastle for £45m in January 2023. Worth more now, Farhad Moshiri likely felt he had received bang for his buck, given the prospect had only scored seven times.

He’s gone from strength to strength at Newcastle and now stands as a fully-fledged England international and the first-choice option for Thomas Tuchel, it would appear, as we edge ever closer to the 2026 World Cup.

But he could have been so much more on Merseyside, and would have been brilliant under Moyes’ wing. Instead, every mishap suffered when facing his former club is celebrated by the supporters.

The new conditions Moyes and the Friedkin Group have created at the Hill Dickinson Stadium suggest up-and-coming hopefuls may think twice about jumping ship.

And it’s a good thing too, for Everton might actually have an even bigger talent than Gordon on their hands.

Everton may have a bigger talent than Gordon

Gordon is a testament to tenacity and a focus on ironing out the creases in a player’s game. Now he is one of the most prominent English forwards in the country.

Likewise, if Braiden Graham maintains his impressive start to life in Liverpool, he could soon be knocking on Michael O’Neill’s door as he looks to wedge his way into the Northern Ireland set-up.

Graham, 17, might just be the cream of Everton’s academy crop, having been hailed by U21 boss Paul Tait for being a “cool finisher” with all the attributes needed to succeed at the highest level in the Premier League.

Joining Everton from Linfield, based in south Belfast, in 2024, the teenage forward has been an absolute credit thus far, featuring 31 times for the respective Toffees development teams and posting 15 goals and five assists.

With the mark of a natural goalscorer, it’s surely only a matter of time before the teenager, yet to even turn 18, starts knocking on Moyes’ door. While many tests lie ahead regarding the young striker’s technical and physical growth, the progress made already has told of his potential. Indeed, Graham has already made his senior bow, featuring 14 times for Linfield’s men’s team and scoring twice.

Yet to discover his best position, the Northern Irishman has been shuffled across the park, but he’s scored twice from six appearances in the Premier League 2 this term despite featuring in four different positions. His pace and potency in the final third lend themselves to a future as a frontman or an inswinging left winger.

Braiden Graham: Everton Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals (assists)

Centre-forward

11

5 (2)

Attacking midfield

9

8 (1)

Left winger

4

3 (1)

Right winger

2

1 (0)

Centre-midfield

3

0 (0)

Stats via Transfermarkt

The right-footed talent might even prove to be a bigger talent than Gordon, who was 18 years and ten months old when Carlo Ancelotti handed him his senior debut in the Premier League against West Ham United in January 2020.

It would not appear out of the question that Graham might be handed his senior bow at some stage in the next 12 months, especially if Everton land a favourable opponent in the FA Cup third round.

Graham’s movement is what sets him apart from those of a similar age bracket, and his multi-positionality is something Gordon has embraced within his own game at Newcastle, often deployed as a stand-in central striker by Eddie Howe.

Graham’s link-up play and intelligence marry up with a natural ease on the ball and an eye for goal, and there’s every chance that, within a new era at Everton, he might earn a promotion and decide to stay and foster his skills under Moyes’ wing, becoming not just a debutant for Everton but a mainstay down the line for a team that continues to show signs of getting better and better.

Related Moyes' next Grealish: Everton want red-hot winger likened to young Leroy Sane

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Posts BySean Markus Clifford Oct 13, 2025

يخوض منتخب مصر تحت 17 عامًا، مباراته الأولى في منافسات بطولة كأس العالم للناشئين، ضد منتخب هايتي، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء.

ويشارك منتخب مصر في بطولة كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا المقامة في دولة قطر، خلال الفترة من 3 إلى 27 نوفمبر 2025.

ويتواجد منتخب مصر، في المجموعة الخامسة من بطولة كأس العالم للناشئين مع منتخبات إنجلترا وفنزويلا وهايتي.

ويواجه منتخب مصر نظيره هايتي، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الأولي من عمر مباريات بطولة كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا.

طالع | مواعيد مباريات منتخب مصر في كأس العالم للناشئين تحت 17 عامًا

وكشفت التدريبات الختامية للفراعنة، عن التشكيل الذي من المتوقع أن يخوض به الكابتن أحمد الكأس المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر مباراة هايتي.

ويقود هجوم منتخب مصر، ثنائي النادي الأهلي حمزة عبد الكريم وبلال عطية. تشكيل منتخب مصر المتوقع أمام هايتي اليوم في كأس العالم للناشئين

حراسة المرمى: عمرو عادي.

الدفاع: حمزة الدجوي وأدهم فريد ومهند الشامي ونور أشرف.

الوسط: عمر كمال وباسل مدحت ومحمد حمد.

الهجوم: بلال عطية وعبدالعزيز الزغبي وحمزة عبدالكريم.

West Indies bowled out for 141 in a session after Head, Webster and Carey combined to set up a match-winning lead with the bat

Andrew McGlashan27-Jun-20250:47

Hazlewood tears through West Indies’ top order

Josh Hazlewood led Australia’s surge to a 159-run victory in Barbados as West Indies lost all ten wickets in the final session of the third day, the final two falling in consecutive deliveries to Nathan Lyon in what would have been the last over of the day.Australia claimed the extra half-hour with West Indies seven down but with Shamar Joseph throwing the bat, having been dropped in the deep by Sam Konstas, and Justin Greaves playing solidly, it appeared Australia would be forced to return on the fourth day. However, Shamar edged to slip before Jayden Seales was caught at short leg to end the match. It completed a performance where familiar Australia strengths came to the fore amid continued questions about the top order, but they were confronted by challenging conditions.Travis Head, who was the beneficiary of West Indies’ seventh dropped catch of the match, Beau Webster and Alex Carey all played with the proactiveness needed on this surface. Head was named Player of the Match for his twin half-centuries on a tricky surface. Carey’s superb strokeplay gave Australia plenty of buffer zone when it came to defending the target, meaning a repeat of what happened in the World Test Championship final was always unlikely on a surface that remained devilish at times, especially with the harder ball.Related

Chase calls out 'so many questionable calls' in Barbados Test

However you get 'em – Head, Carey and Webster show the way

Mitchell Starc struck in the first over of the chase when former captain Kraigg Brathwaite clipped loosely to backward square0leg where Konstas held a low catch. However, that was followed by some adventurous strokeplay by John Campbell, including a sweep against Hazlewood, as he and Keacy Carty made encouraging process.But innovation brought Campbell’s downfall when he attempted to lap-sweep Hazlewood again, and this time could only glove the ball to Carey. Next ball, Brandon King got an inside edge into his pads which flew high towards gully where Cameron Green, who had earlier given Carty a life on 1, used all his height to cling on. Sadly for Hazlewood, he did not make Roston Chase play at the hat-trick delivery as a packed ring of catchers awaited.Not that he was delayed long when, two overs later, Chase got an inside edge that looped to short leg before spearing one through Carty. This was Hazlewood at his very best: hammering away at a back-of-a-length and giving the surface every chance to play some tricks.Pat Cummins was then the beneficiary of those tricks when Shai Hope was cleaned up by a wicked delivery that scuttled under his bat. The run-scoring of Australia’s middle order against an older ball felt a long time ago. The only question was whether the visitors could get the job done in the evening.Marnus Labuschagne, on as a sub, produced a direct hit to remove Alzarri Joseph and Hazlewood removed Jomel Warrican for his fifth wicket. Shamar Joseph launched two balls out of the stadium and some frustration was growing for Australia before Lyon sealed the job in fading light.Travis Head celebrates his second fifty in the match•Randy Brooks/Associated PressThe game was in the balance at the start of the day, Australia ahead by 82, with plenty of eyes on how the surface would play. There was an early grubber to Head, which fortunately for him wasn’t straight, and he responded by flaying the next delivery through the off side. As Head would later find out there was always something lurking, but with a touch of fortune, runs were there to be made when intent was shown.West Indies, though, were their own worst enemy again. On 21, Head was given a life when Greaves spilled a chance at second slip. It was the seventh they had put down for the game and had come after coach Daren Sammy had overseen the morning slips catching practice where nothing had been spilled. Head went to his second fifty of the match from 77 balls.Webster, meanwhile, built an excellent innings, the third of his brief Test career, which has come on a challenging surface following the debut half-century against India at the SCG. He used his reach to good effect to get to the ball but was especially eye-catching off the back foot through the off side.Travis Head and Beau Webster got the first century stand of the Test•Randy Brooks/Associated PressThe stand of 102 was broken when Head received a brute of a delivery from Shamar Joseph that barely bounced, the only success for West Indies in the morning session when they would have hoped to knock over most of the remaining Australia batting.After the break, Webster brought up his fifty from 100 balls with a thick edge along the ground through gully before glancing Shamar Joseph down the leg side to Hope. An on-field not-out decision was overturned by third umpire Adrian Holdstock without any of the drama of the previous day.By then Carey was into his stride after having started positively but went up a gear in the over following Webster’s departure when he took 14 off Seales including the shot of the match: a skip down the pitch and perfectly executed lofted straight drive into the sightscreen. He went on to repeat the stroke against the lesser pace of Greaves, sending him over the stands at long-off, to motor to a 40-ball half-century as the game sped away from West Indies.When joined by Lyon and Hazlewood, he started to farm the strike as West Indies set their entire field back to him before lofting Chase into the deep. Shamar Joseph, who bowled the most overs in a match of his brief Test career, removed Hazlewood to claim the five-wicket haul which eluded him in the first innings.

KSCA president Raghuram Bhat accepted their resignations in an emergency meeting

Shashank Kishore07-Jun-2025

Two senior officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam, have resigned from their positions citing “moral responsibility” for Wednesday’s stampede at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)’s IPL 2025 victory celebration. KSCA president Raghuram Bhat accepted their resignation in an emergency meeting of the managing committee.*Bhatt declined to respond if the KSCA was responsible for the stampede, saying he would address the media at an appropriate time once the court hearings and the findings of the one-person panel appointed by the Karnataka government were concluded.During the event, planned to celebrate RCB’s first IPL title win in 18 attempts, 11 people died, and several others were injured.Related

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In the communication to the KSCA on Friday night, Shankar and Jairam wrote: “Due to the unforeseen and unfortunate events that have unfolded in the last two days, and though our role was very limited, but owing moral responsibility, we wish to state that last night we have tendered our resignation to our respective posts as secretary and treasurer of the KSCA.”The Bengaluru Police filed a first information report (FIR) against the RCB franchise on Thursday. In the FIR, which has been seen by ESPNcricinfo, the police have said that they had denied RCB permission to conduct the event at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, around which the stampede occurred. RCB were listed as the first accused in the FIR, along with DNA Entertainment, the franchise’s event partners, and the KSCA, which is in charge of the stadium.On Friday, the police confirmed the arrest of Nikhil Sosale, the marketing and revenue head of RCB, acting on the directive of newly-appointed police commissioner SK Singh, who took over after his predecessor was removed from the post by Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah in the wake of the incident.1:15

Gambhir: We should never have roadshows

Later in the day, the KSCA filed a writ petition, in which they argued that the FIR against them was a “knee-jerk” reaction by the police, done under pressure from the state government.The KSCA further stated that the incident was an accident caused by an unexpected rush and crowd surge, and that no intent or motive could be attributed to the petitioners. It emphasised that gate and crowd management were not the KSCA’s responsibility, but that of RCB’s, the event organisers, and the police.The counsel defending KSCA had also raised concerns over the arrest of Sosale, claiming it indicated a targeted approach. Sosale has challenged his arrest, and approached the Karnataka High Court, according to Bar and Bench, an Indian legal news platform.RCB has yet to issue an official statement following the arrest. On Thursday, however, the franchise announced a compensation of INR 10 lakh for each of the deceased, and pledged to cover the medical expenses of those injured in the incident.* 1400 GMT, June 7, 2025 Updated after the meeting

Liverpool’s lavish spending this summer has given them one of the best starting elevens in Europe. New signings like Hugo Ekitiké and Alexander Isak have elevated their attack from players like Darwin Núñez and Luis Diaz, who struggled at times last season.

However, even with their big spend, there is still room for them to improve in January and next summer. On deadline day, they secured the signing of Isak but failed to get a deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi over the line.

Centre-back is one of the positions where the squad is thinnest, and when Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are out, they only have Joe Gomez and new youngster Giovanni Leoni as naturals in the position. Guehi will be available as a free agent next summer, but Real Madrid are now looking to snatch him up.

Another position that needs some reinforcement is the deeper part of the midfield. Alexis Mac Allister, Dominic Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch are the three most common faces in midfield, but when they’re rotated, options are only really Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo, with the latter often being utilised in a makeshift defensive role.

Due to this, the Premier League champions are looking at bringing in another midfielder so they can compete across the Champions League and the domestic competitions.

Stiller the new name in midfield hunt

A number of midfielders have been linked with the Liverpool midfield role next summer but a new name in contention is Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller. On Liverpool’s 2026 summer transfer business, transfer journalist Graham Bailey said: “In my opinion, Liverpool are going to want another CDM next year, a top-class one.

“Angelo Stiller would do that role, but I do personally wonder whether Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton would be higher up in the pecking order; obviously, they would come with significantly higher price tags. It wouldn’t surprise me if we see Liverpool getting involved in those conversations a bit more.”

Stiller is currently valued at around £40 million, but Wharton and Baleba could both be double that or even more. In the summer, Manchester United decided not to pursue the Brighton midfielder after it was made clear they wouldn’t drop their asking price below £100 million.

Stiller indicates shift in desired profile

The shift in focus from Wharton and Baleba to Stiller is not just a monetary change but a stylistic one. Wharton and Baleba’s strengths lie defensively, whereas Stiller is more of a ball-playing footballer, more in the vein of Pedri, who FBREF rank as a similar profile.

24/25 Season Stats Per 90

Passes

Tackles

Baleba

38.8

2.67

Wharton

37.5

2.33

Stiller

72.8

1.61

Pedri

75.1

1.91

Based on these metrics, it seems that Liverpool is after a different profile midfielder rather than a cheaper one. Slot is clearly looking for a player who can play the ball well and support with ball progression.

This season has demonstrated that even the midfielders who would be expected to be contributing defensively, like Gravenberch, are also expected to contribute in attack. While Slot’s side has conceded a significant amount of goals this season, they are winning games by outscoring teams, and this may be why there has been a shift in target to a midfielder like Stiller.

Noa Lang has expressed frustration over his lack of playing time at Napoli, revealing he has only spoken to Antonio Conte once since joining in the summer. After being benched in a humiliating 6-2 defeat to former club PSV, the Dutch winger admitted he “has to accept” his situation while Conte warned he must avoid being “selfish” and focus on the team.

• Lang’s frustration grows as minutes remain scarce under Conte

  What should’ve been a special return to PSV turned into a nightmare for Noa Lang. Napoli were thrashed 6-2 in Eindhoven, with the Dutch winger who came through PSV’s youth ranks once again left out of the starting XI. He was only brought on in the 58th minute to replace Billy Gilmour. Lang has featured in just six games this season, all as a substitute, totalling 110 minutes of action since his €28 million (£24m/$30m) move in July.

  Lang didn’t hide his frustration after the full-time whistle. Speaking with visible anger, he admitted he expected more opportunities by now and was shocked to remain on the sidelines during such a heavy defeat. He added that while he is training hard, selection is out of his control and all he can do is “accept the situation for now.”

  The 26-year-old signed a long-term contract until 2030, but just months into his Napoli career, the relationship between player and coach already appears strained. His comments suggest a breakdown in communication with Conte, raising early concerns about his role in the squad.

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• AFP
  

  ‘I’ve only spoken to him once’ – Lang’s strained relationship with Conte

  Lang openly voiced his frustration with the team’s performance and his role: "I better not say anything," he said with a mix of anger and disappointment. "The result says it all," sighed Lang on . "Losing 6-2 to PSV? That's just scandalous. We didn't even get a chance. We were simply outplayed." 

  He added: "I wasn't allowed to play? I don't know what else to do. I'm training hard. I have no other choice. I signed a contract here, so I have to accept it as it is right now.

  "I don't speak to him [Conte] very often. I spoke to him once. I'm a bit confused now after this result. It's better not to say anything."

• Conte fires back and warns against selfishness

  The Italian was questioned shortly after Lang’s comments but refused to focus on one individual. Before addressing his winger specifically, the coach made it clear that no player can put personal concerns ahead of the collective.

  "We need to talk about the team, not just one player," he said. "I don't want to talk about just one player, because it's dangerous if you become selfish. That's not good for our season. He needs to keep working hard. If I decide to play him, I will; otherwise, he'll stay on the bench."

  Gli Azzurri's form has made the situation even more tense. They have suffered back-to-back defeats against Torino and PSV and are struggling to find stability in Europe losing twice already in their Champions League group. While they sit third in Serie A and only one point behind leaders AC Milan, pressure is mounting on Conte to quickly restore order.

  Lang, who registered 11 goals and 10 assists for PSV last season, was expected to bring creativity and unpredictability to Napoli’s attack. Instead, he finds himself on the fringes of the squad at a time when expectations are high and results are slipping.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  What next for Napoli and Noa Lang after PSV humiliation?

  The Scudetto winners' schedule now intensifies. In Serie A, they face Inter next – a direct rival level on points in second place before returning to Champions League action against Eintracht Frankfurt, Qarabag and Benfica in a must-win run of fixtures to stay alive in Europe.

  For Lang, the path forward is simple but demanding: continue working, stay patient, and wait for Conte’s trust. The winger remains under contract until 2030, but unless his situation improves, frustration could quickly turn into something more serious.

  Conte, meanwhile, will be judged not just on results, but on how he handles big personalities in the dressing room. With pressure building, Napoli’s next few matches could shape both their season and Noa Lang’s future.

For the first time this season, Newcastle United have finally won two games in a row. Eddie Howe’s side have struggled to get a good run of form going, with some tough fixtures including visits from Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League, and Barcelona in the Champions League.

Yet, the Magpies will surely be relieved to be heading into the October international break with two consecutive wins. They thrashed Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise 4-0 away from home in Europe, before beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 at St James’ Park last weekend.

New signing Nick Woltemade scored in both games to continue his excellent start to life in the North East.

Woltemade’s Newcastle career so far

There was certainly a lot of pressure on Woltemade when he made the move to St James’ Park from Stuttgart this summer. The £69m fee Newcastle paid was a club record, and stepping into the shoes of Alexander Isak was never going to be easy.

Yet, the German international has certainly hit the ground running so far. The 23-year-old is only seven games into his Magpies career so far, but he’s already bagged four goals. That includes three strikes in just four games in the Premier League.

The latest of those goals came in Sunday afternoon’s 2-0 win against Ange Postecoglou’s Forest side. Woltemade scored from the penalty spot, emphatically firing home into the top right corner from 12 yards out.

There has certainly been high praise for the German attacker, with legendary Magpies striker Alan Shearer complimenting his form so far.

The all-time Premier League top goalscorer said he should be “really pleased” to have made such a “promising” start to life in the North East.

The 23-year-old has shone for the Magpies over the past week. With that being said, there was a striker once on Newcastle’s books who has outscored Woltemade this season already.

Looking back on it, perhaps the Magpies wish they’d have kept him at the club.

The ex-Newcastle star outscoring Woltemade

Newcastle have had some impressive number nines at the club in recent seasons. Of course, Isak made a name for himself at St James’ Park, although he left in the summer. His namesake, Premier League cult-hero Alexander Mitrovic, also played for the club.

Yet, one name that constantly goes under the radar when it comes to former Magpies strikers is England international Ivan Toney. The 29-year-old only made four appearances in that famous Black and White striped shirt, and never found the back of the net.

After several loans in the EFL, the Northampton-born striker made a name for himself at Brentford before securing a move to Saudi Arabia. He now plies his trade in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Ahli.

It has been a strong start to Toney’s second campaign for Al-Ahli. He’s only played ten games so far, but already has eight goals and one assist to his name, doubling Woltemade’s tally for the season. Three of those goals have come in the Saudi Pro League, in four games.

Those stats do not tell the full picture, though. The England star has put up some impressive numbers during his time in Saudi Arabia so far.

For example, he’s averaged 0.8 goals per game across each season in the top flight.

Goals

0.8

0.8

Shots on target

2

1.1

Big chances missed

1

0.8

Key passes

1.2

0.8

Aerial duels won

1.3

1.6

If only Newcastle had kept hold of Toney, they could have had a “clinical” striker at the club, as Statman Dave called him. The fact that he’s already doubled Woltemade’s tally this season shows how deadly he is in front of goal.

Certainly, selling him to Peterborough United all those years ago for just £350k seems like a huge error now. Toney is flying now in the Saudi Pro League, and Newcastle fans can only look back on this and wonder what could have been.

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ByAngus Sinclair Oct 8, 2025

Fermin Lopez has revealed that Real Madrid once showed interest in signing him before his Barcelona breakthrough but the midfielder insists he never had doubts about his future. Lopez, now a rising star under Hansi Flick, admitted he would have chosen Barca regardless, calling it his “big dream.” Ahead of El Clasico, the 22-year-old is full of belief and confidence in his team.

Fermin Lopez reveals Real Madrid’s past interest

Barca midfielder Lopez has confirmed that Real Madrid once showed interest in signing him before his professional breakthrough, but insists his heart was always set on Barca. Speaking in an interview with , the 22-year-old revealed that Los Blancos tried to recruit him during his early years, though the idea never seriously crossed his mind.

“It’s true that there was that interest,” Fermin explained. “But my father told me very little. If he had asked me my opinion, I would have chosen Barça anyway, because it was my big dream.” 

The El Campillo-born midfielder added that achieving that dream still feels surreal: “I’m very happy to have made it come true, and I hope I can stay here for many years.”

Fermin’s revelation highlights how highly he was rated as a teenager, even by Barcelona’s fiercest rivals. But his loyalty and determination to wear the Blaugrana colours never wavered, and his rapid rise through the ranks is now being celebrated by fans and coaches alike.

AdvertisementAFPLopez 'eager to win the Clasico'

Fermin also discussed Barcas preparations for the upcoming El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu, underlining his belief that the team is ready for one of the biggest games of the season. “Our confidence level from zero to ten? Ten,” he said “We’re Barca, and we have a great team. Everyone in the locker room is desperately eager to win the Clasico.”

The young midfielder acknowledged the magnitude of the game for both players and supporters. “There’s still a lot of La Liga to play for, but we know it’s a very important game for us and all the supporters,” he said. “We’ll give everything to win the game and bring joy to the Barca fans.”

His confidence comes after an outstanding run of form, including a Champions League hat-trick against Olympiacos that cemented his place in Flick’s plans. Fermin is now expected to play a key role at the Bernabeu, with the team two points behind Real Madrid and looking to close the gap in the title race.

Faith, family and the making of a Barca star

Asked about Barcelona’s current approach and tactical evolution under Hansi Flick, Fermin expressed total trust in his manager’s system. “That’s for Hansi to decide, he’s the one in charge,” he said. “We just execute the game plan, but our style of play has given us good results, as seen last year. Regarding the fact that we’re not pressing as well now, I can say that these are moments of the season, and we’ve corrected what we weren’t doing well in recent games.”

Fermin also praised his midfield partner Pedri, calling him “an incredible footballer who will mark an era in the club and in the world of football.” Their partnership has been a cornerstone of Barca’s midfield balance this season. “Playing with him is a pleasure,” Fermin said. “We have a good relationship because he’s also a great teammate. I would like to play with him for many years.”

These comments reflect a growing sense of unity within the squad as Flick fine-tunes his system for another title push, balancing experience with a new wave of academy talent led by Fermin and Lamine Yamal.

Beyond football, Fermin shared some personal insights into his life and pre-match habits, showing a grounded, family-oriented side. “Yes, there is something special I do: pray,” he revealed. “My grandmother always tells me I should do it, and that’s why I do it.” The midfielder also mentioned his love for rapper Morad, whose music he listens to before games to get motivated.

His focus and humility have impressed Barcelona’s staff, who see him as the embodiment of La Masia’s values, hard work, character, and belief. Fermin’s mental composure has stood out this season, especially after recovering from injury and immediately delivering standout performances in Europe and LaLiga.

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Getty ImagesReal Madrid ahead of Barca

All eyes will now be on Fermin as Barcelona prepare for El Clasico at the Bernabeu. After scoring a hat-trick against Olympiacos, the midfielder admitted that doing the same against Real Madrid would be “incredible” but insisted the team’s success matters more. “Scoring a hat-trick in the Clasico? I don’t know, it would be an incredible feeling. I hope it happens, but it’s a very difficult game. I’m happy if the team wins. I don’t care if I score or not.”

Barca’s form under Flick has been solid, though not without its challenges. Injuries to key players like Dani Olmo and Raphinha have tested the squad’s depth, but the return of Lopez and Yamal has added fresh dynamism. With two points separating them from leaders Madrid, a victory this weekend could be key in shifting the momentum in the Spanish league.

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Anderson Barros deve seguir no Palmeiras para 2024 apesar do protesto de muitos palmeirenses pelo trabalho do chefe do departamento de futebol do Verdão.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

A informação foi dada pelo jornalista Danilo Lavieri, do UOL e confirmada pelo Lance!

Barros é muito querido por Abel Ferreira e segue nos planos da diretoria para o planejamento que o clube traça para 2024.

Anderson Barros chegou no Palmeiras em 2020 e foi importante em um momento de mudança do clube no mercado, com poucos investimentos e uma aposta maior nas categorias de base.

Apesar dos nove títulos conquistados, grande parte da torcida vê pouca atitude do dirigente no mercado e uma falha de planejamento para esta temporada, uma vez que o elenco deu uma boa enxugada, e a diretoria não conseguiu repor principalmente a saída do volante Danilo.

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+ Após atuação mágica no primeiro turno, Mayke reencontra o Grêmio pelo Palmeiras

A promessa é de que Barros contrate pelo menos quatro jogadores para a próxima temporada, e o Verdão luta para manter alguns dos seus principais jogadores para 2024.

Tudo sobre

Palmeiras

Everton were at a critical point when they dismissed Sean Dyche at the beginning of a new era, a change of ownership seeing the Friedkin Group complete a protracted takeover bid at the end of 2024.

But Everton have now passed that juncture. The David Moyes era is well underway. The Toffees are on the up. Tuesday evening’s dour defeat at Molineux against Wolves in the Carabao Cup did serve as a reminder that this club have a long way to go before they reach the ground they wish to reach.

Having left Goodison Park behind and settled into a new home on Bramley Moore-dock, Everton are piecing together a new future, having shipped out much of the deadwood at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Now boasting a squad fit to compete for a top-half Premier League finish, Moyes has struck gold with additions such as Jack Grealish and the raw but talented duo Tyler Dibling and Thierno Barry.

However, Iliman Ndiaye would still stake his claim as the club’s standout forward, having been immense since arriving a little over a year ago.

Iliman Ndiaye's Everton career

Ndiaye missed a fair chunk of the Moyes era as it got going last term, sidelined for a stretch after being substituted against Liverpool in February.

He had been quite the bright spark through the dreary first half of the campaign, though, with analyst Ben Mattinson even marvelling at the “relentless” 25-year-old’s performances and claiming he “could be at least a regular squad player in every Premier League team”.

He’s certainly proved this is the case since joining the Toffees from Marseille for £15m in July 2024, scoring 13 goals in total. Be on the left or the right, he is deadly, and has started strongly this term, netting the first goal at a new home to kickstart Moyes’ first full term back in charge.

This kind of dynamism has borne Everton through a dark patch and into the light. He is the real deal, and quite comfortably one of the most important players on the books.

Pocketing £45k per week, Ndiaye is not one of the club’s top earners, and he will surely expect that to change soon. Indeed, technical director Angus Kinnear will need to offer the versatile winger improved terms if he hopes to stave off the suitors that will come for him – and sooner rather than later at that.

Especially when considering there are other, less reliable members of the Toffees fold who earn a prettier penny than him.

Everton must cash in on high-earning star

Moyes and Everton and TFG did well to free themselves of some high-earning stragglers this summer. Abdoulaye Doucoure, for example, had been a stalwart across his years at Goodison Park, but could no longer justify his £130k-per-week salary and left, relocating to the Middle East.

This isn’t quite the same for Vitalii Mykolenko, who remains a part of the Everton first team, but his sale might be one that Moyes wants to green-light in the coming months.

The Ukrainian has only played two times in the Premier League so far this season, and he was directly at fault for one of Wolves’ goals during that 3-2 win at Molineux in August, with the Liverpool Echo frustrated with the left-back’s efforts and branding him with a 4/10 match rating.

With his attacking play leaving plenty to be desired and a problem with maintaining availability, Mykolenko might be worth selling in 2026, especially since Adam Aznou, 19, has been welcomed to fold with a weight of expectation.

He’s been hailed in the past for his “incredible” mentality by former boss Frank Lampard, but Mykolenko leaves too much to be desired.

James Garner has also deputised commendably at left-back across the opening weeks of the season, with Mykolenko indeed sidelined by injury.

As Everton continue to develop under Moyes’ wing, shaping into a team fit for purpose on a higher rung of the Premier League ladder, so do some fans clamour for a more attack-minded full-back.

Well, they have one in Aznou, who had even been hailed as a “generational” talent by football scout Jacek Kulig in the build-up to his switch from Bayern Munich to Merseyside.

As the Morocco international goes from strength to strength at Everton, so too do Mykolenko’s chances of falling down the pecking order increase.

Given that a €30m bid from Napoli was turned down during the summer, senior Blues officials may come to regret not taking the money and running, for if Mykolenko’s injury problems persist, there’s every chance he will be offloaded for a smaller fee down the line.

Former Everton scout Bryan King has also chipped in on the situation, saying after the Liverpool loss, “He was injured during pre-season, and that’s never a good sign for a player.”

He did acknowledge that the 26-year-old wasn’t the only poor performer during that defeat, but Sofascore record that he lost five of six contested duels and gave the ball away 13 times. Hardly convincing.

And neither was it an illustration of the full-back’s rather lofty £58k-per-week salary, placing him above Ndoaye on the wage bill.

Mykolenko might be a solid defender, but his track record on the fitness front and persistent struggles to provide attacking support that will be needed as Everton continue to evolve mean that change might be afoot.

He is out of contract at the end of the season, and the club might just come to regret not cashing in for a hefty sum while they could, especially if he plays a peripheral role throughout.

Whether the club can fetch a sum for him in January remains to be seen, but with contract talks slated for deeper into the season, there may yet be time to cash in for a figure not too dissimilar than that which was offered by Napoli a few months ago.

Everton messed up selling their original Tyler Dibling for just £1.5m

As Everton place their faith in youth gamble, one former player offers a cautionary tale.

By
Will Miller

Sep 26, 2025