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Liverpool suffered yet another defeat, their eighth in 11 games across all competitions, as the troubles continue to mount at Anfield. Arne Slot’s side were thrashed 3-0 at the hands of Nottingham Forest, who have now won away to the Reds in two consecutive seasons.

It was a dire performance once again from the Merseysiders, who looked short of any sort of creative ideas and weak at the back. The first goal came from a corner again, with Murillo peeling away into space and picking up a loose ball, which he fired past the returning Alisson to put Forest 1-0 up.

The East Midlands outfit thought they had a second, but Igor Jesus saw his goal disallowed for a contentious handball. Their second came seconds into the second half, with right-back Nicolo Savona ghosting into the penalty box and hammering home from ten yards or so.

Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White capped off a wonderful day out for his side in the 78th minute. After brilliant play from Omari Hutchinson, he saw his shot saved by Alisson. However, the Brazilian could only palm it into the path of Gibbs-White, who clinically finished to seal the win.

It was another poor showing from the Reds, with Alexander Isak struggling once again.

Alexander Isak’s stats vs. Forest

The start of Isak’s Liverpool career has been very stop-start. He’s missed six games in total, for various reasons, and hasn’t played in the Premier League since the 19th of October.

His return to top-flight action against Forest was disappointing.

The Sweden international, who is still searching for his first Premier League goal in Red, was hooked by Slot after just 68 minutes, with his side still searching for two goals to bring them back into the game.

Indeed, his numbers reflect just how poor a performance it was from Isak. He managed just 15 touches, losing possession seven times, and only had one shot, which accumulated an expected goals tally of 0.13xG.

Isak stats vs. Forest

Stat

Number

Touches

15

Number of times ball lost

7

Passes completed

6

Duels won

0/7

Shots

1

Expected goals

0.13xG

Stats from Sofascore

One person who was critical of the Liverpool number nine was Goal journalist Stephen Darwin. He gave the Swede a 2/10 for his performance at Anfield, pointing out that he ‘wasn’t even close to breaking his duck’ when it comes to Premier League goals.

However, the blame cannot solely lie with the striker, who didn’t necessarily get the service he needed.

Two players who struggled to get the ball to Isak

One of the key things that Darwin stressed in his review of Isak’s performance was the fact that he ‘hardly had a kick’ of the ball. Of course, 15 touches makes for poor reading, but you still have to provide the ball for your centre-forward.

Two of the players who struggled with exactly that were wingers Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah. Generally speaking, it was not the worst performance, with Salah creating three chances and Gakpo one, although they were sloppy in possession, losing the ball a combined 53 times.

However, it was their service to the Reds centre-forward which was inadequate at best. According to Stats Zone, the Liverpool number ten passes to Isak just three times, and Dutch international Gakpo twice.

That is certainly not the level of service he needs to help him start finding his best form in front of goal. Perhaps it is due to the clash of profiles. Both Salah and Gakpo are inside forwards who like to cut inside, entering similar areas to those Isak operates in.

Alternatively, the problem could simply be a lack of time spent on the pitch with their new teammate. Isak has missed such a large portion of the season that it simply might take some time for the trio to gel.

Regardless, it is a problem Slot must fix quickly. The Reds’ form is a huge concern, as they slip further down the Premier League table. The Dutchman must get his big-money striker and first-choice wingers firing, as they look to rectify this poor form.

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No team before New Zealand has won a Test by over 300 runs after losing the previous Test in the same series by over 300 runs

Sampath Bandarupalli17-Dec-2024423 – New Zealand’s victory margin of 423 runs in Hamilton is their joint-highest by runs in Test cricket. They won by the same margin runs against Sri Lanka in 2018 in Christchurch after setting a target of 660 runs.1 – New Zealand is the first team to win by a margin of over 300 runs after losing the previous Test in the series by over 300 runs – they lost the second Test of the series against England by 323 runs in Wellington.This has never happened before.England beat Australia by 322 runs in the first match of the 1936-37 Ashes before Australia returned the favour with a 365-run win in the third Test.Related

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Twice before has a team won consecutive Tests in a series by over 300 runs.South Africa beat Australia by 307 and 323 runs in consecutive matches in the 1970 home series and did the same in the home series in 2018 with victories by 322 and 492 runs.10 – New Zealand have played ten Tests at Seddon Park since their previous defeat there, in 2012 against South Africa. They have won eight out of these ten, while the other two ended in draws.1 – England is the first team to lose by a margin of 400-plus runs twice in a calendar year – they suffered a 434-run defeat against India in February in Rajkot.Six of the 15 instances of wins by 400-plus runs in Tests have come against England.13 – Men to have scored 40-plus runs and taken three or more wickets in both innings of a Test match, including Mitchell Santner in Hamilton. He is the first player to achieve this feat in men’s Test cricket since Daniel Vettori against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2008.ESPNcricinfo Ltd1925 – Runs by Joe Root in Tests against New Zealand, the most by any batter, surpassing Javed Miandad’s tally of 1919. Root also has the most runs by a batter in Tests against India, with 2846.Root is only the second player to be the leading run-scorer against two different teams. Kumar Sangakkara is the top-scorer in Tests against both Pakistan (2911) and Bangladesh (1816).1006 – Root’s runs in New Zealand in Tests, making him the first visiting player to score over 1000 Test runs in the country. Root also has the most 50-plus scores in New Zealand by a visiting player – he has done it eight times.27 – Test wickets for Santner in 2024, making it the joint-most wickets by a New Zealand spinner in a calendar year since Vettori took 54 in 2008. Vettori also took 27 wickets in Tests in 2009.7 – Hauls of four or more wickets by New Zealand spinners in Tests in 2024. Santner and Ajaz Patel each took three, while Glenn Phillips contributed one. This tally is the second highest for New Zealand’s spinners in a calendar year, behind the nine they recorded in 2008, of which eight were by Vettori.

It came down to 14 runs needed off the last six balls. Nathan Edward took a single on the first ball, bowled by Shamar Springer, putting Kieron Pollard on strike. Game over, you’d think, and two-in-two for Trinbago Knight Riders in CPL 2025. Except that Pollard swung and missed the first two, got enough bat on the fourth ball but chose not to run, and then connected well but not well enough to get the ball to the fence. Four dot balls. He dug a yorker-length ball out for a four off the last, but Springer was the hero for Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, while Pollard had fluffed his lines.Knight Riders came into the game having won their first match, and gave themselves enough chances to earn their first win over Falcons after two losses last season. In the end, though, they let the game slip through their fingers.First, all the bowlers bar Sunil Narine – 4-0-17-0 – got at least wicket, and Falcons looked out of it at 77 for 5, all their premier batters gone, by the 14th over.Fabian Allen scored quick runs towards the end to give Falcons a competitive score•CPL T20 via Getty Images

But Fabian Allen walked out, took off straightaway, and smashed 45 in 20 balls, to go with Imad Wasim’s unbeaten 27-ball 39, to take them to a competitive 167.The second ball Allen faced, off Usman Tariq, went for six over long-on. Then overs 15, 16 and 17 went for 22, 17 and 15, Allen doing most of the hitting, but Imad was slow only by comparison. Knight Riders needed to stop the bleeding, and Narine’s last over was the answer. It went for just four runs, and Narine could have had Imad’s wicket, except the ball was hit with great power back towards him, and though the bowler stuck his hand out, he couldn’t make it stick.Mohammad Amir picked up his 400th T20 wicket in the next over, that of Allen, but Imad and Springer finished strongly, taking Edward for 18 runs for the momentum to well and truly be on Falcons’ side at the break.Kieron Pollard’s innings featured some big hits and plenty of dot balls•CPL T20 via Getty Images

Enter Colin Munro, and the advantage swung Knight Riders’ way quickly. Not instantly, as Imad gave away just three in the first over, and Jayden Seales nine in the second. But in the third, by Imad again, Munro went 4, 4 and 6 off the first three balls, and finished with another four, to put Knight Riders on their way. Fifteen came off Seales’ next – all Munro, with Alex Hales, the other opener, facing just eight balls at that stage and scoring just 4.At 47 for no loss, Knight Riders were on top, but for the second time in the game, Falcons hit right back. This time, through Obed McCoy, who sent back Hales and Munro in the fifth over.That was a proper momentum-breaker, and from the end of the fifth to the end of the tenth, Knight Riders scored just 20 runs, and lost the wicket of Nicholas Pooran. The script didn’t change after the ten-over mark either, with 13 runs coming off the next three, plus the wicket of Darren Bravo. And at 83 for 4 after 13, and the asking rate at 12.14, the chase looked dead in the water.Keacy Carty got some sort of impetus going with a 16-run over, the 14th, but it was back to single-digits after that: 7, 3 and 8. Till it came down to 36 from 12. Pollard, at a-run-a-ball 17 at that stage, finally found his hitting range – he took three sixes and a four off the penultimate over, bowled by McCoy, to put the game in the balance. And then came that last over from Springer.

كشفت تقارير صحفية عن تطورات مستقبل محمد صلاح، جناح فريق ليفربول الإنجليزي، بعد التصريحات التي أدلى بها حول وضعه في النادي، وموقف أندية الدوري السعودي من التعاقد معه بانتقالات يناير.

وتواجد محمد صلاح بديلاً في مباراة ليفربول وليدز أمس السبت، وهي المرة الثالثة على التوالي التي يجلس على مقاعد البدلاء في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وعقب المباراة، أدلى محمد صلاح بتصريحات أعرب خلالها عن عدم رضاه بوضعه في ليفربول، وألمح لإمكانية الرحيل في انتقالات يناير، متحدثًا عن توتر علاقته بالمدرب آرني سلوت (طالع تصريحاته من هنا).

وبحسب ما ذكرت شبكة “Give me sport” الإنجليزية، الهلال السعودي هو الآن النادي الأوفر حظًا للتحرك، للتعاقد مع محمد صلاح، مع احتمالية ضمه في انتقالات يناير بعد تصريحاته النارية.

ويشير التقرير إلى أن ليفربول يبدو مرتاح للوضع، بينما تؤكد مصادر في الهلال استعدادهم للصبر، لمحاولة ضم صلاح ما لم تُتح فرصة في سوق الانتقالات المقبل.

ويرتبط محمد صلاح بعقد مع ليفربول، وقعه في الموسم الماضي، ويستمر لمدة عامين، وكان ذلك بعد الجدل الدائر حول مستقبله مع اهتمام سعودي أيضًا بضمه.

اقرأ أيضًا | سبورت عن تصريحات محمد صلاح: فقد أعصابه ولا يفهم دوره الجديد

ويوضح التقرير أن علاقة ليفربول والهلال ممتازة، وظهر ذلك في صفقة انتقال داروين نونيز للفريق السعودي بالصيف الماضي.

وبالنظر إلى قيمة محمد صلاح، من المتوقع أن يكون من اللاعبين الأعلى أجرًا في الدوري السعودي حال انضمامه، وقد يصل راتبه إلى حوالي 200 مليون يورو سنويًا.

يؤكد التقرير أن الدوري السعودي ليس الوجهة الوحيدة التي تنتظر محمد صلاح، وستكون العديد من الأندية الأوروبية على دراية بوضعه، على الرغم من أن الكثير منها لا يستطيع ضمه سوى على سبيل الإعارة وهو ما سيعارضه ليفربول.

كما ناقش نادي سان دييجو الأمريكي، إمكانية التعاقد مع محمد صلاح، لكنه لم يقدم عرضًا جادًا بعد.

Lehmann played a lone hand with 96 off 126 to lift South Australia to a total that appeared unlikely after their top-order succumbed to sharp bounce

Tristan Lavalette28-Oct-2025Cameron Green once again showed off superb athleticism in the gully but did not bowl in his return as Western Australia dominated the opening day of their Sheffield Shield match against South Australia at the WACA.After missing the India ODIs due to side soreness, all eyes were on Green with his bowling status unknown ahead of the Ashes. Even though he has been bowling in the nets, Green is set to play as a specialist batter in this match. He is likely to return to bowling in WA’s next Shield match against Queensland starting on November 11.Green did show off his impressive agility to remove Ben Manenti after quickly moving to his right and plucking the ball with his outstretched hands. He also added another catch when he hung onto a stinging blow from Jake Lehmann at extra cover to wrap up South Australia’s modest first innings of 215.Green was in visible discomfort, but did seem to shake off the pain quickly as he walked off the field.Lehmann played a lone hand with a brilliant 96 off 126 balls to lift South Australia to a total that appeared unlikely after their top-order succumbed to sharp bounce.In reply, opener Cameron Bancroft was in sparkling touch having scored just 21 runs from four previous innings this Shield season. He is unlikely to be in the Ashes frame but did issue a reminder of his talents with an unbeaten 52, while skipper Sam Whiteman finished 30 not out.South Australia quick Brendan Doggett appeared out of sorts in his return from a hamstring injury. He sprayed the new ball, with his initial three-over spell costing 16 runs although he was sharper in his subsequent four-over burst before stumps.Doggett’s only previous match this season was a One-Day Cup match against New South Wales on September 20. He is hoping to push to be a fast-bowling reserve for the Ashes having been part of the World Test Championship squad earlier this year and originally due to tour West Indies before injury struck.Jake Lehmann made 96•Getty ImagesThere was intrigue over the surface after difficult batting conditions in WA’s season-opening loss against New South Wales prompted some criticism. While this was not a minefield, there was sharp bounce and carry to very much feel like a traditional WACA wicket.Whiteman had no hesitation to bowl despite the sunny skies suggesting a batting-friendly opening day before expected damp weather sets in tomorrow.Whiteman was vindicated by his tall quicks who bent their backs in search of extra bounce as a slew of South Australia batters fell behind the wicket. The rattled visitors, however, did not help their cause with several tame dismissals starting with opener Conor McInerney nicking off Matt Kelly after hanging out his bat well outside off stump.After getting through the new ball, Henry Hunt and skipper Nathan McSweeney were left disappointed when they both tickled down the leg side to leave South Australia in trouble at 48 for 3.The sight of spin did not provide relief, with Corey Rocchiccioli – coming into the attack later than he likes in the 22nd over – producing rapid turn with his first delivery that had Jason Sangha playing back and nicking to slip.Having been unlucky in his opening spell, Cameron Gannon utilised his towering frame to devastating effect to remove Liam Scott and Harry Nielsen. South Australia’s hopes of mustering a competitive first innings total looked forlorn at 81 for 6 until Lehmann superbly counterattacked as batting appeared easier in the middle session.Lehmann received support from Manenti and Nathan McAndrew to frustrate WA’s push to wrap up the innings. Manenti has had a knack for making handy runs against WA but could not kick on after Green added to his highlight reel in the gully.Lehmann remained unflustered and continued to be aggressive until cutting Rocchiccioli straight to Green as he fell agonisingly short of a second Shield century this season.

Barcelona have finally received the kind of news they have been waiting months for. Pedri’s accelerated recovery puts him on course to face Chelsea in a crucial Champions League clash, Joan Garcia is set to return after the break, Raphinha has also entered the final phase of his rehabilitation, with their injury returns coming at an ideal time for manager Hansi Flick.

• Pedri’s fast-tracked return ahead of Chelsea clash

  Pedri’s injury during the El Clasico loss to Madrid was one of the defining blows of Barcelona’s turbulent season. The midfielder tore the distal biceps femoris muscle in his left thigh, a serious hamstring injury that was expected to leave him out for six weeks. The timeline meant missing vital Champions League fixtures and the entire November international window, depriving Barca of the player who dictates tempo, links phases, and provides balance in midfield.

  In his absence, Barcelona visibly suffered. Without Pedri’s positional intelligence and control, their build-up became erratic, transitions slower, and Flick’s game model lost its anchor. Matches against Club Brugge and league opponents highlighted how heavily the side still leans on his presence.

  However, in a major and somewhat unexpected twist, Pedri has responded extremely well to treatment, allowing Barcelona’s medical staff to accelerate his reintegration. Journalist Xavi Campos confirmed that he is now expected to be available for the Champions League clash against Chelsea on November 25 in a match that could decide top spot in the table. Barcelona will not risk him against Athletic Club, but the plan is clear: Pedri will be eased in at Stamford Bridge.

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• (C)Getty Images
  

  Joan Garcia’s return restores stability between the posts

  If Pedri’s injury hurt Barcelona’s structure, Garcia’s absence damaged their foundations. Before tearing his medial meniscus in late September, the 24-year-old was in outstanding form: seven matches, three clean sheets, only five goals conceded.

  His injury, which required arthroscopic surgery on September 27, came at the worst possible moment. Barcelona had begun to settle defensively, and Garcia’s chemistry with the back line was improving every week. His replacement, Wojciech Szczesny, offered experience but struggled to replicate Garcia’s calm presence. Over nine matches, Barca conceded far more chances, lacked assurance in build-up, and visibly missed their first-choice keeper.

  The international break, however, has worked in Barcelona’s favour. With no competitive fixtures, Garcia has been able to use the fortnight to complete the final stages of his rehabilitation without pressure. Reports now confirm he is fully recovered and expected to start against Athletic Bilbao when La Liga resumes.

• Raphinha enters the decisive phase of his recovery

  The international break also offered Barcelona something they have rarely enjoyed this season: a quiet training environment with no new injuries and even better, clear signs of progress. The most encouraging update concerns Raphinha, who has officially entered the final phase of his recovery.

  The winger has been working individually at Ciutat Esportiva, focusing on strength, explosiveness and controlled workload to avoid setbacks. With only a handful of first-team players in training, all eyes shifted to him and every report from inside the club described his evolution as “very positive.” If his progress continues, he is expected to rejoin full sessions right after the international break, giving Flick another guaranteed starter during a period in which rotation will be unavoidable.

  His comeback also arrives at a moment when other attacking options, such as Lamine Yamal, remain in longer recovery programmes.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Rare positive window for Flick amid a season of setbacks

  For coach Flick, the first months of the season have resembled a survival test rather than a smooth managerial transition. Multiple key players dropped out with long-term injuries, medical disagreements created tension with national teams, and constant squad disruption made it nearly impossible to establish a consistent style of play.

  At various points, Flick lost Pedri, Raphinha, Gavi, Garcia, Yamal, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and several defenders. Tactical adjustments became reactive rather than strategic, and results fluctuated as Barcelona tried to adapt.

  This is why the current wave of good news feels so significant. Pedri’s accelerated return, Garcia’s full recovery, and Raphinha’s advancing rehabilitation collectively give Barcelona something they have not had all season which is continuity. Flick will finally be able to work with a more complete squad, regain tactical balance, and build consistency ahead of a demanding fixture calendar.

أكد الدكتور حازم خميس رئيس المنظمة المصرية لمكافحة المنشطات، أن قرار المحكمة الرياضية العليا في سويسرا بإيقاف اللاعب رمضان صبحي ليس نهائيًا، إذ ما زالت أمامه فرصة قانونية أخيرة للطعن على الحكم.

وكان رمضان صبحي قد تم إيقافه عن مزاولة أي نشاط رياضي لمدة أربع سنوات، بعد ثبوت التلاعب في عينة المنشطات التي خضع لها، فيما تبقى خياراته القانونية الحالية مقتصرة على الطعن في الإجراءات دون المساس بالعقوبة ذاتها.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ماجد سامي يوجه رسالة إلى السيسي بسبب رمضان صبحي و”الـ6 آلاف محمد صلاح”

وقال خميس في تصريحات عبر بطولات: “قرار المحكمة الرياضية العليا في سويسرا بإيقاف رمضان صبحي 4 سنوات ليس نهائيًا، أمامه فرصة للاستئناف أمام المحكمة الفيدرالية في سويسرا خلال 30 يومًا من إصدار الحكم، ولكن لا يمكنه اللعب حتى صدور حكم الفيدرالية”.

وأوضح: “المحكمة الفيدرالية السويسرية لن تقوم بإلغاء القرار أو تخفيفه، فهي مختصة فقط بمراجعة اجراءات المحكمة الرياضية الدولية، وهذا إذا ما قرر اللاعب الطعن في تلك الاجراءات”.

وعند المقارنة بين حالة رمضان صبحي ونجم المنتخب الفرنسي بول بوجبا، شدد رئيس المنظمة المصرية لمكافحة المنشطات على اختلاف السياق القانوني بشكل كامل، قائلاً: “الأمر مختلف هنا، كانت منظمة مكافحة المنشطات الإيطالية هي من قررت إيقاف اللاعب 4 سنوات وعند الاستئناف أمام المحكمة الرياضية العليا في سويسرا قامت بتخفيفه لعام ونصف”.

وأضاف: “لكن بوجبا لم يذهب نحو الفيدرالية السويسرية لأنه كان يرغب في تخفيف الإيقاف وهو ما نجح فيه أمام المحكمة الرياضية نفسها، وبالتالي، رفض المغامرة لأن الطعن في الاجراءات قد يعيد الإيقاف بأربع سنوات مرة أخرى”.

الجدير بالذكر أن رمضان صبحي قد تم تجديد حبسه بالأمس حتى جلسة النطق بالحكم في قضية تزوير الامتحانات يوم 30 ديسمبر المقبل.

The Giants are reportedly close to hiring a new manager—and he will potentially be an unorthodox one.

San Francisco is nearing a deal to hire Tennessee coach Tony Vitello as its new manager, according to a Saturday afternoon report from Andrew Baggarly, Brittany Ghiroli and Ken Rosenthal of . Vitello would replace Bob Melvin, who the Giants fired after an 81–81 season.

The 47-year-old St. Louis native has never worked in Major League Baseball in any form or fashion. He has served as the Volunteers' coach since 2018; he previously worked as an assistant for Missouri, TCU and Arkansas.

With Tennessee, Vitello won a national championship in 2024 and advanced to three College World Series. The brassy, bombastic coach would depart the Volunteers with a career record of 341–131 in eight seasons.

San Francisco has not made the playoffs since its out-of-nowhere 107-win season in 2021, which ended with a loss to the Dodgers in the National League Division Series.

Not everyone has been a hit, but Chelsea have built up quite a reputation for signing incredible young talents in recent years.

The likes of Moises Caicedo, Jorrel Hato, Jamie Gittens and Roméo Lavia were all 21 or younger when they secured their moves to Stamford Bridge.

However, the best young signing the club have made has to be Cole Palmer, although with how he’s playing, Estevao could take that title from him.

With that said, Chelsea have just secured the services of a hugely exciting prospect who could end up being a bigger star than both of them.

Palmer and Estevao's debut campaigns

When it comes to recent debut campaigns at Chelsea, it would be hard to deny that Palmer’s was the best in quite some time.

The former Manchester City gem arrived at the club without too much fanfare, but within a few games showed the fans and the rest of the league that he was not an ordinary signing.

He provided his first assist in the Third Round of the League Cup and then scored his first goal a couple of weeks later against Burnley in the league.

By the end of the season, the versatile international had scored 25 goals and provided 15 assists in 45 appearances, totalling just 3613 minutes.

That works out to an extraordinary average of a goal involvement every 1.12 games, or one every 90.32 minutes, which would be incredible for a seasoned veteran, let alone a 21-year-old.

Appearances

45

16

Starts

40

7

Minutes

3613′

657′

Goals

25

4

Assists

15

1

Now, while it is unlikely that Estevao will beat that this year, he is certainly giving it a good go.

For example, in 16 mostly substitute appearances, totalling 657 minutes, the 18-year-old has scored four goals and provided one assist.

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.2 games, or more crucially, every 131.4 minutes.

In all, it’s clear that, so long as they remain fit, Palmer and Estevao will continue to impress for Chelsea, but the club might have just signed another brilliant youngster who could be held in the same regard as them in the future.

Chelsea's next superstar in the making

Chelsea’s ambition to sign incredible young talents in the hopes they become global superstars is showing no signs of slowing down.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

The latest prospect who could eventually be a game-changer for the Blues is Deinner Ordonez, who signed a pre-contract agreement with the club on Friday.

It had to be a pre-contract, as the Ecuadorian wonderkid is still just 16 years old and, due to rules on foreign-born youngsters, won’t be able to join Enzo Maresca’s squad until January 2028.

Moreover, he’s yet to even make a senior appearance for his club, Independiente del Valle.

However, that didn’t stop the West Londoners fighting off three other top European clubs for his signature, and based on what those in the know say about him, it’s easy to understand why.

For example, while he’s yet to play in the first team, the incredible prospect has been making waves in the youth system for some time now and was promoted to the u17s when he was just 14 years old.

Described as “an absolute alien of a talent” and someone who will “be one of the best CBs in the world” by Como scout Felix Johnstone, the Esmeraldas-born gem has also made a massive impression at the international level.

He is already playing for Ecuador’s u20 side and became the youngest player to represent the side at the South American U-20 Championship earlier this year.

It certainly feels like his senior debut is going to come sooner rather than later, especially as respected analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as a “huge potential CB with physicality and athleticism way beyond his age.”

He’s not just a youngster who has got ahead with impressive physicality, though, as Mattinson also points out his “outstanding range of passing” and the fact that he is “completely both-footed.”

Ultimately, it’s still so early in his career, but just like with Estevao, it’s already clear that Ordonez is a truly special prospect, and one that could be as effective for Chelsea as the Brazilian and Palmer.

The new Caicedo: Chelsea want to sign "one of the best CMs in the league"

Chelsea are reportedly interested in a deal to sign a Premier League star who is valued at up to £120m.

ByDan Emery Nov 17, 2025

Sheffield United have completed a free deal for Patrick Bamford following his departure from Leeds United earlier this season, with the striker signing a short-term contract until January 2026.

The Blades are desperately attempting to turn their season around following a miserable start which saw Chris Wilder return to replace Ruben Selles just three months after he left the club.

Now as low as 22nd and far from the promotion hopes that they had in mind, those at Bramall Lane suddenly find themselves in an early, unexpected relegation scrap which they’ll be looking to turn on its head after the international break.

Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Queens Park Rangers at least stopped the rot and handed the Blades their first clean sheet in four games, but they must find a way to turn a draw into all three points in a crucial clash against rivals Sheffield Wednesday on 23 November.

Speaking to reporters after the QPR stalemate, Wilder admitted his frustration afrer what he felt was a performance worthy of three points.

Goals were once again the problem for Sheffield United, but the arrival of Bamford could help put an end to their unexpected woes in the Championship.

Sheffield United sign Bamford

As reported by The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Sheffield United opened talks to sign Bamford just this week, and things have moved quickly as the Blades announced an agreement on Thursday morning.

The former Leeds forward has been a free agent since leaving Elland Road in August, but now seemingly has the chance to make a return to the Championship on a prove-it deal lasting just a few months.

If Wilder is looking for goals then getting the best out of Bamford will give him exactly that. The 32-year-old has stolen headlines in the Premier League at his best and has as many as 69 Championship goals to his name throughout his career.

Previously dubbed “fantastic” by Leeds boss Daniel Farke, Bamford has the perfect opportunity to get the latter stages of his career back on track by joining Sheffield United. And he could even get the perfect chance to impress on his debut in the derby if he proves his fitness in time to face Sheffield Wednesday.

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