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Thomas Tuchel says he had no doubt regarding his decision to name midfielder Jordan Henderson in the England squad ahead of the upcoming games.

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Henderson named in England squadTuchel explains reliance on veteranSays youngsters can't replace himFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 34-year-old has been included in the squad for England's upcoming friendlies against Andorra and Senegal in June, sparking mixed reactions from fans and media following a disappointing end to Henderson's season at Ajax while young Crystal Palace player Adam Wharton misses out on a place.

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Tuchel says the ex-Liverpool star's place in the team was never in question as he explained that the veteran is crucial when it comes to setting the standards regardless of the situation, insisting younger players cannot fill that role.

WHAT TUCHEL SAID

He told reporters: "If we have a training exercise with different groups and you have a group with Jordan you can turn your back you don't need to watch. He will take care of all the standards in the group. It may be a possession game, a passing exercise, maybe the warm up but you don't need to take care of this group because Jordan takes care of it. He sets the standards. He is a natural leader and the others follow. That is why he is with us. He is doing this in an impressive way and still playing at a decent level. That is why there was not a thought to drop him."

Asked if he is annoyed by the regular questions about Henderson's place in the team, he added: "I can understand it but once you meet Jordan and once you see Jordan and once you speak to Jordan, it's such an obvious choice… It's not Adam Wharton vs Jordan Henderson. What Jordan Henderson brings in the moment to the group, an under 21 player cannot bring, it's just impossible from the personality and from the experience."

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The Three Lions face Andorra on June 7 in a World Cup qualifier before facing Senegal in a friendly at the City Ground three days later.

“I spent the last couple of years frustrating myself, trying to win games for my team; tonight it came out well in the end,” says Pooran

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Apr-2023After a see-sawing contest, Lucknow Super Giants beat Royal Challengers Bangalore amid high drama, and KL Rahul credited their lower-middle order of Nicholas Pooran, Marcus Stoinis and Ayush Badoni for the two points they earned in their first win away from home in IPL 2023.The Royal Challengers bowlers had reduced Super Giants to 23 for 3 in four overs, but Stoinis’ 30-ball 65 gave them a platform, from which Pooran’s 19-ball 62 and Badoni’s 24-ball 30 took them to the doorstep of victory.”In T20s, I think that’s the most important batting position – Nos. 5, 6 and 7,” Rahul told the broadcaster after the one-wicket win. “That’s where the crunch games are won. Yes, your top order will do the bulk of the scoring in a big tournament like this but it is those boys who win you big games.Related

Kohli and du Plessis' slowdown against spin proves costly for RCB

Ball-by-ball: It was all happening at the Chinnaswamy

Lucknow Super Giants pull off thrilling win after Pooran, Stoinis blitz and dramatic finish

“That is why we have invested in the power of Pooran, Stoinis and Ayush. Ayush is a youngster who is learning the art of finishing games and being there at the end. He has done it a couple of times last season and this season too. He is growing into that role and I’m excited in him becoming better in that position. That will give our team extra power with that skill as well.”But the game was not decided till the final delivery of the match.Badoni fell in the 19th over, followed by Mark Wood and Jaydev Unadkat being dismissed in the final over, which started with Super Giants needing five to win with three wickets in hand.Then with scores tied, and one ball to go and Super Giants nine down, there was drama of unparalleled proportions. Harshal Patel ran in and tried to run out non-striker Ravi Bishnoi, who had taken off in a bid to steal the all-important single, but he missed dislodging the stumps, and even though he did throw down at the poles later with Bishnoi still out of his crease. The umpire Anil Chaudhary, though, called it not out since the ball had gone dead when Harshal had ran a few yards down the pitch before turning and aiming for the stumps.When Harshal finally bowled the last ball, No. 11 Avesh Khan missed and the batters scampered. But wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik fumbled twice and then missed in his shy at the stumps (on both ends).”Unbelievable! This is Chinnaswamy – I have grown up here, I know that this is the only venue in the country to produce so many last-ball finishes,” Rahul said. “To win from the position we were in is phenomenal.”Wayne Parnell reacts as he sees the game going away from Royal Challengers•Associated PressFaf du Plessis: ‘We tried everything’Royal Challengers captain Faf du Plessis, who top-scored with 79 alongside fifties from Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell to post 212 in the first innings, said that he “fancied” his side’s chances of taking the game into a super over.”Obviously they played really well but we fought back beautifully. And then that last over, one off one ball, I fancied our chances of getting a run-out there,” he said. “Looking at the wicket, certainly we felt, when we were batting, it was quite slow between overs 7 to 14. Little bit dry. Then as the innings went in the last five overs I think maybe there was bit more moisture and the ball started skidding better, and that was the case right through the second innings. Really nice to bat on, really nice for good cricket shots. Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran didn’t miss the middle.”We tried everything. We threw all our weapons at them, but they took on one of our strong bowlers, Harshal Patel, in his first two overs. Took him for quite a bit of runs in the first two overs. Then he came back beautifully. We were there and thereabouts to bring the game down to the last over from where they were. Thought it was a good fight from us. It is a difficult place to bowl at the death, you have to be really on top of your game with the ball.”2:38

Jaffer: Very hard to stop Pooran when he gets going

Nicholas Pooran: ‘It was about cashing inThe game had changed some time before that, courtesy Pooran. He struck seven sixes and four fours in his 19-ball 62 and also got the joint-third-fastest IPL fifty. Along with Badoni, he added 84 in 35 balls for the sixth wicket. After collecting his Player-of-the-Match award, Pooran credited the earlier partnership between Stoinis and Rahul that started the initial liftoff before he took over.”Stoinis played really well. It kept us in the game,” he said. “We felt like we can chase 15 runs an over. We knew that in the back end of the innings it gets much easier, the pressure is on. The wicket was really nice to bat [on]. It was about cashing in, getting in the right positions and executing.”I was reacting tonight, and I have been working really hard on my game, and this is how I want to be. I spent the last couple of years frustrating myself, trying to win games for my team; tonight obviously it came out well in the end. I want to win games for my team, and I have been working really hard on it. Just happy that tonight we could get that victory.”1:42

Jaffer: Du Plessis played the situations really well

Marcus Stoinis: ‘We bowled really well in the powerplay’Stoinis credited spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya for restricting Royal Challengers to 212 despite losing only two wickets.”I actually think we bowled really well in the powerplay,” Stoinis said after the game. “There was beautiful batting from Virat and Faf, some of those shots you don’t see every day. I thought we bowled okay in the powerplay and our spinners bowled beautifully. History suggests that 200 is pretty much par a lot of the time.”Maxwell, too, said after the first innings that the spinners’ efforts through the middle overs sucked the momentum out of their batting for a brief period. In a game of close margins, that proved important in the end.”There was a little bit of variable bounce. Ball was staying a bit low from back of a length,” Maxwell said at the halfway point. “Bit dry from the other night, there was little bit variable bounce. Spinners were able to bowl back of a length. Thought Bishnoi and Krunal bowled extremely well after the first few overs and probably kept us back after an electric powerplay.”

Ex-Manchester City and Inter striker Mario Balotelli has signed up for a Baller League UK 'Legends vs Creators' game alongside Jay-Jay Okocha.

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More stars join Baller League projectBalotelli & Okocha to play for Legends teamAll action to unfold at the O2 ArenaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Balotelli is set to headline a team of footballing icons in an upcoming Baller League UK 'Legends vs Creators' match. The 34-year-old Italian forward, currently winding down his time at Genoa with his contract set to expire this summer, will grace the pitch at the iconic O2 Arena as part of the highly anticipated season finale.

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Balotelli will line up alongside Nigerian great Okocha, who is revered for his magical footwork and show-stopping style, bringing a dose of flair to the Legends squad. Waiting on the other side of the pitch is a dynamic group of digital heavyweights, led by none other than KSI, the YouTube sensation, boxer, and president of Baller League UK. Joining him in this high-octane fixture is popular entertainer and football content creator Chunkz, forming a formidable duo representing the Creator community.

DID YOU KNOW?

The evening will also feature two semi-final battles — pitting the 1st and 4th place teams in the Baller League Uk against the 2nd and 3rd, respectively — leading into a climactic winner-takes-all finale that will crown the 2024 champions.

Among the teams that have already punched their ticket to the final four are ‘Deportrio’ and ‘Yanited’. Deportrio, managed by legendary English trio Micah Richards, Gary Lineker, and Alan Shearer, currently sit at the top of the standings. Yanited, under the leadership of fan-favourite Angry Ginge, have also locked in their place in the semi-finals.

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Balotelli’s career has taken him from Inter and AC Milan to Man City, Liverpool, Marseille, and beyond. Though his time at Genoa has been brief, he continues to show flashes of brilliance that once made him one of Europe’s most exciting young talents. The Baller League appearance provides him a platform to showcase those talents once more.

An “outstanding” Sheffield United player now looks set to sign a new deal at the club, according to an update from reliable journalist Danny Hall.

Sheffield United preparing for final Championship promotion push

The Blades secured a massive 1-0 victory away to rivals Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, which wasn’t only big for local bragging rights, but also in terms of their Championship promotion hopes.

While some of Chris Wilder’s squad are currently out on international duty, the squad will be preparing for one more major push when the full squad reconvenes next week.

United have eight matches remaining in the Championship this season, sitting second in the table and level on points with current leaders Leeds United, and more importantly, two ahead of third-placed Burnley.

A huge amount of current focus is understandably on the Blades’ promotion charge, but it is also important that key players are retained at the end of the season. Now, an important update has emerged regarding one such figure.

"Outstanding" Sheffield United ace looks set to sign new deal

Speaking in a Q&A for The Star, Hall claimed that Jack Robinson looks set to sign a new deal with Sheffield United, triggering an extra year in his current £25,000-a-week contract and describing it as “good news”.

“I believe so. Chris Wilder said recently that Robinson’s extra year would kick in once he played 25 games but there was some uncertainty over whether that meant 25 appearances, made 25 starts, in the Championship or in all competitions…and there was also a suggestion he’d have to play in 50 per cent of United’s games to trigger the extension.

“Either way, he’s made 25 Championship starts now so it would certainly seem we’re set for another year, at least, of the skipper at Bramall Lane. Good news, for me, especially considering Anel Ahmedhodzic (more on him later) would otherwise be the only senior, contracted player at United beyond the summer, and his deal expires in 2026.”

This is great news for the Blades, with Robinson such an experienced player these days, making 148 appearances for the club overall and thriving at centre-back.

The 31-year-old has been an influential figure for United throughout the 2024/25 campaign, starting 25 Championship matches and winning three aerial duels per game, while Wilder has lauded him, saying:

“Jack was in the team for the first two games, he was our outstanding player last season, head and shoulders our player of the year he scooped up almost everything at the awards ceremony and rightly so and the skipper finds himself out of the team. What does he do? He gets on with it, gets himself ready, puts himself in a good position physically to make sure when the door opens he makes it hard now for the others to get back in.”

Brewster upgrade: Sheffield United must rue selling a "poor man's Haaland"

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Whether Robinson stays at Bramall Lane beyond 2026 or not remains to be seen, but for now, having him at the club for another 12 months is a no-brainer.

Setting their sights on the summer transfer window, Newcastle United have now received a green light from manager Eddie Howe to make their move for a defensive reinforcement worth over £30m.

Newcastle readying £30m+ move

The Magpies have been forced to sit out of transfer drama in recent years, but look set to come flying out of their profit and sustainability shackles to welcome a number of key reinforcements. As a result, the rumours have been coming thick and fast over just who Howe and his side could welcome with open arms when the summer arrives.

Names such as Jonathan David, for example, have been mentioned in what would instantly ease any Newcastle fears over replacing Alexander Isak. The LOSC Lille star has matched the Swede for goals this season and could yet replace the Arsenal-linked forward if he decides to leave in the coming months.

What Isak’s exit would certainly do is hand PIF their greatest spending power since arriving at St James’ Park, perhaps accelerating the Magpies’ progress under their Saudi owners.

With or without the sale of Isak, however, those on Tyneside have already reportedly set their sights on one summer target. According to The Times, Howe has now given Newcastle the green light to sign Jarell Quansah with PIF now reportedly readying a move worth £30m, plus add-ons in the coming months.

The Magpies initially wanted the central defender last summer when Liverpool came in for Anthony Gordon and it seems as though their interest in the Anfield academy graduate has remained.

Newcastle now open talks to sign 20-goal striker who once owned Lascelles

He could form quite the partnership with Isak…

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One year on, a deal could be far easier to advance, given how Quansah has struggled to make his mark under Arne Slot. In the face of those struggles, Newcastle reportedly hope to lure the defender to St James’ Park using the prospect of consistent game time.

"Complete" Quansah needs Newcastle move

After flying under Jurgen Klopp, Quansah has seen his wings clipped by Slot since the Dutchman’s Anfield arrival. Having started against Ipswich Town on the opening day of the season, the defender’s struggles started from the very first game of the campaign with Slot deciding to haul him off for Ibrahima Konate at half time.

Since then, things haven’t improved. The England defender has started just one Premier League game since that frustrating afternoon at Portman Road, ironically coming in a 3-3 draw against Newcastle. Having been dubbed “complete” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig last season, Quansah desperately needs a move if he is to rediscover that level.

Newcastle could certainly do with a young defender too. As things stand, Howe has just one central defender below 30 years old in the form of Sven Botman, who has endured plenty of injury struggles in the last two seasons.

Borussia Dortmund have agreed a deal with Sunderland to take Jobe Bellingham to Germany as the midfielder follows in his brother Jude's footsteps.

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Sunderland and Dortmund reach agreementJobe to follow in his older brother's footstepsLeaves after helping Sunderland reach Premier LeagueFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

As per Fabrizio Romano, Dortmund will pay Sunderland a fixed fee of €33 million (£27.8m) with a potential additional €5m (£4.2m) in add-ons for Bellingham's signature. The clubs have also agreed to a 15 percent sell-on clause in the deal. The young midfielder was expected to depart the Stadium of Light this summer after helping the club return to the Premier League and had been in talks with Frankfurt, but now looks set on joining the club that helped his brother reach stardom.

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Once Dortmund registered their interest in the 19-year-old, Bellingham made Frankfurt aware of his desire to move to the Westfalenstadion. He has shone at Sunderland and, alongside a number of bright youngsters at the club, helped see off Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final. Bellingham's performances had attracted a number of Europe's biggest clubs and whilst the Black Cats will have been reluctant to let any of their stars depart, they will be pleased to have earned a club record return on the midfielder.

DID YOU KNOW?

Dortmund will have a Bellingham in the heart of their midfield again. Jude Bellingham made 92 Bundesliga appearances for the German giants before making a huge €103 million (£88m) transfer to join Real Madrid in 2023 where he has developed into one of the best players in the world. He went on to win the Champions League and was named third in the Ballon d'Or rankings in his first season in the Spanish capital. The younger Bellingham will be dreaming of his career taking on a similar trajectory.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR BELLINGHAM?

Bellingham will complete his medical and sign the final bits of paperwork before being announced as a Dortmund player. He is currently on international duty with the England under-21's ahead of this summer's European Championships, where they are in a group with Germany, Slovenia and the Czech Republic. Bellingham will want to show his new club what he can offer to their midfield come the new season.

West Indies A were on top for most of the third game too but found Joy hard to dismiss

Mohammad Isam02-Jun-2023Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s unbeaten century and Yasir Ali’s half-century helped Bangladesh A hang on to a draw on the final day of the third unofficial Test in Sylhet. As a result, West Indies A clinched the three-match series 1-0, having won the second game by three wickets after the first match, too, was drawn.West Indies A were on top for most of the third game as well but found Mahmudul Hasan Joy hard to dismiss, as he scored 114 – the only century of the series – to save the game for the home side.Joy’s 114 included 14 boundaries, as he stuck around for seven hours and two minutes of Bangladesh A second innings. He added 93 for the opening stand with Zakir Hasan, another 53 with captain Saif Hassan for the third wicket before the match-saving 117-run fourth-wicket stand with Yasir, who made 67 with six fours and four sixes, lasting 85 balls.Offspinner Kevin Sinclair took three wickets in the fourth innings, but the rest of the West Indies attack couldn’t replicate their earlier exploits. They had bowled out the home side for 205 in the first innings with left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul taking three wickets while Anderson Philip and Sinclair took two each. Akeem Jordan and Raymon Reifer also took a wicket each.West Indies A put up a formidable 445 in the first innings, with five batters getting fifties. Tagenarine Chanderpaul made 83, while Alick Athanze (59), captain Joshua Da Silva (82), Reifer (56) and Sinclair (60) kept the visitors going. Chanderpaul also made an unbeaten 83 in their second innings.Nasum Ahmed took five wickets, while Musfik Hasan and Shoriful Islam shared two wickets each in the first innings.

Liverpool fans want Florian Wirtz to join the club as soon as possible after a crunching tackle on Bruno Fernandes in Germany's clash with Portugal.

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Wirtz and Fernandes clashedLeverkusen star wanted by LiverpoolCould make huge move to Anfield this summerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Wirtz started for Germany on Wednesday as they took on Portugal in the semi-finals of the Nations League. In the first half, he appeared to accidentally stamp on Bruno Fernandes' ankle, before scoring a cheeky header in the second period. He has been the subject of a huge bid from Liverpool, and Reds fans want him signed as soon as possible after seeing his performance.

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@LewisSteele_ said: "Florian Wirtz has just done a studs-up tackle on Bruno Fernandes. Yep."

@Crewslover said: "Wirtz injured Bruno he's a red thru and thru build him a statue (sic)."

@Nabyllionaire added: "Wirtz stood on Bruno's ankleeee" with a gif of people dancing.

@SamueILFC said: "Rivals fans were hate watching Wirtz just for him to score. I love this game."

@Braden_LFC claimed: "15 minutes in and I'm already convinced Wirtz is worth £120m."

@Lfchaytch said: "This Wirtz performance" and posted a gif of Zinedine Zidane looking amazed.

@LFC_ERYAN concluded: "Wirtz clamping Bruno ya proper scouser him already (sic)."

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Wirtz has been voted the Bundesliga's best player, ahead even of Harry Kane, but the attacking midfielder could soon be heading to Anfield. He has also angrily denied reports that he is planning to take Alexis Mac Allister's No.10 shirt.

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Wirtz could next play for Germany in September, when they travel to play Slovakia in a World Cup qualifier. In the meantime, he is expected to join Liverpool.

Asadullah Khan had resigned in 2021 from the same position citing interference

Umar Farooq12-Jun-2023Asadullah Khan has returned as Afghanistan’s chief selector and will move back to Kabul after a stint with Qatar as head coach. He will replace Noorulhaq Malikzai, who had stepped down from the role but will continue to work as a committee member. “It has been a privilege to serve as the head of the selection committee for the esteemed Afghanistan Cricket Board,” Malikzai said.”Due to personal and family commitments, I am unable to continue in this significant position. I have requested to continue my association with ACB as a member of the committee, and I am committed to providing my utmost cooperation to Asadullah Khan and the board.”With Khan as the chief selector, Malikzai, Mir Mubariz and Ahmad Shah will work as supporting selectors in the four-man panel. Taj Malik Alam and Mohammad Khan Zadran are retained as domestic selectors. “I am honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of heading the selection committee of players, ” Khan said in a statement. “ACB is not a new organisation for me as I have rich experience working for this great organisation. I am committed to identifying talented players and providing them with opportunities to represent our country and achieve success on the international stage.”Related

Afghanistan selector steps down citing 'interruption' from 'non-cricketers' in the board

Khan had been involved with Afghanistan cricket in various capacities before moving to Qatar after resigning from the same position citing “too much interruption” and interference from “non-cricketers” in the board, who have “no knowledge about the players and selection” as the main reasons. He had also worked as acting CEO briefly in 2019 and was one of the most noteworthy figures working in the domestic set-up as a coach and video analyst.Afghanistan are presently in Bangladesh to play an all-format series including one Test followed by a packed home season, hosting Zimbabwe, India, and Pakistan with the Asia Cup and World Cup this year.

Celtic are closing in on another Scottish Premiership title, but may have to concede defeat in their quest to retain an important asset heading into next season.

Celtic remain on course for a sparking end to the season

Following a Glasgow Derby defeat to Rangers before the international break, Celtic reacted in ideal fashion against Heart of Midlothian by claiming a 3-0 victory to retain their 13-point lead at the Scottish Premiership summit.

Daizen Maeda’s double and a close-range finish from Jota sealed an impressive afternoon, keeping the Bhoys on course for another domestic treble. While the date of their inevitable title party remains to be determined, Brendan Rodgers has already started work on potential summer reinforcements.

Looking to strengthen in midfield, Celtic have Augsburg star Elvis Rexhbecaj on their radar and could be given a boost in their pursuit due to the fact his contract at the Bundesliga club is set to expire in 2026.

Furthermore, the Bhoys are keen to sign free-scoring attacker Maeda to a new contract. Rodgers has confirmed that talks are ongoing, and Dermot Desmond has played a part in initiating negotiations.

Celtic had the next Wanyama in "gifted" star, then Rodgers sold him for £2m

Celtic thought that “physically gifted” midfielder was going to be the next Victor Wanyama, but then Brendan Rodgers sold him for £2m.

ByBen Gray Mar 28, 2025

Retaining key assets will hold parity with the importance of bringing fresh blood to Parkhead this summer. Nicolas Kuhn, Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers, among others, are players Celtic will be keen to keep hold of ahead of their Champions League qualifying path next season.

Either way, not everyone will be there to enjoy the journey. Football has a funny way of throwing up surprises, though supporters won’t be too shocked by the identity of one star that is now set for the exit door.

Brendan Rodgers confirms Greg Taylor is set to leave Celtic

Speaking after the Bhoys’ triumph over Hearts, Rodgers confirmed Greg Taylor is set to leave Celtic on a free transfer once his contract expires at the end of the season.

He stated: “I’ve been in the position so many times and I can read situations as well. It’s probably more that he’ll move on than stay, which is a big shame for me because he’s someone that I really, really like. I love him as a person but I love his game because I think his game is suited to how we work.”

Greg Taylor’s trophy-laden spell at Celtic

Appearances

208

Goals

9

Assists

32

Trophies won

10

Joined from

Kilmarnock

Transfer fee

£2 million

Jeffrey Schlupp has taken on the role of primary operator at left-back since arriving from Crystal Palace. Kieran Tierney will join Celtic in the off-season, plunging Taylor’s prospects of regular minutes into doubt.

Now, £780,000 per year earner Taylor appears to have decided to move on. History will remember the Scotland international as a valiant servant who played a major part in success stories during a golden era for the Bhoys, even if his end at the club feels slightly anticlimactic.