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Federico Chiesa has not been included in Liverpool’s 29-man squad for their pre-season tour of Asia, raising fresh questions about his future at Anfield. The Italy international, who struggled to break into Arne Slot’s plans last season, was a surprise omission despite scoring in a 5-0 friendly win over Stoke City just hours before the squad departed.

Chiesa left out of 29-man Liverpool tour squadMinor issue cited as reason for omissionSerie A links resurface amid uncertain futureFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Chiesa was left out of Liverpool’s travelling party to Hong Kong and Japan, with Arne Slot selecting 29 players for the Asian tour. The 27-year-old winger, signed from Juventus last summer, has not found a regular role under the Dutch manager. Despite a goal against Stoke in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Sunday, Chiesa has been left behind in England.

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reports that Chiesa’s omission is down to a minor issue currently being assessed by the club’s medical staff. The decision appears precautionary, though it comes at a time when his standing in the squad is already uncertain. He was involved in training before the squad left for the tour on Sunday evening but ultimately did not travel.

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Chiesa’s absence has further fuelled speculation linking him with a return to Serie A. Napoli and other Italian clubs have shown interest, and his lack of minutes last season hasn’t gone unnoticed. The former Juventus star has said he’d like to stay, but Liverpool may be preparing for a summer sale.

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Chiesa will continue light training at the AXA Training Centre while his condition is monitored. Meanwhile, talks around a possible transfer could gain momentum as clubs finalise their summer plans. Liverpool are yet to confirm whether he will rejoin the squad later in pre-season or move on to pastures new.

Visitors face stiff final day of batting after being set a target in excess of 400

ECB Reporters Network14-Apr-2024Glamorgan pulled in front on day three of their Vitality County Championship match against Derbyshire after they posted 361 for seven declared to set a target of 401 for the visitors.The mainstay for Glamorgan was Chris Cooke who finished on 126 not out, by far the highest score of this match so far. He was well supported by 61 not out from James Harris and a well made 32 from Dan Douthwaite.In the 12 overs that were bowled before the close Derbyshire reached 40 for one with David Lloyd and Luis Reece undefeated.With Derbyshire still 361 runs away from their victory target a Glamorgan victory is the most likely outcome as the match heads into a final day with a mixed weather forecast.Mason Crane had come into bat as a nightwatchman late on day two and he did a good job of supporting Colin Ingram in a 45-run stand for the fifth wicket. Crane was trapped lbw by Thomson for 19 to bring the experienced pair of Ingram and Cooke together. For the first time in this match, batting started looking straightforward.Ingram was batting with great rhythm as he passed fifty from 76 balls. Shortly after reaching the milestone, he called Cooke through for a single and was sent back too late and was run out by a throw from Sam Conners.In the first two innings of the match, it was at this point that wickets had come in a hurry. Here Cooke and Douthwaite put together a partnership worth 109, the highest of the match up to that point. Cooke missed out on a chance to bat during the record-breaking efforts at Lord’s last week and he made the most of his chance in the middle in this game as he made the 13th hundred of his first-class career.After seeing the ball spin appreciably throughout the first two days, it was a lot easier going on day three, but Thomson continued to be a threat. He bowled the first 33 overs of the Glamorgan innings from the River Taff end and sent down 44 overs in total as he finished with career-best match figures of 12 for 201.Cooke was joined by Harris after Douthwaite was dismissed by Thomson to complete his second five-wicket haul of the match and Glamorgan continued to turn the screw with a second hundred-run stand in succession, eclipsing the stand by Cooke and Douthwaite as they made 116 undefeated for the eighth wicket. When the declaration came it set Derbyshire a target of 401.Harris was the man to make the one breakthrough on the third evening when he had Harry Came trapped lbw for three. As the clouds came over Sophia Gardens in the early evening it became too dark for play to continue and the players left the field with three overs unbowled.With the ball still turning on this pitch much will depend on how well Crane bowls on the final day with Glamorgan still needing nine wickets for victory.

Alvaro Morata’s Como transfer hit another roadblock as the striker skipped training, prompting Galatasaray to take internal disciplinary action.

Galatasaray report Morata for absenceComo wait on Turkish giant's green lightOsimhen arrival may trigger striker’s exitFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Morata is in hot water at Galatasaray after failing to report for training for two consecutive days, amid an ongoing transfer deadlock with Como. The Spanish striker has been pushing for a move to the newly promoted Serie A side, who have reportedly agreed terms with both Gala and the player. But Galatasaray, where he is currently on loan until January 2026, have refused to sanction his exit. According to journalist Kaya Temel, the Turkish giants have filed an internal report and are preparing to fine and formally warn Morata for breaching club rules.

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Como see Morata as a marquee signing to spearhead their ambitious Serie A project, but the move has stalled due to the Turkish club's stance. But Morata's absence from training reflects growing frustration as Galatasaray block his exit to Como. With Victor Osimhen now in Istanbul to seal his permanent deal, the dynamics could finally shift. The Spanish striker’s future has been entangled in a three-way standstill involving Gala, Como and Milan, but Osimhen’s imminent arrival could unlock the next move in the domino chain.

WHAT COMO SAID

Como’s president Mirwan Suwarso has publicly expressed his frustration over the stalled transfer, telling : “What’s missing for Morata? Just him being here. What’s really missing? I don’t know. It’s between Milan and Galatasaray. We have an agreement with Milan and the player—now Milan needs to talk to Galatasaray.”

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With Osimhen now in Istanbul and close to signing, Gala may soon greenlight Morata’s exit, allowing Como to finally land their priority target. In the meantime, disciplinary action continues, with the club filing a report against Morata for skipping two straight training sessions, a fine and warning are expected shortly.

Ipswich Town have assigned a first-team kit number to celebrity fan and stakeholder Ed Sheeran ahead of the their 2025-26 Championship campaign. The Tractor Boys lasted only one season in the Premier League and suffered an immediate relegation back to the second tier.

Ipswich assign first-team shirt to SheeranReleased squad numbers ahead of new seasonTractor Boys eyeing promotionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

With three days to go for their season opener, Ipswich released the squad numbers of all their first-team players. In that list, they designated the No.17 shirt for stakeholder and famous British musician Sheeran, who is known to be a die-hard fan of the club.

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Following their relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, the club sold star forward Liam Delap to Chelsea, as the Blues triggered the striker's £30 million ($41m) release clause. Other than Delap, they have also released Sam Morsy from last season's squad, as he left on a free transfer.

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Manager Kieran McKenna has also welcomed three new players, with Azor Matusiwa the big-money signing after joining the club from Rennes for a whopping £10m.

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Ipswich will kick off their 2025-26 Championship campaign on Friday as they take on newly promoted Birmingham City in their season opener.

The project involved erecting a fresh stadium in five months, with drop-in pitches transported from Florida by land to New York

Nagraj Gollapudi15-May-2024Eisenhower Park in New York, the first modular stadium in international cricket, is ready for the T20 World Cup. The 34,000-seater venue, about 25 miles east of New York City, was formally launched on Wednesday by Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man and a World Cup ambassador.The ICC will conduct test events at the new venue in the days leading up to the World Cup, which begins on June 1 and will be played in the West Indies and the USA. New York will host eight of the 16 matches in the USA with Dallas and Texas hosting four each. The first match at Eisenhower Park, located in Nassau County, will be played on June 3 between South Africa and Sri Lanka.Eisenhower Park will also host a warm-up match on June 1, which ESPNcricinfo has learned will feature Bangladesh and India. During the main tournament, India will play three games in New York including the marquee contest against Pakistan on June 9.Related

New York's beautiful monster: how a cricket venue was created from scratch

'Growing the sport in our time zone crucial to our long-term survival'

The project at Eisenhower Park, one of the most ambitious ever undertaken by the ICC, involved erecting a fresh stadium in five months on what in January was just normal park land. A significant part of the challenge involved preparing drop-in pitches in Florida and transporting them by land to New York before installing them both in the main square as well as the practice areas.Four drop-in pitches were put in place in the main square to go with six others for training a short distance from the ground. The pitches have been prepared by Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions, which is headed by Damian Hough, the head curator at Adelaide Oval. The outfield, meanwhile, was built by LandTek Group, a USA-based turf-making business that has prepared playing surfaces for baseball teams New York Yankees and New York Mets, and soccer (football) club Inter Miami.Usain Bolt brings out his trademark pose at Eisenhower Park•ICC/Getty Images”We’ve turned what was park land and an informal cricket ground into what you’ll agree looks like a world-class cricket stadium that you might find anywhere,” Chris Tetley, ICC’s head of events, said in a media interaction on Tuesday.While the Bangladesh vs India warm-up game will be the first featuring two international teams at Eisenhower Park, Tetley said “community cricket events” would be staged in the last two weeks of May to understand the operational demands and the management of the resources including testing the infrastructure. “There will be proper cricket played there before the first match of the event,” he said.Tickets still up for grabs for India vs PakistanTetley said that fans could still avail of “limited opportunities” to buy tickets to all eight matches of the T20 World Cup in New York, including the India vs Pakistan match.”There are still limited opportunities for people to buy tickets to any of the matches,” he said. “A few tickets and hospitality to all games have been made available, and will be made available as we get the odd returns back from allocations that have had to be withheld.”So much as I’d like it to be a sellout, right now, not quite. So the last few tickets are available for those that get online quickly.”

The SRH allrounder said he didn’t know whether his bowling would be needed against RR but he was prepared just in case

ESPNcricinfo staff24-May-2024Abhishek Sharma said he “didn’t know” whether he would have to bowl for Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals in Chennai but was ready in case the call came. And despite bowling just three overs previously in IPL 2024, Abhishek sent down a match-winning spell of 2 for 24 to put SRH in the IPL final.”To be honest, I didn’t know I will bowl this match but I was very much ready with my bowling because I’ve been working really hard on my bowling,” Abhishek said after the game. “The last two years it’s been really good with my batting so I wanted to work on my bowling with my dad. So special mention to my dad.”Abhishek’s had a blockbuster season with the bat, scoring 482 runs at a strike rate of 207.75 in 15 innings. His 42 sixes are the most this season, and the most for an Indian batter in any IPL season. On Friday night, however, it was his left-arm spin that came to the fore against RR’s middle order. He had Sanju Samson caught at wide long-on with his third ball and bowled Shimron Hetmyer with a carrom ball in his third over to leave RR six down. Abhishek did not concede a boundary in his first three overs.He was the sixth bowler used by SRH in their defence of 175 as the Chennai pitch began to offer lots of turn in the absence of dew. Though he hadn’t bowled much for SRH this season, Abhishek had bowled 20 overs in Punjab’s successful campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last season.Related

Abhishek Sharma, a top-order whirlwind India has never seen before

Shahbaz and Abhishek spin Sunrisers Hyderabad into IPL final

“When I saw the starting XI, I knew he’s [Abhishek] going to bowl today,” Varun Aaron said on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show. “He’s a really good bowler. I’ve seen a lot of him in domestic cricket. He’s one of those bowlers who tosses it up a little bit, more than the others. He bowls that carrom ball which comes out from the front of the hand, that was a really good ball. That shows he has a lot of tricks up his sleeve and he’s a full-time bowler for Punjab. He’s one of those who likes to bowl and tells the captain, ‘I want to bowl in domestic games, it helps me be in the game more.’ He’s one of those allrounders who look forward to bowling. The other thing is he would have been wanting this chance to bowl for the longest time and he lapped it up really well.”Though he hasn’t bowled much this IPL season, Abhishek is one of only a few Indian batters who can bowl as well in limited-overs cricket, along with the likes of Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag and Nitish Kumar Reddy. That skill-set has been missing in the Indian team for a while – none of the specialist batters in the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup can bowl.”He backs himself 100%,” Tom Moody said on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show. “Yes, he doesn’t bowl as much as he needs to bowl in domestic cricket for whatever reasons but for the future of Indian cricket he needs to be bowling because he is a serious package to be reckoned with. [Bats] at the top of the order, someone who can bowl left-arm spin whatever the format, he’s going to be a real asset going forward.”The reason that makes him unique as a spinner is he tosses it up and what he tries to do is get overspin on the ball, so the ball comes down like that (with seam upright and facing the batter, not sideways), Nathan Lyon style, it dips. So he doesn’t bowl side spin, he bowls overspin and he’s got that clever carrom ball he’s been working on which is the one Hetmyer got and was an absolute peach.”

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has left Chelsea after just one season as he joins Everton for a £25 million ($33m) transfer fee. Dewsbury-Hall signed for the Blues last summer after spending five years at Leicester City, however, he struggled for game time at Stamford Bridge under Enzo Maresca. The English midfielder made 13 league appearances last season but managed to clock only 258 minutes on the pitch.

Dewsbury-Hall joins EvertonLeft Chelsea after just one seasonJoined the Blues from Leicester CityFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Chelsea's initial valuation of Dewsbury-Hall was £30m ($39.8m), the same amount they had paid to the Foxes to secure his transfer last season, but the Toffees eventually negotiated his transfer for £25m. 

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The Blues, who have already spent over £243m ($324m) on new signings this summer, are now looking to offload more of their unwanted players. After Dewsbury-Hall's exit, Lesley Ugochukwu and Carney Chukwuemeka could also leave Stamford Bridge before the window closes.

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After signing for Everton, the 26-year-old said: "Everton’s one of the biggest clubs in the country, and I think that in the next couple of years, the future is going to be bright. It was an easy decision in the end to come here and play for this club. You look at the stadium — it’s incredible. Obviously, I’ve played in all of the Premier League stadiums, and this is one of, if not the most impressive, so that in itself is a major, major exciting factor for wanting to join.

"Then the fan base is one of the most passionate in the country, so I know if we start playing well and I start showing the fans what I’m about, it’s going to be a big, big bonus to help me and the team show our best. So that’s what I want."

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WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Enzo Maresca's side will play a couple of pre-season friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan this week at home, before formally kicking off the 2025-26 campaign against Crystal Palace on August 17.  

Osasuna have joined Athletic Club in the race to sign free agent Cesar Azpilicueta, with the veteran eyeing a return to his boyhood club.

Osasuna eye reunion with ex-Chelsea starAthletic also keen after Laporte injuryAzpilicueta began career at Osasuna in 2006Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Azpilicueta, who is now a free agent after leaving Atletico Madrid, has emerged as a top target for Osasuna. The 35-year-old defender could be set for an emotional return to his boyhood club, where he began his professional career in 2006. Athletic are also interested, especially after Aymeric Laporte’s injury created a need for defensive reinforcements.

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The Spanish defender's signing would bring leadership, versatility, and elite experience to Los Rojillos’ defence. He can operate anywhere across the backline, a trait that served him well at Chelsea, where he played over 500 matches and won every major European trophy. Celta had him on their list of targets at one point, but eventually withdrew from the competition. His return would be more than a sporting move it would be a symbolic homecoming for one of Osasuna’s most celebrated academy graduates.

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Azpilicueta left Osasuna in 2010 to join Marseille before moving to Chelsea, where he scored 17 goals and provided 51 assists across all competitions. During his time in London, he was named in the Europa League’s best XI in 2019 and the Champions League’s in 2021. On the international stage, he earned 44 caps for Spain, playing under Vicente del Bosque and several other coaches.

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Formal negotiations between Osasuna and Azpilicueta have yet to begin, but financial obstacles are unlikely, with the player’s personal desire to return home seen as decisive. If completed, the deal could see him join in time to face Real Madrid on August 20.

Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie has decided on his future at the club despite no progress in contract renewal talks.

Mckennie to stay at Juventus until contract expires in 2026Had an agreement with previous management to extend McKennie gave up his jersey number to De GregorioFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , McKennie has decided to stay in Turin until his contract expires in 2026. He had a prior agreement with former sporting director Cristiano Guintoli to extend his stay with a €3.5 million net salary plus a sizable agent commission, but the deal was cancelled by new general manager Damien Comolli.

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Juventus signed McKennie from Schalke in 2020 for €26m (£22m/$30m). His time at the club has been mixed, including a six-month loan to Leeds in January 2023. In the 2023-24 season under Massimiliano Allegri, McKennie enjoyed his best spell, helping Juventus secure a fourth-place finish and win the Coppa Italia with a victory over Atalanta in the final. However, a difficult 2024-25 season under Thiago Motta and Igor Tudor saw his form dip, and Juventus are reportedly looking to offload him this summer to fund moves for other midfield targets such as Matt O’Riley.

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McKennie has handed over his jersey number 16 to team-mate Michele Di Gregorio, who wore it at Monza before joining Juventus. Last season, McKennie had refused to give up the number citing seniority, but this season he has opted to take number 22.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR JUVENTUS AND MCKENNIE?

Juventus will hope McKennie reconsiders and agrees to join a club willing to purchase him. For McKennie, the focus will be on staying in top shape as he looks ahead to representing the USMNT when they host the 2026 World Cup.

The Argentine midfielder, who joined from Independiente del Valle in Ecuador, was initially set to see his contract expire at the end of the Apertura 2025.

Has played 82 matches with Cruz AzulScored 12 goals for the clubThe club recently renewed Carlos Rodríguez as wellFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Cruz Azul have secured the future of Lorenzo Faravelli after announcing the Argentine midfielder’s contract extension until December 2026.

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Faravelli, who arrived from Independiente del Valle, has become a key figure in midfield, contributing both leadership and goals. Since joining the club, he has featured in 82 matches and scored 12 goals, proving to be a consistent presence in the squad. Originally tied to Cruz Azul until the end of the Apertura 2025, his renewal comes as part of the club’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its core. 

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Just days earlier, Cruz Azul also announced the extension of Mexican international Carlos Rodríguez, further solidifying their midfield options. Reports also suggest that Erik Lira will be the next player to extend his contract with the club.

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now turn their focus to a key clash this Saturday, as they host Chivas in Matchday 7 of the Apertura 2025.