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Australia’s selectors name a strong XI for the tour match on December 6 with Brisbane Heat losing four players for two BBL games

Alex Malcolm23-Nov-2023Cameron Green will get a chance to push for a Test return while a three-way audition for Australia’s soon-to-be-available Test opening spot is set to take place between Marcus Harris, Matt Renshaw and Cameron Bancroft after they were named in an strong Prime Minister’s XI to take on Pakistan in a four-day tour match in Canberra ahead of next month’s Test series.The selectors have effectively named an Australia A XI with significant Test experience for the match which starts at Manuka Oval on December 6. Nathan Lyon’s understudy Todd Murphy and fringe Test seamer Michael Neser have also been named in a side to be captained by South Australia’s Nathan McSweeney, who has led Australia A twice already this year against New Zealand A.Jimmy Peirson has been named as the wicketkeeper having kept regularly for Australia A in the last two years. Josh Inglis, who usurped Alex Carey as the ODI keeper in the World Cup but remains the Test understudy, is being rested after staying in India for the five-match T20I series after the World Cup.Related

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Nathan McAndrew has been rewarded for his outstanding form with the ball this season while Mark Steketee has been a regular in Australia A squads in recent years.Tasmania allrounder Beau Webster has been rewarded for his phenomenal start to the Sheffield Shield season with bat and ball earning his first call-up to a representative side since playing two games for Australia A in 2016. Webster has made scores of 62, 64, 32*, 59, 70, 97* and 103 in the first five Shield matches and has taken wickets in every game including 4 for 32 against South Australia.Webster has been called in after Western Australia allrounder Aaron Hardie, who had been set to be included, was called up to Australia’s T20I squad for the five-match series against India that starts on Thursday.Green had flagged his inclusion during the World Cup having not played any red-ball cricket since he lost his place in Australia’s side for the final Test of the Ashes series. He remains behind Mitchell Marsh as Australia’s first-choice Test allrounder but is eager to win back his place and is every chance to feature during the Test summer. Marsh experienced some soreness due to the increased bowling loads during the three Ashes Tests he played, having not bowled in first-class cricket in two years prior to the Ashes and having not played back-to-back first-class games full stop in four years.Both Green and Marsh have been rested from the T20I series against India but Green has also indicated he is aiming to play in WA’s Shield clash with Queensland starting on November 28 at the Gabba.Marcus Harris has found some form recently•Getty ImagesThere will be plenty of intrigue around the three openers that have been selected in Harris, Renshaw and Bancroft. It will be interesting to see who will bat at No. 3 as the trio have been opening for their states and are all vying for David Warner’s Test spot once Warner steps away after the Pakistan series. The Prime Minister’s XI match will be the last first-class game any of them will get to play before Australia’s first Test against the West Indies in mid-January when a new opener is set to be selected.Some BBL clubs will bear the brunt of such a strong squad being named. There had been discussions held over a number of months between various clubs and the selectors about how this fixture would impact BBL teams. Brisbane Heat are set to be the worst affected with Peirson, Neser, Renshaw and McSweeney all unavailable for their first two matches on December 7 and 9. But they will be hoping to have Test opener and skipper Usman Khawaja available to play prior to the first Test against Pakistan on December 14 in Perth although the Test squad is due to assemble on December 9.Melbourne Stars will be without Webster and Steketee for their clash with Heat on the opening night while Sydney Sixers will be missing Murphy for their meeting with Melbourne Renegades on December 8. Lyon has already declared he is keen to play for Renegades that night at the SCG while the Sixers are hopeful Steven Smith will be available.There have only been eleven players named to face Pakistan in order to avoid further withdrawals from the BBL to run the drinks. Local ACT premier cricketers will be involved with the squad during the four days to train and provide support to the team. Former Sri Lanka batter Thilan Samaraweera will coach the side having been part of the Australia A and Australia underage teams as an assistant coach over the past two years.Prime Minister’s XI: Nathan McSweeney (capt), Cameron Bancroft, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Nathan McAndrew, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Beau Webster

He played five games with Sylhet Strikers, but was clearly struggling with fitness issues

Mohammad Isam31-Jan-2024Sylhet Strikers captain Mashrafe Mortaza has taken a break from this season’s BPL to concentrate on his political career. Mashrafe is a member of parliament – he was elected for a second time in the country’s general elections earlier this month. His party, the Awami League, has appointed him as the party’s whip in parliament.”Mashrafe will be available to play for the Strikers further in the season if there is an opportunity in between his political commitments and schedule,” a statement from Strikers said on Wednesday. “Sylhet Strikers franchise has extended gratitude to Mashrafe for his commitment to the team in the tournament so far and looks forward to have him back when he is able.”Although he was clearly struggling with an injury, Mashrafe played Sylhet’s first five matches in the competition, all of which they have lost. It was reported that he couldn’t prepare for the tournament as he would have liked, so he bowled off-spin off a few paces, and batted in different positions in the batting order. It led to a lot of hue and cry, including from former captain Mohammad Ashraful, who said that Mashrafe’s presence in this state was “belittling the BPL”.Sylhet has announced that Mohammad Mithun will be the captain in Mashrafe’s absence. It is an interesting choice as Najmul Hossain Shanto, who has led Bangladesh impressively recently, is also in the team. Sylhet play their next match against Durdanto Dhaka on February 2

All you need to know about England's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

England are undoubtedly one of the powerhouses in world football, with some legendary players having donned the Three Lions' shirt. However, when it comes to luck, the European side have often fallen short. Despite their historic status, England have managed to win only a single major trophy, way back in the 1966 World Cup, where they defeated Germany to lift the coveted title.

Since that iconic triumph, England have faced a series of disappointments on the grandest stage. They came agonizingly close to reaching the final in the 2018 edition of the tournament, only to be knocked out by Croatia in the semi-final, despite taking an early lead.

In 2022, they were eliminated by France in the quarter-finals as Harry Kane, of all people, missed a crucial chance to equalize in the dying minutes via a penalty. Much like their World Cup luck, England have endured similar heartbreak in the European Championships.

Having never won the Euros, they came painfully close in both 2021 and 2024, reaching the final in consecutive tournaments. However, it was Italy who denied them in 2021, followed by Spain in 2024, marking the end of Gareth Southgate’s tenure as manager of the Three Lions.

Now, with knockout specialist Thomas Tuchel at the helm, English fans will be optimistic about finally breaking the decades-long curse and lifting the iconic trophy at the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2026. Could it finally be coming home? Let’s assess their chances by taking a closer look at their squad strength.

AFPGoalkeepers

Between the sticks, England are blessed with some of the finest goalkeepers in the Premier League. Jordan Pickford of Everton had been the front-runner during Gareth Southgate's tenure with the Three Lions, but things could change under Thomas Tuchel, as the German manager has already been experimenting in his first few games in charge.

Although Pickford started in goal for England's World Cup qualifier against Andorra, Dean Henderson was given a chance in the following match against Senegal.

Newcastle United’s Nick Pope and former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale are also strong options and could be included in Tuchel’s plans for the spectacle in the USA, Canada, and Mexico next year.

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In defense, Tuchel will have some big decisions to make, as the English squad is overflowing with quality options. To give an idea of the depth, just at right-back, England have seven top players in contention. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Valentino Livramento, Reece James, Rico Lewis, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all competing for a spot under Tuchel on the right flank.

The situation is similar on the left, though not as crowded, England still possess notable depth with Luke Shaw, Ben Chilwell, and Lewis Hall all fighting for a starting position.

At the heart of the defense, Tuchel will once again face a selection dilemma in deciding his ideal center-back duo. John Stones, Ben White, Harry Maguire, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guehi, and Max Kilman are all strong candidates, just to name a few. It will be interesting to see which backline the German manager finalizes ahead of the showpiece event that kicks off in a year’s time.

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Moving on to the midfield, England once again have a wealth of top-class options to choose from. Declan Rice has been instrumental for both club and country, anchoring the defensive midfield role with authority. Meanwhile, the likes of Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden are attacking gems who could easily emerge as England's standout performers at the tournament next year, especially under a tactician like Tuchel.

Jack Grealish, although not in top form for Manchester City, has consistently delivered for England and could once again be a clutch player coming off the bench. The talented Aston Villa duo of Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers are also under consideration and could provide fresh energy in midfield.

Conor Gallagher has impressed during his time in Spain with Atletico Madrid, while James Maddison, Eberechi Eze, and Sean Longstaff are also intriguing options who could make the final cut.

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Similar to their strength in midfield and defense, England are well covered in attack. England’s all-time top scorer and current captain, Harry Kane, is once again expected to lead the frontline for the Three Lions at the World Cup next year.

Meanwhile, Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is another lethal option who could prove decisive on the wings. Ollie Watkins, although technically a backup to Kane, is far too good to be limited to that role and is expected to be a key impact player off the bench. He famously scored the winning goal against the Netherlands in the final minutes of the semi-final at the 2024 Euros.

Young Anthony Gordon is another exciting talent who could thrive under Tuchel’s guidance. Marcus Rashford, who impressed during his loan spell at Aston Villa, could also play an important role, provided he secures a spot in the final squad.

Additionally, Liam Delap, Jarrod Bowen, Dominic Solanke, and Jadon Sancho are all strong options for Tuchel to consider as he shapes a versatile and dangerous attacking unit.

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The top-order batter has been carrying a long-term foot injury and will now aim to be fit for the Australia Test series

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Feb-20242:15

Stead: Williamson unlikely for Australia T20Is, Boult is available

Daryl Mitchell has been ruled out of the second Test against South Africa and the T20I series against Australia in an attempt to recover from a long-standing foot injury.Mitchell, who averages 53.46 in Tests, has been carrying the problem for around six or seven months and was rested from the final T20I against Pakistan in January, but it has been decided he needs a longer period on the sidelines to give himself the best chance of being fit for the two-Test series against Australia.Related

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“We took the opportunity to rest him a little earlier but after seeking medical advice on this as well it’s likely that he needs a longer period of time,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. “It’s really tough, because there’s not a lot breaks coming up in the next wee while so thought this gives us nearly three weeks to try and give him the chance of the best recuperation from it.”There’s no guarantees this will still work in that period of time but we are very hopeful that it will improve his chances of getting through a longer stint with us.”New Zealand have not called up a replacement for Mitchell with Will Young the spare batter in the squad and he could come in as a like-for-like swap. However, there remains a chance the side may be rebalanced with Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner moving up the order and another pace bowler brought in with Stead confirming the uncapped Will O’Rourke remained in contention for a debut.”[Will Young] is definitely one of the options,” Stead said. “Will’s there as back up [and] Glenn Phillips has shown he’s more than useful and it could be shaped differently. We are very happy with the squad we have. Daryl’s obviously a huge loss, though, he’s been instrumental in a number of outstanding batting performances but it’s important for him and us that we get this right long term.”Meanwhile, Kane Williamson is unlikely to be available for the T20Is against Australia – a format where he is captain – as his wife is expecting their third child. However, Trent Boult could come into consideration for those matches with the left-arm quick not having any franchise commitments at that time.”Trent’s available if we want to select him,” Stead said. “Him and I are still having conversations…hopefully in the next couple of days to nail down what that looks like.”

All you need to know about South Korea's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

South Korea have already confirmed their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and, just like Japan, they will be one of the teams to watch from the Asian subcontinent.

After being knocked out in the group stages during their 2014 and 2018 World Cup campaigns, they managed to break that streak by qualifying for the Round of 16 in 2022. However, their run was halted by Brazil in the knockout stage.

South Korea's best-ever World Cup performance came in 2002 when they co-hosted the tournament. Against all odds, they reached the semi-finals and finished fourth, a historic achievement that remains unmatched in Asian football.

Can they recreate that magic 24 years later?

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In the goalkeeping department for the Asian side, veteran Seung-gyu Kim is expected to lead the charge as the first-choice keeper at the showpiece event next year. With over 80 international appearances and previous World Cup experience, Kim will be the top choice for South Korea.

Hyeon-woo Jo of Ulsan HD is another excellent option and will be a strong contender behind Kim to start for the national team.

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South Korea have quality players to reinforce their defense. Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae has established himself as one of the top center-backs in the league and has also been massively influential for the national team. His presence will be vital in leading the backline for the Asian side on the world stage.

Alongside Min-jae, South Korea also have the likes of Yung-woo Seol and Tae-seok Lee, who have been exceptional in the wider areas for both their clubs and the national team.

Yu-min Cho of Sharjah is another reliable center-back and could form a solid partnership with Kim Min-jae as South Korea’s central defensive duo at the World Cup next year.

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In midfield, South Korea have a number of great options. In-beom Hwang has been instrumental for Feyenoord in the Netherlands as well as the national team. Hwang's presence in midfield will be essential for South Korea to provide stability and create chances.

Al Ain’s Yong-woo Park, on the other hand, will be crucial in maintaining the team’s shape while operating as a defensive midfielder. Talented youngster Min-hyeok Yang of Tottenham could also prove to be a great asset for Myung-bo Hong’s side in the middle of the park.

Ji-sung Eom and Dong-gyeong Lee are also solid options who could be decisive coming off the bench.

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In attack, the Asian side have some big names at their disposal. Tottenham Hotspur's Heung-min Son recently captained his side to a Europa League victory and has consistently performed at the highest level for the London-based club in the Premier League.

Along with Son, Hee-chan Hwang of Wolverhampton Wanderers has also performed consistently since joining the club in 2022 and will be an asset for Korea in goal-scoring situations. Meanwhile, Kang-in Lee, who currently plays for PSG in Ligue 1, will be crucial in the attacking third with chance creation and key passes.

Hyeon-gyu Oh has also been performing at a high level for Genk in the Belgian Pro League and could be decisive playing in the number nine role.

Similar to Kang-in Lee, South Korea also have Jae-sung Lee, who could serve as a major creative outlet for Hong’s side at the showpiece event next year.

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GOAL breaks down expectations for U.S. Internationals ahead of the upcoming European season, with a look at Italy's top flight

For the past few years, fans of the U.S. men's national team have been fixated on Serie A – and it's easy to understand why. So much of American soccer's top-end talent is concentra ted in Italy, playing for some of the biggest clubs in the sport.

As we head into a World Cup year, Serie A is more in focus than ever before. Those USMNT stars all find themselves under pressure for various reasons, and how they handle that pressure will surely dictate the road to the 2026 World Cup. In addition to the stress that comes with playing for clubs such as AC Milan and Juventus, there will be expectatoins from the U.S., too.

Christian Pulisic, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie and Tim Weah all currently ply their trade in Italy, although, if reports are to be believed, not all of them will do so for long. It's been a tumultuous summer, and it isn't over yet, even as the Serie A season nears kickoff.

Ahead the European season, GOAL takes a closer look at the expectations for Americans Abroad. Next up: Serie A.

GettyChristian Pulisic, AC Milan

There is surely pressure on Pulisic this season. That's only natural at Milan, of course, so no surprises there, but some of that pressure stems from his his controversial USMNT summer. After choosing to skip out on the Gold Cup, Pulisic will now have to prove he was right to do so. That happens on the field.

Pulisic, of course, was fantastic at the club level last season. He led Milan in both Serie A goals (11) and assists (nine), establishing himself as one of the most dangerous threats in the league. It wasn't enough to salvage Milan's season, though. They finished outside of the European spots, leading to a summer change in the form of new manager Massimiliano Allegri.

Pulisic, then, will have two managers to impress. He'll be a key figure for Allegri, a coach that any Serie A fan will be familiar with, as Milan look to bounce back from a down season. He'll also be looking to impress USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino after a tumultuous summer, one in which some mudslinging overshadowed the actual games.

At his best, the winger is still the USMNT's best player. He's also Milan's. This Serie A season is another chance to prove it, and Pulisic will have to just that, given all that's changed since the last time he played a competitive match.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportYunus Musah, AC Milan

Pulisic's American running mate at Milan, Musah, also didn't suit up for the USMNT this summer. He pulled out for personal reasons. Musah, like Pulisic, also has a point to prove, though, after a significantly more difficult season with the Rossoneri.

While Pulisic carved out a spot in the attack, Musah struggled to make a role his own. Since Musah's breakthrough with the U.S. in 2020, there's been a fantastic young player in there somewhere, one with the potential to really command a game at a higher level. So far, though, that player hasn't been unlocked.

At 22, now is the time.

Whether that happens at Milan is anyone's guess. The American midfielder has been linked with moves this summer, with Napoli and Nottingham Forest among the teams reportedly interested. Wherever he ends up, Musah will have some parts of his game to sort out.

Can he develop the defensive chops to be a deep-lying midfielder? Can he add goals or assists to his game? One of those things will have to happen, or Musah will remain something of a mystery for whichever coach he works for.

GettyWeston McKennie, Juventus

Here we go again.

Another summer where speculation swirls, despite everything McKennie has done to silence the chatter. In each of the last few seasons, McKennie returned to Juventus seemingly persona non grata. Weeks later, he's a key part of the team. It's a continuous cycle, but is it going to happen again this season?

That depends on which report you believe. He's been linked with both a new contract and an exit. We'll see which happens.

To his credit, McKennie has always risen to the challenge. He's now captained Juventus multiple times, including in the Club World Cup, having earned the trust of each manager that tried to write him off. The newest manager, Igor Tudor, arrived in March and helped the club finish fourth place, booking that coveted spot in the Champions League.

McKennie has proven that he's a Champions League-level player but, as is now tradition, he'll have to prove it again early on in this season.

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Getty ImagesTim Weah, Juventus

It would appear Weah's time in Serie A is coming to an end. Multiple reports suggest that Weah is due to sign with Marseille, ending his two-year stay with Juventus. In truth, it's probably a good move, one that will allow Weah to flourish more than he has with the Old Lady.

That's not to say his time at Juve has been bad. He's made 78 appearances in two seasons, and he scored six goals last season to finish as the club's fifth-leading scorer. It's just that Weah has largely been played as a wingback or as a supersub, not given the attacking license he has had while with the USMNT.

Perhaps, then, a change of scenery could be nice, particularly one that also includes a Champions League place. Whatever happens, Weah is one to watch. After a summer in which the USMNT's lack of wing depth was exposed, Weah seems more important than ever on the international level, which makes it vital that he heads towards the World Cup full of confidence.

They will be able to get to only 12 points if they win their last two games, which won’t be enough to make the playoffs

ESPNcricinfo staff08-May-2024Mumbai Indians (MI) became the first team to be knocked out of the playoffs race in IPL 2024 after Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) beat Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by ten wickets and 10.2 overs to spare on Wednesday.SRH’s victory in Hyderabad took them to third place with 14 points, behind Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals who have 16 points each. With LSG and Delhi Capitals (DC) playing each other on May 14, one of those teams will get to at least 13 points. The maximum MI can get to is 12 if they win their remaining two league games, which will leave them outside the top four. The same fate awaits the team that loses on Thursday, when Punjab Kings play Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamsala.MI began the season under their new captain Hardik Pandya but started poorly, with three successive defeats. Though they won three of their next four games, another streak of four successive defeats severely damaged their playoff chances.Jasprit Bumrah has been their leading performer, topping the wicket charts after 12 games with 18 wickets and an economy of 6.20. However, none of their other bowlers have been economical enough, and their batters have underperformed, with no one scoring more than 400 runs after 12 innings. Tilak Varma is their highest scorer with 384 runs at an average of 42.66, with Suryakumar Yadav second with 334 in nine innings. Rohit Sharma has managed only 330 runs in 12 innings.Hardik has had a poor season too, scoring only 198 runs in 11 innings, and taking 11 wickets with an economy rate of 10.58. Despite giving chances to Romario Shepherd, Mohammad Nabi and Nuwan Thushara, they have not been able to get the most from their overseas players. Their spin department was their weaker suit and took only 13 of their 68 total wickets in the tournament so far. While they won three of their six games at home, they have had a tough time on the road, with their only win in five away games coming against Punjab Kings.Their early elimination means that MI’s wait for their sixth IPL title continues, having won their fourth and fifth trophies in 2019 and 2020. Since then, they have made the playoffs only once in four seasons, in 2023 when they were eliminated by Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2.

No play possible against Notts after eight floods at Worcestershire home ground

ECB Reporters Network24-May-2024Worcestershire’s return to playing cricket at Visit Worcestershire New Road ended in a frustrating first-day blank in the Vitality County Championship encounter with Nottinghamshire.There was an eager sense of anticipation amongst members and supporters with Worcestershire back at their headquarters after being forced to switch their opening two home games with Durham and Somerset to Kidderminster.Eight floods had engulfed the ground during the winter but hopes of play on being back to their headquarters were dashed by a damp patch on the bowlers run-up at the New Road End.Umpires Nigel Llong and Surendiran Shanmugam decided on no play before lunch and a large infra-red heater was posted across the problem area after 15 hours of rain on Wednesday had left that section of the ground saturated.Groundstaff worked tirelessly to try and ensure play could go ahead and even dug out blocks of turf which were cooked on a diesel heater in the groundsman’s shed to dry them out.But the umpires decided at 1.30pm to abandon play for the day and it was announced over the PA system “that the outfield was way too wet.”The washout deepens the uncertainty surrounding New Road’s future, with Ashley Giles, Worcestershire’s chief executive, admitting earlier this season that the club was actively exploring the possibility of a permanent move to a new home.”I don’t think we can carry on like this,” Giles told BBC Hereford and Worcester in April. “It’s costing us a lot of money. The ground is here to stage cricket, to be a venue for entertainment and hospitality. But conditions are seemingly getting worse.”

Kevin De Bruyne has opened up on the key differences between Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte after joining Napoli from Manchester City.

De Bruyne joined Napoli on a free after leaving Man CityHighlights two major differences between Conte and GuardiolaDismisses "king" label, insists he’s just another footballerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

De Bruyne signed for Napoli on a free transfer after leaving Manchester City this summer and already has a few minutes under his belt for the Serie A side, having featured in three friendly clashes for Conte's team.

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The Belgian playmaker has played under some impressive names across his spells at Genk, Chelsea, Werder Bremen, Wolfsburg and City. Jose Mourinho, Manuel Pellegrini and Dieter Hecking all had him under their wing before he teamed up for a long period of success with Guardiola at City. The 34-year-old spent eight years under Guardiola, winning multiple titles, including the Champions League in 2023. After the Premier League side decided against renewing his contract this summer, he opted to unite with Conte and ex-team-mate Romelu Lukaku in Serie A. After just a few weeks, he has already observed some key differences between his new coach and his old one.

WHAT DE BRUYNE SAID

In an interview with , De Bruyne reflected on the differences between working under Guardiola and Conte: "I'd say they're two different ways of playing: Pep is probably a little more focused on ball control and possession, while Conte is a little more structured in his game and focuses a lot on mentality. Pep works more on the zonal area. There are a couple of different things, but every coach has his own principles and characteristics."

He was also asked about the grand welcome he received upon his arrival in Serie A, where some dubbed him "the king". 

"I'm not the king, I'm just a footballer," he said. "I don't pay much attention to certain things, I try to do my job as best I can, but obviously it's nice to be appreciated. I hope I can continue to have a great career."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR DE BRUYNE AND NAPOLI?

De Bruyne will make his debut in Serie A soon and hopes to secure the Scudetto with Napoli. The veteran playmaker is also eyeing a Champions League run under Conte.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heaped praise on new signing Viktor Gyokeres, who scored his first goal for the Gunners since his move to North London from Sporting CP this summer. The Premier League giants thrashed La Liga side Athletic Club 3-0 in their final pre-season friendly courtesy of goals from Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz.

Arteta heaped praise on GyokeresNew Gunners star scored first goal for the clubArsenal thrashed Athletic Club 3-0Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Gyokeres opened his Arsenal account with a stunning header from Martin Zubimendi's cross as he lasted 71 minutes on the pitch. Kai Havertz, who replaced the Swedish striker, too, found the back of the net as the German scored the third and final goal of the match in the 82nd minute. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT ARTETA SAID

Arsenal boss Arteta was elated to see his new striker scoring just a week before the 2025-26 campaign kicks off. Lavishing praise on the 27-year-old, the Spanish coach said: "That’s his nature. I think everything that he does – his movement, the way he times his runs, the way he predicts the next move, where the space can be and where the ball is going to land, that’s the instinct that he has. That’s why he's scored so many goals in the last few seasons, so that’s not a coincidence, it’s his ability and he’s constantly looking for it.

"I think he pins both centre-backs. He’s a player that, when you leave him with the space one against one, he’s going to destroy you. So he’s going to create a lot of space as well for us and there is the moment that, in any situation, there is a player there that can score a goal."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Arteta was also happy to see both the strikers in his squad among goals, as he hinted he could use Havertz and Gyokeres together in the starting lineup during the course of the upcoming season. The Spaniard added: "They can play together. Kai can play in different positions, as well. I think it elevates the quality in the squad, the goal threat that we have in the team, the options that we have to change and provide oppositions with a lot of problems. It is great to see both of them scoring, both of them in such good form and it’s a good problem to have."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

The North London club will kick off the new season on August 17 as they visit Old Trafford to face Manchester United.