Jurgen Klopp has reportedly held secret talks with Hoffenheim sporting director Andreas Schicker, as RB Salzburg seek a replacement for Rouven Schroder. The former Liverpool boss, now Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer, is keen to secure Schicker’s signature for the Austrian club after months of behind-the-scenes discussions.

Klopp’s secret meeting as Salzburg hunt new sporting director

Klopp has reportedly taken personal charge of RB Salzburg’s search for a new sporting director following Schroder’s move to Borussia Monchengladbach. According to , Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer recently held a secret meeting with Hoffenheim sporting director Schicker. The 39-year-old Austrian has emerged as the frontrunner for the Salzburg role after impressing with his work at both Sturm Graz and Hoffenheim.

Schicker has been on Salzburg’s radar for several months, with report suggesting that discussions have already been ongoing well before Schroder’s departure was finalised. Hoffenheim are said to have been informed about the talks, while the subject has reportedly become “a controversial topic” even inside the dressing room. The situation highlights Klopp’s growing influence across Red Bull’s football operations, as he looks to appoint trusted football executives capable of maintaining the group’s competitive structure across Europe.

AdvertisementImago Images / De Fodi imagesSchicker’s reputation on the rise in Austria and Germany

Schicker’s reputation has soared in recent years thanks to his sharp transfer acumen and squad-building vision. During his spell with Sturm Graz, he helped lead the club to a stunning domestic league and cup double in 2024, marking one of the greatest achievements in their modern history. That success prompted Hoffenheim to lure him to Germany, where he quickly stabilised the club following a near-relegation campaign.

According to , Klopp is highly impressed with Schicker’s work in Austria and Germany, viewing him as an ideal figure to help Salzburg sustain their dominance in the Austrian Bundesliga and further develop their player pipeline to Leipzig. Schicker has already met with Klopp, the report revealed, underlining that the meeting was key in Red Bull’s plan to reshape their sporting structure.

Hoffenheim’s internal turmoil adds fuel to the exit rumours

While Schicker’s work at Hoffenheim has been widely praised, unrest behind the scenes could accelerate his departure. reports that the relationship between Hoffenheim’s management and club patron Dietmar Hopp has become increasingly "strained," largely due to recent controversies involving player agent Roger Wittmann and former youth director Dirk Mack.

Schicker was reportedly a key figure in the internal decision to impose stadium bans on both individuals, a move that infuriated Hopp, who publicly branded the management’s handling of his close associate Wittmann as “a complete disgrace.” Such internal conflicts have left Schicker disillusioned, with the Red Bull project now appearing as a more stable and attractive opportunity.

Furthermore, the 39-year-old’s right-hand man, Paul Pajduch, is also being linked with an exit. Reports suggest that the duo could move together to Salzburg, potentially reshaping the Austrian club’s entire recruitment and sporting setup. For Hoffenheim, losing Schicker would be a major blow, given how swiftly he rebuilt the club’s competitive structure after years of decline.

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GettyKlopp playing key role in Red Bull restructuring

Klopp’s involvement in Salzburg’s internal affairs marks a new phase in his post-Liverpool career. Having taken over at Red Bull earlier this year, the 58-year-old is now tasked with overseeing strategic direction across the group’s clubs, from Salzburg and Leipzig to New York and Bragantino.

His pursuit of Schicker underscores a shift toward a more unified Red Bull football model, one that could streamline decision-making and foster synergy between the clubs. Klopp’s fingerprints are already visible in several internal discussions, and this appointment could be the first major personnel move under his supervision.

Although Klopp continues to downplay a potential return to management, his behind-the-scenes role demonstrates that his influence on the European football landscape remains immense. As for Liverpool, growing uncertainty under Arne Slot and Klopp’s continued visibility in the football world have inevitably sparked rumours of an Anfield reunion. 

His recent comments: “I said I will never coach a different team in England, so if I return, it would be Liverpool. Theoretically, it is possible,” have only heightened public curiosity about his long-term ambitions. For now, however, Klopp’s focus appears firmly on Red Bull’s global football ecosystem and the next generation of executives capable of sustaining its competitive edge.

If the move materialises, Schicker could be appointed as Salzburg’s new sporting director as early as the January transfer window, giving him time to prepare for the summer market. His departure would leave Hoffenheim scrambling for a replacement amid an already tense internal atmosphere.

Manchester United are keen to add more talent under Ruben Amorim and could now look to make a move that would make the world sit up and take notice of developments at Old Trafford.

Man Utd look to strike tactical balance under Ruben Amorim

Undoubtedly, Amorim’s decision to stick with his complex 3-4-3 formation has drawn his fair share of admirers and critics. However, the Portuguese boss doesn’t appear likely to change that any time soon.

Per Pundit Arena, Emile Heskey has claimed that regardless of their tactical set-up, a lack of leaders in the Old Trafford dressing room is a reason behind their inconsistent form this season.

He stated: “Nothing seems to go right for Ruben Amorim. Everyone keeps talking about the tactics, but when you put 11 players on the pitch, they’ve got to fight. Where’s your leaders? I remember playing at Liverpool, I was only 22 at the time, we had Gary McAllister and he would be on to us. Steven Gerrard was younger than me, he would be on to us, Sami Hyypia, too.

“It doesn’t look like Man Utd have any leaders on the pitch, who are really digging people out.”

Now, that may be a little harsh. Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire are two shining examples of leadership, but ultimately, the best form of authority in football comes from players who do their talking with the ball at their feet.

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Bringing new talent with the potential to be world-class is what will take Manchester United closer to their glory days. Nevertheless, that is easier said than done, all things considered.

However, they may now be plotting a seismic move to sign a proven international who is becoming one of Europe’s best attacking forces due to his excellent displays.

Man Utd ready to go big for Kenan Yildiz

According to reports in Europe via Stretty News, Manchester United are planning to launch an offensive for Juventus star Kenan Yildiz, someone who was previously of interest to the club during the summer window.

Regardless, it would take a fee well over the region of £86 million to entice him to Old Trafford, with the Serie A giants keen to retain the 24-cap Turkish international at all costs.

Five similar players to Kenan Yildiz (FBRef)

Lazar Samardzic

Atalanta

Francisco Conceicao

Juventus

Mohammed Kudus

Tottenham Hotspur

Zuriko Davitashvili

Saint-Etienne

Dejan Kulusevski

Tottenham Hotspur

Labelled “brilliant” by Massimiliano Allegri, Yildiz has registered two goals and four assists in eight appearances for Juventus this term across all competitions, proving his worth as the Old Lady aim to push for the league title.

Furthermore, the Regensburg-born winger has already created 17 chances and delivered eight successful crosses in Serie A, per Fotmob, illustrating his ability to carve open defences.

With Manchester United pushing hard for his signature, it remains to be seen whether they can come to an agreement with Juventus on a structure for a potential deal and whether he would be open to moving to Old Trafford.

Manchester United are now readying a £70m bid for a “world-class” midfielder, who could join as part of a Kobbie Mainoo swap deal.

Mainoo fails to force his way into Amorim's plans

It is clear that Ruben Amorim isn’t the biggest fan of Kobbie Mainoo, who is still yet to start a Premier League game this season, despite Man United making an awful start, with their most recent setback coming in a 3-1 defeat against Brentford.

With Casemiro suspended, Manuel Ugarte came into central midfield, alongside Bruno Fernandes, and Mainoo once again had to settle for being a substitute, with the 20-year-old being brought on for the final 25 minutes of the game.

Having been unable to force his way into Amorim’s plans, there have been suggestions the Englishman could be ready to move to a new club this winter, and rivals Manchester City have even been named as surprise potential suitors.

That said, with Amorim now under significant pressure, receiving criticism from club legend Wayne Rooney, the midfielder may soon have a new manager, who is more willing to give him consistent game time.

For now, however, INEOS are persisting with the 40-year-old, and Mainoo’s future remains up in the air, with a report from Spain revealing the youngster could be used as part of a swap deal for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde.

Man United are said to be preparing an offer of around €80m (£70m) for Valverde, but they may be willing to use their youth product as a makeweight in negotiations, in order to reduce the cost of the operation.

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However, Real Madrid are currently showing little interest in sanctioning a departure, with the midfielder emerging as one of their most ‘trusted’ players, so it remains to be seen whether a deal will be possible.

"World-class" Valverde could take Man Utd's midfield to next level

Let’s make it clear — Man United definitely shouldn’t consider letting Mainoo leave, given that the England international has previously shown he has what it takes to perform at the top level, excelling in the 2024 FA Cup Final.

That said, signing the Real Madrid star for straight cash should still be a very attractive proposition, having proven himself over a number of years in La Liga and the Champions League, with Jurgen Klopp once dubbing the maestro “world-class”.

Casemiro has made it clear he is unreliable, with the Brazilian naively getting himself sent off in the 2-1 victory over Chelsea, and at 33-years-old, United are in need of a long-term replacement in the middle of the park.

Statistic

Average per 90 (past year)

Pass completion %

89.5% (89th percentile)

Assists

0.20 (89th percentile)

Interceptions

1.48 (86th percentile)

Over the past year, Valverde has shown that he is a well-rounded midfielder, capable of making an impact at both ends of the pitch, and the Uruguayan would undoubtedly be an exciting signing for the Red Devils.

Manchester United have sifted through a familiar pile of problems so far this season, but there’s been enough about Ruben Amorim’s side to suggest a turnaround may yet be on the horizon.

A daunting trip to Anfield looms large for the Red Devils now that the October international break has been wrapped up, and INEOS will expect to see an upswing in results, having unlocked their purse and spent a pretty penny on new signings this summer.

Liverpool

7

£415m

Chelsea

10

£285m

Arsenal

8

£255m

Newcastle

7

£250m

Man United

5

£216m

Given that last year’s 15th-place Premier League finish and defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final have limited Amorim and his team to domestic action only this year, it’s impressive that INEOS granted a significant outlay to help get Old Trafford back on track.

Among those arrivals was Benjamin Sesko, who hasn’t quite hit the ground running after joining from German side RB Leipzig.

Man Utd considering Sesko upgrade

This month, Sesko put the brakes on his Man United progress, having scored two goals in succession, heading out for international action with Slovenia.

He didn’t carry his form over to the World Cup qualifiers, but the 22-year-old striker has shown in recent weeks his capacity to succeed at the Theatre of Dreams, with Wayne Rooney citing the star’s aerial “influence” as proving a “handful” for Sunderland two weeks ago.

But with Rasmus Hojlund now out on loan with Napoli and with a mandatory purchase option worth £38m, there’s a sense Amorim and Man United technical director Jason Wilcox might be seeking an alternative at number nine.

Well, according to Spanish sources this week, that player could be Mateo Retegui, who is already attracting intrigue after leaving Atalanta for Al Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia this summer.

The 26-year-old cost his new outfit a reported £56m in July, and so would cost United a heavy outlay if they were to pursue this market potential.

In fact, the Spanish media suggest a fee in the region of €60m (about £52m) would do the trick.

But two strikers are better than one, and with United planning to return to European competition by the start of next term, adding Retegui to the ranks might be a shrewd move.

Would his success come at Sesko’s expense?

Why Mateo Retegui is perfect for Man Utd

Retegui, an Italy international but born and raised in Argentina, left his South American homeland in 2023 and joined Genoa, scoring nine times across the 2023/24 campaign and piquing the interest of Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta manager.

Transferring to La Dea following their historic success in the Europa League, Retegui notched 28 goals across the recent campaign, with Italian manager Luciano Spalletti saying, “Inside the box, he is lethal.”

That’s exactly what the Red Devils need going forward, and while Sesko promises much under Amorim’s management, it’s clear he is a work in progress, and that a period of adaptation might spill over into the following season.

Retegui would be the perfect player, at a different stage in his career development, to jockey for a place at the front of the ship and ensure United go from strength to strength next season and beyond.

With five goals and four assists from his past four matches for Gli Azzurri during World Cup qualifying, Retegui is proving he has retained the requisite sharpness to succeed in the Premier League for a superpower such as Man United.

If we’ve learned anything about Man United’s goalscoring conundrum over the past year or so, it’s that strikers need service. Hojlund has come alive since leaving England, and United’s 14th-placed ranking for big chances created last season (66) emphasises the root of their creative struggles then.

But things have changed this term. Tactical imbalances still reign, but Sesko is benefiting from Bruno Fernandes’ creativity; no Premier League player has created more big chances than his 18 this season.

Just imagine the gains that could be made with Retegui thrown into the mix. According to Sofascore, Retegui only missed 18 big chances in Serie A last season, scoring 25 times, which emphasises his clinical quality in the danger area. The Italian averaged more than a chance created per game besides.

For all that is lopsided about Amorim’s system and the application of the players within it, United actually top the xG (expected goals) chart in the top flight so far.

Retegui has proven over the past few years his goalscoring ability and aptitude across the final third. For Atalanta, he was “one of the best acquisitions of the summer transfer window” in 2024, after all.

Kylian Mbappe

34

31

Mohamed Salah

38

29

Robert Lewandowski

34

27

Harry Kane

31

26

Mateo Retegui

36

25

He no longer competes on the European circuit, but the Italian has started life in the Gulf as clinically as he left his career in his homeland, posting three goals from four matches across the Saudi Pro League campaign so far.

Given that, across the past 12 months, he ranks among the top 5% of strikers for goals scored, the top 7% for assists and the top 11% for recoveries completed per 90, as per FBref’s data, there’s a sense that this mobile and aggressive goalscorer could be the perfect counterpoint to the tall and powerful Sesko.

But if Retegui were to hit the ground running, it might actually be to the detriment of Sesko’s own rise in the Premier League.

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Newcastle United fell to their third Premier League defeat of the season this afternoon, with Danny Welbeck’s double securing a 2-1 win for Brighton & Hove Albion.

Eddie Howe’s side must have thought they secured a point after Nick Woltemade netted his fourth goal in just five league outings after his summer arrival from Stuttgart.

However, it wasn’t meant to be, as the aforementioned star’s effort was in vain after Welbeck’s goal secured Fabian Hurzeler’s side all three points at the AMEX.

The Magpies now sit in the bottom half of the table at present, with just two wins to their name – needing a huge reaction in the coming games to get their campaign back on track.

Such a result will likely leave the manager bitterly disappointed, but more so, the failure to impress of numerous players who were handed chances to impress from the off.

Newcastle’s disappointing performers against Brighton

Despite being under fire for his lack of impact of late, Howe decided to stick with Brazilian international Joelinton as part of his three-man midfield.

However, his showing against the Seagulls was a hugely disappointing one, with the 29-year-old subsequently being withdrawn from the contest at the break.

He failed to create any chances for his teammates despite completing 21 passes, whilst also losing 100% of the aerial battles that he entered on the South Coast.

Joelinton wasn’t alone in failing to deliver against Hurzeler’s men, with full-back Dan Burn unable to help the Magpies secure all three points against his former employers.

The 33-year-old only managed to win four of the 14 duels he entered during his 90-minute performance, subsequently being dribbled past twice by former Newcastle star Yankuba Minteh.

Despite the showings from the aforementioned duo, one other first-team member produced an afternoon to forget, with Howe desperately needing to take action.

The Newcastle star who needs to be dropped after Brighton

After the sale of Alexander Isak during the summer window, it was vital Newcastle invested well into the squad to avoid a drop off in the Premier League standings.

As previously mentioned, Woltemade has hit the ground running for the Magpies, already looking like the club’s most threatening option within the final third.

The opposite end of the pitch also received hefty investment, with Malick Thiaw joining in a £40m deal from AC Milan – subsequently cementing his place in the starting eleven in recent weeks.

However, fellow summer addition Anthony Elanga has struggled to produce the type of displays that saw the hierarchy fork out a fee in the region of £55m for his services.

The Swede has failed to score or assist in any of his ten outings across all competitions, with his showing against the Seagulls highlighting his lack of impact to date.

He was named in the starting eleven for the clash against Hurzeler’s men this afternoon, but once again failed to match the faith shown in him by his manager, Howe.

Like Joelinton, Elanga was hooked at half-time due to his lack of impact, with his underlying figures showcasing how dismal he was during the Magpies’ latest defeat.

Anthony Elanga – stats against Brighton

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

45

Touches

20

Passes completed

12

Crosses completed

0

Dribbles completed

0

Duels won

50%

Dribbled past

1

Match rating

4/10

Stats via FotMob

He failed to complete any of the dribbles or crosses that he attempted, with only one of his attempted passes being made into the final third of the pitch.

Elanga also came out on top in just 50% of all the duels he contested, even being unable to create any chances for his teammates during his 45-minute outing.

To further highlight his lack of impact, he only achieved a total of 20 touches, a tally lower than that of goalkeeper Nick Pope, who achieved a total of 40.

As a result of his performance, Elanga was handed a measly 4/10 match rating by Newcastle World journalist Jordan Cronin – further showcasing his lack of impact.

Given his display, Howe desperately needs to get the winger firing, which should see the 23-year-old being dropped to the substitutes’ bench in the coming matches.

His mammoth price tag has certainly increased the pressure on his shoulders, but time needs to be handed his way to allow the attacker to adapt to the demands in the North East.

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كشف بيب جوارديولا مدرب مانشستر سيتي، عن مدى حماسه لمواجهة ليفربول في الدوري الإنجليزي، بعد فوز فريقه أمام بوروسيا دورتموند بدوري أبطال أوروبا، وأشاد بلاعبه فيل فودين.

وتغلب مانشستر سيتي على بوروسيا دورتموند برباعية لهدف، في مرحلة الدوري بدوري أبطال أوروبا، وسيلاقي ليفربول يوم الأحد القادم ضمن مواجهات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وقال جوارديولا في تصريحاته عقب المباراة لـ”TNT sports”: “في كل مرة أحضر فيها إلى المؤتمر الصحفي، تُسجلون لي رقمًا قياسيًا جديدًا، ورقمًا قياسيًا آخر حطمه إيرلينج هالاند، هذه هي الحقيقة، سعيد من أجله، فهو يستحق ذلك”.

وعن مدى قرب فيل فودين من أفضل مستوياته، أضاف: “أقول إنه وصل بالفعل إلى هذا المستوى! لا داعي لأن يكون أقرب! كم مرة رأينا هذا الهدف من فيل، أليس كذلك؟! هذا الكرم في بذل الجهد، وخاصةً في الثلث الأخير من الملعب، لقد افتقدناه كثيرًا، لقد عاد مجددًا نعم”.

وأردف: “توماس توخيل (مدرب منتخب إنجلترا) يُدرك تمامًا مدى جودة فودين، وأنا متأكد تمامًا من أن توماس سيبذل قصارى جهده لبلده الجديد”.

وبشأن مواجهة الأحد أمام ليفربول في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، علّق جوارديولا: “لقد كانوا أكبر منافسينا في السنوات التسع أو العشر الماضية، لذا ليس من الضروري وصف مدى قوتهم، لكننا مستعدون، سنتدرب غدًا، ونستريح، ونحصل على يوم راحة، ونستعد للمباراة بأفضل شكل ممكن”.

وواصل: “تحدثنا كثيرًا عن هذا الأسبوع، وأهميته، وقد تعاملنا معه بشكل ممتاز، ومن دواعي سرورنا مواجهتهم، ومع جماهيرنا، أعرف مدى أهمية ذلك، ونأمل أن نقدم مباراة جيدة”.

اقرأ أيضًا | دوكو بعد تخطي دورتموند: الفوز على ليفربول سيمنحنا أسبوعًا مثاليًا قبل التوقف الدولي

وأسترسل جوارديولا: “بصراحة أنا متحمس جدًا وسعيد بما سأجهزه للمباراة يوم الأحد، وأتطلع بشدة للعب يوم الأحد مرة أخرى ضد ليفربول، وسنرى ما سيحدث”.

وعن بوروسيا دورتموند، أفاد: “خرجنا من المباراة في أول 15 دقيقة، لم نكن نعرف أين نحن، خاصةً وأنهم وضعوا ستة لاعبين في الهجوم مقابل أربعة مدافعين، ووضعوا العديد من اللاعبين السريعين هناك”.

وبشأن غياب رودري، أوضح: “لا يوجد شيء خطير، لكنه لا يزال يتطلب الحذر أكثر من أي شيء آخر”.

With 2025 marking the 21st edition of the FIFPRO Men's World 11, GOAL ranks the five best versions ever assembled

Part of the fun of sports is the debate. How would this star do against another? Could this team beat this one? Which era is best? The games are the best, of course, but all of the discussion surrounding them is equally enjoyable and, at times, equally fierce.

Of course, analyzing teams across different eras is entirely subjective. But that's the fun of it. Which brings us to the FIFPRO Men's World 11. Since 2005, global players have voted for their World 11, assembling the greatest collections of players in the game. Imagining these players, all in the same team, is tantalizing. The 2025 winners will be announced Nov. 3, and there are plenty of good candidates.

Until then, though, it's time to look to the past. These teams have included icons of the game and legends that have won it all. So, which are the five greatest FIFPRO Men's World 11 squads ever assembled? GOAL takes a look.

• FIFPRO World 11
  

  5FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2020

  Goalkeeper: Alisson (Brazil)

  Defenders: Alphonso Davies (Canada), Sergio Ramos (Spain), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands), Trent Alexander-Arnold (England)

  Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium), Thiago (Spain), Joshua Kimmich (Germany)

  Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Lionel Messi (Argentina)

  An absolutely ludicrous team of attacking talent.

  You have Ronaldo, Messi and Lewandowski in the attack, with the Polish star fresh off a dominant campaign for Bayern Munich. To supplement that, you have two of the best attacking fullbacks we've seen in Alexander-Arnold and Davies. Oh, you want to build through the midfield? How about De Bruyne and Thiago, with Kimmich cleaning up messes with Ramos and van Dijk behind him and Alisson in goal?

  This team would score goal after goal after goal. But even so, it's fair to question whether they could match the defensive balance that some of the teams above them would possess. Still, if you want excitement, this is the team for you.

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• FIFPRO World 11
  

  4FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2011

  Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Spain)

  Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Spain), Gerard Pique (Spain), Nemanja Vidic (Serbia), Dani Alves (Brazil)

  Midfielders: Andres Iniesta (Spain), Xavi (Spain), Xabi Alonso (Spain)

  Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Wayne Rooney (England), Lionel Messi (Argentina)

  Of course, the attacking trio of Ronaldo, Messi and Rooney will get the attention, but 2011 was the period of Spanish dominance, and you can see that in this team.

  The midfield contains three of La Roja's greatest ever, Iniesta, Xavi and Alonso, so you'd know there'd be no chemistry issues there. Ramos and Pique are in the defense, while Casillas is in goal. What about that for a spine? Add in Alves, comfortable with everyone we've named due to his role at Barcelona, and a no-nonsense defender in Vidic and you've got a complete team. It is never going to lose the ball, and the defensive solidity is the stuff of dreams, especially if we assume that Rooney is going to put the legwork in up front. 

  This team seems to capture an era, one that many look back on as when the sport was at its very best.

• FIFPRO World 11
  

  3FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2007

  Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy)

  Defenders: Carles Puyol (Spain), Fabio Cannavaro (Italy), John Terry (England), Alessandro Nesta (Italy)

  Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (England), Kaka (Brazil), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

  Forwards: Ronaldinho (Brazil), Didier Drogba (Côte d'Ivoire), Lionel Messi (Argentina)

  Ronaldo as a midfielder? Well, yeah, but when you look at the pieces around this team, you understand why. Yes, this team is attack-heavy, with Ronaldo joining Kaka and Gerrard in midfield and Messi leading the line alongside Drogba and Ronaldinho.

  However, when you have defenders such as Puyol, Cannavaro, Terry and Nesta in the team, you might just be able to get away with it.

  This team has pace, technique, power and creativity. It can come at you in waves and, with the four players staying back, that might just be enough. This team is about strong defense, pace in attack, and well-rounded center mids. Perfection. 

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• FIFPRO World 11
  

  2FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2005

  Goalkeeper: Dida (Brazil)

  Defenders: Paolo Maldini (Italy), Alessandro Nesta (Italy), John Terry (England), Cafu (Brazil)

  Midfielders: Frank Lampard (England), Claude Makelele (France), Zinedine Zidane (France)

  Forwards: Ronaldinho (Brazil), Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon)

  It's fair to argue that this team has a Gerrard-sized hole, given his heroics in Istanbul. But even without the Liverpool icon, this group is stacked. There's a reason he didn't make it, after all.

  We have to start with the defense, which is probably as close to perfect as you can get. A centerback pairing of Nesta and Terry is as formidable as it gets, while Maldini's presence on the left balances out Cafu's attacking ambition on the right. In the midfield, you have Makelele cleaning up for Lampard and Zidane, creating a balanced trio.

  And, in the attack, you have the pace of Ronaldinho and Eto'o to aid the finishing of Shevchenko. In reality, this team is perhaps the best balanced. Others may have more talent. But if you're playing an actual match, this might just be the best one. Which makes the top side even more impressive.

By leaving Paterson out, SA lengthened their batting and slotted Mulder at No. 3, where he has batted only twice before in Tests

Firdose Moonda10-Jun-2025

At Lord’s come Wednesday, Lungi Ngidi will play his first Test in ten months, and only his third under coach Shukri Conrad. Ngidi was confirmed in South Africa’s XI for the WTC final ahead of Dane Paterson, preferred for the extra pace and bounce in an attack that will also feature Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Keshav Maharaj.”It was probably one of the tougher decisions that have been made,” South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said at his pre-match press conference. “We’ve seen what Patto [Paterson] did for us at the end of last season. But from a tactical point of view, there’s a little bit more pace from Lungi. He is taller as well.”On the Lord’s slope, a bowler’s height is considered a major asset. All of Australia’s quicks are at least 1.90m tall, while Jansen stands at 2.06m and Ngidi at 1.93m. Mulder, at 1.85m, is the shortest of the quicks across both sides, and his bowling style – medium pace with the ability to move the ball – was considered too similar to Paterson’s to include both of them in an attack looking for variety.Related

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“Lungi has the experience. He’s played here before – not that Patto hasn’t, but Lungi complements that bowling attack a little bit more,” Bavuma said. “We have a guy like Mulder as well, who kind of gives you something similar to what Patto can do. But I think that was probably one of the difficult decisions that we had to make.”Ngidi’s inclusion could still be considered a risk. While he has played at Lord’s before, against England in 2022, he bowled 12 overs across two innings, with figures of 1 for 27. Ngidi has also only played two Tests in the last 18 months, and no red-ball cricket last summer. He trained with Rabada, Jansen and Mulder under the watch of Stuart Broad on Monday afternoon.Ngidi’s last first-class match was South Africa’s Test against West Indies in August last year, where he bowled 16.5 overs with a haul of 1 for 51. Since November 2022, Ngidi has only bowled a combined ten-plus overs twice – both times in Tests – as he has battled a series of injuries. The latest was a groin concern that ruled him out from mid-November last year to January this year.Ngidi played five games in the SA20 this year and all of South Africa’s matches at the Champions Trophy and two games at the IPL. He bowled two overs against Zimbabwe in Arundel in a rain-affected warm-up match, but it remains to be seen how he will perform in long spells – or in third, fourth and fifth spells if required.Wiaan Mulder will form South Africa’s core for the next few years•AFP/Getty Images

Paterson is proven in that regard, and delivered 68 overs in the two Tests he played over the home summer in 2024-25, when he took 13 wickets at 16.92, South Africa’s best average. But Paterson has only once played in a Test with Mulder, in Bangladesh last October, where both had a light second-innings load as the spinners took control.South Africa’s desire to lengthen their batting line-up and balance their attack has ultimately cost Paterson the chance at a perfect farewell. He has not been named in their squad for the Tests against Zimbabwe later this month, and at 36, is in the twilight of his career. Ngidi and Mulder, meanwhile, at 29 and 27, respectively, will be part of the core for the next few years.Mulder has also been given the responsibility of batting at No. 3 in the WTC final, something he has only done twice before in his career – and both times for South Africa.The first was in Durban against Sri Lanka last year. When Tony de Zorzi was dismissed in the 12th over, Mulder offered to come in to try and take the shine off a new(ish) ball. But he suffered a broken right middle finger and was ruled out of cricket for the rest of 2024. Mulder returned for the New Year’s Test against Pakistan, where he again batted at No. 3, and scored 5.Tristan Stubbs has been South Africa’s go-to No. 3 batter in recent times•AFP/Getty Images

His most successful batting position in the top seven in all first-class cricket is No. 5, where he averages 39.20. But South Africa have chosen to use Tristan Stubbs, who was originally given the No. 3 spot, in that position. The other batter in the squad is opener de Zorzi, who has lost his spot to Ryan Rickelton and has not been considered at No. 3 – for now.”Mulder is quite young obviously in that position. But having played with Mulder, [and] having seen the way he has grown in the last two years within red-ball cricket, it’s about giving him a lot more confidence, backing him, and allowing him to do what he does best,” Bavuma said. “He has an opportunity in a pressure situation. But I think he can take comfort from the fact that the guys are backing him. We just want him to go out and play his game.”If Mulder is looking for advice, he could find some from Hashim Amla, South Africa’s most successful No. 3 among all those to have batted at least 20 times there.Amla averaged 49.95 in that position, and scored 25 hundreds. He was inducted into the ICC’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday evening, alongside former captain Graeme Smith, and his first tip to Mulder was to make sure he was ready to bat as early as possible.”You have to be able to handle a new ball. That’s because most of the time at No. 3, you end up coming in pretty early – so you’re always prepping for that,” Amla said. “You’ve got to have a good technique, and you’ve got to have the experience of batting in the top order for a long time. That makes the quality of a good No. 3 batsman for a long period of time.”Like Mulder, Amla was not a natural No. 3, but thinks it’s a role players can grow into.”When I first started at three, I was not a No. 3 batter. I actually preferred [batting at] four and five, and batting at three for South Africa was the only gap at that stage,” Amla said. “They asked me to do it, and I did it. I had a season of doing it with the Dolphins, and then going to the national team. In this current team, you may not have guys who have batted [at] three domestically, but there’s a time for them to start. And if Wiaan bats at three, it might be his time.”You have to be real that you need time to learn the position, and although it’s a big final, it’s tough to be in the deep end like that. But he can make it work. He’s technically sound, and the style of cricket that South Africa look to be playing is a little bit more attacking. So in many ways, your technique is not tested as much. You’re playing a bit more shots than normal, so it might fit into the way that South Africa are playing.”Of the two contenders for No. 3, Stubbs could be considered the more aggressive. But after trying him at No. 3 for five Tests in which he averaged 44.71, albeit on fairly flat tracks, South Africa decided to move him down, where he can play with more flair. Bavuma will bat at No. 4, between Mulder and Stubbs.With Bavuma as South Africa’s leading Test run-scorer in the last five years, Mulder and Stubbs’ fortunes are as, if not more, reliant on their captain’s performance.

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Jamie Overton has been handed a surprise recall to England’s squad for the first Test against India after his Surrey team-mate Gus Atkinson was ruled out with a hamstring strain. Jacob Bethell’s return to the squad creates a top-order selection headache, while Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse are both back after missing England’s win over Zimbabwe with niggles.Overton won his only cap at Headingley, the venue for the first Test on June 20, against New Zealand in 2022, in which he made a matchturning 97 and took a wicket in each innings. He broke his little finger last week during an ODI against West Indies, and has only played three County Championship matches since the start of last season due to injury and the IPL. However, he has jumped ahead of Matthew Potts as seam-bowling cover.”We’ve spoken many times about our varied attack, and making sure that we’ve still got some pace in the attack,” Luke Wright, England’s selector, said. “Jamie showed in white-ball cricket that he’s got a huge amount of pace and bounce, and he’s a real threat.”He’s obviously had a taste of Test cricket before, and did well, getting some runs, which was great. He’s going back to a ground he did well at Leeds, and for us, it’s making sure that we’ve got the options. If one of those quicker bowlers were to go down, then we’ve got someone who could replace him, and Jamie is a great one to have available.”England were initially confident that Atkinson would recover from injury in time for the first Test but he was deemed unavailable for selection, leaving their seam options depleted. Mark Wood and Olly Stone are both out of the series with knee injuries, while Jofra Archer will not be match-fit until the second Test at the earliest after a thumb issue. Wright confirmed that Archer is expected to play a Championship match for Sussex against Durham in a fortnight’s time to prepare himself for a possible recall.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Bethell, meanwhile, missed the Zimbabwe Test while at the IPL and his return leaves England with a dilemma. His impressive debut series in New Zealand, in which he scored three half-centuries at No. 3, left Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope’s spots under pressure, but both men scored hundreds against Zimbabwe and may hold onto their places for the time being.”He’s very close,” Wright said of Bethell’s potential return to the starting XI. “It’s a great option to have, isn’t it? It’s lovely to have him back, what a talent we all see in him. When Baz and Stokesy took on these roles, we were really struggling as a batting group to get runs on the board, and we’re getting to a point now where we’re getting real depth into that squad, which is fantastic.”Sam Cook is retained after making his debut against Zimbabwe but appears likely to start the series as back-up, with Woakes back in contention after an ankle issue. Josh Tongue, who missed the 2024 season through injury, is also named in the squad, and will play for England Lions against India A at Northampton this week – alongside Woakes – to prepare for the first Test.Related

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Potts is arguably the unluckiest absentee, having been named in squads for all formats this summer, including the Zimbabwe Test in which Cook was selected ahead of him. His haul of 36 wickets at 29.44 in 10 Tests to date includes a key role in the first Bazball summer of 2022. However, he has been pushed down the pecking order ever since.”It’s really tough on Pottsy,” Wright said. “It was probably between him and Cookie for that other spare bowler, if we were to lose Woakesy, and we just felt that maybe Cookie has got the edge with that new ball. But we know what Potts is all about. It’s not easy for him, but it’s great to have him as a squad bowler in the pack, if any injuries happen. But on this occasion, he’s just missed out.”England’s squad has changed significantly since their 4-1 series defeat in India 18 months ago: James Anderson retired shortly after that tour, while Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson have also been discarded. India have also undergone a transition, with R Ashwin, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma all retiring and Shubman Gill taking on the captaincy for the first time.The series starts at Headingley before moving onto Edgbaston, Lord’s and Emirates Old Trafford, and will finish at the Kia Oval. India, who have not won a Test series in England since 2007, have sent several members of their squad ahead to play for India A against the Lions, and the rest of their touring party will arrive in the UK on Friday.England squad for first Test vs India: Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Ben Stokes (capt), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.