غاب لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي برشلونة عن التدريبات التي قادها المدرب الألماني هانز فليك، استعدادًا للجولة الثانية من بطولة الدوري الإسباني 2025/2026.
ومن المقرر أن يواجه برشلونة نظيره ليفانتي، مساء السبت المقبل، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من بطولة الدوري الإسباني، في تمام الساعة 10:30 بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.
وحل برشلونة ضيفًا على ريال مايوركا، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى من بطولة الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2025/2026.
اقرأ أيضًا | ليس لامين يامال.. راشفورد يتغنى بزميله في برشلونة ويكشف سبب رحيله عن مانشستر يونايتد
وتمكن برشلونة من تحقيق فوز مهم على ريال مايوركا، في بداية مهمته في الليجا، إذ انتصر بثلاثة أهداف دون رد.
وغاب الهولندي فرينكي دي يونج، لاعب خط وسط برشلونة عن تدريبات الفريق اليوم بموافقة النادي وتوجه إلى المستشفى في انتظار مولوده الثاني، وذلك وفقًا لصحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو”.
أصبح دي يونج البالغ من العمر 26 عامًا، أبًا في 21 نوفمبر 2023، لذلك اختار فرينكي الرقم 21 لارتداء قميص برشلونة مع سبب آخر وهو تكريم لجده الذي اعتنى به كثيرًا في طفولته.
Former first-class cricketer and chair of the NZCPA Scott Weenink takes over from David White
ESPNcricinfo staff30-Aug-2023
Scott Weenink: “New Zealand have to be flexible in contracting to retain their best players”•ICC via Getty
Prioritising Test cricket and ensuring that New Zealand’s best players want to keep playing for the country are on top of the agenda for NZC’s new chief executive Scott Weenink, who took over from David White on August 30.Weenink, 50, is a businessman and a former first-class cricketer from Wellington, and he was the chair of the New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NCPA), a position from which he will now step down.”It was a great honour to be offered the position,” he said. “I love sport and cricket in particular, and I also love the business of sport – so this seemed like an ideal role. There’s a finely balanced, symbiotic relationship between community and high performance cricket in New Zealand and one of my key responsibilities is to ensure that’s maintained and sustained into the future.”Weenink will formally begin duties on Friday and said at a press conference in Auckland that he recognised the need to strike a balance between Test cricket and the increasingly-crowded T20 calendar.”I’m a Test cricket romantic but also I see Test cricket as being key to keeping players playing for New Zealand,” Weenink said. “I think if we didn’t have Test cricket, it’d be much harder to keep them interested in that. They’d simply, you know, come back and play an ICC [event]. So absolutely, I’ll be looking to try and promote Test cricket while balancing the fact that we do need to play the higher revenue parts of the game as well.”It is that difficult balance of recognising that Test Cricket doesn’t make money, but it’s very important for the fans and very important for the players. I think the Test Championship has been a great addition. And that’s certainly going to keep the interest. It’s really just trying to balance out that revenue generation part of it while, you know, generally trying to play as much Test cricket as possible.”Weenink takes over at a time when players all around the world are being made to choose between prioritising playing for their country, or pursing lucrative T20 league contracts. New Zealand have had Trent Boult, Jimmy Neesham and Colin de Grandhomme go down the freelance route over the last year. Weenink said that the key to keeping players in the New Zealand cricket ecosystem is flexibility.”I think one of the strengths of New Zealand cricket is the flexibility it has around the contracting,” he said. “We need to recognise that players want to generate as much earnings for themselves during what is a short term contract, while also wanting to play cricket for New Zealand. And it’s all evolving, so we need to try and keep on top of that, make sure that we’re giving players flexibility, but also really encouraging them to stay and play for New Zealand.”New Zealand Cricket Board chair Martin Snedden said that to retain players, sometimes they needed to be allowed to “chase the money.””We are in a battle for the retention of players and therefore we have to ensure that the players see real value in staying available for New Zealand for as often as possible … If it’s important to players that they’re regarded as great players, players that have succeeded, they have to play at the international level to get that reputation. So we’ve just got to be able to continue offering them an environment they want to be part of, whilst demonstrating to them we understand that from time to time they need the flexibility to chase the money.”Snedden said that the new NZC chief executive Weenink has “a great deal to offer in all the key areas, plus some special experiences that specifically suited the skillset needed in this position”.”He understands the relationship between community and high performance sport; he’s very familiar with world cricket affairs and current issues, and he’s spent a significant time running organisations and projects within Asia, obviously a major region of importance for NZC,” Snedden said. “Scott understands cricket. He understands its context in New Zealand; where it’s come from, where it is now, and where it should be going.”
Franchise says “the team is still under the process of review” after failing to make the playoffs in IPL 2023
Nagraj Gollapudi16-Jul-2023Royal Challengers Bangalore have not yet renewed their contracts with director of cricket operations Mike Hesson and head coach Sanjay Bangar following a sixth-place finish in IPL 2023, a development that could signal a major revamp at the franchise.The contracts are usually up for renewal around September, ESPNcricinfo has learned, but the franchise management is deliberating changes to its coaching staff. It could not be confirmed whether RCB have informed Hesson and Bangar, both of whom did not respond to a query from ESPNcricinfo.”Their contract with RCB is still intact,” RCB said in a statement. “The team is still under the process of review. We will come back if any announcement on the changes in the team.”Related
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Hesson came on board in August 2019 following a revamp of the coaching staff after their last-placed finish that year, while Bangar began his tenure ahead of the 2022 season, after Simon Katich parted ways with the franchise.Under Hesson, RCB finished fourth in the league in 2020 and lost the Eliminator to Sunrisers Hyderabad; third in 2021 and lost the Eliminator to Kolkata Knight Riders; fourth in IPL 2022 before winning the Eliminator and then losing Qualifier 2 to Rajasthan Royals; and failed to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2023.RCB have made it to three IPL finals – in 2009 , 2011 and 2016 – but are yet to win an IPL title.RCB could become the second franchise to make changes to its team management since IPL 2023, after Lucknow Super Giants replaced Andy Flower with Justin Langer as their head coach.If RCB part ways with Hesson, it could also mean a revamp of the support staff of the RCB women’s team. Hesson was also director of cricket for the team during the inaugural Women’s Premier League, where they finished fourth among five teams, with two wins and six losses.
Manchester United’s quest to return to their former glory has reached an all-time low in 2024/25, with the club registering their lowest ever Premier League finish.
The Red Devils only managed to pick up a total of 42 points from their 38 outings, also their lowest since the division’s formation in 1992, highlighting the work needed this summer.
Ruben Amorim is the latest manager tasked with the responsibility of winning the league, after numerous other candidates tried and failed to end their now 14-year drought.
Manchester United manager RubenAmorimreacts
Sir Alex Ferguson was the last person to lift such a trophy at Old Trafford, with millions upon millions of pounds wasted on players who are evidently not at the level required for success in England’s top flight.
The current transfer window is an opportunity to learn from their mistakes in the past and secure top-level talents who can contribute positively to their end goal of once again being a force to be reckoned with.
The latest on United’s hunt for a new striker this summer
Juventus star Dušan Vlahović has emerged as a surprise option for United this summer, with work already being done behind the scenes to complete a deal for the Serbian international.
He’s not the only one, with Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta another player on their shortlist after he scored 17 times this campaign and led the Eagles to an FA Cup triumph.
However, despite the interest in the aforementioned talents, progress has been made on a deal to land Eintracht Frankfurt talisman Hugo Ekitiké, according to one Spanish outlet.
They claim that talks have already been held with the Frenchman’s representatives over a move to Old Trafford, with a bid expected for his services in the coming days.
It also states that the hierarchy see the 22-year-old as a priority addition this summer, unsurprisingly so given his tally of 22 goals and 12 assists across all competitions this campaign.
One obstacle is likely to be the player’s asking price, reportedly valued at around £85m.
Why United’s latest target would be a better signing than Gyokeres
Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres is another striker who’s been firmly on United’s radar over the last couple of months, with the Swede undoubtedly one of Europe’s hottest prospects at present.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokerescelebrates scoring their third goal to complete his hat-trick
The 27-year-old has caught the eye with his bonkers goalscoring record, notching 54 goals in just 52 appearances across all competitions throughout the 2024/25 season.
Such form, coupled with his previous stint under Amorim, has seen him hugely linked with a move to Old Trafford, but concerns have been raised over his ability to replicate such form in the Premier League.
However, it appears as though the club could be set to miss out on his signature completely, with the talisman personally wanting a move to rivals Arsenal instead this window.
Such a decision will undoubtedly be a blow to the Red Devils’ ambitions within the market, but they shouldn’t worry, with fellow target Ekitike arguably a better addition.
Hugo Ekitike for Frankfurt.
The youngster has already proven his talents in one of Europe’s top five leagues, as seen by his tally of goals this campaign, demonstrating he’s more than capable of carrying such form over to England with him.
Whilst he’s been outscored by Gyokeres, he’s managed to better him in numerous key areas that are vital for a top-level striker, highlighting why he’d be a more effective option for Amorim.
Games played
33
33
Goals scored
15
39
Goals per shot on target
0.4
0.3
Pass accuracy
75%
71%
Passes into final third
0.8
0.5
Take-on success
47%
45%
Carries into final third
2
1.3
Aerials won
1.8
1.1
Ekitike, who’s been described as the “next Mbappe” by journalist Graeme Bailey, has produced a better goal per shot on target rate, proving that he’s more effective with the opportunities that fall his way in front of goal.
His all-round play is also more impressive than the Swede’s, completing more passes and winning more aerial battles per 90, having the ability to link up with players around him and provide the side with a focal point should they need to be direct.
The French star has also shown evidence that he can produce chances out of nothing, registering more carries into the final third per 90 and completing more of the take-ons he’s attempted, subsequently not relying on others around him to hand him an effort at goal.
There’s no denying that both options would massively bolster the attacking unit at Amorim’s disposal, but given the stats produced and the difference in age, there’s no doubt that Ekitike is the more attractive prospect.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
If he can replicate such success at Old Trafford, he would certainly become a fan-favourite, potentially playing a huge role in their ambitions of ending their unthinkable wait for a title triumph in the years to come.
The new McTominay: Man Utd moving to sign "one of the best CMs in Serie A"
Manchester United have a player in their sights who could replicate Scott McTominay’s success.
Nottingham Forest are preparing for their first campaign back in European competition since 1996, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side marking themselves out as last season’s surprise Premier League package.
Nottingham Forest now rivalling Chelsea to sign "complete" £25m midfielder
He’s a wanted man…
ByTom Cunningham Jun 20, 2025
Forest were serious contenders to qualify for the Champions League for a large portion of 2024/2025, but they fell just short on a dramatic final day which eventually saw Newcastle United and Chelsea pip them to a place in the top five.
Aston Villa took the final Europa League spot in sixth, meaning Forest ultimately had to settle for a place in the Conference League, and the far less lucrative prize pool.
In any case, Forest certainly weren’t initially tipped to qualify for Europe and end their near-two-decade-long wait to compete outside English shores, so we can safely call last term an undoubted success for Nuno.
It is now the task of Evangelos Marinakis and the Forest board to build upon their excellent campaign in the transfer market, with Forest also under less PSR pressure than this time last year after earning an extra £32.4 million in Premier League prize money.
Their seventh-placed finish and place in Europe means Forest could “fall a decent way short” of the £85 million they’re permitted to lose this financial year without breaching PSR (The Athletic), meaning Nuno’s side have more wiggle room to spend on summer recruitment.
Forest could still be forced to sell star midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, considering the England international has just two years remaining on his contract, and he’s shown zero indication that he’s willing to pen an extension at the City Ground (The Mail).
Nottingham Forest's MorganGibbs-Whitecelebrates
Gibbs-White’s potential sale, combined with both their league and European earnings, looks likely to fund Forest’s summer transfer window as they gear up for a crucial 2025/2026 campaign.
“Nottingham Forest will look to strengthen,” said ex-Premier League chief scout Mick Brown to Football Insider this week.
“Their recruitment has been excellent recently, and they’re able to bring players into an environment where they all work together for the club.”
Forest are targeting new forwards to complement Nuno’s squad and back the Portuguese with more firepower, as they look to compete on multiple fronts, with Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović a serious option for them.
Nottingham Forest hold talks with Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović
The Serbia international is out of contract next summer as things stand, and if the Old Lady cannot agree to extend their talisman’s deal, he could be allowed to leave for as little as £26 million.
That is according to journalist Rudy Galetti, who also told TEAMtalk this week that Forest have contacted Vlahovic’s representatives for discussions in an effort to tempt the centre-forward with a Premier League switch.
Dusan Vlahovic in action with Genoa'sKoniDeWinter
The Tricky Trees are described as favourites to sign Vlahovic, who is very keen on a move to England. Despite interest from Serie A heavyweights AC Milan, Forest stands out as the most “concrete” option for him.
Called a “superstar” striker by members of the Italian media, Vlahovic has hit double figures in every single season since 2020/2021, across spells at both Juve and Fiorentina.
The 25-year-old, who won Serbia’s Footballer of the Year award in 2024, would be a bold statement of intent from Forest, but his reported £200,000-per-week wage demands prove a major obstacle.
Newcastle United are set to miss out on yet another striker target as Spain international Samu Aghehowa appears intent on staying at Porto. The 21-year-old, who scored 27 goals last season, is focused on helping the Dragons win the title and improving his numbers, with local media insisting he’s not tempted by 'greed' or a Premier League switch.
Spain star Aghehowa unlikely to join Newcastle this summerPorto striker not tempted by ‘greed’ amid transfer linksMagpies face another rejection in search for new strikerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Reports from Portuguese outlet Record claim Aghehowa is aware of Newcastle’s interest but is fully committed to Porto’s campaign. The forward’s stance comes despite Eddie Howe’s side searching for attacking reinforcements after missing out on several targets. Porto are also unwilling to sanction a sale just a year after signing him from Atletico Madrid.
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Newcastle’s striker hunt has already seen them fail to land RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, who chose Manchester United instead. Interest in Aghehowa comes amid uncertainty over Alexander Isak’s future, with Liverpool having a £110m bid rejected. Porto, protected by a €100m (£87m/$117m) release clause, remain in a strong negotiating position.
DID YOU KNOW?
While Record claim Aghehowa’s focus is on winning trophies with Porto rather than chasing a big payday, O Jogo adds that a late move for the Spaniard to Newcastle is "not impossible". Even with an offer, convincing the striker to leave will be a major challenge for the Magpies.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR AGHEHOWA?
Unless Newcastle make a huge bid that changes Porto’s stance, Aghehowa looks set to remain in Portugal. Howe’s side may be forced to explore alternative targets as the transfer deadline looms. For now, Porto’s star striker remains firmly focused on silverware in the Primeira Liga.
Shanaka is no one’s idea of a world-class bowler but he makes it work against Bangladesh with his 3 for 28
Andrew Fidel Fernando10-Sep-20231:51
Maharoof: Shanaka brings balance to the team when he bowls
When your last seven scores are 5, 14*, 1, 5, 0, 5 and 1, these things tend to happen. Like a man rifling frantically through all his pockets for a misplaced key, Dasun Shanaka is reaching for deliveries he doesn’t usually reach for, lunging when he doesn’t usually lunge, and mis-hitting almost every shot in an anxious 32-ball 24 that sets Sri Lanka on track for another fizzling finish.It has been almost nine months since Shanaka struck 108 not out off 88 against India in Guwahati. Since then, he has played 14 ODI innings, averaged 10.69, and struck at a truly abysmal 73.15.Such has been the extent of his batting misery, and so desperate a figure does he cut with bat in hand, you wonder if he thinks he will ever find his old self again. Whether he still believes the thing big-hitting batters such as himself are supposed to believe: that the shot that thumps him back into rhythm – like an old TV screen that comes right when you hit it hard enough – is just around the corner.Related
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But this is not your run-of-the-mill plunge into despair. There are other statistics. Under Shanaka’s leadership, Sri Lanka have now won 13 consecutive ODIs, something only the greatest ODI team of all time has ever done before. They’ve bowled out their opposition in all 13 of those matches, despite their best fast bowler – Dushmantha Chameera – having been injured for most of that run. Wanindu Hasaranga has played no part in their three Asia Cup victories so far. Promising left-armer Dilshan Madushanka has not been available in this tournament either.There are huge caveats to these numbers, of course. Of the teams playing in this year’s World Cup, Sri Lanka have defeated only Afghanistan (three times), Bangladesh (twice), and Netherlands (twice) during this stretch. None of these sides are what you would call long-standing cricketing powers. But still, Sri Lanka have won 22 matches and lost only 13 under Shanaka. In ODIs since 2016 in which he was not captain, Sri Lanka won just 28 and lost 63.A quick vibe check, as we can’t be all about numbers: it doesn’t feel as depressing to be a follower of Sri Lankan cricket since Shanaka took over the white-ball teams. Even if he himself barely looks like he can hold a bat right now.What Shanaka can do, however, is contribute with the ball. It is, by a distance, his second skill. Maybe even his third, given his fielding in the circle is routinely outstanding. On Saturday, having seen Bangladesh’s batters go after Maheesh Theekshana early, and sensing that perhaps this was a plan they had hatched, Shanaka brought himself on to bowl the fourth over and, however gentle his pace, began making the ball curve late enough through the air to trouble batters.He raised a mild lbw appeal in his first over, conceded just five runs across his next three overs, and eventually created the pressure that yielded two wickets. Mehidy Hasan Miraz pulled a shortish ball straight to midwicket. Mohammad Naim top-edged what in Shanaka’s world is a bouncer, which eventually settled in the gloves of the wicketkeeper. By the end of his first spell, Shanaka had given away 15 from six overs. It was, in effect, a tone-setting effort.Dasun Shanaka dismissed Bangladesh’s openers in his back-to-back overs•Associated PressBangladesh never truly recovered from these six overs, delivered by a captain who does not usually operate in the early stages of an innings but, perhaps because so much else was going wrong for him, felt he needed to find responsibilities elsewhere.Shanaka is no one’s idea of a world-class bowler. Just as Sri Lanka is no one’s idea of a world-class ODI team, at present. But together, for now, they are making it work. Kind of. In their previous win, against Afghanistan, they had kind of tumbled into like a drunk crashing into a soft haystack.And his problems will persist beyond this match. There are lots of things a captain can’t really do when they’re in this much of a personal chasm. They can’t comfortably make the kinds of tough selection calls on match day that are sometimes required. They can’t twist arms and draft players that are not on the selectors’ radar. They can’t talk tough within the team, and certainly not in public. They can’t take strong stands, which is a thing you often need to do when your board is Sri Lanka Cricket.You suspect Shanaka is not a natural arm-twister/tough talker/stand-taker anyway. But in men’s elite sport, which even in 2023 rewards the more brusque expressions of masculinity, it would be nice to have the option of being a generalissimo, even just occasionally.That ODIs have been Sri Lanka’s worst format since their batting Valar (TM Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardana etc) retired is pretty well understood. But right now, it feels like a side that is spinning like a top – beautiful in its current motion, but susceptible to collapsing with the lightest gust, a glancing touch of a finger.Shanaka is at least partly responsible for this revival. On Saturday, his batting failed again. But he took 3 for 28 from nine overs, and led Sri Lanka to another victory.
Workloads, a weak bowling attack and the golden generation’s exodus will be among his immediate worries as West Indies’ new white-ball captain
Santokie Nagulendran04-May-2022Replacing Pollard, on and off the pitch The first task facing Pooran will be to build on the team unity created by Pollard, who galvanised the side in a series victory against England in January. But especially in T20Is, this is a largely inexperienced side that will need a captain who can continue to provide vision and clarity. Pooran excelled with the bat in his last international assignment, in India earlier this year, averaging 61.33 with a strike rate of 140.45 across three T20Is. He will hold the team to the same high standards Pollard did.Related
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Pooran will also need to decide who takes over from Pollard in the T20I squad as the designated finisher; the powerful Rovman Powell could be moved down the order to fulfil such a role. In ODIs, Pollard tended to move up the order when the innings needed impetus, so with an abundance of allrounders already in the side, rather than a finisher, he could be replaced by a specialist batter like Nkrumah Bonner, who was recalled for the ODI series against India.Pollard also had the support of senior players such as Chris Gayle, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons and Dwayne Bravo during the majority of his captaincy, which Pooran will miss. Former captain Jason Holder will be vital in providing assistance, while Shai Hope will serve as vice-captain in ODIs.Managing his own workload Days after the conclusion of the IPL, West Indies will travel to play ODI series in Netherlands and then Pakistan. Although they are now unlikely to directly qualify for the 2023 World Cup, the series are worth Super League points and Pooran will want to make an immediate impact as leader. Having seen how Pollard was treated by some sections of the media in the Caribbean, he will be fully aware of the pressure he will face if early results do not go his way.West Indies will then go on to face Bangladesh, India and New Zealand in white-ball series as part of their home summer. This unrelenting fixture list continues with the Caribbean Premier League, where Pooran will turn out for the Trinbago Knight Riders, followed soon after by the T20 World Cup in Australia, where West Indies play in the first round.With the workload of captaincy to manage apart from his batting, will Nicholas Pooran continue to keep wicket?•AFP/Getty ImagesAs well as captaining and leading the middle order through these games, Pooran will also be keeping wicket in T20Is, a fair responsibility. All signs so far suggest he excels under such responsibility – both his average and strike rate are significantly higher in the T20Is he’s captained in – though he may well relinquish the gloves for some matches in order to balance that workload.West Indies’ bowling woes A clear problem with the side in both white-ball formats is the inability to take wickets. The struggles have seen veteran bowlers such as Fidel Edwards, Kemar Roach and Ravi Rampaul recalled to white-ball cricket since the turn of 2021. One advantage that Pooran has is that Obed McCoy is now fit and available to play for the first time since last year’s T20 World Cup. As a strike bowler who is effective in the Powerplay, he will be a massive asset.Alzarri Joseph has built a reputation for big-name wickets in ODI cricket, but he has lacked consistency in the format. It will be up to Pooran to try and get the best out of him. Some good performances for the Gujarat Titans in this season’s IPL indicate that Joseph could also be handed a T20I debut in the coming months.Also intriguing will be whether Pooran has any influence in handing the talented Jayden Seales a white-ball debut to partner McCoy. Seales was included in white-ball squads earlier this year but not chosen for the starting XI. With squads set to be rotated in order to manage the schedule, it would be surprising if we did not see Seales play under Pooran sooner rather than later.Given the experience West Indies have lost in their middle order, Shimron Hetmyer could find a way back into the set-up•AFP/Getty ImagesMiddle-order consistency Evin Lewis returning should aid the side’s top-order issues, but the middle is the real problem, with players such as Darren Bravo and Roston Chase consistently unable to build innings in white-ball formats. Pooran will need to improve his own batting form in ODIs, having only scored one half century in his last ten innings. While there is an abundance of lower-order allrounders who can accelerate an innings, the inability of the side to run singles and rotate strike has been a massive hindrance, particularly in 50-overs cricket where the side has lost their past two series, to Ireland and India.It will be up to Pooran to lead by example by scoring runs and guiding players by building partnerships. Pooran has improved his batting in this year’s IPL, working closely with Brian Lara at Sunrisers Hyderabad. Could we see Lara integrated into the West Indies set-up in some capacity?Missing stars Pollard, Bravo and Gayle had a combined 271 T20I caps between them and a staggering 588 ODI caps. Losing the core of the golden generation in the space of six months has created a massive void in the side. The likes of Dominic Drakes, Odean Smith and Romario Shepherd have debuted but they have not had too many experienced heads to turn to for advice.West Indies do still have experienced players who are flourishing, just not in maroon. Sunil Narine, Russell and Shimron Hetmyer, for various reasons, are not currently playing international cricket. Pooran will be aware of how valuable they are to the side, but will he decide to start conversations with them about a path back in?
It has taken fewer than four years for Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal to go from a decent pitcher to one of the best in the history of his franchise. Example: after posting 5.1 bWAR combined over his first four seasons, he racked up 6.4 in 2024 and 6.5 in 2025 on the way to back-to-back American League Cy Young awards.
Those accomplishments are incredible, but they're cold comfort to Tigers fans beginning to fret over the potential loss of their ace. Skubal, who turned 29 Thursday, can become a free agent upon the conclusion of the 2026 season.
On Thursday, Skubal responded to trade rumors beginning to swirl around him—telling he had no desire to be traded.
“It’s not like I want to be traded, so it’s kind of like, why am I in these conversations?” Skubal said. “At the end of the day, it doesn’t really impact what I do day-to-day. I try to just stay out of it and not look at it. That’s how I’ve handled it at the trade deadline in years past.”
More: Top Trade Spots for Tigers Cy Young Award Winner Tarik Skubal
In 2024, Skubal was also the subject of rampant trade speculation. Detroit held on to the pitcher. eventually catching fire and making the playoffs.
“The way social media is it’s hard not to see things about yourself, especially when it's talking about trades and all those hypotheticals,” Skubal said. “At the end of the day, it doesn't matter.”
Temba Bavuma admits recent discussions about his place in the side have weighed heavily on him
Firdose Moonda at Newlands04-Feb-2020Temba Bavuma has acknowledged that constantly being viewed through the prism of his skin colour has weighed on him and asked for South Africa’s transformation process to be credited for its positives if it is going to be criticised for failures. Speaking for the first time since his recall to the national team last month, Bavuma said playing in the ODI team made him feel “like a kid with no burden out there” after he dominated the country’s cricket conversation even though he was absent for most of the Test series.”It has been hard,” he said. “It’s not so much the dropping part, all players get dropped, everyone goes through slumps of not scoring well. The awkwardness and uncomfortability from my side is when you are thrown into talks of transformation.”Yes, I am black, that’s my skin. But I play cricket because I love it. I’d like to think the reason I am in the team is because of performances I have put forward in my franchise side, and also for the national team, whenever I have been able to. The discomfort was there, having to navigate myself around all those types of talks. Players get dropped, I am not the last guy to get dropped. That’s something we’ve come to accept.”ALSO READ: De Kock lays down marker after Shamsi lifts SABavuma, who has been a regular in South Africa’s Test team for the last four years, was injured for the opening match against England on Boxing Day. He recovered in time for the New Year’s Test but was left out of the side on form, having only scored one century in his career, in 2016. At the time, Bavuma was told to work his way back through “weight of runs”, under the guidance of new batting consultant Jacques Kallis.”Jacques has been hands-on with most of the batters,” Bavuma said. “He has been very open to sharing his knowledge and his expertise in batting. It’s been a breath of fresh air working with him. Technically, there’s no-one who knows better than him. It’s been wonderful working with him.”At the same time, Bavuma also took the opportunity to reassess his own game. “The time away from the team has given me time to reflect and realign with my goals and to find the strength and courage to keep chugging along and keep enjoying the game,” he said.Within two weeks, he answered the call for runs with a career-best 180 in a first-class fixture for the Lions. That allowed him to force his way into XI for the Test series finale. He was also named in the one-day squad and is expected to be part of the T20 outfit. He remains the only black African batsmen in South Africa’s set-up, which is why his Test snub sparked controversy.On social media, Bavuma found himself caught in a race storm, with some arguing that he was only part of South Africa’s plans because of the existence of the transformation target (the national team is required to field six players of colour, including at least two black Africans, on average over the course of a season) and others believing he was being discriminated against because of his race. He rejected both arguments and called for a fair judgement of the ideology of transformation.Temba Bavuma fell lbw for 98•Gallo Images/Getty Images”The one thing that irks me is when you are seen through the eyes of transformation,” he said. “When you do well, transformation is not spoken about but when you do badly, transformation is thrown at the top of the agenda. I have a serious problem with that. We’ve got to be able to take the good with the bad. If transformation is bad when black African players are not doing well, then when we are doing well, let’s also recognise transformation for what it’s done.”In the Newlands ODI, for example, South Africa could field a team with seven players of colour, of which four (Bavuma, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lutho Sipamla and Lungi Ngidi) were black African, and that did not come at the expense of quality. The margin of victory, a healthy seven-wicket win, proves that a representative side and a winning side are not mutually exclusive. Bavuma called the win “massive for the team” and instrumental for himself.”It was just good to be on the field,” he said. “It’s a different format and a different kind of pressure. I felt like I was a kid with no burden out there.”But South Africa had a huge task – to pull off the highest successful chase at Newlands – and Bavuma’s 98 in a 173-run second-wicket stand with Quinton de Kock, who scored 107, took them there. But he knows one performance is not enough to keep him in the picture and is willing to work hard to stay there. “I don’t think I have nailed my spot in the side. This was just my third game and I am just happy to be on the field,” Bavuma said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen after this series or next week. It’s just to enjoy the little moments I have.”