The Plate Division has been reintroduced in the men’s and women’s white-ball tournaments in a bid to minimise mismatches

Shashank Kishore14-Jun-2025The Duleep Trophy will return to its traditional zonal format when it opens the 2025-26 Indian domestic season on August 28.This was one of several changes ratified by the BCCI’s Apex Council on Saturday. Other key decisions include the introduction of a Super League phase in both the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, and the creation of a Plate Division for the domestic 50-overs tournaments as well as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.Related

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Last season, the Duleep Trophy had been contested by four teams – India A, B, C and D – picked by the national selectors ahead of a hectic Test season.The tournament featured the country’s top players facing off in a round-robin format. However, starting this season, the tournament will return to a zonal system, with the six squads (North, South, East, West, Central and North-East) to be selected by the respective zonal committees, as was the case in the 2023-24 season.The key reasons for return to the zonal system, according to a senior BCCI official, are to “foster a better standard of cricket” and “give players a sense of pride in representing their zone, as against the current system that only puts the focus on individual performances.”Meanwhile, the senior men’s (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy) and women’s T20 competitions will feature a revamped structure, with a Super League phase introduced after the group stage.Following the initial round, in which 32 teams will be divided into four groups of eight, the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super League. In this phase, each team will play three matches, with the top two teams progressing to the final.In an equally significant move, the BCCI has reintroduced the plate division for all “major tournaments such as Vijay Hazare Trophy, Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy, and Men’s U-23 State Trophy.”This move, the BCCI official told ESPNcricinfo, seeks to “prevent dilution in quality of the tournament and prevent the possibility of mismatches.” The six bottom-placed teams from the 2024-25 season will make up the plate divisions of the respective tournaments.As in 2024-25, the Ranji Trophy will be split into two phases, with the white-ball competitions played in between. This move is primarily aimed at minimising weather disruptions, particularly in northern and eastern India.Fixture clash with Women’s World CupThe start of the women’s season is set to clash with the 2025 Women’s 50-over World Cup that will be hosted by India (four venues) and Colombo from September 30 to November 2.The Senior Women’s T20 Trophy (Elite) is scheduled to take place from October 8 to 31, followed by the Inter-Zonal T20 Trophy from November 4 to 14. After that, the domestic season will pause for two-and-a-half months to make way for the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), which is likely to be held in January 2026.The Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy (Elite) will then follow, from February 6 to 28, with the season concluding with the Inter-Zonal Multi-Day Trophy from March 20 to April 3.

Duckett scored 149 after Yashasvi Jaiswal dropped him on 97, the latter’s third drop of the match

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jun-2025

Shardul Thakur struck back-to-back•Getty Images

Tea Shardul Thakur blew the first Test back open with two wickets in two balls to keep India’s hopes alive after Ben Duckett set England on their way to another famous Headingley run chase. Thakur had been a passenger for the first four-and-a-half days of the Test but was thrown the ball by Shubman Gill, and dismissed Duckett and Harry Brook off consecutive deliveries.Duckett and Zak Crawley added another 71 in quick time after batting through the morning session, with Duckett racing to his hundred – his sixth in Tests, and his first in England’s second innings – off 121 balls. He was reprieved on 97 by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who dropped his third catch of the match – this time on the square-leg boundary – as Duckett punched the air on reaching three figures.After a brief interruption for rain, Crawley pulled Prasidh Krishna through wide mid-on for four but fell to his next ball, edging to slip for 65. England’s first-innings centurion Ollie Pope followed soon after, chopping Prasidh on to his own stumps, but Duckett continued to cruise; his most outrageous shot was a reverse slap for six over cover off Ravindra Jadeja.But Thakur’s reintroduction gave India a foothold, as he struck with two innocuous balls. Duckett slapped the first, a wide half volley, straight to substitute fielder Nitish Kumar Reddy at extra cover; Harry Brook strangled the second, a freebie angling a long way past leg stump, through to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps, becoming only the fifth man out for 99 and 0 in the same Test.Ben Stokes started scratchily against Jadeja, missing a pair of reverse sweeps – the first of which Shubman Gill unsuccessfully reviewed for a catch at short leg, only for replays to confirm the ball had hit him on the biceps. Stokes and Joe Root will resume with 102 more runs required after the tea interval, which arrived early due to another rain shower.

Leeds United splashed the cash during the summer transfer window to bolster their squad with a host of new signings to make them competitive in the Premier League.

A return of eight points from the first seven matches of the top-flight season suggests that it has been money well spent so far, particularly given that they have already played Arsenal, Spurs, and Newcastle.

Daniel Farke has created a team that has a good blend of players who were instrumental to the club’s success in the Championship last season and the signings brought in during the summer window.

The midfield is a good example of that because it has recently consisted of Ethan Ampadu, in his third season at Elland Road, alongside new signings Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff.

This shows that Leeds have not been overly reliant on their Championship team, but they also have not completely ripped up what worked for them in the 2024/25 campaign.

One position on the pitch that is still up for debate is centre-forward, though, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin has yet to fully convince since his move to West Yorkshire.

Why Leeds more from Dominic Calvert-Lewin

The 11-cap England international was brought in on a free transfer during the summer transfer window after he was released by Everton at the end of last season.

Calvert-Lewin is a vastly experienced Premier League campaigner, as this is his tenth year in the division, which made him seem like a sensible signing on paper, particularly on a free transfer.

His experience in the top-flight has been evident early on in his career at Elland Road in the way that he duels with opposition centre-backs, having won 4.6 duels per game and 41% of his aerial duels, per Sofascore.

The 28-year-old striker, who scored his first goal for the club against Wolves, has shown that he can compete with defenders and provide a physical presence in the number nine role.

However, Leeds need more from Calvert-Lewin in front of goal in the box, because he has scored one goal and missed five ‘big chances’ in the Premier League this season, per Sofascore, which shows that he has been wasteful with the opportunities that have come his way.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s Premier League career

Season

xG

Goals

25/26

1.08

1

24/25

8.58

3

23/24

13.63

7

22/23

6.50

2

21/22

6.22

5

20/21

18.21

16

19/20

16.11

12

18/19

6.17

6

17/18

5.44

4

16/18

1.25

1

Stats via UnderStat

As you can see in the table above, the English forward’s career in the top-flight does not suggest that he is likely to improve his efficiency in the final third, which is a concern.

However, if his physical and hold-up play does enough to help the Whites win enough points to avoid relegation, irrespective of his goal return, then the Whites will surely deem him to have been a successful signing by the end of the season.

Calvert-Lewin’s arrival at Elland Road, and subsequent emergence as the first-choice striker at Elland Road, has led to one of last season’s stars now looking like he is on borrowed time in the Premier League.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ series has everything you need.

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Joel Piroe played a pivotal role on the pitch for the West Yorkshire outfit in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns in the Championship, but now faces an uncertain future at the club.

Why Joel Piroe has an uncertain future at Leeds

In the summer of 2023, Leeds swooped to sign the Dutch centre-forward from Championship rivals Swansea City for a fee of £10m, in a move that was described as a “statement transfer” by journalist Phil Hay.

The reporter hailed the shift in mood within the fanbase and around the club in general that the signing caused, as they had signed a proven goalscorer at the level. Piroe’s return of 46 goals in 96 games for Swansea, per Transfermarkt, made him an exciting addition.

Proven goalscorers are hard to find at any level, as evidenced by Calvert-Lewin’s current struggles in front of goal, but that is exactly what Leeds found in the Championship with Piroe.

The left-footed star scored 14 goals in his first Championship season with the Whites, before winning the Golden Boot with a 19-goal haul last term to help his side win the title.

A return of 33 goals in two league seasons in the second tier shows that Leeds made a great decision when they signed him from Swansea in 2023 as a statement transfer, as he brought the guaranteed goals that his form for the Welsh side promised.

Promotion to the Premier League, though, was always going to mean that some of the club’s stars from the promotion-winning season may find it difficult to get game time in the top-flight, as not every player is able to make the step up.

Piroe, on current evidence, already looks like he is on borrowed time at Elland Road after a difficult start to the 2025/26 campaign, having fallen behind Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha in the pecking order.

25/26 Premier League

Joel Piroe per 90

Percentile rank vs STs

Duels won

1.22

Bottom 3%

Duel success rate

15.4%

Bottom 3%

Aerial duels won

1.22

Bottom 17%

Aerial duel success rate

22.2%

Bottom 3%

Fouls committed

0.61

Bottom 14%

Successful dribbles

0.00

Bottom 3%

Dribble success rate

0%

Bottom 3%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, the Dutchman has failed to deal with the step up in intensity and physicality in the Premier League, ranking among the worst strikers in the division in a host of physical metrics.

So far, Piroe has made three appearances, started two games, and been an unused substitute on three occasions, per Sofascore. All three of those minuteless matches on the bench came after his two starts, which suggests that Farke was not too impressed by his performances.

The Dutchman failed to score a goal, missing one ‘big chance’, and did not create a single chance for his teammates in those three appearances, to go along with his struggles off the ball.

Therefore, the former Swansea star may be on borrowed time at Elland Road unless there is a significant change to his performance level, as he may have to reconsider his future if it gets to January and he is rarely getting minutes on the pitch.

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There is no doubt that Piroe has been a success at Leeds, because he was signed in the Championship to score goals and did exactly that, but he may be coming to the end of his journey in West Yorkshire, unfortunately.

Jordan Thompson, the combative Yorkshire allrounder, will make a shock move to Warwickshire at the end of the 2025 season after turning down a contract extension at his boyhood club.Thompson, 28, was born and bred in Leeds and has played for Yorkshire since Under-13s level, graduating from their academy and into the first team. But he has signed an all-format contract with Warwickshire for the next three seasons and said the move will represent a “new chapter” after making the “tough decision” to leave Yorkshire.”I’m incredibly excited to be joining Warwickshire and starting this new chapter,” Thompson said. “While it was a really tough decision to leave my home county of Yorkshire, the clear vision for the club and the opportunity to play alongside a number of familiar faces make this a truly exciting move for me.”Related

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Thompson took 32 wickets as Yorkshire won promotion to Division One of the County Championship last summer but his finest moments for them came in T20 cricket. In the Blast in 2022, he held his nerve with a brilliant 20th over to sneak past Surrey in the quarter-finals at The Oval, then hit an 18-ball 50 in defeat to rivals Lancashire at Finals Day.”The club would have loved to have kept him, but were unable to agree contract terms,” Gavin Hamilton, Yorkshire’s general manager, said. “Whilst it’s obviously disappointing to lose Jordan, we understand his reasons and would like to take this opportunity to wish him all of the best for the future.”Ian Westwood, Warwickshire’s coach, said: “Jordan is a three-dimensional, multi-format player who will be a great addition to our squad both on and off the field. He’s a quality performer who I believe still has his best days in front of him. He’s known for his competitiveness and thrives on being involved in big moments on the field. We can’t wait to welcome him to the Bears.”Yorkshire have struggled in the first half of this season: they are second-bottom in Division One after winning one of their first seven Championship matches and are propping up the North Group in the T20 Blast. Thompson has only featured once in their T20 season due to a side strain but returned in their defeat to Durham on Sunday.Warwickshire also recently announced that Danny Briggs, their left-arm spinner, will rejoin Sussex at the end of the season on a white-ball contract that will see him involved in coaching the club’s young spinners.

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Nesta terça-feira (26), o Fortaleza entra em campo para iniciar a disputa da semifinal da Copa Sul-Americana, contra o Corinthians, na Neo Química Arena. O jogo deixa a equipe cearense bem próxima de um sonho de título internacional, que parecia muito distante há seis anos, quando o clube garantia seu retorno para a Série B do Brasileirão e iniciava sua ascensão meteórica no futebol brasileiro.

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De lá para cá, a história tem sido feita ano após ano. Os marcos foram vários como a conquista da Série B sob o comando de Rogério Ceni, depois a primeira final e o primeiro título de Copa do Nordeste. Isso sem contar a primeira vez na Sul-Americana, além da vaga inédita na Libertadores e um G4 épico no Brasileirão. Tudo isso passando por provações e reinvenções.

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Juan Pablo Vojvoda, atual técnico do Fortaleza e o segundo mais longevo na Série A do Brasileirão, foi um dos responsáveis pela retomada do clube após uma oscilação e agora tem sido primordial na afirmação como uma grande força do futebol nacional, conquistando mais uma Copa do Nordeste. Com essa semifinal da Sul-Americana, a busca é a sedimentação como potência também no âmbito continental.

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Seventeen-year-old Lennart Karl made history for Bayern Munich in the Champions League, scoring a sensational solo goal on his first start and earning comparisons to Franck Ribery from German legend Didi Hamann. The former Bayern midfielder praised Karl’s “carefree” flair and fearless one-on-one style as the teenager’s breakout performance lit up Europe.

Lennart Karl’s record-breaking night in Europe

Bayern's prodigy Karl announced himself on the European stage in stunning fashion as Bayern cruised to a 4-0 victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League. Making his first start in the competition, Karl became Bayern’s youngest-ever goalscorer in the tournament’s history, surpassing Jamal Musiala’s record.

The moment came inside the opening five minutes when Jonathan Tah slipped a pass to the teenager in midfield. Karl evaded two defenders with his solid footwork before unleashing a curling left-foot shot from outside the box that soared beyond goalkeeper Nordin Jackers. His composure and technique belied his age, sparking wild celebrations with Harry Kane and Aleksandar Pavlovic.

At just 17 years and 242 days, Karl etched his name in the record books and set the tone for Bayern’s dominant night. The Bavarians, unbeaten in all competitions under Vincent Kompany, made it three wins from three in their group with goals from Kane, Luis Diaz and Nicolas Jackson completing the rout.

AdvertisementGetty Images'reminds me of Ribery’ – Hamann’s verdict

Former Bayern star Hamann was among the first to heap praise on the youngster’s dazzling display. Writing in his latest column on , Hamann described Karl as a “carefree” player whose confidence and flair evoke memories of Franck Ribery during his peak years at the Allianz Arena.

“For someone not even 18 to play at this level in the Champions League isn’t something to be taken for granted, and it shows that Karl is highly talented. He also has a healthy sense of self-confidence. I like his boldness in trying new things," Hamann said. “He plays carefree, as if he were on the football pitch. One-on-one, he’s incredibly difficult to stop. He keeps trying, even if he gets stuck. That kind of attitude helps every team. He’s an incredibly interesting player, and his style reminds me of Franck Ribery.” 

Ribery, the former Bayern magician, retired as one of the most adored figures in the club’s modern history. Between 2007 and 2019, he dazzled fans with 86 goals and 120 assists in 273 Bundesliga appearances, combining flair and determination in equal measure.

The Frenchman not only became his country’s all-time record holder for both appearances and goals in the German top flight but also amassed more than 21 trophies with Bayern during a glittering 12-year spell that defined an era alongside Arjen Robben, who was present at Allianz Arena to witness Karl make history.

Kompany urges caution amid growing hype

While Karl’s explosive rise has delighted Bayern fans, boss Kompany was quick to call for calm after the match. The Belgian coach, who has managed the teenager carefully this season, admitted he fears the attention could distract from Karl’s development. “I’m not a fan of hype, and now he will be getting some of that. I’m a fan of training and calm,” Kompany said after the game. “His performance today was good. Everyone knows he can score goals, and if he keeps going like this, he’ll get a chance, but maybe at the right time he’ll need a bit of calm.”

However, Hamann who also highlighted Karl’s growing importance to Kompany’s plans: “Vincent Kompany kept Karl hidden for a while, but after his performance and his goal against Brugge, he can no longer hide him. If Bayern need a goal with half an hour to go, the coach will have to bring him on.”

Karl himself remained grounded despite the buzz surrounding his goal. “I had a good feeling about the situation and then I just had a go. I was just in the zone.” he said, as he held the Man of the Match trophy. 

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AFPBayern’s youth evolution under Kompany

Karl’s emergence comes at a crucial time for Germany's record champions, who have sought to rejuvenate their squad under Kompany’s leadership. Alongside Pavlovic and Tom Bischof, the teenager represents the new generation of talent blending into a team still led by experienced stars like Kane, Diaz, Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich.

The Bavarians’ attack has been in record-breaking form this season, with 27 goals after seven Bundesliga games, equalling a club record, and their unbeaten run stretching to 16 matches. Karl’s fearless approach and creativity have added another dimension to their play, offering Kompany tactical flexibility in the wide and central attacking roles.

Bayern now turn their attention back to domestic action, where they face Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga. For Karl, the focus will be on managing expectations as Bayern’s fixture list intensifies. As Bayern push for silverware on multiple fronts, Karl’s breakthrough could prove one of the defining stories of their season. Whether he becomes the next Musiala or the modern-day Ribery, one thing is clear, Bayern’s latest wonderkid has arrived on the biggest stage.

Newcastle United’s season is up and running and now there is cause to put the stress of the summer transfer window to bed and look only ahead at what Eddie Howe and his squad can achieve this year.

The summer signings, after all, have bedded in nicely, and that’s without even considering Yoane Wissa, who joined from Brentford for £55m this summer and has yet to train or play for the Magpies as he recovers from a knee injury. November is the time slated for the striker’s return.

Newcastle’s squad is populated with varying talents, some more prominent than others. All are together, though, and they play their roles with a consummate ease that many Premier League rivals fail to establish.

But the rise of St. James’ Park over the past four years has seen some truly elite players take the leading positions in Howe’s set-up.

Newcastle's star players

Alexander Isak left Newcastle and signed for Liverpool for a British record fee of £125m on deadline day. A bitter transfer saga, but Newcastle have adapted and have shown signs in recent matches of a return to their full attacking capacity.

Wissa is joined by club-record £69m signing Nick Woltemade in leading the line, and between them, the Toon surely have enough firepower to concern their rivals in the fight for a Champions League finish and a battle for more silverware after getting a taste last year.

Now that Isak has left, it is time for the 24-year-old Anthony Gordon to step up and lead the frontline. The left-sided forward is physical and dynamic, but he has lacked fluency over the past year, having been awarded Newcastle’s Player of the Year for 2023/24 after scoring 12 goals and supplying 11 assists in all competitions.

Newcastle might want to keep onto that one. We all know his talent, with the likes of Liverpool actually sniffing around in the past for the £100m-valued Englishman.

And Gordon’s not the only one. Club captain Bruno Guimaraes would also fetch a pretty penny if sold in the near future, himself priced at £100m earlier in the year, when Manchester City registered their interest.

But there’s actually another Toon star who could be the outfit’s next £100m star. Indeed, Sandro Tonali’s meteoric rise has been a remarkable thing.

The rise of Sandro Tonali at Newcastle

One year into Tonali’s time at Newcastle, things weren’t exactly looking peachy. Eight Premier League appearances were all he made in 2023/24 before being charged in October 2023 for betting offences in Italy. He was suspended from professional football for ten months.

Having arrived from AC Milan for a £55m fee only months before, the 23-year-old was in purgatory, but he rebounded with vim and vigour last season and grew considerably in quality and squad stature when Howe placed him in the deep-sat midfield role, opening up possibilities for the multi-faceted Guimaraes and striking a new level of balance.

Five years ago, Italian journalist Carlo Garganese remarked that Tonali possessed the faculties to become a “world-class” player. Now this praise rings true across Premier League and European pitches. Now Tonali is proving he is as good as anyone in the middle of the park.

Tonali plays in a subtle way. There’s an old adage in football that the best midfielders can play through a game unobserved, but if scrutinised, you would see that everything flows through them.

Matches (starts)

36 (28)

7 (7)

Goals

4

0

Assists

2

1

Touches*

53.4

67.9

Accurate passes*

34.9 (86%)

43.4 (85%)

Chances created*

0.8

1.7

Dribbles (success)*

0.6 (59%)

0.7 (60%)

Ball recoveries*

4.9

3.9

Tackles + interceptions*

2.3

2.6

Ground duels (won)*

3.3 (55%)

3.4 (60%)

This is true in the case of the Italian, now 25 years old. And he is earning attention. Pundit Paul Scholes remarked earlier this week that he’s “better than Declan Rice” – and that’s quite a claim.

Given that Rice joined Arsenal from West Ham United for £105m in 2023, there’s no reason why PIF couldn’t justify a similar ballpark for Tonali, if and when he is sold. With this in mind, he might even eclipse the valuations of peers like Gordon and Guimaraes.

Tyneside correspondent Mark Carruthers said only last month, “He’s the best midfielder I’ve seen in 38 years of watching Newcastle.”

Apologies, Bruno, but this might actually be true. If Guimaraes is a £100m player, then what does that make the Italian maestro?

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When Alexander Isak left Newcastle United in the summer to join the Premier League champions Liverpool, they replaced him with the signings of Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa, but neither replacement has really settled into the departing Swede’s role just yet.

Wissa is yet to make his debut following an injury on international duty, and Woltemade has been handled delicately by Eddie Howe. The Newcastle boss faced questions after the Barcelona game about why Woltemade didn’t receive more minutes: “It’s hard enough for him to come into a new league – and you could see the physical effects he felt with Wolves and then the quick turnaround again.”

There have already been reports that Newcastle are looking to bring in a third striker, with links to a loan move for Real Madrid’s Endrick. However, it now looks like the Magpies are looking further ahead and considering bringing in another permanent new face.

Newcastle ready to pounce if Juventus can't agree new Vlahović deal

Another striker Newcastle could bring in next summer is Juventus’ Dušan Vlahović. Although Juve were willing to listen to offers for the 25-year-old in the summer, they would like to keep him if the two parties can settle the disparity between the wages the club wants to provide and what Vlahović wants to receive, which currently sit at around £373,000-a-week.

However, TeamTalk have reported that if a new contract is not agreed by January, then Newcastle will be free to enter negotiations with Vlahović about bringing him to St James’ Park in the summer. It looks like Juventus will attempt one last push as the report indicates that “serious talks over his future are expected before the end of the year” and that Vlahović will weigh up his options in January.

Vlahović is reportedly willing to test himself with a move to the Premier League, and although there have previously been other English suitors, Newcastle may not face domestic competition for him. Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United have all previously shown interest but have all since brought in expensive strikers of their own. West Ham also reportedly explored the deal but will likely be priced out of it.

Talented Vlahović could saturate striker spot

Serie A legend Christian Vieri has previously described Vlahović as a “top striker” and “one of the best young talents in the world”. Since these quotes, Vlahović has been impressive, but it looks like this season he is taking his game to the next level.

So far this season, the Serbia star has registered seven goal involvements in eight appearances. If he plays 41 games like he did last season, then he is on track to end the campaign with 35 goals + assists, 15 more than last year.

Vlahović would likely be a good player in the Premier League, but the difficulty for Eddie Howe would be balancing the expectations for minutes between him, Wissa and Woltemade, especially the latter, who is a similarly imposing figure and in need of development.

If Newcastle can secure their place as a team that regularly qualifies for the Champions League and goes deep in the competition, then there will be more games available to help satisfy the desire for minutes.

Tottenham Hotspur has been the home to numerous top-level youth talents over the last couple of years, with attacker Mikey Moore one of the players on their constant conveyor belt.

The 18-year-old has spent the vast majority of his life as a Lilywhite, before making his debut in the first-team last campaign under Ange Postecoglou due to the injury crisis.

Despite his tender age, the youngster racked up a total of 19 senior appearances, ten of which came in the Premier League, with three of his outings coming from a starting role.

Moore even registered his first senior goal for his boyhood club in the Europa League, scoring in the victory over Elfsborg and helping the club end their 17-year wait for a piece of silverware.

However, after Thomas Frank’s appointment during the off-season, he’s been shipped out on loan to Scottish side Rangers in the hope of more consistent game time.

He’s not the only young talent on the books who has caught the eye, with one other youngster set for a huge future in North London during the years ahead.

Luka Vuskovic’s future as a Spurs star

Back in the summer of 2023, Spurs forked out a fee in the region of £12m for the signature of teenage centre-back Luka Vuskovic from Hajduk Split.

However, he’s spent a couple of years out on loan, with his spell on loan at Westerlo catching the eye – but for his attacking quality rather than his talent at the back.

The Croatian scored seven times and registered two assists in his 36 outings, a simply staggering feat for a young defender who is trying to establish himself at the top-level.

Such form led to the sensation being involved in the first-team’s squad pre-season plans, even registering a goal and an assist in the 2-0 victory over League One outfit, Reading.

Many fans were calling for the youngster to be included in the Dane’s Premier League squad for 2025/26, but it wasn’t meant to be, with Vuskovic sent on loan to Bundesliga side Hamburg this summer.

The prospect of top-flight German football to many youngsters may be a daunting one, but the 18-year-old has taken to the task like a duck to water – already netting his first goal despite making just three appearances.

However, his showing against Union Berlin on Sunday was his best to date, winning 18 aerial duels and making 12 clearances – helping his current side keep a needed clean sheet.

There’s no denying that he could be a huge player for Frank in the future, but the new manager already have another hugely promising talent on the books in North London.

The Spurs star who’s a bigger talent than Vuskovic

As previously seen by the aforementioned talents at Spurs, they do have a plethora of upcoming stars who could potentially catapult them to continued success in the years ahead.

Their recruitment strategy has certainly aided their ability to create a strong youth setup, with many taking the jump and already cementing themselves in Frank’s plans for 2025/26.

Lucas Bergvall may only be 19, but he’s already established himself as a regular starter, featuring in all six of the Lilywhites’ Premier League outings to date – even scoring once against West Ham United.

The Swede could be joined by youngster Luca Williams-Barnett for many years to come, with the 16-year-old already making huge waves across various levels despite his tender age.

The attacking midfielder has been starring way above his age group over the last few seasons, with the youngster featuring in the U18s for the majority of 2024/25.

He ended the year with a staggering 23 goals and nine assists in his 24 outings for the Lilywhites, resulting in a jump up once again – now becoming a key member of the U21 side.

Williams-Barnett has once again exceeded expectations, already notching eight goal contributions in his first six appearances of the new campaign.

The 16-year-old has let his age get in the way, subsequently starring five years above his age group – something which has caught the eye of first-team boss Frank in recent weeks.

He was handed his first senior appearance against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup last week, coming off the bench for three minutes – leading to analyst Ben Mattinson labelling him as a “superstar”.

Most Goals and Assists – Spurs U21s (25/26)
Player	Tally
Luca Williams-Barnett	8
Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny	4
Rio Kyerematen	4
Oliver Irow	3
Yusuf Akhamrich	3
Tynan Thompson	2
Dane Scarlett	1
Dante Cassanova	1
Stats via FotMob

Given his tender age, there’s no denying that the attacker needs more time in the academy system to develop before being able to make the jump into the first-team squad.

However, that’s not taking away from the fact that Williams-Barnett is a player with mammoth potential, with the club desperately needing to manage him in the right way.

In the years ahead, he could have a huge part to play in the Lilywhites’ hunt for success, with the youngster having the chance to create new history for the club alongside centre-back Vuskovic.

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By
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قلص رافا مير الفارق لصالح إلتشي أمام برشلونة، خلال المباراة التي تجمع بين الفريقين، في إطار منافسات الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.

ويحتل برشلونة المركز الثالث برصيد 22 نقطة، بينما يحتل إلتشي المركز التاسع في جدول ترتيب الدوري الاسباني برصيد 14 نقطة.

وجاء هدف رافا مير في الدقيقة 42 من أحداث الشوط الأول من اللقاء، بعد أن سجل برشلونة هدفين عن طريق لامين يامال وفيران توريس في الدقيقتين 9 و12.

اقرأ أيضاً.. فيديو | لامين يامال وفيران توريس يسجلان هدفي برشلونة الأول والثاني أمام إلتشي

ودخل هانز فليك مدرب برشلونة لقاء اليوم بتشكيل مكون من: تشيزني، بالدي، جارسيا، أراوخو، كوندي، لوبيز، مارك كاسادو، فرينكي دي يونج، راشفورد، فيران توريس، لامين يامال.

ويغيب عن برشلونة العديد من اللاعبين في مباراة اليوم، مثل رافينها وخوان جارسيا ومارك تير شتيجن وبيدري وكريستنسن للإصابة.