The Spanish champions are edging towards completing their second major summer signing, but how exactly will he fit into Hansi Flick's starting XI?

It looks like Barcelona will finally get their man. After more than 12 months of intense speculation, Nico Williams has reportedly agreed to a six-year deal with the Catalan giants, who are now set to trigger the €58 million (£50m/$67m) release clause in his Athletic Club contract.

Work must be done to ensure Barca can fit Williams' salary within La Liga limits, with sporting director Deco expected to sanction several sales in the coming weeks. Ansu Fati and Ronald Araujo are among the outfield players likely to be on the chopping block, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen seems increasingly certain to depart after the arrival of Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

There should, then, be no repeat of the Dani Olmo registration fiasco that provided an unwanted sideshow for so much of Barca's 2024-25 campaign. Bayern Munich and Arsenal have also been linked with Williams, but he's made it clear that Catalunya is his first-choice destination, with even claiming he is willing to take a wage cut.

Barca certainly feels like a natural next step for Williams after four seasons of impressive growth at Athletic Club. The 22-year-old has become one of the most consistent performers in La Liga while also earning a regular role in the Spain national team, and should have little trouble making the transition to Hansi Flick's side.

The only question mark is how exactly Flick is planning to tweak his line up to accommodate Williams. Barca were the most scintillating attacking team in Europe last term, and there is a risk of the frontline being thrown out of balance if the manager doesn't get this decision right…

Getty ImagesYamal kinship

It's not difficult to understand why Williams has been a long-term priority target for Barca. He's registered an impressive haul of 18 goal involvements for Athletic over the past year, and has also been a tremendous sidekick for Lamine Yamal at international level.

Yamal usually steals the headlines when Spain play, his dazzling two-goal display against France in the semi-finals of the Nations League being the latest example, but Williams also plays a vital role in Luis de la Fuente's set-up. Williams is not quite as unpredictable as the Barcelona wonderkid, but he is equally as adept at stretching defences and providing teasing crosses.

Indeed, it could even be argued that Williams outshone Yamal during Spain's run to Euro 2024 glory, as he capped a stellar tournament by scoring in the final against England. At club level, Williams' numbers don't yet match up to his compatriot, but that could easily change at Barca.

The main thing, from the Blaugrana's standpoint, is that both youngsters bring the best out of each other. Despite being separated by roughly 70 meters across the pitch, Williams and Yamal have a natural kinship that has helped transform Spain back into the most feared national team on the planet again, and Barca will be hoping it can get them over the line in the Champions League next season.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALStraight swap

For the money being paid, there is no chance of Williams being just a squad player at Barca. He is being touted to be a starter on the left wing, a role currently occupied by Raphinha.

Last summer, Barca's pursuit of Williams left Raphinha disillusioned. At that stage, the Spain attacker looked like an obvious upgrade on the Brazilian, who had endured a largely frustrating 2023-24 campaign under Xavi.

But when the deal didn't go through, Raphinha stopped sulking and set about proving Barca's recruitment team wrong. Flick put the former Leeds United man's versatility to far better use than Xavi ever did, and he quickly became the driving force behind the team's assault on all three major trophies.

In 55 appearances across all competitions, Raphinha recorded a combined total of 56 goals and assists. The 28-year-old finally unlocked his world-class potential as Barca clinched a domestic double and reached the Champions League semi-finals, setting a shining example with his work rate and professionalism. Raphinha's influence was so great he may even be rewarded with the 2025 Ballon d'Or. As such, after such a glorious redemption story, it would be incredibly harsh if Barca go through with their original plan to drop him for Williams.

There is, however, no doubt that Williams is more of an old-school left-winger than Raphinha. In Flick's system, the Brazil international has taken on more of a playmaker role while tucking inside to lead Barca's press from the centre. In stark contrast, Williams will hug the touchline and look to attack his marker at every opportunity.

Getty/GOALRaphinha in the Ronaldinho role

The obvious solution, then, is for Flick to make Raphinha Barca's new Ronaldinho. He featured as a No.10 in six games last season, with his standout display coming in a 5-0 Champions League demolition of Young Boys, in which he produced a magical pass for Robert Lewandowski's opening goal before scoring the second himself.

Raphinha is quite capable of dancing past multiple defenders and conjuring up incisive through-balls from nowhere, while he also boasts the agility and control to change direction quickly under pressure. Barca can rely on Raphinha to be their creator-in-chief, just as they did with Ronaldinho in the Frank Rijkaard era.

Interestingly, though, Raphinha sees himself more in the mould of another of the club's iconic Brazilian No.10s. "Off the pitch I am a bit more like Ronaldinho and on the pitch a bit more like Rivaldo, more focused, more serious," he said when quizzed on comparisons with Ronaldinho in March.

It would be more accurate to describe Raphinha as a hybrid of the two, combining Ronaldinho's flair with Rivaldo's goal-scoring instincts. But the bottom line is: he is far too good to sit on the bench. Raphinha can continue to evolve alongside Williams, Flick just has to make the necessary adjustments.

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Getty Images SportMidfield implications

Flick has favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation in his time at Barca so far, risking an ultra-high backline so as to focus on suffocating the opposition to regain possession quickly and look for the most direct route to goal. The No.10 position has, for the most part, been shared between Olmo and Fermin Lopez, who have both excelled.

They will, though, be relegated to a place among the substitutes if Raphinha is moved into the middle. Dropping them deeper won't be an option, because of the brilliant partnership that Pedri and Frenkie de Jong have formed just in front of the defence, with Gavi currently serving in a back-up capacity.

Doubts would inevitably be raised over Olmo and Fermin's futures if this happens, and Flick could switch to a 4-4-2 so as to put one of them in the centre next to Pedri or De Jong, with Raphinha supporting Lewandowski, but that could adversely affect Barca's pressing game.

One way or another, Williams' arrival is going to upset the apple cart. At least one key player is going to be phased out, with Yamal perhaps the only untouchable figure in Flick's ranks.

Despite only having pick No. 3, Perth Scorchers loom as the club that will shape Sunday’s inaugural WBBL overseas draft with a massive decision to be made over whether to take Sophie Devine or Marizanne Kapp with their only retention pick.The WBBL and BBL platinum players were revealed at an event in Melbourne on Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s drafts with Devine and Kapp among the 25 platinum WBBL names that will available to be selected in the first and second rounds of the draft at the AU$110,000 price band.It is the first year of the WBBL overseas draft after it was implemented for the men’s BBL last year. The draft rules are exactly the same as the men, with each club getting one retention pick which they can use on a player who has qualified for them under league rules by being contracted to that club last season, or having played for them previously for two seasons without playing at another club.Related

• Sophie Ecclestone withdrawn from WBBL after dislocating right shoulder

• Rauf, Pooran, Harmanpreet and Kapp among platinum nominations

• All the names in the inaugural WBBL overseas draft

• When, where, how? All you need to know about the BBL and WBBL overseas players draft

In the BBL draft last year Rashid Khan became the first player retained after Melbourne Stars selected him with pick No.1. Adelaide Strikers were able to use their retention option and did not get another pick in the first round, and Stars got to pick again immediately.A similar situation looms in the WBBL draft with Sydney Thunder looking likely to select Kapp with pick No.1 on Sunday which would force Scorchers to make a decision on whether to use their retention pick on Kapp or hold it for Devine who is also eligible to return to the club, if she is selected at pick No. 2 by Melbourne Renegades.Captain of defending champions Strikers, Tahlia McGrath, and Sydney Sixers allrounder Ashleigh Gardner, who have both been involved in the draft planning for their respective clubs, believed Scorchers’ decision would dictate the whole draft.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“I think the one that everyone’s looking at is the Scorchers and if they go Kapp or Devine, that’s going to shape the rest of the draft,” McGrath told ESPNcricinfo. “Especially for the Thunder, who they end up with because I’d imagine whoever doesn’t get retained would probably go pick one or two. So it’s going to be really interesting to sit and watch that.”I’d absolutely love both Kapp and Devine on our lists. You would jump at them. But with [Strikers having] pick eight they’re well and truly going to be gone. We’ll just wait and see what happens before us. And that determines how we play our cards.”Kapp has previously played at Sixers prior to moving to Perth and Gardner agreed that she would likely be the No.1 choice.”Kapp in my eyes would be the No.1 pick and I think probably everyone around the league would say that as well,” Gardner told ESPNcricinfo. “Thunder being No. 1, I’m assuming will go for her, but obviously, I don’t know. So it’d be very, very interesting, I guess as to who they retain.”On the surface, retaining Kapp looks like the logical choice for Scorchers given the recent form of both players but their decision is complicated by the fact that Devine’s value to them goes well beyond her recent T20 performances.The draft order for the WBBL•Cricket Australia

Devine is a two-time player of the tournament, once with Strikers and once with Scorchers, and led Scorchers to their only title two seasons ago where Kapp was player of the final in the win over Strikers at Perth Stadium.Devine has strong ties to Perth and Western Australia having also represented the state in the WNCL, Australia’s domestic 50-over competition, and is a valued leader within their programs having captained Scorchers for the last three seasons.

Harmanpreet and Dottin also big retention targets

Whichever way they go will have a huge bearing on what happens thereafter in the draft with Renegades holding pick No. 2 and the option of retaining India captain Harmanpreet Kaur.It seems highly unlikely that any of those three players will be available for last year’s finalists Sixers and Strikers at pick No. 7 and No. 8 but both those clubs face their own challenges with which platinum player to select. Strikers have the option of retaining one of three platinums in Laura Wolvaardt, Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor who returns to the WBBL after missing the last two years.”We’re lucky that all three players have been awesome for us,” McGrath said. “If you look at who we had last year, Laura has probably been our most consistent player over the last three years. And Dottin set the finals alight in both games, so we’re pretty spoilt for choice. No matter who we pick they will fit into our squad.”Sixers have no retention option available after Sophie Ecclestone withdrew from the tournament due to a shoulder injury.The defending champions could also have a big call to make•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

“She’s obviously a huge loss and someone that we would have retained,” Gardner said. “She’s a huge gap to try and fill. It depends on whether you’re looking at it from a bowling perspective and saying do we need the best bowler that we can get or an allrounder?”I’ve been in on the meetings, and they’ve been pretty stressful, and quite overwhelming. Seeing all these names and seeing the likely list of where people will go or where we think they’ll go from a platinum point of view. It’s been really interesting.”

WBBL allows direct nomination to clubs

Sixers may still get New Zealand allrounder Suzie Bates back via an mechanism that is unique to the WBBL. Bates is one of six players – alongside Tammy Beaumont, Sophia Dunkley, Amy Jones, Mignon du Preez and Lizelle Lee – who have all opted out of the draft but will be allowed to be signed directly to a WBBL club afterwards at a reduced maximum contract of AU$61,750.As it is the inaugural year of the WBBL draft, Cricket Australia believed that because in women’s T20 leagues they are relatively new compared to the men’s leagues, and that the salary bands are not as high, they did not want to force players into a draft if they were uncomfortable about the uncertainty of where they would end up. CA decided to give overseas WBBL players the option of applying for this direct route.Bates took up that option and may be available to sign for Sixers after the draft. Although with only six players opting for this route, the league may well review the rule next season.Renegades also announced on Wednesday that former Australia batter Jess Duffin is returning to the WBBL after missing the last season to focus on finishing her Australian Rules Football in the AFLW competition. Duffin has just had her second child but has returned to training only three months after giving birth.

أعلن مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي، برئاسة محمود الخطيب، قرارات الاجتماع الذي عقد اليوم الإثنين، بمقر النادي بالجزيرة، لمناقشة العديد من الملفات المهمة التي تخص قطاعات النادي المختلفة في الفترة القادمة.

وجاءت أبرز قرارات مجلس إدارة الأهلي، إحالة عضو النادي مصطفى يونس إلى التحقيق بسبب ما بدر منه من تصريحات، تضمنت إساءات للنادي ومجلس إدارته بعبارات وألفاظ يعاقب عليها القانون.

كما تقرر مرافقة محمود الخطيب رئيس النادي، بعثة الفريق المسافرة إلى تونس لخوض المعسكر الإعدادي استعدادًا للموسم الجديد خلال الفترة من 18 يوليو الجاري حتى 29 من نفس الشهر. قرارات مجلس إدارة الأهلي اليوم

– اعتماد تشكيل الأجهزة الفنية لفرق النشاط الرياضي والأكاديميات في الموسم الرياضي الجديد 2025/2026.

– وافق المجلس على طرح مجمع حمام السباحة الجديد بفرع النادي بالقاهرة الجديدة، في مناقصة بين الشركات المتخصصة ووفقًا للمقايسات المقدمة من المستشار الهندسي للنادي.

– إحالة مصطفى يونس عضو النادي إلى التحقيق بمعرفة الشئون القانونية بشأن ما جاء على لسانه من وقائع واتهامات طالت الذمم المالية مع إيقافه لحين انتهاء التحقيق، وفقًا للائحة النظام الأساسي للنادي.

طالع | سبب رفض الأهلي رحيل وسام أبو علي.. وقرار منتظر تجاه اللاعب

– تكليف محمد عثمان المستشار القانوني للنادي، باتخاذ كافة الإجراءات القانونية ضد مصطفی یونس بخصوص ما سرده من وقائع مسيئة للنادي ومجلس إدارته.

– سفر محمود الخطيب إلى تونس، مرافقاً للبعثة في معسكره، قبل انطلاق منافسات الموسم الجديد.

– إنشاء إدارة للطب النفسي بقطاع كرة القدم، لمواكبة التقدم العلمي في مجال صناعة كرة القدم ولتعاظم الأهمية العلمية للصحة النفسية للاعبين.

– قام المجلس باستعرض سلسلة المشروعات التي سوف يتم افتتاحها في كافة أفرع النادي خلال المرحلة الحالية، والتي تبدأ يوم الخميس القادم بافتتاح “بوابة المعلمين” الجديدة المطلة على شارع صالح سليم بمقر النادي بالجزيرة، والتي يتصدرها نسر الأهلي الذهبي العملاق، ويعكس تصميمها شخصية الأهلي، من خلال التركيز على اللون الأحمر، كما يتم افتتاح حمام سباحة التربية والتعليم المجاور لمقر الأهلي بالجزيرة، لخدمة الأعضاء وفرق وأكاديميات النادي. هذا وتشهد أفرع الأهلي سلسلة من الافتتاحات للعديد من المشروعات خلال المرحلة المقبلة، وذلك استكمالًا للخطة الإستراتيجية التي وضعها مجلس الإدارة، بهدف تقديم أفضل الخدمات لأعضاء النادي على كافة المستويات.

Crystal Palace are keen on signing Chelsea youngster Luke Campbell as the 19-year-old's contract will expire at the end of June.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Palace keen on signing Chelsea youth player
• Goalkeeper set to exit Stamford Bridge
• Chelsea no longer interested in Maignan

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Campbell, who has spent a decade at Chelsea since joining the club as a nine-year-old, is all set to exit Stamford Bridge this summer. The goalkeeper's existing deal expires at the end of this month, after which he will move out, as confirmed by the player.

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• WHAT CAMPBELL SAID

  Last week, the teenager took to Instagram to confirm his departure as he wrote: "Dear Chelsea Football Club, After ten incredible years, it is time for us to part ways. Thank you, everyone for the love, memories, and support over the years, it won’t be forgotten."

• IG:@lukecamz_
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The reports that Crystal Palace have made contact with the youngster as they are looking for a goalkeeper for their reserve squad, following the departure of Louie Moulden. The report further adds that Championship side QPR have also approached the custodian.

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Campbell spent the first half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Isthmian League Premier Division side Hendon, but he was recalled in January of this year. He appeared in a couple of Chelsea's Premier League 2 matches and also featured in the club's 2-0 loss to Burnley U21 side in the Premier League Cup quarter-final.

Hardik Pandya’s tactical acumen will be tested once more as India look to bounce back from 2-0 down

Sruthi Ravindranath07-Aug-20235:55

Jaffer: I’d pick Yashasvi Jaiswal and give Kishan a break

Big Picture – Can West Indies seal the series?
West Indies, 2-0 up with three T20Is remaining, have the chance to win their first series of two or more matches against India, in any format, since 2016. They also have the chance to complete back-to-back T20I series victories for the first time since 2017. If they manage to pull it off, it will be a massive confidence boost for West Indies, who will be co-hosting a T20 World Cup less than a year from now.Whether they can seal the series on Tuesday may come down once again to how they tackle India’s spinners, which they did quite well in the first two matches.Pooran fined for umpire criticism

Nicholas Pooran has been fined 15% of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second T20I against India. Pooran was found to have breached Article 2.7 which relates to public criticism in relation to an incident occurring in an international match. The incident occurred following the review of an lbw decision in the fourth over of India’s innings. Pooran criticised the umpires for having to use up a player review for a decision that he thought was not out.
Pooran admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction of a reprimand that was proposed by match referee Richie Richardson. One demerit point has also been added to Pooran’s disciplinary record.

At the forefront of their success has been Nicholas Pooran, who, along with Shimron Hetmyer, has been tasked with taking on India’s wristspinners. Pooran has done the job to perfection, leading the counterattacks on both occasions. The bowlers have also been on point with their execution, mixing it up on pitches that have been two-paced.West Indies have also come out on top in the game of nerves so far: while their bowlers closed out the series-opener on Thursday, their batters did the same in the second game after the team had lost four wickets for three runs in a space of 13 balls. While the likes of Rovman Powell and Hetmyer have offered Pooran support with the bat, West Indies will expect more runs from their top three.Related

Powell: 'Series will be decided by how WI play spin in middle overs'

Chahal ready to grab his ODI chance if and when he gets it

India need to cut long tail short to find T20 success

Tilak: 'I'm here because of IPL and just playing with that confidence'

India, meanwhile, have mostly been let down by their batting. While their long tail has been an issue, their top and middle order, barring Tilak Varma, have struggled to get going on the sluggish surfaces.Form guide
West Indies WWWLW (Last five completed T20Is; most recent first)
India LLWWLIn the spotlight – Hardik Pandya and Kyle Mayers
India captain Hardik Pandya has exuded cool-guy energy despite the losses. “It is what it is,” he said, rather philosophically, after their loss on Sunday. While he’s found his bowling rhythm, his batting has not reached its usual level, and he’s also been under scrutiny for his tactics on the field. In the first T20I, Hardik gave the last over of the powerplay to Axar Patel, despite the in-form and left-handed Pooran’s presence in the middle; that over ended up costing 14 runs. In the second T20I, Hardik did not bowl out his best bowler – Yuzvendra Chahal – during a nail-biting chase when West Indies’ lower order was struggling. The constant presence of left-handers at the crease also meant Axar ended up playing as a pure batter in the second T20I, after being taken for 22 runs in two overs in the first game.Ishan Kishan and Ravi Bishnoi might be under pressure to keep their places in India’s XI•AFP/Getty ImagesKyle Mayers had a superb IPL season, but he’s not been able to replicate that form while playing for West Indies. After a middling ODI series, he’s made 1 and 15 in the first two T20Is. His T20I average is currently 20.75. West Indies have continued to show faith in him despite this, and he will hope to contribute consistently in the top order, which has been one of the team’s weak links in this series.Team news – Will India bring in Yashasvi Jaiswal?
The hosts are unlikely to make too many changes to their winning combination.West Indies (probable): 1 Brandon King, 2 Kyle Mayers, 3 Johnson Charles (wk), 4 Nicholas Pooran, 5 Shimron Hetmyer, 6 Rovman Powell (capt), 7 Jason Holder, 8 Romario Shepherd, 9 Akeal Hosein, 10 Alzarri Joseph, 11 Obed McCoyWill India consider bringing in Yashasvi Jaiswal to lengthen their batting? They could bring him in for Ishan Kishan, who has averaged 12.12 in eight T20Is since the start of this year, considering they have another wicketkeeping option in Sanju Samson. India may also want to bring back Kuldeep Yadav – who was out of the second T20I after being hit in the nets – if he’s fit. Ravi Bishnoi, who replaced him, went wicketless for 31 runs.India (probable): 1 Shubman Gill, 2 Ishan Kishan/ Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Hardik Pandya (capt), 6 Sanju Samson (wk), 7 Axar Patel, 8 Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Yuzvendra Chahal, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Mukesh KumarPitch and conditions
The surface for the second T20I at Providence Stadium was a slow one, and it’s likely to remain that way; expect spin and slower balls to have their say once more. The weather is expected to be cloudy with a chance of rain in the afternoon.Stats and TriviaPooran has scored half-centuries in his last three T20I innings at the Providence StadiumYuzvendra Chahal took 28 wickets in 26 T20Is at a strike rate of 19.1 across 2021 and 2022. In 2023 so far, he has eight wickets in six games at a strike rate of 12.7.Quotes”We decided on just looking at some players’ workload [for the West Indies T20I series], that we wanted to make sure that they get enough break time and manage them. I definitely fall in that [category] as well. There is another reason to come here [to the USA]. Because you know the World Cup is coming. In June [2024], there will be the T20 World Cup happening in this part of the world. So I’m pretty sure everyone is excited.”

Mike Hussey manages to hold ’em for six games before they walk away on Pakistan duty

Matt Roller09-Aug-2023

Mike Hussey called it a “gamble” when he signed Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf for Welsh Fire in the Hundred draft. There was uncertainty around Pakistan’s fixture list at the time but Afridi and Rauf will be available for six out of eight group games, and have taken eight wickets between them in the first three.Afridi struck with his first two balls in Fire red, trapping Phil Salt and Laurie Evans lbw with two trademark inswinging yorkers, and was the leading wicket-taker in the first week of the men’s Hundred. Rauf has been the fastest bowler in the competition, blasting out Southern Brave’s middle order in a tight defeat on Friday night.”, I have had good rhythm since we started in Cardiff,” Rauf tells ESPNcricinfo. “I hope for the rest of the tournament, I can put in good performances.” He says, laughing that he will try and crank up towards 150kph and beyond this week: “! I’ll try my best for the team.”They have thrived in combination. “Me and Haris enjoy bowling together, as a partnership,” Afridi adds. “We have been playing together since 2018 and we try to give our best for every team we play for.” Rauf says playing alongside his close friend helps him feel “very relaxed” and perform at his best.Related

Faheem in, Masood out as Pakistan name squads for Asia Cup and Afghanistan ODIs

Hussey hopes Welsh Fire's 'gamble' on Shaheen, Rauf will have 'huge pay-off'

Afridi, Wells snap Welsh Fire's winless streak

Ferguson, Henry to replace Shaheen and Rauf at Welsh Fire

They first played together for Lahore Qalandars, the whipping boys of the early years of the Pakistan Super League who won four consecutive wooden spoons, and their partnership has helped transform that franchise into two-time champions. After losing all eight games last year, Welsh Fire hope they will have a similar effect on their own fortunes.”Lahore Qalandars lost a lot in the first four or five years,” Afridi says, “but we have won back-to-back finals in the last two. That’s why we’re here, to perform well for this team – and so far, so good.” Rauf adds: “We all believe in each other. In all leagues around the world, that’s the most important thing: how can you make a good environment for the players?”They have enjoyed being coached by Hussey, who replaced Gary Kirsten as coach over the winter and has started the season with a win, a narrow defeat and a tie at The Oval on Sunday. “Hussey is a very good man,” Afridi says. “When he played for Australia, he was our favourite player. We enjoy working with him.”On Thursday, they will play against one of their Pakistan team-mates in Shadab Khan, who is finally playing in the Hundred for the first time after international commitments forced him to pull out of contracts in the first two seasons. Shadab made his Birmingham Phoenix debut on Monday night, and is relishing the chance to play against some familiar faces.”When you play against your friends and perform against each other, you’re teasing each other about it all year,” Shadab says. “They’re my close mates, so I want to beat them – because they beat me in the PSL.” He explains that his plan when he faces them with the bat is simple: “Whack them for sixes, bro.”