تحدث جمال عبد الحميد، نجم الزمالك وعضو مجلس إدارة النادي الأسبق، عن الجدل الدائر حول محمود عبد الرازق شيكابالا، قائد الفريق، بشأن اعتزاله أو تجديده لموسم قادم مع القلعة البيضاء.
ومن المنتظر أن يُحسم ملف مستقبل شيكابالا مع الزمالك خلال الفترة المُقبلة، سواء باستكمال عقده أو اتخاذ قرار بالاعتزال.
وقال جمال عبد الحميد في تصريحات عبر قناة “النهار”: “شيكابالا صاحب قرار اعتزاله، أرى أنه يُمكنه الاستمرار لموسم جديد، طالما يشارك نصف ساعة ويؤدي يستمر، المهارة لا تضيع، لو الكرة سقطت من برج القاهرة سيعرف كيف يوقف الكرة”.
طالع أيضاً.. حازم إمام يرد على سؤال “حسّاس” بشأن زيزو ويشيد بصفقة الأهلي الجديدة
وتابع: “لو لاعب من ستينيات القرن الماضي وقلت له أوقف الكرة سيفعلها، المشكلة في المجهود، مجهود شيكابالا ممكن يجعله يلعب نصف ساعة أو 45 دقيقة والمهارة ستحدث الفارق”.
واحتتم: “الأهم القيادة في أوضة اللبس والملعب، وهو وجهة لـ الزمالك جميلة، فأنا مع استمراره، وهو صاحب القرار دون ضغط من أحد”.
يستعد فريق إنتر ميلان الإيطالي لبدء مشواره في بطولة كأس العالم للأندية، نسخة 2025، التي تُقام على هيئتها الجديدة في أمريكا في الوقت الحالي.
ويخوض إنتر ميلان مباراته الأولى في إطار منافسات دور مجموعات البطولة “المجموعة الخامسة”، ضد نظيره مونتيري المكسيكي.
ويتواجد إنتر ميلان في مجموعة تضم كلًا من مونتيري، ريفر بليت وأوراوا.
ويشارك إنتر ميلان في تلك النسخة المستحدثة من البطولة بسبب التصنيف، في حين أن مونتيري كان بطل كأس أبطال كونكاكاف عام 2021.
وانطلقت منافسات كأس العالم للأندية، بمشاركة 32 فريقًا، فجر يوم الأحد الماضي حيث شهدت المباراة الافتتاحية بين الأهلي وإنتر ميامي، تعادلًا سلبيًا. موعد مباراة إنتر ميلان ومونتيري اليوم في كأس العالم للأندية
تنطلق المباراة في تمام الساعة 4 فجر يوم الأربعاء 18 يونيو 2025، بتوقيت القاهرة والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة إنتر ميلان ومونتيري اليوم في كأس العالم للأندية
تُذاع المباراة عبر شبكة “DAZN” الشهيرة، والتي تحصلت على حقوق بث منافسات كأس العالم للأندية، لتلك النسخة.
ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــا.
An epic David Warner innings in his milestone match. A 239-run partnership with Steven Smith, who brought up 1,000 runs at the MCG A scoring rate of 4.3 runs per over in the day, which peaked at 5.54 in the final session, in temperatures that touched 40 degrees. This was Australia’s day.They seized control of the Melbourne Test and the series and are on track to beat South Africa at home for the first time since the 2005-06 summer.Before the Test, amid questions over his long-format future, Warner promised to return to his old self and take on the bowling and he stayed true to his word. From his opening runs on the second day – a square cut off Kagiso Rabada’s first ball – to his final runs when an edge flew wide of slip and brought up his 200, Warner took the fight to South Africa. He became the second batter to score a double hundred in his 100th Test after Joe Root in a display of extreme determination, strong strokeplay and incredible fitness.Related
David Warner joins elite club after scoring double century in his 100th Test
Green on IPL payday: 'It just happened'
Starc in doubt for Sydney Test with finger injury
In a minute less than six hours at the crease, Warner ran 63 singles, 14 twos, seven threes and three fours, in addition to the 16 fours and two sixes he hit. No South African bowler was spared but Warner asserted his authority over their spearhead Rabada with such assurance, it would not have given the rest much confidence. He scored 57 runs off the 60 balls he faced from Rabada and 72 off 81 from Keshav Maharaj.On a track that flattened out beautifully for batting, South Africa’s attack were never in the contest and may have some stern words for their line-up, who wasted the opportunity on the first day. Anrich Nortje was the most impressive of an energy-sapped pack and kept his pace above 150kph consistently. His fastest ball was clocked at 155kph. He was also the only one to enjoy some reward, when Smith upper cut a short ball to gully. By then, most of the damage was done.Smith and Warner put on the second-highest third-wicket stand by Australia against South Africa, after Marnus Labuschagne was run-out in the morning session. Smith was less fluent than usual but still managed to cash in on loose deliveries as the attack grew weary. But his time with Warner was not without its chances.The brutal Melbourne heat had its toll on the players•Getty Images
Lungi Ngidi found Warner’s edge with his third ball, but it flew past gully for four and Marco Jansen drew Smith forward and got a healthy nick, but it fell short of second slip. Then, Smith offered a genuine chance when he gloved Jansen down leg. Kyle Verreynne made good ground to his left but could not hold on before Warner inside edged Ngidi past the stumps.All those half-chances meant nothing when Warner reached 8,000 Test runs and then went on to bring up his hundred with a pull off Rabada. He celebrated with a jump and air punch. Rabada thought he had Smith before the former captain reached fifty but overstepped on the delivery Smith appeared to glove on the pull although replays were inconclusive. Smith brought up fifty soon after, with a cut past point off Jansen.Australia led by 42 runs at tea and and accelerated in the final session. They scored 83 runs in 11 overs in the post tea session – and 155 in 28 in total – as they ripped into Ngidi and Rabada. Both bowled a little too short in search of a wicket. Smith looked well on his way to a century of his own before Nortje got the better of him, with Warner eight runs away from a double hundred and starting to cramp severely.He seemed to barely have the energy to keep going but the motivation of a double ton kept him at the crease until he was able to reach for a wide Ngidi delivery and it flew off the edge to the boundary. His second hundred came off just 110 balls. Warner dropped to his haunches and raised both arms in a double salute but he struggled to get back up. Once he’d made his way to stand, he was helped off the field to an ovation from the 40,000 strong crowd. If he does not return to bat, his will be the highest individual innings in Test cricket to end retired hurt.South Africa took the second new ball as soon as it became available and it was shared by Nortje and Jansen. While Nortje asked questions again, Jansen only seemed easier to hit. As he searched for swing, Travis Head flicked him over square leg for six and then four and raced to a run-a-ball 48.Australia are likely to continue to bat for as long as they can, especially as their attack could be depleted for the second innings. Mitchell Starc injured his left middle-finger while fielding on the first day and will bowl only if required while Cameron Green was hit on the right index finger by Jansen while batting and it immediately swelled up. Green also retired hurt which could leave Australia with only Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon to close out the match.
Chelsea have been offered the chance to potentially sign a Barcelona player by intermediaries, who are actively contacting Premier League sides to gauge their interest in striking a transfer deal for him.
Enzo Maresca comments on Chelsea injury problems
The top-four chasers take on Aston Villa in the Premier League this evening off the back of a torrid run, and manager Enzo Maresca is currently having to deal with mounting injury problems.
Chelsea prepared to really push for "Gallas-type" £216k-per-week defender
The west Londoners “love” him.
ByEmilio Galantini Feb 22, 2025
Nicolas Jackson, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Roméo Lavia, Marc Guiu and Noni Madueke are all out and unavailable for Chelsea for today’s late clash at Villa Park, leaving Maresca short of attacking options in particular.
Chelsea’s next five Premier League fixtures
Date
Aston Villa (away)
February 22nd
Southampton (home)
February 25th
Leicester City (home)
March 9th
Arsenal (away)
March 16th
Tottenham (home)
April 2nd
Luckily for Chelsea, Unai Emery’s side are on a similarly bad run coming into this game. They’re without a league win from their last five top-flight encounters, with their last set of three points coming away to Everton back in mid-January.
Nevertheless, Maresca recognises the tough task facing his side in the Midlands. “I think we spent almost the whole season in the top four,” said Maresca on Chelsea’s form and Aston Villa.
“Now we have just 13 games to go, so for sure now, the target for us now is to try and finish in the top four – to finish in the best way. We are going to try to do our best to achieve that, knowing that the difficult moment we have now is probably one of the reasons why, and the most important reason why, is because of the injury situation; we have five or six players, significant players, that are out.
“I was watching two days ago the first game against Villa, and unfortunately, we have five players in that game that are out. Wes, Noni, Nico, Romeo – so the team changed completely, and it’s something this season happens almost with many clubs. Arsenal have injuries, City have injuries, and we are going to try our best to win games even with the amount of injuries we have.”
Lavia’s injury prompted Chelsea to sign Mathis Amougou from Saint-Étienne in January, with the 19-year-old set to be a first-team player for the remainder of 2024/25 before heading out on loan to sister Strasbourg next campaign.
Chelsea offered Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong by intermediaries
Given Amougou won’t be at Stamford Bridge for 2025/26, reports have suggested that Chelsea could target Man United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo this summer after showing some interest in January.
Now, as per journalist Graeme Bailey and The Boot Room, £302,000-per-week Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong is an option for the Blues as well.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong
It is believed that Chelsea have been contacted by agents about signing De Jong, who are making suitors aware of his potential availability and testing the water to see which clubs could bite heading into the next transfer window.
The Dutchman has struggled with injuries and a lack of consistent opportunities under Hansi Flick this season, and De Jong’s contract expires in 2026, meaning he could leave for a relatively cheap fee if Chelsea were to pursue a move.
Together, they scored more goals than several Liga MX teams: Puebla, Santos, FC Juárez, Mazatlán FC, Querétaro, Chivas, and San Luis
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Paulinho scored 12 goals in the Clausura 2025, finishing as the top scorer, while Alexis Vega netted nineToluca was the top-scoring team with 41 goalsLeón will find out in early May whether or not they will participate in the tournamentFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Club América haven’t been officially confirmed for the Club World Cup, but they’re already reportedly eyeing the top attacking duo of the Clausura 2025—Alexis Vega and Paulinho—as potential reinforcements for the tournament.
América are still awaiting a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on FIFA’s expulsion of Club León over multi-ownership violations. Should the expulsion stand, América would then need to play a qualifying match against Major League Soccer’s LAFC for the vacant spot. Despite the uncertainty, TUDN reports that are actively pursuing reinforcements.
Paulinho, a two-time Liga MX Golden Boot winner, led the Clausura 2025 with 12 goals. His strike partner, Alexis Vega, added nine of his own. Together, they formed the most prolific duo in the tournament – scoring more goals than several entire Liga MX teams, including Puebla (12), Santos (15), FC Juárez (16), Mazatlán FC (16), Querétaro (17), Chivas (18), and Atlético San Luis (20).
AdvertisementAFPTHE BIGGER PICTURE
According to FIFA regulations, all teams participating in the Club World Cup can register up to six reinforcements. The expanded tournament will be held in the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025, and for the first time ever, it will feature 32 teams. Club León was originally placed in Group D alongside Flamengo, Chelsea, and Espérance de Tunis.
Although América boasted the third-best attack in the Clausura 2025, their forward line has been plagued by injuries. Rodrigo Aguirre has just returned, Henry Martín is back in training but hasn’t played in over a month, while Diego Valdés and Brian Rodríguez remain doubtful for the upcoming . The only attacking players to remain consistently healthy this semester have been Alejandro Zendejas, Víctor Dávila, and Javairô Dilrosun. That’s why América is keen to add two of the league’s most dangerous goal scorers to strengthen their squad for this high-stakes international tournament.
Whether Toluca would be open to loaning out Paulinho and Vega remains to be seen.
Getty ImagesWHAT PAULINHO SAID
"I'm not going to play for any team other than Toluca. Unless the club talks to me – Toluca talks to me – I'm here, and they haven’t," Paulinho said. "But I don’t have the desire, I don’t want to, because for me, it doesn’t make sense."
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR AMERICA?
Las Águilas qualified directly to the , which gives them a two-week break before they face the Quarterfinals on May 7 or 8. Their opponent will be the winner of the match between Pachuca and Monterrey, scheduled for this Sunday.
Sergio Aguero is hoping to see Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne join Lionel Messi in MLS as they will “pair up nicely” at Inter Miami.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Belgian preparing to hit free agencyLinked with clubs around the worldMay go chasing the American dreamFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
It has been confirmed that, after a decade of loyal service, Belgian playmaker De Bruyne will be leaving the Etihad Stadium as a free agent this summer when his contract expires. At 33 years of age, there is still plenty of football left in him.
AdvertisementGetty Images/GoalTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Various landing spots have been mooted for the Premier League and Champions League title winner, from America to the Saudi Pro League. De Bruyne is yet to reveal what his future plans entail, but he would be welcomed with open arms in South Florida.
WHAT SERGIO AGUERO SAID
Ex-City and Argentina striker Aguero has told of De Bruyne potentially heading to the United States: “I’ve read something in that vein but nothing official yet. I’d assume many people out there want him playing on their teams. We’ll see what happens soon enough. If it’s Inter Miami, I think [De Bruyne] will pair up very nicely with Leo.”
Aguero is also based in Miami and added when asked if former team-mate De Bruyne could become his neighbour: “Who knows? Would be nice to have him across the fence though.”
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
(C)Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
City’s all-time leading goalscorer went on to say of the legacy that De Bruyne will be leaving behind in Manchester: “When a player of that calibre leaves, it’s bound to be an emotional affair. Particularly a player of that historical importance.
“Seeing all the displays of affection that the fans showed him during the last few games, I’m glad Kevin is receiving this well-deserved recognition. For everything he did to consolidate the team into what it’s become, for what’s he’s done inside and outside the field. He’s a legend, no doubt.”
Jack Shutt returned career-best figures in Cardiff•Getty Images
A polished Yorkshire display with bat and ball on a used pitch which got slower and slower inflicted a first Royal London Cup defeat of 2022 on champions Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens.The Vikings won an important toss and compiled what proved a commanding score of 257 for nine, winning by 23 runs as the Welsh side could only muster 234 all out inside 49 overs.Harry Duke made 87 and captain Jonny Tattersall 55, the pair both busy but far from destructive as they set things up for off-spinner Jack Shutt to claim a career best four for 46 from 10 overs.Yorkshire won for the third time in four Group B games, leapfrogging Glamorgan into the all important top three qualifying places. This ended the hosts’ two-game winning start to their title defence.Yorkshire opener Will Fraine crashed four boundaries in four balls off James Weighell in the contest’s fifth over, which went for 21, after Tattersall had elected to bat.Fraine was the most aggressive batter on show for 40 off 40 balls.That Glamorgan captain Kiran Carlson only hit two boundaries in 64 as he tried to steer the chase indicated just how tricky the pitch had become on a blazing hot Cardiff day.Shutt’s career best haul came in only his seventh List A game, while Matthews Revis and Waite supplemented his work with two wickets apiece.New ball seamer Ben Coad impressed with a miserly one for 26 from his 10.Both sides dropped catches, but their ground fielding was without fault as the run-rate was squeezed.Glamorgan’s hopes had long gone by the time last pair Weighell (33) and McIlroy shared 42 from 192 for nine in the 43rd over.Given the margin of victory, you could look at that aforementioned fifth over of the match which yielded 21 from Fraine’s blade as being key to the outcome.Just as important, though, was a 90-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Duke and Tattersall to hold Yorkshire’s innings together from 112 for three in the 26th over.Tattersall’s impressive day later continued when two bowling changes – Revis and then Waite – yielded immediate success in their first overs back.One of those was Revis getting Carlson caught at midwicket by the captain as the chase fell to 146 for six in the 32nd over. A Glamorgan recovery from there was as steep as the valleys which surround this city.
Liverpool were quite clearly tired against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, and you could maybe say the same for their Premier League draw against Manchester United last weekend.
Arne Slot’s side have been fantastic this year, mounting a title challenge that has seen them outplay their rivals to take a six-point lead (with a game in hand) at the campaign’s midpoint.
Liverpool managerArneSlot
Sometimes in football, things don’t go to plan. Liverpool’s 24-match unbeaten run was snapped at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in controversial circumstances, but the plain truth is that the Reds were toothless in attack and wobbly at the back.
Perhaps a good way to counter these problems and restore the feel-good factor would be to work somewhere in the middle and strengthen Liverpool’s midfield this month.
An opportunity for a new number six might have emerged. Ryan Gravenberch has been sensational this year though has started all 15 matches across the Premier League and Europe, and needs support.
Liverpool eyeing another midfielder
As per German reporter Christian Falk, Liverpool are interested in signing Joshua Kimmich this year, with the Bayern Munich star out of contract at the end of the season.
The 29-year-old midfielder is engaged in discussions with his employers to extend his £314k-per-week deal, but Liverpool are now in a position to canvass their proposal and could tempt him to try his hand outside his homeland for the first time.
If FSG are serious about their interest, it might be wise for them to act prudently and bring him in this winter, for Manchester City are also sniffing around and keen on landing him this month for a bargain £10m fee.
What Joshua Kimmich would bring to Liverpool
Typically, Liverpool like to sign players before their prime, identifying exciting talents and shaping them into elite-level superstars. Typically. FSG do make exceptions, Thiago Alcantara being the most salient.
Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara
In 2020, Thiago joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich (what d’ya know) in an eye-catching £25m deal. The Premier League champions saw an opportunity and grabbed it, the Spaniard being one of the eminent midfielders of his generation.
It wasn’t a skillset that Liverpool were used to under Jurgen Klopp’s tutelage, but Thiago was arguably the most technically talented midfielder in Europe and added something different to the team.
Indeed, the Reds were treated to some incredible football with Thiago at the centre, but unfortunately, injuries limited him to partial success, less so than his thrilling years with Bayern and Barcelona, winning Champions League titles with each and many lifting many league trophies too.
Back to Kimmich. FSG might be wary about repeating the move with a player of a similar age from the same stadium, but the German’s fitness record is far better than his one-time teammate’s. Moreover, he could replicate the ball-playing quality in a Slot system that is better tailored to it.
The now-retired Thiago only started 51 Premier League matches across his four-year stay at Liverpool, averaging out at around 13 per term. The fact that he left such an indelible impression on the Anfield fanbase despite his fitness struggles suggests that Kimmich could have an incredible effect.
TalkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino has actually hailed Thiago as “maybe the most gifted player I’ve seen in the Premier League.” Liverpool are grateful for the time they spent with the distinguished Spaniard, but it could have been so much more.
Certainly, there are tactical similarities between the players. Comparing Kimmich’s statistics from this term against Thiago’s in 2021/22, when he received the aforementioned praise from Cascarino and was at his ostensible Liverpool peak, you can see that his quality is indeed recognisable through elements of Kimmich’s skill set.
It’s food for thought. Slot would relish the opportunity to enhance his team with a different variety of “world-class” deep-sitting midfielder – as hailed by Julian Nagelsmann – one who differs from Gravenberch, to be sure.
Goals
0.06
0.07
Assists
0.23
0.27
Shot-creating actions
3.93
4.73
Pass completion
88.9%
90.3%
Passes attempted
88.47
119.93
Progressive passes
12.56
11.87
Progressive carries
1.41
1.87
Ball recoveries
7.39
6.53
Tackles + interceptions
4.34
2.33
Looking at the two players, you can see that both bring the gold standard when it comes to pulling strings with their influence, threading an obscene number of progressive passes each match while showcasing athleticism through their ball recoveries.
Furthermore, Kimmich may not be as active a defensive force in the Bayern first team but he’s still more than reliable in that regard, having won 66% of his ground duels in the Bundesliga this season, as per Sofascore.
Given that Thiago is regarded as, perhaps, the most technically gifted player to have graced the Premier League, and that Kimmich is able to go punch-for-punch with him across similar metrics, there’s a solid case to be made that Liverpool would get their mitts on their best midfielder since the Spain star, should Kimmich be brought in.
Slot’s long-term project could prosper with him in the mix, jockeying with Gravenberch for that number six spot, but it could also be that FSG launch a £10m move this month to give Liverpool that added something in the centre. It might make all the difference.
Gakpo upgrade: FSG target £90m ace who'd be Liverpool’s best LW since Mane
Liverpool may look to strengthen their frontline this year, but perhaps not on the right flank.
حقق فريق زد فوزًا صعبًا على الإسماعيلي بنتيجة 2-0، في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري.
وأقيمت مباراة بين الإسماعيلي وزد على أرضية استاد الإسماعيلية ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة من المرحلة الفاصلة بالدوري المصري.
وسجل مصطفى سعد “ميسي”، هدف زد الأول في الدقيقة 58، بعدما تلقى تمريرة من مصطفى زيكو في الجبهة اليمنى لمنطقة الجزاء، وصوب الكرة بقوة وارتطمت في هشام محمد لاعب الإسماعيلي ودخلت المرمى.
وأضاف شادي حسين الهدف الثاني، في الدقيقة 62 من تسديدة أرضية من على حدود منطقة الجزاء سكنت أسفل يسار حارس الإسماعيلي. أهداف فوز زد أمام الإسماعيلي في الدوري المصري
وبهذه النتيجة وصل رصيد زد للنقطة 27 محتلاً صدارة ترتيب مجموعة الهبوط للدوري المصري، بينما تجمد رصيد الإسماعيلي عند 18 نقطة بالمركز السابع في المجموعة.
يشهد الدوري المصري الممتاز هذا الموسم تطبيق نظام جديد يهدف إلى زيادة التنافسية وتقليل عدد المباريات، وبحسب التعديلات، تقام المرحلة الأولى من البطولة بنظام الدور الواحد بين جميع الفرق، على أن يتم لاحقًا تقسيم الأندية إلى مجموعتين بناءً على الترتيب النهائي.
وتضم المجموعة الأولى الأندية من المركز الأول وحتى المركز التاسع، حيث تتنافس هذه الفرق على لقب الدوري، بينما تشمل المجموعة الثانية الأندية من المركز العاشر حتى الثامن عشر، والتي ستتنافس لتفادي الهبوط.
وبموجب النظام الجديد، تقرر هبوط فريقين فقط إلى دوري الدرجة الثانية “دوري المحترفين”، بدلاً من هبوط ثلاثة فرق كما كان معمولًا به في المواسم السابقة.
Kelly Cates has revealed why landing a Match of the Day role "killed me" and insists Gary Lineker's successors are not entering an "ego-filled world".
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Lineker stepping down after 25 years
Cates excited to be taking over
Logan & Chapman also on presenting team
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
WHAT HAPPENED?
Cates, who is the daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, is already well versed in the demands of hosting duties having spent several years working for Sky Sports. She also fronts a radio show for the BBC and is involved with various other projects.
Advertisement
Getty Images Sport
THE GOSSIP
She is now preparing to take on one of the most prominent positions in English football. After seeing ex-England international Lineker fill the MOTD chair for 25 years, he is preparing to step down at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will be forming a three-person Premier League highlights presenting team from next season.
WHAT KELLY CATES SAID
Cates has told Kate Thornton’s podcast, , of how she responded to landing that job: "I'm no good at secrets. It killed me. Once the news was announced, I genuinely could have slept for about two days. I found the stress of keeping the secret really hard. And even though it's a nice secret, it was a little bit like the early stages of pregnancy where you feel terrible but you can't tell anybody and you're like, but then every now and again, there's that. You get that little feeling where you go, I've got a really lovely secret, and I can't tell anybody. It was awful. And I was lying to genuinely good friends. Or at least lying by omission.
"It was awful. I hated it. But I had the conversation fairly early on, all in very vague terms, because I was already doing radio for the BBC. I was already working on Five Live, and so it was natural for me to have meetings when a new boss came in and everything was being changed, and so that was quite natural. And then during one of those meetings, it was, well, you know, we're rethinking how we're going to do Match of the Day and would you be interested in being in the mix? Inside I just couldn't wait for the meeting to end just to go, oh my God this is just incredible."
Getty Images Sport
DID YOU KNOW?
Cates added on why there will be no friction between herself, Chapman and Logan when it comes to filling Lineker’s shoes: "I think people have a perception that it's a massively ego-filled world, and it is at times, and you have to have a certain amount of ego to feel that you can do the job. You have to have a certain amount of confidence. What you don't want to be in a position is to be in the position where you feel that we're all trying to step over each other and scramble over each other, and the fact that we're all, you know, the same age, we're all at the same stage of our careers.
"We've all got other things outside of Match of the Day that we're passionate about and really invested in. It means that none of us are kind of treading on each other because of our own insecurities. We're all really comfortable with who we are and where we are in our careers. So, it really works for all of us. And we're all at a stage in our real lives as well, where we want to be able to spend time with our families. And we've got, you know, kids at different ages and different things going on in our in our home lives as well, which is nice to be able to keep all that in the mix."