يعد الأسطورة الأرجنتينية ليونيل ميسي، حديث الساعة في الهند حاليًا، حيث زار البلاد ضمن جولته في آسيا، وكان برفقته كل من رودريجو دي بول ولويس سواريز.
وزار ميسي كلكتا وحيدر آباد، وكانت محطة الأخيرة ملعب برابورن في مومباي، حيث التقى بالعديد من أساطير الرياضة الهندية.
ونال الأسطورة الأرجنتينية بجانب ثنائي إنتر ميامي، استقبالاً بحفاوة بالغة، من آلاف مشجعي كرة القدم الهنود وكان معظم الحضور من مشجعي برشلونة.
ونشر حساب “Barca Buzz” عبر منصة إكس، أنه خلال زيارة ميسي للملعب قام المشجعون الهنود بإطلاق هتافات مسيئة لريال مدريد.
😅😂 Fresh chants of P*ta Madrid hits the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, as Leo, Suarez & De Paul look on.pic.twitter.com/B0M2sF473T — Barça Buzz (@Barca_Buzz) December 14, 2025
اقرأ أيضاً.. رئيس وزراء الهند تعتذر لـ ميسي بسبب أحداث ملعب سولت ليك
ولا تعد هذه هي المرة الأولى التي يظهر فيها المشجعون الهنود دعمهم لميسي بالهتاف ضد ريال مدريد، حيث ردد المشجعون أمام فندق الأرجنتيني في مومباي نفس الشعار.
واستمتع ميسي بهذه الفعالية طوال الوقت، حيث تلقى استقبالًا رائعًا من أساطير الرياضة الهندية، على الرغم من الفوضى التي عمت كلكتا في بداية الجولة بعد أن قام المشجعون بأعمال عنف برمي الزجاجات والكراسي المكسورة رداً على محاصرة السياسيين لميسي الذي أعيد للفندق خلال خمس دقائق فقط، ويستعد الأرجنتيني لزيارة دلهي لتكون محطته الأخيرة في البلاد.
Manchester United’s central midfield department has been one that has come into huge question over the last couple of months, with Ruben Amorim needing improvements in such an area.
The 40-year-old has often had to rotate the options to the heart of the side, with Bruno Fernandes often the man to start as a number eight on a regular basis.
The Portuguese international has mainly been joined by Casemiro in the two midfield roles in 2025/26, which has allowed the latter to make a name for himself in the Premier League.
However, at 33, the Brazilian is now entering the latter stages of his professional career, with the player set to leave at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract.
As a result, the hierarchy will desperately need to target added reinforcements in the midfield department, especially with the January transfer window now approaching.
Man Utd looking to sign mega-money midfielder
Over the last couple of days, United have been named as one of the sides interested in a deal to sign RB Leipzig star Assan Ouedraogo in the January window.
The German star has endured a phenomenal start to the 2025/26 campaign, featuring in 11 Bundesliga outings and already posting a total of six goal contributions in the process.
However, it’s been reported that Ole Werner’s side are extremely reluctant to offload the 19-year-old, who is seen as a player with huge potential to explode into an elite-level talent.
He’s not the only player currently in the Red Devils’ sights at present, with Nottingham Forest sensation Elliot Anderson still firmly in their sights ahead of the winter window.
According to journalist Andy Mitten, Amorim’s men “would love” to sign the 23-year-old midfielder who has been a shining light at the heart of the Reds side in 2025/26.
It’s also been reported that such a deal could rise to around the £100m mark, which would be a club record for United, passing the figure forked out for one player in 2016.
Why Anderson could be Man Utd's new Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba joined United in a staggering £89m deal back in the summer of 2016, with such a deal becoming the most expensive in the club’s long-standing history.
The Frenchman arrived for his second spell at Old Trafford, amassing over 225 appearances and often catching the eye with various impressive moments over his six-year period.
From long-range strikes to vital efforts in Manchester derbies, he truly did capture the hearts of the supporters – that’s despite concerns over his fitness and attitude at certain times.
However, there’s little denying he’s one of the most technically gifted players to operate in the deep-lying midfield roles, as seen by his tally of 86 goals and assists for the Red Devils.
Despite Bruno operating in such a role, there’s little denying the first team have lacked a technical player of Pogba’s quality, but that could be about to change with a move for Anderson.
Like Pogba, he would be a massively expensive addition, but his underlying stats from the 2025/26 campaign showcase his incredible technical ability with and without the ball.
The Englishman, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, has completed 8.3 progressive passes per 90, with 8.2 of his efforts being made into the final third.
Elliot Anderson – PL stats (25/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
12
Goals & assists
2
Pass accuracy
83%
Progressive passes
8.3
Passes into final third
8.2
Take-ons completed
1.3
Ball recoveries
8.5
Tackles made
2.8
Duels won
7.2
Stats via FBref
Such numbers showcase his incredible ball-playing ability, with such talents allowing him to pick out numerous of the club’s £200m additions in attacking areas.
He’s also completed 1.5 key passes per 90 to date, with 1.3 of his passes being into the opposition’s 18-yard box, further highlighting his world-class talents in possession.
However, without the ball, Anderson has been just as impressive, as seen by his tally of 2.8 tackles made and 7.2 duels won per 90 in the Premier League this campaign.
The aforementioned figures showcase why he would be the perfect box-to-box option for Amorim’s side, which could get the best out of Bruno once again in the near future.
£100m for a player in the modern market is slowly becoming an acceptable choice, as seen by the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, who have all spent such a figure on players in years gone by.
However, if United are to do it, Anderson would be the perfect player to spend such an amount on, with the midfielder having the immediate quality to impress, whilst potentially improving tenfold in the years ahead.
Alongside Zirkzee: Man Utd's "waste of time" must not start again for Amorim
Ruben Amorim has a bold decision to make over the future of one Manchester United flop.
O Santos aposta em Fábio Carille para alcançar as metas da temporada 2024 e projeta um longo e próspero ano junto ao técnico. Contudo, a realidade do Peixe com a gestão Rueda não focou tanto em dar estabilidade para os comandantes do clube e o time quer mudar o cenário com Marcelo Teixeira na presidência.
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Durante o período dos últimos três anos, Rueda contratou oito técnicos diferentes, além de contar com pratas da casa no caminho, com Marcelo Fernandes, que foi o último treinador do ciclo do presidente deste triênio e seguirá na comissão técnica apesar de ter caído para a Série B.
➡️ Santos prepara pacote de reforços para 2024
Agora, com a esperança renovada, o Peixe quer repetir um feito impressionante adquirido nos tempos áureos do clube. O histórico técnico Lula assumiu o Peixe e ficou 12 anos no comando do elenco alvinegro.
Treinador mais vitorioso da história da equipe, Lula foi o responsável por levar o time comandado por Pelé e companhia para a glória nas mais diferentes competições.
Apesar do cenário completamente diferente, o desejo de construir trabalhos longevos retorna ao Santos. No mínimo, o time da Baixada Santista terá 50 compromissos na temporadas, em apenas duas competições presentes no seu calendário. Portanto, existe uma aposta para bastante trabalho e criação de repertório no tempo livre que Carille terá junto do Alvinegro Praiano.
É bem verdade que Rueda não foi o criador da rotatividade de técnico no futebol brasileiro, mas intensificou as trocas no comando para um número jamais visto pelo clube neste século. Mesmo diante de novos ares, Carille terá que lidar com o fantasma de um time que costuma mudar o técnico em uma média inferior a 20 jogos disputados.
The New York Mets advanced to the NLDS on Thursday night thanks to a ninth inning home run from star slugger Pete Alonso. The three-run blast gave the Mets the lead for good and ended the season for Willy Adames and the Milwaukee Brewers.
Speaking of Adames, there was still plenty of fallout on Thursday from his Game 1 spat with former teammate, Mets outfielder Jesse Winker.
Winker hit an early two-run triple in Game 1 and as he was rounding the bases, began talking trash to Adames. Adames didn't back down, telling Winker he could meet him in the parking lot after the game.
Adames followed through on that promise, he told the media on Thursday.
"I was there [in the lot]," Adames told Jon Heyman of the , adding that Winker didn't show up.
The disagreement between the two can be chalked up to the heat of a playoff series, but Winker got the last laugh, as the Mets will take on the division rival Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS.
Middlesex end miserable campaign with heavy defeat despite Kane Williamson’s fifty
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay18-Jul-2025
Kiran Carlson top-scored for the home side•Huw Evans Picture Agency
Glamorgan finished their Vitality Blast campaign in bitter-sweet fashion, completing a 52-run win over Middlesex but failing to qualify for the knockout stages at the final hurdle.Kiran Carlson led from the front for Glamorgan with a rapid 19-ball 49 sending his side to a 77-run powerplay before finishing on 184 for 9 with support from Welsh Fire’s Hundred wildcard recruit, Ben Kellaway scoring 40.Noah Cornwell took three wickets in four balls for the visitors to claw back their chances with Kane Williamson striking a stylish 63 in vain for Middlesex before Dan Douthwaite finished off the Middlesex tail for 132 with figures of 4 for 22.Despite the comprehensive victory, results elsewhere left Glamorgan short of qualification while Middlesex finished the campaign in a disappointing eighth with just three wins.Carlson won the toss and elected to bat on the second use of a double-header pitch at Sophia Gardens. With Middlesex unable to qualify, eyes turned to Glamorgan, who needed losses from both Kent and Sussex to sneak through.Pressure on the home side was not obvious, Carlson striking a straight six off the back foot against Zafar Gohar in the first over, followed by a nonchalant flick off the pads against Cornwell in the next to set him on his way.Glamorgan’s powerplay score of 77 without loss put Middlesex behind the eight ball, with 18-year-old James Feldman conceding 19 from his first over in professional cricket.Luke Hollman contained, with just 11 coming from the legspinner’s first three overs, while Glamorgan lost two wickets for nine runs, both set openers perishing as they sized up a 200-plus total. Feldman claimed Carlson as his first professional wicket, while Will Smale fell to Gohar.Kellaway refreshed Glamorgan with reverse-sweeps and destructive drives. He and Douthwaite added 44 in quick time to lift Glamorgan from 126 for 5. Feldman broke through again, before Cornwall picked up three wickets in the 19th over.If Glamorgan’s powerplay was significant for setting a tone, Middlesex’s was also – albeit for the wrong reasons. Seven balls into proceedings they were 2 for 2, a mix-up leaving Stevie Eskinazi well short of his ground before Timm van der Gugten found Max Holden’s edge.Williamson was typically classy, leading Middlesex’s recovery despite movement under lights and keeping the chase a possibility. In an attempt to dampen Glamorgan’s qualification hopes, the New Zealander started slowly before driving, both elegantly and destructively, on his way to a half-century.Ben Geddes and Leus du Plooy made starts but both were undone by Glamorgan’s top wicket-taker of the campaign, Ned Leonard, who fought back after 14 runs were taken in his first three deliveries.After Williamson’s departure on 102 for 6, a disciplined and economical display, particularly from Imad Wasim and Dan Douthwaite, always kept Glamorgan in front, even if it was not enough for a quarter-final spot.
Celtic ended the transfer window with a whimper. Still, they may now have a surprise opportunity to strengthen their engine room after holding talks with the camp of a free agent midfielder.
Celtic face pivotal week in Europa League and Scottish Premiership
After dropping points at home to Hibernian, Celtic sit two points behind Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premiership table and may well be five adrift once they take on Motherwell this Sunday, depending on whether the Jambos defeat Hibernian on Saturday night.
Overall, the Bhoys more than merited a victory against David Gray’s men last weekend. However, Kelechi Iheanacho missed several opportunities and his teammates were profligate in front of goal, leading to a goalless stalemate at Parkhead.
Now, Celtic turn their attention to the task of facing Braga in the Europa League on Thursday, swiftly be followed up by a home clash against the Steelmen.
Brendan Rodgers opted to remain positive after his side drew a blank against Hibernian, claiming their performance on the day was encouraging and they simply didn’t get the rub of the green to force a triumph over the line.
He stated: “In terms of performance, the players have done really, really well. If you look at all the metrics in the game, created big chances, moved the ball really well. And our only downside was that killer touch in the box.”
In theory, he is correct to point out that his side did put on a decent performance, though their tally of eight goals in six league games is a cause for concern that could lead to unrest if he isn’t able to rectify their lack of cutting edge.
Taking a step away from matters on the field, there may well now be an unexpected development on the transfer front concerning the Hoops.
Pierre Ekwah's agents hold talks with Celtic over his availability
According to Mark Hendry on Substack, free agent midfielder Pierre Ekwah’s camp have contacted Celtic to hold talks over a Parkhead move after he controversially saw his deal Ligue 2 club Saint-Ettienne ripped up under acrimonious circumstances.
Foot Mercato state Ekwah decided to terminate his deal himself after being unhappy at the French side activating an option to buy included in his loan deal from Sunderland last term. He has since been at a stand-off with the second-tier outfit and could be involved in a legal battle.
Celtic star reveals what he thinks after being quizzed on Parkhead protest
Hoops supporters staged a silent protest against Hibs.
By
Charlie Smith
Sep 28, 2025
Keen to kickstart his career elsewhere, his camp has approached both Celtic and Rangers to gauge their interest in adding the 23-year-old to their ranks.
Capable of featuring either in defensive or central midfield, he made 29 appearances last term in Ligue 1. Ekwah hasn’t taken part in Saint-Ettiene training or pre-season, although he has clubs from England, Italy and Belgium vying for his services.
Celtic could use cover for Callum McGregor in the six role. However, it remains to be seen whether they pull the trigger in a situation that could become complicated between all parties involved after departing his club caused a huge stir.
Everton have splashed the cash on the brand new Hill Dickinson Stadium, costing the Toffees an estimated £750m.
Under new owners in the Friedkin Group, those on Merseyside also splashed the cash in the transfer window in 2025, with Jack Grealish being the marquee signing, arriving on loan from Manchester City.
Everton's most expensive sales of all time
The Toffees have received some huge fees over the years.
ByCharlie Smith Oct 3, 2025
But who is Everton’s record signing? Here’s a look at the club’s 20 biggest additions in their history.
Rank
Player
Fee
Signed from
Year
Gylfi Sigurdsson
£45m
Swansea City
2017
Tyler Dibling
£42m
Southampton
2025
Richarlison
£40m
Watford
2018
Amadou Onana
£33m
Lille
2022
Romelu Lukaku
£28m
Chelsea
2014
Alex Iwobi
£28m
Arsenal
2019
Yerry Mina
£27.2m
Barcelona
2018
Thierno Barry
£27m
Villarreal
2025
Beto
£26m
Udinese
2023
Jordan Pickford
£25m
Sunderland
2017
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
£25m
Chelsea
2025
Michael Keane
£25m
Burnley
2017
Yannick Bolasie
£25m
Crystal Palace
2016
Moise Kean
£25m
Juventus
2019
Jean-Philippe Gbamin
£25m
Mainz
2019
Ben Godfrey
£25m
Norwich City
2020
Davy Klaassen
£23.6m
Ajax
2017
Allan
£22.3m
Napoli
2020
Andre Gomes
£22m
Barcelona
2022
Theo Walcott
£20m
Arsenal
2018
Here is a detailed look at Everton's 10 biggest signings… 10 Jordan Pickford £25m from Sunderland
Jordan Pickford is one of seven players Everton have spent £25m on, and arguably the most successful.
The goalkeeper has been first choice for the Toffees and England during his time on Merseyside and could well finish his career at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
9 Beto £26m from Udinese
Costing slightly more at £26m was striker Beto, who swapped Serie A and Udinese for a shot at the Premier League with Everton.
The Portuguese striker even scored on his debut 24 hours after putting pen to paper on a Toffees deal which is set to expire in 2027.
8 Thierno Barry £27m from Villarreal
Another forward who arrived for a big fee was Thierno Barry. Following Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s departure from Goodison Park, Everton acted in the 2025 summer transfer market to sign the French forward.
Villarreal recieved £27m, whereas Barry signed a four-year deal on £45,000-a-week.
7 Yerry Mina £27.2m from Barcelona
After just six months at Barcelona, defender Yerry Mina joined Everton in 2018, costing the Toffees in excess of £27m.
The Colombia international spent five years at Goodison Park and left upon the expiration of his contract in 2023 for Italian side Fiorentina.
6 Alex Iwobi £28m from Arsenal
Alex Iwobi ended up costing Everton £28m in 2019, with the versatile midfielder spending four years on Merseyside before he was sold to Fulham.
The Nigerian made more than 100 appearances for the Toffees, who recouped £22m of the fee when Iwobi moved to Craven Cottage.
5 Romelu Lukaku £28m from Chelsea
Clubs have spent more than £300m on Romelu Lukaku during the Belgian’s career to date, and his first big-money move was to Everton back in 2014.
Chelsea sold the striker after a successful loan spell on Merseyside, and Everton would go on to make a huge profit when selling Lukaku to Man Utd for £75m in 2017.
4 Amadou Onana £33m from Lille
Another player who Everton made money on was midfielder Amadou Onana, who had a brief two-year spell at Goodison Park before joining Aston Villa.
Onana set Everton back £33m, but in 2024, they were receiving £50m from those at Villa Park.
3 Richarlison £40m from Watford
Richarlison swapped Watford for Everton in 2018, and the Brazilian striker scored more than 50 goals for the Blues in 153 games.
A £40m fee proved to be worth it for the Toffees, who cashed in on the forward four years later, with Tottenham paying them an initial £50m.
2 Tyler Dibling £42m from Southampton
Everton splashed the cash on teenage attacking midfielder Tyler Dibling in 2025, and the Toffees will be hoping he can go on to prove his worth on Merseyside.
Making the youngster the club’s second most expensive signing of all time appears to be a gamble, but there’s no denying Dibling’s creative ability.
1 Gylfi Sigurdsson £45m from Swansea
Top of the list as Everton’s record signing is Gylfi Sigurdsson, with the attacking midfielder costing a whopping £45m.
The Iceland international never really lived up to the billing, though, and after making more than 150 appearances, left as a free agent in 2022.
Se antes a prioridade do São Paulo no mercado era um atacante de velocidade, agora surgiu outra também. Por conta do alto número de lesões no setor, contratações para a zaga do São Paulo estão sendo vistas como algo ’emergencial’.
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O Tricolor vive um grande problema no setor. Com a lesão de Alan Franco, na última quarta-feira (5) contra o Palmeiras, as opções ficaram mais limitadas ainda. Conforme a reportagem do Lance! apurou, uma reunião de emergência foi feita entre membros da diretoria e Dorival Júnior. Mesmo sem poder gastar muito, o clube do Morumbi entendeu ser necessário buscar a contratação de mais uma peça para a defesa, com uma certa urgência. O scout está trabalhando em cima disso.
Sem Ferraresi até o final do ano, que encaminha para ter seu vínculo estendido com o São Paulo, Beraldo assumiu a titularidade. Porém, em uma das melhores fases de sua carreira, a Cria de Cotia sofreu uma lesão ligamentar no tornozelo e deve desfalcar a equipe por, aproximadamente, dois meses. Sem Beraldo, Alan Franco assumiu a posição nos últimos jogos.
+ ATUAÇÕES: São Paulo se organiza, e Rafinha garante vantagem contra o Palmeiras na Copa do Brasil
+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!
Porém, contra o Palmeiras pelo jogo de ida nas quartas da Copa do Brasil, Alan Franco preocupou ao deixar o gramado sentindo fortes dores no tornozelo. Chorando, recebeu atendimento médico ainda no banco de reservas e Diego Costa entrou em seu lugar. Sem o argentino, o Tricolor tem somente dois zagueiros à disposição: Arboleda e o próprio Diego Costa.
Alan Franco sentiu, saiu chorando e Diego Costa entrou no lugar. #lanceMORUMBI pic.twitter.com/bulEd84ZIi
— Izabella Giannola (@bellaxgiannola) July 6, 2023
Embora possa contar com Matheus Belém, Cria de Cotia, o jovem defensor ainda não tem experiência, de fato, no profissional (embora realize alguns treinamentos em conjunto aos mais velhos e também seja relacionado em alguns jogos). Diego Costa também é tratado com cautela, muito por conta da recorrência de lesões que tem enfrentado nos últimos meses.
Assim, a única alternativa é buscar, pelo menos, mais uma opção para reforçar a zaga do São Paulo. Muito para não precisar ‘contar com a sorte’, tendo em vista o calendário tricolor e o número de decisões que a equipe enfrentará nos próximos tempos. Vale registrar que Arboleda e Diego Costa tiveram históricos recentes de lesões graves que acabaram em cirurgia.
Jude Bellingham has been named England's Men's Player of the Year for the 2024/25 season. The 22-year-old Real Madrid star wins the award for the first time, beating out Harry Kane and Declan Rice in the process. Bellingham scored once and registered three assists for the Three Lions in eight appearances over the season to secure the award, while Kane scored eight goals in 11 matches, including five in six in 2025 under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
Bellingham pips Kane and Rice to Player of the Year award
Bellingham has become the 14th different player to win the men’s award, following on from Cole Palmer last season and Bukayo Saka each of the two previous years before that. The Real Madrid star also becomes only the second player to win the award while playing outside England, after Owen Hargreaves in 2006.
The award was voted for by supporters and saw Declan Rice finish second, grabbing an impressive three goals and five assists in a more advanced role in the Three Lions midfield, while captain Kane finished third following a stellar year for club and country which saw him recently finish 13th in the Ballon d'Or.
While Bellingham’s quality has never been in question, his decision to win the award may raise some eyebrows following the form of particularly Kane in Tuchel’s reign so far. Bellingham’s four goal contributions include a late equaliser in the eventual defeat to Greece last autumn and two assists in a 5-0 thumping of the Republic of Ireland, also under Lee Carsley. He has only registered one assist in four appearances under Tuchel and was ruled out of the squad for the September international break through injury. He returned to action following several months out with shoulder surgery as Real lost 5-2 to city rivals Atletico Madrid last week.
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Bellingham rewarded after POTY disappointment last year
Bellingham has become a global star during his time with Real Madrid, winning the Champions League and La Liga amidst further honours in a ground-breaking first season with Los Blancos, which led to him being crowned La Liga Player of the Year for 2023/24.
Bellingham may have felt aggrieved not to have won England’s Men’s Player of the Year award last year, as Palmer pipped him to the gong despite being used as a substitute in the Euros. Both players no doubt had their outstanding moments on England’s run in the tournament, as Palmer scored in the final defeat to Spain while Bellingham’s overhead kick in stoppage time against Slovakia was arguably the moment of the tournament for Gareth Southgate’s side.
The former Birmingham City and Borussia Dortmund man has made up for last year’s disappointment with this year’s 2024/25 award, though, and will hope it is not the last time he is crowned his nation’s best.
Bellingham joins a celebrated list of England's Men's Player of the Year winners
The England Men’s Player of the Year award first began in 2003, with David Beckham crowned its first winner. Wayne Rooney has won the award the most number of times, four – in 2008, 2009, 2014 and 2015.
Kane has won the award twice, the most recently being in 2018 after the then-Tottenham Hotspur man won the Golden Boot in the World Cup to follow up his domestic Golden Boot the same season. Kane also won England Player of the Year the previous year in 2017.
Other notable winners include Frank Lampard (twice), Steven Gerrard (also twice), Ashley Cole (2010), Jordan Henderson (2019) and Kalvin Phillips in 2020/21.
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England have a crucial year upcoming ahead of the 2026 World Cup
While Bellingham will no doubt be honoured to have bee recognised for his contributions to his national team, it is who wins the award next year which could ultimately prove far more important. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon next summer, Tuchel and the entire nation will hope that next year’s Player of the Year is won by a man who inspired the Three Lions to glory in the US, Mexico and Canada.
Whether that is Bellingham, Kane, Palmer, Saka or someone completely different, remains to be seen. In the meantime, England must ensure that they complete qualification for the tournament without many troubles. The pressure is then on Tuchel to ensure that he can work out what his best XI is with plenty of time to spare.
Jack Clayton’s resolute, unbeaten century for Queensland kept returning New South Wales prodigy Sam Konstas waiting for his first Gabba innings.Queensland No. 3 Clayton was unbeaten on 133 after day one as the Sheffield Shield returned in Brisbane on Saturday, the hosts 307 for 5 after being sent in by the Blues.The left-hander’s fourth first class century was a valuable one, Clayton leading the recovery after they had slipped to 45 for 3 in the first session.He enjoyed some luck after being pinned on the back by a bouncer with his first delivery, dropped at first slip on 98 and then scampering through for a risky single to bring up triple figures.Lachlan Hearne (63) was the more fluent of the pair earlier in the day before Clayton expanded with a series of confident straight and off drives.Jimmy Peirson (36) helped push the total towards 300 before returning allrounder Michael Neser and Clayton got the hosts to stumps.”Nice to get the team in a decent position [on] day one,” Clayton said. “Getting sent in to bat, we want to try and get a big total on the board and drive the game.”It’s really satisfying and it’s been a bit frustrating the first part of the season … some 80s and 90s and a lot of starts. To capitalise and with a bit of luck in there was really nice.”It means young gun Konstas will be made to wait for his first Gabba innings after he was replaced at the top of the Australian order by Travis Head in Sri Lanka and sent home to gain experience on the seam-friendly Brisbane surface.Debutants Hanno Jacobs (2-75) and Ross Pawson (1-64) both had early joy, the latter dismissing Matt Renshaw when the left-hander skied an attempted pull shot to cut short a confident start.Jacobs then had Angus Lovell and Ben McDermott’s scalps in quick succession before the rearguard began.