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Newcastle United find themselves well in the hunt for a strong finish to the Premier League season and could look to pounce for a high-profile star on the market, according to a report.

Newcastle United's pursuit of summer signings

The Magpies have Champions League football firmly in their sights under Eddie Howe and will look to finalise their place in next year’s league phase before turning their attention to the summer transfer window.

Turning the spotlight on one of their direct competitors, Newcastle hope to sign James McAtee from Manchester City in the next few months and will take encouragement from the fact he has one year left on his deal at the Etihad Stadium.

Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are also in the hunt for his signature, which may pose a challenge in convincing the England Under-21 international that Tyneside is the place to be ahead of next season.

On the same token, talks have taken place over Newcastle making a move for Douglas Luiz with Juventus sporting director Cristian Giuntoli. The possibility of a swap deal involving Sandro Tonali has also been discussed.

Looking to the future, Heart of Midlothian forward James Wilson is a Magpies target, even if he would likely be viewed as one for the future by chiefs at St James’ Park.

Romano: Newcastle "keen on signing" £70m "tank" with same agent as Gordon

They’ve wanted him for ages.

By
Barney Lane

Apr 27, 2025

PSR regulations will need to be met by Newcastle alongside every one of their direct rivals in the Premier League. In turn, that may lead to certain positions being prioritised for strengthening, while others could be left on the backburner.

Regardless, plenty of movement is underway in the North East and recent developments suggest that a marquee arrival could be set for a move to Tyneside.

Newcastle United ready to strike for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle United are plotting a move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, who has wowed the Magpies’ recruitment team during extensive scouting missions over the last few years.

Howe would jump at the chance to bring in the Cameroon international if his current employers were willing to sell, though the Bees’ demand of over £60 million may provide food for thought once the summer window opens.

Bryan Mbeumo vs Anthony Gordon – Premier League attacking output in 2024/25
Bryan Mbeumo
Goals	18
Assists	6
Chances created	65
Shots on target	36
Completed dribbles	44
Anthony Gordon
Goals	6
Assists	5
Chances created	50
Shots on target	19
Completed dribbles	35

Labelled “fantastic” by Thomas Frank, Mbeumo has enjoyed a fantastic campaign in front of goal, registering 18 goals and seven assists in 38 appearances across all competitions.

His versatility is said to be a major reason behind Howe’s desire to land the winger. However, Newcastle are likely to wait and see what continental competition they end up in before stepping up their interest.

Attacking reinforcements appear to be on the agenda at St James’ Park and Mbeumo would be the ideal candidate to ensure the Magpies build from a position of strength.

Burnley are now interested in signing an “outstanding” Fulham player who has worked and won promotion under Scott Parker before, according to a recent report.

Burnley already planning summer transfers

The Clarets confirmed their promotion to the Premier League on Monday evening after beating Sheffield United, and not even 48 hours later, already Burnley’s chiefs are working on transfer business ahead of the summer transfer window opening.

Sky Sports: Burnley set to sign 25 y/o after promotion in new £8m update

Burnley are now set to sign an exciting forward with a new price-tag emerging.

ByBrett Worthington Apr 23, 2025

It’s been claimed by former footballer Lee Hendrie that midfielder Jonjo Shelvey won’t be at Turf Moor next season. Shelvey’s contract expires at the end of the season, and Hendrie believes a new deal will not be offered.

Hendrie told Football League World: “I’m not sure that they will secure a deal for him. To be quite honest, I think that going into the Premier League, I think that the squad has to be a lot stronger. Jonjo obviously hasn’t featured too much, so I don’t think that will be one that they’ll be looking to make permanent and keep him there again. With his contract expiring, I think he’ll move on.”

Meanwhile, it’s been reported by Sky Sports that Burnley are now set to sign Jaidon Anthony on a permanent basis, with the Clarets securing his services for £8 million, rather than the £10 million that was originally reported during the summer transfer window.

Burnley want to sign Fulham ace who has worked with Parker

Anthony could be the start of a long list of players potentially arriving at Turf Moor during the summer. According to Give Me Sport, Burnley now want to sign Harrison Reed from Fulham, a player Parker knows very well.

The report states that Burnley are keen to land the 30-year-old midfielder if Fulham are willing to do a deal. The Premier League side do have a few options in the middle of the pitch, and that has resulted in Reed falling down the pecking order this season, playing just 11 times in the league.

It’s claimed that Fulham and Marco Silva are looking to strengthen their midfield once again this summer, and therefore, Reed could be one that is moved on to make room in the squad.

Given his status in the Fulham team and the fact he has worked with Parker before, during his time in charge at Craven Cottage, Burnley are keen to explore a deal, but at this stage it remains unclear how much Fulham will want for the midfielder, who is under contract until 2027. During the 2019/20 campaign in the Championship, Reed played 28 games, including the play-offs for Parker, as he played an important role in the Cottagers’ promotion.

Apps

123

Goals

3

Assists

8

In that promotion-winning campaign, Parker labelled Reed “outstanding” for his performances. He said: “I was really impressed with him. I thought he was outstanding. We brought him in against Cardiff last week – a tough team – and it was difficult for him, and I thought against WBA he was immense, really.”

Australia have been crying out for an all-format allrounder who can bowl left-arm orthodox, and Connolly can be their man

Daya Sagar23-Sep-2025The past year has been like a dream for Cooper Connolly. The 22-year-old only made his first-class debut for Western Australia in March of 2024. Since then, he has toured the UK, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the UAE and the Caribbean with Australia, making his international debuts in all three forms.Having made his Test debut in Sri Lanka in February, he is now getting a taste of first-class cricket in India, coming off 70 and a wicket for Australia A in the first unofficial Test against India A in Lucknow last week.”As a kid you dream of playing for Australia, you dream of playing one game but I guess to get the opportunity to play more, it has been nice,” Connolly told ESPNcricinfo. “Hopefully I can play a few more but I think it’s just about learning from the experience, being around those world-class players and then if I get my opportunity, just make the most of it.”Related

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Part of Connolly’s rise to prominence has been the rare skill set that he possesses. Australia have been crying out for an all-format allrounder who can bowl left-arm orthodox.After making his T20I and ODI debut on the UK tour in September 2024, where he spent time working on his spin craft with Australia’s bowling coach and former New Zealand left-arm orthodox Daniel Vettori, Connolly was called up for a surprise Test debut earlier this year in February against Sri Lanka, a tour that was invaluable for him.”I learned a lot with some world-class players around me,” Connolly said. “I sat next to Travis Head a little bit and tried to understand how he goes about it. I am trying to model my game a little bit on him and how he plays. He’s a pretty aggressive player. So I was just trying to learn as much from him as I could. And then with my bowling, I was just getting stuck into Nathan Lyon and even Murph [Todd Murphy], just trying to understand how they go about it.”Cooper Connolly and Todd Murphy in conversation•Tanuj/UPCAHis bowling is raw but the improvements have been evident. In his last ODI against South Africa last month, he claimed his first five-wicket haul in professional cricket. In Lucknow, he felt he bowled well on a surface that provided very little assistance for the spinners, picking up the wicket of India’s incumbent Test No. 3 in B Sai Sudharsan.”I felt like in the first game, my bowling was nice on a pretty flat wicket,” Connolly said. “I felt like I tried to get some wickets out of the rough and tried to be aggressive with my bowling.”And then with my batting, I was just trying to be free-flowing, take the game on, looking to score. I think that’s the best way to bat in Indian conditions.”Connolly has scored six half-centuries in just ten first-class innings at a brisk strike rate of 64.36. The likes of Head and former Australia left-hander Shaun Marsh have been clear influences on Connolly already in his short career, as well as Western Australia’s batting coach and former Australia Test spinner Beau Casson.”I’ve sort of been leaning on Travis Head but to be honest, you don’t really lean on players,” Connolly said. “You just ask for advice, you ask for information, how they go about it. You speak to them, you speak to the team, trying to get the best communication from everyone.”Back home my batting coach Beau Casson has been very good for me, just ticking the right boxes and communicating with me, which has always been nice. And then Shaun Marsh has always been my idol growing up. I was lucky enough to be a part of the Western Australian squad when he was still playing. I think it’s just about getting as much information as you can and trying to understand how much information you can take and be a good player.”Connolly’s skill with both bat and ball makes him an attractive prospect for Australia as they look ahead to a five-Test tour of India in 2027. He is aware that the Australia A tour is the perfect time to work on improving his game in the subcontinent, because he knows that as a spin-bowling allrounder, he will likely get more opportunities to play in this part of the world.”I am just trying to add to my game in the subcontinent,” Connolly said. “Trying to work out how I can play spin better. And then also with my bowling, how I can create opportunities, how I can spin the ball, how I can change the game with the ball. I feel like I am trying to be a game changer. So I am just trying to work out where I can chip in best for the team.”

ESPNcricinfo picks seven players who could make their IPL debuts this season and have a big impact for their teams

Deivarayan Muthu14-Mar-2024Rachin Ravindra (Chennai Super Kings)Rachin Ravindra had piled up as many runs as any New Zealand batter has ever scored in an ODI World Cup, but when Chennai Super Kings signed him for INR 1.8 crore (USD 217,000 approx.) in December last year, he wasn’t a certain starter in their XI or XII (accounting for the Impact Player). His body of work in T20 cricket is fairly limited, but a thumb injury to Devon Conway, who has been sidelined until May, has opened up a spot for Ravindra at the top of the order. Like his New Zealand and Wellington mate Conway, Ravindra isn’t a power-hitter but can be a skillful disruptor at the top along with Ruturaj Gaikwad. The 24-year-old can also bowl quickish left-arm fingerspin, which gives CSK’s bowling attack additional cushion, especially if the pitches in Chennai continue to be spin-friendly.Related

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What India need from the Indian Premier League

Sameer Rizvi (Chennai Super Kings)CSK don’t usually splurge on uncapped players, but 20-year-old Sameer Rizvi’s ability to dominate spin made them bid INR 8.40 crore (USD 1 million approx) for him at the auction. In a Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 game on a slow pitch in Dehradun, Rizvi almost single-handedly powered Uttar Pradesh home with an unbeaten 75 off 46 balls against a strong Tamil Nadu spin attack comprising Varun Chakravarthy, R Sai Kishore and Washington Sundar.Rizvi had first emerged on the scouts’ radar after hitting the most sixes for Kanpur Superstars in the UP T20 league. More recently in February this year, he cracked a triple-century for UP in the Under-23 CK Nayudu Trophy. With CSK missing Ambati Rayudu, and Ajinkya Rahane struggling for form, Rizvi, who has been dubbed as the right-handed Suresh Raina, could make his IPL debut this season.Mumbai Indians’ Gerald Coetzee has got pace and passion•ICC/Getty ImagesGerald Coetzee (Mumbai Indians)Having been part of Rajasthan Royals in the past as a replacement player, South Africa’s Gerald Coetzee could be among Mumbai’s first-choice overseas players along with Tim David this season. An out-and-out quick, who can touch 150kph, Coetzee announced himself during the 2023 ODI World Cup, with 20 wickets in eight games at a strike rate of 19.05.But Coetzee has more than just raw pace: he’s also got some nifty variations in his repertoire. Just ask Jos Buttler about his legcutter. Coetzee can also give it a good whack down the order, which makes him a particularly explosive package. Joburg Super Kings even tried out Coetzee as a pinch-hitting opening batter in a knockout game during the 2023 SA20. Coetzee, though, missed the entire 2024 SA20 season with injury and will be looking to make a comeback this IPL.Nuwan Thushara (Mumbai Indians)Lasith Malinga outsmarting batters with his slingy action has been a familiar sight in the IPL over the years. Now, it’s time for another Sri Lankan slinger to rock it in Mumbai’s blue and gold. Nuwan Thushara, 29, has never been part of the IPL before, but has had stints in the LPL and PSL. He has already eased his way into the Mumbai set-up with a stint at MI Cape Town in the most recent SA20, and will have the original slinger Malinga in his dugout.Thushara also turned heads in international cricket by bagging a hat-trick on his way to a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in Sylhet earlier this month. That performance reminded Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis of Malinga (who else?). Thushara vs Matheesha Pathirana, another Sri Lanka slinger, could potentially add more spice to the Mumbai-CSK rivalry.Azmatullah Omarzai (Gujarat Titans)No Hardik Pandya for Gujarat Titans? Step forward, Azmatullah Omarzai, Afghanistan’s Hardik Pandya. Omarzai, 23, can float in the batting line-up and swing the new ball in the powerplay. Sachin Tendulkar was so impressed with his wrist position and swing bowling during the ODI World Cup that he was reminded of the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Praveen Kumar. After dismissing David Warner with an inswinger, Omarzai snagged Josh Inglis with an outswinger next ball, but Glenn Maxwell averted the hat-trick and pulled off a miracle for Australia at the Wankhede.Omarzai’s recent form with the bat is also encouraging. He hit a career-best 149 not out in an ODI against Sri Lanka in Pallekele and was also among the runs for Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League. He has worked closely with Babar Azam in the BPL and PSL (Peshawar Zalmi).Australia’s Spencer Johnson is in high demand on the T20 circuit•BCCISpencer Johnson (Gujarat Titans)Spencer, who? When he didn’t have a professional contract about two years ago, following a recurrence of an ankle injury, Johnson worked as a landscape gardener. The 28-year-old fast bowler is now among the most sought-after players on the T20 circuit, having had gigs in the Hundred (Oval Invincibles), MLC (Los Angeles Knight Riders), and Surrey Jaguars (Global T20 Canada), in addition to being a strike bowler for Brisbane Heat in the BBL. He capped an extraordinary 2023 with an IPL deal worth INR 10 crore (USD 1,205,000 approx.) with Titans. That’s who.Johnson’s USP is creating un-hittable angles and finding extra bounce with his imposing frame (six feet, four inches) at speeds north of 140kph. Considering the injury to Mohammed Shami and Titans coach Ashish Nehra’s penchant for left-armers, Johnson could be an overseas option for Titans, especially on quicker pitches.Kumar Kushagra (Delhi Capitals)A hard-hitting wicketkeeper from Jharkhand, Kumar Kushagra had CSK, Delhi Capitals and Titans locked in a fierce bidding war for him at the auction in December, with Capitals eventually buying him for INR 7.20 crore (USD 867,500 approx). Rishabh Pant has been cleared by the BCCI medical team to start IPL 2024 as a wicketkeeper-batter, but the Capitals’ co-owner Parth Jindal had suggested earlier that Pant would play as a batter for the first half of the season. In that case, 19-year-old Kushagra could slot in as the keeper.Kushagra impressed Sourav Ganguly, Capitals’ director of cricket, at the 50-over Deodhar Trophy last year and later at the trials. Then, in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, he walloped 67 off 37 balls from No.6 to help Jharkhand overhaul Maharashtra’s 355 in Jaipur. In the lead-up to a potential IPL debut, he also represented India A against the visiting England Lions.

Where the IPL 2022 final between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals could be won or lost

Gaurav Sundararaman28-May-2022And then there were two. On Sunday, Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals will face off in Ahmedabad in the final of IPL 2022. While Titans have made it to the final in their maiden season, this is the first time since 2008 that Royals are contesting for the title. Titans hold the edge, having beaten Royals on both occasions they have met this season.Titans have benefitted from the presence of allrounders in their squad, while Royals have gone with a six-batter-five-bowler strategy throughout the tournament. Still, bowling remains the stronger suit for both sides. So who will come out on top? Here’s a look at some of the factors that could play a key role in the final.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe Rashid effect
Rashid Khan’s presence ensures the opposition teams strategise differently. Sometimes scoring at just a run a ball against him without losing a wicket is seen as an above-par performance for the batting team. So far, Rashid has been involved in five finals across his T20 career. He has taken just two wickets in them but also conceded only 5.27 runs per over.This season Royals have taken the Rashid threat extremely seriously. He was wicketless in the two games he played against them but gave away only 39 runs from eight overs. He conceded just one four and one six, that too to R Ashwin and James Neesham. It’s highly likely that Royals adopt a similar approach in the final because every Royals batter has struggled against Rashid in T20s. Jos Buttler is yet to score a boundary against him, while Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer have lost their wickets when they tried to attack him.If Rashid’s overs are almost out of the equation, Royals would have to take more risks against the likes of Hardik Pandya, Yash Dayal and Alzarri Joseph. The way these three bowl could be a huge factor in deciding the outcome of the match.Related

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Will toss play a big role?
Since January 2021, Ahmedabad has hosted 18 T20s. Out of those, only twice has a team opted to bat after winning the toss. Overall, the chasing teams have won on 12 occasions. In the remaining six games, the team batting first scored in excess of 170. With slightly bigger boundaries and a possibility of dew setting in, whoever is batting first on Sunday will look to score at least 170, which should be the par score. Samson has been incredibly unlucky with the toss this season, losing 13 tosses from 16 games. However, he won an important toss in the Qualifier 2 against Royal Challengers Bangalore at this very venue. The last two IPL finals, though, have seen the team winning the toss going on to lose the match.Vital powerplay
The powerplay in both innings is going to be one of the key phases of the final. With the conditions favouring bowlers early on, it is important that the batting team keeps wickets intact as both teams have excellent bowlers to exploit the conditions. Titans are the best team in the bowling powerplay, followed by Royals. Titans have taken 26 wickets at an average of 26.69 in the powerplay, while Royals have taken 24 wickets at 27.38. The new-ball spells from Trent Boult and Mohammed Shami will be crucial for both teams and It would be interesting to how the batters approach them.ESPNcricinfo LtdDominating the spinners
Royals and Titans have been the most dominant sides against spin in the tournament. While Royals have struck at 136.72, Titans have gone at 125.34. However, with three quality spinners on display across both teams, it will be interesting to see how the batters go against them. In the two matches that Titans and Royals have played against each other, Royals preferred playing out Rashid but Titans have dominated Ashwin and Yuzvendra Chahal. Titans’ batters scored 144 runs off 102 balls of spin against Royals while losing just three wickets. Eighty of those runs came in boundaries. In Royal’s last two games, Chahal was wicketless and conceded 77 from his eight overs. Do Chahal and Ashwin have new tricks for Titans’ batters?ESPNcricinfo LtdHow can Royals negate the Miller threat?
David Miller is having his best IPL season ever. He has scored 449 runs at an average of 64.14 and a strike rate of 141.19. Historically, Miller has been a pace hitter. Scoring against spin has not been his forte. However, since 2020, Miller averages 56.9 and strikes at 136.9 against spin. He also scores a boundary once every seven deliveries against spin. With a minimum of 450 balls, only Devon Conway has a better average and strike rate than Miller against spin.So what are the plans Royals could use against him? From a pace-bowling perspective, since January 2020, when bowlers have pitched it short or short of good length, Miller has scored only at 127.7 and has been dismissed eight times. Against fuller deliveries, Miller has struck at 187. So the margin of error is very less when pacers try a yorker against him. Therefore, going short and short of good length could be the plan to control the flow of runs against Miller. Interestingly even against spinners, there is a similar trend. This IPL when spinners have bowled full, Miller has smashed 89 runs off 28 balls with ten sixes. That’s a strike rate of 317.85. When they have pulled back their length, Miller goes only at 93.40, scoring 85 runs from 91 balls.Miller has waited for the bad balls to despatch while respecting the good ones. But his record against Ashwin and Chahal is below par. He has been dismissed by Ashwin three times in 73 balls while conceding only 85 runs. Chahal too has dismissed him three times, in just 30 balls, but Miller has taken him for 52 runs. So if Royals bowlers can refrain from bowling in the arc, then there is a high chance that the ball does not go out of the park.

Every spring, all across the country, kids pick up a baseball bat or a glove for the first time and begin to dream.

Facing off against a pitching machine, they imagine themselves playing in Game 7 of the World Series, with the chance to hit the home run that decides a championship. Shagging fly balls in the outfield, they envision the feeling of securing an out that saves their season.

On Saturday, those dreams became real for about 20 members of the Dodgers and Blue Jays.

Toronto entered the ninth inning holding a 4–3 lead and needing just three outs to secure their first championship since 1993. Closer Jeff Hoffman, who had come in to secure the last out of the eighth inning, was back on the mound to finish things out.

It was Miguel Rojas that first got to live the dream. With the Dodgers down to their final two outs, Rojas worked the count full before smacking a home run to left field to tie the game and suck every ounce of air out of the Rogers Centre.

Hoffman got out of the inning from there, bringing the Blue Jays to the plate with a chance to walk things off for a title.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led off the inning batting against Blake Snell, and for a moment it felt like he might just finish things on his own. Instead, he hit a fly out to center. But after a Bo Bichette single was followed by a walk and a HBP, the bases were loaded with one out.

Bichette was pulled for pinch runner Isiah Kiner-Falefa, as he’s still somewhat hobbled coming back from injury. The Dodgers pulled Snell and put Game 6 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto back on the mound.

Yamamoto delivered to Daulton Varsho, who smacked a grounder to second base. The ball was fielded by Rojas, who briefly double-clutched before firing a bullet home to catcher Will Smith. Smith’s foot briefly came off of the bag, but he got it back down for the force out before Kiner-Falefa could slide in safe.

It was this close folks.

Two outs.

Next up it was Ernie Clement, who with his third hit of the day in his previous at-bat had set a record with 30 hits this postseason, more than any player in MLB history. Now he needed one more.

Clement gave the first pitch he saw a ride to left center. With the outfield in, left fielder Kiké Hernández was sprinting backwards to get under the ball, but center fielder Andy Pages, who had just been put into the game as a defensive sub for the Dodgers, would meet him in the space and ultimately came down with the catch after a heart-stopping collision to get out of the inning.

It was the first live ball he had touched all night.

And with that, Game 7 of the World Series was on to extras.

Both teams failed to get a run across in the 10th. Last time these sides went to extras, we played into the 18th inning. Now it’s happening with a championship on the line.

How can you not be romantic about baseball?

It’s hard to think of another point in recent memory when Arsenal have had such a strong squad.

Rival sides might have spent hundreds of millions of pounds on individual superstars, but Mikel Arteta and Co have built a group with few if any real weaknesses.

With that said, even though there are talented players in every position, it is still quite easy to proclaim Bukayo Saka the pick of the bunch and the Gunners’ most important star.

Moreover, should they get up to speed, one of Arteta’s summer signings could help the Hale Ender reach the level of Thierry Henry as a creator.

Thierry Henry's creative genius

When most people think of Henry, the first thing that usually comes to mind is his incredible goalscoring ability.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

After all, during his time with Arsenal, the Frenchman racked up an astounding haul of 228 goals in 377 games, and if that wasn’t enough, he also chalked up a tally of 51 goals in 123 senior caps for France across his career.

However, what is sometimes overlooked by non-Arsenal fans is just how creative a player he could be, for the simple fact that assists and chances created are generally less memorable than a goal.

Appearances

377

Minutes

30532′

Goals

228

Assists

104

Goal Involvements per Match

1.13

Minutes per Goal Involvement

91.96′

Yet, during his time with the Gunners, the Les Ulis-born legend managed to rack up an impressive tally of 104 assists, which works out to one every 3.62 games, and if that wasn’t enough, he also managed 20 goals and 20 assists in the 02/03 league season.

But what made the Frenchman such a creative force? Well, playing with a host of world-class attackers and under the management of Arsène Wenger certainly helps, but it was more than that.

It was in part down to the same reason he could so wonderfully place a shot into the corner of the net, but also his general attitude to trying risky things.

For example, he said that, “I know it sounds stupid, don’t be scared to make mistakes. That stops a lot of players.”

In all, Henry was an extraordinary creator as well as a world-class goalscorer, and while Saka might not ever quite reach his level when it comes to the former, a recent signing could help him do that for the latter.

The Arsenal player who could help Saka reach Henry levels

While Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi could help Saka get closer to Henry’s goalscoring levels through the chances they end up creating, it’s Viktor Gyokeres who could help the Englishman reach his creative level.

Now, it has to be said, that with the current goalscoring form of the Swede, such an idea may seem absurd. After all, he’s been so hit or miss that Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville described him as a “misfit”.

However, it’s important to remember the league season is just eight games old, he’s already put the ball in the back of the net three times and his form over the last two years was nothing short of world-class.

For example, during his two seasons with Sporting CP, the 27-year-old “monster” as he was desribed by journalist Alex Turk, scored a staggering 97 goals and provided 28 assists in 102 appearances, totalling 8417 minutes.

That works out to an average of 1.22 goal involvements every single game, or one every 67.33 minutes, so while he won’t get those numbers in England, he hasn’t just lost the ability to get shots off and find space in the penalty area.

In fact, this was something fans finally saw in the game against Fulham, as while he failed to score, there was a moment in the first half that his smart movement gave him the chance to, and who did the pass come from? Saka, of course.

The second reason the former Coventry City star could help the 24-year-old’s creative numbers explode this season is down to this movement, his physicality and the fact he, as Mattinson says, plays with “real venom.”

This bulldozing approach to centre-forward play is already freeing up more space for Saka to operate in, and once again fans saw the fruits of this at Craven Cottage.

Minutes

99′

Expected Assists

0.55

Total Shots

2

Key Passes

7

Dribbles (Successful)

7 (6)

Big Chances Created

1

Touches

86

Fouls Won

5

Ball Recoveries

9

Ground Duels (Won)

20 (13)

In his 99 minutes of action, he amassed an expected assists figure of 0.55, took two shots, took 86 touches, completed six of seven dribbles, created one big chance, played seven key passes – yes, seven – and was named the man of the match.

Ultimately, while he is firing yet, Gyokeres’ innate finishing ability and the fact he drags opposition defenders away from Saka so often could help the Hale Ender reach Henry-esque creative numbers by the end of the season.

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Arsenal had a Bukayo Saka regen in Hale End that Edu allowed to leave.

Oct 20, 2025

Pope Leo XIV, recently chosen to take over for the late Pope Francis, is a Chicago White Sox fan. As is perhaps fitting for the first American pope in history. Fans found him attending a game during the 2005 World Series broadcast shortly after his selection was announced and just last week he donned a White Sox cap during a public general audience.

Thursday brought further hard proof of how deep the Pope's fandom runs. In a viral video posted on TikTok, a group of Americans went to see the Pope in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City and started chanting "White Sox" as he rode by. Pope Leo joined in once he realized what they were saying.

Truly, what a world. Not only is the Pope a sports fan he's a big enough fan to wear a team hat in a public setting and join in chants like he's in the South Side of Chicago.

A wonderful and unexpected storyline coming out of Vatican City.

Antony was caught on camera taunting Sevilla supporters during Real Betis’ derby victory over their arch-rivals. The Brazil international was unable to play any part in said contest as he served a suspension. The former Manchester United winger did, however, make a point of winding up fans that were sat in his vicinity, with objects being thrown in his direction.

• Why Antony missed Andalusian derby through suspension

  Antony was restricted to a spectator role as Betis lined up against old adversaries at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. He took up a seat in an executive box after picking up a red card during a La Liga clash with Girona – with the South American having caught Joel Roca with a high boot.

  While being prevented from taking to the field, the 25-year-old made a point of joining his team-mates at Sevilla’s home stadium. Antony was never going to let his presence go unnoticed, with the Samba star taking great delight in winding up opponents – on and off the field.

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• Watch Antony taunt Sevilla fans from box in the stands

• Two goals, a red card & game delay: Eventful derby clash

  He caused quite a stir when Sevilla fans spotted him in the crowd. As bottles and other missiles were thrust in Antony’s direction, he waved his arms around and bellowed back at his derby foes. Antony was never under any threat of being harmed as he was safely housed behind a box window.

  Antony had the last laugh as Betis claimed a 2-0 victory over Sevilla, with Pablo Fornals and Sergi Altimira getting their goals. The hosts finished said contest with 10 men after winger Isaac Romero was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Betis defender Valentin Gomez.

  He saw red with six minutes remaining, with angry home supporters throwing objects onto the field. Referee Jose Luis Mubuera Montero was forced to suspend the game, leading to players spending 15 minutes in the dressing rooms before play could resume.

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  Man Utd flop Antony is loving life with Real Betis

  Antony will be delighted to have seen his side prevail without him, having registered six goals and three assists for Betis through 13 appearances this season. He has rediscovered a lost spark since initially moving to Spain in the January window of 2025.

  A permanent transfer from Manchester United was completed over the summer, following a protracted chase, with a disappointing spell in English football being brought to a close. Antony managed just 12 goals for the Red Devils after joining them from Ajax for £85 million ($112m) in 2022.

He joined Leicestershire on loan after The Hundred prior to joining full time next season

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay24-Sep-2025

Stevie Eskinazi’s first-day century anchored Leicestershire•Getty Images

Leicestershire 392 for 7 (Eskinazi 150*, Tattersall 47, Patel 44, Budinger 44) vs NorthamptonshireStephen Eskinazi hit an excellent unbeaten 150, his first century for his new county Leicestershire as the Division Two champions pressed home their advantage on day one of this Rothesay County Championship match against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.Former Middlesex batter Eskinazi, who joined Leicestershire on loan after The Hundred prior to joining full time next season, led a fightback after pacer George Scrimshaw’s double strike reduced the visitors to 122 for 4 at lunch.Eskinazi shared a fifth-wicket stand worth 98 off 145 balls with Jonny Tattersall (47) before adding 76 with Liam Trevaskis (37), and 64 with Logan van Beek (26). His 150 was his highest Championship score since 2018, Leicestershire closing on 392 for 7.Northamptonshire spinner Rob Keogh, who bowled with a lot of drift either side of tea, accounted for both Tattersall and Cox and finished with figures of 2 for 44.Leicestershire had got off to a flyer in the morning, Sol Budinger smashing five fours and two sixes in his 44 in an opening stand of 70 with Rishi Patel (44), but Scrimshaw (2 for 80) arrested their rapid early progress with two wickets in two overs.It was a determined display with the ball from Northamptonshire’s youthful looking attack, but they were left to rue periods in both afternoon and evening sessions when they erred in line and length, allowing Leicestershire’s batters to settle and get back into the game after the early fall of wickets.Earlier Northamptonshire almost broke through with the day’s first delivery when Patel edged Justin Broad to first slip, Saif Zaib shelling a regulation chance, Budinger then inside-edging Ben Whitehouse just past leg stump.But Leicestershire soon found runs easy to come by, Budinger pulling Whitehouse for six and crashing his next ball through extra cover, while Patel pulled and cut Scrimshaw for back-to-back boundaries.Budinger brought up Leicestershire’s 50 in style, pulling Scrimshaw over fine leg for six but was undone by a fine delivery from Broad which nipped back to trap him lbw as he moved across his stumps.Skipper Ian Holland (4) played the anchor role as Patel accelerated, coming down the ground to attack teenage spinner Nirvan Ramesh.But Scrimshaw’s dual strike removed Holland when he edged behind, cutting too close to his body and Patel who miscued a straight pull, Whitehouse taking the catch as he ran across to mid-off.Ramesh then got among the wickets when Lewis Hill bottom edged a sweep, keeper Lewis McManus taking a sharp catch behind the stumps.After lunch though Leicestershire grew increasingly comfortable, Tattersall taking back-to-back boundaries off a wayward Ramesh, while Eskinazi meted out similar treatment to Broad. Scrimshaw meanwhile was guilty of offering too much width, Tattersall prospering as he collected consecutive boundaries.Ezkinazi brought up Leicestershire’s 200 runs in the 48th over before punching Whitehouse through the covers to bring up his half-century.Tattersall though fell just short of his fifty when he edged behind off Keogh, the ball ballooning up off the keeper’s gloves, Broad taking a juggling catch at first slip.Ezkinazi continued to accumulate, smashing Whitehouse through extra cover, while reverse sweeping Keogh for four more.Ben Cox (20) deposited a Whitehouse full toss over deep square leg for four and almost collected a six off Zaib, only for some sharp boundary work from James Sales which saved five runs. Keogh though struck on the brink of tea, spinning one back in to bowl Cox and leave Leicestershire on 252 for 6.After tea Ezkinazi hit Keogh over long-on for six to move into the nineties before running a single to move to his tenth first-class ton off 168 balls.When Justin Broad took the second new ball, Eskinazi responded by stroking three silky cover boundaries in an over. Trevaskis, who had struck Keogh down the ground for back-to-back boundaries, departed though when he flashed outside off-stump against Whitehouse, nicking a catch through to second slip.New batter van Beek made the most of a reprieve when he was dropped in the slips off Broad, crunching the bowler for consecutive boundaries down the ground.With his 150 in sight, Eskinazi was given a life when Scrimshaw bowled him, only to be called no ball for overstepping, and duly brought up the milestone soon afterwards.