India’s plans to play Jasprit Bumrah in just three Tests remain unaltered despite a classic Bumrah-or-bust Test in Leeds.In fact, Bumrah’s load management went to the other extreme on the final afternoon at Headingley, when he wasn’t even called upon for the second new ball, when England needed 22 to win with five wickets in hand. However, head coach Gautam Gambhir trusts the rest of the attack to be able to pick up 20 wickets, but also asked for some patience with an inexperienced unit in a team in transition.”This bowling attack has one bowler with five Tests under his belt [Nitish Kumar Reddy], one has four [Prasidh Krishna], one has played two [Harshit Rana] and one hasn’t yet debuted [Arshdeep Singh],” Gambhir said, with Prasidh coming under particular scrutiny for an economy rate in excess of a-run-a-ball in each innings, even though he used the bouncer to good effect in the second innings after struggling to hit his lengths in the first.Related

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“We will have to give them time,” Gambhir said. “Earlier, we used to have four fast bowlers in the squad with an experience of more than 40 Tests. It doesn’t make such a big impact in one-day or T20 matches, but when you go to Australia, England, or South Africa for Tests, experience matters.”These are early days. If we start judging our bowlers after every Test, how will we develop a bowling attack? Outside Bumrah and [Mohammad] Siraj, we don’t have that much experience, but they [the others] have quality, which is why they are in this dressing room. But we have got to keep backing them because it’s not about one tour. It’s about building a fast-bowler battery that can serve India for long time in Test cricket.”Gambhir reinforced his trust in the fast bowlers even as doubts gather as to how India will take 20 wickets in the two Tests that Bumrah won’t play. “I think for us to manage Bumrah’s workload is more important because there’s a lot of cricket going forward and we know what he brings to the table as well,” Gambhir said. “So before he came on this tour, it was already decided that he’s going to play three Test matches, but let’s see how his body turns up. But we haven’t decided which two other Test matches he’s going to play.1:16

How did Gill fare in his first Test as captain?

“We absolutely have the bowling attack. We believe in them. We trust in them. When we pick the squad, we pick the squad on trust, not on hope. Those are inexperienced bowlers, but they will keep getting better, and we saw in this Test match as well that, for the first four days, we were in a position, and even on day five we were in a position, where we would have won the Test match. So we believe and we trust that we can. These boys will deliver for us.”Specifically with Prasidh and Shardul Thakur – the latter played as a bowling allrounder – Gambhir avoided picking holes in their performances.”I think Prasidh bowled really well,” Gambhir said. “He got us crucial wickets as well. We picked him because we thought that he’s got something different. He’s got that bounce, and in the first innings, I think he used that bounce really well, [and] even in the second innings. He’ll keep getting better with experience. He’s got all the ingredients of being a very good bowler, best bowler, which he had shown in Australia in Sydney and here as well. That’s why I said that we’ll keep backing these boys.4:09

Gambhir: We had opportunities on all five days

“Shardul was used a little less, but the reason was probably that [Ravindra] Jadeja bowled really well, so we thought that Jadeja will give us control. Shardul got us two important wickets. So I’m not going to sit here and say that this guy didn’t bowl well or that guy bowled well. Shardul gave us two important wickets, which got us back in the game. I think we just got to be more consistent. That is what is more important, and these boys will learn.”It is not just the drop in the bowling that hurt India in a Test that looked unloseable at various points. Nos. 8 to 11 aggregated just nine runs in two innings put together. What’s more, they often got themselves out trying extravagant shots even with a specialist batter at the other end. Gambhir, however, refused to single them out.”First of all, I’ll tell you it’s not that they were not applying themselves,” he said. “Sometimes people fail, and that’s okay. I know it is disappointing and more importantly, I think they are more disappointed than anyone. Because they knew that we had the opportunity. If we had got up to 570, 580 in the first innings, we could have dominated from there.”It’s not that they’re not working hard in the nets as well. Sometimes these things happen, even the pure batters fail as well. So hopefully they got to learn and hopefully we can have better performances from our tail, and that is not the only reason why we lost the Test match, to be honest. There was other moments as well where we could have won the Test match. I’m not going to sit here and single out ‘it’s because of the tail’ or ‘the tail couldn’t contribute’ or ‘8, 9, 10, 11 couldn’t contribute’. We lose together, we win together.”When you lose a Test in this manner, however, it can be a long way back up, especially when you have a new, young captain. This was Shubman Gill’s first Test as captain and only the sixth first-class game he has led in. Gambhir, though, backed Gill to bounce back.”Look, first Test match, obviously, there are nerves,” Gambhir said. “It’s a great honour, as he’s already mentioned. Not many people get that opportunity, and he was phenomenal. More importantly, I think the way he batted in the first innings. I’m sure he would have had his own nerves being the captain for the first time and then getting the hundred…”He has everything that it takes for him to be a successful captain, but we got to just give him time. It’s still very early days. He’s only captain for the first time. I’m sure he’s going to get better, and these are tough places to captain. So it’s like pushing someone into the deep sea, and I’m sure he’s going to come out as a proper professional.”

Following Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury blow, Liverpool have been handed a key boost in pursuit of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

Leoni injury hands Liverpool centre-back problem

For all of Liverpool’s excellent spending in the summer, they are now just one injury away from having two senior centre-backs at their disposal. The Reds went all in on Marc Guehi at the end of the transfer window, only for Crystal Palace to pull the plug on his move at the last moment. Now, Leoni’s ACL injury has left Arne Slot short of defensive options.

For now, it’s a problem that Liverpool must solve internally. Whether that sees Wataro Endo become an emergency centre-back or the likes of defender Rhys Williams receive the most unexpected recall is a question that, in truth, Slot will not want to face before January arrives.

Meanwhile, when the January transfer window does swing open, it will be all eyes on Guehi. Slot has not tried to hide how close Liverpool were to signing the Crystal Palace defender and another attempt could yet be on the cards.

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The Dutchman told reporters: “It would be ridiculous if I were to deny we were close to signing him. That is so out in the open. These things happen in football. We would have liked to have signed him, of course. If we feel we can strengthen the team, we never hesitate to do so.“

The injury to Leoni has potentially added more urgency to Liverpool’s position and Sky Sports have just shared an update on the Reds’ pursuit of Geuhi.

Sky Sports share "big news" about Guehi

Live on air, Sky Sports journalist Tom White shared “big news” that Crystal Palace have accepted that Guehi’s time at the club is coming to an end – be it in January or at the end of his contract next summer.

White revealed: “We’ve got some news just into us. This is big news regarding Marc Guehi, because we are told that Crystal Palace realistically accept that Marc Guehi’s time at the club is coming to an end.”

The ball is now arguably in Liverpool’s court. The Reds could look to solve their centre-back problem by attempting a cut-price deal to sign Guehi just six months before his contract comes to an end this January. Or, they could wait to land the ultimate bargain at the end of his deal next summer.

As Thomas Tuchel selected his England squad last week, the lack of Manchester United representatives was a familiar sight, with the German coach again overlooking those at Old Trafford.

Mason Mount – part of Tuchel’s Champions League-winning squad at Chelsea – has not featured since the 2022 World Cup quarter-final defeat to France, while Luke Shaw’s most recent outing came in last year’s Euro 2024 showpiece.

Harry Maguire, now 32, has also been gradually phased out, although the biggest disappointment rests with Kobbie Mainoo, amid the 20-year-old’s continued exile at international level.

Now even tipped to make a return to the U21 set-up, the midfielder has gone from playing a starring role in last summer’s knockout stage run, to now representing something of an afterthought for the Three Lions.

With the likes of Elliot Anderson continuing to flourish in his absence, Mainoo’s hopes of featuring at next year’s World Cup are getting slimmer by the day, having no doubt been held back by his limited role under Ruben Amorim in Manchester.

Cast aside at club level, and a forgotten figure for his country, Mainoo faces a fight on both fronts to change his fortunes.

Mainoo’s diminishing role under Amorim

It was just over two years ago that the Stockport native announced himself with a Man of the Match display on his first Premier League start away at Goodison, having finally been thrust into the side after an injury-hit start to the 2023/24 campaign.

The golden boy of Erik ten Hag – who had made a beeline for him earlier that year as United celebrated the Carabao Cup trophy – Mainoo rounded off his breakthrough season with that FA Cup final winner, having also enjoyed notable highs against both Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The sky seemed the limit heading into 2024/25, although injury – and the change in the dugout – brought the youngster crashing back down to earth, with his diminishing status outlined by his desperately brief cameo as United chased a winner in the Europa League showpiece.

After a summer of transfer talk and speculation, including Mainoo’s apparent desire to leave on loan late in the window, his situation has, unfortunately, seen little change, with Amorim seemingly unwilling to deploy the promising midfielder as a partner to Bruno Fernandes in the centre of the park.

Yet to start in the Premier League, the £25k-per-week starlet did play the full 90 minutes against Grimsby Town, having seen Manuel Ugarte hooked instead at the break as the visitors sought out a comeback.

That outing aside, he has totalled just 124 minutes of league action, having failed to even make it off the bench against both Arsenal and Fulham back in August.

A man now on the periphery, a January exit again looks to be being touted – at least he’s not alone in that regard…

Man Utd star is also getting the Mainoo treatment

Not only was the manner of the Grimsby defeat simply embarrassing for Amorim’s side, but it has also had a knock-on effect with regard to squad rotation, with the Portuguese coach now having little need to shuffle his pack – not least with European involvement also not a factor this season.

That early Carabao Cup exit seemingly played a part in forcing Rasmus Hojlund’s exit, with the Dane – as per The Athletic – having been told after that game that he would no longer be needed. Off to Naples you go…

With Benjamin Sesko in the door – and with the likes of Matheus Cunha, Joshua Zirkzee and Chido Obi already in the building – it was deemed that United already had the sufficient depth.

Having now scored two in two heading into the international break, amid a slow start to life in Manchester, Sesko has solidified his place as Amorim’s leading number nine, even playing the full 90 against Sunderland last time out.

Fitness-permitting, the Slovenian will start week in, week out, leaving the aforementioned Zirkzee resigned to a watching brief.

The Dutchman – signed from Bologna on a £36.5m deal last summer – was an unused substitute in that 2-0 win over the Black Cats, having yet to start a game in all competitions so far.

While he did replace Cunha in the early knockings of the win over Burnley, the one-time Bayern Munich man has featured for just 82 minutes in total in 2025/26, while making just three league appearances.

Despite recovering from the audible jeers that met his early withdrawal against Newcastle back in December – having notably scored against both Real Sociedad and Lyon in the Europa League since then – the 24-year-old is falling into Mainoo territory, with a clear role in the side seemingly unclear.

A self-described ‘nine and a half’, Zirkzee has typically featured in a number ten berth under Amorim, although the addition of Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo – alongside the manager’s preference for Mount – has seen him slide down the pecking order.

Zirkzee – 25/26 so far

Games

Minutes played

Arsenal

–

Fulham

–

Grimsby

8

Burnley

59

Man City

10

Chelsea

–

Brentford

5

Sunderland

–

Total

82

Stats via Transfermarkt

Not the orthodox number nine that Amorim is looking for, in contrast to Sesko, it is hard to see where the fleet-footed talent will get minutes, even despite his “insane” quality, as per analyst Ben Mattinson.

Like Mainoo, the forgotten man reportedly wishes to leave in the New Year amid the search for game time, having thus far scored just seven goals in 53 games for the Red Devils since arriving last summer.

A technical talent, but perhaps without the physical attributes that Amorim requires – much like Mainoo – the eye-catching forward already appears to be heading in the same direction as his struggling teammate.

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تحدث مدرب ليفربول آرني سلوت، في مؤتمر صحفي اليوم الإثنين، قبل مباراة فريقه أمام ريال مدريد في دوري أبطال أوروبا، وعلّق على المواجهات القوية التي تنتظره.

ويلاقي ليفربول خصمه ريال مدريد غدًا الثلاثاء، في مرحلة الدوري بدوري أبطال أوروبا، ثم يواجه مانشستر سيتي في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز يوم الأحد القادم.

وعن مواجهات ليفربول القوية أولاً أمام ريال مدريد ثم مانشستر سيتي، قال سلوت: “لا، مباراة الأحد ليست في حساباتي عند اختيار التشكيل، أمامنا بضعة أيام بين المباراتين، بينما في فترات أخرى يكون لدينا فقط يومان بين المباريات، مثل الآن”.

وأضاف: “لكن هذه المرة، ولأول مرة هذا الموسم، سيكون الوضع متساويًا بيننا وبين الخصم من حيث عدد أيام الراحة لذلك، تشكيل الغد لن يكون له أي علاقة بمباراة الأحد”.

وعن جماهير ليفربول، طلب سلوت: “أدعوهم للحضور غدًا كما فعلوا يوم السبت، لقد قدّموا دعمًا كبيرًا، وغدًا نواجه فريقًا يمرّ بفترة رائعة، اللعب على أرضنا دائمًا ممتع، لأننا لم نلعب إلا مباريات خارج أرضنا تقريبًا، وقد أظهر آنفيلد أهميته يوم السبت”.

وحول خصميه ريال مدريد ومانشستر سيتي، أفاد: “كل مباراة نخوضها تُعدّ اختبارًا حقيقيًا، ليس كالمباريات السابقة، فقد لعبنا المباراتين على أرضنا، لكننا نلعب خارج أرضنا ضد السيتي”.

اقرأ أيضًا | جرافنبيرخ: سنسأل لاعب ليفربول عن إيقاف مبابي.. والجمهور حُر في تعامله مع أرنولد

وأسترسل :”عانى ريال مدريد من إصابات كثيرة، والآن تحسنت الأمور، نحن فريق مختلف، وقد أجرى السيتي بعض التغييرات مثلنا، كل مباراة نخوضها الآن تُعدّ اختبارًا حقيقيًا لنرى أين نحن، كان ذلك قبل أسبوع، وقبل أسبوعين، وهذا هو الحال هذا الأسبوع”.

وسُئل سلوت عن رأيه في تصريحات ستيفن جيرارد، وأجاب: “أجد صعوبة دائمًا في الرد على ما قاله شخص آخر، لن تكون هذه المرة الأولى في حياتي التي يغير فيها أحدهم كلمة أو كلمتين، لست متأكدًا مما قاله جيرارد، فهو من أشد مشجعي ليفربول”. 

وعلّق: “نواجه فريقًا كبيرًا وناجحًا للغاية، بفريق رائع، ومدرب ولاعبين رائعين، أحترم الجميع، مثل جيرارد، الذي يُقدّر ريال مدريد وليفربول بنفس القدر، لن أعلق على ما قاله”.

وكان جيرارد دافع عن سلوت في تصريحاته، وأشار إلى أن ليفربول سيحقق الفوز أمام ريال مدريد في ملعب “آنفيلد”.

وبشأن ريال مدريد، شدد: “بالنسبة لي، من الصعب مقارنة مباريات الموسم الماضي وهذا الموسم، عانى الفريق من إصابات عديدة الموسم الماضي، بينما قدم أنشيلوتي أداءً رائعًا، وضمّ بعض اللاعبين، وهذا قد يؤثر سلبًا على أسلوب اللعب، رأيتُ ريال مدريد جيدًا جدًا، والآن هو نفسه، لذا لطالما كان قوةً كبيرة، كم مرة وصلوا إلى نصف النهائي في السنوات القليلة الماضية؟ فريقٌ رائع”.

وفيما يتعلق بمدرب ريال مدريد الحالي تشابي ألونسو، أبدى رأيه متابعًا: “اسألوا تشابي، لا أعرف ماذا فعل… لسنوات عديدة، حقق نجاحًا باهرًا تحت قيادة كارلو أنشيلوتي، أربع بطولات دوري أبطال أوروبا! ليس سيئًا، لذا لا يسعنا إلا التحدث باحترام”.

وأتم: “لم يخسر تشابي سوى مباراة واحدة، ما هو تأثيره هنا؟ لقد فاز بدوري الأبطال هنا، ولا يسعني إلا أن أخبركم أن وقت لعبه كان منذ زمن بعيد، وكان له تأثير كبير على أدائه، لكن الجالسين بجانبي متفائلون أيضًا بشأن شخصيته ولاعبه عندما كان هنا في ليفربول”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras enfrenta o Grêmio, nesta quinta-feira (21), às 21h30, pela 24ª rodada do Brasileirão. Além de se aproximar ainda mais do Botafogo, vencer em Porto Alegre fará com que o Verdão registre mais um número histórico pelo campeonato. Já recordista de vitórias, a equipe de Abel Ferreira pode chegar aos 700 triunfos somando todas edições da competição nacional.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras conhece datas e horários dos jogos da Libertadores FemininaPalmeiras19/09/2023PalmeirasApós atuação mágica no primeiro turno, Mayke reencontra o Grêmio pelo PalmeirasPalmeiras19/09/2023PalmeirasMesmo sem cota de ingressos, organizada do Palmeiras mantém planejamento para ArgentinaPalmeiras19/09/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Desde a vitória por 1 a 0 sobre o Vasco, o Alviverde já era o recordista no quesito. Antes disso, havia empatado com o São Paulo em 697 triunfos, número no qual o rival estacionou, já que está sem vencer no Brasileiro há sete partidas.

Assim, o Palmeiras, que tem 699 vitórias até aqui, pode ser o primeiro clube a atingir 700 na disputa da competição. Os dados levam em conta desde a edição de 1937, reconhecida recentemente pela CBF como Campeonato Brasileiro. A edição seguinte foi a de 1959, que era a primeira considerada até a nova mudança nos parâmetros da entidade.

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+ Após atuação mágica no primeiro turno, Mayke reencontra o Grêmio pelo Palmeiras

Logo atrás da dupla de rivais paulistas estão o Internacional e o Atlético-MG, com 687 vitórias cada um. Quem vem em seguida é o Flamengo, que está com 680 vitórias e há pouco tempo superou o Santos no ranking. Atualmente, o Peixe tem 677 triunfos.

Corinthians e Grêmio estão próximos da equipe santista na lista. O Timão está com 672 vitórias e o Tricolor gaúcho com 670. O Cruzeiro, que ficou três anos seguidos na Série B, aparece um pouco mais atrás com 643 triunfos. Fluminense (604), Vasco (536) e Botafogo (529) completam o Top 12.

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Em índice de vitórias, o Verdão também lidera com 43,78% (699 triunfos em 1527 jogos), seguido pelo São Paulo, com 43,56% (697 em 1600). E, após a rodada mais recente, alcançou a liderança também na era dos pontos corridos, com 44,65% (321 vitórias em 719 jogos), seguido pelo São Paulo, com 44,64% (358 em 802).

Se vencer o Grêmio, nesta quinta (21), o Palmeiras pode diminuir para quatro pontos a vantagem do Botafogo na liderança do Brasileirão. O clube carioca ainda pode retomar a diferença para sete pontos caso vença o Corinthians, na sexta (22).

Tudo sobre

BrasileirãoPalmeiras

England delivered the homecoming performance the fans wanted on Tuesday night, bouncing back from Saturday's disappointing defeat to Brazil in a much more convincing 3-0 win over Australia as their parading of the European Championship trophy continued around the country. This was the second installment of the Lionesses' 'homecoming series' which will see this summer's silverware hit four different locations before the end of the year, and it produced a performance much more fitting of their status of European champions as goals from Aggie Beever-Jones, Lucy Bronze and Georgia Stanway downed a Matildas team that was reduced to 10 players inside the first 20 minutes.

It may have produced some sort of deja vu for England fans who watched Saturday's defeat to Brazil, which saw the Selecao go 2-0 up and then down to 10 in the first quarter of the game. But after failing to make that numerical advantage count at the Etihad Stadium, creating very little in an eventual 2-1 loss, the Lionesses looked much improved when given that task at Derby County's Pride Park, breaking the deadlock with Beever-Jones powerful strike mere seconds after Alanna Kennedy had been dismissed for hauling down Alessia Russo, who was through on goal. That lead was doubled just before the break when Bronze, celebrating her 34th birthday, arrowed in a brilliant goal which put England even more firmly in control.

It should have been more, too. Lucia Kendall, the impressive debutante, hit the bar and had a great headed chance from a nice Niamh Charles cross, but couldn't quite get the goal her memorable night deserved, while Georgia Stanway would also sting the palms of Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold from the bench. The Bayern Munich midfielder would add a late, and deserved, third though, netting from the spot in injury time.

To limit the Matildas to just one notable opportunity, when Hannah Hampton denied Chelsea team-mate Sam Kerr at her near post, was another positive from this outing, even with the numerical advantage, while Sarina Wiegman's various bits of experimentation also returned good results. Sadly, though, the night would be soured by talented teenager Michelle Agyemang being stretchered off with a worrying looking knee injury, putting a real downer on what had been a great day for the Lionesses.

GOAL rates England's players from Pride Park…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Hannah Hampton (6/10):

  Made a good save at her near post to deny Kerr but was otherwise untroubled.

  Lucy Bronze (8/10):

  Still building her fitness back up after starting the season on the sidelines, she went off at half time with a goal and an assist to her name on her birthday.

  Maya Le Tissier (7/10):

  A really assured display in the centre-back role. Strong in her duels and an asset in possession, carrying the ball forward with real purpose on several occasions.

  Esme Morgan (7/10):

  Excellent in possession and mopped up well when necessary.

  Taylor Hinds (7/10):

  A solid debut in which she showed she has the potential to be a solution to the serious issue at left-back.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Midfield

  Keira Walsh (7/10):

  Kept things ticking over nicely at the base of midfield and was strong in her defensive work to thwart Australia before they could really get attacks going.

  Lucia Kendall (8/10):

  Made her debut even more memorable by being one of the best players on the pitch. Unlucky not to get the goal she deserved.

  Ella Toone (7/10):

  Picked up good pockets of space and played some nice passes to help England get in behind the Australia defence with regularity.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Beth Mead (8/10):

  After being one of the better players in defeat to Brazil, this was an even brighter performance in which she created tons of chances from both the wide areas and the central pockets she often dropped into.

  Alessia Russo (7/10):

  Unlucky to slip as she struck at goal with her best chance, making for a comfortable save for Arnold. Movement was good and allowed others to get into promising positions in attack, too.

  Aggie Beever-Jones (7/10):

  Scored a brilliant goal to break the deadlock and created a couple of opportunities for others, too. Did have to go off with a knock before full-time, which England – and Chelsea – will hope is nothing serious.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Subs & Manager

  Niamh Charles (7/10):

  Slotted in at right-back at half time and looked very assured despite not playing on that side much in recent years. Excellent in her individual battles.

  Missy Bo Kearns (6/10):

  Couldn't really get into the game coming off the bench.

  Georgia Stanway (7/10):

  Superb in possession and was an attacking threat from the edge of the box, bringing a good save out of Arnold before beating her with an emphatic penalty late on.

  Alex Greenwood (6/10):

  Can't really be as influential in possession in the left-back role as she can when central. Didn't do much wrong in her 30-minute display, though.

  Michelle Agyemang (N/A):

  Stretchered off with a worrying looking knee injury having showed good glimpses in her 10 minutes or so leading the line.

  Chloe Kelly (N/A):

  Replaced Agyemang for the last 10 minutes.

  Sarina Wiegman (7/10):

  Experimented a little bit more here compared to the Brazil game and it paid off, with Kendall impressing and Hinds looking solid. Used her bench more, too, giving out a few opportunities, which is exactly what these friendlies are for.

Leeds United’s form at the start of the 2025/26 campaign has been impressive. Daniel Farke’s side are not in the relegation zone at the start of the season, and the early signs are positive. In fact, ESPN journalist Ryan O’Hanlon said the Whites have “played quite well” at the start of the campaign.

Critically, the Yorkshire-based side have defended well. According to Understat, seven sides have conceded more than their seven goals. On top of that, their expected goals against tally of 6.42 xGA is 10th best in the English top flight.

The Whites will certainly have to be on their A game defensively against Bournemouth on Saturday. They have the unenviable task of keeping Antoine Semenyo quiet.

Why Leeds must stop Semenyo

There is little doubt that stopping Semenyo this weekend at Elland Road will go a long way to helping Leeds reduce Bournemouth’s attacking threat. At the start of the season, the winger was described as “one of the best players in the league” by BBC Sport tactics correspondent Umir Irfan.

That is certainly a fair assessment of the winger, who has shown just how much of a threat he can be to sides. The Ghanaian international already has three goals and two assists, including a brace at Anfield on the opening day of the season.

The Whites have already been on the receiving end of a Semenyo goal, too. Scoring against Leeds is certainly not an unfamiliar feeling for the winger, who bagged against them back in 2022/23 for the Cherries. That is one of two appearances he made against the club, with the other coming for Bristol City in 2018/19.

One of the things Leeds must be most cautious of when coming up against the forward is his deadly ball-carrying skills. The winger averaged 2.2 successful dribbles per 90 minutes this season, to go along with his threat in the final third.

It will certainly be important for Leeds to stop the Cherries attacker on Saturday. Indeed, Farke could adjust his starting lineup to play someone who might be better at coping with the winger.

The Leeds star who can help silence Semenyo

Leeds are looking to maintain what is, so far, a strong defensive record. That is certainly something that will help keep them in the top flight this season. Bournemouth’s attacking threat from the likes of Semenyo will challenge that.

However, Farke may well decide to turn to James Justin to help keep the Ghanaian attacker at bay. The former Leicester City full-back was one of Leeds’ summer signings, joining from the Foxes for a fee of £10m including add-ons.

The England international has not played many minutes for the Whites so far. He’s featured twice in the Premier League, playing just 17 minutes in that time. He is match fit, though, having started Leicester’s first two Championship games this season.

He could certainly be a good candidate to start at Elland Road, in a bid to silence Semenyo. Justin is now a vastly experienced player, having played 101 times in the Premier League for Leicester and Leeds.

Not only will he bring experience to Farke’s side when going up against Semenyo, but he is also a more than competent defender. The full-back has put up some impressive numbers over the past few Premier League seasons with Leicester. For example, in 2019/20, he averaged 4.2 tackles and interceptions and won an average of 2 aerial duels.

2019/20

4.2

2

2020/21

4

1.1

2021/22

2.5

1.2

2022/23

2.5

1.7

2024/25

3.2

2.1

Justin’s task on Saturday afternoon is clear: stop Semenyo. He poses a huge threat to Leeds going forward, with his impact in the final third and direct dribbling ability. Should Farke give Justin the nod, he possesses the talent and experience to help stop the winger.

As Statman Dave said, the defender is a “colossal” figure at the back. Leeds would need to see that in action if he was to start against Semenyo.

Leeds struck gold on "indispensable" star who's now worth more than Stach

This Leeds star was one of Farke’s best signings

ByJoe Nuttall Sep 25, 2025

The North London Derby is always an occasion that all Arsenal supporters look forward to, but in years gone by, they’ve often been on the receiving end of Harry Kane’s quality.

In his 21 outings against the Gunners, the Englishman found the back of the net 15 times – a record that is the third-highest of any side he’s faced in his career to date.

He was also on the winning side in eight of the contests, often popping up with the crucial goal in numerous Derby outings and causing pain to the supporters of Arsenal.

However, the hierarchy have constantly been hunting for their own version of the talisman over recent years in an attempt to claim Premier League glory.

However, despite the board backing Mikel Arteta, the Spaniard is still struggling to find someone capable of emulating Kane.

Why Harry Kane was allowed to leave Arsenal

Despite all the success Kane has endured in his professional career, it could have been so different for the player had Arsenal kept hold of him when he was a youngster.

The Englishman was part of the Gunners’ iconic Hale End Academy, but was let go at the age of 12, with his physical condition being one of the main reasons behind his departure.

In an interview a couple of years ago, former Arsenal academy manager Roy Massey claimed he made a mistake in allowing him to depart, but didn’t think he would become a professional at the time of his release.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he stated: “Harry was a lovely young player. He was quiet, shy, didn’t have what we thought it would take to become a professional footballer and so we were totally mistaken.

“Although I’ve got to say that when Harry was released when he was 11 or 12 years of age, he did go to play for his Sunday league club for the next three years, so no other club picked him up in that age group.”

There’s no denying that the club made a huge error in allowing the forward to depart, with their loss unfortunately being the gain of their bitter rivals for many years.

However, the fans may already have their own version of the star currently within their ranks at present – with the talent able to take the club to new heights in the years ahead.

The Arsenal star who’s their answer to Kane

As previously mentioned, Kane is a player who has run Arsenal ragged over recent years, but he’s also tormented countless other backlines, as seen by his Premier League goal tally.

He’s scored 213 goals in England’s top-flight, the second most of any player in the division’s history, with only former Newcastle United star Alan Shearer the only star scoring more to date.

However, a deal for Viktor Gyokeres could see the Gunners have their own version of the talisman, especially if he can replicate such numbers from his recent stint in Portugal.

Despite the move, Arteta’s side already have their own answer to former Spurs star Kane in the form of winger Bukayo Saka – something which may come as a surprise to many.

The glaring difference is their ability to operate in opposing roles, but that hasn’t stopped the 24-year-old from being the club’s greatest source of goals in recent years.

He’s scored 74 times for the Gunners in his 283 outings across all competitions, even ending the 2023/24 campaign as the club’s top scorer in the Premier League.

Saka, who’s been labelled as a “legend in the making” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, also mirrors Kane’s ability to be a homegrown star, with both coming through their respective academies in North London.

Appearances

283

Minutes

20271′

Goals

74

Assists

72

Yellow cards

31

Goal involvements per match

0.51

Minutes per goal involvement

141.7

Like Kane, he’s loved starring in the derby between the two clubs, subsequently scoring five times in his nine outings – the second most of any club he’s faced in his career.

His ability for the Gunners is one thing, but the forward has also thrived on the international stage, with his latest effort against Wales catapulting himself into the record books.

Saka has now scored 13 goals for the Three Lions, the most of any Arsenal player in history, something which is a remarkable feat for such a young and upcoming talent.

At just 24, he has bags of time to build on his impressive start to his professional career with the Gunners and potentially be a key player in any title hunt this campaign.

Whilst Gyokeres could well provide key goals throughout 2025/26, the Englishman could well prove to be the club’s most threatening option over the next couple of months.

If he does continue on such a track, there’s no reason why he can’t be the club’s own version of Kane and continue to break records throughout his career.

As important as Saka: Arsenal star is becoming one of "the best in the world"

While many may point to Bukayo Saka or William Saliba as Arsenal’s most important players, another star is now becoming “one of the best in the world”

ByBen Gray Oct 15, 2025

Tottenham co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange have been told a key signing that Thomas Frank wants to make at N17, with Spurs also having made contact over a France international star.

Paratici and Lange set for Tottenham transfer partnership

On Wednesday, Spurs announced Paratici’s long-awaited return to North London, following the Italian’s spell as managing director between 2021 and 2023.

FabioParatici formerly of Spurs and Juventus.

Paratici, after being forced into resigning due to a worldwide FIFA ban from football, worked as a consultant/advisor for ex-chair Daniel Levy thereafter, and took up that unofficial role during the summer window to assist Lange, CEO Vinai Venkatesham and Frank.

Once his FIFA ban expired, Paratici was repeatedly tipped to return to Tottenham as a director, but Levy’s departure after 25 years did briefly throw the move into doubt (talkSPORT).

1. Cristian Romero

£42.5m

2. Dejan Kulusevski

£25.5m

3. Rodrigo Bentancur

£21.5m

4. Pedro Porro

£40m

5. Djed Spence

£20m

Venkatesham eventually decided to appoint Paratici regardless of Levy’s exit, with the 53-year-old now partnering Lange as one of Tottenham’s two sporting directors.

As explained by Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge, Lange and Paratici will have two very different roles, with the former overseeing scouting, the academy and data-driven recruitment analysis, while the latter operates as Tottenham’s proven ‘dealmaker’.

With Paratici and Lange set to back Frank in separate capacities, it is believed the Spurs boss has made one transfer wish crystal clear.

Frank wants new midfielder at Tottenham after approach for Khephren Thuram

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, via The Boot Room, Frank wants Tottenham to sign a new midfielder.

Despite already boasting Rodrigo Bentancur, Joao Palhinha, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr in the engine room, midfield misfit Yves Bissouma is out of contract at the end of this season and very likely to leave.

The Mali international, partly due to injury, is yet to make a single competitive appearance under Frank and was left out of both their UEFA Super Cup squad and 22-man Champions League list.

Bissouma clearly doesn’t have a long-term future under Frank, with the Dane eager to bring in another player who can potentially replace the African in 2026.

Bailey adds that Tottenham made an approach to sign Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram in the summer, but he’s going to be very hard to obtain now, with the Old Lady deeming him “untouchable” alongside Kenan Yildiz after an excellent start to 2025/2026.

With Spurs told to move on from the Frenchman, who’s worked his way into Didier Deschamps plans ahead of the World Cup next year, other reports suggest that Rangers star Nicolas Raskin has emerged as a Lilywhites target.

The Belgian is by far their standout player, and Premier League sides are taking note of his exploits, with Raskin’s contract also due to expire in under two years.

The 24-year-old would cost around £20-25 million to prise away from Ibrox — a surely doable price for Paratici and Lange — with a bid in and around that mark poised to make Raskin the Gers’ biggest ever sale.

Whether they go for Raskin or reach out for Thuram again, Frank personally wants to add another midfield technician to his ranks next year.

Barcelona’s El Clasico preparations have been hit by fresh concerns as Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen both missed training on Thursday, leaving Hansi Flick anxious before Sunday’s Bernabeu showdown. While Raphinha and Ferran Torres near full recovery, Flick’s tactical headaches deepen against a Real Madrid side powered by Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

De Jong’s illness adds to Barcelona’s growing concerns

Just days before the season’s first Clasico, Barcelona’s midfield balance was thrown into uncertainty when De Jong missed Thursday’s training session with gastroenteritis. According to , the Dutchman, who was expected to start alongside Pedri and Fermin Lopez, is being monitored closely but remains doubtful for Sunday’s trip to the Bernabeu. Christensen also sat out training with the same illness, having already missed the Olympiacos clash earlier in the week.

For coach Flick, the timing could not be worse. De Jong’s composure and distribution are crucial to maintaining rhythm against Madrid’s relentless press, and Christensen’s absence weakens an already stretched defensive line. Yet amid the setbacks, there was a glimmer of good news, Raphinha’s recovery is progressing well, and he is expected to be cleared to travel to Madrid. Torres, now fully fit from a hamstring issue, could even start, offering the Blaugrana a much-needed attacking option.

AdvertisementAFPSuspended Flick faced with balancing act amid injuries

Barcelona’s injury issues have dominated Flick’s press conferences in recent weeks. Speaking ahead of the Olympiacos tie, the German tactician admitted his squad’s condition has been “difficult,” but praised Marcus Rashford’s adaptability in filling the attacking gaps. “Rashford is a good option as a No. 9, but he can also play as an 11,” said Flick. “He’s improved a lot in recent weeks, he gives us many positives, and it’s great to have him in our team.” The confidence and trust translated on the pitch with the English forward scoring two goals in the Champions League fixture, further cementing Flick's trust in him.

With Raphinha and Torres returning only gradually, Dani Olmo sidelined with a calf strain, and Lamine Yamal not long back from injury, Flick’s rotation options are thin. His frustration with the Spanish Football Federation’s player management has also been evident, after several internationals reportedly trained despite discomfort. On top of the fitness concerns, Flick faces a touchline ban after his red card against Girona for protesting stoppage time.

Youth and resilience powering Barcelona’s preparation

With senior players unavailable, Barcelona’s reliance on youth has deepened. Flick has promoted seven Barca Atletic players to first-team training. The return of 18-year-old Yamal offers a crucial spark. In his 75 minutes cameo against Greek side Olympiacos, the Spaniard scored a goal and provided an assist. Lopez also showed impeccable promise, netting a hat-trick for Barca for the first time.

Cubarsi spoke about tactical tweaks designed to contain Real’s forward line. “Everyone knows who Mbappe is,” he said. “We’ve tweaked four things, and it has to go well for us. We’ll have to stop him in the best way possible, but we must focus on ourselves.” On Vinicius, he added: “He’s an agile, quick striker who moves into space. We have to be very alert at the back.”

Despite losing to Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla earlier this month, Barcelona responded with wins against Girona and Olympiacos, performances that restored belief. Flick’s players insist that their identity remains intact, but execution must improve. As Cubarsi put it: “We’re all at a spectacular level. With this season’s centre-backs, we can achieve great things.”

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Getty ImagesMadrid’s momentum and Barca's determination

While Barcelona fight injuries, Los Blancos prepare from a position of strength. Xabi Alonso’s side leads La Liga with 24 points, powered by the league’s most lethal front line. Mbappe’s 10 goals in nine matches have redefined Madrid’s attack, while his partnership with Vinicius Junior and Arda Guler has added unpredictability and pace. However, there are reports of lack of leadership in the team, with Alonso still figuring out how to bring out the elite mentality and the sense of commitment out of his players. Aside, from these issues, centre-back David Alaba, right-back Dani Carvajal and Trent-Alexander Arnold are all sidelined for the Clasico.

For Flick and Barcelona, the path is steep. De Jong’s recovery, Christensen’s fitness, and Raphinha’s readiness could all dictate the rhythm of Sunday’s battle. But amid uncertainty, there is conviction, Blaugrana believe that identity and collective discipline, not individual brilliance, will decide the Clasico.