Leeds United’s squad of 2019/20 will go down in history, with the Whites sealing a return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence under Marcelo Bielsa in what was the club’s 100th anniversary.

Patrick Bamford played a key role in that side, but after seven years at Elland Road, has now left the club. The striker was not in Daniel Farke’s Premier League plans after Bamford became a two-time Championship winner with Leeds and mutually had his contract terminated.

Back in 2020, Bielsa had 18 players in his Leeds squad who made 10 or more Championship appearances as the Whites eventually won the league by 10 points ahead of West Brom.

Wins

28

Draws

9

Losses

9

Points

93

Goal difference

+42

Biggest win

Leeds 5-0 Stoke City

Now, following Bamford’s Leeds exit, we’ve had a look at where the rest of the 2019/20 squad are in 2025.

18 Kiko Casilla 36 appearances

Goalkeeper Kiko Casilla officially left Leeds in 2022, having his contract terminated a year early.

The Spaniard made 36 Championship appearances in 2019/20, and after leaving the Whites, signed for Getafe before retiring in 2023.

17 Luke Ayling 37 appearances

A regular at right-back and the scorer of that wonderful volley against Huddersfield Town, Luke Ayling is currently at Championship side Middlesbrough.

He initially moved to the Riverside on loan in 2024 before making a move permanent and is under contract until 2026.

16 Ben White 46 appearances

Starting every Championship game that season, Ben White would seal a big-money move to Arsenal in 2021, where he has gone on to be a regular.

Costing around £50m, White has featured as a centre-back or right-back and is under contract at the Emirates until 2028.

15 Liam Cooper 38 appearances

Captain of the side, Liam Cooper, left Leeds in 2024 after making 284 appearances for the Whites.

He swapped Yorkshire for Bulgaria and CSKA Sofia, but after just over 12 months, became a free agent in 2025.

14 Ezgjan Alioski 39 appearances

Initially a left-winger, Ezgjan Alioski turned into an attacking full-back under Bielsa and scored five Championship goals in 2019/20.

He featured regularly in the Premier League in 2020/21 but left that summer for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. Alioski also played for Fenerbahce before returning to Swiss side FC Lugano, where he is under contract until 2027.

13 Kalvin Phillips 37 appearances

A vital member at the base of Bielsa’s midfield was Kalvin Phillips, who sealed a £50m move from Leeds to Manchester City in 2022 after starring under the Argentine.

Things didn’t go to plan for the holding midfielder at the Etihad, though, with Phillips having loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich Town. In the summer of 2025, he was looking for another new club but is still under contract with City.

12 Stuart Dallas 45 appearances

A versatile star under Bielsa, Stuart Dallas transformed into a Leeds legend but suffered a serious injury against Manchester City at Elland Road in 2022.

He would officially retire from football two years later after failing to recover, ending in 267 Leeds appearances in all competitions. Dallas now works as a pundit for Sky Sports’ EFL coverage.

11 Helder Costa 43 appearances

A loanee for the 2019/20 season, Helder Costa’s Leeds move became permanent in 2020, however, he had spells with Valencia and Al-Ittihad before being released at Elland Road in 2023.

The winger then played in Portugal with Estoril and China with YN Yukun, but as of the summer of 2025 and at the age of 31, Costa was without a club.

10 Mateusz Klich 44 appearances

Box-to-box midfielder Mateusz Klich became a cult hero at Elland Road and, after starring for Leeds, was allowed to join DC United in 2023.

The Poland international joined Atlanta at the end of 2024, and then in August 2025, returned to his native country with Cracovia, where he is under contract until 2027.

9 Jack Harrison 46 appearances

Still at Leeds is winger Jack Harrison, who had two loan spells with Everton following Leeds’ Premier League relegation back in 2023.

Having work to do to get the Leeds fans back on side, Harrison is still under contract at Elland Road until 2028 and appears to be in Farke’s plans.

Campher first picked up three wickets and then added 144 with Stirling, who scored an excellent 89, to steer the chase

Abhimanyu Bose16-Feb-2025

Curtis Campher picked up three wickets and then went on to score a half-century•Sportsfile/Getty Images

Curtis Campher produced another brilliant all-round display to lay the platform for Ireland’s series-levelling win in Harare. His three-wicket burst sucked the momentum out of Zimbabwe’s innings and restricted them to a total well below par and his 144-run stand with Paul Stirling, who scored an excellent 89, ensured Ireland were always comfortable in the chase.Ireland had fallen short in their chase in the first ODI, but Stirling was happy to bowl first once again on a greener pitch. Despite half-centuries from Wessly Madhevere and Sikandar Raza, Ireland never let Zimbabwe get away from them.Mark Adair finished with a four-wicket haul, but it was Campher’s spell that broke a 74-run stand between Madhevere and Raza and pegged the hosts back significantly just as they were getting into a position of strength.And despite an early wicket, Stirling and Campher ensured Ireland stayed above the asking rate, and by the time the two departed, it was too late for Zimbabwe to mount a comeback.With Ireland chasing 246, Andy Balbirnie got them underway with an elegant drive through cover point in the first over. The second over saw Stirling thrash Blessing Muzarabani through the covers for a boundary first ball. Muzarabani lost his radar as he ended up bowling a ten-ball over, which cost Zimbabwe 14 runs.However, Muzarabani came back strongly and had Balbirnie caught at slip with a well-directed short ball in the sixth over. He even beat Campher’s outside edge a couple of times.Craig Ervine lost his middle stump to Josh Little•Zimbabwe Cricket

But Campher and Stirling saw out the new ball and kept Ireland on track, with the skipper still cashing in on the fielding restrictions with a few more boundaries, including the first six of the match in the ninth over off Trevor Gwandu.The fifty-run stand came up in just 51 balls, with the batters happy to rotate strike amid the occasional boundary. Ireland were also helped by Zimbabwe being generous with extras – 23 in all.Stirling brought up his half-century in the 24th over, and the century stand with Campher came up soon after.Campher’s fifty came up in the 30th over and he celebrated by pulling Gwandu into the stands in front of square leg. The stand was finally broken when a length ball from Gwandu stayed deceptively low to beat Campher’s attempted pull and pin him in front.Harry Tector, who made a sluggish 39 off 78 in the first ODI, was more enterprising, pulling away the third ball he faced for a boundary. In the last game, it took him 77 deliveries to hit one.But his stay was short-lived as he looked to cut a short and wide delivery only to edge it behind, with Tadiwanashe Marumani taking a good catch. Stirling, though, ensured Ireland didn’t get bogged down, launching Ngarava over long-on.Ngarava finally got a breakthrough when Stirling went after a short ball and ended up miscuing it to cover, 11 short of a century. Lorcan Tucker then took charge and hit Gwandu for three consecutive boundaries. Ireland wiped out the rest of the target without fuss, with Tucker hitting the winning runs in the penultimate over.Earlier, Zimbabwe’s openers got off to a watchful start before Brian Bennett got going with a flurry of boundaries off Adair and Graham Hume. Five of his six boundaries came on the off side, and he hit two of them in succession off Adair, only for the quick to snag him with a wide delivery that he edged to slip.Sikandar Raza’s fifty went in vain•Zimbabwe Cricket

Ireland were able to slow things down after Bennett’s dismissal. Curran and Craig Ervine could add only nine runs off 25 balls before Josh Little got a full delivery to seam past Ervine’s inside edge and uproot his middle stump. Curran’s frustrating knock came to an end when he chopped on in Andy McBrine’s first over for 18 off 36.Raza played out McBrine for four dots to start off with, handing the spinner a wicket maiden, before getting off the mark with a boundary off him in his next over. Madhevere, who looked positive from the get-go, and Raza ensured Zimbabwe kept ticking along with regular boundaries, with Madhevere bringing up a run-a-ball half-century in the 27th over.However, an inspired bowling change got the momentum right back with Ireland. Campher was introduced in the 30th over and in his second over, he set Madhevere up beautifully. Bowling a series of outswingers, he had Madhevere moving across his stumps before firing in a straight one to trap him lbw.In his next over, he bowled a length ball across Johnathan Campbell and there was a noise, prompting the umpire to give it caught behind. Replays, however, suggested that the ball had brushed the pad. There was little doubt about Campher’s next wicket when he pinged Marumani plumb in front two balls later.Raza and Masakadza then arrested the collapse, with Raza scoring 27 off 24 in a 50-run stand, bringing up his half-century in the process. Raza holed out at deep midwicket trying to up the tempo as he miscued a pull off Adair. Tector took a good catch running in from the ropes and diving in front.Masakadza and Ngarava tried to drag Zimbabwe past 250, but Ireland made short work of the tail, with Adair picking two of the last three wickets.

حرص ياس سوروب، المدير الفني الجديد للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، عقب المؤتمر الصحفي الذي عقد اليوم بمقر النادي بالجزيرة لتقديمه لوسائل الإعلام، على إرسال رسالة خاصة إلى الجماهير.

وعقد النادي الأهلي عصر اليوم، مؤتمرًا صحفيًا للإعلان عن التعاقد مع ياس سوروب، مديرًا فنيًا للفريق خلفًا للإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو المدير الفني السابق للفريق، الذي تمت إقالته لتراجع النتائج. 

طالع.. ياس سوروب: فخور بتدريب الأهلي.. وجاهز لتحقيق الإنجازات

وكان الأهلي قد أتم الاتفاق مع الدنماركي ياس سوروب لتولي تدريب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم لمدة موسمين ونصف. 

وقال سوروب في رسالة إلى الجمهور نشرتها الصفحة الرسمية للأهلي: “رسالتي لجميع مشجعي الأهلي حول العالم؛ أنا هنا الآن.. وأتشوق لرؤيتكم جميعًا.. ومعًا سوف نحقق الكثير من النتائج الرائعة”.

جدير بالذكر، أن الأهلي يستعد لمواجهة إيجل نوار البوروندي، يوم السبت المقبل 18 أكتوبر، في إطار ذهاب دور الـ32 من منافسات بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

Everton’s transfer window has been a fascinating mix of ambition, pragmatism, and sentiment.

Under David Moyes, the Toffees are working hard to reshape their squad following the departures of several key figures, including Ashley Young, Abdoulaye Doucouré, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Hill Dickinson Stadium has already seen fresh faces arrive, with Moyes bringing in talent such as Thierno Barry from Villarreal, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea, Tyler Dibling from Southampton, and Jack Grealish from Manchester City.

The latter made an immediate impression, providing two assists in the club’s 2–0 Premier League victory over Brighton.

Momentum has slowly begun to build.

Everton recovered from an opening-day defeat at a raucous Elland Road with back-to-back wins: the triumph against Brighton and a professional 2–0 dispatch of Mansfield Town in the EFL Cup.

For Moyes, however, the task of reinforcing his midfield remains urgent.

The Scottish manager has never hidden his preference for industrious, disciplined footballers who combine physicality with tactical intelligence.

It is no surprise, then, that his latest target happens to be a player with whom he shares a deep personal and professional bond.

This towering talent could well be cast in the role once played so effectively at Goodison by Marouane Fellaini.

Everton plotting move for Moyes reunion

Reports from Football Insider suggest Everton are preparing an improved bid for a player Moyes knows better than most: Tomáš Souček.

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The Czech Republic international, now 30, was first introduced to English football by Moyes during his second spell at West Ham in 2020.

What followed was a highly productive partnership.

Under Moyes’ guidance, Souček became a mainstay in the Hammers’ midfield, making over 200 appearances and establishing himself as one of the most reliable performers in the Premier League.

West Ham, however, are reluctant sellers.

Having already rejected Everton’s opening offer, the East London club are holding firm at a valuation of £19 million.

With his contract running until 2028, they retain leverage, though the recent arrivals of Mateus Fernandes from Southampton and Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco have added considerable depth to their midfield department.

That recruitment drive, coupled with a poor start to the campaign which has seen the Irons lose heavily to Sunderland and Chelsea, could create circumstances in which a deal becomes feasible.

From Everton’s perspective, the move would represent a deliberate attempt to reintroduce a profile of player Goodison Park has missed since Fellaini left for Manchester United in 2013.

Reports suggest the player himself is keen on the move, eager for another spell under Moyes in what could be one of the more emotive transfers of the summer window.

Why Soucek can be Moyes' new Fellaini

The parallels between Souček and Fellaini go well beyond stature.

Moyes’ Everton sides of the late 2000s were built on work ethic and tactical discipline, but they were also elevated by Fellaini’s unique capacity to blur the line between midfield and attack.

The Belgian was capable of breaking up play, bullying defenders, and popping up with crucial goals – qualities Souček has replicated at West Ham.

During his West Ham tenure, the towering midfielder was trusted implicitly by the Scottish coach.

Souček has netted 42 times and registered 13 assists across 248 games for West Ham, while also writing his name into the club’s history books by helping them win the Europa Conference League in Prague – his hometown – against Fiorentina.

Tomáš Souček – Stats 2024/25

Matches Played

35

Goals

9

Assists

1

Progressive Carries

9

Progressive Passes

74

Source: FBref

On a purely footballing level, the Czech international looks an excellent addition to Moyes’ evolving side.

His statistical profile underscores exactly why Everton are pressing to secure his services.

Standing at 1.92m, Souček has long been regarded as one of the Premier League’s most dominant aerial presences.

According to FBref, last season he averaged 3.47 aerial duels won per 90 minutes, a figure that places him among the most effective midfielders in Europe when it comes to contesting the ball in the air.

For an Everton side that relies on set-piece opportunities, this could prove invaluable.

His influence, however, extends far beyond his heading ability.

His work rate is exceptional, as reflected in his defensive and transitional metrics.

He recorded 1.61 tackles per 90, complemented by 1.44 blocks, providing reliable cover in central areas.

Where Fellaini once provided an outlet for direct balls, shielding possession and driving his team forward, Souček offers the same avenue in a modernised form.

He is adept at progressing the ball through carries, averaging nine progressive carries per 90, which speaks to his ability to break lines and drive his team forward.

While his passing accuracy of 73.8% is not elite, his 74 progressive passes per 90 underline a willingness to take risks and move play vertically, something Moyes has historically encouraged.

In the final third, Souček continues to be a consistent goal threat.

Averaging 1.93 shots per 90, with 0.60 of those on target, he boasts a shot accuracy rate of nearly 31%.

That productivity translated into ten direct goal involvements last season, impressive numbers for a player often tasked with the less glamorous defensive side of midfield work.

His ability to time late runs into the penalty area remains one of his defining attributes, as highlighted by Joe Cole’s description of him being “on fire” when he netted in three consecutive games for the Hammers in 2023.

For Everton, this mixture of stamina, power, and goal threat would offer a dimension currently missing in their midfield.

The loss of Doucouré, who combined industry with forward penetration, has left a void that needs filling.

Souček is one of the few realistic options who can provide comparable output while also bringing proven Premier League pedigree and leadership qualities honed across more than 80 caps for the Czech Republic.

The emotional element should not be overlooked either. Moyes is not simply chasing a functional squad piece; he is targeting one of his most trusted operators.

The Fellaini comparison may feel nostalgic, but it is apt.

Both players are midfielders who thrive when trusted as disruptors rather than facilitators, who can dominate aerially and arrive late in the box to devastating effect.

Everton fans know better than most how valuable that can be. Souček’s familiarity with Moyes’ tactical demands means the adaptation period would be minimal.

The Everton manager has always valued loyalty and understanding, and in that respect, the midfielder is a tailor-made signing.

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Posts 1 ByWill Miller Aug 29, 2025

The winner will play New Zealand in the final and also get a chance for some Champions Trophy prep over in Karachi

Firdose Moonda11-Feb-2025Big Picture: The knockout before the knockoutThe original Champions Trophy started as a knockout tournament so, as we build up to this year’s edition, here’s a bit of a throwback: Wednesday’s match between Pakistan and South Africa in the mini tri-series is a winner-takes-all affair, with New Zealand already through to Saturday’s final. It won’t be quite so do-or-die in the Champions Trophy, but groups of four mean that teams can only really afford one slip up from the outset, which makes this match excellent practice for both these sides.On recent form, Pakistan have the upper hand over South Africa, who they clean swept 3-0 in December on South African soil for the first time. The result must be caveated, with the disclaimer that South Africa were understrength, though Pakistan won’t (and shouldn’t) care about that.Related

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What they will be interested in is that South Africa are still hamstrung. They are without half of their Champions Trophy squad with Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada only due to arrive in Pakistan on the weekend.To make full use of any advantage, Pakistan’s batting will have to perform better, after they were dismissed for 252 by New Zealand on Saturday and lost nine wickets for 149 after getting off to a decent start. Their middle order will be under pressure but no more than South Africa’s bowling attack, which wasn’t unable to defend 304 and lacked bite in their tri-series opener. They have been reinforced by the pace of Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka but will need to combine that with discipline to challenge for a place in the final.What’s at stake is more than just the trophy: the opportunity to have one more competitive match before the Champions Trophy starts, and for Pakistan, to have a dress rehearsal for the tournament opener. They play New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi so being able to face them five days earlier at the same venue will be an added bonus. South Africa also stay in Karachi for their first match against Afghanistan but before they think of that, they’ll want to break a losing streak that has lasted five matches.Form guide: SA’s unwanted streakPakistan: LWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa: LLLLLFakhar Zaman hit a quick fifty in the opening ODI of the tri-series•Associated PressIn the spotlight: Fakhar Zaman and Tabraiz ShamsiAfter 15 months on the sidelines, Fakhar Zaman made his comeback with 84 off 69 balls and showed both the power and the pace to help Pakistan chase a big score. They didn’t get there, but the early signs from Fakhar are good. He was especially confident in taking on the short ball from Will O’Rourke in Lahore and was aggressive against New Zealand’s spinners. Bear in mind that Fakhar averaged 50.82 and scored four hundreds when he last played in 2023 and it seems like he has picked up where he left off. In Saim Ayub’s injury-enforced absence, Pakistan seemed to have found the perfect replacement. Now, it’s for Fakhar to show consistency.Tabraiz Shamsi has bowled 15 overs in four matches (across formats) and it’s been 15 overs since he last took a wicket. He had a quiet SA20 for Jo’burg Super Kings, but the time is coming for Shamsi to step up, especially as South Africa have gone into the Champions Trophy with just two specialist spinners despite at least two others being in good form. Bjorn Fortuin and George Linde had good SA20s and though they are usually sidelined because they can’t get past Keshav Maharaj, with a lot of white-ball cricket in the subcontinent in the next year, South Africa might be considering their options. Since Imran Tahir’s retirement in 2019, Shamsi has been South Africa’s premier attacking spinner and there’s no better time to show it than now.Haris Rauf walked off the field with a side strain in the opening ODI•Associated PressTeam news: Rauf unlikely to featureHaris Rauf left the field after bowling 6.2 overs against New Zealand with a side strain and while it is deemed a low-grade injury, he will not be risked for this match. Mohammad Hasnain could play in his place. Pakistan may also consider a change in the batting line-up, with Saud Shakeel a possible replacement for Tayyab Tahir.Pakistan (possible): 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Babar Azam, 3 Kamran Ghulam, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (capt), 5 Salman Agha, 6 Tayyab Tahir/Saud Shakeel, 7 Khusdil Shah, 8 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Abrar Ahmed, 11 Mohammad HasnainTony de Zorzi and Corbin Bosch who are both in the Champions Trophy squad as well as 18-year left-arm quick Kwena Maphaka have joined the South African touring party and are available for selection. De Zorzi and Bosch both played in the SA20 final on Saturday but may be pulled into the XI, along with Heinrich Klaasen, as South Africa aim to push for a spot in the final. Don’t be surprised if Lungi Ngidi sits this one out, after bowling seven overs – his most since last October – as he continues to work towards full fitness. Maphaka could be selected in his place.South Africa (possible): 1 Temba Bavuma (capt), 2 Matthew Breetzke, 3 Tony de Zorzi, 4 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 Wiaan Mulder, 7 Senuran Muthusamy, 8 Corbin Bosch, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Tabraiz Shamsi, 11 Kwena MaphakaPitch and conditions: Expect another high-scoring gameThe series moves to Karachi, which last hosted an ODI in May 2023. Then, New New Zealand successfully defended 299 against Pakistan. In six ODIs here since January 2023, the average first-innings score has been 286 and the team batting first has won five out of those six games. That suggests another fairly high-scoring encounter but it may not be the pitch that’s most in focus. Like Lahore, Karachi has undergone significant upgrades ahead of the Champions Trophy including new dressing rooms and hospitality areas, an increased capacity of 5000, two new digital replay screens and 350 LED lights for improved broadcast coverage.Stats and triviaSouth Africa have lost their last five ODIs, which puts them on their longest losing streak since 2004. They have previously lost ten matches in a row in 2004 and 1994. The last time Pakistan failed to make a tri-series final was the Morocco Cup in 2002, when South Africa and Sri Lanka competed for the trophy. Pakistan have since played in six other tri-series, but only won one: the Kitply Cup between themselves, Bangladesh and India in 2008. Pakistan beat India by 25 runs in the final.Quotes</b"Tomorrow is obviously a big day for the series. We played Pakistan not too long ago, but obviously Pakistan in their conditions are a different beast, so I'm looking forward to that. We just got together today, basically the boys only arrived at 2 o'clock this morning. For the guys that are new to the squad, we've got to do a little bit of homework, we've got a nice day out to face these conditions and see what it is like. Obviously there's a bigger picture in mind as well. The ICC [Champions] trophy is also in play next week, so it's a good exercise for us. If we can knock them out and play in the final, and the home country is not involved, that will at least put a smile on my face."
Heinrich Klaasen explains the importance of what is effectively a semi-final

New South Wales snared their 21st WNCL title after defeating Queensland by 21 runs, and it was largely thanks to a freakish run-out.Anika Learoyd cracked 80 off 110 balls and Claire Moore chipped in with 33 as NSW were bowled out for 215 in 48 overs at Allan Border Field on Sunday,In reply, Queensland opener Georgia Redmayne posted 97 off 122 balls to give them a genuine shot at victory. But disaster struck in the 41st over with Queensland  173 for 7 and still needing 43 more runs for victory.Redmayne was at the non-striker’s end when Nicola Hancock smashed Lauren Cheatle’s delivery straight back at the bowler. Cheatle dropped the return catch, but the ball deflected off her hands and onto the stumps, catching a stunned Redmayne well out of her crease. Queensland’s tail didn’t last much longer, with NSW players celebrating wildly when Queensland were bowled out for 194 in the 47th over.It marks the first time NSW have lifted the Ruth Preddy Cup since 2018-19.Cheatle, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Sam Bates and captain Georgia Adams all played important roles with the ball for NSW. Queensland were left kicking themselves after slumping from 135 for 2 in the 30th over.Redmayne was in fine form, but Sianna Ginger (36) and Charli Knott (14) were the only other batters to make it to double figures for Queensland.NSW veteran Sarah Coyte now has 10 WNCL titles across three different states.  The 33-year-old won six competitions with NSW between 2010 and 2015, one with South Australia after that, then a further two with Tasmania.Her latest triumph is extra special, given the long wait between drinks for a NSW organisation accustomed to success.

Celtic went into deadline day on Monday needing to sign two centre-forwards to bolster Brendan Rodgers’ squad for the rest of the 2025/26 campaign.

The club allowed Adam Idah to complete a permanent move to Swansea City for £6m before they had brought in any signings of their own, and ended the day without any new number nines.

Celtic have since officially signed free agent striker Kelechi Iheanacho on a one-year contract, who was released by Sevilla on Monday night.

Why signing Kelechi Iheanacho is a big risk

The Nigeria international has experience in the Premier League with Manchester City and Leicester City, and has worked with Rodgers before, which is why he could make sense on paper as a short-term addition.

However, it is also an incredibly risky signing for the club to make when you consider his recent struggles on the pitch in England and in Spain.

Kelechi scored one goal in 24 league games across LaLiga and the Championship for Sevilla and Middlesbrough combined in the 2024/25 campaign, after a haul of six goals in 26 matches for Leicester in the previous season, per Sofascore.

Chalkboard

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

This means that Celtic have brought in a player who has not been at his best for quite some time and has not scored goals on a regular basis for several years.

Celtic may already have Idah's replacement at Parkhead

Whilst Kelechi has arrived as a calculated risk on a free transfer, Rodgers could also look within his own squad to find a replacement for Idah, and it is not Johnny Kenny.

Whilst the Ireland international has shown promise, with two goals in ten Scottish Premiership matches for the Hoops, he has yet to show that he can score goals week-in-week-out.

Celtic swooped to sign Callum Osmand on a permanent deal from Premier League side Fulham earlier this summer, and his form at youth level suggests that he has the potential to explode at Parkhead if given an opportunity by Rodgers.

24/25

22

11

4

23/24

29

21

6

22/23

21

11

2

21/22

1

0

0

Total

73

43

12

As you can see in the table above, the Welsh youth international delivered an eye-catching return of 55 goal contributions in 73 games for Fulham at U18 and U21 level.

Osmand also netted a goal on his debut for Celtic B last month when he scored against Clyde in the Challenge Cup, which means that he has also made a fast start to life in Glasgow.

His statistics at youth level, for Fulham and now Celtic, show that he is a lethal frontman who is used to finding the back of the net on a regular basis, whilst also providing creativity in the number nine role.

He has not been given a chance to showcase his quality at first-team level, yet, and Rodgers should change that in the coming weeks now that the club have failed to bring in any high-quality replacements for Idah during the summer transfer window.

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The 19-year-old star has done all that he can do at youth level – score goals at an immense rate – and it is now down to the manager to throw him in at the deep end, because his academy form suggests that he has the potential to be the prolific scorer that Kelechi and Kenny’s recent goal returns suggest they will not be.

Arsenal fans were promised an unprecedented summer transfer window and boy did they get it.

New striker? Tick. Viktor Gyokeres is your man. Bukayo Saka back-up? Hello, Noni Madueke. An improvement on the left flank? Eberechi Eze has arrived.

This certainly feels like the best opportunity the Gunners have had to win the Premier League title since Mikel Arteta arrived.

The trouble is, Liverpool have also gone big, breaking the British record transfer fee on two occasions in the same summer, first to bring Florian Wirtz to Anfield and then on deadline day, finally getting the Alexander Isak deal done. It’s a scary proposition for the rest of the division.

What Arsenal will need is consistency. They will need to not only be dogged but they will also require no bad performances. They simply cannot afford another Rob Holding situation.

The Rob Holding story of 2022/23

What a campaign it was for the Gunners in 2022/23. The football played was arguably the best of the Arteta era and they could, perhaps should have walked away with the title in their arms.

They went on to miss out on the title to Manchester City by just five points and it was arguably because of their run of form at the back end of the campaign.

It all started with a clash against Sporting CP in the Europa League. William Saliba picked up a rather innocuous injury and was forced off. The ramifications of that event in March 2023 were not realised until the campaign was said and done.

Saliba didn’t play another minute of the season and Holding was the deputy. While he helped marshal Arteta’s side to back-to-back 4-1 wins over Leeds and Crystal Palace, the Gunners only won five of their last 11 league matches, meaning they missed out on the title.

Holding, although he scored against Man City, was particularly to blame during their 4-1 defeat at the Etihad in late April, with Jamie Carragher explaining after proceedings that Haaland vs the Arsenal defence was a “physical mismatch”.

Unsurprisingly, Holding’s part in Arsenal’s title defeat saw him leave the club that summer. He headed to Crystal Palace and to sum up his decline, he played just 90 minutes in an Eagles shirt.

Seemingly scarred from that run of games, Arteta has since bolstered his backline significantly. Saliba came off in the defeat at Anfield and despite their loss, Cristhian Mosquera – a new signing from Valencia – performed superbly well. The difference between him and Holding was seismic.

Yet, two years on from that incident, Arteta must learn again. No passengers are allowed if they are to finally get over the line.

Arsenal's new Rob Holding situation

After signing Gyokeres, Madueke and Eze this summer, it certainly feels as though the Arsenal side is more polished. It has more firepower and more variation as they attempt to beat Man City and Liverpool.

Chalkboard

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

Gyokeres, while he was starved of service at Old Trafford and Anfield, has scored twice already in Arsenal colours, while Eze and Madueke look vibrant in their limited minutes too.

Who doesn’t look vibrant and full of energy is Gabriel Martinelli, arguably Arsenal’s new Holding.

That verdict might well be harsh but the fact of the matter is that the Brazilian has regressed significantly. He looks like the weak link and if he starts regular matches this term, he could be the reason the Gunners miss out again.

Reports last week claimed that Arsenal would have been happy to sell Martinelli this summer, provided an asking price of £60m was met. However, to rubber-stamp the winger’s fall from grace, suitors were only willing to pay £40m.

It wasn’t long ago that the forward was described as “a talent of the century” by Jurgen Klopp. It wasn’t long ago either that he was finishing as one of Arsenal’s top scorers.

In that 2022/23 term where everything was firing, he netted 15 times, finishing as joint-top scorer in the squad alongside Saka and Martin Odegaard.

It was hardly a surprise that club legend Robert Pires saw similarities between himself and the wide forward; “Gabriel Martinelli looks like me. He looks a lot like me because he’s a dribbler, he scores goals, and he is quick,” Pires stated back in 2024.

Since then, even if he has scored in the Bernabeu, the 24-year-old really should have kicked on but he has failed to deliver consistent numbers. He scored eight times in 2023/24 and on ten occasions in 2024/25. Those aren’t disastrous numbers but it’s a reduction in output just as it looked like he was ready to explode and realise his immense potential. It’s rather remarkable that just seven months ago, Pires also stated that he thought Martinelli could have got into the Invincibles starting lineup.

While certain sections of the fanbase have been on the attacker’s back for a few years now, the penny seemed to drop with his performance at Anfield in the 1-0 defeat.

Having not played a single minute during the 5-0 win over Leeds, Martinelli was handed a start off the left against Liverpool and really disappointed.

Chalkboard

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

Starting at right-back was Dominik Szoboszlai, a midfielder by trade, but the Brazil international failed to really do anything to trouble the Hungarian.

We’ve seen Martinelli really enjoy this fixture in the past. He’s had the better of Trent Alexander-Arnold on several occasions but there wasn’t a single moment where he ever looked like he’d get the better of Szoboszlai.

It was sad to see in all honesty. He had completed just six passes by the time he was hauled off on 70th minutes and in that time he didn’t have a single shot or complete a key pass.

Minutes played

70

Touches

15

Accurate passes

6/7 (86%)

Key passes

0

Shots

0

Dribble attempts

0

Crosses

0

Duels won

2

Speaking during the aftermath of the game, Theo Walcott stated: “Szoboszlai was incredible, but the reason why he was incredible, he wasn’t tested at all. You’ve got a centre mid at full back. For me, that’s music to my ears.”

For Martinelli, he only continues to falter. Against United, he also struggled, completing just three passes and only one key pass.

If Arsenal are going to improve this season and win the league, then Arteta must learn from that Holding situation. Eze and Madueke represent upgrades and must play.

If not, then the Gunners could be staring at a repeat situation where one of their players lets them down in their quest to be crowned champions of England.

Eze upgrade: Arsenal gem who left for £0 is now "one of the world's best"

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1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 5, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Terceiro colocado do Campeonato Brasileiro, o Flamengo tem um novo reforço: o volante Allan, de 26 anos de idade. Após três temporadas e meia defendendo o Atlético Mineiro, o meia chega à Gávea com o aval do técnico Jorge Sampaoli, com quem trabalhou no Galo em 2020.

Pode-se dizer que Allan tem algo que Sampaoli admira e cobra bastante dos seus atletas: o “amor pelo balón”. Desde que retornou ao Brasil, em 2019, após atuar profissionalmente na Finlândia, Bélgica, Chipre e Alemanha, o jogador tem sido um dos maiores passadores do Brasileirão. Tanto em volume, quanto em qualidade.

Em seu primeiro ano no país, no Fluminense, terminou o campeonato como o líder de passes certos, tendo completado 2016 tentativas com uma eficiência de 90,3%. Negociado com o Atlético na temporada seguinte, se manteve entre os maiores do fundamento, sendo o 7º em 2020, e o 4º em 2021 e 2022.

Entre os jogadores de meio-campo, Allan foi o primeiro em passes certos em 2019 e 2021, o segundo em 2020 – Daniel Alves, na época no São Paulo, foi o líder – e o terceiro no ano passado – ficou atrás apenas de André e Paulo Henrique Ganso, ambos do Fluminense.

Atualmente, Pulgar tem sido essa referência no meio de campo do Flamengo. Com uma média de 52 passes por jogo, é o meia rubro-negro que mais toca na bola, ficando atrás em números gerais no elenco somente dos zagueiros Fabrício Bruno, com 60, e Léo Pereira, com 55, segundo dados do site Sofascore.

ALLAN EM BRASILEIROS
– Dados do Sofascore

2019 – Fluminense – 2016 passes certos – 90,3% de acerto (1º do BR)
2020 – Atlético-MG – 1748 passes certos – 88,1% de acerto (7º no BR)
2021 – Atlético-MG – 1780 passes certos – 88,4% de acerto (4º no BR)
2022 – Atlético-MG – 1759 passes certos – 85,6% de acerto (4º no BR)

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“I thought it was just good thinking of using home tactics [to] your advantage,” Trent Boult says of Gujarat Titans opting for a black-soil pitch

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Mar-20251:40

Pujara: Good to see Prasidh developing variations

Prasidh Krishna hadn’t played any IPL cricket since 2022. At one point, he seemed locked-in as a bowler India would turn to during the middle-overs of a white-ball game because he had pace, height, and an ability to hit the middle of the pitch hard and trouble batters with his natural variations. However, injuries forced him into the sidelines.Playing his second game of IPL 2025, for a new franchise, Prasidh came on when Mumbai Indians (MI) were 97 for 2, needing 100 runs in the remaining 54 balls. “I was itching to bowl actually,” he said at the post-match presentation. “It was the tenth over. I was just thinking I haven’t really waited so long in a game, in a T20 game, before bowling but everything paid off.”We were sitting on top and watching how the first innings went. We could kind of read that cutters into the wicket and balls into the wicket were doing well. So just had that in mind and whenever I got to bowl, the plan was to make sure I use the length.Related

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“I just figured [slower balls] were working well. I didn’t really want to test the speed gun or try and do anything different. I just wanted to keep things simple. Knowing what the scoreboard was, I knew every single over, every single ball was really important. Just tried to keep things simple.”Prasidh is not particularly known for his variations but here they worked so well that he bowled his four overs on the trot, picking up the wickets of MI’s two top-scorers, Suryakumar Yadav for 48 off 28 and Tilak Varma for 39 off 36. He was named Player of the Match.”I think he did more than pretty well,” Prasidh’s Gujarat Titans (GT) captain Shubman Gill said in the press conference. “He did a pretty amazing job for us to be able to come in like that in a pressure situation and I think he changed the game for us in the way he bowled. I think he gave around 14 runs [18] out of which I think a couple of boundaries that he got hit for came in the last over. In the first three overs he gave around six or seven runs. In a T20 game, when the opposition is chasing 200 [197 to win], you know the match is almost done.”Ahmedabad, GT’s home ground, has two kinds of pitches – red soil and black soil. Gill and his team management chose to play this game on a black-soil pitch, which tends to be a little slower and lower than its red soil counterpart.1:40

Pujara: Good to see Prasidh developing variations

“I thought it was just good thinking of using home tactics [to] your advantage,” Trent Boult, the MI quick, said in the press conference afterwards. “Obviously there should be an advantage for the home team. We understood the wicket, that was black soil, and we didn’t adjust nicely enough.”Obviously there’s a difference. Wankhede is obviously typically red soil. Good tactics from the opposition. If you’ve got those options to do that, it obviously makes things… But I don’t think we will be using that as an excuse. There are players in our team that have played all over the country on all different types of wickets, as well as the international players there. So, I don’t want to say [anything] off the game tonight. They scrapped their way to a good total and they showed us how to bowl on that wicket. So credit to them.”Gill explained why GT did what they did.”I think each team has their own strengths and the way they like to play certain type of cricket I think this kind of a wicket suits our batting and bowling and overall strength of our team more than on the red soil and I think the way the game is going, you know, we see 250 to 240 runs [being scored].”We have to sometimes give that cushion for the bowlers so there’s something in it for the bowlers and it’s an equal game. We just don’t want all the games to be, you know, 240 to 250 runs. I feel if there are such high-scoring games the skill out of cricket, it takes away from that.”