Wolverhampton Wanderers have now held exit talks over another key player as well as Joao Gomes, who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United.
Wolves could be set to lose Joao Gomes in January
Gomes has recently emerged as a transfer target for United, with Ruben Amorim’s side keen to bring in the Portuguese midfielder this winter, and a €50m (£44m) fee has been touted.
It would certainly be a risk for the Old Gold to sell one of their key players, considering their Premier League status is already under major threat, having taken just two points from their opening 12 matches.
However, given that the central midfielder’s value will decrease if Rob Edwards’ side are unable to avoid the drop, it could make sense to cash-in and re-invest the money into other areas of the squad.
Gomes is not the only Wolves player who could be moving on in January either, as revealed by the Tenias Que Haber Tirado podcast on X, who state that Celta Vigo are now “considering the return” of former player Fer Lopez, who only arrived at Molineux in June.
The La Liga club have held talks over a loan move in the upcoming transfer window, which could make sense for all parties, given that Lopez hasn’t exactly made a flying start to life in the Premier League…
"Incredible" Lopez yet to prove himself in England
Wolves would’ve had high hopes after signing the attacking midfielder in the summer, considering the rave reviews from former coach Paul Grainger, who said: “I have seen some of the best players in the world play football. I have never seen a footballer like him. He was literally incredible. From the first day, I knew he was going to be a superstar.”
However, the 21-year-old is yet to reach those lofty heights, having started just one Premier League game this season, which was the 3-1 home defeat against Leeds United, and the youngster hasn’t received any minutes since the 2-0 defeat against Sunderland last month.
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What a great signing he would be.
By
Henry Jackson
Nov 25, 2025
In fairness, the Spaniard was one of very few players who impressed against Leeds, setting up the Wanderers’ only goal in style, and he is still young and adapting to life in the Premier League, so it would be way too early to sanction a permanent move.
However, if Lopez isn’t a part of Edwards’ plans, there is little reason to keep him around, and a loan move could make sense for all parties in the January transfer window.
Major League Baseball is considering adopting a "golden at-bat" rule that would allow teams, once per game, to put their best hitter in the batter's box no matter what spot they're at in the lineup.
It's safe to say that this rule is outside the box (to say the least), and would really alter the way that baseball is played. Because of that reason, it's not a very popular proposal if you're asking Boston Red Sox veteran relief pitcher Liam Hendriks.
"It's just a terrible idea. It's horrible," Hendriks said, via Christopher Smith of . "You're just changing the entire [nature] of the game. The pitch clock is what it is and other things like that, but now you're changing the whole entire nature of the game. And it's just another way to add offense. At the end of the day, everything seems to be leaning very much towards offense rather than pitching or defense or anything like that. I think what you need to do is you need to pay guys for getting base hits and high averages. When you start doing that, then all of a sudden those guys are getting on base and that's a pain in the a–."
Commissioner Rob Manfred may need to tread lightly on this one.
With her impact on the field and her leadership off it, Coffey continues to stand out in a talented USWNT crowd
Last week outside of Philadelphia, FIFA’s No. 2-ranked U.S. women’s national team lost to Portugal for the first time in 11 matches between the nations. They were thwarted by a physical side that challenged them tactically, then scored on two corners.
It was third loss for Emma Hayes’ side in a transitional, experimental year. The 2024 Olympic champions had never lost to Portugal – in fact, had never even conceded a goal. This was a friendly, sure. But no matter the stakes, no players were pleased.
But few took it to heart more than USWNT defensive midfielder Sam Coffey.
Coffey spoke to reporters after the 2-1 loss with a stoic resolve, clear in her disappointment, and without mincing words: “I think there was stuff that didn't work out all over the field. I don't think it's the back line. I think it's all of us. I think we win collectively, we lose collectively. I think we were way too individual, and that showed.”
Getty ImagesShaking off the rust
It had been 113 days since the U.S. squad had last been together, dating back to a win over Canada on July 2. Hayes made five changes to the Starting XI from that distant friendly. It’s a year of trialing talent, and the coaching staff are still folding in new players and trying stuff out.
Coffey wasn’t interested in those caveats.
“There’s a million excuses you can make, and we’re not going to,” she said. “To say we haven’t been together, we’re young, or whatever it might be, I think is a cop out. And I think the standard of this team is to own when you’re not good enough, when you’re not playing up to the standard of the crest.”
With the wisdom of a veteran amid a team bursting with emerging talent, Coffey pivoted her disappointment toward the future, and the lessons that needed to collectively be learne.
“What I’m looking forward to after this is how we come together, and more of the mental side of it,” she said. “OK, we weren’t good enough. Now what? Because if we’re just going to be frustrated, we’re going to be disappointed. I think that does tonight a disservice, and we’re not actually taking the lessons that we need to.”
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMaking amends
The USWNT, ranked second in the world with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, had a rematch with No. 23 Portugal just three days later. There would be an opportunity to make amends.
“When you're in tournaments – and we see it all the time – like it doesn't always go your way, you need to be ready to respond in three days,” she said. “And I think that's now what we have the opportunity to do. And everything that we're going through is with the perspective of 2027 and first qualifying. But then 2027, and I know that tonight will be a lesson that we use for that.”
In the intervening days, Hayes coached the team through tactical adjustments with an emphasis on staying compact, maintaining shorter connections, chasing the ball in the right moments, and challenging Portugal with a stronger buildup. With rotated squads on both ends, the USWNT recovered in East Hartford to earn a confident 3-1 win, with Olivia Moutrie netting a brace.
Coffey came on late, replacing 19-year-old Claire Hutton in the 77th minute. Like a true leader, the Portland Thorns captain wasted no time in making an impact. With a deft touch on a low-struck corner, Coffey deflected the ball into the far side of the net for the team’s third and final goal in East Hartford.
Fittingly, she struck the goal in off a corner kick, the source of the team’s two conceded goals to Portugal in the previous game. Revenge, as they say, is sweet.
Getty ImagesFinishing strong
Three days later, the USWNT finished the window with a decisive 6-0 victory over New Zealand in Kansas City. Coffey also came off the bench, this time entering at the half. Once again, the 26-year-old made an immediate impact.
Just 10 minutes after appearing, the midfielder from Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. helped set up the team’s fourth goal, finding Michelle Cooper with an astute long pass, who then set up Emma Sears with the assist. In the 84th minute, Coffey’s well-taken free kick helped tee up Sears for an historic hat-trick.
Michelle Cooper, playing in her club stadium, had two assists, while Lindsey Heaps came off the bench to provide one of her own and Kennedy Wesley – the lone newcomer in camp, and 25th recipient of a first cap from coach Emma Hayes – played well in an electric environment.
Oh, and did we mention this was the least experienced team – cap-wise – that the USWNT has put on the field in the last 25 years? It was a near-perfect performance to end an imperfect, but hopeful, camp. The loss against Portugal certainly served as a wake-up call, and that carried on through to this third game of camp.
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Getty ImagesFocus on 2027
With four goals in 2025 for the USWNT, Sam Coffey has developed her role in a dense pool of talent as a natural leader, a reliable defensive midfielder, and a somewhat unexpected source of goals.
She has been a solid defensive force in the midfield, able to absorb pressure and dish a pass, and is also capable of being among the team’s myriad goal threats. As Emma Hayes said effusively, “They don’t make players like Sam Coffey anymore.”
With one window and two games left in 2025, the reigning Olympic gold medalists already have their eye on the 2027 World Cup. Hayes has taken hold of 2025 as the essential year to refine her pool. She’s debuted 25 players in 28 games since taking charge last year, while evolving their tactics and emphasizing the team’s culture.
For Sam Coffey, this window further-highlighted her importance to Hayes’ plans. Through her impact on the field and her leadership to defeat off of it, Coffey continues to stand out in a talented crowd.
At the start of the summer, the management had said Bumrah would play three Tests but with a series on the line, he could play a fourth
Sidharth Monga27-Jul-20253:12
‘Would they have walked off?’ – Gambhir on Stokes’ draw offer
India coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed India have a whole quota of fit fast bowlers to select from for The Oval Test, which they need to win to level the series. Equally significantly, Gambhir didn’t rule out the possibility of Jasprit Bumrah playing a fourth Test after he had said he was good to play only three in the lead-up to the series.Bumrah, whose pace was down at Old Trafford, which could also have to do with a soft outfield and loose foot holes, has had time to put his feet up since before lunch on day four of this Test. The fifth and final Test begins on Thursday.India came into the third Test crippled with injuries to Arshdeep Singh (bowling hand) and Akash Deep (groin), and general fatigue for Mohammed Siraj. They had to call in reinforcements from India in Anshul Kamboj, who played ahead of Prasidh Krishna.Related
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“All the fast bowlers are fit,” Gambhir said after India’s 143-over batting effort to secure a draw at Old Trafford and stay alive in the series. “There are no injury concerns.”That also includes Bumrah, but his case is different. He is not playing only three Tests because of any injury, but instead for workload management purposes so that he prevents further injuries after his stress reaction earlier in the year. That stress reaction had kept him out for five months. Gambhir was asked if that workload prescription was still set in stone with a series still on the line.”We haven’t had any conversation around the combination for the last Test,” Gambhir replied. “No decision has been made on whether Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Ultimately, whoever plays, they will try and do the job for the country.”2:09
Manjrekar: ‘Warriors’ keep sprouting for India when needed
Gambhir: ‘Absolutely up’ for series finaleGambhir said this India team was an inexperienced side and the results needed to be seen in that light. But he also said that reason doesn’t change the scoreline of the series. He also didn’t want to get carried away with the achievement of drawing at Old Trafford.”You are asking someone who only believes in results,” Gambhir said. “I’ve said that in the past as well, that I believe in results. We are still 2-1 down in the series. This is the Indian team. Yes there is inexperience but this is still the best Indian team right now. So for me, I think we are still down 2-1. And hopefully we can try and make it 2-2. That’s going to be a good achievement.”When you are put under pressure, and you end up batting five sessions, I think that’s great character. Anything that you do in these conditions, when you are put under pressure and you come out of those pressure moments, it is always a great feeling, and it just ends up giving a lot of confidence in the dressing room as well.”And I’m sure going into The Oval, we will be high on confidence, but we can’t take anything for granted. I think it’s going to be a new game, it’s going to be against a strong England side, and we absolutely will be up for it.”
Everton have begun the 2025/26 season in encouraging fashion under David Moyes, demonstrating a level of resilience that has been a hallmark of the Scot’s management.
Their 8th-place standing with eleven points from three wins reflects a side gradually regaining confidence.
This includes victories against Wolves, Brighton, and a dramatic comeback over Crystal Palace, which ended the Eagles’ club-record 19-match unbeaten run.
A narrow defeat to Liverpool has also shown that Everton are competitive even against stronger opposition. This resurgence mirrors personal story arcs within the squad.
Several players are rediscovering form or thriving in new roles, their performances central to Everton’s improvement.
Last season, Everton climbed from mid-table mediocrity to 13th place following a strong second half of the campaign.
The current season sees similar trajectories, with key individuals revitalising their careers and contributing decisively in both goals and assists.
For a team balancing Premier League and European ambitions, these personal revivals are proving crucial.
Analysing Jack Grealish's revival at Everton
Few players embody Everton’s resurgence like Jack Grealish, the 30-year-old forward whose career has been revitalised since joining Goodison Park.
After struggling with injuries at Manchester City – missing 17 games over the past two seasons due to hip and groin problems – Grealish has found a regular rhythm under Moyes.
He has played 557 Premier League minutes in seven games, scoring one goal and providing four assists, already approaching last season’s totals.
Grealish’s influence is evident in his match-winning contributions.
He scored a 93rd-minute winner against Crystal Palace, securing the comeback that saw Everton climb the table.
Moyes’ decision to place faith in Grealish has clearly paid off; the player himself is thriving, enjoying regular minutes and responsibility.
This consistent involvement has also caught the attention of England manager Thomas Tuchel, who emphasised that regular football is vital for World Cup consideration.
Statistically, Grealish demonstrates why he remains central to Everton’s attacking identity.
In his most successful season – the 2022/23 treble-winning campaign – he averaged 6.27 progressive carries per 90, 4.39 progressive passes per 90, and covered a progressive passing distance of 113.3 metres per 90.
He completed 84.1% of his passes, generated 4.55 shot-creating actions per 90, executed 1.97 successful take-ons per 90, and made 42 carries per 90, with 33.9 touches in the attacking third.
These numbers illustrate not only his creativity but his ability to influence games consistently, reinforcing his value to Moyes’ project.
Grealish has become synonymous with Everton’s resurgence, his technical ability, vision, and leadership setting the standard for others in the squad, such as his heir apparent Tyler Dibling.
His reinvention in blue serves as a blueprint for younger or previously underutilised players seeking to find their feet at Goodison Park.
Everton's other Grealish-type sensation
Another player following a similar path is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the 27-year-old central midfielder who joined Everton from Chelsea on a five-year contract worth £28m.
At Chelsea, he had a bit-part role, mainly appearing as a substitute and in Conference League fixtures, though he did feature in the Club World Cup final win against PSG.
At Everton, he has taken on a more central role, playing seven times in all competitions this season, scoring once and providing one assist.
Described as a “revelation” at the King Power by Brendan Rodgers in the past, Dewsbury-Hall’s having a similar impact as a highly effective cog in Moyes’ machine.
Aggressive in duels, adept at reading the game, and confident in possession, he combines defensive responsibility with ball-carrying ability.
Statistically, he ranks in the 74th percentile for pass completion (80.4%), 82nd percentile for progressive passes per 90 (5.46), 87th percentile for tackles per 90 (1.90), and 98th percentile for clearances per 90 (1.54).
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 2025/26
Matches Played
6
Goals
1
Assists
1
Progressive Carries
10
Progressive Passes
34
Source: FBref
His ability to break up play while advancing the ball mirrors some of Grealish’s influence higher up the pitch.
While Grealish brings creativity and goal involvement, Dewsbury-Hall contributes through stability, aggression, and intelligence in midfield.
He covers ground, reads the game well, and consistently makes positive choices on the ball.
Like Grealish, he is rediscovering form and impact, highlighting Moyes’ capacity to rejuvenate players who may have stagnated elsewhere.
If he continues on this trajectory, Dewsbury-Hall could become a central figure in Everton’s midfield, much as Grealish has in attack.
His development underscores the importance of trusting players, particularly those previously underused, and demonstrates how Moyes can cultivate personal resurgence that directly benefits the team.
For Everton, while young Dibling looks a player for the future, both Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall represent key pillars of their season – one providing flair, the other balance – with the potential to help maintain top-half stability and mount a challenge for European qualification.
Moyes can ditch Barry & Beto to unleash "special" Everton star in new role
Everton may be able to solve their issues in front of goal with this player
Sunderland fans would have been overjoyed with their side’s gritty efforts away at Crystal Palace in the Premier League last time out.
Often, 0-0 draws aren’t a favourite scoreline amongst supporters, but with two victories already under their belt on home turf, the travelling Black Cats army at Selhurst Park would have been delighted with the grit and fight shown against Oliver Glasner’s FA Cup holders.
The Wearside outfit arguably rolled back the years in South London to the days of Lee Cattermole, with the loyal Sunderland servant a constant battler during some tough times in the recent relegation-threatened history of the club.
Cattermole's leadership presence at Sunderland
Before Sunderland embarked on a few dire seasons in the EFL wilderness, Cattermole was a Premier League regular for the Black Cats.
The now-retired 37-year-old even lined up for Sunderland as they competed all the way down in League One, which certainly proves how loyal he was during troubling times on Wearside. However, away from these later difficulties, the no-nonsense midfielder is mostly remembered for his Premier League minutes donning the famous red and white stripes.
170 of Cattermole’s 272 overall Premier League appearances would fall at the Stadium of Light, with Steve Bruce’s comments – after signing the former number six – more than coming true, with the ex-Black Cats boss once stating that his midfield anchor possesses a “real bite” in his game.
Looking over his wider top-flight statistics certainly proves that he was a crucial warrior for Sunderland’s cause time after time, often as relegation threatened them, with a staggering 1152 duels won in total from his 272 Premier League outings. That’s a mighty 4.2 per match.
On top of that, the “true leader” – as he was further affectionately labelled by ex-teammate Craig Gardner – also managed to collect six goals and assists across his long-standing career at the very top, with the confrontational midfielder more of a varied performer than first anticipated.
Regis Le Bris might well have his own iteration of Cattermole in the here and now when assessing his current troops, especially after they put in such a plucky performance on the road at Palace.
Le Bris' very own Cattermole
As much as Sunderland would gain various plaudits across the summer window for flashy purchases up top, with that continuing right until the very end with the £21.6m pick-up of Brian Brobbey, the Black Cats also look to have hit gold with some attritional new members to the squad.
Indeed, Nordi Mukiele has looked ready-made for any relegation dog-fight that awaits him since moving to the Stadium of Light for £12m, with three aerial duels won against the Eagles completely shutting down Jean Philippe Mateta’s effectiveness.
Granit Xhaka has also stood out for his battling nature in the middle of the park – winning a high seven duels per match from four Premier League contests.
But, despite his ability to influence play in the final third, something Cattermole didn’t really provide, that duel-winning ability and his leadership certainly evoke memories of Sunderland’s former midfield battler.
Indeed, his equal mix of grit and captaincy has already made him a firm fan favourite among the die-hard Sunderland masses in an even more similar fashion to Cattermole, with Sky Sports’ Don Goodman heralding the signing as a “genius” move, having even more significant weight behind it now.
Xhaka’s PL numbers for Sunderland
Stat
Xhaka
Games played
4
Goals scored
0
Assists
1
Passes completed
261 (85%)
Total duels won
28
Aerial duels won
17
Stats by the Premier League
Arguably, Le Bris’ decision to immediately hand the Switzerland international the captain’s armband has only elevated his commitment to brawl and compete for his new employers, having once been dubbed a “natural leader” by his former Arsenal manager in Mikel Arteta.
The table above certainly strengthens that claim. He has already won 28 duels from 360 minutes of action, with Xhaka now looking to see out his playing days in style on Wearside to try and be fondly remembered in the same light as the demanding Englishman.
Already, he seems to have won over the Black Cats fans, with survival achieved at the first time of asking, no doubt only making him even more loved, alongside Le Bris’ other instantly likeable personnel.
15/20 duels won: Sunderland star is proving he's on the same level as Xhaka
Granit Xhaka isn’t the only big coup that Sunderland have sealed since promotion to the Premier League.
Edwards had been frontrunner after Jon Lewis’ sacking in wake of 16-0 Ashes whitewash
Valkerie Baynes01-Apr-20251:27
Edwards as England head coach ‘clear cut’ call
Charlotte Edwards has been appointed England Women’s head coach. Edwards, the former England captain who represented her country over 300 times, takes over from Jon Lewis, who was sacked following England’s 16-0 thrashing at the hands of Australia in the Women’s Ashes in January.”I am so delighted to once again be part of the leadership of the England Women’s cricket team, and I cannot wait to take this team forward and drive us to success,” Edwards said in a statement released by the ECB on Tuesday. “It means the world to me to have the three lions on my chest once again. Leading England as captain was my life for 10 years and I will forever be passionate about this team and our legacy. We have such a talented group of players, and I am excited about working with them and improving them both as individuals and as a team.”During her 20-year playing career, Edwards won two World Cups and the Ashes five times. Since retiring in 2017, she has enjoyed a decorated coaching career, including two titles in three seasons with Mumbai Indians in the WPL and five titles with Southern Vipers, including two in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, the domestic T20 competition named in her honour.She has also coached Southern Brave to three Women’s Hundred finals, winning the competition in 2023, and led Sydney Sixers to the WBBL final in her first season in charge in 2022-23. Edwards will now leave her role with Sixers.Related
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Her first competitive task with England Women will be a home series against West Indies in May followed by India, ahead of the World Cup in India later this year and a home T20 World Cup in 2026.Before that, she must repair team morale after not only the Ashes whitewashing but a surprise group-stage exit at the T20 World Cup in the UAE last October. Speaking last month, Kate Cross, the senior England seam bowler who was part of the Ashes touring party but didn’t play due to a back injury, said the team had work to do to make cultural changes after their humbling in Australia.The Ashes defeat was the final straw that prompted an ECB review, announced by Clare Connor, the ECB’s deputy CEO and managing director of England Women’s cricket, in the immediate aftermath of that tour result, which also cost Heather Knight her job as England captain.Connor described Edwards as a “proven winner”.”She has the experience, passion and expertise to lead this team to success,” Connor said. “The results she has achieved as a head coach in multiple environments, since retiring as one of the greatest ever England players, is testament to her relentless drive and the standards she sets for those around her. She possesses a deep knowledge of the game, both in England and across the world, and she understands the importance of creating an environment that is both challenging and supportive.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd
Edwards’ appointment means she will leave her post as Hampshire Women’s head coach ahead of the start of the season, the first under the ECB’s new three-tier structure for women’s cricket.Edwards moved to Hampshire in 2017 having previously played for Kent, and became director of women’s cricket at the club in 2018 before taking over as Southern Vipers’ head coach in 2020.”I’ve had an amazing eight years at the club and am so grateful for the support I have received from the players, staff and supporters,” Edwards said. “It has been a truly special time, and it will be very difficult to leave the place that has become my home. I’m sure that Hampshire will continue to enjoy success on and off the field and look forward to returning to Utilita Bowl with the England team.”Knight will continue to play for England, while her successor as captain is yet to be announced.Nat Sciver-Brunt, whose wife Katherine has just given birth to their first child, a son named Theodore Michael, is favourite to be promoted from her role as vice-captain.Edwards and Connor will address the media at Lord’s on Wednesday, where their plans for taking the England team forward will be discussed.Fielding proved key to England’s downfall at the T20 World Cup, where a rash of errors compounded the loss of Knight to injury while batting during their decisive defeat to West Indies.England’s fitness levels were called into question following that loss, with former spinner turned commentator Alex Hartley suggesting that a handful of players were “letting the team down” in that respect. The issue reared its head again in Australia when the hosts proved superior in all departments during the multi-format Ashes, winning three white-ball games by more than 50 runs and the Test by an innings.
There was an air of resignation in Ruben Amorim's voice when he addressed reports of Manchester United's potential plans to jet off to Saudi Arabia in the middle of the season to play friendly games. The Portuguese is a coach that talks of the importance of focus, on having lots of training sessions, of being fully committed to the cause of reviving the club's fortunes. And exhibition tours fly in the face of all that.
But Amorim, albeit somewhat reluctantly, toed the party line and gave his backing to money-spinning trips around the world. "We have to do it," he said last Friday. "And you know, we knew that when we missed out on Europe, we have a lot of things to do. We have our fans, we have the budget, we have to compensate for a lot of things. So, we have to do it. We will do it. We want to be with our fans around the world. If you have to do it, you have to manage to find the space to do it."
Amorim's time at United has been the least successful period the club has known in half-a-century as well as an unprecedented moment in being a time when money has been kept tight (aside from in the transfer market) and no move has been ruled out if it can save or make a bit of extra cash. But traipsing around the world to play meaningless matches is the last thing United should be doing right now…
AFP
Degrading experience
While Amorim is right that United will have a big hole in their budget by not qualifying for Europe and will have to forgo additional matchday revenue from not hosting mid-week games at Old Trafford, they are unlikely to come close to plugging the gaps with extra friendlies.
United's end-of-season tour of Asia was a degrading experience for the club, taking place just a few days after their defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final. The six-day jaunt saw them play friendlies in Hong Kong and Malaysia while some players did a promotional visit to India. The team lost to ASEAN All-Stars and needed a comeback to beat a Hong Kong XI, while Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho had unsavoury exchanges with locals.
All the while, reports about Bruno Fernandes being offered a lucrative move to Al-Hilal were rumbling about. While pre-season tours are the norm for all major clubs and a huge part of preparing for a campaign, post-season trips feel more like a travelling circus. And heading on a mid-season tour, sandwiching foreign trips in between vital Premier League games, would be even more undignified.
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AFP
Negligible amount of money
The whole ordeal in Asia netted United a reported £10 million. Not bad for a week's work, you might say. But it paled in comparison to the £100m they missed out on by failing to qualify for the Champions League. To make up the gap entirely, they would have to make 10 such trips, playing 20 games. That would be completely unworkable, and in all likelihood the club would make just one trip.
And even if they could match what they made in May in Asia and pocket another £10m, it is still a negligible amount of money. A drop in the ocean in the context of the £666m in total revenue they earned last season, even without Champions League football.
They could have saved that amount of money, if not more, by being just a little more prudent in the transfer market. For example, keeping Rasmus Hojlund rather than negotiating his exit for half the price they paid for him, while bringing in Benjamin Sesko for £74m despite him also being at a similar stage in his career and with no Premier League experience.
Getty Images Sport
Friendlies could block Champions League hopes
Earning £10m here and there will not significantly help United tackle their rising debt. As the club have acknowledged privately and publicly, the only way for United to become financially sustainable and stop the six-year trend of losing money is for them to get back to finishing near the top of the Premier League and qualify consistently for the Champions League.
And going on mid-season trips to other continents and time zones could directly impact that goal. Although United were nowhere near it, there was an extremely close race to qualify for the Champions League, with just one point in the end separating Nottingham Forest in seventh and Newcastle United, who finished fifth and nabbed the last ticket to Europe's top competition. Aston Villa missed out on the lucrative revenues of Champions League football on goal difference.
Every point counts in the race to finish in the top five or top four (depending on whether English football teams perform well in Europe and earn one of the two extra places on offer). So, imagine that United missed out on the Champions League by a couple of points and had earlier in the season drawn or lost their next game after an eight-hour flight back from Riyadh or a 15-hour journey back from Tokyo.
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Every league position counts
Even the best United side in recent memory paid a price in results for a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia. The great United side containing Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez et al played against Al-Hilal in late January 2008. They won their next game against Portsmouth but not long after they only scraped a 1-1 draw at Tottenham and a week later lost 2-1 at home to a Manchester City side two years before their lucrative takeover.
It should also not be forgotten that European qualification is not the only route to earning more money on the pitch. The Premier League offers extra motivation for finishing higher up the table in the form of merit payments, which consist of combined earnings from both domestic and international television broadcast deals and are distributed on a sliding scale from 1st to 20th.
The Red Devils' combined merit payment for finishing 15th last season was £15.9m. West Ham, who finished 14th, earned £18.6m, a difference of £2.7m for one point. Brentford pocketed £29.1m by virtue of finishing 10th. Had United finished eighth – as they did in Erik ten Hag's second season – they would have taken home £34.5m. That's a difference of £18.5m, worth only marginally less than two post-season trips to Asia.
Leeds United have had a busy summer transfer window, with a large focus on strengthening their attack.
Despite finishing as the Championship’s leading goalscorers last term, Daniel Farke’s side have concentrated on signing new forwards to help add to their forward line ahead of their relegation fight from the Premier League.
Two of their new additions have been free transfers, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin switching to Elland Road after his Everton contract expired, and Lukas Nmecha joining from Wolfsburg. Their other addition in attacking areas was that of AC Milan and Switzerland star Noah Okafor.
However, Farke is clearly still keen to add attacking depth to his side. Leeds are linked with a late move for yet another attacker.
Leeds push for new attacker
As the Whites’ search for a fourth attacker in the window goes on, they have been linked with a shock move for former Chelsea and Tottenham star Timo Werner. However, the RB Leipzig star rejected the newly-promoted side.
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Instead, Farke and his side could make a move for a Ligue 1 star.
That’s according to a report from Sky Sports who say that Leeds are said to be looking for a ‘versatile forward’ in the next few days, and Strasbourg star Dilane Bakwa is a player ‘of interest’ to the 49ers group.
Leeds have been smart with their money on forwards this summer, making those two free signings, so there could be room left in the budget.
That is money that would be needed in this deal, given that Bakwa has been reportedly valued at £30m by Strasbourg this summer.
Why Bakwa would be a good signing
France U21 international Bakwa has certainly garnered a huge reputation in Ligue 1. He ticks the versatile attacker box that Leeds are looking for, and can play on both the right flank and as a centre-forward.
Last season, the 23-year-old, who hails from Creteil, just outside of Paris, played a huge part in Strasbourg reaching the UEFA Conference League. In 30 top-flight appearances for Liam Rosenior’s side, he bagged six goals and assisted a further nine.
The Strasbourg number 26 has already started the new campaign on fire. In the first two Ligue 1 games of the season, he has two assists, including this pinpoint cross to Emmanuel Emegha, which the striker headed home.
If Leeds manage to agree a deal to bring Bakwa to Yorkshire, they’d love for him to replicate the impact of their last great signing from Ligue 1, Raphinha.
Of course, the Brazilian is a Ballon d’Or contender for Barcelona, and has been on fire under Hansi Flick for the past 12 months.
Former Leeds forward Raphinha.
Looking back at his days at Elland Road will surely always remind Leeds supporters just how good he was in White.
The Brazilian superstar played 67 times for the club, scoring 17 goals and assisting 12. Strikes like this against Everton were what made him so deadly.
Well, there are certainly similarities between Raphinha and Leeds’ potential new signing Bakwa. The attacker is also lighting up Ligue 1 before his prospective move to Elland Road, and is predominantly a right-winger but can lead the line, just like his Brazilian counterpart.
When looking at the underlying statistics from their most recent seasons in Ligue 1, it is easy to see why Bakwa could be the second coming of Raphinha at Leeds.
For example, the Frenchman averaged 3.86 progressive carries and 0.51 goals and assists per game last season, compared to the former Rennes winger’s tally of 3.40 progressive carries and 0.43 assists per 90 minutes.
Goals and assists
0.51
0.43
Progressive passes
4.66
3.67
Goal-creating actions
0.58
0.27
Progressive carries
3.86
3.4
Ball recoveries
3.32
5.21
A fee of £30m is a big investment just days before the transfer window slams shut, but Bakwa could be worth it for Leeds.
He is a “menacing” attacker, according to football scout Antonio Mango, and can hurt Premier League defenders with his efficiency in the final third.
If Bakwa can replace Raphinha, then he will be well-loved by Leeds fans this season and beyond.
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Voll, 21, is set to make her ODI debut against India as an opener while Healy is hopeful of returning for the NZ series
Alex Malcolm23-Nov-2024Alyssa Healy has been ruled out Australia’s upcoming women’s ODI series against India with 21-year-old Georgia Voll called up to her first international squad following some stunning domestic form.Healy will miss the three-match home ODI series against India that starts on December 5 in Brisbane due to a knee injury and her availability for the following series against New Zealand in New Zealand remains unknown.Voll has been added to Australia’s 13-player squad for the India series only. Tahlia McGrath will captain the team in Healy’s absence as she did at the end of the T20 World Cup.Related
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Voll has produced three eye-catching domestic innings so far this summer. She made 98 off 94 for Queensland against Western Australia in the WNCL before plundering 92 off 55 and 97 not out off 56 in two WBBL innings recently for Sydney Thunder. The powerful right-hander looks set to be given a chance to open the batting alongside Phoebe Litchfield as Australia looks to add some youth into their experienced line-up.”Georgia Voll has had a strong start to the summer and has shown her potential over several years,” Australia women’s national selector Shawn Flegler said.”She’ll form an exciting partnership with Phoebe Litchfield at the top of the order in what will be a great opportunity for her to get a taste of international cricket against a strong India side.”Alyssa Healy remains sidelined by a knee injury•AFP/Getty ImagesFlegler added that a decision on Healy’s fitness for the New Zealand series, which begins in Wellington on December 19, will be made in due course.”The decision for Alyssa Healy to miss the India series was made with a longer-term view to the Ashes, with her availability for the New Zealand series to become clearer over the next few weeks,” Flegler said.”Tahlia McGrath impressed as captain in tough conditions during the World Cup and will have strong support from Ash Gardner who has developed into a strong leader within the side, both on and off the field.”Australia have included both Sophie Molineux and Darcie Brown despite both players carrying issues in the WBBL.”Sophie has returned to play following knee soreness which will continue to be managed over the course of the summer,” Australian women’s physiotherapist Kate Beerworth said.”Darcie has resumed training following a hip muscle strain and is on track for both series.”CA confirmed that fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck has undergone shoulder surgery following her injury in the T20 World Cup and will not be available for the remainder of the summer.Australia squad for women’s ODIs against India and New ZealandAlyssa Healy (*New Zealand series only), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll (*India series only), Georgia Wareham