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It may feel like we’re in the thick of the summer transfer window, Liverpool fans, but that’s not the case. Rather, FSG are working with incredible prudence to strengthen Arne Slot’s Premier League champions.

Trent Alexander-Arnold will likely feature for the final time as a Liverpool player on Sunday in the season’s closing game against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, but sporting director Richard Hughes has already engineered and wrapped up a move for his successor.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong will play for the Merseysiders next season, with Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez also being pursued, discussions at an advanced stage.

Liverpool need something more in attack, too. While Mohamed Salah has forged an individual season for the ages, he’s perhaps been let down at times by his peers.

After penning a two-year extension, the Egyptian King needs to be supplemented by some elite-level firepower, someone capable of being his next Sadio Mane.

FSG may well have found just the man for the job.

Liverpool pushing to seal marquee signing

According to the Daily Mail’s Lewis Steele, Liverpool’s ambitious push to sign Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz is very much intact, with FSG doing everything in their power to bring the 22-year-old under Slot’s influence.

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Liverpool have been locked in a transfer battle with Bayern Munich for the talented midfielder’s services, and have been emboldened in recent days after Manchester City dropped out the race. Die Roten, however, remain favourites at this stage.

The truth is Liverpool will do all they can to get a deal done for Wirtz, Germany’s poster boy. However, given that the Bundesliga champions are also doing everything in their power to sign the playmaker, it’s not going to be easy.

In spite of the Germany international’s €150m (equating to about £126m) price tag, FSG are willing to green-light a staggering club-record transfer.

Here’s why.

Why Wirtz could be Slot's new "superstar"

Some might question why Liverpool aren’t instead preparing to fork out a similar sum on Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, but if the Magpies seal a place in next season’s Champions League, the Swedish striker isn’t going anywhere.

And anyway, with Alexander-Arnold set to depart and take his boundless creativity with him, Liverpool need to find a new playmaker-in-chief.

That could be Wirtz, who, aged 22, has already overcome a crushing ACL injury to win an invincible domestic double, win the Bundesliga Player of the Year and be called “the best midfielder in the world” by former Werkself striker Patrick Helmes.

Florian Wirtz – Career Stats by Position (club & country)
Position	Apps	Goals	Assists
Attacking midfield	169	48	57
Left winger	21	4	5
Right winger	17	8	5
Centre-forward	15	7	7
Central midfield	5	0	3
Data via Transfermarkt

He’s the real deal, all right. After just 197 senior appearances for his current club, the 5 foot 9 midfielder has scored 57 goals and supplied 65 assists, showcasing a level of reliability in the final third that the likes of Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai don’t project with the regularity of Salah.

Or Mane, for that matter. You could say that Wirtz stands a stellar chance of becoming Slot’s own version of the Senegalese legend, whose “world-class” attacking threat, as remarked by Jurgen Klopp, hasn’t yet been recaptured by any signing at Liverpool.

Mane signed for Liverpool in 2015, leaving Southampton for a £34m fee. He devoted the prime years of his career to Anfield and left a legend, instrumental in conquering the Premier League and the Champions League.

Though typically playing off the left, Mane was positionally fluid and made a menace of himself through remarkable powers of intensity, overwhelming his opponents before finding space to strike on goal.

Wirtz is more central (see the table above), but he does enjoy playing out on the left, with his heatmap from the 2024/25 Bundesliga campaign suggesting he drifts over more often than not.

It would give Slot a new tactical piece to play with, in any case. Wirtz has only missed eight big chances across Leverkusen’s league and European campaigns this year, scoring 16 goals. Moreover, he’s created 21 big chances, denoting his immense playmaking ability that will allow the Reds to transition away from the Alexander-Arnold era, such as it is.

As per FBref, Wirtz ranks among the top 8% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues this season for goal contributions, the top 7% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes, and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.

The German’s unrelenting energy in driving the ball forward is something to be admired. It’s something, perhaps, that is Mane-esque.

With flair and fleet feet and a deadly switch when placed at the end of an attacking sequence, Wirtz is the real deal. ESPN correspondent Rob Palmer called him a “superstar in the making” a few weeks ago, but he may well already be of the highest station.

Liverpool need to get it done, giving Salah the perfect new attacking partner to win more silverware over the next few years.

He'd be incredible with Kerkez: FSG want to sign £50m "tank" for Liverpool

Liverpool are looking to make sweeping changes in the summer transfer market.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 19, 2025

Bramley Moore looms large for those of an Everton persuasion. In fact, David Moyes will lead his troops out just twice more before hallowed Goodison Park will be consigned to history.

Time was when Everton would fail to mark this new era with impactful activity on the transfer front, in the planning room. But this is an exciting new project on Merseyside and Moyes is back to front it.

While the Scottish tactician will expect powers to bring in a wealth of fresh quality this summer, he will of course need to part with a few of the rusted-over parts of the Toffees make-up.

And he won’t be afraid to do it.

Why Moyes will get rid of Everton's deadwood

Everton have no less than 15 players reaching the conclusion of their contracts this summer – some are out on loan or indeed are reaching the end of their loan stints at Goodison Park.

Abdoulaye Doucoure, for example, is expected to leave. Sure, he scored the winning goal at the City Ground last weekend, but the 32-year-old isn’t popping up with such moments with the frequency to justify his £130k-per-week salary, the loftiest at the club.

Moyes isn’t afraid to cut ties with his higher-profile stars, something he’s going to need to enact with another member of the squad, a player shaping up to be the 61-year-old’s next version of James Beattie.

Beattie spent two-and-a-half seasons under Moyes’ management at Everton, signed from Southampton for £6m in January 2005 after rejecting a move to Aston Villa.

Beattie was a talented centre-forward, hard to handle and powerful in the final third. He likely didn’t make too many friends with opposing defenders. He also didn’t make a friend out of Moyes, it would appear…

Across 85 appearances for the Merseysiders, Beattie only managed to score 15 goals, interestingly with 11 of them posted across the 2005/06 season before he provided a woeful product on his final term as a Toffee.

A five-cap England international, Beattie moved on to Sheffield United in 2007, the Blades breaking their transfer record and paying £4m for a player who had fallen by the wayside at Everton.

In fact, Moyes and his number nine had come to blows on numerous occasions, having to discipline his man after a headbutt on William Gallas in 2005 and Beattie later suggesting Everton didn’t treat him with respect while he played there.

His talent and focal presence got him far, but Moyes showed that he’s willing to make a tough decision for his team, and he’s going to have to make a similar one in the weeks ahead, with Everton needing to part ways with their new version of Beattie.

Moyes' new James Beattie

While he’s served at the club for a long time, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s best days appear to be long past, with The Athletic’s Paddy Boyland noting he has been “struggling” through the 2024/25 season.

Out of contract at the end of the season, Calvert-Lewin – who the Toffees signed from Sheffield United in 2016 – has toiled through what looks to be his final campaign as an Everton player, with a cruel injury picked up in January stunting any budding rebirth hinted at after Moyes’ return.

Still out of action, the 27-year-old surely needs to be axed this summer, with his inconsistencies and past successes suggesting that he is in a similar boat to Beattie way back when, albeit the older man being actively shoved out to sign for the Blades.

24/25

22

3

6.11 (-3.11)

23/24

32

7

12.93 (-5.93)

22/23

17

2

5.84 (-3.84)

Though DCL doesn’t share Beattie’s supposedly volatile temperment, he has been chained down by injuries and consequent issues, with his wasteful finishing and heavy wage rubber-stamping the expected decision to cut ties.

Calvert-Lewin has given Goodison Park so many fond memories. In his pomp, the long-discarded England international was among the most dangerous strikers in the Premier League, leading talent scout Jacek Kulig to remark in 2020 that “Carlo Ancelotti created a monster.”

But the truth is Calvert-Lewin’s finest days are behind him, at least in Evertonian Blue. With Beto looking like twice the player he was since Moyes came along and funding being handed ahead of the summer window, parting with the striker is sure to be the right decision.

Moyes proved before, with Beattie, that he’s not afraid to make a cut for the greater good of the team, and he must maintain this approach now.

He won't start again: Everton's £40k-p/w star looks finished under Moyes

Everton are undergoing a series of changes with David Moyes back at the wheel.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 15, 2025

Oliver Glasner entered his first full season at Crystal Palace after losing two of his key players from last season, with Michael Olise joining Bayern Munich and Joachim Andersen joining Fulham.

As a result, Crystal Palace spent around £78.5m in the 2024/25 season, making five permanent signings and two loan signings in the summer window, with a further one permanent signing and one loan move in January.

Crystal Palace 2024/25 signings

Player

Fee (£)

Eddie Nketiah

£25.4m

Maxence Lacroix

£15.4m

Ismaila Sarr

£12.8m

Chadi Riad

£12.8m

Romain Esse

£12.1m

Daichi Kamada

£0

Data taken from Transfermarkt

Many have spoken about the impact of losing Olise and effectively replacing his output, but after also losing Andersen, the Eagles bought two new defenders on permanent deals, as well as Trevoh Chalobah on loan from Chelsea.

Crystal Palace's defensive numbers in 2024/25

This season, Palace are averaging 43% possession per game, giving them the fourth lowest possession numbers in the Premier League.

However, with this, the Eagles have formed a formidable defensive unit, conceding 12.9 shots per game and only conceding 1.36 goals per game – having notably held off Bournemouth last time out despite losing Chris Richards to a red card.

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Playing in Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 system, the three central defenders and two wingbacks have formed a brilliant defensive contingent, pulling the Eagles up to comfortably in mid-table in the league this term.

Crystal Palace star will become more important than Guehi

The likes of Richards, Dean Henderson, Marc Guehi, Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell have all been key to this defensive solidity, but one summer signing has arguably been the most important in their entire back line, bringing a new dynamic to Glasner’s defence this campaign.

Crystal Palace bought a certain Maxence Lacroix from Wolfsburg for a fee that will reach up to £18m. The 25-year-old has made 35 appearances for the club since joining, scoring once, providing one assist and contributing to 12 clean sheets in his 3,209 minutes played.

The French defender has been deployed as the central centre-back in Glasner’s back three, often partnered by Guehi to his left and Richards to his right.

The addition of Lacroix has added some much-needed recovery pace to their backline, as well as some extra aggression when jumping out to press.

When comparing the underlying metrics of both Lacroix and Marc Guehi this season, you can see how their roles differ.

Maxence Lacroix vs Marc Guehi comparison

Stats (per 90 mins)

Lacroix

Guehi

Goals + Assists

0.06

0.14

Progressive Carries

0.28

0.67

Progressive Passes

1.99

4.10

Pass Completion %

82.1%

83.4%

Tackles

2.20

1.80

Blocks

1.33

1.73

Interceptions

1.65

0.86

Aerial Duels Won

1.89

2.13

Stats taken from FBref

Guehi has better passing numbers, often orchestrating from the back with his progressive nature, whilst Lacroix is more of the defensive aggressor, making more tackles and interceptions to regain possession for his side.

Premier League legend Alan Shearer labelled Lacroix a “commanding” presence in the heart of the Palace defence, something that has been echoed this season by plenty of Eagles fans.

With many fans unsure about Guehi’s future entering the last season of his contract next campaign, the signing of Lacroix is even sweeter, knowing, no matter what, the Frenchman will be at the club next season. Thus, he could soon become even more important to Glasner and Co.

Related Crystal Palace have found a "spectacular" Olise replacement & it's not Sarr

Oliver Glasner has unleashed his “relentless” Crystal Palace duo to finally replace Olise

Posts ByConnor Holden Apr 13, 2025

After bit part at Lord’s, off-spinner steals centre stage at Trent Bridge

Vithushan Ehantharajah21-Jul-2024Shoaib Bashir had taken six wickets in the County Championship at 76.83 this summer. On Sunday, when he beat Jason Holder on the outside edge to clip off stump – seam square, slower, looking for skid rather than turn – he had his sixth of this second West Indies Test match.A seventh, at 6:28pm, completed a series-clinching evening session and confirmed Bashir’s third five-wicket haul in first-class cricket. All of them have come in Tests, and no other English bowler has ever bagged as many before the age of 21.A player whose series started with a “Thanks For Coming” performance in the first Test – not bowling, no catches and a duck in his only innings – walked off with a stump in one hand and the match ball in the other. Not since Muthiah Muralidaran in 2006 has a spinner taken a five-wicket haul at Trent Bridge in a men’s Test.Related

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“This is Bash, if you haven’t met him already,” Brendon McCullum joked with Ben Stokes at Lord’s – the skipper understandably parking the off-spinner in seam-friendly conditions. On Sunday, evening, no one could look beyond him. “I think what he’s done today is show the world what he can do,” beamed Stokes.We are only seven months into Bashir’s story as an international cricketer, but of all the narratives this England Test team have thrown out like confetti over the last two years, his might be the sparkiest.This six-foot-four kid, selected for a tour of India, ultimately, off the back of a social media clip last summer, is now at home in the Test side despite his nomadic route into the professional game. A number one spinner for his country but not his county, Somerset, because Jack Leach, who he replaced for his country, is number one at his county. He averages 70.68 in the County Championship and 29.83 in the format most of those batters aspire to but will never see.Shoaib Bashir walks back with souvenirs after taking 5 for 41 in 11.2 overs•PA Photos/Getty ImagesAppreciating the contrasts and contradictions of Bashir’s career to date helps with the dissection of a left-field pick occupying centre stage. A feat of selection that only comes to pass with the confidence and craft of a 20-year-old not simply living his dream, but weaving it in front of us all.The selectors saw the promise that revealed itself to many more across three Tests in India. But these 11.1 overs on this Nottingham evening were a neat crash course in Bashir’s talents.Another generous offering from Kirk McKenzie got him on the board, under-edging a long hop that did not get up through to Jamie Smith. But after trapping first-innings centurion Kavem Hodge on the crease following some subtle tweaking of lengths, he came around the wicket to best Alick Athanaze with a picture-perfect off break to a left-hander, followed by the pearler to Holder. Shamar Joseph tied the bow on this five-for, bowled middle stump attempting the wildest of hacks.The 25 overs in the first innings – 17 of those on the bounce from the Radcliffe Road End – gave him a sighter of what West Indies had to offer. A couple of donations helped, as did watching his opposite number Kevin Sinclair toil with his own twirlers. But plans were formulated and, perhaps most impressive of all, even picked up on the hoof after the first drinks break of what was supposed to be a bumper 48-over final session.”That wicket offered hardly anything for a spinner throughout the whole Test match. And to be honest, I didn’t think it actually did today,” said Stokes, agreeing with West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite’s acknowledgement that it was still sound enough for batting that West Indies fancied their 385 target.”He was so aggressive and his intent was always to look to take wickets and was never just to hold an end up. The way in which he can change his pace, over spin, under spin, I think he showed his full bag of tricks today in particular.”Shoaib Bashir bowled Jason Holder with a beauty as England closed in•Getty ImagesThere has been a lot of work behind the scenes with England spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel, who spent a lot of the first innings down at fine leg coaching Bashir through his spell. Such is Bashir’s capacity to take on information, he was applying outside suggestions in real-time.During both congregations for Atkinson’s two wickets in three balls, Bashir and Joe Root broke off after the cursory high-fives to discuss a more attacking line. Root, from his view at first slip – where he took the catch off Athanaze – posited that while Bashir was clearly getting turn from wider, he’d do well to mix it up with a straighter line.By this point, the batters were expecting turn. And by hitting inside those spinning patches, varying his speeds as per, Bashir would also be able to challenge the outside edge, too. This was how he nabbed Holder. “I think that’s the great thing about inexperience and youth – they will take everything in from everybody around them,” said Stokes.Inexperience and youth also has the benefit of being free from scars. The English system might have not treated Bashir well to start – falling through the cracks at Surrey, the climb back up through the national county and club scene – but he never lost his fearlessness or sense that belonged.It’s worth noting, Holder’s dismissal was the last ball in an over in which the West Indies allrounder had pumped Bashir down the ground for six (for the second time) and then four in consecutive deliveries. The over before, Joshua Da Silva had done the same in a bid to get Bashir off his lengths. He remained unperturbed.He wore the onslaughts in India well, from the visa office to start, then opposition batters as the series was taken from England by force. Two months ago, when on loan at Worcestershire Bashir was blitzed by Dan Lawrence, his England squad mate, who plundered 38 from an over, handing Bashir the ignominy of equalling the most expensive over in English first-class cricket. Bashir’s temporary teammates were impressed and a little shocked at how easily that thrashing was brushed off.”The great thing about Bash is if you see him get hit over his head, he starts smiling and he’s alright,” explained Stokes. “He’s got no issue whatsoever about getting hit for a four or a six. I love the way in which that doesn’t affect him.”All he wants to do is affect the game in any way, shape or form. I’m obviously a very aggressive, forward-thinking captain. I like to see batters taking risks against spinners.”Upon selecting Bashir for this Test series, Stokes revealed he spent “a good 20, 25 minutes” talking through what had been a “strange” couple of months for his new No.1 spinner. This week, both Stokes and Patel hyped up their man, telling him he would have a chance to show off his skills.It’s as much an example of sharp, considerate leadership as it is of Bashir existing in this peculiar sweet spot of neither being settled nor willing to settle. A player grateful for what he has but wanting the world. A competition winner’s enthusiasm fuelling a remarkable evolution that is sweeping the competition away.

From the time the team were in it only for the love of the game, to now, when they are a respected, formidable outfit, she has been an inspiring, enduring presence

Shashank Kishore23-Sep-2022Retiring on the field is a privilege accorded to few in Indian cricket. So it is heartwarming that Jhulan Goswami will bid adieu to what will no doubt be rousing applause from fans and colleagues at Lord’s tomorrow, bringing to a close a career that began all those years ago in nondescript Chakdaha in Bengal.A farewell game of this magnitude is unlike any other in recent memory in Indian cricket. Several stars faded away quietly in recent years – Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, even Goswami’s good friend Mithali Raj. And when an injured Goswami sat motionless as India were knocked out of the 2022 World Cup in the last over of their group-stage game against South Africa in Christchurch, you wondered if another legendary career would meet a similar end. Thankfully, Goswami will get an exit of the kind she deserves, even if it may not be as celebrated as Sachin Tendulkar’s was.On Saturday, when she takes the field for one final time in India colours, she will complete a circle of sorts. Five years ago it was at Lord’s that she came within touching distance of cricket’s ultimate glory, against England in the 2017 World Cup final. While that dream was not realised, she can now proudly leave with a series win in England, India’s first in the country in 23 years.Related

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To the current generation, Goswami is the last link between two eras of Indian women’s cricket. For long she has been synonymous with the game in India, alongside the likes of Raj, Diana Edulji and Shantha Rangaswamy, among others. Until her farewell series, Goswami hadn’t played a single ODI for which Raj wasn’t in the XI.Goswami and Shikha Pandey were the flag bearers of India’s bowling for over half a decade, but apart from them, the fast-bowling cupboard was thinly stocked until recently, when new talent began to come through. While it may yet take a while before India can find someone to fly the flag for the next two decades, the signs are promising.Watching the dream crumble: at the 2017 World Cup final•Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty ImagesLong before she became Jhulu to her younger team-mates, Goswami was a kid with stars in her eyes, mesmerised at the sight of Cathryn Fitzpatrick in the 1997 World Cup final at Eden Gardens, where Goswami was a ball girl. On Saturday, when she bowls alongside Renuka Thakur and Meghna Singh at Lord’s, it will be a symbolic passing of the baton: Thakur was once a starstruck academy kid and ball girl in Dharamsala when Goswami played for India at the 2016 T20 World Cup, and Meghna once waited in the lobby of a Kanpur hotel all day so she could make a beeline for Goswami when she arrived, just to be able to get a ball autographed.Goswami’s retirement, coming on the heels of Raj’s will truly mark the end of an era in Indian women’s cricket. A period of two decades or so in which they went from being a middling team that played for the love of cricket to one that commands respect and a standing, one that is followed with nearly as much passion as their men’s counterparts, and one that stands poised for a revolution next year, with the possibilities the women’s IPL will bring.Goswami’s career was marked by deep commitment, an abiding quest for perfection, and a willingness to fight the odds – she prevailed over injuries to back, heel, shoulder, ankle and knees. Her rise and the way she made a place for herself at the very top of the women’s game is also a celebration of the potential that lies in India’s small towns and villages.A common refrain when you talk about Goswami the cricketer is about how simple she is in life and in cricket. She has been old-school but modern. Old-school because she believed bowling fitness was greater than gym fitness, and modern because as she aged, she embraced the need to keep up with the demands of cross-format cricket, even if it meant stepping into the unknown.As a bowler, in how she was seemingly programmed to bowl to hit the top of off, she embodied the virtues of a clutter-free mind. She had a potent weapon in a devious inswinger early in her career, and to that she added one that hits the seam and holds its line. This latter talent was best showcased in the delivery that bowled Meg Lanning at the 2017 World Cup semi-final.Documented evidence of it is rare in domestic cricket, but several players will tell you how Goswami also had one of the meanest bouncers. And if they misfielded off her bowling, players would fear to look her in the eye for hours. But once off the field, she’d dance and sing with the same players, and if India won, she would treat them to ice cream and dessert.Goswami’s genial ways were as much a hallmark of her career as her bowling. She would not shy away from mingling with the youngest members of the group, making them feel warm and welcome. In defeat, she would play agony aunt, providing comfort. “Chin up, girls, we haven’t lost a war” was her famous quip, brought out at times when the dressing room was low after a loss. She believed that if you make sacrifices to make it to the highest level, you need to celebrate everything the game, and life, throws at you.At other times, like in that 2017 semi-final, she would be the immovable force, willing and able to look batters in the eye, to command her fielders to raise the volume and display on-field brilliance to show them “we are no less”. Symbolic, then, that she led by example in knocking Lanning over the way she did.On Saturday when the final run is hit or the last wicket taken, it’s likely there will be a few tears in the Indian dressing room and outside it. After all, Goswami has been a towering presence for over two decades, playing several roles: captain, older sibling, friend, mentor, philosopher, and more.As Rohit Sharma said recently, players like Goswami come along once in a generation. Those tasked with carrying forward her legacy couldn’t have asked for a better role model. India will miss a workhorse, but may yet benefit in gaining a mentor and teacher who could inspire in others the very virtues that made her a world beater.

What have the ageing stars who helped the franchise reach two consecutive finals been doing in the last 16 months?

Dustin Silgardo15-Sep-2020For the past two seasons, the Chennai Super Kings have defied the belief that T20 is a young man’s game. They have relied on players in their mid-30s and made it to consecutive finals. But with 16 months gone since the last IPL, can their experienced players still deliver? Perhaps a good way to discern whether they have faded is to look at how they have fared in the meantime.MS Dhoni, 39
After several months of mystery, Dhoni announced his international retirement in August this year. He had endured a difficult 2019 World Cup, in which he struggled to accelerate when the team needed him to, and was not named in any India squad in the months after. He also decided against playing any of India’s domestic tournaments in 2019-20. That means when he leads CSK onto the field on September 19, it will be his first professional cricket match in 437 days. Dhoni did attend Chennai’s training camp back in March, where he was met by hundreds of cheering fans, and has been in camp since August 16, ahead of this season.Shane Watson, 39
Watson announced his retirement from the Big Bash League last year, so with his international career already ended in 2016, he is now only playing the Bangladesh Premier League, the Pakistan Super League and the IPL. He had a poor BPL in 2019, with just one score of more than 10 in seven innings for the Rangpur Rangers, who finished second from bottom. He fared better in the PSL earlier this year, scoring at 27.44 and a strike rate of 157.32 for the Quetta Gladiators. He hit two fifties, the second enough to earn him a Player of the Match, but his performances were not enough to take the Gladiators to the playoffs.Faf du Plessis, 36
du Plessis has had a torrid time since the last IPL. He seemed to spend all his time apologising in press conferences as South Africa had a disastrous 2019 World Cup campaign and then suffered sound defeats in Test series in India and England. He eventually stepped down as captain of the national side in February. His own batting remained excellent in ODIs – he has averaged 64.50 in the 50-over format since the last IPL – but his Test form did dip. Things have gone much better for him in T20 franchise cricket: he led Paarl Rocks to the title in the 2019 Mzansi Super League and averaged 27.37 in the tournament.Imran Tahir was the Purple Cap winner in the 2019 IPL season•BCCIDwayne Bravo, 36
It’s been an eventful year for Bravo. In January he played for West Indies for the first time since 2016. After four years of disagreements with the West Indies board, and actually announcing his international retirement in 2018, Bravo returned and is now seeking a spot in the West Indies squad for the 2021 T20 World Cup. During the recent CPL, he became the first bowler to go past 500 T20 wickets. Still, setting the accolades aside, Bravo’s potency as a T20 bowler seems to have dipped. He took just 11 wickets in 12 games in the 2019 IPL and got just nine in ten games in the 2020 CPL. His economy rate of 7.50 in the CPL was unremarkable, considering the tournament was a slow-scoring one in general, though he was part of the title-winning Trinbago Knight Riders side.Imran Tahir, 41
Tahir has not slowed down one bit since he won the purple cap in the 2019 IPL. He has played a remarkable 52 T20s since and has repeatedly finished near the top of wicket-taker charts in various tournaments around the world. He was second in the 2019 CPL and third in the 2020 season, topped the charts in the 2019 Mzansi Super League, was fifth in the 2020 PSL, and sixth in the 2019 Vitality Blast.Ambati Rayudu, 34
It’s been high drama for Rayudu since the last IPL. After being less than subtle in showing his disappointment at not making the India World Cup squad, he retired from all forms of cricket in July, only to retract the retirement a couple of months later. He was named Hyderabad captain for the 2019-20 domestic season but skipped the Ranji Trophy due to apprehensions about corruption in the state’s cricket board. He was back for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and performed mediocrely, getting just two 20-plus scores in seven innings. He has not played any cricket since November 2019.Kedar Jadhav, 35
When he made his India debut in 2017, Jadhav was renowned for scoring quickly, but his strike rate has dropped since. Last season he struck at less than 100 for CSK, and it was his inability to accelerate that cost him his place in the India ODI team after the World Cup, though he did make a comeback during the tour of New Zealand earlier this year. He had an ordinary Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2019, averaging below 25 and striking at 120.65, and a poor Vijay Hazare Trophy, in which he averaged less than 20.

Leeds United have now opened talks to sign a Europa League midfielder, with their first official offer set to be sent in a matter of weeks.

Leeds looking to strengthen in midfield amid downturn in form

While they still remain outside the Premier League relegation zone, Leeds’ form has gone downhill in recent weeks, most recently suffering a 2-0 defeat away against Burnley, which could prove to be a real six-pointer at the end of the season.

Speaking after the match, manager Daniel Farke claimed the result was “tough to take”, given that the Whites were the better team on the balance of play, with Brenden Aaronson hitting the woodwork, while Jack Harrison, Lukas Nmecha and Jayden Bogle also missed big chances.

Ultimately, however, it is a results business, and Farke’s side now find themselves just three points clear of 18th-placed Nottingham Forest, with the Clarets also closing the gap to just one point courtesy of their victory on Saturday.

It is still a little early to panic, considering the Elland Road outfit remain outside the bottom three, but Farke may have one eye on the January transfer window, and it has now been revealed that a new midfielder is of interest.

That is according to a report from Africa Foot (via Sport Witness), which reveals Leeds have now opened talks over a deal for Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Issouf Sissokho, who has emerged as a target for the January window.

The Whites plan to send their first official offer within a matter of weeks, given that talks with Sissokho’s entourage are progressing nicely, although it is unclear what sort of fee the Israeli side will demand to sanction a departure.

A verbal agreement with the Malian could soon be reached, with a winter move on the cards, and there are signs he could be a fantastic acquisition for the west Yorkshire outfit.

Pass-master Sissokho could be fantastic signing

The Maccabi Tel Aviv maestro is particularly impressive in possession of the ball, placing in the 99th percentile for his pass completion rate per 90 over the past year, when compared to other midfielders, having averaged 93.2%.

The defensive midfielder has also gained experience at a high level, having made ten Europa League appearances during his time with Maccabi Tel Aviv, and the 23-year-old was particularly impressive against Greek side PAOK at the end of September.

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Indeed, the Mali international put in a solid display in a holding midfield role to help his side pick up a clean sheet, recording a 100% pass completion rate, while also completing four defensive actions.

Leeds have been left a little light on options in central midfield at times this season, with Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu spending time on the sidelines, so it could make sense to bring in another option, and Sissokho has proven he could be a solid addition.

Tottenham Hotspur haven’t been alien to spending big money in the transfer market over the last couple of years, with the hierarchy evidently wanting to take the club up the Premier League table.

Thomas Frank was the beneficiary in the summer window, as the Dane was handed over £120m worth of funds to make the additions he desired to his Lilywhites squad.

Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons both made moves worth over £50m to North London during the summer, subsequently arriving to strengthen the quality available in the final third.

The pair have registered 13 combined goals and assists between them, with both managing to find the back of the net during Tuesday night’s Champions League win over Slavia Prague.

However, despite the successes of both players in recent weeks, the manager and the board look as though they want to make added reinforcements in the final third this winter.

Spurs’ potential move to land Antoine Semenyo in January

As Spurs fans will have seen over recent years, the Premier League has become one of the most fiercely contested leagues in the world, which could result in any side being punished on their day.

In the early stages of 2025/26, the Lilywhites appear to have forgotten about the struggles of last season, but they have still struggled on home soil – subsequently winning two league games in North London.

However, in an attempt to improve their form in attacking areas this winter, Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo has been identified as a primary target by the Spurs hierarchy.

The Ghanaian international has been in tremendous form this campaign, as seen by his tally of six goals and three assists in his first 14 league appearances for the Cherries.

As a result, Fabio Paratici has been monitoring the 25-year-old over recent weeks, especially after it was confirmed his £65m release clause becomes active from the 1st of January.

However, such a move could prove to be complicated, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool also closely monitoring the progress of the in-form attacker.

It’s also been suggested that the player would prefer a move to the Emirates if he were to leave Bournemouth this January, which could be Frank’s men on their back burner.

The Spurs star who should be sold to fund Semenyo transfer

Over the years, the Spurs board have made numerous questionable decisions that have proved to be mistakes, which have often resulted in huge sums of money being wasted.

From spending £63m on the signature of Tanguy Ndombele, to allowing numerous high-profile youngsters to leave on a free – it truly has been a period to forget for the board.

However, they do have another chance to redeem themselves in the upcoming winter, with the hierarchy needing to go all out in a bid to land Semenyo’s signature.

If they are to generate the funds needed to complete a move for his signature, they could turn to offload numerous players who are already on the books in North London.

Injury-prone players like Dominic Solanke and Richarlison would likely spring to the mind of many supporters – but midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur should be the first star offloaded.

The Uruguayan originally joined the club from Juventus back in January 2022, with such a move generating excitement at the time, but it’s safe to say that feeling has massively changed in recent times.

In 2025/26 to date, he’s featured in all but one Premier League outing, even receiving a new long-term contract back in October, but he’s struggled to perform since such an occasion.

Archie Gray has been selected ahead of him over the last couple of matches, with the Englishman now seemingly appearing ahead of him after his tremendous Champions League showing.

Games played

14

Goals & assists

2

Pass accuracy

84%

Chances created

0.6

Successful dribbles

0.5

Tackles won

1.1

Aerials won

47%

Interceptions made

1.1

The teenager partnered Joao Palhinha at the base of the side, showing talents way beyond his tender years, which are only going to get better in the years ahead.

As for Bentancur, his recent showings have been nothing short of disappointing, even leading to one analyst dubbing him as “embarrassing” due to his lack of work rate.

The midfielder, who’s currently earning £75k-per-week, has failed to kick on after his contract renewal, with the board potentially hindering the progress of Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Pape Sarr by keeping him.

It’s unclear how much the hierarchy could generate by offloading him in the upcoming window, but it could well prove to be enough to help them in their pursuit of Semenyo.

Whilst the decision may appear harsh, it’s one that needs to be made for the interests of the club if they are to reach the next level during Frank’s tenure in North London.

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Everyone saw Shohei Ohtani club a walk-off home run on the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the ninth inning of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 6-5 win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night.

But what some people might have missed was the subtle and amusing way in which Ohtani and the Dodgers decided to celebrate said walk-off. As Ohtani rounded third base and headed for the plate, he perfectly imitated the gesture he made in a commercial for a Japanese skincare company while Dodgers teammate Miguel Rojas gave him a Gatorade shower.

Check out the amusing celebration, which was first pointed out on X by Chad Moriyama.

That's too funny. The commercial in question was one Ohtani did for a Japanese company called Decorté, in which he models one of the cosmetics brand's best-selling products, Liposome Advanced Repair Serum.

This Ohtani celebration could become a trend should the defending-champion Dodgers (8-0) keep on winning in 2025.

Celtic are now reportedly tracking a Serie A midfielder who impressed against Rangers last season, but has since struggled to make his mark in Italy.

The Bhoys have plenty of work to do off the pitch between now and the January transfer window. Not only must they identify some much-needed reinforcements, but they’re also still without a permanent manager weeks after Brendan Rodgers’ shock exit.

Martin O’Neill has continued to do an impressive job in the meantime and continued his impressive domestic run with a 4-0 win over Kilmarnock on Sunday, but the job he’s doing has only sparked more debate.

The 73-year-old has distanced himself from the permanent position time and time again, yet the rumours continue to arrive that he could yet be the man to steady the ship until at least the end of the current campaign.

Speaking to reporters after victory over Kilmarnock, O’Neill shared that it’s been the most “surreal fortnight” back in the Celtic dugout, saying: “I’m delighted to have won, great to score an early goal – it settled things after Thursday night.

“There were some parts of the performance I was absolutely delighted with. I was very concerned about the game before, but that’s typical me – I’m always concerned about matches beforehand. There were very good bits, we defended strongly.

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“I’ll take a little time in the international break, most of our players will be away, and there will be time of inner reflection. It’s been a whirlwind of a fortnight, I can’t believe it’s really happened. It’s been the most surreal fortnight. Without doubt (I need to lie down in a darkened room).”

If it’s not O’Neill, then it may well be Wilfried Nancy. The Columbus Crew manager has recently emerged as one of the top candidates and may yet get the chance to coach in Europe just in time for Celtic to make their improvements in the January transfer window.

Celtic now keeping close tabs on Lennon Miller

As transfer reporter Graeme Bailey told 67 Hail Hail, Celtic are now keeping close tabs on Miller following his difficult start to life at Serie A side Udinese. The midfielder was one of several transfer targets that the Hoops missed out on in the summer, as he swapped Motherwell for Italian football, but they could now get a second opportunity to secure his signature.

Of course, when the 19-year-old was plying his trade in the Scottish Premiership, he was one of the best young talents in the country and things would be no different if he made a return in 2026.

The teenage star left his mark on the league in the previous campaign and played his part as Motherwell held Rangers to a 2-2 draw last December. Getting an assist and winning over half his duels in that clash, Miller proved that he can cut it against Celtic’s biggest rivals.

Dubbed a “brilliant player” by former Motherwell boss Michael Wimmer, Miller is still full of talent and bring an early end to his Italian woes to make a return to Scotland’s top flight.

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