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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.

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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.

Fewer touches than Vicario & only 9 passes: Spurs flop must now be dropped

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ByEthan Lamb 5 days ago

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.

Celtic's top manager target now ready to replace O'Neill during int'l break

The curious case of Manchester City. Last season, Pep Guardiola’s side were four-in-a-row Premier League champions, and they were just a year ahead of a stunning treble.

But things went wrong; Guardiola’s is a complex machine, and some of the cogs fell out of place after so many years at the top. In a way, that was to be expected. That Man City dominated as they did for as long as they did was miraculous in many ways.

Heading into the current campaign, there was much uncertainty about City’s pre-season preparations, but there have been promising signs, and their position is fifth after seven games. Arsenal, top of the table, hold a three-point lead.

Arsenal probably have the most complete squad in the Premier League, while Liverpool boast the most threatening frontline, having broken the British transfer record twice this summer with Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.

When Man City missed out on Florian Wirtz

At the beginning of the summer, it looked as though the German was on his way to the Etihad. Reports indicated that he was ‘tempted’ to move to Manchester but the Citizens ultimately ended up pulling out of the deal.

Indeed, other claims at the time suggested that they had withdrawn their interest due to ‘the rising costs’ of the move. Quite. Liverpool ended up signing him for a whopping £116m.

That said, it’s unlikely they’ll be too upset. City have the unstoppable Erling Haaland leading the line while Wirtz continues to flounder, failing to score in Liverpool red just yet.

By Haaland’s standards, it’s been a slow start to the season. Nine goals from seven Premier League matches. How he must hang his head in shame.

25/26

9

1

24/25

10

0

23/24

8

1

22/23

11

1

Twice the Norwegian has posted more at this early stage, but we’re splitting hairs, and this really just underscores exactly how inimitable a goalscorer Haaland really is.

Aged 25, he’s now a robust and intelligent number nine, blending his physicality and innate shooting ability with movement and timing beyond all his positional peers.

If City reclaim their throne this term, there is no question that the unstoppable striker will be the main man.

Haaland is the most valuable player in the Premier League, according to CIES Football Observatory, but he’s not the only Citizen with a lofty price tag.

Indeed, Guardiola holds another in his ranks who actually eclipses the aforementioned Liverpool superstars, Isak and Wirtz.

Man City have struck gold with their "generational talent"

Manchester City might have emerged from a valley, but further back there have been plenty of peaks. And among the definitive stars of the Guardiola era is Phil Foden, who might just be hitting his stride once again.

Foden graduated from the City academy in 2016 and has made 197 appearances for City, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League among many further honours. The Independent’s Miguel Delaney hailed him as a “generational talent”.

Exceptionally talented on the ball and a predator in the final third, the versatile attacking midfielder dipped last season, no doubt, but he has been a talisman throughout an illustrious era for City, and ostensibly stands before his prime years.

CIES Football Observatory outlined only in January that the Three Lions star is among the most valuable in the world, with his £126m worth above Wirtz and marginally ahead of Isak.

Liverpool garnered plenty of praise for their summer spending spree, and indeed look a force to be reckoned with in the long run, but with Haaland and Foden combining in the final third under Pep’s wing, there’s every chance City will be the team to beat once again in a short time.

This emphasises the quality at Pep’s disposal, and if Foden can raise his game that bit more over the coming months, he might produce a campaign that sees Liverpool’s big hitters pale in comparison.

Whether Foden hits the same meteoric heights as previous campaigns remains to be seen, but he’s starting to click together once again and has the ‘generational’ quality to have every bit as big an impact as Haaland across the year.

The new Phillips: "Intelligent" Man City star is already on borrowed time

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Oct 10, 2025

There is plenty of doom and gloom to go around at West Ham United at the moment.

Understandably so, though, as Nuno Espírito Santo’s side were diabolically poor at home to Brentford on Monday night and are currently 19th in the Premier League.

However, all hope is not yet lost, as it is still early in the season, and while the performances have been poor, there are still some talented players in this squad, such as Jarrod Bowen and the exciting Crysencio Summerville.

Yet, to get the most out of the team and the Flying Dutchman, Nuno needs to make some quick changes.

Changes Nuno needs to make

Unfortunately, there is quite a lot that needs to be done to make West Ham a seriously dangerous team again, but there are a few ways in which Nuno could stop the rot.

Chalkboard

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

One of the big ones is to reintroduce some pace and power back into the midfield, as it was practically non-existent against Brentford.

The best way to do this would be to bring Soungoutou Magassa back into the starting lineup, as while he is still quite raw, he is, in the words of respected analyst Ben Mattinson, blessed with “pure athleticism.”

Moreover, he’d be able to better cover the backline, as, according to FBref, he ranks in the top 2% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for blocks, the top 3% for tackles plus interceptions and the top 4% for recoveries, all per 90.

Another seemingly obvious action the manager could take for the Leeds game is to play Callum Wilson up top.

Yes, the former Newcastle United star is not the player he once was, nor a long-term solution, but he is an out-and-out number nine who would add a real focal point to the team.

Furthermore, he has already scored a goal for the club this season, and Lucas Paqueta looked utterly lost in the game on Monday.

With all that said, there is another change Nuno should be making for the game on Friday, one that could help get even more out of the dynamic Summerville.

The West Ham star who could supercharge Summerville

While the change up top and in the midfield should help Summerville in the game against his former side, unleashing El Hadji Malick Diouf at left-back would be far more consequential.

The former Slavia Prague gem was on the bench for the game against Brentford, and while the defensive side of his game certainly needs some work, the team missed his attacking qualities.

These qualities were last on show in the draw away to Everton, when he was hurtling up and down the touchline, sometimes beating his opposite number and often firing in brilliant crosses into the penalty area.

In fact, while he didn’t pick up an assist on Merseyside, it was a ball from him that led to Bowen’s equalising strike.

Fortunately, the 20-year-old monster is already doing rather well on the assists front this season, already providing three in eight league appearances, which lends some credence to Sky Sports’ Joe Thomlinson’s claim that he has been “one of the finds of the season.”

With that said, why would he be able to get more out of Summerville, then?

Well, one of the most important ways would be through the space he’d create.

For example, because he possesses such “explosive acceleration,” according to one analyst, opposition defenders wouldn’t be able to leave him alone and could end up being dragged all over the pitch.

Moreover, should the Dutchman run into the penalty area, he can rely on the Senegalese international to find him with a pinpoint accurate cross.

Ultimately, bringing Diouf back into the team would improve West Ham’s overall attack, but it could have an even greater impact on Summerville.

Nuno gets January promise from West Ham board as Sullivan eyes ambitious move

The east Londoners need reinforcements.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 22, 2025