Category Uncategorized

It may not come as a surprise to learn that Leeds United were the most creative team in the Championship last season.

The 2024/25 winners, who gained promotion back to the Premier League with over 100 points, were a standout side across all areas of the game, particularly when it came to their creative numbers.

According to FBref, they topped the metric for the most key passes overall, with 562, and the most key passes per 90 minutes, averaging an impressive 12.2. Daniel Farke turned his side into a creative force, channelling the innovation of club legends like Pablo Hernandez.

It seems the Elland Road side are about to become even more deadly in the final third, if recent transfer reports are anything to go by.

Leeds enter race to sign attacking midfielder

It has already been a busy transfer window for the Whites. They have signed defender Jakob Bijol from Udinese and striker Lukas Nmecha from Wolfsburg on a free transfer. Next, it seems, Farke’s side will move onto attacking midfield.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

That is according to a recent report from talkSPORT. Journalist Alex Crook has reported that Leeds are one of two sides who ‘hold an interest’ in signing young Anderlecht midfielder Mario Stroeykens this summer.

It will not be a straightforward deal to do for the Yorkshire outfit. West Ham United are also one of the teams showing a keen interest in the Belgian, as he fits their transfer policy of ‘targeting young up-and-coming players’.

Whichever side manages to sign the 20-year-old, the fee is already made clear; Stroeykens is valued at £17m by the Belgian giants.

Why Stroeykens would be a good signing

If Leeds do manage to sign the young attacking midfielder this summer, he would join an exciting crop of talent in the final third and add to the creativity already at Farke’s disposal. He has made an impressive start to his Anderlecht career.

Despite being just 20 years of age, Stroeykens has already notched up 132 appearances for Anderlecht, whose academy he graduated from. In that time, he’s managed to score 16 goals and register 15 assists, playing mainly as a number 10, but also on both flanks and as a striker.

The attacking midfielder, who was born in Zellik just outside of Brussels, impressed in the 2024/25 campaign. In 39 appearances, he bagged five goals and created seven chances, which included nine goal involvements in 13 league games to start the season. As football scout Antonio Mango said, he has an “elite profile” which is on show with those numbers

How Leeds would love for Stroeykens to have the same impact on the club as Hernandez had. A club legend, the Spaniard donned that famous White shirt for five seasons, helping the club return to the Premier League with promotion in 2019/20.

Altogether, Hernandez made 175 appearances for the Elland Road club, finding the back of the net 36 times and grabbing 41 assists.

In four Championship seasons, he assisted eight goals once, nine goals twice and an incredible 12 goals in 2018/19. As the numbers show, he was a creative genius, described as a “wizard” by Leeds’ official account on X.

Some of the underlying numbers on FBref behind Stroeykens’ good form last season are impressive. Indeed, they certainly suggest he has the talent to replicate what Hernandez did at Elland Road.

For example, compared to midfielders in the 14 leagues most similar to the Belgian top flight, he averaged 1.53 key passes and 0.77 goal-creating actions, which rank him in the top 16% and 1% respectively. Those numbers show just how creative he is, and the fact that he is constantly involved in his side’s goals, even if indirectly.

Key passes

1.53

84th

Progressive passes

6.61

83rd

Expected assists

0.2xA

94th

Shot-creating actions

4.01

92nd

Goal-creating actions

0.77

99th

Take-ons completed

1.12

90th

They are certainly encouraging numbers from the 20-year-old. He would have a lot to do if he wants to become as good as Hernadez was at Leeds, but there is no doubt that the talent and data to back it up are already in place for Stroeykens.

For just £17m, this could be a bargain for Farke, and someone who will further increase the creativity and attacking threat of his side, which is much needed in the Premier League.

Nmecha upgrade: Leeds make contact to sign a star who "bullied" Van Dijk

Leeds are reportedly eyeing up a star who would come in as an immediate upgrade on Lukas Nmecha.

1 ByDan Emery Jun 25, 2025

Silly season is here, and it looks set to be a busy one for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta and new Sporting Director Andrea Berta will be looking for the right attacking players who could help them finally get over the line in the Premier League next season.

One of the most interesting links in recent weeks has been to Real Madrid superstar Rodrygo, who has been a key component of a team who have won it all in recent years – even if 24/25 was a bit of a disappointment.

There is no doubt that the Brazilian is just the sort of signing that would get fans on their fee, but if recent reports are to be believed, the club may be closing in on another signing, someone who’d be even more exciting than the winger.

Arsenal lodge new striker bid

Before we get to the star in question, it’s worth going over some of the other incredibly exciting players who have been touted for moves to Arsenal in recent weeks and months, such as Rayan Cherki and Benjamin Sesko.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Expand Collapse

The former could be available for around £30m in the coming weeks, and that might end up being one of the bargains of the window, as in just 44 appearances for Lyon this season, the young Frenchman has scored 12 goals and provided 20 assists.

Sesko, on the other hand, might cost as much as £75m, but as he’s still just 21 years old and managed to rack up a tally of 21 goals and six assists in 45 games for RB Leipzig this season, he may well be an investment worth making.

Yet, if Arteta and Co really want to get the fans excited ahead of next season, they need to sign someone who can come in ready to score bags and bags of goals, someone like Viktor Gyokeres.

So, supporters should be delighted that, according to a recent report from Italy, Arsenal are in active talks with the Swede’s representatives, and they have already offered him a contract until 2030.

Furthermore, the report has claimed that Sporting CP is asking for a fee of around €65m, which is about £54m, to give the “green light to the sale” and allow the Gunners to complete a signing that would be even more exciting than the potential signing of Rodrygo.

Why Gyokeres would be a more exciting signing than Rodrygo

So, the first thing to say is that both players would be simply brilliant additions to this Arsenal squad, but there is one fundamental reason from which all others stem as to why Gyokeres would be more exciting than Rodrygo: his output.

Even with everything that went wrong this season, the Gunners were still able to produce the best defence in the Premier League, so to bridge the gap and overtake Liverpool, they need someone who can come right into the first team and start scoring goals for fun, which is just what the Swedish “powerhouse,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, could do.

For example, since he joined Sporting CP ahead of last season, the former Coventry City star has scored a simply astounding 97 goals and provided 28 assists in just 102 appearances, totalling 8417 minutes.

That means the goalscoring “monster,” as dubbed by Mattinson, has averaged 1.22 goal involvements per game, or one every 67.33 minutes for two seasons now.

In contrast, the Real star has scored 31 goals and provided 19 assists in 102 appearances, totalling 7067 minutes, since the start of last season.

Gyokeres vs Rodrygo

23/24

Gyokeres

Rodrygo

Appearances

50

52

Minutes

4169′

3777′

Goals

43

18

Assists

15

9

Goal Involvements per Match

1.16

0.51

Minutes per Goal Involvement

71.87′

143.04′

24/25

Gyokeres

Rodrygo

Appearances

52

50

Minutes

4248′

3290′

Goals

54

13

Assists

13

10

Goal Involvements per Match

1.28

0.46

Minutes per Goal Involvement

63.40′

143.04′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.04 games, or every 141.34 minutes, which is still impressive but nowhere near as good as the Stockholm-born marksman.

Ultimately, in an ideal world, Arsenal should sign both players, but as an out-and-out goalscorer is what they need more than anything else at the moment, it has to be said that Gyokeres would be just about the most exciting addition Berta and Co could make to the team this summer.

Related He's a lot like Isak: Arsenal make contact to sign £42m Havertz upgrade

The incredible goalscorer would be great for Arsenal.

Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes May 27, 2025

When Liverpool beat West Ham United, responding after losing against Fulham one week earlier, it felt like a corner had been turned. Perhaps that defeat at Craven Cottage was the final twist in the overtures of a certain Premier League triumph.

The ribbons will turn red this season. Later this afternoon, Liverpool have the chance to win the top-flight title against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, should they return to winning ways on the road and second-placed Arsenal fall at Ipswich Town earlier in the day.

Though Mikel Arteta’s attention is almost solely focused on the continental stage, this feels improbable, if not out of the question. In any case, it’s a matter of when, not if, Arne Slot will join an exclusive list of managers to lift the Premier League trophy on their first attempt.

2004/05

Jose Mourinho

Chelsea

2009/10

Carlo Ancelotti

Chelsea

2013/14

Manuel Pellegrini

Man City

2016/17

Antonio Conte

Chelsea

Leicester might be doomed but they still have quality in attack and will look to capitalise on any Liverpool complacency.

Liverpool team news

Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in first-team training after his ankle injury suffered against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield last month.

However, Conor Bradley looks set to reprise his role at right-back, with the under-fire Andy Robertson pushing for a recall after his cameo last week, skewing into his own net off the bench following a mix-up with the skipper.

Joe Gomez remains absent due to an ankle injury, but Darwin Nunez could feature after missing out on Merseyside one week ago.

Nunez might be destined for departure this summer, but his return does boost a Liverpool frontline looking to return to its best.

That’s not to say the Reds have been poor in attack lately, but Mohamed Salah hasn’t scored in five games, Diogo Jota and Nunez are out of sorts and Cody Gakpo hasn’t got going again since recovering from injury.

How Slot can respark Liverpool's frontline

Liverpool looked somewhat back to normal last weekend as they secured victory over West Ham, all but sealing the already overwhelming odds in the title race following Arsenal’s draw at Brentford.

Salah, after renewing his contract, produced a stunning trivela assist for Luis Diaz, the one man in Slot’s attack who is very much on form right now.

However, the Egyptian, 32, will be desperate to return his name to the scoresheet as he looks to build on his haul of 32 goals across all competitions

For whatever reason, it’s not quite clicking for Salah in front of goal. But it will again. With Trent not fit enough to start from the outset, Slot might be inclined to unleash Harvey Elliott in midfield, perhaps replacing Dominik Szoboszlai.

Liverpool enjoy the Hungarian’s tireless running but a more fixed creative point could be the perfect solvent of unfluent play in and around the final third.

Having featured prominently under Jurgen Klopp last year during Liverpool’s injury-hit spell, Elliott has played a reduced part since the spinning of the managerial wheel, yet to even start in the Premier League this year. Still he’s got six goal involvements across the different competitions.

And it’s not as if he hasn’t demonstrated his capacities when given a shot. As per FBref, Elliott ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for all of goals, assists and shot-creating actions, the top 3% for progressive passes and the top 5% for progressive carries per 90.

This perfectly illustrates his ball-playing game and skill in driving into dangerous positions, but most importantly, it underlines his ability to maximise his output when reaching such junctures, something Salah will be eyeing hungrily.

24/25

12 (0)

0

1

23/24

34 (11)

3

6

22/23

32 (18)

1

2

21/22

6 (4)

0

0

20/21*

0 (0)

0

0

19/20

2 (0)

0

0

As you can see, Elliott’s playing a bit part for the first time since his debut campaign, having only featured six times in 2021/22 but starting on four of those occasions before suffering a season-ending injury at Elland Road.

Elliott, described as a “special talent” by Sky Sports’ Neil Mellor, hasn’t played all that much this season, but he has showcased his vast playmaking skills on numerous occasions. For example, Liverpool might have been abject in their Carabao Cup final defeat against Newcastle United, but subs combined to score a late consolation, the young midfielder expertly playing Federico Chiesa through.

Ultimately, claiming that Liverpool are out of sorts simply isn’t true, having won five of their past six Premier League matches, but fans have been frustrated by the lack of spark in the centre at times this term and Elliott surely deserves a starting berth having been limited to full appearances in the cup competitions.

He’s come up trumps on several occasions, notably scoring the winner in the first leg against PSG, but now the £40k-per-week talent needs a chance to show he can pull strings in the Premier League and bring Salah back into goalscoring form.

Salah doesn’t dribble as much as he used to but he’s hardly averse to an electric burst, and with Elliott’s crisp timing, it could be the perfect tonic for his recent struggles to break the net.

Elliott has acknowledged Salah for “teaching him” over the past several years at Liverpool, and now he has the chance to repay his tutor on what could be a momentous day for the Merseysiders.

Leicester won’t want to repeat some of their dismal displays of late, but if Elliott gets into a creative flow and connects with Salah, the Foxes simply won’t have a say in the matter.

Worth more than Huijsen: Slot has hit the jackpot on Liverpool "monster"

Liverpool hope to employ this star for many years to come.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 18, 2025

Will Regis Le Bris etch himself into the Sunderland history books at Wembley?

The Frenchman could well be the much-loved manager to finally catapult the Black Cats up to the Premier League after a long eight-season exodus, but Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United wait in their path, attempting to ruin a memorable day out to the English capital.

The Blades were even in the automatic promotion reckoning in the Championship before a late collapse, meaning Le Bris’ men will have to thwart many a dangerous United shirt if they want to return to the big time.

How Sunderland can stop Sheffield United at Wembley

if it hadn’t been for an extremely damaging late patch of losses, Wilder’s men could well have been in the hunt for a space inside the top two right up until the final day.

Instead, they’ve had to make do with a spot inside the nerve-wracking playoffs, but their 6-0 win against Bristol City over two legs to reach the final was done with an unbelievable swagger.

The Wearside giants will have to keep the likes of Callum O’Hare quiet who scored twice over the course of the two action-packed legs, alongside ensuring they’re aware of Harrison Burrows when he bursts forward from left-back after he picked up a goal and three assists himself.

Moreover, Le Bris will pray Wilson Isidor packs his shooting boots for the trip to Wembley, as Michael Cooper added two more clean sheets next to his name against the Robins to boost his already sturdy pile of 21 during the regular season.

That’s before you even mention the constant heroics of Gustavo Hamer, with the former Coventry City attacking midfielder picking up a hefty total of ten goals and seven assists from 47 games this campaign.

This scintillating form for the Blades has been recognised, considering Hamer was awarded the esteemed honour of Championship Player of the Season recently, but Sunderland do currently possess an equally bold midfielder who now has a higher transfer worth than the United number eight.

Sensational Sunderland star now worth more than Hamer

Wilder’s men are no doubt worried that failing to win promotion could see some of their top stars leave, with Sunderland also in the same anxiety-ridden boat.

Le Bris’ camp is overloaded with entertaining youngsters, as seen in 17-year-old Chris Rigg previously being on the shopping list of Manchester United, alongside Jobe Bellingham now attracting interest from the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt.

It will be a very tough ask on Sunderland’s end to keep Bellingham around past this season, therefore, with plenty more expected of the 19-year-old gem if he was to move onto more luxurious pastures after picking up four goals and three assists under Le Bris.

Bellingham could be the bright spark the Black Cats need to win a one-off tie at Wembley, but if they were to fall at the final hurdle, they should at least be able to sell on the 19-year-old on for a far higher amount than his original £3m price-tag.

Games played

89

Goals scored

11

Assists

4

Champ TOTS

1x

Champ YPOTS

1x

Value when joining

£3m

Value now

£22m

Now, according to Football Transfers, any suitor this summer attempting to land Bellingham will have to dish out a steep £22m. To add context, Hamer is worth a far lesser £13m according to the same source.

That’s the case despite Hamer’s glowing achievements to date in South Yorkshire

Indeed, the “sensational” Sunderland midfielder – as he’s been lauded in the past by journalist Josh Bunting – potentially possesses the ability to be a world-class performer in Germany if he does depart the Stadium of Light.

Before any big summer move occurs, however, Wembley will be the grand stage for the two attacking midfielders to battle it out, with only one being able to triumphantly head up to the Premier League.

He was saved by Ballard: Le Bris must axe 5/10 Sunderland star at Wembley

Sunderland sealed their dramatic place in the Championship playoff final courtesy of a last-gasp header from defender Daniel Ballard.

3 ByKelan Sarson May 14, 2025

Sri Lanka bowl England out in 34 overs to leave attacking abandon in spotlight

Vithushan Ehantharajah08-Sep-2024On a 16-wicket third day, it was the 10 that fell in England’s second innings which put Sri Lanka on track for victory in this third Test.A target of 219 has already had 94 lopped off the top, primarily thanks to Pathum Nissanka’s second breezy half-century of the match, with nine wickets still intact. He, along with Kusal Mendis, did to England what they tried – and failed – to do earlier in the day. While England were skittled for 34 overs, Sri Lanka seized the initiative outright in the first 15 overs of their chase, maximising what looseness there was on offer with the ball, and the lush green of The Kia Oval.”This is how you put England under pressure,” Aaqib Javed, Sri Lanka bowling coach, beamed of the late flurry of runs, before lauding the performance of his attack in snuffing an overly aggressive batting line-up out for 156. It was a valiant effort by all four seamers, but especially from Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando as they bagged six of England’s top seven between them.It was Vishwa’s six-over spell of incisive swing bowling that shoved England in the mire, even if they were already teetering with Ben Duckett and Dan Lawrence falling in cavalier fashion. Having left the field to tend to hamstring stiffness, Vishwa, the 32-year-old left-arm seamer, let loose and trapped both Joe Root and Harry Brook in front across seven deliveries.”He came to the dressing room and went back and gave everything,” Javed said. “He bowled some superb inswingers like Chaminda Vaas. Sometimes people go for safer options. But he went flat out. He gave everything.”Ollie Pope chopped on in Lahiru Kumara’s first over•Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty ImagesThe same could not be said for England’s batters. Their approach to the second innings was odd, as if their lead was a healthy triple figures rather than the 62 that their bowlers managed to salvage early on day three.The last five of Sri Lanka’s first-innings wickets were taken for just 52 – an impressive feat, given that half-centurions Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis started out in the middle. They added only five and 10 to their respective scores.But England’s bowlers had just 34 overs off their feet for the third innings before they were back out there again. It meant Gus Atkinson, who missed the morning session because of a tight quad that required assessment from the medical team, had to re-emerge earlier than expected, sending down four overs lacking his usual bite.”We’re not always going to get it right, and today was one of those days we didn’t get it right,” Paul Collingwood, England’s assistant coach, said. “The guys in the dressing room will hold their hands up and sometimes the opposition find ways of putting us under pressure like we’re trying to do to them. And give them [Sri Lanka] full credit: I thought that they had a fantastic day today.”Related

• Sri Lanka quicks burst through London's gloom for rare moment in the sun

• Jamie Smith stands still to expose England's fast-forward approach

• Sri Lanka charge towards target after seamers fight back

• Brook approach in spotlight after Sri Lanka hit back

• Chappell: Pope is a potential weak link at No. 3

There were features of this day – comfortably the worst for profligacy since Brendon McCullum took over as coach – that resembled passages contained within defeats to Australia at Lord’s, and against New Zealand in Wellington in 2023. Both times, England were guilty of over-ambition and lacked nous when the game was theirs to manage.With the series won, and Sri Lanka only showing glimpses of their best throughout the first two Tests, this had a whiff of complacency. England have steamrolled their way to victory five times already this summer. And Sunday’s malaise, coupled with fumbling a first-innings position of 261 for 3, does hint that this group are coasting, albeit with little on the line – something Collingwood strongly denied.”It’s pretty easy to make that excuse and say ‘complacency’ and all that,” he said. “But there’s plenty of fun and desire and we want to make sure that we could have a clean sweep, and the lads are very proud about paying for England. So there’s certainly not felt like there’s been any complacency coming into this match.”As has been the way over the last three days, bad light brought a premature end to proceedings. But it was very much England who were the beneficiaries this time.Bad light brought another early close in south London•Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty ImagesThe last over was bowled by Shoaib Bashir after the umpires informed Ollie Pope that the quicks could no longer operate. After one over from the Vauxhall End – of which the first ball was swept powerfully by Kusal Mendis for four – Pope wisely decided against a part-time spinner at the other end. Off the players went, with England glad for the chance to take the sting out of the game and regroup with the hope the early morning movement which assisted them on Sunday returns on Monday.”We’re going to need a special day tomorrow,” Collingwood said. “There’s enough movement to be able to do it and there’ll be one hell of a Test match to win from this position with the players that we have on the side. It’s an exciting opportunity for them to turn it around this Test match around and go out there and win.”It is not the first time someone from this England camp has greeted a seemingly unsalvageable situation with a smile. But with Atkinson not at 100 per cent, a raw debutant in Josh Hull, not many runs left for Bashir to play with and a captain in Pope who has perhaps been too aggressive with his fields in this match, the usual serving of optimism tastes overcooked.Sri Lanka, meanwhile, managed to stitch together their best day of the tour. And though it has come too late to affect the series result, victory will not be any less sweet for it. For England, defeat would give them cause for reflection at the end of a summer where they have rarely been tested.

Pakistan’s chances of finishing in the top two of the points table have taken a massive hit

S Rajesh12-Dec-2022After these two defeats against England, do Pakistan have any chance of making it to the WTC final?
The two home defeats have badly dented Pakistan’s hopes of qualifying for the final. With only three Tests left in this cycle (one against England in Karachi and two home games against New Zealand), the maximum that they can finish on is 54.76%. It is very likely that at least two teams will finish with higher percentages.For example, Australia, currently table-toppers on 75%, need only 20 points from their remaining seven Tests to ensure that they end up higher than 54.76; they can get those points with a win and two draws. India, who are on 52.08% with six Tests to play, need 44 more points, which they can get with three wins and two draws.South Africa, currently second on the WTC table at 60%, need 28 more points (two wins and a draw) from their five remaining Tests to stay above Pakistan. Sri Lanka have a tough assignment in New Zealand coming up, but a 1-0 series win will ensure they can finish with a higher percentage than 54.76.It is highly likely that at least two of these four teams will get the points required to push Pakistan out of contention.What do India need to do to ensure qualification?
India are currently fourth on the points table, but if they win each of their remaining six Tests – two against Bangladesh and four against Australia – then their percentage will rise to 68.06, which will surely be enough for a top-two finish (Australia’s numbers will drop if they lose four to India).ESPNcricinfo LtdIf India finish with a 5-1 win-loss record, their percentage will be a healthy 62.5, which will still ensure qualification as both Australia and South Africa can’t go past that number. However, if they lose two, their percentage will drop to 56.94, which will leave them relying on other results.Have Australia already qualified?
Australia are comfortably on top of the table at 75%, but they still have some work to do before they are certain of qualifying: if they lose each of their remaining seven matches in this cycle, their percentage will drop to 47.37.That said, Australia do have an opportunity to seal their qualification before they embark on what could be a potentially difficult tour of India: if they win all three home Tests against South Africa, they will finish with a minimum percentage of 63.16 even if they lose all four against India. That will ensure a top-two finish, as only India can finish higher.What are South Africa’s chances of qualifying?
South Africa are currently second on the points table, with two series to play – three Tests in Australia, and two at home against West Indies next year. If they win their home Tests but lose all of their away Tests, they will drop to 53.33. Hence, they need at least one win in Australia: a 1-2 series defeat followed by a 2-0 series win will lift them to 60%, which will keep them in contention.Are Sri Lanka still in it?
Sri Lanka are currently on 53.33%, with just two away Tests in New Zealand to go in this cycle. If they win both, their score will rise to 61.11; if the series finishes 1-1, it will drop marginally to 52.78. Thus they will probably need two wins to stay in contention.What about England, West Indies, New Zealand?
Despite England’s fantastic run under Ben Stokes, with eight wins in their last nine Tests, England are not in the race. They only have one Test remaining in the current cycle, and even if they win that, they will end up on 46.97%. That’s because they had a wretched first half of a campaign: in their first 12 Tests of this cycle, they lost seven, drew four, and won only one.West Indies can finish with a maximum of 50%, while the New Zealand can go up to 48.72% if they win their last four Tests.

A collapse always seems to be around the corner, and so neither team has been able to establish absolute authority

Ian Chappell17-Jan-2021In the gripping series between Australia and India it’s fair to say the batting has been indifferent. Finally at the SCG, things regained some form of normality, with totals in excess of 300 and Steve Smith finding comfort in his own little batting world. None too soon, with previous totals more often under 200, and even dipping as low as 36. Ajinkya Rahane’s brave MCG century was an aberration; batting stocks were at a pretty low ebb.The SCG surface was the flattest of the pitches for the first three Tests, which adds to the perception that modern batsmen are better at power-hitting than surviving sustained spells of hostile bowling. In truth it is more likely that there are batsmen in each era more adept at survival than others; it’s just there are currently fewer of them relatively because of the drastically changed landscape of the game.Nevertheless there are a few aspects of the batting that stand out so far in the series. First and foremost it’s no longer correct to say Indian batsmen are the best players of spin bowling. They may not be worse than some others but they’re definitely not better than the rest overall. There have been times in this series when they certainly were not smart players of spin bowling. In the first innings at the SCG, Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara were classic examples. They both plodded forward in defence to ball after ball from Nathan Lyon, which is not only lazy footwork but is also asking for trouble. Neither was dismissed by Lyon but it was more good fortune than sound footwork.Related

• Reckless Rohit? Not really, Lyon's plan just trumped his method

• It's not lack of intent, it's Cheteshwar Pujara's method and it works for him

• Modern batsmen don't focus on their feet and that's mostly okay

It was surprising in Pujara’s case, as his footwork was proactive in the second innings, and in playing that way he looked more like the player who dazzled on debut against Australia in 2010. Generally in the first innings at the SCG, Pujara was very predictable and that played into the hands of the Australian attack. The theory of having Pujara diligently wear down the Australians was a good one on the previous tour, when Virat Kohli was there to take advantage, but in the captain’s absence, the No. 3 had to score more freely.The Australian batting, despite the emergence of Marnus Labuschagne and the potential of Will Pucovski and Cameron Green, still very much revolves around Smith. Despite five of the six top-order positions now being capably filled, the batting looks most serene when Smith is in long-term occupation. Likewise, the Indian line-up is so much stronger with Kohli in the middle, acting as the batting general. However, they’ll be pleased with the emergence of Shubman Gill, who not only looks a player of real class but is also a counterattacking opener, a precious commodity.To round out India’s best side – one that will provide a real challenge if they reach the World Test Championship final – they need Hardik Pandya at full fitness. His all-round presence gives India more selection options in order to take advantage of their blossoming and versatile attack.The other area of need for India is improved catching. There’s no point in having a strong attack if they’re constantly thwarted by spilt chances. That leads to Rishabh Pant’s presence as keeper. He’s fine standing back but he hurts the team standing up to the spinners. If Pant regularly bats as he did in that spirited second-innings knock in Sydney, then he justifies wearing the gloves. However, if the standard fare is only quick-fire thirties, then there’s an argument for Wriddhiman Saha retaining the gloves.The fragility of both teams’ batting has contributed greatly to the enthralling nature of the series. A collapse seems never far from happening, and consequently neither team has been able to establish absolute authority. The resilience and fight shown by India has been matched by the class of the Australian attack and their never-say-die attitude. If these two teams reach the final of the World Test Championship and they are both at full-strength, it should be one of the great winner-take-all battles.

Sean Dyche was once part of a bust-up involving Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, and his comments on the situation have now emerged after taking over as the Reds’ new manager.

Dyche takes the reins as Forest manager following Ange exit

Having proven his ability to come in and stablise clubs during his time with Everton, Dyche has now taken charge at Forest, following a disastrous spell under the helm of Ange Postecoglou, with the Australian failing to win in eight games and lasting just 39 days.

The former Everton man’s first day on the training ground was Tuesday, with the new boss commencing preparations for Thursday’s tough test in the Europa League, as the Tricky Trees take on FC Porto at the City Ground.

Speaking after his return, the 54-year-old made it clear that he has a lot of love for his former club, saying: “I’ve often spoken about my affection for the Club, having started my career here under the great Brian Clough. I didn’t quite make it to the first team, but I have such fond memories from around the place — and hearing the boss’ voice in the distance.”

However, it remains to be seen how the ex-Nottingham Forest youth player finds working with Marinakis, given that the owner’s public falling out with Nuno led to the Portuguese manager’s departure earlier this season.

The Forest owner is known for his fiery temper, having been seen arguing with Nuno on the pitch near the end of the 2024-25 campaign, and The Sun report he was part of a bust-up involving Dyche after Burnley’s Europa League match with Olympiacos in 2018.

Heading into half-time at 1-1, Marinakis reportedly confronted the referees in the tunnel. Shortly after the break, Olympiacos restored their lead and Burnley’s Ben Gibson was sent off, leaving Dyche fuming.

The former Burnley manager’s comments from the time are eye opening: “I don’t know how many people ran on the pitch and surrounded the referee and linesman. The feel of the game changed in the second half, you’re left scratching your head.

“At half-time, there were plenty of people waiting for the ref in the tunnel.

“It wasn’t just the bench, it was people from the offices, even the tea lady! That’s a joke, of course, but it felt like everyone was piling on.”

Dyche has big task on his hands at Forest

Marinakis will no doubt be very frustrated Forest have been unable to kick on since sealing a return to Europe last season, especially considering how much he backed Nuno in the summer transfer window, spending around £206m.

However, having failed to win since the opening day of the campaign, the Tricky Trees have to be considered relegation candidates, with home defeats against a struggling West Ham United side and newly-promoted Sunderland particularly concerning.

Immediate concern for Dyche at Nottingham Forest after Marinakis decision

It probably isn’t what the new manager wanted to hear.

By
Charlie Smith

Oct 21, 2025

Dyche is known for making a statement in his first match in charge of a new club, however, defeating then league leaders Arsenal 1-0 in his opening game as Everton boss, and the new Forest manager will be hoping for a similar start against Porto on Thursday.

The United States Men's national team have been handed a major injury boost ahead of the 2026 World Cup as star defender Antonee Robinson finally returned from his knee injury and started for Fulham in their Premier League clash against Burnley on Saturday. Robinson has remained sidelined for the majority of the current season due to a persistent knee problem.

USMNT boost

Robinson's injury occurred last fall during one of the USMNT's friendlies, where he sustained a "dead leg" on the top of his knee. That ended up splitting his tendon, leading to severe pain beginning in November. He played through the rest of the season with Fulham, but wasn't deemed fit enough for March's Nations League Finals and, he ultimately missed the Gold Cup after undergoing surgery. 

Ahead of the October international break, when Mauricio Pochettino unveiled his USMNT roster, Robinson's name was on it for the first time in 2025, although he did not appear in any of the matches, as Pochettino had acknowledged that his minutes would need to be managed this camp.

Robinson also acknowledged that he wasn't at his best in terms of attaining full fitness, as the full-back had said: "I'm still getting used to post-surgery. I'm doing all right. I've been in full training and been in full contention to play matches back at Fulham. I had a few spells coming on here and there and played 90 minutes in a cup game and got through it pretty well. I'm still not feeling 100 percent on it or how it felt a year ago before the injury first happened, but I'm getting there slowly."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportRobinson plays full 90 minutes against Burnley

For the first time in the 2025-26 campaign, Robinson survived the full 90 minutes on the pitch as Fulham edged out Burnley in a five-goal thriller in the Premier League on Saturday. Robinson's return to action will be a massive boost for Pochettino and the USMNT ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil next summer.

Before the tournament, the co-hosts will are scheduled to play four international friendlies and Robinson will look forward to impress the manager during that period and earn his place back in the USMNT starting lineup.

'Mentally, it's been nearly a year away from national team'

Robinson also opened up on the mental toll it took to be away from the national team for over a year as he added: "It was really difficult, to be honest, especially because we had some disappointments this year with not winning the Nations League and the Gold Cup. They're trophies that we take pretty seriously, so not being able to bring them home was disappointing. The fact that you have to watch and can't contribute, I'd always rather be here and be the one taking responsibility on the field, win or lose, then to have to watch and not help out. Mentally, it's been nearly a year away from the national team after not missing too many camps and being with the national team for so long. It was very difficult."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportRobinson eyes regular game time

For now, Robinson's primary focus will be to feature in Marco Silva's starting lineup regularly to gather game time and attain perfect match fitness before he can prove himself in front of Pochettino in the national team. The American full-back will be back in action on December 17 for the Cottagers as they take on Newcastle United in a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash. 

تسبب المدير الفني لفريق برشلونة، هانز فليك، في إثارة حالة من القلق والحيرة لدى جماهير النادي الكتالوني بسبب سوء حالته عقب مباراة الأمس ضد ديبورتيفو ألافيس في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.

واستضاف ملعب “كامب نو” مباراة فريقي برشلونة وألافيس، في الجولة الرابعة عشر من بطولة الدوري الإسباني، حيث حقق حامل اللقب فوزًا بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدف.

وبعد المباراة، شوهد هانز فليك وهو في حالة سيئة على مقاعد البدلاء، حيث ظهرت على وجهه علامات الإرهاق والضيق، وكان في حالة أقرب إلى البكاء، وتبادل حديث سري مع رافينها (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وذكرت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية أنها تواصلت مع مصادر داخل النادي التي نفت وجود أي مشاكل، حيث أكدت أن فليك كان منزعجًا ببساطة بسبب موقفين حدثا خلال المباراة.

وأوضحت أن فليك كان منزعجًا من الحكم الرابع، ألفارو كانوفاس، لطرده مساعده ماركوس سورج ومدرب حراس المرمى خوسيه رامون دي لا فوينتي، لاحتجاجهما من مقاعد البدلاء.

وقد أثار طرد أعضاء جهازه الفني إحباط مدرب برشلونة، حيث سيغيب عن مباراتي الدوري ضد أتلتيكو مدريد وريال بيتيس.

إلى جانب ذلك، شعر فليك بالغضب بسبب ضربة جزاء غير محتسبة لصالح لامين يامال في الشوط الأول، بعد تدخل من جانب بارادا لاعب الخصم داخل المنطقة، ولكن الحكم تجاهل احتساب أي شيء، ولم تتدخل تقنية الفيديو.

نتيجةً لذلك، استشاط فليك غضبًا رغم الفوز على ألافيس، ووجد في رافينيا سنيدًا له للتعبير عن استيائه خلال حديثه مع أحد لاعبي الفريق الأساسيين.