Crystal Palace hero Eddie Nketiah received "thank you messages" from his former club Arsenal after he scored a last-gasp winner against the Gunners' title rivals Liverpool on Saturday. Ismaila Sarr opened the scoring for Palace before Federico Chiesa equalised in the 87th minute. Nketiah, however, stole the limelight in the end by scoring a crucial late goal.
It was always going to be interesting to see how Leeds United approached the summer transfer window with regard to the positions and profiles of players they targeted.
The Whites won the Championship title with a staggering 100 points last season, after losing in the play-off final the season before, and this meant that Daniel Farke had a lot of players in his squad who had done a lot of great work for him.
However, the reality is that the Premier League is a huge step up, both technically and physically, from the Championship, which meant that some players were not going to be able to be as influential as they were last term, or the season before that.
So far, with around a week left to go in the summer transfer window, the Whites have only added one winger to their squad, with the signing of Noah Okafor from AC Milan.
The Switzerland international mainly plays on the left or through the middle as a centre-forward, which means that the club have not yet moved to bring in a recognised right-sided option.
Doing so should be one of Farke’s priorities heading into the end of the window, though, because there should be a concern over Dan James’ ability to deliver consistently in the Premier League.
The Wales international delivered 12 goals and nine assists as Farke’s first-choice right winger in the Championship last season, per Sofascore, which was an impressive return from the speedster.
However, the 27-year-old has yet to prove that he can terrorise Premier League full-backs in the same way that he did defenders in the second tier in his career to date.
The step up in quality means that James is up against defenders who cover space more intelligently and effectively than average Championship operators, which makes it harder for him to simply use his speed to generate chances for himself or his teammates.
He has never managed more than four goals in a Premier League season before, with just two goals in 24 games for Fulham in the 2022/23 campaign, and has struggled at the start of the current campaign.
|
Dan James |
Vs Everton |
Vs Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
|
Minutes |
78 |
66 |
|
Shots |
2 |
2 |
|
Shots on target |
0 |
0 |
|
Key passes |
1 |
0 |
|
Big chances created |
0 |
0 |
|
xA |
0.05 |
0.00 |
|
Pass accuracy |
56% |
55% |
|
Possession lost |
16x |
8x |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
||
As you can see in the table above, James has failed to register a shot on target and mustered up just 0.05 xA in over two hours of football on the pitch against Everton and Arsenal in the first two games.
Whilst the Welsh forward may yet adapt and prove himself to be a key figure in the Leeds attack this season, it currently seems as though the Whites need another option to at least compete with him for that starting berth.
A fresh report has now emerged that suggests that the Championship champions are looking for a player to potentially be an upgrade on James.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to LeedsLive, Juventus winger Nicolas Gonzalez has emerged on the club’s radar heading into the final week of the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Whites have been alerted to the Argentina international’s availability, and that Farke would prefer his profile to that of Dilane Bakwa, who is also of interest to the club.
Gonzalez’s ability to play on either flank or centrally is said to appeal to the German head coach, who wants versatility across the frontline, which may be why they are eyeing him up as an alternative to Bakwa.
It was reported earlier this summer that the forward will be available for a fee of around £22m, but it remains to be seen whether or not the Whites are willing to pay that much to sign him on a permanent deal.
Farke should push for the club to get a deal done for the Argentine forward before the summer transfer window slams shut because he could come in as an upgrade on James.
Gonzalez joined Juventus, initially on loan, from Fiorentina last summer and did not enjoy the best year in Turin, scoring five goals and providing four assists in 35 matches, per Sofascore.
However, his form for Fiorentina in previous seasons suggests that he has the potential to shine in the Premier League for Leeds, away from the big pressure and expectation that comes with playing for Juventus in Italy.
Per Sofascore, Gonzalez scored 30 goals in 86 matches in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns combined before his move to Juventus, which shows that he can carry a big threat as a goalscorer at the top level.
His form in the 2023/24 Serie A season, in particular, suggests that the quality is there for him to arrive at Elland Road as an upgrade on James for Farke in the club’s bid to avoid an instant relegation from the Premier League.
|
23/24 Serie A |
Nico Gonzalez |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
29 |
|
Starts |
21 |
|
xG |
10.42 |
|
Goals |
12 |
|
Big chances created |
3 |
|
xA |
3.13 |
|
Assists |
2 |
|
Stats via Sofascore |
|
As you can see in the table above, Gonzalez fired in an impressive haul of 12 goals from 10.42 xG in the Serie A for Fiorentina, which earned him his move to Juventus.
James, as aforementioned, has never scored more than four goals in a top-flight season, in four attempts, which suggests that the Argentina international is far more likely to provide a threat in front of goal for Leeds in the Premier League.
Gonzalez, who was hailed as “brilliant” for Fiorentina by commentator Chris Wittyngham, is also a left-footed right winger, which means that he has more scope to come infield to make things happen.
At Premier League level, James can get stuck out wide on his right foot, unable to get down the line by beating his market and uncomfortable coming into crowded central positions on his weak foot.
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2
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As a left-footed player, Gonzalez could drift in on his preferred foot to make things happen, creating doubt in the defender’s mind to potentially open space on the overlap for Jayden Bogle, and that could make him a more effective tactical outlet for Farke to have in the final third.
Here’s how things look on the run-scorers’ and wicket-takers’ tables after Saturday’s double-header in IPL 2025
ESPNcricinfo staff13-Apr-20251:36
‘Not long before Sudharsan is an India regular’
Orange Cap leaderboardThe top three on the run-scorers’ table after Friday are the top three on the run-scorers’ table after Saturday, but it’s not quite the same. Nicholas Pooran, still the No. 1, has gone past the 300-run mark after his latest hit: 61 in 34 balls against GT. He is at 349 runs now.Yesterday’s No. 2, B Sai Sudharsan, remains today’s No. 2, but breached the 300-run mark even before Pooran with his 37-ball 56. So, for a while on Saturday afternoon, we had a new No. 1 as Sai Sudharsan went past Pooran before Pooran snatched the cap back. Sai Sudharsan is at 329 runs, just 20 behind Pooran.Mitchell Marsh, unfortunately, didn’t get a go against GT since his daughter is unwell, but remains in third spot with 265 runs.What’s happening beyond the top three is equally engrossing. Six other batters are now over the 200 mark: Shreyas Iyer (250 runs), Jos Buttler (218), Travis Head (214), Shubman Gill (208), Ajinkya Rahane (204) and Aiden Markram (202). And Abhishek Sharma, after his 55-ball 141 against PBKS, is suddenly at 192 runs.Purple Cap leaderboardShardul Thakur added two wickets to his kitty on Saturday, and that has brought him right back into the top three, at No. 2, with 11 wickets, just one behind the leader, Noor Ahmad.Where Thakur made the most of his opportunity, Mohammed Siraj and R Sai Kishore couldn’t, going wicketless against LSG and staying on 10 wickets, the same as Hardik Pandya, Prasidh Krishna and Khaleel Ahmed.Highest batting strike ratesBest bowling economy ratesMost sixesBest bowling figures in a match
Red Bull's head of global soccer Jurgen Klopp has opened up on having to fire Marco Rose from his position as Leipzig head coach. Rose, once hailed as the man to cement Leipzig among Europe’s elite, was dumped midway through a miserable third season at the Red Bull Arena back in March. It was a campaign that spiralled into chaos, with Leipzig crashing out of the Champions League in the first phase, managing just one win in eight matches, before a gut-punch defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach left them languishing in seventh place in the Bundesliga.
Zsolt Low’s short-lived fix
Rose won 72 of his 125 matches in charge of Leipzig, delivered two trophies in the form of the DFB-Pokal and German Supercup, and guided the club to Champions League qualification twice. However, he was dismissed after a run of just three wins from his final 11 games in all competitions. Following the exit of Rose, in a desperate bid to stop the rot, Leipzig turned to Chelsea’s trusted assistant Zsolt Low, giving him the reins until the end of the 2024-25 season. But the gamble backfired spectacularly. The Hungarian coach couldn’t change the club’s fortunes as defeats piled up and morale sank. By the end of the campaign, Leipzig had not only missed out on Champions League football but were also left empty-handed in their chase for any European spot in 2025–26.
AdvertisementgettyKlopp lifts the lid on Rose's exit
Klopp has now admitted that wielding the axe on Rose was a bitter pill to swallow. In an interview with he said: "It’s not great. It will never be my hobby. But it’s things you have to do. What I want is to hire coaches for the right reasons. And if you finish working together, then it is also for the right reasons and not for the media asking for it."
The ex-Liverpool boss spoke of his desire to create stability but admitted modern football doesn’t allow it.
"I want to instil this (stability); more trust, going through the hard times," he added. "If you are convinced, then you are convinced. The world is like that: ‘Oh my God, you are great!’ Then it is, ‘Oh no! You’re s***.’ There’s no grey area anymore. And very often life is grey."
Werner the chosen one
Leipzig wasted little time finding their new man. In came Ole Werner on June 24, with the 37-year-old seen as a rising star of German coaching, as he signed a deal through 2027. Werner, who opted to leave Werder Bremen early despite having a contract until 2026, has built a reputation as a no-nonsense manager with a sharp tactical brain. He took Bremen back into the Bundesliga at the first attempt in 2021 and steadied the ship with finishes of 13th, ninth, and eighth. More tellingly, his side closed out the 2024–25 season on an eight-match unbeaten run, including a gritty 0-0 draw against Leipzig themselves.
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A lightning start at Leipzig
If anyone doubted whether Werner was ready for the leap, he’s answered in style. Leipzig have roared into the new campaign under their fresh-faced coach, chalking up four wins from their first five Bundesliga fixtures. Werner’s first big test, however, looms large. This weekend, he leads Leipzig into a showdown with Borussia Dortmund, a clash that will truly measure whether his early success is built on solid ground or fleeting momentum.
MatériaMais Notícias
Mesmo não sendo atacante de ofício, Matías Rojas vem impressionando na atual temporada com o número de gols marcados para a função que exerce. Meia pela direita, o novo reforço do Corinthians já marcou dez gols em 20 jogos na temporada, tanto pelo Racing quanto na seleção paraguaia.
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Com 1424 minutos disputados em 2023, Rojas demora 142 minutos para marcar um gol, e sua média de gols por minutos em campo é acima de Róger Guedes, artilheiro do Corinthians na temporada com 19 gols em 3303 minutos disputados. O camisa 10 do Timão demora 173 minutos para marcar um gol.
Rojas não está tão atrás de Tiquinho Soares, artilheiro do Brasileirão. A média de gols por minuto do centroavante botafoguense é de um gol a cada 127,5 minutos.
continua após a publicidade
No gráfico abaixo, você confere a média de gols por minuto em campo de Rojas e os principais artilheiros do Brasileirão.
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O torcedor corintiano terá a oportunidade de ver Matías Rojas estreando pelo Corinthians neste sábado (15). O paraguaio deve ser titular no meio-campo do Timão contra o América-MG, ao lado de Renato Augusto. O Coelho venceu o primeiro jogo das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil por 1 a 0.
In a late transfer twist, Everton have now reportedly reached an agreement to sign one of their top targets in a big-money deal just under two weeks until the deadline.
Moyes "excited" about Hill Dickinson debut
Whilst his side’s opening day defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Leeds United left a bad taste, Everton boss David Moyes has quickly put that behind him to focus on what should be a special afternoon at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Squaring off against Brighton & Hove Albion in their first Premier League game in their new home, the Toffees will be keen to enjoy the occasion and pick up their first three points of the season.
There could also be a full debut for summer signing Jack Grealish after he came from the bench on Monday night at Elland Road. The Manchester City loanee, in a World Cup year, desperately needs to get back to his best and chose a move to Everton with that in mind.
Better move than Grealish: Everton open talks to land Premier League star
Everton are interested in a deal to sign a star who could be even better than Jack Grealish.
ByWill Miller Aug 23, 2025
Alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Thierno Barry, Adam Aznou, Carlos Alcaraz, Mark Travers and Tom King, Grealish represents a very solid summer of business from Everton. But The Friedkin Group are not done just yet and reports are now suggesting that their biggest move yet has been agreed.
Everton reach agreement to sign Dibling
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Everton have now reached an agreement to sign Tyler Dibling in a deal worth as much as £42m. The Toffees looked destined to miss out on the Southampton winger when they failed to match the Saints’ price tag earlier this summer, before those at St Mary’s lowered their valuation and allowed Everton to swoop in.
With Dibling, Moyes’ attacking options have suddenly been transformed compared to last season. From Jack Harrison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jesper Lindstrom, the veteran manager will now have a core of Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall, Dibling and Barry at his disposal.
Described as “brave” by former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy, the best is still yet to come from 19-year-old Dibling, who is represented by the same agent as fellow Everton arrival Barry.
In a new era in a modern stadium, Friedkin have so far handed Moyes the tools to take Everton from relegation candidates into top-half hopefuls.
Chelsea have made a habit of buying young players, using them for a few years and then selling them on for good money.
Perhaps the best example of this process recently is Noni Madueke, who joined the club for £29m in January 2023 and was then sold for £52m this summer.
Now, there is, of course, the chance that the now Arsenal player ends up further developing in North London and making the club’s decision to sell him look silly.
To some degree, he may already be proving that point. He was arguably the Gunners’ best player during their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool and after scoring in England’s 5-0 rout of Serbia, earned comparisons to Bukayo Saka.
Madueke certainly looks as though he’s on the point of exploding into life at the Emirates Stadium and his display against the Serb’s showcased that. He was full of pace, full of life and took his goal brilliantly.
However, that being said, Enzo Maresca already has his replacement for the Englishman, someone who could be an even better player, someone to rival Estevao for years to come.
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The player in question might not be Estevao, but like him, the Brazilian is undoubtedly one of the most exciting players in this Chelsea squad.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Described as a “future Ballon d’Or winner” by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, the 18-year-old was finally allowed to join the team this summer after being signed last year, and in just a few appearances is already looking like something special.
For example, after Jamie Gittens struggled to make an impact against Crystal Palace in the opening game of the season, Enzo Maresca turned to the youngster to make something happen.
Then, in his first competitive start for the club against West Ham United, the dynamic winger more than justified the hype around him by providing an assist for Joao Pedro and utterly terrifying the Hammers’ defence whenever he had the ball at his feet.
It’s not just in club football where the Franca-born gem is turning heads either, as in just his second start for the Brazilian national team, against Chile, he scored his first international goal.
In all, even though it is still so early in his Chelsea career, it looks like Estevao could be one of the club’s very best players for years to come, and he could have a great partnership and rivalry with the Blues’ new Madueke.
Chelsea's new Madueke
Chelsea are a team full of talented youngsters, but in this instance, we are talking about Tyrique George.
Now, it is certainly the case that the Cobham graduate came very close to joining Fulham in the summer.
However, given his immense talent and Mareca’s willingness to play promising youngsters, there is a world in which he becomes the replacement for Madueke on this side.
After all, with 21 goals and 19 assists in 69 appearances across the junior sides, he is clearly too good to be kept out of senior football.
Moreover, even though he hasn’t had loads of opportunities, he has impressed when selected for the first team.
For example, in just 1154 minutes spread across 26 games last season, the “ridiculous” talent, as dubbed by creator Felix Johnston, was able to score three goals and provide five assists.
Furthermore, he filled in at left-wing, right-wing and even up top, and so, like Madueke before him, could become something of a utility attacker for the West Londoners.
Last but not least, the teenage star, whom Jadon Sancho claimed “has the world at his feet”, also put up some impressive underlying numbers in the Conference League last season.
According to FBref, he ranked in the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers for touches in the opposition’s penalty area and carries into the penalty area, as well as in the top 12% for expected assisted goals and more, all per 90.
Touches (Att Pen)
7.06
Top 3%
Carries into Penalty Area
3.18
Top 3%
Pass Completion % (Medium)
89.0%
Top 7%
xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals
0.34
Top 12%
Progressive Passes Rec
10.35
Top 12%
Pass Completion %
82.7%
Top 13%
npxG + xAG
0.58
Top 18%
Total Carrying Distance
233.65
Top 20%
Progressive Carries
4.47
Top 21%
Ultimately, Chelsea might be thankful George’s transfer didn’t go through come the end of the season, as even though he is still young, he could be the perfect replacement for Maadueke in the squad.
Enzo Maresca dealt another Chelsea injury blow as club release statement
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Federico Chiesa has not travelled with Liverpool for their Champions League clash with Galatasaray on Tuesday, despite the winger’s impressive run of form. The Italy international was registered in the Reds’ European squad in place of injured team-mate and compatriot Giovanni Leoni but he has since been left at home for the trip to Turkey.
يبدو أن ملف عودة طارق حامد إلى الزمالك لن يرى النور رغم طرح اسمه في الأسابيع الأخيرة، حيث لا يرتبط بأي نادٍ منذ رحيله عن ضمك السعودي.
وعلم بطولات أن إدارة الزمالك درست الموقف بالفعل، لكن لم يتم الحسم والموافقة لعدة عوامل مهمة يضعها المدير الرياضي، جون إدوارد، في الحسبان.
اقرأ أيضًا | ممدوح عباس: دمي ودموعي وابتساماتي.. الزمالك سيستعيد أرض أكتوبر
وجاء في مقدمة الأسباب تقدم طارق حامد في السن، إذ ترى الإدارة أن المرحلة الحالية تتطلب ضخ دماء جديدة تناسب مشروع إعادة بناء الفريق الأبيض.
كما أبدى مسؤولو الزمالك مخاوف من الإصابات المتكررة التي عانى منها اللاعب مؤخرًا خلال تجربته في الدوري السعودي مع نادي ضمك.
وأشار إلى أن ابتعاد طارق حامد عن المشاركة منذ انتهاء عقده في السعودية جعل مسؤولي الزمالك غير مقتنعين بجاهزيته الفنية والبدنية.
ويرى المدير الرياضي بالنادي أن الفريق في مرحلة تجديد شامل تعتمد على العناصر الشابة القادرة على التطور والمنافسة على المدى الطويل.
واختتم أن هذه الأسباب كانت أيضًا وراء رفض ضم اللاعب في بداية الموسم رغم توفر الفرصة حينها، لتواصل الإدارة سياستها الواضحة نحو التجديد والاعتماد على المستقبل.
Part of the IPL since 2012, du Plessis was RCB’s captain for the past three seasons
ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-2025Faf du Plessis is going to be Axar Patel’s deputy at Delhi Capitals (DC) for IPL 2025.Du Plessis, who was the captain at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) till the end of IPL 2024, was released by the franchise ahead of the mega auction last year, and was subsequently acquired by DC for his base price of INR 2 crore (US$0.24 million). He was chosen ahead of KL Rahul, another former IPL captain who moved to DC this year.
Pick up your phones, it’s your vice-captain calling pic.twitter.com/W3AkYO4QKZ
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 17, 2025
Du Plessis, a former South Africa captain in all formats, became a part of the IPL in 2012 after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) brought him on board. He remained a part of the team till the end of the 2015 season, moved to Rising Pune Supergiant/s for two seasons when CSK were banned from the IPL, and went back to CSK, staying there till 2021. RCB bought him at the auction in 2022 and, with Virat Kohli stepping down as the team’s captain ahead of that season, was given charge of the team. He led them for three seasons, and while RCB reached the playoffs in both 2022 and 2024, they are yet to win the trophy they have chased for 17 seasons now.Related
'Funny off the field, focused on it' – DC players on Axar Patel
Overall in the IPL, the 40-year-old du Plessis has 4571 runs from 145 matches at an average of 35.99 and a strike rate of 136.37. He remains active in the franchise cricket circuit, and last turned out in the SA20 for Joburg Super Kings earlier this year. He could also be in demand when the teams start building their squads for the upcoming season of the Hundred, with Southern Brave, now owned by the GMR Group that also owns DC, working on a deal to bring him on board.DC have never won the IPL, and in an effort to change that statistic, have overhauled their team, removing Ricky Ponting, among others, from their coaching staff and putting Hemang Badani in charge as head coach, Matthew Mott as assistant coach, Kevin Pietersen as team mentor, and Munaf Patel, Venugopal Rao and Vijay Bharadwaj in positions of authority. Axar’s elevation to the leadership position was also a part of the rejig, with Rishabh Pant, their captain till the previous season, going back into the auction and subsequently being picked up by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), where he was named captain. Rahul led LSG till last season.