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Rangers are starting to make some serious moves in the transfer market.

On Wednesday, in a double-deal day, the Light Blues unveiled both Joe Rothwell and Emmanuel Fernandez as their latest new recruits.

They follow Max Aarons and Lyall Cameron through the door at Ibrox already this summer, but Russell Martin’s squad rebuild is far from finished yet.

Rangers targeting midfield reinforcements

Martin will take charge of Rangers for the very first time this weekend, with Club Brugge the opponents for a pre-season friendly at Ibrox on Sunday.

Meantime, it’s now less than three weeks until the serious business begins, with Panathinaikos visiting Govan for the first leg of the Champions League second qualifying round tie on 22 July.

With speed very much of the essence in the transfer market, a report by Joshua Barrie of the Rangers Review claims that the club are in ‘advanced talks’ with Luton Town as they aim to sign midfielder Thelo Aasgaard, adding that Rangers are ‘confident’ that a deal will be finalised in the coming days.

Meantime, the Daily Mail believe the Norwegian international will cost more than £3m, with the Hatters looking to cash in and cut costs, following back-to-back relegations which leaves them in EFL League One.

Born on Merseyside, Aasgaard was in Liverpool’s academy, but made his senior breakthrough at Wigan Athletic, accumulating 163 appearances for the Latics, scoring 30 goals.

He only signed for Luton as recently as January, starting all 17 of their EFL Championship fixtures following his arrival, scoring against both Cardiff City and Bristol City.

These performances earned him senior international recognition for the first time too, handed his debut by Norway manager Ståle Solbakken against Moldova in a World Cup qualifier in March, marking the occasion by scoring the third goal of a 5-0 victory in Chișinău.

Now, Aasgaard appears set to take his game to the next level again by moving to Glasgow.

Why Thelo Aasgaard could thrive with Joe Rothwell

The aforementioned Rothwell had arrived at Rangers from Bournemouth to much excitement, with writer Kai Watson labelling him an ‘excellent passer’, adding he is exactly what Rangers need, hence why he believes he will prove to be ‘a very smart signing’.

The 30-year-old has plenty of EFL experience, spending last season on loan at Leeds United, winning the Championship title, having previously represented Blackpool, Barnsley, Oxford United, Blackburn Rovers and Southampton, also appearing 31 times in the Premier League for Bournemouth.

Nevertheless, seven years his junior, Aasgarrd could prove to be the bigger of the two talents.

Shaun Maloney, who was his manager at Wigan, described the Norwegian as a “machine” physically, adding that he is “really intelligent… and a leader on the pitch”, also labelling him “incredibly talented”.

So, let’s assess how Rangers’ two new midfielders compared last season.

Thelo Aasgaard vs Joe Rothwell 2024/25 comparison

Statistics

Aasgaard

Rothwell

Appearances

48

39

Minutes

4,054

2,500

Goals

14

Zero

Assists

3

4

All statistics below are per 90

Shots

1.4

0.3

Passes attempted

25.1

66.9

Pass completion %

76.3%

91.1%

Chances created

0.8

2.5

Duels contested

11.6

4.4

Ground duels won

4.5

2.2

Tackles

1.2

1

Clearances

1.7

0.6

Interceptions

0.6

1

Touches

45.9

81.7

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt and Squawka

The table makes for interesting reading, because it actually suggests that these two could form a good midfield partnership.

Rothwell is much more of a tempo-setting, controlling in-possession player, underlined by the fact he attempted significantly more passes per 90, as well as creating more chances and registering more touches of the ball.

Meantime, Aasgaard is an all-action midfielder, hence why he comes out on top for defensive metrics, namely duels, tackles and clearances, but is also a goal threat, scoring more goals and registering almost five times as many shots per 90.

Thus, at 23 years old, Aasgaard still has plenty of time to develop and get even better, so could prove to be a bargain signing for Rangers and a dream partner for Rothwell.

Related Rangers "hopeful" of signing £75k-p/w international alongside Rothwell

The Gers are looking to secure another signing once they complete a deal for Joe Rothwell.

Posts ByBrett Worthington Jul 2, 2025

Arsenal’s search for a striker is set to dominate headlines as we enter the first mini-summer transfer window, and it’s an area of the squad which sporting director Andrea Berta is working hard to address.

Arsenal in ongoing talks for Benjamin Sesko in search of striker

Gabriel Jesus’ ACL rupture in their FA Cup defeat to Man United, and Kai Havertz’s lengthy absence due to a hamstring injury, crippled Mikel Arteta’s options up front during the second half of 2024/2025, prompting the Spaniard to utilise Mikel Merino in an emergency striker role.

Arsenal given fresh Martin Zubimendi worry as Sociedad president speaks out

The north Londoners are reportedly closing in on a deal for him.

ByEmilio Galantini May 30, 2025

Merino performed well, but that injury crisis up front brought yet more attention to Arteta’s glaring need for a prolific centre-forward.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

A proven number nine has long been touted as the final missing piece of Arteta’s jigsaw, and Berta is said to be laying the groundwork on deals to bring Arsenal’s long search for a new striker to an end this summer.

Arsenal have held talks over signing Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, according to some reports, and they were heavily linked with a move for Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, until this week at least.

Now, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has entered pole position to become Arsenal’s answer to their goalscoring woes, and “concrete” talks are underway after Berta’s meeting with Leipzig director Marcel Schafer in London.

The Gunners are said to be putting their focus on a deal for Sesko, and discussions are centered around a payment structure for his £67 million release clause.

While Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg claims Gyokeres is still high on Arsenal’s list despite these Sesko talks, Spanish media sources claim their negotiations for the Slovenian have put an end to their chase for Sporting’s serial goalscorer.

Arsenal pull plug on Viktor Gyokeres deal after opening Sesko talks

According to reports from Spain, cited by Football 365, Arteta has now ‘ruled out’ an Arsenal move for Gyokeres, and they’ve now ‘withdrawn from the bidding’ to sign him – which could open the door for other linked sides like Man United and Barcelona.

This follows their decision to up the ante in pursuit of Sesko, so going by this update, it appears the 22-year-old is now their priority target.

Given the costs involved when it comes to a deal for Sesko, we wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal pull a U-turn on this call, especially considering that Gyokeres could leave Sporting for just £60 million.

The “quality” ex-Coventry City star is fresh off the back of an exceptional campaign, scoring 54 goals in all competitions, and there are reports in Portugal that Arsenal have already offered Gyokeres a contract, so he could just be on the back-burner for now.

“I have said this before, and I will continue to say it: he brings a lot to the team, and his teammates are aware of what he contributes, which is why they look for him during games,” said Sporting boss Rui Borges about Gyokeres.

“The collective effort also plays a role, as no one can succeed alone. Viktor is a game-changer, and he will continue to be, whether with us or elsewhere. His quality is undeniable; it is phenomenal.”

All the key numbers as UAE come from 1-0 down to take the T20I series against Bangladesh

Sampath Bandarupalli22-May-20251 Number of series wins for UAE against a Full Member team in any format, before their 2-1 T20I series win against Bangladesh. They defeated Ireland in a three-match T20I series in 2021. UAE won back-to-back games after losing the first match to clinch the series on both occasions.3 T20I series losses for Bangladesh against Associate nations, including their latest defeat against UAE. They lost a three-match series against the USA last year by a 2-1 margin and lost in a one-off fixture against Scotland in 2012.Namibia are the only Associate nation besides UAE and USA to win a series of three or more matches against a Full Member team in men’s T20Is. They defeated Zimbabwe twice in a five-match T20I series in 2022 and 2023.7 Runs conceded by Haider Ali in his four overs on Wednesday are the fewest by a player from an Associate nation while bowling his full quota against a Full Member team in a men’s T20I.The previous fewest was nine runs by Amir Hamza for Afghanistan against West Indies in the 2016 T20 World Cup. Only six bowlers have conceded fewer than seven runs in their four overs in a men’s T20I against Full Member teams.1 Haider Ali’s effort is the most economical return in a men’s T20I at Sharjah. Those seven runs are also the joint-fewest conceded in four overs in all men’s T20s at the venue, alongside Shahid Afridi in a PSL 2016 game.206 Target that UAE successfully chased against Bangladesh in the second T20I, the highest for an Associate nation against a Full Member in the format. The previous highest was 191 by Afghanistan against Zimbabwe in 2015.UAE’s chase of 206 was their highest in T20Is and also the highest for any team on UAE soil in this format.2 Number of Associate teams with 200-plus totals against a Full Member in T20Is, before UAE’s effort against Bangladesh in the 206-run chase. Afghanistan made 215 for 6 against Zimbabwe in 2016, while Scotland posted 213 for 6 against Ireland in 2023.78 Runs that Bangladesh added after the fall of their eighth wicket on Wednesday. Only three teams scored more runs after losing their eighth wicket in a men’s T20I. Bangladesh had partnerships of 44 for the ninth wicket and 34 for the tenth, both being their highest in T20Is.

He has been expensive, but at the same time brings with him the ability to take wickets

Deivarayan Muthu11-Apr-2023In the absence of Dwayne Bravo, who is now Chennai Super Kings’ bowling coach, he has fronted up to bowl at the death. Then, when Super Kings lost Deepak Chahar to injury one over into the match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede, he fronted up to bowl two overs in the powerplay and bowled Rohit Sharma with a beauty. With Ben Stokes and Mukesh Choudhary also injured, Tushar Deshpande has become Super Kings’ go-to seamer.Deshpande was a net bowler with Super Kings in IPL 2021 after having gone unsold at that auction. Two seasons on, Dhoni trusts him to bowl the tough overs.There’s a bit of Shardul Thakur about Deshpande. He can be expensive, but at the same time, he brings with him unpredictable variety and the ability to take wickets. Tim David walloped him for 6, 4, 6 but didn’t expect a grippy slower offcutter next ball, and ended up dragging a pull to deep midwicket. Deshpande can also crank it up to 140kph and surprise batters with extra pace.Related

• Defensive Deshpande levels up to fill CSK's Bravo role

• Tushar Deshpande has the pace, the wickets, and the makings of a bright future

• How CSK's Theekshana and Pathirana have begun to grow into Bravo's shoes

• Over-aggression, over-stepping – but no over-coaching for Deshpande

• Chahar to undergo scans to determine extent of hamstring injury

“We believe in him,” MS Dhoni said after the game against Mumbai. “Also what happens is when you’re new, you have a different sort of pressure, but if you’ve already played IPL for a few games, then it becomes like a comeback. I feel, as a cricketer, it’s one of the worst feelings to have. But he had a very good domestic season and that helped.”We have been constantly talking to him about what needs to be done. He is very good at execution, but in the last couple of games, he had bowled no-balls and that’s not a very good feeling to have. When you’re at your bowling mark, that’s something you don’t want to have in your mind. I feel he’s improving; the delivery that Rohit got out to was a fantastic delivery. So, he has that potential, he can be much more consistent and we’re just hoping that he takes that added responsibility.”Deshpande had a rough start to the IPL 2023. As the first-ever Impact Player in the IPL, he leaked 51 runs in 3.2 overs against defending champions Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. Then, against Lucknow Super Giants at Chepauk, where he said the “crowd was so loud that I couldn’t hear anything”, he bowled an 11-ball over in the powerplay, which cost 18 runs.

“I’ve been working on yorkers. I feel it does not come naturally. Even if it comes naturally, you need to have the guts to execute that when you are under pressure”Tushar Deshpande

Deshpande has had issues with overstepping in the past too, but he put that horror over behind him and executed the best-laid plans of Bravo when he returned to bowl at the death. When he came back, Super Giants were 150 for 5 in 15 overs, chasing 218, with Nicholas Pooran on 31 off 15 balls, having just reverse-swept Ravindra Jadeja into the top-tier over point.At the time out, the message from Bravo was to bowl wide yorkers and hide them away from the reach of Pooran. Dhoni gave him three fielders on the off-side boundary – deep point, deep cover and long-off – including two of his best in Mitchell Santner and Ben Stokes. Deshpande stuck to the plan and gave up just one run off the first two balls to Pooran. He then darted another wide yorker – possibly wider than another set of stumps – and had Pooran slicing it to Stokes at long-off. Just six runs off the over to go with the wicket of Pooran. Game over for Super Giants.Deshpande admits that the yorker doesn’t come to him naturally, but he has been learning on the job from one of the best in the business. On Monday evening at the Chepauk nets, Bravo had both Deshpande and Dwaine Pretorius bowling both wide yorkers and straight yorkers under his supervision.”I think bowling at the death is something that comes with great responsibility,” Deshpande told select newspapers in Chennai. “I’ve been working on yorkers. I feel it does not come naturally. Even if it comes naturally, you need to have the guts to execute that when you are under pressure. So I feel staying in the moment helps.”MS Dhoni talks to Tushar Deshpande during the match against Lucknow Super Giants•BCCIThe yorker is arguably the hardest delivery to nail. Overpitch it, it’s a full toss. Under-pitch it, it’s a half-volley. Even if you nail it, you can disappear for runs. Deshpande has embraced that challenge.”If you’re bowling in the death, you have to accept that someday you are going to get hit,” he said. “So you need to stay in the present even if you get hit for a six off the first ball. I have the next five balls to come back in the game or take the batter out. So staying in the present and in the moment is very important, and I personally feel that the next five balls are an opportunity for a bowler to get his mark back in the game. So that is what helps while bowling at the death.”Those who have followed Deshpande in Mumbai’s cricket circles speak highly of his commitment and fortitude. Just days after he had lost his mother to cancer, Deshpande rejoined Mumbai’s squad for the 2019 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy game against Delhi in Indore and bowled them to victory with figures of 4 for 19. Ajinkya Rahane, his captain at Mumbai and current team-mate at Super Kings, is also impressed with his progress.”Tushar has been bowling really well and he had a great [domestic] season for Mumbai,” Rahane said after the match against Mumbai. “Even in the match before this [game against Mumbai Indians], his comeback was really great. The first over was not up to the mark in the last game but the way he came back and the way he bowled in the death overs was really good. I’m really happy for him. [These are] still early days for him and he will learn a lot by playing matches and when you’re playing under Mahi <bhai, you’re sure that you will learn every time you’re out in the middle.”At the IPL 2022 auction, Super Kings raised their bid up to INR 7 crore to buy back Thakur, but he ultimately got away from them. They have now found another Mumbai player who can perform the role that Thakur used to do for them with the ball. Deshpande is no Thakur with the bat, but the introduction of the Impact Player rule means he need not be.

And how many players have been marooned in the 190s in Tests at Lord’s?

Steven Lynch24-Aug-2021Sam Curran was out first ball in both innings of the recent Lord’s Test. How often has this happened in Tests? asked Zeeshan Bhayani from Pakistan
The unfortunate Sam Curran fell to his first ball in both innings of last week’s exciting Test against India at Lord’s. Curran was the 23rd man to bag what’s usually known as a “king pair” in Tests.Only four of those have come for England, the last one being collected by Jimmy Anderson, also against India, in Visakhapatnam in 2016-17. The other two were more than 100 years earlier: William “Dick” Attewell was the first to suffer this fate in a Test, against Australia in Sydney in 1891-92, and he was followed for England by Ernie Hayes, against South Africa in Cape Town in 1905-06. Probably the most notable king pair in Tests was bagged by the South African wicketkeeper Tommy Ward, against Australia at Old Trafford during the 1912 Triangular Tournament – he was the third victim of legspinner Jimmy Matthews’ hat-trick in both innings.Since Anderson’s double first-baller, there have also been king pairs for Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Pradeep (against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in 2017-18), and Nurul Hasan of Bangladesh (against West Indies in Kingston in 2018).Curran might not be over the moon to discover that I managed to persuade ESPNcricinfo to conjure up a table of king pairs for the Records section. So for the full list, click here.West Indies pulled off a one-wicket heist against Pakistan last week – the third time they have won by such a margin since 1998. Has any other side completed more one-wicket wins than the Windies? asked Sameer Arora from India
West Indies’ exciting victory over Pakistan in Kingston last week was indeed their third Test victory by one wicket, following similar margins against Australia in Bridgetown in 1998-99, and Pakistan in Antigua in 1999-2000. There have now been 15 one-wicket victories in all Tests, with England coming out on top in four, most recently the Ben Stokes-inspired miracle at Headingley in the 2019 Ashes series. Pakistan and Sri Lanka have had two one-wicket wins, and Australia, India, New Zealand and South Africa one each.Australia have actually been on the wrong end of six one-wicket defeats, including Test cricket’s first, a famous match at The Oval in 1902. South Africa have lost three, Pakistan and West Indies two, and Bangladesh and England one each.I noticed that Alastair Cook scored a fifty and a hundred in both his first and last Tests – has anyone else managed this? asked Ivan Monaghan via Facebook
Alastair Cook started his Test career with 60 and 104 not out against India in Nagpur in 2005-06, and signed off at The Oval in 2018 with 71 and 147, also against India. No one else has managed this particular double, unless you count the unlucky New Zealander Rodney Redmond, who hit 107 and 56 in what turned out to be his only Test match, against Pakistan in Auckland in 1972-73.Bruce Mitchell of South Africa came close: he scored 88 and 61 not out in his first Test, against England at Edgbaston in 1929, and 99 and 56 in his last, also against England, in Port Elizabeth almost 20 years later in 1948-49.Two men (Lawrence Rowe and Yasir Hameed) scored two centuries on their Test debut, and 13 others (including Cook and Redmond) made a fifty and a hundred; a further 24 reached 50 twice.Turning to final Test appearances, 15 men apart from Cook, Redmond and Mitchell reached 50 twice in their final Test; this includes two current players, Dimuth Karunaratne and Brendan Taylor, who will presumably appear again. Six of them scored centuries – Jack Russell, the Essex opener, made two – while Andy Sandham’s final Test brought him 325 and 50, for England against West Indies in Kingston in 1929-30.Joe Root was the last player to be out in the 190s at Lord’s, in his debut Test as captain, in 2017•Getty ImagesI was wondering whether more players had been marooned in the 190s in Tests at Lord’s than anywhere else? asked Rajiv Radhakrishnan from England
Lord’s is likely to feature prominently in lists like these, since (as we learned last week) it has staged more Tests than any other ground. Still, there have been eight scores between 190 and 199 at Lord’s, and no other venue has had more than four. The 199 was by England’s Ian Bell, against South Africa in 2008, while the other near-misses came from Len Hutton (196 vs West Indies in 1939), Allan Border (196 for Australia in 1985), Marcus Trescothick (194 vs Bangladesh in 2005), Warren Bardsley (193 not out for Australia in 1926), Tillakaratne Dilshan (193 for Sri Lanka in 2011), Sidath Wettimuny (190 for Sri Lanka in 1984) and Joe Root (190 vs South Africa in 2017).There are five grounds that have seen four scores in the 190s: The Oval in London, Headingley, Sydney, and Galle and Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club in Sri Lanka.I was intrigued by the two occasions where, according to the ESPNcricinfo scorecards, a batter apparently faced one ball, scored one run, and was caught by the wicketkeeper. Can you shed any light on these unusual occurrences? asked OR Light from South Africa
It’s quite a conundrum – even if the batter had faced a no-ball, it should have shown up as a delivery received – and I think the truth is more prosaic: the historical scorecards are incorrect. I checked the remarkable reconstructions of old scorebooks undertaken as a labour of love by the eminent Melbourne statistician Charles Davis, and it seems both instances featured more than one ball.The first one involves the underrated Australian left-arm seamer Bill Whitty, against South Africa in Adelaide in 1910-11. It appears that Whitty was actually dismissed by the fourth ball he received. It’s the same story for Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya, against Pakistan in Colombo in August 1994: it seems he faced three balls in total rather than one.Use our feedback form, or the Ask Steven Facebook page to ask your stats and trivia questions

Mohamed Salah gave an astonishing interview in the aftermath of Liverpool’s dramatic 3-3 draw against Leeds United on Saturday, accusing the club of “throwing me under the bus” and saying his relationship with manager Arne Slot is broken. The Egypt star, who has been benched for the Reds’ last three Premier League games, said he will say “goodbye” to supporters in next weekend’s clash with Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield.

Salah named on the bench for Liverpool's last three games

Looking to find a way to resurrect Liverpool’s form in what has been a torrid 2025-26 season so far, head coach Slot has named Salah among the substitutes in the last three league fixtures against West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds.

However, while the Reds recorded a 2-0 victory over the Hammers on 30 November, they have been unable to kick on since then, requiring an own goal from Sunderland defender Nordi Mukiele to earn a point against Sunderland, before twice throwing away the lead to draw with Leeds.

Scoring his first two league goals since September's 2-1 victory over rivals Everton, striker Hugo Ekitike netted a second-half brace which put Liverpool in front at Leeds. However, Slot's side were then pegged back by a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty and a strike from midfielder Anton Stach.

Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai soon restored his side's lead with a controlled finish after 80 minutes, only for Leeds' Ao Tanaka to rescue a last-gasp point in the sixth minute of injury time.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportReds talisman criticised for not speaking to supporters

In a campaign which has seen several Liverpool players drop below the lofty standards they set in last season’s title-winning campaign, Salah has particularly suffered a sharp decline in form.

Unable to consistently replicate the sparkling performances which saw him score 29 goals and record 18 assists in the top flight last season, the former Chelsea and Roma winger has also received criticism for failing to address supporters during Liverpool’s struggles this season.

Speaking in his capacity as a pundit, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher – who made 737 appearances for the club, winning nine major trophies – said in November: “I think Virgil van Dijk, after the [Nottingham Forest] game, has come out again and spoke, as he should do as a captain, he's called Liverpool a mess. I must say, on the back of all these Liverpool defeats, it's always Virgil van Dijk who comes out. And as I said, the captain should do that, but there should be other players in that dressing room coming out and speaking for the club. 

“A year ago this weekend, Mo Salah wasn't shy in coming out and speaking about his own situation, about the club not offering him a contract. I only ever hear Salah speak when he gets man of the match, or he needs a new contract. 

“I'd like to see Mo Salah come out as one of the leaders, as one of the legends of Liverpool, come out and speak for the team. It shouldn't always be the captain. But, obviously, the manager [Slot] is the one in the firing line. Any manager with results like that, as you said, if they were part of the bottom four or a promoted team, they would be under pressure.

“So there's no doubt the manager is under pressure now with results like that, on the back of being champions, but also on the fact of what Liverpool spent in the summer.”

After months of speculation over his future, Salah signed a new two-year contract with Liverpool in April. His previous deal had been due to expire at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

AFPSalah launches explosive tirade after dramatic Leeds draw

However, in an incendiary interview following Liverpool’s disappointing draw with Leeds, Salah has revealed he intends to say farewell to the club’s fanbase during next Saturday’s home game against Brighton, with the 33-year-old unsure if he has a future on Merseyside.

Following the match against Fabian Hurzeler’s side, Salah will head to Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations camp ahead of the tournament starting on Sunday, 21 December in Morocco.

In quotes carried by , he said: “I can’t believe it, I’m very, very disappointed. I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season.

“Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame.

“I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far I am on the bench for three games, so I can’t say they keep the promise. I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don’t have any relationship. I don’t know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn’t want me in the club.

“This club, I always support it. My kids will always support it. I love the club so much, I will always do. I called my mum yesterday — you guys didn’t know if I would start or not, but I knew.

“Yesterday I said to [my parents], ‘Come to the Brighton game.’ I don’t know if I am going to play or not but I am going to enjoy it. In my head, I’m going to enjoy that game because I don’t know what is going to happen now. I will be at Anfield to say goodbye to the fans and go the Africa Cup. I don’t know what is going to happen when I am there.”

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'It really hurts' – Salah expecting more criticism from Carragher

While Salah said he “did not want to answer this question” about whether he could move to the Saudi Pro League in the January transfer window, he continued his explosive remarks by saying he expects Carragher to “go for me again” during coverage of Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

“After what I have done for the club it really hurts,” Salah continued. “You can imagine, really. After going from home to the club and you don’t know if you are starting. 

“I know the club too well, I have been here many years. Tomorrow [Sunday] Carragher is going to go for me again and again and that’s fine."

Salah also namechecked Harry Kane when defending his goal record this season, saying the England captain was treated more favourably in the media despite once embarking on a 10-game scoring drought. 

It is not clear which of Kane's goal droughts Salah is referring to – the Bayern Munich striker once went five Premier League games without scoring for Tottenham Hotspur between August and September 2021.

Salah said: "Can I give an example? It’s silly but I am sorry. I remember a while go, Harry Kane was not scoring for ten games, everyone in the media was like, ‘Oh, Harry will score for sure, when it comes to Mo everyone is like ‘he needs to be on the bench’. I am sorry Harry!"

Ex-Fiorentina and Basel forward Salah has scored five goals in 19 games in all competitions for Liverpool this term.

أعلنت اللجنة المنظمة لبطولة كأس العرب 2025، عن رجل مباراة منتخب مصر ضد الكويت، التي أقيمت بينهما اليوم الثلاثاء، في مواجهات مرحلة المجموعات للبطولة.

وتواجه منتخب مصر مع الكويت، في إطار مواجهات الجولة الأولي من عمر مباريات المجموعة الثالثة لبطولة كأس العرب المقامة في قطر.

وانتهى اللقاء بالتعادل الإيجابي بين المنتخبين، بهدف لمثله، حيث تقدم منتخب الكويت عن طريق فهد الهاجري وتعادل لـ مصر محمد مجدي أفشة.

واختارت اللجنة المنظمة لبطولة كأس العرب، محمد مجدي أفشة رجل مباراة منتخب مصر أمام الكويت في كأس العرب.

طالع | ترتيب مجموعة مصر في كأس العرب 2025 بعد التعادل مع الكويت

ومن المقرر أن يلعب منتخب مصر ضد الإمارات، يوم السبت المقبل في مباراة الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات لبطولة كاس العرب. هدف أفشة في مباراة مصر والكويت اليوم ببطولة كأس العرب

Newcastle United have not been at the races this season. Wheeling off quickly at times – mostly at St. James’ Park – but suffering from dismal away form that is pulling Eddie Howe’s squad away from their potential.

We all know this, and Howe most of all. However, identifying solutions and then finding the right answers can be two wholly different things in football.

Newcastle’s Form in 2025/26 (all comps)

Home

Stat

Away

11

Games

8

8

Wins

1

0

Draws

3

3

Losses

4

16

Goals scored

8

8

Goals conceded

10

2.18

PPG

0.75

But the English tactician has done so countless times across his four years on Tyneside, adapting and overcoming obstacles that fall into his path.

Take, for example, the fumbled signing of Chris Wood from Burnley in 2022. One of the first to establish this new PIF era, the Kiwi striker flattered to deceive.

Remembering Chris Wood's time at Newcastle

Wood is one of the most consistent Premier League strikers of his time. Something of a journeyman, he has nonetheless enjoyed success throughout his career, truly coming into his own over the past several years with Nottingham Forest.

However, a brief stint at Newcastle stands as a blot on the copybook. Howe purchased the New Zealand star from Burnley for £25m in January 2022, right at the start of this new era.

Sometimes, it’s just not your day. And Wood simply didn’t click in black and white. The veteran goalscorer only scored five times across 39 appearances before leaving for Forest on loan and then making the move permanent.

Pundit Tam McManus said that he looked “a bit lost” at St. James’ Park, and the one bit of solace from the misfire of a signing was that Newcastle were otherwise going from strength to strength, and they signed Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad after realising Wood wasn’t going to make the grade.

Of course, no one would deny that Wood is a top-class Premier League striker. He was one of the most prolific in the division last season, after all.

Premier League 24/25 – Top Scorers

Player

Apps

Goals

Mohamed Salah

38

29

Alexander Isak

34

23

Erling Haaland

31

22

Bryan Mbeumo

38

20

Chris Wood

36

20

Stats via BBC Sport

But this only emphasises the blunder on Newcastle’s part, one they would not wish to repeat.

For the most part, they haven’t. Newcastle’s success under Howe’s wing has been a product of care and accuracy in the market. But they don’t always get it right, having signed the new Wood this summer.

Newcastle's biggest disaster since Chris Wood

Maybe there’s just something that isn’t working for ex-Forest stars moving to Newcastle.

Anthony Elanga has not been a success since joining the club from the City Ground for £55m this summer, yet to score or assist across 16 appearances.

Renowned for his “special ability” on the ball, as said by Nuno Espirito Santo, the Swedish winger simply hasn’t succeeded in translating his physical strengths over to St. James’ Park.

It’s not just his output causing concern. As per Sofascore, Elanga has succeeded with only 17% of his attempted dribbles in the Premier League this season. For a player whose standout skill is his fleet-footedness on the ball, this isn’t good enough.

Elanga, 23, must be afforded more time, but given the desperate need for an efficient right winger in recent years at the club, his woes have been a concern, salvaged only by the ever-industrious Jacob Murphy’s consistency.

He’s still relatively young, and he has proven himself capable in the Premier League across the past two terms with the Tricky Trees.

But the early readings are not all that promising, with analyst Raj Chohan picking up on the winger’s poor form and claiming that the deal was a “massive overpay” on PIF’s part.

While he is young and with much potential still untapped – unlike Wood – Newcastle expected bang for their buck when filling a hole on the right wing.

If Elanga doesn’t improve quickly, the Toon are going to need to dig back into their pockets.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Nov 28, 2025

Manchester City’s victory over Liverpool on Sunday afternoon was a sensational performance which gave Pep Guardiola’s side even more daylight on the 2024/25 Premier League champions.

City put Liverpool to the sword in Guardiola’s 1000th game as a manager, running out 3-0 victors.

The East Mancunian side are still some way off the top of the table, with Arsenal four points clear and comfortably leading the way. Yet, City are finding their best form, having now won four of their last five games, and leading the way for the most goals scored in the top flight.

The main reason for that form in front of goal is Erling Haaland.

How Haaland's start to 2025/26 compares to other seasons

It has got to the point where you watch Haaland now and wonder when, not if, he will score. The Norwegian striker is the most clinical player in the Premier League, and, despite being 108 games into his English top-flight career, is already one goal away from a century.

This season, Haaland has been at his very best. In the Premier League, he’s found the back of the net 14 times in just 11 games.

All of those have come from open play, too, a run which has stayed intact after missing a penalty against Liverpool. Of course, he still got on the scoresheet on Sunday anyway.

City’s striker is in exceptional form, and it does seem nigh on impossible to stop him. But, this is not even his best start to a Premier League season for City. That came in his debut campaign back in 2022/23, when he bagged 15 goals in the first 11 matches.

The following term, 2023/24, was his worst start. That is ironic, given that his 11 goals in as many games would be the ideal way for most strikers to begin the campaign. In 2024/25, Haaland has 12 goals in the first 11 games.

With 19 goals for City in all competitions, it is fair to say the City number 9 is in the form of his life. Yet, there is one of his teammates who could also be in that category.

Man City star is hitting his best form alongside Haaland

Things are starting to click for Guardiola’s side in recent weeks, with Haaland, of course, looking at his very best. Phil Foden is another player who is motoring and has put in some excellent performances in the Champions League.

But it is the man who was player of the match against Liverpool who looks to be in the form of his life. Jeremy Doku shone against the Reds with a dazzling display, capped off with a goal of the highest quality.

It was a performance from the winger which will live long in the memory of City fans. He completed an unbelievable seven out of eight dribbles and was relentless against Conor Bradley.

His goal from the edge of the box saw him drive inside, buy a yard of space and unleash an effort that sailed into the top right corner.

It is not only that game that suggests Doku is playing his best football yet. City’s number 11 has some exceptional underlying numbers, averaging 3.33 key passes and 10.72 progressive carries per 90 minutes. Both of these rank him in the top 1% of positionally similar players in the Premier League.

Doku key stats in 2025/26 PL
Stat (per 90)	Number	Percentile
Key passes	3.33	99th
Passes into penalty area	2.9	99th
Shot-creating actions	6.81	99th
Take-ons completed	4.93	99th
Progressive carries	10.72	99th
Stats from FBref

Described as an “unstoppable” force by BBC Sport analyst Umir, the Belgian winger already has three goals and four assists in 16 games for the Citizens this term. His best campaign saw him get 17 goals and assists across all competitions, so to be 41% of the way to that total is impressive.

With the sort of form the 23-year-old is showcasing this season, it is easy to see how he is in the form of his life. At the current rate, he could easily have his most productive season in terms of goals and assists, whilst helping City push for titles in all competitions.

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1

By
Joe Nuttall

Nov 7, 2025

It would be fair to say that the atmosphere around Tottenham Hotspur is not a positive one at the moment.

Thomas Frank’s side might be sixth in the Premier League, but the performances so far this season have been hard to stomach, none more so than the one against Chelsea on Saturday.

Despite being at home, the North Londoners were utterly toothless, bereft of ideas, and the player who best encapsulated their dire display was summer signing Xavi Simons.

It’s still early in his Spurs career, but so far, the Dutch international has been a massive disappointment and should therefore be dropped for another young talent who could perhaps offer a little more urgency.

Simons' start to life at Spurs

Perhaps in part due to missing out on Eberechi Eze, there was a tremendous amount of excitement in the Spurs fan base when Simons was announced.

After all, he’s long been considered one of the most exciting young attackers in European football and, at one point, looked destined to join Chelsea.

Unfortunately, it would be fair to say that the 22-year-old has come nowhere close to justifying the hype so far this season.

In 12 appearances for the club, he has failed to score a single goal and has provided just one assist, which came in his first appearance, away to West Ham in gameweek four.

With that said, while that is a poor return, could it be that the former PSV Eindhoven gem is simply someone who starts seasons a little slower than most?

Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

For example, in his first 11 games for RB Leipzig last year, before he got injured, the Amsterdam-born gem managed to score three goals and provide two assists.

Likewise, the campaign preceding that saw the youngster rack up an even better tally of four goals and five assists in his first 12 matches, excluding the curtain-raising DFL-Super Cup.

Therefore, while it would be nice to say that Simons is doing what he does every season and will therefore eventually come good, that is not the case.

Therefore, Frank should keep him on the bench for now and look towards the academy for a temporary solution.

Spurs' Simons solution

With Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison still out, Frank could and probably should look to the likes of Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar-Sarr to start ahead of Simons.

Chalkboard

However, there is another, far bolder option, one he could go with for the ‘easier’ games, or as a first option from the bench ahead of the Dutchman.

That option is Hotspur Way’s most exciting prospect since Mikey Moore: Luca Williams-Barnett.

Now, the first argument one might put forward here is that the Englishman is too young.

However, that would carry a lot more weight if the suggestion was to start the youngster in game after game, but that is not the case.

Instead, it might be worthwhile for Frank and the club to use the youngster as a substitute more often, and then potentially against the weaker teams, hand him a start.

After all, at 17 years old, he is two years older than Arsenal’s Max Dowman, and according to respected analyst Ben Mattinson, is “one of England’s best talents”.

Moreover, when you take a look at his form for the youth sides, it’s clear that he’s way beyond that level now and more than deserving of more senior football.

Williams-Barnett’s youth record
Team	U18	U21
Appearances	30	8
Goals	22	7
Assists	13	5
Goal Involvements per Match	1.16	1.5
All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, in 11 games for the junior side this season, he has scored eight goals and provided seven assists, which is an average of 1.36 goal involvements every game.

Last season, he was even more effective, scoring 20 goals and providing 12 assists in just 23 appearances, which works out to an average of 1.39 goal involvements per game.

Ultimately, even if it is not from the start, Williams-Barnett has earned the right to play some meaningful minutes for Spurs this season.

Moreover, picking him over Simons could be the wake-up call the Dutchman needs to start playing to people’s expectations.

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3

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 3, 2025