The tour comprises three one-day games and two four-dayers
ESPNcricinfo staff28-Apr-2025Nick Kelly and Joe Carter will captain New Zealand A on their upcoming tour of Bangladesh with the squad also featuring recent debutants Rhys Mariu and Muhammad Abbas.Kelly will lead the one-day side which will be play three 50-over matches before handing over to Carter for the two four-day games.Kelly, Mariu and Abbas all made their debuts against Pakistan in the series which finished earlier this month. Allrounder Abbas was particularly eye-catching with the fastest ODI fifty on debut from 24 balls. Kelly and Mariu were the two leading run-scorers in the Plunket Shield.Carter, 32, impressed on New Zealand A’s last visit to the subcontinent, in India during 2022, averaging 60.40 and scoring two centuries, including a career-best 197.Wicketkeeper Mitch Hay, who made an unbeaten 99 against Pakistan in Hamilton, is part of the squad alongside allrounder Josh Clarkson.The pace attack also features players with international experience in Zak Foulkes and Ben Lister. Legspinner Adi Ashok, who was in the squad against Pakistan having previously played in 2023, has also been included.”For several players it will be their first time experiencing subcontinent conditions, which will be a great challenge and opportunity to further their skillsets,” Bob Carter, who will coach the side, said.The one-day games take place on May 5, 7 and 10 in Sylhet followed by the first four-game from May 14-17 at the same venue before the second takes place in Dhaka from May 21-24.New Zealand A squad vs Bangladesh AMuhammad Abbas, Adi Ashok, Matt Boyle, Joe Carter (red-ball captain), Kristian Clarke, Josh Clarkson, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay, Curtis Heaphy, Nick Kelly (white-ball captain), Jayden Lennox, Ben Lister, Rhys Mariu, Dale Phillips
Nico Schlotterbeck has been hailed as Borussia Dortmund's version of Thomas Muller, with Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus tipping the German centre-back for a talismanic role in their bid to challenge for the Bundesliga title. Schlotterbeck’s return from injury has already stabilised the defence, and Dortmund’s bright start to the season suggests they are building a strong platform around their emerging leader.
Schlotterbeck – Dortmund’s key defensive leader
Dortmund’s recent performances have highlighted the importance of having strong, consistent figures at the back, and Schlotterbeck has emerged as a vital component. The German centre-back has recovered from a serious meniscus injury sustained in April, returning to full 90-minute action in their last two Bundesliga games. As Matthaus writes in his latest column in “Schlotterbeck is to BVB what Thomas Muller was to Bayern. He's a player with a strong mentality that Dortmund needs in the future and wants to extend his contract. The German national team defender brings the necessary attitude and quality and is simply a role model for the team. I'm not surprised that he's coming back and performing immediately.”
AdvertisementAFPMatthaus’ endorsement for German star
The praise from the Bayern great underscores the strategic importance of retaining Schlotterbeck. By likening him to Muller, Matthaus emphasises Schlotterbeck’s ability to influence games beyond pure defensive metrics. Matthaus further contextualises Dortmund’s challenge against Bayern in Bundesliga, noting: “Ultimately, of course, it's largely up to Bayern themselves to decide who will win the German championship. If Munich continues to play like this, things will be very difficult for Dortmund, even though they're performing just as well as the German record champions in their own way.”
Dortmund’s defensive stability key to bright start under Kovac
Niko Kovac's team have kept clean sheets in both Bundesliga games since Schlotterbeck returned to the starting XI, reflecting both his individual quality and the structure he brings to the backline. His high tackling success rate and ability to win possession under pressure make him a defensive anchor. The 25-year-old has previously played a key role in the club’s Champions League campaigns, including reaching the final alongside Mats Hummels. Dortmund remain unbeaten in 13 competitive matches this season, and Schlotterbeck’s presence is central to their ambition to compete with Bayern for the Bundesliga title and maintain European credibility.
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Getty ImagesRole for Germany and upcoming Dortmund challenges
Schlotterbeck’s form at Dortmund has placed him in contention for a starting role with the German national team, especially with aging or regressing defenders like Jonathan Tah and Antonio Rudiger. Julian Nagelsmann confirmed that Schlotterbeck will feature in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland. Retaining Schlotterbeck ensures continuity and leadership for both club and country, reinforcing Dortmund’s defensive backbone ahead of major international competitions.
Dortmund are set to host Athletic Club following a dramatic 4-4 draw against Juventus in the Champions League, showcasing both attacking prowess and defensive vulnerabilities. Maintaining Schlotterbeck in the squad will be key to weathering challenging fixtures in Europe and domestically. Dortmund also face more group-stage matches, including encounters with Copenhagen, Manchester City, Villarreal, Bodo/Glimt, Tottenham, and Inter Milan. With Bayern leading the Bundesliga by two points, Dortmund’s ability to keep their defensive core intact, led by Schlotterbeck, could prove crucial in challenging for the title while pursuing deep European runs.
West Ham United have now made firm contact over a late swoop for an “incredible” defender, with Nayef Aguerd seemingly heading for the exit door.
West Ham eyeing replacements for Marseille-bound Aguerd
Ahead of Sunday’s trip to Nottingham Forest, there were rumours that Aguerd and Lucas Paqueta wouldn’t be travelling to the City Ground, with both players looking for the exit door on transfer deadline day.
However, Paqueta re-affirmed his commitment to the club after scoring the second goal in the shock 3-0 triumph, with his celebration indicating the Brazilian has no plans to leave anytime soon.
Aguerd, on the other hand, was not involved, with the Moroccan now on the brink of completing a move to Ligue 1 side Marseille.
Consequently, the Hammers will have to bring in a replacement today, and they have now made a late swoop to sign Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell, according to a report from The Sun.
The report states West Ham have now made firm inquiries over a deal for Cresswell, who is now more likely to join than Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis, given that the Saints are set to hold out for over £20m for the Englishman.
The Toulouse centre-back, on the other hand, is valued at £13m plus bonuses, and the Irons may choose to cough up that amount for his services before the transfer window closes at 7pm this evening.
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ByKelan Sarson Aug 31, 2025 "Incredible" Cresswell could be ideal Aguerd replacement
Lauded as “incredible” by scout Jacek Kulig, the 23-year old has performed remarkably well for Toulouse over the past year, most importantly impressing from a defensive point of view, while also proving himself as a real threat at the opposite end of the pitch.
Statistic
Average per 90
Blocks
1.61 (83rd percentile)
Clearances
6.63 (88th percentile)
Aerials won
3.26 (91st percentile)
Non-penalty goals
0.14 (97th percentile)
The Englishman has outperformed Aguerd across all of those metrics, with the Morocco international averaging 1.21 blocks per 90, 4.66 clearances, 2.87 aerials won and failing to score a single goal.
As such, the Preston-born defender could be a real upgrade on the 29-year-old in the heart of the West Ham defence, and a £13m transfer fee seems reasonable, given the level of his recent performances.
The only concern over signing Cresswell will be the fact he failed to make the cut at Leeds United, making just 14 senior appearances for the club, but the centre-back has clearly grown as a player since then, having made 31 outings for Toulouse in Ligue 1 last term.
The former captain made his first-class debut aged 17, scored 28 Test centuries and led Australia to 2015 ODI World Cup
AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jan-2025
Michael Clarke at his home ground of the SCG•Getty Images
Former captain Michael Clarke has been inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of FameClarke, 43, accepted the honour on Thursday, nearly a decade after he closed the chapter on his remarkable playing career. He is the 64th inductee, with two further members to be named this season.Making his first-class debut for New South Wales at 17, Clarke captained Australia to victory in the 2015 ODI World Cup and led the side across 47 of his 115 Tests.Overall, Clarke scored 8643 Test runs, putting him sixth on Australia’s all-time list, and 7981 in ODIs where he stands fourth. His tally of 28 Test centuries also leaves puts him sixth on that list.Having impressed early in his ODI career – he wasn’t dismissed in his first three innings – Clarke burst onto the Test scene during Australia’s 2004 tour of India, crowned the player of the match in Bengaluru after scoring 151 on debut.After being dropped in late 2005, Clarke returned a even more formidable player. He became the sixth Australian to score a Test triple-century after posting an unbeaten 329 against India at the SCG in the 2011-12 series.He followed up his SCG performance with a double century in the fourth Test against India, before notching two further double centuries against South Africa the following season.Other standout innings included the 151 against South Africa at Cape Town in 2011 (from a total of 284) in the game Australia were later dismissed for 47, his 161 at the same venue in 2014 when he defied a broken shoulder to set up a victory that would take Australia to No. 1 in the world and the hugely emotional 128 against India at Adelaide in 2014 shortly after the death of the Phillip Hughes in what would prove his final home Test.Michael Clarke was prolific in the period from 2012 to 2014•Getty Images
It had been in 2011, after England won the Ashes 3-1 in Australia, that Clarke succeeded Ricky Ponting as captain. At his peak, he was ranked the best batter in the world. He was also at the helm for the Ashes whitewash in 2013-14 and retired at the end of the lost 2015 campaign in England.”To be able to sit along so many wonderful players, idols, role models growing up as a kid and looking up to is something I’m honoured by,” Clarke said. “Retirement does a lot of things to you. Through stages of watching cricket now, you miss parts.”When you play at the highest level, people talk about your international career but for me, it started at six years of age. I retired at 34 so it was my life. It’s still a part of my life.”Cricket – it’s probably so similar to life in general. You walk out and make 100 and then lift the bat, and then you walk out to field, field in slip and drop a catch second ball of the game.”Australian Cricket Hall of Fame chairman Peter King praised Clarke as a player who “defined his generation”.”Michael’s extraordinary first-class playing career started at just 17 at the SCG – the place where many of his highlights occurred, including a Test triple century against India in 2012,” King said.”Michael’s career will forever be remembered fondly by the Australian public and his standing held alongside those at the upper echelon of our game.”Clarke also proved capable as a left-arm spinner. It was his spell of 3 for 5 in 1.5 overs in 2008 against India that helped Australia retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and extend their winning streak to a record-equaling 16 Tests. In his debut series against India he had also taken 6 for 9 in Mumbai.
He has not captained a state team at senior level before, and is also working on his bowling to become a more rounded cricketer
Shashank Kishore20-Dec-2024Rinku Singh has been appointed Uttar Pradesh captain for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s 50-over domestic competition, beginning on December 21. He takes over from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who led UP at the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy that finished last week, where they lost to Delhi in the quarter-final.It’s the first time that Rinku will captain a state team at the senior level. Earlier this year, he led Meerut Mavericks to the UPT20 League title, scoring 210 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 161.54 largely as a finisher.”It was a big opportunity for me to lead Meerut Mavericks in the UPT20 League, and I am happy that I could deliver,” Rinku said ahead of their Vijay Hazare Trophy opener. “I really enjoyed captaincy as it allowed me to learn many things.”I did try my hand at bowling [offspin] too at the UPT20 league. Present-day cricket demands a full package – a cricketer who can bat, bowl and field. Now I am focusing on my bowling too. As captain of Uttar Pradesh, I have got a bigger role to play, and I’m ready for this.”Rinku’s promotion in the UP team comes at a time when Kolkata Knight Riders, his IPL franchise, are mulling their captaincy options ahead of IPL 2025. He has been part of the KKR setup since 2018, and was retained ahead of the mega auction in November, along with Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy and Ramandeep Singh.”I am not thinking too much about the captaincy of KKR in the new IPL season,” Rinku said. “I am focused on my plans for Uttar Pradesh, as I want my team to regain the trophy we had won for the first time in 2015-16.”The Vijay Hazare Trophy will help give the national selectors insight on players when they pick India’s ODI squad for the Champions Trophy in February. While Rinku has become a regular for India in T20Is, he has so far played just two ODIs, having made his debut a year ago in South Africa.Rinku’s overall List A numbers are impressive. He has scored 1899 runs in 52 innings at an average of 48.69, and has a strike rate of 94.8, with one hundred and 17 half-centuries. Rinku, though, isn’t looking at the Vijay Hazare Trophy as an India audition.”I believe in God,” he said. “I didn’t even think of being part of team India when I struck five consecutive sixes in the IPL last year. That turned out to be the biggest game changer in my life. Even now I feel that if God has decided something for me, I will get that surely. But at the same time, I also need to work hard on my job.”UP begin their campaign against Jammu and Kashmir on December 21, and then have games against Mizoram (December 23), Tamil Nadu (December 26), Chhattisgarh (December 28), Chandigarh (December 31) and Vidarbha (January 3).
Chelsea are leaving no stone unturned as the club chases glory on all fronts this season. Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro have arrived to bolster the attack.
Pedro has made an instant impact already, registering three goal involvements in as many matches at the Club World Cup for the Blues.
He might be joined by Xavi Simons, who looks close to sealing a deal to join the Blues in the coming days.
This squad depth would make the Stamford Bridge side a force to be reckoned with under Enzo Maresca, especially if he can work out a system that could benefit his attacking players.
Chelsea's Reece James lifts the trophy as he celebrates withChelseamanager Enzo Maresca and teammates after winning the FIFA Club World Cup
Despite the lavish spending, it appears as though Maresca isn’t finished yet…
Chelsea eyeing another attacking signing
With Simons looking like he will be the next big arrival, Maresca has turned closer to home for another potential signing.
According to Football Insider, Chelsea have offered two players plus cash in a deal to sign Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa.
Nicolas Jackson and Tosin Adarabioyo are the two players mentioned, while it remains to be seen how much money they have offered as part of the deal.
Villa value Rogers at around £100m, and they will do anything to keep hold of the playmaker this summer.
England'sEberechiEzecelebrates scoring their third goal with England's Morgan Rogers
If the Blues strike a deal, it would be a major statement. Several of the team will benefit from Rogers’ arrival, none more so than Pedro.
Why Morgan Rogers would benefit Joao Pedro
Last season, Pedro scored ten Premier League goals for Brighton, adding six assists in the process.
He has settled into the Blues’ squad nicely indeed. Across three games at the Club World Cup, the Brazilian netted three goals while averaging one key pass per game.
Ahead of the new Premier League campaign, just how good can Pedro become with a player such as Rogers operating directly behind him?
Well, the Englishman enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season himself in the top flight during 2024/25.
Not only did he score eight times, but Rogers generated ten assists as Villa just missed out on Champions League qualification. He notably shone in Europe too, netting eight goals, including three which came in one game against Celtic.
When compared to his peers in the Premier League, the former Manchester City starlet ranked in the top 7% for through balls (0.64) per 90, along with ranking in the top 20% for take-ons attempted (4.62) per 90 across last season.
Furthermore, the youngster even created a staggering 16 big chances (the 11th best tally in the division) while also averaging 1.4 key passes per game for Villa.
Shots per game
1.5
Big chances created
16
Key passes per game
1.4
Total duels won per game
4.7
Big chances missed
11
Touches per game
41.3
These statistics demonstrate just how effective he is behind the centre-forward, something which Pedro can take full advantage of.
Hailed as “unstoppable” by former Liverpool defender turned pundit Jamie Carragher last term, Rogers has all the tools in his armoury to be a success at Stamford Bridge.
The offer to Villa sounds like it might be tempting for Unai Emery to accept, especially given their need to balance the books.
Will Rogers be the final piece of the attacking jigsaw for Maresca ahead of the 2025/26 season? Only time will tell.
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Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have signed local offspinner Bryan Charles as Dwayne Bravo’s replacement for the rest of CPL 2024.Bravo had announced his retirement from all cricket on Thursday after a groin injury cut short his stint in CPL 2024. Bravo had suffered the injury when he attempted to take the catch of Kings’ captain Faf du Plessis in the seventh over in Tarouba.Charles, 29, plays for Trinidad & Tobago in domestic cricket, but is yet to play an official T20. He is better known for his red-ball skills, having recently earned a call-up to West Indies’ Test side for the home Test series against South Africa earlier this year.Related
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Charles was also the leading wicket-taker for Trinidad & Tobago in the West Indies four-day championship, taking 31 wickets in seven games at an average of 17. The tally included a career-best match haul of 13 wickets against Jamaica in Kingston in April.Charles could potentially act as cover for Sunil Narine, who has missed TKR’s last three games with a quad complaint. In the injury-enforced absence of Narine, Kieron Pollard had Tim David bowling offspin with the dry new ball in TKR’s last home game of the season, against Barbados Royals, on Friday. With three left-handers in Royal’s top six – TKR could potentially meet Royals again in the Eliminator – there’s a possibility of Charles coming into contention for selection if Narine’s still unfit for the playoffs.David has also joined TKR’s injury list, Pollard suggested, after he had seemingly hurt his side and banged his head into the ground while saving a six at the boundary on Friday.”Yes, the injuries are a big, big concern,” Pollard said after the match. “Obviously Tim [David] coming off the field as well, Narine [is] still not fit, Russell with his injury as well. My body is getting down a bit after a long tournament.”But having said that we are going to continue to rally, continue to try hard and continue to rest when needed. The support staff and the physio and doctors – they are all doing a really, really good job to keep the guys on the park.”
Fran Wilson makes 61 in Western Storm’s 200 for 5, as match loses 41 overs to rain
ECB Reporters Network07-Jul-2024
Hollie Armitage made a brilliant unbeaten hundred•Getty Images
Northern Diamonds 199 for 4 (Armitage 101*) beat Western Storm 200 for 5 (Wilson 61, Corney 40) by six wickets – DLSHollie Armitage scored a brilliant unbeaten hundred to guide Northern Diamonds to an impressive six-wicket victory over Western Storm on the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method in an entertaining Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy match at Cheltenham.Chasing a revised target of 199 on a day when 41 overs were lost to rain, the visitors reached their target with 16 balls in hand thanks to a captain’s innings from Armitage, who posted 101 from 76 balls with nine fours and a six to help Diamonds close the gap on leaders Southern Vipers.She received valuable support from Sterre Kalis, who contributed 34 in a third wicket stand of 71, and Australia international Erin Burns, who weighed in with 21 not out in an unbroken partnership of 67 in 6.5 overs for the fifth wicket. For their part, Storm were left to rue missed opportunities, having twice dropped Armitage on 23 and 53.Fran Wilson had earlier raised a perfectly-judged innings of 61 off 63 balls as Storm recovered from a poor start to post 200-5 after losing the toss. Emma Corney made 40 at the top of the order, Nat Wraith struck a forthright 34 and overseas all-rounder Amanda-Jade Wellington provided a hard-hitting 27 at the death. Abi Glen was the pick of the Diamonds bowlers, claiming 2 for 24 from six overs.Diamonds inserted Storm on a drying surface and promptly reduced them to 26 for 2 in the powerplay, Glen and Rachel Slater removing Sophia Smale and Sophie Luff respectively. Determined to break the stranglehold and afford the innings impetus, Corney twice drove Glen down the ground for four in the ninth, Storm eventually realising 50 two overs later.Adept at working the gaps, Wilson proved an effective ally and acceleration came with the advent of Katie Levick’s leg breaks, Corney launching her over mid-wicket for another boundary. Hampered by a slow outfield, the third wicket pair nevertheless ran hard between the wickets to gain momentum, taking advantage of the College Ground’s short boundaries to punish the bad ball when it came along.Having contributed a 54-ball 40 in an increasingly progressive stand of 61 in 11 overs, Corney had a half century firmly in her sights when she took on Sophia Turner and miss-cued high to Kalis at point, just seconds before a heavy rain shower moved in to force the players off with the score on 87 for 3 at the end of 17 overs.The loss of a further four overs set the tone for the remainder of the innings, Wilson and Wraith engaging in frenetic running as the Diamonds bowlers were forced to contend with a wet ball. Wraith hit the ground running, scoring at better than a run-a-ball and registering the first six of the innings, while the assured Wilson also picked up the pace to move to 50 via 57 deliveries.Wraith drove Glen to short extra cover and departed for a 28-ball 34, but Wellington picked up the cudgels immediately, pulling Levick for a six over square and then driving compatriot Erin Burns for four in raising a quickfire 27 from just 14 balls. Applying pressure at the death, Wilson then hoisted Phoebe Turner high over mid-wicket for a massive six as Diamonds wilted under pressure.Carrying that momentum into the second half of the contest, Storm struck a couple of early blows, Ellie Anderson having Lauren Winfield-Hill held at point and Smale enticing Emma Marlow to miss-cue to extra cover. Wellington then passed up an opportunity to remove influential Diamonds skipper Armitage on 23, dropping what appeared to be a straightforward catch at mid-off and disappointing off spinner Chloe Skelton.It proved a costly slip, Armitage pulling a Wellington full toss for six to put the visitors ahead on DLS before the next rain break. When they re-emerged to chase a revised target of 199 from one over fewer, the third-wicket pair continued to power on, Armitage going to a 41-ball 50 with her fifth four, a pull shot to mid-wicket at the expense of Wellington.Trusting in pace off the ball and struggling to exert control in the soggy conditions, Storm needed a breakthrough. Niamh Holland provided inspiration, bowling Kalis via a bottom edge in the act of cutting, the Dutch international having contributed a valuable 37-ball 34 in a stand of 72 in 11 overs.Requiring 70 to win off 10 overs, Diamonds received another let-off when Armitage was dropped on 53 by Issy Wong on the deep mid-wicket boundary off the bowling of Holland. Alex Griffiths showed how it should be done later in the same over, holding on in the deep to send back Bess Heath for 10 and reduce the visitors to 132 for 4.But Armitage ensured the home side paid for their profligacy, finding the boundary with increasing regularity to provide acceleration at just the right time in a match-winning partnership with Burns, who used all of her experience to score 21 not out from 13 balls and ensure Diamonds reached their target without any further slip-ups.
Amid speculation that Nelson Semedo could be on his way out of the Midlands at the end of his contract this month, Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly joined the race to sign an instant replacement.
Semedo films Wolves farewell
Having already lost both Rayan Ait-Nouri and Matheus Cunha to Manchester City and Manchester United respectively, the last thing that Wolves need is another departure. With just a matter of weeks remaining on his current deal, however, Semedo looks destined to hand the Midlands club exactly that. The right-back’s future remains in doubt and he has seemingly been pictured filming what may well be a farewell to the fans at Molineux.
With another departure on the cards, Wolves could be in for a hectic summer ahead of Vitor Pereira’s first full season in charge. So far, the Portuguese manager has done everything right in charge of the Midlands club, but he will be desperate to ensure that the good times continue even without stars of Ait-Nouri and Cunha’s calibre.
The Wolves boss told reporters in the final stages of last season: “Of course, we need players. We need to be stronger next season, competing for every game. What I learned is that with this level of focus, we cannot compete with these kinds of teams.
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“It means next season we must be better, we must compete inside (the club). If you don’t compete inside, then you have problems — you must compete inside the club every day in training. You must have competition for your position. The players are not happy for sure (with the result) because they know they can do better.”
With that need for players, it looks as though Wolves have wasted no time before turning towards an experienced defender who could arrive to replace Semedo this summer.
Wolves join hectic Coufal race
According to Football Insider, Wolves have now joined the race to sign Vladimir Coufal alongside Premier League rivals Everton and Leeds United. The veteran right-back left West Ham United as a free agent after five years at the club, but could yet get the chance to stay put in England’s top flight even without the Hammers.
Vladimir Coufal in action for West Ham vs Newcastle
A player who would match Semedo’s experience, Coufal still has something to offer after leaving West Ham and Wolves should take full advantage. Statistically speaking, the 32-year-old wasn’t far off matching Semedo every step of the way last season.
Minutes
1,067
2,886
Tackles Won
1.26
1.12
Interceptions
0.67
0.72
Ball Recoveries
3.28
4.33
Hailed as “brilliant” by former West Ham boss David Moyes during his time with the Irons, Coufal may not be a long-term option, but he does represent a bargain candidate to instantly solve a pending problem for Wolves.
As a free agent, the ball could be in Coufal’s court this summer and it doesn’t look as though he’s going to be short on Premier League options.
This summer is huge for Leeds United if they are to maintain their Premier League status after securing promotion from the Championship at the end of the season.
The Whites secured the title after registering a total of 100 points, edging out Scott Parker’s Burnley on goal difference on the final day of the campaign.
However, Daniel Farke has a massive task on his hands to keep them in the top-flight, with each team promoted in the last two campaigns all dropping back to their second tier at the first attempt.
If the club are to avoid being the next team on that list, investment is desperately needed in the squad at Elland Road to try and be competitive in what’s becoming a tricky division to perform in for newly-promoted outfits.
With the summer window rapidly approaching, the hierarchy have wasted no time in making moves in the transfer market to hand the manager with the tools he needs to survive in 2025/26.
The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new signings this summer
With the gap growing year-on-year in the Premier League, quality and experienced additions are needed to help Leeds be on the right side of the dotted line come May 2026.
The likes of Kyle Walker-Peters, Vladimir Coufal and Sean Longstaff have all been linked with a move to Elland Road – with all three having key experience in England’s top-flight.
Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff
However, a younger option has also been thrown into the mix in the form of Manchester City’s James McAtee, that’s according to TEAMtalk’s latest update.
Their report claims that the Whites have returned with an enquiry to land the 22-year-old after previously trying to make a move to sign him on loan last summer.
It also states that Pep Guardiola’s side have placed a £35m price tag on his head ahead of the upcoming window, with Nottingham Forest said to be edging Farke’s side in the hunt for his signature.
Why Leeds’ £35m target could be Farke’s next Buendia
During Farke’s previous rodeos in securing promotion from the second tier, he often relied on Argentine midfielder Emi Buendia, who starred during his spell under the German.
Former Norwich star Emi Buendia.
The attacking midfielder spent three years playing under his management, undoubtedly playing the best football of his career when playing for him at the Canaries.
He registered 59 combined league goals and assists during his three years at Carrow Road, undoubtedly being the manager’s shining light and main source of creativity.
Buendia was even linked with a switch to link up with his former boss at Elland Road during the January transfer window, but a move never materialised with the 28-year-old moving to Bayer Leverkusen on loan instead.
However, he could be about to land his next version of the star this summer with a deal for McAtee, with the City ace having the tools to produce the goods in Yorkshire.
Manchester City'sJamesMcAteecelebrates after the match
The 22-year-old, who’s been labelled “special” by current boss Guardiola, has scored seven goals across all competitions this campaign, able to hand the Whites the added threat in the final third.
His underlying stats have been just as impressive, registering 3.9 shots per 90, with 1.9 of which on target – highlighting his impressive nature in front of goal.
James McAtee’s stats for Manchester City in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
27
Goals scored
7
Pass accuracy
84%
Shots taken
3.9
Shots on target
1.9
Chances created
1.2
Touches in opposition box
5.8
Stats via FotMob
He’s also managed to provide the goods for other teammates in the final third, completing 84% of the passes he’s attempted to date – creating 1.2 chances per 90, able to create carnage just like Buendia did under Farke’s guidance at Norwich.
Whilst £35m could be a huge fee for such a young talent, it’s a deal worth pursuing for the Whites, having the potential to burst onto the scene and explode under the manager’s guidance.
McAtee has already demonstrated with limited minutes at the Etihad this season that he’s capable of producing the goods, potentially taking his game to the next level with consistent minutes under Farke in Yorkshire.
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