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Tottenham Hotspur are now “pushing to sign” a £70m “beast” who is “very open to a move to Spurs” this summer, Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has revealed.

Richarlison and Son Heung-min's futures up in the air

Despite an impressive 2023-24 campaign, it would be fair to say that Richarlison hasn’t exactly set the world alight since making the move from Everton, and the Brazilian once again struggled to make an impact last season after struggling with injuries.

Richarlison at Spurs

PL appearances

Goals

Assists

2022-23

27

1

4

2023-24

28

11

4

2024-25

15

4

1

As such, Tottenham have now made the decision to transfer list the striker, amid interest from Galatasaray and Saudi Arabia, with talks over a potential exit being held over the course of the past month.

Consequently, one of Thomas Frank’s main tasks this summer could be to bring in a replacement, and a £32m offer has now been submitted for Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz, who is also attracting attention from newly-promoted Leeds United.

There has also been speculation surrounding Son Heung-min’s future, with the captain at one stage said to have been close to an exit, and Spurs are now looking at bringing in a long-term replacement for the South Korean.

According to an update from Plettenberg on X, Tottenham are now “pushing to sign” West Ham United winger Mohammed Kudus, who is “very open to a move to Spurs” this summer.

Negotiations are currently ongoing with West Ham, as Spurs “really want” to get a deal over the line, but there could be competition from clubs in the Saudi Pro League.

However, Kudus has aspirations of playing at the highest level in Europe, indicating the Lilywhites could be well-placed to win the race for his signature, with Champions League football set to be on offer at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next season.

"Beast" Kudus could be exciting signing for Spurs

A deal for the Ghanaian is likely to be on the expensive side, with reports suggesting the Hammers could hold out for £70m, but there are plenty of signs that he could be an exciting addition to Frank’s squad.

The 24-year-old is a particularly impressive dribbler of the ball, placing in the 97th percentile for successful take-ons over the past year, when compared to other wingers, while he has also displayed an ability to create chances and score goals.

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Indeed, the West Ham star regularly contributed with goals and assists during his first season in England, picking up 17 goal contributions in the Premier League, while finding the back of the net five times in the Europa League.

Described as a “beast” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Kudus could take his career to the next level at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but there may be some reservations about shelling out £70m, given that he didn’t manage to kick on at West Ham last season.

Liverpool are in the market for forwards this summer, and they’ve already agreed a £100m deal for Florian Wirtz (which could rise to a British-record £116m).

Wirtz, 22, is a “truly generational talent”, as per sports media professional Cristian Nyari, and he’s only going to get better, having led Bayer Leverkusen to the 2023/24 Bundesliga title (winning the division’s Player of the Year), and breathing life into his side whenever he collects the ball, gambolling his way into the danger area.

Liverpool have got themselves a player, all right, and Arne Slot now has an elite-level playmaker in the attacking third of the field – all the more important with Trent Alexander-Arnold signing for Real Madrid.

Though FSG would like to turn their attention toward the front of the pitch, there’s little question that a replacement for Luis Diaz would need to be sourced, should he leave this summer.

It’s for this reason that rumours have gathered apace regarding Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon.

Why Liverpool want Anthony Gordon

Last summer, Liverpool were offered the chance to sign Gordon as Newcastle sweated over PSR; after failing to qualify for Europe, the Magpies were forced to stare at their jewels and decide which to sell.

Liverpool were curious, but Newcastle found other ways to offset their troubles, selling more outlying members of Eddie Howe’s squad.

Now, the Merseysiders are keen once again, and Newcastle might be open to selling if their £100m valuation is met.

Liverpool are hardly going to meet such exorbitant demands, but if Diaz does leave, with suitors in Barcelona and the Saudi Pro League, then Reds intrigue in their former academy member, who left and joined Everton when he was 11, could take a more solid shape.

Would Liverpool be getting bang for their buck by signing Gordon for such a figure? Would they really? What about an alternative, one who would arrive for a similar fee but pack a far meatier punch under Slot’s wing?

Liverpool leading race for Diaz heir

Liverpool could sign an even bigger talent than Gordon if they advance their long-standing interest in Real Madrid’s Rodrygo, with Spanish reports claiming that the Brazilian forward could be sold for €90m (£77m) this summer.

More to the point, the Anfield side are considered alongside Manchester City to be the favourites in the race for the talented winger, though further Premier League sides are keen. Arsenal, in previous reports, have been credited with an interest.

Coming off the back of a difficult year, both Slot and Pep Guardiola believe a poor Club World Cup campaign could leave Rodrygo isolated, and with his valuation slashed toward a more agreeable €75m (£64m) ballpark.

How Rodrygo would perform for Slot

Picture this: it’s a decade ago, and Liverpool have fallen by the wayside under Brendan Rodgers. The staple of Liverpool’s summer 2015 transfer window was the £32.5m acquisition of Christian Benteke from Aston Villa.

Ten years later and Liverpool are among the frontrunners for superstars like Rodrygo, having won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and plenty more across the intervening years.

It was over ten years ago that Liverpool released Gordon when he was a youngster, and though the England international is talented and a boyhood fan of the club, Rodrygo is the superior player, even if he only notched 14 goals and ten assists across 51 matches last season.

That’s not exactly a terrible haul, though the 24-year-old did only score six goals and six assists across the La Liga season, albeit missing just one big chance in front of goal, as per Sofascore, to emphasise his clinical ability.

The crux of Rodrygo’s Madrid malaise is that he’s routinely fielded out on the right, despite feeling the alternate flank as being his best position. Indeed, the right-footer has been far more prolific when playing as a left winger.

Rodrygo – Real Madrid Stats by Position (24/25)

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Right winger

29

7

4

Left winger

12

6

6

Centre-forward

8

0

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

The problem, however, is that Vinicius Junior holds down the fort in that area, with focal frontman Kylian Mbappe also preferring the left side to the right, as can be observed through his league season heatmap.

Given that Mohamed Salah is staying at Liverpool for the next two years, it hardly seems likely that Liverpool would make a marquee move and bring Rodrygo into the fold just for him to play second fiddle to the Egyptian.

Instead, he could replace Diaz, who, at 28, isn’t indispensable, and prove an upgrade on Gordon, with the 24-year-old also enduring something of a tough term in front of goal for the Toon, equal to Rodrygo in that he posted six goals and six assists in the Premier League.

As Liverpool plan to foray deep into next year’s Champions League knockout stage, putting themselves on a platform to claim number seven, Rodrygo would be the perfect fit, for his pedigree on the biggest stage speaks for itself.

Gordon failed to register a goal involvement across his six games in the 2023/24 Champions League, and while he’ll have the chance to rectify that over the coming year, Rodrygo is tried and tested, hailed as a “special striker” who can “play in all positions” by former Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti.

A fierce blend of speed, skills and strength, Rodrygo would be a statement signing for a Liverpool side who are undergoing a good amount of change this summer. While the Brazil star would be a new part, he’d arrive with a wealth of experience at the highest level, and Slot’s sharp tactics would surely whip him back into an elite standard.

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A Premier League star is now more inclined to join Chelsea over Man Utd after a U-turn behind-the-scenes, with both clubs reaching out for talks recently.

Chelsea kickstart transfer plans amid Champions League qualification

Levi Colwill’s second-half tap-in against Nottingham Forest on Sunday arguably came as Chelsea’s most important goal of the 2024/2025 campaign, with Enzo Maresca’s side confirming their place in the Champions League next season as a result.

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This will have a profoundly positive effect when it comes to Chelsea’s recruitment drive over the summer window, as the west Londoners are set for a considerable financial windfall and gifted far more pull in the market, given they will be competing in European football’s most prestigious competition.

Rank

Team

Points

GD

Man City

71

+28

Chelsea

69

+21

Newcastle

66

+21

6

Aston Villa

66

+7

7

Nottingham Forest

65

+12

Finishing in the top five could truly prove to be season-defining for 2025/2026, with Chelsea setting their sights on a proven goalscorer as one of their many transfer priorities before the next campaign kicks off.

It is believed that Chelsea could even bring in two strikers this summer, which is made all the more possible by their Champions League place, and journalist Simon Phillips reports that the Blues want to register one of them before the Club World Cup next month.

That man could well be Ipswich Town star Liam Delap, following his excellent 12-goal season in an otherwise dismal side, according to various reports.

Fabrizio Romano backs up whispers that Chelsea have held talks with Delap’s camp, and other media sources claim that the Englishman is set to make a decision on his next destination “this week” (Simon Phillips).

Liam Delap inclined to join Chelsea over Man Utd

This is echoed by talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, who told the broadcaster that Delap is actually more inclined to join Chelsea over Man United, after the former qualified for Champions League football next season.

While the 22-year-old’s spoken to United, Newcastle and Everton as well as Chelsea, it appears the latter are in pole position as things stand.

“My understanding was that he was leaning towards Manchester United because he wanted to go back and live in the north west. He’s a former Manchester City player,” said Crook on air.

“But he does want to play in the Champions League. So I wonder if that may have scuppered United now.

“And the noises I’m hearing this morning are more that maybe he’ll end up at Chelsea.”

Delap’s sky-high potential stretches far beyond just goals, as the ex-City starlet’s power, speed and physicality also make him a real force to be reckoned with. Teammates like Alex Palmer have endorsed Delap’s talent as well, calling him a “monster” up front.

“You look at him and he’s a monster,” said Palmer.

“He’s a young lad that’s got the enthusiasm and energy – and also the talent.”

West Ham United have struggled in front of goal this season, which has surely been a reason why they have been unable to find consistency in the Premier League. There have been just four teams who have found the back of the net less than the Hammers in 2024/25, with three of those the relegated trio.

Worryingly, the Hammers’ 40 goals in the top flight are far below where they are expected to be. As the stats on Understat show, they have an expected goals tally of 46.61xG, an underachievement of just over six goals.

The Hammers seem to know this is an issue to address in the summer, given they are linked with a new striker from within the Premier League.

West Ham target Premier League striker

Perhaps the most sought-after player in the top flight this season is Liam Delap. The Ipswich Town triker has impressed despite his side’s woes this term, and is now linked with a whole host of Premier League clubs.

Transfer Focus

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

Well, according to a recent report from GiveMeSport, one of those clubs interested in Delap is West Ham. He seems to be a player on their radar, as they look to improve their fortunes in front of goal next season. For just £30m, the value of his release clause, it seems a bargain.

However, they will not be the only club in the race. The Hammers will be ‘facing competition’ from London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, as well as the North West pair Manchester United and Everton.

It is not clear who will win the race, but West Ham are certainly interested.

Why Delap would be a good signing

It has been a hugely disappointing season for Ipswich in 2024/25. They were the final side to be relegated from the Premier League, the latest club to fall victim to the unforgivable nature of the English top flight for a newly promoted side.

However, Delap was a real standout. In 34 appearances so far this term, he has managed to find the back of the net 12 times, and with an expected goals of 11.29xG, he is pretty consistent, which the Hammers certainly need in their side.

Delap has proven to be a man who can score in the biggest of games. This season, he has found the back of the net against Aston Villa in two games, Spurs, and grabbed a goal and an assist against Chelsea. He also scored against the Hammers, in a 4-1 win for the East Londoners.

One of Delap’s best traits is the way he can hold the ball up and then fashion chances for himself, often carrying past opposition defenders to create space. That was perfectly summed up by Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones, who described him as a “wrecking ball” earlier in the season.

Delap’s underlying numbers via Sofascore also show just how well-rounded his game is, with Statman Dave describing it as “unique”. For example, the Englishman has completed 39 dribbles and won 56 aerial duels for the Tractor Boys this term.

Shots on target

1.1

31

Key passes

0.8

21

Dribbles completed

1.4

39

Aerial duels won

2

56

Expected goal involvement

0.38xGI

10.67xGI

Should Delap make the move to the London Stadium, he could make Hammers talisman Jarrod Bowen even more unplayable. This season, the England international has ten goals and nine assists in 31 top flight games.

Not only would his directness in behind work well with Delap’s hold-up play ability and the way he fashions chances, but Bowen can also become even more creative with the former Manchester City man in their side.

This season for the Hammers, Bowen has created the most big chances with ten, the only player to reach double figures. He also plays the most key passes per game, with 1.6, as per Sofascore. Given he has only managed nine assists, Delap could certainly help raise those numbers.

This really could become a dream duo for West Ham. Bowen is a creative machine. On top of that, with the threat he poses on the last line, he can hurt opposing sides in partnership with Delap, with his hold-up and ball-carrying ability.

For a fee of around £30m, this seems like a deal West Ham must do, to really bring more goals into their side.

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The upcoming tour of West Indies, which starts a new WTC cycle, could prove a line in the sand

Andrew McGlashan14-Jun-20252:00

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As a rule, Australia don’t lose ICC finals. Only once in ten deciders since 1996, when Sri Lanka famously overcame them in another seismic result, had they fallen short – the 2010 T20 World Cup against England in Barbados. Therefore, the defeat in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s is significant and likely to lead to the first stages of regenerating the side for the next cycle when the squad reaches the West Indies.Australia were favourites coming into the final against South Africa – although not perhaps by as big a margin as some perceptions – and also lost from a position of strength: 102 runs ahead on the second day with ten wickets in hand, before losing 7 for 45 as they were unable to navigate the South Africa quicks as the clouds came over. Australia didn’t earn the right to have more batting under sunshine on Friday, the third day of the Test. That had followed being 67 for 4 in the first innings, which ended with a collapse of 5 for 20.Australia played some excellent cricket to reach the WTC final, prevailing in numerous tight situations along the way over the two years, and they do not suddenly need a complete rebuild. It does not need a national enquiry, but it does warrant some introspection.Related

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The biggest questions heading into the game were around the top three. Though the selectors were clear on the fact that this was being treated as a one-off occasion, and that decisions made here did not have to link to what’s to come, Australia leave Lord’s arguably less clear of a path forward than before.”We always knew this was going to be a one-off – it’s pretty specific conditions over here,” captain Pat Cummins said after the defeat. “Losing the toss on day one and being sent into bat is never going to be easy for the top three. I think there are probably quite a few people in the line-up that kind of wish they could have done a little bit more. The top three was an obvious one in this game.”It’s not to say that had Australia managed to defend 282, the key issues wouldn’t have been addressed, but there is often a reluctance to change a winning team. Although there remains uncertainty over the strength of the bowling attack which England will be able to bring to Australia later in the year, coach Andrew McDonald has already acknowledged that the hosts will need a settled opening pair by then. Now the tour of the West Indies, which begins on June 25, could prove a line in the sand.”I don’t particularly know why, but it does feel like a little bit of a fresh start,” Cummins said, “Fast forward a couple of years, you start maybe thinking about who’s going to win. Hopefully we make the final, who’s going to win that, and maybe do we want to get some games into them?2:11

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“Do we feel like now’s the right time to change, or do you hold with the team that got us to the final? We’ve got a couple of weeks before the first Test of the West Indies, so we’ll sit down and have a bit of a think after we digest this game. For me, I think a new WTC cycle in some ways does feel like a bit of a reset.”The clearest option with a view to the next generation is Sam Konstas, who hasn’t featured since his first two Tests against India. It’s hypothetical to ponder how he would have fared at Lord’s – and there’s no guarantee he’ll be the immediate answer after just 17 first-class matches – but even before Steven Smith’s nastily dislocated finger, it was difficult to see how he wouldn’t get an opportunity in Barbados. Josh Inglis is another who will to be given serious consideration.The immediate change is unlikely to be dramatic, or, beyond Konstas, especially youthful. Inglis, should he get a chance, is 30; the reserve quicks are 36-year-old Scott Boland and 31-year-old Brendan Doggett, although they will be key if the selectors decide the time is right for more rotation of the big three quicks to keep them fresh. However, the overall next WTC cycle could see a more significant remaking of the team.”In white-ball series, a lot of the time you build on four-year cycles around World Cups for ODIs,” Cummins said. “I think maybe it’s an opportunity in a Test match to do something similar. Everyone gets thrown back into the conversation, and it’s a little bit of a reset for that first half.”The biggest questions heading into the WTC final were around Australia’s top three•PA Photos/Getty ImagesQuestions may also be asked of Australia’s build-up where they opted for centre-wicket and nets. It’s worth noting they did the same in 2023, when they beat India in the final. South Africa hoped to have four days of cricket against Zimbabweans, but rain reduced that to one.There was no clear pattern to draw between how players prepared and their output at Lord’s: Usman Khawaja hadn’t played since March and struggled, Cameron Green churned out runs for Gloucestershire and failed twice, and Smith had three months without batting and made 66 in tricky conditions in the first innings.”I thought we got it spot on,” Cummins said. “I think the weather helped us out as well in that lead-in. I thought the fast bowlers, particularly, from the medical staff as well – they did fantastically well to make sure everyone was firing all cylinders from basically ball one.”It remains a fantastic bowling attack, but this time that wasn’t enough. They were excellent on the fourth morning, but when South Africa began the final day requiring another 69 runs to win, it would have needed something extraordinary for Cummins to continue his winning run in ICC finals.Now it all starts again, and events over the last four days at Lord’s have meant it will be an intriguing time for Australia’s Test team.

For the second time this year in an ICC final, Travis Head took on India’s vaunted bowling attack to decisive effect

Shashank Kishore19-Nov-20231:39

Where does this rank among Australia’s World Cup wins?

Virat Kohli is chirping away. He implores the crowd to join him. He waves his hands at them and then asks them to up the noise. Right on cue, the crowd responds. Travis Head hasn’t quite middled anything yet, and Australia are three down. A contest is brewing.Head’s methods have been to detonate attacks in the powerplay, irrespective of the nature of the surfaces. Here, there’s all the more reason for him to go hard. Australia are mindful of not ceding control to India by the time their spinners come on.Six weeks ago, Head had been at home in Adelaide, nursing a broken hand, as he watched Australia’s top order collapse against sustained hostility by a skilled pace attack in Chennai. By the time the spinners came on, Australia were properly under the pump. Anything from there on was merely an effort in damage limitation. Here, in the World Cup final, Head wasn’t going to be dictated similarly.Related

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India lost to the conditions, but could they have been braver with the bat?

So what does he do? He decides to be brave and takes on India’s bowling frontman, Mohammed Shami. The man who could do no wrong. Match after match, he’s come on, made the ball talk, coaxed it to do his bidding. Shami has already dismissed David Warner and is beginning to bowl with fire.At the other end, Jasprit Bumrah has sent the crowd into a tizzy, having sucker-punched Steven Smith with a deceptive cutter. At his best, Bumrah is capable of getting into the heads of batters, having them second guess his methods. Here, Bumrah doesn’t hide his plans. He means business. He’s going on all-out attack.As a batter, the situation can throw you in two minds. It’s at this point that Head decides he needs to take the game head on. It’s risky, no doubt, but because Head trusts his methods and plays a game without half-measures, it seems like a risk worth taking.Maybe it’s the confidence of form, even though at that moment, he has just scrapped to ten off 23 balls. It’s just the tenth over, and another wicket can really open the floodgates. But Head seems unperturbed. He dabs a nip-backer from Shami between a wide slip and short third for four. He plays it really late; he’s allowed the ball to do its thing, in moving back in. The bowler has no inkling of the shot until Head brings his bat down very late. It gets him going. Shami now goes fuller and slower. Head bludgeons it down the ground. Suddenly, he’s up and running.It’s all that is needed to ignite him. It frees him up to go on the attack. And because India are attacking, too, their margins for error have diminished to the point that a half-good hit over the ring is almost guaranteed to give full value. Head, though, doesn’t do half measures. He’s going after them.Kuldeep Yadav bears the brunt when Head clobbers a slog sweep over deep midwicket to stun the crowd that was bubbling only a while earlier. Head knows a thing or two about silencing crowds. He did it against India at a packed Oval in June in the WTC final, racing away in the afternoon session against an attack that had briefly switched off. By the time India woke up and realised going short into the body was the way to go, he had ransacked a hundred on the opening day . He’s doing something similar now, after a slow, somewhat iffy start.

“Trav just epitomised everything I want out of a cricket team. He takes the game on, he plays with a smile, he just puts the pressure right back onto the opposition”Pat Cummins on Travis Head

Three nights agoin Kolkata, head had taken the attack to the South African pacers in a small chase, in a manner similar to this. That night, Australia’s start was fuelled by Warner. Here, Head has made the bold move. You didn’t realise how, but by the time India considered a better plan against him, he had raised a fifty. Marnus Labuschagne, meanwhile, quietly slips into the background, playing risk-free cricket, milking singles and simply ensuring he’s there.Head isn’t your definition of pleasing-on-the-eye. At the same time, he isn’t ugly. Somewhere in between the artist and the industrious lies a method unique to him. One of a hunter, preying on loose deliveries, pouncing at the slightest sniff. It’s what he does to Bumrah immediately when Rohit turns back to his trump card after realising that spin isn’t going to be as profitable as he expected it to, especially under lights.Head whips Bumrah through midwicket and follows that up with a wallop down the ground. They are fours in the score book but is a crushing blow to a bowler’s ego. Even for a bowler like Bumrah, these are the sort of blows that can hurt. And because the full balls have been dispatched, Bumrah goes short, in an attempt to tuck him up. Only Head is fully aware. He stays upright and nails the pull.You look at the scorecard and go “wow”! Here he was, struggling to middle the ball early on, perhaps a tad edgy. And then at the slightest hint of India erring, he has found his gears and is moments away from a hundred in a World Cup final. It can’t get sweeter, considering he nearly didn’t make it here. Until a night prior to Australia’s squad announcement, he didn’t know if he would be ruled out by that broken hand.2:56

‘Travis Head has matured over the last two years across all formats’ – Tom Moody

Pat Cummins admitted to having a sleepless night at the prospect of having to see Head miss the bus. But his relief knew no bounds when George Bailey, the chief selector, and Andrew McDonald, the head coach, decided to take a punt.”He had a broken finger, a broken hand for the half of the tournament, but to keep him in the squad was a huge risk,” Cummins said at the post-match press conference. “And the medical team were fantastic, obviously, to get him into a place where he could perform. So that was a big risk. I think we could have been made to look really silly if that didn’t pay off, but you have got to take those risks to win a tournament.”And Trav, the player we’ve seen in Test cricket, he just epitomised everything I want out of a cricket team. He takes the game on, he plays with a smile, he just puts the pressure right back onto the opposition and he’s just great fun to be around. So, I couldn’t be happier for Trav.”When the century arrives, off a scampered single that he’d given up on, you can’t quite be sure if his hand gestures towards the dressing room means he needs a change of gloves or if it’s a message to someone. What you do know is, as he holds his arms aloft and looks up at his team-mates wildly cheering for him from the dugout, there’s realisation of a job well done.The hunter had hunted down the nemesis, on the grandest stage. The occasion fitting enough to complete a chapter in a memorable year he’s having. As a batter, you dream of playing and winning one world title in your career. Head has won two, within a span of six months. And both times, he was at the front and centre of his team’s performance. It’s the stuff dreams are made of.

Joe Root is one short of Don Bradman’s unwanted record as an Ashes captain

Sampath Bandarupalli08-Dec-20212 – Pat Cummins became only the second Australian to claim a five-wicket haul on captaincy debut in men’s Tests. George Giffen picked up 6 for 155 in England’s second innings in his maiden Test as captain in 1894 in Melbourne. Overall, Cummins is the 14th player to bag a five-for on men’s Test captaincy debut and first since Rashid Khan in 2019, who had five-fors in both innings against Bangladesh.1982 – Cummins is the first captain to claim a five-wicket haul in the men’s Ashes since 1982 when Bob Willis had 5 for 66 at the Gabba against the hosts. Cummins is also the first Australian skipper with a five-for in the Ashes since Richie Benaud’s six-wicket haul in 1962, also at the Gabba.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2 – Instances of a wicket falling on the very first ball of a men’s Ashes Test series (where data is available), including Mitchell Starc castling Rory Burns on Wednesday. The other occasion was back in 1936 at the Gabba, when England opener Stan Worthington was dismissed caught behind off the bowling of Ernie McCormick.6 – Number of times England have lost a wicket on the first ball of a Test (where data is available). Before Burns, Andrew Strauss was the last batter to be dismissed on the first ball of a Test, caught off Dale Steyn in 2010 in Johannesburg.England’s worst starts to a Test series in the last 100 years•ESPNcricinfo Ltd147 England’s total in their first innings in Brisbane. It is the fifth-lowest all-out total for England in the very first innings of a Test series in the last 100 years (excluding one-off Tests). Only once they bagged a lower total after electing to bat in this period – 134 against Australia in 1958 in Brisbane.3 – All-out totals lower than England’s 147 in the first innings of an Ashes series in the past 100 years. Australia were bowled out for 116 at the Gabba in 1968 and 118 at Edgbaston in 1997, while England posted only 134 at the Gabba in 1958.7 – Number of all-out totals of less than 150 for England in Tests this year. Only two teams got all out under 150 more often in a calendar year – Australia in 1888 and West Indies in 2000, both eight times.6 – Number of ducks for Burns in Tests in 2021, the most for an opening batter in a calendar year. Pankaj Roy (in 1952) and Michael Atherton (in 1998) had five ducks each. Burns is also the only player with more than five Test ducks in a calendar year while batting in the top seven.ESPNcricinfo Ltd4 – Ducks as a captain for Joe Root in the Ashes, the joint-most for England alongside Mike Brearley. Don Bradman, with five ducks, holds the unwanted record for most ducks as a captain in the Ashes. Two more Australian captains – Joe Darling and Ian Chappell – also have four ducks in the Ashes.

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Em entrevista após a derrota para o Fortaleza, no sábado (13), pela estreia no Brasileirão, o profissional inocentou os jogadores e chamou a responsabilidade para si.

– A maior parte (da culpa) é minha. Eu sou o comandante. Seria muito fácil para mim vir e apontar os erros, de como a gente tomou o gol, posicionamento… Isso não é o meu papel e o meu perfil. O que eu tenho que tratar pontualmente eu trato internamente. (…) Ainda sou jovem, vou acertar e errar muito na carreira. Os experientes também erram, é um processo de aprendizagem. Existem coisas para melhorar – disse.

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Carpini também contou mais sobre sua relação com os atletas do São Paulo. De acordo com o técnico, ele e os jogadores se entendem no cotidiano.

– Eu sou muito chato, às vezes cobro bastante. Não sei como eles gostam de mim, porque eu sou chato. A gente tem uma relação boa de falar a verdade. Sempre falo para eles, se quiserem ouvir a verdade perguntem, porque não vou falar o que querem ouvir. A gente divide mais a responsabilidade. Eu quero que eles fiquem tranquilos e em paz para poder trabalhar – concluiu.

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No Paulistão, o São Paulo quase foi eliminado ainda na primeira fase, mas conseguiu avançar nos últimos minutos da partida contra o Ituano. Depois, acabou eliminado pelo Novorizontino nas quartas de final. Pela Libertadores, o Tricolor perdeu para o Talleres e sofreu para vencer o Cobresal.

➡️ O QUE VEM POR AÍ?

O próximo desafio do São Paulo, de Thiago Carpini, é contra o Flamengo, na quarta-feira (17). A partida acontece no Maracanã.

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São PauloThiago Carpini

Leeds United are now reportedly prioritising a deal to sign a South American defender ahead of Italian giants Juventus in the January transfer window.

Leeds still plotting Farke replacement despite Chelsea win

The Premier League is a harsh world, isn’t it? The pressure was increasing on Daniel Farke ahead of the Chelsea game, but you wouldn’t have known it after his side swept past Chelsea in a stunning 3-1 victory.

Reports in the build-up to the game claimed the German had to avoid defeat against the Blues and Liverpool this weekend to ensure that his job remains safe. It seemed an impossible task. Chelsea had just pushed Premier League leaders Arsenal all the way with 10 men and Liverpool, even in a difficult moment, remain the champions.

Come Wednesday night, however, there were no complaints from Farke. Instead, there was tactical genius. His 5-3-2 sytem physically outmatched Chelsea and Leeds, against the odds, secured a stunning 3-1 victory at Elland Road.

It would now be easy to assume that Farke’s job is safe. Yet, according to the BBC’s Sami Mokbel, those at Elland Road are still preparing for the worst-case scenario.

The reporter revealed: “Sources have told BBC Sport that the process of identifying potential candidates to replace Farke has begun. It is not unusual practice for clubs to plot a succession plan for their managerial position regardless of the incumbent’s job security.

“But Leeds’ poor form, which left them in the relegation zone before Wednesday’s win, has placed significant pressure on Farke – serving to amplify the club’s movement towards pinpointing possible successors to the German.”

It would be a ruthless decision by the 49ers, but that may not be the only change on the way. With the January transfer window approaching, Leeds have already set their sights on Real Betis star Natan.

Leeds prioritising Natan deal

According to reports in Spain, Leeds are now prioritising a deal to sign Natan from Real Betis in the January transfer window. The Brazilian defender is valued at around €40m (£35m) by the Spanish club and has also attracted the interest of Serie A giants Juventus.

Leeds star was looking "bang average" this season, now he's undroppable

This Leeds star has shone in their last two games

ByJoe Nuttall Dec 5, 2025

It’s clear to see why both Leeds and Juventus have set their sights on the 24-year-old. He’s enjoyed an impressive start to the current campaign and could now secure a move, be it in the new year or next summer.

Minutes

1,260

1,260

Ball Recoveries

41

50

Tackles Won

10

3

Successful Aerial Duels

41

42

Statistically speaking, Natan would have no trouble getting into Farke’s best side. Compared to Joe Rodon, the South American has thrived out of possession and particularly impressed in the air.

The big question that remains is whether Leeds will be willing to splash out £35m for his signature. Their record signing still sits at £35.5m for Georginio Rutter and it would take some doing to break that as early as the January transfer window.

Best signing since Raphinha: Leeds star is one of "the best" players in PL

حقق الدولي الفرنسي كيليان مبابي، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد رقمًا قياسيًا مميزًا بعدما نجح في تسجيل “هاتريك” أمام أولمبياكوس في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا على أولمبياكوس في اليونان، في المباراة التي تجمعهما ضمن مباريات الجولة الخامسة لمرحلة الدوري، دوري أبطال أوروبا 2025-2026، على ملعب “جورجيوس كارايسكاكيس”.

ودخل ريال مدريد هذه المباراة بعدما تعادل مع إلتشي في الدوري الإسباني بنتيجة 2/2 وقدم أداءً باهتًا للغاية على المستويين الدفاعي والهجومي.

ونجح كيليان مبابي في تسجيل ثلاثة أهداف “هاتريك” في المباراة الجارية الآن بين ريال مدريد وأولمبياكوس ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا لقلب تأخر فريقه بهدف إلى التقدم بثلاثة أهداف، (لرؤية هاتريك مبابي اضغط هنا).

واستطاع مبابي في تسجيل أهدافه الثلاثة في 6 دقائق و42 ثانية، إذ سجل على الترتيب في الدقائق (22، 24، 29) ليصبح بذلك ثاني أسرع هاتريك يُسجل في تاريخ دوري أبطال أوروبا.

يُذكر أن صاحب أسرع هاتريك مُسجل في تاريخ دوري أبطال أوروبا هو النجم الدولي المصري محمد صلاح، لاعب ليفربول، والذي أحرزه أمام رينجرز الأسكتلندي في غضون 6 دقائق و12 ثانية.