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The midfielder reminded the world of what he brings, taking a big step forward as the clock ticks towards next summer's big tournament

CHESTER, Pa. – Gio Reyna insisted he didn’t remember what he shouted into the camera after scoring his early goal on Saturday against Paraguay in a 2-1 win for the USMNT. Later, he admitted he did – he just didn’t want to repeat it.

No matter. His celebration made it clear: he’s back

"I was just happy to score," Reyna said after scoring one and setting up another in the USMNT's 2-1 win. "Just happy to be back."

After all this time, Reyna offered reminders of the player he can still be. He delivered a big goal – something that has long been his calling card – and found ways to influence the game throughout. And he remained, as always, at the center of attention when he pulls on a USMNT shirt, for better or worse.

His teammates, though, insist this is a new version of Reyna – a bit smarter and a bit more mature. Whether this Reyna can help lead the USMNT into a World Cup is the lingering question. Even after his goal, the debates around him haven’t faded; if anything, they’ve only grown sharper.

"I feel really good," Reyna said. "I feel valued, feel important, feel ready to go. Obviously, when you feel better mentally, you can definitely play better on the field, too. So yeah, I'm definitely building up, but I feel great. I'm just happy, but I have to keep working now."

Getty'Always had confidence'

After the match, Reyna acknowledged that, despite a Man of the Match-level performance, he’s still not quite himself.

Following several rollercoaster years and an early-season injury that delayed his start at new club Borussia Mönchengladbach, the midfielder is still finding his footing.

"Probably 80-85 percent," Reyna said when asked about his fitness levels. "It's hard to say when [I'll be 100 percent], but I'm not far. I'm definitely getting there. I feel really good."

If this was 80-85 percent, then Reyna is on a good path. 

It took less than four minutes for him to make his mark. After seeing Max Arfsten break through on the right side, Reyna found himself in position to head home the Columbus Crew wingback's perfectly-weighted cross. Reyna made no mistake, smashing the ball off the underside of the bar and in for his first USMNT goal since netting in the Nations League final in March 2024.

"I always had confidence in myself," Reyna said. "To see a goal going into the back of the net, it's always nice. I just want to stay in dangerous areas and continue to work."

Then, with the match level in the second half, Reyna popped up again, playing a ball across the box and into danger. It banked off a defender and right to Folarin Balogun, who made no mistake. In the end, Reyna completed 39 of his 47 passes, created two chances, won two tackles, and had an interception. It was an emphatic performance from a player who clearly felt he needed one to impress USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

"I knew it was an opportunity for me to show him that I belong here," Reyna said after the match. "He's been great with me all week. Working with him, it's just giving me the freedom and the confidence to sort of be myself. I can't thank him enough, obviously, for the start and just for the relationship that we've built this camp."

The 23-year-old midfielder is, of course, still getting to know Pochettino. This is his second camp under the USMNT boss, with the only other one coming in that ill-fated March Nations League window. Reyna is a familiar face for most of the USMNT, though, and there is the sense that this go around does feel different for the midfielder.

AdvertisementGetty'His focus is so much greater now'

Heading into camp, there were obvious questions about Reyna. He hadn’t played meaningful USMNT minutes in over a year, and much of the work he did earlier in the cycle came with a cloud hanging over it. As long as former manager Gregg Berhalter was in charge, the tension stemming from the 2022 World Cup was always going to linger.

Now, with that finally behind everyone, Reyna can simply be himself – free of the weight of the past.

That said, there have been new struggles. Unable to crack the Borussia Dortmund XI over the last few years, largely due to injuries, Reyna swapped clubs this summer by moving to Borussia Monchengladbach. That move hasn't gotten off to a strong start, as another injury has limited him to just one appearance in the starting lineup so far this season.

"They've been fantastic with building me up to full fitness, and I'm slowly getting there, as you can see tonight," Reyna said. "I definitely expect, when I get back, to start more matches."

Those in the USMNT camp have already seen a change in him. Starting from the first training session, Reyna has had some extra pep in his step and some extra intensity in everything he does.

"He's not really let the challenges overseas seep into this camp, which is great to see," veteran defender Tim Ream said. "I've had a few conversations with him, nothing crazy, but he's speaking up a lot more in training in terms of, 'Okay, I see this, what are you seeing?' He's getting really involved in the understanding of the movements and what we're doing in the build-up and the defensive shape. I feel like he's more tuned and more focused on the field than I've seen in the past, which is a great thing. I think his focus is so much greater now."

That said, this wasn’t a total reinvention. Reyna is still doing what he has always done for the USMNT: make an impact.

Imagn'He always shows up'

Following the game, Brenden Aaronson made a point to say it.

“He always shows up for the national team,” he said after starting next to Reyna as the USMNT's two attacking midfielders. "He deserves it [the opportunity]. He’s been through a lot with injuries, with all this stuff, but whenever he plays for the national team, he's always there, and it's awesome to see.”

Even after so long away, old relationships remain. Chief among them? Reyna's chemistry with Balogun, who has been one of Reyna's favorite teammates to play with since his own USMNT arrival in 2023. The two have combined to wreak havoc whenever they've been on the field together, dating back to a Reyna-to-Balogun assist all the way back in the 2023 Nations League final win over Canada.

"Gio wanted to come into this camp and do his thing and wanted to put the noise behind him, " Balogun said. "I feel like he did that today. It was a really strong performance in a difficult game. He got the goal early for us and helped create the second goal. I'm really happy for him, and it's a fantastic night for him."

Reyna, for his part, was just happy to be back with the group. It has been a turbulent year for the U.S., prompting Pochettino to reset things after the March Nations League camp. The team rebuilt chemistry during the Gold Cup and carried it into the fall, producing a four-game unbeaten run with three wins.

"I definitely felt the energy and the collectiveness," Reyna said. "The will to win games and the want to represent your country has been taken to the next level. Of course, there are tactical things that I try to adjust to and learn when I get in as quickly as possible, but we've had some camps that have not been as good, but, in the end, I've been with this team for the most part, and it's always really positive. 

"We're a group that loves to work together and play together, and we've had some success in the past, too. In the tough moments, I was never concerned for the team. It was just working the kinks out and taking things and learning and getting better."

The time for getting better is running out, though. The World Cup is around the corner – will Reyna be a part of it?

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Getty Images'I want to be at the World Cup'

Reyna says he doesn't think about the World Cup, at least not too often. Still, it's there, and it's coming soon. He, like all players, wants to be a part of it. He knows, though, that his path there has to begin with his club, not necessarily his national team.

"You try not to think about the national team every day," he said. "Of course, it's important and I want to be here and I want to be at the World Cup and be an important player for the team, but I was just moreso trying to focus on my club situation and getting minutes there and really building up. I believe if I do my work there, then it'll fall into place here, too."

Still, Saturday was a good start. Given an opportunity to impress Pochettino, he seized it, leaving the USMNT boss with plenty to praise following the 2-1 win.

"He scored and I think he did a very good job," Pochettino said. "I am so happy with him, and he showed why he started. He confirmed that he's a player who needs to improve, because he needs to play more in his club, but we can see today that he was great. He scored, he assisted, and his capacity to read the game and find space between the lines, it was a nightmare for Paraguay. He did a very good job."

He'll have to keep doing that. Competition will be fierce for the World Cup spot in that attacking midfield spot. Christian Pulisic and Malik Tillman seem like locks. Diego Luna, Brenden Aaronson, and Alejandro Zendejas will have something to say, too. You can add Weston McKennie into that mix as well, despite the Juventus star's absence from this camp.

The pressure is on Reyna, but then again, it almost always is. He answered that pressure with a goal on Saturday, which leads to the next question: now what?

"In the end, it’s performances like this that can help everybody here," he said. "I want to have, more importantly, seven or eight good months in the rest of the season with Gladbach, and then I believe if I keep performing like I did tonight, then I'll have a good chance to make the team and have an impact there too."

Leeds United have had a real problem in front of goal this season. The Whites are one of the strugglers in the Premier League, and look like they’ll be dragged into a relegation battle in their first season back in the top flight.

Indeed, finding the back of the net has been a real issue for Daniel Farke’s side. They’ve only scored ten times in the 2025/26 season, a tally that is only better than rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers.

They’ve underachieved on expected goals, too, which currently sits at 13.36xG.

It is no surprise, then, that the West Yorkshire giants are looking to add a striker to their squad in January.

Leeds’ latest striker target

There have already been rumours swirling about a potential new number nine for Leeds. Indeed, AZ Alkmaar and Republic of Ireland hero Troy Parrott has been linked with the club, after reportedly being looked at in the summer as well.

However, if that move does not materialise, the Whites could instead launch a move for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Garcia.

TEAMTalk are reporting that the Whites are set to make an ‘imminent’ bid for the Spaniard, after also showing keen interest in him last summer.

Transfer Focus

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

However, they are not the only top-flight side looking to move in for the 21-year-old attacker.

Fellow strugglers Wolves and their Midlands rivals, Aston Villa, could make a permanent move, with Brighton preparing a loan bid.

This is a deal that could cost Leeds upwards of £17m this winter.

Why Garcia would be a good signing

It is clear that the Whites are looking to add to their number nine depth, with Garcia seemingly an apt alternative to Parrott. Indeed, he has become a genuine option for Xabi Alonso at the Bernabeu, despite a lack of game time this season.

The Madrid-born striker has made nine appearances for the club this term, but has been on the pitch for just 109 minutes. However, where he made a real name for himself was at the Club World Cup, where he scored four times and assisted one in just six appearances.

This form led writer Zach Lowy to describe him as a “world-class” operator.

Indeed, his underlying numbers from that competition in the summer showed just how good he can be when leading the line.

For example, the 21-year-old had a conversion rate of 44.44% and was a nuisance off the ball, winning 4.4 duels per 90 minutes.

Goals and assists

1

5

Conversion rate

44.44%

44.44%

Chances created

0.8

4

Take-ons completed

0.7

3

Duels won

4.4

22

One person who could be affected by this signing is young Leeds striker Harry Gray. The 17-year-old, who is the younger brother of Spurs midfielder Archie, is one of the finest prospects the club have produced in years.

The striker is one of the most highly thought of youngsters in English football. Football analyst Ben Mattinson once described him as “the real deal,” and it is easy to see why.

He has 18 goals in 27 games for the youth teams across his short career at Elland Road so far, including this hat-trick against Scunthorpe United this season.

Should Garcia make the move to Leeds this winter, it could be a concern that he might block the pathway for Gray. The 17-year-old is clearly rated by Farke, who has already given him his first-team debut last season.

Yet, the Spaniard moving to Elland Road could be bad news. This is a player who has broken into the first team at one of the biggest clubs in the world, scoring crucial goals in the Club World Cup.

It will certainly leave Farke with a choice, but perhaps the signing of Garcia is one that the Whites do not want to turn down.

Gray is a talented player, but four years his junior, and it would be understandable if they signed the Los Blancos star, whose arrival could spell bad news for the teenager.

Leeds flop is turning into an even bigger waste of money than Illan Meslier

Leeds United now have a bigger waste of money than Illan Meslier in this £28.5m flop.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 20, 2025

Kamindu dragged Sri Lanka’s innings to respectability, as he helped his side recover from being 58 for 5

Madushka Balasuriya23-Sep-2025Shoot for the stars and at least you’ll land on the moon, or so the saying goes. But for Sri Lanka, their high-flown aspirations barely cleared the stratosphere (to stay with the metaphor), as they were restricted to 133 for 8 by Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.Even that required an intervention by Kamindu Mendis, whose 50 off 44 was the only thing keeping the innings from devolving into farcical territory. His partnerships, first with Wanindu Hasaranga – 22 off 28 – and then Chamika Karunaratne – 43 off 39 – dragged Sri Lanka’s innings to respectability if not competitiveness, as he helped his side recover from being 58 for 5 midway through the eighth over.Kamindu eventually fell, trapped lbw by a Shaheen Shah Afridi toe-crusher, a decision that needed to be overturned on review. It was Afridi’s third wicket of the innings, as he finished with figures of 3 for 28; he had earlier picked up both openers in the powerplay.Pakistan dominated all phases of the innings, with Sri Lanka paying the price for their reckless abandon, having been put on what seemed like a good batting track. In the powerplay, despite scoring 53 runs, Sri Lanka lost each of their top three cheaply.Then any notions of a middle overs consolidation were just as quickly snuffed out by Hussain Talat’s double-wicket opening over, in which he got rid of a dangerous-looking Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka off consecutive deliveries.This gave way to a period in which Sri Lanka’s scoring slowed to a trickle, with Abrar Ahmed in particular proving tough to get away as he bowled his four overs on the trot, giving away just eight runs and picking up the wicket of Wanindu Hasaranga.Between overs six to 16, Sri Lanka struck just 44 runs, and then in the death overs they struck a further 36. With 180 being targeted prior to the start of the game, Sri Lanka will know they’ve fallen well short of expectations.

The Athletics kicked off their three-year run in Sacramento on Monday night and it did not go well for them, as they were destroyed by the Chicago Cubs, 18-3.

The Athletics, which is the only name the team goes by now, are playing in a minor league park that so far has left a lot to be desired.

While the team had an embarrassing night, one of its ball boys had the play of the game in the seventh inning after a drone caused an unlikely delay. The umpires stopped the action, which left the announcers confused. Then as everyone learned the stoppage was because of a drone, the ball boy simply snatched it out of the air and calmly handed it off to someone else so the game could begin again.

Here's how that played out:

What a move by that ball boy.

But yeah, the Athletics' situation right now is a complete mess.

Eddie Howe deserves a statue outside St. James’ Park. After all, he has been the purveyor of a new order at Newcastle United and has been described as “one of the best managers out there” by his assistant coach Jason Tindall.

But Newcastle are in a rut. To say the wheels have come off would be a step too far, but the turbulence of the summer transfer window has put a spoke in the club’s wheels all the same, with United down in 14th place in the Premier League, three away defeats on the bounce and without a win on the road all season in the league.

The word from those connected to PIF, as per The Athletic, is that Howe’s job is under no immediate threat, but there’s an acceptance that results and performances have been well below expectations, and that needs to change.

The likes of Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga are struggling down the flanks, and the problems on the tactical front can be found across all areas of the field. This is a big concern and needs rectifying quickly.

Talk of Howe’s dismissal is premature, but it has raised the question as to who could succeed the English coach if the Magpies fail to fly out of the hole they have fallen into.

Why Newcastle could consider Howe's future

Howe arrived at St. James’ Park shortly after the epoch-shaping PIF takeover, to say the club have gone from strength to strength since would be quite the understatement.

Two Champions League qualifications in three years and triumph in the Carabao Cup last season have immortalised this man, but he won’t be at the helm forever, with recent results and performances indicative of deeper issues than a mere skid of form.

Particularly, the Toon have lacked confidence and coherence on the road, having won only once away from home all season – a 4-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League.

10

Games

7

7

Wins

1

0

Draws

3

3

Losses

3

20

Goals scored

7

9

Goals conceded

8

2.1

PPG

1.16

If the almost unthinkable event of Howe’s departure were to come to pass, newly-appointed technical director Ross Wilson may well set his sights on Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, who has been riding the crest of a wave on the English south coast these past few years.

According to The Mirror, the Spanish tactician is among the most likely candidates for the Newcastle hot seat, should a decision be made on Howe’s future in the coming months, should improvements not be found in the matches ahead.

But given former Barcelona boss Xavi and Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who won last season’s FA Cup, are also named, what is it about Iraola that demands such respect? Why, indeed, would he be the perfect manager to replace Howe at the helm?

What Andoni Iraola would offer Newcastle

Iraola was given the keys at Bournemouth at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. Gary O’Neil had done good work at the Vitality Stadium, keeping the Cherries in the Premier League after their promotion, but Iraola’s progressive and exciting style was viewed as the perfect fit for an ambitious outfit.

Bournemouth haven’t looked back. The 2023/24 season was one of stability, Iraola sticking his roots into the soil, but last year he made proper headway and garnered respect for his tactical acumen, matching Howe’s record ninth-place finish (the difference being that Iraola finished with 56 points, whereas Howe collected only 46 during the 2016/17 term).

Journalist James Horncastle has gone as far as to hail the 43-year-old as being the “best coach in the Premier League” for his resourcefulness and shrewd coaching style. The sharp-minded manager labelled his vision as being one of “rock and roll”, with such intensity and fury sure to be facets that endear Iraola to the Newcastle fanbase, should he be appointed down the line.

Should Newcastle make this move, it might help someone like Gordon return to top form. The Three Lions star struggled last season and has slipped further down a slope this year, yet to score or assist in the Premier League, albeit with four goals and an assist from four matches in the Champions League.

This is a winger who considers himself to be among the top brass, a “nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, words straight from the horse’s mouth. So much more is needed.

Iraola could be the man to rekindle the 24-year-old’s finest form, with his high-pressure and high-speed attacking plan something that could work a treat for a pacy player like Gordon. After all, just look at the gains Antoine Semenyo has made at Bournemouth over the past few years.

Gordon could match him, eclipse him. Even so horribly out of sorts in the Premier League, the £150k-per-week talent ranks among the top 8% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League for carries into the penalty area and the top 14% for successful take-ons per 90 (data via FBref).

For sure, this is the kind of electric pace and athletic application that Iraola loves from his wide attackers.

Of course, this comes with the huge caveat that Howe himself enforces a game built on effective transitional play, and Gordon is flattering to deceive in this system.

But maybe this is merely a life force reaching its end. Newcastle have achieved great things under Howe’s wing, but the boss will be defined by the stability he has created, able to pass the torch onto someone like Iraola.

Newcastle are not at the point where Howe’s future must be considered with a view toward a decision, but Newcastle have not been good enough this season, and if they fail to escape from the hole into which they have fallen, Iraola would be the perfect coach to lead them forward and into an exciting new chapter.

PIF must cash in on Newcastle "legend" who is becoming the new Sissoko

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Varun Chakravarthy also made the cut as India picked three spinners for their Asia Cup opener

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Sep-20252:34

Bangar: Samson deserves a slot in the top three

India won their first toss in 16 attempts across formats, and chose to bowl first in their Asia Cup opener against UAE. Suryakumar Yadav, the India captain, felt there was a chance of dew later in the match on a humid evening in Dubai.Muhammad Waseem, the UAE captain, said he would have preferred to bowl first too, and expected a bit of early help for the seamers.India sprang a few surprises with their selection. They retained Sanju Samson as wicketkeeper, despite the return of Shubman Gill to the top of the order displacing him into a middle-order role more familiar to Jitesh Sharma. They also picked both their wristspinners in Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav.This left the issue of whether they would prioritise depth in their batting or their seam attack. They went with the former, picking the allrounder Shivam Dube rather than a second frontline quick in Arshdeep Singh or Harshit Rana. Jasprit Bumrah starts as the only specialist quick, with Hardik Pandya expected to partner him with the new ball.Related

Gill and Abhishek begin new chapter in old bromance

UAE made one change to the XI that played their last match, the four-wicket loss to Afghanistan in the recent home tri-series, bringing in the offspin-bowling allrounder Dhruv Parashar for the legspinner Muhammad FarooqIndia: 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Sanju Samson (wk), 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Varun Chakravarthy, 11 Jasprit BumrahUAE: 1 Muhammad Zohaib, 2 Muhammad Waseem (capt), 3 Asif Khan, 4 Alishan Sharafu, 5 Rahul Chopra (wk), 6 Dhruv Parashar, 7 Harshit Kaushik, 8 Haider Ali, 9 Muhammad Rohid, 10 Junaid Siddique, 11 Simranjeet Singh

Dayot Upamecano’s future has become one of Europe’s most closely watched contract sagas as Bayern Munich push for an extension while Real Madrid and now Paris Saint-Germain circle for a free transfer. The French defender is enjoying the best season of his career, yet negotiations remain stalled. With major clubs positioning themselves, Bayern face a defining decision over a key piece of Vincent Kompany’s defence.

Upamecano contract saga intensifies as PSG joins Madrid

French international Upamecano’s superb form this season has only added urgency to Bayern’s race against time to secure the defender’s long-term future. The French centre-back has been one of boss Kompany’s most influential performers, recently showcasing his impact in Bayern’s 6-2 victory over Freiburg, where he also scored. But despite Bayern’s desire to tie him down until 2030 or 2031, as reported by the signature remains missing.

This delay has opened the door for Europe’s heavyweights. Madrid, long in the market for a long-term defensive successor, remain strongly interested. PSG, meanwhile, have now emerged as a serious contender, with reporting the French side have joined Madrid in vying for a potential free-transfer move next summer, a scenario Bayern desperately want to avoid.

Bayern’s position is clear, Upa is seen as central to the club’s defensive rebuild under Kompany, and the hierarchy is pushing to finalise terms as soon as possible. However, with his contract running until 2026 and financial constraints limiting Bayern’s flexibility, the situation remains delicate, and increasingly competitive.

AdvertisementAFPUpamecano downplays money motive

In the aftermath of Bayern’s win over Freiburg, Upamecano openly addressed the growing speculation around his future. The Frenchman stressed that finances were not the decisive factor as talks continue.

Upamecano has insisted that he was not driven solely by economic incentives, insisting that sporting conditions would have significant influence. And on the constant speculation surrounding his next steps, he kept things deliberately vague, saying: “I can say this 100 more times, but we’ll see what happens.”

As per the report, those close to the club believe Upamecano is genuinely torn. He is settled in Munich, buoyed by Kompany’s trust, and thriving in a system that suits his strengths. Yet the prospect of joining Real Madrid or returning home to France with PSG is a powerful one, especially with a free transfer potentially offering greater long-term flexibility.

Elite clubs sense rare opportunity as Bayern fight to keep star

Upamecano’s appeal across European giants stems from more than Bayern’s contract struggles. Madrid view the 27-year-old as a potential partner for Eder Militao or replacement long-term option alongside Antonio Rudiger. PSG, meanwhile, consider him a cornerstone for their next cycle, particularly as they continue building a French core under Luis Enrique.

With modern centre-backs commanding fees north of €80m, the possibility, however slim, of a free transfer next summer has alerted every major sporting director in Europe. Bayern are aware of this leverage and recognise they must act quickly to maintain control of the situation.

Behind the scenes, Bayern sporting director Max Eberl is intensifying efforts to finalise an agreement, but financial realities complicate the process. Bayern have already committed major resources to keep Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies and Joshua Kimmich, which has stretched the wage structure and made negotiations with Upamecano more delicate.

The interest from the European elites continues to grow as Real Madrid and PSG have been the most persistent suitors, but Barcelona have also monitored developments as part of their long-term defensive planning.

With each passing week, pressure rises on Bayern to deliver a deal that reflects Upamecano’s value without disrupting their evolving wage model. The risk of losing him on a free would be a massive sporting and financial setback.

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Getty Images SportBayern push for winter breakthrough as rivals wait

Heading into a crucial phase of the season, Bayern hope to accelerate talks before the January window, aiming to remove any uncertainty around Upamecano’s status. An early resolution would give the club clarity as they continue monitoring young defenders in case negotiations collapse.

Madrid and PSG are expected to intensify contact with the player’s representatives if no extension is reached on table quickly. Bayern, however, remain confident that Upamecano’s preference is to stay, provided a mutually acceptable deal is reached.

For now, the defender remains central to Kompany’s plans, and both sides recognise that a long-term extension would bring stability. But unless Bayern can match his expectations without breaking their wage structure, a high-profile transfer battle could define the upcoming summer window.

The New York Yankees have the entire MLB world talking about their new torpedo bats after they spent the weekend hitting a gazillion home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers.

These new bats, which have more wood just below the barrel, could become all the rage at the professional level, especially because they are 100% legal.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado was interviewed on ESPN during Sunday night's game against the Atlanta Braves and he was asked what he thought of these new torpedo bats. Machado had a simple request: He wants some of those bats.

"They should send a few [torpedo bats] over here if they're gonna be hitting homers like that," he said.

Here are his full comments:

It's going to be really interesting to see how popular these bats become. A member of the Minnesota Twins was seen using one on Sunday and it feels like we will soon see a ton of batters using them.

It will also be interesting to see if MLB allows them to remain legal, especially if home runs keep being blasted out of parks.

What a wild new world.

Glasgow Rangers made two huge decisions on Monday as they announced that both CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell had been removed from their posts at Ibrox.

Chairman Andrew Cavenagh revealed to Sky Sports, in the post below, that the Gers need different people in those two leadership positions moving forward in order for the club to be successful.

The Rangers chief was careful not to throw mud at Stewart and Thelwell for their work at Ibrox, but suggested that it was down to their performance in their respective roles, as he stated that they still aligned with the overarching project.

Given that Russell Martin’s tenure lasted 17 matches and several summer signings do not look up to scratch, it is hard to disagree with the club’s decision to part ways with both of them, particularly Thelwell.

Looking at the list of summer signings in the graphic above, it is easier to pick out the players who have flopped or struggled than it is to pick out the successes from the summer transfer window.

The summer signing that Thelwell may go on to be infamous at Ibrox for is Youssef Chermiti, as he arrived from his former club Everton in a big-money deal.

Why Rangers should not have signed Youssef Chermiti

To preface this, supporters and those at the club will, of course, be hoping that the Portugal U21 international goes on to prove everyone wrong and becomes a consistent goalscorer for the Light Blues.

However, at this moment in time, it looks like a deal that the Scottish giants should not have done, particularly for the reported money that was involved in the move.

Thelwell signed Chermiti for Everton from Sporting in a deal worth up to £15m in the summer of 2023, but he did not score a single competitive goal for the Toffees in two years during his time in England.

Then, after moving to Rangers in April, the sporting director signed the centre-forward for a second time, splashing £8m to bring him to Ibrox, in the most expensive Gers deal since Tore Andre Flo joined for £12m in 2000.

It is fair for supporters to expect a player to make an immediate impact in Glasgow when signed for that kind of money, as Chermiti is the club’s most expensive player in 25 years, but that has not been the case.

The former Everton marksman has scored one goal in 13 appearances in all competitions for the Light Blues, per Sofascore, which shows that the forward has failed to deliver much in the way of quality in the final third.

Starts

4

xG

1.29

Goals

0

Big chances missed

4

Big chances created

0

Assists

0

Pass accuracy

59%

Duel success rate

35%

As you can see in the table above, Chermiti has been incredibly underwhelming in the Europa League so far this season, failing to score from 1.29 xG after starting all four of his appearances in the competition.

The 21-year-old striker’s dismal form for the club so far suggests that Thelwell made a mistake when he signed the forward for £8m, because he has not made the kind of impact that Rangers should expect from such an expensive signing.

Chermiti, though, is not the only one of the summer signings you could argue that Thelwell should not have signed because of their performances in the 2025/26 campaign.

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The former Rangers sporting director swooped to bring in Jayden Meghoma on loan from Brentford to bolster Russell Martin’s full-back options, as the ex-Gers boss had worked with the youngster during their time together at Southampton.

Why Rangers should not have signed Jayden Meghoma

During the summer window, Thelwell decided to cash in on the two senior left-back options at Ibrox, selling Jefte to Palmeiras and Ridvan Yilmaz to Besiktas.

Whilst those respective sales were not horrendous decisions in isolation, this issue is that Meghoma was the only signing brought in to replace those two senior players.

4 Lads Had A Dream covered Ally McCoist’s claim that Rangers have “downgraded” across the pitch since last season, and referenced Meghoma in comparison to Jefte as one of the areas in which the team have failed to improve.

It is not the 19-year-old defender’s fault that he has been brought in to be a first-choice option for a team that is expected to win consistently and compete on the European stage, when his experience last season was playing 12 matches on loan at Preston in the English Championship.

Meghoma, unfortunately, does not look ready to be a first-choice left-back at this level at the moment, as evidenced by his statistics in comparison to Jefte’s at Scottish Premiership level.

Appearances

33

9

Key passes per game

1.0

0.7

Assists

4

1

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.3

3.3

Clearances per game

2.9

1.3

Duels won per game

5.5

4.0

Aerial duel success rate

57%

25%

Error led to shot or goal

1

2

As you can see in the table above, the Brazilian defender’s performances in the league last season were far more impressive than what the English teenager has produced in the division this term, offensively and defensively.

These statistics back up the claim that Rangers have “downgraded” by selling Jefte to sign Meghoma on loan, which adds more fuel to the fire surrounding the criticism of Thelwell’s summer recruitment.

Like Chermiti, it seems like Meghoma has been signed to fill a role that he is not ready to fill at this point in his development. They are both young players who have time to develop and improve, but neither of them look ready to be key players for Danny Rohl in the present.

Therefore, the signing of Meghoma was one of Thelwell’s worst clangers of the summer, alongside Chermiti, because he has failed to adequately replace Jefte at left-back, and it remains to be seen if either of them will end up being good enough this season.

Thelwell signing is a bigger waste of time than Chermiti & Miovski at Rangers

This Glasgow Rangers flop is a bigger waste of time this season than both Bojan Miovski and Youssef Chermiti.

ByDan Emery Nov 24, 2025

The allrounder is likely to be part of a top-order selection squeeze as Australia build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup

Andrew McGlashan21-Oct-2025

Matt Short fell cheaply in Australia’s chase in Perth•Getty Images

Australia’s players will take different things from this ODI series against India. While significant in its own right, for some it’s part of their build towards the Ashes, others a first chance at ODI level or an opportunity to reestablish their credentials. For Matt Short, it’s an important window to stake a claim for a top-order spot amid what shapes as a tough selection race heading towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.The rain-truncated opening encounter in Perth was Short’s 16th ODI since making his debut just over two years ago in South Africa. On that day against India in Mohali he came in at No. 8. Earlier the following year he was at No. 6 against West Indies in Sydney. Then came a stretch in a more familiar spot, opening the batting, which including his career-best 63 against England at the Champions Trophy earlier this year.Related

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Since then, in his own words, it has been a “frustrating” time for Short amid a run of injuries with firstly a quad strain curtailing his Champions Trophy campaign then a side injury which ruled him out of a T20I series against West Indies and both white-ball formats against South Africa.He played the three T20Is against New Zealand earlier in October, but runs haven’t flowed in 50-over cricket for Victoria this season with scores of 0, 20 and 12. In Perth, he made 8 off 17 balls before slicing a catch to short third off Axar Patel when he had a chance to lead the chase alongside Mitchell Marsh.”It’s been frustrating…I still feel like I’m moving well. I’m feeling good out in the middle,” Short told reporters in Adelaide. “Just haven’t got the runs on the board. But hopefully they come soon. It’s been a frustrating year in terms of getting that continuous cricket.”Against India, Australia are without Cameron Green (side) and Josh Inglis (calf) from what would be a first-choice ODI XI as they build towards 2027. With Marsh and Travis Head likely locked in at the top, there will be a jostle for positions from there downwards in the post Steven Smith/Glenn Maxwell 50-over era.Short, who plays for Adelaide Strikers in the BBL, has made his name in white-ball cricket at the top of the order, but wants to grasp any opportunity he gets.”It’s always going to be tough to get a spot in the XI and I’ll sort of take whatever that is, whether it’s opening, batting a three or wherever. It’s just [about] staying flexible and trying to bat wherever you’re put and be able to take that.”Especially the last few years, I’m so used to opening the batting and batting in that top order, but batting a three is not too dissimilar. But if it was to come through the middle, you’d probably need to prep a bit for that but it’s something I’ve done before in the past. If that came to happen, I’d definitely take it.”Australia were forced to train indoors on Tuesday and more rain is forecast on Wednesday but game day is set to be fine.Left-armer seamer Ben Dwarshuis has been ruled out of the ODI series due to a calf injury. He is hoping to be available for the T20Is which begin in Canberra on October 29.