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The biggest game of the season so far is on the horizon, ahead of Thursday’s clash with Lyon in the Europa League, yet for those of a Manchester United persuasion, attention is already beginning to turn toward the summer transfer window.

As manager Ruben Amorim has already stated, even winning Europe’s second-tier competition would not be enough to “save” their season, with major surgery needed to the squad once again over the coming months.

Club legend Gary Neville stated after the dour Manchester derby that he feels United need at least “five new players straight away” to help give Amorim a fighting chance, while even the former Sporting CP boss has stated that he is keen to bring in “one or two big players”, ahead of next season.

Work is likely to already be underway in that regard, with rumours currently rife over just who will be on their way to Old Trafford. Might Wolverhampton Wanderers talisman, Matheus Cunha, be among them?

Latest on Man Utd's pursuit of Matheus Cunha

If Cunha had been auditioning for Amorim and co earlier this season, he certainly couldn’t have done much more to impress, with the Brazilian inspiring the hosts to a 2-0 win at Molineux on Boxing Day.

The 25-year-old memorably scored directly from a corner – while teeing up his side’s second goal – in what was an all-action display on the night, with scout Mick Brown stating that he “fits the system perfectly”, in relation to Amorim’s 3-4-3 set-up.

With 13 goals to his name for the Old Gold this season, Cunha has unsurprisingly caught the attention, with reports earlier this week suggesting that United have now joined Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in the race for his signature.

As per the report, there has already been ‘initial contact’ between the Red Devils and the player’s agent, ahead of a possible summer move, with the option there for United to trigger the forward’s £62.5m release clause.

The player himself has already confirmed that he wants to “take the next step” in his career, with it yet to be seen whether that ‘step’ will lead him toward the Theatre of Dreams.

Regardless of whether or not the one-time RB Leipzig star does move to Manchester, it could be argued that Amorim already has his own version among the current Red Devils ranks.

Man Utd already have their own Matheus Cunha

As the aforementioned Brown has stated, what sets Cunha apart is that he is “not a one-trick pony”, with the respected insider listing a variety of traits which make him such a worthwhile investment:

Those are all attributes which the Old Gold hero seemingly shares with a certain Amad Diallo, with the pair noted as similar players among those in their position in the Premier League this season, as per FBref.

Indeed, not only are both men remarkably versatile – amid their ability to feature centrally, or on the flanks – but they both have that knack for making things happen for their respective sides, with Amad ranking in the top 15% for shot-creating actions per 90, while Cunha ranks in the top 19% in that regard.

The pair are also adept at beating their man when in possession, with the 22-year-old United starlet ranking in the top 21% for successful take-ons per 90, while his Wolves counterpart ranks in the top 19% for that same metric.

Games (starts)

17 (12)

32 (29)

26 (24)

Goals

2

12

13

Scoring frequency

492 mins

204 mins

165 mins

Big chances missed

1

6

2

Assists

0

7

4

Big chances created

1

7

12

Key passes*

0.4

0.9

1.7

Pass accuracy*

76%

82%

78%

Successful dribbles*

1.5

2.0

1.9

Possession lost*

7.0

11.8

16.7

Defensively too, there is also a likeness in their ability to lead the press from the front, with Amad ranking in the top 23% for interceptions made, while Cunha ranks in the top 19%. In essence, neither man gives their opponent a moment’s peace.

While currently sidelined with injury, the Ivorian had dazzled prior to that at Old Trafford, notably chalking up six goals and six assists in 22 league outings, while averaging 1.8 key passes per game. That creative spark is mirrored by the Brazil international who averages 1.7 key passes per game, having registered 17 goals and assists thus far.

There is the prospect of having the two men operating in tandem in United’s forward line next term, although even a deal for Cunha can’t be secured, Amorim can rest safe in the knowledge that he has is own “sensational” talent – as described by journalist Liam Canning – to call upon.

Biggest deal since Bruno: Man Utd make contact to sign "world-class" star

Man Utd are believed to have joined the race for another standout signing

ByRobbie Walls Apr 8, 2025

ESPNcricinfo’s writers pick their favourite balls of IPL 2024

ESPNcricinfo staff28-May-2024Starc knocks out AbhishekBy Sidharth MongaWhen you play for as long as Mitchell Starc has, and you are the kind of bowler he is – full, fast, direct – there is bound to be a highlights reel of damaged stumps long enough for a web-series episode. You could narrow it down to the first blows of big matches, and you will still have enough. The yorker to Brendon McCullum in the first over of the 2015 World Cup final at a packed MCG is difficult to beat for an occasion, but the ball to dismiss Abhishek Sharma in the IPL final was a better delivery. It angled into the pads, pitched on leg, swung late and seamed a touch, squared up the left-hand batter, went past the outside edge and took the top of off. The length was just perfect: full enough to hit the highest part of the wicket, but still not something you stride forward to.Jasprit Bumrah leaps in celebration after yorking Prithvi Shaw•BCCIBumrah yorks ShawBy Alagappan MuthuJasprit Bumrah bowled 56 yorkers in IPL 2024. Twenty more than the second highest. He took seven wickets with them. Four more than the next best. Six of them were clean bowled. Each of them too good for the batter to lay anything on it. Because they’re fast. They’re accurate. They swing. They dip. They might even be sentient. Prithvi Shaw had to deal with one and even though he was batting on 66 off 39, he was no match. His first line of defence – the bat – couldn’t come down in time. Shaw thought it could and had moved his second line of defence – his feet – out of the way. Now there was nothing protecting his stumps. Bumrah’s combination of pace, precision and movement had essentially made a human being disappear.Virat Kohli had a lot to say to the umpires on being given out off a high full toss at Eden Gardens•BCCIVirat Kohli c & b Harshit RanaBy Karthik KrishnaswamyIt definitely wasn’t a contender for the ball of the season, but Virat Kohli c & b Harshit Rana was hugely illustrative of where cricket at the top level is headed, for better or worse. A slower ball slipped out of Rana’s hand and ended up as a high full-toss angling into the batter’s body. Kohli, completely thrown by the ball’s unexpected trajectory, popped back a return catch, and there was no immediate celebration from Rana, because he seemed fairly certain this would end up as no-ball on height.So too was Kohli, when he called for a review of the on-field decision that this was a fair delivery. Kohli would probably have got to continue his innings in any other season, but IPL 2024 has made a giant leap towards eliminating subjectivity from umpiring. Is that a good thing? Who knows. On the day, the third umpire made his decision based on two numbers: ball-tracking said the ball 0.92m above the ground it had reached the point of the crease, and Kohli’s waist, measured before the start of the season, was 1.04m above ground level.

Coming back after a 42-day break from cricket, he was India’s joint top-scorer without ever finding his fluency

Shashank Kishore28-Aug-2022The noise levels had soared by several decibels as Virat Kohli walked out to bat, third ball of India’s chase. As he stood marking his guard, the giant screen played a package of his imperious cover-driving against Mohammad Amir during the 2016 Asia Cup. Kohli took a fleeting glance at it before settling into his stance.As the first delivery tailed in, he left it alone, trusting the bounce. He looked at the spot from where the ball had lifted, giving it a wry smile. The surface was a little tacky. There was grip if the bowlers were willing to dig it in, like Hardik Pandya had done during Pakistan’s innings. Ravindra Jadeja had got it to turn sharply from leg to off. With India chasing only 148, maybe this was Kohli’s opportunity to dig in and not go after the bowling straightaway, despite the chatter around intent and India’s new batting template.Related

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Kohli was returning from a month-long break where he hadn’t picked up a bat. His ferocious intensity can lift the team. It can lift the entire stadium. As it did when he was among the first players to bound out to the nets in India’s first training session four days ago.Starting Wednesday, whatever he’s done on the field has been closely captured, reeled, storied, and shared widely: his towering hits, his exchanges with Babar Azam, his 50-metre sprints, the goals he’s scored in warm-up football.On Sunday too, he was among the first to walk out for India’s pre-match routines. The pleasantries with the opponents were done. He was a picture of concentration amid the noise. He took throwdowns initially, and then proceeded towards the boundary edge to take some catches. Within 10 minutes, Kohli was in and out. He wasn’t going to drain himself in the afternoon heat.It was a big occasion. His 100th T20I. He was about to become only the second player, after Ross Taylor, to play as many games in all three formats. Rahul Dravid invited Kohli to give the team a pep talk. He spoke passionately, and the huddle dispersed with a chorus of claps. With that, Kohli’s comeback was officially underway.He had played just four T20Is this year prior to this game. He hasn’t been a part of India’s changing template consistently, and so there’s this matter of having to buy into the philosophy, and then fit into it, which can be easier said than done. Perhaps it would have been a cakewalk for the Kohli of 2016, when he could flick on a switch and kill chases with ridiculous ease. Or blast his way out of the blocks while batting first and smash both pace and spin.Back to the present, though.It’s the second ball of his innings. Kohli’s instincts draw him into a drive. Except the ball isn’t quite there and it hits the seam and nips away. By the time Kohli has played the ball, he knows he’s in trouble, but a diving Fakhar Zaman grasses the chance at slip to the collective despair of the western block of the stadium, which is dominated by Pakistan fans in green.You begin to imagine what could have been had the chance been taken. ‘Kohli out for duck after opening up about mental-health struggles’? ‘Kohli’s much-anticipated return ends in damp squib’? There was potential for an explosion of headlines, memes and judgments. But luck has smiled on Kohli and he gets off strike next ball with a nudge to fine leg. He is off the mark.Virat Kohli slowed down against spin before chipping Mohammad Nawaz straight to long-off•AFP/Getty ImagesNow he’s up against Shahnawaz Dahani, the reason why Pakistan are defending 147 rather than 135. Kohli plays out three dots and then mistimes a lofted hit that plonks into the outfield after beating mid-off. Dahani is quick and zippy, and Kohli hasn’t managed to get him away. Whether he feels it or not, you feel the pressure.Square leg is in, and fine leg is out. The short ball could be coming, and it does. Kohli belts out a roar after getting into excellent position to wallop it to the midwicket boundary. He’s up and running.Or is he? Next ball, Kohli gets a thick inside edge. On another night, this may have rolled onto the stumps. Tonight it rolls down to short fine leg. India, 10 for 1 after two overs, have made a nervy start.It remains that way. KL Rahul is gone, Rohit Sharma is scratchy. In the next over, Kohli top-edges Haris Rauf for six over the keeper’s head. More luck. Surely it’s his night?Kohli is chewing gum, smiling, fist-bumping Rohit. The ball isn’t always flying where he wants it to, but he’s still in the contest. There’s a sliced drive over backward point off Dahani in the fifth over. He had been looking to go over cover only for his bat to turn in his hands.Multiple times over the last two years, Kohli has played imperious innings that haven’t lasted as long as they promised to. This innings is promising to be different – scratchy but enduring. But then he flicks a switch and plays a majestic flat-batted pull over wide mid-on. He stands and admires the shot until the ball crosses the boundary, and turns back to look at the replay on the giant screen. He’s nailed it off the sweetest spot on his bat.It’s been a perfectly imperfect Kohli knock – hard to categorise in any way.But in some respects, we’ve seen this innings before. At the end of the powerplay, he’s batting on 29 off 24. Then the spinners come on and the fields spread. Against Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, he scores 0, 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 1. In that time, India lose Rohit. A seemingly straightforward chase is turning rather tricky.Then Kohli steps out, and chips Nawaz straight to long-off. Just like that, his stay is over. A perfectly imperfect end to a perfectly imperfect innings.

Watching the 1996 India-Pakistan World Cup semi-final brought home the similarities between the two master ODI chasers

Sidharth Monga06-Apr-2020 the best in the business at it.” Gavaskar is quick to point out Miandad has not played for two years. When the equation gets particularly difficult, Khan, the other half of perhaps the greatest love-hate relationship in cricket, says a Miandad ten years younger would have pulled it off.However, the Indian team, the crowd, even the commentators, are not so sure. They have been at the receiving end so often they can’t breathe easy till they see the back of Miandad. And Miandad is not taking any risks. Instead Rashid Latif hits Javagal Srinath for a six and a four. In the next over, to the 53rd ball he faces, Miandad hits a straight boundary, the first of his innings. Look at his swagger now. He struts back, knocking gloves with Latif on the way. If you have lost unlosable matches to this man, this is a triggering sight, never mind that his strike rate has only now crossed 50, and the asking rate is nine.

It is the belief that they can still do it that sets them apart. It is this belief that has to one day become their downfall. It happens to the best of them

Miandad knows his presence at the end is crucial: analyse every situation, fight, take games deep is his cricketing philosophy. Once Latif falls, though, carrying as he was what two men should have been carrying, the spotlight turns on Miandad. He tries the big hits but they don’t come off. And he eventually runs himself out. A tame end to a tame last stand.Why it is so relatable is because we witnessed something similar at the World Cup last year. MS Dhoni is Miandad in many ways. He finds motivation in persecution, although he doesn’t make public shows of it. As a 50-over batter he has struck the same kind of fear in the opposition that Miandad once did. Which is why, despite being aware of his waning powers – much like Pakistan with Miandad – India invested in Dhoni at the 2019 World Cup.Just like Miandad, Dhoni was happy for others to do the hitting around him, Ravindra Jadeja in this case. They both left alone balls in tall chases, just that Dhoni did so in an era of memes. Dhoni didn’t make a comeback after an absence, but it wasn’t yet ruled out in a pre-Covid-19 world that Dhoni might come back to the IPL after chilling for a year and then go to the T20 World Cup. As things stand now, both players ended with run-outs, risks taken much sooner than they liked to take, a sign of faltering confidence in their own ability. Not before both had struck momentary fear in the opposition. Admittedly, Dhoni hadn’t deteriorated as much as Miandad. According to Hardik Pandya, he was kicking himself for not diving.To some, watching them meet an unsatisfactory end (though Dhoni hasn’t officially ended yet) might be painful, but I haven’t found myself wishing either had retired sooner. These matches are just a rite of passage. Miandad and Dhoni didn’t become the players they were by recognising defeat when they saw it. Four years before the 1996 World Cup, Miandad was not even selected – by Khan – but not only did he find a way to get into the side but also ended up as the second highest run-getter in the tournament, and his side’s highest.It is this belief that they can still do it that sets them apart. It is this belief that has to one day become their downfall. It happens to the best of them. Unlike champions, this process never gets old. RetroLive

Yusei Kikuchi started the Los Angeles Angels game against the Texas Rangers on Monday night. Kikuchi pitched five innings, giving up four runs on six hits. When he left the game after the fifth inning, his team trailed, but came back to win 6-5.

Not bad considering how things started for Kikuchi. Sam Haggerty, leading off for the Rangers, hit the ball back to Kikuchi on a 3-2 count in the first at-bat of the game. Kikuchi did not field the ball cleanly and chased after it, tripping over the mound in the process. Kikuchi tumbled and ended up on his knees, sitting feet away from the ball while Haggerty stood safely on second.

The next batter to come up, Corey Saeger, also took Kikuchi to a full count before he hit a two-run home run.

That's about as rough of a start as you can have. Two batters, 14 pitches, one home run, two earned runs, one embarassing fall. Going five full innings was downright heroic considering that start.

Watching Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 defeat to their bitter rivals in the Premier League on Sunday made it clear where Thomas Frank’s priorities need to be moving forward.

Whilst you could look at that loss and suggest that they need to improve defensively, which would be a fair comment after they conceded four goals, it is in possession where they really need to improve.

25/26 Premier League

Spurs

League rank

xG

11.0

17th

Non-penalty xG

11.0

16th

Progressive passes

413

12th

Shots

110

19th

Shots on target

40

15th

Average shot distance

15.6 yards

17th

Stats via FBref

As you can see in the table above, Spurs are one of the worst teams in the Premier League at progressing play with passes, creating shooting opportunities, and creating high-quality chances.

The Lilywhites ended the match against Arsenal with three shots on goal and 0.07 xG, per Sofascore, with their goal coming from Richarlison’s stunning long-range lob over David Raya.

Tottenham’s struggles at the top end of the pitch explain why the club are reportedly considering a move to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.

The Ghana international has a £65m release clause that can be activated at the start of the January transfer window, and Spurs are one of the teams vying for his signature.

How Antoine Semenyo could solve Tottenham's attacking problems

Whilst a lot of Tottenham’s problems could come down to coaching issues, with how players are asked to play, the team selections, and the patterns that are or are not coached in training, having a top talent in the final third can make up for some coaching problems.

Semenyo is the kind of forward who can create things for himself with his incredible speed, power, ball control, and ability in front of goal when he gets near the opposition’s box.

The former Bristol City striker’s goal against Liverpool at Anfield earlier this season is the perfect example of the kind of quality that he could bring to North London in the second half of the campaign.

With Tottenham’s lack of progressive passing and high-quality chances this season, having a player who has runs and goals like that in his locker would be invaluable for Frank.

That strike against Liverpool was also not a flash in the pan for the versatile attacker, who can play out wide or through the middle, because he has been in impressive form in the Premier League this term.

25/26 Premier League

Antoine Semenyo

Percentile rank vs wingers

xG

4.58

Top 1%

Goals

6

Top 1%

Shots

23

Top 10%

Shots on target

14

Top 1%

Assists

3

Top 6%

Successful dribbles

21

Top 5%

Touches in the opposition’s box

45

Top 12%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, Semenyo has been one of the most productive wingers in the division for Bournemouth this season, with more goals than any other winger in the league.

These statistics, and the nature of his goal against Liverpool in particular, suggest that signing the Cherries star would go a long way to solving some of the attacking issues that Frank’s side have.

Therefore, Spurs should push hard to win the race for his services by activating his release clause at the start of the January transfer window and trying their hardest to convince him that a move to North London is the best next step in his career.

£65m, though, would make him the club’s joint-record signing alongside Dominic Solanke, who also came from Bournemouth, so it would take a big financial commitment from the Lilywhites.

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In order to make a move for the 25-year-old star viable, sporting director Fabio Paratici should look to ruthlessly sell some of the club’s current players to fund a transfer for Semenyo.

One of the sellable assets who should be cashed in on by Paratici to create funds for a swoop for the Cherries sensation in January is right-back Pedro Porro.

Why Spurs should sell Pedro Porro

Ahead of the summer transfer window, CaughtOffside reported that the Spain international was attracting interest from Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City.

It was claimed that Spurs were not interested in selling the full-back at the time, which was in May, but that they would have changed their tune if an offer of around £57m came across their desk.

Whilst Porro ultimately remained in North London, that report in the summer shows that there are some top clubs across Europe who would be interested in him if he became available, although it remains to be seen if any of them would pay the £57m price tag.

The Spaniard attracted interest from those teams after a return of four goals and nine assists in 51 appearances in all competitions for Spurs in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore, but his form this season has left a lot to be desired.

Polish journalist Michał Okoński described his crosses into the box as a “disaster” earlier this month, and it is hard to disagree with that assessment when you consider that he has lost possession 222 times and delivered one assist in 12 Premier League games, per Sofascore.

Pedro Porro – Premier League

24/25

25/26

Appearances

33

12

Possession lost per game

17.5

18.5

Key passes per game

1.7

1.2

Big chances created

10

2

Assists

6

1

Pass accuracy

76%

73%

Cross accuracy

31%

17%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Spain international’s use of the ball has regressed since the end of the 2024/25 campaign. He is currently giving the ball away more frequently whilst creating less for his team.

Porro has been far too wasteful with the ball at his feet at right-back for Tottenham. That is evident in his regressing creative stats, but it is also evident in that he has made four errors leading to shots for the opposition in the Premier League, twice as many as he made in 33 matches last season.

As well as his struggles on the ball, the former Sporting star has gone from averaging 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game last season in the Premier League to averaging just 1.7 per match in the current campaign, per Sofascore.

These statistics show that Porro has regressed in and out of possession at right-back for the Lilywhites, which is why it could be the right time for Paratici to cash in on him in January, amid interest from City, Barcelona, and Bayern, to avoid his value dwindling if his form does not improve.

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Whilst it remains to be seen how much teams would be willing to pay for him, any fee in the region of the quoted £57m would go a long way to funding a deal for Semenyo, who has a £65m release clause.

حقق فريق الجونة فوزًا صعبًا على نظيره الاتحاد السكندري، بهدفين نظيفين، في اللقاء الذي جمعهما اليوم، ضمن منافسات مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

واستضاف الاتحاد السكندري، نظيره الجونة، على ملعب استاد الإسكندرية، ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة عشر من مسابقة الدوري المصري.

طالع.. ماريو ديسبوتفيتش يوضح دوره مع وادي دجلة.. ورأية في محمد الشيخ

وجاء هدف المباراة الوحيد عن طريق مروان محسن، مهاجم الجونة في الدقيقة السابعة من الوقت بدل الضائع في الشوط الأول من ركلة جزاء.

وجاء الهدف الثاني لصالح الجونة عن طريق أدهم كريم في الدقيقة الأخيرة من عمر المباراة.

وشهد اللقاء تلقي كريم الديب لاعب الاتحاد السكندري بطاقة حمراء في الدقيقة 39.

ورفع الجونة رصيده إلى 18 نقطة في المركز الثامن من جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، بينما تجمد رصيد الاتحاد عند 8 نقاط في المركز الـ20. أهداف مباراة الجونة والاتحاد السكندري في الدوري المصري

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

Keshav Maharaj has been recalled to South Africa’s T20I squad for their England tour after being left out of their last two shortest-format squads. The left-arm spinner, who is ranked No.1 in ODIs, missed out on the T20I tri-series in Zimbabwe and the T20Is in Australia as South Africa looked to broaden their spin base, but he has stormed back into contention and been included alongside Senuran Muthusamy for the next month’s series against England.Seamer Lizaad Williams and left-arm speedster Marco Jansen both return to the T20I squad after extended periods out of action with injury. Jansen underwent thumb surgery after being injured in the World Test Championship final in June and has not played since then, while Williams has not played since October 2024 after undergoing knee surgery.David Miller is back in South Africa’s playing group after he was given permission to miss the Australia matches due to his franchise commitments. Miller is currently playing for Northern Superchargers in the Hundred. Allrounder Donovan Ferreira is also at that competition, representing Oval Invincibles, and will join up with South Africa’s T20I squad at the conclusion of that tournament.That left no room for veteran batter Rassie van der Dussen, left-arm spinner George Linde and legspinner Nqaba Peter from the Australia T20I series. Offspinner Prenelan Subrayen, who was reported for a suspect bowling action and will undergo testing in Brisbane next week, has also been left out.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“We were experimenting with the spin-bowling allrounders in our most recent T20I series, and Keshav was always part of our broader plans,” coach Shukri Conrad said in a statement. “His return to the squad strengthens our spin options. Beyond his obvious skill with the ball, he brings calmness and leadership to the group.”South Africa will play three T20Is in England as they continue preparation for next year’s World Cup but only after a three-match ODI series, where they have stuck to the same playing group that won in Australia. Left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka, who was due to return home to play in an A series against New Zealand, has been retained in the ODI squad as cover for Kagiso Rabada, who has an ankle injury. Rabada will be assessed in England and is expected to be available for the T20Is.”We are hopeful that he will be available for part of the ODI series,” Conrad said. “But we are prioritising T20I cricket and will take a conservative approach. We won’t rush him back.”Conrad also confirmed that team management “will continue to manage [ODI captain] Temba Bavuma’s workload in the same way we did in the ongoing series against Australia”. Bavuma, who is coming back from a hamstring injury sustained at the WTC final, played the first ODI in Australia this week and scored his eighth half-century in the format but was rested from the second match. He is scheduled to play in Sunday’s game, with the series already won 2-0.Kwena Maphaka has been retained in the ODI side as cover for Kagiso Rabada•Getty Images

This is the first set of squads that have been picked under new selection convener Patrick Moroney, who began work on August 1. Prior to Moroney’s appointment, the selection of the national team was the sole responsibility of the head coach. Moroney does not lead a panel but works with Conrad and has been keeping an eye on players and performances in the last few months.”The recent tours to Zimbabwe and Australia have been invaluable, allowing us to test different match-ups and give players a platform to perform,” Moroney said. “We saw some exciting young talent step up in Australia, proving their capabilities under pressure and with the T20 World Cup on the horizon, we now have a strong base of players to choose from. Our ODI approach will be similar to what we did in Australia, where we maintained consistency within the group to give them the best possible chance to win the series.”South Africa travel to England from Australia on August 25, with the first ODI to be played in Leeds on September 2.

South Africa’s squad for England ODIs

Temba Bavuma (capt), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs

South Africa squad for England T20Is

Aiden Markram (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams

Elche's on-loan Barcelona defender Hector Fort has revealed a personal post-match conversation with Hansi Flick, saying that the manager "cares about me." The youngster also lifted the lid on the "special" experience of facing his close friend Lamine Yamal during Elche's 3-1 LaLiga defeat, a match which also saw Inaki Pena return to face his parent club.

Fort reveals post-match chat with Flick

Fort has revealed details of a post-match conversation with Flick, in which the German coach showed his personal concern for the on-loan La Masia graduate following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat for the visitors.

Fort, along with goalkeeper Pena, returned to face their parent club for the first time since their temporary summer moves. Speaking to DAZN and as reported by Mundo Deportivo after the match, the 18-year-old full-back expressed his appreciation for Flick's gesture and opened up about the "special" experience of competing against close friend Yamal.

Despite the disappointment of the result at the Estadi Olímpic Lluis Companys, Fort shared a warm exchange with the Barcelona manager on the pitch after the final whistle. The conversation highlighted that the young defender remains firmly in the thoughts of the coaching staff back at his parent club, who are monitoring his progress and well-being.

"He’s a warm person, he cares about me and he was asking me about the injury I had," Fort revealed. "He asked me if I was happy at Elche and I appreciate his interest."

The gesture from Flick suggests that Barcelona see a long-term future for the defender, with the loan move to Elche viewed as a crucial step in his development pathway towards a potential first-team role at Camp Nou.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport'I see him as my friend' – Fort on facing Lamine Yamal

The match also presented a unique personal challenge for Fort, who was tasked with marking his close friend and fellow La Masia product, Yamal. The Barcelona winger opened the scoring in just the ninth minute, but Fort, who came on as a second-half substitute, relished the duel against a player he has known for years.

"I don’t see Lamine like everyone else. I see him as my friend," Fort explained with a smile. "We’ve been together for many years, we’ve shared a lot, and I was excited to face him. I don’t think I did too badly. I caught him a bit tired."

The full-back admitted the context of the game provided an extra spark. "It always helps to have the extra motivation of playing in front of my fans and my former teammates, but it’s a shame about the result."

Pena describes 'special and strange' Barcelona return

Pena, who started the match for Elche, the return was an emotional one. Having spent years at Barcelona, he admitted it felt unusual to be in the opposition's dressing room.

"It’s strange to play here in another jersey," Pena said, although he noted it was not an entirely new experience, having previously played against Barca while on loan at Galatasaray.

The 26-year-old was seen embracing his former goalkeeping colleagues—Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Wojciech Szczesny, Joan Garcia, and Diego Kochen—after the game. "I have many friends, but I train with the goalkeepers every day and it was really nice to see them," he reflected on the reunion.

Both players were ultimately on the losing side as Barcelona secured a comfortable victory to maintain their second-place position in the La Liga table. After Yamal's early opener, Ferran Torres doubled the hosts' lead in the 12th minute. Elche pulled a goal back through Rafa Mir just before half-time, but a 61st-minute strike from Marcus Rashford sealed the three points for Flick's side.

Pena played the full 90 minutes, making three saves but conceding three goals from the six shots on target he faced. Fort was introduced in the second half and provided a solid account of himself against a tiring Barcelona attack.

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Why Pena chose Elche loan move

Speaking after the game, Pena also elaborated on his decision to join Elche on loan, revealing that manager Eder Sarabia was a "decisive" factor. The goalkeeper had to wait for registration processes to be completed, but Sarabia's confidence in him was key.

"When I found out about this situation mid-summer, Eder (Sarabia) was aware of it, and that was decisive because he told me he was sure about it and that I could wait," Pena explained. "And from a footballing perspective, we know their philosophy and their style of play; we know how they want their goalkeeper to play, similar to Barça's philosophy. And I'm also at home, having been away for many years, and all of that made it a good decision."