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A Champions League thriller at Anfield between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid on Wednesday was overshadowed by ugly touchline scenes involving Diego Simeone and his staff. Fan footage circulating online appears to show an Atletico backroom member spitting towards supporters after the Argentine coach was sent off late on. Calls are now growing for UEFA to step in and hand down a serious punishment.

• Atletico staff member spits at Liverpool fans?

  Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in a dramatic opening-night Champions League clash on Wednesday night, with Virgil van Dijk scoring yet another stoppage-time winner for the Reds. Tempers flared after the goal, with Simeone and his staff being confronted near the main stand following taunts from fans. During the commotion, one Atletico staff member appeared to spit at supporters in videos shared by Liverpool fans.

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• Liverpool fans call for immediate ban

  Clips shared on social media show the spitting incident occurring just seconds after Simeone was dismissed from the dugout. Stewards were forced to restrain Atletico staff as tensions spilled over in front of the away bench. The video has since gone viral, with supporters across the football community labelling the act “disgusting” and urging UEFA to set an example with their ruling.

• Spitting a bannable offence as per UEFA regulation

  Spitting is classified as a severe violation under UEFA’s disciplinary regulations and is usually met with strict bans for players. Fans believe that, in this case, an even harsher penalty may be needed given the nature of the act and the potential damage to the game’s image.

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• Getty Images
  

  UEFA likely to launch investigation

  UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will be under pressure to investigate the incident and determine an appropriate punishment. Based on past cases, suspensions for spitting generally range from two to four games, though the fact it involved a staff member may complicate matters. For now, Atletico await news on whether further sanctions will be imposed beyond Simeone’s red card.

Tottenham Hotspur have now directly contacted a “fantastic” defender’s club, in order to assess the possibility of a potential deal, according to a report.

Spurs looking to bolster full-back options despite Spence renewal

Tottenham are relatively well-stocked in the full-back department, given that Thomas Frank has Destiny Udogie at his disposal at left-back and Pedro Porro on the opposite flank, while Djed Spence is capable of playing on either side.

Despite a rocky start to his career at Spurs, Spence has now done enough to earn a new long-term contract, and the full-back has admitted he is delighted to extend his stay in north London.

That said, given that Spence has predominantly featured on the left in recent times, Frank may want to bring in another full-back to provide competition for Porro on the right, and Manchester City’s Rico Lewis was recently identified as a potential option.

Last week, intermediaries made contact with the Lilywhites over a potential deal, and Frank’s side have now stepped up their interest, having made direct contact with Man City.

That is according to a report from Caught Offside, which states Tottenham have now submitted an enquiry to City about Lewis, but there could be fierce competition for the full-back’s signature, with a number of rival Premier League clubs also keen.

Indeed, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have all made approaches for the 20-year-old, with the Tricky Trees even submitting an offer worth €30m (£26m), which was knocked back by the Blues.

That said, it remains to be seen whether a deal will be possible, with Pep Guardiola keen to keep hold of the youngster, while also recently saying: “I think he’s going to stay, I think. He told me that. But, I said, maybe tomorrow, after tomorrow, it’ll change.”

"Fantastic" Lewis could challenge for Porro's starting spot

Once lauded as “fantastic” by Guardiola, the English starlet has managed to repay his manager’s faith in him by establishing himself as an important player for City, making 28 appearances in the Premier League in the 2024-25 campaign.

Frank approves Tottenham move for "world-class" £60m Savinho alternative

Thomas Frank has now given the green light for Spurs to make a move for a winger.

1 ByDominic Lund Aug 18, 2025

During that time, the Bury-born defender has also showcased his versatility, featuring at left-back and even in central midfield, although right-back is the five-time England international’s favoured position.

As such, Lewis would most likely be brought in as a direct competitor to Porro, and he could have the potential to usurp the Spaniard on a long-term basis, considering Pep has stated the City ace is “one of the best” players he has trained.

That said, it could be difficult for the full-back to displace the 25-year-old in the Tottenham starting XI, given that Porro has outperformed him in both an attacking and defensive sense over the past year.

Average per 90

Pedro Porro

Rico Lewis

Non-penalty goals

0.09

0.03

Assists

0.21

0.14

Tackles

2.13

1.46

Interceptions

1.23

0.66

Continuing their hunt for reinforcements, Leeds United reportedly submitted an offer to sign a midfield gem before he handed them a swift response in negotiations.

Leeds gearing up for Premier League return

It’s been two seasons in waiting, but Leeds’ Premier League return is almost underway at long last. Daniel Farke’s side will square off against Everton in the first Monday Night Football of the season, in which they’ll hope to make an instant statement.

None of the last six promoted sides have survived at the first time of asking in the Premier League, but Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley will be desperate to bring an end to what is a concerning trend.

The 49ers would have been well aware of that statistic this summer too, and have backed Farke with a number of arrivals as a result. Even after welcoming as many as seven fresh faces, however, the American owners could have more lined up for those at Elland Road.

Among those who could yet arrive is Liverpool’s Ben Doak. The speedy winger looks likely to be on the move this summer, either on loan or in a permanent deal, and Leeds could take full advantage.

Whilst the young Scotland international won’t come cheap, he is the type of player worth splashing out on. After impressing many around Middlesbrough during his loan spell, before injury cut things short, Doak is ready to leave his mark on the Premier League at just 19 years old.

Huge upgrade on Nmecha: Leeds plotting move to sign £26m "monster"

Leeds are in the market for another number nine this summer

4 ByJoe Nuttall Aug 7, 2025

Meanwhile, as recent reports revealed, in another reality the teenage star could have had the chance to join a former Liverpool teammate in Yorkshire this summer.

Leeds made Bobby Clark offer

As reported by The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, Leeds made an offer to sign Bobby Clark from Red Bull Salzburg, only for the former Liverpool man to favour a loan move to Championship side Derby County over a bit-part role with a Premier League side.

Clark is back in England to “prove people wrong” after a frustrating year at Salzburg. The 20-year-old midfielder initially joined the Austrian club and former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders for around £10m last summer, but soon saw Lijnders sacked and his own game time limited – making an exit inevitable just one year on.

Still a player full of potential, nonetheless, it wasn’t so long ago that Clark was earning impressive praise from ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who told reporters after a 6-1 win over Slavia Prague: “Controlling a football game, with all the excitement inside that he definitely still has, is fantastic. Bobby, it’s really nice to see the boys develop and flourish, to be honest.”

It’s a talent that Leeds have ultimately missed out on this time around and they must simply go again in the transfer market. With just under a month remaining until the window slams shut, the Whites still have work to do.

Pair’s unbroken stand of 268 sets fifth-wicket record for Durham in first-class cricket

ECB Reporters Network10-Sep-2024

David Bedingham acknowledges his half-century•Getty Images

David Bedingham made his third Championship century of the season against Lancashire and also passed a thousand first-class runs for this campaign to help Durham take control of their Vitality County Championship match at Chester-le-Street.Having restricted Lancashire to 228 all out in their first innings, the home side were 367 for 4 at the close, a lead of 139, with Bedingham on 177 not out and Colin Ackermann unbeaten on 111. The pair’s unbroken stand of 268 has already set a fifth-wicket record for Durham in first-class cricket.The one positive aspect of the day’s play from a Lancastrian perspective was the bowling of the Trinidadian, Anderson Phillip, who took 2 for 86 on his debut, but it now looks as though the visitors will face a battle to avoid a third Championship defeat in succession.In the morning session, Lancashire’s last four wickets added a further 51 runs to their overnight total. Matty Hurst was run out for 90 after a mix-up with Tom Bailey and Ben Raine took his fifth wicket of the innings when he had Phillip leg before wicket for 2.Raine finished with 5 for 44, his best return of the season, but crucially for their hopes of staying in Division One, Lancashire failed to earn a batting bonus point for the third successive match.Replying to the visitors’ modest 228, Durham’s batters encountered their own problems against the new Kookaburra ball. Ben McKinney gave Phillip his first wicket for his new county when he played on for 8 and Scott Borthwick’s indeterminate waft at a ball from Bailey edged a catch to Hurst with the home skipper on 9.Bedingham and Alex Lees took Durham to lunch on 46 for 2 and the pair batted serenely for nearly an hour after the resumption, at which point the home side were rocked by two lbw decisions in eight balls.Lees fell to Phillip for 43 and then Ollie Robinson was trapped on the crease by Tom Aspinwall for four to leave Durham on 99 for 4. Bedingham and Ackermann prevented Lancashire making any more breakthroughs and Durham reached tea on 178 for four, only 50 runs in arrears.Shortly after the resumption, Bedingham reached his thousand first-class runs for the season with a single off Tom Hartley and it was noted that nearly a quarter of them had been taken off the Red Rose’s attack.But worse was to follow for Keaton Jennings’ bowlers as Bedingham reached his sixth Championship century in just 15 innings this season when he stroked Hartley to long-on for another single. The South African had reached three figures off 143 balls with 11 fours and a six and there had hardly been a moment in his innings when he hadn’t looked in complete control.Nor was there any point in the evening session when Lancashire looked like taking a wicket. For long periods, Jennings posted five men in the deep and appeared content to cut off the boundaries. The fifth-wicket stand partnership passed 200 when Bedingham pulled a lifter from Aspinwall through midwicket for four.While almost all other Championship games in the country were interrupted by rain, home supporters sat in the sun and waited to see if Ackermann would reach his century and if the Durham pair would eclipse the county’s record fifth-wicket partnership of 254 set by Ned Eckersley and Bedingham himself against Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge in 2021.They were not disappointed. Three overs from the close, Ackermann got to his hundred off 165 balls and a new fifth-wicket record was set when Bedingham stroked Bailey to deep square leg off the next delivery.

Luke Wells and Glenn Phillips propelled Fire to their highest ever total, but rain saved Brave’s blushes

ECB Media14-Aug-2024

Southern Brave went through thanks to a no-result•PA Images via Getty Images

Southern Brave secured their place in the Hundred Eliminator at the Kia Oval on Saturday thanks to rain intervening at Utilita Bowl against an already-eliminated Welsh Fire.The Brave came into the match knowing that a point would guarantee their presence in Saturday’s showdown but at the halfway stage, with 181 posted by the Fire, they would have feared losing control of their destiny.Two quick wickets – Alex Davies for a duck and then James Vince for 19 – further set the Brave back. But on the stroke of Vince’s dismissal, with rain falling steadily, the umpires took the players off.The rain never abated, and with just 16 balls having been bowled of the Brave’s innings – a minimum of 25 balls are required to deliver a result – the game was duly abandoned.”Bowling first, things probably got away from us a bit,” Vince said. “We were sloppy. Some good players got going and we weren’t able to shut them down, so it was always going to be a tough ask to chase that down.”We had a few messages saying the weather might be on its way so it we had a few discussions about how to approach those first 25 balls; thankfully the rain came just in time.”On the whole, across the tournament, the bowling group gets a lot of credit. They’re quality, experienced bowlers. Our batting goes under the radar a bit. We’d like a few more guys in form, but on the whole we’ve been reasonably consistent.”Luke Wells struck 53 from 30•Getty Images

It was a bitter pill for the Fire to swallow. With the bat they were irrepressible, with Luke Wells and Glenn Phillips especially destructive, sharing a 76-run partnership from just 30 balls to propel the Fire to their highest-ever score in the tournament’s history.Wells, registering just his second fifty in the competition, took just 28 balls to reach the milestone, while Phillips was spectacular, clubbing five sixes – including one hit over square-leg against Jofra Archer that sailed 102 metres – from just 19 balls. In all, 10 sixes were struck across the Fire’s innings.For the Brave, only Akeal Hosein escaped punishment, the West Indian left-armer conceding just 21 from his 20-ball quota.Ultimately, it was immaterial. Brave are through to face either Northern Superchargers or Birmingham Phoenix, with the latter’s game against Manchester Originals tomorrow determining the final placings at the top.

Thomas Frank will be the next manager at Tottenham Hotspur to try and turn the club into genuine Premier League title contenders when he leads the side into the 2025/26 campaign.

The Dane was appointed as manager on a three-year contract, taking the reins from Ange Postecoglou after the Aussie was handed his marching orders.

Whilst the Lilywhites managed to end their 17-year wait for a trophy, owner Daniel Levy has made it clear that their league standing is crucial – something which led to Ange’s subsequent dismissal.

The club finished in a measly 17th position in 2024/25, but owner Levy has stated his desire to transform the North London outfit into serial winners off the back of their European triumph.

However, if Frank is to push the club closer towards such a goal in the near future, he will need added reinforcements to bolster his squad throughout the current window.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

The forward line has been the subject of the most interest already this window, with Brentford forward Yoane Wissa just one player in their sights ahead of 2025/26.

He’s not the only other Premier League talent on their radar, with Fulham star Rodrigo Muniz seen as a surprise option to fill the centre forward role in North London.

However, the main target remains Wissa’s teammate Bryan Mbeumo, with progress being made on a deal, according to The Mirror’s latest update.

They claim that the club have made an offer for the Cameroonian international, but they still face huge competition from Manchester United, who’ve also increased their original offer in recent days.

It’s also reported that the Bees are holding out for a fee in the region of £70m for the attacker who managed to register 20 goals in the Premier League this season.

Why Spurs’ latest target could be Frank’s answer to Bale

Winger Gareth Bale will go down as one of Spurs’ best ever players after his impact during his time in the first team, starring for the Lilywhites beyond anyone’s wildest imagination.

The Welsh international originally joined as a left-back, before his hat-trick against Inter Milan in the Champions League catapulted him into a forward role – one that would change his career trajectory massively.

He registered 71 goals during his two stints in North London, with 26 of his efforts coming in the 2012/13 season, leading to his eventual £85m move to European giants Real Madrid.

Talents like Bale don’t come around very often, with the club lacking such an impressive option off the right-hand side since his permanent move over a decade ago.

However, Frank could land his own verision of the Welshman this summer with a reunion with Mbeumo, which could see the winger replicate Bale’s success in North London.

He possesses a similar trait of cutting off the right-hand onto his stronger left foot, replicating the superb efforts that the Welsh international created during his stint at the club.

His stats from the Premier League this campaign are examples of the talent he possesses within the final third, having the skillset to match the levels produced by the former fan favourite.

Mbeumo, who’s been labelled “sensational” by one analyst, has completed 47% of his take-ons and registered 45% of his efforts on target – demonstrating his direct nature and ability to produce an end product.

He’s also completed 3.4 progressive carries per 90, along with two carries into the opposition box per 90, highlighting his desire to take the ball forward at any given moment.

Games played

38

Goals scored

20

Take-on success

47%

Shot on target accuracy

45%

Progressive carries

3.4

Carries into opposition box

2

Crosses completed

5.3

He’s also produced a tally of 5.3 crosses per 90, handing the players around him in North London the chance to improve their own tallies as a result.

Whilst a deal would cost the club a pretty penny this summer, his talents within attacking areas would hand the side a new dimension that would improve the options at Frank’s disposal.

Given the interest from elsewhere in the division, the hierarchy will need to work tirelessly to complete such a deal to avoid missing out on a top-level talent.

Their own Gyokeres: Spurs showing big interest in signing "incredible" CF

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to make a move for a player who’s starring at the Club World Cup.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 23, 2025

Liverpool are making some shrewd moves in the market as they look to build on winning the Premier League title and could now strike for a world-renowned star with talks having already taken place, per a report.

Jeremie Frimpong set for Liverpool medical

Arne Slot and his squad are still basking in the glory of becoming top-flight champions, but there has already been significant movement on the transfer front at Anfield.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is joining Real Madrid on a free transfer, which has pivoted focus to who could potentially replace the academy graduate’s phenomenal attacking output at right-back.

Reports suggest Jeremie Frimpong is the answer and is set to undergo a Liverpool medical on Monday before he completes his £29.5 million move from Bayer Leverkusen.

Commenting on the Reds’ transfer plans this summer, Slot stated: “So, there’s always an ongoing process and we have to make sure that we are prepared if we can strengthen the squad.

“But it’s difficult to strengthen this squad. There’s a reason why we won the league – because we have so many great players.”

Liverpool now completing detailed work to sign "elite" Huijsen alternative

The Reds have officially missed out on Huijsen.

1 ByTom Cunningham May 18, 2025

The Dutchman may have a point. However, it would be naive not to expect Liverpool not to try and capitalise on their status as Premier League champions.

Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has become a known target at Anfield, giving an inkling towards the type of smart recruitment that is expected to occur at Anfield this summer.

Typically, Liverpool have a distinctive style of adding to their squad that is more in line with squad synchronisation as opposed to star appeal.

However, there can be room for both if the Reds’ latest pursuit under is anything to go by.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Florian Wirtz hold discussions

According to The Mirror, Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz has held talks with Liverpool boss Slot to discuss his summer transfer plans as interest begins to mount in the Germany international.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has also touched base to find out more about where he envisages landing and the Citizens are said to be plotting a double swoop for the 22-year-old and Tijjani Reijnders before the Club World Cup.

Florian Wirtz’ Bayer Leverkusen campaign – Bundesliga

Chances created

57

Shots on target

39

Completed dribbles

82

Touches in opposition box

162

Successful crosses

14

Accurate long balls

34

Labelled “world-class” by Gerhard Struber, Wirtz has registered 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions this season, which may go some way to explaining why his valuation sits at a figure in excess of £100 million.

Becoming one of the most talked about stars in Europe, he has excelled as the foil for the main attacker and could now emerge as a source of creative inspiration for the likes of Mohamed Salah should he move to Anfield.

Having said that, Manchester City’s hunt to replace Kevin De Bruyne could be a roadblock as he deliberates before deciding on his next desitination.

Will Chelsea make a success of this season?

On Thursday, the Blues demolished Djurgårdens in the first leg of their Conference League semi-final, with Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke both on target in Stockholm, before Nicolas Jackson bagged a quick-fire brace.

Thus, supporters are now pretty certain that their team will be in Wrocław for the final later this month, facing either Real Betis or Fiorentina.

Meantime, in the Premier League, Enzo Maresca’s side are currently fourth, desperate to cling onto the final Champions League spot, ahead of Sunday’s heavyweight meeting with recently crowned champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Even with the Club World Cup on the horizon this summer, Chelsea are expected to be busy in the transfer market, as has very much been the case since Todd Boehly’s takeover, so could they sign a big-money new striker?

The latest on Chelsea's interest in Viktor Gyökeres

According to a report by Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Deutschland, Arsenal are “pushing” to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres, valued at around £60m by the Portuguese giants, with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea “all in the race”.

The 26-year-old Swede has scored 95 goals in 98 appearances for Sporting, pretty impressive statistics, with a report by David Ornstein and James McNicholas of The Athletic claiming that Gyökeres is expected to be on the move this summer.

Nevertheless, with a high amount of competition for his signature, should Chelsea focus on other targets?

Chelsea's potential new striker

According to a report from Steve Kay of Football Transfers earlier this week, Chelsea ‘have approached’ Aston Villa, enquiring about the possibility of signing Ollie Watkins this summer, adding that the Blues ‘are willing’ to match the Villans’ £60m valuation.

TEAMtalk notes that Watkins has emerged as Chelsea’s number one target, due to concerns about Victor Osimhen’s wage demands, as well as fears that Gyökeres would choose to go elsewhere.

If Villa miss out on Champions League qualification, they may be forced to sell key assets to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules, hence why Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider believes they’d be looking to cash in on 29-year-old Watkins.

Transfer Focus

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

So, would Watkins be a good signing for Chelsea?

Chelsea's best recent attacking signings

Since Clearlake Capital’s takeover of Chelsea in 2022, they have signed over 40 first-team players, spending in excess of £1bn, many of whom made little impact at Stamford Bridge, some of whom have been swiftly moved on.

Pretty much indisputably, the Blues’ best signing of the Boehly era is Cole Palmer, who, since arriving from Manchester City for £42.5m, has scored 39 goals for the club, named Chelsea’s Player of the Season as well as the PFA Young Player of the Year for 2023/24.

However, let’s analyse the impact made by some of the other members of the forward line.

Pedro Neto

£54m

40

6

7

João Félix

£45m

20

7

2

Omari Kellyman

£19m

Zero

Zero

Zero

Marc Guiu

£5m

13

6

Zero

Jadon Sancho

£25m

36

4

10

Cole Palmer

£42.5m

86

39

25

Nicolas Jackson

£32m

75

29

11

Christopher Nkunku

£50m

56

17

5

Deivid Washington

£17m

3

Zero

Zero

Ângelo

£13m

Zero

Zero

Zero

Diego Moreira

Free

1

Zero

Zero

Mykhailo Mudryk

£89m

73

10

11

Raheem Sterling

£47.5m

81

19

15

Noni Madueke

£28.5

82

20

9

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

£10.3m

21

3

1

David Datro Fofana

£11m

4

Zero

Zero

It would be a major understatement to say that Chelsea have signed a lot of attacking players in the last three seasons, and the table above certainly underlines that Cole Palmer has unquestionably had the biggest impact.

So, why would Watkins be any different?

Well, let’s assess his season statistics to find out.

Goals

15

7th

Goals per 90

0.6

6th

Assists

7

13th

Shots

76

11th

Shots on target

32

8th

Expected goals

14.5

6th

Goal-creating actions

11

31st

Touches in oppo penalty area

153

11

As the table outlines, Watkins is a very well-rounded striker, described by Statman Dave as “clinical”, both a potent goalscorer but also a chance creator too.

The concern about signing him would be the fact he is 29 years old, but the Englishman is showing no signs of slowing down, so could be the striker Chelsea require to go to the next level.

Better than Jackson: Chelsea want £25m "beast" who's outscoring Osimhen

Chelsea have wasted no time in targeting new forwards to strengthen Enzo Maresca’s side this summer.

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Aston Villa will have to go for broke when they welcome PSG to Villa Park in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

The Premier League side trails 3-1 after the first leg and, given how dominant the French side has been this season, it will be an extremely tall order for Unai Emery to mastermind a 3-0 win which will secure progress into the last four.

The club take on Southampton in the top flight this weekend. However, Emery will likely make a change or two, especially considering how important the second leg is.

Morgan Rogers shone against the Ligue 1 outfit, but the manager should rest him up ahead of the second leg.

How Morgan Rogers performed against PSG

Despite the 3-1 loss to the current French champions, Rogers was one of Villa’s shining lights. The Englishman opened the scoring after 35 minutes at the Parc des Princes with a nice little finish inside the box to give the away side a confidence boost.

Elsewhere, Rogers also created a big chance, made one key pass, attempted four dribbles – succeeding with one – and was fouled twice during his time on the pitch.

Southampton have already been relegated from the top flight after a dismal season. With this in mind, Emery must ruthlessly ditch Rogers from his starting XI in order to unleash a player who hasn’t had many chances to shine since joining the club from Borussia Dortmund in January.

Donyell Malen, however, scored in their last two league outings, against Brighton and Nottingham Forest respectively, indicating that he deserves another chance this weekend.

Why Donyell Malen must start against Southampton

The Netherlands international wasn’t included in Villa’s Champions League squad for the knockout rounds, hence why it makes perfect sense to bring him back into the starting XI this weekend.

Across nine league matches, Malen has scored twice, while having a 22% goal conversion percentage and has even missed two big chances, suggesting he might have had another goal or two with more accurate finishing.

Metric

Bundesliga

Premier League

Goals

2

3

Assists

0

0

Big chances created

0

1

Shots on target per game

0.8

0.4

Goal conversion percentage

22%

16%

During his spell in the Bundesliga, Malen received high praise from his former teammate Mario Götze, who said: “Donyell is extremely fast and very dangerous. If he has a chance, it’s usually a goal, too.”

In the first half of the season for Dortmund, Malen scored five goals for the German side, including one against Real Madrid in the group stages of the Champions League.

Hardly the most prolific tally in the world, yet when compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Malen currently ranks in the top 1% for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.64) and in the top 9% for total shots per 90 (3.47) over the previous 365 days.

These statistics make him the perfect choice for Emery against the Saints. Not only will it give Rogers a rest ahead of the second leg, but unleashing Malen will give him the chance to score for the third Premier League game in a row.

Therefore, the Spanish must axe the England international from the starting XI for his own good, rather than for performance-related reasons, to bring the January addition in.

Emery struck gold on Aston Villa star worth more than Doue & Kvaratskhelia

Aston Villa made a brilliant investment with this player

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 11, 2025

Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith burst onto the scene as Bazball 2.0 began to take shape

Vithushan Ehantharajah10-Sep-2024″Coldplay can’t be number one every week.”So said Joe Root after England succumbed to an eight-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in their final Test of the 2024 home season. His point being that their style is such that, while they have reeled off five wins in a row, results like this are “going to happen from time to time”.It’s not quite how recording artists operate, of course. Certainly not a band who, if they were so inclined, could industrialise the production of their cookie-cutter tear-jerkers. One thing Coldplay do, however, is sell out stadiums, which England have not this summer. The Kia Oval was only a third full for what is usually a showpiece event in the calendar.To be fair to England, that’s not so much on them. Inclement weather and broadly uneven Tests have contributed to an unspectacular home season. Prevalent themes include underfunded opposition and overpriced ticketing.Related

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And yet at the same time, few summers have been this transitional as new blood was sourced to build towards the 2025-26 Ashes. Such has been the rate of change, the average age of England’s XI at the Oval was 26, compared to 32 for the corresponding 2023 Ashes fixture. In pursuit of Bazball refinement, England gave us a Bratball summer.

****

James Anderson knew something was up when all of Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum and Rob Key invited him to a Manchester hotel in April. Good news is rarely delivered by three messengers.The meeting itself lasted 90 minutes, not that Anderson was oblivious to what was to be discussed before he walked through the door. England’s greatest ever bowler, fresh from breaching the 700 Test wickets mark, was being put out to pasture.Lord’s would be the farewell, creating a peculiar atmosphere around the season opener against West Indies. On the one hand, Anderson hated the fuss of his 188th and final Test appearance, though did grow to enjoy it. On the other, it acted as a neat distraction for those taking the team forward in a post-Anderson world.Shoaib Bashir played his first home Test after an impressive tour of India was followed by a loan move from Worcestershire to Somerset for first-team action. The Surrey duo of Gus Atkinson, a quick with just 19 first-class appearances to his name, and Jamie Smith, picked as wicketkeeper despite not doing the job for his county, made their debuts. All three were ever-presents for the summer.

“The flipside of introducing new faces is saying goodbye to old ones. Broad, Anderson, Bairstow and Foakes, staples of the first two years of McCullum’s era, are already fading in the rearview mirror”

Bashir came off a “thanks for coming” appearance in that first Test to bowl England to victory over West Indies at Trent Bridge. Second-innings figures of 5 for 41 made him the youngest English spinner to take a five-wicket haul at home, which also happened to be his third outright.Atkinson started with a bang, taking 12 for 106 in his first outing – the best figures for an Englishman on Test debut since 1890 – turning Anderson’s grand closing into his grand opening. A return to Lord’s against Sri Lanka brought with it another five-wicket haul, as well as completing the honours board set with a maiden Test century. All in, 34 dismissals at 20.17 represents an exceptional home summer. Particularly given Atkinson’s front-on, into-the-pitch action, along with his scrambled stock ball, which sets him apart from traditional English seamers.It was perhaps Smith who was the real find. The 24-year-old made the earliest impression – ultimately, by doing nothing at all. With McCullum and Stokes maintaining their stance on leaving training attendance in the hands of the individuals, Smith, ahead of his first cap, decided on having the day off.It was a bold call for someone ahead of such a big moment in their career. But with the team announced 48 hours early, Smith informed Stokes that he felt he had done all his necessary preparation and could probably do with a more relaxed lead-in. The skipper was impressed by the clarity, and, though he would not judge, the bravery of the call. Smith went out and strummed 70 in his maiden Test knock.A century would come at Old Trafford against Sri Lanka after a near-miss in his previous knock against West Indies. And with 23 catches to go with his 487 runs, Smith has rectified a problem position. The keeping conundrum of Jonny Bairstow or Ben Foakes has been solved swiftly and with remarkable distinction.It’s worth noting that all three youngsters have encountered challenges. Smith, a three-format player, noted the grind of Test cricket is something he must manage, even if it had not caught up with him just yet.Jamie Smith has nailed down the wicketkeeper position•Getty Images”Looking back on these six matches has been a learning experience for me of just day-to-day how I need to go about things, in terms of preparation,” he said. “There’s quite a quick turnaround between games.”So [it’s] almost, ‘what do I need to do to be ready?’ It’s a slightly unique situation that I’ve been full at it since back in April, and played nine Championship games in the lead up to these six Test matches. So it’s 15 first-class games, plus the T20s and the Hundred. It’s been a lot.”By the last Test at the Kia Oval, Atkinson’s pace was noticeably down, in part because of a thigh injury that has subsequently seen him rested for the upcoming ODI series with Australia. From a technical point of view, Bashir’s lack of “go-to” ball is something he needs to work on.

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With six Tests still to come this year, split evenly between Pakistan and New Zealand, such learnings will have to come on duty. McCullum and Stokes are keen to hot-house talent within the confines of the Test squad, as much because of the proximity of the next Ashes and the fact they believe their environment promotes accelerated progress.Josh Hull is the latest example of that. After being called up to replace Mark Wood – now out until the new year – Hull spent a week grooving in the Lord’s nets.Just seven weeks after walking out at the same venue, Anderson was back on the Nursery Ground. This time, as the team’s bowling consultant, fine-tuning a kid born 15 months after he made his Test debut.Josh Hull claimed three wickets on debut against Sri Lanka•Richard Heathcote/Getty ImagesTall, left-arm, but with a Division Two bowling average of 182.50 this season, Hull needed work. Anderson set about shaving off a couple of rough edges. A slightly skittish run-up was tidied. An alignment at the crease that led a collapsed front leg was adjusted.There was nothing overly technical, but enough for Hull to shine in the lead-up to the final Test of the summer and sneak a spot in the XI. Impressing McCullum and Stokes with his movement and bounce helped, as well as a handy spell against stand-in captain Ollie Pope in the nets.Three wickets, all in the first innings, showcased promise, though the rawness was evident throughout with a lack of control. Nevertheless, a spot for Hull on the tour of Pakistan came through on Tuesday. England are keen on an extra month to polish, believing they are onto something special.

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The flipside of introducing new faces is saying goodbye to old ones. Broad, Anderson, Bairstow and Foakes, staples of the first two years of McCullum’s era, are already fading in the rearview mirror.Dan Lawrence, a passenger for the last 18 months, has been dropped off after unsuccessfully moonlighting as an opener in the absence of Zak Crawley. Jordan Cox, four years Lawrence’s junior, is now riding spare.The other knock-on effect comes within. Established players like Pope and Harry Brook have been shifted up in responsibility. In turn, the acting skipper and vice for Sri Lanka’s tour have been shunted into intriguing junctures as far as their Test careers are concerned. Neither can rest on “figuring things out” around more inexperienced company.By the end, England called upon 16 players during the Test season. Of the 15 still active, only six have experience in Australian conditions. It speaks to the volume of change, but also the need to try different things ahead of the next Ashes to rectify consecutive 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0 losses.As such, the value of this near-perfect home season against imperfect opposition is something of an unknown. It may not have been a memorable summer, but it could be remembered fondly depending on how things pan out in two winter’s time.