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Are Arsenal now ready to bring the biggest trophies back to North London?

On Tuesday night, the Gunners sent out a serious statement by smashing Atlético Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League, all the goals coming during a 12-minute second-half scoring spree.

New striker Viktor Gyökeres scored twice, easing some of the pressure on his shoulders, while fellow summer signing Martín Zubimendi put in another eye-catching display.

Thus, the additions made this summer have elevated Mikel Arteta’s team to another level, but is balance one of the under-the-radar reasons why the Gunners have found red-hot form of late?

Arsenal's right-sided bias

During their previous title challenges, a high proportion of Arsenal’s attacks have come down their right flank.

The Gunners’ peak form under Arteta came during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, winning 16 of 18 Premier League matches, with the Benjamin White, Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka attacking trident down the right-hand side, by some distance, their most dangerous outlet.

As documented by the Athletic, the most common combination would see White overlapping, thereby making space for Saka, with Ødegaard’s primary task to find one or the other, this functioning thanks to White’s ‘energetic and well-timed runs’ alongside Ødegaard’s ‘exquisite passing’ as well as Saka’s ‘dribbling ability [which] forces teams to double up on him’

Meantime, the Telegraph outlined that a whopping 45% of their attacks last season came down the right flank, up from 38% and 41% the previous two campaigns, making this a clear pattern across an elongated period of time, something they describe as an issue when the opposition are able to nullify this.

We could have included dozens of goals to demonstrate the threat Arsenal pose down their right-hand side, but Kai Havertz’s late winner against Brentford in March 2024 illustrates it nicely.

Now, recent acquisitions have made Arteta’s team significantly more balanced, no longer solely reliant on some Saka magic, while neither White nor Ødegaard have featured particularly much, for various reasons, so far this season.

Thus, Arteta has reshaped his left side, so has this become equally as effective?

Arsenal's new look creative left-side

Where once Oleksandr Zinchenko stood as Arsenal’s marauding left-back, Riccardo Calafiori is the current occupant of that position.

The Italian has started all eight Premier League games so far, paradoxically described as both ”defensively very solid’ and “the most electrifying man in sports entertainment” following last weekend’s 1-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The table below documents Calaifori’s importance this season.

Stats

Calafiori

PL rank

Minutes

614

6th

Goals

1

5th

Assists

2

1st

Shots

16

2nd

Shot-creating actions

17

4th

Goal-creating actions

5

1st

Progressive carries

16

4th

Tackles

12

3rd

Clearances

20

3rd

Ball recoveries

30

2nd

As the table notes, amazingly, only Gyökeres has attempted more shots among Arsenal players in the Premier League this season, while the Italian is contributing across all areas of the pitch, including the fact he’s second only to Declan Rice in terms of ball recoveries.

However, as White can testify from the other flank, a full-back going forward is only as good as the players he has in front of him, so could Eberechi Eze be that man for Calafiori?

Right now, the England international is being deployed more towards the right, deputising for Ødegaard, with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli, both of whom have scored crucial goals this week, time-sharing on the left flank.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Nevertheless, Eze’s natural tendency is to drift to the left, something he’s having to fight against at the moment.

Thus, analyst Ben Mattinson posited back in 2024 that the pair could be something of a “left-sided White and Saka”, noting that there are “a lot of similarities”, adding that Calafiori is a “better carrier” and Eze is “creative”, concluding that this could be enough to fire Arsenal to the Premier League title.

The man who arrived from Crystal Palace, too much excitement, in August notched his third assist for Arsenal on Tuesday, setting up the first of Gyökeres’ two goals, while he himself opened his Gunners account at Port Vale in the EFL Cup last month.

As Arteta searches for more central creativity, Eze has regularly been deployed through the middle so far, but has started on the left too.

The best example of what he is capable of from a wider position came against Nottingham Forest, bursting in behind to get on the end of a driven ball over the top by, you guessed it, Calafiori, before squaring it for Gyökeres to tap home.

This goal could prove to be just an amuse bouche of what this £110m pair are able to contribute this season so, if Arsenal’s left side becomes anywhere near as potent as their right, supporters have every reason to believe that this genuinely could be their year.

Gyokeres can help Arsenal's "unbelievable" star reach Mesut Ozil's level

Gyokeres could play a key role in helping the incredible Arsenal star reach the levels of Ozil this season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 23, 2025

Chelsea are prepared to make another move for a “fantastic” BlueCo target after already seeing an offer rejected, according to a new report.

Chelsea enjoy big spending summer but still lack in key areas

Last summer, Enzo Maresca’s side marked themselves out as the Premier League’s second-biggest spenders behind champions Liverpool — splashing north of £280 million on new recruits.

Chelsea balanced out this major squad investment by agreeing a plethora of player sales over the course of the window, so much so that they actually a registered a negative net spend and made a small profit.

Liverpool

£415,000,000

£187,000,000

£228,000,000

Chelsea

£285,000,000

£288,000,000

-£3,000,000

Arsenal

£255,000,000

£9,000,000

£246,000,000

Newcastle

£250,000,000

£152,000,000

£98,000,000

Man Utd

£216,000,000

£68,000,000

£148,000,000

Nottm Forest

£205,000,000

£107,000,000

£98,000,000

Tottenham

£181,000,000

£36,000,000

£145,000,000

Sunderland

£162,000,000

£44,000,000

£118,000,000

Man City

£152,000,000

£53,000,000

£99,000,000

West Ham

£124,000,000

£55,000,000

£69,000,000

via BBC

From a purely business perspective, the summer was an undoubted success, and Maresca watched the likes of teenage sensation Estevao – who just scored a winner against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge – Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho all come in to bolster his attacking options.

However, bar the signing of young defender Jorrel Hato from Ajax, Chelsea finished the window short of new options for their backline.

After Levi Colwill’s ACL injury, which is expected to keep him out for most of 2025/2026, Maresca was clear that he wanted another centre-back and publicly urged the club to sign one before deadline day on September 1.

This wasn’t to be, leaving the west Londoners pretty short of quality in a key area, while Chelsea’s attempts to sign another goalkeeper also faltered.

Maresca is believed to be unhappy with his current Chelsea squad (Simon Phillips), but reports suggest that they’re set to try and back the Italian with a proven defender in January (Pete O’Rourke).

Meanwhile, given Delap will take a while to get back up to speed once he returns from injury, Chelsea are also looking at new striker options for the winter market — who’d come in for a cheap fee, on loan or are possibly already owned by BlueCo (Simon Phillips).

Chelsea could even choose to bring in another winger, specifically Juventus sensation Kenan Yildiz.

Chelsea to make second Kenan Yildz approach after rejected £61m offer

Fabrizio Romano has already confirmed that Chelsea are “very interested” in Yildiz, and now a report from Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport has shed more light on the situation.

According to their information, Chelsea had a £61m million bid rejected for the Turkey international rejected last summer, but Maresca’s side aren’t resigned to giving up on his signing just yet.

It is believed that Chelsea will make a second approach for Yildiz, with the Old Lady running into some delay regarding his new contract and the Stamford Bridge side sensing an opportunity to take him from Turin.

The 20-year-old was Juve’s star forward last season, racking up 12 goals and nine assists in all competitions, totalling 21 contributions, and he averaged the highest Serie A match rating out of all of his teammates with more than 15 starts (WhoScored).

He’s started this campaign in equally imperious fashion, averaging more shots and key passes per 90 than any other Juve player in the top flight (WhoScored), but Romano says that the Premier League isn’t that tempting for him right now amid renewal talks.

Manchester United’s poor start to the 2025/26 season has once again cranked up the pressure on manager Ruben Amorim, with uncertainty now emerging around his future.

The 40-year-old took the reins last November, but was unable to catapult the Red Devils up the Premier League table – subsequently ending the year in a record-low 15th place.

However, after £200m worth of new additions during the off-season, he’s been unable to transform the side, already losing 50% of their top-flight outings to date.

His side even got knocked out at the first hurdle in the Carabao Cup, losing to League Two side Grimsby Town on penalties, something which has no doubt pushed him closer to the exit door.

Despite constant reports that no change of manager is expected in the immediate future, numerous managers are being lined up to potentially take the reins at Old Trafford.

Man Utd’s manager hunt to replace Amorim

Over the last couple of days, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been hugely linked with the role at United – understandably so given his recent form at Selhurst Park.

The Austrian has led the Eagles to an 18-game unbeaten run, beating Liverpool at the weekend and subsequently adding to their recent FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs.

However, he’s not the only boss currently in their sights at present, with the Red Devils hierarchy considering a move for Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola, according to The Sun.

Their report claims that the United board are hugely impressed with his work at the Vitality and could be tempted to make a move should Amorim be given his marching orders.

It also states that he’s part of the club’s current shortlist to replace the 40-year-old, currently sitting alongside Glasner, but it remains to be seen if they are set to pursue either of the aforementioned candidates.

Why United’s latest target would be their answer to Arteta

Whilst Arsenal are a club very few United fans are content with, many of the supporters must be feeling an ounce of jealously in the direction of the Gunners under Mikel Arteta.

The Spaniard is nearing six years in charge at the Emirates, only winning one major trophy, but he’s transformed the side into consistent Premier League title contenders.

His side have finished as runners up in each of the last three years, but could go one further this time around, subsequently showing glimpses of a successful side – as seen by their late comeback against Newcastle United.

The 43-year-old has given the fanbase a reason to be proud of their club, something which Iraola has also done with the Cherries – but certainly on a different level to his compatriot.

He took charge of the South Coast outfit back in the summer of 2023, but has taken the club to new heights – achieving their best ever top-flight finish by ending the year in 9th last time around.

However, he’s certainly faced adversity in recent times, losing key players like Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi to many of Europe’s giants during the recent summer.

Despite the departures, he’s led the Cherries to 6th place after the first six outings, with their only defeat coming against Liverpool on the opening day at Anfield.

In the words of journalist James Horncastle – via John Brewin of the Libero podcast – he is the “best coach in the Premier League”.

Iraola, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by one journalist, has achieved a 40% win rate at the Vitality, winning 38 of his 94 matches in charge – subsequently doing so on a shoestring budget.

There’s no doubt he would have a huge amount of money to play with at United, which in turn could allow him to make the desired changes to try and battle with his compatriot, who’s in charge of the Gunners.

Andoni Iraola – PL stats

Statistics

Tally

Games managed

82

Wins

31

Draws

22

Losses

29

Goals scored

120

Goals conceded

120

Points won

115

Points per game

1.40

Win percentage

37.8%

Stats via Transfermarkt

The similarities to Arteta are there for all to see, with both being the same age and making a huge impact in England’s top-flight after their respective appointments.

Both also came from the Basque Country, with United having the chance to appoint an incredible manager should they decide to pursue a move for Iraola in the months ahead.

His stint at Bournemouth has made him one of the most talented young managers in Europe, but it’s unclear how much the Cherries would demand for his signature in the months ahead.

It remains to be seen if Iraola would be open to the job at Old Trafford, but if he can replicate such talents with the Red Devils – there’s no reason as to why they can’t rise up the table under his guidance in the future.

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Sep 29, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras tem cinco atletas na convocação da Seleção Brasileira sub-17 divulgada na quarta-feira (9): o goleiro Cesar, o zagueiro Vitor Reis, os atacantes Estêvão e Riquelme Fillipi, e o meio-campista Figueiredo, que voltou a ser lembrado para o selecionado após viver um longo drama devido a uma lesão. O treinador Phelipe Leal convocou 23 jogadores para um período de treinos na Granja Comary, em Teresópolis.

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+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Esse grupo convocado irá se apresentar no dia 22 de agosto e permanecerá com a Seleção até o dia 4 de setembro. Após a conquista do Sul-Americano Sub-17, esta é a segunda fase de preparação para a Copa do Mundo da categoria, que acontece em novembro, na Indonésia. O Palmeiras foi o clube com mais atletas convocados para o ciclo de treinamentos.

+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!

A novidade em relação às outras listas deste ano é Figueiredo, que está totalmente recuperado da lesão ligamentar no joelho direito sofrida em setembro de 2022. Nesta temporada, o meio-campista fez sua estreia pelo sub-20 do Palestra e já soma oito partidas pela categoria. Ele celebrou o retorno para a Seleção Brasileira sub-17, com a qual conquistou o Torneio de Montaigu, também em 2022, ao lado de Endrick e Luis Guilherme.

continua após a publicidade

– Sem dúvidas tem sido uma volta abençoada. Esperei muito por esse tempo e estou aproveitando agora. Só tenho a agradecer por tudo que tem acontecido comigo nessas últimas semanas! É uma honra voltar a vestir essa camisa. É o objetivo máximo de qualquer jogador brasileiro e espero sempre estar à altura desse escudo – declarou o jovem meio-campista.

+ ‘Geração do bilhão’, técnica e Gómez como ‘espelho’: conheça Fellipe Jack, promessa da base do Palmeiras

Ao longo deste ano, o Verdão já teve 17 atletas convocados para as seleções brasileiras de base. Para o sub-15, foram chamados o goleiro Luiz Fernando, o zagueiro Enzo e os atacantes Juan e Lucas Henrique. No sub-17, os nomes foram o goleiro Cesar, os zagueiros Benedetti e Vitor Reis, o meio-campista Figueiredo e os atacantes Estêvão e Riquelme Fillipi. Por fim, o goleiro Kaique, o zagueiro Michel, os meio-campistas Pedro Lima e Luis Guilherme e os atacantes Giovani, Endrick e Kevin.

continua após a publicidade

O Palmeiras foi o clube que mais cedeu jogadores para seleções brasileiras de base nos últimos seis anos. Em 2022, foram 13 atletas palestrinos chamados para defender a Amarelinha.Confira abaixo o número de convocados por ano:

– 2017: 18 convocados
– 2018: 29 convocados
– 2019: 17 convocados
– 2020: 13 convocados
– 2021: 14 convocados
– 2022: 13 convocados

They were found an over short in Hamilton after being two overs short in the first ODI in Napier

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Apr-2025Pakistan incurred an over-rate offence for a second game in a row against New Zealand after they were found one over short in the second ODI in Hamilton. The players were fined 5% of their match fees after captain Mohammad Rizwan pleaded guilty to the offence.Match referee Jeff Crowe imposed the sanction as per Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which governs over-rate offences. Players are fined 5% of their match fees for each over the team falls short of bowling in the given time. On-field umpires Michael Gough and Wayne Knights, third umpire Paul Reiffel, and fourth umpire Chris Brown levelled the charge.Pakistan were found two overs short in the opening ODI of the three-game series in Napier, where they lost by 73 runs. They went down in the second ODI by 84 runs to concede the series with a match to spare. Pakistan slipped to 72 for 7 in their chase of 293 and only managed to get to 208 because of fifties from No. 7 Faheem Ashraf and No. 10 Naseem Shah. This was after New Zealand wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay scored an unbeaten 99 to help them post 292, and that was followed by fast bowler Ben Sears registering his ODI-best figures of 5 for 59.Pakistan were also fined for a slow over-rate in the opening match of the 2025 Champions Trophy, which was also against New Zealand. Thus, this is the third successive match against New Zealand – and third in four completed ODIs – in which Pakistan have been docked for an over-rate offence.

Everton’s new ownership have wasted no time flexing their financial muscle in this summer’s transfer market.

The Friedkin Group, fresh from completing their takeover of the club, have already sanctioned high-profile deals – most notably a season-long loan for Manchester City star Jack Grealish.

They’ve also added 22-year-old French striker Thierno Barry in a £27.6 million move from Villarreal and made Carlos Alcaraz’s loan from Flamengo a permanent deal.

It’s a window that has seen a shift in ambition at Goodison Park. David Moyes, back in charge for his second stint, has been given resources that far exceed the budgets of recent seasons.

Everton are now positioning themselves to compete for targets that would have been considered out of reach not long ago. Yet the Merseyside club aren’t finished.

Reports in Italy and England claim Everton have sounded out a forward with genuine pedigree. A towering, left-footed centre-forward whose physicality and presence evoke memories of Goodison cult hero Duncan Ferguson.

Like Ferguson, he has an uncompromising edge to his game, and relishes aerial duels.

While Everton’s new No. 9 Barry will be learning the ropes in the Premier League, this potential arrival could bring not only goals, but valuable advice for the Frenchman’s development.

Everton make approach for Serie A striker

According to journalist Sébastian Vidal, that target man is none other than Juventus forward Dusan Vlahović.

The Serbian international, still just 25, has been on Everton’s radar since the opening weeks of the window. With a reported price tag of around £26m, his signing would represent a major coup.

According to Vidal, Everton made a “big move” for the former Fiorentina man, only for Vlahović to turn it down, signalling his intent to see out his contract in Turin.

Juventus finished last season in fourth place with 70 points, securing a return to the Champions League after missing out the previous year.

Transfer Focus

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

Vlahović was a key contributor, registering 10 goals and four assists in Serie A, and adding two goals in three matches at the Club World Cup.

Valued at €35m (£30m) by Transfermarkt – down from a peak of €85m (£73m) in 2022 – Vlahović still carries a reputation as one of Europe’s most complete strikers. If they can change his mind, Everton would be securing a significant coup…

Why Vlahović could have been Ferguson’s heir

Standing at 1.90m, he combines physical dominance with a sharp football brain, able to drop into channels, hold up the ball, and turn defenders with deceptive agility.

He’s particularly effective inside the penalty area, where his movement pins defenders before he darts into space to meet a cross or latch onto a through ball.

According to data from FBref, his 2024/25 campaign underlines his all-round ability: 14 goal contributions in 29 games, 1.3 shots on target per 90, and 2.1 shot-creating actions.

He wins nearly half of his aerial duels, while his dribbling and link-up play allow his side to retain possession in high-pressure areas.

It’s no surprise ournalist Emmet Gates previously described him as a “Ferrari” with the potential to be “a generational talent.”

For Everton, the attraction goes beyond numbers. There’s a symbolic appeal – a forward with Ferguson’s stature, swagger, and menace.

The fans still idolise “Big Dunc”, who scored 60 of his 68 Premier League goals in Everton colours and was handed “Everton Giant” status in 2011.

Ferguson, at 1.93m, made a career out of bullying centre-halves, thriving in physical contests and using his body to protect the ball.

Vlahović mirrors that approach, but with a modern twist – adding superior ball-carrying ability, more varied movement, and a knack for combining with runners from deep.

Both are left-footed, both thrive in the air, and both carry a streak of competitive aggression that unsettles opponents.

For Everton, this was not just a chase for a name, but for a tactical fit.

Moyes’ system demands a focal point up top – a striker who can bring wide players and attacking midfielders into the game, hold possession under pressure, and still carry a goal threat in and around the box.

Vlahović would have ticked every box, and his presence could have eased the adaptation period for Barry, giving the youngster a role model in training.

The refusal doesn’t spell the end of Everton’s ambition in this window.

With funds available and a clear strategy, the club are already assessing alternatives who can deliver a similar blend of physical presence and finishing ability.

They may yet return for Vlahović if Juventus’ stance changes later in the summer, particularly if the player has a rethink about his next career move.

For now, the Friedkin Group’s intent is clear.

Landing Grealish, strengthening across the spine of the team, and targeting players of Vlahović’s calibre signals a club aiming to leave behind years of underachievement.

Supporters, long starved of a side capable of competing for Europe, have reason to believe this is the start of something more ambitious.

While Vlahović won’t be walking out in blue this weekend, the fact Everton were in the conversation for a player of his quality says plenty about the club’s new trajectory.

He's like Dibling: Everton looking at signing "special" £35m English star

Everton target former Chelsea and Arsenal star after Dibling pursuit goes cold.

ByWill Miller Aug 15, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly closing in on a deal for Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, following rounds of talks involving Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and his south London counterpart Steve Parish.

The two club chiefs held negotiations again on Tuesday, according to Fabrizio Romano, and the potential transfer is heading in a very positive direction.

Now, some credible media sources are even reporting that Tottenham have reached a ‘verbal agreement’ to sign Eze, with a deal in principle now reached between Spurs and Palace as the Lilywhites make real progress to secure the 27-year-old’s signature (Ben Jacobs).

Insider, Paul O’Keefe, stresses that while this is a significant development, Thomas Frank isn’t exactly certain to bring the England international to N17 just yet.

Spurs are still waiting for the “final green light” from Palace as Oliver Glasner’s side scour the market for a replacement, with all the financial details agreed verbally but nothing signed on paper – meaning the transfer could still collapse.

As we’ve seen from the saga involving Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White already this summer, it is important for Tottenham not to count their chickens until Eze signs his contract.

Gibbs-White was on the verge of joining Spurs for £60 million and a medical was due to take place last month, before Forest unceremoniously blocked the move, threatened legal action and somehow got the 25-year-old to sign a new contract.

Tottenham handed "interesting" Eberechi Eze update after agreement claims

Now, Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has shared what he knows about Eze and his potential move to Spurs.

The journalist has urged on-lookers not to get too ahead of themselves when it comes to the former QPR sensation, telling Sky that a deal isn’t exactly all wrapped up just yet.

Eze would be Tottenham’s arguable best signing of the summer, and exactly what Frank is crying out for.

His 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season highlight just how devastatingly creative the player can be in the final third, with his versatility as both a central number 10 and left-winger coming as another major incentive for Levy to get this deal as soon as possible.

Frank needs a replacement for the injured James Maddison, and Eze fits the bill in all departments.

England’s 2019 World Cup-winning coach will not return in 2025

Matt Roller03-Dec-2024Trevor Bayliss has left his role at London Spirit in the Hundred after his men’s team finished bottom in 2024. Bayliss replaced the late Shane Warne as men’s coach ahead of the 2022 season, when Eoin Morgan captained them to the play-offs, but his team have won only three games and lost 11 in the last two years since Morgan’s retirement.Bayliss’ side were particularly poor in 2024, losing seven of their eight matches with a scrappy three-wicket win over Welsh Fire the only exception. Their top picks at the draft, Shimron Hetmyer and Andre Russell, managed 216 runs between them, and Dan Lawrence was unable to get them out of a rut as captain.The Spirit’s struggles in the men’s Hundred were only emphasised by the success of their women’s team, who won the title for the first time under Heather Knight and Ashley Noffke. Noffke has since signed an extension for the 2025 edition, though has lost assistant Ali Maiden to Birmingham Phoenix.”We’d all like to thank Trevor for his considerable efforts across the last three seasons,” Fraser Stewart, London Spirit’s general manager and the MCC’s head of cricket, said in a statement. “He initially joined us in difficult circumstances and led the side to a strong finish in 2022, but the team hasn’t been able to replicate that success since.”As a group, we’re desperate to see London Spirit competing at the right end of the table and we think a new approach may be of benefit to our chances. Trevor leaves Lord’s with our best wishes and our gratitude.”Related

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Bayliss’ stock has fallen as a coach of late, five years on from his England side’s triumph in the 2019 50-over World Cup. He was replaced as Punjab Kings coach by Ricky Ponting earlier this year, though has been retained as Sydney Thunder coach for the upcoming Big Bash League season despite overseeing their last-placed finish in 2023-24.London Spirit have already advertised for Bayliss’ replacement, with a first-round deadline of December 11. James Foster and Paul Collingwood are both potential contenders, having spent time working under Bayliss as assistant coaches, and an appointment appears likely to take place before the completion of the Hundred’s ongoing sales process.The second-round deadline for bids from private investors (for 49% stakes in the Hundred’s eight teams) is December 9, with London Spirit expected to attract the highest offers. Interested bidders for the Spirit are understood to include at least two IPL franchises in Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, as well as the Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer.

Sunderland are days away from clashing with Sevilla in a pre-season friendly match that will show what Regis Le Bris’ camp are made of ahead of moving up to the Premier League, with the Spanish titans no pushovers.

A 4-0 victory was picked up against South Shields to get the run of pre-season fixtures kick-started convincingly. Yet, Sevilla and then a trip to face off against Sporting will be far tougher tests, as the whole barrage of new Black Cats signings get up to speed with what is expected of them in their fresh environment.

One player that won’t be linking up with Le Bris and Co. anytime soon is Jordan Henderson, with all the rumours surfacing of the ex-Liverpool midfielder wanting to return to his boyhood club falling to the wayside when his move to Brentford was recently confirmed.

This doesn’t mean Sunderland won’t be chasing after more Premier League-experienced bodies, however, as another former top-flight regular is eyed up.

Sunderland make contact with £17m star

Aaron Ramsdale has regularly been linked with a switch to the Stadium of Light this summer, with Le Bris perhaps wary about Anthony Patterson’s goalkeeping credentials moving up to such a taxing division.

Transfer Focus

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

On top of that, there does need to be some more Premier League prowess present when reviewing their whirlwind transfer activity to date, with all of the signings entering the Black Cats camp so far primarily coming from far-off European leagues, minus Simon Adingra moving to Wearside from Brighton and Hove Albion.

That’s where Granit Xhaka could come in and be a standout purchase for the newly promoted side.

Reports from Sky Sports earlier this week revealed that the Mackems were interested and exploring a move for the Swiss midfielder but an update has since emerged.

Indeed, according to German outlet BILD, Sunderland have contacted Bayer Leverkusen regarding a £17m deal for the ex-Arsenal battler, although they are yet to formally submit their first offer.

The Black Cats were facing competition for his signature from Saudi club Neom but they have now been ruled out of the race after refusing to submit a bid of more than £7m.

Why Xhaka is a far better signing than Henderson

Away from his Premier League experience with the Gunners, Xhaka has managed to forge a far more successful career post the English game when weighed up next to a declining Henderson, meaning he should be able to return to the high-pressure scenarios ahead of him reinvigorated and ready to go.

Indeed, it only took the Switzerland international one season in the Bundesliga to lift the German top-flight title, with the 6-foot-1 enforcer very much playing his part in the success story under Xabi Alonso by notching up 50 games and tallying up six goal contributions.

Last season saw his game be elevated even more at the BayArena with seven assists next to his name from 33 Bundesliga clashes, meaning he should be able to slot back into the Premier League with ease, knowing he’s still at the top of his game, despite being 32 years of age.

Henderson, on the other hand, hasn’t quite aged like a fine wine in contrast. The 35-year-old veteran only picked up five assists in all competitions last season, next to Xhaka’s far sturdier amount.

Moreover, only 2.3 duels were won on average per Eredivisie clash last season for Ajax by the former Reds captain, with Xhaka winning a more forceful 3.9 at Leverkusen to do his bit for the cause. It’s hardly a surprise he’s been described as a midfield “monster” in the past, notably by Arsenal writer Connor Humm.

Xhaka’s overall Premier League numbers for Arsenal
Stat	Xhaka
Games played	225
Goals scored	17
Assists	24
Completed passes	14,865 (88%)
Tackles	368
Duels won	1,001
Stats by the Premier League

Away from regaining his confidence out in Germany after a topsy-turvy stay at the Emirates, Xhaka is also well-versed in what it takes to be a fiery and combative option in the demanding English top-flight, even if his career at Arsenal was sometimes bumpy.

When looking at the table above, it’s clear that the 32-year-old would be a valuable addition as a well-rounded option centrally, with a standout 17 goals and 24 assists coming his way in North London, on top of a mighty 1001 duels being won in total across his 225-game span in the top league. Henderson would win 1337, in contrast, but he did have the added boost of 431 appearances on his side.

Hailed as a “leader” by German football expert Raphael Honigstein for what he has given Leverkusen, on top of also possessing the necessary quality to be a success in England, it does feel as if landing Xhaka would be the perfect pick-up to offer both quality and experience to Sunderland’s survival mission.

If he were to join the Black Cats ranks shortly, Henderson would just be put to one side as an afterthought.

More exciting than Xhaka: Sunderland make contact to sign £34m star on loan

Sunderland could seal a deal even more exciting than Granit Xhaka returning to the Premier League with this world-class capture.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 17, 2025

Lancashire made up for lost time and maintained their Vitality County Championship Division One survival hopes after Tom Bailey and Anderson Phillip impressed with the new ball against Worcestershire at Visit Worcestershire New Road.Bailey and Phillip fully justified Lancashire skipper Keaton Jennings decision to put the home side into bat in reducing them to 22 for 5 and then 56 for 7 in seamer-friendly conditions when play got underway after lunch. The duo both picked up three wickets to give Lancashire an ideal start to a game they have to win to keep alive their chances of remaining in the top flight for another season.Lancashire began the game 15 points adrift of third from bottom Nottinghamshire but last week’s win over Somerset at Emirates Old Trafford had kept them in contention.Bailey bowled eight overs on the trot and returned excellent figures of 3 for 9 while Phillip had 3 for 44 from seven overs.Worcestershire had already guaranteed their safety during a recent run of three wins in four matches and their eighth-wicket pair of Matthew Waite and Logan van Beek led a partial recovery. They plundered 63 in seven overs but the rain which had washed out the morning’s play returned after tea.Worcestershire made two changes from the side in action against Hampshire at the Utilita Bowl with the fit again Waite and Jack Home replacing the injured Tom Taylor and spinner Amar Virdi. Lancashire kept faith with the side which had defeated Somerset.Bailey’s second delivery of the opening over accounted for Gareth Roderick who drove at a ball of full length which was swinging away and he edged to Will Williams at fourth slip.Jake Libby square cut Phillip for four but then was stuck in the crease and nicked another ball which moved away to Harry Singh at third slip. Rob Jones was undone by an excellent full length swinging delivery from Phillip and was caught behind. Kashif Ali steered Bailey to first slip and then Brett D’Oliveira pushed at the same bowler and perished at second slip.Adam Hose off drove Bailey to the ropes to move into double figures but it became 39 for 6 when Ethan Brookes played forward and was bowled with a fullish-length delivery which did just enough to nip away.Phillip came back into the attack to replace Bailey after a superb opening spell of 8-4-9-3 and he soon claimed his third scalp when Hose tried to on drive a delivery slanted towards leg stump and ended up deflecting to Jennings at second slip.Waite decided attack was the best policy and pulled and on drove Williams for sixes in his first over which cost 15 runs. Van Beek also went on the attack and he struck Balderson and Williams for further maximums.By tea the eighth wicket pair had added 63 in just seven overs but the players were unable to return for the final session after a heavy downpour.