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Arizona Diamondbacks fans at Chase Field on Friday night gave Ketel Marte quite the warm welcome in the team's first game at home since a fan in Chicago heckled Marte regarding his deceased mother on Tuesday.

A fan on Tuesday shouted classless remarks at Marte about his mother who died in 2017 in a car accident. Marte was seen in tears on the field, and his Diamondbacks teammates and manager Torey Lovullo consoled him. The fan has since been banned indefinitely at all MLB ballparks.

Diamondbacks fans found special ways to show their support to Marte. Ahead of his first at-bat on Friday night, the crowd gave him a huge standing ovation. Marte tipped his hat to the crowd as a thank you. Many fans wore shirts that said "Ketel is my MVP," and the broadcast captured some fans who created homemade signs to show love to the second baseman.

Watch the heartwarming scene here.

Marte said in an interview this week that the fan "crossed the line" by yelling vicious taunts about his deceased mother, but he still sent prayers to the fan.

It's clear Marte is grateful for all the love and support he's received this week. Baseball can be a really special sport.

Cristiano Ronaldo versus Lionel Messi in the 2026 World Cup final would likely become a “retirement match” for two all-time greats, admits Pedro Mendes. A couple of GOATs are preparing for another shot at global glory, with Messi having already added that prize to his collection with Argentina. The end is approaching for both, and it could be that they enjoy the “perfect finish” next summer.

• GOATs at 2026 World Cup: Will Ronaldo face Messi?

  Messi is yet to confirm that he will be gracing next summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, but the expectation is that the Inter Miami superstar will captain his country in their title defence.

  Ronaldo has suggested that the 2026 finals will be his last, but the evergreen 40-year-old is being tipped to play on for some time yet. Fans in every corner of the planet would love to see CR7 lock horns with eternal rival Messi on the grandest of stages.

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  Last dance: Could Ronaldo meet Messi in World Cup final?

  Ex-Portugal international Mendes – speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football betting – has said of that potentially happening: “It's always a big occasion. Every time there's a Ronaldo vs Messi match, it's always a big occasion. We were fortunate enough to see those amazing players, but I think they were unlucky to be in the same generation. If they played at different times, they would both be considered the best of all time in their respective generations without question. But again, there's always that debate, who was the best? Messi or Ronaldo?

  “So every time there's a game between them, it's a big occasion. And it'll be great every time you see it. I hope Messi plays, because Messi on the pitch is always a joy to watch as a football fan, not just as a Portuguese fan, but as a football fan. I hope he goes. Portugal and Argentina in the final would be good. It could be the retirement match for one of them.”

• Evergreen Ronaldo: How long with CR7 play for?

  Mendes is among those that believe Ronaldo can play for as long as he wants, with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner still a talismanic presence for club and country. Mendes added: “As long as Cristiano is fit and ready to play, he should play. It just brings something, even if he's not involved a lot of the time, he's always a worry for the other team. He has that killer instinct, that killer touch inside the box. When the ball bounces to him, he can score at any time, at any minute. So I think if he's fit, he should start. Every single day.

  “I think in Portugal, maybe 90% of the Portuguese people want Cristiano Ronaldo to start. But there's always that 10%, you know, there's always that 10%. But I think, again, as I said, if he drops him for some reason, it must be a physical reason. If he's fit, I think he should play. And I think Roberto Martinez will play him all the time.”

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  Ronaldo targets: Individual targets being chased down

  Ronaldo, who is now plying his club trade in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, appears to still have individual targets to chase down. Mendes sees those keeping a personal fire burning, but a World Cup triumph could convince the evergreen frontman to bow out.

  Mendes said: “I don't know what's happening in his head and if he wants to play on. But if in his head the word retirement is there, I think winning the World Cup will be the perfect finish for him.

  “The 1,000 goals? That's the thing. He may go on for one or two more years. In Saudi, he may score them. But again, if we don't win it, maybe he'll stay a couple more years to chase that record, that 1,000 goal. But if we win it, I think it'll be a massive doubt in his head if it's enough or if he'll go for the 1,000 goal. So let's see.”

  It has been suggested that Ronaldo, who is now tied to terms in the Middle East through to 2027, will prolong his record-shattering career long enough that he gets to line up alongside eldest son Cristiano Jr – who is part of Al-Nassr’s academy system and has already made his international bow with Portugal at youth level.

Sheffield Wednesday have now reportedly expressed interest in signing a young Premier League gem on loan in the January transfer window.

Sheffield Wednesday narrow down takeover candidates

Despite the fact that they’ve now passed their initial soft deadline of December 5, Sheffield Wednesday are yet to name their new owners. In a long, detailed process, the Owls are seemingly keen to ensure that they find the right candidate for the job rather than simply the highest bidder.

Joint-administrator Kris Wigfield released a statement when the club passed their first deadline at the beginning of December, claiming that takeover talks have gained “momentum”.

According to The Star’s Alex Miller, Wednesday have now shortened their list of candidates in a move that should at least push takeover talks forward.

Wigfield has kept the names of candidates close to his chest, but reports have claimed that Mike Ashley has been among those attempting to buy the club.

The former Newcastle United owner reportedly saw his first bid turned away, but it remains to be seen whether he’ll return with an improved offer.

When it comes to the football, meanwhile, the Owls have set their sights on some much-needed January additions now that they can sign free agents or players on loan and that could see Everton’s Reece Welch arrive.

Sheffield Wednesday express interest in signing Reece Welch

According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Sheffield Wednesday have now expressed interest in signing Welch on loan from Everton in the January transfer window. The Toffees reportedly believe that a loan move for the 22-year-old would be an ideal next step for his development next month.

Those at Hillsborough are no strangers to welcoming Premier League talent on loan, either. Harry Amass has thrived on loan from Manchester United this season, even as off-pitch chaos has engulfed the club, and the Owls could now repeat their transfer genius by signing Welch next month.

The young central defender also has just over six months remaining on his current Everton contract, which means that Sheffield Wednesday could look to land a free deal if he arrives on loan and impresses.

Sheffield Wednesday candidates now considering shock move to complete takeover

The Owls are approaching their initial deadline.

By
Tom Cunningham

Dec 3, 2025

On paper, joining Sheffield Wednesday won’t be the most attractive option for young players, but the Owls can at least guarantee the game time that the likes of Welch so desperately need.

Billionaire takeover candidate makes Sheffield Wednesday decision as deadline nears

“If I don’t get a chance in PBKS, then MI or CSK are good options. I like both those teams very much,” Jitesh says of the IPL mega auction

Rajan Raj06-Nov-2024Jitesh Sharma could well have been the next big thing for India in T20I cricket, till IPL 2024, where there was little sign of the exhilarating run-scorer from the two previous seasons. From the outside, it feels like he has slipped down the pecking order, though the T20Is in South Africa give him a chance to recover lost ground.Part of the problem for his dry run, he says, is that he had “started thinking too far ahead” after IPL 2023 and his international debut and was “thinking of the [2024] T20 World Cup team”. He has course-corrected but, as he says, there were other reasons for his turn in fortunes too.”I know I play very high-risk cricket. There are a lot of risks in my shot selection,” Jitesh told ESPNcricinfo. “My batting number also kept changing… though that is not that important in T20 cricket. However, apart from all this, I had started thinking too far ahead. About IPL 2024, and the T20 World Cup team. Before that, I never used to think that far ahead. I used to think about one match at a time, and now I have started doing that again.”Related

• India call up Ramandeep, Vyshak, Dayal for SA T20I tour

• Rinku and Jitesh in a race to be India's World Cup finisher

Jitesh took his time coming into prominence, but when he did, after prolific back-to-back IPL seasons for Punjab Kings in 2022 (234 runs at a strike rate of 163.64) and 2023 (309 runs at a strike rate of 156.06), he made it count. He was in the India T20I side for the tour of Sri Lanka, and though he didn’t get a game there, he did at the Asian Games in Hangzhou and then in bilateral series at home against Australia and Afghanistan, and away against South Africa.Then came that period when he got ahead of himself, as he put it, and IPL 2024 came and went without much from his bat. All Punjab Kings, who finished ninth on the table, got from their vice-captain was 187 runs in 12 innings, and the strike rate had dipped to 131.69. He isn’t wrong about his batting position – he went out everywhere from Nos. 4, 5, 6 and even 7.”In T20s, as a batsman, you cannot say you will play only at four or five or whatever. You can assume that in a match, if there is a very good partnership between the openers and they bat for 16 overs, then the next batsman to come will definitely be a finisher,” Jitesh said. “In T20s, the overs remaining are more important than a batsman’s batting position. If wickets fall in the third, fourth or fifth over itself, then you go with the normal order. But if wickets fall late, then you go with the finisher.”However, I can definitely say this about myself, or any batsman, that if I know after how many overs I have to go to bat and I am given good clarity about my role, then it is better.”In the seven T20I innings he did play, between October 2023 and January 2024, Jitesh scored quickly, at 147.05, but aggregated just 100 runs. He understands that he didn’t do enough when he got his chance.

“I am looking forward to doing well in the longer format of the game as well. I know that if I am used with good strategy in this format, I can perform. If I get a chance in the middle order or lower-middle order, perhaps I can prove useful”Jitesh Sharma

“A lot has changed since joining the Indian team,” Jitesh said. “I’m trying to be more calm than before. By watching the senior players of the team, I always try to learn how to keep myself calm. Now I feel more humble and grounded than before. I am taking each of my practice sessions more seriously than before. In the end, there is no substitute for hard work, and that applies to everyone. Whatever you try to achieve, hard work is the only way that will take you forward.”Maybe I have made it to the Indian team, maybe one of my dreams has come true, but it is very important to stay grounded. Making a place in the team is a different thing but to remain in the team, three things are very important: stay humble, stay grounded, and work harder than ever.”There was no Jitesh in the India squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, but he came back soon after, for the T20I series against Bangladesh. But he did not get a game. The way the team management treated Sanju Samson, though, has given him confidence.”It feels good to see the way the team has backed him [Samson],” Jitesh said. Samson scored 29 and 10 in the first two T20Is, and then hit 111 in 47 balls in the final game, to perhaps buy himself a long rope in the T20I line-up. “The message from Gauti sir [Gautam Gambhir, the head coach] and Surya [Suryakumar Yadav, the T20I captain] is quite clear. They tell us clearly what they expect from any player in the team.”If a player is being backed today, then it is certain that in the future, when my chance comes, I will also be backed in the same way.”Jitesh Sharma wouldn’t mind being part of CSK or MI if he got the chance, he said•BCCI

… and there is an IPL auction to think about

Jitesh would very likely have been one of the players retained by Punjab Kings if the mega auction had come a year before. After IPL 2024, though, he has been offloaded – which is not to say the franchise won’t want to get him back – with Punjab Kings retaining only Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh from their previous roster.Again, though, Jitesh isn’t looking too far ahead.”It is a mega auction, so nothing can be said,” he said. “A player must be ready to go to any team. But if I don’t get a chance in PBKS, then MI [Mumbai Indians] or CSK [Chennai Super Kings] are good options. I like both those teams very much.”After his impressive run in 2022 and 2023, Jitesh was made vice-captain in 2024, and led in a couple of matches too. He wouldn’t mind giving it another go if he is asked to.”I like this kind of responsibility very much,” he said. “I have always loved captaincy and am always ready for it. I feel like when I have this pressure on me, I am able to read the match better. If I get this opportunity, I am completely ready for it.”

A T20I specialist’s red-ball ambitions

For someone who made his first-class debut in 2015, just 18 games in the format suggests a lack of quality against the red ball.He has played just one game in either of the last two Ranji Trophy seasons for Vidarbha, with a 69 against Gujarat in January 2023 his best effort in these. It was a great effort, to be fair. The top score for his team in the second innings in a match they went on to win by just 18 runs. Opportunities have been scarce, though, and it’s not because he hasn’t been available. When it comes to the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy or the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, he has been more of a regular for Vidarbha.”Like every season, this season is also very important for me. If I get a chance, I will definitely try my best to prove my worth in the Ranji Trophy also,” he said. “I am looking forward to doing well in the longer format of the game as well. I know that if I am used with good strategy in this format, I can perform. If I get a chance in the middle order or lower-middle order, perhaps I can prove useful.”

The Baltimore Orioles were forced to make an early defensive change in Sunday's game against the New York Yankees, bringing in Gary Sanchez to replace catcher Maverick Handley who sustained an injury after a hard collision on the base paths.

During the bottom of the second inning, Jazz Chisholm Jr. was attempting to score a run after rounding third base. He lost a cleat while heading towards home plate, when an errant throw from left fielder Colton Cowser forced Handley to move up the base path. While trying to play the ball, Handley was run over by Chisholm on his way to the plate, in what was an absolutely brutal collision.

Have a look at the chaotic play:

Chisholm appeared to attempt to avoid making contact with Handley, but it was too late and he ran right through Baltimore's backstop before scoring the Yankees' first run.

Handley was examined by the Orioles' medical staff and removed from the game. He was replaced by Sanchez after the collision, who took over behind the plate.

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has lauded Marcus Rashford’s professionalism and attitude after the England forward found himself starting fewer matches following the return of Raphinha to full fitness. Despite a dip in minutes, Flick insists the 28-year-old has been "perfect" behind the scenes, offering a model response to competition within a title-chasing squad.

• Flick praises Rashford’s response to reduced role

  Rashford has featured regularly since arriving from Manchester United, starting 14 matches in all competitions. However, with Raphinha reclaiming his place on the left flank and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal locking down the right, the loanee has begun just one of Barcelona’s last six games since the October international break. However, rather than disrupting squad harmony, Rashford has shown maturity in accepting his reduced role, which has impressed Flick. 

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  A dressing room example in a competitive front line

  Barcelona’s front three has largely settled into a familiar pattern in Flick’s 4-3-3 system, with Robert Lewandowski flanked by Raphinha and Yamal. Rashford has been used as an impact option, entering at half-time in three of the last five matches, a role that demands patience and focus. However, Flick revealed a private exchange that encapsulated Rashford’s mindset.

  "I try to speak to every player when they are not selected, and the last time I checked with him he replied me ‘boss, you don’t have to tell me about your decisions'," Flick said on Rashford. "'The most important thing is the team. We have to win the three points. The rest is not that important’.

  "This is the perfect mentality. I am so happy to have him. When he is on the bench, he shows that we have a good and deep squad. What I can say is that he is an absolutely professional player. In the beginning, he had to adapt a little bit, but now he is at his best level."

• Rashford rediscovering himself in Catalunya

  Rashford’s move to Barcelona came after a difficult period at United, where he fell out of favour under Ruben Amorim and struggled to rediscover consistency. In Catalonia, however, Rashford believes he has found an environment more conducive to expressing himself. Speaking to he described embracing a culture where collective purpose is paramount.

  "I've always been, like many people in the world, an admirer of Spanish football," he said. "To play for the biggest club in Spain is a huge honour. I'm looking forward to playing more games here, just doing my best and try to help the team to win. It's a club that demands this. The environment is always pushing us to be the best players we can be so it's perfect to be in a place like this as a player."

  Rashford has been candid about the scrutiny he faced in England, where questions were raised about his commitment and focus. In Barcelona, he insists the narrative feels different.

  "I don't see anything here as like a pressure," he said. "It's just, I'm here to play football. It's been amazing. I feel welcome, I feel at home. I've just been enjoying every step of the way."

  Beyond the pitch, Rashford has taken deliberate steps to integrate into life in Spain. Living away from Manchester for the first time, he has enrolled in Spanish lessons to ease communication with his team-mates.

  "All my team-mates welcomed me well and I also felt very good in the city," he added. "It’s the first time I’ve lived away from Manchester, but I’m already starting to feel at home. I want to learn more Spanish and I’m trying."

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  Future decisions on the horizon

  Barcelona hold an option to make Rashford’s move permanent for €30 million (£26m/$35m) at the end of the 2025-26 season, a clause that could become increasingly relevant if his positive influence continues. In October, Rashford openly stated his desire to extend his stay, hinting at a long-term future in Blaugrana colours. While his role has evolved from being a regular starter to a rotational player, his impact and professionalism have not gone unnoticed. Flick’s side sit four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. As they prepare to host Osasuna on Saturday, the emphasis remains on collective momentum rather than individual status and Rashford’s acceptance of that principle has only strengthened Flick’s hand.

The 2025/26 campaign promised a new dawn for Tottenham Hotspur and their supporters.

Before too long, Ange Postecoglou and Daniel Levy had both been replaced. Thomas Frank was the new manager and Fabio Paratici had even returned for a second bite of the cherry.

Yet, rather like it did with Ange, things have unravelled all too quickly for Frank. There’s one word for it: Spursy.

The North Londoners began the season brilliantly. Their new Danish manager had engineered more security and better organisation at the back.

From the remarkably high line of Ange-ball to the more sedate Frank ball, excusing the Super Cup defeat to PSG, Spurs kept five clean sheets in their opening seven games of the Frank regime. How times change, eh?

Tottenham have now won just one of their last eight matches in all competitions and have shipped 18 goals in that time.

While Spurs may not be in 17th place, the position Postecoglou steered them to, a number of players have regressed.

The biggest issues of Thomas Frank's reign

The Dane moved from west to north London over the summer and while his appointment did not garner the level of fanfare a certain Antonio Conte or Jose Mourinho attracted, it was viewed as a smart appointment.

From Championship to the top half of the Premier League, what Frank achieved with Brentford was first-class.

Yet, he is no longer with the Bees and Spurs fans demand more. They demand good football, they demand that they challenge for honours.

Well, despite Postecoglou’s tenure now a thing of the past, Spurs look no closer to achieving their goals under Frank.

The defence improved for a limited amount of time but the biggest issues have emerged in attack.

Chalkboard

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

Brennan Johnson ended last season as Spurs’ top scorer with 18 strikes to his name but he has put in a number of abject performances of late. The Welshman has found the net just once across his last 12 matches, a dire run that’s caused frustration.

Up top, Dominic Solanke has rarely been seen due to injury and the same can be said of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.

Without them, Spurs have a creativity problem. According to FBref, their expected goals tally sits at just 11.9, the fourth-worst record in the division. That’s hardly a surprise considering that they rank 18th in the Premier League for key passes (88), and 16th for expected assists (8.1) across the campaign so far.

That’s even with marquee signing Xavi Simons in the team. Their failure to sign Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze is well documented and how Frank must wish they’d secured a Premier League-proven creative midfielder instead.

That said, their full-backs are not offering enough either. Pedro Porro, usually so creative and dangerous, particularly over a dead ball, has only carved out 1.39 key passes per 90 minutes, down on last season’s tally of 1.97 per 90.

His partner in crime on the left isn’t faring much better either. In fact, his drop off has been somewhat reminiscent of Dele Alli.

Spurs star is heading down the Dele Alli path

When analysing the right back position at Spurs, it’s clear that improvement is needed. Perhaps Archie Gray or Djed Spence could profit from Porro’s lack of form.

Likewise at left-back, Destiny Udogie is enduring a tough season. He spent early parts of the term out injured but is now back in action. However, he’s largely disappointing.

It was only a few years ago that the young Italian was described as “one of the best left-backs” in the league by pundit Clinton Morrison but that now couldn’t be further from the truth.

In many senses, Udogie’s rise and fall mirror that of someone like Dele, like a Tanguy Ndombele. He’s got all the talent in the world, all the raw attributes to thrive at this level.

We’ve already seen that. In 2023/24, the wing-back collected two goals and three assists. Not jaw-dropping numbers sure, but this was a player well on his way to cementing himself as a future hero in these parts. He’d get into “nearly every team in the world” remarked journalist Hunter Godson.

Sadly for the 23-year-old, he’s regressed big time under Frank, much like the aforementioned Dele did under Mourinho. While Frank hasn’t called Udogie “lazy”, which was the criticism the ‘Special One’ handed to the England international, his performances have begun to decline.

Like Dele, this was a player with the world at his feet. He looked like a world beater, one of the best young talents in England. Now, however, it’s all gone pear-shaped.

Udogie’s last two performances, in particular, have proven to be a problem. In the defeat to Fulham last weekend, Football.London’s Alasdair Gold noted how the defender ‘didn’t offer too much going forward’ and made an untimely slip when Harry Wilson found the net.

His display against Newcastle United on Tuesday, a 2-2 draw, left plenty to be desired too.

The aforementioned Gold slated the Italian for having a few ‘sloppy moments’ while flagging that Newcastle got a lot of joy down the Tottenham flanks.

Safe to say his numbers don’t particularly paint a very vivid picture either. Udogie won just two of his nine duels and failed to register a single shot, supply a key pass or successfully complete a dribble.

All in all, it was a poor day at the office for the Italy international and he must improve moving forward.

He’s a talented player, one of the best young talents we’ve seen in the division across the last few years. Under Frank, however, it’s heading in the same way as Dele under Mourinho. Both had immense potential, but their talents could go to waste.

Thomas Frank may have just found Spurs' new Mousa Dembele vs Newcastle

Tottenham battled back to claim a draw against Newcastle at St. James’ Park.

3

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 3, 2025

New Balance have unveiled a stunning new boot which has been co-designed by Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka. The American footwear company have launched the special edition '7egacy’ boot, featuring a custom colourway of the Furon v8, which the winger wore for the first time in the Gunners’ 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea on Sunday evening.

• New Balance
  

  New Saka boot adorned with beautiful hand-illustrated graphics

  Marking the first time New Balance has handed over creative control on one of their football boots, Saka has produced a beautiful design which reflects his personal story through a number of hand-illustrated graphics. 

  The boot features a lion, which represents leadership following Saka's emergence as one of Arsenal and England’s most trusted players, along with a bible and a dove, reflecting the 24-year-old’s Christian faith.  

  There is also a key symbol, symbolising Saka’s determination to remain focused on his long-term goals, while the boot features the forward’s signature No. 7 – the number he wears for both England and Arsenal, with the red-and-white design capturing the spirit of both teams. 

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• New Balance
  

  'Proud' Arsenal & England winger opens up on designing the boot

  Opening up on what it was like to be given creative freedom to design his own football boot, a “proud” Saka said: “I wanted to create a boot that shares my story with the fans who inspire me every day. 

  “From faith to football, everything I care about is woven into this design. New Balance gave me the freedom to be fully creative from the colours and textures and even the marketing campaign that surrounds this boot. I was involved in every step of the process and I’m proud of what we created. Now it’s up to others to create their own stories with them.”

  Expressing his joy at being able to help deliver a boot which is both “personal” and “built to perform”, Luc Fusaro – Design Director Global Football Product – said: “Bukayo had a clear vision of how he wanted the boot to look as well as what it represents.

  “He gave us the blueprint and we fused his story with our elite craftsmanship to deliver a boot that is bold, personal, and built to perform. Every detail has meaning and we make sure that didn’t compromise performance – it elevated it.” 

• New Balance
  

  Saka is the face of New Balance's 'We Got Now' advertising campaign

  Having first signed with New Balance in March 2021, Saka has forged a strong relationship with the footwear and apparel firm. The Arsenal academy graduate is the face of New Balance’s ‘We Got Now’ advertising campaign, which also features tennis superstar Coco Gauff and baseball icon Shohei Ohtani.

  The New Balance Furon v8 Bukayo Saka ‘7egacy’ Edition will be available to purchase at newbalance.com at 9:00 am GMT on 2 December for the suggested retail price of £230/€240/$240 for adults and £65/€70/$70 for juniors. 

  For more information, visit newbalance.com/soccer, follow @newbalancefootball on Instagram, or check out GOAL’s deep dive on the boot here. 

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  Saka recorded an assist to help leaders Arsenal earn draw with Chelsea

  Saka donned his new boots as he helped Arsenal come from behind to earn a crucial point against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. In a hotly-contested affair which saw Blues midfielder Moises Caicedo sent off for a tough challenge on Gunners makeshift forward Mikel Merino, Mikel Arteta’s side found themselves behind when defender Trevoh Chalobah headed the hosts in front after 48 minutes.

  However, Arsenal were level 14 minutes later when Saka played in a brilliant cross, which was headed home by Merino. Arteta’s men are currently five points above second-placed Manchester City and six points ahead of third-placed Chelsea at the top of the league table.   

  Reflecting on the positives Arsenal could take away from the draw with Chelsea, Arteta said after the game: “That's the feeling that we have, and the standards that we set to ourselves. 

  “Probably it's because of the spirit, the hunger and how much they want it, that it's so incredible we'll overcome everything. So many things have happened, but we have to prepare very well for Wednesday, and try to be better than Brentford.”

  Arsenal will likely face a stern test when they entertain 10th-placed Brentford on Wednesday evening, with Keith Andrews’ men having won five of their last seven games in all competitions.

One of the targets Leeds United have for the January transfer window seems to be a new striker. Despite bringing Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha in for free over the summer, they have been lacklustre in front of goal, and are now set to sign a new number nine.

Indeed, that player could be Troy Parrott. The former Tottenham Hotspur star is said to be a key target for the Whites going into the winter transfer window.

However, the 49ers will not have a clear run at his signature, with Wolverhampton Wanderers also keen on the £20m-rated star.

Indeed, the Irish international is a man in excellent goalscoring form, sparking such interest.

Why Leeds want to sign Parrott

£20m is a small fee in the current transfer market, and Parrott certainly seems like he’d be worth that sort of price. The 23-year-old has been in excellent goalscoring form this season for both his club, Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar, and his country, Ireland.

For the Dutch top-flight side, the Spurs academy graduate has bagged an impressive 14 goals in 15 appearances, chipping in with a couple of assists, too. His form in the Eredivisie has been scintillating, with seven goals in eight appearances.

However, what has really stood out of late is Parrott’s form for Ireland.

He became a national hero earlier in the month, bagging five times in just two World Cup qualifiers to help guide his side to the playoffs and keep their dream of going Stateside next summer well and truly alive.

The 33-cap Ireland star kicked off November’s qualifiers by scoring twice to sink Portugal in a 2-0 win. Next up was a game against Hungary, in which the centre-forward bagged a remarkable hat-trick, scoring the third in stoppage time, to secure a 3-2 win and a playoff spot.

To fund the signing of Ireland’s striker, though, Leeds might first have to sell one of their highest earners.

The player Leeds must now sell

After a summer of heavy spending under the new 49ers regime, there is no saying just how much Leeds will have at their disposal in January.

The reported £20m fee for Parrott isn’t too expensive in the grand scheme of things, but who knows how much the Whites have left in the bank?

Thus, it might be the case that Jack Harrison has to depart the club in January. He has not been in good form this season after returning to the club following two years on loan at Everton, and isn’t necessarily loved by the fans. They even booed him in a preseason friendly upon his return.

Indeed, Harrison has not been the most trusted lieutenant this season under Daniel Farke. He’s played ten times in the Premier League, but has only started once and has racked up just 262 minutes.

Whilst the Stoke-born winger has yet to bag this term, he has scored 34 times and assisted 32 for Leeds across his career.

Perhaps the highlight of that was a hat-trick away to West Ham United back in 2022. However, he simply can’t reach that sort of form nowadays.

As for his time as an Everton player, those were a forgettable couple of seasons. The former Middlesbrough star played 73 games for the Toffees, but could only muster nine goals and assists.

Premier League legend Gary Neville said at the end of last season that his “quality’s been poor” for the Merseysiders.

It is easy to see why Harrison might be the fall guy for Leeds if they are to sell someone. Valued at £10.5m by Transfermarkt, he is also the second-highest earner at the club, on £90k per week, a yearly total of £4.68m.

Selling Harrison this winter could help Leeds raise the funds they need to add to their squad up front. Depth on the left wing is not necessarily an issue, with Noah Okafor and Wilfried Gnonto both fighting it out for a starting spot out there.

If Leeds can help themselves sign Parrott by selling Harrison, a player who hasn’t exactly set the world alight with his form this term, then it might be an excellent piece of business.

He's a lot like Bielsa: Leeds could sack Farke for "special" 4-2-3-1 manager

Leeds United could finally dismiss Daniel Farke and replace him with their next Marcelo Bielsa.

By
Kelan Sarson

Nov 24, 2025

Joe DePugh, a former New Jersey high school baseball star known for his association with one of musician Bruce Springsteen's most celebrated songs, has died. He was 75.

Springsteen's friendship with DePugh inspired the first verse of "Glory Days," a platinum-selling No. 5 hit in 1985. In the song, he discusses running into a former pitcher who "could throw that speedball by you."

DePugh, a gifted pitcher, was a Little League teammate of Springsteen's in Freehold, N.J. Unlike Springsteen—an inept athlete as a child—DePugh tried out for the Los Angeles Dodgers after a standout high school career.

"Just a moment to mark the passing of Freehold native and ballplayer Joe DePugh. He was a good friend when I needed one," Springsteen wrote on Instagram. "Glory Days my friend."

DePugh went on to play basketball at King's College, a Division III school in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. He obtained and English degree and later worked as a substitute teacher and contractor.