أفادت تقارير صحفية إسبانية بتطورات جديدة بشأن موقف برشلونة من لعب مباراة ودية الأسبوع المقبل في ليبيا تمهيداً للاستعداد بشكل قوي لمنافسات الموسم الحالي.
ووفقاً لصحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية فقد تراجع برشلونة عن خيار خوض مباراة ودية الأسبوع المقبل في ليبيا لأسباب أمنية.
ويأتي قرار برشلونة بعدم لعب مباراة ودية في ليبيا نظراً لاستمرار أعمال العنف والمخاوف التي تحيط بالحرب الأهلية.
وكان أتلتيكو مدريد قد وافق على أن يكون بديلاً عن برشلونة لخوض مباراة ضد إنتر ميلان يوم الجمعة 10 يناير على الملعب الدولي في بنغازي، الذي يتسع لـ40 ألف متفرج.
وستسمى المباراة بـ”كأس إعادة الإعمار” تقديراً لدعم الناديين لإعادة تموضع ليبيا على خريطة الأحداث الرياضية، وكان كأس السوبر الإيطالي قد أقيم عام 2022.
وقد كان مقرراً أن يحصل برشلونة على تعويضاً يقارب 5 ملايين يورو عن مشاركته في المباراة الودية في ليبيا، وهو مبلغ يعادل المبلغ الذي حصل عليه في الجولة السابقة التي أقيمت في اليابان وكوريا الجنوبية على الرغم من غياب العديد من لاعبيه الدوليين.
ويؤكد نادي برشلونة أن رفض اللعب في ليبيا لم يكن قراراً من هانز فليك مدرب الفريق لتجنب المزيد من الإصابات بل كان لأسباب أمنية ونقص في الضمانات.
وبالإضافة إلى المباريات الودية في نهاية الموسم في سيدني الأسترالية في عام 2022 وكوبي اليابانية عام 2023 والتي منحت برشلونة خمسة وثلاثة ملايين يورو على التوالي فقد لعب النادي بالفعل مباراة منتصف الموسم في ديسمبر 2021 ضد بوكا جونيورز في المملكة العربية السعودية حيث حصل النادي على مليوني يورو إضافية لتعويض تأثير نقص الدخل بسبب كوفيد.
Tottenham and Arsenal are currently tussling over the signature of Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, with key details now coming to light on the attention-grabbing transfer race.
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Spurs boss Thomas Frank watched on as his Lilywhites side capitulated against PSG in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
From 2-0 down, the French treble winners fought back to 2-2 in the dying minutes, courtesy of goals from Lee Kang-in and Gonçalo Ramos, with PSG clinching the trophy on penalties soon afterwards.
It was a sore one to take for Frank, who heaped praise on his squad in the aftermath for what was a spirited performance against a team absolutely lavished with quality all over the pitch.
There were many positives for Tottenham to take from the clash in Udine, namely that they outplayed a star-studded PSG side for large portions of the game.
Their plucky performance was made all the more impressive considering the weakened Spurs side are still finding a way to cope without club legend Son Heung-min, who left after 10 years for LAFC nearly a fortnight ago, alongside injured star attackers James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.
Frank and his Tottenham players are now immediately preparing to take on Burnley in their first Premier League game of the season on Saturday, whilst off the field, chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange attempt to secure two statement signings.
Firstly, Tottenham have opened talks with Man City over signing Savinho (Fabrizio Romano), with some reports suggesting that Pep Guardiola’s side have already rejected an opening bid for the Brazil international (Jorge Nicola).
Secondly, and in a separate move to Savinho, Tottenham are prepared to open formal negotiations with Crystal Palace over signing Eze.
If Levy and Lange have it all their own way, they could secure adept replacements for both Maddison and Son in quick succession, all whilst throwing a spanner in the works of Arsenal’s transfer plans.
What Eberechi Eze's camp have told Tottenham amid Arsenal hesitation
Their north London rivals have long been targeting Eze as a playmaker, but a key reason for their hesitation has now emerged.
According to talkSPORT, via their live blog [Thursday, 10:26], Arsenal’s wish to hand Ethan Nwaneri more minutes as a number 10 this season has prompted the Gunners to stall on a move for Eze.
As well as this, the 27-year-old’s representatives have sent a clear message to Tottenham in an invitation to move – personal terms won’t be an issue.
“Tottenham are set to make a bid for Crystal Palace attacker Eberechi Eze, talkSPORT understands.
“Spurs view the England attacker as a No.10 and their pursuit is separate to the club’s interest in Manchester City winger Savinho as a result.
“Spurs are hoping to move quickly and have been told by Eze’s camp terms will not be a problem. Eze is open to the move, and wants to both play Champions League football and ideally stay in London.
“Arsenal also hold an interest in Eze, and a late window move can’t be discounted. However, the desire to give Ethan Nwaneri minutes at No.10 this season has led to some hesitation within the club as to whether to add another central attacker.”
This, along with other reports, strongly suggest that Spurs are currently in pole position to sign Eze, but given they were once set to sign Morgan Gibbs-White before a dramatic, unexpected U-turn, it is also wise to err on the side of caution.
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Manchester United have signed Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, with the towering Slovenian striker set to be the main centre-forward under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
Sesko snubs Newcastle move for Man Utd
After already signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season, the Red Devils have also pipped Newcastle United to a big-money deal for the Bundesliga star in a transfer worth a total of €85m.
Sesko always wanted a move to Old Trafford over St James’ Park, and we could see Cunha and Mbeumo line up behind the 22-year-old as two attacking No 10’s in a 3-4-2-1 system under Amorim.
AI predicts how many goals and assists Cunha and Mbeumo will get for Man Utd in 2025/26
The pair have been backed to star at Old Trafford.
ByCharlie Smith Jul 22, 2025
The striker has already penned a five-year deal in Manchester and will arrive in similar circumstances to Rasmus Hojlund. A young and exciting forward costing mega money, pressure will be on Sesko to perform after netting 27 times and registering six assists for Leipzig in 2024/25.
Grok, the AI tool on X, has already predicted how many goals Cunha and Mbeumo will score, and it has also forecasted how Sesko will get on in his first season in England.
AI predicts how many goals Sesko will score for Man Utd
When asked how many goals Sesko will score for the Red Devils in 2025/26, Grok gave a precise prediction.
Assuming Sesko plays 32 matches (accounting for rotation or minor injuries), he could score 13 Premier League goals if he adapts quickly and maintains his Bundesliga record in the Premier League.
In cup competitions, FA Cup and League Cup as United have no European football on offer, he could score 5 more goals, providing Amorim’s side go deep into both and play 10 games.
Sesko’s predicted 2025/26 season for Man Utd
Premier League
FA Cup/League Cup
Games
32
10
Goals
13
5
Grok adds that ‘Sesko’s physical attributes and comparisons to Erling Haaland suggest he could outperform expectations if United’s system maximises his strengths, potentially pushing him towards 20 goals in an optimistic scenario’.
An 18-goal season in all competitions, Amorim, Man Utd and the supporters would be satisfied with that figure, considering Hojlund has scored just 15 goals in domestic competitions in the last two seasons.
The defending champions lead by just 72 runs with three wickets in hand and an injury concern over Ashton Agar
AAP17-Nov-2024
Joel Curtis made a maiden first-class half-century•Getty Images
Victoria were in sight of victory over Western Australia and the outright lead in the Sheffield Shield standings, despite resolute innings by Hilton Cartwright and Joel Curtis.Seamers Fergus O’Neill and Sam Elliott made regular inroads at Junction Oval on Sunday to have the visitors 278 for 7 at stumps, a lead of just 72 runs with a day to play.Related
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Western Australia wicketkeeper Curtis played a defiant knock to keep his side’s faint hopes alive. But WA spinner Ashton Agar has a shoulder injury and there is a question mark over whether he will bat.O’Neill ended Cartwright’s 166-ball vigil on 78 with a perfect cutter that tickled the outside edge. The 23-year-old, who also snared three wickets in the first innings, has proven to be a revelation for Victoria, and also starred for Australia A against India A.Cartwright held the three-time reigning Sheffield Shield champions’ innings together with support from skipper Ashton Turner and Curtis.The visitors resumed on day three at 34 for 1 and were made to battle before and after rain took the players off the field either side of lunch.Strapping allrounder Elliott hit the pitch hard and snared Sam Fanning and Jayden Goodwin in the morning session, both edging into the bucket hands of first slip Peter Handscomb.Victoria, with vital bonus points from the match, will go top of the ladder if they can secure victory.In four Shield matches this year Cartwright has scored 420 runs at an average of 70 in a reminder of why he played two Tests for Australia in 2017.His defiance may not be enough to salvage anything for his side from this match, but along with Curtis he has made the Victorians fight hard.
On a ground he has played the hero before, allrounder Cooper Connolly stepped up with a game-changing half-century as Perth Scorchers continued their long-time dominance over Melbourne Stars in the BBL season-opener at Optus Stadium.Chasing 147, Scorchers were in trouble at 37 for 3 before Connolly and captain Ashton Turner combined for a 68-run partnership. Returning from a fractured hand sustained on the ground in last month’s third ODI against Pakistan, Connolly hit 64 from 51 balls before Turner sealed the result in trademark composed fashion.There was late drama when Stars batter Hilton Cartwright was stretchered off the ground in a mini-ambulance with what appeared to be a neck injury. He had given chase from deep point in a bid to prevent a boundary from Connolly and seemed to jar his neck as he sprawled across the turf.Cartwright, a Western Australian cricketer, had the support of a neck brace as he left the ground to warm applause from the fans before being taken to hospital.It was the seventh straight win for Scorchers over Stars much to the delight of the 30,649 crowd – a record for a BBL season-opener.
Connolly and Turner lift weakened Scorchers batting
Stars’ score of 146 for 9 appeared under par, but there were concerns over a weakened Scorchers’ batting line-up missing injured No.3 Aaron Hardie and Josh Inglis, who is part of Australia’s Test squad.Expectations were high over New Zealand opener Finn Allen, who had tuned up for his Scorchers debut with a succession of massive hits during an intra-squad match at the WACA.Allen didn’t bother with a sighter as he launched compatriot Adam Milne for a massive six over wide long-on to trigger bedlam among the orange-garbed fans in the terraces.But he was bowled by Milne on the next delivery before Scorchers slumped further when English batters top-order Keaton Jennings and Matt Hurst struggled to handle the extra bounce.In familair scenes, Turner came to the crease and brought calmness to the middle. He started slowly in trademark style as Connolly did the bulk of the damage.Connolly has said his preference is to bat at No.6 but his flexibility came to the fore as he reached his maiden BBL half-century. He was not able to stay there at the end, like he memorably did in the final of BBL 12. He fell after when Scorchers took the power surge in the 14th over but Turner, who has missed much of the domestic season with injuries, finished the job with an unbeaten 37 as Scorchers reached the target in the 18th over.
Same ol’ Scorchers attack
New season, same old menacing Scorchers attack. It was like a collection of greatest hits for this reliable group of bowlers.Left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff has for years been a devastating weapon with the new ball and this was no exception. He didn’t take wickets in his opening two-over spell, but indirectly helped account for the early dismissals of Joe Clarke and Sam Harper.Behrendorff conjured trademark dangerous swing and started the season with a maiden. The pressure built on Stars with Jhye Richardson the beneficiary at the other end as he capped Scorchers’ early dominance by dismissing Harper plumb lbw as he grinned widely before appealing to the umpire, who raised his finger in a decision that was upheld on review.Richardson capped his fine performance with the wicket of Beau Webster, who had been released from Australia’s Test squad, in the 17th over.It was a well-rounded effort from a full-strength Scorchers attack with speedster Lance Morris bowling at speeds touching 145 kmh, while left-arm spinners Ashton Agar and Connolly each took a wicket in their returns from injuries.
Stoinis starts captaincy reign well before run-out
It’s a new era for Stars, a high-profile franchise that are famously titleless, with Marcus Stoinis taking the captaincy reins from Glenn Maxwell, who stepped down after five seasons in the role.Stoinis came to the crease under pressure but he’s well used to these fast and bouncy conditions having come up through the Western Australian cricket ranks.And he met fire with fire, taking a liking to Morris’ extra pace before smashing Agar for a huge six down the ground. In the process he became the sixth batter in BBL history to reach 100 sixes.With batting conditions becoming easier, Stoinis attempted to bludgeon every delivery like when he launched into a full-pitched Richardson delivery only to break his bat in half.But two deliveries later Stoinis took off for a quick single only for Tye at mid-on to produce a spectacular direct hit to throw down the stumps at the bowler’s end. Stoinis instantly knew his fate and was clearly livid as he threw his head back and chucked his bat in the air.Stoinis trudged off after making 37 off 33 balls but Tom Curran, recruited from Sydney Sixers, gave them a lift in the backend with 37 off 19 balls. But it wasn’t enough as their shorthanded attack missing Scott Boland could not defend the sub-par total.
São Paulo e Rogério Ceni chegaram a um acordo pelos valores a que o ex-goleiro e treinador do Tricolor receberá pela sua demissão do clube do Morumbi, no último dia 19.
Ceni receberá por três meses ‘um salário’ do Tricolor. Somados além da multa, direitos trabalhistas e férias, o treinador receberá aproximadamente R$ 2,1 milhões do clube. Valor bem inferior aos R$ 7 milhões recebidos após a demissão na primeira passagem na função pelo Morumbi, em 2017.
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A multa rescisória de Ceni com o São Paulo variava de acordo com o tempo de contrato e os valores recebidos na CLT e direitos de imagem, pagos por meio de CNPJ. A comissão técnica custava cerca de R$ 700 mil mensais durante a passagem pelo Morumbi.
Não havia um valor estabelecido em cláusula para evitar o vazamento, como aconteceu na primeira passagem do treinador pelo clube, durante a gestão de Carlos Augusto Barros e Silva, o Leco.
Oficialmente, não houveram manifestações dos dirigentes são-paulinos para justificarem a saída de Ceni. Entretanto a decisão da demissão foi tomada por conta de problemas de relacionamento do treinador com peças do elenco. O ex-goleiro deixou o Morumbi nesta segunda passagem com os vices do Campeonato Paulista e Copa Sul-Americana.
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A new season will soon dawn, and for Arsenal, it’s the same objective: challenge for and win the Premier League.
Having finished second for three successive campaigns, Mikel Arteta knows that this year is a big one, with the Gunners in desperate need of crowning this resurgent era with silverware.
But it’s coming together, no doubt. Bukayo Saka is fully fit once again after an injury-hit 2024/25 season; Viktor Gyokeres has signed for £63.5m to end the interminable search for a focal striker.
But a first-class left-sided forward could still be added to complete the set. Not since the days of Alexis Sanchez have Arsenal had a world-class weapon on that wing.
But it’s beginning to look like such a signing could be on the cards.
Arsenal lining up new winger
Many names have been bandied about this summer, but Arsenal are reaching a point in their transfer window in which the fog will start to clear and Arteta’s final market plans will crystallise.
Fabrizio Romano claimed at the weekend that, with Gyokeres now part of the crew, the Londoners are “working on outgoings as priority” before addressing the left flank, which could do with a new part.
But when they are ready to pounce, it looks like Arsenal have lined up Eberechi Eze as their new man.
According to Caught Offside, the Gunners should be wary of rising interest from Manchester’s biggest clubs for the Three Lions star, though it’s stressed that Arsenal remain firm favourites after their sustained efforts over the past weeks.
Previous reports have revealed that Arsenal have seen an opening bid partially accepted. To be more specific, a fixed £30m fee has been agreed between the clubs, though the structure of the remainder of Eze’s £68m release clause remains unsettled.
Why Arsenal should sign Eberechi Eze
There are many reasons why Eze would be a fantastic addition to Arteta’s Arsenal squad.
The 27-year-old, first and foremost, is an electric and versatile attacking midfielder, having gone from strength to strength across his five years at Selhurst Park, culminating his journey with the winning goal in last season’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Eze’s 25-goal contribution campaign underscores his ability to provide more than just a showreel style of play. He’s increasingly potent in the final third, capable of scoring goals himself and focusing on his creativity to aid the likes of Gyokeres.
As per FBref, he ranked among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last year for shots taken, the top 11% for shot-creating actions and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90.
He’s quite the exciting player, all right, praised for his “special” talents by BBC Sports’ Phil McNulty.
In fact, Eze could prove to bring a bit of flair and gusto to this Arsenal side in a way that would bear a likeness to that man Sanchez, who scored 80 goals and supplied 44 assists across 166 games for the Gunners, way back when.
Obviously, Eze isn’t as good as the 36-year-old was when in his Premier League prime. It wouldn’t be a bad take to claim that he was the best player in England at the height of his success at the Emirates.
Premier League – Sanchez (16/17) & Eze (24/25)
Stats (* per game)
Sanchez
Eze
Matches (starts)
38 (36)
34 (31)
Goals
24
8
Assists
10
8
Shots (on target)*
3.4 (1.3)
3.0 (0.9)
Touches*
65.0
46.6
Pass completion
74%
82%
Big chances created
10
11
Key passes
2.2
1.7
Dribbles*
2.8
2.0
Tackles + interceptions*
2.0
1.4
Duels won*
6.4
4.8
Data via Sofascore
Sanchez really was on another level in his Arsenal heyday, wasn’t he? Eze, obviously, isn’t at that level, but he shares many attributes with the thrill-seeking Chilean, and it’s something Arteta could use to shape him into a world-beater at the present day.
Bear in mind, furthermore, that we’re contrasting Sanchez’s finest season in the Premier League against Eze’s latest with Crystal Palace. It wouldn’t be brazen to suggest that Eze’s most fruitful days lie in front of him, should he sign for Arsenal this summer.
federico-chiesa-alexis-sanchez-arsenal-opinion
Thus, it’s rather exciting to see how complete, tenacious, talented the England international is at this stage of his career, refined and built into the elite player he is, but still open to taking the next step and reaching the pinnacle.
Similarities can be traced from here to Sanchez, who established himself as a high-class forward at Barcelona but lingered in the shadow of one of football’s greatest-ever frontlines: MSN.
At Arsenal, he bloomed into an iconic frontman, hailed by Arsene Wenger as being a truly “exceptional footballer”.
He wasn’t a spring chicken when he first arrived in the English capital. The South American chose Arsenal despite the vested interest of Liverpool, penned a deal worth £35m in July 2014. He was 25 at the time.
Given that the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in Eze right now, it seems Arsenal may be primed to pull off another statement signing, reeling in a player who has his heart set on north London red.
Eze is in his prime, and he’s got a taste for trophies that could be used to spearhead this project further, up and up past these years of fighting for honours and onto the biggest, grandest stage there is: winning the Premier League, sealing the Champions League, and then defending these prizes which the talented squad so desperately desire.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEzecelebrates with the trophy after winning the FA Cup
Given the quality of the current Arsenal attacking crop, it feels crucial that Arteta and Berta come together to get this one wrapped up.
Better than Trossard & Martinelli: Arsenal chasing £56m Eze alternative
Arsenal are looking to sign a creative player before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
Mohsin Naqvi confirms that the PCB hasn’t heard from the ICC on the BCCI’s stance on not travelling to Pakistan
ESPNcricinfo staff18-Nov-2024The PCB is yet to hear from the ICC about the questions regarding India’s unwillingness to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy next February.The PCB wrote to the ICC a week ago, asking the governing body for details and clarity on the BCCI’s decision, which was conveyed to the ICC. The PCB has asked for a written response from the BCCI as well as the date when it informed the ICC about its stance.Despite the lack of a response, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said on Monday that he retained “positive expectations” about the tournament, the first ICC event Pakistan will host since 1996.Related
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“We have sent them [ICC] the questions we had,” Naqvi said at a press interaction at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. “We are still waiting for their response. I believe that sports and politics are separate and no country should mix the two. Even now I still have positive expectations about the Champions Trophy.”Naqvi also said that the PCB intended to stick to its stance – of not using a hybrid model for the tournament – and will not shift from it. But he did say he was willing to talk to the BCCI about the situation in a bid to break the deadlock.”At this moment, every team that has qualified for the Champions Trophy is ready to come,” he said. “Nobody has any issues. I will say today also, if India has any concerns, speak to us about them, we can ease those concerns. I don’t think there is any reason for them not to visit.”When asked whether the PCB would consider the option of boycotting the event should hosting rights be taken away from it, Naqvi said: “Pakistan’s pride is of primary importance.”
“My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, that are they an organisation for all the world’s bodies”Mohsin Naqvi
Naqvi was asked about the event’s trophy tour, which began on Saturday in Islamabad but with an altered route after the BCCI had raised objections with the ICC.The PCB had announced the original route last week, which would have taken in Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan Administered Kashmir. That destination was taken off after the BCCI’s complaint but has not yet been cancelled. The trophy tour returns to Pakistan in January, after visiting the other seven participants in the Champions Trophy.”My feeling is that the ICC will have to think about its credibility, that are they an organisation for all the world’s bodies,” Naqvi said. “And that route has been rescheduled, we haven’t been told about any cancellation.”Naqvi said he hoped the ICC would announce the tournament schedule soon so that the PCB can continue its preparations for the event.
Fair to say, West Ham United supporters are not best pleased with their club’s transfer business so far this summer.
This is mainly due to the fact that star attacker Mohammed Kudus has been sold to fierce London rivals Tottenham Hotspur for a reported fee of £55m, the first player to make that controversial switch since Scott Parker in 2011.
Mohammed Kudus celebrates for West Ham
In terms of arrivals, El Hadji Malick Diouf has joined from Slavia Prague for £19m, with Kyle Walker-Peters coming in on a free transfer from Southampton, both bolstering full-back options.
Nevertheless, even before Kudus’ departure, Graham Potter’s team lacked goals, thereby meaning additions will need to be made, so are the Irons closing in on a signing?
West Ham's search for a number nine
As the table below outlines, trying to be a productive goal-scoring centre-forward at West Ham United has proved to be something of an enigma.
Danny Ings
2023
£15m
69
5
Niclas Füllkrug
2024
£27m
20
3
Evan Ferguson
2025
Loan
8
Zero
Gianluca Scamacca
2022
£30.5m
27
8
Sébastien Haller
2019
£45m
54
14
Albian Ajeti
2019
£8m
12
Zero
Javier Hernández
2018
£16m
63
17
Lucas Pérez
2018
£4m
19
6
Andy Carroll
2012
£15m
142
34
Jordan Hugill
2018
£10m
3
Zero
Diafra Sakho
2016
£10m
71
24
Emmanuel Emenike
2016
Loan
16
2
Enner Valencia
2014
£12m
68
10
Michail Antonio
2015
£7m
323
83
As the table outlines, aside from Michail Antonio, over the last decade or so, West Ham have signed umpteen strikers, none of whom have been a success to any sort of degree, paying huge fees for Gianluca Scamacca, Sébastien Haller and Niclas Füllkrug in particular in recent summers.
As they aim to be a bit more shrewd in the transfer market, Jack Rosser of The Sun is reporting that West Ham have made an approach to sign Callum Wilson, who is a free agent after leaving Newcastle,
Rosser states that the Hammers are “in talks” over potential move, while revealing that the striker has “long had admirers” at the club.
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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Wilson, now 33 years old, played just 458 minutes last season due to a back and then hamstring injury, with the Irons looking for a deal that would be “weighted towards appearances/goals”.
Despite this, West Ham aren’t the only club interested in the veteran centre-forward, with Mark Critchley and Laurie Whitwell of the Athletic reporting that Manchester United have been ‘offered the chance’ to snap him up too, but could Wilson soon be on his way to East London?
How Callum Wilson would improve West Ham
Despite the presence of Alexander Isak, Eddie Howe described Wilson’s importance to Newcastle as “incredible”, adding that his goal-scoring record while on Tyneside was “excellent”.
This was no more so the case than against West Ham, so signing him would first and foremost prevent the veteran from adding to his remarkable scoring spree against the Irons.
West Ham United
16
12
Everton
12
8
Burnley
12
7
Huddersfield Town
6
7
Brighton
14
6
Southampton
14
6
Wilson averages a goal against West Ham every 88.5 minutes, on target against them at four different venues: the Boleyn Ground, Dean Court, London Stadium and St James’ Park.
Lorihanna Balabanova of Total Football Analysis praises his ‘position and intelligence’ in the penalty area in front of goal, while the aforementioned Howe believes that his “goal-scoring ability” has always been his “biggest strength”.
Meantime, Chris Waugh of the Athletic is impressed by his ‘aggression and tactical nous’, believing his ‘experience and scoring acumen’ at Premier League level is invaluable.
Should he join West Ham, this could only benefit Jarrod Bowen, as it would allow the Hammers captain to exclusively be deployed on the right-wing, which is his best position, with Roshane Thomas of The Athletic documenting how, even when he is deployed as the lone centre-forward, Bowen tends to drift wide.
In 2023/24, for example, the Englishman scored 11 goals and registered six assists from just 20 games as a right-winger, while recording ‘just’ nine goals and four assists in 22 games as a striker, as per Transfermarkt. The need to have him deployed in his best role is certainly evident.
Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian adds that West Ham ‘have already wasted a lot of money’ in an attempt to ‘satisfy an obsession’ which is searching for the perfect centre-forward, something that has proved largely elusive.
Well, as a free agent, Wilson certainly wouldn’t prove expensive and would surely score goals, given his track record, with the added bonus of getting the best out of West Ham’s star player, Bowen.
He'd finally replace Rice: £75k-p/w "monster" is now on West Ham's "radar"
West Ham United will be looking to finally replace Declan Rice by signing this first-class midfielder.
The match was overshadowed by a horrific on-field collision between Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams, which held up play for 20 minutes
Tristan Lavalette03-Jan-2025Sherfane Rutherford hit a boundary off the last ball as Sydney Thunder edged Perth Scorchers in a thrilling BBL match overshadowed by a horrible on-field collision involving Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams.Needing 15 runs off the last over to chase down 178, Rutherford blasted veteran seamer Andrew Tye for three boundaries including a thick inside edge that raced past short fine-leg for the winning runs. He finished 39 not out from 19 balls and had help from debutant Hugh Weibgen, who came on as a concussion substitute.After being sent in on a batting-friendly Optus Stadium, Scorchers were ignited by a second consecutive half-century from opener Finn Allen.But their innings in the 16th over was halted by 20 minutes after Bancroft and Sams collided in the outfield trying to get to a catch. Both players were concussed and sent to hospital, but conscious and talking.The crowd of 46,471 is Scorchers’ highest ever home attendance during the regular season.David Warner goes up, and over, during his 33-ball 49•Getty ImagesWarner stars at the start, Rutherford at the closeWith Bancroft sidelined, Thunder’s hopes largely rested on skipper David Warner, who was fresh off his 86 not out against Melbourne Renegades.He mixed inventiveness and power to help Thunder keep pace. Just before the drinks break, Warner sensed his move against legspinner Matthew Spoors, who was playing in his second BBL game. After reverse-sweeping him for a boundary, Warner was pinned on the pad by a quick delivery from Spoors, who mimics his bowling action on Rashid Khan. The lbw appeal was turned down, but Scorchers reviewed and Warner started to walk off the ground.But ball tracking had the ball clipping the top of the leg stump and the decision stood, and Warner had to scurry back. He seemed intent to cash in before holing out, but Thunder received a lift in the back-end from Rutherford.Weibgen had a tough initiation in his BBL debut but smashed a huge six off quick Jason Behrendorff in the penultimate over to leave Thunder needing 15 runs off the last over.Rutherford stepped up and his winning blow triggered scenes of celebration from Thunder on the sidelines with Warner jumping for joy.Cameron Bancroft left the field with a bloodied nose after the collision•Getty ImagesThe horrific Bancroft-Sams collisionPlay was halted during Scorchers’ innings after Bancroft and Sams clashed heads when they both tried to take an outfield catch to dismiss Cooper Connolly. Sams appeared to be knocked out cold and had to be stretchered off in a mini-ambulance, while Bancroft walked off with his nose bloodied.It was a collision that evoked images of Steve Waugh and Jason Gillespie in Sri Lanka from 1999. Bancroft, who plays for Western Australia in domestic cricket, and Sams received a strong ovation from the fans as they left the field.Having clawed back in the middle overs through spinners Chris Green and Tom Andrews, who combined for four wickets, Thunder were understandably rattled on resumption as Scorchers went big in the death overs.Finn Allen was quick off the blocks and ended with a 31-ball 68•Getty ImagesFinn Allen fires againMuch like last season, Scorchers had endured top-order wobbles and struggled during the powerplay. With consecutive belligerent half-centuries, Allen has provided the necessary spark and Scorchers’ batting-order looks much more imposing.Having scored only ten runs in his first four innings, Allen exploded with 50 off 23 balls against Adelaide Strikers on New Year’s Eve and he carried that form over much to the delight of a heaving crowd.Allen started somewhat cautiously by his standards before smashing Lockie Ferguson into the second tier over square leg in a very high blow that almost sailed parallel to the headlights of the massive ground.He dominated Scorchers’ powerplay of 35 for no loss and continued to strike mighty blows in his favoured area down the ground. He did have some luck after being dropped on 30 by backpedalling wicketkeeper Sam Billings before reaching his half-century in style with a six off Rutherford.Allen’s fireworks were made even more notable with Matt Hurst and Aaron Hardie struggling with their timing.He finally holed out in the 13th over, but Connolly and Nick Hobson once again batted well in tandem with a rapid 67-run partnership to lift Scorchers to a big total.Chris Green got wickets off successive balls in the 13th over•Cricket Australia via Getty ImagesLance Morris ramps up his speedLance Morris is known to be arguably the fastest bowler in Australia. He’s been clocked at speeds over 150kph early in his career, but injuries in recent years have forced him to be careful going full bore.Fit and firing, Morris has been ramping up his speeds, and after a sluggish start to the season – where he had the ignominy of being dropped – he has been a strong performer across Scorchers’ past three matches.Morris was sizzling with the new ball, reaching speeds of close to 150kph, and dismissed opener Blake Nikitaras with his first delivery. He returned to take the big wicket of Warner in the 14th over before finishing with 3 for 22 off his four overs.