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Things are looking rather bleak for West Ham United at the moment.

Yes, Nuno Espírito Santo did oversee a spirited comeback away to Everton in his first Premier League game, but since then, the Hammers have lost two and sit in the relegation zone, three points and a better goal difference from safety.

Worse yet, while the defeat to Arsenal was to be expected, the East Londoners needed to get something from the game against Brentford. Instead, they put in one of their worst performances in a long, long time.

So, to arrest this downturn in form, Nuno has to try something dramatic, such as dropping Lucas Paqueta for an exciting young talent.

Why Lucas Paqueta has to be dropped

Now, the first thing to say is that there is no denying that Paqueta is an incredibly talented footballer and has the ability to be a real game-changer for West Ham.

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However, it is equally true that the former Lyon star has been underwhelming for quite some time and was utterly ineffective last time out.

For example, in 94 minutes of inaction against Brentford, he produced a combined expected goal and assists figure of just 0.12, took a single shot, which was off target, took 61 touches, but lost the ball 23 times, misplaced 100% of his crosses and was accurate in just 26 of 41 passes.

Minutes

94′

Expected Goals

0.04

Goals

0

Expected Assists

0.08

Shots on Target

0

Shots Off Target

1

Touches

61

Lost Possession

23

Dribbles (Completed)

1 (0)

Key Passes

0

Crosses (Accurate)

2 (0)

Duels (Won)

20 (7)

Such a terrible showing cannot even be blamed on the fact that he was playing as a false nine, either, as he’s been poor for most of the season thus far.

For example, while he has scored three goals this season, the last one was a penalty on deadline day, and since then, he has yet to score another or even provide an assist.

Moreover, while players can go through barren spells and still provide some attacking impetus for their sides, that has not been the case with the Brazilian, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a fan who has been impressed with his displays.

So with all that said, while there is every chance Paqueta gets back to his mercurial best later in the season, it’s time he was taken out of the team entirely.

There are other options to play up top, like Callum Wilson, and if Nuno really wants to shake things up, he could start a particularly promising prospect in the ten for the game against Leeds United.

The West Ham gem Nuno could start over Paqueta

While it might be something of a gamble, this is the time for Nuno to take risks to try and improve West Ham’s fortunes in the next game, and therefore, he should look to start the incredibly exciting Luis Guilherme in place of Paqueta in attacking midfield.

Now, it might be the case that the young Brazilian is viewed as more of a winger at the moment, but the “complete” and “electric” attacker, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, has played all over the pitch, including as a ten.

For example, from his time in Brazil up until today, the 19-year-old prospect, who, according to Mattinson, has “the world at his feet,” has made appearances at centre-forward, left-wing, right-wing, right midfield and attacking midfield.

Therefore, it shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for him to adapt.

More importantly, his skill set could help add some real dynamism to the middle of the park, and according to U23 scout Antonio Mango, the ten position would “suit his profile brilliantly.”

For example, when scouting him, Mattinson highlighted the fact that the teenager is a player who “thrives on transitions” and can “turn past players with ease” thanks to his “elite ball manipulation.”

On top of that, when he does take shots, Mattinson states that they are often of “high calibre.”

Finally, away from direct goal involvements, his impressive agility could make him an absolute nightmare for opposition defenders and defensive midfielders.

Ultimately, starting Guilherme in the ten would be a gamble, but with how poorly Paqueta is playing at the moment, it’s one Nuno should take.

Nuno must bin West Ham dud who's making them one of the slowest teams ever

Nuno must make some bold changes to West Ham United if he’s going to save them from relegation.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 22, 2025

Looking to wager on the Major League Baseball action on Sunday?

Well, we have all 30 MLB teams in action with the first game starting at 11:35 a.m. EST between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves and the final game coming on Sunday Night Baseball between the Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles.

There are several ways to bet on these matchups, but I’ve narrowed it down to my favorite three bets across this 15-game slate. Let’s break them down!

MLB Best Bets TodayMilwaukee Brewers Moneyline (-180) vs. Chicago CubsGarrett Crochet OVER 17.5 Outs Recorded (-160)San Diego Padres Moneyline (+102) vs. Boston Red Sox

Milwaukee Brewers Moneyline (-180) vs. Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are an automatic fade when Kyle Hendricks is on the mound this season. 

The veteran has a brutal 6.87 ERA, and the Cubs are 3-11 straight up in his 14 outings. He’s pitched better this month, but three of those outings have come out of the bullpen. When Hendricks starts, his ERA is 8.10 and he has a 1.61 WHIP. 

Meanwhile, the Brewers are 11-5 when ace Freddy Peralta is on the mound and he's posted a much better 4.03 ERA and 3.53 FIP this season. Peralta has not beaten the Cubs in two starts against them, but he should outduel Hendricks on Sunday. 

Garrett Crochet OVER 17.5 Outs Recorded (-160)

Lefty Garrett Crochet has been terrific in 2024, posting a 3.05 ERA, 2.54 FIP and leading the lowly Chicago White Sox to a 7-10 record in his 17 starts – shocking since the White Sox have just 24 wins all season. 

Crochet has a favorable matchup against the 27-win Colorado Rockies, and I think he can get through six innings on Sunday.

Over his last seven outings, Crochet has cleared 17.5 outs six times, finishing with exactly 17 in his last outing. Colorado shouldn’t score enough to chase Crochet from this game early, and Chicago has let him clear 100 pitches in two outings already this month. 

I expect to see six plus innings – and likely a quality start – from Chicago’s ace on Sunday. 

San Diego Padres Moneyline (+102) vs. Boston Red Sox

Since May 17, San Diego Padres knuckleballer Matt Waldron has been lights out.

Over the course of eight starts, he has a 1.80 ERA and has led the Padres to a 6-2 record. Now, he gets a shot against Josh Winckowski, who has been mainly working out of the bullpen for Boston this season. Can Boston piece together enough for a win?

I’m not sold on it, especially if Waldron shuts them down early. Given the Padres record when the knuckleballer pitches, they're worth a shot as underdogs.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras viaja nesta segunda-feira (21) para Pereira, na Colômbia, onde enfrenta o Deportivo Pereira, pela partida de ida das quartas de final da Libertadores. Para ajudar nessa logística complicada, a delegação alviverde vai utilizar, mais uma vez, o avião da empresa de Leila Pereira. Será a terceira oportunidade em que a aeronave prestará esse serviço ao clube, a primeira em uma viagem internacional. Até aqui, o nível de aprovação é bem alto internamente.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasDudu e Gabriel Menino treinam e Palmeiras deve viajar quase completo para PereiraPalmeiras21/08/2023Palmeiras24 anos depois, Palmeiras encara um colombiano em mata-mata de LibertadoresPalmeiras21/08/2023PalmeirasApós nove rodadas, Palmeiras volta a ser o concorrente mais próximo do Botafogo pelo título do BrasileirãoPalmeiras21/08/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Com uma autonomia de um pouco mais de 4,5 mil km, o Verdão vai conseguir viajar para qualquer destino que seja dentro da América do Sul sem precisar fazer escala em nenhum lugar.

Essa é uma das facilidades de logística que ter um avião próprio permite ao Alviverde, que além de economizar mais de R$ 1 milhão, vai conseguir chegar em Pereira em um voo direto, algo inimaginável se a delegação viajasse da forma tradicional. Vale lembrar que Leila Pereira está bancando os custos da viagem enquanto a Placar Linhas Aéreas não é regularizada pela Anac para fazer voos comerciais.

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Enquanto isso, porém, o clube vai aproveitando as facilidades, como foi na excursão para o Rio de Janeiro, no jogo contra o Fluminense, e na ida para Cuiabá, no duelo com o time local. Foram as duas primeiras vezes em que o Palmeiras utilizou o serviço, que foi aprovado por Abel Ferreira.

– Felizmente o Palmeiras sempre teve esse cuidado, agora mais. Com a presidente Leila sempre tivemos voos privados, agora ela comprou um avião e claro que isso nos ajuda muito na logística, na forma como podemos organizar as nossas viagens e quantidade de viagens que temos. Temos uma hipótese de ter um avião que nos ajuda nas viagens. Já fazíamos isso antes, mas o avião não é nosso, é da Leila – declarou o treinador.

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+ Dudu e Gabriel Menino treinam, e Palmeiras deve viajar quase completo para Pereira

A reportagem apurou que o sentimento de jogadores, funcionários e comissão técnica é bastante parecido com o de Abel Ferreira. O tratamento mais personalizado, o conforto de assentos mais espaçados e a possibilidade de iniciar a recuperação com antecedência são alguns dos fatores que deixam os passageiros bastante satisfeitos.

Uma das facilidades é o serviço de bordo, que é fornecido pelo próprio clube, com o aval dos profissionais que cuidam da nutrição dos atletas. Embora a alimentação fosse oferecida em outras companhias que faziam o fretamento, o Palmeiras não tinha total controle dessa parte, o que é mais um avanço na comodidade. Além disso, a fama da comida de avião não costuma ser boa, mas nesse caso a avaliação é altamente positiva.

O Verdão deve desembarcar em Pereira na noite desta segunda-feira (21) e já treina nesta terça (22) em solo colombiano. A previsão de retorno é logo após o duelo, que acontece nesta quarta (23), às 21h30 (de Brasília). Lembrando que no domingo (27), o compromisso será contra o Vasco, pelo Brasileirão, no Allianz Parque.

MatériaMais Notícias

O último jogo do Botafogo no primeiro turno do Brasileirão deve abrir caminho para uma novidade no setor ofensivo do líder do Brasileirão. O técnico Bruno Lage indicou no treino desta sexta-feira (11) que Janderson deve ser escalado como centroavante no lugar no qual originalmente joga Tiquinho Soares.

O camisa 9 se recupera de uma lesão sofrida no empate em 0 a 0 diante do Cruzeiro e ficará longe dos gramados por até cinco semanas. A partida será realizada no sábado (12), às 21h.

O treinador alvinegro acenou com outra variação no setor ofensivo. Gustavo Sauer pode iniciar a partida atuando como ponta-direita. A presença de Júnior Santos também não está descartada entre os titulares.

O lateral-esquerdo Marçal está fora do confronto, devido à suspensão pelo terceiro cartão amarelo. Hugo entrará em seu lugar.

O Botafogo vai a campo com: Lucas Perri; Di Plácido, Adryelson, Cuesta e Hugo; Marlon Freitas, Tchê Tchê e Eduardo; Gustavo Sauer (Júnior Santos), Victor Sá e Janderson (Júnior Santos).

Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards has lauded an “incredible” Manchester City star for his performance in the 3-0 victory against Manchester United on Sunday.

Man City dominate Man Utd at the Etihad

Man City silenced the doubters with a 3-0 thrashing of rivals Man United on Sunday, with Erling Haaland undoubtedly the star of the show, scoring a brace, although he could’ve easily had a hat-trick, hitting the post after missing a golden opportunity from close range.

Not only was Haaland at his best, but a number of other City players caught the eye, including January signing Abdukodir Khusanov, who completed six clearances, four interceptions and two tackles to keep Ruben Amorim’s side at bay.

Khusanov looks like he is now settling in at the Etihad Stadium, having arguably struggled to make an instant impact, with the Uzbekistan international making just six Premier League appearances in the 2024-25 season after arriving from Ligue 1 side Lens last winter.

However, a different City player has made a flying start to life at the club, according to Richards, who waxed lyrical about summer signing Gianluigi Donnarumma on The Rest Is Football podcast after the Manchester derby.

Related "Massive fan" – Gerrard has named Man Utd legend among his "favourite players"

Steven Gerrard has made it clear he is a huge admirer of a former Manchester United star.

Posts ByDominic Lund Sep 16, 2025

The former Man City man said: “He’s a man mountain! I feel so sorry for Trafford, I feel sorry for Trafford but that save. £26m, £26m! He’s just won the Champions League, he’s what, 25, 26 years of his age?

“Yes people will talk about playing out from the back, he’s not an Ederson playing out, but in terms of shot-stopping, his record is incredible. What a signing that was, and he had a fantastic game today in the derby.”

Donnarumma may keep Trafford out of the starting XI

It is natural to feel sorry for James Trafford, who has seemingly now fallen behind Donnarumma in the pecking order, despite starting the opening three games of the Premier League campaign.

However, it is clear to see why Pep Guardiola brought the Italian straight into the starting XI, given that he is vastly experienced at the top level, having made 40 Champions League appearances, while also receiving high praise from Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique.

The 26-year-old also got off to a solid start on his City debut, keeping a clean sheet in the derby victory, and making one save from inside the box, alongside three clearances throughout the match.

As such, Trafford will have his work cut out trying to force his way back into Guardiola’s side, and there have now been reports suggesting the Englishman is open to a loan move in the January transfer window.

Defeat for either side will spell the end of their involvement in the Champions Trophy

Andrew Miller25-Feb-20253:01

How will England replace Brydon Carse?

Big Picture: Politics takes back seat in high-stakes match-upFor several febrile weeks at the turn of the year, it was impossible to ignore the political mission-creep of England versus Afghanistan in the Champions Trophy. And yet, it’s not impossible that a cricket match will be allowed to take centre stage, after all, in Lahore on Wednesday. A potentially fascinating one, too.To deal with the frivolous keep-politics-out-of-sport top line first, this is now a must-win clash for the two winless sides in Group B. Australia’s washout against South Africa in Rawalpindi has changed little in that regard, except that it guarantees that, if either team loses in Lahore, they will now be sunk without a trace, rather than relying on snookers and net run-rates when they play the table-toppers later this week.And, before we get bogged down in the baggage that this contest has acquired, there’s plenty of recent on-field intrigue to drill down into too. Afghanistan’s historic victory in Delhi at the 2023 World Cup has seen to that. It wasn’t the result that ended the reign of the 2019 champions – the tournament’s drawn-out itinerary meant no swift end to their humiliation – but it did unquestionably show them up as plodding, timid and past their collective sell-by date.Eighteen months on, similar concerns endure for England, even as they embark on their white-ball Bazball reboot. On the one hand, their five-wicket loss to Australia was a game of fine margins, none more galling than Jofra Archer’s glaring miss in the deep at a pivotal juncture of the chase. On the other hand, they put an apparently hefty 351 on the board yet still got steamrolled with almost three overs to spare. Not even Ben Duckett’s tournament-record 165 could suffice for a side whose reticence runs deep, no matter what positive messaging may have been carried across from Brendon McCullum’s Test dressing-room.Ben Duckett produced the goods in Lahore – but England still went down•Associated Press

On balance, therefore, would you rather be in England’s shoes – confused as to why your best is still not enough and, in the case of their captain Jos Buttler, vaguely cognisant of the implications of another early tournament exit – or Afghanistan’s – fresh from a shoddy display against South Africa that was so far from the new standards that they set themselves that the only way, surely, is up?Afghanistan’s 107-run loss in Karachi was studded with shoddy fielding, including a glaring missed run-out, and capped by a batting effort that was sunk inside the first 15 overs. Rahmat Shah showed the requisite mettle with a 92-ball 90, but Rashid Khan’s breezy 18 from 13 balls at No. 9 was their second-best score. After their march to the T20 World Cup semi-finals, not to mention four wins at the 2023 World Cup which secured them their Champions Trophy berth, this squad expects better of themselves these days.Cue England, then, the perfect opponents for teams in need of a little extra incentive to raise their games.In truth, the protests about this fixture have dissipated in recent weeks, but that’s not to say there won’t be more discussion as the contest gets underway, or that the underlying issues are no longer worthy of airtime. On the contrary, when the Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi wrote to the ECB protesting the “sex apartheid” of Afghanistan’s Taliban regime, on whose watch women’s sport has effectively been banned since 2021, she was merely articulating the same unease that many individual boards were already feeling – including both England and Australia, who had previously pledged to suspend bilateral ties while the Taliban remain in power.That letter had been signed by a cross-party group of 160 British MPs, but the UK prime minister Keir Starmer echoed the ECB’s line, that this is a matter for the ICC as a collective body, not for individual boards. And that, broadly speaking, has been the final word on the matter for now. Certainly it’s a far cry from the situation that Nasser Hussain’s World Cup squad found themselves in back in 2003, when – amid similar political posturing – it was left to the players themselves to debate, and ultimately carry out, a unilateral boycott of Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe.Besides, as Buttler reiterated on the eve of the game, there is still a place for sport as “a source of hope and enjoyment” in tough times … much as was the case on the eve of the 2023 clash, in fact, when Afghanistan’s own aim had been to bring a bit of joy back to their country after a devastating earthquake in Herat had killed several thousand people. The issues may be different, but the underlying truth remains the same. When there are forces beyond your control, whatever they may be, all you can do is produce your best and hope it contributes to the greater good.Form guide England: LLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Afghanistan: LWWWLIn the spotlight: Mark Wood and Rashid KhanTo judge by its early showings, white-ball Bazball is distinctly Route One. Stack the side with the rawest pace imaginable, and let guile and subtlety go hang. It’s a policy that you can imagine being utterly explosive on its good days, but these have been all too infrequent so far in McCullum’s tenure. Mark Wood’s display against Australia epitomised this. His ferocious powerplay spell featured barely a delivery below 150kph, and landed the key early wicket of Steven Smith. But by the back end of Australia’s 352-run chase, Glenn Maxwell was making room to leg with impunity, safe in the knowledge that any sort of connection would go the distance. Eight of Wood’s ten ODIs since the start of the 2023 World Cup have now come in ICC events. Nine wickets at 58.44 and an economy rate above 6.5 imply that the Aussies aren’t the only team who are ready for what he’s being primed to unleash.Rashid Khan has memories of success against England to fall back on•Afghanistan Cricket Board

England’s struggles against high-quality spin have been protracted across formats, and few spinners come more highly rated than Afghanistan’s gun leggie Rashid Khan. Last week, he was knocked off the top of the ICC’s ODI rankings by Maheesh Theekshana, largely due to inactivity, and though he went wicketless in Afghanistan’s opening Group B loss to South Africa, he has happy memories of his most recent outing against England: figures of 3 for 37 in that famous World Cup encounter in Delhi included the winning moment itself, a slider to Wood that sealed a 69-run success, their first over England in any format. As Adam Zampa demonstrated in Australia’s high-scoring win in Lahore on Saturday, stump-threatening wristspinners can unlock even the flattest conditions.Team newsBrydon Carse had been one of the breakthrough bowlers of England’s winters, but his battered toes contributed to an untimely breakdown against Australia, as his seven overs were dispatched at a tick below ten an over. He has now been ruled out of the tournament, with Jamie Overton the likeliest like-for-like replacement – and if Lahore’s conditions remain as true as in the first match, this might even include the impact that his powerful lower-order hitting has often promised, but rarely delivered.England: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jamie Smith (wk), 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Jos Buttler (capt), 7 Liam Livingstone, 8 Jamie Overton, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark WoodHashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan’s captain, hinted that the same XI that tripped up against South Africa would take the field in Lahore – unsurprising in light of his pointed but uncontroversial observation that “the England team struggles a bit against spinners”. In Rashid, Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad, they will have to negotiate 30 overs of the finest, and most varied, slow bowlers in subcontinental conditions, although they will at least be spared a reunion with their chief destroyer at the World Cup, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who has been managing injury in recent months and is not currently involved in the 50-over format.Afghanistan: (possible) 1 Ibrahim Zadran, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3 Sediqullah Atal, 4 Rahmat Shah, 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Mohammad Nabi, 8 Gulbadin Naib, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Noor Ahmad, 11 Fazalhaq FarooqiPitch and conditionsEngland got a clear idea of Lahore’s run-laden conditions in their tournament opener, and more of the same is in prospect on a pristine new surface. The weather, however, could be decidedly cooler. There’s been rain around on the eve of the contest, and while it is not expected to be a factor during the match, the cloud cover could remain in situ … a possible boon for England’s pace-dominant attack.Stats and trivia England have lost five ODIs in a row, their joint-worst run since losing six in a row in their home ODI series against Australia in 2009. Auspiciously, they followed that performance with an improbable semi-final place, weeks later, in the Champions Trophy in South Africa. (Although they did then get crushed by the eventual champions, Australia, once more…) Rahmat Shah, who made 90 in defeat against South Africa, needs 41 runs to become the first Afghanistan batter to reach 4000 in ODIs. Rashid needs two more wickets to become the first Afghanistan bowler to reach 200 in ODIs. Duckett, England’s centurion in defeat against Australia, needs four runs to reach 1000 in the ODI format. Phil Salt isn’t far behind, on 968 runs, while Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone are both in the 900s too.Quotes”We are cricket players, we are sportspersons, we are sportsmen. So, we control what we can do inside the ground. We don’t worry about what’s happening out of the ground.”
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi plays a straight bat to the political chat“Any time as an England captain you want to perform well, and you want to lead your team to winning games of cricket. We haven’t been doing that enough in the recent past. But as soon as you catch yourself thinking about any negative things, you try to completely flip that and focus on all the positive things that could go right, and where you can take the team. I’m very much focused on that.”

After Thomas Frank’s appointment earlier this summer, no Tottenham Hotspur fan could’ve envisaged the perfect start the side has made to his tenure.

The Lilywhites have won both of their first two Premier League matches, scoring five times and keeping two clean sheets – a third of their tally from the previous campaign.

Their victory over Manchester City has undoubtedly been the best victory of the Dane’s spell in charge – restricting Pep Guardiola’s side to limited opportunities at the Etihad.

However, the 51-year-old is still hunting for further reinforcements in the transfer market, especially after missing out on Eberechi Eze to North London rivals Arsenal.

Numerous players have been on their radar over recent days, potentially offering the new boss the talent he craves in such a position for 2025/26 and beyond.

Spurs’ hunt for a new attacking midfielder

Over the last couple of days, Spurs made a £61m offer for Como star Nico Paz, highlighting the hierarchy’s ambitions of improving the squad before the September 1st deadline.

However, the offer for the Argentine was swiftly rejected by the Serie A side, with the player himself wanting to stay at Cesc Fàbregas’ side for the time being.

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As a result, the Lilywhites have moved on to different targets, resulting in Leicester City talent Bilal El Khannouss once again appearing on the club’s radar ahead of the end of the window.

According to GIVEMESPORT, Frank’s side have made the decision to enter the race, after Crystal Palace made a move to land the 21-year-old.

It’s been reported that he’s set to leave the Foxes before the end of the window, with a £22m transfer fee being mooted to prise the youngster away from the Foxes.

The playmaker had been widely expected to move to the Eagles but is now giving thought to moving to Spurs.

It’s alleged that ‘there is a serious possibility that he will choose’ Tottenham over Palace when he makes a decision on his future this week.

Why Spurs’ £22m target would be perfect for Kudus

Earlier this summer, Spurs landed the signature of Mohammed Kudus, costing £55m from West Ham United – becoming the first major signing of Frank’s tenure at the helm.

The Ghanaian, who can operate in numerous positions, has started both of the club’s Premier League outings – cementing his place at the top end of the Lilywhites squad.

Whilst he’s failed to get himself on the scoresheet, the 24-year-old has registered two assists in his first two outings – both of which came in the triumph over Burnley in North London.

His direct dribbling and ability to create carnage within the final third has already caught the eye of the supporters, potentially being a bargain despite his big-money transfer fee.

However, despite Kudus’ impressive start to life under Frank, he could reach the next level in the months ahead if the side land a deal for El Khannouss in the coming days.

Despite relegation from the Premier League last season, the youngster produced numerous impressive figures that would bring the hierarchy’s hunt for a new attacking midfielder to an end.

El Khannouss, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by analyst Ben Mattinson, ranked in the 90th percentile for passes into the final third (3.7) and the 86th percentile for progressive passes (5.3).

Games played

32

Goals & assists

5

Pass accuracy

75%

Progressive passes

5.3

Passes into the final third

3.7

Key passes made

1.7

Progressive carries

3.1

Carries into the final third

1.9

Take-on success

57%

Both figures would allow the Moroccan to provide countless chances for Kudus within attacking areas, helping the former Hammers star build on his impressive start to life at the Lilywhites.

He also completed 57% of the take-ons he attempted, whilst making 1.9 carries into the final third per 90 – having the ability to glide past the opposition and cause problems for the opposition in dangerous positions.

Such numbers are impressive, but the end product is just as important, something which El Khannouss has demonstrated by his tally of five combined goals and assists in England’s top-flight throughout 2024/25.

Given the Eagles’ interest in landing the 21-year-old, Frank and the Spurs hierarchy need to act quickly to make a move for his signature to avoid missing out on yet another summer target.

If they do land the youngster, it would be a bargain transfer and one that could hand Kudus the platform to reach the next level in his career during his stint in North London.

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Their own Paz: Spurs likely to see £47m bid accepted for "ridiculous" star

Spurs are looking for alternatives after their Nico Paz setback.

1 ByWill Miller Aug 26, 2025

Paul Pogba will always remain a what-if player for Manchester United, given his failure to sustain his success during his spell as a first-team member at Old Trafford.

The Frenchman left the club on a free transfer, before joining in a then world-record £89m transfer just a couple of years after originally being allowed to depart the Red Devils.

The midfielder was known for his moments of magic, but questions were always asked about his commitment and effort, which held him back from being one of the elite players in world football.

He racked up over 200 appearances during his second spell in Manchester, but ultimately struggled to match the huge fee he returned to the club with.

However, his individual brilliance will always outshine the tough times he spent at the club, with current boss Ruben Amorim able to land his own version of the 32-year-old this window.

The latest on United’s hunt for new signings this summer

Benjamin Sesko undoubtedly remains as United’s main target this summer, as the club look to provide the boss with the talisman he craves during his spell in charge.

Talks have already been held between the players’ representatives and the Red Devils hierarchy, but any deal will be an expensive one, given the current £78m asking price.

However, the Slovenian international isn’t the only player currently on their radar, with work also being conducted to secure a deal for Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra.

Marca’s latest update claims that Amorim’s side have already reached out to the LaLiga giants over a move for the 22-year-old, who’s currently valued at £25m.

The report also states that AC Milan are also currently exploring a move for the Spaniard, which could see the Red Devils spring into action for his signature in the near future.

Why United’s latest target could be Amorim’s own Pogba

Along with his effortless ability to change a game, Pogba was known for his ball-carrying talent, which often saw him run the game when he was performing in full flow.

During the 2017/18 campaign he spent at Old Trafford, the former Juventus star registered 4.1 progressive carries per 90, a figure that ranked him within the top 5% of all players within England’s top-flight.

His dominance on the ball is further backed up by current professional Declan Rice, who placed the Frenchman within his top three players he’s ever come up against.

United’s current midfield is currently lacking the dynamism that Pogba possessed, which should come as no surprise given 33-year-old Casemiro is still one of the options at Amorim’s disposal.

However, the manager could be about to land his own version of the former fan-favourite this summer, with Guerra possessing a lot of the qualities that made the World Cup winner a hit with the supporters.

Guerra, who’s been labelled “special” by analyst Ben Mattinson, managed to register 4.8 progressive passes and 1.8 progressive carries per 90 – able to glide past opponents when in control of the ball.

Such a skillset may come as a surprise given his 6”2 frame, sitting just one inch smaller than Pogba, with the pair freakishly talented with the ball at his feet given their height.

Javi Guerra’s stats for Valencia in LaLiga (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	36
Goals & assists	6
Progressive passes	4.8
Passes into final third	4.2
Take-ons attempted	2.7
Carries into final third	1.5
Tackles won	1.7
Stats via FBref

However, the youngster’s talents are also further reflected in his tallies of 1.7 tackles won and 1.7 clearances made per 90, able to do the dirty work at the heart of the side before making the desired impact higher up the field.

At just 22, he’s already made a name for himself for his ability to find the net from distance, with his effort against Espanyol arguably the best of his career.

Pogba also managed to possess such a quality, as seen by his own catalogue of strikes, which always managed to excite the fanbase – something which Guerra could do himself should he join the club.

Given his £25m asking price, a deal should be a no-brainer, potentially landing themselves a bargain this summer with a player who could emulate the levels produced by the former world record signing.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 1, 2025

Everton manager David Moyes has been able to count on several excellent midfielders throughout his spells managing the Toffees, Manchester United and West Ham United.

During his first spell on Merseyside, the Scot had players such as Tim Cahill, Marouane Fellaini, Steven Pienaar, and, of course, Mikel Arteta, to call upon as the club regularly finished in the top eight of the Premier League table and qualified for Europe.

While he wasn’t at Old Trafford for long, Moyes could count on Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley and Shinji Kagawa.

It was at West Ham, however, that the 62-year-old would work with arguably one of the finest midfielders of his managerial career.

Declan Rice may have made his debut for West Ham under the leadership of Slaven Bilic, but it was Moyes who nurtured the Englishman and turned him from someone with bags of potential into a world-class superstar.

Why Declan Rice was so good under David Moyes

Rice really came of age during the 2017/18 season, making a total of 23 appearances in all competitions for the Irons.

He made his FA Cup debut under Moyes in January 2018 and was a regular under him until the Scot departed at the end of that season.

The former Man United boss returned to the London Stadium in December 2019, and by that time, Rice was firmly established as one of the finest players in the squad.

Indeed, the midfielder even made his England debut in March 2019 under Gareth Southgate.

Rice led West Ham to an impressive sixth-place finish in the 2020/21 Premier League season, which saw the club secure qualification for the Europa League.

The Englishman starlet made ten appearances in Europe as the Irons reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by Eintracht Frankfurt. The following campaign, however, saw Rice become the first West Ham captain since Bobby Moore in 1965 to lift European silverware.

He missed all but two games of that season as they won the Conference League against Fiorentina, scoring once and providing an assist along the way.

Throughout that Euro campaign, Rice succeeded with 91% of his passes, won over 70% of his ground duels per game, lost possession just 5.5 times per match and averaged 1.7 tackles each game, proving that he was the cornerstone for Moyes’ side in Europe.

It was a fitting way for the player to end his time at West Ham, as in the summer of 2023, he made the move to Arsenal for a fee in the region of £100m.

His development under Moyes was incredible, and he surely has a lot to thank his old boss for. That’s for sure.

The Scot would love to have another midfielder who exudes all of Rice’s qualities ahead of the coming season, especially as he targets a top-half Premier League finish for the club.

Could Everton be targeting a former Premier League star in the transfer market? One who seemingly wants to make the move to Merseyside this summer?

Everton could sign Moyes' new Rice

Thierno Barry has made the move to the northwest, while Moyes is keen on securing a stunning deal to sign Malick Fofana from Lyon.

Elsewhere, Adam Aznou is closing in on a move to Everton from Bayern Munich, and this will give Moyes options on the left side of the defence.

Now, it looks as though he is ready to make moves in order to bolster his midfield. Former Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz is one name who has been linked of late, but a recent update suggests the Toffees might just be frontrunners for his signature.

According to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Luiz is now pushing for a move to Everton, despite Nottingham Forest and West Ham still in the running for the player.

This is one transfer that Moyes should be looking to wrap up as soon as possible. Not only does Luiz have the perfect attributes to succeed under his system, but his vast Premier League experience means he won’t need time to settle.

Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, Luiz could turn out to be Moyes’ next Rice…

Why Everton must sign Douglas Luiz

During Luiz’s final season with Aston Villa in 2023/24, Rice was the seventh-most comparable player to the Brazilian in the Premier League, via FBref.

Indeed, the pair even registered similar statistics when it came to a range of metrics, including goals and assists (14 vs 15), shots per 90 (1.32 vs 1.62), pass success rate (85.7% vs 89.7%), shot-creating actions per 90 (3.52 vs 2.79) and tackles won (38 vs 51) in the top flight that campaign.

Douglas Luiz’s league statistics since August 2023

Metric

23/24

24/25

Matches (starts)

35 (35)

19 (3)

Goals

9

0

Assists

5

0

Touches per game

70.1

27.3

Pass completion

89%

90%

Big chances created

10

3

Key passes per game

1.5

0.8

Dribbles per game

0.7

0.6

Ball recoveries per game

5.5

1.6

Duels (won)*

4.2 (51%)

1.9 (55%)

Via Sofascore

According to WhoScored, both Luiz and Rice count key passing and taking set pieces as main strengths, while the duo are also able to provide a major goal threat in the final third, as well as offer excellent defensive support.

Luiz went from raw talent to a genuine “world-class” player – according to John McGinn – and this secured him his big move to Juventus last summer.

Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work out for the former Manchester City midfielder in Turin, where he made just 27 appearances in all competitions after signing for £42m, with only ten of those coming in the starting XI.

Despite this, he still managed to create three big chances in Serie A, while also averaging 0.8 key passes per game, all while averaging 27 minutes per game for the Old Lady.

It is evident that he needs a fresh start to kickstart his career, and Moyes could certainly provide him with the ideal platform to shine.

Given the comparisons between him and Rice, the Scot would definitely bring out the best in the former Villa star, that’s for sure.

With less than three weeks to their first league fixture of the season, the manager will be keen on wrapping up this deal sooner rather than later. If so, Luiz can become Moyes’ new Rice.

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Posts ByBen Gray Jul 27, 2025

Spinners Archie Vaughan and Jack Leach sparked a dramatic late Surrey collapse as Somerset boosted hopes of a first ever Vitality County Championship title with a thrilling 111-run win over the Division One leaders at Taunton.Chasing 221 to win on a turning pitch, Surrey were bowled out for 109 with less than five minutes left in the game, 18-year-old Vaughan claiming five for 38 and match figures of 11 for 140, while Leach finished with five for 37. Only Dom Sibley (56) and Ben Foakes (20) offered prolonged resistance, but their fourth-wicket stand of 49 in 29 overs looked to have secured a draw before seven wickets fell for 14 runs at the end.Somerset had extended their second innings score from an overnight 194 for fine to 224 all out, thanks to more heroics from the injured Tom Banton, last man out for 46, and Craig Overton, unbeaten on 49 after an unlikely stand of 71, which gave their side genuine hope of victory.They claimed 21 points from the game to Surrey’s five and closed the gap at the top of the table to just eight points with two matches to play.The final day began with the sight of Banton limping slowly out to bat with a runner, as he had done the previous evening. After two balls, he had to drag his damaged ankle back to the pavilion again as rain interrupted play.A resumption at 11.05am, with eight overs lost, saw Overton and Banton bring up a half-century partnership off 61 balls. The most extraordinary of Banton’s six fours came when he reverse swept Shakib Al Hasan, despite severely limited foot movement.The memorable 65-ball innings ended when Shakib found a way through Banton’s defence and bowled him, leaving Overton one short of a deserved fifty, after facing 78 balls and occupying the crease for two hours and 16 minutes.Surrey were left with a tricky 13 overs to bat before lunch, but Rory Burns and Sibley negotiated it with skill and calmness. The pattern continued after another shower had delayed the restart until 1.20pm, with three more overs lost.But as the effects of the roller began to wear off, the ball began to turn sharply and Vaughan struck a double blow in the 22nd over, having Burns caught behind for 15 and then bowling Ryan Patel for a third-ball duck. At the other end, Leach beat Ben Geddes with three successive deliveries in the 29th over.Geddes’ luck ran out in Leach’s next over when he was pinned lbw and at 46 for three, Surrey were in a deepening hole. Sibley and Foakes abandoned any attacking intent and met the nagging accuracy of Somerset’s spinners with a spell of solid defence, bringing 50 up in the 38th over.Both were quick to make for the pavilion when rain started falling again at 2.45pm with the score 63 for three. Tea was taken with Sibley unbeaten on 38.The final session began at 3.20pm with another three overs lost. Leach continued to probe and beat the outside edge, but after 44 consecutive overs of spin, teenager Vaughan took a break and was replaced by Craig Overton.Brett Randell then replaced Leach, who had sent down 14 maidens in 24 overs. After a few overs of seam, the spinners changed ends in a final Somerset throw of the dice, Leach switching to the River End.A swept single off Vaughan took Sibley to a 165-ball half-century that perfectly suited the situation. But then Foakes edged Leach to Lewis Gregory at first slip and when Sibley’s defiance ended in similar fashion in the left-armer’s next over, panic set in for the visitors.Gregory claimed a third slip catch to send back Shakib and give Vaughan his ninth wicket of the match. It became ten when Tom Curran aimed to cut the 18-year-old and got an inside edge onto his stumps.Cameron Steel fell lbw to Vaughan and Surrey were eight down with a minimum of nine overs remaining. Jordan Clark and Kemar Roach ran down the overs with an obdurate partnership before Clark was bowled by Vaughan for a 47-ball duck.Last man Dan Worrall came out to be surrounded by close fielders and lasted just two balls before Leach dismissed him leg before to spark wild celebrations among team-mates and supporters.