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Cricket Australia is creating a new role for a national pace-bowling coach to oversee the management of fast bowlers across international and domestic programmes, in a bid to prevent the spate of injuries that have been occurring and ensure a more coordinated approach to the handling of Australia’s quicks.The new role, which would be based in Brisbane, comes after a limited-overs tour of the UK where six fast bowlers were injured and six others were unavailable, although the role was devised before that tour. A debate is also raging within Australian cricket about whether the current contracting model for the best male cricketers is fit for purpose in the age of franchise cricket, with the management of fast bowlers front and centre in that discussion.Daniel Vettori is Australia’s current bowling coach travelling with the team and will continue in that position. The new job will be largely Australia-based and focussed on the management of contracted fast bowlers as well as Under-19 and Australia A quicks, although the successful candidate will tour with the men’s international side at various stages.Related

• Adam Griffith appointed CA national fast bowling coach

• Andrew McDonald handed contract extension as Australia men's head coach until 2027

• Australia Test players rested for T20Is against Pakistan with captain to be named

• Australia quicks' unbroken summer could be an 'outlier'

• Green out for the season as he takes surgery option

Vettori is highly regarded within the Australian set-up but is not working for CA around the year, as he has been allowed to take contracts as the head coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and Birmingham Pheonix in the Hundred. It has meant that the likes of Clint McKay and Rob Cassell have been seconded into the Australian team as bowling coaches on an ad-hoc basis in recent times, but the new role would create some continuity. There would also be some consistency within the Australia A coaching staff, which has cycled through a multitude of different coaches in recent years on a series-to-series basis.Australia’s fast-bowling stocks have long been one of its great strengths, but the reliance on the big three in Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in all forms and recent injuries to the next crop, as well as the stress fracture to Cameron Green, have only served to highlight the importance of managing the next generation.Green, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Riley Meredith, Spencer Johnson and Ben Dwarshuis all picked up injuries on the tour of the UK, while Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Michael Neser, Scott Boland and Will Sutherland were all unavailable as they recovered from differing ailments. Cummins also didn’t travel in order to do a block of training at home, focussing on getting his body right for the upcoming summer.While there were a variety of injuries, there have also been some common themes including side strains, and soft tissue and back stress injuries that continue to plague Australia’s fast bowlers. Green has become the fourth Australian fast bowler behind James Pattinson, Dwarshuis and Jason Behrendorff to undergo significant spine surgery to stabilise vertebrae in his back and prevent future stress fractures.Xavier Bartlett was one of the bowlers to pick up an injury on the UK tour•AFP/Getty Images

The injuries led to a situation where West Australian youngster Mahli Beardman was called up for the UK tour with just one List A game to his name, which raised some eyebrows among the state associations.There has been some friction between CA and the state associations over the management of some of Australia’s fringe fast bowlers in recent years, with the demanding international playing schedule meaning more players are required than ever before. Franchise opportunities have only added to the burden as individual players want to maximise their earnings during the winter months while the national and state teams would prefer them to manage their bodies in preparation for national and domestic duty.The new pace-bowling role has been designed to be a central point under Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald to coordinate an approach to managing Australia’s current and next generation of quicks to avoid some of the friction.One of the key job descriptions in the advertisement is “performing a lead role in the case management (including load planning and monitoring), off tour preparation and individual skill development of CA contracted pace bowlers and pace bowlers of national interest”.Spencer Johnson suffered a side strain in the Hundred and has yet to return to playing•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

This has been a crunch point in recent years. CA’s high-performance team has been able to manage its contracted fast bowlers fairly successfully, but issues have arisen when the men’s team has needed to look beyond their contracted players. CA currently has nine contracted fast bowlers among a list of 23, not including the pace-bowling allrounders Green, Aaron Hardie and Mitchell Marsh.But ahead of the UK tour, where the selectors wanted to rest Cummins entirely in order to prepare for India, and have Hazlewood and Starc play the England portion only, they needed bowlers for the six T20Is. With contracted bowlers Morris and Richardson unavailable, Johnson was selected alongside Bartlett and Ellis.But CA were unable to tailor Johnson’s preparation as an uncontracted player. He played 39 T20s and a first-class game between December and August including the BBL, Sheffield Shield, internationals, the IPL, T20 Blast, MLC and the Hundred without a break to do a pre-tour build in the same mould as Hazlewood and Starc were. He suffered a side strain in the Hundred and has yet to return to playing. There was a similar occurrence in 2023 where Johnson played the MLC, Global T20 in Canada and the Hundred before making his international debut for Australia, only to tear his hamstring on his ODI debut bowling more than four overs for the first time in five months.Under the current memorandum of understanding, CA only offers up to 24 central contracts but there is a pool of money for players to qualify for a contract upgrade if they play enough games in the 12-month financial year. There is a thought within Australian cricket that that model is outdated, and the men’s team would be better served contracting 30-plus players initially each year and carefully tailoring the 12-month playing and preparation schedules for a large group of fast bowlers in particular to avoid injuries and situations like the one the arose in the UK.

Sunderland have now submitted a bid for a proven Premier League player who is capable of scoring “worldies”, according to a new transfer update.

Le Bris outlines Sunderland's pre-season training plan

The Black Cats are getting closer to their Premier League return all the time, with Regis Le Bris working on having his squad as prepared as possible during pre-season.

Sunderland’s manager has been discussing what he wants to see from his players during their trip to Portugal, with focus on the “dynamic” within the team.

Le Bris will know that further signings are needed before the end of the summer transfer window, though, with talks reportedly underway over a move for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka, and now a fresh update has emerged.

Sunderland submit formal offer for Xhaka

According to Bild [via Sport Witness], Sunderland have now “made advances” to sign Xhaka, submitting a bid for the former Arsenal man. While the Swiss is valued at £17m, the offer in question is believed to be “less” than that, as the Black Cats look to get a cut-price deal over the line.

Meanwhile, Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has discussed the 32-year-old’s future: “Granit is a very important player for us, for the team and for the club.

“Our main interest is to keep him. Sure, there is interest in him, we need to speak to the player to know what his ambitions are. But one thing is clear: There would only be a transfer in a win-win situation.We still have a three-year contract with the player and are very happy with him.

“We have big goals for the next few years. That’s why there can only be a transfer if it’s good for all sides. We’ll have to wait and see. But our goal is for Granit to stay with us.“

Xhaka stands out as such a shrewd option for Sunderland this summer, so it is exciting to see progress being made in their pursuit of him.

The Leverkusen stalwart is now a 137-cap Switzerland international, showing how vastly experienced he is, and he has been hailed as a “lovely technician” by Joe Cole, also lauding the ex-Gunners star for his ability to score “worldies” from distance.

Better signing than Henderson: Sunderland open talks to sign £17m "monster"

Sunderland could now win a far better signing than Jordan Henderson by picking up this £17m leader.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 17, 2025

Xhaka knows the Premier League inside out, making 225 appearances in the competition during his Arsenal days, so he could be an invaluable addition to Sunderland’s midfield, combining tactical discipline with an eye for the spectacular.

Far more eyes are on Thomas Frank now that he’s accepted the Tottenham job to replace Ange Postecoglou, and he’s under more pressure than ever before to deliver results after the club’s European heroics last season.

Tottenham set to back Thomas Frank this summer

Frank’s debut campaign in the Spurs dugout will also be his first ever season managing in the Champions League, so the 51-year-old will need all the help he can get this summer from chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange.

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1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 21, 2025

Their qualification for Europe’s most elite contest next term is huge for Frank’s side when it comes to recruitment, with Tottenham set to benefit from a significant financial windfall and being a more appealing destination for the continent’s top players.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

The Lilywhites have already moved to back Frank with his first signing of the window, sealing a cut-price permanent deal for Mathys Tel to the tune of £30 million, with Japanese defensive starlet Kota Takai also joining Spurs in a £5 million deal from Kawasaki Frontale.

Levy will fork out what is a record fee for a Japanese player from the J-League, and what’s more, the 20-year-old is also expected to be a first-team player next campaign. Tottenham are hoping that Takai can follow in the footsteps of Lucas Bergvall, Pape Sarr, Archie Gray and Destiny Udogie to stake his claim among Frank’s crop of exciting young players who are vital to the senior squad.

According to recent reports, Takai could also be followed through the N17 door by ex-Tottenham defender Kyle Walker-Peters – who’s set to leave Southampton as a free agent in just five days.

The 28-year-old has enjoyed an excellent career overall since departing Spurs for St. Mary’s in 2020, making over 200 appearances for the Saints after initially joining them for just £12 million.

Tottenham think they're favourites to re-sign Kyle Walker-Peters

Frank is currently stocked with full-back options, but Tottenham’s need to fill their ‘club-trained’ Champions League quota has prompted transfer chiefs to consider re-signing the right-back on a free (Alasdair Gold).

According to an update from GiveMeSport, Fulham and Crystal Palace have reached out to his representatives as well, but despite interest from London rivals, Tottenham believe they’re in pole position to strike a deal for Walker-Peters.

Echoing other reports, GMS state that the Englishman still wants to rejoin Spurs as a free agent and make a return to his boyhood club, so this could be a very good option for the north Londoners to make up ground on their European quota.

Walker-Peters was one of the shining lights in an otherwise dismal Southampton side who dropped straight back down to the Championship, and at zero transfer cost, it’s a relatively risk-free move.

The return of David Moyes may have brought a smile back to Everton Football Club, although it’s fair to say that the shining light on Merseyside remains a certain Iliman Ndiaye, with the Senegal star enjoying a dazzling debut campaign at the club.

In a largely workman-like outfit, the 25-year-old is undoubtedly the difference maker, regularly popping up with a moment of magic – including his breathtaking brace amid an emotional Goodison Park send-off last month.

The manner in which the ex-Marseille man is able to jink his way through a sea of defenders truly is a sight to behold, with The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell rightly noting earlier in the season that he is the type of player who can “change an entire mood” at a club.

With a brighter future in store at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, the £15m signing should surely be the centre-piece of the new Moyes era. On the same note, signings of a similar ilk should surely be on the agenda this summer.

Latest on Everton's search for new signings

Change is afoot on the Blue side of Merseyside – not least with the move away from Goodison – with the end of the Premier League season sparking a mass exodus from the club, with the likes of Ashley Young, João Virginia and Abdoulaye Doucouré all set to depart upon the expiry of their contracts.

That sea of departures has also seen the likes of Jack Harrison, Jesper Lindstrom, Orel Mangala and Armando Broja return to their parent clubs amid the end of their respective loan moves, albeit with the temporary capture of Charly Alcaraz set to be made permanent for a fee of around €15m (£13m).

The deal to sign the South American starlet could be followed by another exciting capture over the coming weeks, with the Daily Mail suggesting that the Toffees have taken the first steps toward signing Manchester City’s James McAtee, having ‘made checks’ on him.

Transfer Focus

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

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As per the report, both Nottingham Forest and West Ham United are also keeping tabs on the promising Englishman, while a raft of Bundesliga sides are also interested, namely Bayer Leverkusen.

The 22-year-old – who reportedly has a £25m price tag – looks destined to depart the Etihad amid his lack of game time. Merseyside, as it has been for Ndiaye, could be the perfect home this summer.

Why Everton need to sign James McAtee

While Everton were hardly taking too much of a risk on Ndiaye, considering the forward’s reasonable £15m price tag, that deal did present something of a gamble considering his difficult stint in Marseille prior to that, in which he scored just four times in 46 games for the Ligue 1 outfit.

In truth, the Toffees were largely banking on the then-24-year-old rediscovering the form he had showcased prior to his 2023 switch, having lit up the Championship with Sheffield United, after registering 36 goals and assists in 88 games for the Blades.

Much to the delight of everyone at Goodison, those heroics have now been replicated in an Everton shirt, with Ndiaye ending 2024/25 with 11 goals in all competitions, placing him ahead of Beto in the club’s scoring charts.

That gamble has more than paid off, hence why plumping for McAtee could reap similar rewards, with the England U21 international also previously shining during his two loan spells in Sheffield.

Indeed, between 2022 and 2024, the silky playmaker registered 22 goals and assists in 75 games at Bramall Lane, with that including a return of nine goals and three assists in the Championship in 2022/23. Ndiaye, lining up in the same side, provided 14 goals and 11 assists in the league that season.

McAtee’s record – last 365 days

Stat

Record(per 90)

Ranking*

Non-penalty goals

0.78

Top 1%

Shots

3.53

Top 6%

Assists

0.00

Bottom 1%

Shot-creating actions

1.96

Bottom 1%

Pass completion

80.7%

Top 22%

Progressive passes

3.33

Bottom 40%

Progressive carries

2.55

Bottom 29%

Touches in opposition box

5.88

Top 18%

Progressive passes received

9.22

Top 28%

Tackles

1.96

Top 11%

Interceptions

0.39

Bottom 41%

Blocks

1.96

Top 1%

*vs attacking mid/wingers in Europe’s top 5 leagues

Stats via FBref

Described as “a special player” by Pep Guardiola back in Manchester, McAtee has since had to bid his time with the Citizens, albeit while still registering seven goals from only nine starts in all competitions this season.

An intricate, left-footed playmaker who can operate centrally or off the right flank, McAtee’s quality has also seen him likened to Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard in the past, with pundit Carl Asaba stating:

That likeness certainly bodes well for the impact he can make if given a consistent run of game time at Premier League level, with the Toffees hoping he can follow in Ndiaye’s footsteps by shining in the top-flight.

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Already thinking about summer targets, Crystal Palace have now reportedly set their sights on signing a young defender who’s earned comparisons with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk for his abilities in the air.

Glasner urges Crystal Palace to embrace final

Whilst transfer rumours continue to come thick and fast off the pitch, Crystal Palace and Oliver Glasner have been preparing for one of the biggest games in their history this week. Wembley and the FA Cup final awaits the Eagles, as they go in pursuit of their first-ever FA Cup victory.

In front of them stand a Manchester City side looking to restore some pride to what has been their worst campaign under Pep Guardiola. Still battling for Champions League qualification with two Premier League games to go, the Citizens find themselves in unfamiliar territory and in with every chance of falling victim to a shock upset at Wembley.

The nerves will only be natural for all involved in South London, but Glasner has urged his players to embrace the occasion, telling reporters this week: “What is clear is that we should feel no burden. Pressure comes when you are trying to avoid relegation, when you are playing for your future, the future of the football club and the club’s employees.

“But playing in a Cup Final means that you can achieve something incredible. This is what we are all playing for, this is the childhood dream! When these players were kids, I’m sure they all watched the Cup Finals and dreamed of one day being involved in one. Now, everyone has the chance to fulfil that childhood dream.”

Scouts sent: Crystal Palace racing to sign "impressive" Serie A defender

He could replace Marc Guehi…

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It is also worth noting that FA Cup final victory would also see Crystal Palace qualify for the Europa League in a moment that would have an impact both on and off the pitch.

Crystal Palace targeting De Winter

One deal that Europa League qualification would help with is for a Serie A star. According to Football Transfers, Crystal Palace are now targeting a move to sign Koni de Winter from Genoa this summer. The central defender has only been at the Italian club for a year, but they’re already hoping to make profit by selling the former Juventus man for around €30m (£25m) in the coming months.

Dubbed a “gifted footballer” by U23 scout Antonio Mango during his Juventus days, De Winter has only pushed on at Genoa to earn comparisons with Virgil van Dijk by Football Transfers.

Those comparisons are certainly understandable, too. According to data relayed by their report, De Winter is well above average when it comes to his aerial performance in the Serie A, so it’s perhaps no surprise he’s scored three times with his head in his 22 league starts this term.

It’s the type of impact in both boxes that Crystal Palace should go all out to sign this summer, as Glasner looks to reinforce his backline.

Manchester United are still alive in their quest to win silverware under Ruben Amorim this season and are now said to be leading the race to sign an imposing star who could help to rectify a problem position, per reports.

Manchester United's transfer activity hinges on Europa League outcome

Football fans around the world would’ve tuned in to witness events from Old Trafford earlier in the week, in a match between Manchester United and Lyon that will be remembered for years to come. Despite retaining a man advantage, the Red Devils inexplicably found themselves two goals down on the night before an epic comeback, courtesy of goals from Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire.

Ruben Amorim will now prepare his side to face Athletic Club over two legs alongside handling their remaining Premier League duties in a domestic campaign that is rapidly petering out.

Truthfully, there is only one competition Manchester United fans will be tuned into with keen eyes. In turn, the outcome of their Europa League endeavours will most certainly influence their summer transfer budget.

Manchester United’s potential Europa League prize money

Round of 16

£1.47 million banked

Quarter-final

£2.11 million banked

Semi-finals

£3.54 million for winning sides

Runner-up

£5.90 million available

Europa League winner

£10.95 million

Combined total based on Europa League accumulations and subsequent Champions League qualification

Manchester United could earn £85.8 million *minimum*, per The Athletic

Even then, squad planning can’t be contingent on circumstance. The Red Devils’ hierarchy are already hard at work and contact has been made over Jonathan David regarding a potential move to Old Trafford.

Financial prudency will be expected should they fail to secure a backdoor route to the Champions League. Conversely, recent developments indicate there could be a change in tact on that front.

Manchester United leading the race to sign Antoine Semenyo

According to Sky Sports, Manchester United are frontrunners to sign Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo after the Ghana international was identified by Amorim as a candidate to lead a new-look attack next campaign.

The former Sporting boss is said to be a huge admirer of the forward, who could cost £70 million to bring to Old Trafford, which could also work with a lower fee and fixed add-ons depending on negotiations.

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Intriguingly, every club in the top-six bar Arsenal have put their name in the hat for Semenyo, while Tottenham Hotspur are another interested party.

Labelled a “powerful lad” by Lewis Cook, the 25-year-old has registered ten goals and six assists in 36 appearances across all competitions for Bournemouth, excelling either through the middle or on the flank.

Rasmus Hojlund has struggled in front of goal for Manchester United, heightening their need for a striker. Similarly, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony are set for exits, paving the way for a statement move to be made for Semenyo to address a frontline that is thin on the ground.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is gearing up for another important Premier League test at home to Brentford on Wednesday, looking to extend the club’s incredible unbeaten run.

Arsenal set for Brentford after 1-1 draw at Chelsea

It’s been 17 matches since the Gunners last tasted a single defeat in all competitions, and a lot has changed since that 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.

Arne Slot’s English champions are now all but out of the title race, despite barely playing a third of 2025/2026, while Arsenal are flying high and five points clear atop the table.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Arsenal 2-0 Brighton

Burnley 0-2 Arsenal

Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal

Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham

Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

10-man Chelsea came the closest to beating Arteta’s side last weekend, taking a 1-0 lead through Trevoh Chalobah at Stamford Bridge, only for in-form makeshift number nine Mikel Merino to equalise with his 20th goal this calendar year.

Arsenal’s imperious early-season has been made all the more impressive when factoring in their extensive injury list this term.

Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard, Noni Madueke, William Saliba, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz have all been sidelined at various points, with Arteta doing very well to adjust.

In Havertz’s case, the £280,000-per-week star hasn’t played at all this season since Arsenal’s opening day win over Man United at Old Trafford.

The Germany international, after just coming back from a hamstring problem which kept him out for months at the back end of 2024/2025, sustained a knee injury against United, with Havertz hauled off after just half an hour.

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He could be a snip.

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Havertz required surgery with the former Chelsea star working hard to come back.

Reports suggest that Havertz has impressed Arsenal rehabilitation staff with his recovery, but he still hasn’t been available since August.

Mikel Arteta without Kai Havertz for 'weeks' after Arsenal injury update

The 26-year-old was, at one point, contending to be fit for Arsenal’s 4-1 triumph over Tottenham in the North London derby (Standard Sport).

Havertz was seemingly on the verge of a return to the field, but according to Arteta in his latest pre-match press conference, it will now be ‘weeks’ before the attacker makes his long-awaited return.

News of this setback for Havertz comes as a blow for Arsenal, with Arteta yet to have the desired conundrum of choosing how to fit both him and Gyokeres into his new Arsenal system on a regular basis.

Unable to display his best throughout 2025 due to consistent injury problems, Arteta will be desperate to have Havertz available once again as soon as possible.

With both Gabriel and potentially Saliba unavailable for Brentford too, summer signings Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera will likely partner one another yet again tomorrow evening.

INEOS are now reportedly prepared to spend more than £100m to sign Raphinha from Barcelona under one circumstance at Manchester United in 2026.

The Red Devils owners have not been afraid to spend big on transfer fees in the last six months, despite their cost-saving measures off the pitch. Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues to back Ruben Amorim, who has shown signs that he could yet turn things around at Old Trafford, and that could yet result in further much-needed reinforcements.

INEOS have already seen the majority of their summer signings settle into life at Old Trafford, with Bryan Mbeumo even picking up the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for October to match Amorim’s Manager of the Month achievement. The former Brentford forward scored three goals and assisted one other to earn the award.

After watching Mbeumo pick up the award and claiming the Manager of the Month prize himself, Amorim told reporters: “The credit is not mine, the credit is for my players. They did really well, and our goal is to win the next one because it means we win football matches.”

The former Sporting CP boss, more than anyone, will be well aware that there’s still a long way to go, however, and INEOS must still back the Red Devils in the transfer market.

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On that front, those at Old Trafford have already been linked with 2026 moves for the likes of Elliot Anderson and Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. Anderson would be a particularly impressive signing, given how he’s starred in a struggling Nottingham Forest side as of late, whilst Vlahovic would undoubtedly add depth to Amorim’s frontline.

Neither of those players would be as impressive as Raphinha though, who has scored twice against Man United throughout his career.

Man Utd prepared to spend over £100m on Raphinha

According to reports in Spain, INEOS are now prepared to spend €120m (£105m) to sign Raphinha if Man United qualify for the Champions League this season. Qualification for the competition would hand the Red Devils further financial freedom and the ability to attract stars such as the Barcelona winger.

The Brazilian would instantly become Man United’s record signing at £105m, finally dethroning the £89m fee that they paid to sign eventual flop Paul Pogba in 2016.

Unlike the Frenchman, Raphinha may well prove to be worth every penny after becoming one of the best wingers in the world at Barcelona and finishing fifth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Whether a club-record bid would be enough to lure Barcelona into a sale is the big question. Manager Hansi Flick should be desperate to keep hold of his winger, having told reporters last season: “He has good dynamics with the ball and he has had an extraordinary match. His offensive and defensive dynamics, and his good technique, are something special. I have never had a player like him and he helps us a lot.”

Forget Cunha & Mbeumo: "Explosive" Man Utd star is coded for the Fergie era

A Swiss journalist has delivered a brutal verdict on Leeds United star Noah Okafor, claiming that the forward is “not a team player” and that he “prioritises his own interests”.

The £3.7m-a-year man arrived at Elland Road in the summer and has since settled in well, but couldn’t avoid the criticism from media in his home country. Daniel Farke will be hoping that Okafor is able to quiet any of the noise this Sunday when Leeds square off against Nottingham Forest in a crucial relegation six-pointer.

Speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference, Farke urged his players to “enjoy this challenge” at the City Ground this weekend.

It’s the type of challenge that Leeds have already overcome more than once this season. Since returning to the Premier League, those in Yorkshire have picked up 11 points and have done enough to avoid the bottom three at this stage.

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Having been eased aside by Brighton & Hove Albion last time out, however, the pressure is likely to increase with a similar defeat against a struggling Forest side. It’s an early relegation six-pointer and another chance for Okafor to prove any doubters wrong.

Swiss journalist slams selfish Noah Okafor

After the forward was left out of the latest Switzerland squad, Swiss journalist Tobias Wedermann has claimed that Okafor is “not a team player” and “prioritises his own interests” in a shock rant.

The Leeds star has been in an ongoing dispute with Switzerland manager Murat Yakin since Euro 2024 and was once again snubbed for an international call ahead of the November break.

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Okafor hasn’t been called up since last November and recently had his say on the situation, saying: “Since then, I never spoke with the coach, not even a phone call or a message, also with the (Swiss Football Association’s) sporting director Pierluigi Tami.

“They don’t even call me or ask me. For me, it makes no sense. I can say it makes me sad because they don’t even text me or call me to see how I am. For example, when I moved to Leeds, ‘Congrats’ or something like that, because I play now in the best league in the world.”

With two goals in seven Premier League games as one of Farke’s starting attackers, Okafor’s absence for Switzerland continues to become more baffling, and he now faces the prospect of missing the World Cup.

Farke already has his answer to Gibbs-White in "underrated" Leeds star

Under-fire Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is personally very keen on signing one marquee forward amid a major setback surrounding their chase for Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.

Thomas Frank under pressure amid woeful Spurs run

Frank finds himself navigating treacherous waters at Tottenham right now, with mounting pressure threatening his managerial position following a dismal run.

The Dane has overseen just one victory from Tottenham’s last seven fixtures across all competitions, culminating in Saturday’s disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Fulham.

Spurs’ abject home form compounds their misery right now with just three wins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2025, and only bottom-side Wolves have a worse record on their own patch this season.

Premier League home form table
Team					Wins	Draws	Losses	Points	GD
16. Burnley					2	1	3	7	-1
17. Nottingham Forest					2	1	4	7	-5
18. West Ham					2	0	5	6	-9
19. Tottenham					1	2	4	5	-1
20. Wolves					0	1	5	1	10

Particularly alarming are whispers from within the Tottenham dressing room, where players have reportedly grown bewildered by Frank’s constant tactical tinkering.

Some media sources believe that strategies are frequently modified immediately before kickoff or abandoned entirely during matches, leaving squad members confused about their responsibilities (Jack Rosser).

Tottenham have also conceded eleven goals in their last three games, with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s unbelievable error gifting Harry Wilson Fulham’s winning goal last weekend.

Frank’s relationship with supporters has also reached boiling point following his criticism of fans who booed Vicario’s mistake, and carried on jeering the Italian almost every time he touched the ball afterwards.

It wasn’t really the best move by Spurs’ boss to add fuel to the fire, considering his popularity was already waning among a lot of supporters, who are also extremely keen for co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange to hire a new manager.

Tottenham could prove 'irresistible' to manager who Levy was urged to hire before Frank

He’s on the verge of leaving his current club.

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By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 2, 2025

Even more worryingly for the north Londoners, credible reports suggest that players feel a ‘growing disconnect’ with the fanbase (The Telegraph), and this quite simply must cease if Tottenham stand any chance of building upon their Europa League triumph in May.

Spurs’ lack of attacking creativity has been subject to plenty of debate too, but the Lewis family are apparently looking to back Frank in January and provide him with major forward upgrades.

It is believed that both FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, who’s been on fire for the last two seasons, and Premier League superstar Semenyo are both on Spurs’ radar heading into next month.

Frank 'intent' on signing Aghehowa as Spurs dealt Semenyo blow

The latter’s contract includes a tantalising £65 million release clause, including add-ons, which will be active in the early stages of January.

Of course, this has piqued real interest from Spurs, with the prospect of Mohammed Kudus on the right and Semenyo on the left coming as a very enticing thought.

However, as per TEAMtalk, Paratici and Lange have now been dealt a crushing blow in their pursuit of the 25-year-old.

The Lilywhites, Man City, Liverpool and Man United are all competing to sign Semenyo in January, but Pep Guardiola’s City side are now casting doubt over a potential move to N17.

This is because they are now the prime contenders with Semenyo ‘keen to engage’ in City talks, dealing Spurs a roadblock and making them outside contenders for his signature.

That being said, Frank personally remains ‘intent’ on signing Aghehowa for Spurs, and there is every reason to believe the Spaniard would be a serious improvement on their centre-forward options.

The 21-year-old has bagged 37 goals in all competitions since the start of 24/25, making him one of Europe’s most lethal strikers right now, but Tottenham will need to fork out around £70 million to make the deal happen.

This would be a club-record deal for Spurs, eclipsing the £65 million they paid for the injury-prone Dominic Solanke last year.

Solanke’s unavailability, concerns surrounding Richarlison and Mathys Tel’s rawness emphasise the need for a new number nine, especially considering Randal Kolo Muani is only at Tottenham on a straight loan.

In terms of pedigree and potential, you could hardly do better than Aghehowa, who’s already been compared to a prime Diego Costa.