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There’s no denying that West Ham United look a little light with the 2025/26 Premier League season just two weeks away, even after the defensive acquisitions of Kyle Walker-Peters and El Hadj Malick Diouf from Slavia Prague.

Mohammed Kudus has not yet been replaced after completing a controversial £55m switch to Tottenham Hotspur, and Crysencio Summerville remains injured after sustaining a hamstring injury that ruled him out for the final 18 games of the term.

However, Lucas Paqueta’s absolution from wrongdoing in a two-year-long spot-fixing case marks a galvanising lift and potentially the catalyst for change. A turning point.

However, the Irons still need more, and no mistake. Paqueta is a high-level playmaker, but he could with a foil, someone to shoulder his burden at times.

And Potter has got the perfect young star in his sights.

West Ham lining up more attacking quality

Skipper Jarrod Bowen remains West Ham’s offensive linchpin, but he needs some help in the final third after a rather uninspiring 2024/25 as a collective.

Goalscoring quality remains a pressing issue, but United averaged just 1.53 goal-creating actions per 90 last term, as per FBref, which surpassed only the three relegated sides.

As such, Potter may look to complete a move for Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, who is anticipated to leave Anfield this summer, having been limited for playing time under Arne Slot.

Football Insider report that the Hammers are ready to make their move, pushing ahead with plans to sign the £50m-rated midfielder.

Elliott, 22, has held talks with a number of suitors, and West Ham are joined by Newcastle United and Tottenham, among others, in their intrigue.

Why West Ham want Harvey Elliott

Though Elliott struggled for match action at Liverpool last season, he still managed to showcase his ability on numerous occasions, notably scoring in three successive Champions League fixtures.

A diminutive and versatile midfielder, Elliott’s technical ability on the ball serves as the staple of his skill set, with one-time Liverpool U18s head coach Neil Critchley praising his ability to create “magic” through his passing.

As per FBref, the England U21 international ranked last season among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues for goal involvements, passes attempted and progressive passes, as well as the top 15% for goal-creating actions per 90.

Thus, Elliott’s potential to become a special player for a team like West Ham is underscored, and he could even rekindle the finest form of Bowen, who still wrapped up the latest campaign with a respectable haul of 13 goals and ten assists in the Premier League.

Elliott came up trumps through the 2023/24 campaign, providing plenty of creative support as Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool struggled against a slew of unfortunate injuries.

24/25

28

5

3

23/24

53

4

14

22/23

46

5

2

21/22

11

1

0

*20/21

1

0

1

19/20

8

0

1

He has the tenacity and winning mentality, inculcated in him through his years on Merseyside, to combine with Bowen, who is a spirit-lifting star in his own right.

Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino once said that Bowen is “direct and he’s a bit like Salah” when discussing the complete forwards’ fast rise at the London Stadium, and this only strengthens the case for him being a dream partner for Elliott.

Landing Elliott would be a statement signing, all right, and perhaps what West Ham need to hit their stride and return to the forefront next season.

Potter's new Bissouma: West Ham accelerate move for "outstanding" £20m star

West Ham want to sign at least one midfielder this summer

1 ByJoe Nuttall Aug 1, 2025

Warwickshire dropped to third but scheduling issues mean they will host the semi-final against Worcestershire

ECB Reporters Network14-Aug-2024

Nottinghamshire ended their inconsistent Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign on a high with a 12-run (DLS) victory over Warwickshire at Rugby School.Warwickshire still qualify for the quarter-finals – they will face Worcestershire at Edgbaston on Friday – but need to reboot after ending the group stage with successive defeats.The home side was bowled out for 182 in 46.3 overs, only Ed Barnard reaching 30 against an impressive attack led by Robert Lord (3 for 24) and Liam Patterson-White (3 for 26).Nottinghamshire’s reply was heavily rain-affected and closed on 135 for five after 28 overs, chasing a DLS target of 173 in 38. They were in trouble at 62 for 5 but were lifted ahead of the equation by a composed unbroken stand of 73 from Jack Haynes and Tom Moores.The defeat dropped Warwickshire to third in the final Group B table but they will still host Worcestershire (who finished second in Group A) because New Road will be hosting England Lions vs Sri Lanka on Friday.Nottinghamshire chose to bowl at a home batting unit deprived of Rob Yates and Hamza Shaikh by England Lions duty. Those two were missed as no Warwickshire batter lasted 50 balls.Zen Malik, on his debut, soon edged James Hayes to wicketkeeper Moores. Barnard and Will Rhodes took the score to 45 for one before the fall of the former, lbw to a fine delivery from Lord, sent the innings into decline.Rhodes was run out by a direct hit from the boundary by Haynes. Michael Burgess pushed forward down the wrong line to Patterson-White and was bowled.Chris Benjamin and Kai Smith added 30 but both fell in Matthew Montgomery’s first over, each caught at deep mid-wicket. When Patterson-White trapped Theo Wylie lbw through an ill-judged reverse sweep, three wickets had fallen for one run in seven balls.Michael Booth edged Patterson-White to second slip as Warwickshire dipped to 141 for 8 before Jake Lintott and Tazeem Ali added 41 in 11 overs to give their side something to bowl at. Lintott hit the only six of the innings, over long on off Montgomery, before skying Lord to extra cover.Embarking on a target of 183 in 48 overs, Nottinghamshire lost early wickets in thickening drizzle. Freddie McCann chipped Barnard to mid-wicket, Ben Slater edged Booth behind and Haseeb Hameed was adjudged caught at gully off Lintott when the ball apparently bounced before being scooped up by Smith. That wicket, quickly followed by Montgomery edging Lintott behind, tilted the DLS equation Warwickshire’s way.After an hour-long rain break at 56 for 4 (12.5 overs) changed the target to 173 from 38, Lintott quickly struck again when a full-length ball trapped Sam King lbw, but Haynes and Moores batted sensibly in poor light and drizzle. Haynes reached a 64-ball half-century and nudged his side calmly into control before the rain thickened up and off came the players once and for all.

Manchester City are preparing for another tilt at the Premier League title and could now be set to fight some of Europe’s heavyweights to sign a premium talent, according to a report.

In surprise fashion, the Blues suffered an early exit from the Club World Cup after a 4-3 defeat to Al Hilal in the last 16 and all focus at the Etihad Stadium will now revolve around potential incomings and outgoings.

Addressing what squad changes could occur in the aftermath of the tournament, Daily Mail’s correspondent Jack Gaughan believes up to eight players could leave Manchester City to make way for reinforcements under Pep Guardiola.

He stated: “I think there could be as many as eight going if you include Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Kalvin Phillips.

“They’ve got to get rid of four foreign players because of the homegrown problems they’ve got in the Champions League. If they don’t, Guardiola is going to have to leave people out of the squad and he doesn’t like doing that.”

Of course, a large part of why there are plenty who are now at risk of leaving the club is due to their spate of arrivals between January and the summer, but who else could join Manchester City if all goes to plan?

Pep's fed up: Man City boss requests signing of £65m star to replace Ederson

Pep Guardiola wants to sign an “incredible” goalkeeper to replace Ederson this summer.

ByDominic Lund Jul 3, 2025

Amid doubts over Ederson’s future, Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen is wanted by Guardiola in what would be a landmark change of the guard between the sticks.

However, it appears that Manchester City aren’t just looking to strengthen for the immediate term and a young midfielder has now crept onto their radar after some impressive recent displays.

Manchester City keen to sign AZ Alkmaar star Kees Smit

According to Manchester City News, Manchester City are one of many clubs keen on AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit after his breakthrough campaign that has led to the Netherlands Under-19 international claiming the UEFA Under-19 European Championship player of the tournament.

Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United provide domestic competition for his signature, while Real Madrid, Ajax, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Marseille are keeping close tabs on the continent.

Kees Smit in the Eredivisie – 2024/25 (Fotmob)

Chances created

23

Successful dribbles

10

Touches in opposition box

40

Duels won

53

Recoveries

59

Journalist Graeme Bailey added some context to the situation, stating: “Kees Smit is a player, a real player I am being told and Manchester City know all about him. Will he leave this summer? That is the question but I think there is a real chance and City do like him – one to keep an eye on.”

Last campaign, Smit registered an impressive tally of ten goals and seven assists in 43 matches across all competitions, combining his exploits with Alkmaar’s senior side and second string.

While still in the infancy of his career, the Heiloo-born man is a talent on an upward trajectory and Manchester City will hope to convince him that the Etihad is the best place to continue his development.

Unbeaten half-century lacks support as Sunrisers fall short in 18-over chase

ECB Reporters Network15-Jun-2024

South East Stars 153 for 4 (Redmayne 38*, E Jones 36) beat Sunrisers 111 for 5 (Scrivens 62*) by 19 runs – DLSGrace Scrivens’ stylish half-century proved in vain as Sunrisers slipped to a 19-run defeat under the DLS method to finals day-bound SE Stars in a game reduced to 18 overs aside at The Oval.The England A captain in New Zealand last winter struck 62 not out off 48 balls with a six and eight fours, but with only Jo Gardner (23 from 16) offering meaningful support, the visitors were 111 for 5 and behind the clock in the chase for 154 when the rain drove the players off with 13 balls remaining. Dani Gregory took 2 for 21 while Tilly Corteen-Coleman (1 for 14) kept up her remarkable record of taking a wicket with her first ball.Earlier, Stars’ impressive score of 153 for 4 was built around Australian debutant Georgia Redmayne’s patient 38, the fireworks being provided by Emma Jones (36 from 23), Phoebe Franklin (23 from 21) and Bryony Smith (21 from 11). Mady Villiers was the pick of the Sunrisers attack with 2 for 23.Morning and afternoon rain delayed the start until 3:50pm, but Smith made up for lost time after losing the toss and being put into bat, plundering four boundaries from one Eva Gray over, the pick a back-foot drive creamed through extra-cover.Smith fell in the next over bowled by Villiers, the spinner luring her down the track to be stumped by Amara Carr, who then caught England opener Sophia Dunkley, holding onto a skied top edge.Franklin though picked up the baton, a delightful square cut and a bludgeon over the head of mid-on among her four fours. Villiers cut the innings off in its prime when Franklin hoisted one into the hands of Gray at cow corner but that was the cue for Jones to unleash her power.The all-rounder hit two mighty sixes, the first at long-on where Jo Gardner got fingertips to it but could only parry the ball over the rope. No such doubt about the second blow however which sailed five rows back into the seats at deep square.Left-hander Redmayne was content to play second fiddle in a stand of 57 and when Jones departed to a catch on the fence, the Aussie gave the stage to Alice Davidson-Richards, who smote a six and a four in reaching 16 off 6.Chasing 154 for an unlikely win, Sunrisers were soon in tatters. They lost Villiers without a run on the board, Jones in the action with a catch on the fence from the bowling of Stonehouse.Lissy Macleod then top edged one from Ryana MacDonald-Gay into the hand of keeper Redmayne and when Corteen-Coleman produced her latest party trick to trap Carr lbw for a duck the visitors were 19 for 3.Skipper Scrivens, who’d watched the carnage from the other end, responded with the first six of the reply, before being given a life by Aylish Cranstone, who spilt a regulation chance at point from the bowling of Jones. By then though Gregory had struck twice in three balls to remove Amu Surenkuma and Flo Miller.Scrivens continued to hit boldly, reaching 50 in 41 balls and Gardner too cleared the ropes but the task was just beyond them.

If there is one thing that has come to define this season for Tottenham Hotspur, it’s injuries.

It’s undeniable that Ange Postecoglou’s side have massively underperformed over the last nine months, but the number and severity of the team’s injuries cannot be ignored.

For example, Archie Gray, an 18-year-old midfielder, has made 19 appearances at centre-back, nine at right-back and five at left-back this season, as there were simply no other options at certain points.

Unfortunately, this rotten luck with injuries has struck the North Londoners once again, and they will be without Dejan Kulusevski for their game this weekend and the Europa League Final next week.

Kulusevski's injury disaster

Likely in a bid to keep him fresh and to try and help rediscover some of his incredible form from earlier this season, Postecoglou opted to start Kulusevski against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

Chalkboard

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

Unfortunately, it was a decision that quickly came back to bite him, as just 19 minutes into the game, the Swedish international hobbled off the pitch, clearly in some discomfort.

After the game, the manager told the press that it was “just a knock” and that “he should be ok,” although this has since been proven very wrong indeed.

Just yesterday evening, the club announced that the former Juventus star had “suffered an injury to his right patella” against the Eagles and has now “undergone surgery”, which will keep him out of action for the rest of the season.

With James Maddison out for the rest of the campaign as well, it wouldn’t be hyperbolic to say that Tottenham are now in an injury crisis when it comes to the number ten position.

Unfortunately, there are simply no perfect solutions at the moment, but Postecoglou could be bold and start one of his most exciting options there on the weekend, ahead of the final.

The Spurs player who should start for Kulusevski

While some fans will want Postecoglou to play the kids this weekend, it’s probably better that he plays something close to the team that’ll take on Manchester United on Wednesday, at least for the first half.

Doing this should avoid any players getting a little rusty, and it will give the manager a chance to see how Mathys Tel fares in the number ten position.

Now, before the pitchforks come out, we know this is an unorthodox suggestion, but as things stand, there aren’t many other options.

Moreover, while the young Frenchman – who could sign permanently in a £45m deal this summer – is primarily a winger and striker, he has shown himself to be quite a creative attacker, especially with Bayern Munich last season.

For example, FBref placed him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Bundesliga last year for goal-creating actions, the top 2% for goals plus assists and medium pass completion, the top 4% for long pass completion, the top 6% for carries into the penalty area, the top 9% for assists and more, all per 90.

On top of that, FBref considered Florian Wirtz to be the eighth most similar player to the Sarcells-born gem last season and Jamal Musiala to be the tenth.

So, if he’s statistically similar to two of Germany’s most technically gifted number tens, then there must be something in his game worth exploring this weekend, which, if successful, could see him start there again next week.

Moreover, if Ange plans to start Dominic Solanke up top, then the “generational talent,” as Spurs themselves described him internally, could almost act as a second striker at points, dovetailing with the Englishman and giving the Red Devils’ backline a real headache.

Ultimately, there simply isn’t an ideal solution to Spurs’ current injury crisis, but in Tel, Ange has a promising youngster who at least has the parts to his game that could see him do a job in attacking midfield.

Therefore, the Australian should start the Bayern Loanee there this weekend as a test case for the final next week.

Spurs can axe Solanke by signing £25m star who's only 4 goals behind Kane

Spurs could sign a striker who’s nearly on par with Harry Kane this season.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 12, 2025

West Ham continued their winless streak, losing 3-2 to Brighton at the Amex Stadium, making it now seven games without a victory. The Hammers, despite going 1-0 down early on, managed to claw it back, going 2-1 up in the 83rd minute, before conceding an 89th-minute equaliser and a 92nd-minute winner.

Graham Potter’s side held 47% possession in the game, creating two ‘big chances’, taking 12 shots, and generating 1.25 xG in total. Meanwhile, Brighton, having 53% possession, also managed to create two ‘big chances’, taking 16 shots and generating 1.35 xG.

Despite going without a win in the Premier League in their last seven games, West Ham are now safe due to Ipswich also losing against Newcastle, securing the Hammers’ safety. But that won’t dismiss the poor performances of certain individuals, who will likely be playing for their shirts in these final games of the season.

Jarrod Bowen's performance against Brighton

One man who didn’t disappoint with his performance was West Ham’s captain, Jarrod Bowen, who provided both assists against Brighton. The 28-year-old has made 32 appearances this campaign, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in his 2,805 minutes played.

Alongside his two assists, Bowen had two shots blocked in the game, provided four key passes from his 21 total passes attempted, created two ‘big chances’ and won two of his five ground duels, showing his effectiveness in the match despite only having 36 touches (fewer than Alphonse Areola in goal).

But despite a strong performance from Bowen, West Ham had more poor performances than good ones, with one man in particular standing out in this game after losing 100% of his duels.

The West Ham flop who lost 100% of their duels

Jean-Claire Todibo has struggled in his first season in England, losing his place in the side under previous manager, Julen Lopetegui, but earning a spot under Potter, starting eight of their last nine Premier League games and contributing to two clean sheets.

Minutes

90

Touches

60

Accurate Passes

46/50

Clearances

4

Blocked Shots

1

Dribbled Past

1

Ground Duels Won

0/3

Possession Lost

6

Successful Dribble Attempts

0/1

Alongside losing all three of his ground duels, Todibo also didn’t contest a single aerial duel in the match, lost possession six times, failed his only dribble attempt in the game, and was dribbled past once. He did manage to make four clearances and complete 46/50 passes, but the overall performance was not up to standard.

Todibo was awarded a 5/10 match rating by West Ham Zone, making him the joint-second lowest rated. West Ham have struggled defensively this campaign, conceding 58 goals in 34 games, so next season it will likely be a position they look to upgrade on for Potter’s squad.

The French defender is only currently on loan, but these last four games of the season could be key as the Hammers will then decide whether they want to keep hold of Todibo by activating his buy option and keeping him at the club next season.

For now, though, Potter must drop the flop from the starting line-up after his disappointing display, which even Bowen could not save with his two assists.

West Ham are ready to unleash an "explosive" 19-year-old if Kudus leaves

West Ham could effortlessly replace Kudus with someone already at the club.

1 ByConnor Holden Apr 25, 2025

On day two, just as on day one, Australia bossed the twilight zone in Adelaide

Alagappan Muthu07-Dec-2024Rohit Sharma looked like the most lonesome person in the world as he trekked back to the dressing room. It’s a good thing they’re square of the wicket in Adelaide. Shorter walk.Australia picked up five wickets in the night session. Were it not for Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland overstepping, they could have got them earlier and built on them further. Sometime in the lead-up to Travis Head’s century, it felt like they might be trying something like this. Bowling with the new pink ball in twilight. It’s almost the be-all-end-all of this format.Related

• Australia scorch India after Head ton and Boland-Cummins spells

• Stats – Head's pink-ball delight and Rohit's 2024 misery

• Siraj vs Head: The send-off that turned Adelaide Oval into the Colosseum

• Travis Head and India's bowlers – the one-sided love story continues

India found themselves in a similar situation on day one when they found themselves with a seven-over-old pink ball at sunset. They were able to take only one wicket.”Yeah, I think for me if I can just rewind the clock to the first Test match, I thought our lines and lengths were exceptional and I think that was sort of the blueprint for us going into this series,” bowling coach Morne Morkel said, “We wanted to bring the stumps into play as much as possible and I felt last night with the ball moving around a little bit we missed that.”In their day-night practice match in Canberra, India discovered that the pink ball responded more when you hit the pitch on a good length. So that’s what they did when they got the new ball under lights last night. According to ESPNcricinfo ball-by-ball data, 104 of their first 198 deliveries landed exactly where they wanted it to. But only around 15% of those good-length balls ended up in line with the stumps. Many of the rest behaved a little more erratically than they were prepared for, and by the time they could recalibrate, Australia had seen off the toughest of the conditions to bat in.”Thirty overs seems to be about the mark at Adelaide Oval that for my whole career, that’s the sort of, red ball, pink ball, that’s the time where you sort of have to put in and invest and then it feels like the wicket gets slightly easier to bat on.” Travis Head, an Adelaide native, said.1:07

Where did India’s bowlers go wrong in Adelaide?

India’s second innings began with them 157 runs behind. They were under siege by an amped-up crowd and in the crosshairs of a revved-up bowling unit. Pat Cummins picked up the first wicket and the team-mates he didn’t high-five were probably the luckiest people on earth. Those he did might be sneaking ice-packs into their hotel rooms.Australia also targeted the good-length area. It accounted for 78 of 144 deliveries, and 24% of them posed a threat to the stumps because, ironically enough, in their hands the ball wasn’t moving as much. In their hands, it did just enough to beat the middle of the bat, leaving both edges and the stumps in play.One of them was the ball that had Rohit’s name on it, leaving him with two single-digit scores in his first outing after leading India to a 3-0 defeat at home. He moved down to No. 6 so as not to disrupt the opening combination that had won them the first Test. It also offered him a chance – if everything went well – to come in against the old ball, which sounds like the kind of leg up a batter who hasn’t had as much time to acclimatise to the conditions might find useful. It could be argued that Rohit dropping down the order was as much a concession as it was strategic. And it still didn’t work. He was adjudged lbw off what turned out to be a no-ball on 0, though there was a suggestion of an inside edge and an immediate gesture to review, and bowled neck and crop on 6.A few days ago Mohammed Siraj spoke about how the pink ball, when it was pitched up, didn’t really do a lot. Australia saw virtue in that. They ran the risk of being driven and flicked for four, which Shubman Gill did quite well, but given the vagaries of the pink ball, the magic of the night session and a first-innings lead, they could afford to take those hits. They could gamble in search of what happened in the 18th over when Gill was clean bowled. Starc got that ball to swing in late, seam in further, and beat the closed face of the bat to crash into the stumps.India had to spend a lot of time to home in on the line and length that accounted for the seam and swing. Eighty of their first 198 deliveries were left alone. Australia could settle in a lot quicker. They only allowed India to leave the pink ball 29 times in the window when it tends to do the most damage. This, as much as anything else, has led to the game being where it is. The night session of a day-night Test, it’s influence is irresistible.

Hosts make up for failings against Sri Lanka to give home support a night to remember

Firdose Moonda13-Feb-2023South Africa knew South Africans deserved better than the performance they put on in the World Cup opener at Newlands.They said so privately, at a team meeting they held immediately after their three-run loss when they discussed “everything and decided we’ll leave it there,” as Chloe Tryon revealed and they said it publicly, with an emotionally-charged tweet from Marizanne Kapp that read almost like an apology.”We spoke about it just after the game. We sat up in the changing-room and we spoke about everything and we said we’ll leave it here,” Tryon added. “We have a quick turnaround and we know we’ve got to go and make sure that we’re doing the right things. Everyone came with the mindset that today we’re just working really hard.”Everyone including the Paarl faithful. Even though they numbered little more than half the 8,000-plus that turned up in Cape Town for the first match, they made more of an impression with a passionate display of patriotism that started on the grass banks and ended in the president suite with a group of women singing a victory cry to the tune of Bonnie Tyler’s “It’s a heartache”. That may sound confusing, but you need to hear the lyrics. So hum the tune in your head and sing (with translation):They could belt that out at the end, but for large parts of the match, South Africans were fairly worried.Their top four continue to struggle, both with the fluency of their run-scoring and their ability to form partnerships. Captain Suné Luus is the only one to have passed 20 – and she’s done so in both matches – and they appear to be over-reliant on a middle-order that may still come to regret not having Dané van Niekerk or Mignon du Preez in it.

South Africa, you deserved better! #t20worldcup pic.twitter.com/FDgAePpE9E

— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777) February 11, 2023