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رد جونزالو راموس مهاجم باريس سان جيرمان على أحد لاعبي برشلونة بعد نهاية مباراة الفريقين على ملعب مونتجويك في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وكان باريس سان جيرمان قد نجح في قلب تأخره لفوز ضد برشلونة بهدفين لهدف واحد، بعد أن كان البارسا قد افتتح التسجيل عن طريق فيران توريس.

وعاد الفريق الفرنسي خارج ملعبه للهيمنة على المباراة، وتسجيل هدف التعادل عن طريق الشاب مايولو في الشوط الأول، وخطف هدف الفوز من صناعة أشرف حكيمي الظهير الطائر المغربي للبرتغالي جونزالو راموس.

أقرأ أيضاً.. نونو مينديز بعد الريمونتادا أمام برشلونة: الجميع يريد الفوز على باريس سان جيرمان

وكان بيدري لاعب خط وسط برشلونة قد تحدث قبل اللقاء في مؤتمر صحفي وقال عن باريس: “أعتبر باريس أحد أفضل أندية العالم وأعتبر أنفسنا الأفضل”.

ولم يمر هذا التصريح مرور الكرام على مهاجم باريس سان جيرمان جونزالو راموس صاحب ال24 عاماً والذي شارك في مباراتين وسجل هدفين في دوري أبطال أوروبا هذا الموسم.

وقال راموس في تصريحات نشرتها “ماكسي فوت” الفرنسية :”نحن أبطال أوروبا، هذا كل ما لدي لأقوله، عليك إظهار في الملعب إذا كنت الأفضل وليس بالكلام”.

One cannot often learn much from pre-season results, but Everton’s need for reinforcements has certainly been crystallised.

On Saturday, the Toffees were demolished 3-0 by Bournemouth at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, outplayed and outclassed throughout.

Before travelling to the US, the Blues had also lost 1-0 to Blackburn Rovers and been held to a 1-1 draw by Accrington Stanley, which isn’t really generating excitement ahead of the grand opening of their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

Speaking to the Men in Blazers Podcast, manager David Moyes asserted that he needs “nine or ten” new players before the season begins, so are Everton about to secure the signature of a “magnificent prospect”?

Everton's search for attacking quality

So far this summer, there’s been a bit of a clear-out at Everton.

Goodison stalwarts Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucouré are the most high-profile players to have departed, but Ashley Young, Mason Holgate, Asmir Begović, and João Virgínia have all also been released.

In their place, Mark Travers will be the new back-up goalkeeper, while centre-forward Thierno Barry has arrived from Villarreal for £27m, and is the service the 6 foot 5 in (196cm) striker will receive about to exponentially increase in quality?

Well, according to a report by Patrick Boyland and Matt Woosnam of the Athletic, Everton are “in talks” with Lyon as they seek to sign winger Malick Fofana.

Despite having been spared relegation to Ligue 2 following an appeal, Olympique Lyonnais are still in a huge amount of debt, so are currently in the midst of a fire sale; Rayan Cherki, Lucas Perri, Alexandre Lacazette and Thiago Almada are amongst those who’ve departed already.

With that in mind, Alan Myers claims that les Gones value Fofana, who has three years remaining on his contract, at around £43m including add-ons, amid talk that there is “strong interest” from the Toffees in the player.

So, could the 20-year-old soon swap Décines-Charpieu for Merseyside?

How Malick Fofana will improve Everton

Fofana began his career at Gent, scoring just five goals in 64 senior appearances for the Buffalos, but doing enough to capture the attention of Lyon, who signed him for around £15m as recently as January 2024.

Since making the move to France, his career has really taken off, bagging 15 goals and seven assists for les Gones, earning widespread praise.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him a “magnificent winger prospect”, while Astorre S. Cerebróne of Breaking the Lines believes he has ‘huge potential’, impressed by his ‘technical qualities’ and ‘directness’.

Elsewhere, Fintan O’Reilly of Total Football Analysis agrees, highlighting his ‘strong attacking contributions’, concluding that, given Lyon’s financial turmoil, he would represent a massive bargain in the transfer market.

In terms of Everton, Iliman Ndiaye was their top-scorer last season with nine goals, while Beto was the only other player to bag more than four.

Like Fofana, the Senegalese international arrived from Ligue 1 just 12 months ago, joining from Olympique de Marseille for a reported fee of £16.9m.

If Fofana is equally as productive and impactful as Ndiaye, Evertonians would almost certainly be satisfied, so let’s assess how the two wide players compare to one another.

Appearances

41

46

Minutes

2,280

2,476

Goals

11

4

Assists

6

5

All statistics below are on a per-90 basis:

Shots

1.5

1.6

Shots on target

1.3

0.6

Shots on target %

84.09%

37.98%

Chances created

1.5

0.8

Take-on success %

42.28%

57.94%

% of touches in the box

14%

10%

Average Sofascore rating

7.24

6.82

As the table outlines, in Ligue 1 and the Europa League, Fofana comes out on top for pretty much every metric included; Ndiaye boasted better figures in terms of shots per 90 as well as successful take-ons.

Nevertheless, Fofana’s numbers in terms of shots on target ratio, chances created and pure goals and assists are very eye-catching, underlining that his signing would represent a massive coup for Everton, one that they badly need with the start of the season fast approaching.

Better signing than McGinn: Everton hold advantage in race for £34m “engine”

Everton targeting a former Premier League star in statement of intent

1 ByWill Miller Jul 25, 2025

Return to scene of famous win in 2022 will encourage visitors to stick to aggressive template

Andrew Miller23-Oct-2024Big picture: Rawalpindi? Rawalspindi…Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.Has a team ever taken Mike Tyson’s famous aphorism more literally than Ben Stokes’ England? Their jutted-jaw attitude to risk and reward has served up a glut of remarkable Test matches in recent years, but in Multan last week, their fifth defeat out of seven in the subcontinent was a stone-cold knock-out.At 73 for 0 and 211 for 2 in the first innings, England’s fists were whirling – most particularly those of Ben Duckett, whose fourth Test century featured another preposterous array of sweeps. Thereafter, however, England mustered 224 for 18 wickets in the remainder of the match, as they ran smack into a pinpoint one-two combo from Pakistan’s spinners, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali. Ordinarily, forewarned would be forearmed for the rematch, especially with the series now very much on the line. But that’s not how this England team roll. They see a clear logic in taking the aggressive approach in bowler-friendly conditions, to get their runs on the board before that ball with their name on it arrives. For, as England showed in going into their shell at the back end of their India tour earlier this year, dying in a hole isn’t really a better option either.And, as England famously showed at this very venue two years ago, they don’t hang around if the going is good either. Pakistan’s dead-deck policy was in full force back in 2022, when the visitors surged onto the offensive on an extraordinary opening day, racking up 506 for 4 in 75 overs, with centuries for Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook, all four of whom will be back for a second helping in the coming days.And that’s the sort of punch in the mouth that Pakistan themselves will be hoping to avoid, as they carry their own cunning plan forward from Multan.There could yet be a significant difference between last week’s reused surface, one that had already seen five days of hard-fought Test action in England’s extraordinary victory in the series opener, and this one, which has undergone an emergency de-laying in the four days between matches.For all the work that the groundstaff have put in, with industrial fans and commercial heaters at either end creating a wind-tunnel of deconstruction, they may still struggle to open up any cracks in the surface if there were none there in the first place. England certainly aren’t preparing as if it’s going to a first-day minefield. Instead, they lined up before practice for a six-hitting competition, with Rehan Ahmed beating Brook in the final, and Brendon McCullum pipping Stokes for the day’s longest hit.They are, however, planning for a lack of reverse-swing on a relatively lush outfield, and have mitigated their omission of a second frontline seamer with the inclusion of Rehan – whose legspin is as likely to conjure a wicket from nowhere when the going gets tough, as was the case with the long-hop to Babar Azam that ignited his debut five-for, as run through a line-up when the going is in his favour.Back comes Gus Atkinson too, a very handy man to be able to bring off the bench, although the absence of Brydon Carse will be a tough gap to fill. He claimed nine wickets at 24.33 in his first two Tests, which is an admirable return by the standards of any debutant. To achieve such figures in the heat and dust of Multan, however – and in the shadow of England’s epochal 823 for 7 declared – was truly exceptional.Either way, we’re braced for the sort of grandstand finish that hadn’t looked remotely on the cards after England had flexed their muscles in their first-Test innings win. Pakistan haven’t won a series on home soil since February 2021, but there’s a confidence back in their cricket now. That is best epitomised by the complementary but contrasting spinning styles of Noman and Sajid, but it’s visible too in Kamran Ghulam’s composed arrival in the side, and the doughty lower-order resistance that Salman Agha oversaw in their pivotal second innings in Multan. For all the flaws that remain in their set-up, they’ve got a puncher’s chance now.Rehan Ahmed beat Harry Brook in a pre-match six-hitting competition•Getty Images

Form guidePakistan WLLLL
England LWLWWIn the spotlight – Kamran Ghulam and Rehan AhmedIt was one of the great debuts in Multan, as Kamran Ghulam came in from the cold, after a decade of service on Pakistan’s domestic circuit, and in place of one of their modern greats in Babar Azam. His resolute and measured century proved to be ideally paced for the conditions, as he absorbed the pressure from England’s attack, hit back when the opportunity arose, and drove his side towards a first-innings total of 366 that proved decisive as the pitch began to heat up over the final three days of the match. The challenge, of course, is to back that effort up, especially if Pakistan lose the toss this time around and find themselves chasing the game on a wearing surface. But one advantage of his years in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy is that he’s seen all these surfaces before, and as that debut showed, he’s unfazed by the step up to Test level.Second-season syndrome is a familiar challenge for many young cricketers, but young England spinners have it tougher than most. Rehan Ahmed was the toast of England cricket after his fairytale debut in Karachi two years ago, but he has since had to wait eight months between international opportunities, having made an underwhelming impression on the tour of India in February, with 11 wickets at 44.00 in three losing appearances. He’s been mothballed by the white-ball set-up too, with Adil Rashid showing no sign of relinquishing his crown, and at the age of 20, Rehan has also had to contend with the sense that he’s no longer the most acclaimed cricketer in his family, with his offspinning younger brother Farhan, 16, making a splash in the County Championship for Nottinghamshire after his impressive displays for England Under-19s. But if Rehan’s Pakistan counterpart Zahid Mahmood felt like a spare part during the second Test in Multan, there’s little danger that England’s captain Stokes will be as unaccommodating in his captaincy. Expect him to be trusted for key breakthroughs with attacking fields, and he’ll be itching to repay the faith.Sajid Khan in the nets ahead of the third Test•Associated Press

Team news: Rehan returns, Pakistan unchangedWhy change a winning formula? Pakistan didn’t look perfectly balanced in the second Test, with Sajid and Noman bowling more than 87% of their overs across two innings, but it worked a treat, and if the Pindi pitch behaves as intended, a repeat performance will more than suffice. Aamer Jamal’s batting provided important balance in the lower-middle order, even if his six overs of seam were an afterthought, while Zahid the legspinner is returning to the scene of his debut in 2022, where he claimed the eyewatering figures of 4 for 235 in 33 overs.Pakistan: 1 Saim Ayub, 2 Abdullah Shafique, 3 Shan Masood (capt), 4 Kamran Ghulam, 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Agha, 8 Aamer Jamal, 9 Sajid Khan, 10 Noman Ali, 11 Zahid MehmoodEngland have rolled the dice on a surface that has clearly been tailored towards spin, and recalled Rehan as part of a three-spin attack. It’s an echo of their approach in the third Test of their last tour of Pakistan, when he was again called up for the series finale and stole the show with a second-innings five-for. On the seam-bowling front, Atkinson returns after sitting out the second Test, in place of both Carse – the outstanding quick on either side in this series – and Matthew Potts, and ahead of Olly Stone, back in the country after his wedding and maybe wishing he’d gone on honeymoon after all. Stokes, who bowled just five overs after returning to the team last week following a hamstring tear, may need to up his workloads if there’s any assistance off the pitch or, more likely, through the air.England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ben Stokes (capt), 7 Jamie Smith (wk), 8 Gus Atkinson, 9 Rehan Ahmed, 10 Jack Leach, 11 Shoaib Bashir.Pitch and conditions: Rake and ruin?Pakistan’s cunning plan worked a treat in Multan, so out come the industrial fans once more, in another bold gambit to inject life into one of the flattest, most run-laden surfaces in existence. Brook was talking about the pitch having been “raked” as well, as the groundstaff attempt to exacerbate whatever rough may exist on a pitch that clearly suited England’s Bazballers just fine on their last visit two years ago. The relatively lush outfield may not aid reverse-swing to the same degree as was evident in last week’s second Multan Test. The more northerly venue, allied to the onset of winter, means that a few early finishes for bad light may be in prospect.Stats and trivia Pakistan have won five of their previous 15 Tests in Rawalpindi, though none since 2021, when they beat South Africa by 95 runs. Since then, they’ve lost three out of four – including a draw against Australia – with England’s win in 2022 being followed by Bangladesh’s two in two for a historic series win. Despite twin scores of 9 and 16 in the second Test, Harry Brook still averages 101.25 in five Tests in Pakistan. If he makes another 100 runs in the third Test, in fewer than 146 balls, he’ll break Ben Duckett’s new record for the fastest batter to 2000 Test runs (2293 balls). Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub achieved their first double-figure opening partnership of 15 in the second Test at Multan, but their average of 4.70 after ten innings remains by a distance the lowest for any regular partnership in that role. Mohammed Rizwan needs 16 more runs to reach 2000 in Tests. Zak Crawley will be playing his 50th Test for England. His average of 32.36 isn’t much to write home about, but his penchant for going big when set certainly is. He made a century on his last appearance in Rawalpindi, and needs 184 to reach 3000 in Tests. England have lost seven tosses in a row, dating back to the second Test against West Indies in July.Quotes”Adding Rehan’s free spirit and desperation to change the game every time he’s got the ball in his hand is a massive bonus for us this week. Legspinners have an amazing ability to break a game open… You’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.”

As exit rumours continue to surround Emiliano Martinez, Aston Villa have reportedly opened talks to sign one of Monchi’s top targets who could be an instant upgrade on the Argentine shot-stopper.

Atletico Madrid & Man Utd targeting Martinez

Aston Villa have been stuck between a rock and a hard place this summer with that rock being PSR rules. Whilst in an ideal world they keep hold of Martinez this summer and continue to enjoy the World Cup winner’s talents, his sale would go a long way towards easing their PSR concerns.

The goalkeeper isn’t exactly short on interest, either. Manchester United and Atletico Madrid are both reportedly chasing Martinez’s signature this summer as Aston Villa continue to deliberate over a potential sale.

Of course, the worst-case scenario for Villa this summer would be Martinez joining a direct rival in Manchester United, but they may have little choice in the matter amid reports that he would now prefer a switch to Old Trafford if he is to depart.

It creates a tough choice for Villa once again. Either sell a 32-year-old player who has become a leader under Unai Emery or cash in for the sake of their off-pitch troubles and welcome a fresh option. Aston Villa must pick their poison this summer and hope that the remedy is an unexpected upgrade between the sticks.

Aston Villa in talks to sign "incredible" ex-Championship star in £17m deal

He could finally get his Premier League chance.

1

By
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To that end, it seems as though those in the Midlands are at least preparing for the worst case and have reportedly opened talks to sign what would be an excellent replacement for Martinez.

Aston Villa open talks to sign Chevalier

As reported by TeamTalk, Aston Villa have now opened talks to sign Lucas Chevalier from LOSC Lille this summer and are converging on a deal for the Frenchman’s signature. With a formal offer now the next step in any negotiation too, Monchi has reportedly already mooted a £40m bid to the Ligue 1 club in pursuit of their goalkeeper.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)	Lucas Chevalier	Emiliano Martinez
Starts	34	37
Clean Sheets	11	8
Saves per 90	2.68	2.70
Save Percentage	74.4%	69%

At 23 years old, Chevalier enjoyed an impressive campaign as part of a Lille side that defeated Real Madrid in the Champions League table phase and reached the last 16 of Europe’s elite competition.

If the Villans have the option to solve their PSR problems by selling Martinez and signing Chevalier to replace him then it is a move they should prioritise this summer. The Lille star is too good to miss out on if they’re on the hunt for a new No.1.

Described as “excellent” by scout Jacek Kulig, Villa would be signing one of the best young goalkeepers around if they managed to lure Chevalier to the Midlands this summer.

Tottenham are preparing for a crucial first campaign under new manager Thomas Frank, but that doesn’t mean everyone will be along for the ride.

Related Player expected to join Tottenham "as soon as next week", medical scheduled

Spurs are closing in on a summer signing.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Jul 4, 2025

The Spurs squad responsible for clinching the club’s first major trophy in nearly two decades will go down in Lilywhites folklore, though reports suggest that a few members of that side could be facing their final few weeks at the club.

Chief among them is star defender Cristian Romero, who could be at the centre of a tug-of-war between Real and Atlético Madrid this summer as both Spanish capital sides eye an audacious move for the Argentina international.

Tottenham’s best-performing regulars in the Premier League – 2024/2025

Average match rating

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Real are expected to make an approach for Romero, according to some media sources, while others claim that Atletico have already offered Spurs around £56 million for his signature.

There is also a belief that Romero is keen on a move to Atlético in particular and will soon discuss his future with chairman Daniel Levy, so the saga surrounding his potential exit is unlikely to go away any time soon.

Meanwhile, Spurs legend Son Heung-min may also be sold before deadline day (The Telegraph), having entered the final 12 months of his contract.

The Saudi Pro League is targeting Son to join their division’s host of illustrious stars, and Levy could use this as an opportunity to raise some revenue off a player who’s arguably been on the decline this past year.

“Son would be a very valuable asset for Saudi Arabia,” said former Everton CEO, Keith Wyness, to Football Insider last month.

“At 32, it’s probably the right time for him to go if Spurs are going to maximise his value. I think Tottenham won’t find a better deal if they leave it later than right now. I believe they could even get something like £40-50million for him.

“That would be incredible, and I suggest that deal could be done. It might be in everyone’s interest to get him down to Saudi Arabia this summer.”

According to journalist Jorge Nicola this week, Saudi are actually targeting another Spurs forward with Son as well.

Tottenham put Richarlison up for sale amid Galatasaray and Saudi interest

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Nicolas reports that the man in question is striker Richarlison.

The Brazil international, who cost £60 million to sign from Everton three years ago, has been called an “underrated” member of the squad during his time in London (Micah Richards), and enjoyed a real purple patch of form under Ange Postecoglou midway through the 2023/2024 season.

However, barring that flash in the pan, Richarlison has largely failed to justify his mammoth price tag, partly due to injuries.

Nicola states that Tottenham are actively looking to sell Richarlison, and have held recent exit discussions amid serious interest from Saudi, who’ve been in contact for the last month.

As well as this, Turkish Süper Lig champions Galatasaray are expected to make an offer for the 28-year-old in the next few days, so Richarlison isn’t exactly short of suitors.

With a place in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad potentially at the forefront of his mind, Richarlison’s next move will be absolutely crucial.

Celtic are chipping away in their mission to land new signings and could turn their attention to the Premier League in their bid to strengthen the ranks.

Celtic close in on several summer deals

Kieran Tierney has already returned to Parkhead after leaving Arsenal on a free transfer, signalling the first domino of Celtic’s window falling ahead of what is expected to be a busy period for Brendan Rodgers.

Swiftly moving on to new targets, the Bhoys are working on a deal to sign Albirex Niigita defender Hayato Inamura in what would be a return to the Asian market after success stories such as Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, and Kyogo Furuhashi.

Nordsjaelland winger Benjamin Nygren is expected to sign for Celtic as the club close in on a £2 million capture for the Swedish international, albeit he isn’t expected to be the sole answer in the forward areas.

Despite rumours linking Daizen Maeda with a move away from Glasgow’s east end, the Japan international appears to have put any notion of an exit to bed after his exceptional 33-goal campaign last term.

He stated: “I really enjoyed playing in the Champions League this season because there were so many games and it gave us a lot of different challenges.

Bigger talent than Tierney: Celtic eyeing move for "world-class" Hoops fan

Having already secured the services of Kieran Tierney, could Celtic snap-up another boyhood Celts fan, who is a “world class” Premier League star?

1 ByBen Gray Jun 18, 2025

“I think the new format has been great and I am excited to try it again this upcoming season. It helped me improve.”

Looking to build on another excellent campaign, Rodgers could now move to strengthen his midfield with a familiar face who shot to prominence in the Premier League last season, per recent developments.

Celtic set to step up move for Andy Irving

According to Football Insider, Celtic are set to step up their efforts to land West Ham United midfielder Andy Irving following his maiden cap for Scotland against Liechtenstein.

After keeping tabs on his situation, the former Hearts man is said to be open to a move to Glasgow and will be allowed to leave the London Stadium amid his bit-part role under Graham Potter.

Andy Irving’s Premier League statistics in 2024/25 (Fotmob)

Pass accuracy

90%

Long ball accuracy

87.5%

Duels won

10

Recoveries

10

Cross accuracy

50%

Labelled someone with “great passing ability” by Robbie Neilson, Irving made 11 appearances across all competitions for the Hammers last season, though could now be on the move despite his capacity to operate in a deeper-lying role or as a number eight.

Celtic have long been on the lookout for a competitor for Callum McGregor, and the West Ham man could also help to satisfy homegrown quota legislation if they end up in the Champions League or Europa League league phase.

While it remains to be seen how much he would cost, landing a Scotland international on a relatively cheap deal would be smart business as the Bhoys look to continue their domestic dominance.

A Spanish newspaper has shared the truth behind rumours of a Leeds United contract offer to defender Junior Firpo, having spoken directly to the player’s entourage.

Leeds plan busy summer as multiple approaches made

The Whites don’t have to worry about the Championship play-offs this time around; they can sit back and enjoy what unfolds this weekend, knowing they are back in the Premier League. And given Leeds finished their season a couple of weeks ago, the club have already been putting plans in place for where they want to strengthen their side.

Farke's next Tanaka: Leeds lining up move for "unbelievable" £10m star

Leeds United may be about to sign a star who could follow in Ao Tanaka’s footsteps at Elland Road.

1 ByEthan Lamb May 21, 2025

It’s been reported that Leeds are plotting a double transfer swoop on Newcastle United duo Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff. Wilson’s contract at St James’ Park is set to expire at the end of the campaign, and Longstaff is said to be available for around £12 million, meaning both deals are doable for a team coming up from the second tier.

Meanwhile, BBC and Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards believes James McAtee would be a fantastic signing for the Whites, having been linked in the last few weeks.

But strengthening their defence may be seen as more of a priority, as West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal has emerged as a potential target, with the 49ers making an approach to West Ham already.

Spanish newspaper makes Firpo contract claim

Signing new full backs may be a top priority given the circumstances surrounding Firpo, whose contract expires at the end of June. His future remains a hot topic of conversation, and according to Spanish newspaper Estadio Deportivo, Leeds have made a ‘juicy’ contract offer to keep Firpo at the club.

The newspaper references rumours of an agreement on a four-year deal worth £155,000-a-week – a total cost of over £32m.

The Spanish outlet claim they have spoken directly to Firpo’s camp, and while there is an offer on the table, nothing has been agreed yet.

That is because Firpo has received offers from other clubs, with Serie A side Lazio in the mix. It also goes on to add that Real Betis, who have been linked with a move for Firpo for a while now, must accelerate their plans if they want him to return to Spain.

As well as Lazio and Real Betis being interested in signing Firpo, it was also claimed earlier this month that Barcelona are plotting a move, as his agents may have already spoken to the La Liga winners.

Apps

119

Goals

6

Assists

22

The 28-year-old has been at Elland Road since 2021, but in his four seasons at Leeds, it could be argued that the 2024/25 campaign was his best one yet. The left-back scored four goals and registered an impressive 10 assists in 32 Championship games, making him one of the most attacking defenders in the division. Therefore, it is no surprise that Leeds are trying their best to keep hold of a player who could help them a lot in the Premier League.

Leeds United supporters are arguably blessed at this moment in time as the West Yorkshire giants regularly flirt with promotion up to the Premier League.

Not too long ago, the Whites were seen as mid-table fodder in the Championship, with a number of poor finishes in the competitive division regularly dampening the mood at Elland Road before Marcelo Bielsa graced the famed dugout.

Daniel Farke will hope he can follow in Bielsa’s footsteps by guiding his side to a triumphant title success in the second tier, with the German already having to make some cutthroat calls to try and steer his team to said glory by ditching Illan Meslier.

What the future holds for Illan Meslier at Elland Road

It’s fair to say Meslier finds himself on extremely thin ice at Leeds at this moment in time, with stand-in goalkeeper Karl Darlow the chosen man now in between the sticks away from the wobbly Frenchman.

Before that, Meslier had started every Championship game available to him this season, but errors seeping into his game at an alarming rate means the former Newcastle United ‘keeper is now Farke’s surprise number one.

Coincidentally, the aforementioned Bielsa was the first boss at the Elland Road helm to hand Meslier senior chances, with the ex-Lorient shot-stopper up to 214 appearances and 72 clean sheets for the promotion chasers before falling out of favour.

Now, it seems Meslier will be heading for the exit door, with rampant reports suggesting that Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is on the summer shopping list.

Frustratingly, if Leeds could reverse time, they’d potentially opt to have a different stopper back over splashing excessive wads of cash on new personnel.

Former Leeds goalkeeper is now better than Meslier

Of course, if Darlow continues to perform competently, he too will be in the running to be Leeds’ first-choice ‘keeper for the foreseeable.

Yet, if Farke had a figure like Kasper Schmeichel at his disposal right now, it would be a no-brainer as to who would pull on the Whites’ number one jersey, with the Danish veteran going on to have a distinguished career after leaving Leeds behind all the way back in 2011.

Simon Grayson was the boss in the Whites hot-seat when a far younger and rawer Schmeichel departed the building, with the Scandinavian stopper only going on to make 40 appearances for his ex-employers all across the 2010/11 campaign.

He wasn’t helped by the poor environment he found himself in, considering the West Yorkshire titans finished outside the playoff spots in seventh during his one and only full season, with Schmeichel only able to collect a low ten clean sheets along the way.

Games played

603

Clubs played for

4

Goals conceded

710

Clean sheets

192

Premier League title wins

1

Looking at the table above, however, the Copenhagen-born ‘keeper has never let this swift exit from Elland Road impact him, with Schmeichel going on to assert himself as a Premier League regular at Leicester City where he even lifted a dramatic top-flight title.

Picking up a bumper 192 clean sheets since walking out of the Whites too, the “outstanding” 38-year-old – as he was once lauded by his ex-Foxes boss in Brendan Rodgers – is continuing to age like a fine wine with current side Celtic, who are funnily enough managed by the aforementioned Rodgers.

A regular in the Champions League this season, if his wealth of experience wasn’t enough to prove his credentials above Meslier, the Bhoys’ number one also has a gleaming record of 22 clean sheets this campaign from 40 appearances.

Of course, playing for Leeds in the Championship is a far trickier situation than playing your part in Celtic’s dominance over Scotland, but the Whites must still rue letting Schmeichel leave so prematurely, especially with their recent ‘keeper woes.

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It was a typical Bruno Fernandes display on Sunday afternoon, with the Manchester United skipper shaking off a stodgy first-half display to ultimately prove the difference-maker yet again for Ruben Amorim’s side.

In that opening 45 at Selhurst Park, both Fernandes and his ageing midfield partner Casemiro were given the run around by Crystal Palace’s boy wonder, Adam Wharton, with United heading in at the break having once again seen their midfield unit woefully exposed.

Fast forward to just past the hour mark, however, and the visitors had completed a creditable comeback, with the captain first teeing up Joshua Zirkzee – à la Anthony Martial in the March 2020 Manchester Derby – before then reacting swiftly to lay the ball for Mason Mount to dispatch what proved to be the winner.

Now fourth on the all-time list for Premier League assists for the Old Trafford side with 56, ahead of Paul Scholes, the 31-year-old remains United’s beloved maverick.

But for how much longer will he be the main man still?

Latest on Man Utd's search for a midfielder

Having been refreshingly open about his discussions with Saudi side Al Hilal over the summer, Fernandes suggested that no further talks would take place over his future until after next summer’s World Cup, with his existing deal set to expire in 2027.

Amorim has already suggested that the Portuguese playmaker may have to adjust to more “rotation” next season, should the club return to European competition, while reports this season have even suggested that INEOS could look to cash in on the club’s number eight to fund a midfield rebuild.

In any case, depth and competition is certainly needed in the centre of park heading into 2026, with the likes of Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson all deemed to be leading targets.

Transfer Focus

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

Equally, however, reports in Spain are even suggesting that United have lodged a bid of around €80m (£70m) for Real Madrid sensation, Federico Valverde, with the Red Devils said to have taken the ‘first step’ toward trying to seal that marquee move.

As to be expected, the LaLiga giants won’t allow their Uruguayan star to depart on the cheap, with the report outlining that Xavi Alonso’s side are likely to demand in excess of €100m (£88m) if they are to even consider sanctioning a sale.

United will then have to up their bid if a deal is to be struck, with Valverde’s existing deal set to run until 2029, although this is certainly a pursuit worth continuing.

How Valverde compares to Bruno Fernandes

If Amorim – and INEOS – is to persist with this much-discussed 3-4-2-1 set-up, then acquiring a figure like Valverde might just be the perfect solution, with the 27-year-old lauded as the “most complete player in football” not too long ago by manager Carlo Ancelotti.

That assessment is certainly warranted considering the versatility that the Montevideo-born talent has showcased in recent times, having frequently flitted between operating in central midfield or at right-back for Los Blancos.

Like Fernandes – who has missed just three games through injury or illness since joining United, as per Transfermarkt – one of Valverde’s key strengths is that he’s “always available”, in the words of Ancelotti, while willing to perform to his best no matter the position he is deployed.

While not a natural creator or playmaker like Fernandes, the one-time Penarol man does still boast four assists in LaLiga this term, only just behind the United skipper’s return of five in the Premier League.

As indicated below, Valverde’s all-round quality can be evidenced in his superior record with regard to pass completion and duels won, in particular, while he is also far less erratic in possession, losing the ball less than half as many times per game as Fernandes.

Games (starts)

14 (12)

13 (13)

Goals

0

2

Assists

2

5

Big chances missed

1

4

Big chances created

2

3

Pass accuracy*

90%

84%

Total duels won*

58%

50%

Dribbled past*

0.4

1.6

Possession lost*

7.4

15.8

Equally too, the Madrid man’s physical superiority can be seen in how little he is dribbled past per game in LaLiga, whereas Fernandes – seemingly unsuited to a deep-lying role – is regularly outpaced or outmuscled by his opposite number.

What also sets him apart from Fernandes is his proven, consistent quality at Champions League level, winning the competition on two occasions to date, alongside his three Spanish titles and various other domestic or continental honours.

He may not rank as the outright best midfielder in the world right now, but he seemingly warrants his status as among the top ten – arguably even above Fernandes.

Now approaching almost 350 games for his current side, the 71-cap international is about as proven as they come, while at 27, he would still be an asset for the long-term, were he to arrive in Manchester.

Of course, Fernandes – as was evident at the weekend – is still a majestic, creative genius, but for this system and for this current iteration of the Premier League, Valverde would surely represent the perfect midfield upgrade.

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At a time of transition, India’s young squad proved themselves more than capable of filling the shoes of their former storied colleagues

Greg Chappell05-Aug-2025Test cricket has a way of echoing through the decades. For those of us who played in or witnessed defining moments in cricket history, certain performances trigger memories of past turning points – moments when a team doesn’t just win a match but announces a new identity. India’s extraordinary comeback victory in the final Test of the 2025 series against England at The Oval was just such a moment.To level the series 2-2 after being 2-1 down, against the odds, at one of England’s most iconic venues (and one of India’s happy hunting grounds!) was not merely a case of square scores. It was a declaration of purpose. It brought to mind, quite vividly for me, Australia’s 1972 Ashes draw under Ian Chappell. The last match in that series, also played at The Oval, also to level a series, sparked a generational shift in Australian cricket that would shape the coming decade.The parallels are too strong to ignore.Related

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In 1972, Australia arrived in England in a transitional phase. Bill Lawry had departed. Graham McKenzie, Ian Redpath – names synonymous with the preceding era – were gone. A young side, led by my brother, stood on the brink of the unknown. When we won the final Test to draw the series, with Dennis Lillee announcing his ascension to the Australian fast-bowling throne, we didn’t just save face. We established a tone – one of aggression, unity, and belief – that underpinned the golden era of the 1970s.India in 2025 finds themselves at a similar inflection point. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin are all absent. Their replacements didn’t just fill gaps; they filled their boots and went on to create new ones. Shubman Gill, entrusted with the captaincy, brought a calm authority and youthful assertiveness.At times he allowed the game to drift and appeared to change the bowling by the clock, but he will grow quickly in the role if supported appropriately on and off the field. His use of the meagre bowling resources allotted was quixotic at times, but he now has the status to be more assertive at the selection table.To me, Kuldeep Yadav not being picked was incomprehensible, as he is a potential match-winner. Fixing errors like that, and embarking on a continuing search for bowling depth, can make this a formidable team.Gill’s own form was nothing short of spectacular. Yashasvi Jaiswal played with flair and maturity. Rishabh Pant added spark and steel, KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja brought experience and consistency. I will be surprised if Washington Sundar doesn’t establish himself as the team’s premier allrounder, who I expect to play in excess of 50 Tests.India’s win at The Oval echoed that of the paradigm-shifting Australian side of the 1972 Ashes•Getty ImagesAnd then, there was Mohammed Siraj.The win at The Oval, like Australia’s in 1972, was more than a statistical result. It was a statement. India’s young team – much like Australia’s back then – has shown that it is not waiting to inherit greatness. It is intent on creating its own legacy.But no one embodied that transformation more than the proud warrior Siraj.To bowl more than 185 overs in five Test matches over six weeks in any conditions is a physical, mental and emotional marathon. To do so with consistent intensity, while carrying the attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah for stretches, is bordering on heroic. Siraj’s final-innings spell at The Oval – culminating in nine wickets for the match – sealed the game. But it was what led to that moment that truly stood out.Siraj began the series tentatively. He lacked rhythm and confidence and bowled mixed lines and lengths. Questions were rightly asked about his readiness to lead the attack sans Bumrah. But with each Test, he grew. The body language changed. The shoulders didn’t slump; they squared. The run-up lengthened, the wrist snap sharpened, the eyes burned even brighter. He didn’t just gain form – he grew in stature.By the final Test, he was no longer the support act. He was the main event. His dismissal of Zak Crawley in the second innings – a ball that tailed late and hit the base of off – was the kind of delivery that legends produce, not just fast bowlers. It wasn’t just about speed or swing. It was about understanding, execution, precision.Siraj’s story is one of resilience – physical, mental, and emotional. Here’s a man who has carried grief publicly, who wears his emotions on his sleeve, and who channels all of it into his cricket. He bowled like a man possessed, but also a man who had learned the art of pacing himself, of understanding the moments that matter.What impressed me most wasn’t the effort – which was immense – but the evolution. He started as a bowler with passion. He ended as a bowler with passion purpose. That’s the difference between a player and a leader.Grit, not glory: Brook must learn to play the situation at hand•Getty ImagesI don’t think it is unfair to say that, despite the many wonderful batting efforts, Siraj was the main reason that India was competitive in the series.To be fair, he has turned in many fine performances before, at the MCG, the Gabba, Perth, Lord’s, Cape Town and Birmingham, but what he did at The Oval was his true coming of age. With or without Bumrah, he is ready to be the spiritual as well as actual leader of Gill’s attack.While India’s win will rightly dominate the headlines, England’s own journey in this series presents a cautionary subplot – one embodied by the brilliant but mercurial Harry Brook, whose virtues I have extolled publicly before.Brook has the tools to be one of England’s finest batters, arguably their most destructive, in the modern era – a worthy successor to Joe Root. He has time, range, confidence, and that rare gift of making batting look effortless. But cricket, particularly Test cricket, is not just about shot-making. It’s about judgement. About recognising when the moment demands attack – and when it demands restraint.Brook’s dismissal at The Oval, with the game finely poised, was symptomatic of the conundrum that is facing the England setup. The “Bazball” philosophy – of fearless, attacking cricket – has revitalised their Test side. But it cannot become an excuse to avoid doing the hard yards. At 301 for 3, all England needed was for one batter to hold his nerve. To absorb pressure. Brook went for the glory shot – and perished.There’s nothing wrong with positivity. But positive cricket doesn’t mean reckless cricket. It means confident, calculated risk-taking. Brook is emerging, and he will learn. But to become the match-winner England need, he must embrace the grind along with the glamour. Root didn’t become England’s most prolific batter by always playing pretty strokes. He earned it with grit. Brook will need to do the same if he is to fulfil his vast potential.This India-England series will long be remembered not just for the result, but for the theatre. The subplots. The redefinition of roles. Both sides were tested – physically, tactically, emotionally. But it was India who emerged as moral victors. They won clarity. Identity. Purpose.Much like Australia at The Oval in 1972, India have drawn a line in the sand. They’ve told the cricketing world: “We are here. We are ready. And we are building something.”For a sport that thrives on cycles and legacies, the echoes from The Oval – from 1972 to 2025 – may prove to be uncanny.The baton has been passed. Siraj, Pant, Jaiswal, Washington and Gill, and this fearless young Indian team are itching to run with it.