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Arsenal are big admirers of a man who could finally fill the gap in Mikel Arteta’s squad that he intended Mohammed Kudus to occupy, it has been claimed.

Arsenal missed out on Kudus

In 2023, West Ham announced the signing of Kudus from Ajax, but it could have been very different. Arsenal and Chelsea were both interested in signing the Ghanaian, Kudus later confirmed, as they looked to bolster their attacking ranks ahead of the 2023-24 Premier League season.

“It’s true they were in contact”, Kudus explained. “But when West Ham came it moved fast and I made my decision based on speaking to people around the club, their project and how they see me as a player.

“I made the decision based on my gut feeling. That’s how I make my decisions. Whatever the ramifications are, I take it upon myself.”

One of the major draws for Mikel Arteta was Kudus’s versatility, with the 24-year-old able to play in central midfield, on the wing or even as a lone striker, all of which he did to good effect at Ajax and which attracted the attention on Mikel Arteta as well as David Moyes.

He has enjoyed a strong start to his Premier League career too, grabbing ten goals and six assists in 41 outings for the Hammers and attracting attention from clubs across Europe.

However, he will not come cheap, with a release clause believed to be around £85m in his contract at the Hammers, suggesting that perhaps for Arsenal that particular ship has sailed. Now, they could have found a younger alternative.

Arsenal big admirers of "difference maker"

That comes as Caught Offside claim that Arsenal are one of two sides chasing impressive Juventus talent Kenan Yildiz.

Arteta must axe 5/10 Arsenal man who lost 100% duels vs Liverpool

Arsenal have been suspect defensively in recent weeks.

ByMatt Dawson Oct 28, 2024

The Turkish international penned a new £59,000 a week deal in Turin in August, and has enjoyed a strong start to the new campaign under Thiago Motta.

He came off the bench to score twice and rescue a draw in their most recent outing against Inter Milan, a cameo that led Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig to hail the 19-year-old a “difference maker” on X.

His form has caught the attention of both Liverpool and Arsenal, and the report claims the Gunners are “big admirers of Yildiz and would be keen to sign someone of his profile to take the burden off Bukayo Saka”.

Still just 19-years-old, the Turkish international would be an expensive addition but would offer a decade of potentially top level football to whoever managed to lure him away from Juventus. He would also likely be cheaper than Kudus, and, listed among “similar players” to the Ghanaian on stat-site FBref, it is easy to see why.

Also capable of playing in midfield or on the left-wing, both have started the season in similar fashion.

Mohammed Kudus vs Kenan Yildiz 24/25

Mohammed Kudus

Kenan Yildiz

Appearances

8

9

Pass Accuracy

81.9%

82.5%

Shots on target per 90

1.36

0.71

Progressive carries per 90

5

5.29

Carries into the penalty area per 90

2.3

2.29

Shot creating actions per 90

3.4

3

Successful take on %

50%

48%

Having missed out on Kudus, would Yildiz be the perfect piece for Mikel Arteta’s side in the seasons to come?

أصدر نادي ريال مدريد بيانًا رسميًا بعد تأجيل مباراة برشلونة وأوساسونا في منافسات بطولة الدوري الإسباني.

وكان من المقرر إقامة مباراة برشلونة وأوساسونا بالدوري الإسباني، مساء السبت في العاشرة مساءً (بتوقيت مصر).

وأصدر برشلونة بيانًا رسميًا يعلن خلاله تأجيل المباراة دون تحديد موعد آخر، بسبب وفاة طبيب الفريق الأول، كارليس مينارو جارسيا (طالع التفاصيل من خلال الرابط).

وحرص ريال مدريد على تقديم تعازيه لبرشلونة وأفراد عائلة الطبيب، في البيان الذي أصدره. بيان ريال مدريد بشأن وفاة طبيب برشلونة

“يعرب نادي ريال مدريد ورئيسه ومجلس إدارته عن حزنهم العميق لوفاة طبيب نادي برشلونة، كارليس مينيارو جارسيا.

يود نادي ريال مدريد أن يعرب عن تعازيه ومواساته لجميع أفراد عائلته وزملائه في الفريق ونادي برشلونة وكل أحبائه، ارقد في سلام”.

Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been warned why life at the club may become "more challenging" by Gary Lineker.

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Wrexham owners dreaming of Premier LeagueBut duo have many other interestsLineker has warning for two starsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Wrexham have enjoyed a sensational rise under the Hollywood duo, going from National League football into League One. Another promotion is potentially on the cards this season, with the Welsh side battling with Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers at the top of League One. Yet Wrexham is not the only club that Reynolds and McElhenney are invested in currently. The pair have also bought into Liga MX team Club Necaxa, while Reynolds is set to become an investor in Colombian side Club Deportivo La Equidad.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Lineker has been asked if Wrexham have a "ceiling" for the current project, which has been boosted by the popular 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary, and has suggested the owners' other interests may influence their plans for the Welsh side. The former England striker also warned that life would become much more difficult and expensive for Reynolds and McElhenney if they achieve their dream of taking Wrexham into the Premier League.

WHAT LINEKER SAID

Lineker said on the podcast: "Obviously the higher you go, probably to compete with the top teams in the league, the more you need to invest. It's worked so far and it depends on what their desires are, what their ambitions are, I think they are already taking other clubs on in different parts of the world in a similar sort of TV project. I think once you get right to the upper echelons Premier League football then it really does become more challenging. But it has been fascinating to watch and given a lot of people an interest and the TV side of it has certainly worked, it's been a good series to watch. I think Wrexham have probably, because of that, got a global fanbase I would imagine. Really good for them as a football club."

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Getty/GOALWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM

Wrexham's next game is against League One strugglers Shrewsbury before Phil Parkinson's side take on league leaders Birmingham in what promises to be a huge clash at the SToK Racecourse, with NFL legend Tom Brady now part of the Blues' boardroom team.

Leeds United are looking to build on their win over Cardiff City as they prepare to play host to Coventry City at Elland Road in the Championship on Saturday.

The Whites are currently sixth in the division after their 2-0 win over the Welsh side last time out, and have only lost one of their first six matches.

Daniel Farke’s side are looking to secure promotion from the league at the second time of asking, after they lost 1-0 to Southampton in the play-off final last season, and three points against Mark Robins’ side will be another step in the right direction.

Largie Ramazani and Joel Piroe scored the goals for Leeds last time out against Cardiff, after the hosts were reduced to ten men through Joe Bagan’s red card for fouling Wilfried Gnonto on the edge of the box as the last man.

Farke may still look to make some changes to his starting XI from that match, with one potentially forced, and here is our predicted Leeds line-up to take to the field on Saturday.

1 GK – Illan Meslier

Between the sticks, French stopper Illan Meslier should keep his place after keeping another clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Cardiff last time out.

The left-footed only made two saves against the Welsh side but did provide a reliable outlet on the ball for Leeds, completing 89% of his attempted passes.

2 RB – Jayden Bogle

At right-back, summer signing Jayden Bogle deserves to retain his position in the team after an impressive performance against Cardiff last weekend.

The English defender won eight of his 12 duels and created two chances for his teammates, which shows that he made an impact in and out of possession.

3 CB – Joe Rodon

The former Swansea man, Joe Rodon, had little to do against the rivals of his former club, as Leeds dominated the ball and kept attacks away from their centre-backs.

He did not win a single duel, or make any clearances, blocks, or tackles, in his 90 minutes on the pitch, but did complete 95% of his attempted passes.

4 CB – James Debayo

The first change to the starting XI could come at the heart of the defence for Leeds. Pascal Struijk could miss out with an adductor injury, with his availability said to be a last-minute call.

With Max Wober also out with a knee injury, Farke’s options are to move Ampadu back into a centre-back role – as he did last season – or call upon academy talent James Debayo.

In his pre-match press conference, the German boss revealed that he has been “very impressed” by Debayo in training and starting him next to Rodon would allow Ampadu to continue in midfield, which is why that is the route the manager could go down on Saturday.

5 LB – Junior Firpo

At left-back, Junior Firpo should retain his place in the side after the former Barcelona man produced a strong showing last time out against Cardiff.

He won five of his eight duels, making three tackles and two interceptions, and created three chances for his teammates, which shows that the defender offered quality at both ends of the pitch.

6 CM – Ethan Ampadu

Ampadu should captain the team in the middle of the park and will not play at centre-back to replace Struijk, with Debayo boldly unleashed at the back instead.

The Wales international won eight of his 11 duels in midfield against Cardiff and will look to offer a combative presence for Leeds against Coventry.

7 CM – Ilia Gruev

Next to the skipper, Ilia Gruev could be named in the starting XI once again, having started all six of the club’s Championship matches so far this season.

The former Werder Bremen star has yet to register a goal or an assist in the division this term and should be aiming to rectify that in the coming games.

8 RW – Wilfried Gnonto

On the right side of the attack, Wilfried Gnonto should keep his place in the team after he played an important role in the win over Cardiff last weekend.

It was the Italy U21 international’s surging run that forced Bagan to haul him to the floor, albeit momentarily, and take the red card for his side in the first half, which allowed the Whites to go on and control the game with ease against ten men.

9 AM – Joel Piroe

The second change to the starting XI could come in the number ten position as Joel Piroe could be rewarded with a start ahead of Brenden Aaronson.

In the last three matches, the Dutch forward has come off the bench and scored two goals – against Hull and Cardiff – and Farke may look to reward his impressive cameos with a start.

It would be harsh on Aaronson, who has produced two goals and one assist in the Championship this season, but rotation is important when there are 46 games to play in the campaign and he will get plenty of other opportunities to shine.

For this match, Piroe, who was once hailed as “dangerous” by journalist Josh Bunting, should be given a chance to show what he can do from the start after his impressive goalscoring exploits off the bench in recent weeks.

10 LW – Largie Ramazani

On the left side of the attack, Largie Ramazani should make his full debut at Elland Road after his first start in Wales against Cardiff last Saturday.

Manor Solomon remains out with a back injury but the Belgian whiz deserves to start, irrespective of whoever else is available, after a fine finish to open his account for the club in the first half last weekend.

Southampton will be pleased with their late transfer business, as the clock ticks ever close to the end of deadline day, with a major swoop already sealed.

Aaron Ramsdale has now officially joined the Saints after rampant speculation surrounding the Arsenal goalkeeper's future linked him with a switch to the South Coast, but a deal for James Ward-Prowse to rejoin the ranks has seemingly fallen to the wayside, with the former Saints great now expected to put pen to paper on a move to Nottingham Forest at the death.

Regardless of that disappointing outcome on the transfer front, the Saints will hope they have enough bodies in central midfield for the long and gruelling Premier League season ahead, as a new young midfield talent for the future in the same ilk of Ward-Prowse is eyed up.

Southampton pursuing late deal

As per Football Insider, Southampton are in a late race to sign New England Revolution star Noel Buck, who has many admirers watching him from afar back in England.

Buck, who has won himself eight England U19 call-ups across his fledging career to date, is being lined up for a last-minute move to Russell Martin's men, with the report stating that the newly promoted outfit view Buck as very much being one for the future.

Martin will hope Buck can turn into an exceptional midfielder in his first team over time, with the teenage ace potentially becoming Southampton's next Ward-Prowse if everything goes to plan, when you consider his promising numbers playing for the New England Revolution.

How Buck could become Southampton's next JWP

Of course, this won't be an overnight thing, with Ward-Prowse taking his time too before becoming an icon in the middle of the park for the South Coast, amassing a ridiculous 410 first-team appearances for his boyhood club in the end before West Ham United came calling.

Buck has a long way to go yet but has shown signs of his immense potential playing out in America already, with an eye to create openings and score goals that bear similarities to the soon-to-be Forest man.

Buck's numbers for NER
Year	Games played	Goals scored	Assists
2024	13	1	1
2023	27	3	1
2022	23	2	0
2021	28	5	1
Sourced by Transfermarkt

Showing a knack for scoring from the centre of the park, as well as picking up three assists playing for New England Revolution over the last three years when glancing at the above table, moving to St. Mary's now could be the best possible next step for Buck to further his progression.

Ward-Prowse isn't the only top player to have emerged out of the Saints academy, with fellow midfield stars in the form of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gareth Bale exploding into life in the men's game after unassuming starts as youth players on the South Coast.

In and around the first-team set-up at the MLS titans since the age of 17, Southampton could also the next best club for Buck owing to the fact Ward-Prowse was launched into the senior set-up around the same tender age, with his debut in the Saints first-team coming about when he was just 16 years of age back in 2011.

The rest is now history after that point, with a stunning 55 goals and 52 assists tallied up from his 400 plus first-team matches, but with no homecoming now on the cards.

Yet, Southampton won't be overwhelmed by nostalgia for too long, as Buck represents the Premier League side going after new and hungry gems to benefit the future of the club.

Sky Sports: Southampton working to sign £65,000-p/w player after Ramsdale

They are hoping to beat other Premier League sides to his signature.

By
Ben Browning

Aug 30, 2024

GOAL reviews key takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including Reyna's big goal and Robinson's effort vs Liverpool

Even without Christian Pulisic taking the field, it was a big weekend for Americans Abroad. From much-needed goals to big performances in big games, there was plenty to be excited about.

Gio Reyna stole the show, no doubt, scoring a monumental goal for Borussia Dortmund. It was his first since May 2024, and it certainly felt like a turning point for the young American. With that goal, he now has 14, the most by a U23 American in a top five league, surpassing even Pulisic. It was a reminder of how young Reyna is and, at his best, how good he can be.

Speaking of the best, zoom in on Antonee Robinson, who stood tall against Liverpool. The Reds came all the way back for a draw, but Robinson was fantastic with two assists and one lockdown defensive performance against Mohammed Salah.

Things are trending upwards for the USMNT's big stars heading into 2025, particularly if Reyna can get going. GOAL looks at key takeaways from Americans Abroad.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  The Premier League's best left-back

  The social media chatter has been particularly active: “Antonee Robinson is the best left-back in the Premier League.” Some said it with their hearts. Some said it with statistics. On Saturday, anyone who wasn’t saying it saw it with their very eyes. 

  Where do you even begin? Is it with the two assists in Fulham’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool? Is it the tireless work rate? Is it with the defensive masterclass against Mohammed Salah, the best attacker in the Premier League? Robinson did it all with the world watching. 

  It’s not something said in jest – Robinson IS the Premier League’s best left-back. Often overlooked due to his consistency, he can’t be anymore. Perhaps he deserves to be playing at a higher level, but in other ways, there’s no chance he could be playing at a level higher than he is right now.

  So put some respect on Robinson’s name. He continues to earn it in the biggest games.

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• Getty
  

  Reyna creates his own momentum

  He sure needed that, didn't he? Given the chance to start for Dortmund, Reyna scored exactly the type of goal to get himself back on track.

  Just seconds into the second half, Reyna smashed home his first goal in more than a year, giving Dortmund a 1-0 win over Hoffenheim. They were unable to protect that lead, conceding a goal in the 91st minute, but, in terms of Reyna, this was a great day for the big picture.

  After having a few decent moments against Barcelona midweek, Reyna finally made an emphatic statement. By crushing that goal, Reyna announced that he can be a real contributor for this Dortmund team. One swing of the foot doesn't erase how difficult it has been, but it's one hell of a start.

  Now, it's all about how Reyna builds on this momentum. Can he hold onto this newfound starting spot? That's the aim. Reyna is still very much in prove-it mode, but, thanks to Sunday's goal, he has reason to feel confident heading into 2025.

• AFP
  

  Champions League highs, Serie A lows for Juventus

  It was ann odd week for the Americans at Juventus. Midweek was the highest of highs. The weekend? Well, it wasn’t that. 

  After a Weston McKennie-Tim Weah connection led the way in a win over Manchester City, Juve’s poor run in Serie A continued on Saturday in a 2-2 draw with Venezia. With that result, Juventus have now drawn four consecutive league matches, which isn't the formula for winning a Scuddeto now, is it?

  McKennie was largely solid in midfield, continuing to build on his goal against City midweek. Weah couldn't quite make his mark in the attack, with Kenan Yildiz being more of a focal point on the other side. Meanwhile, fellow American Gianluca Busio stepped up with a good performance for Venezia, helping the relegation favorites steal a point from a visit to one of the league's giants.

  Venezia will take that point and run, while Juventus will be extremely frustrated. Fresh off their biggest win of the season, Juve failed to carry on that momentum. Now, despite still being without a loss in the league, they sit nine points behind league-leaders Atalanta. Too many draws, too few points, and that lesson was driven home once again this weekend for Juventus.

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• AFP
  

  Pepi situation gets weirder

  Entering the weekend, Ricardo Pepi had scored 10 goals in 613 Eredivisie minutes. PSV benched him on Saturday anyway. It proved costly. Pepi came on for the final 23 minutes, but was unable to save PSV in a 1-0 loss to Heerenveen.

  It was just PSV's second loss of the league season, with the only other coming against Ajax in November. That Ajax game, conveniently, was when Luuk de Jong scored his most recent goal. The Dutch veteran has been PSV's starter since Pepi arrived and, despite the American's goalscoring run, seems to remain the preferred option up top for the Dutch giants.

  Will that remain the case? Can PSV afford to not continue riding the Pepi train? Saturday showed that they may not be able to continue on without the striker, who has been too good to ignore all season long.

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign another highly-rated young player likened to former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, according to renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Man Utd close to signing Chido Obi Martin

The Red Devils have arguably been guilty of signing too many ageing big-name players in recent years, bringing them in on reputation, even though their very best days are behind them.

Cristiano Ronaldo returned amid much fanfare, with some believing the Portuguese legend could turn United into Premier League champions, but it was clear that he wasn't the player he used to be, affecting those around him and generally not having the desired impact. Similarly, Raphael Varane and Casemiro came in as high-profile additions from Real Madrid, having achieved so much success in the Champions League, but neither have quite been the forces they were, even though they have had their moments.

It now looks as though Sir Jim Ratcliffe is paying attention to youth, however, looking to bring in gems who can grow into stars at Old Trafford. One such figure is Chido Obi Martin, and while a deal hasn't been agreed, it does look as though it is a matter of time until United snap up the 16-year-old from Arsenal.

The attacker is seen as a young player with a big future in the game, having scored an incredible 32 goals in just 20 appearances in the Under-18 Premier League, despite still only being 16. Now, it looks as though another exciting prospect could also be set to join him at Old Trafford.

Man Utd agree £1m deal for highly-rated midfielder

Taking to X, Romano said that Manchester United have now also agreed a deal to sign "top talent" Sekou Kone from Guidars FC, bringing him in alongside Martin:

In a separate post, Romano also claims that the transfer is worth £1m "plus several add-ons based on performances", with medical and signed documents expected to be made next week.

Kone isn't going to be a household name to many supporters, given his tender years and the fact that he is playing in Mali currently, but that's not to say that he doesn't represent exciting business.

The 18-year-old is rated highly by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, who has listed "pace, passing, vision, technique, positioning, tackling, athleticism" and "work rate" as key attributes for the defensive midfielder, likening him to former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien.

Kone also has 12 caps to his name for Mali's Under-17s, and he will no doubt have aspirations of representing his country at senior level as the years pass – something that could feel far more achievable if he is playing for a club of United's worldwide stature.

Surprise move: Man Utd target "extraordinary" UCL winner who's like De Ligt

The experienced international could be a clever addition to the team.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 23, 2024

In the long-term, Casemiro will eventually need to be replaced, with the Brazilian a creaking figure at the heart of the Red Devils' midfield, and the Malian could even be considered his future heir there over time.

The two premier spinners in Australia will go head-to-head during the Sheffield Shield final in what could be a key contest

Daniel Brettig13-Apr-2021Among the many things Covid-19 did to Australian cricket was finally provide an answer to questions about how state teams might perform if asked to depart from the formulas they have honed over generations of playing games on extremely familiar home ground pitches.For some, it was not so well: deprived of Bellerive Oval’s seaming surface, for instance, Tasmania failed to win any of their four games in the Adelaide hub, and were twice defeated outright. But for Queensland, the move away from similarly helpful pitches for pace was revelatory, both in terms of the burgeoning talents of the wristspinner Mitchell Swepson and the way the Bulls figured out how to use him.Put simply, Swepson has been the most dominant bowling force of the Sheffield Shield this season, despite playing just four matches. In two of those, against Tasmania and South Australia, he was the reason Queensland were able to emerge with victory on the final day on slow but deteriorating surfaces. In the other two, he took the Bulls to within a wicket of beating New South Wales, also in Adelaide, and last week after returning from a neck injury he was shaping as the Blues’ major threat on the final day before rain intervened.Related

Mitchell Swepson waits his chance, as SCG and subcontinent tours loom

Talking points: Travis Head among batters told to earn their spot, pace rotation on agenda

Queensland savour Sheffield Shield finale free of Newlands cloud

Sheffield Shield team of the season

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Swepson’s tally of 29 victims at an average of 22.44, an economy rate of 2.51 runs an over and a strike rate of 53.5 balls per wicket would be excellent going for a paceman; for a wristspinner in Australia, it is close to miraculous.It also represents a similar sort of quantum leap in performance, given the opportunity to hone his craft away from the pace-friendly Gabba, to the one famously made by Marnus Labuschagne when he went to Glamorgan in the first half of 2019. Prior to this season, Swepson had only been able to bowl 20 overs or more in a fourth innings three times in his life. This summer he has more than doubled his experience of such scenarios, and the results are telling.Just ask Jimmy Peirson, Swepson’s wicketkeeper and sometimes captain. “People ask me what the difference is and honestly I just think it’s his control,” Peirson told ESPNcricinfo. “He’s been able to land all six balls in a row where he wants them for long periods of time. I think about Shane Warne when he was bowling at his best, and it’s a massive call, but he was bowling with such great control there and I think Sweppo is bowling with equally as much control.It looked as though a neck injury had ended Mitchell Swepson’s season•Getty Images

“He’s certainly putting us in situations where we’re winning games on day four, where in the past our bowlers couldn’t get the breakthrough because of flat conditions or whatever it is. But he’s just providing a fantastic attacking option. He’ll bowl at the Gabba next year, he obviously hasn’t got much of an opportunity there because we weren’t there that much, but I think no matter what conditions he’s bowling in, he’s getting the job done for us. I’m so pleased for him. I think it’s a matter of time to when he gets his baggy green cap.”The Warne call is, as Peirson puts it, a massive one, but the fact is that Swepson is actually doing better at Shield level than Warne was ever asked to before playing for Australia. Part of this is the fact that Nathan Lyon has been such a longstanding fixture in the Australia team, but also the hope that Swepson would, in time, evolve into a genuinely match-winning spin bowler who also had the control to keep a cap on the scoring of opponents when required. Though he had shown signs in 2019-20, Peirson is adamant that Adelaide was the Rubicon.”It was this season in Adelaide. He bowled us to victory over Tasmania out at Park 25, and that was certainly the day I thought ‘oh okay, it’s starting to work for him, he’s starting to get it and it’s all coming together’,” Peirson said. “It was a perfect storm in terms of now tactically he’s switched on and knows what he’s trying to do. Skill-wise he’s bowling his best ball every time with control, and you could just see the intensity in his work and what he was doing. It was a coming of age for him and continued all the way through.”He bowled beautifully against New South Wales in that game in Adelaide where we didn’t quite get the win but he almost got us to victory, then he bowled us to victory against South Australia at Glenelg on a deteriorating wicket. So that trip was where we felt ‘he’s starting to really get this’ and then he had his injury, he’s got through that and in Wollongong where it was a draw but he was well on the way to bowling us to victory there again. He’s not far away from cracking into the Australian team.”Peirson has witnessed this transformation and at the same time evolved himself as a gloveman. He no longer frets over a few byes here and there when he knows that Swepson, by spinning the ball vast distances with the help of footmarks and ageing pitches, is giving Queensland the chance to win games that in years gone by would have petered out into high scoring stalemates.”I can remember thinking last game in Wollongong, Sweppo was bowling into the footmarks to the left-handers and bowled a couple of absolute peaches, I let one go that I couldn’t do anything about and thinking ‘that’s the way it is’, and I was able to get a couple of great catches up to the stumps to Sweppo and really enjoyed the challenge,” he said. “Not many keepers get the opportunity to have a gun legspinner in their team who’s bowling with such control and spinning the ball so much.”When someone comes to you and says ‘look, I want the ball, I want to do this job’, that as a captain makes you go ‘righto, you’re the man for it’. Sweppo’s at that point now where he’s really asserting his dominance on the game he’s playing in and I think it’s fantastic. Having more guys like that in the side is only going to breed a winning culture, and I think we’re starting to get that here in Queensland and we’re seeing that through the guys who are performing and it’s so exciting for us. It’s fantastic to be part of.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

That mentality, actively wanting to be the bowler at the centre of things in the fourth innings of a game, is easier to talk about than to live. Even Warne, with all his prodigious gifts, had struggles with the concept, and Lyon’s are exceedingly well chronicled. Something for the Australian selectors to consider, at the end of a season in which India twice thwarted the hosts in the fourth innings of Test matches on surfaces offering spin but not much else, is whether Swepson’s wristspin would have posed a greater threat than Lyon’s off-breaks.Certainly the numbers offer some clue as to the fact that Swepson is now deserving of a chance to be tried, not just as a second spinner overseas, but as the first-choice tweaker on fifth-day surfaces at home. One of Lyon’s strongest qualities – both a strength and a weakness – is consistency across a game. Essentially he poses almost as much of a threat in the first innings (105 Test wickets at 32.61) as the fourth (85 at 30.4) despite changing conditions.Should Mitchell Swepson be considered instead of Nathan Lyon?•Getty Images

By contrast, albeit at a lower level, Swepson is developing into a genuine strike bowler at the back ends of matches. The anecdotal evidence of huge turning deliveries like the ones he sliced through Daniel Hughes and Lachlan Hearne in Wollongong last week are backed up by the fact that over the last two seasons his bowling average across a game drops from around 46 (strike rate of 94.5) in the first innings to 20 (52.4) in the fourth. Swepson may offer something more to opponents early in a game, but as the hour of decision arrives, he is increasingly deadly.What should also give pause to all those pondering Australia’s spin bowling options is how Swepson’s trend across a game follows that of R Ashwin, arguably the world’s pre-eminent spin bowler in the same era Lyon has occupied. Ashwin averages 28.90 and strikes every 62.4 balls in the first innings of a game, but by the fourth innings he becomes something far more dangerous, nailing an opponent every 45.3 balls at a cost of 19.13 runs apiece.Australia, blessed with the extreme consistency of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in particular, should be able to afford thinking about a spin bowling option who can grow into a game when the seam and bounce the fast men thrive upon is starting to wane. All this is to say that when Swepson and Lyon face each other once more in this week’s Sheffield Shield final at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, there should be consideration of what there is to be gained from wristspin, now that it is clear the selectors have one of the requisite quality to be tried.But a bit like how Covid forced the early rounds of the Shield to Adelaide and Swepson into the strike bowler’s role, it will take either some selection courage, or a drastic change of circumstances, to find out.

West Ham United achieved great things under David Moyes' leadership, but that ship has sailed and now the focus is on ensuring Julen Lopetegui's reign begins with promise.

The forthcoming campaign will be the first in three without exploits on the continent, having finished ninth in the Premier League last season and exited the Europa League at the quarter-final stage.

But a clean slate promises much, especially given the exciting moves that are being made in the transfer market. While the Hammers have encountered a number of stumbling blocks this summer, Tim Steidten is fighting tooth and nail to knock the squad into shape.

Defensive deficiencies remain despite signing Max Kilman in a £40m deal, but last season's issues within the frontline have been sorted out and then some.

West Ham's new-look frontline

It was a pressing concern. West Ham looked toothless in attack at times last season despite boasting some high-quality players, but Lopetegui and Co have clearly moved to address that issue, signing talented teenage winger Luis Guilherme for £25.5m early on and since turning to more established targets.

In arguably the biggest statement of the summer, the Irons have signed 2023/24 Championship Player of the Year Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United in a deal rising to £34m, with the electric winger posting 21 goals and ten assists across all competitions.

It's an emphatic arrival, but not the solution to the No. 9 problem. That, indeed, is in the process of being solved by the capture of Niclas Fullkrug, 31, from Borussia Dortmund, a centre-forward of the old mould, with the focal frontman arriving on Monday evening.

West Ham agreed a £27m fee for the Germany international, who will add a steely dimension to Lopetegui's attack, which is now starting to look interesting indeed.

It's an attack with the pace and trickery of Mohammed Kudus, the experienced athleticism of Michail Antonio, now enhanced by two very different but very deadly skillsets.

And that's without even talking about the cream of the crop: Jarrod Bowen. The Three Lions star is actually valued some distance above his soon-to-be teammates, the veritable lifeforce at the London Stadium.

Jarrod Bowen's market value in 2024

He's been quite the superstar. Bowen joined West Ham from Championship side Hull City for about £22m in January 2020, his advent coinciding with Moyes' return to the dugout and subsequent triumph at the helm.

Fast forward to the present, and the 27-year-old has scored 60 goals and added 39 assists across 202 fixtures, bagging the winning strike as West Ham defeated Fiorentina in the Conference League final.

West Ham Top Scorers 23/24

Rank

Player

Apps

Goals

1.

Jarrod Bowen

44

20

2.

Mohammed Kudus

45

14

3.

Tomas Soucek

52

10

4.

Lucas Paqueta

53

8

5.

Michail Antonio

32

7

5.

James Ward-Prowse

51

7

Stats via BBC Sport

West Ham were a day late and a dollar short last year but Bowen was breathtaking in front of goal, with his 20 strikes cementing his status as one of United's finest forwards in modern history.

As such, he's been courted by some top outfits this summer, with Newcastle United taking a particularly keen interest in snapping him up.

However, despite being Eddie Howe's number one target, West Ham would only entertain offers in the £100m ballpark – viewing the prolific winger in the same bracket as Declan Rice, who joined Arsenal in a £105m deal last summer – effectively nullifying his potential sale this summer.

West Ham supporters, undoubtedly, are not complaining. Bowen is simply that good, even hailed as "unplayable" by Brentford manager Thomas Frank after lashing a hat-trick of goals into the Bees' net in the Premier League last season.

Well in their right to demand suitors such as Newcastle to cough up £100m for their prized asset, Bowen's value is underscored, with that figure actually putting him well above that of his new attacking partners: Summerville and Fullkrug.

Combined, the dynamic duo are worth about £63m, meaning that even by throwing the £40m Kilman in the mix, Bowen would only trail by £3m.

The Londoners' poster boy has come a long way across his four seasons, and while there has been plenty of change this summer, one thing is for certain: he must remain as the talisman of the attack.

Related Imagine him & Summerville: West Ham plot another 'magnificent' transfer

West Ham seeking midfield reinforcements to aid new firepower in attack

Posts ByConnor Holden Aug 4, 2024

It may feel as if the 2023/24 campaign has only just finished, but the start of pre-season is now just right around the corner, with Ange Postecoglou no doubt hoping that Tottenham Hotspur can get their business done early in time for the squad reunion next week.

The latest suggestion is that the Lilywhites are once again looking to strengthen their midfield ranks, with Aston Villa starlet Jacob Ramsey believed to be a leading target for the former Celtic boss.

According to recent reports, the north London outfit are hopeful that they could prise the Englishman from Villa Park for a fee of around £50m, with the 23-year-old able to offer increased competition to likes of Pape Matar Sarr, James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur in the centre of the park.

Despite that move having received the backing of Postecoglou, Ramsey is seemingly not the only promising midfield talent to have caught the eye of late…

Latest on Spurs' search for a midfielder

Having reported on the club's interest in Ramsey, football.london journalist Alasdair Gold has also revealed that Spurs are considering Stade Rennais sensation, Desire Doue, as a possible target this summer.

The 18-year-old enjoyed a real breakout season in France and is said to have captured the interest of a host of clubs across Europe, according to Gold, with Tottenham seemingly among the latest suitors to have thrown their hat in the ring.

While there is no suggestion that Postecoglou and co have made a concrete move as yet, if the Premier League side are to push through a move for the teenage Frenchman they may reportedly have to fork out around €40m (£34m).

Why Spurs should sign Desire Doue

Much like Ramsey, Doue would prove a welcome addition to Postecoglou's ranks due to his innate versatility, with the Rennes youngster able to operate in an attacking midfield role, as well as on either flank.

That flexibility played its part in what was a hugely impressive 2023/24 campaign for the in-demand talent, as he chalked up four goals and five assists in 31 Ligue 1 outings – Ramsey, by contrast, scored just once and provided only one assist in 16 league games during an injury-hit season.

Of course, it is harsh to judge the Villa man based on his injury woes last term – as he did contribute 13 league goals and assists the season prior – but Doue does stack up well when comparing their records across the last 365 days.

How Doue compares to Ramsey
Stat (per 90)	Doue	Ramsey
Non-penalty goals	0.18	0.11
Assists	0.18	0.11
Shot-creating actions	4.79	3.06
Pass completion	74.9%	79.8%
Progressive passes	6.71	2.95
Progressive carries	4.38	3.48
Successful take-ons	3.42	0.84
Tackles	1.87	1.69
Interceptions	0.91	0.32
Stats via FBref

As shown in the table above, it is the French diamond who notably holds the edge with regard to his dribbling prowess and ability to beat a man, as indicated by his superior record with regard to progressive carries and successful take-ons, per 90.

That ability to simply glide up the pitch with the ball has earned Doue comparisons to notable figures in European football, with data analyst Ben Mattinson remarking that he is "similar to [Jamal] Musiala" in the way that he "toys with defenders".

Musiala – who boasts 74 goal involvements in just 163 games for Bayern Munich at the age of only 21 – has stolen the headlines in recent weeks due to his displays for Germany at Euro 2024, with the one-time England youth star scoring a goal in each of the hosts' opening two group games.

To think that Spurs could get their hands on their own version of the fleet-footed Bayern man is truly mouthwatering, and at a potentially cheaper cost than Ramsey, Doue could be a worthy target for Postecoglou this summer.

Spurs now lead race to land "exceptional" £60m Ramsey alternative

The brilliant star would be far more effective for the Lilywhites than the Villa man.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 29, 2024