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After missing out on Championship promotion, Sheffield United are now reportedly expected to attempt a summer move to sign a bargain defender for Chris Wilder and his side.

Sheffield United suffer Wembley heartbreak

When Tyrese Campbell rounded off an excellent Sheffield United counterattack, much thanks to the work of Gustavo Hamer, it looked as though the Blades were destined for the Premier League – as had been the case for much of the campaign. Wilder’s side were then left in the ultimate dreamland when Harrison Burrows’ effort raced beyond Anthony Patterson before the break.

Burrows’ effort is where things truly began to go wrong, however, with VAR intervening to chalk Sheffield United’s second goal when Vinicius Souza was adjudged to have blocked Patterson’s view in an offside position. In that moment, Sunderland fans were left relieved and Regis Le Bris’ side were awoken.

"Awesome" Sheffield United star could leave with Hamer after playoff defeat

This would be a huge blow for Chris Wilder.

ByHenry Jackson May 25, 2025

Adding salt to the Sheffield United wounds, it took until the 76th minute for Eliezer Mayenda to equalise before Tommy Watson came from the bench to score a heartbreaking Sunderland winner.

Wilder, like many, was left in disbelief at just how his side missed out on promotion. He told reporters: “Congratulations to Sunderland, the manager and the players for the achievements this season and going into the Premier League.

“It’s a tough one to take from our point of view. Defining moments in the game I get. We never really felt in danger even sort of second half. Of course they’ve got to open up and try and get back into the game we just needed to be better on that turnover.”

The Blades must now turn their focus towards the summer transfer window and next season, in which they will hope that 90 points is enough to secure their place back in the Premier League.

Sheffield United expected to make Dunne move

Whilst turning their focus towards the summer, new arrivals will of course be on the agenda for those at Bramall Lane. And that could yet include an experienced Championship defender. According to The Star, Sheffield United are expected to make an attempt to sign Jimmy Dunne this summer, who is set to leave Queens Park Rangers as a free agent next month.

The Blades attempted to sign the defender in January, but ultimately failed in their pursuit. Now, six months later, Wilder could finally get the defensive reinforcement that he has been craving.

It was in the January transfer window that former QPR manager Marti Cifuentes reiterated the importance of Dunne in his side, telling reporters: “I don’t have anything from the club perspective about it.

“Jimmy for me, is a very important player. I know that he loves to be at QPR and loves the club, and we love him. We’ll see what happens, but he is a very important player for us.”

Now, it’s Sheffield United who could get the chance to see the defender’s importance in action as they go in pursuit of a bargain deal to commence their summer transfer window.

If there is one thing Arsenal fans want this summer, it’s a striker.

Mikel Arteta’s side are in a marvellous position to do something spectacular in the Champions League this season, but their domestic campaign has been a real letdown, partly due to a lack of clinical finishing up top – they’ve scored 14 goals fewer than Liverpool in the Premier League.

So, it’s not been all that surprising that, over the last few months, the North Londoners have been linked with a whole host of prolific marksmen, most notably Alexander Isak.

However, with Newcastle United now looking likely to secure a spot in next year’s Champions League, it feels doubtful that the Gunners will be able to prise their star striker away from them this summer.

Fortunately, Arsenal appear to have already moved on from the former Real Sociedad star for another free-scoring forward, someone who might be a wiser signing anyway.

Transfer Focus

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

Arsenal's striker search

Before getting to the man in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other centre-forwards who have been linked with the North Londoners in recent weeks, such as Ollie Watkins.

The Aston Villa star was a surprise target for the club in the winter window, and new Sporting Director Andrea Berta is reportedly still interested in the Englishman; it’s not hard to see why, as he’s scored 16 goals and provided 13 assists in 48 appearances this term.

Another name that has popped up recently is Jonathan David, who will be a free agent in the summer and has reportedly held talks with the North Londoners quite recently.

The Canadian international has been enjoying an incredible season this year and has already amassed a tally of 25 goals and 11 assists in 45 games, although that still pales in comparison to the unreal Viktor Gyokeres.

Yes, the player in question is none other than the Sporting CP superstar, and according to a recent report from Portuguese outlet A Bola as relayed by Football Transfers, the North Londoners are now in ‘pole position’ to secure the Swede’s signature.

The report has revealed that the Gunners have stepped up their pursuit of the 26-year-old in the weeks following Berta’s appointment and that the former Coventry City star will be available for around €70m, which comes out to £60m.

It would still be a costly transfer to get over the line, but given Gyokeres’ incredible output, it is one worth completing and one that could be better than signing Isak.

Why Gyokeres would be a better signing that Isak

So, it’s no secret that Isak is one of the most exciting strikers in world football at the moment, and as such, we wouldn’t be surprised if most fans wanted the club to sign him or Gyokeres, but there are a few reasons why the latter would be the wiser acquisition.

The first is simply the cost involved, as even when it looked like the Toon would miss out on Champions League football, reports were coming out that they would demand around £150m for the talisman.

So now that the Magpies look set to play in Europe’s top competition next season, it would surely take a genuinely absurd offer to tempt them into selling, the sort of offer that would scupper the Gunners’ other summer plans.

So, it feels far more sensible to spend a fraction of that on the Sporting “powerhouse,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, and make sure that other top players are bought in to help bolster the squad in multiple areas.

Moreover, the second reason is that the Stockholm-born poacher has shown himself to be even more of a goal threat this season.

For example, in just 46 appearances, totalling 3700 minutes, he’s found the back of the net 47 times and provided 11 assists for good measure, which comes to an average of 1.26 goal involvements every game or one every 63.79 minutes.

In comparison, the Newcastle star has scored 25 goals and provided six assists in 38 appearances, totalling 2977 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.22 games or every 96.03 minutes.

Now, it is true that the Solna-born ace is playing in a tougher league, but even with that taken into consideration, Gyokeres’ level of output is astounding.

Finally, and this is important, Isak is an injury-prone player and has missed 39 games for club and country since the 22/23 season alone, whereas the Sporting dynamo has missed just five games across his entire career.

Ultimately, while Isak is a superb player, Gyokeres would be the better signing, as not only would he cost a fraction of the price, but he’s arguably just as dangerous, and his fitness record is near enough impeccable.

Their new Ian Wright: Arsenal want to sign "one of the best CFs in Europe"

Arsenal are looking at signing a striker who could be their next Ian Wright in north London.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 22, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have endured a season to forget in 2024/25, with their dismal standing in the Premier League reflecting their failure to impress on the pitch.

Ange Postecoglou’s side currently sit in the bottom half of the table, but could still end the campaign with a trophy should they claim the Europa League title.

However, pressure is building on the Aussie in North London, with it unclear if he will even be in charge next season should they end the year trophyless once again.

Regardless, additions are hugely needed to prevent a repeat of this season, with the summer window rapidly approaching and work needing to be done behind the scenes.

One player has already emerged onto the Lilywhites’ shortlist ahead of the opening of the window, offering added quality in a department that has been struggling in recent months.

Spurs plot move for £60m defensive star

According to journalist Christian Falk, Spurs are one of numerous sides interested in making a move for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie this summer.

Fellow Premier League sides Liverpool and Chelsea are also keen on a move to land the 23-year-old, who’s valued at around £60m by Xabi Alonso’s men.

The Ecuadorian international has made 39 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, notching five combined goals and assists – having an impact at both ends of the pitch.

The report states that the Bundesliga outfit may have to offload players this summer, with Hincapie one big-money star who could depart the side ahead of 2025/26.

Whilst it would be another huge investment into the first-team squad, it is one that is desperately needed, offering an upgrade on one player currently plying their trade in North London.

Why Hincapie would be an upgrade on Van de Ven

Over the last few months, injuries have massively plagued the Spurs backline, resulting in countless players having to operate at the heart of the defence – albeit in an unnatural position.

Archie Gray is just one player who had to feature in such a role, doing an admirable job despite his tender age and inexperience in such a position throughout the early years of his professional career.

The youngster was forced to cover after regular centre-back Micky Van de Ven spent an extended period on the sidelines after a reoccurrence of his hamstring issue.

The Dutchman has been a key member of the side since his move in the summer of 2023, racking up 44 appearances throughout his two years in North London.

However, the injuries he’s suffered in recent times have halted his progress, subsequently being unable to replicate his high levels of performance which caught the eye in his debut year in England’s top flight.

When he has played, he’s been unable to better Hincapie, leading to the recent transfer news which could see the Leverkusen star take the Dutchman’s place in the side should he move this summer.

How Hincapie compares to Van de Ven in 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Hincapie

Van de Ven

Games played

26

11

Goals & assists

4

2

Progressive carries

1.8

0.8

Progressive passes

5.3

4.6

Tackles won

1.4

0.6

Interceptions made

1.2

0.9

Aerials won

58%

52%

Stats via FBref

The Ecuadorian, who’s been labelled “sensational” by one analyst, has managed to complete more progressive carries and more progressive passes per 90 – showcasing his ability to play out from the back in a possession-based system.

He’s also managed to win more tackles and come out on top in more aerial battles, offering that added defensive solidity that Spurs have hugely lacked throughout this season.

Whilst it may be harsh on Van de Ven, from the figures produced in recent times, it’s evident that Hincapie would be an upgrade on the talented youngster.

Unfortunately, football is a cutthroat industry, with success the main priority, something which the 23-year-old could play a huge part in should he complete any move during the upcoming window.

Related £49.6m wasted: Levy must ruthlessly sell Spurs "horror show" this summer

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 5, 2025

Delhi Capitals’ Australian allrounder opens up about her fielding, her success across formats and levels, and growing up in a cricketing family

Sruthi Ravindranath14-Mar-2025You had an excellent summer with Australia that ended with the Belinda Clark medal. How do you reflect on the season gone by?It feels like it’s been a long summer with lots of cricket, starting with that World Cup [in October 2024 in the UAEI’ve sort of moved series to series, tournament to tournament. There’s so much cricket on so it’s hard to look at it as a whole. Hopefully when WPL [is over] – and we’ve got a couple of games against New Zealand, and then the season’s officially done – I think when there’s a bit more of a break there, then I’ll be able to reflect a bit more. Proud I’ve been able to contribute to especially the Australian team and stand up in different moments, which has been nice.You got going with the ball in the very first match after coming from the Ashes in Australia. What did you have to do differently to adjust to Indian conditions?I don’t think there’s one specific thing. I think I’m quite versatile in terms of the change-ups I’ve got – I’ve got decent pace too – so I think it’s just about assessing the conditions every wicket you play on – even if it’s the same ground, it is a little bit different – and trying to work out what’s working as soon as possible. We’ve got a great bowling attack, very experienced with Kappy [Marizanne Kapp] and Shikha Pandey as well, who often start us off really well and [I] can get some good information from those guys before I come on, sort of more through the middle. But enjoying the challenge of often batter-friendly conditions and trying to navigate through a bowling innings when batters are going hard, and the boundaries are pretty short and the outfield’s fast too.You have an effective offcutter, which you’ve used quite a bit in these conditions.I think [I developed it] early on in WBBL when I was really young. I realised I had to work on a change-up to make it a little bit harder for batters. So I’ve got a couple of change-ups now. The offcutter is my go-to one early.Related

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Given my action, it was probably the easiest one to bank on. But I think I’ve definitely worked on it to make sure no matter what kind of conditions I’m playing in, it can work. I’ve got really good control over length, and I think it’s a big one for me to be able to use it in any condition and any format.Are there any other variations you have an eye on?Not that I’m willing to reveal . I’m always working on different things, but that’s for everyone to see on the field.Your fielding, specifically the catching, once again stood out in the WPL. Is there any specific training you do for catching under lights?It’s probably more about volume, trying to get comfortable under the lights and get used to the conditions. I think every stadium’s a bit different where the lights are at. The ball can get caught in the lights so it’s about just kind of picking up the depth. It can change or vary depending on the ground. So it is also about challenging yourself and not just practicing easy catches. You want to be dropping catches at training because that means they’re hard and you’re going to be ready for the game. That’s how I think about it.What makes Delhi Capitals such a good fielding side?We’re a really athletic team. Even someone like Niki Prasad – she’s young, but you can see how well she moves in the field. She’s taking some really high-quality catches and doesn’t look out of place at all. I think that’s no fluke. Everyone puts in a lot of time as they should, because it’s such a key part of the game, particularly in T20 cricket. It can turn a game and the momentum can shift. We know how important that is. It’s something we pride ourselves on at Delhi Capitals, that we want to be the best fielding team in the competition. I think we’re up there at the moment.How does WPL compare to the challenge of playing in the WBBL?Culturally, there’s a significant difference with the Indian local players. I’ve really enjoyed spending time and getting to know [them], that’s a pretty cool part of playing the WPL. The WBBL has gone for ten years now. I think domestic players [there] are probably a bit more experienced. I think they have a certain level of calmness about them – which I think the Indian players will keep improving on – given the amount of cricket the Aussie girls have played at that professional level. I think the more you play, the better you get in different pressure situations.Annabel Sutherland has taken eight wickets in as many games going into the WPL final•WPLObviously, the crowds are insane over here. It’s been lots of fun to play in front of some really good crowds with lots of noise at the Chinnaswamy [in Bengaluru]. The last game we played against RCB, it was super loud and we were able to quieten the crowd in our batting innings, which was nice. The crowds are certainly a highlight playing over here.You were part of Australia’s T20 World Cup win at the MCG in 2020. Coming to the Chinnaswamy, would you say the stadium atmosphere was on par? Did you feel intimidated by the crowd at any point?Not intimidated. I think you’re going to embrace it. It’s definitely part of the game, particularly in India. They’re probably louder than 86,000 at the G. They put up pretty good competition for that in terms of noise, but atmosphere-wise, it’s pretty hard to go past the MCG final.With the ODI World Cup coming up in India later this year, how important is it for you to play the WPL, especially in venues like Vadodara and Lucknow?The key part of a World Cup is you’re moving around changing venues. You want to get as much intel as you can before playing the game. I think it’d be at the back of everyone’s minds that [the World Cup] is coming up.As a youngster, what are the pressures of playing in a team like Australia where the standards are so high?I think that’s all external pressure, to be honest. We’ve got a really good environment in our Australian team. We know how hard everyone works, and we set our own standards probably higher than the external people do. That’s all the training and the work we do behind the scenes. I think cricket’s a tough game. We pride ourselves on our standards, so the pressure is kind of external noise.The Australian team’s depth is incredible. Would you say that perhaps puts you under pressure a little bit, that there’s always someone behind you?Yes, I think so. But I think if you’re doing the work, that’s all you can do at the end of the day. It’s a positive sign of where Australian cricket is at. There’s so much depth and our domestic cricket is really strong. We’ve seen with injuries and different things that happen that we’ve got great coverage across the country. Yet, at the same time, you got to be working on your game all the time trying to get better, because there’s people that are knocking on the door who are pretty hungry to play for Australia. That’s why you got to work hard and I know everyone’s doing that at the moment.Annabel Sutherland and Meg Lanning were part of Australia’s T20 World Cup win in 2023•Getty ImagesYou’ve played together with Meg Lanning for Victoria, Australia, Melbourne Stars in the WBBL and now at Capitals in the WPL. Is there anything as too much Meg Lanning? How big is it for you to play alongside her and pick her brains?There’s no such thing as too much Meg. She’s a superstar of the game. Just being able to play under her… she’s had a big impact on me. She’s super competitive. I love the way she plays the game. She would do anything to get the team over the line and get a win. I love that she trusts her instincts. She’s got a real good intuition of the game and more often than not she gets the right call.You grew up with a lot of cricket around you, with your father being involved in the sport and your brother playing professionally as well. How competitive were you with your siblings growing up when it came to cricket? Have you ever hit a saturation point with the game?Having two brothers sort of means everything’s going to be pretty competitive. We all loved sport growing up. In the backyard, there was a lot of competition, a few tantrums – that was all part of it. Cricket was one of the sports we played a lot, and we all love it. That [is why] we are still playing it now. It’s a nice thing to share with my siblings.I think it’s important given how much cricket’s on at the moment to have a healthy balance in terms of when you do get time off, whether it’s days or weeks between tours and tournaments, you need to make sure you have a really good balance of being away from games. I got real good people around me in terms of my friends and family who keep that balance, which is nice.

Records tumble as Siraj makes merry in Colombo, in the third-shortest completed match in men’s ODIs

Sampath Bandarupalli17-Sep-202350 – Sri Lanka’s total in Colombo is the lowest by any team against India in men’s ODIs. The previous lowest was Bangladesh’s 58 all out in 2014 in Mirpur.1 – Number of totals by Sri Lanka lower than 50 in men’s ODI. Their lowest is 43 all out against South Africa in the 2012 Paarl ODI. It is also the second lowest total in men’s ODIs in Sri Lanka, behind Zimbabwe’s 38 all out in 2001.Lowest totals for Sri Lanka in ODIs•ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 – Sri Lanka’s 50 all out is also the lowest score by any team in a men’s ODI final. The previous lowest was India’s 54 against Sri Lanka in the 2000 Champions Trophy final.6 for 21 – Siraj’s bowling figures against Sri Lanka are now the second-best for any bowler in the men’s ODI Asia Cup. Ajantha Mendis’ 6 for 16 against India during the 2008 final remain the best figures.3 – Number of bowlers with better figures in a men’s ODI final than Siraj. Only Aaqib Javed – 7 for 37 against India in 1991 – has managed to take more than six wickets in a men’s ODI final. Siraj’s 6 for 21 are also the fourth-best figures by an Indian bowler in men’s ODIs.16 – Number of balls needed for Siraj to complete his five-wicket haul, the joint-fastest in men’s ODIs where ball-by-ball data is available. Chaminda Vaas took 16 balls for his first five wickets in a 2003 World Cup game against Bangladesh, while USA’s Ali Khan also took a five-for in 16 balls against Jersey earlier this year.Quickest five-wicket hauls in men’s ODIs•ESPNcricinfo Ltd4 – Number of wickets for Siraj in the third over of Sri Lanka’s innings. He is now the first Indian bowler to take four wickets in an over in men’s internationals (where ball-by-ball data is available). Only three other bowlers have picked up four wickets in an over in men’s ODIs since 2002 – Vaas against Bangladesh in 2003, Mohammad Sami against New Zealand in 2003 and Adil Rashid against West Indies in 2019.15.2 – Number of overs batted by Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final. This is the second-shortest all-out innings for a Full Member nation in men’s ODIs. The shortest is by Zimbabwe, who were bowled out for 54 in 13.5 overs against Afghanistan in 2017. Overall, this ranks fifth in the shortest innings ever in men’s ODIs.12 – Sri Lanka’s score at the fall of the sixth wicket. Only once has a team lost their sixth wicket at a lower score in men’s ODIs – 10 by Canada against Netherlands in 2013. Canada also lost their sixth wicket at the score of 12 against Sri Lanka in 2003.129 – Total number of balls the Asia Cup final lasted – the third-shortest completed match in men’s ODIs. The 2020 Kirtipur ODI between Nepal and USA lasted only 104 balls, while the ODI between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in 2001 in Colombo lasted 120 balls.263 – Number of balls remaining when India reached the 51-run target, making it their biggest win in men’s ODI in terms of balls to spare and the biggest win by any team against Sri Lanka. It is also the sixth-biggest win for any team in terms of balls to spare in men’s ODIs.

Six things we learned from the first Test between England and New Zealand

George Dobell06-Jun-2021Ollie Robinson has what it takesIf we ignore, for a moment, the off-field issues, Ollie Robinson enjoyed a hugely impressive debut. Only two England bowlers this century have claimed more than seven wickets on Test debut, while only Rory Burns scored more runs in England’s first innings. Robinson’s 42 played a significant role in helping England avoid the follow-on.But bowling is his primary skill. And it was the excellent, probing length he hit, combined with the ability to nip the ball both ways that bodes particularly well for the future. He gained more swing than any of his colleagues in the second innings and, even with New Zealand looking to accelerate, conceded under two-an-over. He looked a captain’s dream, really. On the pitch, anyway.But, after the furore of the first day, he did show strength of character in being able to compartmentalise things and retain focus on the job in hand. None of this makes what went before OK, but it does show he’s a cricketer with a future at this level. You’d think he’d quite enjoy Australian pitches, too. In fact, he found the MCG quite fun with England Lions last year. Whether he gets a chance to experience them again… well, that’s another issue entirely.Ollie Robinson is jubilant after dismissing Devon Conway•AFP/Getty ImagesEngland’s young batters have much to proveNew Zealand’s declaration was intriguing. It wasn’t so much that it was generous – it wasn’t, really; not on a surface going up and down and against a line-up which has lost their last three Tests and is missing Ben Stokes and co – but that it suggested they really didn’t rate the England batting.And you can understand that. In the first innings, England’s five young middle order batters – from Zak Crawley to James Bracey – contributed 24 runs between them. Three of them (Sibley, Bracey and Dan Lawrence) were out for ducks. None of them average more than Ollie Pope’s 31.76 with Crawley having scored nearly 40% of his Test runs in one innings. Given that he has now had 22 innings, that is a worry.But it might be unfair to expect too much more. This was the youngest top seven England had fielded in a home Test in history. It’s is probably inevitable they will take time to come to terms with the higher quality bowling.Related

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Still, some of the shot selection – Crawley pushing at balls in both innings and Lawrence trying to thrash a wide one without foot movement – will be a concern to the England management, as will the technical issues which saw Pope fall over to the off side and Bracey leave a gate wide enough to let through a cow.It’s been almost a decade since England produced a specialist batter who has been an undisputed success at Test level with Joe Root making his debut at the end of 2012. The likes of Pope, Crawley and Lawrence really are just about the best options England have from county cricket. But they’ve a lot to do to prove they can make it at this level.Mark Wood can be a point of differenceNew Zealand were 288 for 3 at one stage in the first innings. A total of well over 400 seemed likely. But then Mark Wood, on a slow pitch and against set batters, made the breakthrough. His spell helped England claim four wickets for six runs. His pace (over 150kph at times), skill and control combined to test the batters in a variety of ways and the manner he was able to sustain his effort underlined the impression that, since he lengthened his run-up and recovered from his latest bout of ankle surgery, he has the stamina to at least rotate with Jofra Archer and Olly Stone in the fast-bowling role. England are blessed in terms of fast-medium bowlers who can provide control and dominate in conditions where they have some assistance. What they have not had, until recently, were a batch of fast bowlers who can provide a point of difference in the attack and perhaps get some life out of the sort of pitches in India and Australia on which they have tended to struggle. Wood offers that.Mark Wood offers something different•PA Photos/Getty ImagesThey are half the team without their allroundersIt goes without saying that England missed a player of Stokes’ ability. But they missed Sam Curran, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali, too. Without them, it’s almost impossible to balance their side to ensure the requisite amount of batters, seam and swing bowlers. In this match, they opted to go without a spinner but there was no perfect option. Had they picked Jack Leach, they would either have had just three seamers – an issue when one of them is 39 and another has a bit of a dodgy fitness record – or one fewer batter. And you can understand why they wanted to bolster that batting line-up; it looks disconcertingly brittle. If nothing else, this match was a reminder of the incredible value of Stokes to England cricket.England’s openers have valueRory Burns and, in particular, Dom Sibley are going to divide opinion. For some, they will appear appallingly negative. For others, they provide the old-fashioned determination which builds a platform on which the more fluent middle-order can attack. Few would pretend they’re in the class of Boycott and Gooch or Atherton and Trescothick. But after years of England struggling with poor starts, Sibley and Burns at least hint at more solid contributions ahead.Rory Burns sends one to the leg side•AFP via Getty ImagesBoth men played huge roles in England saving this match. Burns’ first-innings century – the only score in the innings above 42 – ensure his side did not have to follow-on, while Sibley’s second-innings half-century ensured England claimed a draw. There will be days, no doubt, when Sibely’s pace of scoring causes some frustration. Indeed, you could feel that from the crowd at Lord’s on Sunday. But with a middle-order as fragile as England’s, some old-fashioned grit is probably rather valuable. And remember: a day of this match was lost to rain. It wasn’t, perhaps, England’s tactics as much as the weather that caused the frustration.Both men have work to do to cement their places. Burns’ previous eight Test innings had realised just 78 runs (including three ducks) while none of Sibley’s previous eight had reached 20, but Burns has now made three Test centuries.English stadiums need a roofHad this game not lost a full day, it could have developed into a classic. Instead it petered out into a bit of a dull draw.Is it really so fanciful to suggest a ground with a roof could be built in England? A new ground if it’s too expensive to alter an old one. It’s happened in Australia, after all. Surely, in a country where it seems to rain relentlessly, it makes more sense to do so here.An MCC member takes an early lunch as the rain falls•Getty ImagesNo doubt the costs would be vast. But have you seen how much money English cricket has spent in recent times? The MCC, for example, have just spent in excess of £50m to add a couple of thousands seats to the capacity at Lord’s and, not so long ago, spent £25m on a Warner Stand which has poor visibility in some seats.And then we come to The Hundred. Rather than gambling more than £50m a year on a competition which nobody was calling for, couldn’t the ECB have used the reassurance a roof might provide to TV schedulers to increase the value of broadcast deals?

Much was made of New York Yankees right fielder and designated hitter Aaron Judge missing a game against the Philadelphia Phillies Saturday—but it appears he avoided a worst-case injury scenario.

Judge did not tear his UCL, manager Aaron Boone told reporters after the Yankees' 9–4 loss Saturday via Joel Sherman of the . Per Boone, Judge in fact strained a flexor and will go on the injured list.

Boone added that Judge, who has a negative defensive bWAR on the year, will not be able to play the field right away when he comes back.

New York will badly miss Judge's bat in its lineup. The future Hall of Famer is slashing .342/.449/.711 with 37 home runs and 85 RBIs this season. Baseball Reference has him leading the American League in 14 standard offensive categories.

The Yankees, once the American League East leaders, now trail the Toronto Blue Jays in that division by six games.

After the saga surrounding Alexander Isak during the summer transfer window, it was crucial that Newcastle United navigated their way past the situation.

The Swedish international netted 23 Premier League goals last campaign, helping the Magpies secure Champions League football, but that wasn’t enough to keep the striker happy on Tyneside.

Eddie Howe was left with no choice but to cash in on the 26-year-old’s services during the summer transfer window, subsequently taking in an English record £125m for his services.

However, it no doubt left a huge hole that needed filling within the final third, leading to over £100m being splashed on numerous players to soften the blow of his departure.

Despite the recent spending spree, the hierarchy appear to be targeting numerous attacking reinforcements to take the club to the next level in the months ahead.

Newcastle’s hunt for new attacking signings in January

Over the last couple of days, Newcastle have been just one side credited with an interest in landing Stuttgart star Bilal El Khannouss ahead of the January window.

The Moroccan international joined the German side on loan from Leicester City in the summer window, already making an immediate impact – as seen by his tally of five goals and assists in 10 outings.

However, Howe’s men could strike a permanent deal with his current employers this winter, which could result in a £25m switch to St James’ Park for the attacking midfielder.

He’s not the only player currently on their radar, with Brentford striker Igor Thiago another player currently being considered ahead of the upcoming window.

According to TEAMtalk, the Magpies are just one Premier League club monitoring the Brazilian, after his tremendous start to 2025/26, which has seen him score 11 times to date.

However, the report also states that Keith Andrews’ side are unwilling to sanction a move, but may be forced to consider a move if a huge offer is made for his signature.

Why Newcastle’s latest target could be bad news for Woltemade

In an attempt to soften the blow of Isak’s summer departure from Newcastle, the board backed Howe by spending a reported £69m on the signature of striker Nick Woltemade.

The German’s transfer fee certainly raised eyebrows across the division, but a couple of months on and the deal now appears to be an excellent piece of business by the board.

He’s already featured in 11 Premier League matches to date, scoring on five separate occasions, whilst also managing to lay on one assist for his teammates.

The 23-year-old’s latest effort came in the 4-1 demolition of Everton, with Woltemade producing an outrageous lob over Jordan Pickford to cement all three points for the Magpies.

However, despite his excellent start to life in the North East, he could struggle for consistent minutes if Thiago arrives, with the Brazilian man in tremendous form in recent weeks.

When comparing the pair’s respective stats, the Brazilian has managed to outperform Woltemade in key areas, showcasing why it could be bad news for the German.

Thiago, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by boss Andrews, has scored almost double the number of goals netted by the Magpies star – showcasing his clinical edge in front of goal.

Games played

14

12

Goals & assists

11

6

Shot on target accuracy

50%

30%

Shots on target per 90

1.1

0.5

Passes into final third

0.9

0.6

Take-on success

56%

38%

Aerials won

2.9

1.5

Aerial success rate

43%

34%

He’s also registered more shots on target per 90, whilst achieving a better accuracy rate with the chances he’s been presented with – arguably making him a more consistent option in the final third.

However, he’s also demonstrated a more all-round skill-set than the German star, as seen by his higher take-on success rate and higher tally of passes into the final third per 90.

The Brazilian’s dominance over Woltemade is further reflected in his aerial presence, which no doubt makes him a better focal point than the number 27.

It’s unclear how much the Bees would demand to part ways with their talisman, but it’s clear he’s currently a leading talent in the Premier League this season.

Such a move could be harsh on Woltemade, but the added competition in the months ahead could allow the youngster to find the next level in his career as a result.

Eddie Howe has already found a bigger talent than Anderson at Newcastle

Howe’s Newcastle side are showing green shoots after a difficult start to the season.

ByAngus Sinclair Dec 5, 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced that their next bobblehead giveaway will pay tribute to a civic icon.

On July 19 against the Chicago White Sox, the Pirates will give out a bobblehead depicting late rapper Mac Miller. Pittsburgh unveiled the bobblehead—which depicts Miller in a "412" jersey, saluting the city's area code—Thursday morning.

Miller died in 2018 at the age of 26 of an accidental drug overdose, which cut short the career of one of Pittsburgh's greatest musical talents.

A native of the city's Point Breeze neighborhood, Miller churned out a series of early rap hits that established him as a favorite of college-age millennials in the early 2010s. He went on to gradually broaden his sound, and the last album he released in his lifetime——was nominated for the Best Rap Album Grammy.

Miller has been back in the news this year due to the Jan. 17 release of , his second posthumous album. The record received warm reviews and peaked at No. 3 in the United States.

The rapper was a fan of the Pirates, and the team held a moment of silence in his honor when he died.

West Ham are scouring the market for a new striker as Niclas Füllkrug prepares to depart the London Stadium in January, and a former Tottenham forward has now entered their radar.

Nuno Espirito Santo has called upon Callum Wilson and Lucas Paqueta to play the striker role in Fullkrug’s latest injury absence, but even once the Germany international returns, he won’t be donning Claret and Blue for long.

The 32-year-old’s disappointing spell at the London Stadium is set to end after just 18 months, with trusted sources like Fabrizio Romano confirming that Fullkrug plans to seek a new challenge as soon as the transfer window reopens.

Discussions have already been initiated and the player’s representatives are said to be in contact with potential suitors from Germany and beyond.

Fullkrug has made just 27 appearances for West Ham since his arrival on a four-year contract in August 2024, scoring only three goals, with his first season heavily disrupted by two long-term injuries that saw him miss a combined 28 games for club and country.

Niclas Füllkrug’s missed games for West Ham and Germany — 2024/2025

Injury

Missing from

Missing until

Games missed

Achilles tendon

08/09/2024

02/12/2024

16

Hamstring injury

11/01/2025

01/04/2025

12

Romano revealed in his GiveMeSport newsletter this week that West Ham are hopeful of finding a striker who would be a better fit than Füllkrug, with the club already considering options.

West Ham have Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee on their list of targets, with the Dutch striker struggling for regular opportunities under Ruben Amorim. The Hammers are also reportedly quite interested in signing Ivan Toney on loan as the England striker looks to battle his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

Nuno’s side explored the possibility of signing Real Madrid’s Endrick on loan too, but the Brazilian teenager is now on the verge of a move to Lyon instead.

Reports in Italy suggest AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez will cost around £21 million to sign in January, amid reports that West Ham are keen on handing the Mexico international a fresh start in the Premier League after a tough time at the San Siro.

While January is a notoriously difficult window, the east Londoners do have options on the table, and one of them is now former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott.

West Ham eyeing former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott

According to Turkish media, West Ham are eyeing a move for Parrott amid his scintillating Eredivisie campaign so far, as Fullkrug also ‘prepares to leave’.

The Republic of Ireland international left Spurs permanently in 2024 to join AZ Alkmaar in a deal worth just under £7 million, and he’s since found a new home in the Netherlands.

Parrott’s racked up 13 goals in 14 appearances for AZ already this season, with six of them coming in the Dutch top flight.

The 23-year-old has also fired them to third in the table and four wins from their last five games, with Parrott’s form now attracting West Ham’s attention as AZ make his price tag known.

They want at least £26 million to consider parting company in January, and such a fee would mean they make a near-quadruple profit off hs sale.

Parrott heroically guided his country to the World Cup play-offs after scoring a hat-trick in their 3-2 qualifying win over Hungary on Sunday.

It’s turning out to be quite the year for him, and a return to London could be on the cards if he wills it and West Ham are prepared to pay AZ’s asking price.