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Tottenham Hotspur made a big splash in the market on Thursday night when they officially confirmed the signing of Mohammed Kudus from Premier League rivals West Ham United.

The Ghana international has put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the Lilywhites and will be hoping to shine on the Champions League stage next season.

Thomas Frank and Daniel Levy are not done there, though, as they are also looking to bring Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White to North London.

The Guardian reports that his expected £60m transfer to the club has been delayed by Forest’s complaint that Spurs did not have permission to speak with the player, and their complaint around the confidentiality of the £60m release clause in his contract.

It states that the Tricky Trees consider the deal to be off, but the feeling is that their protestations are likely to delay a transfer, rather than derail it.

However, it now remains to be seen exactly how this transfer saga is going to play out, as Spurs hope that they will be able to add him to their squad before long.

What Morgan Gibbs-White could bring to Spurs

The 25-year-old ace could add to Frank’s depth in the attacking midfield department as a player who has already proven his quality in the Premier League with Forest.

However, although it should not be completely ruled out, Spurs supporters should not be expecting a generational talent to arrive at the club in the form of Gibbs-White.

In fact, there is no guarantee that he will come in as a significant upgrade on Tottenham’s current number ten James Maddison, if they are even competing for the same place in Frank’s system.

Their respective performances in the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign, despite Forest finishing higher in the Premier League, suggest that he may not be an upgrade on Maddison at all.

Appearances

34

31

xG

6.34

5.83

Goals

7

9

Big chances created

10

6

xA

4.69

5.91

Assists

8

7

Possession lost per game

12.7

10.3

As you can see in the table above, the former Norwich man’s output – goals and xA – was more impressive than Gibbs-White’s, despite playing fewer games and giving the ball away fewer times per game.

These statistics suggest that they are, in fact, fairly similar in what they offer at the top end of the pitch and could provide healthy competition for each other, rather than Gibbs-White, who has only been capped four times by England, coming in as an immediate upgrade.

Meanwhile, Spurs are reportedly interested in signing another English midfielder who is an even bigger talent than the Nottingham Forest attacker.

Spurs eyeing move for English midfielder

According to GIVEMESPORT, Frank has pinpointed Crystal Palace central midfielder Adam Wharton as a ‘leading target’ for the summer transfer window.

The report claims that it will be a difficult deal for the Europa League champions to pull off, but Daniel Levy has been given the ‘green light’ to make more big-money signings to bolster the squad.

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

It adds that Wharton is now ‘firmly’ in Frank’s sights as the Danish head coach wants to beef up his options in the middle of the park ahead of next season.

The outlet states that the English maestro is an ‘ambitious’ target for the Lilywhites, who are now weighing up whether or not to make a formal approach for the former Blackburn star.

GIVEMESPORT reveals that Palace are set to demand a fee of at least £80m for the left-footed defensive midfielder, and it remains to be seen whether or not Tottenham are willing to spend that much on him this summer.

Why Spurs should sign Adam Wharton

Tottenham should, if they have the funds, splash the cash to bring the Eagles sensation to North London in the weeks to come because he is an even bigger talent than Gibbs-White who is worth paying the extra £20m for.

The 21-year-old is four years younger than the Forest star, yet has already been capped by England and is currently valued at £20m more than him, at £80m.

Wharton, despite his young age, has emerged as one of the hottest midfield properties in the division because of the immense quality that he provides on the pitch at both ends of the pitch.

The left-footed star is a rare talent who combines physicality, athleticism, intelligence, technical ability, and determination. In short, he has everything that you could wish to ask for from a deep-lying midfielder.

Wharton, who was highly praised by Declan Rice last year, averaged 2.7 tackles and interceptions and 5.1 ball recoveries per game in the Premier League last term, without making a single mistake that led to a shot or a goal for the opposition.

To go along with the defensive qualities that the English youngster offers in the middle of the park, the Palace star would be an upgrade on what Frank currently has in midfield from an in-possession perspective.

Adam Wharton

7.31

4.03

Rodrigo Bentancur

5.47

2.46

Yves Bissouma

4.79

1.02

Archie Gray

2.06

0.31

Pape Matar Sarr

4.14

2.12

As you can see in the table above, Wharton is significantly better at progressing play with his passes and knitting together moves that result in shots for his side than the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma are, based on his form last term.

This proves that the £80m-rated metronome, who has been called “world-class” by journalist Luke Weaser-Seychell, is a midfielder who combines defensive work with exceptional play on the ball.

Therefore, Wharton could arrive at Spurs this summer as an upgrade on what they currently have at their disposal, which is why they should be pushing to bring him in.

It is also further evidence that he would be an even bigger talent for the club than Gibbs-White, as a more expensive signing who could walk straight into the XI, whilst the attacking midfielder may not find it easy to take Maddison’s place.

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Wolverhampton Wanderers are now ready to join Aston Villa and Leeds United in the race to sign a £25 million “animal”, according to a recent report.

Wolves chasing more additions after Lopez signing

Wolves confirmed their first signing of the summer transfer window on Friday, as attacking midfielder Fer Lopez joined the club from Spanish side Celta Vigo in a deal worth £19 million.

Lopez may be seen as the player to replace Matheus Cunha, who joined Manchester United earlier in this window. After signing for the club, Lopez revealed it is an “amazing opportunity for his career” and believes manager Vitor Pereira is “top”.

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“It’s an amazing opportunity for my career to play in the Premier League, and I’m very happy.

“[Manager] Vitor [Pereira] told me he thought I was a good fit in the squad, and when it’s a club like this, you have little to think about.

“The team did very good when Vitor came, and I think he is top, so I’m very excited to be with him.”

The Midlands side may not have to wait long until they get their next signing through the door, as Sky Sports have reported that Wolves are showing “intent” when it comes to signing Conor Coady. The centre-back is free to leave Leicester City, but Wolves are not the only team eyeing a deal, as Russell Martin is keen to bring the experienced defender to Rangers this summer.

Wolves ready to join Aston Villa and Leeds in Raskin race

Not only do the Midlands side want to beat Rangers to the signing of Coady, but according to Record Sport, Wolves are set to enter the bidding for Rangers midfielder Nicolas Raskin.

The report states that the Premier League side have been keeping a close eye on the midfielder’s performances in the last 18 months, and he is now high on their list of potential targets in this transfer window. It goes on to add that Raskin’s representatives are now also aware of the interest from Wolves.

Raskin, who has been dubbed “unbelievable” by Kris Boyd in the past, still has two years remaining on his contract at Ibrox, but the Gers’ technical director Kevin Thelwell is preparing a new contract offer for the midfielder to keep him at the club. However, a new report has revealed that Raskin is “ready to quit” Rangers and could soon tell the club of his desire to leave.

Nicolas Raskin’s 24/25 Scottish Premiership stats

Apps

33

Starts

29

Goals

4

Shots per game

1.3

Assists

10

Touches per game

68.4

Big chances created

9

Key passes

1.3

Passing accuracy per game

46.8 (87%)

Tackles per game

2.8

This would not only be welcome news for Wolves, but it would also come as great delight to Aston Villa and Leeds United, who are both keen on signing the Belgium international.

Raskin’s potential arrival at Molineux would be a costly one, as it’s been claimed that Rangers would look to get around £25 million should he leave this summer.

Liverpool are making waves in the summer transfer window and could have plenty more exciting arrivals to come following an update from David Ornstein.

Liverpool closing in on Wirtz, Frimpong and Kerkez deals

Arne Slot has made a statement since arriving in the Anfield dugout last year and received wide acclaim from supporters after delivering the Premier League title during his debut season in charge.

Usually, there is an element of calm before the storm on the transfer front after a team wins the league. However, Liverpool already appear to be more active than most when it comes to incomings.

Characterising the start they have made on the recruitment front, Bayer Leverkusen duo Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong are poised to join the Reds and the finer details of either deal are being ironed out as the window edges closer.

Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez is also on the verge of joining Liverpool and his arrival could finally yield a long-term successor to displace Andy Robertson on the left-hand side of defence.

In recent years, it has often felt like the Reds have been slow off the mark in the market when it comes to elite pedigree, or they simply haven’t been able to convince marquee names that Anfield is a viable destination for the long-term.

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Now, the feeling is that Liverpool is a destination where excellence can be achieved for the foreseeable future, adding another feather in their cap alongside being England’s most successful club.

Looking towards the summer, renowned journalist Ornstein has now given a prognosis on what could happen next at the Merseyside giants.

David Ornstein teases more Liverpool transfer activity

Speaking to NBC Sports live from Anfield on Sunday, Ornstein let loose that Liverpool could be set to bring in several more stars, including a potential replacement for striker Darwin Nunez, in what is a ‘thrilling’ period for everyone connected to the Premier League title holders.

He said after referencing negotiations involving Wirtz, Frimpong and Kerkez: “There is more that they’ll look to do at Anfield, maybe a striker if Darwin Nunez leaves, and various other positions because there will be some departures inevitably… it is a thrilling time here at Anfield.”

In a spree for the trio previously mentioned that could exceed £150 million, adding more assets to the melting pot that is the Anfield changing room would be a major statement of intent from FSG heading into the new season.

Napoli have held talks with Nunez’s camp over a potential swoop that could see his £140,000 per week wages cleared off the books, paving the way for arrivals while shipping out a striker who hasn’t caught fire the way he would’ve liked under Slot.

Tough decisions are needed to maintain a steady stream of talent and hunger at Liverpool, but the Dutchman appears to have got the balance right and Ornstein’s update is likely to fuel supporters’ appetite for further success.

Leeds United are already preparing for life back in the top-flight and are said to be making inroads in their pursuit of a prolific striker, according to reports.

Leeds ready to take on the Premier League after dramatic title win

Despite some nervy moments along the way, Leeds are once again a Premier League club from next season and optimism is high in Yorkshire over how they may fare against the elite, especially after their last-gasp win to seal the title at Plymouth on Saturday.

Undoubtedly, savvy additions will need to be made to ensure the Whites don’t end up in a relegation scrap, but the size of the club coupled with a talented existing core could be the ideal recipe for success at Elland Road.

Stepping up their ambition, Leeds are interested in a move for Tottenham Hotspur forward Richarlison. However, Everton,Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fluminense, Al Hilal and Al Shabab are also interested in the Brazil international.

Adhering to PSR regulations will become part and parcel of most clubs’ summer thinking, which may mean Leeds need to prioritise which positions are in urgent need of surgery.

On that front, Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen could replace Illan Meslier between the sticks, while Wolverhampton Wanderers stopper Sam Johnstone may also add some Premier League experience if he were to join the ranks.

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Nevertheless, there are plenty of reasons to be excited as the Whites have another crack at the big time, even if the gap between Premier League and the rest of the football ladder is growing exponentially. Despite this, Leeds have now put themselves in contention to sign one of England’s leading marksmen in years gone by, per recent developments.

Leeds United make advances to sign Jamie Vardy

According to TEAMtalk, Leeds are pursuing a deal for Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy, who is set to become a free agent once his contract at the King Power Stadium expires.

Known as one of the Premier League’s greatest modern-day heroes, the 38-year-old has scored 243 career goals for club and country and still believes he has something to offer in the top-flight, proving that with another strike against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

Jamie Vardy’s 2024/25 campaign – all competitions

Appearances

34

Goals

9

Assists

3

The outlet state that Vardy’s potential destination is ‘more advanced than people may think’ and that Leeds are in the market for several options to strengthen their forward line. Burnley are also in pursuit of the former Three Lions international. Patrick Bamford could make way regardless in the coming window after emerging as a target for Wrexham.

Labelled “top-class” by Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former Halifax man has still shown signs that he is a potent force in the Premier League, registering 24 shots on target this term.

Longevity probably isn’t what you’re going to get from Vardy at this stage, though his vast experience and know-how in front of goal makes him a compelling option for Farke as the Whites aim to build the foundations for a solid season.

Birmingham City are thought to be in talks with an EFL star after clinching promotion back to the Championship.

Birmingham City going for silverware after League One promotion

The Blues have had a brilliant campaign under Chris Davies and sealed promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking in midweek.

A 2-1 victory at Peterborough United sealed a guaranteed top-two spot, and the League One title could also be won if Wrexham fail to beat Wigan Athletic on Saturday lunchtime.

Birmingham are on course to comfortably clear the 100-point mark in the third tier, however, they are actually preparing for Wembley this weekend.

The Blues will once again take on Peterborough in the final of the EFL Trophy, so it could be a double celebration if things go to plan this weekend.

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Ahead of the summer transfer window, Tom Wagner and Tom Brady already appear to be working on St Andrew’s signings ahead of the 2025/26 Championship campaign, and one player who the Blues will face this weekend is a target.

Birmingham City in talks to sign Kwame Poku for free

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, talking to EFL Analysis, Birmingham City are in talks to sign Peterborough United star Kwame Poku.

The 23-year-old actually scored the Posh’s goal against the Blues in midweek and has enjoyed a fine season in the third tier.

However, according to Bailey, Birmingham aren’t the only side in discussions, including Premier League side Crystal Palace and Scottish giants Rangers.

“His people are in talks with a number of clubs – and yes, one of them is Birmingham. There are others, though – Crystal Palace, Millwall, Luton and Norwich among them.

“However, the big danger is Rangers – they want him and have watched him numerous times. Talks have continued but complicated by their takeover and then new manager.”

Games

27

Goals

12

Assists

11

Minutes played

2,081

The winger has impressed Sky Sports co-commentator and pundit Don Goodman this season, who said last month that Poku appears to be ready for the step up to the Championship.

“Kwame Poku, 10 goals and six assists this season from just 20 games, 19 starts, is very impressive. It’s on the back of 11 goals and seven assists last season.

“He’s been on my radar for a couple of seasons now, along with Ephron Mason-Clarke, who is now doing really, really well at Coventry.

“So whether he’s ready for the Premier League just yet is a debate to be had, but certainly if I was a Championship club and I needed an exciting, ball-carrying winger that both scores and creates goals, he would be on my radar.”

It looks as if a move to the Midlands will be one to watch over the coming months, with Poku actually out of contract at the end of the season, meaning a transfer may not cost a penny.

Manchester City are now reportedly one of the two most interested clubs in signing a key defensive reinforcement for Pep Guardiola worth over £40m.

Man City interested in key defensive addition

This time last year, Man City were gearing up for a frantic January transfer window. The Citizens were struggling more than ever before under Guardiola, who was on the worst run of his career himself.

One year later, things are little less concerning. The serial winners still have problems to address, but they still very much find themselves in a Premier League title race.

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Before they can even think about leapfrogging Arsenal, however, Man City must improve defensively. Close collapses against Leeds United and Fulham were worrying warning signs and the January transfer window represents the chance for Guardiola to add key reinforcements.

He told reporters when asked about his side’s defensive frailties as of late: “I don’t like to concede six goals in two games, but we have to build from that. We have to fix these kind of things. I believe we can do better. We create chances and score goals because we have built a team for that, but we have to be more solid.”

So, who could Man City sign in 2026? As things stand, the biggest names on their radar seem to be Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown.

Guehi would be a particularly impressive signing, given how Liverpool remain so closely linked with his signature. If he’s available as a free agent next summer, City should jump at the chance to welcome the England international.

Meanwhile, Brown would also be an impressive addition. The left-back reportedly has plenty of fans at the Etihad and has emerged as an early target to help Guardiola solve his current defensive leak.

Man City battling Arsenal to sign Brown

According to Caught Offside, Man City are now the most interested club to sign Brown alongside title rivals Arsenal. The two Premier League sides are seemingly leading the chasing pack to sign the impressive Frankfurt man, who is set to cost around €50m (£44m) when 2026 arrives.

It’s easy to see why Man City are one of the top contenders to sign Brown next year, especially as Guardiola transitions back towards flying full-backs.

The German was described as exactly that by Ben Mattinson last season, with the Como scout also calling the Frankfurt man “pacy”.

Man City rarely miss out in the transfer market and even as Arsenal rise to the top of the Premier League, they should feel confident that they can lure Brown to Manchester in 2026.

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has lavished praise on a Gunners who’s done something he never expected.

Arsenal look to extend unbeaten run against Brentford

Arsenal return to the Emirates tonight seeking to rebuild momentum against Brentford following Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea, where Arteta’s side failed to capitalize on their one-man advantage despite playing almost an hour against ten men.

The north Londoners have also seen their five-point lead atop the Premier League table reduced to two after Man City’s thrilling 5-4 win away to Fulham on Tuesday, so nothing but a win will do against one of the worst away teams in the division this evening.

Arteta faces selection dilemmas ahead of Brentford’s visit, with defensive concerns persisting following the unexpected absence of both first-choice centre-backs at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal’s unbeaten run in all competitions since defeat to Liverpool
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
Burnley 0-2 Arsenal
Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham
Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich
Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal

William Saliba suffered a training ground injury in the build up to Chelsea, compounding Gabriel Magalhaes’ absence and marking only the second occasion in 162 matches both defenders have missed simultaneously.

It could well be the third time in 163 matches against Brentford, with Saliba a doubt for tonight’s clash and Gabriel still weeks away from returning to the field.

Arsenal’s incredible unbeaten streak has now reached 17 matches across all competitions, yet Arteta demands improvements following the Chelsea stalemate. The Gunners managed just eight shots at Stamford Bridge – their lowest total in any Premier League fixture this season.

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Leandro Trossard, who’s been in excellent form with 10 goal contributions already this term, looks set to miss the Brentford game with Havertz also suffering a setback in his recovery from a knee injury.

Mikel Arteta says Merino has took him by surprise at Arsenal

Bearing this in mind, if Arteta doesn’t start Viktor Gyokeres, then makeshift number nine Mikel Merino could well be handed another chance to impress.

The Spain international has been nothing short of extraordinary in a very unfamiliar role, scoring 20 goals this calendar year for club and country, and Arteta has now had his say on the matter.

When asked by reporters whether he thought Merino could become a striker like this, Arteta admitted the 29-year-old has taken him completely by surprise.

Merino’s equaliser ensured that Arsenal’s unbeaten streak didn’t end in west London on Sunday, and the former Newcastle star has fast become a fan favourite.

2025 has been a real year to remember for the midfielder, who was one of Edu’s final signings before his departure as sporting director late last year.

Arteta can take a lot of the credit for transforming Merino into an attacking powerhouse and having the initiative to experiment with him up front, but the versatile star has seized that opportunity with both hands.

Eddie Howe didn’t rip things up ahead of Newcastle United’s crunch Premier League clash against Manchester City, but instead opted for smaller tweaks to arrest the slide in form that had cast an air of frustration across Tyneside.

Hope reigned across the November international break that the Toon would undergo a systematic reset, with three defeats from four leaving the club down in the bottom half. But Howe got it right, and Pep Guardiola was sent packing with none of the spoils.

With Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga, ostensibly the Magpies’ two most talented wide forwards, out of sorts, it was crucial that Howe saw some other attacking stars step up.

Newcastle's evolving frontline

When Newcastle sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a British record fee, it was a poignant moment. But Newcastle have evolved, and Nick Woltemade has proved by this stage his potential to be a star in the Premier League.

Theoretically, the 23-year-old German’s technical quality on the ball and his willingness to roam, dropping deep and aiding the pacy wingers either side of him, should give rise to Gordon and Elanga’s qualities, but it hasn’t happened yet.

Harvey Barnes is thriving, though. The prolific left winger scored twice to sink City, and that’s three in two Premier League matches for him.

Then, of course, Jacob Murphy continues to add flair and industriousness down the right flank. This is important, given Elanga’s own woes. Murphy, 30, worked so hard against his tide of the opposition, and he still managed to showcase his creativity, creating three chances and completing four of six attempted crosses, as per Sofascore.

We haven’t even mentioned Yoane Wissa, who was involved in Saturday’s celebrations but remains sidelined after joining from Brentford this summer. The DR Congo striker will add a new dimension to Howe’s frontline and offer a more traditional take than Woltemade, an interesting counterpoint.

These are all influential forwards, but it might be that Newcastle are developing another more influential member of their squad. This player offers shades of Erling Haaland, and yet he’s anything but a striker.

Newcastle's own version of Haaland

Haaland is one of the best players in the world, and, at Manchester City, his influence is unmatched.

Newcastle might not have anyone in their side who comes close to the Norwegian in terms of attacking output, but Malick Thiaw is beginning to single-handedly define his side’s defensive strength, and in this, he could curiously become United’s own version of the free-scoring machine.

Newcastle completed a £35m move for Thiaw in August, reinforcing a backline that was crying out for some extra depth last season.

Hailed as an “absolute steal” of a signing by one United content creator, who lauded Thiaw’s “Saliba-esque” presence in central defence, this is a defender who has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, and this was underscored and then some upon keeping Haaland at bay on Saturday.

Haaland failed to score, but his physicality and the scare factor that comes into play when he’s involved were both negated by the Germany international, whose willingness to go one-on-one and engage with crisp and combative challenges emphasise the level of player Newcastle have reeled in. One podcast host actually marvelled at the display and said, “he might be the Premier League’s next elite centre-back.”

Mentality is just as important as technical mastery, and luckily, the £75k-per-week Thiaw offers both elements in bucketloads.

Sofascore record that he made seven clearances and six ball recoveries against City, timing a last-man challenge just right.

Moreover, Thiaw is already sitting pretty across some intriguing statistical metrics. In the Premier League this season, for example, the 24-year-old ranks among the top 15% of centre-backs for interceptions, the top 13% for blocks, the top 9% for ball recoveries, the top 15% for progressive passes and the top 9% for progressive carries per 90 (data provided by FBref).

Couple that with his remarkable success rate in the duel, both in the Premier League and out on the continent this season, and you begin to see why so many Newcastle supporters are boarding the hype train at this early stage of his English career.

Malick Thiaw for Newcastle
Stats (* per game)	PL	UCL
Matches (starts)	9 (8)	4 (3)
Goals	0	0
Assists	0	0
Touches*	52.7	57.0
Accurate passes*	35.1 (86%)	43.8 (91%)
Recoveries*	4.1	4.8
Tackles + interceptions*	2.4	1.8
Clearances*	5.0	3.3
Ground duels*	1.4 (68%)	1.5 (55%)
Aerial duels*	3.1 (72%)	3.3 (76%)
Errors made	0	0
Data via Sofascore

Error-free, confident on the ball and commanding in defensive phases, Thiaw is a “monster” of a centre-half, in the words of journalist Martino Puccio, and he’s only going to keep getting better as he settles into his role on Tyneside.

Given the current struggles of Sven Botman – who started from the bench at St. James’ Park at the weekend – and the ageing legs of Dan Burn and Fabian Schar – Newcastle’s new central defender may well far outstrip his positional competition and enter a league of his own.

In this way, he could emulate Haaland’s own matchless presence at the Etihad Stadium and establish himself as a one-of-a-kind talent on Tyneside, becoming not just one of the best players in Newcastle’s first team but a figure to be feared across the entire continent, just as Haaland is right now.

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Sourav Ganguly also holds posts with the Delhi Capitals teams in the T20 franchise circuit

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Sep-2025Former India captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has filed his nomination for the post of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president. With no other nominations filed, he is expected to take over from his elder brother Snehasish Ganguly when the CAB elections are held on September 22.”I would like to thank everyone for their support,” Ganguly said in a CAB statement on Sunday. “At CAB, there is no opposition. Everyone is a part of this association. We will all work together to take CAB and Bengal cricket ahead.”There are important events coming up – Eden Gardens’ India’s Test match against South Africa, [matches of the men’s] T20 World Cup, Bengal Pro T20 League. I will try and do my best.”Ganguly was in the same post between 2015 and 2019 before becoming the BCCI president, a post he held from 2019 to 2022. Since then, he has been involved with various teams in the T20 franchise circuit.In a recent update, Ganguly took over as the Pretoria Capitals head coach for the fourth season of SA20. He was present at the SA20 auction last week as well. It is his first stint as head coach of a T20 franchise team but has earlier been the mentor of Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL (in 2019).He was appointed director of cricket at JSW Sports (co-owners of the Delhi Capitals teams around the world) last year and worked closely with the DC team at the WPL too. It is unclear how the appointment at CAB will affect his coaching/mentorship roles.

Their carnage-filled twin tons in Johannesburg took India past 250 for a staggering third time

Sampath Bandarupalli15-Nov-20244:49

India sign off on stellar T20I year in style

283 for 1 – India’s score against South Africa in Johannesburg is the fifth-highest total in men’s T20Is. This is also India’s second-highest total in the format, behind the 297 for 6 against Bangladesh last month in Hyderabad.3 – Pairs with hundreds in the same men’s T20I innings, including that of Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma in Johannesburg. Czech Republic’s Sabawoon Davizi and Dylan Steyn, who achieved the feat against Bulgaria in 2022, were the first pair to do it, before Japan’s Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake replicated it against China earlier this year.3 – 250-plus totals by India are the most by any team in men’s T20Is. They surpassed Czech Republic, Japan and Zimbabwe, who have two 250-plus totals each.Related

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India are now only the third team with three 250-plus totals in the men’s T20s, after Surrey and Sunrisers Hyderabad.210* – The stand between Samson and Tilak for the second wicket on Friday was the first-ever double-century partnership for India in T20Is. The previous highest was an unbeaten 190-run stand between Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh for the fifth wicket against Afghanistan at the start of the year.ESPNcricinfo LtdIt is also only the eighth partnership of 200-plus in men’s T20Is, but the first to have come for the second wicket or lower.23 – Sixes hit by Indian batters on Friday are the joint-third-highest by any team in a men’s T20I innings. Zimbabwe smashed 27 sixes against Gambia last month, while Nepal struck 26 against Mongolia in the Asian Games last year. Japan also hit 23 sixes against China earlier this year.157 – Runs scored by India in the middle overs (7-16) against South Africa. Only one team has scored more runs in the middle overs of a men’s T20 innings, where ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data is available – 163 for 1 by Nepal against Mongolia in 2023.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2 – Team totals of 250-plus in men’s T20s for the loss of one or no wickets, including India’s 283 for 1 on Friday. Japan scored 258 without losing a wicket against China in Mong Kok earlier this year.It was also only the tenth innings in men’s T20Is, where a team batted full 20 overs, losing no more than one wicket.1 – India’s total of 283 is also the highest in South Africa in the T20 format. The previous highest was 271 for 3 by Titans against Knights in Potchefstroom in 2022.ESPNcricinfo Ltd5 – Batters with hundreds in consecutive innings in men’s T20Is, including Tilak. Samson also achieved this feat at the start of this series to join the elite list of Gustav Mckeon (2022), Rilee Rossouw (2022) and Phil Salt (2023).3 – Hundreds for Samson in his previous five T20I innings. He became the first batter to register three hundreds in a calendar year in T20Is. Samson is now among nine men with three or more hundreds in T20Is.4 – Individual hundreds for India in the four-match series against South Africa – two each by Samson and Tilak. Before this series, no team had more than two individual centuries in a men’s T20I series or tournament.