O Botafogo não demorou para mudar suas atenções na temporada. No dia seguinte ao empate em 1 a 1 com o Patronato, da Argentina, o grupo se reapresentou na tarde desta quinta-feira (20), no CT Lonier.
A atividade contou não só com jogadores que entraram no decorrer da etapa final da partida pela Copa Sul-Americana ou jogadores que estavam relacionados. Gatito Fernández e Matías Segovia foram alguns dos titulares no duelo que estiveram no CT Lonier. O técnico Bruno Lage ainda contou com novidades relevantes: o ponta Victor Sá e o atacante Matheus Nascimento participaram bem do treino e indicaram que podem estar em breve com o grupo.
Gabriel Pires, por sua vez, segue em fase de transição se recuperando de uma lesão na panturrilha.
Além do técnico Bruno Lage e seus auxiliares estudarem questões táticas, houve um coletivo. O treinador português passou orientações para os atletas durante a atividade. Em alguns momentos, Lage se aproximava de algum atleta para passar alguma determinação.
O Alvinegro encara o Peixe no domingo (23), às 16h, na Vila Belmiro. Os botafoguenses lideram a competição com 39 pontos e têm 12 de vantagem sobre o vice-líder Flamengo.
Liverpool have made a number of signings this summer, but none have arrived with the same expectations around them as the club’s record signing, Florian Wirtz.
The 22-year-old joined Liverpool following six seasons and 197 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen. During his time at Leverkusen, he won the Bundesliga and was named Bundesliga Player of the Year. Wirtz registered 119 goal involvements for his former employers and was known for his quick dribbling, creative play and ruthless finishing ability.
Wirtz could cost Liverpool up to £116 million if his add-ons are achieved, but he hasn’t had the immediate impact that his fellow Bundesliga recruit, Hugo Ekitiké, has had. Wirtz has only registered one assist, whereas Ekitike has three goals and an assist in his first three appearances.
"Wirtz hasn’t yet fit into the team"
Although he is still in the early stages of his Liverpool career, people have taken notice of his struggles, including Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker. During their “Rest is Football” podcast, Lineker and Shearer discussed Wirtz’s struggles fitting into the squad.
When discussing Liverpool’s second Premier League game against Newcastle, Lineker pointed out that Wirtz hasn’t yet fit into the team: “He likes to play in that role, but has it caused Liverpool a few early issues? I mean, they’ve got six points, so it’s not massive issues at present. But it’s made them look slightly unbalanced to where they were last season.”
Shearer agreed with his colleague, saying: “Their rhythm is nowhere near what it was when they were playing really well last season. They’re finding it difficult to get him into the game; they’re certainly more open.”
The podcast’s third host, Micah Richards, came to the German’s defence: “I think Wirtz will come good. I think he’s just used to playing a different style of football. I think it is a bit physical in this league and they’re still figuring out how they want to play, you know.”
Wirtz's work rate going under the radar
While Wirtz hasn’t scored yet, he has had some bright moments for Liverpool and has been impressing in some surprising metrics.
From the opening two Premier League games, Wirtz is in the top 20% of players for expected assists and is on track to record an assist every four games. This is slightly below his record last season, where he registered an assist every three games.
An area where he has been surprisingly impressive is his pressing and defending. Despite being known for his attacking acumen, Wirtz is currently in the top 30% of players for recoveries per 90 and the top 7% of players for possession won in the final third per 90. While these stats don’t receive direct credit for goals, they’re important in terms of winning possession and have undoubtedly contributed to Liverpool’s back-to-back victories.
Where there has been legitimate concern has been his shooting, averaging one shot a game, whereas last season he registered triple that. Based on the current stats, the assists will come, but the challenge will be working out ways for the team to provide Wirtz with chances so they can bring about the goal threat they signed him for.
While it’s not quite panic stations just yet, it would be fair to say that the shine has been taken off of Arsenal’s pre-season preparations over the last week or so.
It started with an underwhelming defeat to Tottenham Hotspur out in Hong Kong, and then the mood around the club got even worse following the 3-2 loss at home to Villarreal on Wednesday.
It wasn’t just the losses that shook confidence in some supporters, but also the nature of them, the lack of genuine cutting-edge, and specifically, Viktor Gyokeres’ ineffectiveness in the latter match.
However, the good news is that, based on reports, it looks like Arsenal are targeting someone who’d be able to get the Swede firing in no time at all.
Arsenal target perfect teammate for Gyokeres
While the last two games have certainly dented the excitement that some fans were feeling ahead of the new Premier League season, it should be said that this summer has still been a largely positive one, especially when it comes to transfers.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
For example, in addition to Gyokeres, Andrea Berta and his team have made five first-team additions to Mikel Arteta’s squad, with the likes of Noni Madueke and Christian Norgaard looking like excellent depth options and Martin Zubimendi the perfect long-term six.
Yet, things could still get better as the club are still looking to bring in at least one more player, someone who could help the former Sporting CP star explode next season.
At least that’s according to a recent report from Sebastian Vidal, who has reaffirmed that Arsenal are very interested in signing Eberechi Eze this summer.
The journalist has revealed that even though talks have somewhat stalled, the Englishman remains a key target and that a player sale may make it easier to secure his services.
It’ll likely be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but Eze has more than proven his ability and would be more than worth the effort it takes to get him, especially as he could get Gyokeres firing right away.
Why Eze would get Gyokeres firing
Okay, so while there is every chance that things will naturally improve the more games he plays in the team, it was obvious that the biggest problem for Gyokeres against Villarreal was the lack of opportunities being created for him.
Unlike Kai Havertz, who likes to drop back into midfield whenever he can, the Swedish superstar is very much your archetypal centre-forward, someone who spends most of his time in and around the penalty area, and rarely takes his shots from outside the area.
In this case, it’s clear that Arsenal need someone who can get the ball to him with relative ease, either through brilliant ball-carrying or passing, and fortunately, it looks like Eze would be excellent at the former.
Crystal Palace's EberechiEze
For example, FBref ranked him in the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League last season for successful take-ons per 90.
In other words, the Palace “magician,” as dubbed by Micah Richards, is elite at getting past opposition defenders and driving into dangerous areas before firing off a shot or laying the ball off for a teammate.
Another reason to believe the £100k-per-week gem could be the one to help the former Sporting star explode next season is the output he managed in a mid-table side last season.
In 43 appearances, totalling just 3303 minutes, the 27-year-old game-changer managed to find the back of the net 14 times and provide 11 assists for good measure.
Eze recent form
Season
23/24
24/25
Appearances
36
43
Minutes
2285′
3303′
Goals
11
14
Assists
6
11
Goal Involvements per Match
0.47
0.58
Minutes per Goal Involvement
134.41′
132.12′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
That means he maintained an average of a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes, which is the sort of output that could seriously boost Gyokeres’ own goal and assist tally.
Ultimately, Arsenal need to add another attacking dimension to the team before the end of the summer, and not only would Eze do that, but he’d also get the most out of Gyokeres.
A dream for Saka: Arsenal plot move to sign "world-class" £43m sensation
The incredible attacker would help Arsenal and the Englishman reach another level.
After a challenging 2024/25 campaign that saw Manchester City finish third, a distant 13 points behind champions Liverpool, Pep Guardiola knows something must change in midfield.
Kevin De Bruyne’s exit on a free transfer has left a creative hole that no one has yet been able to fill.
City moved last summer to sign Rayan Cherki from Lyon for £30m, but the Frenchman is yet to pull on a shirt in the Premier League.
Lucas Paquetá, so heavily linked with City last year, seemed a logical solution before allegations of betting rule breaches halted a potential move.
Although Paquetá has since been cleared and is reportedly available for £30m, City’s attention appears to have shifted.
According to reports from Spain last week, they are now considering a bid for a 22-year-old midfielder, already being dubbed by many as the new Andres Iniesta.
Why Man City could be chasing the new Iniesta
Fermin López is a graduate of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy – the same finishing school that honed teammates Lamine Yamal, Gavi and Pedri.
After Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Sevilla in 2023, Planet Football described López as “an Iniesta regen,” while respected talent scout Jacek Kulig labelled him a “genius.”
Those comparisons are not unfounded. López is technically sublime, boasting a silky first touch, a powerful engine, and an uncanny sense of space.
Last season, he played 46 games for Barcelona in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing ten assists.
That kind of production is impressive, particularly for a player who only started eight matches in the league.
He thrives as an advanced midfielder but can also operate off the left wing, where his sharp movement and awareness of space can be especially dangerous.
His influence extends beyond club football.
López was a central figure in Spain’s Olympic gold medal win last summer, starting every match and finishing with six goals and two assists in six.
Barcelona, however, are reluctant to let him go.
While his contract is valid until 2029 with a colossal €500m buy-out clause, reports suggest the Catalan club might listen to serious offers around £52m.
Given Barcelona’s well-documented financial issues, City could sense an opportunity to secure a player uniquely suited to Guardiola’s system.
Why Lopez could be Pep’s new midfield maestro
A deeper dive into López’s metrics makes a persuasive case for why City are so interested.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Statistically, according to FBref, he ranks in the 95th percentile for assists per 90 (0.42) and the 91st percentile for non-penalty expected goals per 90 (0.39).
This is a player who doesn’t just move the ball well; he directly contributes to scoring opportunities and even finishes them himself.
His pass completion rate of 82.2% (88th percentile) suggests composure under pressure, while his progressive passing numbers are also strong – 4.96 progressive passes per 90, ranking in the 74th percentile.
Crucially, he ranks in the 91st percentile for passes into the final third per 90 (4.12), reflecting a player capable of breaking lines and unpicking compact defences.
FC Barcelona'sFerminLopezin action with Las Palmas' Stefan Bajcetic
López is active beyond just attacking numbers.
His involvement is consistent, with 59.33 touches per 90 (84th percentile), and he offers defensive contributions with 4.65 ball recoveries per 90 (80th percentile), which is crucial to Guardiola’s counter-pressing approach.
These figures paint the picture of a complete midfielder who can contribute on both sides of the ball, matching City’s demands for work rate, positional intelligence, and technical skill.
In profile, López is similar to other multi-functional, creative players like Dani Olmo, Jamal Musiala, or Michael Olise.
Spain'sDaniOlmo, Marc Cucurella and Fermin Lopez celebrate with the trophy after winning the final
He can carry the ball, link short combinations, and accelerate the game when needed.
That hybrid skillset is precisely what Guardiola values most – someone who can help dominate possession but also break lines and score goals.
For City, Fermín López could represent a long-term successor to De Bruyne. The Belgian’s departure has left a gap not just in terms of output but in leadership and a sense of decisive creativity.
López, with his La Masia education and fearless big-game mentality, could inherit that responsibility.
There are still elements to refine – he will need to adjust to the Premier League’s speed and physicality – but his technical base gives him a solid platform.
Of course, the question is whether Barcelona will really cash in.
The club remains under financial pressure, which means a serious bid from City could get their attention despite the €500m release clause.
And with López under contract until 2029, it may take persuasive negotiations, and a hefty offer, to bring him to the Etihad.
While the Paquetá rumours have resurfaced thanks to his clearance, City fans may be more excited by the idea of López: younger, and with a trajectory that mirrors some of Spain’s most legendary midfielders.
If Pep Guardiola does get his wish, Manchester City supporters could soon be watching a player built in the image of Iniesta, but wearing sky blue.
Hosting India in all three formats and another bumper SA20 serves as a boost to CSA coffers
Firdose Moonda12-Sep-2024
Hosting the SA20 and India for two Tests have proven to be a huge success•SA20
Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced profits of R815 million (US$ 45.6 million) for the 2023-24 fiscal year after hosting India for two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is in the December-January period and benefitting from a bumper SA20. As the majority shareholder in the T20 tournament, CSA earned profits of R54 million (US$ 3.02 million) from the event, which boasted a double-digit growth.This comes after losses for the last three reporting periods – 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 which collectively amounted to R538 million (US$ 30.14 million). The turnaround was mostly due to the increased revenue derived from broadcast rights, which make up 54% of the CSA income.The coffers were also boosted by the successful hosting of the 2024 Under-19 men’s World Cup, which was moved to South Africa from Sri Lanka and generated revenue of R54 million (US$ 3.02 million). CSA’s total ICC disbursements for the period were R566 million, (US$ 31.63 million) up from R290 million (US$ 16.2 million) in the previous year.Related
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CSA to address transformation issues holistically
CSA is expected to enjoy another strong financial year in 2024-2025, largely due to hosting India for four T20Is in November. The revenue from those games is expected to be upwards of R150 million (US$ 8.38 million) per match. These figures again underline India’s monetary importance and the incentive other countries have to host them as often as possible. CSA is starting to move slightly away from total dependence on the Indian national team, thanks to the SA20, but it is important to note that all six franchises are IPL affiliates.The biggest beneficiary of CSA’s financial turnaround is the women’s game, which underwent professionalisation at the domestic level last season. CSA has spent R32 million on women’s cricket (US$ 1.78 million). The cost of running professional cricket – the eight division 1, seven division 2 domestic men’s teams and six provincial women’s teams – remains CSA’s biggest expense. They shelled out R633 million (US$ 35.3 million) on these costs, which also underlines one of the major problems in South African cricket: how reliant the domestic system is on CSA. The cost of the national teams amounted to R172.8 million (US$ 9.66 million) or almost a quarter of the domestic expenses.Overall, CSA reported strong performance, in everything from the national teams – the men reached the semi-final of the 2023 ODI World Cup while the women beat Australia in an ODI and a T20I for the first time in the period under consideration – to grassroots cricket. The KFC mini-cricket programme, which targets children between the ages of six and 12 and has produced the likes of Wayne Parnell and Ayabonga Khaka, reported a 20% increase in participation, with over 100,000 children from more than 2000 schools participating. The rate of progression of those players to provincial and national teams is 15%.CSA’s AGM also marked the end of Lawson Naidoo’s three-year tenure as CSA chair. A new chair will be elected at a special general meeting this month. The new chair will be chosen from the independent directors, in other words, not from presidents of provincial unions.
تعادل منتخب مصر الأول لكرة القدم سلبيا مع نظيره بوركينا فاسو، في خلال المواجهة التي أقيمت ضمن منافسات مباريات المجموعة الأولى من تصفيات كأس العالم 2026.
وحل منتخب مصر ضيفا على إثيوبيا، في لقاء أقيم على أرضية ستاد 4 أغسطس، في خضم مواجهات الجولة الثامنة من تصفيات كأس العالم.
طالع| التشخيص المبدئي لإصابة عمر مرموش في مباراة مصر وبوركينا فاسو
وشهدت الدقائق الأولى جس نبض بين الفريقين، قبل تسديدة محمود تريزيجيه في الدقيقة 6 من خارج منطقة الجزاء ولكنها مرت بجوار القائم الأيسر.
وفي الدقيقة 8 سقط عمر مرموش على أرضية الملعب للإصابة بعد تدخل قوي من لاعب بوركينا، قبل أن يغادر الملعب في الدقيقة التاسعة، ويشارك بدلا منه أسامة فيصل.
وشهدت الدقيقة 22 عرضية داخل منطقة جزاء منتخب مصر حولها لاعب بوركينا فاسو رأسية مرت أعلى العارضة بقليل قبل أن يحتسب حكم المباراة خطأ لصالح مصر. إصابة عمر مرموش وخروجه من مباراة مصر وبوركينا فاسو
عمر مرموش يغادر الملعب متأثرًا بالإصابة 🇪🇬#التصفيات_الأفريقية#بوركينا_فاسو_مصر | #SSC pic.twitter.com/5Te2TKMkOc — SSC (@ssc_sports) September 9, 2025
وفي الدقيقة 27 سدد تريزيجيه كرة من خارج منطقة الجزاء ولكن وصلت سهلة إلى أحضان حارس بوركينا فاسو.
وفي الدقيقة 40 أرسل مروان عطية عرضية من الجهة اليمنى داخل منقطة الجزاء ولكن الحارس أمسك الكرة بسهولة.
وبعدها انحصر اللعب بين نقلات قصيرة بين أقدام لاعبي منتخب مصر في وسط ملعب بوركينا فاسو، لينتهي الشوط الأول سلبيا.
وفي الدقيقة 52، سدد تريزيجيه كرة قوية أرضية من داخل منطقة الجزاء ولكن حارس بوركينا فاسو تصدى لها.
وفي الدقيقة 67، سجل أسامة فيصل هدفا في شباك بوركينا فاسو بعد تمريرة رأسية من صلاح ولكن حكم المباراة ألغى الهدف بداعي التسلل.
وفي الدقيقة 81، سدد لاعب بوركينا فاسو كرة بعد تنفيذ الركلة الحرة ولكن مرت اعلى عارضة محمد الشناوي.
وفي الدقيقة 89 تلقى مصطفى محمد تمريرة بينية داخل منطقة الجزاء قابلها بتسديدة بعيدة عن المرمى.
وبهذه النتيجة يرتفع رصيد منتخب مصر إلى 20 نقطة في صدارة ترتيب المجموعة الأولى من تصفيات كأس العالم، بينما يصل رصيد بوركينا فاسو إلى النقطة 15 في المركز الثاني، ويحتاج منتخب مصر نقطة وحيدة من مباراتين متبقيتين بالتصفيات للتأهل رسميا إلى مونديال 2026. هدف مصر الملغي أمام بوركينا فاسو في تصفيات كأس العالم
هدف ملغي لمنتخب مصر بداعي التسلل ❌#التصفيات_الأفريقية#بوركينا_فاسو_مصر | #SSC pic.twitter.com/tkZbKJsN3F — SSC (@ssc_sports) September 9, 2025
Rangers are set to be very busy in the transfer market in the next few weeks.
Ever since Russell Martin was unveiled as the new manager last week, the Ibrox side have been linked with umpteen new signings and rightly so, considering their squad requires a major overhaul this summer.
So, could the Gers’ land an attacker labelled “unplayable” in a move reminiscent of a recent fans’ favourite?
Rangers' interest in a new midfielder
According to a report by Joshua Barrie of the Rangers review, Rangers are ‘interested’ in signing Kwame Poku this summer.
Kwame Poku for Peteborough.
The 23-year-old is a free agent having left Peterborough United, with there unsurprisingly plenty of competition for his signature, including from newly-promoted Championship side, Birmingham City.
Poku began his senior career in non-league, representing Cray Wanderers and Worthing, earning a move to Colchester before joining Peterborough in 2021, making 147 appearances for Posh, most notably winning back-to-back EFL Trophies at Wembley.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony believes he will “be a Premier League star in the future”, estimating that he’ll one day “cost £30 million”, so could Rangers tempt him north of Hadrian’s Wall on a Bosman?
Joe Aribo's Rangers career
Six years ago, in an eerily similar deal, Joe Aribo arrived at Rangers as a free agent, a reported £300,000 in compensation was paid, from Charlton Athletic, who were also in EFL League One at the time.
Aribo would go on to make 149 appearances for the Light Blues, scoring 26 goals and registering 25 assists, most famously breaking the deadlock in the Europa League Final against Eintracht Frankfurt at Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán.
A few days later, the Nigerian international helped Rangers win the Scottish Cup at Hampden, but this would prove to be his last outing in a blue jersey, sold to Southampton for £6m in the summer of 2022.
So, could Poku have a similar impact to that of Aribo? Let’s compare the duo to find out.
Kwame Poku 2024/25 vs Joe Aribo 2018/19
Statistics
Poku
Aribo
Appearances
31
39
Minutes
2,364
3,413
Goals
12
10
Assists
11
5
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt
As the table outlines, Poku’s statistics this season were actually more impressive than those of Aribo from his final season at Charlton, despite the fact the former sat out three months of the campaign following hamstring surgery in December.
Writer Kai Watson labels the Ghanian international a “strong ball carrier” who is excellent at “cutting in on his left and getting a shot away”, concluding that he would be a “bargain” on a free transfer. Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson, meanwhile, asserts that he can be “unplayable” at times.
Meanwhile, Oliver Walton of Football League World described him as ‘one of the most in-form players in English football’ earlier this season, while Venkatanarayanan of Total Football Analysis outlines how he boasts the best ‘attacking numbers’ across the entirety of the EFL, praising his ‘excellent finishing’.
So, let’s assess that assertion.
Kwame Poku’s EFL League One statistics 2024/25
Statistics
Poku
League One rank
Minutes
2,058
223rd
Goals
12
11th
Goals per 90
0.52
7th
Assists
8
5th
Assists per 90
0.35
1st
Shots per 90
2.71
12th
Goals per shot
0.19
18th
Big chances created
9
28th
Successful dribbles per 90
1.9
2nd
Statistics courtesy of FBref.com and SofaScore
As the table highlights, Poku had an exceptional season at Peterborough, ranked first for assists per 90 and second for successful dribbles per 90 as well, on top of his generally impressive attacking statistics across the board.
Venkatanarayanan of Total Football Analysis also believes his best position is as an attacking midfielder, albeit he can be deployed out-wide, noting that his ‘biggest strength’ is his ability to progress the ball through midfield.
Meanwhile, Fintan O’Reilly of Total Football Analysis labels him a ‘thrilling playmaker’ who is ‘great in tight spaces’ and a ‘very intelligent passer’, destined to go to the very top, so Rangers should do everything in their power to make this deal come to fruition.
Russell Martin considering selling "brilliant" Rangers 22 y/o who wants to stay
He wants to stay at Ibrox, but the decision could be made up for him.
Leeds United will have to be ambitious and clear in what they want if they want to be successful in building a squad that can avoid instant relegation from the Premier League.
The facts are there for all to see. The last six teams to be promoted from the Premier League have all been relegated in their first season in the top-flight, which means that it is going to be incredibly difficult for the Whites to beat the drop.
Daniel Farke knows more than most about how difficult it is, because he managed Norwich during their relegation in the 2019/20 campaign, and was relieved of his duties before they succumbed to another relegation in the 2021/22 season.
One route the West Yorkshire outfit could go down is to sign players with Premier League experience, as they know the division and know what it takes to avoid relegation.
There are several former Leeds players who now fall into that category of star, although some of them are now beyond the club’s reach, including Nottingham Forest centre-forward Chris Wood.
Why Chris Wood is unattainable for Leeds
The New Zealand international is now unattainable for the Whites because there is a chance that Nottingham Forest could be playing in the Champions League next season, and they will be playing in a European competition no matter what.
Wood played for Leeds in the Championship between 2015 and 2017, after joining from Leicester City, and caught the eye with his goalscoring exploits in the second tier.
As you can see in the graphic above, the towering striker averaged a goal every other game for the Whites, before being sold to Burnley for £15m.
Wood has gone on to cement himself as a reliable and consistent Premier League goalscorer throughout his career, playing in the top-flight in every season since his exit from Elland Road in 2017.
24/25 (Nottingham Forest)
35
20
23/24 (Nottingham Forest)
31
14
22/23 (Newcastle United)
18
2
21/22 (Newcastle United)
17
2
21/22 (Burnley)
17
3
20/21 (Burnley)
33
12
19/20 (Burnley)
32
14
18/19 (Burnley)
38
10
17/18 (Burnley)
24
10
As you can see in the table above, the impressive marksman was remarkably consistent for Burnley up until the 2021/22 campaign, in which he joined Newcastle United in the January transfer window.
His time with the Magpies did not go to plan, with four goals in 35 Premier League appearances, but his previous form for Burnley was clearly enough for Forest to put their faith in him, and he has paid them back in a big way.
His incredible form for Forest, with 34 goals in 66 league matches to date, illustrates why he is beyond the club’s reach at this moment in time, but that does not mean that Farke cannot sign his own version of Wood.
Leeds considering deal for Premier League star
According to Football Insider, Leeds United are considering a bargain swoop to sign Callum Wilson from Premier League side Newcastle United in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Whites are looking to add Premier League experience to their squad, and the England international would fit the bill for the newly-promoted side.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It states that the Championship champions are exploring the possibility of a deal to bring the experienced centre-forward to Elland Road ahead of the 2025/26 campaign to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch.
Football Insider reveals that Wilson is poised to walk away from St. James’ Park at the end of his current contract, which expires at the end of June, and that Leeds view him as potentially smart business on a free transfer.
With this in mind, the 49ers must act upon this interest to snap up the 33-year-old veteran, because he could arrive as Farke’s own version of Chris Wood in the 2025/26 campaign, to bolster the team’s chances of avoiding an instant relegation from the top-flight.
Why Callum Wilson could be Chris Wood 2.0
As aforementioned, Nottingham Forest hit the jackpot with Wood because they were willing to overlook his struggles in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns.
They banked on him being able to recapture the form he displayed at Burnley earlier in his career, and his 20 Premier League goals this season at the age of 33 prove that they made the right decision.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson
Wilson could be a similarly successful signing for Leeds after a difficult season with the Magpies on Tyneside, as he has failed to score in 17 Premier League appearances this term, albeit with only two starts to his name.
The veteran striker, once described as “incredible” by manager Eddie Howe, would be arriving at Elland Road off the back of a poor campaign, just as Wood was when he left St. James’ Park to sign for Forest.
Newcastle United's Callum Wilson.
Just like the New Zealand international, though, Wilson also has an impressive history of scoring goals in the Premier League for Newcastle and Bournemouth that predates the current term.
24/25
2
0
23/24
9
9
22/23
21
18
21/22
16
8
20/21
23
12
19/20
32
8
18/19
29
14
17/18
23
8
16/17
16
6
15/16
9
5
As you can see in the table above, the English marksman has, typically, scored goals on a regular basis when given plenty of starts by his manager.
These statistics show that he knows how to find the back of the net at an impressive rate in the Premier League, which is why he could be an excellent and much-needed signing for a Leeds squad that are looking to avoid relegation at the first time of asking.
They also show that Wilson has the potential to be Farke’s own version of Wood as an experienced and Premier League-proven striker who could come in and make a big impact in the final third if given enough game time to shine, as the ex-Leeds striker has been at the City Ground.
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As a potentially free agent signing, he could be a shrewd addition to the group for Farke and a player who could pass on his experience to the younger players in the squad, which is another reason why this could be an excellent piece of business.
Sheffield United head into this afternoon’s clash with Blackburn Rovers at Bramall Lane knowing that the result of the match is largely irrelevant to them.
The Blades have already finished in third place in the Championship and will head into the play-offs with the aim of gaining promotion back to the Premier League.
Irrespective of whether or not Chris Wilder and his men achieve that goal, Sheffield United are likely to be in the market to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window, and that could be bad news for club captain Jack Robinson.
Why Sheffield United need to upgrade on Jack Robinson
The long-serving defender, who has been at the club since his move from Nottingham Forest in 2020, has been a regular starter in the Championship this term.
Robinson has started 31 of his 34 appearances in the division, but has had some struggles of late. The 31-year-old dud lost three of his four ground duels and five of his eight aerial battles in the disappointing 2-1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle.
Wilder dropped him for the following game against Cardiff and it led to a 2-0 win over the Bluebirds, before he came back into the team for a 2-1 defeat to Burnley.
This suggests that Robinson, who has given away two penalties and made one error that directly led to a goal this season, is a player whom the club could improve upon in the summer transfer window.
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It was recently reported that Sheffield United are one of the teams, alongside Middlesbrough and Norwich City, interested in a deal to sign Oxford United centre-back Ciaron Brown, who could come in as an upgrade on Robinson.
Why Ciaron Brown would be an upgrade on Jack Robinson
Wilder could finally move on from the English defender as a regular starter and ditch him from the side by swooping to sign the Oxford United star this summer.
Firstly, Brown could provide more of a goal threat from the centre-back position. The left-footed defender has scored four goals and provided three assists in 41 matches in the league this season, compared to Robinson’s zero goals and zero assists in 34 games.
The Oxford United colossus, who former manager Gary Holt claimed has “real hunger”, could also be more reliable in his defensive work, as he has not made a single error that has led to a shot, goal, or penalty for the opposition this season.
Appearances
41
34
Goals
4
0
Tackles + interceptions per game
1.9
1.8
Clearances per game
6.3
4.8
Ground duel success rate
66%
72%
Aerial duel success rate
67%
61%
Error led to shot, goal, or penalty
0
3
As you can see in the table above, Brown has the beating of Robinson in several key defensive statistics, whilst also providing a greater goal threat from set plays, which suggests that he could prevent Michael Cooper from being worked as much by making vital clearances, tackles, and interceptions.
He is also four years younger than the Sheffield United man and could, therefore, be a longer-term option for Wilder in the left-sided centre-back role.
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This is why the Blades must pursue a deal for the Oxford United brute in the summer transfer window because they could improve their play at both ends of the pitch by ditching Robinson to bring Brown into their starting XI next term, whether that is as a Premier League or a Championship club.
The final nail in Ipswich Town’s Premier League coffin could well have been handed to them on Saturday, as Vitor Pereira’s Wolverhampton Wanderers recovered well on the road to beat Kieran McKenna’s hosts 2-1.
Ipswich did race into a slim one-goal lead in the first half courtesy of Liam Delap, but it was to no avail as the Old Gold eventually clinched a dramatic three points, meaning the gap between the Tractor Boys in 18th and Wolves in 17th spot is at a sizeable nine points.
Ipswich Town managerKieranMcKenna
Therefore, McKenna will likely be preparing for Ipswich to drop back down to the Championship very soon, with a hope that Omari Hutchinson will stick it out in Suffolk if a bruising relegation is confirmed.
Hutchinson's heroics at Ipswich
After all, Hutchinson’s finest form donning Tractor Boys blue came about when Ipswich last found themselves in the entertaining EFL.
The ex-Chelsea man would fire home a hefty ten goals and pick up an impressive six assists during Ipswich’s promotion-winning exploits back in the 2023/24 season, leading to McKenna and Co landing Hutchinson for a bumper £20m.
He has since acclimatised to the demands of the top-flight well – even if an instant return to the Championship is on the cards for his employers – with this breakaway effort against Chelsea in December one of five goal contributions he’s managed from 27 league clashes.
If Hutchinson does stay put, he will hope he can wriggle free of any injury concerns that have made this season somewhat stop-start for him, with the 21-year-old missing from his side’s last crushing loss to Wolves.
But, regardless of what does occur with the Ipswich number 20 moving forward, McKenna will know he has his next Hutchinson in the making in this entertaining ace who has previously taken the Championship by storm.
McKenna's next Hutchinson in the making
Everyone associated with the Portman Road strugglers will hope when relegation is inevitably confirmed, all the building blocks are put in place for Ipswich to mount an instant return to the top-flight.
Already possessing a top talent for the division in Jaden Philogene-Bidace will make this mission easier to accomplish, with the ex-Hull City star twisting and turning second tier defences for fun when Ipswich were hunting down automatic promotion last time around.
Hutchinson’s Championship numbers (23/24) vs Philogene’s (23/24)
Stat – per 90 mins*
Hutchinson
Philogene
Games played
44
32
Goals scored
10
12
Assists
5
6
Shots*
1.5
3.6
Big chances missed
4
6
Big chances created
7
7
Stats by Sofascore
As can be seen glancing at the table above, Philogene tore the second tier to shreds playing as a fast-paced loanee for the Tigers, with the 23-year-old actually bettering Hutchinson’s blistering numbers in the process by picking up three more goal contributions from 12 less encounters.
Therefore, McKenna will have full faith in Philogene to dust himself down and get back to his rampaging best if second tier football returns on the menu, with one audacious effort for Hull last season leading to him be recognised by FIFA as a Puskas award nominee.
Dubbed a “special” talent by his then-Hull boss in Liam Rosenior, McKenna will further hope he can be as impactful as Hutchinson by delivering the goods to see promotion be instantly achieved.
Philogene could perhaps be capable of even more on the books of Ipswich, considering the Tigers finished just outside the playoffs in seventh position despite their dazzling attacker’s heroics.
Whatever does transpire this summer, the Tractor Boys won’t want to dwell on matters for too long, with everything in place for a finish near the Championship summit if stars such as Philogene can be as exciting as Hutchinson proved to be.
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