Two Australian players were “touched inappropriately” by a motorcyclist in Indore, where they played South Africa in their final league game of the Women’s World Cup on Saturday. The incident occurred while the players were walking to a cafe on Thursday, the morning after Australia’s victory against England in Indore.”CA can confirm two members of the Australian Women’s team were approached and touched inappropriately by a motorcyclist while walking to a cafe in Indore,” Cricket Australia said in a statement. “The matter was reported by team security to police, who are handling the matter.”Rajesh Dandotiya, the additional district commissioner of police, Indore crime branch, said they had made an arrest. “The security in-charge manager of the Australian team registered a complaint about inappropriate behaviour against two players. We carried out an intensive strategic operation and arrested the culprit, Aqeel. He belongs to Khajrana but now lives in Azad Nagar. He has an old criminal record.”The Indore Police Commissionerate held a meeting with the stakeholders, BCCI and MPCA, after which security protocols were put in place. We are examining where the security protocol was breached. The incident happened on October 23 around 11am and within the next six hours, we carried out an intensive strategic operation and arrested the culprit. The incident happened when they were headed to a cafe from hotel Radisson.”Devajit Saikia, BCCI secretary, described the incident as “very condemnable” and assured to “revisit our safety protocols if required.”The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) said in a statement that it was “deeply pained and shocked by the disturbing incident of misconduct and inappropriate behaviour with two players from the Australian Women’s Cricket Team in Indore. No woman should ever have to endure such trauma, and our thoughts and support are with those impacted by this distressing incident. This unfortunate event has deeply affected everyone from MPCA who cherishes the values of respect, safety, and dignity of women. It is truly inspiring to see the players rise above this painful experience and continue to compete with courage and determination, carrying the pride of their nation on their shoulders in the match against South Africa.”Over the years, Indore has earned a proud reputation as a safe venue for the visiting teams and dignitaries from other fields. It is deeply painful that the disorderly action of one individual has caused such harm and cast a shadow over the city’s image. As the host, MPCA extends sincere apologies to the Australian Women’s team for this deeply distressing and unfortunate incident while in our city known for safety, grace, and hospitality.”Australia ended the league stage on top of the World Cup points table and will play India in the second semi-final on October 30 in Navi Mumbai. South Africa will travel to Guwahati to play England in the first semi-final on October 29.
Manchester United are looking to add to their squad in January, and Fabrizio Romano has revealed one signing the Red Devils absolutely “will” make in 2026.
Ruben Amorim will be pleased with the progress his side have made in their last batch of Premier League matches with the international break now here, given that the Red Devils have gone five games unbeaten in the top-flight.
Despite looking set for a defeat last weekend, Matthijs De Ligt’s late header against Tottenham salvaged Manchester United a draw in the capital to keep his side one point off the top four.
Intriguingly, the Red Devils now sit above Liverpool on goal difference after their heavy defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, which is a testament to their resilience despite losing three players due to injury, something Amorim was keen to point out when speaking to Match of the Day.
“It was a complicated match, especially in the end. If you look at the game the three points were there to take. I think we can be so much better to understand more what’s happening in the game,” said the United boss.
“We lacked a little bit in the final third, the quality was not perfect. We fight in every adversity. We lost Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Benjamin Sesko and we lose two goals, but we still managed to score.”
While the Slovenian appears to be the worst of the casualties, it does beg the question of where Manchester United could look to strengthen in January. With that in mind, Romano has delivered a telling update from Old Trafford.
Fabrizio Romano confirms Man Utd "will" sign midfielder
Speaking on GIVEMESPORT’s Market Madness podcast, Romano has confirmed that Manchester United will “for sure” sign a midfielder next year, noting that Atletico Madrid star Conor Gallagher and Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller are two targets that the club could look to acquire.
Conor Gallagher in 2025/26 – all competitions
Appearances – 16
2 goals
0 assists
Angelo Stiller in 2025/26 – all competitions
Appearances – 17
1 goal
5 assists
With both midfielders excelling inside Europe’s top five leagues, it appears there could be room for movement, even if January may not be a suitable time due to the difficult nature of conducting business mid-season.
Man Utd are also eyeing a midfielder they could get a £60m discount on
Gallagher’s homegrown status would also appeal to Amorim. However, there are no certainties in football, and it appears that there is plenty of work to be done before Manchester United secure a new operator in the engine room.
With the BBL set to explore privatisation, Smith says SA20 will look to continue to “dominate” in the southern hemisphere
Firdose Moonda18-Aug-2025The SA20 organisers believe they have established enough of a foothold not to be threatened by the BBL’s aim to become the second-biggest league in the world after the IPL, according to commissioner Graeme Smith.The SA20, which will begin its fourth season on Boxing Day this year and has IPL ownership across all six franchises, has the second-highest salary cap after the IPL of R41 million (US$2.31 million). By that measure, it could be regarded as the next-best league in the global game and with a marquee auction scheduled for September 9, Smith explained they plan to stay that way.”When we started we were built up against the ILT20 and Big Bash and we set ourselves big ambitions upfront,” Smith told ESPNcricinfo ahead of the closing of player registration for the auction. “In the southern hemisphere window we want to dominate and we want to be the biggest league outside the IPL. Three years in, we’ve set the standard. Every decision we make is around making sure that we uphold those standards. I expect there will be a top number of leagues that will elevate themselves in a calendar cycle and that will be the priority for players, investors and fans. Our ambitions are to remain right at the top of that alongside IPL.Related
CA exploring BBL investment 'unashamedly' to be second behind IPL
BBL privatisation and later start among recommendations
SA20: Markram heads to the auction ahead of 2026 season
Smith’s comments come less than two weeks after CA CEO Todd Greenberg told that his board would “unashamedly” chase second spot by exploring privatisation. “It’s going to be very hard to chase the IPL, given the scale of cricket in India, but unashamedly, we want to run a league that comes second. And to do that we’re going to need to make sure that player availability and player salaries are commensurate with everything else that goes on around the world, and there’s one thing you need for that, you need money, you need investment. We’d be naive if we weren’t asking ourselves these questions and making sure we’ve got an eye on what’s next,” Greenberg said.The BBL’s move to seek private investment will make it the last of the established leagues to look for funding outside of board structures. The Hundred is the most recent to make the same moves, with deals for six out of their eight teams finalised ahead of next season. While happenings in the Hundred do not affect the SA20 because it is played in a different window, the BBL clashes with the SA20, which could mean a clash over status and crucially, player availability.Again, Smith had reason to be bullish. While the BBL is played at the same time as Australia’s international summer and so does not have Test players fully available, all South Africa’s national and domestically contracted players will prioritise the SA20, even if at the expense of international games. South Africa sent an understrength Test side to New Zealand last year, as an example of this policy in action. At the time, it drew criticism, but with South Africa going on to win the World Test Championship final, Smith sees it as proof that formats can co-exist if the planning is right.”Everyone was worried that we were going to destroy Test cricket but we’ve seen our national team go on a few years later to win the World Test Championship final. We’ve all played our role in the ecosystem,” he said. “We’ve been part of bringing gravitas back to South African cricket, seeing new fans come back to the game and new energy.”Graeme Smith expects a strong England presence in the upcoming SA20 season too•SportzpicsAt the same time, the SA20 also attracts internationals from other countries and last year had several English Test players, who had the winter off, join the tournament. This season, with the Ashes on, could be different but Smith still anticipates a strong contingent.”In the first two seasons we saw a lot of the England white-ball players come through and then with the FTP ebbing and flowing every year that changes,” he said. “So this year with the Ashes, we see some of those white ball players come back and maybe the Test players won’t form part of this season. The Ashes finishes on the ninth (of January, 2026). I don’t know if some of their players will form part of replacement lists but we’ve seen the likes of a Jos Butler come back into the tournament this year as an example.”Buttler, who played for Paarl Royals in the first two seasons, has been pre-signed by Durban’s Super Giants for the fourth season. Each franchise was allowed a maximum of six retentions or pre-signed players ahead of the new season. Of the 36 spots available, only a third (13) have been filled by South African players which Smith believes will create a lively auction. “I expected a lot more top South African players to pre-sign and that didn’t happen,” he said. “From our perspective it’s set up a very exciting auction with a very big purse.”The fourth season of the SA20 will be played over the festive period as South Africa do not host any home Tests this summer. Matches will not be played on any of the new drop-in pitches which are planned for the 2027 ODI World Cup but Smith hopes the lack of cricket this season will result in surfaces with a bit more life in them compared to last year, when they showed signs of wear.”The pitches last year didn’t play as well as we would have liked and it’s something that’s being worked on in terms of revamping stadiums and facilities ahead of the World Cup,” he said. “We’re working closely with Cricket South Africa in terms of improving the quality of stadiums, lights and pitches. Everything is a big work in progress behind the scenes.”The SA20 auction will take place in Johannesburg on September 9. Player registration for the auction closes on Monday, August 18.
Are we witnessing history unfold before our very eyes in Scottish football?
No club outside the Old Firm has been crowned champions of Scotland since Aberdeen in 1984/85, with Celtic themselves hoovering up 13 of the last 14 Premiership titles.
However, right now, it is Heart of Midlothian who lead the way, five points clear of faltering Celtic, and the pair meet at Tynecastle on Sunday lunchtime in, potentially, one of the biggest matches played on Scottish soil for a generation.
Brendan Rodgers will take his team to Tynecastle depleted, potentially without five key starters, so should the Celts’ “exceptional” forgotten youngster come into the team and, belatedly, be entrusted to start matches?
Cameron Carter-Vickers injury latest
On Thursday night, any celebrations sparked by Celtic’s come-from-behind Europa League victory over Sturm Graz were very much tempered by a trio of injury concerns.
Right at the end of the game, Cameron Carter-Vickers suffered a nasty injury, with Rodgers later revealing that the USA international has sustained a serious Achilles tendon injury which will see him sidelined for potentially up to five months.
This came after both Kelechi Ịheanachọ and Alistair Johnston were forced to withdraw during the first half on Thursday, joining Jota and Daizen Maeda in a star-studded and crowded treatment room.
Thus, none of this quintet will feature at Tynecastle on Sunday, with Maeda the only one in contention to return in time for the League Cup semi-final against Rangers a week later, but Carter-Vickers will be a particularly impactful absentee.
Since joining from Tottenham in the summer of 2021 under Ange Postecoglou, initially on loan but then permanently for £6m, he has been an absolutely integral figure, as the table below documents.
Most Celtic appearances 2021/22-present
Players
Appearances
Callum McGregor
208
Cameron Carter-Vickers
172
Daizen Maeda
171
Greg Taylor
167
Kyōgo Furuhashi
165
Reo Hatate
154
Joe Hart
153
James Forrest
129
Matt O’Riley
124
Alistair Johnston
116
Anthony Ralston
114
Liam Scales
112
Jota
99
Statistics via Transfermarkt
As the table documents, since Carter-Vickers’ arrival in Glasgow, only captain Callum McGregor has made more appearances for the club than the American international, featuring in 172 of 224 fixtures, around 77%, despite various injury problems, including requiring knee surgery two years ago, but that ratio will drastically drop in the coming weeks and months.
His performances have earned high praise, with former long-serving captain Scott Brown believing he is the club’s best centre-back since Virgil van Dijk, labelling him “solid, strong and quick”, praising his reading of the game and leadership qualities.
So, how on earth does Rodgers go about filling this ginormous void in the middle of his back line?
Well, now would be the time for him to trust his forgotten “exceptional” youngster.
Celtic's ready-made Carter-Vickers deputy
Liam Scales has been Carter-Vickers’ centre-back partner throughout this season, with fellow United States international Auston Trusty seemingly next in line to come into defence.
However, as documented by Art de Roché of the Athletic, managers of possession-heavy teams are often hesitant to start two left-footed centre-backs together.
Meanwhile, Trusty’s form last season suggests he may not be the best candidate, as he made five errors that led to shots or goals in the Premiership, per Sofascore, more than any other defender in the squad.
Chalkboard
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Thus, should forgotten man Jahmai Simpson-Pusey return from the footballing wilderness and be thrust into the spotlight at Tynecastle?
The 19-year-old, who is right-footed, joined on loan from Manchester City during the summer, but is yet to make his senior debut, an unused substitute for both legs of the Champions League play-off against Kairat, but otherwise not even on the bench for any other fixture.
His sole outing in hoops to date came for Celtic B in the KDM Evolution Trophy, starting a 5-3 defeat to East Fife in front of just 616 spectators at Bayview, probably not what he had envisaged when he made the move north of the border.
Simpson-Pusey, though, does boast an impressive pedigree, captaining Manchester City to FA Youth Cup success in 2024, featuring regularly for the Sky Blues in the UEFA Youth League and other underage competitions, notably named Premier League 2 player of the season last year, per Transfermarkt.
With the Citizens enduring something of an injury crisis, he made six senior appearances during the most recent campaign too, starting against Brighton in the Premier League, Sporting in the Champions League, and Salford in the FA Cup, thrown in at the deep end.
Thus, he is certainly highly rated by Pep Guardiola, who labelled him “exceptional” following an EFL Cup tie at Tottenham a year ago, while the Scouting App praised his ‘very good passing ability’ and ‘physical presence’, noting that he thrives in a high line.
These all sound like comparable traits to Carter-Vickers, who is regularly tasked with playing penetrative passes forward, while his usual starting position is on the half-way line, given how much Celtic dominate possession in domestic competitions.
Thus, stylistically, Simpson-Pusey appears to be the ideal deputy, not that Celtic supporters have seen any evidence of this to date.
The teenager was not included in Celtic’s European squad but, following a change in UEFA regulations, if a player is injured long-term, they can be replaced for the remainder of the league phase; clubs can only make this change once a season.
Thus, Simpson-Pusey could yet feature in the Europa League so, before the Hoops travel to Midtjylland next month, he needs to be given an opportunity to prove his worth, starting with Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash in Edinburgh.
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Dominic Solanke has struggled to match the demands placed upon him at Tottenham Hotspur after joining in a big-money transfer back in the summer of 2024.
The Englishman cost a club-record £65m from AFC Bournemouth a little over 12 months ago, but he’s failed to put a regular run together within the first team squad.
He’s made 49 appearances in his two years in North London, only two of which have come in 2025/26, with his outings only totalling a dismal 31 minutes.
Solanke may have netted 16 times across all competitions last campaign, but ultimately, such a record is way below what was expected upon his big-money transfer to join the Lilywhites.
However, the fanbase could have a reason to be excited, with the prospect of the players who Solanke replaced potentially being teed up for a return to the club in the near future.
The latest on Kane’s potential return to Spurs
Club-record goalscorer Harry Kane left Spurs in an £82m deal back in the summer of 2023, joining German giants Bayern Munich in an attempt to win trophies.
It’s safe to say he’s been a success in the Bundesliga, scoring 98 times in his 103 appearances for the club – catapulting Vincent Kompany’s side to the title last season.
However, the 32-year-old could be set for a dream return to his boyhood club in the near future, with the Lilywhites having first priority if he is to move back to the Premier League.
Such news has led to current boss Frank stating that he would welcome the talisman back to North London with open arms – but cast doubt that such a move would happen anytime soon.
Kane is likely to have a release clause worth £56.7m becoming active in the summer of 2026, further generating excitement among the fanbase – understandably so given his tally of 280 goals for the club.
However, regardless of whether he does rejoin the Lilywhites in the near future, the club already have another talent in their ranks who could emulate his success in the capital.
The Spurs star who could be the new Harry Kane
In an attempt to battle for Premier League glory, Spurs have shifted their recruitment focus over the last couple of years, subsequently targeting young talent over recent years.
Lucas Bergvall is just one example of such a talent, joining in a £8.5m deal from Swedish side Djurgarden back in the summer of 2024, subsequently having an immediate impact despite his tender age.
The 19-year-old has since racked up over 50 appearances across all competitions, starring in key moments and arguably being one of Frank’s most important players in the 2025/26 campaign to date.
However, they’ve already got another impressive youngster lined up, with Irish striker Mason Melia set to join the club from St Patrick’s Athletic in the January transfer window.
The 18-year-old has already made a name for himself in his homeland, scoring 12 times and registering three assists in his 30 league outings during this calendar year.
His latest showing against Cork City saw him bag two goals in just 64 minutes, now currently sitting as the division’s second top goalscorer despite his tender age.
Irish Premier Division top scorers (2025)
Player (age)
Tally
Padraig Amond (37)
13
Mason Melia (18)
12
Moses Dyer (28)
10
Owen Elding (19)
10
Michael Duffy (31)
9
Liam Boyce (34)
8
Rory Gaffney (35)
8
Ademipo Odubeko (22)
7
Stats via FotMob
Such form has seen him even be included in the Ireland U21 squad over recent times, subsequently scoring twice in as many appearances – already starring against players multiple years above his age group.
Melia himself spoke glowingly about Kane upon his agreement to join the Lilywhites, stating that the Englishman was a player he looks up to in his career.
The teenager, who’s been labelled “relentless” by analyst Ben Mattinson, is currently averaging 0.5 goals or assists per 90 in Ireland, a simply remarkable feat given his teenage years.
His tally of 1.5 shots on target per 90 further demonstrates the clinical edge he possesses when in front of goal, potentially being a key first-team member in North London for many years to come.
It’s unclear upon his transfer in January whether Melia will be a first-team player or originally link up with the academy – but it’s clear he is a talent who does possess huge amounts of potential. As noted by talent scout Jacek Kulig, he is the “Irish Harry Kane”.
If he can make the same impact as Kane in North London, he will certainly go down as one of the best talents in their history – but he could also link up with the Englishman if he returns to join Frank’s side in the near future.
The best since Kane: Spurs talent could steal the #10 shirt from Maddison
Tottenham Hotspur may already have a star who could be Thomas Frank’s new number ten.
Thomas Frank has made an impressive start to life as Tottenham Hotspur manager, suffering only one defeat within his first nine matches since his appointment in the summer.
The Dane’s only defeat came against Bournemouth in the Premier League on gameweek three and are now currently enjoying a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
However, it’s not all been straight-forward for the 51-year-old, with the Lilywhites having to come from two goals down to draw with Bodo Glimt in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
His side have scored 17 goals across all competitions in 2025/26, averaging nearly two goals a game to date, highlighting the impressive form of the side in the final third.
Such a record could’ve certainly been bolstered further had the hierarchy kept hold of one player who was sold during Frank’s first window in charge this summer.
Heung-min Son’s successful spell at Spurs
Back in the summer of 2015, few Spurs fans would’ve predicted the superb spell forward Heung-min Son would have at the club after joining from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
The South Korean spent a decade in North London, often being a first-team regular, subsequently racking up incredible figures which made him a huge fan favourite.
The winger racked up over 450 appearances between 2015 and 2025, scoring 173 times, which ranks him fourth in the club’s all-time goalscoring charts.
Despite not starting the Europa League final, he lifted the trophy as captain and helped end the club’s 17-year wait for a trophy in his final outing for the football club.
Son would leave the side this summer in a £20m deal, subsequently joining MLS outfit LAFC, leaving new boss Frank with the near-impossible task of landing a replacement.
Mohammed Kudus was brought into the club during the off-season, but his addition was undoubtedly made to strengthen the options on the opposite flank.
However, the Dane may already have his own version of Son in the near future, with such a talent already on their books in North London – potentially saving the club millions in the process.
The Spurs star who could be Frank’s heir to Son
Spurs have a number of impressive young talents within their ranks at present, highlighting the impressive work of their academy and their recruitment team over recent days.
Graduate Mikey Moore is just one of the players who has made the rise through the youth levels, making 19 senior appearances for the Lilywhites last season despite being just 17.
The injury crisis last season gave him the chance to stake his claim, but he’s been sent on a season-long loan to Scottish side Rangers in an attempt to gain consistent game time to aid his progression.
However, he’s only featured for a total of 215 minutes across all competitions for Russell Martin’s side, with just three of his appearances coming from a starting position.
He’s not alone in being sent out on loan to try and gain valuable experience, with South Korean forward Min-hyeok Yang also spending the 2025/26 out on loan.
The 19-year-old joined the Lilywhites from Gangwon FC back in January, undoubtedly being brought into the club for the future years rather than the present.
Such a deal was undoubtedly an exciting one, with the youngster scoring 12 times in his 38 appearances for his homeland club, prior to his switch to England earlier this year.
Yang would spend the second half of last season on loan at QPR, scoring twice and registering one assist in his 14 Championship outings at Loftus Road.
However, he was once again shipped out to England’s second tier, this time joining Portsmouth on a season-long loan, even netting his first goal for the club against Watford on Wednesday night.
Given his recent spells away from North London, he’s yet to make a single senior appearance for the club, but that could certainly change in the years ahead, given his tender age.
Games played
3
Goals & assists
1
Pass accuracy
75%
Touches in opposition box
5.6
Fouls won
2.8
Recoveries made
4.5
Shots on target
1.7
Chances created
1.1
At just 19, Yang has plenty of time to live up to the potential he’s arrived with, potentially being the perfect option for the first-team off the left-hand side for many years to come.
Should he get anywhere near the levels produced by his compatriot at Spurs, it would be yet another phenomenal piece of business and one that could save them millions if he turns into a potential world-beater.
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Celtic are set to be extremely busy in the closing hours of the transfer market.
After failing to qualify for the Champions League this week, dumped out by Kairat on penalties in the play-off round, Brendan Rodgers is demanding signings ahead of a Europa League campaign.
Well, he has so far got his wish, with winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha arriving from Royal Antwerp for £5m, while left-back Marcelo Saracchi has also joined on a season-long loan from Boca Juniors, with a £2m option to buy.
However, Celtic supporters’ main focus remains the striker situation, so could the Celts land their number one target, a forward reminiscent of Giorgos Giakoumakis?
Celtic's search for a striker
Somewhat out of nowhere, as reported by various sources, Swansea City have agreed to sign Adam Idah for £7m.
The Republic of Ireland international only joined Celtic permanently for £9.5m last summer, but has yet to nail down a regular starting spot, hooked at half time of the miserable Champions League first leg against Kairat at Parkhead.
Idah successfully completed a medical in South Wales on Friday, but will only be allowed to leave if the Hoops secure a replacement.
So, as reported by the Herald, Celtic’s first-choice target to be just that is Kasper Dolberg.
The Hoops’ opening bid has been rejected, with Anderlecht valuing the Danish international at around £8m, with the Celts ‘yet to match’ this valuation, after initial talks.
Transfer Focus
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The Belgian club are, somewhat, under pressure to sell, having crashed out of the Conference League on Thursday, beaten 2-0 by AEK Athens, but are ‘reluctant’ to lose their star attacker, so will Celtic make an offer that satisfies the record-34-times Belgian champions?
What Kasper Dolberg would bring to Celtic
Still only 27 years old, it feels like Dolberg – who Peter Bosz once claimed can “become absolute world-class” – has been around forever.
The Dane first burst onto the scene at Ajax, scoring an impressive 45 goals in 119 appearances for the Amsterdam-based giants, a key figure in the side that reached the Europa League Final in 2017 and the Champions League semi-finals two years later.
This form earned him a big-money move to Nice in the summer of 2019 but, despite scoring 11 Ligue 1 goals during his first season in the French Riviera, he did not live up to expectations.
He was shipped out on loan to Sevilla and then Hoffenheim, scoring no goals for los Nervionenses and just two in the colours of die Kraichgauer, but has really rediscovered his best form since moving to Anderlecht two summers ago.
In 95 appearances for the Purple and Whites, Dolberg has accumulated 44 goals, only two players bettered his tally of 18 in last season’s Jupiler Pro League, scoring five goals already this season, on target against Häcken, Sheriff Tiraspol and AEK Athens in UEFA qualifiers.
His form in Brussels has also seen Dolberg work his way back into the international picture, likely to be leading the line for Denmark against Scotland in a World Cup qualifier next Friday night.
So which Celtic striker from the not-too-distant past would Dolberg be reminiscent of?
Well, like the Dane, Giakoumakis joined Celtic in his mid-20s, having bounced around various European clubs, as the table below documents.
Clubs
6
7
Appearances
324
186
Goals
115
57
Assists
31
12
International caps
55
6
International goals
12
1
As the table notes, Dolberg in the present day has achieved far more in his career than Giakoumakis had when he was signed by Ange Postecoglou in August 2021.
Giakoumakis
Well, the Greek international made quite the impact at Parkhead, scoring 26 times in Hoops, averaging a goal every 97 minutes, picking up the Premiership golden boot during his sole full-season in Glasgow.
Thus, if Dolberg could replicate anything like that, he would be a roaring success, surely representing a major upgrade on the outgoing Idah.
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After a pretty miserable couple of weeks in which West Ham United lost games against Sunderland, Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers, there is finally reason to be optimistic about this season.
Yes, after weeks of stories about offers being made and rejected, Graham Potter has finally been handed his new midfield star in Mateus Fernandes.
The former Southampton ace cost the club in excess of £40m, but considering how well he played in his first Premier League season last year, that’s not bad value at all.
Moreover, if reports are to be believed, the Hammers are now keen to add another signing to the squad, someone Fernandes would love to play with.
West Ham target perfect teammate for Fernandes
While things aren’t looking great on the pitch at the moment, West Ham’s summer is starting to look like a decent one, at least from an incomings perspective.
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 Fernandes, the club have signed the likes of Kyle Walker-Peters, El Hadji Malick Diouf, and Soungoutou Magassa, who is should be announced before the team play Nottingham Forest tomorrow afternoon.
Moreover, the East Londoners appear keen to make further additions to the squad and are eyeing a move for someone who’d be a brilliant teammate for Fernandes.
At least that is according to a recent report from Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, who has claimed West Ham are interested in Quinten Timber.
The German journalist has revealed that the Hammers are now “exploring” a deal to sign the Netherlands international, who Feyenoord value at £25m, per reports from earlier this summer.
It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given his quality, Timber would be more than worth it, especially as he’d be a great teammate for Fernandes.
Why Timber would be a great teammate for Fernandes
So, the first, and arguably one of the most important reasons Fernandes will love playing with Timber is his surprisingly decent level of output.
We say surprisingly decent for the simple fact that the Dutchman is primarily a central midfielder, but as his numbers from last season show, he is more than capable of producing goals and assists.
For example, in his 26 appearances last season, totalling 2054 minutes, the “extraordinary” midfielder, as dubbed by Mikel Arteta, scored six goals and provided one assist, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.71 games, or every 293.42 minutes.
Timber’s 24/25
Appearances
26
Minutes
2054′
Goals
6
Assists
1
Goal Involvements per Match
0.26
Minutes per Goal Involvement
293.42′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
While those aren’t ground-breaking numbers, it will be reassuring for the Hammers’ new Portuguese manager to know that the responsibility of producing goal involvements won’t fall solely on his shoulders.
The next reason the Dutchman would be such a brilliant teammate for the Irons’ new ace is his experience and leadership.
Despite still being just 24 years old, the former Ajax prospect has made 105 appearances for Feyenoord and 33 for Utrecht, and has won five senior caps for the Netherlands.
Moreover, he’s also the captain of De Stadionclub, so, in addition to knowing he can contribute with goals and assists, the former Saints gem will be able to rely on the “superb” midfielder, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, for guidance and leadership.
Ultimately, Timber would be an excellent signing on his own, but by playing him alongside Fernandes, West Ham could maximise the potential of both.
Their new Rice: West Ham now exploring move for £17m star after Magassa
The combative star would be an excellent signing for Graham Potter and West Ham.
Jose Mourinho aimed a playful jibe at Manchester City when being quizzed on the 74 charges that are now hanging over Chelsea. The Portuguese coach, who has taken in two spells as Blues boss, finds himself back at Stamford Bridge for a Champions League fixture. The ‘Special One’ has returned to his homeland as the new boss at Benfica, with the 62-year-old having lost none of his ability to entertain when speaking to the media.
Ex-Chelsea boss Mourinho back at Stamford Bridge
The enigmatic tactician is famed for generating headlines with his behaviour on the touchline and in the press room, with Mourinho having no issue with being centre of attention. He is that again at present as an emotional reunion with a former club – one where he previously delivered three Premier League title triumphs – is taken in.
Chelsea have been back in trophy-winning mode of late, savouring Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup triumphs in 2024-25. They have, however, also been stung with 74 charges by the Football Association relating to alleged breaches of regulations concerning dealings with football agents, intermediaries and third party investment in players. Those charges cover a 13-year period from 2009 to 2022, although most relate to the 2010-11 and 2015-16 campaigns – with Mourinho’s last stint with the Blues coming to a close in December 2015.
AdvertisementGettyCharges hanging over Chelsea & Man City
Chelsea are not the only Premier League side to have fallen under a monetary microscope, with City still waiting to discover their fate in a Financial Fair Play (FFP) saga that involves at least 115 historical charges dating back to 2009. They have always maintained their innocence, but various punishments have been speculated on, ranging from points deductions to expulsion from the English top-flight.
Asked about Chelsea’s supposed misdemeanours ahead of a European fixture in west London, Mourinho quipped back with: “Not Man City? I've no idea. I've no idea about it. I've no idea what the charges are, I will try to understand.”
Mourinho will always be a blue & is a fan of Maresca
The outspoken Portuguese added on his strong professional ties to upcoming opponents: “Of course I will always be a blue. I'm part of their history and they are part of mine. I helped them to become a bigger Chelsea and they helped me to become a bigger Jose. When I say I'm not a blue, I'm talking about the job I have to do. There are not many clubs that do these pictures. There is a fear in many clubs about what happened in the past. Sometimes it looks like they want to delete people who made history in the clubs. This shows Chelsea are a big club.”
Mourinho will be locking tactical horns with Enzo Maresca, a man he considers to have done a fine job since inheriting the reins at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2024. He said of the Italian coach, who was one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants at Manchester City before heading out on his own again and guiding Leicester to the Championship title in 2024: “Honestly, I don't know the model. I never studied their model. There was a set period where myself, from the outside, was putting some question marks [on it] because it looked like Chelsea had lost their identity as a club. But what happened in the last season got things back on track. They gave trust to Enzo and gave his ideas. He's fitted in well with the philosophy of the club.”
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Getty/GOALChelsea & Benfica form guide ahead of Champions League clash
Chelsea head into their meeting with Benfica having emerged victorious in just one of their last five games in all competitions. That solitary success came against League One side Lincoln in the Carabao Cup. Defeat was suffered against Harry Kane and Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener, before going down in domestic clashes with Manchester United and Brighton.
Benfica are unbeaten in their opening three games under Mourinho, picking up seven points in the Portuguese top tier, with their iconic boss returning to where it all began for him as a manager back in 2000.
Everton needed to leave Elland Road with a point or with three, and with a positive performance to set the tone ahead of their first full season under David Moyes in his second stint as manager.
But Leeds United made it a winning return to the Premier League with a contentious late penalty from debutant Lukas Nmecha, leaving Moyes hot under the collar as his side built back from an abject opening 45 minutes.
For the second season running, the Toffees have started the campaign with Jarrad Branthwaite on the sidelines, and his brawn and bustle was certainly missed as the Whites sent their opponents packing 1-0.
Everton miss Branthwaite at Elland Road
Everton are considerably better when Branthwaite is in the starting line-up. The England international is powerful and commanding and a seamless partner alongside James Tarkowski, but a hamstring injury ruled him out and might keep him in the infirmary for several more weeks.
James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford
Especially in the opening half, Everton were well and truly under the cosh, and Branthwaite would have made a big difference.
There were encouraging signs. Everton’s fluency will improve throughout the season, and they still produced a combative performance against Leeds, winning 51% of the match duels and winning 81% of their tackles, whereas Leeds only won 53% of theirs.
Keane put in a solid display, all in all, and has enough to deputise when called upon.
However, Jake O’Brien flattered to deceive, and though he’s dependable, the Republic of Ireland international showed exactly why they need to spend before the end of the month.
Jake O'Brien showed why Everton need to spend
Sean Dyche’s Everton signed O’Brien from Lyon for £17m last summer, but it was only under Moyes’ wing that he took flight, starting 17 of the 19 league fixtures after the Scotsman took charge.
Jake O'Brien and Jack Harrison in action
He did very well, and with Ashley Young having left at the end of his contract and Nathan Patterson injured once again, it looks like the right-back berth is his once again, unless The Friedkin Group complete a signing in the final few weeks of the transfer window.
A solid defender, the 24-year-old is tenacious and composed but struggles to add to the offensive charge, something that was underscored by his involvement against Leeds on Monday evening.
Jake O’Brien vs Leeds
Match Stats
#
Minutes played
90′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Distance covered
10.7km
Touches
60
Accurate passes
12/27 (44%)
Key passes
0
Possession lost
27x
Dribbles
0/3
Tackles
2
Clearances
2
Duels won
7/14
Data via Sofascore
He only completed one of his eight attempted long passes and failed to complete a key pass, losing the ball 27 times in trying to add some attacking impetus.
Leeds vs Everton ratings supplied by Sofascore.Leeds vs Everton ratings supplied by Sofascore.
Everton have been linked with Manchester City’s Rico Lewis in recent days, clearly focused on adding a new dimension. It’s clearly needed after the display at Elland Road, even if The Liverpool Echo handed O’Brien a 6/10 match score, acknowledging that he kept Wilfried Gnonto rather quiet.
But he was the weak link in a backline that found itself breached through Tarkowski’s adjudged handball, proving to be even worse than Keane, who kept moving out into the middle of the park and threatening the balance of Moyes’ outfit.
Jake O'Brien in action for Everton
The thing is, O’Brien is a robust athlete and a stern defender, and he’s done a fantastic job since Moyes’ appointment in covering at right-back, but it would be an egregious error on TFG’s part not to sign an upgrade, someone who can naturally play on the right side of defence.
WhoScored recorded that Leeds registered more xG (2.28) than any other team in the Premier League across the opening matchweek.
If that’s not a stark illustration of the need for defenders, players such as a new right-back, then what is?
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O’Brien’s a good player, but at times Everton will need a different type of full-back to progress play and add lanes to the attacking flow. Leeds exposed that fact on their return to the big stage.