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The Mumbai Indians captain also said the team was open to resting Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya if needed, but the players preferred to keep playing

Deivarayan Muthu in Hyderabad12-May-2019With the World Cup starting on May 30, 18 days after the IPL final, workload management has been a major talking point throughout the season. Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma reckons that the demands of the IPL will help players build towards the showpiece event in England and Wales, rather than lead to burnout.Rohit cited the example of India winning the Champions Trophy in June 2013, which started about ten days after the end of the IPL that year. Rohit was in top form across both tournaments, following up his 538 runs in 19 innings for Mumbai Indians in their maiden run to the IPL title with 177 runs in five innings in the UK, helping India secure that title as well.”Once the IPL started, we knew this was the window – March and April or April and May – because of the elections,” Rohit said. “In 2013, we played the IPL and went on to play the Champions Trophy and in fact we went on to win the Champions Trophy. I feel the guys who play IPL and go play big tournaments right after that, they’re very much in touch with their game.”Rohit also said that Mumbai were open to resting key India players – fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and allrounder Hardik Pandya, who had just recovered from a back injury ahead of the IPL – at various points during the league, but the players opted against it and were instead keen to keep playing.Bumrah and Hardik are among six players to have featured in all of Mumbai’s 15 games so far this season. While Bumrah is their leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets in 15 matches at an economy rate of 6.84, Hardik found form – both with bat and ball – after being sidelined from the India side with multiple injuries and off-field troubles earlier this year.Hardik had missed India’s most recent ODI series against Australia, but hit the ground running this IPL. He has been Mumbai’s premier power-hitter, making 386 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 193. And he has smashed 28 sixes – only Kolkata Knight Riders’ Andre Russell (52) and Kings XI Punjab’s Chris Gayle (34) have hit more sixes this season. He has elevated his batting to an all-new plane, so much so that he can now hit yorkers – or near-yorkers – for sixes by deploying the helicopter shot.Hardik has also been at it with the ball and in the field, claiming 14 wickets and taking 11 catches.”We spoke at the start of the tournament that we will assess each one of players, see where they are at and what they feel about their bodies,” Rohit said. “It’s more an individual thing than [what] we decide for them.”In the case of Jasprit, he’s someone who likes to play games to make sure he’s in good rhythm. At the start of the tournament, we spoke that at any given stage if he feels he needs to rest, we were open to that. But our physios and trainers have monitored him quite well and there was constant feedback from Jasprit as well about he’s feeling. So far, we haven’t had issues with Jasprit and Hardik, so we continued to play them.”Before the IPL if they weren’t in great form, this is the time they can get back to form. Hardik is the best example. Before the IPL, he didn’t have a good time, was injured, and missed a few games as well. But he has been tremendous for us – both in batting and bowling. So, yeah it’s [IPL’s] a big tournament and you can judge yourself where you’re at before a big tournament like the World Cup.”

A slice of luck – a dropped catch to be exact – could well have saved, and extended, Rahul Dravid’s career, the man himself reckoned at the launch of ESPNcricinfo’s Superstats, a set of new-age metrics for a more nuanced understanding of the modern game.Dravid spoke about how a top-edge off Stuart Broad fell in no-man’s land in the Mohali Test of England’s tour of India in 2008, and allowed him to score a career-saving hundred, leading to a “couple of good years (in international cricket)” thereafter.Dravid was on 1 when the chance was missed, and went on to make 136. ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball commentary wondered if “that’s a bit of luck for Dravid”, something Luck Index – one of three elements that make up Superstats, Smart Stats and Forecaster being the others – attempts to quantify for T20 cricket.Dravid was part of a panel that also featured Sanjay Manjrekar and ESPNcricinfo’s editor-in-chief Sambit Bal, along with Dr Raghunathan Rengaswamy of IIT Madras, whose team collaborated with ESPNcricinfo’s team of statisticians to develop Superstats. The new stats language, available for T20 cricket to start with, has been derived by putting our rich ball-by-ball data through complex algorithms developed by Gyan Data, an IIT-M incubated company founded by Raghunathan.In the words of ESPN India head Ramesh Kumar, these Superstats “offer a final point of view to settle water-cooler debates and discussions on cricket” and “will validate cricketing wisdom”.Bal said that while traditional numbers would continue to be around, Superstats added a “layer of quality and value to them”, and explained how it would mean “batsmen and bowlers are equalised” and measurable on a common metric that gauges their impact in a match.The panel discussion at the launch of ESPNcricinfo’s Superstats in Mumbai – [L to R] Raunak Kapoor, Sambit Bal, Rahul Dravid, Sanjay Manjrekar and Dr Raghunathan Rengaswamy•Annesha Ghosh/ESPNcricinfo

Manjrekar, a well-travelled broadcaster, spoke about how such enhanced statistics would benefit commentators and fans watching live telecasts, especially in T20 tournaments like the IPL, which is followed by scores of data-savvy fans who are “fascinated by numbers”, than those who have grown up watching the longer formats.Should these metrics have been available during his playing career, Manjrekar argued that “an Ajay Jadeja might have won Man of the Match in the 1996 World Cup quarterfinal” against Pakistan in Bengaluru, for the impact his innings had on the game’s result, and not Navjot Singh Sidhu, who ended up getting the award.When asked if insights of the sort had helped him make informed decisions in his playing and coaching career, Dravid mentioned acquiring the services of Brad Hodge for Rajasthan Royals in the 2012 auction despite his middling returns in past editions of the tournament with other teams.Royals, “pretty much a budget team at that stage”, went with Hodge to fill a middle-order spot despite the fact that on pitches such as in Jaipur – the Royals’ home ground – his “averages weren’t good, numbers weren’t great”. Dravid and Co picked Hodge as a death-overs finisher based on his compelling past record against pace bowling. His past failures were attributed to “playing in spin-friendly tracks in Kolkata and Kochi, falling often to left-arm spinners”.Hodge, who put in a few match-winning performances in that role, had reportedly insisted that he bat at No. 3, only to be told by Dravid that “I don’t want your 450 runs at three, give me 200 runs at strike rate 160 facing the Mitchell Johnsons and Dale Steyns”.Dravid spoke about how the conversation around T20 cricket based on conventional metrics “sometimes frustrated me as a player and a coach”, and how it was “fantastic to see people have finally recognised over the past few years” that the T20 game was a different beast.Dravid and Manjrekar agreed that, with Superstats and other new-age metrics around, the critical thing was to “make the best use of these numbers” and arrive at meaningful conclusions.The two former India batsmen did, however, debate at length about whether “geeks and nerds are taking over the game”, observing that while the likes of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli would no doubt be better captains with such insights, there was “an emotional element to cricket, a human element to it”, which can never fully be explained by numbers.Dravid argued that cricket would “never fully be taken over by the geeks, because while the numbers might tell you ‘bowl X on that day’, the captain knows better if he’s up for it, because numbers can’t quantify whether he’s carrying a niggle. As a coach, sometimes if captains take a gut call on the field, you tend to back them, as long as you know he’s not doing it blindly. I think a guy like Dhoni gets the feel of that (the game), better than most captains”.

Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul have been suspended from all forms of cricket pending an inquiry into their controversial comments on a recently aired TV show. The Committee of Administrators (CoA) that is overseeing the functioning of the BCCI has sent fresh show-cause notices to the players, asking them for a response within seven days “as to why they should not be proceeded against for misconduct and indiscipline under Rule 41 of the BCCI Constitution”.The pair will return to India and miss the remainder of the Australia tour and the upcoming limited-overs tour of New Zealand. The selectors are expected to name their replacements in due course.”You are aware that the enquiry and proceedings against you for misconduct and indiscipline have been initiated under Rule 41 of the BCCI Constitution and the same are presently pending,” the show-cause notice, which ESPNcricinfo has accessed, read.”In terms of Rule 41(6) of the BCCI Constitution, you are hereby suspended with immediate effect from participating in any matter whatsoever in any match or function or event or activity that is authorized, organized, sanctioned, recognized or supported in any way by the BCCI, the ICC or any State Association, until final adjudication of the matter.”The CoA has taken on board the recommendation of the BCCI’s legal team that Pandya and Rahul be suspended pending an inquiry. This was the procedure the BCCI followed when its CEO Rahul Johri faced sexual harassment allegations last October.The recommendation has the support of the CoA member Diana Edulji, a former India women captain, and the BCCI’s acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary,”Based on the legal opinion and till the time the final procedure is laid down to address this issue, will recommend that a communication be sent to the concerned players and the team immediately,” Edulji said in response to the legal team’s email on Friday morning, which has been accessed by ESPNcricinfo.”It will be imperative that the players be put under suspension till a further course of action is decided for this misconduct as was done in the case of CEO when he was sent on leave in the sexual harassment matter.”Choudhary agreed with Edulji’s view in a separate email.In reply to the first show-cause notice issued by the BCCI earlier this week, both Pandya and Rahul had apologised for their conduct.Both Pandya and Rahul have been part of India’s practice sessions in Sydney leading up to Saturday’s first ODI. On Friday, India captain Virat Kohli said their comments were not acceptable.This latest controversy, coming immediately in the wake of India’s triumph in the Test series in Australia, has once again split the BCCI and the CoA. Vinod Rai, the CoA chairman, had initially recommended a two-match suspension for the players, while Anirudh Chaudhry, the BCCI treasurer, had called for stricter sanctions. Acting secretary Choudhary wanted the pair suspended “immediately”.At Edulji’s behest, the BCCI’s legal team gave its inputs as to the way forward, and whether and how the players could be charged under the board’s new constitution, which came into effect in August 2018. The legal team ruled out charging Pandya and Rahul for violating the BCCI’s Code of Conduct, which applies strictly to on-field actions.As per the new BCCI constitution, the power to sanction players for indiscipline or misconduct is to rest with the BCCI’s Apex Council. The constitution specifies that the BCCI CEO seek an explanation from the players through an initial show-cause notice and the CEO’s report is to be forwarded by the Apex Council to an Ombudsman, who determines what sanctions are binding.The BCCI, pending fresh elections, does not have either an Apex Council or an Ombudsman. The legal team has suggested that the CoA, as the authorised head of the BCCI currently, could substitute for the Apex Council. The legal team also pointed out that CEO Rahul Johri’s initial show-cause notices to Pandya and Rahul had not included specific rules under which the pair could be charged subject to an inquiry.The legal team suggested that Johri send fresh show-cause notices to both players and that he submit his final report within 15 days. The team also recommended that an ad-hoc Ombudsman, meeting the criteria set by the BCCI constitution, be appointed to adjudicate on the matter within the maximum prescribed period of 6 months from the date the player is charged.”Considering that the inquiry process against the concerned players has commenced and is pending, it is open for the COA to suspend the concerned players (along with their privileges and benefits) pending enquiry and proceeding into the charges of misconduct until final adjudication,” the legal team said in its email to the CoA, the office bearers and the BCCI’s professional management.

Jos Buttler braced to step in as No.3, but unchanged XI could be on the cards for second Test

George Dobell in Pallekele13-Nov-2018England have confirmed that Ben Foakes will keep in the second Test in Pallekele with Jos Buttler admitting the standards he set had been “a wake-up call”.Foakes enjoyed what Buttler described as “probably the best debut ever in Test cricket” in Galle. After becoming the first England keeper to score a century in Asia (and only the second from any nation to make one on debut), Foakes equalled the record for the quickest dismissal by a keeper on debut – he claimed a catch from the second delivery of the innings – and soon afterwards completed a stumping, too.It left Buttler accepting that he had been set an “example” of the “level you need to get to” as a keeper.”Ben had a fantastic game in Galle,” Buttler said. “Probably the best debut ever in Test cricket. By the second afternoon, he had a hundred, a stumping and a catch.”He is a fantastic gloveman. It’s a good reminder and a little wake-up call that he’s the level you need to get to. Just looking personally, he’s a great example to someone like myself as to where I need to get to.”While Buttler accepted there were times when his role as keeper helped him relax as a batsman, he also argued that giving up the gloves had allowed him more time to work on his batting.”If I look back to the Ashes in 2015, I didn’t get the balance right between practising my batting and wicketkeeping,” Buttler said. “I was very wicketkeeping-orientated. My batting faltered. I’ve read Matt Prior saying in the past that as a wicketkeeper-batsman, you’re going to train harder and longer than most.”There are days when being an all-rounder is an advantage to you. It makes you more relaxed. If you don’t have a good day with one discipline, you can affect the game with the other. Or if you do one really well in one, you can take that confidence into the other.Jos Buttler bats during training in Pallekele•Getty Images

“But with the summer just gone, I’ve really enjoyed the role in the side [as a specialist batsman]. With more emphasis on my batting, I’ve really enjoyed the improvements there.”Meanwhile Joe Root hinted that Jonny Bairstow might have to sit out the second Test as his ankle injury heals. While Bairstow batted and fielded in training on Monday, England want to ensure there is no chance of a setback.”It’s quite a serious injury,” Root said. “I think he’s still a week or so off being 100 percent.”He’s mad keen to get back out there and play. He is pretty much close to flat out as he can be at the moment in the fielding and with his batting. It’s a good sign.”Root also explained the reasoning behind confirming Foakes as keeper for the second Test.”Ben is going to keep,” he said. “We’ve come to Sri Lanka to win this tour. And in these conditions, I think Ben is the best option behind the stumps.”Jonny is a fine keeper and what he’s done over the last couple of years has been exceptional. He’s pretty much been faultless and, long-term, I see him as a focal part of the Test team.”But this is a great opportunity for Ben to show his ability and I think you’ve got to reward a performance like last week.”

Dylan Cease could be on the move before the 2025 MLB trade deadline.

That shocking news hit on Wednesday, as ESPN's Buster Olney reported the San Diego Padres might try to get creative as they attempt to compete down the stretch. The Padres have a number of pressing needs as the deadline approaches, with left field and catcher at the top of the list. Given their financial situation, moving some salary while making additions makes a lot of sense.

Cease has ace-level stuff, but has struggled this season. After finishing fourth in NL Cy Young voting in 2024, he has been a different pitcher in 2025. Through 21 starts, the 29-year-old is 3-10 with a 4.59 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP and 144 strikeouts against 42 walks in 113 2/3 innings. The one thing to note here is that Cease's xFIP is 3.30, meaning he's gotten pretty unlucky this year.

The Padres are set to lose Cease at the end of the season as he'll hit free agency. They could, instead, leverage his value given the lack of available starting pitching at this year's deadline and hope a team will bank on Cease's bad luck turning around, or their staff making minor tweaks. San Diego could then use assets acquired to help improve their roster for the stretch run.

What follows is a look at the best fits for Cease as we approach the trade deadline.

Chicago Cubs

Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd have been excellent for the Cubs this season, but there remains a Justin Steele-sized hole in the rotation. As a group, the team's starters rank 13th leaguewide in ERA (3.93) and have allowed the third-most home runs (87). Chicago needs to add juice to the starting rotation, and the organization knows Cease intimately. The Cubs selected him in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB draft and Cease wound up being a top prospect before the club dealt him to the Chicago White Sox as part of the ill-fated Jose Quintana trade.

This would be a chance for the Cubs to land Cease back on the North Side to help the team's starting pitching depth as they make a push for an NL Central crown.

New York Yankees

The Yankees' focus is sure to be finding a third baseman, but the pitching also needs help. Max Fried and Carlos Rodon have carried the starting rotation this season with Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt out after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Luis Gil is close to a return, but the rest of the team's starters have been shaky at best and awful at worst. As a group, New York's starters rank seventh in ERA (3.74) but they don't have the rotation depth to win a World Series.

Cease has the kind of elite stuff that can show up in October. While he struggled in the 2024 postseason, his average fastball velocity (97.1 mph) ranks fifth in MLB among starting pitchers and his slider was one of the best pitches in baseball in 2024. A few tweaks could have him dominating hitters again.

New York Mets

The Mets have a really good rotation, led by Kadai Sengal and David Peterson with Sean Manaea healthy again to back them up. But they also have a ticking time bomb on their hands. Converted reliever Clay Holmes has already thrown 108 2/3 innings, which is 38 2/3 more than his previous career high of 70. He has been really good this season, posting an 8-5 record with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. But so far in July he has an ERA of 5.66, and has surrendered 13 earned runs on 21 hits in 20 2/3 innings. He could be hitting a wall.

If Holmes continues to struggle, New York needs to find another option for the stretch run. Frankie Montas is back, but he has a 4.62 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP this season through five starts. His last two starts have been better but he's risky. Adding another starter feels like a must for the Mets.

Toronto Blue Jays

Like the Mets, the Blue Jays look solid on the surface, with Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman leading the rotation. But if you look under the hood, the team's starters rank 24th in ERA (4.53). Max Scherzer (5.14 ERA) was sidelined for months thanks to a thumb injury and has yet to look ready for primetime, and Eric Lauer (2.80 ERA) is a low-ceiling lefty who has had some success this season but his 3.82 xFIP says he's getting incredibly lucky.

Cease would be a high-ceiling arm that could add the depth to the rotation Toronto has struggled to find a year.

Leeds United have yet to make any new signings during the January transfer window to aid Daniel Farke’s attempts to secure promotion from the Championship at the second attempt.

However, outgoings have already taken place, with the likes of Charlie Crew and Joe Gelhardt both leaving in loan moves for regular game time, joining Doncaster Rovers and Hull City respectively.

Wilfred Gnonto is another player who could join the pair out the door at Elland Road before the end of the month, with the Italian constantly linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.

It would be a huge loss selling a player who’s registered nine goal contributions in 2024/25, but money talks, which could see the hierarchy be tempted to cash in should a big offer fall their way.

Such a departure would leave a huge hole in the Whites’ attack, potentially seeing the German pursue a move for a player who’s recently popped up on their radar.

Leeds target January move for Championship star

According to Football Insider, Leeds are plotting a move for Cardiff City winger Ollie Tanner before the transfer deadline in just a couple of weeks time.

However, the Whites are not alone in their pursuit of the 22-year-old, with Burnley, Leicester City, and Southampton all also in the race for the youngster’s signature.

The report claims that his current side are reluctant to lose the winger, with the aforementioned quartet all lining up offers to land the attacker this month.

Tanner has starred for a struggling Bluebirds outfit in recent months, scoring twice and registering two assists – in what has been a real break-out year for the former Bromley talent.

It’s unclear how much any deal would set Farke and the club back this window, but it would allow the star to form an exciting partnership on either flank with one player currently plying his trade in Yorkshire.

Why Tanner would star alongside James for Leeds

Winger Dan James cost the Whites a whopping £30m during their days in the Premier League, a figure that was seen to be slightly on the pricey side at the time.

He struggled to make an immediate impact at Elland Road, but has recaptured his excellent form over the last 18 months, subsequently playing a huge role in their promotion ambitions.

The Welsh international has registered 32 combined goals and assists across all competitions since the start of last season – often being the shining light in Farke’s side in recent months.

His frightening pace and direct nature are a nightmare for any Championship defender who tries to get in his way, with potential new addition Tanner also possessing a similar skill set.

When delving into the Cardiff winger’s stats from the ongoing campaign, it’s clear why the club are pursuing a move for the 22-year-old, having the tools to provide the difference in their title charge over the coming months.

Ollie Tanner’s stats for Cardiff City in the Championship (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	23
Goals & assists	4
Shots taken	2.3
Successful dribbles	1.6
Dribble success rate	52%
Duels won	6.2
Touches in the opposition box	3.5
Stats via FotMob

Tanner, who’s previously been dubbed “sensational” by presenter Jason Mohammad, has managed to complete 1.6 dribbles per 90 at a completion rate of 52%, highlighting his direct nature with the ball at his feet.

The Cardiff star has also registered 3.5 touches in the opposition box per 90, producing 2.3 shots – having the attacking quality to produce the goods in the final third, offering an added threat to Farke’s side.

Such quality may cost the club a pretty penny this window, but it’s evident that he has the potential to allow the supporters to forget about Gnonto should he depart this month.

However, given the interest from elsewhere, the hierarchy will have to act quickly to avoid missing out on the talent, allowing him to star on the opposite wing to current star man James.

Farke's next Buendia: Leeds lining up swoop for "sensational" EFL star

Leeds United have been linked with an interest in Emiliano Buendia during the January window.

1

By
Dan Emery

Jan 22, 2025

A surprise report has shared why Arsenal could try to sign Bayern Munich superstar and England legend Harry Kane “this summer”, in what would be a surprise move considering his connection to their cross-town rivals.

Arsenal identify striker targets for this summer after uneventful January

As is becoming the norm with Mikel Arteta’s side, the Gunners have already been linked with a host of high-profile strikers for the next transfer window later this year, after they decided not to bring in a new centre-forward mid-season.

Arsenal can sign once-£130m striker in emergency deal after Havertz blow

The German will miss the rest of this season.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 13, 2025

The club confirmed this week that Kai Havertz will miss the rest of this Premier League season, after the German injured his hamstring during their warm-weather training camp trip to Dubai, while Gabriel Jesus has also played his last game of 2024/2025.

Leicester City (away)

February 15th

West Ham (home)

February 22nd

Nottingham Forest (away)

February 26th

Man United (away)

March 9th

Chelsea (home)

March 16th

These injuries have decimated Arteta’s attacking options, with both Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka also on the treatment table heading into Arsenal’s next game against Leicester City this weekend.

Havertz’s injury has drawn criticism aimed at Arsenal’s failed recruitment in January, and Arteta will be seriously looking to avoid a similar scenario next season ahead of another potential title challenge.

RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko is believed to be a top target for Arsenal this summer, after the Slovenian rejected a move to the Emirates last summer in favour of remaining in the Bundesliga for at least one more term (Fabrizio Romano).

Meanwhile, Arsenal have also been tipped by some critics to launch a shock swoop for Tottenham’s all-time top goalscorer, Kane.

The 31-year-old’s maintained his phenomenal goalscoring record in Germany this season, since he swapped north London for the Allianz Arena in 2023, with Kane scoring 73 goals in 74 appearances for Bayern across all competitions in total.

Why Arsenal could try to sign Harry Kane "this summer"

According to a report from Spain, Arsenal could try to sign Kane from Bayern “this summer”. It is explained that they view the £400,000-per-week frontman as Arteta’s “missing piece”, and someone who offers a superior finishing rate compared to crocked duo Jesus and Havertz.

That being said, while there may be some intent, it is very debatable whether Kane would green-light this move considering his obvious ties.

This season, the striker boasts 29 goals and 10 assists from 29 appearances, with Arsenal icon Paul Merson even urging them to make a move for the Three Lions star recently.

“Arsenal will buy him,” said Merson on Sky. “Why not? £64m, why not. Sol Campbell did [make the move]. People will go ‘oh he’s this age and that age’ but Arsenal need now.

“If Arsenal haven’t won the League, you’ve got to take a chance. You’ve got to take a chance, buy someone that’s proven. I wouldn’t be surprised, and when you’re Harry Kane, and you’ve been told you can go for £64m, there’s only a couple of teams who could buy him.”

أعلن الجهاز الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي الزمالك، بقيادة البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا، تشكيل مباراة وادي دجلة الودية اليوم.

ومن المقرر أن يلعب الزمالك أمام وادي دجلة، بعد قليل على ملعب نادي النادي بالعاصمة الإدارية، في إطار الاستعداد للموسم الجديد.

طالع| عضو الزمالك يوضح تطورات أزمة أحمد فتوح ويطالب بمعاقبته

وتم الاتفاق بين الفريقين على أن تكون مدة كل شوط 60 دقيقة، لمنح فرصة لجميع اللاعبين للمشاركة لفترة أطول في اللقاء.

ويواصل الزمالك، استعدادته للموسم الجديد، بإقامة معسكر في العاصمة الإدارية، ولعب خلاله مباراتين وديتين أمام رع والشمس، ويخوض المواجهة الثالثة اليوم أمام وادي دجلة. تشكيل الزمالك اليوم أمام وادي دجلة

في حراسة المرمى: محمد صبحي.

الدفاع: عمر جابر، محمود حمدي “الونش”، حسام عبد المجيد، هاني ياسر.

الوسط: نبيل عماد دونجا، سيف جعفر، عبد الله السعيد، ناصر ماهر.

الهجوم: شيكو بانزا، ناصر منسي.

da esport bet： Leeds United are set to sign an “incredible” new forward player for Daniel Farke before the deadline, according to one report.

Farke outlines three positions Leeds could strengthen

da supremo： The Whites and the 49ers Enterprises are yet to make a signing in 2025, with the club’s only pieces of business being loan exits for Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Crew.

Related Sky Sports: Leeds "interested" in signing £6m "machine" who Liverpool love

RB Leipzig are also keen.

Posts ByCharlie Smith Jan 24, 2025

On the pitch, things are going to plan, with Leeds five points better off than they were at this stage last season after 29 Championship games. There is still time for the club to add to their squad before the February 3 deadline, though, and Farke said a centre-back, attacking midfielder and centre-forward are positions Leeds could still strengthen in.

“There are still a few positions we could have a deeper look at if they can improve the squad. But right now, I’m a little bit more calmer with not being in panic mode with the need to have to do something.

“I think it’s fair to say if there is a creative offensive player out there, like a number 10 position, then it is something that could be beneficial for our group.

“Brenden Aaronson has been excellent this season and a key player for us. But we might have a similar player like him in our group. Of course we have players who can play in this role.

“If there is a solution for a creative midfield player it definitely make sense to stay awake. In all the other areas we are covered. The only two [positions] we have to stay awake in my head is the centre-back position… and perhaps a bit in the striker position.”

In attack, Patrick Bamford continues to be out injured, leaving Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph as the options for Farke. One attacker who has been loosely linked is Sevilla striker Kelechi Iheanacho, and it looks as if a move has gathered pace.

Leeds set to sign Kelechi Iheanacho, report claims

According to a report from Score Nigeria, Leeds are set to sign Iheanacho before the transfer deadline.

Akor Adams is set to join Sevilla from Montpellier which will allow Iheanacho to move back to England and Elland Road. The report doesn’t mention if a transfer will be loan or permanent, with things not going to plan for the former Leicester City striker in Spain.

Iheanacho’s career stats

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Leicester City

232

61

34

Manchester City

64

21

7

Sevilla

11

3

0

Nigeria

56

15

8

The 28-year-old, who has scored once against the Whites during his career, was brought to Sevilla by former Leeds chief Victor Orta, but it hasn’t been a move that has gone to plan, scoring just three times in 11 appearances.

Iheanacho, dubbed “incredible” by Brendan Rodgers, netted five times in 23 appearances in the Championship as the Foxes lifted the title, so he may have his eyes on another second-tier crown with Leeds in the final months of the season.

Arsenal have now made an approach over potentially signing a South American sensation, as manager Mikel Arteta holds behind-the-scenes transfer meetings with the club’s hierarchy about how the team can be improved before February 3.

Mikel Arteta shares January transfer update at Arsenal

Speaking in his latest pre-match press conference this afternoon, Arteta shared an update on their January transfer plans, and fresh faces remain a real possibility.

Arsenal now considering January loan deal for £42m ex-Man City player

He’s a very familiar name to Arteta.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 10, 2025

The Spaniard has consistently refused to rule out incoming transfers this month, but it will depend on opportunities and whether they can seriously upgrade Arsenal’s current options. Arteta has also confirmed discussions with Emirates Stadium higher-ups over recruitment, hinting there have been internal N5 conversations over possible January deals.

“We always have discussions with the ones above about how we can improve the team,” said Arteta on the January window, ahead of their FA Cup clash against Man United this weekend.

Tottenham (home)

January 15

Aston Villa (home)

January 18

Wolves (away)

January 25

Man City (home)

February 2

Leicester City (away)

February 1

“It’s always a possibility, if it’s somebody that is going to make us much better. We have certain limitations, and we have lots of gaps and things you have to cover.

“It’s also about the players and whether you can afford them. I have so much support from the board, I continue to have it. To win the maximum amount of football matches in the way we want to play.

“That support continues to be there, but we have our limitations.”

Arsenal are weighing up new wide options they could sign in January, with star forward Bukayo Saka out until March after undergoing hamstring surgery. There are also some suggestions that interim sporting director Jason Ayto has his eyes on new strikers, with an Arsenal enquiry allegedly made for Aston Villa starlet Jhon Duran (CaughtOffside).

Thomas Partey and Jorginho are also out of contract at the end of this season as well, as things stand at least – motivating Arsenal to scour the market for potential new midfielders.

Arsenal make contact over signing Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes

Wolves star Joao Gomes, who has performed superbly at Molineux over the past 24 months, is rumoured to be on their agenda.

Since signing for Vitor Pereira’s side for £15 million from Flamengo in January 2023, the Brazilian has earned his first international caps in the famous yellow, green and blue jersey – whilst also starting 32 Premier League games and averaging more tackles per 90 than any other Wolves player last season (WhoScored).

The 23-year-old’s stellar form has put him on the radar of elite English sides, and according to journalist Rudy Galetti on X, Arsenal have made an enquiry over signing Gomes to ask for information on a potential transfer.

The starlet is rumoured by other media outlets to command an asking price of around £50 million, according to other reports, but Galetti’s sources state that it would take a mammoth offer to sway Wolves into doing business this month.

Gomes has been called a “super talent” by former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, and he’s also said to be attracting interest from Tottenham, Man United and Liverpool.