Tag Futebol

The allrounder has had a storied career, which he has now put into a book, but hopes there’s at least one chapter still to complete

Alex Malcolm25-Oct-2024The tone in Glenn Maxwell’s voice changes when he talks about Test cricket.It’s not what you would expect from the author of some the greatest innings ever played in coloured clothing for Australia. The 201 not out in Mumbai, which he relives in great detail in his soon-to-be-released autobiography , written with Adam Collins. The 40-ball century against Netherlands. The 51-ball 2015 World Cup century against Sri Lanka. The impossible chases of Old Trafford, Bengaluru, Guwahati and Hobart. Maxwell could quite rightly dine out on those stories for the rest of his days.There is a myriad of off-field stories, too, some deeply personal. The broken leg. The golf-cart concussion. Severe mental health challenges. A miscarriage. Maxwell speaks with honesty and vulnerability about all of it and how it has shaped him through his 36 years.Related

• Cummins hails Maxwell's 201 not out as 'the greatest ODI innings that's ever happened'

• Maxwell to miss England match after suffering concussion in golf accident

• 'It was snapped in half' – Maxwell explains how he broke his leg

But long after the words have been printed, and the book hits the shelves, Maxwell is hopeful another chapter will be written. He has not given up on his dream of adding to his seven Test matches.That sentence in itself is striking. He hasn’t played Test cricket for seven years. He has not played a first-class game since July 2023 and has played only two in the last five years.He is nowhere near the conversation to play in the upcoming series against India, despite a top-six spot being available. But the carrot of the Sri Lanka tour in January has been dangled in front of him and he is all-in on chasing it after coming within touching distance of a place in the XI on the 2022 tour.”I think if I gave up on that Test dream now, I don’t think I’d be doing justice to that younger Glenn Maxwell who was dying to put on the baggy green when he was a kid,” he tells ESPNcricinfo. “And I think while there’s still a glimmer of hope, I’ll keep going for it.”Maxwell’s Test career is currently a story of what might have been. There is a sense when you speak to him, and when you read his book, that his brief tastes, and the many near-misses on Test selection that he details, have built up just as much scar tissue as the hardware holding his broken ankle together.

“If I gave up on that Test dream now, I don’t think I’d be doing justice to that younger Glenn Maxwell who was dying to put on the baggy green when he was a kid”

“I think the hard thing with Test cricket is, when I grew up, that’s all I wanted to do,” Maxwell says. “I definitely got my chance at Test level a bit prematurely. It all happened really fast when I got my chance to debut. It was just a whirlwind. I had no idea what I was doing. I probably hadn’t had the experience at first-class level that I would have liked.”And then when I came back in 2017, I felt like I was a ready-made first-class cricketer and was really at peace with my game and where I was at. A lot of these things in Test cricket are timing. Adam Voges is probably the perfect example. He came in and he averaged 60-odd [61.87] in his Test career. He got his opportunity when he was at the top of this game.”I suppose the thing I’m proud about in my Test career – I was able to sort of fight back at different times, get back in squads and be really resilient that way.”Voges’ story is a source of inspiration for Maxwell. Voges made his Test debut at 35 and played 20 Test matches, scoring five centuries, including two doubles. However, he got his opportunity in 2015 after scoring 1358 runs at 104.46 in the 2014-15 Sheffield Shield season. Only three batters have ever had a better Shield year and scored more than his six centuries in a single season.Maxwell has only made seven first-class centuries in his 69-game career, including his lone Test century in Ranchi. The lack of hundreds has been used against him from a Test selection standpoint. It is a notion that irks him. He detailed a frustrating exchange with selector Trevor Hohns in 2017-18, when he backed up his March Test century in India with scores of 60, 64, 45 not out, 278 against an international-standard New South Wales attack, and 96 across four consecutive Shield games while batting at No.3 for Victoria.Maxwell brings up his Test century in Ranchi in 2017•Associated PressMaxwell queried Hohns on why he wasn’t considered to play in the Ashes.”The answer was blunt: not enough tons,” Maxwell writes. “It’s the only time I’ve come close to losing it in a situation like that.”Maxwell no longer has to worry about such sentiments among the current Australian selection panel. They have said publicly that Shield cricket bears no relevance to Test conditions in Sri Lanka. They have also said that Australia’s ODI and T20I specialists, who miss a lot of first-class cricket due to white-ball duties, should not have their lack of Shield cricket held against them.It is the type of bespoke management that Maxwell appreciates and has led him to making a quiet return to red-ball cricket via Victoria’s second XI, where he scored 14 and 10, before hopefully making his Shield return after the two white-ball series against Pakistan. The leg injury remains a big part of his careful management.Maxwell enjoyed the red-ball return without the pressure of needing to perform and believes he can get up to speed quickly to the rhythm of red-ball batting if he’s selected on the tour of Sri Lanka.

“I might sort of have this persona on-field where it all looks confident, everything looks all sweet, but it’s not always like that behind the scenes”

“The interesting thing about last week, even just playing the second XI game, was having a few technical changes and working through them, having a few different sets of eyes looking at your batting, and just trying to work your way through that has been really enjoyable,” he says.”I remember in 2022 [in Sri Lanka] the first couple of net sessions that I had working through all those cracks, and working through your different techniques of facing spin that’s exploding, was so enjoyable. And it doesn’t take long when you’re really experienced in those conditions to work out a way to play over there.”It’s probably what makes Cameron Green’s success over there so extraordinary, the fact that it’s the first time he’s played Test cricket over there in those conditions, and he was so successful and strong-minded in the way he was going to go about it. It takes a strong mind to have success over there. I’d just love to be over there.”Maxwell’s mental-health journey is fascinatingly recounted in the book. He is very open about the challenges he has faced throughout his career.”I hope people can get a better idea of the different anxiety I’ve probably had,” he says. “I might sort of have this persona on-field where it all looks confident, everything looks all sweet, but it’s not always like that behind the scenes. There’s so much that sort of goes into it, and there’s a lot of conversations, a lot of thoughts that are going on. And it’s not always as smooth as it seems.”1:43

Where does Glenn Maxwell rank in T20 cricket?

One of his darkest periods was between 2018 and 2020, which coincided with Justin Langer’s tenure as coach. Maxwell is not shy in outlining his turbulent relationship with Langer back then, detailing his personal perspective of a series of incidents, including his omission from the 2018 Test tour of the UAE, the 2019 World Cup, where he was subjected to a bouncer barrage in the nets that he felt was coach-directed, and a fiery exchange in early 2020 when Maxwell said the coach accused him of faking an elbow injury to miss a tour.But Maxwell sees a clear delineation between their relationship as player and coach and their friendship away from the game, which included a lot of golf and some great conversations about life.”We’re still on great terms,” Maxwell says. “We had a really good friendship, and I suppose his coaching tenure at the back end, I probably didn’t get out of him exactly what I probably needed at that time.”The other roundabout relationship he writes about is with Steven Smith. He reveals that the pair did not see eye to eye when Smith was the national captain. But Maxwell also notes he was partly to blame.”I’ve learned the amount that you invest in relationships is the amount you get back,” he says. “And I think potentially, looking back on early relationships, they might have been a lot of one way. I reckon I expected a lot of things to go my way, without actually investing back in.

“Maxwell queried [selector Trevor] Hohns on why he wasn’t considered to play in the Ashes. “The answer was blunt: not enough tons,” Maxwell writes. “It’s the only time I’ve come close to losing it in a situation like that”

“Steve is probably the one who we’ve come… probably not full circle, it’s never like we weren’t friends, it was we weren’t as close as we are now. Now we’re messaging most days, we play golf together, we enjoy each other’s company, and we spend a lot of time talking about not just cricket stuff, but off-field, real things as well.”Maxwell is as comfortable as he has ever been with his place in the world as a husband, a father and a cricketer. He is adamant his story is not completely told, and has no plans to retire anytime soon. He feels he is in the perfect head space to handle a Test match recall. But he knows there are no guarantees, and he says it won’t define his career.”I’m at peace with pretty much everything,” he says. “So it sort of makes it a little bit easier to go out there and not get too wrapped up in the moment, not to put too much pressure on myself to do certain things, and hopefully that just is able to bring out the best in me.”Whatever happens at the back end of this summer, whether I get picked or not, I won’t judge that as a tick or cross on my career. It’s just going to be another thing. As I said, I’d love to be over there, and if I do get the opportunity, I won’t be putting too much pressure on myself.”

On Wednesday, the seamer showed if there is a bit of help about, he could be genuinely incisive in the powerplay

Karthik Krishnaswamy29-Sep-20221:38

Arshdeep Singh: ‘The main motive of our team is adaptability’

What makes the new ball swing in one place and not in another? Cricket has grappled with this question for well over a century, and while all that grappling has given us numerous hypotheses, we have no conclusive answers.Bhuvneshwar Kumar may have puzzled over this question as well, if he watched the Thiruvananthapuram T20I in Bengaluru, where he is undergoing “conditioning-related work” – as per the relevant BCCI press release – at the National Cricket Academy after being rested for the series against South Africa. Having just completed a three-match series against Australia during which the new ball hardly ever swung, he may have felt a complex surge of emotions while watching Deepak Chahar and Arshdeep Singh bend it this way and that at the Greenfield International Stadium.Related

Arshdeep: 'Earlier I used to bowl loose balls now and then, but now I don't give the batters those'

Rohit hails confident Arshdeep after social media backlash

Rahul, Suryakumar guide India home after SA restricted to 106

Bhuvneshwar bowled 42 balls in two matches against Australia and conceded 91 runs, while picking up just one wicket.In Thiruvananthapuram, Chahar and Arshdeep reduced South Africa to 9 for 5 in the space of 15 balls. Both got the ball to swing both ways, and the pitch gave them further assistance by way of its two-paced nature. The jaffas were getting batters out – Arshdeep, for instance, dismissed a pair of left-handers back-to-back, nicking off Rilee Rossouw with an awayswinger before clean-bowling David Miller with one that swerved wickedly late in the other direction – but so were wide and seemingly cuttable balls that stuck in the surface.If you were a swing bowler, or a fast bowler of any description, these were conditions made for you.KL Rahul, who helped steer India to their target of 107 with a painstaking unbeaten 51 off 56 balls, described the conditions as being among the toughest he has ever batted in in a T20 game. “The balls were flying, it was nipping around, it was two-paced,” he told the broadcasters after the match. “Everything that can be hard for a batsman, that was the wicket today.”Given how much help there was for swing and seam bowling, how much can India take away from their fast bowlers’ displays as they finalise their plans for the T20 World Cup? In particular, where does Arshdeep currently sit in the hierarchy of quicks they have picked for that tournament?Of the four specialist fast bowlers in India’s 15 for the World Cup, Bumrah – if fit – is probably the only one guaranteed to start their tournament opener against Pakistan at the MCG. If they’re in their best physical shape and bowling rhythm, Bhuvneshwar and Harshal Patel would probably start alongside him. But neither has been at his best in recent months.Arshdeep has done all the right things ever since getting called up•BCCIThe break Bhuvneshwar is getting during this series is a welcome one ahead of the World Cup, given that he has played more T20Is (24) than any other India player this year. But while that should refresh him, India might still be worried about one facet of his bowling when he returns: his performances at the death (overs 17-20). Seven of the 14 most expensive overs he has bowled in this phase during his T20I career have come this year – four of them .India haven’t always had their first-choice fast bowlers operating this year, of course, and the presence of Bumrah and Harshal should reduce Bhuvneshwar’s death-bowling workload considerably, freeing him up to bowl most of his overs in his best phase, with the new ball. But Harshal hasn’t looked at his best since returning from a rib injury, and his death-overs economy rate for India this year (11.00) has been nearly as high as Bhuvneshwar’s (11.37).This is where Arshdeep has really stood out; he has a death-overs economy rate of 7.38 in T20Is this year, easily the best among all India seamers to have bowled at least four overs in this phase – Hardik Pandya, at 10.25, is a distant second.Arshdeep’s end-overs numbers are spectacular, but not hugely surprising, since he earned his India cap specifically because of his accuracy, control and smarts in that phase. But he has shown he can do more; you will remember that he began his T20I career with a new-ball maiden in Southampton, and over his first 12 T20I games he has done quite well in the powerplay, as a first-six-overs economy rate of 7.50 would suggest. His numbers aren’t nearly as spectacular as Bhuvneshwar’s in this phase – an economy rate of 5.68 while taking 18 wickets at an average of 15.77 this year – but we’re comparing a rookie bowling outside his favoured phase with one of the world’s great powerplay bowlers.And when there is a bit of help about, as there was in Thiruvananthapuram, Arshdeep can be genuinely incisive. He is an unusual sort of left-arm quick, more proficient at swinging the new ball away from the right-hander – genuinely swinging it, and not just slanting it across – rather than into the stumps. This is why he gets so close to the wicket while bowling left-arm over – it minimises the angle across the right-hander, so he can keep lbw in play, just about, while bowling outswing – and also why he loves going round the wicket.In Thiruvananthapuram, though, he showed he can also bowl the other one – two of his wickets came from balls that swung away from the left-hander, and he constantly kept Aiden Markram guessing which way the ball would go while seldom wavering from a tight initial line.These were, in short, excellent signs for India. The conditions may have been extremely helpful, and as a consequence, it is hard to say whether Arshdeep’s display made any real difference to his chances of starting at the World Cup. But he has done all the right things ever since getting called up, and on Wednesday night he did all the right things once again.

The Capitals vs Royals was a truly thrilling exhibition of ferociously fast bowling

Alagappan Muthu15-Oct-20202:15

Bishop: Nortje has brought skill and control along with pace

Jofra Archer is feeling it. He doesn’t have the ball in hand yet. He’s not even on the field. But he has the smile of a teenager who had just discovered how to turn off parental controls on the TV. he’s dancing.Being a fast bowler is fun.Archer has pace that pokes holes into the laws of physics. A run up that’s sometimes only a dawdle shouldn’t produce speeds that petrify the batsman, but everywhere he goes and whomever he faces, he continues to do just that.At some point, maybe in the three days off he probably gets every season, he should let the world’s scientists take him apart so we can all finally and fully understand his extraordinary physical abilities.Prithvi Shaw certainly had no warning of the carnage on the way. He took strike as he normally does. He went after a length ball as he normally does. And he got bowled neck and crop because of a hair-raising abnormality that cricket always makes room for.Pace. 144 kph.Archer was unplayable from the very first ball he bowled in Rajasthan Royals’ game against Delhi Capitals in Dubai. He made Ajinkya Rahane shrivel away from a bouncer. That was 147 kph. He took him out too and the new guy had to face 151 kph.This was fast bowling in its purest form. Archer was operating at a level so far above the opposition. No one could touch him. They didn’t even dare, really. That is the majesty of pace. And this game was all about it.ESPNcricinfo LtdAnrich Nortje looks every bit the speedster. Big biceps. Broad shoulders. Long run up. But Jos Buttler doesn’t seem fussed. He calmly gets into his stance, crouches a bit as the ball is about to be delivered, plants his front leg down the pitch because it’s full and swings it for six. That was 148 kph and hitting it out of the park was a statement.This game was being played on a used pitch. Slower balls were bound to stick in it. A very useful advantage against a batsman like Buttler, who likes it coming onto the bat. There was logic in a change of course. But that involves a fast bowler admitting a little bit of defeat; that he can’t overpower his enemy. Nortje wasn’t ready for that.So he cranked it up to 156 kph. That, btw, is only five clicks slower than the world record.Buttler met it with one of his scoops. It doesn’t even matter that it went for four. The simple fact that he thought he could play that ball with less than a full bat was bonkers. Some players really do live to face heavy metal bowling like this. It is a morbid thrill; the thought that they can take em down.Nortje knew he had a problem. “First ball, I didn’t expect him to go. I didn’t expect the scoop either.” But he didn’t waver. He ran in again, gathering speed. This one was 155 kph and like the guitar solo from it had a bone-chilling effect.It cuh-lean bowled Buttler.”Maybe he was expecting something else,” Nortje said at the presentation. “Maybe a short ball or the slower slower but I just thought I’d stick to my strengths and at the end it paid off.”

KG, Archer, Ana
I’d have paid to watch them live tonight.
Fast bowling is strong, and this competition is being dominated by these beasts!

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) October 14, 2020

All of this leaves Kagiso Rabada in a of a situation. IPL 2020’s highest wicket-taker is, officially, the slower of the Capitals’ two speed demons.”It looks like it [Nortje hits 156 kph] every game. I’m really happy for him. I’m not that happy for the batter,” he told . “Maybe now when we have a drink when we get back to the hotel, he’ll sneak a cheeky one past. But when we’re playing, we’re just thinking about the delivery. Not the speed gun.”Still, if you can summon the kind of pace that Archer, Rabada and Nortje do, you don’t take a backwards step. You just stand at the top of your mark. Run in as hard as you can. Savour the wind in your hair. Make a note of the silly things you make the batsman do for when you tell the story later. Get into your delivery stride. And. Just. Go. Whang.Fast bowlers like that attain nirvana on a cricket field. And the whole world gets high watching them.

Max Muncy is coming off his third World Series win with the Dodgers, and he’s here to stay in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers picked up the third baseman’s 2026 player option on Thursday, ESPN’s Alden González reported. Muncy’s option is valued at $10 million for next season. He will return to Los Angeles for his ninth season.

Muncy was a hero of sorts in his World Series appearances vs. the Blue Jays. In Game 7, Muncy hit a home run in the top of the eighth inning to keep the Dodgers’ repeat chances alive. Los Angeles trailed Toronto 4-3 after Muncy’s 373-foot homer. The Dodgers went on to tie the game in the ninth thanks to a home run hit by Miguel Rojas before clinching the title in the 11th. In 17 postseason games this year, Muncy averaged .214/.353/.411, while notching 12 hits, eight runs, three homers and three RBIs.

Muncy played a shortened 2025 season as he landed on the IL twice during the year, once for hyperextending his knee and then again for suffering a Grade 1 oblique strain. In 100 game appearances, Muncy averaged .243/.376/.470, while logging 76 hits, 48 runs, 19 homers and 67 RBIs.

Crystal Palace are reportedly exploring an ambitious January move for Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson, with Oliver Glasner keen to strengthen his attack for a Champions League push. The Wales international, who wrote his name into Spurs folklore with a Europa League final winner, is admired at Selhurst Park. However, the move hinges entirely on Spurs’ stance and their own plans for the winter.

• Crystal Palace identify Brennan Johnson as transfer target

  Crystal Palace have identified Johnson as one of several forwards they could target in January, as per The Telegraph, as they prepare for a demanding second half of the season across domestic and European competitions. With Ismaila Sarr sidelined by an ankle ligament injury and also expected to join Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations if fit, Glasner is seeking additional firepower to ease the pressure on his forward line. Johnson, signed by Tottenham from Nottingham Forest for £47.5 million in 2023, has struggled for consistent minutes this season under new manager Thomas Frank, leaving his situation worth monitoring as the window approaches. 

  The Welshman began the campaign strongly with goals against Burnley and Manchester City, but has started only three of Tottenham’s last twelve matches in the Premier League. Frank’s tactical reshuffle, which includes deploying Johnson on the left rather than his more natural right flank, has contributed to fluctuating form and reduced his influence. Despite this, Palace view him as a player who could instantly elevate their attacking threat, given his work rate and ability to attack spaces.

  Crucially, Spurs will dictate whether any move progresses, as the club must first assess their own squad depth and potential January business. Tottenham are already juggling injuries, inconsistent wide options, and a heavy European schedule of their own. Johnson’s status as a Europa League hero still carries weight at the club, but Palace’s interest will remain active unless Spurs decisively rule out a mid-season departure.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Glasner's Crystal Palace fighting for Champions League football

  Crystal Palace’s interest comes during one of the most impressive stretches of form the club has enjoyed in years, with only one defeat in their last six Premier League fixtures. Glasner’s structured system has maximized several players’ output, but the squad’s thinness in wide areas has been exposed by Sarr’s injury and the demands of the Europa Conference League. Strengthening in January is therefore seen not as a luxury, but as a necessity for sustaining their top-four challenge. 

  The potential arrival of Johnson would also reflect Palace’s evolution from relegation battlers to a club capable of attracting high-impact players in their prime. After losing Eberechi Eze in the summer, questions hovered over whether Palace could reach new heights, but signings such as Yeremy Pino and the excellent form of Daniel Munoz have pushed perceptions of the club to new levels. The Eagles’ recruitment team believes adding another goal-threatening wide forward would give Glasner the rotational depth required to challenge on multiple fronts.

• Johnson's turbulent seasons at Tottenham

  Johnson’s trajectory at Tottenham has been turbulent, marked by psychological challenges, breakout form, and fluctuating belief from the coaching staff. After suffering online abuse early in the 2024/25 season, he famously deleted his Instagram and erupted into a seven-match scoring streak, finishing the season with 16 Premier League goals. His crowning moment came with the Europa League final winner against Manchester United, a strike that delivered Spurs their first major trophy in 17 years. 

  The 2025/26 season, however, has brought new complications. Frank’s system emphasizes positional versatility and a more rigid structure, leading Johnson to spend extended time on the left wing, reducing the space and angled runs where he thrives. His reduced productivity has inevitably fuelled speculation about his long-term role at Spurs, particularly with increased internal competition and Frank’s keenness to reshape the squad to his preferences. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Crystal Palace eager to make move for Johnson in January

  Crystal Palace are preparing to make contact once the January window opens, though they remain cautious given Tottenham’s historically firm stance on mid-season sales. Much will depend on whether Spurs feel they can refresh their attacking options or whether Johnson remains essential as part of Frank’s rotation. If Tottenham close the door early, Palace will pivot to alternative wide forwards, but Johnson will remain near the top of their shortlist. 

  For Johnson, the next few weeks will determine whether he continues to fight for his place at Spurs or considers the prospect of a more defined role at Palace. Palace know that securing a forward with Johnson’s pedigree could be transformative for their Champions League ambitions, and discussions may accelerate quickly if Spurs signal openness to negotiation.

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki following his sensational Premier League start, with Chelsea also keeping a tab on the £15 million ($20m) star. Ruben Amorim has urged the board to sign at least one midfielder in the summer of 2026 after missing out on Brighton's Carlos Baleba. They are also monitoring the likes of Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson.

Man Utd look to Wearside for reinforcements

According to Sacha Tavolieri, United are now "all in" for Sunderland’s breakout midfielder Sadiki, with the Red Devils positioning the 20-year-old as a major summer 2026 target. They have made him their preferred option should attempts to sign Brighton’s Baleba collapse for a second consecutive window. He arrived at the Stadium of Light only a few months ago for £15m ($20m) from Union Saint-Gilloise, and has been one of the Premier League’s surprise stars. He has started all 15 of Sunderland’s fixtures this season, anchoring their midfield with composure well beyond his years. Meanwhile, Chelsea are said to have sent delegates directly to Sunderland after the clubs met on October 25, enquiring about a potential price tag. The Blues’ interest is genuine, but they may struggle to offer Sadiki immediate minutes. At Chelsea, the youngster would find himself fighting Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez for a starting place. United, however, offer a far clearer pathway, with uncertainty surrounding Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBaleba complications and Casemiro's contract

United’s long-running pursuit of Baleba, a saga stretching back to the summer, remains unresolved. The club agreed personal terms with the Brighton midfielder, but had to withdraw their interest due to the Seagulls' steep asking price. United planned to revisit the deal in 2026, when Brighton expect to cash in, but the Seagulls’ valuation continues to be a major stumbling block. Moreover, his inconsistent form this season has added further hesitation, with senior figures reluctant to sanction what could become a record-breaking fee. 

Casemiro, meanwhile, is entering the final months of his contract. United want the Brazil icon to remain, but only on reduced wages. There is no guarantee he will agree, and clubs in Saudi Arabia remain on standby. Ugarte has struggled for rhythm, and Mainoo, who was once the club’s crown jewel in midfield, is increasingly unsettled after a run of high-profile omissions from Amorim’s starting XI. United expect Napoli to table a formal enquiry for Mainoo as early as January, which will provide the midfielder an exit route from Amorim's exile. He is desperate for minutes to impress England manager Thomas Tuchel ahead of the March international break, which will be the final time The Three Lions will convene for an international break before the summer World Cup. 

Sadiki’s rise: From Belgian prodigy to Premier League standout

Sunderland paid a modest sum for Sadiki in July, but his value has surged rapidly thanks to his assured Premier League performances. With an intelligent reading of play, tidy distribution and an exceptional work rate, he has become indispensable for a Black Cats side who have taken the top flight by surprise. United are determined to build a squad for the future with young generational talents at its core. They have recently signed 13-year-old defender Socrates from The Elite London Academy, another unpolished diamond unearthed by their scouting network. 

Following the signing, The London Academy wrote: "From the moment he joined Elite London Academy, you could see he had something special: technically gifted, intelligent on the ball, brave in duels, and always hungry to learn. Along his journey, we organised trials for him at Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace. He completed full trials at these clubs but these did not result in registration. Arguably, missed opportunities for the clubs.

"But what makes Socrates different is how he responded. He didn’t sulk. He didn’t lose confidence. He showed resilience, maturity and a mindset far beyond his age. Instead, he pushed harder. Soon exciting opportunities have followed. Socrates was offered registration at a top Cat 1 club in the North in August after a successful trial."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Man Utd?

While the recruitment team accelerate long-term planning ahead of a potentially transformative and chaotic summer window, Amorim remains focussed on his job at hand. The Red Devils return to the Premier League stage on Monday against Bournemouth, and after a convincing 4-1 victory over Wolves, the Portuguese manager will look to beat the Cherries at home. 

Kostas Tsimikas is keen to make a return to Merseyside when his season-long loan with Serie A side Roma comes to end, saying he’s a “Greek Scouser and always will be”. Tsimikas has had to battle for his place at Roma, but with Liverpool’s defensive frailties, he believes he can still make an impact at Anfield.

Greek star struggles in Eternal City

Tsimikas has made six appearances in Serie A and four in the Europa League, but has struggled to cement a regular place in the team and has fallen down the pecking order behind Angelino and other defenders. Roma only agreed to a straight loan deal with no obligation to buy, a decision the club is reportedly happy about given his limited impact and inconsistent performances. Operating primarily as a left wing-back in manager Gian Piero Gasperini's 3-4-3 formation, Tsimikas has struggled to nail down the left-back slot. Notably, during a Europa League match against Lille in October it was his crucial early error which led to the only goal of the game, and Tsimikas was substituted at half-time, with Italian media labeling his performance a "nightmare".

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTsimikas: 'I was the Greek Scouser'

Tsimikas told : "I miss the city. I lived there for five years. I love everything in Liverpool. They have a special part of my heart. The people are very kind, some of the kindest I’ve ever met in football. They’d always try to support the team, in good, in bad, they would always do their best to try to help you. I want everything for this club, because from day one, I was fully committed there. I was the Greek Scouser and I always will be, I’ll keep it for my whole life."

And when pressed on whether he’d like to return to Anfield, Tsimikas added: "You never know. The most important thing for me is to be healthy, to train hard, to play more games. Next year is a different story for me. I want to be successful, I want to win things. Only God knows what will happen in the next year."

Three years, three very different managers

Tsimikas joined Liverpool in Jurgen Klopp’s final year and then spent a season under Arne Slot before joining Roma under Gasperini, three managers with very different football ideals. But Tsimikas says he’s trying to learn something different from each one of them. He said: “I think Gasperini is more direct. Slot was more detailed about the game plan, whereas Gasperini is a lot more physical as well. At the moment, for me, it’s about getting used to the playing style, and it’s a little tougher for me. But I have to try to give my best every time the coach gives me the opportunity to play. The team comes first, and I want to be a big part of that, hopefully celebrating at the end of the season with a trophy.” 

He added: "I remember going to Denmark (to play for Esbjerg). I was just a kid. Everything was dark because I went at Christmas time. It was the first time I left Greece. And it made me more physical, it made me into a man."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportWest Ham test facing struggling Reds

The Greece international will be keeping a keen eye on Liverpool’s match with West Ham today and the line-up chosen by beleaguered Reds boss Slot, who is under pressure to ring the changes, particularly in defence. The Anfield side’s defence has been leaky this season, with a number of basic errors from defenders contributing to their demise on a regular basis, the recent 4-1 defeat by PSV Eindhoven was marked by a blatant handball from captain Virgil van Dijk to concede a penalty and Ibrahima Konate allowed the ball to bounce past him for PSV’s third goal.

Youngster struggled for form after watching from the sidelines during India Tests

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Sep-2025

Jacob Bethell has admitted he “should have played slightly more” domestic cricket while he was England’s spare batter during their Test series against India.Bethell, 21, played only four matches – three in the T20 Blast, one in the County Championship – between the start of the Test series in June and his call-up for the fifth Test at The Oval, which began on July 31. He faced only 85 balls across those matches, and looked noticeably short of rhythm when scoring 6 and 5 during England’s narrow defeat after Ben Stokes was ruled out through injury.Specifically, he could have played some role in Warwickshire’s Championship fixtures against Sussex (which overlapped with the second Test against India) or Worcestershire (which clashed with the fourth), but decided in conjunction with England’s management that he should stay with the Test squad instead.Related

McCullum: England must 'find ways to deal with' packed schedule

Bethell: 'I've got to be ready to perform in Ashes'

Jofra Archer: 'There was an ooh or an aah every single over'

Baker wins first England call-up, Bethell to captain in Ireland

England blown to bits-and-pieces as part-timers' bowling strategy backfires

Ahead of Sunday’s ODI in Southampton, Bethell had only faced 387 balls across the English summer, compared to 1,480 in the 2024 season. His lack of cricket has been discussed incessantly in the media in recent months, with suggestions he should have returned from the IPL early, or played for Warwickshire in the Metro Bank Cup instead of the Hundred.”There’s been a little bit of noise but I don’t listen to it much,” Bethell told Sky Sports. “If I’m honest, I probably should have played slightly more when I wasn’t playing in the Test matches, but that’s something that I’ll take and I’ll learn from that.”Even though I didn’t play much in that Test series, I was around the group for a lot of it, and just to watch a high-octane Test series like that was unbelievable. I got a chance in the last Test and unfortunately couldn’t go on there and put in a performance, but I’ve loved [the summer]. Playing for England is a dream come true and hopefully I can do it for a long time to come.”Bethell will play in England’s T20Is against South Africa next week before becoming their youngest-ever captain in Ireland a week later. He is then likely to be part of their white-ball tour to New Zealand, before travelling to Australia as the spare batter for the Ashes, and heading to Sri Lanka then India for a white-ball series leading into the T20 World Cup.”Now I’m looking at what I have ahead and there’s a lot of cricket, so that little gap where I didn’t play actually might be quite nice for me,” Bethell said.Marcus Trescothick, who will deputise as England coach in Ireland, said on Saturday that Bethell had a “great opportunity” to gain captaincy experience at a young age.”We’re very clear that he can step into that role and be very comfortable with that,” Trescothick said. “The attention has been outside of our circle. There’s been some media scrutiny around him playing and doing this job [captaincy], but within our circle that’s never been the case. We manage it accordingly and we’re not going to put anyone in a position that is not suitable to their character or their calibre.”

Eddie Howe’s changes for Newcastle United’s mid-week tie versus Tottenham Hotspur in the EFL Cup didn’t disrupt the Magpies’ winning streak one bit.

Instead, some of the reserves that were thrust into the first-team spotlight for the occasion shone to collect Newcastle’s third straight victory in all competitions, as Aaron Ramsdale proudly kept a clean sheet in place of regular shot-stopper Nick Pope.

Alongside Ramsdale, Joe Willock also picked up an assist to steer the Toon to a 2-0 success to respond to some of his St James’ Park critics, with Fabian Schar – who had been frozen out of Howe’s first team picture in the Premier League as of late – also chipping in with a goal himself.

In the past, Newcastle also would have fallen back on Callum Wilson for ties such as these, with Wilson once a trusty second-in-command figure on Tyneside in the attacking areas, before his career up North began to unravel.

Wilson's goalscoring heroics at Newcastle

Before Wilson was allowed to leave the building this summer, he was viewed as a dependable source of goals in tricky moments.

The 33-year-old striker – who will potentially face off against his old club on Sunday, having signed for West Ham United – managed to bag a high 49 goals for the Magpies from 130 games, despite finding his minutes were depleting after Alexander Isak’s earth-shuddering move to England in 2022.

Amazingly, nine of those league strikes would be put away during the 2022/23 campaign by the top-flight veteran, even as he started just nine Premier League games all season long.

In the end, however, recurring injury issues would be the former AFC Bournemouth attacker’s undoing, with 29 games missed through injury during his final season on Tyneside souring his long-standing affiliation with the club.

Still, Wilson will surely be remembered fondly for his regular heroics from off the bench, with one of his Toon coaches in Graeme Jones, hailing him as “the best matchday finisher” he has worked alongside.

Unfortunately, though, time creeps up on us all.

But, Howe could have his next iteration of Wilson in his star-studded Newcastle camp right now, as the star in question also holds a standout record when being unleashed into games from off the bench.

Howe's new Callum Wilson

The obvious figure who could be considered Howe’s next Wilson is Nick Woltemade, with the towering 6-foot-6 German a similar menace in front of goal.

At the height of his St James’ Park powers, the 33-year-old very rarely needed a second invitation to power home a fierce effort, with the former Stuttgart man very much operating in the same manner right now as a potent marksman.

So far, Woltemade can boast a Premier League goal every 120 minutes, with four strikes finding the back of the net from the lethal goalscoring machine from a mere average of just 28.5 touches per contest.

But, as much as he shares the same instinctive style in front of goal as Wilson, he is leading the line for the Toon week in week out now in the absence of the aforementioned Isak, instead of operating in the shadows.

Games played

14

Minutes played

582 mins

Goals scored

3

Assists

1

Games missed through injury

7

If you want an example of a talent who often has to make do with scraps off the bench, sometimes owing to injury difficulties, and who still picks up a goal and an assist here and there, Harvey Barnes might well be your better bet when looking at his Newcastle numbers from this campaign in isolation.

All four of the ex-Leicester City man’s goals and assists this campaign have come about when he’s been gifted late cameos, with two whirlwind strikes recently falling into his lap in the Champions League against Benfica – from just 27 minutes of action – very much backing up previous comments that the one-time England international is a “menace” in attacking areas by journalist Mikey Stafford.

17 goals have now come his way from 77 Newcastle appearances, which is a mightily impressive record when you delve into the facts further that he has missed 38 games in total through injury on Tyneside, since leaving the King Power Stadium behind.

But, when he is fit, Howe knows he can count on him to bail his team out of some tense moments, as a new Wilson-like presence is unearthed.

Woltemade, it must be said, is undoubtedly emerging as Howe’s new attacking figurehead, but Barnes is more than a quality weapon in reserve.

He'd surpass Tonali: Newcastle rivalling Real Madrid for £120m "powerhouse"

Newcastle are in the process of succession planning in the middle of the park.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 31, 2025

Manchester United have endured a phenomenal upturn in form over the last couple of weeks, as seen by their run of three Premier League victories in a row.

Ruben Amorim appears to be finally silencing the doubters, after being subject to countless barrages of criticism from supporters and pundits across the country.

However, his work in the transfer window is largely to thank, with his additions from the recent summer transfer window already having an immediate impact at Old Trafford.

Bryan Mbeumo arrived in a £71m deal from Brentford and has already taken the role as the Red Devils’ main talisman, as seen by his tally of five goals in his first nine league outings.

Despite the additions within the final third, Amorim and the hierarchy are still hunting for a new central midfielder to take the first-team squad to the next level in the near future.

Man Utd’s hunt for a new midfielder in January

Over the last couple of months, United have been hugely touted with a winter move for Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson, after his phenomenal start to the 2025/26 season.

The 22-year-old has started all nine Premier League games to date, resulting in his maiden England call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s squad – subsequently cementing his place as a regular starter.

However, any deal could prove to be a somewhat expensive one, with Sean Dyche’s side currently demanding a fee in the region of £100m for his signature.

He’s not the English midfielder currently in their sights, with Borussia Dortmund star Jobe Bellingham another target for the Red Devils, according to one Spanish outlet.

They have reported that Amorim’s side are preparing a €50m (£42m) offer for the 20-year-old despite only joining the Bundesliga outfit back in the recent summer transfer window.

It also states that the player is growing frustrated with his lack of minutes, having only started two league outings in 2025/26 and featured for a total of 208 minutes.

Why United’s £42m target would be the perfect Casemiro replacement

Many United fans expected Casemiro’s minutes at United to be extremely limited this season after struggling to impress, some Amorim took the reins back in November last year.

The Brazilian, who’s now 33, has even been called into question by numerous pundits over the last few years, many of whom have claimed he’s no longer at the level required for the Premier League.

Jamie Carragher infamously said that ‘the football has left him’ and recommended that the former Real Madrid star move to Saudi Arabia or America to end his career.

However, he’s been a key component of Amorim’s side this campaign, subsequently featuring in eight of the nine league outings – even scoring twice and notching an assist.

Casemiro’s latest goal came in the recent triumph over Brighton and Hove Albion, stepping up to the plate when the manager and team needed him most.

Despite his recent form at Old Trafford, there’s little denying he’s entering the final years of his career at the top level, with his current deal at the Red Devils set to expire in the summer of 2026.

The supporters shouldn’t worry about a potential departure, especially if the rumours around a move for Bellingham come to fruition in the winter or summer transfer window.

Whilst the Englishman has struggled for action in the current season, he’s still managed to produce numerous incredible stats that would see him be a monster hit with the fans in Manchester.

Bellingham, who’s been labelled “one of the best midfielders” by the Second Tier Podcast, has completed 88% of his attempted, whilst ranking in the 89th percentile for touches per 90.

Games played

8

Minutes played

208

Pass accuracy

88%

Touches per 90

84.8

Tackles made

2.2

Duels won

6.5

Aerials won

71%

Fouls won

1.7

Such figures highlight his incredible ability with the balm at his feet, with such a skillset adding yet another talented technician to the heart of Amorim’s first-team squad.

Out of possession, the youngster has been just as impressive, making 2.2 tackles per 90 to date, whilst also winning 6.5 duels per 90 – highlighting his workmanlike style.

Other tallies, such as a 71% aerial duel success rate and 1.7 fouls won per 90, showcase his all-round ability, which has made him a constant nuisance to countless opponents.

£42m may seem a hefty sum of money for the Dortmund star, but it certainly could prove to be a fantastic piece of business if he reaches his full potential.

At just 20, he has bags of time to develop further, whilst also offering the club a long-term replacement for the experienced Casemiro into 2026/27 and beyond.

Not Mbeumo: Man Utd's "world-class" star is now becoming Amorim's new Bruno

Manchester United have hit the jackpot on one star who could reach Bruno Fernandes’ level.

1 ByEthan Lamb Oct 28, 2025