Root becomes the only England captain to score more than one double-century in away Tests
S Rajesh16-Jan-20211 – England batsman who has reached 8000 Test runs in fewer innings than Joe Root’s 178: Kevin Pietersen got there in 176. Four other England batsmen reached the mark in fewer than 200 innings. In all, 19 batsmen have made it to 8000 runs in fewer than 178 innings, of which Kumar Sangakkara’s 152 is the lowest.7 – England batsmen with 8000-plus Test runs. Among these players, Root’s average of 49.09 is the best, while Alec Stewart’s 39.54 is the lowest.ESPNcricinfo Ltd5 – Double-centuries by England batsmen in Asia. Root’s 228 is the second-highest among them, after Alastair Cook’s 263 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in 2015. Mike Gatting and Graeme Fowler scored their double-hundreds in the same innings, against India in Chennai in 1985.4 – England captains who have scored double-hundreds in an away Test (including neutral venues); the others are Cook, Len Hutton and Ted Dexter. Root is the only England captain to achieve it twice: he also scored 226 against New Zealand in Hamilton in 2019. Among all captains, only Graeme Smith (four) and Stephen Fleming (three) have more than two double-hundreds as captain in away Tests.3.65 – England’s run-rate in their last seven innings in Sri Lanka, since the start of the 2018 series. Their run-rate in the first innings here was 3.59. Before 2018, their scoring rate here was 2.58.7 – Instances of Sri Lanka conceding a first-innings lead of more than 250 in a home Test. They have lost each of the six previous matches. The last time they batted first in a home Test and fell behind more than 250 was way back in 2000, against Pakistan also in Galle. Three of the seven instances were in one series, against India in 2017; each time India batted first and piled up huge totals.
PHILADELPHIA — In the bottom of the second, he helped give away two runs. In the top of the seventh, he drove in three. This is the Teoscar Hernández Experience, and for the most part, the Dodgers have decided, it’s worth it.
“At the end of the day, for me, anything that happened before a big moment like that, it’s in the past,” Hernández said after Los Angeles put the finishing touches on a 5–3 win over the Phillies in Game 1 of the National League division series. “I try to put it in the trash and just focus on the things that I need to do in that at-bat and especially in plays on defense and just trying to help my team.”
He has had plenty of practice. In Game 2 of the wild card series, he camped out under a two-out fly ball, stuck up his glove—and missed the ball. Afterward, he apologized to righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whom he believed he cost an inning or two by forcing him to pitch around the mistake, and promised to try harder. Five innings later, Hernández clubbed a two-run double to pad the lead. The Dodgers won that game, as they did the game before (Hernández home run) and the next one (Saturday’s Hernández home run).
Saturday’s miscue was less egregious, although potentially more costly. With the score tied at zero and runners on first and second, Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto lined a ball to right-center field. Hernández is not terribly fleet of foot under the best of circumstances, but he averaged 28.0 feet per second running home to first this season. On Saturday, his rate to the ball was 25.0 feet per second. Center fielder Andy Pages beat him there; by the time the ball made it back to the infield, both runners had scored and Realmuto was at third base.
“He wasn’t not trying,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “But, yeah, that’s a ball that you don’t want Realmuto to have a triple, certainly a short right field.”
This sort of inconsistency is easier to swallow when Hernández is hitting, as he did last year, when he had an .840 regular-season OPS and almost singlehandedly won three playoff games en route to the 2024 title. It was that performance that made him beloved in Los Angeles and led the front office to sign him to a three-year, $66 million deal before his age-32 season. But Hernández missed two weeks with a strained groin in May, then battled bruising after fouling a ball off his left foot in July. He has insisted all season that those ailments have not slowed him, but he had a .933 OPS before the groin strain and a .672 OPS afterward.
For a while, he became a symbol of a team that seemed to be recovering from a World Series hangover. The Dodgers wilted down the stretch, playing .417 ball in July, then coming close to letting the division slip away in August and September. Hernández was certainly not the only problem—the bullpen had a 4.90 ERA in the final month—but his mistakes were glaring. In August, he failed to come up with an easy ninth-inning pop-up; two pitches later, that run scored to give the historically awful Rockies a walk-off win. Reporters and fans began speculating that Hernández might be moved out of right field. The team insisted that was not the plan—if only because the Dodgers were too banged up to accommodate a positional shift. A week later, Roberts benched Hernández for two games.
“He’s an every-day guy, but I do think that where we’re at, you’ve got to perform, too, to warrant being out there every single day, regardless, right?” Roberts said.
A few days later, Roberts lamented to reporters that he felt Hernández lacked focus. “He’s a guy that I really admire, because he can balance the fun part of baseball but also have that edge,” the manager said. “And I think we’ve lost a little bit of that edge over the last couple months. So I think, for me, I want to see that edge, that fight, that fire, and I’ll bet on any result.”
He had already spoken with Hernández himself. “He was, like, ‘You know what, I’ve got to be better, I gotta play better, I gotta play better defense, I’ve got to dial up the offense,’” Roberts recalled on Saturday. “We talked about it. And he delivered.”
Hernández told reporters he thought he was pressing. He felt a bit of that unhelpful energy early on Saturday, when he chased pitches well below the strike zone—two in his first at-bat, one in his second, another in his third—against Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez and struck out three times. So for his fourth at-bat, this one against lefty Matt Strahm with two runners on, Hernández decided to simplify his approach and just look for a pitch up.
“Not trying to do overswinging or anything like that,” he said. “Maybe a hit. Try to bring in one run to tie the game.”
He brought in three to win it, and to ensure that the Dodgers get to enjoy the Teoscar Hernández experience at least a few days longer.
There is an anxious wait to see if Liverpool’s win over Inter Milan at the San Siro is a turning of a page or a stay of execution ahead of more poor results, dismal displays.
Arne Slot would be the first to admit that things haven’t gone to plan for the Premier League champions this summer, who find themselves 10th in the top-flight standings after a record-breaking summer of spending. Slot is also a glass-half-full kind of guy, and he sees a route out of this rut.
Circumstances apply for the Anfield side, but there’s no denying many stars have been miles off it, and while much has been made of Liverpool’s defensive disasters, the uncertain future of Mohamed Salah has heaped pressure on FSG and Richard Hughes as the sporting director searches for fresh firepower.
Why Liverpool could sign a new forward
Who knows if Salah will still be a Liverpool player in February? Regardless, the Egyptian hasn’t been good enough this season, and, aged 33, questions are being raised as to whether he has gone past the apotheosis of his glittering Premier League career.
Salah’s decline has seemingly hampered his fellow attackers. It’s only natural; ther 33-year-old has held Liverpool’s success on his back for so many years. Cody Gakpo, for example, has struggled for form too, arguably offering less than the Egyptian while reprising his starting berth
More pace and potency is surely needed, and that’s why FSG are weighing up a move for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, with Spanish sources claiming Liverpool have raised their interest and are ready to sign the Ivorian teenager to cover Salah’s mid-season sale, should that come to pass.
Diomande might only be 19 years old, but he’s already confirmed his elite status, with Leipzig set to demand payment in the range of €100m (about £88m) to let him leave.
Arsenal and Manchester City are also known suitors.
What Yan Diomande would bring to Liverpool
Diomande is fast. Very fast. However, he’s anything but a one-trick pony, quickly establishing himself as a potent threat in the final third and a tenacious defender when against the ball.
Journalist Bence Bocsak has actually hailed him as a “generational talent”, comparing the youngster to Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland, who was several grades above when cutting his own teeth for the Red Bull group.
Diomande might actually be a better player than Gakpo even now, even before adding the building blocks to his natural foundation. The 19-year-old doesn’t match Gakpo’s rate of output, not yet, but the underlying data is certainly kind to Diomande’s completeness.
Goals scored
0.45
0.36
Assists
0.26
0.21
Shots taken
2.53
2.08
Shot-creating actions
4.16
5.23
Touches (att pen)
5.67
7.16
Pass completion (%)
72.5
81.2
Progressive passes
2.56
3.44
Progressive carries
3.33
6.66
Successful take-ons
1.31
4.01
Ball recoveries
3.01
6.01
Tackles + interceptions
1.41
2.72
And anyway, Diomande has demonstrated startling growth in a short time, having scored seven goals and supplied four assists for his Bundesliga club this season, joining them from Leganes in the summer.
Gakpo, moreover, has only completed 39% of his 1.3 dribbles per Premier League game this term, whereas Diomande is proving himself to be a highly efficient ball carrier, completing 63% of his dribbles, averaging 2.3 per game (data via Sofascore).
This is an up-and-coming talent who is quickly becoming the talk of the town. Liverpool must ensure they add him to their ranks, adding depth and dynamism to their flanks and a far more dynamic threat than someone like Gakpo.
If Liverpool are currently bracing themselves for Salah’s shock departure, such a profile will be needed.
He could be captain after Van Dijk: £35m star very keen on joining Liverpool
Liverpool clearly need to fix some defensive problems after a wretched start to the season.
Samuel Luckhurst criticised a Manchester United star, who looked “haunted” in the first half of the 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Man Utd complete second-half comeback to prevail at Palace
Man United’s performance in the first half of the win against the Eagles left a lot to be desired, with Mark Goldbridge taking to X to criticise Ruben Amorim, while also taking aim at the manager’s reluctance to change things at half-time.
However, Amorim’s approach ultimately paid off, with Joshua Zirkzee cancelling out Jean-Philippe Mateta’s opener early in the second half, before Mason Mount secured all three points after being laid off by Bruno Fernandes from a free-kick.
The Red Devils were able to close out a 2-1 win, bringing their four-game winless run against Palace to an end, but it was far from a vintage performance, with Luckhurst taking to X to criticise Casemiro’s performance during the first half.
The reporter said: “Not remotely got going and Casemiro looks haunted up against Adam Wharton again.”
Man Utd should go all out to sign Wharton
It is little wonder United are so keen on signing Wharton, who put in a fantastic first-half performance, once again catching the eye with his passing ability.
With Amorim in the market for a new midfielder, INEOS should go all out to sign the Crystal Palace star, who was unlucky to be on the losing side after bossing the midfield in the first half, although Casemiro did manage to turn things around.
Although he lost possession 11 times, the Brazilian made a number of key defensive contributions throughout the match, winning seven duels, the second-highest number of any United player, while also making two interceptions, three clearances and three tackles.
Man Utd have unseen teenager who "looks better than half their first team"
Carrington has produced another gem.
By
Tom Cunningham
Nov 29, 2025
Journalist Liam Canning was also left impressed with the 33-year-old’s display, in what could be his final season as a Man United player, although an encouraging new update from Fabrizio Romano suggests the central midfielder could extend his contract beyond next summer…
Manchester United have endured a superb upturn in form over the last couple of weeks, with the squad now finally reaping the rewards of the faith shown in the manager.
Ruben Amorim was a man under pressure a couple of months ago, especially after the Red Devils endured yet another dismal start to a Premier League campaign.
The 40-year-old has since led the first-team squad to five games unbeaten in England’s top-flight – a run which is undoubtedly the best during his 12-month spell at Old Trafford.
Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur showcased their ability to bounce back from losing positions – something which may have been difficult in 2024/25.
There’s little disputing that the club are certainly on the up under Amorim’s guidance, but his side could be further improved during the upcoming January transfer window.
Man Utd’s hunt for new additions in January
Over the last couple of weeks, United have been one of the sides touted with a move to land Palmeiras centre forward Vitor Roque after his impressive form in 2025.
The Brazilian youngster has scored 16 times in his 30 league appearances this calendar year, currently sitting as the division’s second top scorer at present.
His form has led to links to the Red Devils, but it would be yet another expensive addition, with the Serie A outfit currently demanding a fee in the region of £42m for his signature.
In terms of big-money additions, the Red Devils have also been touted with another move for Elliot Anderson after his incredible rise at Nottingham Forest this campaign.
According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, United have already made contact with the Reds over a deal for the central midfielder, who’s also become an England international regular in recent months.
However, the journalist has also confirmed that any deal would set the hierarchy back upwards of £100m-£120m this January – a deal that would break the club record fee paid for Paul Pogba back in 2016.
Why Anderson would finally get Sesko firing
During their £200m spending spree in the summer, the United hierarchy forked out a fee in the region of £74m for the signature of Benjamin Sesko from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
Given the magnitude of such a fee, real expectations were placed on the Slovenian to provide the goods and lead the line for Amorim’s men in 2025/26.
However, his time at Old Trafford to date has been a huge disappointment, with the 22-year-old only finding the net twice in his first 11 Premier League outings for the Red Devils.
Sesko is currently four games without a goal in England’s top-flight, even being dropped to the substitutes bench and limited to just half an hour in the draw against Spurs.
He will no doubt need time to settle into life in England’s top-flight, but he could be aided in his attempts for success at Old Trafford should the board secure the services of Anderson this winter.
It would no doubt be a mammoth investment if they were to land the 23-year-old, but such a move would provide Sesko with the ammunition he needs to thrive in front of goal.
Anderson, who’s been dubbed “sensational” by Matt Forde, has completed 1.3 take-ons per 90 – ranking him in the top 3% of all midfielders in the division at present.
Elliot Anderson – PL stats (25/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
11
Goals & assists
2
Pass accuracy
83%
Progressive passes
8.8
Passes into final third
8.6
Take-ons completed
1.3
Ball recoveries
8.5
Tackles made
2.6
Duels won
7.7
Stats via FBref
The aforementioned tally showcases his ability to get the ball into attacking areas, which could provide the forwards ahead of him with the chances they need to impress.
He’s also 8.6 passes into the final third per 90 – with such a tally the highest of any player in the Premier League this season, highlighting his talents with the ball at his feet.
Other figures, such as 8.8 progressive passes and 1.4 key passes per 90, further demonstrate his talents at finding a teammate – with such numbers perfectly falling into the hands of Sesko.
The prospect of Anderson linking up with Bruno Fernandes is truly an exciting one, with the United fans potentially blessed with one of the best duos in the league.
If the youngster can replicate such numbers, there’s no reason why he can’t help Sesko finally kickstart his career in England – even if a deal would cost the hierarchy a club-record fee.
Man Utd "monster" is fast becoming their new Vidic and it's not De Ligt
Ruben Amorim may have uncovered Manchester United’s new Nemanja Vidic.
The New York Yankees sent some relative shock throughout the baseball world on Friday morning, announcing that they've amended their facial hair policy ahead of the 2025 MLB season.
"We will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward," Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement, citing conversations with players from several eras. "It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy."
While this is great news for current Yankees like Gerrit Cole and Devin Williams, who can now grow out the beards they've rocked in the past, some former players are not as lucky.
Here's a look at five former Yankees who were robbed of growing out their beards while in pinstripes.
5. Gleyber Torres
A before and after of current Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres. / Getty Images
Gleyber Torres made his major league debut with the Yankees in 2018 and spent seven seasons in the Bronx, earning two All-Star nods in '18 and '19.
The now-28-year-old became a free agent this offseason after New York's World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers—and signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Detroit Tigers.
It looks like growing out his beard was one of the first things he did after signing on the dotted line.
4. Rougned Odor
This doesn’t even look like the same person. / Getty Images.
Rougned Odor burst onto the scene with the Texas Rangers in 2014, knocking in 100+ hits in each of his first six seasons while also sporting quite the lengthy beard.
The second basemen was ultimately traded to the Yankees following the MLB's COVID-shortened 2020 season—and had to ditch his facial hair in the process.
Odor hardly looks like the same person with a clean-shaven face.
3. Kevin Youkilis
Youkilis was able to rock his signature goatee anywhere but the Bronx during his MLB career. / Getty Images
Known for his funky batting stance, Kevin Youkilis was also known for his signature goatee during his nine-season stint with the Red Sox.
As Boston tried to reset after their disastrous 2011 collapse, the three-time All-Star was traded to the White Sox in April 2012. He spent one season in Chicago before signing with his former rival Yankees—knowing he was also signing away his precious bristles.
2. Robinson Cano
A before and after of former Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano. / Getty Images
Robinson Cano was on track to be a lifelong Yankee after spending his first nine seasons with the club that signed him in 2001. He made his debut in 2005 and played in the Bronx until '13 before the Seattle Mariners snatched him away the following offseason with a 10-year, $240 million contract.
Cano went on to have stints with the New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and Atlanta Braves. The eight-time All-Star grew his beard out at every junction.
1. Johnny Damon
Damon won World Series’ with both the Red Sox and the Yankees. / Getty Image
Could we go anywhere else with No. 1?
Johnny Damon's luscious locks and filled-out beard are what made the Red Sox' leadoff hitter such a fan favorite during his time in Boston. The center fielder was an integral part of their curse-breaking 2004 World Series championship run, hitting two home runs—including a grand slam—in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Yankees.
Unfortunately for Sox fans, Damon went on to sign with the Yankees just two years later to the tune of a four-year, $52 million contract. Unfortunately for Damon, the hair and the beard had to go.
The 52-year-old has since grown his wool back out as he continues his post-baseball career, making appearances on shows like and—while also playing in exhibition games with the Savannah Bananas.
O empate em 1 a 1 com o Flamengo na noite deste sábado (8) marcou o retorno do técnico Mano Menezes à Neo Química Arena dirigindo o Corinthians. De volta ao Timão há duas semanas, o treinador foi quem comandou o clube alvinegro na primeira partida oficial no estádio, em 2014.
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Na ocasião, Mano estava na sua segunda passagem pelo Time do Povo, que entrou na quinta rodada do Brasileirão daquele ano na terceira colocação e invicto, com dois empates e duas derrotas. O adversário não poderia ser melhor, o Figueirense, que era o lanterna e tinha perdido todas as partidas até o momento.
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Em campo, no entanto, o clube catarinense estragou a inauguração da arena corintiana e venceu por 1 a 0, gol marcado pelo meia Giovanni Augusto, que duas temporadas depois defenderia o Corinthians.
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Ainda assim, nos nove anos de Neo Química Arena o aproveitamento do Timão no estádio é ótimo: são 189 vitórias, 89 empates e 43 derrotas, em 321 jogos, um aproveitamento de 68,1%.
– A casa do Corinthians sempre foi algo muito forte, para a equipe e para todos. Como sentimento, é muito bom ter o torcedor como ele torce aqui, no momento de dificuldade se coloca mais ao lado da equipe, aumenta o volume e isso dá força. Então, não é à toa o aproveitamento que temos aqui e temos que parabenizar esse comportamento do torcedor porque é único – disse Mano, na entrevista coletiva após a partida contra o Flamengo.
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O treinador corintiano acredita que o público que esteve presente no duelo contra o clube carioca ficou satisfeito com o que viu. Os flamenguistas saíram na frente, com gol de Gerson, no início do segundo tempo, mas o Timão buscou o empate no fim, com Fábio Santos, em cobrança de pênalti.
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– Algumas coisas os torcedores devem ter gostado do que viram, do time competindo, e queremos uma identidade entre torcida e time para superar os adversários que temos pela frente – pontuou o treinador corintiano.
Nos próximos dias, Mano terá um período para colocar cada vez mais os seus conceitos em prática no Timão. Com o período de datas Fifa, serão 11 dias até o próximo jogo, contra o Fluminense, no dia 19 de outubro, pela 27ª rodada do Brasileirão.
After several summers of limited transfer activity, Newcastle United’s latest window was one of ambition and intent.
Six players arrived – Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw, Aaron Ramsdale and Anthony Elanga – as Eddie Howe sought to add depth to a squad competing on both domestic and European fronts.
For a team balancing the Premier League and the Champions League, rotation is key.
Injuries to Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall have already underlined the need for options across the pitch, particularly in wide areas.
With fierce competition for places alongside new striker Woltemade, Newcastle’s attacking balance has been under scrutiny.
Before their 4–0 demolition of Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise, Newcastle’s expected goals tally was among the lowest in the Premier League.
Their attacking play often lacked cohesion, with promising build-up undone by wastefulness in the final third.
However, recent performances suggest Howe’s side are beginning to find rhythm.
The convincing victory in Europe was followed by a much-improved display against Nottingham Forest, in which Newcastle generated 3.45 expected goals – a sharp contrast to their earlier struggles.
The hope now is that the Magpies can build on these encouraging signs, putting an end to the inconsistency that has plagued their forward line throughout the campaign.
And as fans look for stability, it’s hard not to think back to one of the most unpredictable – yet beloved – figures of Newcastle’s recent past.
Saint-Maximin – the symbol of Newcastle’s inconsistency
Allan Saint-Maximin arrived at St James’ Park in 2019 from Nice for a fee of up to £20m, instantly becoming one of the Premier League’s most entertaining dribblers.
Over four seasons, he made 124 appearances, scoring 13 goals and producing countless moments of brilliance.
The Frenchman’s close control, flair and fearlessness in one-on-one situations made him the heartbeat of Steve Bruce’s Newcastle.
In a side often fighting relegation, Saint-Maximin was their escape valve – famously scoring twice away at Burnley to lift the Magpies six points clear of the drop zone.
He could enthral a crowd with a single run, his trademark headband and unpredictable movement making him impossible to ignore.
But just as he could dazzle, he could frustrate.
Injuries repeatedly halted his momentum – 46 matches missed through various setbacks – while his reluctance to track back limited his use in Howe’s high-intensity system.
As the team evolved into a pressing unit built on discipline and structure, the flamboyant Frenchman began to look like a relic of another era.
In 2023, Saint-Maximin left for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
The fee, undisclosed but rumoured to be significant, sparked questions about Newcastle’s compliance with financial regulations, particularly given the Saudi ownership connection.
Al-Ahli also brought in Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy that same summer, symbolising a broader exodus of Premier League talent to the Gulf.
Saint-Maximin remains adored by the fanbase, but his story is a reminder that talent alone isn’t enough in Howe’s Newcastle.
The team now values consistency, adaptability and tactical reliability as much as individual brilliance – lessons that feel especially relevant as they watch another gifted winger trying to find his rhythm on Tyneside.
Howe's new Saint-Maximin at Newcastle
At 23 years old, Anthony Elanga represents Newcastle’s next big hope on the flanks.
The Swedish international, who came through Manchester United’s academy between 2015 and 2021, joined from Nottingham Forest this summer in a deal worth £55m.
It was a statement signing – one that underlined Howe’s commitment to pace, directness and youth in attack.
Elanga’s raw “frightening” ability – as per journalist Laurie Whitwell – is unquestionable.
During his time at Forest, he registered 11 goals and 21 assists in 82 appearances, including an impressive 11 assists last season.
Anthony Elanga – 2024/25
Matches Played
38
Goals
6
Assists
11
Progressive Carries
102
Progressive Passes
63
Source: FBref
His acceleration, intelligent movement and ability to stretch defences make him a natural fit for Howe’s high-tempo system. Yet, much like Saint-Maximin before him, Elanga’s biggest challenge is consistency.
After a mixed start to life at St James’ Park, he silenced critics with a scintillating display in the 4–0 Champions League win over Union Saint-Gilloise.
Playing off the right, Elanga tormented defenders throughout, winning a penalty and earning the Man of the Match award.
His work rate matched his flair – he covered 7.8 kilometres, made 13 sprints, and recorded 54 touches with 30 passes (25 accurate), as per Sofascore. He also created one big chance, underlining his growing influence in the final third.
However, just as momentum seemed to build, Elanga’s form dipped again.
Against Nottingham Forest, he struggled to impose himself, cutting a frustrated figure as Newcastle’s attack once more lacked fluency.
It was a performance that reignited questions about whether he can deliver consistently at the elite level – questions that Saint-Maximin faced throughout his stay on Tyneside.
Howe has publicly defended his new signing, emphasising patience and adaptation.
It’s a familiar story for Newcastle fans: a player of immense potential, capable of brilliance one week and anonymity the next.
But if Elanga can channel his explosive talent into reliable performances, he could become the wide player Newcastle have long been searching for.
With the club pushing for another top-four finish and European progress, that balance between chaos and control might just define Newcastle’s season.
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This Newcastle general is surely one of the finest players in the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur are now expected to open permanent talks to sign an “incredible” star, who could be their first signing in the January transfer window.
Spurs looking to sign midfielder
Tottenham have made a solid start to the campaign, taking 10 points from their opening five games, with a number of their summer signings hitting the ground running, including Mohammed Kudus, who grabbed two assists against Brighton on Saturday.
Having set up four goals in his first five matches, Kudus has already eclipsed his assist tally from last season, and the winger is not the only new addition who has caught the eye, with Joao Palhinha making an instant impression.
After his side edged a 1-0 win against Villarreal, manager Thomas Frank said of the central midfielder: “He’s a very good player. He stabilised us more in the middle of the pitch. So that helped, definitely … [The players] are working very hard, and that we have a very good foundation to stand on, in terms of our defensive organization.
Consequently, it will come as no surprise that Spurs are now looking to sign Palhinha permanently, according to a report from The Boot Room, which states they are keen to open talks over a deal for the midfielder this January.
The north Londoners have been very impressed by the maestro’s start to the campaign, and they are now set to hold discussions over a deal, with transfer expert Graeme Bailey adding: “He’s exactly what they expected. When he left, he was already one of the Premier League’s best holding midfielders. Watching Palhinha play in that position probably frustrates Manchester United fans, knowing he was available and could have joined them.
“I fully expect discussions about a permanent deal to begin in January once the transfer window opens.”
Tottenham plan "irresistible" offer for £68m midfielder amid Thomas Frank belief
The Dane thinks he could be a game-changing signing.
By
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Sep 21, 2025
"Incredible" Palhinha must be signed permanently
On the face of it, a deal shouldn’t be too hard to complete, given that Spurs have the option to make the central midfielder’s stay permanent for £27m, which seems like a very fair fee for a player of his quality.
Journalist Kyle Bonn has spoken particularly fondly of the 30-year-old in the past, praising his passing, work-rate and tackling ability.
Those talents are underlined by the former Fulham man’s performance across several key metrics over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.
Statistic
Average per 90
Passes attempted
65.81 (88th percentile)
Pass completion %
90.6% (95th percentile)
Tackles
4.03 (99th percentile)
Aerials won
2.22 (94th percentile)
With a 7.2 SofaScore match rating, the loanee was also Spurs’ highest-rated starter in the 2-2 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, courtesy of winning 10 of the 16 duels he contested.
As such, it is a no-brainer to bring Palhinha in permanently, and Frank will be hoping for a similar performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers next weekend.
تحدث الدولي الفرنسي أوريلين تشواميني، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ريال مدريد عن مباراة الكلاسيكو عقب فوزه على يوفنتوس في دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وتمكن ريال مدريد من تحقيق فوز مهم على يوفنتوس، بهدف نظيف، جعله مستعدًا بقوة للقاء الكلاسيكو المقبل أمام برشلونة.
ويواجه ريال مدريد غريمه برشلونة في “كلاسيكو” الدوري الإسباني لأول مرة بقيادة تشابي ألونسو، على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”، في تمام الساعة السادسة والربع مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة، يوم الأحد المقبل.
وقال تشواميني، في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “آس” الإسبانية: “الكلاسيكو؟ نعم، نعلم أنه عندما نلعب ضد برشلونة علينا الفوز، لا يهم ما حدث العام الماضي، نعلم ما حدث ونحن في حالة جيدة الآن”.
اقرأ أيضًا | جولر: تفاجأت بجائزة رجل مباراة يوفنتوس.. ورسالة لـ ألونسو
وعن الفوز على يوفنتوس: “أعتقد أننا بدأنا الموسم بأفضل طريقة ممكنة، كنا نطمح لإنهاء الموسم ضمن المراكز الثلاثة الأولى بـ9 نقاط، والآن علينا مواصلة العمل للفوز بمزيد من المباريات”.
وحول عن صعوبة اختراق دفاع يوفنتوس: “لعبنا ضد فريق جيد، لقد دافعوا بقوة وثبات وهذا ليس بالأمر السهل، كورتوا كان ممتازًا أيضًا، فوز مستحق”.
وبشأن وجود تغييرات في خط الوسط، أتم: “كل لاعب في ريال مدريد يعرف ما عليه فعله، إذا لعبت في الوسط مع أردا وجود (بيلينجهام) أعلم أنني سأبقى في الخلف لفترة أطول، ولكن إذا كان كامافينجا موجودًا، يُمكنني تدوير المركز أكثر، لدينا فريق يضم لاعبين رائعين في خط الوسط”.