Maharaj produced his best ODI figures yet to help down Australia, showing he still has plenty to offer

Firdose Moonda19-Aug-2025If you thought Keshav Maharaj was done trying to make a point about his ability, think again. And watch how he responded to being left out of South Africa’s T20 squad.In his first white-ball game since being overlooked in the shortest format, Maharaj scooped career-best figures of 5 for 33 and his entire haul came in the first 17 overs of Australia’s innings. In helpful conditions, Maharaj produced some of his best work: a consistent stump to stump line, clever use of his angles especially from around the wicket and just the right amount of spin to show off his skills. Asked if that performance was good to remind the coaches of what he can do, Maharaj giggled awkwardly but could not hide that he “definitely,” enjoyed the statement he made.”I want to play all three formats, so I was a bit disappointed (to be out of the T20Is). But I think the coaching staff felt a certain way,” he said to reporters after the first ODI in Cairns. “It’s nice to put in a performance to show that I can do it in the shorter formats of the game. Whatever is meant to be, will be at the end of the day, I’m just focussing on my cricket and enjoying my cricket and I want to try to win games for my country.”Related

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Maharaj's masterful maiden ODI five-for hands South Africa 1-0 series lead

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The “certain way” head coach Shukri Conrad (who was operating as sole selector but will now choose squads with convenor of selectors Patrick Moroney) felt was that he needed bowlers who could also offer something with the bat. As a result, allrounders George Linde and Senuran Muthusamy made the T20 squad with the understanding that Maharaj does not have the same batting ability, more so recently. Since rupturing his Achilles in 2023, Maharaj has been open about how his batting may have suffered further, because of the work he needed to put into recovering enough to bowl. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to be a better batter, he has just had to prioritise where he puts his focus.For the last year, that has largely been on the longest format, where he played a key role in South Africa’s run to the World Test Championship (WTC) crown. In the 2023-2025 cycle, Maharaj was South Africa’s second highest wicket-taker (41 wickets at 20.95) and is also the only South African spinner with more than 200 Test wickets to his name.

“A lot of people ask me what’s next? And even though I’m 35 years old, I believe in my journey. I’m always learning. The day I stop learning is the day that I have to walk away from the game”Keshav Maharaj believes he is a ‘scholar of the game’

Those numbers make it easy to forget what he does with the white ball, so let’s remind you. At the 2023 ODI World Cup, he had South Africa’s best economy rate of 4.15 and was their third highest wicket-taker. At the 2024 T20 World Cup, he was their joint third-highest wicket-taker and he was in the top five wicket-takers in the SA20 last season, when he led Durban’s Super Giants to the final.It might be that because he has already done all these things, and is now 35 years old that it seems as though Maharaj’s career is winding down but he has always rejected that. He previously told ESPNcricinfo, he’d like to consider the age of 40 as the time to step away but was willing to push that further out as long as he was still contributing. His first ODI five-for, which came in his 49th match is proof of what he still has to offer and that he has it in him to keep improving.”There’s a lot more that I want to learn and a lot more for me to sort of achieve in my career, especially with the team. I want to try to win more trophies together as a nation,” he said. “Hopefully I can keep raising that bar for spinners coming through in our system. A lot of people ask me what’s next? And even though I’m 35 years old, I believe in my journey. I’m always learning. The day I stop learning is the day that I have to walk away from the game. I’d like to think I’m a scholar of the game. I watch a lot of cricket. I’m always bouncing ideas, even from the younger generation. Because it’s nice to see how the difference in thinking works. I’d like to think I’m getting better as age goes on.”How Keshav Maharaj went through Australia•ESPNcricinfo LtdThere’s no better a place for Maharaj to have done that than Australia, the country where he made his international debut in the Test side, nine years ago. Then, his rise was a credit to seasons of commitment to fitness and a fine-tuning of his craft and his first match in Perth marked the start of an incredibly successful long-format career. Now, he hopes being back in Australia is a new beginning of sorts as he also tries to re-establish his white-ball credentials amid changes in thinking.”Australia is the place where I came to debut, so it’s a wonderful, nostalgic feeling coming back here and getting my first ODI five-for,” he said.While he celebrated his first four wickets with the usual gusto of screams and prayers for his late grandmother, his fifth – Aaron Hardie, who was bowled – was commemorated in a less demonstrative way. Maharaj eventually bowed to the earth, in his own time, and allowed himself to fully absorb the significance of what he had done.”I’m not someone who bowls for five-fors. I’m a process-driven person, so I judge myself on my consistency and my length so it was more a sigh of relief to finally tick the box,” he said. “You dream of playing international cricket, you dream of putting in match winning performances, and the dreams keep building. But to be able to tick the box of getting a five-for will always be special.”It may also be one of the reasons South Africa turn back to Maharaj when their T20 World Cup planning resumes.

Ben Kellaway shines with the ball and in the field on Hundred debut as Phoenix stumble

ECB Media22-Aug-2025Steven Smith steered Welsh Fire to a comfortable eight-wicket victory at Edgbaston to leave Birmingham Phoenix with a mountain to climb to qualify for the Eliminator and keep their own slim hopes alive.Set 139 for victory, Fire, who started the evening bottom of the table, reached their target with 11 balls to spare, Steve Eskinazi breaking the back of the chase with a 29-ball 42 before Smith (47 not out from 36) scripted a comprehensive win.The Australian legend has struggled for form in his first season of the Hundred, making a top score of 29 in his first five knocks, but he played sensibly while Eskinazi and Jonny Bairstow (35 from 21) provided the pyrotechnics at the other end.Bairstow dispatched Adam Milne into the Hollies Stand with an almighty six, only to be bowled by the Kiwi’s next delivery, but skipper Tom Abell took his side over the line with plenty to spare.Phoenix’s innings was a disjointed affair, with several batters making starts but no one able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. After Aussie quick Riley Meredith cleaned up Ben Duckett for 5 via an inside edge, Will Smeed (23 from 17), Joe Clarke (24 from 12) and Liam Livingstone (16 from 9) all played eye-catching strokes but failed to kick on.Jacob Bethell hit three sixes in his stylish knock of 38 from 28 but Fire’s fingerspinners never let Phoenix cut loose, Chris Green taking 3 for 27 including the scalp of Bethell, caught at long-on in the final set, while Ben Kellaway returned figures of 2 for 10 from 15 deliveries, also taking three catches and effecting a run-out on a memorable debut in the Hundred.Phoenix’s final total of 138 for 9 felt under par and so it proved as Fire went on to claim their second win of the campaign and move up to seventh in the table, eight points behind third with two matches still to play. Phoenix remain in fifth, ahead of Fire on net run rate.

It’s been another frustrating campaign for Chelsea so far this season.

One week, Enzo Maresca’s side are able to keep Premier League leaders Arsenal at bay with ten men and tear Barcelona apart 3-0 in the Champions League.

Yet, the next week they’ll lose 3-1 to Leeds United and be held to a draw away to Bournemouth.

One of the big problems this season has been a lack of goals from their strikers, and the worrying thing for Liam Delap in particular is that Chelsea may already have a forward who could end his stay at Stamford Bridge early.

Chelsea's striker situation

Chelsea did not score enough goals last season; they ended the campaign having scored 22 fewer than Liverpool, eight fewer than Manchester City, five fewer than Arsenal and even four fewer than Newcastle United.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

So, on top of their other business, the Blues opted to send Nicolas Jackson out on loan and bring in Delap and Joao Pedro to compete for that nine position, with Marc Guiu then returning from loan after the Englishman suffered a hamstring injury in the third game of the season.

Now, while this looked like a reasonable plan from the outset, it would be fair to say that, so far, it has not really worked out.

The West Londoners have still scored fewer goals than the Gunners and City, and their forward options are a significant reason why.

Pedro, for example, may have been on fire in the Club World Cup and pre-season, but after the first few games of the campaign proper, he has underwhelmed.

For example, in 18 appearances, totalling 1377 minutes, the former Brighton & Hove Albion star has scored four goals and provided three assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 2.57 games, or every 196.71 minutes.

Moving on to Guiu, the Spaniard has barely been given a chance to play this season, but has scored and assisted a goal in 280 minutes of football across eight appearances.

That comes out to a reasonable enough average of a goal involvement every 140 minutes, or every four games.

Finally, arguably the most orthodox centre forward of the lot, and potentially the most disappointing so far, is Delap.

Chelsea’s Strikers
Player	Pedro	Guiu	Delap
Games	18	8	11
Minutes	1377′	280′	453′
Goals	4	1	1
Assists	3	1	0
All Stats via Transfermarkt

When not injured or suspended, the former Ipswich Town star has made 11 appearances for the West Londoners, totalling 453 minutes, in which he has scored just a solitary goal.

Unfortunately for the 22-year-old, he is now set to miss another eight weeks of action with a shoulder injury he picked up against the Cherries.

Now, there is every chance Delap could eventually come good this season, but if he does not, his stay at Stamford Bridge could be cut short by another exciting striker making his way there in the summer.

The Striker that could end Delap's Chelsea career

Following the news that Delap would be out for up to eight weeks, there was talk that Chelsea could potentially bring Emmanuel Emegha’s move forward to the winter window.

That now seems to be unlikely, but even so, the Strasbourg forward, who agreed to join the Blues in September, is the player who could be bad news for the Englishman next season.

Why is this the case, you may ask. Well, the first and by far most significant reason is the simple fact that he appears to be a reliable source of goals and assists.

For example, in 29 appearances last season, totalling 2408 minutes, the Dutchman scored 14 goals and provided three assists, which is an average of a goal involvement every 1.70 games, or every 141.64 minutes. There’s a reason he’s been described as a “devastating” talent by scout Antonio Mango.

As if that wasn’t impressive enough for a young forward, the “simply phenomenal” goalscorer, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has gotten even better this season.

In 11 appearances, totalling 664 minutes, he has already scored seven goals and provided two assists, which comes out to a staggering average of a goal involvement every 1.22 games, or every 73.77 minutes.

Emegha’s recent record
Season	24/25	25/26
Appearances	29	11
Minutes	2408′	664′
Goals	14	7
Assists	3	2
Goal Involvements per Match	0.58	0.81
Minutes per Goal Involvement	141.64′	73.77′
All Stats via Transfermarkt

On top of this incredible output, the Den Haag-born poacher is also the captain of Strasbourg, so he should not feel intimidated by stepping up a level in the Premier League.

Finally, he is also 6 foot 5 and no pushover, so on top of potentially being a better goalscorer than Delap, he should be able to hold up the ball at least as well, if not better.

Ultimately, there is still time for the former Ipswich ace to come good at Chelsea, but if he doesn’t improve this season, Emegha could be the one to end his Stamford Bridge stay as soon as next year.

Estevao 2.0: Chelsea looking to sign "one of South America's biggest jewels"

Chelsea could pick up their next Estevao.

By
Kelan Sarson

4 days ago

Tottenham are reportedly looking at signing a new centre-forward ahead of the January transfer window, which opens in just over a month’s time.

It’s been a promising start to the season for new manager Thomas Frank on paper, with his new-look Spurs side remaining undefeated in the Champions League and fifth in the Premier League table. However, it is worth nothing that a few of their on-field performances have left a lot to be desired so far.

The north Londoners were booed off following an abject 1-0 home defeat to Chelsea in the London derby recently, finishing the 90 minutes with just one shot on target all game as Frank’s side continued their atrocious home form.

Spurs have won just three of their last 20 Premier League matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Frank’s only top flight victory on home turf remains that 3-1 win at home to league newcomers Burnley on the opening weekend.

The Dane has attracted some criticism over Tottenham’s ‘one-dimensional’ style and serious lack of creativity in open play, but he hasn’t been helped by a plethora of injuries to key attacking players.

Dejan Kulusevski

Knee

29/11/2025

James Maddison

ACL

01/06/2026

Radu Dragusin

Knee

22/11/2025

Ben Davies

Thigh

23/11/2025

Kota Takai

Ankle/Foot

23/11/2025

Mohammed Kudus

Knock

23/11/2025

Randal Kolo Muani

Jaw

23/11/2025

Yves Bissouma

Ankle/Foot

23/11/2025

Lucas Bergvall

Concussion

23/11/2025

Dominic Solanke

Ankle

23/11/2025

Archie Gray

Calf/Shin/Heel

23/11/2025

via Premier Injuries

Playmaker James Maddison will miss practically all the 2025/2026 season after rupturing his ACL in pre-season, while last season’s second top scorer and club-record signing, Dominic Solanke, continues his slow recovery from what was a ‘minor’ ankle problem.

Solanke is apparently ‘unlikely’ to return for this weekend’s pivotal North London derby as well, leaving Frank to once again call on either the out-of-form Richarlison or Mathys Tel to lead the line.

Reports suggest that Frank views Richarlison and Solanke as ‘expendable’ members of his Spurs squad, and Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport believes that Tel is ‘unhappy’ at Tottenham with a potential loan move to Roma on the cards in January.

These claims will fuel other reports that Tottenham are prioritising the signing of another centre-forward.

Former Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who’s been in red-hot form for Al-Ahli since his 2024 move to the Middle East, is believed to be on both Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange’s radar ahead of January.

Tottenham hold 'preliminary talks' to sign Ivan Toney

While the England international outcast has bagged 41 goals in 59 appearances for the Saudi Pro League side, he’s largely been excluded from Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad, bar the one call-up earlier this year.

With the 2026 World Cup looming, it is believed that Toney could instigate a return home to increase his chances of returning to the England fold.

According to TEAMtalk, the 29-year-old has already informed Al-Ahli of his desire to leave in January, and Spurs have taken the lead in the race for his signature.

Frank views him as the ‘clinical’ striker that Spurs need to propel them towards major silverware, with Tottenham holding ‘preliminary talks’ over signing Toney, who’s also willing to take a seismic 50 per cent pay cut on his rumoured £427,000-per-week wages to make a move happen.

Appearances

59

Goals

41

Assists

8

Bookings

7

Red cards

0

Minutes played

4,796

Toney bagged 20 Premier League goals in his best season at Brentford under Frank, with the tactician labelling him England’s second-best striker behind Harry Kane at the time.

Other reports claim that Al-Ahli value him at around £30 million for a permanent deal and Toney has already ‘directly’ spoken to Frank about a move to Tottenham.

However, a loan deal may be more feasible due to complications surrounding what would be a very large tax bill if Toney comes back to England permanently so soon after arriving in the Gulf.

Newcastle United will be looking to win their fourth game in succession across all competitions, with the Magpies set to travel down to London to face West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

Eddie Howe’s men go into the game in excellent form, having beaten Fulham, Benfica and, most recently, Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup.

There is not really a better time to be playing the Hammers than this week. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are in abysmal form, not winning since the 31st of August. They’ve lost six on the bounce, with little sign of their form improving.

Anthony Gordon, who was rested in midweek, could pose a huge threat to the Hammers.

How Newcastle can hurt West Ham

It seems almost guaranteed that Gordon will come straight back into the Newcastle starting lineup for their game against the East Londoners. He has been in strong form this season, dominating in the Champions League and could reall pose a big threat to the Irons.

Amongst Europe’s elite, the former Everton star has four goals and one assist in just three games. One of those strikes came against Barcelona, attacking the ball at the back post to fire home a cross from Jacob Murphy.

Incredibly, Gordon is yet to score or assist in the Premier League. He’s played six games and accumulated an expected goal involvement tally of 0.42 xGI. However, he has yet to chip in with a goal or assist.

The game against the Hammers could be the ideal opportunity for the England international to break his Premier League duck this season. His pace and direct nature could prove to be a huge threat against Nuno’s side, which has looked incohesive at the back this season, to say the least.

However, it is not only the final third threat of Gordon that could trouble West Ham. Howe has some dangerous options in midfield, too.

Howe's midfield star could terrify West Ham

Against Spurs in midweek, the Magpies rotated their midfield. Sandro Tonali was the only first-choice player who started, with Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock operating either side of the Italian.

Bruno Guimaraes was on the bench, as was a man who could be hugely important against West Ham; Joelinton.

The Brazilian has played an important role in the middle of the park alongside Tonali and Guimaraes, and he could well slot back into the side against the Hammers.

The Brazil international is not enjoying his finest campaign, with Toon blogger Thomas Hammond even suggesting it’s the “start of the end” for the 29-year-old, who has been “honking” for some time.

That said, the number of minutes he has played shows just how important he is to Howe’s side. He’s featured 12 times across all competitions, with seven of those appearances coming in the Premier League.

One of the key reasons why the former Hoffenheim star could be pivotal against West Ham is his physicality. One described as a “dominant” midfielder by Statman Dave, Joelinton is notorious for his crunching tackles and his aerial prowess.

An excellent example of this strength came against Manchester United in the top flight last season. The Brazilian got himself on the scoresheet, outjumping and physically dominating Lisandro Martinez at the back post to head home a cross from Gordon.

This is particularly important against Nuno’s side. After their 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford a couple of weeks ago, Jamie Carragher said he can’t remember a “less athletic team I’ve seen for a very, very long time in the Premier League.”

It is easy to see why someone with the physicality of Joelinton can bully the Hammers side. However, he also offers quality on the ball. This term, the midfielder averages 0.9 chances created per game, and played an average of 11.1 forward passes per 90 minutes last season.

Chances created

0.8

0.9

Opposition half passes completed

19.3

17

Forward passes

11.1

7.8

Duels won

6.3

5.9

Ball recoveries

5.6

4.6

Joelinton could quite easily slot into the Magpies’ side as a replacement for Ramsey. His physicality will be important against what is a weak Hammers side, according to Carragher. However, you don’t lose the creative influence of Ramsey, given what the Brazilian can offer in the final third.

If this is a decision Howe makes at the London Stadium weekend, it could be crucial to helping his side secure their fourth win in a row.

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

Crystal Palace have joined the race to sign Real Betis forward Abde Ezzalzouli in the January transfer window, and their chances of getting a deal over the line have now been revealed.

Palace have predominantly been linked with new defenders in recent weeks, amid Marc Guehi’s uncertain future, but they are also looking to upgrade their options in attacking areas, having recently failed to craft many decent opportunities against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Indeed, the Eagles recorded an xG of just 0.75 against their rivals, with Jean-Philippe Mateta receiving little service, although that has been a rarity, with the Frenchman currently joint-third in the Premier League’s goalscoring charts.

Premier League top goalscorers

Club

Goals

Erling Haaland

Manchester City

14

Igor Thiago

Brentford

8

Antoine Semenyo

AFC Bournemouth

6

Danny Welbeck

Brighton

6

Jean-Philippe Mateta

Crystal Palace

6

Yeremy Pino was one of Oliver Glasner’s statement signings during the summer, but the Spaniard’s Premier League career is yet to truly take off, having been unable to register a goal or assist in his opening nine matches.

In fairness, it often takes foreign players some time to adapt to life in England, and it is still very early days for Pino, but Glasner has now set out to sign another new forward.

Crystal Palace join race to sign Abde Ezzalzouli

According to a report from Spain, Crystal Palace have now joined the race to sign Real Betis star Ezzalzouli, who is being closely monitored ahead of the January transfer window, but there may be competition from fellow Premier League side Aston Villa.

Real Betis are reluctant to sanction a departure, but may be forced to listen to an ‘irresistible’ offer, with the Spanish side’s board clear that any deal must amount to significantly more than the Moroccan’s €12m (£11m) valuation.

As such, a deal could be there to be done for Palace, with Glasner looking to bring in another winger to form a top-level forward line, alongside Mateta, Pino and Ismaila Sarr.

Once lauded as “extraordinary” by Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez, the 23-year-old has made an impressive start to the season for Betis, amassing eight goals and assists in his opening 13 matches across all competitions.

Not only has the Morocco international impressed Xavi in the past, but scout Ben Mattinson has also compared him to Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, in light of the winger’s “explosive” dribbling ability.

The Betis forward’s ability to drive at opposition defences has been on display regularly over the past year, placing in the 84th percentile for progressive carries per 90, when compared to his positional peers, having averaged 4.82.

As such, Ezzalzouli could be a brilliant acquisition for Crystal Palace, and they should try and get a deal done in the January transfer window to bolster their chances of winning the UEFA Conference League.

Crystal Palace lining up move for Brendan Rodgers to replace Oliver Glasner Related Crystal Palace line up Brendan Rodgers as Oliver Glasner succession plan revealed

The Eagles are making contingency plans, with Oliver Glasner’s contract set to expire next summer.

Posts 1 ByDominic Lund Oct 29, 2025

January is looming, with all the talk at Manchester United centred on the prospect of potential midfield moves for the likes of Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, with Ruben Amorim in desperate need of reinforcements in that department.

As Class of 92 hero Nicky Butt recently suggested, however, if – like that young pair – Kobbie Mainoo was operating for another Premier League side, he is the type of talent that the Red Devils would be dishing out £50m or £60m for.

The youngest of the trio, it was of course Mainoo who was England’s midfield golden boy just 18 months ago, starting every knockout stage game at Euro 2024, including the final.

Wharton, meanwhile, watched on as an unused member of Gareth Southgate’s squad that summer, while Anderson had not yet entered the conversation, having remained with the U21 set-up until this season.

It’s funny and also frustrating just how things can change, with Mainoo now seemingly staring down the barrel of a World Cup omission and a perhaps inevitable 2026 exit from Old Trafford.

Manchester United lodge bid for new midfielder

It’s become a familiar sight this season, with the 20-year-old merely introduced as a late second-half substitute under Amorim, just as he was again in the dying embers against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Yet to start a single league game in 2025/26, questions continue to be asked regarding the Portuguese’s treatment of the academy graduate, with rumours rife over a January departure.

Whether it be on loan or on a permanent basis, the forgotten talent has routinely been linked with an exit, with a reunion with Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund at Napoli having been mooted.

Back in Manchester, Mainoo’s hopes of game time might be dented even further if reinforcements are added next month, with reports in Spain suggesting that INEOS have already begun to make moves, amid their reported interest in Conor Gallagher.

As per the report, United are said to have lodged an offer of around £30m in order to sign the Atletico Madrid man, with the LaLiga side said to be willing to sanction a sale.

The suggestion is that the £30m bid is close to what Atleti would deem to be a ‘reasonable price’, ensuring that a relatively routine deal could be struck when the new year rolls around.

Why Gallagher's signing would be bad news for Mainoo

Whether it is his ideal position or not, Bruno Fernandes – who moved above Paul Scholes on United’s Premier League assist list at the weekend – is nailed on to start in one of the two midfield roles under Amorim.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

That has left Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte and Mainoo to fight it out for that remaining starting berth, with the former Sporting CP boss thus far putting his faith in the 33-year-old Brazilian, who has started 11 league games this time around.

Mainoo, for what it’s worth, does appear to have nudged ahead of Ugarte in the pecking order, considering the Uruguayan hasn’t even got off the bench in the last two outings, although Gallagher’s addition could again knock him back down the list of priorities.

Despite the former Chelsea man’s limitations in possession – notably ranking in the bottom 30% of European midfielders for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref – he does appear to be a ready-made Amorim midfielder, such are his physical capabilities.

Previously hailed as like “[N’Golo] Kante with goals” by talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino – while also dubbed a “monster” as per Tom Dutton – the England international is simply relentless in the centre of the park, representing arguably the perfect fit for this 3-4-2-1 system.

Games (starts)

37 (37)

Goals

5

Assists

7

Big chances created

11

Key passes*

1.4

Pass accuracy*

92%

Total duels won*

50%

Balls recovered*

6.0

Tackles & interceptions*

3.5

Indeed, compared to his peers in Europe’s top five leagues, he also ranks in the top 4% for interceptions made per 90, while Mainoo, remarkably, ranks in just the bottom 1%.

The beauty of Mainoo is of course what he can do at the top end of the pitch, ranking in the top 4% for touches in the attacking penalty area, although Gallagher is no slouch in that regard too, ranking in the top 9% for that same metric.

Also in the top 12% for non-penalty goals, the one-time Crystal Palace loanee has recorded 12 goals and assists in 70 games during his stint in the Spanish capital. For comparison, Mainoo has recorded just ten goals and assists in 82 senior games at United.

All-action but with an end product to match, as was evident during his time at Stamford Bridge, Gallagher – at £30m – could represent a wise, bargain choice heading into 2026, at a time when fresh legs are desperately needed in the centre of the park.

In an ideal world, Mainoo would be leading the charge as the centre-piece of United’s midfield, but sadly for the youngster, Amorim’s demands and requirements might lend themselves to a more physically suitable asset like Gallagher instead.

Amorim can fix Man Utd's midfield by axing Casemiro for "future £100m" star

This Man Utd ace could be the solution to their midfield issues

ByJoe Nuttall Dec 3, 2025

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans will already be contemplating the return of Championship football to Molineux next season.

Indeed, the miserable Old Gold are currently sat at the bottom of the Premier League pile on a pitiful two points, which culminated in the dismissal of Vitor Pereira, who had managed to turn around Wolves’ fortunes when coming in mid-way through the 2024/25 season.

Unfortunately, in the here and now, Pereira couldn’t arrest the worrying slide, with the West Midlands outfit now on the hunt for a successor who can somehow lift the downbeat side off the very foot of the top-flight.

Gary O’Neil has already turned down the opportunity to come back to his old stomping ground as a dramatic saviour, with Wolves now having to look at alternative targets.

Wolves' ongoing hunt for a new manager

There have been several different names linked to the Molineux vacancy since Pereira was put out of his misery after a 3-0 defeat away at Fulham.

Rob Edwards has consistently been tipped to leave promotion-chasing Middlesbrough behind in the Championship to return to the side he lined up for as a player. At the same time, Wolves have also utilised their well-known Portuguese connections, with ex-Benfica boss Rui Vitoria allegedly on their radar.

Sky Sports News’ Lyall Thomas has fired back, though, to state that either Edwards or Vitoria replacing Pereira is considered “unlikely”, with Erik ten Hag also a shout that has been dismissed, as Wolves head into their next league encounter with youth team duo James Collins and Richard Walker at the helm.

A decision will soon have to be made, as Wolves fight a losing battle against the drop, with one name that Thomas hasn’t dismissed, still perhaps in the running as a clear upgrade on the Boro boss.

Why Wolves target would be an Edwards upgrade

Before delving deeper into why this alternative target would be an upgrade on Edwards, it does have to be said that the 42-year-old did a commendable job the last time he was in the top-flight with Luton Town.

Indeed, Edwards did make the Hatters a “difficult” team to beat, as were the words of Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta.

But, away from initial admiration, the Championship promotion-winning manager did still take Luton down, with 47 defeats from 103 games in charge of the Kenilworth Road outfit, not exactly music to the ears of those at Molineux who crave a transformative clean slate.

This is where the reappointment of Bruno Lage could be a masterstroke, with reports from Portugal – via Sport Witness – indicating that the 49-year-old is weighing up the possibility of a return to the Black Country, having been on Wolves’ manager shortlist.

Wolves have arguably been on a decline since the one-time Liga Portugal champion left the building, with Lage’s tenth-place finish during the 2021/22 season yet to be bettered by the litany of managers that have come into the Old Gold dug-out since.

Wolves’ season finishes – with Lage/without Lage
Season	Final position	Manager
2024/25	16th	Pereira
2023/24	14th	O’Neil
2022/23	13th	Lopetegui
2021/22	10th	Lage
Sourced by Transfermarkt

Lage also turned the Old Gold into a well-oiled machine when he was at the helm, which they are in dire need of right now, as only 43 goals were leaked across 38 league contests.

His fellow compatriot and ex-Sheffield Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal would even label his one full campaign in the dug-out as “the best success story in the Premier League”, with Lage even taking the West Midlands titans to the brink of a Champions League spot at one point, having masterminded a 1-0 away win at Manchester United in early 2022.

19 Premier League wins would come his way, subsequently, with Edwards stuck on just six, in stark contrast, from his time at Kenilworth Road.

With Lage favouring a 4-3-3 set-up, too, much like Pereira, the hope will be that Setubal-born boss can get the ball rolling again immediately on his return, having been described as “one of the best men I have met in football” by ex-Wolves skipper Conor Coady.

After all, he fared well last time out when the pressure was on him, having had to replace a modern Molineux great in Nuno Espirito Santo, as the “excellent” head coach – as he was once labelled by rival Premier League manager Thomas Frank – now tries to steer the ship back on course again.

Wolves in contact for new manager Abel Ferreira as Jeff Shi receives reply

A new name on the Molineux radar.

By
Charlie Smith

Nov 6, 2025

Chinelle Henry will lead the team in the injured allrounder’s absence

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Sep-2025Barbados Royals have suffered a significant blow on the eve of their WCPL title defence, with a shoulder injury ruling out their captain Hayley Matthews for the entire season.Allrounder Chinelle Henry will lead Royals in Matthews’ absence.Related

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Matthews is the WCPL’s leading run-getter (424 at a strike rate of 113.06) and wicket-taker (23 with an economy rate of 5.79), and a key player in Royals’ title-winning campaigns of 2023 and 2024. She was Player of the Match in the 2023 final against Guyana Amazon Warriors, scoring a 59-ball 82 and taking two wickets, and Player of the Series in the 2024 season.Royals announced the news of Matthews’ injury via X, formerly Twitter. They have not announced a replacement yet.

Our two-time WCPL Champion and skipper has been ruled out of the season with a shoulder injury.

Wishing you a smooth recovery, Hayley. We can’t wait to see you back stronger!pic.twitter.com/9T7xcmb0HW

— Barbados Royals (@BarbadosRoyals) September 6, 2025

Royals are set to play their first game of WCPL 2025 against Amazon Warriors on Sunday night.Matthews had picked up a shoulder injury on the England tour and opted for surgery during the WBBL. She was the Melbourne Renegades’ pre-draft pick but pulled out before the WBBL draft. She played the home series against South Africa and then the Hundred and was slated to undergo surgery after the WCPL.NaiJanni Cumberbatch, Trishan Holder and Steffie Soogrim were among a select group of emerging West Indian players who tuned up for WCPL 2025 with a stint at the Chennai Super Kings Academy in Chennai last month.Barbados Royals squadChinelle Henry (capt), Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Kycia Knight, Steffie Soogrim, Shamilia Connell, Sheneta Grimmond, Qiana Joseph, Trishan Holder, NaiJanni Cumberbatch, Chamari Athapaththu, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Webb, Shreyanka Patil