West Ham United have now made an enquiry over the signing of Union Saint-Gilloise striker Promise David, amid doubts over Niclas Fullkrug’s future at the London Stadium.
West Ham have been much-improved from an attacking point of view since the beginning of November, scoring eight goals in their last three Premier League games, with Callum Wilson finding the back of the net three times in his last two outings.
Most recently, a first-half brace from the former Newcastle United man put the Hammers in a very strong position to pick up three points at AFC Bournemouth, but the Cherries fought back and Nuno’s side squandered a two-goal lead, which will undoubtedly be frustrating for the manager.
That said, Wilson’s recent form in front of goal is definitely encouraging, especially considering Niclas Fullkrug’s future with the Irons is now in major doubt, as revealed by Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg earlier this month.
West Ham lodge enquiry to sign Promise David
With Wilson’s current deal to expire in the summer, and the Englishman potentially in the latter stages of his career at 33-years-old, West Ham have now made contact over a deal for a new striker, namely Union Saint-Gilloise star David.
That is according to a report from Claret & Hugh, which states enquiries have been made about a deal for the centre-forward, with chief analyst Max Hahn particularly keen on bringing in players from the Belgian Pro League.
The 24-year-old remains under contract at the Belgian club until 2030, which puts them in a strong negotiating position, but there are signs it could be worth the Hammers paying whatever they ask for.
The eight-time Canada international is off to a flying start to the campaign, having already scored eight goals in all competitions, including one on his Champions League debut in the 3-1 victory against PSV Eindhoven back in September.
The Ontario-born centre-forward also caught scout Jacek Kulig’s eye as a result of his form during the 2024-25 campaign, being lauded as “outstanding” in March, before going on to finish the season on 24 goals in all competitions.
With Fullkrug looking to move on, it would make sense to bring in a new striker this January, especially given that there are still likely to be concerns over Wilson’s injury record, having spent long periods on the treatment table during the previous two seasons.
Callum Wilson’s injury record
Games missed
2023-24
28
2024-25
29
It would be a gamble to sign David, with the Canadian yet to prove himself in a major European league, but his goalscoring record in Belgium is certainly encouraging.
West Ham send scouts to watch the "best" striker in the Championship West Ham now send scouts to watch the "best" striker in the Championship
India have had to battle bad luck, worse timing, and one too many misadventures in what has simply been “that kind of a series”
Sidharth Monga31-Jul-20251:48
What will be a good score for India?
When you start calculating a team’s batting average in the last ten minutes before a scheduled break (12 for 165 at one point at Old Trafford, if it matters), you know it has been “that kind of a series”. And it has been one of those for India. They came to The Oval having lost all the tosses, having lost their best batter of the last five years to a reverse-sweep against a fast bowler, and run-outs, casual shots, and dropped catches having had a bigger say on their fortune than the ability to bowl well or bat well for long hours.India turned up at The Oval, didn’t hedge their bets for once and picked a specialist batter instead of a bowling allrounder. We can debate whether they should have played a specialist bowler instead, but at least there was clarity of thought there. Then they lost perhaps the most influential toss of the series on a green pitch likely to be kept fresh by rain on day one, which is expected to be followed by two clear days.India have been here before. In 2014, they were inserted on a green top at The Oval, were bowled out on day one and then chased leather for 116.3 overs. At Lord’s in 2018, they lost the toss and were devoured by the sweated damp pitch and frequent mini sessions long enough to put them back by one or two wickets each time. The closest parallel was the middle session between two rain breaks when they had just enough time for Shubman Gill to be run out in slow motion, just like Cheteshwar Pujara had been.Related
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Karun Nair fifty resists England on rain-hit day
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At that moment, it felt like India had had another Test match turn on a run-out. It was almost like Gill ran to the shot he was looking to play in his mind. There was no cover, push the ball with a slightly open face, and rotate strike. The ball was full enough to do so, but the inswing on it drew the instinctive reaction to play with a straighter face, and Gill just took off. He would have been out even if he had not slipped when turning.The man who has arguably shown the best judgment all series, whose bat has made a distinctly different, sweeter sound all series, made the error that could cost him the series despite all the records.India were 83 for 3 at that point. To make it more a , they had to contend with a bowler who kept spraying the ball but also kept bowling the odd delivery bordering on the unplayable.”I think the bowlers’ landings were quite tricky today as well,” Ryan ten Doeschate, India’s assistant coach, sympathised with Josh Tongue. “I thought all the England bowlers struggled with that, and that’s maybe why we saw some inconsistency. But it actually makes it very challenging when someone bowls like Josh did today, who is a very good bowler, when you don’t know what’s coming down as a batter. And he’s bowled a couple of absolute jaffas in there, and got two big wickets.”1:35
Bangar: Pressure brought the best out of Nair
From 123 for 5, India’s batting depth did its job despite the wicket of Dhruv Jurel trying to cut a ball too close to him. Even at six down, India had Karun Nair and Washington Sundar, who is coming off a match-saving century and is tipped to be India’s No. 1 allrounder whenever Ravindra Jadeja retires. The score was 153 for 6, but India had proper batters playing properly to make use of the now softer ball.By stumps, they had added 51 largely fuss-free runs in 14.3 overs. In getting his first half-century since the triple-hundred nine years ago, Nair neither counterattacked nor went into his shell. He just made full use of every scoring opportunity thrown at him, and kept good balls out. Washington did much of the same in that partnership.It was as though India had absorbed all the hell the cricketing gods could unleash on them. With some help from some loose bowling from England, who were short on experience in the absence of Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. However, in Test cricket, especially in England, a good score for the given conditions is quite often not a good score for the match.2:59
Bangar: ‘Gill made the wrong call for a quick single’
India were cautiously optimistic with their effort, which still needs making use of the 16 overs with the old ball on the second morning. They wouldn’t want those 16 overs to be totally easy, though, because that would suggest a massive change in conditions for when England come out to bat.”Hopefully it stays the same,” ten Doeschate said at the suggestion that 203 for 6 might be a good score given the conditions don’t change much on day two. “I think if you get the ball in the right area, you never feel like you’re in there.”There’s always a good ball around the corner, and I don’t think it’s going to go absolutely flat, and there’s going to be a massive change in conditions. Hopefully it stays close to what it is.”Ten Doeschate said 203 for 6 was a good reflection of the conditions, but said India hoped to get close to 300. What he didn’t say was that they don’t want to stroll to 300 with some beautiful batting. They want to huff and puff and streak their way to 300. It has been that kind of a series.
India’s batting hero spoke about the challenges she has been through during the World Cup
Sruthi Ravindranath31-Oct-2025
Emotional Jemimah Rodrigues waves at the crowd after her sensational innings•Getty Images
Jemimah Rodrigues revealed the mental battle she faced in the weeks leading up to her match-winning unbeaten 127 against Australia in the World Cup semi-final, describing a period of anxiety that left her feeling “numb” and brought her to tears. Rodrigues broke down during the post-match press conference, saying she hoped sharing her experience could help others facing similar struggles.”I will be very vulnerable here because I know if someone is watching, this might be going through the same thing and that’s my whole purpose of saying it. Nobody likes to talk about their weakness. I was going through a lot of anxiety at the starting of the tournament,” she said, pausing to hold back tears.”It was a lot, you know, before few games also, I used to call my mom and cry the entire time, let it all out. Because when you are going through anxiety, you just feel numb. You don’t know what to do. You are trying to be yourself. And also in this time, my mum, my dad, they supported me a lot. And also there was Arundhati [Reddy], who I think almost every day I have cried in front of her.Related
Australia feel India's force as Rodrigues brings down the Death Star
Rodrigues completes her redemption arc as the silence turns to roars
The greatest chase: how India kept their cool amid the drama
“Later I was joking, saying ‘you don’t come in front of me, I will start crying.’ But she checked on me every single day. There was Smriti [Mandhana], who helped me. She also knew what I was going through. Few of the net sessions, she was just standing there. Even yesterday she came, she just stood there, just because he just knows that her presence is important for me.”There has been Radha [Yadav], who has, always been there, taking care of me. I am so blessed to have friends, I can call family, that I didn’t have to go through it alone. And it’s okay to ask for help.”Rodrigues had entered the semi-final on the back of a 76 not out against New Zealand, but her tournament began with a few low scores, including two ducks. She had also been dropped for the match against England as India opted for an extra bowler, a bold call given Rodrigues’ status as one of India’s top batters. She said it was difficult to stay patient, but she chose to hang in and trust that her moment would come.”My family went through a lot, but everyone stood by me, and believed in me when I didn’t, when I couldn’t,” she said. “And it started with the anxiety thing. Then I was dropped from the team [for the match against England]. That really hit me.”When you are dropped, you have a lot of doubts because I always want to contribute to the team. But that day, I couldn’t do much sitting out. And then, when you come back in, it’s a lot more pressure, than everything that was happening in the past month.’I am very grateful for the people who believed in me when I couldn’t, and were there for me and understood me because I couldn’t do this on my own’•ICC/Getty Images
“But sometimes all you need to do is, just hang in there and, things fall into place. So, I am very grateful for the people who believed in me when I couldn’t, and were there for me and understood me because I couldn’t do this on my own.”During India’s chase of 339, Rodrigues was at the crease for nearly the entirety of the innings after entering at No. 3 in the second over. She remained unbeaten on 127 off 134 balls, guiding India to victory with five wickets in hand and nine balls to spare. Her innings, however, included a reprieve when she was dropped by Alyssa Healy on 82. Asked how she would rate her innings, Rodrigues reflected on her mindset.”I mean, how do I rate this innings? Actually, I have not let it sink in,” she said. “All I would say was I didn’t play for my 100. I didn’t play to prove a point at No. 3. I didn’t play for my 50. I just played to make sure India win. I wanted to see India win at the end and that was my only motivation.”I think when you have that thought process, I think God also favours you. You do it for the team, you don’t do it for yourself. And I think I have always played my cricket that way. I’m short of words actually.”Rodrigues also revealed that during a team discussion on the eve of the match, she had expressed a clear goal for the game.”We were just saying what all we could do better in this World Cup and all I said was that I want to be there till the end and finish the game. Whether we are batting first, I know if I am there, I can make a partnership. And get those 20-30 runs extra because I run well, pick gaps, unusual gaps.”And the second thing was if we are chasing, then I want to make sure I take the team through. And this just feels like a dream actually. It just felt like everything was such a set up. Because the last month wasn’t the easiest, but it just felt like a set up for this moment.”
Sheffield Wednesday have now reportedly responded to Mike Ashley’s bid to buy the club, with the former Newcastle United man now plotting his next step.
Finance expert reveals extent of interest in Sheffield Wednesday
It’s been a busy month at Hillsborough, with the Owls receiving plenty of takeover interest after entering administration. Setting a soft deadline of December 5, things look destined to accelerate in the coming week in the hope that Sheffield Wednesday finally enter a new era and put Dejphon Chansiri behind them for good.
Football finance expert Stefan Borson recently revealed that there are as many as 11 bidders to buy Sheffield Wednesday, telling talkSPORT: “I’m working with one of the bidders. There are a number of bidders in play, a number of credible players around.
Sheffield-born takeover candidate makes key contact in race to buy Sheffield Wednesday
He could buy his local club.
By
Tom Cunningham
Nov 26, 2025
“Apparently, there’s 11 that have given proof of funds for £50m of liquid assets. That is a serious process, and there is serious interest. The issue is actually that you can’t just look at the headline price here. This is a club that’s not had a lick of paint for quite some time and by the end of this season it will be in League One.
“It will have almost no squad and it will have a stadium that needs significant spending. So anybody that comes in is going to have to have deep pockets. I think the people that are circling do have deep pockets, but it is not going to be a cheap deal for anybody. The challenges are great.
Among those 11 bidders could be John McEvoy, who was one of the first names linked with a move to buy the club, and former Newcastle man Ashley. The 61-year-old is seemingly keen on a return to English football and has already received a response from Wednesday.
Mike Ashley submits bid to buy Sheffield Wednesday
As reported by Sky Sports, Ashley has now submitted a £20m bid to buy Sheffield Wednesday, who have turned that offer down. The former Newcastle owner is now plotting his next step and could yet return with an improved second offer, however.
If he is to return with a second offer, then Ashley will likely have to at least match other bids in the region of £30m to stand a chance of completing a takeover. Whilst it isn’t as simple as accepting the highest bid for the Owls, they won’t sell the club at a cut-price in the face of so much interest.
Of course, if Ashley does match other bids then he could become one of the better options available. He has experience in English football and, financially speaking, he stabilised Newcastle during his time at the club.
Sheffield Wednesday return to Sheffield United takeover merger
Raphinha has admitted he is partly to blame for the two injury relapses that kept him sidelined for more than two months, but the Barcelona winger says he is finally ready to help the team again. The Brazilian revealed he endured a “very tough time” during his recovery but hopes to feature against Chelsea in a decisive Champions League clash, as he insists the team’s European ambitions remain intact.
Raphinha takes responsibility for relapses
The Brazilian international opened up about the injury setbacks that have kept him out for over two months, conceding that his own decisions contributed to a recovery process that took far longer than expected. The Brazilian forward is now pushing to make his full return against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a fixture he described as “special” and vital to Barca’s ambition of finishing in the Champions League top eight.
Barcelona will rely heavily on the renewed energy and creativity Raphinha can provide, especially after back-to-back European performances that placed their league-phase ambitions at risk. His target is clear: to contribute immediately and help stabilise a Barça team that has struggled too often in this year’s Champions League.
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Getty Images Sport
'I take responsibility' – Brazilian explains
The winger explained that eagerness to return too soon ultimately led to complications. "There may have been mistakes… or there may not have been," he told reporters. "The first relapse was partly my fault, and I can take responsibility for the second one as well. I wanted to be back as quickly as possible, and I made a mistake, hence the relapses.
"I can take responsibility for that, because in the end, I do things, and if I think they won't help me, I should be the first to say no. I take responsibility for both relapses because I wanted to be back on the field as soon as possible to help the team. I made a few mistakes, and that's why I had those two relapses.
“It was a difficult time. I'm someone who always wants to be with the team, and spending these two months without being able to play was tough, and I need to get back into match fitness. I hope to return to the form everyone knows."
Brazil star frustrated by lack of recognition
Raphinha also appeared visibly annoyed when discussing his absence from last season’s individual accolades, especially coming in fifth in the Ballon d'Or rankings. “The truth is I think I deserved much more. These are individual awards… I'm satisfied with having a spectacular season. Others are the ones who vote,” he added.
His mission, however, is immediate, to regain the form that made him one of Barca’s most decisive players last season. and to begin that resurgence in the Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge.
Raphinha’s return comes as Barca approach one of their most important matches of the season. Their 3-3 draw at Club Brugge left them in a difficult position in the league phase.
Chelsea, unbeaten in five matches, present a complex tactical challenge under Enzo Maresca. Barca, meanwhile, have shown signs of improvement domestically with three consecutive La Liga wins, but the gap between their league and Champions League performances remains stark. Their defensive instability in Europe has been particularly worrying.
Raphinha said he is ready to help restore belief. “Being able to play again is already something special for me. I've been out for two months. If the manager plays me, I'll give my best.” He also reaffirmed the club’s ambitions: “The main objective of this club is to win the Champions League."
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Chelsea showdown next
Barca travel to London knowing the stakes could not be higher as a win keeps them alive in the race for a top-eight finish. But, with key players still sidelined, including Pedri, Hansi Flick will hope Raphinha can deliver immediate impact off the bench or from the start. The winger is expected to receive more minutes after featuring as a substitute for just nine minutes against Athletic Club.
Following Chelsea, Barca face a demanding run of fixtures across La Liga and Europe as the calendar intensifies in December. Raphinha’s fitness, rhythm, and confidence will be pivotal in determining whether the Catalan side can rediscover the attacking consistency required to navigate this period successfully.
WA slumped from 198 for 5 to 215 for 8 chasing 259 after Matt Kelly’s career-best 6 for 49
AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff17-Oct-2025
Gabe Bell celebrates a wicket•Getty Images
Two crucial late strikes from Gabe Bell has put Tasmania on the brink of victory at Bellerive Oval after Western Australia quick Matthew Kelly took a career-best six-wicket haul on a wild day of momentum swings.Chasing 259 to win in the fourth innings WA were 198 for 5 as they neared stumps on day with Aaron Hardie on 61 having shared a half-century stand with Joel Curtis before they lost three wickets in 12 balls with Bell snaring two of them. It left WA still needing 44 to win at stumps on day three with Curtis not out alongside Corey Rocchiccioli and No.11 Liam Haskett still to come.Earlier, WA were given a chance by Kelly as he tore through Tasmania’s lower order taking a career-best 6 for 49. Tasmania had started the day 244 for 5 with skipper Jordan Silk on 51 and Jake Doran unbeaten on 29. Cameron Gannon removed Doran caught behind in the third over of the morning before Kelly took three of the last four in a devastating burst as Tasmania lost 5 for 9 to be all out for 259.Cameron Bancroft and fellow opener Sam Whiteman both fell cheaply in the chase and the hosts were reduced to 76 for 4 when Hilton Cartwright (14) and Jayden Goodwin (48) fell in quick succession.But Sam Fanning (31) and Hardie swung the balance in WA’s favour, the visitors appearing on track for victory until Hardie fell for a set trap and was caught by captain Silk at a second short midwicket off the bowling of Bell.Riley Meredith then blasted through Kelly’s defences and Bell bowled Gannon to leave WA needing 58 runs with just three wickets in hand.Rocchiccioli hung with Curtis at stumps to keep WA in the fight.Bell continued Test aspirant Bancroft’s lean run to begin the Shield season when he was caught behind while Jackson Bird bowled without luck.
When Eddie Howe reflected on Newcastle United’s form at the start of the November international break, he would have felt the weight of back-to-back Premier League defeats against Brentford and West Ham United.
He also would have known the significance of a big performance against Manchester City at St. James’ Park when club football returned, and so it was momentous to have battled to victory against Manchester City on Saturday evening, recovering ground in the race for European football.
The season’s still young, and there is optimism regarding the Magpies’ hopes of finding success once again this year, but Howe and technical director Ross Wilson will already be looking toward the future, and they have earmarked Elliot Anderson as the perfect player to take this project to the next level.
The latest on Anderson to Newcastle
As far as Newcastle are concerned, the Anderson situation is twofold: they will absolutely be in the thick of any upcoming battles to bring their academy graduate back home, and they will surely need to make concessions of some description, given the Tricky Trees are set to demand in excess of £100m for their prized player, who is also being chased by Manchester United
Anderson, 23, was sold to Forest in 2024 for a fee in the region of £35m. This was signed off by PIF officials bearing gritted teeth, having felt forced into cashing in for the homegrown talent in order to balance the books and placate PSR.
Ruefulness has since shifted to regret. Anderson has been described as “one of the best midfielders in the Premier League” by England manager Thomas Tuchel, who has designated the star as a regular starter alongside Declan Rice as the 2026 World Cup looms large.
While Newcastle’s vested interest could lead to an exciting and concerted bid – Howe said at the start of October that he “would love him to” come back home – but it’s not as if the Toon engine room is lacking without him.
That said, Joelinton appears to be winding down after years of tireless and robust service. Anderson would surely dovetail into a trio with Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.
If Newcastle have to shuffle a few things, so be it, and there’s one rather brazen sale PIF could permit to ensure the club have the finances to pull a bid off next year.
The Newcastle superstar PIF could sell
It may well be a controversial move, but Newcastle have floated the possibility of selling Anthony Gordon about for some time, with Liverpool interest in their one-time academy talent in 2024, before United opted instead to cash in on Anderson.
Gordon joined Newcastle from Everton for around £45m in January 2023 and, after a testing start to life on Tyneside, made significant progress across the 2023/24 campaign, winning the club’s Player of the Year after recording 21 goal contributions in the Premier League and serving as a talisman as Howe’s side battled through an injury-hit year.
But last season, as Newcastle went from strength to strength, returning to the Champions League and winning the Carabao Cup, Gordon regressed, only scoring six Premier League goals all year.
Though his playing style has put him in a promising position to beat the likes of Marcus Rashford to a regular starting berth at next year’s World Cup, more is needed from a player of his calibre, whose once untouchable place on Howe’s left wing is looking far more apt for replacement at this stage, especially with injuries and suspensions contributing toward his poor form this year.
Then, of course, we have Harvey Barnes, whose brace against City underscored his worth in this system. That’s three goals in two Premier League matches for the former Leicester winger, whose incisiveness from the wing works well against Nick Woltemade’s unique striking game, willing to drop deep and influence play while also playing the part of a powerful target man.
Gordon’s blistering speed and ability to stick to the flank or weave inside to wreak chaos are two brilliant aspects of his game, but he needs to offer more, and his inability to do this could see Howe sell him to fund a move for Anderson, perhaps making a shrewd winger signing to complement Barnes besides.
Because frankly, Gordon’s form in front of goal hasn’t been good enough for a while. The Three Lions star was said to have entered “Gabriel Obertan territory” after the loss at West Ham, which, for one of the most prominent wingers in England, self-proclaimed as a “nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, is not good enough.
Jacob Ramsey – Career Stats by Position
Position
Apps
Goals (assists)
25/26
7
0 (0)
24/25
34
6 (6)
23/24
35
11 (10)
22/23
16
1 (0)
Data via Transfermarkt
Should Gordon fail to establish prolific form before the end of the season, there will be more than just a few questions placed by his name. Given that Liverpool have expressed an interest over the past couple of years, not dissuaded by Newcastle’s £100m valuation, could there be regret that he was not sold sooner?
Barnes, after all, is beginning to find goalscoring form, and Gordon has failed with 60% of his dribbles in the top flight this term, also missing big chances while failing to break his duck.
Gordon at full speed and potency in the final third and up and down the touchline is a dangerous adversary for even the finest of defenders. But his declaration of a nightmarish playing style can only go so far if he is unable to produce clinical results at the end.
We need only look at the Alexander Isak saga and the potential that Woltemade offers in the box to understand that selling Gordon for the right price would not be detrimental for Howe’s longer-term plans.
And if those funds are used to bring Anderson back home, thus completing what may well become the best central midfield in the whole country, then it would surely be a worthwhile move.
Newcastle have already got a bigger talent than Barnes who's "like Mbappe"
Newcastle United have a bigger talent than Harvey Barnes in an 18-year-old who is similar to Kylian Mbappe.
Sunderland have made an incredible start to life back in the Premier League, as they sit 12th, whilst the two teams that finished above them in the Championship are now in the relegation zone.
The Black Cats have had numerous players step up to prove their worth in the top-flight this season, including French centre-forward Wilson Isidor.
He has produced four goals in nine starts in the Premier League for Regis Le Bris, after a return of 12 goals in 43 Championship matches last term, per Sofascore.
Whilst it remains to be seen if he will continue to provide a regular threat in front of goal, the Black Cats are reportedly looking to add another number nine to their ranks.
Sunderland planning bid to sign Serie A striker
With the January transfer window little more than a month away, the Championship play-off winners are already making moves to bolster their squad for the second half of the season.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
According to Sport Mediaset, via Sport Witness, Sunderland are ready to swoop for AC Milan centre-forward Santiago Gimenez to compete with Isidor and Brian Brobbey.
The report claims that the Black Cats have already made contact with the Mexico international’s agent to discuss a potential move to the Stadium of Light in the winter window.
It adds that Sunderland are planning to make an offer of an initial loan deal with an option to buy that becomes permanent if certain conditions, that remain unknown, are met.
Whilst it does not state how much the option or obligation would cost, it has been reported that Milan want to recoup the fee of around £26m that they paid Feyenoord for his services in February.
Why Sunderland should sign Santiago Gimenez
Some supporters may look at his record in Italy, of five goals in 23 Serie A matches in 2025, and question whether he is an upgrade on Isidor that is worth potentially paying £26m for.
However, Gimenez’s form for Feyenoord before his big-money move to Milan suggests that he is capable of far more than he has shown so far during his time with the Italian giants.
The Mexican number nine spent two-and-a-half years with the Dutch side and proved himself to be an incredibly prolific scorer in the Netherlands, particularly in his final 18 months at the club, as shown in the table below.
Appearances
30
11
Goals
23
7
Minutes per goal
104
110
Conversion rate
21%
25%
Big chances created
9
4
Assists
6
1
Gimenez scored 23 goals in all competitions in the 2022/23 season, 26 in the 2023/24 campaign, and 22 for Feyenoord and Milan combined last term, per Sofascore.
The Milan forward, who was previously hailed as “unstoppable” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, may not have set the world alight in Italy, but his form for Feyenoord in recent years shows that he can score goals at an exceptional rate in the right environment.
Isidor, meanwhile, is one year older than Gimenez and has never scored more than 15 goals in a season, whilst his only season with double figures for goals came in the Championship last term.
The Mexico international has three seasons with more than 20 goals under his belt and has scored goals in the Europa League, the Eredivisie, the Serie A, and the Champions League.
These statistics outline why signing the 24-year-old marksman from Milan could be a brilliant piece of business because he has the potential to be a huge upgrade on Isidor as a goalscorer if Le Bris can extract his Feyenoord form back out of him in the Premier League.
Therefore, as an initial loan deal that could turn into a permanent signing, Gimenez could be a fantastic addition to the squad in the January window.
Le Bris can end £7m star's Sunderland career by signing Guendouzi
This Sunderland leader will surely be shown the exit door if Matteo Guendouzi does join Regis Le Bris’ ranks.
Ultimately, reality had to bite. 276 has never been chased at the Gaddafi, and the prospect has become even more unlikely since Pakistan pivoted to rapidly deteriorating spin tracks. South Africa gamely hung around till deep into the middle session, but they had been cut too far adrift, and kept losing too many wickets. Shaheen Shah Afridi polished off the tail after Pakistan’s spinners made early inroads, sealing a 93-run win that breaks South Africa’s record 10-Test win streak.Pakistan’s nerves had been settled at lunch with the dismissal of the dangerous and the dogged – Ryan Rickelton and Dewald Brevis both falling to superb deliveries from Sajid Khan and Noman Ali. Senuran Muthuswamy was trapped in front shortly after the resumption, and for the next half hour both sides appeared to be going through the motions. Kyle Verreynne and Simon Harmer hung around without really making a charge towards the total, while Pakistan’s spin kept plugging away, but without the intensity before the break. Slowly, South Africa edged past Pakistan’s third innings total, the first time since Pakistan have prepared these tracks that the fourth innings has outscored the third.The reintroduction of Afridi broke the game open, though. Coming around the wicket, he found reverse with the ageing ball on the ageing surface, viciously dipping one back into Verreynne that struck him so square Afridi never turned around to confirm the umpire agreed with his assessment that ball was hitting the stumps.Numbers 10 and 11 were easy work for an amped up Afridi, who sensed an opportunity to pad his figures up in a game where his relevance to the side had hitherto been limited. Prenelan Subrayen and Kagiso Rabada had no answer for the swinging yorkers that rattled their stumps, sealing a win that had perhaps been secured when Pakistan ran up a large total in the first two sessions of the first day.Dewald Brevis and Ryan Rickelton gave South Africa hope•Getty Images
A lively session of cricket had broken out in the morning in Lahore with Brevis taking the attack to Pakistan. The 22-year-old, playing just his third Test match, threatened to pull off the spectacular with a run-a-ball 54 but was unable to sustain such a breakneck tempo on a wearing subcontinent pitch. Noman took back the spotlight that South Africa have been trying to take away from him through the course of this entire game, bringing up his third Test-match 10-for and putting Pakistan on the road to victory. At lunch, they were four wickets off and had 139 runs with which to buy them.Nothing like this target of 277 has ever been chased before in a Test match in Lahore and that record seemed set to continue when the first four overs of Wednesday’s play yielded two wickets and just five runs. Afridi went through Tony de Zorzi’s defence with his third ball and the worry the visitors had about new batters struggling to find rhythm in these conditions came to pass. Tristan Stubbs only lasted eight balls before reverse sweeping Noman to Salman Agha at slip, who now has five catches in the match.South Africa’s overnight 51 for 2 had become 55 for 4 when Brevis walked in. He took a little time to get acclimatised and then, in the 34th over, he charged out to meet a half-volley from Noman and smacked it over mid-off. A slog sweep for six and a heave over midwicket for four followed, giving the young batter all the confidence he needed to trust in his attacking instincts. The battle between Brevis and Pakistan peaked when he hit a no-look six over long-on to bring up his half-century.Noman had been the recipient of most of Brevis’ punishment, but the canny left-arm spinner knew all he needed was one ball in the right area. That came in the seventh over before lunch when a ball fired into the pitch gripped well enough to turn right past the defending batter and clatter into the stumps. Brevis fell for 54 off 54 with six of South Africa’s 10 fours and all of their two sixes in the final innings.That was Noman’s 10th wicket of the match. Sajid, his spin-bowling partner, chipped in with one as well when he dismissed the other set batter, Ryan Rickelton, for 45 off 145 deliveries as Pakistan went to the break consolidating the upper hand they’ve had since the first day’s play.South Africa spent the best part of four days trying to claw back that advantage, and while they took Pakistan the distance, it was a task which proved just a bridge too far, even for the world champions.
Mainz defender Dominik Kohr deserves a massive 12-match suspension following his red card for a brutal tackle on Hoffenheim's Max Moerstedt, according to World Cup winner Olaf Thon. The defender was shown a straight red card for his challenge in the late stages of the 1-1 draw in the Bundesliga, the ninth time he has been sent off in his professional career.
Kohr creates a new record
Kohr's reckless tackle on Moerstedt landed him his second red card of the season, having been sent off with two yellows in September. Since the 2016-17 campaign, he has been sent off a total of nine times, which makes him the record holder, having surpassed former Hoffenheim, Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg player Luiz Gustavo and ex-Bayer Leverkusen defender Jens Nowotny, who ended their careers with eight. Six of his suspensions have come during his time at his current club, and no other Mainz player has ever seen more than three red cards. Although the defender has apologised for his deeds, he awaits the final ruling on his ban on Monday.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportThon urges for long-term suspension
As per Thon, who won the 1990 World Cup with West Germany, Kohr has been deliberate when it comes to endangering the opponents and a line needs to be drawn to set an example. He said to : "I think it's time to set an example. In this extraordinary case, I think a ban of up to 12 weeks for the Mainz defender is absolutely appropriate. I myself have often played against opponents who have overdone it with their pace, in a way this is certainly part of the contact sport of football and you sometimes have to endure a lot. But a line is crossed when you constantly endanger the health of your opponent."
Kohr's teammate, Danny da Costa, spoke in support of the defender, saying: "You keep reading articles in which he is described as the ‘bully of the league’. I’ve known and played with him long enough to say that this is not fair to him. He has an aggressive playing style, but there are many other players who occasionally go too far. The tackle on Moerstedt was not intentional."
Nadiem Amiri, who plays as an attacking midfielder for Mainz, however, delivered a flat answer. He said: "It was quite clearly a red card. It was not a smart move as he is a key player for us."
Mainz head coach Bo Henriksen, however, played safe by saying: "I didn't see it. But, everyone says it wasn't smart. I have to talk to Dominik."
Kohr issues apology on social media
The German defender was gutted by his recklessness on the pitch. He did not defend his actions and rather humbly accepted his flaw.
He wrote: "It’s important to me to address you directly today, and especially you, Max Moerstedt. In my mind, I just wanted to prevent a pass. When I saw the TV images. I was shocked myself. It could have turned out differently. I’m relieved and glad that nothing more happened to you and that you were able to continue playing. I also apologise to the Mainz fans whom I serve and for whom I always want to give my all. I want to throw myself into every tackle for you, but I want to reassure you once again that I never want to hurt anyone on purpose."
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Getty Images SportWhat comes next for Kohr and Mainz?
The DFB Sports Court is expected to announce its verdict on the defender's suspension on Monday, and it is to be seen whether a hefty ban is imposed on the 31-year-old. Reports in Germany claim he could receive as much as a four-game suspension, which will come as a big blow to Mainz. The ex-Leverkusen player has made over 150 appearances for his current club and remains an important member for Danish maestro Henrikson.