Newcastle United are reportedly at risk of losing a player who Eddie Howe is “really pleased” with when the January transfer window arrives.

David Hopkinson excited about Newcastle role

The Magpies have made a significant appointment high up at the club, with David Hopkinson confirmed as the new CEO at St James’ Park.

Speaking about his important role, the boyhood Newcastle supporter admitted he couldn’t wait to get started, praising the magnitude of the club in the process.

“This is a magical place. We’re at St. James’ Park, we’re on the pitch where legends have played. We’ve got the stands here that have been filled with fans who are mad about this team, so there’s such an incredible starting place.

“We’re starting from such a high place – but we’ve also got this moment of potential transformation as we get ready to play on the biggest stages imaginable, higher ambitions than maybe we have had at different points in the club’s history.”Being part of this moment is where I think there’s opportunity for even more magic.”

Away from Hopkinson’s appointment, Newcastle-related transfer rumours continue to emerge.

This is even after the summer window deadline last Monday, with an exit claim now coming to light regarding one of Howe’s brightest young talents.

Newcastle ace wanted by European club in January

According to a new update from Bild [via Sport Witness], Eintracht Frankfurt could revisit their interest in Newcastle attacker Will Osula in January.

A move for the 22-year-old failed to materialise in the summer, but doesn’t appear to be deterring the Bundesliga outfit, who had wanted a £4.3m loan fee with a £17.3m obligation to buy him permanently.

Losing Osula in January would be a shame, considering the Dane is a talented young player who Howe spoke positively about after his goalscoring cameo in the unfortunate 3-2 defeat at home to Liverpool last month.

“Really pleased. It’s a great finish. I thought he did well when he came on – he looked lively, strong and quick. It could have been a big moment for us – a point here would have been incredible from the players – but he can be very pleased with himself.”

That said, Newcastle have now brought in both Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, which could limit Osula’s minutes going forward.

National media slam "weak" Newcastle star for "half-hearted" performance

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ByTom Cunningham Sep 5, 2025

Granted, the Magpies are playing in four different competitions this season, so opportunities could still come his way, but if he sees his chances of featuring more regularly at Frankfurt, he may have a big decision to make when January arrives.

Chelsea’s newest teenage sensation, Estevao, has won over club icon John Terry after delivering a dramatic 96th-minute winner to sink Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The 18-year-old Brazilian, who arrived this summer in a blockbuster £56 million ($71m) deal, came off the bench to score his first-ever Premier League goal in breathtaking fashion, sealing a 2-1 victory and sending the home crowd into absolute delirium.

Teenage dream comes true at the Bridge

It was the perfect script for Estevao, an 18-year-old prodigy living up to the hype in just his ninth Chelsea appearance. After being thrown into the action in the second half, the Brazilian showed composure beyond his years, sliding in to convert Marc Cucurella’s inch-perfect delivery deep into stoppage time.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTerry gives Estevao the legend’s stamp of approval

Terry, watching on with pride, couldn’t hide his admiration for the youngster. Taking to Instagram shortly after full-time, the former Blues captain wrote: “Love him already,” alongside photos of Estevao celebrating his match-winning moment. He also gave a special mention to Cucurella, whose pinpoint cross set up the decisive goal, adding: “What a ball from Marc Cucurella.”

Estevao on cloud nine

Shortly after the game, Estevao shared his emotions with fans in a heartfelt social media post. “First of all, I want to thank God for everything he’s been doing in my life,” he wrote. “I feel truly fulfilled after scoring my first Premier League goal on an incredible night alongside our fans! It’s hard to describe this moment…I’ll keep working to improve every day!”

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Estevao making his mark

When Chelsea secured Estevao’s signature, fans were told to be patient, that 2025-26 would be a 'settling-in season' for the teenager to adjust to English football. But that plan seems to have gone out the window. He’s already made nine appearances under Maresca, including three Premier League starts, proving he’s ready for the big stage far sooner than expected.

Speaking to , Estevao admitted even he’s surprised by how quickly he’s adapted: “I’m already getting lots of opportunities at Chelsea, more than I even expected. But I think it’s the result of the hard work I’ve maintained in training. Enzo Maresca has a lot of confidence in me to play, even arriving in a new league, in a new country. I try to repay that on the field.”

Gill highlighted Vyshak’s entry as one of two key phases where GT lost the match with the bat

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Mar-20251:36

Was subbing in Vyshak a masterstroke?

In a game that produced the sixth-highest run-aggregate in IPL history, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill pointed to three Powerplay overs and three overs leading up to the finish as the ones that got away from his team as they fell 12 short in a chase of 244 against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad.Fourteen overs in, GT needed seventy-five off 36 balls with eight wickets in hand. With Jos Buttler set and Sherfane Rutherford showing great hitting form, PBKS were under the pump when Vijaykumar Vyshak, brought in as Impact Sub, conceded just 10 runs across the 15th and 17th overs, either side of a tight 16th from Marco Jansen. At the end of that three-over passage, GT were left needing 57 off 18.Related

Vyshak 'changes the game' on a night Siraj makes the wrong decisions

The Iyer Equation – Shreyas plays the numbers, and gets the answer right

Shreyas Iyer's IPL best leads PBKS to winning start

“I think those three overs in the middle, I think we scored around 18 runs. So, I think that, and I think our first three overs, we didn’t score that many runs [GT scored 17],” Gill said. “So I think those six overs where we scored around 30-40 runs cost us the game. Apart from that, many positives for us today, a good start to the tournament, I’d say.”GT would also look back on their last eight overs with the ball, where they conceded 135; Shreyas Iyer and Shashank Singh hit 81 of those in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 81 off just 28 balls. Iyer remained unbeaten on 97, and Shashank on a 16-ball 44. The final over off Mohammed Siraj cost 23.Vijaykumar Vyshak took the game away from Titans with his wide yorkers•IPL”We got our chances when we were bowling as well and when we were batting as well,” Gill said. “Too many runs we conceded in the back end of the innings. But I think we also let ourselves down in our fielding. A few catches here and there and a few misfields. When you are chasing 240-250, it’s always going to be tough [if you drop catches].”Gill was magnanimous in his praise for Vyshak’s readiness as an Impact Player. Vyshak bowled three overs back-to-back from the 15th over onwards, with a clear plan to keep bowling wide yorkers and take the ball away from the batters’ hitting arc, a tough plan to execute given the dewy conditions. Vyshak’s three overs went for just 28.”It’s not easy, you know, coming in as an impact player and delivering those yorkers,” Gill said. “It’s never easy for someone who’s been on the bench for almost 15 overs. But I think credit to them, the way they bowled yorkers.”Arshdeep on Vyshak’s plans: ‘If you miss, miss on the wider side’Arshdeep Singh, who took 2 for 36 in four overs, threw light on the plan Vyshak came in with.”The thought was simple and very clear – make them hit to the off side,” Arshdeep said. “It won’t be easy to hit there. If they hit a good shot, clap, say well played, and execute another one. Really happy for him, he’s putting in the hard yards at practice, and was executing yorkers really well, and the results showed in the game as well.”The plan was if you are going to miss, miss on the wider side and not on the stumps. It does slip a bit with dew around but the plan was just bowl as wide as possible, even if it slips, it’s a full-toss, it won’t be easy for them to hit, because it’s very far from their reach.”Arshdeep also credited PBKS’s batters for setting the platform and being able to sustain the same tempo through their innings. “There is no par score – 240-250-260 – score as much as possible and then try and defend it.”

Arsenal’s summer transfer window once again blended big-money investment with their long-standing faith in youth.

After finishing second in the Premier League last season, and reaching the Champions League semi-finals, the club doubled down on its squad rebuild.

Major arrivals included Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Nørgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Departures such as Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Reiss Nelson cleared space in the squad, while Arsenal also leaned heavily on their Hale End academy graduates.

Ethan Nwaneri, now 18, continues to develop after becoming the Premier League’s youngest-ever debutant in 2022.

Myles Lewis-Skelly enjoyed a breakout season, and Max Dowman, still only 15, made his senior bow against Leeds.

That commitment to the academy has become a central pillar of Arsenal’s squad-building philosophy under Mikel Arteta.

Yet while several young prospects have been integrated, others have slipped away.

The balance between spending heavily and nurturing talent is once again at the heart of Arsenal’s defensive planning.

Who is Piero Hincapié, and Why Did Arsenal Sign Him?

When Arsenal announced the arrival of Piero Hincapié from Bayer Leverkusen on loan with a £45m option to buy, it was framed as a major upgrade on the left side of their defence.

At 23, the Ecuadorian international already brings European pedigree, with 32 Bundesliga appearances last season, contributing two goals and two assists.

Hincapié has been on Arsenal’s radar for years, valued for his ability to operate at both left centre-back and left-back.

With Gabriel undergoing hamstring surgery at the end of last season and Riccardo Calafiori struggling with fitness, versatility is essential.

Sporting Director Andrea Berta emphasised Hincapié’s tactical flexibility, and Arteta believes he is not simply cover but a genuine competitor for a starting role. His statistical profile backs up the excitement.

Piero Hincapié – 2024/25

Matches Played

32

Progressive Carries

52

Progressive Passes

152

Tackles

52

Blocks

40

Aerials Won

65

Source: FBref

Compared to positional peers, Hincapié ranked in the 96th percentile for progressive carries (1.69 per 90), underlining his comfort driving forward with the ball.

He also sat in the 86th percentile for progressive passes (4.94 per 90) and an eye-catching 94th percentile for key passes (0.54 per 90) – numbers that show how he can help Arsenal’s build-up from deep.

Defensively, he impressed in the 89th percentile for tackles won (1.29 per 90) and the 86th percentile for passes blocked (0.72 per 90).

This blend of defensive solidity and forward-thinking distribution makes him a natural fit for Arteta’s system, where centre-backs are expected to initiate attacks as much as they are to shut them down.

His arrival represents a continuation of Arsenal’s recent strategy: recruit players with multi-positional value while retaining the ability to progress possession.

Ayden Heaven could have been Hincapie 2.0

As Arsenal commit to potentially spending £45m next summer to make Hincapié’s move permanent, questions linger over whether they let a homegrown option slip through their fingers.

Ayden Heaven, once considered one of the Hale End academy’s brightest defensive prospects, departed for Manchester United in February for a fee of just £1m.

His departure came after limited opportunities at the Emirates despite being highly rated within the club. Analyst Ben Mattinson once described Heaven as “highly unique,” and he has quickly shown why.

Drafted into United’s first-team picture earlier than expected after Lisandro Martínez’s season-ending injury, the 18-year-old has already made eight appearances for the Red Devils.

He has looked composed in possession, comfortable carrying the ball out from defence, and tactically assured despite his age.

United moved quickly to secure him on a long-term deal running until 2029, amid reported interest from Barcelona, Frankfurt and Marseille.

Heaven’s profile, a left-footed defender who is confident on the ball, is precisely the type of player Arsenal are now looking to integrate through Hincapié.

The irony is hard to miss.

Where Hincapié ranks among Europe’s best for progressive actions, Heaven has showcased similar traits in his early United outings.

His poise on the ball and ability to step into midfield mirrors the qualities Arteta demands from his defenders.

For a club that has prided itself on giving opportunities to youth, losing Heaven for such a modest fee may come to be seen as a misstep.

The comparison is not to suggest Hincapié is the wrong signing – his experience and proven metrics make him a high-level addition.

But for a side that has successfully nurtured Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly, the case of Heaven highlights the fine margins of squad planning.

Arsenal could soon pay £45m for a defender to fill the very role that a Hale End graduate, now at a Premier League rival, may have slotted into seamlessly.

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Jorgen Strand Larsen has admitted to being affected by Wolves' stance on a transfer away this summer as the club blocked his proposed move to Newcastle. At the end of the window, Strand Larsen stayed at Molineux and earlier this month he signed a new long-term contract. However, despite committing his future to Wolves, the Norwegian striker hinted that he could move on in future.

• Newcastle wanted Strand Larsen as Isak's replacement

  As the deadline day approached in the summer transfer window, Newcastle were desperately looking for forward options as Alexander Isak's move to Liverpool was imminent. The Magpies were keen on signing Strand Larsen and had even launched two bids for the striker, which were knocked back by Wolves. Eddie Howe ultimately signed Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart, as Larsen stayed at Molineux.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Striker signed long-term contract at Wolves

  After failing to secure a move away from Wolves, Strand Larsen signed a new long-term contract earlier this month, which will keep him at the club until 2030. However, despite committing his future, the Norway international has hinted that he could still be on the move.

• 'Everyone wants to take new steps'

  Speaking to , Strand Larsen said: "It has been turbulent this summer, of course. Personally, I think it was great to be done with it. Of course, you are a little affected, everyone has a dream of taking new steps. At the same time, I feel very safe and good here at Wolves. I got the captain’s armband today, and I feel that I am important to the team.

  "But at the same time, you want to take new steps when you do well. The more years I do well at Wolves, the better my chances are in the future. Now it’s day by day to try to get better with my body, and then we’ll take it from there. Everyone wants to take new steps; it was a Champions League club we were talking about. But it will come again, and it will continue. The important thing is that the club showed confidence in me afterwards, and we solved that in a good way."

  On signing a new deal, Larsen added: "Yes, it was good. That says something about the season from last year being rewarded with something positive."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  How has Strand Larsen done since failed Newcastle move?

  Strand Larsen has made a fairly slow start to Wolves' season. He scored a brace in their Carabao Cup win against West Ham, but is without a goal in any of their other five matches across all competitions.

تطرق اللاعب الإنجليزي السابق، جابرييل أجبونلاهور، للحديث عن المصري محمد صلاح وأدائه في مباراة ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد مساء أمس، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتعرض ليفربول للهزيمة أمام مانشستر يونايتد بهدفين لهدف في الجولة الثامنة من الدوري الإنجليزي موسم 2025/26، على ملعب “الأنفيلد”.

وواصل محمد صلاح الأداء السئ الذي يقدمه منذ بداية الموسم، والذي جعله يتعرض للعديد من الانتقادات في الفترة الأخيرة.

وقال جابرييل أجبونلاهور، في تصريحات لشبكة “talkSPORT” الإنجليزية: “محمد صلاح لا يقدم أداءً مميزًا، لا توجد علاقة بينه وبين إيزاك في الوقت الحالي، كلما حاول صلاح تمرير الكرة إليه، لا يقوم بأي هجمة”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. روني يحرض سلوت ضد لاعب ليفربول: لا يستحق المشاركة أساسيًا

وأضاف: “إيكتيكي كان على دكة البدلاء، هل كان من المفترض أن يبدأ أساسيًا؟ أعتقد أن لديهم مشكلة هنا، يبدو أن الوضع لا يُبشر بالخير لليفربول حاليًا”.

وواصل: “أعتقد أن الوقت قد حان من أجل إبعاد محمد صلاح عن التشكيل الأساسي، هو لا يقدم أداءً جيدًا، لا يقدم الكثير من الناحية الدفاعية، بالأمس استمر في التوغل ناحية الداخل ومحاولة تمرير كرات لم تتم”.

وأردف: مانشستر يونايتد لم يترك مساحات في الخلف، لقد حاول صلاح تمرير الكرة بشكل بسيط، وهو ما قد ينجح مع خط دفاع متقدم، لكنه لا يقدم نفس الأداء الذي كان عليه الموسم الماضي، فلا ضير من إبعاده”.

واستكمل: “هل تُشرك فريمبونج على الجهة اليمنى؟ هل تُشرك إيكيتيكي على الجهة اليمنى؟ مهما كان الأمر، لا يمكن الاستمرار في إشراك لاعب لا يقدم أداءً جيدًا”.

Sussex 386 for 5 (Clark 140, Simpson 116*, Coles 51) vs Warwickshire Centuries by Tom Clark and John Simpson ensured that Sussex returned to the Rothesay County Championship Division One with a strong day’s work against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.Clark struck an accomplished 140 (279 balls) and Simpson an assertive unbeaten 116 (142) in a partnership of 200 in 44 overs as Sussex recovered from 40 for three to close on 386 for five.Three early wickets for debutant Ethan Bamber appeared to vindicate Warwickshire’s decision to bowl first, but thereafter it was a struggle for an attack missing injured first-choice opening bowlers Olly Hannon-Dalby and Chris Rushworth.Clark and Simpson took full advantage to post their fourth and 16th first-class centuries respectively.Warwickshire, their squad in deep transition, started the season with four debutants – Bamber, Vishwa Fernando, Tazeem Ali and Kai Smith – and two of the newcomers opened the bowling to very different effect. Fernando went for three fours in his first over of a fruitless spell but Bamber unfurled an excellent opening burst of 7-5-8-3. The former Middlesex all-rounder trapped Tom Haines lbw, playing across the line, then removed Daniel Hughes and Tom Alsop with successive balls. Hughes copped an arguable lbw decision before Alsop edged an outswinger to Rob Yates at second slip.The brittle foundation of 40 for three was diligently shored up by a stand of 121 in 37 overs between Clark and James Coles (51, 102). The latter played fluently to be first to his half-century but then rather gave it away when he skied an ill-judged leg-side swipe at Tazeem to give the 18-year-old leg-spinner his first championship wicket.Any hopes the sizeable home crowd harboured of another Sussex clatter proved ill-founded. Instead, Simpson joined Clark to make it back-to-back century stands.Sussex skipper Simpson enjoyed a superb first season at Hove last year, averaging 74.81 with the bat in the championship, and resumed in the same vein as he breezed to a 58-ball half-century. Clark, meanwhile, concentrated implacably and reached his fourth first class century, from 223 balls, with his 15th four, cut off a short delivery from Dan Mousley.On a pitch offering little assistance for the bowlers, the limitations of Warwickshire’s injury-hit attack became clear as the fifth-wicket pair’s partnership passed 150. The depleted nature of that attack does raise a question mark over Warwickshire’s decision to bowl first, though that decision might have a bit to do with the recent history of Edgbaston pitches to flatten out as the match goes on, making wickets even harder to acquire.Clark perished six overs before the close when he edged Ed Barnard behind but in the next over Simpson followed him to three figures, becoming the first Sussex player ever to reach a first class century with a three to backward point on a Friday in Birmingham. Sussex’s return to Division One has been highly encouraging.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United have opened the 2025/26 season in a way that underlines both their potential and their limitations.

Their early form has mixed defensive solidity with attacking struggles.

A goalless draw with Aston Villa on the opening day was followed by a chaotic 3-2 defeat at home to Liverpool, sealed by a 100th-minute Rio Ngumoha strike.

Stalemates against Leeds and Bournemouth sandwiched a narrow 1-0 win over Wolves, leaving Newcastle searching for rhythm at both ends of the pitch.

In attack, the void left by Alexander Isak has been evident.

New arrivals Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa were brought in to fill the gap, but Woltemade is still adjusting to Premier League intensity, while Wissa was sidelined for a month after suffering a knee injury on international duty.

The lack of fluidity has shown up in the underlying numbers: Newcastle have generated just 4.6 expected goals (xG) – better only than the newly promoted clubs, Wolves and Aston Villa.

Defensively, though, the platform looks elite. Newcastle boast the league’s lowest xG conceded at 2.5, with Arsenal next-best at 3.3.

Lowest xG Conceded – 2025/26

Newcastle United

2.5

Arsenal

3.3

AFC Bournemouth

3.6

Liverpool

4.0

Crystal Palace:

4.7

Source: Fotmob

This means that Howe’s side already have a strong foundation from which to grow. What is striking, however, is that the tactical emphasis has shifted.

Howe, once reliant on direct transitions, has been experimenting with a more possession-heavy approach, with structured build-up play central to his long-term vision.

That shift has placed the spotlight firmly on the man in goal.

Why Nick Pope needs to be dropped

Nick Pope remains Newcastle’s first-choice goalkeeper and has been a dependable figure since arriving from Burnley in 2022.

Now 33, he has made over 100 appearances for the Magpies, including keeping goal in their Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool last season.

His England experience – ten caps – underlines his status as a high-level shot-stopper. So far this campaign, Pope has kept four clean sheets, leading the Premier League Golden Glove race.

His shot-stopping ability is reflected in his numbers: 3.07 saves per 90 with a save percentage of 71.7%, significantly above league average.

Yet, the flaws in his game are equally obvious.

Pope’s playing profile jars with Howe’s evolving tactical plan. While Newcastle are attempting to construct attacks patiently from the back, Pope looks uncomfortable when pressed with the ball at his feet.

Whenever the ball cycles back to him, Newcastle’s possession often stalls, with centre-backs reluctant to involve him under pressure.

It is not that Pope lacks bravery, but rather that his technical ceiling is lower.

Against teams who press high, this becomes a liability.

As Howe tries to embed a possession-first style, Pope’s skillset increasingly feels at odds with the project.

Howe already has the perfect Pope replacement

This summer, Newcastle moved to address the issue by signing Aaron Ramsdale on a season-long loan from Southampton.

At 27, he remains in his goalkeeping prime and was one of the few Saints players to emerge with any credit last season.

His arrival followed Martin Dubravka’s move to Burnley, giving Howe a goalkeeper with very different attributes to Pope.

Ramsdale is far more comfortable with the ball at his feet.

He touches the ball 43.8 times per 90 (compared to Pope’s 31.1) and completes passes across a much greater distance, with a progressive passing distance of 566.4 per 90 – almost double Pope’s output.

He is proactive in distribution, unafraid to break lines and feed midfielders under pressure.

His higher volume of completed passes per 90 (25.8) makes him far better aligned with a possession-oriented strategy.

Statistically, Ramsdale lags behind Pope in pure shot-stopping.

He makes more saves per 90 (4.00 compared to Pope’s 3.07) but his save percentage is lower at 67.6%, while his goals against per 90 (2.20) reflects Southampton’s struggles last year.

Clean sheet percentage is another weakness, sitting at just 10.0% compared to Pope’s 28.6%.

Yet, context matters – Ramsdale played behind one of the league’s most porous defences, whereas Pope has benefited from Newcastle’s defensive structure.

Ramsdale has already impressed Newcastle supporters in flashes.

During pre-season he saved a penalty against Espanyol, a reminder of his shot-stopping pedigree, while also displaying the technical quality that Pope cannot replicate.

Fans are increasingly calling for him to be given a run in the league, believing that his attributes would unlock Newcastle’s attempts to play more expansively.

For now, Howe has stuck with Pope – who he has previously labelled as “one of the best shot-stoppers” he’s worked – valuing his reliability and the clean sheets he has delivered.

Chalkboard

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

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But with Newcastle increasingly defined by their ability to dominate possession and progress the ball, the pressure is mounting to hand Ramsdale his chance.

The tactical shift may eventually demand it.

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Posts 1 ByKelan Sarson Sep 21, 2025

Leeds United might well look back on this summer’s transfer window with plenty of regrets come the end of the long and hard Premier League season.

Indeed, no deadline day signings ended up being sealed by the Whites, with the forward areas – in particular – crying out for some fresh blood, considering Daniel Farke’s men have only netted once in league action so far, from three contests.

It wasn’t through a lack of trying, arguably, as Leeds did look set to bring in Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Facundo Buonanotte to Elland Road as the days grew ever closer to the chaos of deadline day.

However, at the final hour, the Argentine playmaker chose Chelsea instead as his next onward destination on loan, leaving Leeds with the bitter feeling of what could have been if the South American had entered the building to save the day.

What Buonanotte would have offered Leeds

Unfortunately, the glitz and glamour of lining up for Enzo Maresca’s men swayed the 20-year-old creator to move to West London over West Yorkshire.

He already has an early bump to contend with, though, as he has been shockingly left out of the Italian’s Champions League squad, just a matter of days after penning a loan move.

Still, there will be plenty of opportunities presumably handed to him in the bread and butter of Premier League action, after a loan stint last season out to Leicester City saw him dazzle top-flight defences regularly, despite the Foxes succumbing to relegation.

From 35 appearances at the King Power Stadium, the up-and-coming 20-year-old would pick up an impressive six goals and three assists, with a further seven goal contributions also coming his way back at Brighton, before finding his first-team minutes had dried up.

Leeds would have loved to welcome Buonanotte in on a short-term basis, with plenty more goals and assists registered by the entertaining South American at Elland Road, potentially helping Farke and Co beat the drop.

Instead, the goal-shy Whites will have to make do with Brenden Aaronson as one of their only recognisable number ten options, with the arrival of the two-time Argentina international also allowing them to explore more formations, away from the combative 4-3-3 preferred by Farke currently.

Frustratingly, this selection dilemma could actually be solved right now if Leeds hadn’t discarded a Buonanotte-style ace for just £1m two years ago.

Leeds' original Buonanotte

Farke has gone about making his side far more militant in the midfield ranks, with faces such as Ilia Gruev and Sean Longstaff not the most creative presences imaginable.

This is where Mateusz Bogusz could have come to the rescue, with the Polish midfielder very much a forgotten relic of Leeds’ recent past.

Before going on to make a name for himself as an attacking menace at both LAFC and Cruz Azul, Bogusz was a rising star tipped for greatness in West Yorkshire, having once been dubbed as a “very talented” player by his ex-U23s coach at Leeds in Carlos Corberan.

While he was showered with praise behind the scenes, the now 24-year-old would never go on to make the grade at a senior level, with three unmemorable men’s games passing him by, before he was offloaded for a bargain £880k to the MLS.

Games played

120

Goals scored

26

Assists

26

Trophies

2x

Looking at the table above, this was an unwise decision to make with hindsight on side, with Bogusz now boasting a high 52 goal contributions post his frustrating Elland Road stay.

With an ability to fire home a fierce effort, on top of picking out a teammate with ease, the 25-year-old might well have gone on to be success in the long-term if given more chances to impress, with his “dangerous” style of play – as it was described by reporter Greg Beacham – in the here and now also making him an apt fall back option for Buonanotte’s move being dead in the water.

Instead, there’s just more regrets piling up at Leeds on what could have been, as Farke now just has to make do with what he’s got until January rolls around.

Leeds can fix winger woes by unleashing 18-year-old who's "like Grealish"

Daniel Farke could solve some of his attacking woes by unleashing his own Jack Grealish at Leeds United.

ByDan Emery Sep 4, 2025

خرج أسطورة نادي ليفربول عن صمته وانفجر غضبًا، وذلك عقب خسارة أمس السبت أمام برينتفورد، ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

ليفربول تعرض إلى خسارة جديدة في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، ضد برينتفورد بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدفين، ضمن الجولة التاسعة من عمر المسابقة المحلية.

ولعب ليفربول بشكل سيئ، ما جعل الفريق يتعرض لخسارة جديدة في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وهي الهزيمة الرابعة على التوالي في البطولة.

ويرى جون ألدريدج، أسطورة نادي ليفربول، أن فريقه السابق يفتقر إلى تحمل المسئولية، وعليه إظهار ردة فعل خلال الفترة المقبلة.

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وقال ألدريدج عبر حسابه الرسمي في “تويتر”: “هذا أمر مخيب للآمال ومقلق للغاية من نواحي عديدة، ليس فقط الليلة، بل هذا الموسم أيضًا، وهو أمر صادم دفاعيًا”.

واختتم موجهًا رسالة إلى مدرب ليفربول، آرني سلوت: “لا تماسك، لا رغبة في تحمل المسئولية والفريق يفتقر إلى ذلك، على آرني سلوت الارتقاء بالفريق إلى مستوى أعلى”.

ليفربول تراجع إلى المركز السادس في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، متجمدًا رصيده عند 15 نقطة، بفارق أربع نقاط كاملة عن آرسنال المتصدر والذي بإمكانه الابتعاد أكثر في صدارة المسابقة، حيث يستضيف كريستال بالاس مساء الأحد على ملعب الإمارات.