Former Newcastle and England star Alan Shearer has responded to recent comments made by Roy Keane branding him "sneaky and nasty". Shearer laughed off the criticism, while Gary Lineker suggested that the Manchester United legend is trying to generate publicity for his own podcast by targeting him.
Shearer-Keane rivalry continue to endure
The Shearer-Keane rivalry is one of the most enduring in Premier League history. Their on-field clashes in games between Newcastle and Man Utd and differing punditry styles have always created headlines and talking points. Any new barbs will therefore spark interest among fans, with Keane stirring the pot on the latest episode of the podcast, brought to you by . The Irishman said: “Shearer was sneaky, sneaky elbows. I didn’t admire people who were nasty, I don’t like nasty people."
AdvertisementKeane accused of 'trying to get PR'
England icon Lineker brought up Keane's comments with Shearer on , saying: "It's amazing what rival pods will do to try and get a bit of PR."
Shearer then replied: "Someone sent me that the other day, and then Micah [Richards] sent me it and Wrighty [Ian Wright] and we had a laugh. I mean, really, come on."
Lineker then suggested that Shearer is "living in his head", before the ex-Newcastle striker continued: "Sneaky and nasty… I mean, some of the tackles, come on."
The segment concluded with Lineker simply saying: "Pot, kettle, black, and that kind of stuff."
Getty Images SportSwing and a miss in PL thriller
Keane and Shearer's most famous bust-up came when Newcastle beat Man Utd 4-3 at St James' Park in a Premier League thriller back in September 2001. Keane was sent off in the game after hurling the ball at Shearer in response to a shove from the Newcastle captain, and subsequently appeared to throw a punch at him, but missed his target and instead knocked the yellow card out of the referee's hand.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Early season struggles for Newcastle & Man Utd
Expect further back and forth between Shearer and Keane in the media. Both are prominent pundits, and opportunities for further exchanges are inevitable, especially if their former teams are involved in controversial incidents.
United and Newcastle have both made poor starts to the 2025-26 campaign, and sit 14th and 15th in the Premier League table after six games, respectively. The Magpies have a Champions League fixture against Union Saint-Gilloise to attend to next on Wednesday before hosting Nottingham Forest in the league four days later. United, meanwhile, are set to host high-flying Sunderland on Saturday.
Both sides unchanged after England’s emphatic eight-wicket win in opening Test at Christchurch
Andrew Miller05-Dec-20242:14
Why is Brydon Carse like Paul Mescal in Gladiator 2?
Big picture: The Basin revisitedTwenty-one months later, there’s still so much to unpack from that last extraordinary contest between New Zealand and England at Wellington. A packed crowd at the Basin Reserve had been invited in for free to witness one of the most extraordinary finishes in Test history – one that left even the vanquished James Anderson smiling at the absurdity of it all, after he gloved another bumper from the indefatigable Neil Wagner to traipse off to a defeat by the barest of all margins.It was the best of Bazball, but arguably the worst of Bazball too… utter commitment on the one hand to the cause of entertaining, engaging Test cricket, but – after enforcing a needless follow-on that loosened their grip on the game – the first example, too, of Brendon McCullum’s charges going “too far” in their exploration of the limits of attacking cricket. “We look at the bigger picture of what everyone’s enjoyed and seen here today,” Ben Stokes said after that loss. “It’s probably bigger than the disappointment at the moment.”Do they dare feel quite so flippant about Test setbacks anymore? That loss was followed soon afterwards by two further defeats from winning positions in the 2023 Ashes, and until their victory in last week’s first Test at Christchurch, England had won seven, lost seven in 14 previous matches in 2024. Seeing as Stokes had launched that match with another apology to his team for losing his cool during their 2-1 series loss in Pakistan, it’s clear that something has hardened in the interim. Now, he’s reserving his rattiness for the ICC’s over-rate adjudicators, which probably won’t get him very far on the WTC front, but it might just be a more galvanising outlet for his frustrations.And yet, what might have been had New Zealand held their chances in Christchurch? An extraordinary eight drops in England’s first innings mean the teams are probably all-square in the generosity stakes now – and given that five of those came off the bat of the “jammy” Harry Brook, it’s little wonder the rest of that match was one-way traffic.Brook’s 171 was a formidable knock in spite of the let-offs – and it hoisted his record in New Zealand to precisely 500 runs at 100.00. Now, however, he’s back at the scene of, quite possibly, his most domineering knock of all. His first-innings 186 back in 2023 began, much like last week’s effort, with England on the ropes, at 21 for 3 after Matt Henry and Tim Southee ripped out the top-order in the space of 40 balls. But for the rest of a truncated opening day, it was one-way traffic. Had the weather not lopped off 25 of the day’s overs while he was sitting pretty on 184, Brook would surely have surged past his double-century there and then, and – who knows – maybe that Multan triple-century wouldn’t have been his first either.New Zealand bounced back then, as they can now – and Kane Williamson’s ominous form on his return from a groin strain was hugely encouraging in that regard. But their flaws at Christchurch extended beyond their fielding lapses. Despite Devon Conway’s important contributions to that epic series win in India, he is averaging 21.10 across the past 12 months, while Tom Blundell’s form is of even greater concern. He’s managed one fifty in 25 innings since that epic Wellington win, when his vital 90 was instrumental in turning the tide.And then there’s the question of Tim Southee, into the final approach of his magnificent Test career, but so visibly the weak link in Christchurch as Brook and Ben Duckett took turns to take him down. Nevertheless, he still had his moments, particularly in that window of opportunity, early in England’s first innings, when the clouds had rolled over and the ball was talking loudly. England’s flaws against the moving ball, be it spin in Asia or seam and swing elsewhere, have not been adequately disproved in their uneven displays this year. If there’s a way back into the series for New Zealand, it’s surely to be found on a good length, and nipping back through the gate.Harry Brook gives the thumbs-up on his return to the Basin Reserve•Getty ImagesForm guideNew Zealand LWWWL England WLLWLIn the spotlight – Brydon Carse and Will O’RourkeBrydon Carse’s ten-wicket haul at Christchurch confirmed what we had already gleaned from his formidable displays in Pakistan: England have found themselves a real contender here. His pace and aggression was once again unstinting, while his accuracy was barely less of a factor in his penetrative displays across both innings. His match haul of 10 for 106 emulated that of Ryan Sidebottom at Hamilton in 2008, the last England seamer to claim ten wickets in an overseas Test, and caps a remarkable resurgence following the betting ban in the summer that prevented his debut from occurring any sooner. His three-month sidelining may have been a blessing in disguise, given that he’s hit these winter tours with a freshness that Gus Atkinson is arguably lacking after his summer’s exertions, but the challenge of backing up last week’s efforts will be a significant one all the same.With a little more luck on his side, Will O’Rourke might have delivered figures to rival those of Carse. He’s not quite as tall as the much-missed Kyle Jamieson, currently sidelined for a year with another stress fracture, but he used his 6ft4 frame to wonderful effect at Christchurch, generating speeds in excess of 145kph to hassle England’s batters to a far greater extent than his match haul of 2 for 165 would suggest. Three of those eight first-innings catches went down off his bowling, and even with 104 to defend second-time around, he struck with his first ball to dislodge a rampant Ben Duckett, then came within a whisker of delivering Joe Root’s first Test pair. No-one was ever entirely comfortable with his sharp pace and bounce, even when the runs were pouring in the victory charge. A blank slate and a fair wind at Wellington is the least he deserves.Team news: Both sides unchangedNew Zealand have a few worries, and not simply their catching. A stronger all-round batting contribution, bolstered by big scores from Conway and/or Blundell wouldn’t go a miss, nor would Southee getting fully into his groove. Nevertheless, the hosts have opted for an unchanged side for this second Test, in keeping with captain Tom Latham’s assessment post-defeat in Christchurch that no major overhaul of their approach was required.New Zealand: 1 Tom Latham (capt), 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Rachin Ravindra, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Glenn Phillips, 8 Nathan Smith, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Will O’RourkeOllie Robinson (the Durham version) has arrived in New Zealand as a wicketkeeping replacement for Jordan Cox, but it looks like it will have been a futile search for a valid passport. England named an unchanged XI two days out from the toss, with Ollie Pope having proved more than adequate behind the stumps – just as he did in similarly emergency circumstances against Pakistan in 2022. Factor in his vital 77 from No.6, and Jacob Bethell’s precocious debut at No.3, and England seem to found a handy balance in adversity. England have opted against rotating their seamers, while Stokes is expected to be fit to bowl after sustaining a mid-over back niggle in New Zealand’s second innings.England: 1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jacob Bethell, 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Ollie Pope (wk), 7 Ben Stokes (capt), 8 Chris Woakes, 9 Gus Atkinson, 10 Brydon Carse, 11 Shoaib BashirPitch and conditions: Another run-fest in store?England may be forewarned after the placid conditions they faced on day one in Christchurch, having won the toss and bowled on an apparent greentop. This Wellington deck “is green, but I’m not sure if it’s as green as what last week was,” said Chris Woakes, two days out from the Test. With a brown tinge in places, it looks set to dry out further and is likely to prove full of runs, if the events of England’s last visit to Wellington are any guide. Speaking on match eve, Latham didn’t expect the pitch to turn, based on first-class games played this year.Stats and trivia New Zealand have won 23 and lost 21 of their previous 68 Tests at the Basin Reserve, with 24 draws. Six of those wins, however, have come in their last eight Tests at the venue since 2017, with one draw against Sri Lanka in 2018, and a loss in their most recent outing against Australia in February. Tim Southee, who has a maximum of two Tests left in his career, needs five more sixes to reach 100 in Tests, having struck two in defeat in Christchurch. Southee also needs 13 wickets to reach 400 in Tests, although that is as many as he has claimed in nine Tests this year. The Test will feature four of the top-five batters in the ICC’s rankings, with Joe Root and Harry Brook occupying positions 1 and 2, with Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell at 3 and 5.Quotes”Looking at the surface here, looking at the games that have been played here this year, we saw last year that the wicket took a little bit of spin which surprised us a little bit. Going by the games here, the Wellington first-class games, I think the balance that we’ve gone in with is the right balance for this wicket. We obviously have some spin options in that top seven anyway. We think it’s the right fit and the guys are looking forward to the challenge.” “”I don’t regret doing it. It ended up being a good game and we were only ever one run away from winning. It would be nice to be in that situation this time, and scratching my head wondering whether we enforce the follow on or not.”
Glasgow Rangers supporters have been getting excited about the prospect of watching Djeidi Gassama week-in-week-out at Ibrox in the 2025/26 campaign.
The 21-year-old winger announced himself as a Gers star in the making with two goals in his first two games against Panathinaikos in the club’s Champions League qualifiers.
Gassama stepped up to the occasion in both matches to score off the bench and was rewarded with his full debut against Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
Unfortunately, though, the summer signing from Sheffield Wednesday was unable to make it three goals in as many games at Fir Park in the 1-1 draw.
Why Djeidi Gassama struggled against Motherwell
The 21-year-old forward thrived off the bench against Panathinaikos because the Greek side needed to get back into the match and were committing men forward, providing him with space to exploit on the left flank.
Motherwell, however, were more than willing to sit deep and soak up pressure, which meant that he did not have as much space to work with in the game.
Gassama failed to score and only created one chance in 83 minutes on the pitch, but it was not all his fault. Having right-footed Max Aarons at left-back meant that the Frenchman did not have any overlapping threat to create space for him.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
This is why Rangers need to sign a natural left-back in order to unlock Gassama’s full potential, and Monaco full-back Kassoum Ouattara could be the ideal addition.
Why Rangers should sign Kassoum Ouattara
The Light Blues have reportedly already made contact with the Ligue 1 side to discuss a potential deal for the 20-year-old starlet, who could come in as the dream partner for Gassama down the left flank.
Having a naturally left-footed player who wants to attack down the flank would help Russell Martin’s side to break down teams sat in a low block because it would cause the opposition’s full-back to decide between going with the run on the outside or staying close to the winger.
Of course, it cannot just be any left-footed left-back, though, because they have to offer enough of a threat going forward to be considered a threat by the opposition in order to open space for Gassama.
Ouattara only played 12 times in Ligue 1 for Monaco in the 2024/25 campaign, but the French youth international showcased his creative skills in his limited minutes on the pitch.
xA
0.29
Top 5%
Chances created
1.38
Top 17%
Successful crosses
1.62
Top 7%
Cross accuracy
41.2%
Top 9%
Successful dribbles
1.15
Top 12%
Assists
0.23
Top 9%
As you can see in the table above, the Rangers transfer target has the potential to be an exceptional attacking threat down the left wing with overlapping runs, as he is an efficient and effective crosser who can create high-quality chances for his teammates.
The left-back, who has been described as a “very offensive” full-back by writer Kai Watson, would be able to draw attention away from Gassama and, therefore, create more space for the winger to work with.
This could help to unlock the former Owls star’s full potential at Ibrox, as he would not be overrun by opposition defenders because of the lack of support from Aarons when teams sit in deep.
It is now down to Rangers to get a deal done for Ouattara in the coming weeks, because the talented and attack-minded full-back could be a dream addition to bomb down the left flank in support of Gassama this season.
Sunderland are looking to bolster their ranks ahead of returning to the Premier League and could now be close to completing another impressive capture, according to journalist Sacha Tavolieri.
Sunderland look to add more faces after Enzo Le Fee and Habib Diarra
Enzo Le Fee became Sunderland’s first permanent signing of the window following his successful loan spell from Roma, and the Black Cats have also brought in Habib Diarra from Strasbourg to solidify their engine room.
Speaking after his arrival, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman stated: “Habib is an exciting talent, and we are delighted to welcome him to Sunderland AFC. At 21, he already has more than 100 senior appearances on his resume, and he’s been a captain in one of Europe’s elite leagues.
“This underlines his undoubted quality and immense potential, and it reflects our progress and ambition that we have secured a player of his calibre.”
Free agent left-back Reinildo is also set to join Sunderland following three years at Atletico Madrid, providing experience at left-back as they also pursue a deal for Chelsea youngster Ishe Samuels-Smith.
Charlie Cresswell has been lined up to bolster the Black Cats’ defensive spine, lending credence to the fact Regis Le Bris wants to make sure the centre of his side is watertight enough to secure Premier League survival.
Biggest talent since Le Fee: Sunderland plotting to sign £21m “phenomenon”
Sunderland could soon seal a deal that’s even bigger than Enzo Le Fee’s statement addition.
ByKelan Sarson Jul 2, 2025
Plenty of optimism is starting to emanate on Wearside due to the high calibre of individuals being linked with a move to the Stadium of Light, with Sunderland’s pedigree in the top-flight an attractive draw for potential recruits.
With that in mind, Le Bris and company are now reportedly closing in on a major signing between the sticks ahead of the new season.
Sunderland close in on Chelsea's Djordje Petrovic
Taking to social media platform X, Sky journalist Tavolieri has confirmed Sunderland are closing in on Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic for a fee in the region of £21.5 million.
Rumoured to be coming in on a five-year contract, it is expected that the Serbia international will now compete with Anthony Patterson for the number one jersey at the Stadium of Light.
Labelled a “great goalkeeper” by Liam Rosenior, the 25-year-old spent last campaign on loan at Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg and kept ten clean sheets in 31 appearances across all competitions, conceding 38 times in total.
Petrovic was left out of the Blues’ Club World Cup squad to seek a move elsewhere, and Sunderland may well be the ideal platform for the Požarevac-born man to gain regular first-team football after spending two years on the periphery at Stamford Bridge.
سجل محمود عبد المنعم “كهربا” هدفًا لفريقه القادسية الكويتي، في المباراة الأولى له ضد النصر، في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الكويتي.
ويتواجه فريق القادسية مع النصر، ضمن مواجهات الجولة الأولى من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري الكويتي، للموسم الحالي.
طالع | كهربا يفاجئ جمهور الأهلي بتصرف مثير بعد انضمامه إلى القادسية الكويتي
وكان كهربا انتقل إلى صفوف القادسية الكويتي، في بداية الموسم الحالي، قادمًا من الاتحاد الليبي بعدما فسخ التعاقد بالتراضي.
وسجل كهربا هدف القادسية الرابع أمام النصر، في الدقيقة 61 من عمر اللقاء، بعدما استلم تمريرة بينية، واستطاع أن يراوغ حارس المرمى، ويضع الكرة في الشباك، لتصبح النتيجة 4-0. هدف كهربا في مباراة القادسية والنصر اليوم في الدوري الكويتي
وكان كهربا قد ساهم في هدف القادسية الثالث أمام النصر، بأسيست رائع لزميله بدر المطوع.
Chelsea’s capture of Liam Delap was Enzo Maresca’s first signing of the 2025 summer transfer window.
It will likely be the first of many as the Italian looks to sign high-profile stars that will improve his squad ahead of next season.
With Champions League football to look forward to for the first time since the 2022/23 season, Maresca is going to spend in order to be fully prepared for the group stages.
As such, the club have been linked with numerous attacking players in recent weeks. Hugo Ekitike is someone that the manager is keen on bringing to Stamford Bridge.
Date
Opponent
Venue
Monday, June 16
Los Angeles
Mercedes-Benz stadium
Friday, June 20
Flamengo
Lincoln Financial Field
Tuesday, June 24
Esperance
Lincoln Financial Field
Via Chelseafc.com
He could cost around £84m, however, which may prove to be a stumbling block. Samu Aghehowa is another striker on Maresca’s list of targets, but he could cost roughly the same as Ekitike if Chelsea are serious about bringing him to London.
Wide options are also being targeted and Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens is a talent that the Blues are desperate to have before the start of next season.
How much would the German side demand for the Englishman to let him move to the Premier League?
The latest on Chelsea's pursuit of Jamie Gittens
Gittens has been linked with a move to Chelsea over the previous few weeks, and it appears the club are serious about signing him.
According to Ben Jacobs on Sunday, the Blues have had a bid rejected. He said on social media: “Understand Dortmund want around £42m for Jamie Gittens. Chelsea’s opening bid of £30m has been turned down but positive talks continue. Chelsea happy to wait until after the June 10 deadline if no breakthrough ahead of the Club World Cup.”
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittensin action with Lille's Bafode Diakite
Less than a year ago, Gittens was hailed as the future of Dortmund and was looking to follow in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham.
Since Nico Kovac took over as coach, however, the youngster has struggled to fit into his system, and it now appears they are looking to cash in on the winger.
Since making his debut for the club in the 2021/22 season, the 20-year-old has amassed over 100 competitive appearances.
A total of 31 goal contributions – 17 goals and 14 assists – have been registered in that period, establishing him as one of the most promising young wingers on the continent.
While landing a player of Gittens’ quality this summer, do the club need another wide option?
Maresca can already count on the likes of Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, Tyrique George and Mykhaylo Mudryk (when he returns from his suspension) to play on either wing.
Add in the fact that they have signed Sporting CP winger Geovany Quenda, it is evident that this area is rather stacked with players.
Instead of spending another £40m-£50m on someone like Gittens, no matter how talented he is, perhaps directing these funds to other areas of the squad should be deemed a bigger priority.
A new goalkeeper, for example.
Chelsea preparing to make move for new goalkeeper
It is no secret that the Blues have struggled to find a consistent number one goalkeeper in recent years.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Edouard Mendy and Robert Sanchez have all held the position over the previous few years, but none truly convinced the supporters, with Kepa and Sanchez notably-error prone.
AC Milan's MikeMaignanreacts
As such, signing a new ‘keeper this summer should be what Maresca is focusing on.
Well, according to Sky Sports, the Blues have told AC Milan that they are willing to pay a transfer fee in the region of €15m (£12.6m) to secure the services of Mike Maignan.
It’s a fee that could get them close to completing a move with journalist Graeme Bailey reporting on the saga that the Blues now expect to sign the Frenchman in time for the Club World Cup.
The Milan number one has been with the club since the summer of 2021, making a total of 163 appearances for the Serie A side, notably impressing at club level and on the international stage, most recently against German in the Nations League.
If Maresca wishes to improve his options between the sticks, then signing the 29-year-old is clearly a must.
Why Mike Maignan would be a better signing than Jamie Gittens
The Blues have a plethora of wingers available to make an impression under Maresca but their goalkeeping department leaves plenty to be desired.
Last year, Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen were both used by Maresca. The Spaniard made 34 appearances, while Jorgensen played 23 times for the club.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Across his 34 games, the Spaniard kept just ten clean sheets, conceding 37 goals in the process. Jorgensen managed to keep only nine clean sheets while shipping 22 goals.
To summarise, the Blues need someone who could be the main choice under Maresca. A player that will win them points when the club aren’t playing well.
In that regard, Maignan is the ideal choice. He was hailed as “world-class” by writer Carlo Garganese in 2022 for a stunning performance against Inter Milan.
France's Kylian Mbappe, Jules Kounde andMikeMaignanduring the national anthems before the match
Across his 163 games for the Italian giants, Maignan has kept 59 clean sheets, working out as one every 2.7 games.
In the Italian top flight last season, the Frenchman made 2.7 saves per game – a 71% success rate – while also keeping 12 clean sheets, conceding 1.1 goals per game, was successful with 95% of his passes within his own half and averaged 46.5 touches per match.
When compared to his positional peers in Serie A, Maignan ranks in the top 10% for passes attempted per 90 (37.02), while also ranking in the top 7% for defensive actions outside his penalty area (1.86) per 90.
That last statistic is important, signifying that the 29-year-old plays quite far off his goal line in order to distribute the ball and stop opposition attacks.
Maignan is now the French number one and with Milan not in any European competition next season after an eighth-place finish in Serie A, joining Chelsea makes sense for all parties.
He will be able to establish himself as the number one ‘keeper at Stamford Bridge while playing in the Champions League once again.
Could they secure his services for a fee just north of £10m? It would be tough, but not impossible, that’s for sure. He could turn out to be a much better signing than Gittens should Maresca get a deal over the line.
Better than Delap: Chelsea step up move for £85m "monster in the making"
Chelsea are looking to improve their attacking options further
Chelsea chiefs are expected to undergo another hectic summer window of incomings and outgoings, with many players set to be put on the transfer list by BlueCo and face uncertain futures.
Players expected to leave Chelsea this summer
It is perhaps a given that, barring any U-turns from Enzo Maresca, a plethora of loaned-out senior players in the form of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Alfie Gilchrist, Renato Veiga, Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling, David Datro Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi are all but set to quit Stamford Bridge.
£60m Premier League forward has spoken to friends about joining Chelsea
He’s apparently interested.
ByEmilio Galantini May 21, 2025
BlueCo’s mountainous task ahead of June 1 is beginning to find new homes for all the surplus to requirement, out-of-favour members of Chelsea’s full to the brim squad list.
3. Man City
68
4. Newcastle
66
5. Chelsea
66
6. Aston Villa
66
7. Nottingham Forest
65
As things stand, they’re all set to return to Chelsea once their temporary spells elsewhere conclude, with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell both commanding huge salaries and proving a drain on the club’s wage bill.
Chelsea will be especially keen to find new homes for the England international duo, and the same can be said for summer flop Joao Felix.
The Portuguese returned to west London in 2024 for around £45 million, with Cobham academy graduate Conor Gallagher heading the other way to Atlético Madrid in a separate deal.
However, since that ‘sort of’ swap deal was agreed, both players’ fortunes have contrasted significantly. While Gallagher has gone on to become a mainstay under Diego Simeone, making 46 appearances in all competitions and racking up nine goal contributions, Maresca has already deemed Felix an unwanted man just one season into his stay.
Felix was shipped off on loan to AC Milan in January, failing to impress at the San Siro, with the Rossoneri deciding long ago that they’re not interested in keeping the 24-year-old beyond this season (Fabrizio Romano).
Benfica working to re-sign Joao Felix from Chelsea
It seems pretty inevitable that Chelsea will attempt to rid themselves of Felix’s £130,000-per-week wages once he returns to Cobham.
This is echoed by Spanish news outlet Estadio Deportivo, and their journalist Manuel Pedrero, who provides an update on Felix’s precarious situation.
He writes that Felix is aware he’ll need to pack his bags and quit Chelsea this summer, and he could have a golden chance to return to his former club. Benfica are said to be working on bringing the attacking midfielder back home, with the Portuguese heavyweights viewed as his most credible next destination as things stand.
In an alternate universe, and one where Aston Villa had the financial capabilities to match his demands, Felix would be working under Unai Emery right now. The ex-Arsenal boss once confirmed that he couldn’t quite get him over the line at Villa Park before Chelsea swooped in, but does rate the forward very highly.
“He’s a special player and it was not totally impossible for us (to sign him), but he wanted to play for a team in the Champions League,” Emery said last year.
“We are realistic about how we can improve and how we can add players to improve our squad. He has a high salary and Chelsea paid a lot of money for that.
“I like him, but we were never really in the running for him. He can assist, score goals, drop deep to build up and he can play in the small spaces and drive into the box. He’s special.”
If there is one thing that has come to define this season for Arsenal, it’s injuries.
Now, it’s true that Mikel Arteta’s side have not been at their free-flowing best for large parts of the campaign, but that’s hardly surprising when Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have all missed a significant number of games.
Moreover, even though the club are on course to have the best defence for the second season running, they’ve had to deal with injuries to Ben White, Riccardo Calafiori and, most recently, Gabriel Magalhaes.
However, while there was a genuine concern that the absence of the Brazilian would derail the North Londoners’ Champions League campaign, Jakub Kiwior stepped up in a big way, bossing Real Madrid home and away.
Yet, if recent reports are to be believed, the club are now looking to sign another defender, someone who looks like they could be a big upgrade on the Polish international.
Arsenal's defensive targets
While the focus of the club heading into the summer market does seem to be on attacking players, Arteta and Co are said to be looking at a few defensive players as well, such as Dean Huijsen.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The Bournemouth ace has a release clause reportedly worth around £50m, and while that’s a sizable sum of money, it could prove worth it, as at just 20 years old, he’s already an established Premier League star and has now won two senior caps for Spain.
Another international said to have caught Arteta’s eye is that of Jules Kounde.
Barcelona's Jules Kounde
According to reports from late last month, the Gunners supposedly made an offer of around £55m for the versatile defender, but the Catalan giants swiftly rejected it, as he was deemed far too important to be sold.
However, another star has been added to the Gunners’ shortlist, someone who may be far more attainable: Evan Ndicka.
According to a recent report from the Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Siamo La Roma, Arsenal and Newcastle United are both interested in the Ivorian international.
However, it would appear as if the North Londoners are ahead of their Premier League rivals at the moment, as the report has revealed that they’ve already initiated contact with I Giallorossi.
Eintracht Frankfurt defender Evan Ndicka.
In more good news, it probably wouldn’t be an extortionate deal to complete either, as the report has claimed that Roma value their defensive stalwart at up to €40m, which is about £34m.
It might not be the most exciting transfer Arsenal could make, but given Ndicka’s ability and experience, he’d be a great addition to their squad and a significant upgrade on Kiwior.
How Ndicka compares to Kiwior
So, the first thing to say is that with William Saliba and Gabriel being the utterly immense pairing that they are, it seems hard to imagine that there is any central defender that Arsenal could sign this summer who’d displace one of them.
With that in mind, it seems almost certain then that Arteta and Co are interested in signing Ndicka to make him one of the club’s first-choice backups, which in turn would put him in direct competition with Kiwior for game time.
So, who comes out on top?
Well, when it comes to recent experience, it’s the “superb” Roma ace, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who comes out on top, as he’s arguably one of the most important players at his club, making 47 appearances, all of which have been starts, across all competitions this term, scoring one goal and providing two assists along the way.
In contrast, the former Spezia ace has only recently seen his game time increase in North London and has made just 25 appearances, 16 of which have been starts, this season, in which he has also scored once and provided two assists.
Progressive Passes
2.96
3.56
Progressive Carries
0.67
0.38
Passing Accuracy
91.8%
91.1%
Shots
0.57
0.39
Shots on Target
0.19
0.09
Key Passes
0.27
0.25
Live Passes
63.4
55.8
Shot-Creating Actions
0.89
0.56
Goal-Creating Actions
0.11
0.00
Tackles Won
0.72
0.65
Blocks
1.09
0.75
Interceptions
0.89
0.57
Clearances
3.89
3.19
Errors Leading to a Shot
0.04
0.31
Ball Recoveries
3.58
2.00
Aerial Duels Won
1.58
1.00
How about when we take a look under the hood then? Which defender comes out on top when we compare their underlying numbers?
Unfortunately for the Polish ace, it’s once again the Paris-born monster who comes on top in the majority of relevant metrics, including, but not limited to, progressive carries, key and live passes, shot and goal-creating actions, tackles won, blocks, clearances, interceptions, ball recoveries, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, while Kiwior has proven himself to be a reliable backup, Ndicka appears to be the better defender in practically every way, and therefore, Arsenal should do what they can to sign him this summer.
Arsenal want to sign a "beast" Gyokeres alternative who's outscoring Isak
Arsenal could sign an amazing Viktor Gyokeres alternative this summer.
Leeds United looked on course for a triumphant return to the Premier League when convincingly putting Sheffield United to the sword 3-1 at Bramall Lane back in February.
Now, however, everything has seemingly gone pear-shaped again on the end of Daniel Farke and Co, with the once confident table-toppers tumbling out of the Championship top two after a third successive draw in the division against Luton Town.
Much like last season when Leeds failed to win promotion, there are a number of underperformers who have failed to reach the heights expected of them across the last few worrying clashes, with one player in Farke’s camp now replicating Jaidon Anthony’s poor loan stint.
Anthony's poor stint at Leeds
Sometimes in football, certain moves just don’t go to plan, with Anthony’s forgettable season-long loan spell at Elland Road last campaign seen as one of those.
The AFC Bournemouth loanee would only start two Championship games all campaign for Farke’s Whites, with just one meagre goal coming his way off the back of such sparse game-time.
Jaidon Anthony in action for Leeds.
Thankfully for the former fringe Leeds winger, he has since bounced back on loan with new employers Burnley, with the Clarets amazingly now top of the second tier at the expense of his ex-outfit.
The two golden strikes that took Scott Parker’s men to the very summit actually came about from Anthony, with six goals and six assists in total for the Lancashire side in league action across 2024/25 far outweighing his measly Elland Road output.
Leeds will just hope another situation similar to Anthony’s isn’t playing out in West Yorkshire right now, with Farke sparingly using this attacker much like the now rejuvenated 25-year-old.
Farke's next Anthony at Elland Road
The German has shown across recent crunch games in the Championship that he can go against the grain with his team selections, seen in first-choice goalkeeper Illan Meslier being axed.
But, even though Farke has shown some signs of flexibility by dropping the ex-Lorient shot-stopper, he has still left Largie Ramazani mainly rooted to the substitutes bench.
Ramazani hasn’t always found himself on the periphery at the promotion chasers, however, with the ex-UD Almeria attacker racing out of the blocks all guns blazing after his summer move from Spain, with this strike against Norwich City his second goal from five Leeds outings in the league.
He has since notched up two more goals in the unpredictable second tier, alongside also registering a promising two assists, but Farke’s reliance on starting the likes of Manor Solomon and Daniel James week in week out down the wings has seen the Belgian’s own minutes disappointingly deplete.
Games played
26
Games started
7
Average minutes
29
Goals scored
4
Assists
2
Indeed, the £17.5k-per-week attacker has started just seven of his 26 league clashes for Leeds so far this campaign, with a worry that Ramazani will just fade into the background now despite such promising beginnings.
Farke didn’t even bring on the “explosive” winger – as he was previously branded by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – in any capacity during the 1-1 draw away at Luton, stating that the £10m man needs to “step up” his game in order to be considered for more first team opportunities.
The door hasn’t been completely slammed shut, but Ramazani’s time at Leeds hasn’t exactly been a rip-roaring success so far, with a concern that any possible departure down the line could see him shine much like Anthony is now proving for one of the Whites’ fierce promotion rivals.
Leeds thought they had "the new Van Dijk", but Farke sold him for just £2m
Leeds United may have prematurely sold a player who could follow in Virgil van Dijk’s footsteps.
Starc picked up his 100th Ashes wicket but Stokes wrecked Australia with a five-for as 19 wickets fell on the opening day
ESPNcricinfo staff21-Nov-2025
Ben Stokes wrecked the Australia batting unit•Gareth Copley/Getty Images
19 – Number of wickets on day one of the Perth Test, the most on the opening day of an Ashes Test since 1909, where both teams were bowled out on the first day in Manchester.It is also the most wickets on the opening day of an Ashes series, surpassing the 18 that fell on the first day of the one-off Test in Sydney in 1888, and 18 wickets on the first day of the three-Test series at Lord’s in 1896.5 – Ben Stokes is the fifth England captain to take a five-wicket haul in Australia. The last England captain to achieve this feat was Bob Willis in 1982, when he picked 5 for 66 in Brisbane.36 – Stokes took only 36 balls to complete his five-wicket haul (5 for 23). It is the third-quickest five-for by an England seamer (where data is available). Only Stuart Broad has been quicker than him, completing a five-for in 19 balls vs Australia at Trent Bridge in 2015 and 34 balls vs New Zealand at Lord’s in 2013. Stokes has the quickest five-wicket haul for an England seamer away from home.7 for 58 – Mitchell Starc recorded his best figures in Test cricket, topping his previous best of 6 for 9 in Australia’s previous Test, against West Indies in Kingston in July 2025, making it back-to-back five-wicket hauls for him.It was the 17th five-wicket haul in Tests for Starc, the third-highest for Australia among fast bowlers, pipping Graham McKenzie’s tally of 16.Starc also completed 100 Ashes wickets against England in the process. Among the 11 fast bowlers with more than 100 wickets in Tests against England, he is the only one to have made his debut in the 21st century.10 – Number of times Starc has dismissed Ben Stokes in Test cricket, the most by any seamer. R Ashwin is the only one to have dismissed Stokes more times in Test cricket (13).Starc has also bowled Stokes five times in Tests, the most for any bowler.Mitchell Starc acknowledges his career-best seven-for•Getty Images32.5 overs – The second shortest first innings for England in the first Test of an Ashes series. They were bowled out in 35.3 four-ball overs batting first in the first Test of the 1886-87 Ashes in Sydney.4 – England have not batted more than 41 overs in the last four international games that they have played. They were bowled out in 35.2 overs, 36 overs and 40.2 overs batting first in the three ODIs in New Zealand preceding the Ashes.5.23 – Of the 1995 instances of a team being bowled for under 200 in Test history, England’s scoring rate is the third-highest. In the Sydney Test in 2013-14, England were bowled out for 166 batting at a rate of 5.24. West Indies had a run rate of 5.40 when they were bowled out for 137 against Pakistan in Multan earlier this year.0 for 1 – This was the first time both England and Australia lost their first wicket without a run on the board in the first innings of an Ashes Test.Overall, it was only the eighth such instance in Test cricket.6 – Number of times England have been 0 for 1 in the first innings of an opening Ashes Test in Australia. Three of these instances have come in their last five tours – 2010-11, 2021-22 and this time. They were 2 for 1 in their first innings of the 2017-18 tour.2 – Only the second time in Stokes’ 38 Tests as captain that England didn’t pick a specialist spinner in the XI. The other instance also came in the Ashes – at Lord’s in 2023.For England, this is the first red-ball Test match in Australia without a specialist spinner in the playing XI since the 1998 Boxing Day Test.1946 – The last time Australia handed debuts to two players aged 30-plus in a men’s Test before Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett in Perth. This was in Wellington against New Zealand almost 80 years ago. Don Tallon and Ernie Toshack, both past 30, were among the seven debutants for Australia in what was their first Test match since World War II.