Um dos destaques do Botafogo nesta temporada, Júnior Santos marcou o gol que garantiu a vitória do time carioca sobre o Corinthians na Neo Química Arena na noite deste sábado (1º), por 1 a 0. Os três pontos não só deixaram o Glorioso dormir na liderança da competição, como fizeram o atacante falar em renovação de contrato.
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– Normal pela temporada que venho fazendo a procura de outros clubes, mas tenho contrato, estou feliz aqui, prefiro focar nos objetivos do clube, as coisas extracampo, fico feliz pelo Cruzeiro ter procurado, mas estou feliz aqui, espero renovar o contrato, alô, John (Textor). É dar sequência na temporada – disse o jogador que tem dois gols no Brasileirão.
O Botafogo venceu o Corinthians pela primeira vez em Itaquera. O time carioca não vencia o paulista em São Paulo desde 2012. Com o triunfo, o Glorioso agora soma seis jogos sem perder na temporada.
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Na liderança provisória, o Botafogo precisa torcer por tropeços de Athletico, Bahia e Flamengo neste domingo (2). O time carioca volta a campo na terça-feira (4), para enfrentar o Fluminense no Nilton Santos, às 20h, pela oitava rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.
The fast bowler hit his stride in the Perth nets three days from the start of the Ashes
Vithushan Ehantharajah18-Nov-20257:21
Can Ollie Pope reward England’s faith?
Mark Wood’s chances of playing the first Test against Australia took a positive step forward on Tuesday with a 40-minute spell in the nets at Perth’s Optus Stadium, where the Ashes begins on Friday.Returning from a hamstring scare during the warm-up match against England Lions last week, Wood, left leg heavily strapped, watched on initially as England returned to training after a couple of days off. However, he was soon into meaningful work with the ball, with Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum taking a closer look at their prized asset from the standing umpire’s point-of-view.Related
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“He was absolutely rapid today, I can tell you that firsthand,” said Jamie Smith, who was one of the batters facing Wood. “He’s definitely one to avoid on the list. He’s near enough full tilt so it’s good signs for us.”England are expected to opt for an all-pace attack on a pitch regarded as one of the fastest in the world. They had their first look at the surface, which was watered yesterday, ahead of training.Wood is a key component of their plan, not just as the quickest in the touring party – and, perhaps, the circuit – but also as the only specialist bowler with previous Ashes tour experience. Wood was the standout quick during the 2021-22 series, taking 17 wickets at 26.64, with a number of batters he troubled still part of the current Australia side.Mark Wood steams in at training•Getty ImagesMuch will depend on how Wood pulls up on Wednesday, and whether he can get through another session later in the day. He has not played competitive cricket since February, spending the last nine months recovering from left knee surgery, having suffered a stress fracture of the right elbow in September 2024.Selecting Wood remains a risk, albeit one that will be cushioned among four other quicks, including Stokes, and with Jofra Archer able to provide further support on the express pace front. It is also a risk England are more than willing to take.The management were not overly worried when Wood left the field against the Lions with a tight hamstring after two four-over spells. The soft outfield at Lilac Hills contributed to that discomfort in what was Wood’s first bowl since England’s penultimate Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan, on February 26. And given the investment in Wood, which includes a three-year central contract with this Ashes in mind, there is a sense now is the time to cash in.Josh Tongue, the likely beneficiary if Wood is deemed unfit for selection, reiterated that sentiment: “It feels like if he’s good to go and the management feels he’s good to go, I don’t see why not.”
Gareth Bale has downplayed rumours that he had a bad relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid. The Welsh star played alongside the Portuguese icon for five seasons at Los Blancos, and together they won multiple La Liga and Champions League titles. For all the criticism that came the winger's way in Spain, he says he never had any issues with any of his team-mates at the European giants.
Getty Images Sport
Bale had no problem with Ronaldo
When Bale swapped Tottenham for Madrid in 2013, questions were raised about where he would fit in with fellow wideman Ronaldo. In their 2014 Champions League final win over Atletico Madrid, for example, Bale played on the right and Ronaldo on the left, with Karim Benzema leading the attack. When world-class players are competing for first-team spots, some big egos may have to be put in check. But the ex-Wales international said he had no beef with the now 40-year-old during his time at the Bernabeu.
He told : "I'm not really in touch with that many [old Madrid team-mates] – a few of the Wales boys – but I always got on with everybody. I never had any problems with anyone. I never had any big arguments. Sometimes the media might say about me and Ronaldo, we never had an issue, never had an argument, never had a fight, never had anything."
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Welsh forward was at centre of controversy
After Ronaldo left Madrid for Juventus in 2018, much was expected of Bale at the Spanish giants. But injuries and form didn't help the Welshman's cause in his final five years at the club. The Spanish media did not shy away in criticising Bale and he gave them all the ammunition they needed after Wales qualified for Euro 2020 when he celebrated behind a Welsh flag with the slogan: "Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order." Naturally, that didn't go down well back in Spain back in 2019.
He said, "That slogan is the one thing I felt hard done by. For one thing, no one knew how much golf I actually played. If I ask you now how much golf you reckon I played, you’d probably say three or four times a week maybe, something along those lines? I played once every two to three weeks, but only on a day off. I'd never play a game for eight hours, I was always very professional about it. But people don't know that so they make up that slogan.
"I got absolutely slaughtered [by the Spanish media]. I felt a bit hard done by because it all comes down to misinformation. I obviously don't prioritise golf more than I do my country and my club and physically haven't done one thing wrong. I look back at it now and it's like, it is what it is. I can't do anything about it. You have to laugh or you cry. So I laughed."
Bale backs old boss Ancelotti
Bale played under manager Carlo Ancelotti at both the start and end of his Madrid career. The Italian led Los Blancos to multiple Champions League triumphs and going by his comments, it seems Bale holds the Italian in the highest regard. While he acknowledged that Brazil are not the force they once were, he thinks the ex-AC Milan boss has a decent chance at leading them to World Cup glory next year.
"Yes, Ancelotti was great. For me his genius is man management; he'll always keep you happy. You learn so much from managers and him as a person, he'll teach you so much just from his calmness in situations. Where you'd be angry, he'll just keep everybody calm and that's why he's such a good manager," he said. "They don't quite have the team that they used to, but if there's a man who can get a team like Brazil going in one direction, it's him."
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What comes next for Bale?
The former Los Angeles FC player, who unsuccessfully tried to complete a takeover of Cardiff City, admitted he is still looking to find something to fill the competitive void of being a professional footballer. He has tried his hand at punditry but that hasn't completely satisfied him.
He added, "I started playing the piano last winter and it humbled me. It’s something I want to do as I feel like I'll get good at it given time. In my head I'm not going to fail."
Jude Bellingham delivered an X-rated assessment of Real Madrid’s current situation after seeing them suffer another damaging defeat to Manchester City. The Blancos went down 2-1 against Premier League opponents in the Champions League on Wednesday night, with Bellingham admitting that the Liga giants must “take a bit of sh*t on the chin” in an ongoing bid to find form.
Real Madrid form: Blancos have hit a slump
Real have won just two of their last eight matches in all competitions, drawing and losing three apiece. Their last domestic fixture, against Celta Vigo, saw them reduced to nine men before the final whistle blew.
They were able to keep 11 on the field when playing host to City, but found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline. Real did take the lead at Santiago Bernabeu through Brazilian forward Rodrygo, but trailed by half-time courtesy of Nico O’Reilly and a penalty from prolific Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.
AdvertisementAFPBellingham sounds X-rated Real Madrid rallying cry
Pressure continues to build on Blancos boss Xabi Alonso as a result of that European setback, with it being suggested that the World Cup winner – who only returned to Madrid over the summer – is already fighting to save his job.
He is said to endure a strained relationship with a number of senior stars, including former Ballon d’Or contender Vinicius Junior. Quizzed on whether he still has faith in his beleaguered manager, Bellingham told : “One hundred per cent. The manager has been great. I personally have a great relationship with him and I know a lot of the lads do too.
“After that first run of games where we drew a few, we had some really great conversations internally and felt we'd put that form behind us but the last couple of games we've let ourselves down again. No one is downing tools, no one is complaining and moaning and thinking the season is over. We will have to take a bit of the sh*t on the chin, keep fighting and bouncing forward.”
What has gone wrong for Real? Bellingham explains
Bellingham was also asked why Real’s form has taken a serious nosedive since claiming a Clasico victory over arch-rivals Barcelona in late October and hitting top spot in the Liga table. The England international added: “We're still trying to work it out within the changing room regardless of what goes on outside. We know that's not helpful.
“One thing is how we're managing games. Certain points where we have to suffer it feels like we always concede and it puts us on the back foot and makes us have to play a way we don't want to.
“But in the changing room we have what we need to turn it around, we need maybe a bit of luck or maybe something we need to discuss internally. I have faith this season isn't over just because we're in a bad run of form.”
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GettyManagerial change? Alonso facing sack threat
While Alonso continues to dominate headlines in Spain, with many of those casting the 44-year-old ex-Madrid midfielder in a dim light, Real’s head coach insists that he should not be the centre of attention.
He is eager to point out that everybody connected with the Blancos will be doing their best to turn collective fortunes around. Alonso said when asked if he is worried about his future in the wake of a disappointing loss to City: “I’m worried about the next game. Here the important thing is Real Madrid. It’s the team, the players and how I can help them. The issue is not about me.”
Alonso may want to divert attention away from himself, but he will continue to fall under the brightest of spotlights. He is in the results business, while filling one of the most demanding managerial roles on the planet, and knows that he needs to get Real firing again.
His next opportunity to do just that will arrive on Sunday when the Blancos head to Alaves. That is one of three fixtures left on Real’s schedule in 2025, with it yet to be determined whether Alonso will make the new year in his current role.
As long as Major League Baseball has had Rookie of the Year awards, veteran players from outside traditional minor-league structures have been winning them.
The first was Brooklyn Dodgers first baseman Jackie Robinson, who took home top honors in 1947 in his age-28 season—with racism and World War II to blame for him not debuting earlier. Boston Braves center fielder Sam Jethroe was 33 in 1950; he'd been a longtime Negro League outfielder for the Cleveland Buckeyes. In 2000, Seattle Mariners pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki was a 33-year-old NPB lifer.
At 26, Hyeseong Kim, the biggest riser of the past two weeks, is old in virtually no conventional sense. But he has managed to insert his name into the conversation with his younger, Western Hemisphere-trained counterparts. Welcome to this week's edition of MLB Rookie Watch.
American League
1. Jacob Wilson, shortstop, Athletics
A ho-hum recent stretch (.237/.310/.316) in the past two weeks has diminished his numbers a bit, but put practically no dent in his formidable lead in this race. Consider, for instance, that he's still hitting .349—second in the AL to New York Yankees right fielder and designated hitter Aaron Judge—with a .390 on-base percentage and .493 slugging percentage. In no world should a rookie who plays in a minor-league ballpark lead the All-Star voting at baseball’s signature fielding position. That's how good Wilson is.
2. Carlos Narváez, catcher, Boston Red Sox
Narváez helped carry an up-and-down Red Sox team through the season's early months, and now Boston is returning the favor. Since June 9, Narvaez is slashing .226/.333/.355—but the Red Sox are 6–3 in games he's played. Offense notwithstanding, his defense is so strong that Carlton Fisk, Tony Peña and Jason Varitek could soon have company as Boston catchers to win Gold Gloves. He's quietly in a dead bWAR heat with Wilson at 2.3.
3. Noah Cameron, pitcher, Kansas City Royals
On June 10, he briefly threatened to become mortal, giving up six earned runs in a 10–2 loss to the Yankees. No matter: Cameron gamely rebounded with five shutout innings against the Athletics and a solid-if-not-spectacular outing against the San Diego Padres. Pitching is the order of the day for a Royals team looming just out of the AL playoff picture. Look for the 25-year-old changeup artist to continue starring for a plus rotation.
Honorable Mention
Shane Smith, pitcher, Chicago White Sox; Nick Kurtz, first baseman, Athletics; Jasson Domínguez, left fielder, New York Yankees
National League
1. Drake Baldwin, catcher, Atlanta Braves
Copy and paste—Baldwin remains the king in the Senior Circuit despite modest numbers over the past two weeks. He did perform well in a high-profile rivalry sweep against the New York Mets, going 2-for-7 with two walks and driving in a pair of runs. That's the kind of series that can help Baldwin win the intangible political component of the voting, but the fickle Braves are doing him no favors. He continues to share dominion over the catching position with ex-All-Star Sean Murphy.
2. Hyeseong Kim, second baseman and center fielder, Los Angeles Dodgers
The May 3 debutant barely cleared the 75-plate-appearance threshold for this week's rankings (he has 83). In an admittedly small sample size, the 26-year-old has raked to the tune of a .372/.410/.538 slash line, two home runs and 12 RBIs. Those are wild numbers for a player whose primary calling card in the KBO League was defense, with four Golden Glove awards to his name in South Korea. He replaces Miami Marlins catcher Liam Hicks, whose numbers over the past two weeks have been a mixed bag.
3. Caleb Durbin, third basman, Milwaukee Brewers
Durbin takes the spot of Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw, who plays the same position on a better team with similar numbers. He's a fascinating player with an odd set of skills: defense (first among NL rookies in dWAR), the foggy art of clutch play (first among NL rookies in win probability added, mostly thanks to a walk-off home run earlier this month), and getting hit by pitches (first among all NL players). The former 14th-round pick out of St. Louis's brainy Washington University enjoyed a 5-for-13 series against the Minnesota Twins this weekend. Can he keep it up against the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies?
Honorable Mention
Agustín Ramírez, catcher, Miami Marlins; Ben Casparius, pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
The Saudi PIF takeover at Newcastle United in recent years has allowed a new generation of supporters to witness unthinkable levels of success on the pitch.
Eddie Howe has led the Magpies to multiple seasons competing in the Champions League, something which was a far-fetched dream under the ownership of Mike Ashley.
The hierarchy has invested serious money into the first-team squad over the last couple of years, which has allowed for numerous high/profile international names to move to St James’ Park.
Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes are just two players who are Brazilian internationals but also operating at the heart of the Magpies squad – something which was once an unthinkable sentence.
However, one other player could be set for a spell in the national team in the months ahead, especially if he keeps up his tremendous form in the Premier League.
Why Barnes could start at the World Cup
Over the last couple of weeks, winger Harvey Barnes has hit a tremendous run of form that has seen him nail down the left-wing role in Newcastle’s starting eleven.
The 27-year-old has started seven matches in the Premier League this campaign, already netting on three occasions, with his showing against Manchester City his best to date.
He scored a double against Pep Guardiola’s men at St James’ Park at the end of last month, subsequently securing a vital win for the Magpies on Tyneside.
Barnes has also thrived on the European stage, as seen by his tally of four Champions League goals in just five appearances – with two of which coming in just 27 minutes against Benfica.
As a result, rumours have been circulating over a potential call-up to the Scotland national team, with the winger potentially able to represent the nation through his grandparents.
He could feature at the World Cup in 2026, but he may even do so for England, with Barnes currently keeping international star Anthony Gordon out of the Magpies’ starting eleven at present.
It will certainly be a key few months for the winger, but it’s an exciting one for sure, which could see him reap the rewards of his recent success for Howe’s men.
The Newcastle star who has to start at the World Cup
As previously mentioned, the current Newcastle squad is littered with international stars, many of whom have taken their careers to the next level since their moves to the North East.
Dan Burn arrived in a fairytale return to St James’ after growing up in the area as a boy, but his move to the Magpies from Brighton in 2022 has seen the 33-year-old reach unimaginable heights.
The centre-back has been a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s England international setup, as seen by his tally of five appearances to date – with his debut coming back in March of this year.
It remains to be seen if he will have done enough to go to the World Cup in around six months’ time, but the defender has certainly done his chances no harm in recent times.
There is also a huge argument that Lewis Hall should be England’s starting left-back in the USA next summer and rightfully so given his recent form in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old has struggled with injuries at times in 2025/26, but it’s not stopped him from starring when handed the chance to start within Howe’s first-team squad.
The £28m man been selected to play in seven league games to date, with Hall making his comeback from an injury layoff during the Champions League victory over Athletic Bilbao back in November.
Hall has since started all four league games for the Magpies and has subsequently produced some incredible numbers, which could solve England’s long-standing left-back issue.
The £45k-per-week full-back, who’s been dubbed an “absolute baller” by scout Antonio Mango, has completed 2.1 dribbles per 90 whilst achieving a success rate of 69% to date – showcasing the incredible ability he possesses in possession.
He’s also completed 85% of his passes to date, even registering his first assist of the season against Everton, which magnifies his ability to cause chaos to the opposition.
Games played
7
Assists
1
Pass accuracy
85%
Successful dribbles
2.1
Dribble success
69%
Tackles made
3.4
Duels won
7.8
Recoveries made
4.7
However, without the ball, Hall has been just as impressive, as seen by his tally of 3.4 tackles made and 7.8 duels won per 90 – subsequently offering a huge threat at both ends of the pitch.
Such a skillset would be perfect for Tuchel’s current squad, with the youngster needing to continue on the same trajectory over the next few months if he is to go to the World Cup.
If he manages to continue his recent success, there’s no reason why Hall and Barnes could be starting alongside one another down the left-flank for their country, with the younger man already regarded as “one of the best” in the Premier League in his position.
There is certainly a long way to go until the tournament commences, but the duo’s recent success at St James’ could certainly hand the German a huge decision to make.
Eddie Howe has already found a bigger talent than Anderson at Newcastle
Howe’s Newcastle side are showing green shoots after a difficult start to the season.
Time was when a trip to Anfield was like stepping into your own personal horror movie. Liverpool have spent much time planting the seeds of fear on their home turf, and Jurgen Klopp made that garden grow.
Then Arne Slot put on the gloves and helped Liverpool evolve into an even smoother and more stylish outfit than when Klopp departed, taking the Reds through the campaign and out the other end with a Premier League title in tow.
But that’s no longer the case. This season, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven have all beaten Liverpool on Merseyside. This sanctum of stability has been reduced to just another ground, and Slot has to fix that quickly if he is to continue his project over the coming years.
Liverpool might have avoided defeat at home to Sunderland on Wednesday evening, but the point gained merely papers over the glaring problems that have left many fans shaking their heads at the false dawn at West Ham United last weekend.
It was a performance which left plenty to be desired.
How Liverpool performed vs Sunderland
After the draw, Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris spoke of his surprise that his side were afforded so much time and space to play through Liverpool and carve out opportunities in the danger area.
There lies the crux of Liverpool’s problems. They are too weak and brittle, not just suffering from a soft underbelly but a doughy outer shell too.
Alexander Isak toiled in the final third, a few wayward strikes illustrating the record signing’s lack of sharpness. However, it is inconceivable that FSG should have spent around £200m on the Swede and Hugo Ekitike only for Slot to implement a system that cuts off pathways to the central strikers.
Some will take encouragement from the home side’s gear-raising final flurry, seeking out a winner after the fleet feet of Florian Wirtz led to a Nordi Mukiele own goal to restore parity.
But Liverpool are not just shorn of confidence but tactical fluency too. Slot’s strategising across the 2024/25 campaign earned him a reputation for being a “genius” and a “football scientist”, as remarked by Dutch legend Marco van Basten.
Gone is that air about the former Feyenoord boss. Against the Black Cats, Liverpool secured a hard-earned point to narrow the gap on Chelsea after their defeat at Leeds United. Elland Road is where Liverpool head next.
But imbalances and erraticness have become indivisible for the champions this season, whose title defence is in tatters and whose players have fallen by the wayside.
Ibrahima Konate was culpable of some shaky moments, as has so often been the case this term, but there was another Redman who struggled against Sunderland, leading observers to suggest he has morphed into that late version of Fabinho.
Liverpool star looks "like Fabinho in his final season"
Alexis Mac Allister has been abject this season, so far removed from the “superstar” of a midfielder, as said by pundit Joe Cole, who influenced Klopp and then Slot’s trophy-winning campaigns of recent years at Liverpool.
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates winning the Premier League with Liverpool
Having spoken about this testing start to the season earlier this week, Mac Allister suggested that he is now back to full fitness after missing out on pre-season and suffering early injury issues. But this was a performance that left much to be desired, underlining the drop-off that is suggestive of a player whose athleticism has gone walkabouts.
Against Sunderland, the 26-year-old failed to impress. Again. He was so slow and stodgy on the ball, and while he won both of his tackles and three of five contested ground duels, as per Sofascore, no chances were created by a player who need to do more and remind the Premier League of his all-encompassing skillset.
Goals
0.17
0.00
Assists
0.17
0.20
Touches
64.41
64.04
Pass completion (%)
83.5
85.4
Shot-creating actions
4.16
2.73
Progressive passes
6.13
4.34
Progressive carries
1.25
1.72
Successful take-ons
0.55
0.40
Recoveries
5.13
4.14
Tackles won
2.01
0.61
Interceptions
0.76
0.61
Aerials won
0.66
0.51
After the draw, one content creator even said Mac Allister “looks like Fabinho in his final season”, having “physically fallen off a cliff”.
Fabinho was a stalwart for the club over an illustrious period of Klopp-led success, but he did indeed succumb to a loss of aggression and physicality at the end, at the epicentre of Liverpool’s abject 2022/23 campaign.
This feels similar. The only difference is that Mac Allister is supposed to be stepping into the prime of his career, and is instead languishing so far below expectations it beggars belief.
Can Slot spark a turnaround? Should the Dutchman do so, it feels like Mac Allister will be needed in fine and sustainable fettle, and that has been anything but the case over the past several months.
Mac Allister has been terrible, but his struggles are symptomatic of the wider tactical and mental plague that has spread across Slot’s system this season.
It’s not good enough. It needs to change. Mac Allister is 26, but already he is starting to look like the leggy version of Fabinho, who was sold to Saudi Arabia has Klopp began a midfield rebuild that started with Mac Allister’s signature.
FSG could see £75m bid accepted to sign Liverpool their best LW since Mane
Liverpool are in the market for a left-sided winger this winter.
Leeds United have been in excellent form over the last few weeks. The Whites suffered a last-minute defeat against Manchester City, before beating Chelsea 3-1 and then drawing with Liverpool 3-3 in consecutive games at Elland Road.
The number of goals scored across those three games is a real positive. They scored twice in East Manchester and bagged another six combined in the games at Elland Road.
That takes the West Yorkshire outfit up to 19 goals for the season, better than six sides in the Premier League.
There has been a real upturn in form for two of their strikers, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.
How Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha have turned it around
Leeds were savvy in the summer when it came to their business. Their two new number nines were a prime example of that, both of whom came on a free transfer.
Calvert-Lewin joined upon the expiry of his Everton contract, and Nmecha his Wolfsburg contract.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
26-year-old Nmecha has begun the season strongly. He already has four goals in 14 games for the Whites, including a goal against City.
He went on a run of three goals in as many games during November.
As for Calvert-Lewin, it was a slow start to life at Elland Road for the Sheffield-born attacker, but his form has really picked up of late.
He also has four goals in 13 appearances this term, bagging in each of the games against their last three opponents.
Someone who has been full of praise for the striker is his ex-teammate at Everton, Conor Coady. The defender described him as an “outstanding footballer” and said playing in a front two is beneficial for him.
However, this upturn in form in front of goal isn’t great news for all Leeds players, with someone on the periphery now seemingly set to struggle even more for a spot in the side.
Leeds' "best finisher" is now out of favour
It has certainly not been an easy campaign for a few of Leeds’ promotion heroes. Daniel Farke has not been able to find a regular place in the side for Ao Tanaka or Daniel James, who have become squad players.
However, it has perhaps hit Joel Piroe the most out of any Leeds star.
Last season, the former Swansea City striker was pivotal as Farke’s side got promoted at the second time of asking. Piroe bagged 19 times and assisted seven in 46 appearances.
His form last term in the Championship was summed up by some impressive underlying stats.
For example, the Dutchman averaged 0.8 goals and assists and created 1.1 chances per 90 minutes.
Goals and assists
0.8
26
Key passes
1.1
39
Dribbles completed
0.4
14
Aerial duels won
0.9
31
Expected goal involvements
0.59xGI
20.44xGI
He had some huge moments in the Whites’ title-winning season, too.
Perhaps the standout was when he bagged four goals inside the first half against Stoke City in the third-to-last game of the season, helping them to a 6-0 thrashing.
Things have not been so straightforward for the former PSV Eindhoven attacker. Piroe has only played eight times in the Premier League, racking up just 197 minutes in that time.
That is a surprise given his form last term, but even more so when you factor in Farke calling him “the best finisher” he’s ever coached.
Yet, it seems like time could be up for the 26-year-old in a Leeds shirt. The fact that he has played so little this term, combined with how well both Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha are playing, does not bode well for his future.
Leeds paid Swansea a reported £16m, including add-ons for the striker, back in 2023. He has certainly justified that price tag with his performances in the second tier, but the fact that there has been no opportunity for him this season is worrying.
It certainly seems as though the man who helped steer Leeds back to the Premier League might not have a future at Elland Road much longer.
Best signing since Raphinha: "Underrated" Leeds star must start every game
Daniel Farke must now start this Leeds United star for every game, who could be considered their best signing since Raphinha.
After an incredible few months, Arsenal suffered their first defeat since August 31st at the hands of Aston Villa on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side went behind in the first half, and while they did pull one back in the second, they were the victims of a 95th-minute Emiliano Buendía winner.
It wasn’t a terrible performance from the Gunners, but it was also some way off their best, and one of the players who has received plenty of criticism from the fans has been Martin Odegaard.
The captain was certainly not to blame for the result, but he did look a little off the pace at times, and after his underwhelming season last year, he is under the microscope more than most.
While his place in the team is safe for now, there are three players who could replace him in the coming years, and none of them is Eberechi Eze.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
3 Ethan Nwaneri
Starting with the player who is perhaps the closest to eventually challenging Odegaard for a place in the starting lineup: Ethan Nwaneri.
The Hale End star is already a regular in the match-day squads, and while there has been some concern from fans over his lack of game time this season, it’s important to remember he is still just 18 years old.
Moreover, due to injuries, he ended up playing a far more significant role in the team last season than anyone would have predicted, and to say he impressed would be an understatement.
Nwaneri in 24/25
Appearances
37
Minutes
1378′
Goals
9
Assists
2
Goal Involvements per Match
0.29
Minutes per Goal Involvement
125.27′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, the “phenomenal” prospect, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, scored nine goals and provided two assists in 37 appearances, totalling 1378 minutes.
That works out to a goal involvement every 3.36 games, or more crucially, one every 125.27 minutes, which helps to justify Joe Cole’s claim that “he’s the most exciting footballer in England and maybe Europe.”
Now, a lot of his game time did come out wide, in place of Bukayo Saka, but the Enfield-born gem is first and foremost an attacking midfielder, as it’s where he spent most of his time in the academy and where his combination of shooting, passing and dribbling abilities are best placed.
There is little chance of Nwaneri replacing the Norwegian this season, but in a couple of years, if he fulfils his potential, there could be a real battle for that ten position.
2 Max Dowman
After Nwaneri, the Arsenal gem who feels like they could seriously rival Odegaard in a few years, is, of course, Max Dowman.
The 15-year-old might just be the most talked-about prospect in the country this season, and based on his form in the academy and for the senior side, it’s not hard to see why.
For example, when it comes to the former, the Chelmsford-born phenom has racked up a comical tally of six goals and one assist in just four appearances across the U19S and U21S.
Then, when it comes to the first team, he has already, in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson, started “humiliating Premier League players.”
For example, he ran rings around Leeds United on his league debut, then became the youngest player in the club’s history to start a game in the Gunners’ League Cup clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Finally, if all that wasn’t enough for someone who hasn’t even finished his GCSEs yet, he also became the youngest player in Champions League history when he came off the bench against Slavia Prague.
Now, like with Nwaneri, Dowman is not going to be a serious rival for Odegaard this season, but at the rate he is progressing, that time could come far sooner than most are expecting.
1 Holger Quintero
Last but by no means least, the final Arsenal player who could one day be the star to displace the captain from the team is Holger Quintero.
Now, just a week or so ago, most fans would have absolutely no idea who the 16-year-old was, but now, after the Gunners signed him and his twin brother Edwin Quintero, he has become one of the most exciting youngsters on the club’s books, and for good reason.
According to Mattinson, the Ecuadorian wonderkid is a “skilful attacking midfielder with 1v1 prowess to take on players”, which sounds quite a bit like Dowman, which can’t be a bad thing.
He appears to be more than just another promising youngster, though, as respected talent scout Jacek Kulig has stuck his neck out, labelling him “one of the most exciting U17s in South America.”
He is also someone who could potentially play the probing through balls that Odegaard has started to bring into his game, with Mattinson claiming he has an “excellent weight of pass” and is a “decisive creator with a killer final ball.”
However, due to rules around foreign-born youngsters, the midfielder won’t be able to join up with his new teammates until January 2027, so he is probably the last in line to compete with Odegaard.
Ultimately, the captain’s place in the team is currently safe, as it should be, but with three of the most exciting players in the game coming up behind him, Odegaard might have to step up his game over the next few years.
Arsenal hold initial talks to sign £88m Odegaard upgrade who's "Mbappe-like"
The incredible international game-changer would be unreal for Arsenal, but could spell trouble for Martin Odegaard.
أصدرت رابطة الأندية المصرية المحترفة، عقوبات مباراة بتروجيت وبيراميدز إف سي المؤجلة من الجولة العاشرة للمرحلة الأولى، وذلك طبقًا للائحة مسابقة الدوري الممتاز ولائحة المخالفات والعقوبات ونظام ضبط الجودة لموسم 2025-2026.
وكان فريق بيراميدز قد تعادل إيجابيًا بهدفين لكل فريق، في المباراة التي جمعت بين الفريقين ضمن مؤجلات الجولة العاشرة من مسابقة الدوري الممتاز.
وشهدت العقوبات التي أصدرتها رابطة الأندية المحترفة، إيقاف كرونسلاف يورتيشتش مدرب بيراميدز بالإضافة إلى تغريمه ماديًا. عقوبات مباراة بيراميدز وبتروجيت في الدوري
وجاءت العقوبات على النحو التالي:
إيقاف كرونوسلاف يورتيتش، المدير الفني لفريق بيراميدز، مباراة واحدة، وتوقيع غرامة مالية عليه قيمتها 5000 جنيه؛ وذلك بسبب حصوله على الإنذار الثالث.
إيقاف أمادو باه، لاعب فريق بتروجيت، مباراة واحدة، وتوقيع غرامة مالية عليه قيمتها 5000 جنيه؛ وذلك بسبب حصوله على الإنذار الثالث.
إيقاف أحمد سامي، لاعب فريق بيراميدز، مباراة واحدة، وتوقيع غرامة مالية عليه قيمتها 5000 جنيه؛ وذلك بسبب حصوله على الإنذار الثالث.
مع تطبيق المادة 54 من لائحة مسابقة دوري nile لموسم 2025-2026، الخاصة بحالات الإنذارات على الأجهزة الفنية والإدارية والطبية واللاعبين.