Category Uncategorized

Originally a white-ball series for both formats, the boards agreed to make it an all-T20I series with a T20 World Cup early next year

Danyal Rasool30-Apr-2025

Pakistan lost their last white-ball series in NZ by margins of 4-1 in T20Is and 3-0 in ODIs•Getty Images

Faisalabad will host international cricket for the first time in 17 years when Bangladesh visit Pakistan for five T20Is in May. A total of 24 Tests and 16 ODIs have been played at the Iqbal Stadium, but this will be the first time it will host T20I cricket when the first two T20Is of the series are played there on May 25 and 27.The remaining three games will take place at the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium; it will mark the first time Pakistan’s national side will play international cricket here since the redevelopment. All five matches, which take place at the height of the dry summer season, will start at 8pm, when temperatures are relatively more moderate.Related

BCB in 'active discussions' with PCB over upcoming Pakistan tour

Litton Das named Bangladesh T20I captain; Mahedi Hasan to be his deputy

The addition of Faisalabad to Pakistan’s international venue list makes it the fifth city in Pakistan to host international cricket since it resumed following a near-decade long hiatus after the terror attacks against the Sri Lankan national side in 2009. It supplements Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi and Multan: the four cities where international matches have taken place in during this time.Bangladesh’s visit to Pakistan was initially pencilled in as a joint T20I and ODI series, with three games in each format. However, the boards agreed to replace the ODIs with two additional T20Is as preparation for the T20 World Cup in February-March 2026, scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka.Bangladesh are due to arrive in Pakistan on 21 May, with the final T20I on 3 June. A return series in Bangladesh is scheduled for July, with the sides expected to contest four T20Is, though the official schedule of that series is yet to be confirmed.The series begins a week after the end of the Pakistan Super League on 18 May, extending a home season for Pakistan that has been almost non-stop since England’s visit for a three-Test series in October. Bangladesh, meanwhile, are currently contesting a two-Test series against Zimbabwe at home.

GOAL US writers debate if Dembele deserved the Ballon d'Or and who could be the first American to win the award

So, the Ballon d'Or is sorted. Ousmane Dembele is the winner. The stats make for good reading: 53 games, 53 goal contributions. He won Ligue 1 and the Champions League. PSG made it to the Club World Cup final – and probably should have won the thing. His victory has drummed up a little controversy, though. 

There are some, in some corners of the internet, who believe that 18-year-old Lamine Yamal should have claimed it. Those of a Premier League persuasion have vouched for Mo Salah. And more broadly, there's a changing attitude. The Ballon d'Or, once a constant back-and-forth barometer to judge the relative greatness between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, used to be the pinnacle of soccer debate. 

Now, it's lost a little shine. Each year it provided some extra ammo for the truthers. These days, the Ballon d'Or is basically a yearly MVP. Still, it means , and in a soccer landscape starved of individual awards, the Ballon d'Or stands out.

GOAL US writers debate who should have won the award and if an American can ever claim it in the latest edition of… The Rondo. 

• Was Dembele a deserving winner?

  Tom Hindle: No. It really should have been Mo Salah. How do you break the Premier League single season goal contribution record, carry your team to a title, and not get the full acknowledgement for it? A lack of Champions League success certainly hurt him, but it was otherwise a season for the books. The reality for Dembele is that Ligue 1 is far too easy. 

  Alex Labidou: Yes. He helped PSG finally win the Champions League, along with their usual dose of Ligue 1 and French Cup success. Ballon d’Or winners usually see their cases boosted by success in a major tournament, and Dembele is no different. Also, it isn’t said enough, but the Frenchman helped Luis Enrique implement a newer style of football, in which PSG combined elements from his success at Barcelona, while also instituting a hard-pressing style typically seen by German sides.

  Ryan Tolmich: It's not a layup, but it was probably the right call. Dembele was one of the few candidates who had the right mix of everything required for the award. While it could have gone to one of those other candidates, that Champions League trophy clearly took him over the top. That made Demebele both a deserved winner and a feel-good underdog story, which is something that this award has had little of once the Messi-Ronaldo dominance ended in recent years.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Who should feel most aggrieved by the results?

  TH: Salah, but the absence of Virgil Van Dijk from the top 10 is also baffling. 

  AL: For the first time in years, it seems as if all of the categories and their winners were correct. If one had to nitpick, it would be Viktor Gyokeres winning the Gerard Muller award over someone such as Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe. Yes, Gyokeres had more goals overall, but the Portuguese league – where he did the majority of his scoring – isn’t as challenging as the Premier League and La Liga. The European Golden Boot, for example, takes league coefficients into consideration. But overall, these awards were spot on.

  RT: Salah made as a good a case as anyone this year. In terms of individual achievement, few can go toe-to-toe with the Egyptian, who, at times, singlehandedly carried Liverpool's title charge. That's not to discount guys such as Dembele or Raphinha, another legitimate candidate, but Salah could have been rewarded for his heroics at Anfield.

• getty
  

  Way-too-early prediction for next year?

  TH: Yamal is perhaps the obvious shout here, but he may yet struggle with inconsistency – remember, he's 18. So, a word for Kylian Mbappe, who has been excellent thus far. Voters also tend to be skewed by the World Cup, and if France go far, then it might be his to lose. 

  AL: Yamal came so close to winning it this year that he almost seems destined to lift the Ballon d’Or next year. All he needs is a club trophy and a good showing at next year’s World Cup.

  RT: With this award being so tournament-dependent, it'll likely be someone who shines in both the Champions League and the World Cup, with the latter taking precedent if no one checks both boxes. Who can do both? Yamal with Spain and Barcelona, Mbappe with France and Real Madrid, Harry Kane with Bayern Munich and England or Raphinha with Brazil and Barcelona, to name a few. Given his continued growth, we'll lean Yamal, crazily enough – although the teenager will really need to show out in that tournament setting to get the nod.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images
  

  Does the Ballon d'Or still matter?

  TH: These days? There's zero value. It's a bit of a popularity contest that doesn't really tell us much about the relative quality of footballers. Vitinha in third? Pedri outside the top 10? Victor Gyokeres 14th? Vinicius Jr, despite having a remarkably poor season, gets a nomination? Silly. 

  AL: It matters, as it’s a reward for a season’s effort. Yes, they don't always get the winner right – remember Robert Lewandowski’s infamous snub a few years ago, sigh. And it would be great if the award came after the European club season, for example, as opposed to the weird split between seasons and international play. But overall, it's still something fans and observers appreciate and respect.

  RT: Minimally? It's a decent way to remember years and eras, but it doesn't always capture the entire picture. Is it an award recognizing the best player of that season or the best player in the world? Even the voters themselves have often flip-flopped between the two, which are drastically different. Because of that, it's hard to quantify, even if it does, at the very least, recognize a great player just about every time.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em entrevista ao portal ‘Globo Esporte’, o meia-atacante Lucas Moura fez um belo de um afago nos corações do torcedor do São Paulo e disse que, nesta saída do Tottenham, da Inglaterra, estaria disposto a ouvir uma proposta do Tricolor. Durante o sorteio das quartas de final da Copa do Brasil, na sede da CBF, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ), o diretor de futebol são-paulino Carlos Belmonte comentou sobre a possibilidade de uma das maiores crias de Cotia retornar ao Morumbi. Confira:

Virgil van Dijk will undoubtedly go down as one of the best signings in Liverpool history, that’s despite costing a small fortune after joining the club back in January 2018.

The Dutchman cost a staggering £75m from Southampton, a fee that broke the record for the biggest fee paid for a defender, but to this day it appears to be a bargain.

Despite suffering an ACL injury a few years back, he’s managed to rack up 319 appearances for the Reds, winning six major honours during his seven-year spell at Anfield.

He played a key role in the Premier League triumph under Arne Slot last season, hoping to replicate such a success in 2025/26 after signing a new contract over the last few months.

However, if he and his compatriot are to once again finish at the top of the table once more, added additions may be needed, that’s despite already spending nearly £300m already this window.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new additions this summer

After being told he’s free to leave Real Madrid this summer, Brazilian winger Rodrygo has been a player who has emerged on Liverpool’s shortlist over recent weeks.

The 24-year-old could cost a pretty penny this window, with the Spanish giants demanding over £80m to offload the star who scored 14 times in all competitions last season.

However, in an attempt to further bolster their front line, Slot may look past a deal for Rodrygo, subsequently prioritising a move for Alexander Isak, according to The Standard.

They claim that, despite rumours of leaving talks for the Newcastle United striker, the hierarchy are preparing a second bid to try and land the Swedish international this summer.

It also states that the player himself still wants a move to Merseyside in the near future, but a deal would see the club break the English record once again, with a £150m price tag currently mooted.

Why Liverpool’s latest target would be a repeat of Van Dijk

As previously mentioned, Van Dijk has been one of the leading talents in England’s top-flight, showcasing the excellent work conducted by the hierarchy in recent times.

Eyes were certainly raised given the mammoth fee forked out for his signature, but he’s only been dribbled past 47 times in his seven years at Merseyside – a truly staggering number given his longevity in the side.

Last season alone, the 34-year-old won 72% of the aerial battles he entered, scoring three goals, all with his head, highlighting the dominance he possesses at both ends of the pitch.

Such a deal will go down as one of the most effective in the Reds’ history, having the opportunity to land a deal as big as the Dutchman’s in the coming weeks.

Isak could follow Van Dijk in costing the club a record fee from another Premier League side, but like the Dutchman, any deal would hand the side the needed improvement to reach the next level.

When delving into his stats from the most recent campaign, the 25-year-old managed to register 23 league goals last season, with Reds forward Mohamed Salah the only player to notch a higher tally.

The Swede, who’s been labelled “world-class” by Statman Dave, also achieved a tally of 1.5 shots on target per 90, ranking him within the top 10% of all players in the division, showcasing the threat he poses in attacking areas.

Games played

34

Goals & assists

29

Pass accuracy

78%

Shots on target per 90

1.5

Chances created

1.4

Dribbles completed

1.4

Touches in opposition box

6.9

Aerials won

1.8

He also completed 78% of the passes he attempted, whilst creating 1.4 chances for his teammates, having the all-round ability to link up with the players around him – subsequently making him a greater threat to the opposition.

Whilst Salah posted a mammoth tally of goals last season, the Egyptian will need support in the final third to help the Reds retain their crown within the 2025/26 campaign.

Isak would offer just that, potentially being worth every penny, especially if he can replicate the success he’s enjoyed at St James’ Park, which has seen him net 54 goals in 86 top-flight outings.

Splashing huge cash on other players in England’s top-flight isn’t alien to Liverpool, with Isak having the chance to be the next star in that trend, arguably being a great deal if he can replicate Van Dijk’s success at the club.

Van Dijk's new Matip: Liverpool scouting "one of the most exciting” CBs

Liverpool still need to sign a centre-back this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 2, 2025

It’s all going on at Liverpool.

Though the Anfield side’s faithful all wait for the outcome of the Alexander Isak saga with bated breath, FSG are well aware that a new centre-back needs to be signed before the closure of the transfer window.

Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen was pursued in May, but the Spanish prodigy signed for Real Madrid in a £50m package. Nonetheless, an alternative is still needed, not least because Liverpool sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for as much as £35m last month.

Liverpool lining up new centre-back

Marc Guehi is Liverpool’s first-choice option to bolster Arne Slot’s backline, and the Crystal Palace star wants the Reds too.

However, Newcastle United are also interested, and Liverpool aren’t willing to meet the Eagles’ £50m demands with just one year left on the player’s deal.

According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have entered the race for Stade Rennais centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, who is also attracting interest from Arsenal and Newcastle United.

Jacquet, 20, has only just emerged onto the senior stage but has already established himself as one of French football’s most exciting talents.

Rennes know this, however, and rejected Arsenal’s approach. Thus, sporting director Richard Hughes has his work cut out if he’s to engineer a deal and complete Slot’s backline ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Why Liverpool want Jeremy Jacquet

Liverpool must sign a central defender this month. While there is tentative optimism among Liverpool circles that Slot will watch Ibrahima Konate pen a new deal at Anfield, Joe Gomez’s recent Achilles injury and, indeed, Quansah’s departure both suggest that more depth is paramount.

Virgil van Dijk and Konate will continue their peerless partnership protecting the sticks, but Jacquet would add the extra depth needed to compete across multiple fronts, with a fast-rising skill set that may yet reach elite status.

Described by analyst Ben Mattinson as a “Rolls-Royce” of a defender with the potential to become one of the centre-backs in the world, and with that in mind, Jacquet might even prove to be Liverpool’s own version of Huijsen.

Matches (starts)

32 (26)

11 (11)

Goals

3

0

Assists

2

1

Touches*

63.9

59.6

Pass completion

84%

85%

Key passes*

0.5

0.4

Dribbles*

0.1

0.5

Ball recoveries*

3.3

3.7

Tackles + interceptions*

2.7

4.9

Clearances*

6.1

3.9

Duels (won)*

3.6 (56%)

5.1 (61%)

Despite having only played 12 times for Rennes after leaving Clermont Foot in the second tier of French football, Jacquet’s expansive qualities align with Huijsen’s, blending a burgeoning passing game with a steely defensive side, strong in the duel and proactive in the tackle.

Jacquet’s aggressive and technically astute playing style has even seen him draw comparisons to Arsenal’s William Saliba, so it’s no surprise the Gunners want to get a deal done. However, this also confirms that Liverpool must ensure they win the race.

If that wasn’t enough, Arsenal also had a vested interest in Huijsen before Los Blancos stole ahead and completed a stunning deal.

Only, this time, Liverpool could win the race if they push ahead now.

Imagine him & Ngumoha: Liverpool enter race for "outrageous" £56m striker

Liverpool are hoping to sign a new centre-forward in the transfer market this month.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 5, 2025

After reaching an agreement to sign Anthony Elanga, Newcastle United could reportedly turn their focus towards signing another Premier League star following internal talks.

Newcastle set to sign Anthony Elanga

It’s been a frustrating few weeks for Newcastle, who watched on as their targets headed elsewhere. But that frustration is finally over thanks to Elanga. The Nottingham Forest star is reportedly set to join the Magpies after an agreement was reached with the Trick Trees over a deal worth as much as £55m this summer.

Even after Callum Wilson’s decision to leave the club this summer, Newcastle’s frontline will be in better shape than ever once Elanga is up and running under Eddie Howe.

With the Swede, the Magpies will have Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Alexander Isak, William Osula and Elanga all at their disposal – forming one of the most dangerous attacks in the Premier League.

Isak

2,756

23

6

Barnes

1,755

9

4

Gordon

2,434

6

5

Elanga

2,501

6

11

Osula

134

1

0

Having scored 45 goals between them last season, Newcastle’s new-look attack will be hoping to improve on those numbers when working together at St James’ Park in the coming campaign.

Meanwhile, away from the pitch, PIF and Newcastle still have unfinished business in the transfer window. Names such as Giorgio Scalvini have threatened to steal the headlines as of late and the Magpies could yet land an impressive defensive reinforcement.

He's more important than Elanga: Newcastle now working to sign £60m PL star

With Anthony Elanga set to join Newcastle for £55m, the Magpies are now chasing an “exceptional” PL star worth £60m, who is a long-term target.

Jul 8, 2025

What’s more, another Premier League star has reportedly entered their radar in another move to improve what is already a stacked frontline.

Newcastle hold internal talks about signing £50m Wissa

According to The Daily Mail, a new name has entered the frame for the Magpies. Newcastle and PIF have held internal discussions about signing Yoane Wissa this summer.

With Brentford teammate Bryan Mbeumo reportedly heading towards Manchester United rather than Newcastle, the Magpies have reportedly spoken about signing his striker partner instead.

Like Mbeumo, however, Wissa won’t come cheap this summer. According to reports, any club who want to sign the talented striker will have to pay as much as £50m to secure his signature. After already splashing out to sign Elanga this summer, there will be question marks over Newcastle’s ability to match that price within PSR rules.

If PSR proves to be no problem, though, then those at St James’ Park should jump at the chance to sign Wissa before the end of August. If Elanga’s season looked impressive, then Wissa’s should be seen as an entirely different level.

The forward scored 19 Premier League goals – just four fewer than Isak – and was described as “fantastic” by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank last time out.

For £50m, Newcastle could round off their attack in statement-making fashion and put any of their early summer misery behind them once and for all.

عقد إنزو ماريسكا مدرب تشيلسي، مؤتمراً صحفياً للحديث عن استعدادات فريقه لمواجهة برينتفورد مساء الغد في الجولة الرابعة من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وحول موقف كول بالمر من لقاء الغد قال ماريسكا في تصريحات نقلتها “فوتبول لندن” البريطانية: “لقد شارك بالمر في جلسة التدريبات أمس لأول مرة وليس الحصة التدريبية بالكامل، لدينا حصة تدريبية بعد ظهر اليوم وسنحاول التأكد أنه بخير وإلا سيغيب غداً”.

وأضاف عن بالمر: “إنه يتعافى من إصابة والأمر لا يتعلق بإدارته بل بالتعافي من الإصابة، عندما يكون متاحاً علينا وقتها إدارته نظراً لكثرة المباريات”.

وحول مدة غياب ليام ديلاب عن تشيلسي بعد إصابته قبل التوقف الدولي: “سيغيب ما يتراوح من 10 لـ12 أسبوعاً”.

وفيما يتعلق بلعب ريس جيمس مع منتخب إنجلترا، واصل: “عندما ينضم أي لاعب لمنتخب بلاده يكون جاهزاً للعب الدقائق التي يراها المدرب مناسبة، الأمر ليس بيدي، عندما يكون ريس هنا، نحاول إدارته بأفضل ما نستطيع، يظهر ريس جيمس جاهزيته للعب مباراتين أو ثلاثة أسبوعياً”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. من أجل جوتا.. أمنية غير متوقعة من جون تيري تصدم جماهير تشيلسي

وقال قال ماريسكا: استدعاء كولويل لقائمة دوري أبطال أوروبا يعتمد على مستوى مشاركتنا في دوري الأبطال، إصابة كولويل في الرباط الصليبي الأمامي لذا لن يغيب شهر أو اثنين بل ستة أو سبعة أو ثمانية أشهر، بالتأكيد سيعود لكن هذا ليس مصدر قلق لنا”.

وحول رحيل نيكولاس جاكسون: “الأمر سهل للغاية كونه لاعباً في بايرن ميونخ، أرسلت له رسالة وتمنيت له كل التوفيق، كان يقدم أداء جيد خلال وجوده هنا لذا أتمنى له كل التوفيق”.

وتابع :”أليخاندرو جارناتشو يعمل بشكل جيد، بالتأكيد عليه أن يبذل جهداً لأنه وصل إلى هنا وهو غير لائق تماماً، عليه أن يبذل جهداً، إنه يعمل بشكل جيد وسنرى، نأمل أن نتمكن من منحه دقائق لعب”.

كما أضاف :”لقاء برينتفورد صعب كما العادة، كان الأمر كذلك في المباراتين العام الماضي، الدوري الإنجليزي الأفضل في العالم لأنه صعب ضد أي نادي ونتوقع ذلك غداً”.

وفيما يتعلق ببداية الموسم، قال: “ربما فيما يتعلق باللاعبين، هناك جوانب دائماً يمكننا تحسينها، تحسين اللاعبين غالباً ما يحسن الفريق، نبدأ بإضافة مزيد من الحلول للفريق من حيث البنية والديناميكية، أعتقد أنه لا يزال بإمكاننا إضافة حلول”.

وعن تطور مستوى كوكوريلا قال: “الأمر يتعلق دائماً باللاعبين، مثلما قلنا مع كوكو وإنزو وليفي وآخرين، وضع اللاعبين كان مختلفاً عما هم عليه اليوم، هما يريدون التطور والتعلم، نوفر لهم الأدوات اللازمة لكنهم يتطورون”.

وحول إنزو فرنانديز قال ماريسكا: “عندما تصل من بلد آخر، عليك التكيف وإنزو لاعب جيد واجه صعوبة في بداية الموسم الماضي بشأن ما كنا نطلبه منه لكنه أفضل بكثير عندما أدرك ذلك، إنزو لاعب وسط هجومي وآمل أن يستمر على ذلك”.

وبشأن تقييمه لسوق الانتقالات، تابع ماريسكا: “لدينا تشكيل جيد، قلت إنني معجب بذلك قبل عام في مؤتمر صحفي،منذ ذلك الوقت حاولنا إجراء بعض التغييرات لكن بشكل عام التشكيل جيد جداً”.

وحول خيار اللاعب رقم 9 في تشيلسي أتم ماريسكا: “اللاعب الوحيد هو جويو ويمكن لجواو بيدرو اللعب في هذا المركز، ويمكننا التفكير في تيريك كرقم 9 بعد استهدامه ضد فولهام”.

ورداً على توجيه الاتحاد الإنجليزي 74 تهمة لتشيلسي بسبب انتهاكات مزعومة للوائح الخاصة بالوسطاء: “أعلم من النادي أنهم راضون،ليس لدي فكرة، أريد التركيز على الملعب وهذا أمر أستطيع التحكم فيه واللاعبين غير قلقين من ذلك”.

وختم عن التوقيع مع الأرجنتيني بونانوتي: “هو لاعب جيد، كان يلعب في ليستر سيتي وتواصلت معه هناك ويمكنه مساعدتنا، لدينا العديد من المسابقات والمباريات لذا سيحصل على دقائق لعب”.

West Ham United are reportedly leading the race to sign a “phenomenon” for Graham Potter in a £25m transfer, according to one journalist.

West Ham transfer rumours after big 2024/25 spending spree

It is fair to say that the Hammers didn’t live up to expectations in the 2024/25 Premier League season, finishing 14th with 43 points from 38 games.

That came after a big spending spree in the summer under the guidance of ex-technical director Tim Steiden and former boss Julen Lopetegui. They also brought in Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton in the January transfer window after parting ways with Lopetegui and bringing in Potter.

Max Kilman

Wolves

€47.5m

Crysencio Summerville

Leeds United

€29.3m

Niclas Fullkrug

Borussia Dortmund

€27m

Luis Guilherme

Palmeiras

€23m

Mohamadou Kante

Paris FC

Undisclosed

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Man Utd

€18m

Wes Foderingham

Sheffield United

Free transfer

Guido Rodriguez

Real Betis

Free transfer

Jean-Clair Todibo

Nice

Loan transfer

Carlos Soler

PSG

Loan transfer

Evan Ferguson

Brighton

Loan transfer

This summer, the Irons may have to look at sales alongside signings, with teenage striker Daniel Cummings already agreeing to join the club from Celtic on July 1.

Mohammed Kudus is the West Ham star who is being linked with a move away from the London Stadium, being offered to Chelsea, according to Sky Sports.

In discussions between the Hammers and their London rivals, West Ham asked about the availability of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, a player Potter knows well from his time at Brighton.

West Ham now racing to sign 24 G/A midfielder who's "out of this world"

The Hammers are now in a straight shoot-out with a rival Premier League club for the signature of a goal-scoring midfielder.

ByDominic Lund Jun 3, 2025

A new shot-stopper to replace the departing Lukasz Fabianski and rival Alphonse Areola is therefore on the to-do list, and an update has emerged on West Ham’s pursuit of Aaron Ramsdale.

West Ham “favourites to sign” £25m Ramsdale

Talking to TBR Football, journalist Graeme Bailey provided an update on Ramsdale’s future with a move expected following Southampton’s relegation.

As well as stating the goalkeeper’s £25m release clause, Bailey said that West Ham like the keeper “a lot” and named the Irons as “favourites to sign” Ramsdale ahead of Leeds United and Newcastle United.

On £120,000-a-week at St Mary’s, Ramsdale, called a “phenomenon” by Ian Wright during his time at Arsenal, would bring plenty of top-flight experience to the London Stadium.

However, the Englishman has been relegated from the Premier League on three separate occasions. In 2020, Ramsdale went down with Bournemouth and a year later, suffered the same fate with Sheffield United.

Should West Ham secure his services, they’ll be hoping it’s not four relegations come the summer of 2026.

Leeds United’s forward line has led them to huge success in the Championship throughout the 2024/25 campaign, helping Daniel Farke’s side claim the league title.

The Whites registered a staggering tally of 95 goals in their 46 league outings, an average of 2.1 per game – by far and away the highest tally in the division.

Striker Joel Piroe claimed the Golden Boot last time around, netting 19 times in his 46 appearances, finishing one goal ahead of Norwich City talisman Borja Sainz.

However, if Farke’s side are to have any chance of securing Premier League survival next campaign, they will need to invest in the playing squad to bridge the gap between the two divisions.

The centre-forward position in particular has already seen numerous players linked, including multiple players who are already plying their trade in England’s top flight.

The latest on Leeds’ pursuit of a new striker

Richarlison has been one name thrown into the mix to join Leeds this summer, after struggling to nail down a regular starting role at Tottenham Hotspur in recent years.

The Brazilian has started just four league games this campaign, notching four goals for Ange Postecoglou’s men, in what has been a disappointing campaign for Spurs.

Jamie Vardy is another player linked with a switch to Elland Road this summer, after announcing he would be departing Leicester City when his current contract at the King Power expires.

The 38-year-old has spent the last 13 years of his career with the Foxes, registering 199 goals – potentially offering Farke’s side an experienced and Premier League-proven option in attacking areas.

However, despite the links to the aforementioned talents in recent weeks, another player in England’s top-flight has also been touted with a move, but the club would be better off looking elsewhere, given their respective stats.

Why one Leeds target would be a better signing than Beto

Everton striker Beto is one of the latest names on the list of targets for Leeds over the last couple of weeks, as the manager looks to bolster the options at his disposal.

The 27-year-old, who joined the Toffees for £30m in the summer of 2023, has been inconsistent at Goodison Park, often being in and out of the side and sharing the role with Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

However, he’s still managed to register eight league goals throughout 2024/25, potentially being a reasonable option for the Whites, should they land him at a competitive price.

Despite the interest in the former Udinese star, Farke should be pursuing a move for fellow target Troy Parrott, with the Irishman undoubtedly a better option.

The 23-year-old, who currently plies his trade for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, has emerged as a target in recent weeks, but he may not come cheap consider some reports suggest the Dutch outfit won’t accept offers below at least £21m.

He’s registered a staggering 20 goals in his 45 appearances across all competitions this campaign, excelling in his first season at his current employers.

However, his impressive figures don’t stop there, massively outperforming Beto with his underlying stats, highlighting why he would be a better option this summer.

Games played

28

28

Goals & assists

16

8

Progressive carries

1.3

0.7

Goals per shot-on-target

0.4

0.3

Pass accuracy

70%

56%

Shot-creating actions

2.7

1.3

Passes into the final third

0.9

0.4

Parrott, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by former boss Ryan Lowe, has also notched a higher goal per shot-on-target rate than the Everton ace – further highlighting his clinical nature in the final third.

He’s also completed more passes this season, whilst making more passes into the final third, handing the other attackers at Elland Road the opportunity to bolster their own tallies.

Their interest in his signature has been reiterated in recent weeks, but so far, it’s unclear how much a deal for the Spurs academy graduate would set them back this summer.

However, there’s no denying that the hierarchy should be pursuing a move for his signature over Beto’s, with the 21-year-old having bags of time to continue his development and be a potential star in Yorkshire.

He'd be Farke's next Buendia: Leeds make enquiry to sign special £35m star

Leeds United have already wasted no time in making a move to land one Premier League star this summer.

1 ByEthan Lamb May 15, 2025

Chelsea are now looking at signing a Netherlands international, who Arsenal have watched since he was 16, with Enzo Maresca’s side threatening to snatch a very long-term Gunners transfer target.

Chelsea targeting new defenders this summer

A new defender or two is reported to be high on BlueCo’s transfer agenda this summer, and a few high-profile names are already being mentioned ahead of the first window’s opening on June 1st.

Chelsea will now sell player who Maresca is "crazy" about for just £30m

It could be very unpopular with their manager.

By
Emilio Galantini

Apr 17, 2025

The Premier League confirmed that 2025 will have two summer windows (one open from June 1st to June 10th, and the other from June 16th to September 1st), which allows the likes of Chelsea and Man City to bring in new players before the Club World Cup.

Chelsea’s next five Premier League fixtures	Date
Fulham (away)	April 20th
Everton (home)	April 26th
Liverpool (home)	May 4th
Newcastle (away)	May 10th
Man United (home)	May 18th

According to reliable Stamford Bridge journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea are expected to invest significantly in a new centre-back, with Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi and Bournemouth sensation Dean Huijsen both mentioned as top targets.

Guehi is entering the final 12 months of his Palace contract, and Chelsea are believed to be seriously considering the prospect of re-signing the Cobham academy graduate, who departed for Selhurst Park in 2021 (The Mirror).

Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s Huijsen is expected to depart the Vitality Stadium this summer, with his £50 million release clause attracting attention from a host of top Premier League sides, including Chelsea.

As reported by David Ornstein, Chelsea have held talks with Huijsen’s representatives, alongside the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal, as England’s elite bid to battle for the Spaniard’s in-demand signature. However, there is also competition from abroad, as Vincent Kompany reportedly tells Bayern Munich to move for Huijsen as well (Football Insider).

Amidst their hot pursuit of the 20-year-old, Maresca’s side may also bolster their full-back options.

Jules Koundé was mentioned as a Chelsea target this week, according to reports in Spain, but they’ve also got their eyes on Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato.

Chelsea eye Ajax defender and long-term Arsenal target Jorrel Hato

As per The Mail, Chelsea are now considering a move for Hato, who has become a mainstay for the Eredivisie side and one of the Netherlands’ rising stars.

The 19-year-old has been scouted by London rivals Arsenal since he was 16, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, so he has a big admirer in Arteta.

“Jorrel Hato is still a player they love – they’ve done all the work on him for years – they’ve been following him since he was 16,” said Bailey to The Boot Room recently.

“Liverpool like him as well. It wouldn’t surprise me if Hato came to England this year.”

The price of his signature, according to other reports, sits at around £40 million – which could be a bargain where Chelsea are concerned.

The versatile teenager can play at both left-back and as a left-sided centre-back when required, plugging two different gaps for Maresca, and there is a reason that no Ajax player has been handed more league minutes than Hato this season (WhoScored).