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Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies has made an emotional return to competitive action after a torturous nine-month injury nightmare. After coming off the bench during the Champions League victory over Sporting CP to rapturous applause from the Allianz Arena faithful, his team-mates lined up to praise the Canadian's mental resilience during his 261-day rehabilitation.

• Fonzie is back!

  The 3-1 victory over the Portuguese champions will be remembered for Lennart Karl's record-breaking goal, but for the squad and the supporters, one of the night's biggest cheers was reserved for the 88th minute. Standing on the touchline, ready to replace Serge Gnabry, was Alphonso Davies – a sight many feared might not happen until 2026 given the severity of his knee injury.

  The 25-year-old had not featured for the Bavarians since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament while on international duty with Canada in March 2025, and his senior team-mates were quick to highlight the extraordinary attitude the full-back maintained during his darkest days.

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• Kimmich: 'I wouldn't have managed it'

  Speaking to reporters in the catacombs of the Allianz Arena after the final whistle, captain Joshua Kimmich offered a candid insight into the mental toll such an injury takes on a player. The midfielder admitted that he was unsure if he would have possessed the same fortitude as his team-mate to remain positive throughout the ordeal.

  "The way I experienced him, how he went through rehab, that is exemplary. I wouldn't have managed it like that with this energy," Kimmich enthused, clearly moved by the return.

  The German international went on to reveal details of how the Canadian kept himself integrated with the squad despite being unable to train, highlighting a specific role he played alongside fellow injury-hit star Jamal Musiala.

  "He also always tried to be close to the team," Kimmich continued. "He has been with us in the dressing room for months, comes to the games, comes into the dressing room together with Jamal, turns on the music, tries to create a good mood. That is not something to be taken for granted."

• It was 'a hard time for everyone' – Neuer

  Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who knows all too well the pain of long-term injuries having battled back from a serious leg break himself in the past, was equally effusive in his praise. The veteran shot-stopper emphasised that the defender's absence was felt not just tactically, but emotionally within the dressing room, and offered some sage advice for the next steps of his recovery.

  "It is naturally a hard time," Neuer reflected. "I know that because I have also had severe injuries and I believe for him it is now very important that he stays cool and appreciates this joy of playing football and that he is with us in the team."

  Neuer added: "We obviously also hope that he will remain healthy, but he did it superbly, even during that time."

  Defender Jonathan Tah, who marshalled the backline effectively against Sporting, pointed to the unseen hours of work that made the comeback possible. Speaking in the mixed zone, he summarised the collective relief felt by the squad.

  "I am very happy for him that he is back," Tah stated. "I believe it was a hard path of suffering that he had to walk and we are all happy that he is there again."

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  'Good to be back', says Davies

  For the man of the moment, the reaction was simple and heartfelt. Taking to social media after the game, Davies posted a message on Instagram, capturing the relief of finally doing his job again.

  "Good to be back! Doing what I love the most," he wrote.

  With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon – a tournament his nation is co-hosting – his return to fitness is a massive boost not just for Bayern, but for Canadian football as a whole. For now, however, he will simply enjoy the feeling of grass under his boots and the applause of the Allianz Arena. The "injury hell" is over; the comeback has begun.

Shohei Ohtani threw the fastest pitch of his MLB career on Saturday to Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. The Los Angeles Dodgers star, who just returned to pitching this month after a near two-year break, unleashed a 101.7-mph four-seam fastball to Pasquantino in the first inning.

The funny thing is, though, that Ohtani's fastest pitch thrown in his entire baseball career was a 102-mph in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. And who did he throw that pitch to? None other than Pasquantino.

After Saturday's game—which the Royals won 9–6 thanks to a two-hit, five-RBI day from Pasquantino highlighted by a three-run homer—Pasquantino quote tweeted Passan's factoid on X with a fittingly bewildered response.

Reporters asked Pasquantino after the game about the bizarre fortune of seeing Ohtani's two fastest pitches of his career, and he gave a funny response.

"He keeps doing that to me," Pasquantino said, via MLB's Anne Rogers. "I need to talk to him."

Ohtani finished Saturday's game after pitching two innings. He struck out one batter, had one hit against him and walked on batter.

Capitals are hoping to be third time lucky after two near misses in finals

Shashank Kishore14-Mar-2025Two games into WPL 2025, Delhi Capitals “did not feel like a DC team.” They’d just been bossed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru to offset a tight opening win against Mumbai Indians. The energy was lacking, the “spirit” went missing. Vice-captain Jemimah Rodrigues reflects on that moment in Vadodara – where they discussed this at a team meeting – as one that turned it around as they sit on the cusp of a title win.The lift-off wasn’t instant. It took them until the sixth game of their season, against Mumbai Indians, to turn it around. And they have, by finishing top of the table to take a straight path into their third final, where they’re hoping to be a third-time lucky, when they take on Harmanpreet Kaur’s Mumbai in a repeat of the 2023 final on Saturday.”The one thing we spoke about was bringing our own energy on the field,” Rodrigues remembers of that team meeting in Bengaluru. “I remember that moment [the transformation] when it happened. It started in Bangalore, when in one game I suddenly took that catch. But before that, everyone who was diving around in the field, everyone. And it started the feel again like, ‘okay, this is the DC team.’Related

• Delhi Capitals hope to be third time lucky as they eye first WPL title

• Best of WPL 2025 so far: Ghosh's hitting, Henry's sixes, Gautam's promise

“And it started just before walking in. When that happened, Minnu [Mani] dived and took a catch. We got a wicket, and things started to happen. And our bowlers looked like they were back again because of the feeling support too. I think it was against MI, that’s when that momentum came back.”It’s been a week since the Capitals last played, and two weeks since they won. Unlike Mumbai, the Capitals haven’t played a game at the Brabourne Stadium leading into the final. They may have had to play the Eliminator had RCB not beaten MI in the final league game.The straight path into the final has given them time to train in conditions they haven’t been able to play in yet. There’s been staggered training broken down into short-sharp sessions. Beyond that, the team has bonded over endless coffee sessions, karaoke nights by the sea, hop-ins around Colaba, shopping and much more. On Friday morning, the entire squad got together in the lawns of their hotel to celebrate Holi.”The gap is actually working for our team,” Rodrigues says. “We’ve had a lot of team bonding sessions and at the same time, you know, this WPL was a bit hectic for us. We did play back-to-back games, we travelled. So, I think getting this break has honestly been good, we are working it to our advantage.”We’ve had good practice sessions here in the Mumbai to get used to the pitch. I think sometimes it’s nice to have this break and yes, we’re ready for the final. We’ve prepared well and unlike the other two years, this year has not been like the smoothest sailing for us. But this team just doesn’t know how to give up and we are going to come back stronger this year.”So, what’s been the chatter within the camp and what’s been at the centre of this consistency?“I think not talking about three seasons and three finals,” Rodrigues says with a chuckle. “No, I think this team, you asked what helps the team be so consistent: I think it’s just about knowing what they’re doing. Every player adds so much value. They just know what they can do to help this team win. Out of all the three seasons, I’m most proud of this year for this team because it wasn’t easy. But we found a way to pick ourselves up and still come out on top and be consistent while still being the DC team everyone knows about.”‘Shafali an inspiration for the way she has come back’There have been several personal triumphs during the campaign. Like Shafali Verma, who came into the season with plenty to prove. Having lost her place in the national team, a hurting Shafali couldn’t initially even reveal to her father she’d been dropped as he had suffered a heart attack. She went back to the domestic grind, performed and came into the season on the weight of performances.Shafali’s 300 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 157.89 is the highest for a DC batter, as well as the highest by an Indian batter so far this season. In fact, she’s the only Indian in the top five. Her impact hasn’t just been with the bat, but has been seen on the field as well – much of it down to a transformed fitness.Shafali Verma turned her form around in WPL 2025•BCCI”Shafali is such an inspiration. Not because she has come back but the way she has come back,” Rodrigues says. “The kind of strike rate, the kind of impact she’s been having for that team, I think it just shows her character. A lot of times when things are going well, it’s easy to keep doing well and keep doing what you’re doing. But to be dropped and to come back the way she did, hats off to her. I can’t wait to see her and I’m sure she’ll be back soon to be in the [Indian] team too.”Then there’s Shikha Pandey, another consistent performer who has continued to push boundaries at 36. Having not played for the national team for over two years, Pandey has used the time to sharpen her skillsets as a lower-order hitter – which was seen during her stint with Canterbury in New Zealand’s Super Smash earlier in the year.She continues to be a swing machine with the new ball, along with some superb slower variations in the death overs. Her 11 wickets at an economy of 7.06 is the second-best among Indians who have at least 10 wickets in the competition.”Honestly, I can say there’s no difference in a good way because she’s always been consistent for us,” Rodrigues says. “She’s always bowled those crucial overs, always nailed down with her yorkers, always been so crucial in DC winning and not just DC.”I’ve played with her in other franchises too [most-notably in the CPL with Trinbago Knight Riders]. She wants the tough overs. I think when the going gets tough, that’s when Shikha Pandey comes in and it gets the best out of her. And that’s what sets her apart and she’s always been that person.”And to talk about the work she’s put in, she’s someone who’s worked so hard to do what she’s doing. Even now, like even after being so accurate, knowing what she’s doing, she’s someone who’s like so particular in her routine, so particular in maybe writing her diary, so particular in hitting the gym and then so particular in even now, which area she can improve. She’s always looking to improve, working on her batting, learning new shots. So, I think that’s Shikha Pandey for you. She’s someone who can’t stop working hard.”‘Meg drives certain energy – of wanting to play in a certain way’Then there’s Meg Lanning, long retired from international cricket but has overcome the challenges of playing for only a number of months in a year. It’s required her to train longer and work that much harder than while she was an active international leading Australia to one world title after another.”She’s calm but aggressive at the same time,” Rodrigues says. “And I think as a leader that’s a very, very crucial quality to have. And I’d asked her in one of the games we had played last year when it went down to the wire, when we beat RCB by one run. I’d asked her, ‘Meg, weren’t you nervous? You couldn’t see it on your face. You were like, absolutely poker faced.’ And She was like, ‘Jemi, only if you knew was happening inside.’Meg Lanning’s calm but aggressive leadership has inspired Jemimah Rodrigues•BCCI”But then she said one thing I really remember. She’s like, for me as a leader as a captain, it’s very important that I make sure I set the tone for the team, and I stay calm. Because I know everyone’s looking at me and if I am calm, I know the team is calm. And that made a lot of sense to me. And I think that is one thing that I would love to do every time I am on the field. To be aggressive and at the same time stay calm.”It’s this calmness that Rodrigues says has percolated to the rest of the group, while also not losing sight of their goals of playing cricket with an intensity they would like to exhibit. And this again comes from having watched a serial match-winner imbibe those virtues of being able to close out games under pressure and bring that killer-instinct when needed.”I think Meg is someone who wants to win every game,” Rodrigues says. “But at the same time, the amount of clarity she has in what she’s looking for, yes, winning is one thing she always tells us, but she always tells us to focus on what we need to do. Even when we have meetings, it’s very clear from her as to what she expects from the bowlers or the batters and how we need to go about and go for it.”She is someone who herself drives that kind of energy in the team, of playing a certain way and playing to win and taking the positive approach always. There are so many aspects to it. I can’t point to one aspect, but the clarity that she has in what she wants to do and what she wants this team to do – it’s amazing. And just making sure she takes everyone along in doing that thing, I think that helps us be a successful team.”

Newcastle United were unable to make it three Premier League wins in a row last night, as Eddie Howe’s men secured a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

After a drab first half with little to shout about for both sides, Bruno Guimaraes’ second-half strike put the Magpies ahead with just under 20 minutes remaining.

Anthony Gordon’s penalty with just a handful of minutes remaining put the hosts ahead once again, but for the second time in the contest, Cristian Romero managed to find a leveller.

The point takes Howe’s men up a place to 13th in the Premier League, but it could have been a whole lot better had his side managed to hold on for all three points.

Despite numerous positive showings, a handful of the players selected to start the game failed to impress, which could lead to numerous changes ahead of the weekend.

Newcastle’s poor performers against Spurs

For the third game in a row, Joelinton was handed a start at the heart of the Newcastle side, this time partnering Lewis Miley and Sandi Tonali, with the latter coming into the starting eleven.

However, the Brazilian was unable to repay the faith shown in him by the manager, with such a showing one to forget for the Magpies’ number seven on Tyneside.

He featured for the entirety of the contest, but only managed to come out on top in just 27% of the duels he entered, whilst being dribbled past on three occasions.

Joelinton wasn’t alone in struggling to deliver at St James’, with winger Jacob Murphy also struggling to provide his usual impact off the right-hand side of the attack.

The Englishman was largely unable to deliver in the final third, as seen by his measly tally of just three crosses completed, doing so at an accuracy rate of just 30%.

He also only managed to complete 50% of his attempted dribbles and completed just 16 passes before being substituted for Anthony Elanga with just over 20 minutes remaining.

The Newcastle star who needs to be dropped after Spurs

Home games against Spurs have often been a formality for Newcastle, as seen by the club’s recent record against the Lilywhites over the past couple of seasons.

Howe’s men had won four in a row against the North London outfit at St James’, but his men were unable to add to such a record during their lacklustre showing last night.

The inability to secure all three points was no doubt down to the disappointing showings from numerous players, with the aforementioned duo just two of the stars who failed to deliver.

However, they weren’t alone in struggling to match the expectations of the supporters, with winger Harvey Barnes unable to replicate his recent showings in the Premier League.

The 27-year-old has now started four league games in a row, with his two-goal game against Manchester City undoubtedly keeping his place in the starting eleven.

He’s now failed to score in each of the last two outings, including against Spurs, with winger Gordon now deserving of a start after his goal off the bench.

However, Barnes’ performance before his teammate’s arrival onto the pitch was certainly below par, which will no doubt contribute to the manager’s thinking.

The winger featured for 66 minutes on Tyneside last night, but could only muster 30 touches of the ball and made just ten passes, six fewer than Aaron Ramsdale, as he struggled to make the desired impact on proceedings.

He also only managed to complete one of his attempted dribbles and one of his crosses, which further highlights his struggles within the final third of the pitch.

Barnes massively struggled to find any of his teammates during the draw, as seen by his tally of 12 times possession lost – ultimately being wasteful when in possession.

The attacker was just as poor without the ball, often being dominated by the opposition, subsequently losing 75% of the ground duels he entered against Thomas Frank’s side.

As a result of his performance, Barnes was handed a measly 6/10 match rating by The Express journalist Lee Ryder – further showcasing his struggles against Spurs.

After such a showing, Howe will no doubt want to shuffle his pack on Saturday against Burnley to attempt to get their recent winning run in the Premier League back on track.

Gordon will no doubt be chomping at the bit after his goal, which could result in his compatriot being dropped after his recent flurry of starts in the North East.

Better than Anderson: £70m "monster" is now open to joining Newcastle

Newcastle plan on signing a new centre-midfielder in 2026.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 2, 2025

Millie Bright had one of the best seasons of her career in 2024-25. Sporting the captain's armband, the Chelsea star guided the club to an incredible domestic treble in which they didn't lose a single game in the Women's Super League, FA Cup or League Cup, lifting all three trophies and breaking plenty of records along the way. In the last few weeks, though, as the Blues have endured a surprising run of just one win in five games, the former Lionesses defender has found herself on the outside looking in.

It didn't feel like a big deal when, for the first time since January, Bright was an unused substitute as the Blues' took on Champions League minnows St Polten last month. But after being hooked at half-time in the subsequent 1-1 draw with Liverpool, the side bottom of the WSL, the defender hasn't played a minute, sitting on the bench for last month's blockbuster showdown with Barcelona and Sunday's defeat to Everton – that Chelsea's first WSL loss under Sonia Bompastor, in her 35th game in charge in the competition.

With Bright's contract expiring at the end of the season, albeit with an option for an extra year included in the deal, her recent absences have raised questions about her Chelsea future. Can she battle back to retake her place in this team? Or are we watching a changing of the guard in the Blues' backline?

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  All for Chelsea

  When Bright called time on her England career back in October, it felt like a huge boost for Chelsea. One of the team's most important players, as both a footballer and the captain of the club, was going to be able to put all her energy into representing the Blues. It could be massive, especially as their quest for that elusive Champions League title ramped up another notch.

  "That's crucial, having a player like Millie who will be now 100 per cent focused on the club and all the trophies we are competing for," Bompastor said at the time. "It's really, really important. I know she is a player who is always, on the pitch, first thinking about the team. She will always give 100% and even more to the team.

  "I think she just leads by example and having this type of leader, this type of captain in the team, is the best thing you can have when you are a manager, so I'm grateful for that and I know she will bring all the good energy to her team-mates, to the players on the pitch, to make sure we achieve the best season possible."

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  Unfamiliar situation

  But the situation appears to have changed a little in the two months since, and especially in the last four weeks, during which Bright has found herself watching on from the sidelines for three of Chelsea's last four games.

  Prior to the first instance, that 6-0 thumping of St. Polten, Bright had been an unused substitute just three times in the last 53 games she had been available for, with one of those occasions only occurring because the defender had just returned from five months out due to a knee injury. She wasn't ready to take to the pitch at that point, but Chelsea were facing Barcelona in another Champions League semi-final and then-manager Emma Hayes wanted her captain in the squad for her leadership.

  Take that instance out, and only count games where Bright was fit enough to play minutes, and the 32-year-old hadn't been called upon on just three occasions in her last 72 Chelsea games prior to the St. Polten win, a run that stretched back to December 2022.

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  Concerning selections

  For the clash with Barcelona, a huge game that Bright would have been desperate to play in, Bompastor instead opted to pair Naomi Girma with Nathalie Bjorn, whose fantastic partnership with Bright was the bedrock of Chelsea's success last term. Girma became the most expensive player in the history of the women's game back in January when the Blues secured her services for a fee that, for the first time in the sport, surpassed the $1 million mark, though niggling injuries prevented her from making a serious impact on the team in the second half of last season.

  This term, it always felt like she would emerge as a key starter, because of her world-class quality and how highly Chelsea clearly rate her, as evidenced by the transfer fee, and the pecking order at centre-back would be different. As such, Bompastor's team selection for that Barca clash wasn't particularly shocking, even if it was one that "frustrated" Bright, the manager admitted. "That's normal," Bompastor added. "That's the reaction I expect from her."

  But Sunday felt different. With Bjorn missing from the squad, many might've expected Bright to return to the starting line-up as Chelsea hosted Everton. However, Bompastor went in a different direction entirely, choosing Lucy Bronze, a right-back, to partner Girma while Bright sat on the bench for the entire game.

  Bronze's main task was to keep tabs on Kelly Gago, Everton's imposing centre-forward. It was the kind of individual battle that Bright tends to relish. For her manager to choose Bronze for the challenge here, though, felt like the most worrying sign yet for Bright, her status in the team right now and, ultimately, her future at the club.

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  Competition aplenty

  Centre-back is one of Chelsea's deepest positions. As well as Bright, Bjorn and Girma, the Blues can count on the adaptability of players like Bronze and Ellie Carpenter, they have an extremely exciting young prospect in Veerle Buurman, the 19-year-old Netherlands international, and they will hope to have Kadeisha Buchanan, a five-time Champions League winner, back from injury soon. It's a position where players have to perform in order to earn minutes, and there have been some questions and criticisms of Bright's form this season, with the 32-year-old also lacking the pace of some of her fellow centre-backs.

  That said, from a statistical perspective, while Bright is down on some of her numbers from last year, with her tackle win percentage one of the most notable ones, she is also up on a lot of them, including her aerial duel win rate and the number of interceptions, tackles and blocks she is making per 90 minutes. Chelsea not being quite as secure at the back this year, and thus seeing their defenders called into action more often, could be a factor to consider, but it is interesting to note nonetheless.

Before Kyle Schwarber re-signed with the Phillies on a five-year, $150 million deal, the slugger—one of the top free agents on the market—was garnering interest from a number of teams including the Reds, Orioles and Pirates.

The Pirates, surprisingly, might have been the most serious team outside of Philadelphia bidding for the slugger’s services. Tom Verducci reported Tuesday that according to sources, both the Pirates and Orioles were also offering Schwarber deals in the five-year, $150 million range, and that the Pirates “indicated a willingness to go higher.”

Related: MLB Winter Meetings Live Blog—Phillies Shatter Record With Schwarber Signing

While Schwarber ended up choosing to return to Philadelphia after spending the previous four seasons with the team, the Pirates’ reported offer does display a different competitiveness by their front office. It was previously known that the Pirates had interest in Schwarber, but given their history of low spending in free agency, the fact that they were offering Schwarber was not initially treated as very serious. The Pirates being willing to offer more than he signed for with the Phillies instead shows the contrary, that the Pirates might actually be trying to field a team that can truly compete—even if it means paying a high price to do so.

It makes sense for the Pirates to make this pursuit. After all, they have a franchise piece in ace Paul Skenes, who is coming off his first Cy Young-winning campaign in only his second season. Despite rumors and assertions that Pittsburgh should trade the ace if they don’t make moves to compete, Skenes has expressed that he wants to remain in Pittsburgh and help the Pirates win. Given the Pirates haven’t made the postseason in a decade and Skenes is locked in with Pittsburgh through 2029, they’d be wise not to let his tenure as a Pirate go to waste.

In turn, the Pirates appear to be prioritizing building a winning team around the star pitcher. The Pirates have already traded pitcher Johan Oviedo for promising hitter Jhostynxon Garcia this offseason, and have since looked at some high-priced free agents. It’s unclear whether Pittsburgh will manage to land any of the top players available via free agency or trade, but their pursuit of Schwarber signals a step in the right direction for a franchise that has spent much of this century in the cellar of the National League Central.

There is likely to be a significant turnover of players but some positions look harder to fill than others

Alex Malcolm09-Nov-20221:56

Moody: This performance a reflection of Australia’s campaign

Australia have nine months to digest their Super 12s exit from a home T20 World Cup before they start their build towards the 2024 edition in the Caribbean and the United States with their next T20I assignment in South Africa in August 2023. The winds of generational change are coming given the age profile of the current squad. What could Australia’s team look like in two years’ time?

The openers

Aaron Finch has likely played his last T20I for Australia. It remains to be seen whether David Warner has too. He will be just a few months shy of his 38th birthday at the next World Cup although he will likely still be playing in the IPL and could still be Australia’s best opener.Cameron Green is going to be invested in at the top of the order because he gives so much flexibility with the ball. But his workload over the three formats will ask a lot of him. Australia will face a challenge getting him enough experience given he won’t play a lot of franchise cricket over the next two years. Josh Philippe and Ben McDermott have been waiting in the wings but might be fighting for one spot. Travis Head is another who could provide a lot of firepower at the top and would also give Australia a badly needed left-handed option.Related

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• 'All the skills are there' – Ashton Agar eyes Test recall for India tour

• WA's new 'Wild Thing' Lance Morris hopes to get even faster

• Australia's hometown exit: a campaign that started badly and never got going

• How Starc's lack of IPL cricket has left him off the pace

Middle order

Australia’s middle order is interesting in terms of the age profile. Mitchell Marsh will be 32 by the next World Cup, Glenn Maxwell 35, Marcus Stoinis 35, Tim David 28, and Matthew Wade 36. Wade had indicated earlier this year that the 2022 World Cup might be his last assignment for Australia but he is playing the best T20 cricket of his career and has been one of Australia’s most reliable players over the last 12 months.Josh Inglis is the obvious replacement as the wicketkeeper but it would reshape the order if he came in as he would be better-suited batting at No.4 or 5, which would give Australia an opportunity to push Maxwell, Stoinis and David deeper in the order. Maxwell’s form in the last 12 months has been a worry but he would still likely be a pivotal member of the side, particularly with his offspin. Marsh and Stoinis, as always, will likely have fitness questions over them still two years down the track. Green’s presence alleviates their requirement to bowl and gives Australia’s selectors more options to pick specialists.Ashton Turner is still highly regarded as a middle-order finisher and provides good tactical leadership and an offspin option. One thing Australia doesn’t have if Wade retires is another left-hander in the middle or lower order which leaves them exposed to right-to-left spin. Head might be capable of playing in the middle order but his play against spin would need to significantly improve. Alex Carey is the only other option capable of filling a role. Steven Smith appears unlikely to be considered for the next World Cup unless his T20 batting dramatically improves over the next two years.Nathan Ellis will likely become a key part of Australia’s T20 attack•Getty Images

Bowlers

Australia’s current selection panel will pick their bowling attack as a unit rather than the best four individual bowlers. They showed loyalty to Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins at this World Cup despite diminishing form but it’s hard to see how both fit in Australia’s best side at the next tournament, particularly on slow low pitches. Josh Hazlewood, should he remain fit and at his current level, will lead the attack. Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar will likely still be Australia’s two best spinners in two years’ time as they will only be 32 and 30 respectively and both could play in the same team in the Caribbean and the USA given how the pitches will play and Green’s flexibility with the ball.That combination will bring Nathan Ellis firmly into the frame as Australia’s best death bowler. His lower release, his surprising pace, his yorkers and slower balls will be very effective on those pitches and he will have gained even more franchise experience by 2024. Starc could still be a weapon if he can regain his form and left-armers remain a priceless commodity.Australia have Daniel Sams, Jason Behrendorff and Ben Dwarshuis in the wings but none bring quite the same weaponry at their best. Riley Meredith’s express pace could bring another dimension, but he would need more experience in the conditions to be considered a chance. Jhye Richardson remains a highly skilled bowler but his shoulder issue in the field would need to have been solved fully by 2024. If spin reinforcement was needed, Tanveer Sangha, is currently recovering from a stress fracture of his back, could come into the frame while Mitchell Swepson was part of last year’s squad in the UAE.

Arsenal will want to spend money in the January transfer window and could now sell one of their big-name assets to bankroll some mid-season incomings for Mikel Arteta.

Mikel Arteta looks to cope with Martin Odegaard's Arsenal absence

Martin Odegaard’s latest injury blow wasn’t ideal for Arsenal, but they managed to cope without their club captain as the North Londoners sealed another vital win against Fulham this evening.

Arteta has a few players capable of replicating the Norwegian’s impact in the engine room. Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze are both thriving this campaign in their respective roles, for instance, while youngster Ethan Nwaneri has a chance to get a lot more minutes in Odegaard’s absence.

That being said, Odegaard will be a miss, and it took yet another dead-ball situation for Arsenal to grind out that narrow 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage.

Following his immediate setback after recovering from a shoulder problem, Arteta praised his mental strength in the face of another frustrating blow.

Ultimately, injuries are part of football and Arsenal know more than most about the impact they can have, as seen with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz being long-term absentees.

Some would argue the duo being absent for large periods last season cost the Gunners a tilt at the Premier League title, though they appear to be in the race for the long haul this time around and excitement is brewing over what they could achieve.

Imagine him & Dowman: Arsenal have Rice 2.0 brewing in Hale End sensation

The talented youngster could be another Declan Rice-type player for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Oct 17, 2025

Even then, there could need to be squad surgery in January to ensure Arteta has the right balance to bring a first league crown back to North London since 2004, which could now lead to an intriguing departure.

Arsenal in talks over selling Gabriel Jesus

According to reports in Spain, Arsenal could sell striker Jesus to Flamengo, and the Brazilian side have “initiated talks” over a potential deal that could net the Gunners in the region of £26 million.

Still, the price-tag on the Brazil international could prove to be an obstacle in negotiations, not to mention his £265,000-per-week salary, albeit Arteta has given himself plenty of time to work out a formula after putting the experienced forward up for sale ahead of the January window.

There is scope for a loan or permanent exit, and Jesus is believed to be considering the prospect of a fresh start in South America with the hope of playing his way into Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Of course, the former Manchester City man hasn’t featured since tearing his cruciate ligament at the beginning of 2025, so it would make sense for Arsenal to recoup what they can as he works his way back to full fitness.

Viktor Gyokeres will thrive in time and Havertz is soon to return from injury, creating a natural set of circumstances where an exit for Jesus could suit all parties.

The MLB trade deadline is less than a week away and New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman still has some work to do. Cashman himself, while speaking to reporters prior to the All-Star break, cited starting pitching, relief pitching and an infielder—ideally a third baseman—as the club's biggest needs and vowed that the club would "try to be active." True to his word, Cashman and the Yankees have already addressed third base, on Friday acquiring Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies. The club then imported utilityman Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals on Saturday. And while the injury to captain Aaron Judge throws a bit of a wrench in New York's plans, it's likely the club has enough outfield depth to navigate the reigning American League MVP's right elbow flexor strain. So, let's operate under the assumption that Cashman will be working the phones with the remaining two positions on his shopping list, starting pitcher and relief pitcher, in mind. What players are the best fits for the Yankees to acquire?

3 MLB Trade Deadline Targets for Yankees

David Bednar, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates

Bednar, 30, is a hard-throwing righthander who misses bats, something the Yankees' bullpen, which features a smaller circle of trust then manager Aaron Boone would like thanks to injuries and inconsistent performance, could use. Bednar, a two-time All-Star and the No. 21 player on SI's Big Board of trade candidates, has pitched to a 2.19 ERA with 16 saves in 37 innings this year. The Pittsburgh native has utilized an arsenal that includes a four-seam fastball, split-fingered fastball and curveball to register an impressive 34.5% strikeout rate and 30% whiff rate. In other words, he misses bats at a very high rate. That's music to New York's ears.

The Yankees, who possess just one lefthanded reliever, would love to add a southpaw to the bullpen. Bednar is the next best thing, though. Yankees pitchers have surrendered a .736 OPS to lefty batters vs. a .650 mark to righties. Bednar is the rare kind of righthander who is better against lefties, making him a desirable upgrade for the Yankees' 'pen.

The Pirates closer has popped up in trade rumors in years past, though Pittsburgh has balked at trading him. This might be the year they finally do. He won't come cheap—it could take one, potentially two top-10 prospects to acquire the righty, depending on the Pirates front office's demands. But Bednar, who is not a free agent until 2027, would be a savvy addition by Cashman for another reason. Both current closer Devin Williams, as well as Luke Weaver, are free agents this winter. Should the Yankees lose one or both, the presence of Bednar, an experienced high-leverage reliever, would soften the blow.

West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo is already feeling the heat, and his first home game as manager was quite simply the stuff of nightmares.

West Ham break club record after dismal loss at home to Brentford

During a match boycotted by large portions of the Hammers faifthful, amid ongoing protests against David Sullivan, Karren Brady and the board, Brentford took West Ham to the cleaners.

Keith Andrews’ side, bar an effort from Jarrod Bowen which nearly crept in at the far post, were never troubled by a lacklustre, uninspired home side who looked devoid of confidence, rhythm and a clear identity.

In truth, the 2-0 loss flattered West Ham, as Brentford also struck the crossbar twice, forced great saves from Alphonse Areola and had another goal chalked off by VAR just before half-time.

Nuno’s line-up was, at best, pretty questionable too.

The Portuguese, in Niclas Fullkrug’s absence due to a thigh injury, experimented with Lucas Paqueta as the centre-forward — but he failed to convince, was largely isolated and gave the ball away carelessly.

Olly Scarles and Kyle Walker-Peters took up unusual full-back roles on their opposite sides, with Freddie Potts and summer signing Soungountou Magassa sacrificed for a leggy midfield partnership of Tomas Soucek and Andy Irving.

Brentford exposed West Ham’s fragility time and time again, with the centre-back partnership of Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo – who was given his first start under Nuno – having a night to forget against a rampant Bees side who had 17 shots in total.

The result means that West Ham have now lost all four of their first home league games for the first time in the club’s long history, and if things don’t change soon, it is clear that Nuno has a relegation dogfight on his hands.

Last term, the Irons escaped a drop to the Championship owing to how poor all three promoted sides were, as was the case in 2023/2024 as well, but West Ham may not have that luxury this time around.

The 51-year-old needs inspiration from somewhere, and one West Ham player is said to be working hard in an attempt to prove his worth to Nuno at Rush Green.

Igor Julio impressing Nuno in West Ham training

That man is summer signing Igor Julio, who joined the east Londoners on a season-long loan from Brighton.

The Brazilian, who’s made 37 Premier League appearances for Brighton since joining them from Fiorentina in 2023, was limited to just a single Carabao Cup appearance this term and signed for West Ham in pursuit of more game time.

Nuno is yet to start Julio in any of his first three matches as West Ham boss, having played just one minute off the bench against Everton, and he didn’t even feature in their matchday squad for Brentford.

Considering just how leaky West Ham’s defence looks right now, with Kilman and Todibo really struggling on Monday night, the 27-year-old could sense an opportunity to play his way into contention.

As relayed by The West Ham Way, Julio is believed to be impressing in West Ham training, and as Nuno experiments to try and find out his definitive best side, the door could be open for him to usurp the likes of Todibo, Kilman and Konstantinos Mavropanos.

Let’s face it, matters could hardly be any worse at the back right now, with West Ham conceding the most goals of any side in the Premier League so far.

Julio appears to be hard at work to earn a place in the starting eleven, and a tricky test away to Leeds on Friday would act as a baptism of fire for the new arrival who’s looking to get his Premier League career back on track.

Former Seagulls coach Inigo Calderón is on record calling Julio an “animal” of a defender, which is exactly what Nuno is crying out for.