Liverpool continue to pursue a move for Crystal Palace and England star Adam Wharton, with talks now reportedly taking place over a move to Anfield.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the most promising young players in the country, bringing so much maturity in the middle of the park for Palace.
The £100m-rated Wharton also started for England in their 2-0 win away to Albania on Sunday, which could be the first start of many for the Three Lions in the coming years, having been hailed by former Palace teammate Eberechi Eze.
“He’s an incredible player to play with. Playing with him at Palace, I’ve got used to seeing the way he plays and understanding him. He’s very calm, composed, and a joy to play with. For someone so young, he’s very mature and very wise. When you speak to him, it feels like you’re speaking to someone older than you, that’s the type of person he is. He’s an incredible player.”
Liverpool have been linked with signing Wharton for months now, but he stayed put in the summer, and now an encouraging fresh update has dropped.
Liverpool in talks to sign Adam Wharton
According to a new update from DaveOCKop, Liverpool are “holding initial talks” over the signing of Wharton in 2026, as they ramp up their interest in him.
It is stated that this is a move that is “likely for the summer of 2026 rather than in the January window”, with Palace understandably keen on keeping hold of one of their most prized assets until at least the end of this season.
Wharton stands out as an exceptional option for Liverpool, with the youngster already such an impressive performer for Palace, playing with maturity beyond his years.
He is an unruffled presence with the ability to not only dictate games at his own pace from his deep-lying midfield role, but also put out fires, showing good positional sense and making importantly-timed tackles.
Granted, Wharton wouldn’t arrive at Liverpool on the cheap, especially as he is a young English player, but he could be worth every penny over time, becoming a fulcrum of the Reds’ midfield after already beating them twice this season in the Community Shield and Premier League.
New Trent: Liverpool star is "one of the most underrated players in England"
Slot could find a shrewd solution to Liverpool’s problems in this talent.
ByAngus Sinclair Nov 17, 2025
With some doubts persisting over Alexis Mac Allister’s long-term future at Anfield, the England star could be a great choice to come in alongside Ryan Gravenberch, although it would still be far better to sign him and also keep hold of the Argentine World Cup winner.
Liverpool willing to sell first-team star to fund Adam Wharton move
The two-time MLB All-Star officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball while appearing on his wife's podcast .
"Baseball season is upon us, and I'm right here on the couch. And that is where I'm going to stay. I am officially retiring from baseball right here, right now," Lynn said.
Lynn, a first-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008, pitched for six different teams over a 13-year career. He spent the first six seasons of his career in St. Louis, helping the Cardinals clinch the 2011 World Series title as a rookie.
Over 364 appearances (340 starts), Lynn logged a 143–99 record, 3.74 ERA and 2,015 strikeouts He received votes for the AL Cy Young award in three straight years from 2019 to '21, and he was named an All-Star in 2012 and '21. Lynn is one of 23 pitchers in MLB history to earn a victory against all 30 teams.
"I enjoyed it. I enjoyed competing and all that," Lynn said. "… If you enjoyed watching me play and cheered for me, thank you. If you cheered against me, you are welcome because you always need someone to root against and you always need someone to root for."
After six years away from St. Louis, Lynn returned to the Cardinals last season on a one-year deal. In 23 starts, Lynn logged a 3.84 ERA with 109 strikeouts. St. Louis declined the club option on Lynn's deal after the '24 season.
The New York Yankees played—and won—on Opening Day with heavy hearts after the death of former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner's 14-year-old son Miller, who tragically passed away after falling ill on a family vacation in Costa Rica.
Prior to the national anthem on Thursday, the Yankees honored Gardner's son with a moment of silence. After the Yankees' 4-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, team captain Aaron Judge spoke to reporters and shared some heartfelt thoughts about how much Gardner means to him and the organization, adding that the former outfielder's family has been "on his mind."
"I got a lot of phone calls, texts from other guys that when we were young guys coming up—'What do we do? Do we reach out? What's going on?'" Judge said. "Just because of the way that Brett impacted all of our lives. He may not have been the big superstar with all the All-Stars and MVPs and this and that.
"But this guy was a leader of all of us. A second dad to some guys. He poured everything into every single guy. If you were having a tough time, he was always there for you to be someone to lean on, someone to joke on. His family—they've all been on my mind."
During the game, Judge also appeared to make a special tribute to Gardner when the Yankees fans affectionately known as the "Bleacher Creatures", chanted his name during the traditional roll call in the top of the first inning. When Gardner played for the Yankees, he would acknowledge the fans' chants with a flex move.
Over the last few years, Judge has been honoring Gardner by imitating the flex move when he's been in center field, the position Gardner played when he first made it to the big leagues with the Yankees.
On Thursday, Judge again paid tribute to Gardner with the move, this time from right field.
Gardner's son Miller passed away on the morning of March 21 after he had eaten at a restaurant and had fallen ill. Authorities in Costa Rica continue to investigate his death, but possible asphyxiation was ruled out as of Tuesday.
"We have so many questions and so few answers at this point,” Brett and Jessica Gardner said in a statement Sunday. "Miller was a beloved son and brother and we cannot yet comprehend our life without his infectious smile. He loved football, baseball, golf, hunting, fishing, his family and his friends. He lived life to the fullest every single day."
Penny for Alexander Isak’s thoughts? Liverpool’s record-breaking striker has been down by the wayside right since the summer, and the fans are desperate to see him recover his form and showcase that world-class quality.
Isak left Newcastle United for Anfield at the end of the summer transfer window, on strike throughout August following a breakdown in relations on Tyneside. It’s been a struggle ever since, with the lack of a pre-season and injury issues in recent months limiting him to just four Premier League starts so far.
This is all symptomatic of the deeper malaise at Arne Slot’s Liverpool. Slot’s Liverpool, last season’s dominant league champions, have been pants this year, with nine losses in their past 12 matches in all competitions.
Not good enough. Isak’s only goal came against Southampton in the Carabao Cup, a competition the Merseysiders have since been dumped out of.
He will surely come good, but FSG will be anxiously waiting for proof that they have got bang for their buck. At the moment, Isak is offering less than Darwin Nunez before him.
Why Liverpool sold Darwin Nunez
Slot’s brand of football is built on structure and. Both he and Jurgen Klopp subscribe to attacking play, but where the German enjoys heavy metal, Slot is more of a purveyor of smooth jazz.
That was last season, though, with the Reds having left so much to desire this season. Liverpool are so tactically imbalanced, lacking the control of last season.
It’s for this reason that Nunez was sold. Wasteful in front of goal, yes, the Uruguayan was also erratic and mercurial, and given that Slot only started him once in the Premier League after Boxing Day, it’s clear he did not view him as the answer.
Darwin Nunez – Past 5 Seasons (all comps)
Season
Apps
Goals + Assists
25/26(Al-Hilal
10 (6)
5 (2)
24/25 – Liverpool
47 (17)
7 + 7
23/24 – Liverpool
54 (33)
18 + 15
22/23 – Liverpool
42 (26)
15 + 4
21/22 – Benfica
41 (32)
34 + 4
Stats via Transfermarkt
So, it would not be that bold to assume that selling Nunez to Al-Hilal and replacing him with a clinical superstar like Isak was done with a view toward giving Liverpool more accuracy and presence in the final third.
It’s worth stressing that Isak is anticipated to be a success at Anfield. He is too good – and proven in the Premier League – not to click into gear.
But, as journalist David Lynch put it earlier in November, Isak is “offering Liverpool less than Darwin Nunez did” at the same stage last season, and that will certainly need to change going forward.
There is still full anticipation that the Sweden international will be a success story at the club, though, but the same can’t be said for another of Liverpool’s summer recruits, who has so much to prove after a wretched start to the season.
Liverpool's new version of Nunez
In fairness, Nunez scored on his Liverpool debut against Manchester City in the Community Shield. He posted a goal and an assist off the bench on his Premier League debut, a draw at Fulham.
Darwin Nunez looks frustrated for Liverpool
But, ultimately, the 26-year-old’s erraticness and his inability to conform to Klopp and then Slot’s tactical systems led to his sale.
Now, Liverpool may have landed their new version of the South American, and not in Isak, but Milos Kerkez, who completed a £40m move from Bournemouth to the Anfield club this summer.
Kerkez, 22, was named as a part of the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for 2024/25, exceptional on the south coast. That fine form is a world away from what Liverpool fans have witnessed over the past three months, with journalist Jean Paul Schiberras claiming he “looks like he has never played football before” in Slot’s set-up.
Following the defeat to PSV, content creator Mark Goldbridge remarked that Kerkez has been “such a bad signing” for Slot’s team. It was a collective shambles on Wednesday evening, but the Hungary international was culpable for lackadaisical defending as the visitors surged forward and took the lead in the second half.
It is incomprehensible to think that Kerkez simply doesn’t have what it takes to play for Liverpool. Last season, he was arguably the best left-back in the league, such a ferocious mix of power and athleticism and energy.
But he is lacking, as it were, street smarts. Kerkez has the skills to succeed at a club like Liverpool, but too often he has suffered from poor decision-making, lacking the awareness and positioning to read danger and ensure he is one, two, three steps ahead.
Milos Kerkez in the Premier League
Stats (* per game)
24/25
25/26
Matches (starts)
38 (38)
11 (10)
Goals
2
1
Assists
5
0
Touches*
59.6
50.8
Accurate passes*
28.6 (80%)
27.9 (86%)
Chances created*
1.0
0.6
Dribble (success)*
0.6
0.3
Recoveries*
4.7
2.8
Tackles + interceptions*
2.6
1.6
Clearances*
2.6
3.3
Duels won*
4.0 (54%)
3.6 (61%)
Errors made
4x
2x
Data via Sofascore
This is why he is an endangered member of this squad. This is why he faces the potential of leaving with a reputation akin to Nunez, brimming with quality but arriving as a young and uncut gem, ultimately failing to bring it all together.
Is he a liability in this team? Perhaps so. It is useful to use Andy Robertson as a yardstick for the conundrum: last season, the Scotsman was clearly on the decline; a left-back was clearly a priority for FSG to sort out. But there are many calls now for the vice-captain to restore a nailed-down starting berth.
Slot has started using the 31-year-old more frequently, yes, but he has only started two of 12 Premier League fixtures this season, one of which includes the comprehensive 2-0 win over Aston Villa earlier this month.
Described as a “nervous wreck” by pundit Jamie Carragher, it’s clear that Kerkez is feeling the weight of moving to one of the world’s largest outfits. It doesn’t help that Slot’s tactics have proved so dysfunctional this term.
But left-back was a glaring weakness at Liverpool last year, and with Kostas Tsimikas out on loan and Robertson winding down, things have only gotten worse for the champions.
In this, Kerkez is becoming a major problem, a liability as concerning as Nunez was.
Gakpo upgrade: Liverpool could see bid accepted to sign £80m "superstar"
Liverpool are planning to enter the market for a new left-sided forward.
Liverpool’s issues run far and wide this season, and Arne Slot’s second season is falling from a concern to a calamity. Nottingham Forest pitched up at Anfield on Saturday and won 3-0. That’s six defeats from seven Premier League matches for the champions.
The fact that Liverpool produced a confident and front-footed performance for the first half-hour, before Murillo pounced after a corner, is immaterial. Even the residue of the fluent and coherent and tenacious spine has deserted Slot’s side.
Things can change quickly in football, but on the basis of the current evidence, Liverpool will struggle to secure a place in next season’s Champions League, let alone challenge high-flying Arsenal for the title.
Change is needed, a strange thing to say given the Reds’ record-breaking summer of spending. But with such glaring tactical problems, it feels likely that FSG will authorise a signing or two this winter.
Liverpool search for winter signings
With Ibrahima Konate so horribly out of sorts and free to talk to overseas suitors in January, out of contract at the end of the season, there is an understandable anxiety about Liverpool’s defensive depth, let alone the stability of the backline.
This club’s reputation as masterful strategists has disintegrated over the past few months. The squeals of delight from rival fans are loud, and it goes without saying that it’s crucial that sporting director Richard Hughes gets it right if dipping back into the market come January.
Liverpool need a centre-back, sure, but that’s not the extent of their issues, with Slot actually hinting in the past week that his club’s transfer arm may extend in a different direction.
Well, according to Spanish sources, Liverpool are preparing to launch a statement bid for Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise, who has been earmarked as an alternative to Antoine Semenyo, admired by FSG and with a £65m release clause that becomes active in January.
Liverpool might have broken the British transfer record on Alexander Isak this summer, but they are now looking to smash that once again with a deal for the French winger, who is valued at €200m (about £177m).
Change is needed at Anfield, and with Olise added to the fold, the intensity and sparkle that have been so sorely lacking may be rekindled.
What Olise would bring to Liverpool
Liverpool have been lacking something out wide this season, and a large part of that has been the failure to effectively replace Luis Diaz.
Diaz, sold to Bayern Munich this summer, was so dynamic and dangerous, and in his new teammate Olise, Liverpool could restore that style of wide forward to their set-up.
Olise has been described as “easily a top-five right winger in the world” by analyst Ben Mattinson, and with the need for a Mohamed Salah replacement intensifying, this could be the perfect move to go for, the Les Bleus star only continuing to go from strength to strength.
Whether Liverpool opt for the cheaper route in signing Semenyo remains to be seen, but this would be a statement, and Olise has proven his capacity to succeed in different systems and different areas.
Of course, there is a big difference between playing for Bournemouth and starring for Bayern Munich. The Cherries are an attractive and impressive outfit, but they lack the offensive freedom of Die Roten at the peak of the Bundesliga.
Goals scored
0.63
0.55
Assists
0.63
0.27
Shots taken
4.62
1.91
Shot-creating actions
6.82
3.28
Touches (att pen)
7.55
3.64
Pass completion (%)
81.6
69.4
Progressive passes
6.40
3.55
Progressive carries
5.45
3.19
Successful take-ons
2.31
1.91
Ball recoveries
4.72
5.28
Tackles + interceptions
1.36
1.82
Olise would be able to transfer his elite-level experience back over to the Premier League, where he has played so spectacularly before, and provide Slot’s side with creative and physical upgrades, echoing Semenyo’s skills in that regard.
But he would also give Liverpool the Diaz-like presence they have missed since the summer. The Colombian’s energy and core strength made him a fearsome Premier League winger, and with 17 goals and eight assists across all competitions last term, he was instrumental in propping up Slot’s reputation.
Podcast host Ryan Dilks said five years ago that Olise was a “superstar in waiting”, destined for the top, and now that has been put into practice, with the 23-year-old in his second season at Bayern and currently boasting nine goals and ten assists across 18 matches in all competitions this season.
It cannot be understated how much of a detrimental effect Diaz’s sale has had on Liverpool’s form and fluency this season. Olise would fix that. As per Sofascore, he has won 4.4 duels per game in the Bundesliga this season. His final season in the Premier League with Palace? Olise averaged 5.7 duels per match.
Liverpool are crying out for this kind of winger, and while Semenyo would add qualities that the club need, Olise is equally tenacious and physical, and he’s far superior from a technical standpoint and proven as one of the game’s most prolific wide forwards around.
Liverpool have slipped and slid into a morass of their own making. There are many circumstances surrounding this current crisis, but Slot is making many questionable tactical decisions and the players themselves have lost every shred of confidence and work-rate, two fixed points of the Dutch coach’s successful first season in charge.
It’s clear that there isn’t enough width and energy down the flanks, and so Olise could be the perfect Semenyo alternative to replace Salah by handing back to Merseyside a bit of Diaz-esque flair.
Semenyo upgrade: Liverpool want to sign "the best youngster in the world"
Liverpool look set to make a move for another elite-level youngster this January.
Not every transfer has panned out the way they planned, but Chelsea have built themselves a brilliant squad over the last few years.
The likes of Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro wouldn’t look out of place in any other Premier League side.
Moreover, while it’s still early days, it looks like Enzo Maresca and Co have a genuine world-class superstar in the making with Estêvão.
The Brazilian has been incredible so far this season, so Chelsea fans should be delighted about reports linking them to someone who could end up being another Estêvão.
Chelsea target their next Estêvão
There has long been a lot of hype around Estêvão, so much so, in fact, that respected analyst Ben Mattinson labelled him a “future Ballon d’Or winner” a few months before Chelsea even signed him.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Now, there is still a long way to go until the teenager reaches that level, but he has already been sensational for the Blues this season.
For example, in 17 appearances, totalling 740 minutes, he has provided one assist and scored five goals, including a stunner against Barcelona on Tuesday night.
Therefore, it’s hardly a surprise that the club are now interested in another young star, Assan Ouédraogo, who could potentially emulate the Brazilian.
Yes, according to a recent report from Sky Sports Germany, Chelsea are one of a few clubs keen on signing the RB Leipzig gem.
Alongside the West Londoners, Manchester United have been credited with an interest in the 19-year-old, whose contract runs until 2029.
Unfortunately, there is no release clause in that deal, so the fee needed to sign the German could end up being rather significant, as much as £50m according to further reports out of Germany in the last few months.
Even so, given Ouédraogo’s ability and potential, this is a transfer Chelsea should pursue, especially as he could be another Estêvão.
Why Ouédraogo could be another Estêvão for Chelsea
So, the first thing to point out is that, yes, the two youngsters primarily play in different positions.
Ouédraogo has spent this season playing as a central and attacking midfielder, while Estêvão has spent most of this year on the right.
However, while the pair do not necessarily operate in the same areas of the pitch, both are highly rated youngsters who seem destined to reach the top of the game.
For example, while Chelsea fans are more than familiar with the Brazilian’s exploits so far this season, they likely don’t know that the German has been even more productive.
In 12 first-team appearances, totalling 561 minutes, the Leipzig gem has scored three goals and provided four assists, which comes out to a sensational average of a goal involvement every 1.71 games, or every 80.14 minutes.
Moreover, the Mülheim an der Ruhr-born prospect has already made quite the impression at the international level.
After blitzing his way up through the various youth levels, he was handed his first senior cap for Germany earlier this month, and instead of just coming on and focusing on not making a mistake, he scored.
Finally, on top of already producing goal involvements for fun, the £22k-per-week gem has some unreal underlying numbers to back up exactly why content creator Neal Gardner has described him as a “powerhouse.”
Ouédraogo’s Scout Report
Statistics
Per 90
Percentile
Goals
0.48
Top 1%
Assists
0.48
Top 1%
Goals + Assists
0.97
Top 1%
Yellow Cards
0.00
Top 1%
npxG: Non-Penalty xG
0.31
Top 1%
Shots Total
2.90
Top 1%
Shots on Target
1.45
Top 1%
Goal-Creating Actions
1.13
Top 1%
Touches (Att Pen)
4.83
Top 1%
Successful Take-Ons
1.77
Top 1%
Carries into Penalty Area
0.97
Top 1%
All Stats via FBref
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for goals, assists, shots on target, goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, carries into the penalty area and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, while it’s still early in his career, it’s hard to disagree with Mattinson’s assessment that Ouédraogo is a “beast ready to be unleashed” and therefore capable of being another Estêvão for Chelsea.
Chelsea have already signed another exciting star who's "just like Estevao"
Chelsea have already signed another youngster who could become another Estevao for Enzo Maresca.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is under “serious” pressure as a result of his comments following the 4-1 defeat against Arsenal in the North London derby.
Tottenham were the underdogs heading to the Emirates Stadium, and a defeat was always going to be the most likely outcome, but Frank was left unhappy with the overall performance, so much so that he issued an apology to fans after the match.
The Dane said: “Very difficult afternoon. Bad performance. It’s extremely painful to stand here after that game. We can only apologise to the fans for not performing better. I was very confident we could be competitive today. We weren’t.”
The 52-year-old also tried to put things into perspective by reminding fans that Spurs are still a work in progress, having amassed just 38 points in the Premier League during the 2024-25 campaign.
However, it would be fair to say those comments haven’t gone down too well, with an insider now claiming the manager is playing a risky game by speaking out like that in the press…
Frank under serious pressure after post-Arsenal comments
Football Insider’s well-connected Mick Brown told the outlet: “At some stage, he has got to take some accountability and he can’t keep avoiding the issues and pushing the blame on to what happened last season. That’s happened now, it’s done, and the focus should be on what they’re doing now.”
Brown also added: “The thing is, that’s only going to add to the pressure on him, and he won’t want to alienate the fans because when that happens things can only get worse.
“Obviously, after a game like that, serious questions are going to be asked but I still think there’s time for him to turn things around, he just needs to focus on the here and now.”
As Spurs are currently sitting just three points off the top four, Frank should be given more time to put things right, but things undoubtedly have to improve, off the back of what Jamie O’Hara branded a “disgusting” defeat.
It was not the first time the north Londoners have seriously struggled to create chances this season either, recording an xG of just 0.05, the fourth-lowest since records began in the Premier League, against Chelsea earlier this month.
After the trip to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Tottenham will be looking to pick up just their second home league win of the season against Fulham on Saturday, with Frank hopefully implementing a much more expansive style of play.
Tottenham players disagree with Spurs hierarchy on Thomas Frank's future
Felipe Anderson fechou um pré-contrato com o Palmeiras, mas ainda não fez menções ao clube e à transferência em suas redes sociais. Não há uma cláusula contratual que impeça o meia-atacante de falar do Verdão, mas antes disso acontecer ele deseja cumprir seu vínculo com a Lazio.
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➡️ Quem é que sobe?! Com R$200 no Lance! Betting, você garante R$398 se Palmeiras x Internacional terminar com nove escanteios ou menos
➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão
Pelo menos até o final do Campeonato Italiano, Felipe Anderson não deve comentar sobre a ida ao Palmeiras. Isso se deve ao respeito que nutre pela Lazio, clube que soma duas passagens e mais de 300 partidas. O jogador fez apenas um post anunciando que não seguiria na equipe.
A Liga Italiana tem seu encerramento agendado para o dia 26 de maio, cerca de um mês e 10 dias adiante da data de oficialização da transferência, na segunda-feira (15).
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➡️ Como Abel Ferreira influenciou no acerto entre Palmeiras e Felipe Anderson
Apesar da convicção da escolha e ânimo em atuar no Verdão treinado por Abel Ferreira, o meia-atacante quer terminar a temporada europeia em alta. Ele é um dos principais jogadores da Lazio e deseja encerrar sua passagem no Velho Continente, que já dura 11 anos, de forma positiva.
Com pré-contrato acertado junto ao Palmeiras, Felipe Anderson se apresenta à equipe em julho. Após o encerramento da temporada europeia, ele terá um período de férias até iniciar os trabalhos no Verdão. Aos 31 anos, ele assinou vínculo válido até 2027.
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Em sua segunda passagem pela Lazio, o brasileiro participou da campanha da equipe na Champions League e ajudou na classificação ao mata-mata, mas caiu para o Bayern de Munique nas oitavas de final.
➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários dos jogos do Brasileirão
Felipe Anderson bateu o recorde de partidas seguidas no clube italiano, que antes pertencia ao zagueiro Alfredo Monza, com 124 jogos em sequência no fim da década de 1930. O reforço palmeirense soma 144 confrontos consecutivos pelo time romano.
Forde returns after recovering from a shoulder injury, while Springer has been drafted in because of injuries to other seam bowlers
ESPNcricinfo staff02-Nov-2025Matthew Forde returns from injury and Gudakesh Motie has been left out for remedial work on his bowling action as West Indies announced their 15-member squad for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled from November 5 to 13.Forde, who hasn’t played any cricket since July, has completed rehab following a shoulder problem. His recall comes alongside the inclusion of Shamar Springer, drafted in to strengthen a seam attack depleted by injuries to Ramon Simmons and Jediah Blades, both ruled out of the tour. Springer has two wickets from two T20Is so far, the last of which took place in October 2024. Forde has 17 wickets from 13 T20Is.Related
NZ's Williamson retires from T20Is
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Gudakesh Motie looks to reinvent what it means to be a left-arm spinner
Motie, the left-arm spinner, has been omitted following what CWI described as a “recent dip in form” linked to technical issues in his action. On the tour of Bangladesh, he had figures of 0 for 44, 3 for 65 and 1 for 53 in three ODIs, while bowling just one over for 11 runs in a lone outing during the T20I series.He will work with specialists from the Royals Sports Group to address those concerns ahead of the SA20 in December, where he will represent the Paarl Royals. According to CWI’s statement, Motie is still expected to play a “key role” for them at next year’s T20 World Cup. The decision to leave him out of this tour was also related to pitches in New Zealand not being conducive to spin.A new face in the management set-up is Krisnan Hurdle, a clinical psychologist appointed as Mental Skills and Performance Coach beginning with the New Zealand tour. The role, first announced in October, was identified as a key step after an emergency board meeting earlier this year.Right-arm seamer Forde – who picked up a shoulder injury in the summer – is one of only two fast bowlers in the squad alongside Jayden Seales, but allrounders Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd and Springer add to their seam-bowling options. Shamar Joseph is sidelined after experiencing discomfort in his shoulder while training in Bangladesh last month.Led by T20I captain Shai Hope, the batters on the tour are Brandon King, Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford and Amir Jangoo.The spin department will be manned by Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein and Khary Pierre.West Indies’ five-match T20I series against New Zealand starts with back-to-back games at Auckland’s Eden Park on November 5 and 6, followed by two fixtures at Nelson’s Saxton Oval on November 9 and 10, before wrapping up at Dunedin’s University Oval on November 13. They recently completed their maiden 3-0 sweep in an away T20I series by beating Bangladesh.West Indies T20I squad Shai Hope (capt), Alick Athanaze, Ackeem Auguste, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Amir Jangoo, Brandon King, Khary Pierre, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer.
Arsenal’s terrible luck with injuries last year seems to have carried over to this season.
On top of the mountain of attacking injuries, Mikel Arteta is now set to be without Gabriel Magaheles for up to two months.
Fortunately, the squad is fairly well stacked in defensive areas, and so while it’s not ideal, the Spaniard should be able to find a way to make his backline work.
Moreover, that defensive depth is likely to get even stronger within a few years, as Hale End are currently brewing someone who could be a dream Gabriel heir.
Arsenal's next Hale End stars
It feels like every season now, a Hale End gem or two emerge and slot right into Arsenal’s first team, be that Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly or even Max Dowman.
The good news for the Emirates faithful and Arteta is that the production of incredible young talents shows no signs of stopping, with a few academy gems looking likely to make a first-team appearance or two in the coming years.
One of those who seems destined for the senior side is Northern Irish youth international Ceadach O’Neill.
The 17-year-old attacker joined the club in 2023 and has shone for the u18s.
On top of being able to play across the frontline, the “brilliantly” talented gem, as dubbed by the Gunners’ U21 coach David Horseman, has shown an eye for goal, scoring 11 and providing five assists in 32 games for the u18s.
Right Winger
11
2
3
Centre-Forward
7
6
1
Left Winger
7
3
1
Right Midfield
2
0
1
Left Midfield
1
0
0
Another hugely exciting young attacker is Brando Bailey-Joseph.
The 17-year-old only signed scholarship terms with the club a few months ago, but has already been rewarded with a professional deal thanks to his sensational performances this season.
For example, in 14 appearances this season, totalling 929 minutes, he’s scored four goals and provided four assists, which comes out to a goal involvement every 1.75 games, or every 116.12 minutes.
Hale End expert Will Balsam has described the youngster as an “explosive” attacker whose “quickness and sharp cuts” make him a “menace” for opposing defenders – which sounds like the sort of left-winger the first team could use.
In all, there are more than a handful of academy gems like O’Neill and Bailey-Joseph who could soon make it into the first team, but few are as exciting as Hale End’s best defensive prospect in years.
Hale End's future Gabriel replacement
Now, for a youngster to be considered as a future replacement or heir for Gabriel, they’ve got to be something pretty special.
Fortunately, as things stand, Marli Salmon looks to be just that.
In fact, Mattinson has gone out on a limb and described the exceptionally talented prospect as “the best CB Hale End has produced.”
What makes the 16-year-old so special, then? Well, like the big Brazilian he might one day step in for, he’s excellent at reading the game and is incredibly cultured on the ball.
For example, Mattinson has described him as “technically advanced,” and Balsam argues that he’s “different gravy on the ball” and has a perfect “mix of control and aggression.”
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However, if he wants to one day step into Big Gabis’ shoes, he also needs to be someone who can engage in a bit of old-school defending, someone who can hold their own against the battering rams.
Fortunately, despite looking relatively slight – he is still 16 after all – the Hale Ender is already showing signs that he’s far stronger than he looks.
According to Balsam, he’s an “athletically gifted” defender who marries technical composure with “freak physical attributes.”
Finally, the last sign that he has a bright future ahead of him is that he featured in pre-season and, just like Dowman, didn’t look too out of place.
Ultimately, there is still a long way to go, but Salmon looks like he could be Hale End’s next superstar and the perfect long-term replacement for Gabriel.
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