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Al-Nassr continued their perfect start to the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League season with a spectacular 4-1 win over sixth-placed Al-Khaleej. It was the Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo show yet again as the Portugal internationals bagged one goal each, taking their respective tallies for the season to 10 apiece. The Faris Najd have now bagged nine wins in nine games with 30 goals to their name.

• Al-Nassr win 4-1 against Al-Khaleej

  Al-Nassr hosted Al-Khaleej at Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on Sunday in Matchday 10 of the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo's side lead the table with a perfect record, while the visitors sat sixth ahead of the clash. Jorge Jesus' Al-Nassr arrive unbeaten, having won all eight of their league matches so far. They have scored a league-high 26 goals and conceded only four.

  Al-Nassr kicked off the game strong with Ronaldo coming close to opening the scoring in the fourth minute with a long-range attempt after Joao Felix's well-worked ball, however, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner could only drag it wide off the mark. Ronaldo got the second chance of the game as well, although in a much better position as Sadio Mane found the Portuguese striker inside the six-yard box with a delightful ball. However, the 40-year-old's shot was spectacularly saved by Al-Khaleej goalkeeper Anthony Moris.

  Felix then seemed to open the scoring in the 33rd minute; however, after a lengthy check by the VAR, the goal was ultimately ruled out for a handball in the buildup by Marcelo Brozovic. It didn't take too much longer for Faris Najd to retake their lead after a wonderful cross by Angelo fell right at Felix's feet, who found the back of the net with a deft touch. Just minutes later, Wesley doubled the lead with a superb strike after Felix's eager pressing gave Al-Nassr the ball inside Al-Khaleej's box.

  The second half presented an uphill battle for the visitors as they faced the challenge of clawing back from a two-goal deficit against Saudi Pro League's best defence. However, they made the perfect start after Murad Al Hawsawi struck the ball with all the perfection in the world to halve Al-Nassr's lead, one minute into the second half. While Al-Khaleej did pump up the pressure, trying Nawaf Al-Aqidi on multiple occasions, it was Al-Nassr who struck a finishing blow to the visitors. Sadio Mane managed to find the back of Moris' goal with a lobbed curler to take Faris Najd's lead back to two.

  Al-Khaleej's Dimitrios Kourbelis had a night to forget after his earlier missed chance was followed up by a horrific stamp on Ali Al-Hassan, which saw him receive a straight red card. The sending off followed yet another spectacular goal, and possibly the best of the lot as Ronaldo pulled off an ecstatic bicycle kick from Nawaj Boushal's cross to give the host a comfortable 4-1 win.

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  Felix continues his superb Saudi Pro League form

  Felix was once again the main man for Al-Nassr as the former Chelsea, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid flop managed to maintain his joint lead with Ronaldo as Saudi Pro League's top goal scorer. The Portuguese forward's strike took his season tally up to 10, and also bagged his first assist of the season with his decisive pass to Wesley for Al-Nassr's second of the night.

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  Brozovic lucky to not be sent off

  Brozovic had a very rare night off as the Croatian midfielder looked out of sorts through the middle part of the first half. Additionally, he cost Al-Nassr their spectacular opener with a needless handball, which should have seen him receive a second yellow card. However, Jesus was quick to react and hooked the former Inter Milan midfielder at half-time.

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  Match rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bayern Munich have reportedly decided to offer veteran goalkeeper and club legend Manuel Neuer a contract extension for another year, which would see him remain at the Allianz Arena until June 2027. The 2014 World Cup-winning custodian has reiterated that he wants to take his time before reaching a decision over his future, however, with the club set to hold talks in December.

Neuer going strong at Bayern in his final year of contract

The 39-year-old has managed to retain his place in the starting lineup under head coach Vincent Kompany, proving week in week out that he is still among the best in the business despite having entered the twilight of his career long ago. Despite his horror blunder in the 2-2 draw against Union Berlin last weekend, which saw Bayern's 16-game win streak come to an end, there are no doubts Neuer is still the man for the No.1 spot. Neuer has played in 14 of the 17 games the Bavarian giants have played this season.

But Neuer will not stay at Bayern forever. The legendary goalkeeper is set to turn 40 in March next year and is into the final seven months of his deal. According to a report from , Bayern have reached a decision over the future of their iconic player. The report claims that the club are keen on extending Neuer's contract by another year, until June 2027. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportNeuer keen on taking his time amid retirement talks

Bayern are determined to ensure Neuer stays at the club beyond next summer, with contract talks set to intensify sometime in December. The club are extremely happy, not only with his performances, but also with the significant changes he has incorporated into his daily routine to prevent further injury setbacks. mention that Neuer consults the physiotherapist everyday and undergoes weight training ahead of every team training session. What's more, his main workout sessions are followed by an extra 30-minute weight lifting sessions twice a week. 

With Neuer walking the extra mile with respect to his fitness, it may seem like he aims to prolong his career. However, the Gelsenkirchen-born goalkeeper is not spending any time pondering over his future, preferring to take it one day at a time instead. 

"I’m totally relaxed about it. The most important thing is what we do with our team," Neuer told reporters ahead of the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month. "I already hinted at this in the mixed zone, that my well-being will also be important. I'm taking my time and being totally relaxed, at least over the winter. Many factors come into play. It's a question of health, fitness, and motivation. But also, what happens with the club next season. I can't answer that myself because it's still far too early. Then, of course, we can always talk. Everything plays a role."

Urbig motivating Neuer to push himself

There's belief at Bayern that they will reach an agreement with Neuer to extend his contract. At the same time, they are also relaxed about the future of second-choice goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, who has made just 15 appearances since joining Bayern from Cologne in January earlier this year. Per , Neuer is motivated by his heir apparent; he understands that his colleague is a highly-promising goalkeeper and hence, he is not taking his current status as the undisputed first-choice for granted at all. 

Urbig, for his part, is embracing the experience of learning from experienced goalkeepers like Neuer and Sven Ulreich. He is not paying attention to whether Neuer extends, he says. “These are things I don't really concern myself with,” he told recently. “Because it's not my place to comment on the decisions Manu makes, or the club makes. I concentrate on the day-to-day work with Manu, the goalkeeping team, and the squad. Our relationship is good; we work well together. It’s important to me to emphasise that we have a good relationship within the entire goalkeeping team. Manuel and Sven simply have an incredible amount of experience, which I can learn a lot from.”

Still only 22, Bayern believe Urbig can further develop behind Neuer in the 2026-27 season, should the latter potentially opt against retiring.

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AFPA return to Germany on the cards?

Whether Neuer retires or not also probably hinges on whether he comes out of international retirement. Reports over the past few months have mentioned that Germany could urge Neuer to consider re-joining the national team in light of the uncertainty faced by Marc-Andre ter Stegen at Barcelona. 

Speculation also suggests that authoritative figures within the German Football Federation (DFB) are trying to persuade head coach Julian Nagelsmann to allow Neuer to return. However, the final decision will rest with the former RB Leipzig and Bayern head coach. 

also mentioned that DFB sporting director Rudi Voller reportedly held conversations with Neuer to ask him if he was willing to return to the national team, with the World Cup set to take place next summer.

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke will surely be pleased with how his side has adapted to Premier League football after their promotion from the Championship.

The last six teams to have come up from the second tier have all been relegated at the first time of asking, and the Whites, Sunderland, and Burnley are hoping to avoid making it nine from nine.

Leeds have racked up eight points in seven matches in the Premier League so far this season, lifting them above the relegation zone, in what has been an impressive start to the campaign.

They lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur last time out in the top-flight at Elland Road, but they had a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth and a 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, which included a stunning goal from Anton Stach, prior to that.

The German central midfielder smashed his free-kick right into the top corner for his first goal for the club after his move from Hoffenheim in the summer window.

Another signing from the summer transfer window who has impressed since his arrival at Elland Road is exciting wide attacker Noah Okafor.

Where Noah Okafor ranks among Leeds United's attackers

It may not be unfair to suggest that the Switzerland international is the best and most effective attacker within Farke’s first-team squad in the Premier League this season.

Okafor, who was signed from AC Milan, has hit the ground running in English football with two goals in four starts in the Premier League, per Sofascore, which is twice as many goals as any other player in the team has managed.

He is the only Leeds player who has scored more than one goal this season in the top-flight, with his strikes against Wolves and Spurs, and that suggests that the forward is, at the very least, the most effective goalscorer in the attacking ranks.

Sofascore rating

7.06

1st

xG

1.16

2nd

Goals

2

1st

Minutes per goal

153

2nd

Big chances created

1

2nd

Dribbles completed per game

2.2

1st

Key passes per game

0.8

2nd

As you can see in the table above, Okafor ranks either first or second in a host of key attacking metrics for the Whites in the Premier League, which speaks to how influential he has been at the top end of the pitch in the early stages of the campaign.

The Swiss speedster, who scored in the 2-1 defeat to Spurs last time out, is an electric dribbler who can score goals and create chances for his teammates, which makes him an invaluable part of Farke’s attack.

Despite that, Transfermarkt have Okafor as the 13th-most valuable member of the squad, at £11m, and the seventh-most valuable winger or striker, even below Jack Harrison at £12m.

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Another player who is worth even more than the Switzerland international, despite his impressive form in the Premier League, is central defender Pascal Struijk, whom the Whites have hit the jackpot with since his move to the club from Ajax.

Leeds have hit the jackpot with Pascal Struijk

The Dutch central defender joined the club at U21 level on a free transfer at the start of 2018, as his contract with Ajax was due to expire, and he was able to rise through the ranks at Thorp Arch.

Struijk made seven appearances for the U21 team before he emerged as a regular first-team squad member in the 2020/21 Premier League season under Marcelo Bielsa, playing 27 times, per Transfermarkt.

The left-footed star has since racked up 166 appearances for the first-team in all competitions for the West Yorkshire outfit, and has started all seven of the club’s league matches this season.

Struijk was particularly important to the club’s promotion to the Premier League last season, scoring five goals in 35 appearances, as he formed a reliable partnership with Joe Rodon.

The 26-year-old titan, who scored two late goals in a dramatic comeback against Sunderland, kept 14 clean sheets in 31 starts in the second tier last term, per Sofascore, which speaks to how defensively solid the team were with him in it.

Farke has kept his faith in both Rodon and Struijk, despite the signings of Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw, in the Premier League so far this season.

The German boss described him as a “crucial” player back in 2023, and he still relies on the Dutchman, even if his performances this term have not quite been up to scratch.

Tackles

6

Bottom 34%

Duels won

19

Bottom 40%

Duel success rate

43.2%

Bottom 3%

Aerial duel success rate

46.4%

Bottom 13%

Interceptions

2

Bottom 9%

Blocked shots

2

Bottom 34%

As you can see in the table above, Struijk currently ranks among the worst centre-backs in the division in a host of defensive statistics, which suggests that he needs to improve his performances if he wants to remain in the side.

Despite his slightly concerning form at this moment in time, the Dutch star is valued at a whopping £15.6m by Transfermarkt, which means that he is worth more than Okafor (£11m). He is also the joint-fourth most valuable player at the club, per Transfermarkt.

Considering that the Whites picked him up from Ajax’s academy and he started his career in England at U21 level, it is fair to say that Leeds hit the jackpot when they signed Struijk back in 2018.

He has developed into, at the very least, a Championship promotion-winning central defender, and one of the most valuable players in the squad at £15.6m.

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At the age of 26, Struijk also has plenty of time left ahead of him to increase in value, but he must first turn his Premier League form around and show that he is good enough to start week-in-week-out in a top-flight side that can avoid relegation.

Toni Kroos has criticised Hansi Flick’s tactical setup in Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, questioning the German coach’s choice of centre-backs and failure to contain Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. The former Real Madrid star also highlighted the loss of Inigo Martinez as a key factor behind Barca’s defensive struggles at the Bernabeu.

Kroos questions Flick’s defensive setup in El Clasico

Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu has reignited debate over Flick’s tactical approach. The German coach, who watched from the stands due to suspension, saw his side outpaced and outclassed by Madrid's forwards, with Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham on target in a statement win for Los Blancos.

While the Catalan giants showed promise in possession, their defensive structure crumbled under Madrid’s high tempo and direct transitions. Former World Cup winner Kroos voiced his surprise at Flick’s decision to start Eric Garcia alongside Pau Cubarsi, instead of opting for the more physical Ronald Araujo, a player known for his speed and strength in one-on-one duels. 

AdvertisementGetty/GOALGarcia start called out by ex-Madrid midfielder

Speaking on his podcast , Kroos explained that Barcelona’s defensive setup made little sense given Madrid’s attacking threat, singling out Flick’s centre-back selection as a major flaw.

“In the centre of defence, I don't understand why Garcia is playing,” Kroos said. “Football-wise, he’s slightly better than Araujo, but Araujo has the physical strength to chase down opponents more, especially when you're defending so high up the pitch. He would have been the ideal player for that style of play and that opponent.”

The ex-Los Blancos midfielder went on to emphasise how Barca’s lack of pace at the back played straight into Madrid’s hands. “When you have Mbappe and Vinícius up against you, you need someone who can match that pace,” he added. “Araujo can do that. I was very surprised by his absence.”

Indeed, Barcelona’s defenders struggled to contain the electric duo throughout the game, with Vinicius repeatedly stretching the backline and Mbappe exploiting the spaces behind. Flick’s decision to leave out Araujo left many fans and pundits baffled, with Kroos’s comments echoing a growing sense that Barca’s defensive organisation cost them dearly.

Loss of Inigo Martinez still haunting Barcelona

Beyond the tactical choices, the 35-year-old also pointed to a broader structural problem in Barcelona’s defence: the failure to replace Inigo Martinez, who joined Al-Nassr in the summer.

“I already mentioned it at the time: Inigo Martinez was very important,” Kroos noted. “Last year, he was Barca's centre-back with the best ball distribution. He wasn’t the fastest, but he was an excellent defender and had great build-up play. Against Real Madrid, his absence was noticeable when the team suffered under their high press. They didn’t replace him, and that’s taking its toll.”

Kroos did, however, acknowledge the difficult circumstances Flick faced on the night, adding: “It’s fair to say that Barça arrived very weakened: from the goalkeeper to the coach. They were missing key players like Raphinha, Dani Olmo and Lewandowski.”

His assessment underlined how Flick’s Barcelona remain a work in progress this season, capable of dominating possession but still searching for balance, particularly in defence.

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Getty Images SportPost-match El Clasico chaos and Flick’s next steps

Tensions boiled over after the final whistle, as several Madrid players confronted Lamine Yamal in a heated exchange. Dani Carvajal told the 18-year-old: “You speak too much. Speak now,” referring to Yamal’s pre-match Twitch comments joking that “Real Madrid steal.” The incident quickly escalated, with Vinícius Jr. and Jude Bellingham joining the fray before officials intervened to separate the sides.

The defeat leaves Barca five points adrift of league leaders Real, forcing Flick to reassess his defensive options and tactical setup. The German coach has acknowledged the loss of Martinez as a major blow and is expected to shuffle his backline in upcoming fixtures. Barcelona now turn their attention to their next La Liga clash against Elche, hoping to regain momentum before the international break. With injuries still mounting and tensions rising, Flick’s immediate task will be restoring belief in a squad that remains talented but fragile after a bruising Clasico setback.

Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has been urged to make a bold call by dropping Manchester City’s £60 million ($81m) midfielder Tijjani Reijnders from his national team setup. The 26-year-old has been one of Pep Guardiola’s most trusted lieutenants since arriving from AC Milan in the summer, shining as a deep-lying creative force in City’s engine room. But despite his fine start to life in England, not everyone back home believes he should keep his place in the Oranje midfield.

• Dutch dilemma: Koeman warned to shake up his midfield

  Dutch pundit and former international Theo Janssen has delivered a brutal verdict, insisting Reijnders doesn’t fit the balance Koeman needs as the Netherlands push towards Euro 2026 qualification. Janssen didn’t mince his words when discussing Koeman’s midfield trio of Reijnders, Frenkie de Jong, and Ryan Gravenberch, claiming their similar styles make the team predictable.

  “That’s not the midfield I dream of. You need different types in midfield,” he told . “They’re very similar because they rely on positional play. It’s actually good to have a Justin Kluivert type in there. He can play a through ball, score a goal, and dive into the gaps."

  When pushed to choose who should make way, the former PSV and Vitesse man didn’t hesitate.

  “I think Reijnders will be the victim. He’s a very good player. Only, Frenkie de Jong is undisputed,” he added. “Gravenberch is really good at staying close, winning possessions, and playing duels. But he’s also fantastic at getting open and playing forward. Frenkie and Gravenberch complement each other; they simply fit together best.”

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  Midfield overload: A ‘luxury problem’ for Koeman

  Even Koeman himself admits he’s spoilt for choice in the middle of the park. Speaking to after the Netherlands’ recent international fixtures, the manager acknowledged the fierce competition for places.

  "These are choices. Difficult choices. Frenkie, Ryan, and Tijjani would play anywhere," he said. "You keep a great player on the bench. Justin filled in well, but Tijjani can also play well there, as can Xavi Simons. I don't have a preference. Kluivert brings a different dynamic to the team. But for Spain, for example, Dani Olmo sometimes sits on the bench because Pedri is playing. Those are choices you make."

  Meanwhile, Kuivert has asserted that he brings a different flair to the pitch than his teammates, implying that he should be considered ahead of the others. He is yet to find his scoring boots for the Dutch and has scored just once in seven appearances for Bournemouth this campaign. 

  "I try to give myself to the team. I do bring something different than the other three midfielders," he said. "I have slightly different qualities. The manager has more options, and that's a good thing; we need that."

• City star in the firing line despite dream start in England

  Since his summer switch from AC Milan, Reijnders has clocked 10 appearances across competitions, bagging one goal and three assists, including a dazzling debut display at Wolves in City’s Premier League opener. That day, the Dutchman ran the show, scoring once, assisting another, and earning glowing praise from Guardiola himself.

  He told BBC Sport: "Not just today, in Palermo (a 3-0 pre-season win) he played really good. He is a typical player we need in the Premier League. He is an incredible, big signing for us. His work ethic, a holding midfielder occupies a lot of spaces and then after the control with the ball and his movements. And then he is trying to get in behind and score – really pleased."

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  Koeman’s unbeaten men march on

  Despite the debate surrounding his selections, Koeman’s Netherlands remain the only unbeaten side in Group G, collecting 16 points from six matches, five wins and a draw. The Dutch face Poland on November 14 in what could be a decisive seventh qualifier, as they look to seal top spot and secure early qualification.

  While his international place may be under scrutiny, Reijnders’ immediate focus returns to Manchester, where City face Everton on Saturday in the Premier League. The Dutchman will once again anchor the midfield, providing the link between defence and attack in Guardiola’s intricate system. City remain in the hunt for another title, with Reijnders fast becoming a key cog in their relentless machine. His energy, vision, and discipline have already won over fans, but whether Koeman sees the same value in his setup remains to be seen.

Cremonese head coach Davide Nicola remains unwavering in his trust in "fighter" Jamie Vardy as the striker prepares for his first start since joining the Serie A club in the summer. He came off the bench as Inter claimed a dominant 4-1 victory last week, but his coach was positive about his impact and feels he makes the team more threatening even though he is yet to find the net across two substitute appearances.

Inter run riot as Vardy adapts to Serie A

Inter dominated Cremonese with a convincing win at San Siro, displaying relentless attacking intent and fluidity throughout. Vardy was introduced just before the hour mark in an effort to spark a comeback, but despite his earnest movement and brief flashes of urgency in link-up play, he once again finished the match without either a goal or an assist, extending his frustrating search for a breakthrough in Serie A. 

Coach Nicola, however, remains optimistic about the English striker, describing Vardy as "a fighter" and expressing hope that a turnaround is near. The Italian manager was quick to praise Vardy for his contribution to the team's only goal against Inter, despite the striker's ongoing personal drought. Nicola emphasised that Vardy's presence and constant pressure in the penalty area were instrumental in creating the space needed for the goal.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportCoach Davide Nicola optimistic about Vardy's resurgence

Cremonese had enjoyed a surprisingly positive start to the season, making the defeat to Inter their only loss so far. In a post-match interview, Nicola reflected on his team's six-game run in the league while reassuring supporters that it's only a matter of time before Vardy returns to his goal-scoring form.

"I don't need to look at the result of a match to be more or less confident. I analyse it every time I start working with a team and I focus on the final objective. This start is thanks to both the players and the moments in which we met certain teams, as well as the situations we were able to exploit," he said. "I'm certainly not the one discovering Vardy; he's shown he's a fighter, and it's no coincidence that by filling the penalty area more, we managed to score. The break will allow us to further improve our physical condition until we can get everyone up to the same level."

Vardy chose Serie A adventure after Leicester exit

Vardy joined the Italian side on a free transfer after his long period at Leicester ended last season. While the Foxes were relegated from the Premier League, Vardy departed as a club legend with 200 goals in 500 matches before being snapped up by the newly-promoted Serie A side. He featured in the third league game of the season, coming off the bench for the last 30 minutes as Cremonese drew 0-0 with Hellas. The 38-year-old missed out on the next two games before his substitute role against Inter.

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Getty Images SportCremonese's challenging path forward

Cremonese arrived this season as newly promoted and have shown flashes of resilience, but their defeat to Inter exposed gaps in depth and consistency. Vardy remains a focal point despite his goal drought, and Nicola believes continued trust in him and the squad will pay off over time. With the international break providing time to regroup, Cremonese must stabilise defensively before their next fixture against Udinese on October 20.

Rangers’ attacking options at Ibrox look very different now compared to just a few weeks ago.

All of last season’s top three scorers have departed this summer, with Václav Černý not returning following his loan spell, while Hamza Igamane departed for £10.4m, before Cyriel Dessers was sold for £3.5m on deadline day.

To replace them, wingers Djeidi Gassama and Oliver Antman have both arrived at Rangers while, in terms of centre-forwards, striker Bojan Miovski has come in from Girona for £2.6m, thrown in for his debut against Celtic last weekend.

Then, on deadline day, with Dessers Athens-bound, the new 49ers ownership group sanctioned one of the most expensive signings in the club’s history, but would they simply have been better off keeping a “rapid” forward?

Youssef Chermiti's move to Rangers

Last Monday, Rangers signed Youssef Chermiti from Everton in an £8m deal that could rise to £10m with performance-based add-ons.

This makes him Rangers’ most-expensive signing of the post-liquidation era, smashing Ryan Kent’s record, behind only Tore André Flo’s £12m move to Ibrox from Chelsea in 2000.

Well, the 21-year-old’s career on Merseyside does not leap off the page as someone who warrants a record-breaking transfer fee.

Chermiti began his career at Sporting CP, scoring three goals in 22 senior appearances for the Lisbon-based club, but this was enough to convince Everton to pay £11.5m to secure his signature in August 2023.

Well, fair to say this did not prove to be a shrewd investment, given that Chermiti did not score a single goal in 24 appearances for the Toffees, albeit these totalled just 295 minutes, with 22 of them as a substitute, of which 16 were cameos of ten minutes or fewer, in his defence.

Thus, it very much remains to be seen if Chermiti will be a success in Glasgow or not, making him a very expensive gamble.

So, would Rangers simply have been better off keeping hold of their “rapid” forward, rather than selling him for £4m?

Rangers' forgotten forward

Four years ago, Rangers signed forward Fashion Sakala on a free transfer, arriving from Oostende after his contract had expired at the Belgian club.

During two seasons in Glasgow, the Zambian international certainly made his mark, bagging 24 goals for Rangers, registering nine and then 12 during his two Premiership campaigns.

Speaking on Sportscene following Rangers’ 4-1 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road in March 2023, in which Sakala scored and bagged two assists, Steven Thomson praised his “immense” performance, while Leanne Crichton labelled him “rapid”.

Then, somewhat out of the blue, Sakala joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha for a reported fee of £4m and, well, he hasn’t stopped scoring since then.

During his first season with the Orange, he bagged 19 Saudi Pro League goals, a tally only bettered by Cristiano Ronaldo and Aleksandar Mitrović, as the table below documents.

Sakala 23/24 Saudi Pro League

Statistics

Sakala

SPL rank

Goals

19

3rd

Assists

6

19th

G + A

25

3rd

Shots

105

3rd

Shots on target

42

3rd

Big chances missed

13

11th

Successful dribbles

84

1st

Average SofaScore rating

7.31

4th*

*minimum 25 apps; among forwards only.

Stats via FBref & SofaScore

As the table documents, Sakala was outstanding during his debut season in Saudi Arabia, ranking third for goals, shots and shots on target, completing the joint-most dribbles alongside Allan Saint-Maximin.

Last season, his form did dip, bagging only eight times in the Saudi Pro League, but this still means he has accumulated 30 goals across all competitions during two seasons with Al-Fayha, registering an assist against Al-Fateh on the opening day of this season.

During the same time frame, new signing Chermiti has scored, well, zero goals, having bagged just three in his entire senior career.

Thus, all available evidence suggests that the Zambian would certainly be more of a sure-fire thing in attack, rather than the recently arrived, expensively recruited Portuguese U21 international.

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Ben Sears in full tilt at training•ICC via Getty Images

Ben Sears, the New Zealand fast bowler, has signed for Yorkshire for the 2025 season, and will arrive in time for their second County Championship game of the season, against Worcestershire at Headingley.Sears, 27, has impressed with his raw pace for New Zealand, including in his only Test to date, against Australia in 2024, when he claimed five wickets at Christchurch, including 4 for 90 in the second innings. He had previously made his T20I debut against Bangladesh in 2021.He will be joined at Headingley by his fellow New Zealand quick Will O’Rourke, who has signed for the T20 Blast, while the club has also drawn comparisons with his compatriot, and former Yorkshire overseas player, Lockie Ferguson.”I can’t wait to get over to Headingley and start playing with the guys,” Sears said. “Some of the signings made already are exciting and I hope I can add to that.”It’s important to set the tone early in any season. We have some big games in that first block, and I’ll be ready to get the team off to the best start possible.”Head Coach Anthony McGrath said: “Ben is a real talent who can get some extra bounce when he bowls. In that early section of the year when pitches can be greener or slower, he’ll be a real handful and I’m excited to get him over and start working with him.”Gavin Hamilton, General Manager of Cricket added: “To attract such talented bowlers like Ben to the club is testament to the lure of Yorkshire across the globe. Ben is an exciting talent and will provide the squad with an extra element that will be crucial this season.”We’re thrilled he has signed and look forward to welcoming him to Headingley in April.”

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Guarani e Chapecoense medem forças na noite desta quarta-feira, às 21h15, no Brinco de Ouro da Princesa, em Campinas (SP), pela oitava rodada da Série B. O Bugre está em sétimo, com 13 pontos, enquanto a Chape ocupa a 12ª posição, com oito pontos. Em caso de vitória em casa, o time comandado pelo técnico Bruno Pivetti pode entrar no G4.

+ Confira a classificação atualizada da Série B e veja a tabela completa

GUARANI X CHAPECOENSE

Data/Horário: quarta-feira, 24/05, às 21h15
Local: Brinco de Ouro da Princesa, Campinas (SP)
Árbitro: Paulo Henrique Schleich (MS)
Auxiliares: Leandro dos Santos (MS) e Fernanda Kruger (MS)
Onde assistir: Premiere

Bayer Leverkusen managing director Fernando Carro admitted the club made a mistake in hiring Erik ten Hag, but claims they reacted in a timely manner by sacking the Dutch coach after just two matches. That was followed by the appointment of former Denmark national team manager Kasper Hjulmand, who guided Leverkusen to a 3-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt in his first game in charge.

• Leverkusen's brutal start under Ten Hag

  Ten Hag was sacked after disappointing performances against league rivals Hoffenheim and Werder Bremen. The sacking of the Dutch manager came as a shock, but managing director Carro says the club were right to let him go, reiterating the sentiments of sporting director Simon Rolfes. Reportedly, the club were furious about Ten Hag pushing to sign players from his agency, and they further argued that the coach's tactics and handling of the dressing room didn't inspire confidence in them.

  For his part, Ten Hag blamed his early exit on the extensive overhaul the Bundesliga team has undergone, with a host of star players leaving and many new faces being added to the squad.

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  Leverkusen managing director calls Ten hag's signing a mistake

  In an interview with the program, managing director Carro spoke about sacking Ten Hag, saying: "I would clearly describe this as a mistake on our part. Nevertheless, such things can happen. Anyone who makes personnel decisions knows that. It's annoying, but a normal matter that we handled professionally. It's nothing serious. When a mistake is made, you have to react in a timely manner."

• Nine-man Leverkusen beat Eintracht Frankfurt

  Leverkusen sealed their first win of the season under new boss Hjulmand on Saturday. The German team saw two red cards handed out to midfielder Robert Andrich in the 59th minute and Equi Fernandez in the dying minutes of the game. Left wing-back Alejandro Grimaldo was named the man of the match as he scored two direct free kicks. 

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  Leverkusen to kick off their Champions League campaign next

  Bayer will now be flying to Denmark to face Copenhagen in their opening fixture of the Champions League on September 18.