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Afghanistan were all systems go in their opener against Hong Kong, and could go clear at the top with another win on Tuesday

Mohammad Isam15-Sep-20252:26

Abhinav Mukund impressed by Afghanistan’s on-field trial

Big picture: Afghanistan’s chance to make it two in twoAfter the net run-rate-boosting win over Hong Kong on the first day of the Asia Cup, Afghanistan have the chance to go clear at the top of Group B on Tuesday. Bangladesh are up next, fresh from the hiding at the hands of Sri Lanka. Afghanistan are the more confident of the two sides, which gives them the advantage before the start of the game.Azmatullah Omarzai’s record-breaking half-century from No. 6 led them in their 94-run win against Hong Kong. He added 82 runs for the fifth wicket with Sediqullah Atal, who ended unbeaten on 73. Afghanistan’s bowling was true to their reputation, hardly allowing the hapless Hong Kong batters a whiff.Related

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Rashid Khan must have also been pleased with AM Ghazanfar and Noor Ahmad now taking more responsibility. Mohammad Nabi didn’t bowl against Hong Kong, but is likely to be back in the attack against Bangladesh, who have to take on an irrepressible spin attack, a particularly hard task given their own frailties and the conditions in the Emirates.Their batting was under pressure against Sri Lanka right from the start as they played out two wicket-maidens to begin with. Litton Das and Towhid Hridoy couldn’t revive the innings, leaving the job to Jaker Ali and Shamim Hossain. They have often done this well in the past, but couldn’t on the day.Bangladesh’s catching was below par. The bowlers also collapsed in the face of sensible and aggressive batting. Dropping Taskin Ahmed in favour of Shoriful Islam might have destabilised a side that looks up to Taskin for inspiration.They have to get their act together against Afghanistan, a side headed in the direction opposite to where Bangladesh are going. Bangladesh must lift themselves, otherwise their Asia Cup campaign could well be over before even taking off.1:14

Maharoof: Bangladesh have been lacking in major tournaments

Form guideAfghanistan WLWWW
Bangladesh LWWLWIn the spotlight: Azmatullah Omarzai and Shamim HossainAzmatullah Omarzai is emerging as Afghanistan’s top pace-bowling-allrounder, who can bowl in pressure situations and bat effectively in the top six. His half-century against Hong Kong was Afghanistan’s fastest in the format. Omarzai struck five sixes and two fours in his 21-ball 53. He is more than useful with the ball too, often helping Afghanistan break partnerships. He would, however, like to improve his T20I batting record against Bangladesh, having scored just 88 runs in six outings so far.Shamim Hossain dug Bangladesh out of a hole against Sri Lanka, but his unbeaten 42 – and Jaker Ali’s unbeaten 41 – couldn’t quite get them to a winning position. Shamim and Jaker added 86 for the sixth wicket, both doing the sort of fire-fighting job they are asked to do often. The good part about Shamim’s innings was that he took the attack to the Sri Lanka bowlers at the end of the innings, something that should give him confidence against Afghanistan.Taskin Ahmed should return to the Bangladesh XI•AFP/Getty Images

Team newsAfghanistan are likely to stick to the same XI that played against Hong Kong in the tournament opener.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Sediqullah Atal, 2 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 3 Ibrahim Zadran, 4 Mohammad Nabi, 5 Gulbadin Naib, 6 Azmatullah Omarzai, 7 Karim Janat, 8 Rashid Khan (capt), 9 Noor Ahmad, 10 AM Ghazanfar, 11 Fazalhaq FarooqiSaif Hassan and Nurul Hasan are top-order batting options Bangladesh could look at, while Taskin is likely to return into the playing XI.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Parvez Hossain Emon, 3 Litton Das (capt & wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Shamim Hossain, 6 Jaker Ali, 7 Mahedi Hasan, 8 Tanzim Hasan, 9 Rishad Hossain, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur RahmanPitch and conditionsAbu Dhabi has rewarded batters with intent in the Asia Cup so far, but the bowlers too have found help from the pitches. The forecast is for high temperatures.Stats and trivia The two maiden overs Bangladesh played out at the start of their innings against Sri Lanka was only the second such instance in a men’s T20I match between two Full-Member teams. Zimbabwe did it against West Indies in 2010. Omarzai struck the fastest T20I fifty for Afghanistan in their Asia Cup opener against Hong Kong. His 20-ball half-century beat Nabi’s 21-ball effort against Ireland in 2017.

Newcastle United needed that. Though form in the Premier League continues to frustrate Eddie Howe and those of a Toon persuasion, there’s no denying his side on their return to the Champions League.

Jose Mourinho’s Benfica were defeated 3-0 at St. James’ Park on Tuesday evening, making it two wins on the bounce in Europe’s elite competition after that opening-day defeat at the hands of Barcelona.

This was the kind of display the Magpies need to harness and carry back over to their domestic efforts, struggling for consistency in the Premier League right now.

But if anything, it’s nights like these that remind the fanbase that this is a special group of players.

Newcastle's best performers vs Benfica

Howe was understandably chuffed with Newcastle’s winning display, now in good standing to continue the push and ascend to the next phase of the Champions League.

At the double was Harvey Barnes, whose clinical edge bore dividends on the evening. And how about that assist from Nick Pope, who continues to show why he deserves to be the number one between the sticks.

He didn’t score, but Nick Woltemade continues to dazzle. The “phenom”, as he was called by reporter Andy Sixsmith, was the connective tissue in attack, with the correspondent saying “his link-up play is mesmerising”.

Isak didn’t hit his stride in the European theatre for Newcastle; his triumph was found on the domestic stage. Alan Shearer remains the modern great in the Champions League for Newcastle, with seven goals from 14 matches for the Tynesiders.

Now, Howe has found his new version of the legendary goalscorer, and no, it’s not Woltemade.

Howe has found Newcastle's new Shearer

Shearer was brilliant at Newcastle, scoring 206 goals and supplying 58 assists across 405 matches.

Woltemade has the talent to rival the Premier League icon down the line, but it’s Anthony Gordon who was the star of the show against Benfica, and he’s proving he could emulate the one-time England international.

Indeed, the 24-year-old is now only two goals behind Shearer as Newcastle’s leading scorer in the Champions League proper, and he has four goals from three games this term alone.

Electric on the ball and ravenous for it back when against the opposition’s play, Gordon has ebbed and flowed this season, but he’s starting to find form at a crucial time, and must now transport it back to the domestic scene.

Shearer’s legacy is a peerless one, but Gordon, signed from Everton for £45m nearly three years ago, is becoming the face of his high-flying project, and his chase for Shearer’s European record is one piece of that evidence.

But Gordon’s actually gone one better in black and white: his goal against the Eagles means he is the first Newcastle player in history to net in three successive Champions League matches for the club.

It was a fantastic performance, a demonstration of Gordon’s elite talent and tenacity. The Chronicle Live gave the Three Lions star a flawless 10/10 match rating, praising his lightning speed and prolificness down the left wing, while Geordie content creators, Mouth of the Tyne, remarked that he was back to his “unplayable best.”

Talk about an all-encompassing performance. Gordon might not be an out-and-out striker, but he’s fighting hard to step up and succeed as Newcastle’s attacking talisman.

Alexander Isak may not play for the club anymore, but Newcastle have found a worthy successor in Woltemade, and Gordon is ready to raise his role too.

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Eddie Howe’s Newcastle have some issues to contend with this season.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 21, 2025

iShowSpeed was seen leading the celebrations after Al-Nassr’s recent 5-1 win over Al-Fateh, with the streamer’s favourite player, Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the second goal in the routine victory.

iShowSpeed in attendance as Al-Nassr demolish Al-Fateh

Al-Nassr continued their perfect start to the Saudi Pro League season on Saturday evening, winning their fifth game on the spin, which leaves them four points clear of nearest rivals Al-Hilal at the top of the table.

iShowSpeed was in attendance, with the American well-known to be a super-fan of Ronaldo, and the forward, who is still regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, rewarded the 20-year-old, scoring Al-Nassr’s second goal of the game on the hour mark.

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Lineker has named his footballing Mount Rushmore.

ByCharlie Smith Aug 2, 2025

After the game, the Twitch streamer was directed to lead the celebrations by the 40-year-old, who instructed him how to play the drum, with the clip subsequently going viral.

It is not the first interaction iShowSpeed has had with his idol, with a video of the two meeting a little over two years ago racking up over 25 million views.

Speed’s love of the Manchester United and Real Madrid legend stems from a £1.79 donation to his stream over three years ago, which has been credited as a life-changing moment for the Cincinnati-born streamer.

With the Al-Nassr star clearly thankful for the support, he has now followed iShowSpeed on Instagram and even posted him on his story to his 666 million followers.

Fans of the duo will be hoping the gesture could lead to a collaboration of sorts in the future, although the streamer, whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr, has made it clear he doesn’t want to meet his idol on stream.

Ronaldo at the top of his game ahead of 2026 World Cup

There was an expectation that the 2022 World Cup may be the Portugal star’s last, but he is showing no signs of slowing down, having scored six goals for Al-Nassr already this season, taking his tally to 99 in 112 appearances.

The legendary forward has also continued to impress at international level, most recently bagging a brace in a 2-2 draw at home against Hungary, although his side were denied early qualification as a result of Dominik Szoboszlai’s late equaliser.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s longevity can only be commended, but given that he is now 40-years-old, the 2026 World Cup will surely be the former Real Madrid man’s last opportunity to get his hands on one of the only trophies that has eluded him…

يخوض النادي الأهلي مباراة قوية أمام منافسه سيراميكا كليوباترا، اليوم الخميس، بالمواجهة التي تجمع بين الفريقين ضمن لقاءات بطولة كأس السوبر المصري.

وتقام المباراة بين الأهلي وسيراميكا كليوباترا، على أرضية استاد هزاع بن زايد في الإمارات، ضمن مواجهات نصف نهائي كأس السوبر المصري.

طالع | تشكيل الأهلي الرسمي أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا في السوبر المصري.. توروب يدفع بـ القوة الضاربة

ويشارك النادي الأهلي “بطل الدوري المصري الموسم الماضي” في بطولة السوبر المصري في الإمارات، بجانب أندية الزمالك وبيراميدز وسيراميكا كليوباترا.

ويحاول الأهلي الفوز باللقاء على حساب سيراميكا كليوباترا، من أجل التأهل إلى المباراة النهائية والسعي خطوة نحو تحقيق اللقب المحلي بالموسم الحالي.

ومن المنتظر أن تتواجد القوة الضاربة للنادي الأهلي، المكونة من أحمد سيد زيزو وأشرف بن شرقي ومحمود حسن تريزيجيه والمهاجم السلوفيني جراديشار، بجانب عودة علي محمد بن رمضان بعد تعافيه من الإصابة. تشكيل الأهلي المتوقع اليوم أمام سيراميكا كليوباترا في السوبر المصري

حراسة المرمى: محمد الشناوي.

خط الدفاع: محمد هاني- ياسر إبراهيم- ياسين مرعي- أحمد نبيل كوكا.

خط الوسط: محمد علي بن رمضان- مروان عطية- أشرف بن شرقي- محمود حسن تريزيجيه- أحمد سيد زيزو.

الهجوم: جراديشار.

أعلن أيمن الرمادي المدير الفنى لفريق الكرة الأول بنادي البنك الأهلي عن تشكيل لاعبيه لمواجهة الزمالك، ضمن مباريات الجولة الثانية عشر من عمر مسابقة الدوري المصري الممتاز موسم 2025/2026.

ويواجه فريق البنك الأهلي نظيره فريق البنك الأهلي، في تمام الساعة الثامنة من مساء اليوم الخميٍس، على ملعب القاهرة الدولي.

طالع.. تشكيل الزمالك أمام البنك الأهلي في الدوري.. الدباغ يقود الهجوم تشكيل البنك الأهلي أمام الزمالك في الدوري

حراسة المرمى: عبد العزيز البلعوطي.

خط الدفاع: عمرو الجزار، مصطفى الزناري، هشام صلاح، إسحاق يعقوبو.

خط الوسط: محمد فتحي، محمد إبراهيم، محمد بن شرقي، مصطفى شلبي.

خط الهجوم: أحمد ياسر ريان، أسامة فيصل.

ويجلس على مقاعد البدلاء: “أحمد صبحي، سعيدو سيمبوري، مصطفى دويدار، أحمد مدبولي، يسري وحيد، أحمد النادري، محمود الجزار، ياو انور، سيد نيمار”.

Kuldeep was introduced as late as the 11th over, and bowled three wicketless overs for 27 runs

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Apr-20253:06

Ganga; Kuldeep not finishing his overs a missed opportunity

In Delhi Capitals’ (DC) 14-run defeat at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Tuesday, their captain Axar Patel used only three overs of Kuldeep Yadav, India’s premier wristspinner. Not only did DC not use spin in the powerplay, but Kuldeep was introduced as late as the 11th over. KKR eventually posted 79 for 1 in the powerplay, and that platform helped them post 204 for 9, a score that proved to be good enough on the night.Daren Ganga, the former West Indies captain, said on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out that Kuldeep is a bowler who must finish his quota every game. He also said that using Kuldeep as a wicket-taking option in the powerplay could have slowed KKR down, and was a gamble worth taking with Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sunil Narine and Ajinkya Rahane going hard at the other DC bowlers.”Kuldeep not finishing his spell to me was a bit of a missed opportunity,” Ganga said. “When you have a bowler like Kuldeep, regardless of the day he’s having, I’d like to see him exhaust his full complement of overs. That is something he [Axar] could’ve looked at – bowling Kuldeep’s one over earlier on, and then bowling three overs in the middle. That could’ve changed proceedings and probably informed how the other spinners would go on that surface.Related

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“I was having a conversation about teams and their reluctance to use conventional wristspinners in the powerplay phase. To me, if you’re trying to control a phase by taking wickets, that’s an option for you. And then if you know you have an issue with your bowlers not penetrating opposition batters, then I think it is worth a gamble for you to use, at least one over of wristspin in that phase.”Kuldeep finally entered the attack as DC’s sixth bowler, delivering the 11th, 13th, and 15th overs and finishing with figures of 0 for 27. But by then, KKR had already built a strong platform, and even a few hiccups couldn’t derail their momentum. Wasim Jaffer labelled it “strange tactics” not to use Kuldeep up front when DC were clearly in need of a breakthrough while Ambati Rayudu pointed to Kuldeep’s recent success against left-hand batters and said he could have troubled Narine.”Especially today when KKR batsmen were going great guns, I felt they should’ve brought a spinner on for sure. Kuldeep is a wicket-taker and he’s been bowling brilliantly to left-handers of late,” Rayudu said. “He’s been getting the dip now, which wasn’t there in his bowling earlier, and he’s not afraid to bowl googlies to left-handers, and he’s been getting wickets off googlies.”3:56

‘Axar should back himself to bowl in powerplay’

‘Axar could have bowled in the powerplay too’Kuldeep wasn’t DC’s only spin option. Vipraj Nigam was brought on in the seventh over, while Axar bowled four overs on the trot from the eighth to the 14th. Despite being effective, Axar too did not bowl in the powerplay, a surprising decision considering his performance in the powerplay in the previous game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).”I think [Axar could’ve bowled] definitely for an over at least,” Rayudu said. “They were going after pace and you had to slow things down, not only time-wise but also in terms of giving pace to the batsmen. I felt they missed a little trick there.”Axar has also become a much, much better bowler. He bowls the under-cutter, which he bowls to left-handers that goes away. And he has that height where he never bowls too full. I think he definitely should have bowled in the powerplay.”Jaffer served a reminder that Axar dismissed left-handers Jacob Bethell and Devdutt Padikkal against RCB too, nullifying the left-arm spinner to left-hand batter worry that some teams have.”I think he should have used at least one over himself, considering in the last game he got two wickets off left-handers,” Jaffer said. “[Not bowling] against Nicholas Pooran you would understand since Pooran is a different beast altogether, but against all other [left-handed] batters, he should back himself.”Ganga, meanwhile, acknowledged the captain’s dilemma when choosing between backing himself or deploying other bowlers. He said that Dushmantha Chameera’s recent inclusion might have influenced Axar’s choices. Still, he felt captains need to show greater conviction.”If the surface was offering a bit more turn, it might’ve prompted him to bowl in the powerplay phase,” Ganga said. “There are also times, as a captain, you find yourself between a rock and a hard place with you putting yourself as an option compared to using other options.”Chameera has been brought in recently to join this DC side. His USP is bowling in the first and last phase, so he was given an opportunity to, but at times, you have to be more determined, take the game by its horns and back yourself. I think we overrate match-ups, sometimes, bowlers can still trouble batters’ inside edge as well. I think at times captains can be a bit more enterprising and use that option.”

Nottingham Forest have reached an agreement over the £37m signing of an exciting attacking player alongside their deals Arnaud Kalimuendo and James McAtee, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Reds are having a busy period in the summer transfer window, with Rennes striker Kalimuendo reportedly on the verge of joining the club for around £25m to become their sixth capture after Igor Jesus, Dan Ndoye, Jair Cunha, Angus Gunn and Zach Abbott.

The 23-year-old will arrive as a hugely exciting signing – one who registered 17 goals and three assists in Ligue 1 last season – as Nuno Espirito Santo makes additions to his attack ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

Forest’s business is far from done there, however, with McAtee expected to arrive from Manchester City for around £30m, coming in as a gifted young player who won the European Championship with England’s Under-21s earlier this summer.

Now, another player is thought to be on the verge of becoming a Reds player, too, with Evangelos Marinakis not messing around and granting his manager a whole host of new attacking options.

Nottingham Forest set to sign Hutchinson

Writing on X on Friday morning, Romano reports that Nottingham Forest are closing in on the £37m signing of Omari Hutchinson from Ipswich Town, with a medical happening imminently.

This is fantastic for Forest fans, who will no doubt be loving the amount of focus on new attackers currently, as Nuno reshapes his squad and adds depth to it. In Hutchinson, the Reds could be signing a player who is not only a key man from the off, but also a future star at the City Ground, considering he is still only 21 years of age.

The Englishman was a part of the Euros-winning team alongside McAtee, scoring once in the tournament, and he also bagged five goal contributions in the Premier League for a struggling Ipswich side last season, as well as being lauded by Kieran McKenna in the past.

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The player only joined last summer…

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Hutchinson can come in and provide strong competition out wide for Callum Hudson-Odoi, also helping fill the void left by Anthony Elanga, and he could prove to be an eye-catching and influential signing for Forest.

MatériaMais Notícias

O empate do Corinthians com o Cuiabá na noite deste sábado (10) trouxe ao Timão o risco de terminar a décima rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro na zona do rebaixamento. O pior, a equipe alvinegra pode chegar até a vice-lanterna da competição nacional. Para que nenhuma dessas coisas aconteçam, o torcedor corintiano precisará manter o secador ligado neste domingo para que América-MG, Goiás e Vasco não vençam os seus respectivos jogos. 

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansCorinthians tem acordo encaminhado para a renovação de empréstimo do meia Ruan OliveiraCorinthians11/06/2023CorinthiansAlessandro reforça confiança em Luxemburgo, mas não dá prazo de trabalho para o treinador no CorinthiansCorinthians10/06/2023CorinthiansLuxemburgo admite que Corinthians não possui elenco para disputar três competições e acredita em evolução após a data FifaCorinthians10/06/2023

E a primeira missão da Fiel já foi bem sucedidade, já que, mesmo jogando em casa, o América-MG não venceu o Athletico-PR, na manhã deste domingo (11). O Coelho chegou a estar perdendo por 2 a 0 na Arena Independência, mas foi buscar o empate aos 50 minutos do segundo tempo, justamente com o gol de um ex-corintiano: Danilo Avelar. Ainda assim, mesmo com o empate, o time mineiro chegou a oito pontos, um a menos que os nove que o Coringão possui.

+ Todos os jogos do Brasileirão você encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

Já às 16h, a torcida do Corinthians precisará esquecer o DVD e o histórico recente de rivalidade contra o Internacional, porque o Colorado receberá o Vasco da Gama, em Porto Alegre. A equipe cruz-maltina, que venceu somente na primeira rodada do Brasileirão, tem seis pontos, três a menos que o Coringão. Portanto, para deixar o Time do Povo para trás, não basta que apenas os cariocas vençam os gaúchos, eles também precisam tirar uma diferença de saldo de dois gols.

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Os vascaínos estão negativos em oito, e os corintianos em seis. Ambas as equipes foram às redes nove vezes neste campeonato. Porém, uma vitória do Gigante da Colina passa pelo time fazer, ao menos, um gol, o que seria o suficiente para eles passassem o Timão no critério de gols pró. Assim, o Vasco vencendo o Inter por somente um gol de diferença ainda não seria o necessário para que o Corinthians seja deixado para trás pelos cariocas. 

+ Ruan Oliveira entra no segundo tempo e evita derrota do Corinthians contra o Cuiabá

Por fim, às 18h30, o secador corintiano terá a sua última missão: evitar a vitória do Goiás. O Esmeraldino recebe o Fluminense, no estádio da Serrinha, em Goiânia. A situação dos goianos é a mesma do América-MG. Ambos têm sete pontos, dois a menos que o Corinthians, podendo chegar a 10 em caso de vitória e ultrapassando a equipe do Parque São Jorge. 

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Assim, se, pelo menos, um desses resultados adversos para o Timão se concretizarem, o time alvinegro terminará a décima rodada do Brasileirão entre os quatro piores times da competição. E terá que conviver com o fato de estar na zona do rebaixamento para a Série B durante, no mínimo, 10 dias, período até a retomada da competição, que terá uma pausa por conta das datas Fifa para que aconteçam jogos entre seleções. 

Tudo sobre

Athletico-PRCorinthians

Elland Road will have to be a fortress in the Premier League this season for Leeds United to survive at the first time of asking.

The last eight opening fixtures in the top-flight that had fallen at the hallowed turf, building up to Monday night’s clash with Everton, had seen the Whites pick up five wins and collect zero defeats. Thankfully, that impressive trend continued against David Moyes’ Toffees, as a slender 1-0 win was secured.

It could have been more emphatic on another night, as Leeds boasted 2.13 xG come the full-time whistle, having registered 21 efforts in total at Jordan Pickford’s busy net.

But, it would end up just being a slim victory for Daniel Farke’s side – not that anyone packed into Elland Road cared – courtesy of Lukas Nmecha stroking home a penalty with some confidence, considering it was his debut in West Yorkshire.

Nmecha's standout debut performance

Nmecha will be remembered for some time now as the figure who officially got Leeds’ 2025/26 season up and running as he placed a spot-kick with ease past Pickford.

The former Wolfsburg attacker would only go on to amass ten touches of the ball from his inspired 13-minute cameo, with the German’s fifth touch of the ball being the decisive moment that broke the deadlock.

Amazingly, during his entire debut season in Germany for his past employers, he wouldn’t break his duck.

In his fresh English surroundings, however, he has that monkey off his back, as Nmecha now hopes he can be an effective utility option all campaign long, with the 26-year-old capable of slotting into Farke’s XI up top – like he managed against the Toffees – as well as down either flank.

A dream opening day in the difficult division won’t stop Leeds dead in their tracks when it comes to sealing more late deals before September’s deadline, however, with a Nmecha repeat potentially on the cards if Farke and Co. can strike up a £22m move in time.

Leeds frontrunners to sign £22m star

Nmecha managed to bask in the limelight of being Leeds’ goalscorer on the night, with other brand new recruit Dominic Calvert-Lewin absent from the side altogether.

The former Everton attacker will no doubt get his own opportunities to impress down the line, but Leeds don’t look to be done and dusted just yet when it comes to trying to add more exciting attackers to their ever-growing squad.

Indeed, Leeds are very close to welcoming in another standout summer addition in the form of Noah Okafor, with a deal now in place for the AC Milan attacker to move to English shores for a fee around the £18m mark, as per Fabrizio Romano on X.

On top of that, another update states that Leeds is well-positioned to land another exciting attacking option, this time from La Liga.

Spanish outlet Carrusel Deportivo has revealed that Leeds could soon welcome Getafe ace Christantus Uche to Elland Road, having been noted as being in a favourable spot to do so, with Brentford also interested in the £22m forward’s services.

Further reports also suggest that even more of Leeds’ Premier League foes in Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland are keen, with the Whites fearful that Regis Le Bris’ men could pip them to yet another coveted signature this summer.

Fresh off scoring on the opening day in La Liga himself, Leeds will pray they can get a deal over the line for Uche – amid all this competition for his services – as they attempt to win another version of Nmecha.

Why Uche can be a Nmecha repeat

It is, of course, too early in his Leeds career to suggest he will be a rip-roaring success, but Nmecha couldn’t have made a better first impression if he tried.

Uche also raced out of the blocks with blistering speed for Getafe last time out, with a goal and an assist coming his way versus Celta Vigo, continuing his stunning ascent with his Spanish employers.

Before linking up with José Bordalás’ side, the Nigerian attacker was plying his trade in the lower depths of Spanish football with third-tier outfit AD Ceuta FC.

Now, he looks to be on the brink of a move to the Premier League, having turned into a “spectacular” asset in La Liga, as he was dubbed by Bordalás himself.

CF

19

4 + 4

AM

13

0 + 3

SS

3

0

LW

1

0 + 1

LM

1

1 + 0

From just 39 appearances and counting for Getafe, the adaptable Nigerian has chipped in with a bumper five goals and eight assists, with Uche also lining up in five different positions for his side when needed.

Nmecha also offered this same level of flexibility for Wolfsburg, having been noted previously for his ability to play in “so many different positions” by former boss Nico Kovac.

Much like Uche, the ex-Wolfsburg number ten had a knack for launching himself into any forthcoming XI in a whole host of different roles, with three career goals even coming his way down the right flank for the Bundesliga giants, despite being predominantly known for his strengths as a centre-forward, where 14 strikes were registered.

Both players could be worthwhile bodies to have around the building, therefore, with Nmecha already proving his worth as an impact substitute when sending Elland Road into raptures versus Moyes’ men.

Farke will hope he will be able to wax lyrical about Uche in a similar manner very soon, with the 22-year-old not perturbed by the bright lights of La Liga whatsoever during his Getafe stay.

The Premier League shouldn’t unnerve him either, hopefully, as the German just goes about tweaking here and there to try and give his underdogs the best fighting chance at instant survival.

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Will yet another summer spending spree at Chelsea continue?

Already this window, the Blues have spent in excess of £220m to recruit eight new players, including Estêvão Willian, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, João Pedro and others.

Now though, the newly-crowned Club World Cup champions have their eye on a Premier League superstar.

Chelsea's search for more attackers

Of the new recruits mentioned above, suffice it to say that Pedro has made the biggest immediate impression.

On his full debut, having been on a beach in Brazil just a matter of days earlier, the striker scored two absolute thunderbolts against former side Fluminense in the Club World Cup semi-finals, before adding the third during the 3-0 final demolition of PSG a few days later.

Ahmed Walid of the Athletic outlines how he has made an immediate impact, despite extremely ‘limited training time with the squad’, suggesting the Blues would not have won the competition without him.

Nevertheless, Chelsea could now sign an even bigger Premier League star for even more than the £60m paid to secure Pedro’s services.

That’s because, according to a report by Mark Brus of Caught Offside, Chelsea have been in contact with Eberechi Eze’s representatives over a potential move, as they enter talks over a potential move for the attacking midfielder.

Ed Aarons of the Guardian has previously documented Arsenal and Tottenham’s interest in the England international, noting that his contract contains a £67.5m release clause, with Palace ‘adamant’ that he will only be allowed to leave if that price point is met.

The Gunners have appeared to be the front-runners to sign Eze, but could Chelsea usurp their fierce London rivals, just as they did to infamously sign Mykhailo Mudryk for a reported fee of £88.7m back in January 2023?

How Eberechi Eze would improve Chelsea

Eze scored 14 goals and registered 11 assists in all competitions last season, most notably bagging the winner in the FA Cup Final as Crystal Palace upset the odds to defeat Manchester City at Wembley in May.

His performances warranted rave reviews, with Statman Dave labelling him a “gifted player”, while Simon Collings of the Evening Standard praised his ‘ability to play off the cuff and create something out of nothing’, adding that supporters are instantaneously enamoured by his ‘flamboyant playing style’.

Meanwhile, Sam Tabuteau of Breaking the Lines notes that he is ‘thriving as the talisman’ at Selhurst Park, believing now is the right time for the 27-year-old to make the next step in his career.

So, how did he compare to Chelsea’s most recent, big-money intra-Premier League signing, Pedro?

Appearances

43

30

Minutes

3,303

2,136

Goals

14

10

Assists

11

7

All statistics below are per-90 and PL only:

Shots

2.2

1.6

Shots on target

1.1

1

Chances created

2

1.3

Take-ons completed

2.4

1.4

Take-on success %

51.9%

38.2%

Touches

54.9

48.8

Average Sofascore rating

7.28

7.15

As the table outlines, Eze comes out on top for every single attacking metric included, both in terms of overall and on a per 90 basis.

In fact, only four players attempted more take-ons than Eze in the league last season, while also ranking sixth for shot-creating actions, both according to FBref.com.

Pedro played around 500 fewer minutes in the Premier League, mainly due to the fact that he didn’t feature in any of Brighton’s final five matches to conclude the campaign, first sent off against Brentford, subsequently serving a three-match suspension, before being exiled following a ‘training ground altercation’ with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke.

No such concerns surrounding Eze, who is a truly majestic player to watch, and would be a serious statement signing for Chelsea, even if they already boast plenty of options in attacking areas, as he could be even better than Pedro.

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