It was only three months ago that Chandrakant Pandit and Venkatesh Iyer were sitting in the Madhya Pradesh camp plotting against Ajinkya Rahane and his Mumbai team before the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final. Now, as IPL 2025 approaches, the three are on the same side with a common goal: crafting a winning formula for defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).With six key players retained and several familiar faces re-signed at the auction, KKR have kept the core of their title-winning squad, ready to take on the new season. The only major missing piece? Former mentor Gautam Gambhir and his coaching staff, who are now with the India national team. But in Dwayne Bravo, KKR have likely found a champion – pun intended – replacement.That said, with Bravo’s vibrant persona in stark contrast to Gambhir’s reserved intensity, might we see a change in KKR’s approach in the coming season? “I think it’s going to be disrespectful of me not to try and find out some of the good things he [Gambhir] did last season,” Bravo told the media in Kolkata on Thursday. “But also the core of the team is here, and that was the duty of the coach and myself to go back into the auction and try our best to get back as much as the same squad of players from the championship-winning team, and we were able to get that.Related

• Axar Patel to captain Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025

• Why KKR made Rahane, and not Venkatesh, their captain

• Ottis Gibson takes charge as KKR assistant coach

• Ajinkya Rahane to lead KKR in IPL 2025

“But I think GG [Gambhir] has his style and I have my style, and we both have been successful in our own ways. I definitely messaged him a few times and stuff, so yeah… But again, I will be leaning a lot on the guys here because they had a successful formula, and it’s to follow that.”One thing that was made clear in Thursday’s chat was KKR’s desire to not allow Gambhir’s absence to become a central theme of their new season. When Venkatesh was asked about his opinion on the change in mentors, Pandit interjected: “Excuse me guys, please. You know the current scenario. Let us not go back. He [Bravo] has already answered on that, so, please.”In Bravo, they have a mentor whose T20 credentials are nearly unmatched. His 17 titles in T20 competitions are the most for any player. His five titles as captain – all in the Caribbean Premier League – are behind only MS Dhoni (9) and Rohit Sharma (8), and equal with Shoaib Malik.Rahane, who returns to the KKR camp after a forgettable 2021 season with the franchise, acknowledged Bravo’s value. “It is really exciting to work with him,” Rahane, KKR’s new captain, said. “Obviously, he’s been the [second] most capped T20 player in history, so he brings a lot of experience to the table. He’s a hard-working tactician of what I’ve heard of him. I’ve always seen him go around the boundary line, and [he] keeps talking to the bowlers. So I’m really excited to play under him.Venkatesh Iyer, Chandrakant Pandit, Dwayne Bravo and Ajinkya Rahane address the media•Kolkata Knight Riders

“And see, nothing can beat experience. He’s played so many games, [and] he’s won so many games for West Indies and the franchises that he’s played for. So, obviously, for us, working with him, I expect that I’ll get to learn a lot with him both individually as well as in a team.”Rahane himself comes into IPL 2025 with a lot of eyes on him. When the auction took place, in November 2024, Mumbai and Rahane had played only one Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match in the season. While Mumbai were one of the tournament favourites, very few would have imagined him going on to finish as the highest run-scorer. Bought for INR 1.5 crore (USD 180,000 approx.) – after initially being ignored by all teams and later picked by KKR at his base price in the accelerated round – KKR’s Rahane deal looks like a masterstroke in hindsight. But where he bats for KKR remains to be seen, Rahane said. Separately, he backed Venkatesh to come good on his INR 23.75 crore (USD 2.83 million approx.) price tag.”I have always played wherever the team wanted me to play throughout my career, and that’s been my thinking,” Rahane said. “Always team comes first. Still, for the first game, we have eight days to go, and we need to have more conversations with the coach and mentor. But whatever the team wants, I will always give my best on that particular number.””At the same time, I do want to tell you all that Venkatesh deserves that price. People are talking about all these things, but he has done well for this franchise on number of occasions. So I think he has deserved that price.”The reality is that pre-season questions around a price tag as hefty as Venkatesh’s are hard to avoid. Venkatesh has become familiar with this line of questioning over the last three months, and he said there will be pressure; but come the IPL, pressure is something every player experiences in some form.”Wherever I go, I get asked this question, so it [pressure] exists, right?” Venkatesh said. “You can’t ignore it altogether, but when the IPL starts, it really doesn’t matter. Pressure is always there irrespective. If not the price tag, it’ll be something else. Selection, performing at your batting position, playing at multiple positions, bowling, fielding – there’s pressure in everything for everyone. So the pressure will still be there. It’s just up to me now on how I absorb the pressure. I can’t ignore it altogether, so I’ll be looking to absorb it instead while fulfilling my responsibilities.”Bravo finished the chat by explaining how, having worked with Shah Rukh Khan at Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL over the past decade, he is keen to give back to the man who invested in franchise cricket in his home island, Trinidad and Tobago.”In the CPL, I started off with the Trinbago Night Riders when SRK bought the team, and I was one of the happiest persons on the planet to know that someone like him showed an interest to buy a team – not only in the Caribbean, but my hometown,” Bravo said. “I was able to help build the Trinbago Knight Riders into the most successful franchise in CPL history.”That energy and that vibe I’m going to try to bring that here as well. It’s already a successful team, you know – behind Mumbai and CSK [both sides that Bravo has previously represented], we have the third-most trophies in the cabinet. We are looking to build on that, and I think with a squad like this, we have every opportunity to do so.”As for the toughest question of the evening: “Is Bravo releasing a new song to seal his KKR association?” Bravo replied, wearing a smile, that the Caribbean version of would have to wait.

It is fair to say that it has been an exciting summer for Sunderland since they beat Sheffield United at Wembley to earn promotion to the Premier League.

The Black Cats have not messed about in the summer transfer window, as they have splashed the cash to improve the options at Regis Le Bris’ disposal.

Possibly the most notable addition of the window so far has been the signing of experienced midfielder Granit Xhaka from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of £13m.

The Switzerland international has played over 200 games in the Premier League, over 100 matches in the Bundesliga, and over 30 times in the Champions League, per Transfermarkt, and the Black Cats are now on the verge of landing a similarly high-profile signing.

Sunderland set to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender

According to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, Sunderland have reached an agreement to bring Paris Saint-Germain defender Nordi Mukiele to the Stadium of Light.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The journalist claims that the 27-year-old is now closing in on a move to Wearside with ‘immediate effect’, and notes that he could be reunited with Xhaka after playing alongside him last season.

Fabrizio Romano adds that Mukiele has already said ‘yes’ to a move to Sunderland, which suggests that there may not be many problems with personal terms.

If the Black Cats can get this deal over the line in the coming hours, the club could have an exciting repeat of their Xhaka masterclass on their hands.

Why Mukiele is a Xhaka repeat for Sunderland

The new Sunderland captain arrived to much fanfare as a vastly experienced and well-known name in European football, particularly in England, and Mukiele would be a similar signing.

Although he does not have the same reputation in England, the France international is a well-known name to anyone who has kept up with European football in the past five years or so, as he has starred for RB Leipzig, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayer Leverkusen.

Bundesliga

115

19

Ligue 1

85

4

Champions League

35

5

Ligue 2

34

4

Europa League

7

0

As you can see in the table above, Mukiele has plenty of experience at the top level, with 200 appearances in two of the top five leagues in Europe in his career to date.

Sky Sports contributor Dougie Critchley describes the versatile star, who can play at right-back or centre-back, as a “dominant” defender and a “Champions League level player”, like Xhaka.

These comments and his statistics throughout his career show that Sunderland are on the verge of signing a vastly experienced player who has proven himself on some of the biggest stages in Europe, as was the case when they signed Xhaka from Leverkusen.

Mukiele played 15 times in the Bundesliga for Leverkusen in the 2024/25 campaign and showcased his dominant defensive work by winning 67% of his ground duels and making 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game, as per Sofascore.

This suggests that he will be an aggressive, strong, and experienced option for Le Bris to call upon at right-back or centre-back in the Premier League, given his performances in the German top-flight last term.

His experience at the top level and recent displays in the Bundesliga suggest that he will not be phased by what the Premier League will throw at him week-in-week-out, in the same way that the incredibly experienced Xhaka will be a dependable figure in midfield.

Sunderland could land their own Wirtz with move for "electric" £26m star

Regis Le Bris could soon be handed his very own Florian Wirtz at Sunderland.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 13, 2025

Therefore, this could be another exciting and impressive piece of recruitment work done by the Black Cats in their attempt to build a team that will not look out of their depth in the top-flight.

Things are looking up for Wolverhampton Wanderers. With deadline day approaching, they look set to keep hold of Jorgen Strand Larsen and have now reportedly set their sights on a new midfield target.

Wolves' late transfer plans

Despite already signing Fer Lopez, Ladislav Krejci, Jhon Arias, Jackson Tchatchoua and David Miller Wolfe this summer, Wolves are still reportedly eyeing a late spending spree. With Fabio Silva on his way to Borussia Dortmund, there’s suddenly space in Vitor Pereira’s side for another attacking reinforcement and, as such, Tolu Arokodare has emerged as a serious option.

Whether Newcastle United’s decision to pursue Nick Woltemade instead of Strand Larsen changes the urgency of those in the Midlands is the question that needs answering, but reports have always indicated that Arokodare is seen as a replacement for Silva and not for the Norwegian.

In an ideal world, by the time the deadline passes, Wolves will have two very talented strikers at their disposal and ready to fire Pereira’s side to Premier League safety.

Wolves now eyeing late move to sign another "superb" striker with Arokodare

The Midlands club could be forced to replace Strand Larsen.

ByTom Cunningham Aug 28, 2025

The manager recently had his say on Strand Larsen and will be among those relieved that Newcastle decided to look elsewhere. He told reporters following Wolves’ 3-2 Carabao Cup win against West Ham United in midweek: “If it’s my decision, of course [Strand-Larsen stays]. Of course. Because he’s a very important player. It’s not only about the technical and tactical, it’s about the character. He’s a player with character.”

Meanwhile, it’s not just the striker department that could receive a major boost before the end of the transfer window. Reports are now suggesting that Wolves are eyeing a last-gasp midfield move.

Wolves submit Hackney offer

According to Football League World, Wolves have now submitted a bid worth £30m to sign Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough. The Championship star has been linked with a move away from the club all summer long, with interest from Ipswich Town and Wolves’ rivals, West Bromwich Albion emerging.

Now, it could be Wolves who secure his signature in what would be a deserved move. The 23-year-old has enjoyed an impressive rise at Boro and, in truth, has had the quality to step into the Premier League for at least two seasons. Compared to both Andre and Joao Gomes, it’s clear that Hackney would push all the way for a starting place at Molineux.

Minutes

2,472

2,974

3,792

Progressive Passes

109

165

440

Tackles Won

55

71

56

Ball Recoveries

194

200

281

Described as “excellent” earlier this season by manager Rob Edwards, Hackeny has simply picked up where he left off in the last campaign. The midfield star is an incredibly talented ball progressor and combines that ability with his knack for winning possession back for his side – two traits that could make all the difference for Wolves in their bid to survive.

Peter Krawietz worked alongside Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and has followed the former Anfield boss into the Red Bull ranks as Head of Soccer Philosophy. While a new challenge away from the dugout is being embraced, Krawietz has been casting an eye back over a memorable era on Merseyside – which saw Klopp deliver Champions League and Premier League title triumphs.

GettyKlopp's success stories at Liverpool

Klopp made his way to Liverpool in October 2015 and would go on to spend the best part of nine years in the most demanding of coaching roles. He helped to make the Reds challengers for major honours at home and abroad before bidding an emotional farewell at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

He helped to put a number of players on the path to superstardom, with it Klopp that brought Mohamed Salah back to English football in the summer of 2017. The Egyptian superstar has become a Liverpool great and will stand forever alongside some legendary figures at Anfield. He also snapped up Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in a big-money transfer that raised more than a few eyebrows, with the Dutchman now club captain and one of the finest defenders in world football. Trent Alexander-Arnold is another of Klopp’s many success stories.

AdvertisementThe transformation of Alexander-Arnold

Merseyside native Alexander-Arnold was a starry-eyed academy hopeful when Klopp took the reins at Anfield, with his promise clear for all to see. The highly-rated full-back, who boasted the kind of technical ability that few in his position possess, was handed his senior debut in October 2016 a matter of days after his 18th birthday.

The buccaneering defender had come a long way by that point, with Krawietz telling GOAL of how the skinny youngster blossomed into one of the finest full-backs of his generation: “I still remember Trent Alexander-Arnold running across the field for the first time as a 15-year-old beanpole – physically underdeveloped, with no muscles at all. But even then, the youth coaches said he was a huge talent. In the end, he became Liverpool's homegrown right-back, shaping the team's play and symbolising the team's development.”

Getty ImagesHow Firmino became a fan favourite

Liverpool were able to turn Alexander-Arnold into a superstar, with Roberto Firmino treading a similar path. The enigmatic Brazilian forward was inherited by Klopp and Co when they took the reins, with his work ethic proving to be a perfect fit for the ‘Gegenpressing’ philosophy that a demanding German coach was famed for. He quickly became a fan favourite, despite never being prolific in front of goal, and always played with a smile on his face.

Krawietz added when asked to pick out the player that impressed him most as a person: “Roberto Firmino comes to mind. His development was extremely interesting to observe. He initially came to the Christmas party wearing sunglasses, wore the best suits, and partied the hardest. Later, he found faith and became a Christian. The way he embraced that and drew strength and conviction from it was quite extraordinary. He always thought about others and became a role model for them. He perfectly combined his Brazilian style of playing with the necessary seriousness and commitment.”

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State of play: Where Firmino & Alexander-Arnold are now

Firmino brought an eight-year spell with Liverpool to a close in 2023 when he headed to the Saudi Pro League, with the 33-year-old South American now in Qatar with Al Sadd. His fearsome strike partnership with Salah and Sadio Mane will always hold a special place in the hearts of Reds supporters.

Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, made a controversial departure from Anfield in the summer of 2025. Having allowed his contract to run down, the now 26-year-old opted to step out of his comfort zone when agreeing a deal with La Liga giants Real Madrid. Some Liverpool supporters were less than impressed at seeing one of their own walk away on the back of another title triumph, with the 34-cap England international making a slow start to life alongside Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe at Santiago Bernabeu.

Visiting captain finishes off the game himself as South Africa go down heavily in second Youth Test

ECB Reporters Network06-Feb-2025England U19s 353 (Sawant 130, Fonseka 52, Rossouw 5-74) and 25 for 0 beat South Africa U19s 224 (James 84, Hansen 63, Jack 3-42) and 153 (Rowles 71, Vaughan 6-19) by 10 wicketsYoung Lions captain Archie Vaughan put the finishing touches on a comfortable 10-wicket win over South Africa Men U19s in the second Youth Test at Cape Town.Vaughan helped tidy up the home tail on the fourth morning to return 6 for 19 before he and Ben Dawkins knocked off a victory target of 25 in just 3.1 overs.The tourists needed two wickets to end the Young Proteas’ second innings when play resumed and Vaughan, who did the damage on the third evening with five wickets, immediately made an impact bowling Sandiswa Yeni for a duck.Eddie Jack wrapped up the innings when Nqobani Mokoena hit out to Alexander Wade in the deep as the hosts were bowled out for 153.The England Men U19 openers made light work of the chase, with Vaughan lap-sweeping Mokoena for six before Dawkins crunched Nathan Rossouw to the rope to win the game.England Men U19s won the series 1-0, after falling one wicket short of victory in the first Youth Test last week. South Africa Men U19s had won the preceding Youth ODI series 2-1.

Daniel Levy discovered his Tottenham Hotspur sacking on the day it was announced, per a new report from The Athletic. The long-serving powerbroker in north London was shockingly removed from his position on September 4, and the new report suggests he had no idea he was about to be axed from a position he had held since 2001.

• Levy axed

  Spurs announced on September 21 that Levy had left his position as executive chairman of the club, marking an end to a 24-year reign that saw a glistening new stadium built, and two trophies won – the League Cup in 2008 and the Europa League last season. The Athletic now reports that Levy discovered his exit on the day it was announced, with him reporting for work with no idea the axe was about to fall. With the summer transfer window closed, and the likes of Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus signed, Levy walked into a meeting with director Peter Charrington, who informed him that he would be leaving his role. 

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• AFP
  

  A brutal goodbye

  Levy's departure came about so suddenly that the departing chairman was not even allowed into the training ground to retrieve his belongings. His wife, Tracey, who also worked at the club until the day of her husband's exit, also saw her access revoked as Spurs took immediate steps to cut the pair off. Spurs eventually returned their possessions via a removal van. It is not unusual in business settings for such a brisk exit to be conducted, but it remains shocking given Levy's length of service and his famously hands-on approach. Per the report, he was still heavily involved in transfer dealings throughout the summer, with his responsibilities not diminishing ahead of his departure. 

• 'I will be appreciated when I'm gone'

  Levy gave an interview to The Overlap's Gary Neville in the summer and revealed his belief that he will be appreciated after his exit, as Spurs fans reflect on his influence. 

  He said: “It’s one of those situations when I’m not here I’m sure I’ll get the credit. 

  “This stadium is a symbol of ­Tottenham Hotspur on the global map. It’s fantastic for the local ­community – the employment we’re creating because of this stadium. The fact that other clubs are now trying to copy what we’re doing, that should be a sign that maybe we did do something bold and something right.”

  Levy also drove the appointment of Thomas Frank after sacking Ange Postecoglou and added: “Whenever you appoint a coach, you always believe it’s right. You need a lot of ­ingredients for it to be right. Thomas is a highly intelligent individual, a ­fantastic way about him in terms of communication.

  “He will be great at ­developing young players and older players and making them better. He gets the style of football we want to play. We haven’t said to him: ‘You’ve got to win the league this year.’ We just want to compete at the highest level.”

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• Frank's shock

  Further to the shock announcement, even Frank has confirmed that he had no idea his boss was about to be forced out. 

  He told Sky Sports: "It was a big surprise for me. Of course, I was told a little bit before it was announced, but that still came very sudden, very quick in every aspect. I've worked together now with Daniel for three months and enjoyed that. I think I owe him a lot.

  "I've definitely been on course for a long relationship with Daniel. That was the plan, that was my idea. But in life and football, things happen, things change, and then you need to move on. And against West Ham it will be business as usual.

  "The legacy he has at Spurs is fantastic, and it's such an incredible job. He's done it in many ways. He's been here for 24 years and has been a big part of changing the club. The two biggest things are this world-class training centre and, of course, a world-class stadium. So to have those two to stand on as a foundation is incredible.

  "So we can really build something for the future that's hopefully going to be even better and bigger and more hopeful."

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras foi derrotado para o Botafogo por 1 a 0 na tarde deste domingo (25), no Allianz Parque, pela 12ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Na zona mista após o confronto, o zagueiro Gustavo Gómez analisou a derrota sofrida e afirmou que o Verdão ‘não merecia perder’, lamentando a falta de eficácia da equipe alviverde.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoJogador do Palmeiras recebe chuva de críticas na web após derrota para o Botafogo: ‘Pipocou’Fora de Campo25/06/2023PalmeirasATUAÇÕES: Veiga vai mal e perde pênalti na derrota do Palmeiras para o Botafogo pelo BrasileirãoPalmeiras25/06/2023BrasileirãoPor um Tiquinho, Botafogo vence o Palmeiras fora de casa e dispara na liderança do BrasileirãoBrasileirão25/06/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

– Foi um jogo difícil. Acho que não merecíamos perder, criamos muito, mas não fomos eficazes. Teve um pênalti, mas o futebol é isso, tem que ser eficaz. A gente jogou bem, precisamos melhorar um pouco mais a eficácia, mas acho que nosso time está bem. Ficamos com um gosto um pouco amargo porque a gente criou bastante, mas o futebol é isso – disse Gustavo Gómez.

+ Até 50% OFF em produtos do Verdão para os torcedores fanáticos!

Ainda, o capitão paraguaio elogiou a atuação do VAR na partida, que, corretamente, anulou seu gol marcado por posição de impedimento. Porém, Gómez relembrou o lance da finalização de Artur na última partida, contra o Bahia, em Salvador, em que as imagens mostradas da jogada não deixaram claro se a bola do camisa 14 entrou ou não.

continua após a publicidade

– Muito bem (como foi a atuação da arbitragem). O VAR também foi muito bem, a checagem tem a tecnologia para ser utilizada como precisa, e hoje foi de verdade muito bem. Parabéns para eles. Acho que lá em Salvador (contra o Bahia) não ficou muito claro, mas hoje foi muito bem e eu parabenizo eles – concluiu o capitão palmeirense.

Com o resultado, o Palmeiras caiu para a terceira colocação do Brasileirão com 22 pontos, oito a menos que o Alvinegro, líder da competição. O Verdão volta a campo nesta quinta (29), diante do Bolívar-BOL, também no Allianz Parque, pela última rodada da fase de grupos da Libertadores. O duelo vale a liderança do grupo C da competição continental.

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Tudo sobre

Brasileirãogustavo gómezPalmeiras

Manchester United are set for a new era under Ruben Amorim, with the hierarchy backing the manager in his quest for success during the off-season.

He’s already spent around £200m on new additions, largely having to work with the players signed by former boss Erik ten Hag – who was sacked back in October last year.

The Dutchman led the side to third place in the Premier League back in his first year, but his £600m spending spree was ultimately a failure, which saw various talents fail to impress at the club.

Lisandro Martínez and Antony are just two players who followed the former boss from Ajax in the summer of 2022, costing a staggering £142m combined – with the latter set to leave this summer for nearly a third of his original fee.

However, Amorim may be about to repeat the dealings made by Ten Hag at Old Trafford this window, especially if one player makes the move to join the Red Devils.

Man Utd plot move for Carlos Baleba alternative

In an attempt to bolster the midfield department, Brighton star Carlos Baleba has emerged as a key target for United between now and the end of the transfer window.

Whilst he still remains a viable option for the Red Devils, his current £100m price tag could prove to be too much given the recent business, with other talents needing to be considered in due course.

As a result, a shortlist of alternatives have been drawn up by the hierarchy, which has seen Feyenoord star Quinten Timber being considered, according to FootballTransfers.

Their report claims that Amorim’s men are closely monitoring a move for the 24-year-old, who made 26 appearances across all competitions, helping the club win the Dutch Super Cup.

It also states that his current employers, who are managed by former United star Robin van Persie, are open to allowing the midfielder to leave, should they receive an acceptable offer for his services.

Why Timber would be another Ten Hag-esque signing

Despite previously holding talks to land Baleba over the last couple of weeks, a deal between now and the September 1st deadline could appear to be unlikely.

His staggering asking price would see United fork out a club-record fee for the 21-year-old, surpassing the £89m they paid for Paul Pogba back in the summer of 2016.

Ahead of the first Premier League matchday of the 2025/26 season, Seagulls boss Fabian Hürzeler has spoken about Baleba’s future at the club and a potential move away from the AMEX.

He stated that he’s extremely confident the player will stay beyond the summer, which could see the Red Devils go on and pursue a move to land Timber from Feyenoord.

There’s no denying that the Dutchman would be a cheaper signing, but he could also prove to be a better addition if he can replicate his recent form from the Eredivisie.

When comparing their respective stats from the 2024/25 campaign, the Dutchman managed to outperform Baleba in various key areas, potentially handing the manager a better option at the heart of the side.

Timber, who’s been labelled “superb” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, showcased his excellent ability in possession, completing more key passes per 90, with more which being into the opposition’s box – handing the new attacking trio a chance to impress this season.

How Timber & Baleba compare throughout 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)	Timber	Baleba
Games played	18	34
Goals & assists	6	4
Progressive carries	1.6	1.4
Progressive passes	4.4	3.8
Key passes made	1.4	0.7
Passes into the 18-yard box	1.1	0.7
Tackles won	1.6	1.5
Tackle success rate	61%	60%
Aerials won	69%	60%
Stats via FBref

He also dominated the Cameroonian out of possession, registering more tackles per 90, whilst winning more of the dispossession attempts he entered – offering the ball-winning presence the boss craves.

His aerial ability is also far superior compared to the Brighton star, having the talent to be a needed presence at both ends of the pitch when called upon.

It’s unclear how much the Dutch outfit are currently demanding for Timber’s signature, but it’s clear that he’s a sensational talent who could provide a bargain solution to the midfield issue.

However, caution must also be taken by the Red Devils hierarchy in the coming weeks, needing to take their previous dealings from the Ten Hag era into account before making an official approach.

As previously mentioned, the additions the former boss made from the Dutch top division have so far proved unsuccessful, which would undoubtedly present questions over a move for Timber should he wear the club’s red shirt in 2025/26.

New Pogba: INEOS chasing "extraordinary" Baleba alternative for Man Utd

Manchester United are preparing a move for a new midfielder and it’s not Carlos Baleba.

2

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 15, 2025

Celtic may have completed the signing of Kelechi Iheanacho, but another out of window move could also be on the cards for the Scottish Premiership champions.

An "inexplicable" summer transfer window for Celtic

The Hoops may be top of the table early in the campaign, but this is far from a happy period at the club, with Brendan Rodgers unhappy at a lack of transfer business this summer. Speaking to Sky Sports, Tino Callaghan from the Celtic Exchange podcast echoed the manager and lambasted Celtic’s summer, not holding back in his criticism.

“It is absolutely wild, inexplicable how it’s come to this. It’s certainly frustrating from a fan point of view. It also seriously undermines Brendan Rodgers. He said in his many words just in the last couple of days, Adam Idah won’t be going unless I get a replacement.

“We haven’t got a replacement and there may be this out-of-contract signing of Kelechi Iheanacho which in itself is pretty embarrassing. The club, whether that’s Dermot Desmond [majority shareholder] or Michael Nicholson [chief executive] or the board, they’re certainly letting the manager down and absolutely letting the fans down.

“Celtic are doing their level best to make a title race where there wasn’t one before and I know people on the outside looking in will say you’re top of the table, you’re cruising there and things are fine. Things are not fine and there’s a concerning pattern starting to emerge. Celtic signed 10 players this window, but actually, how many will have an impact on the first team?”

Celtic now keen on signing "explosive" attacker

Now, according to The Herald, Celtic are “interested” in signing Emmanuel Dennis on a free transfer, looking to bring him in alongside fellow attacker Iheanacho, who joined on Tuesday evening after ripping up his contract with Sevilla.

The 27-year-old Dennis departed Nottingham Forest by mutual consent after three years at the club, and he appears to be another slightly desperate option for the Hoops.

This isn’t going to do much to quieten the dissenting voices among the Celtic fanbase, with Dennis feeling more like a panic signing than anything, even though Tom Cleverly has spoken glowingly about him in the past.

“We know that Dennis has got that explosive burst. As a defender, you can think you’re comfortable on the ball, and then he appears from nowhere.”

It has been an awful summer for Celtic, who have continually missed out on attacking signings throughout the transfer window, from David Datro Fofana to Kasper Dolberg. Fofana opted to join Championship side Charlton Athletic instead of the Hoops, which isn’t necessarily a great look for them, considering the the Addicks are 16th in the English second tier.

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Meanwhile, Dolberg has joined Ajax in a separate blow for the Scottish champions, while Adam Idah has left for Swansea City, despite Rodgers not wanting him to go until sufficient cover had come in.

Suzie Bates will lead the side in Sophie Devine’s absence while Amelia Kerr will miss the series because of the WPL

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Feb-2025New Zealand have picked a young uncapped trio of Emma McLeod, batter Izzy Sharp, and left-arm seamer Bree Illing for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka. The squad of 16 also sees the return of Georgia Plimmer after recovering from a bone stress reaction in her hip which had sidelined her since November.Hayley Jensen, meanwhile, makes a comeback since last playing for New Zealand two years ago, after a successful domestic season.The experienced Suzie Bates will lead the side in the absence of full-time ODI captain Sophie Devine, who is on a well-being break and her T20I successor is yet to be named. Amelia Kerr will also miss the series as she is in India representing Mumbai Indians at the WPL.The uncapped trio has come through the New Zealand Under-19 squads, with McLeod, 18, having just played her second Under-19 T20 World Cup, and Sharp, 20, the captain from the first tournament that was played two years ago. McLeod was picked after she tallied 300 runs for Central Districts in the ongoing domestic one-day competition, where she averages nearly 43 with two half-centuries.Illing, also 21, has been a regular wicket-taker for Auckland in the same competition, and is third on the charts with 19 wickets at 21.10 apiece. Illing was among the stars for Auckland in the T20 Super Smash before that, finishing with an impressive economy rate of just 5.44 along with eight wickets. She had also been picked for New Zealand A last year.ESPNcricinfo Ltd”Emma, Bree and Izzy have been identified by Major Association and NZC coaches as players who have the desired competencies and skillsets to be effective in international cricket,” head coach Ben Sawyer said. “Emma’s been in good form in the HBJ Shield and her ability to hit through the off-side and run well between the wickets is really valuable.”Izzy impressed us with how she attacks spin, which is something that will come in handy this series.”The way Bree attacks the stumps and swings the ball back into the right-hander is really important in the international game.”Plimmer returns after last playing the ODI series in India in November, that followed immediately after New Zealand’s T20 World Cup victory in Dubai. Wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis receives her second call-up after being picked for the India tour although she’s yet to make her international debut. Otago’s Bella James is also in line to make her T20I debut, having made her ODI debut against Australia in December when Plimmer and Lea Tahuhu had missed out with injuries.Tahuhu (hamstring) and Rosemary Mair (elbow) are still battling injuries and Molly Penfold had been recently sidelined for at least three months because of a knee injury. While Mair is expected to be fit for the Sri Lanka T20Is starting March 14, Tahuhu is expected to make it in time for the Australia T20Is from March 21.Sawyer further said the games will be good to gain experience against spin keeping in mind the ODI World Cup in India in October this year.”Sri Lanka’s a tough opposition with a number of world-class spinners,” he said.”We will try different combinations this series, and I’m looking forward to seeing players adapt to different roles. It’s an opportunity to test batters in different positions, and try different bowlers opening up and at the death.”The ODI squad will get together on March 2 in Napier following the HBJ Shield final on Saturday. The ODI series begins on March 4 in Napier before moving to Nelson for two more games on March 7 and 9. The T20Is will be played on March 14 and 16 in Christchurch and on March 18 in Dunedin.New Zealand Women ODI and T20I squads for Sri LankaSuzie Bates (capt), Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing (ODIs only), Polly Inglis (ODIs only), Bella James, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair (T20Is only), Emma McLeod, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe (ODIs only), Izzy Sharp (T20Is only)