Tag Futebol

Ipswich Town have their eyes on a “fast” new forward to replace Liam Delap, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Ipswich Town could lose Delap for £30m if relegated

The Tractor Boys suffered a damaging Premier League defeat last time out to relegation rivals Wolves at Portman Road, a result that leaves them 12 points from safety.

Delap was once again on the scoresheet, netting his 12th top-flight goal of the campaign, and he has been a real shining light under Kieran McKenna after signing from Manchester City last summer.

Chelsea vs Ipswich

April 13

Ipswich vs Arsenal

April 20

Newcastle vs Ipswich

April 26

Everton vs Ipswich

May 3

Ipswich vs Brentford

May 10

Leicester vs Ipswich

May 18

Ipswich vs West Ham

May 25

However, with Ipswich on course for an immediate return to the Championship, Delap could remain in the Premier League with a number of clubs keen on his services.

He has a release clause of £40m in his current Ipswich contract, however, that will drop to just £30m should the Tractor Boys go down.

Therefore, Ipswich may soon be on the search for an attacking addition to replace Delap, and there have been claims that Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland could be that man. Now, Romano has named a new potential target ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Ipswich Town eyeing move for Sheffield United forward Ryan One

According to Romano, Ipswich Town have been keeping an eye on Sheffield United forward Ryan One this season, with the teenager on the club’s shortlist to replace Delap.

“Understand Ipswich Town have been monitoring Ryan One’s performances at Sheffield United. He’s one of the names on the shortlist if Liam Delap leaves the club in the summer.”

One, who stands at 6ft 2, made the move to the Blades from Scottish side Hamilton back in 2023. The 18-year-old can play as a striker or as a winger and has represented Scotland at youth level. He’s made 11 appearances in the Championship and scored his first senior goal against Bristol City last year.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder praised the club for bringing One to Bramall Lane, saying earlier in the campaign: “It’s a great spot by (then-head of recruitment) Paul Mitchell and the board needs appreciating for spending a couple of quid on a real unknown player.

McKenna could be brewing his next Davis at Ipswich in "incredible” star

Kieran McKenna might have his next Leif Davis style defender on his hands at Ipswich Town.

ByKelan Sarson Apr 10, 2025

“It’s important we nurture players through our academy. That’s something I’ve been delighted with, the young players coming in, the way we’ve changed our style as well.”

One has also previously been dubbed as “fast” and a “craftsman” by scout and academy coach Ioannis Kyrapoglou, and by the looks of things, a move to Portman Road could be one to keep an eye on.

The World Test Championship, the Ashes, and the ODI World Cup are already in Pat Cummins’ bag. Is the IPL trophy next?

Deivarayan Muthu25-May-20245:54

Shreyas Iyer: ‘Wicket looks completely different from Q2’

Chepauk was a little chaotic on the eve of the IPL 2024 final.The press conference room was packed, and photographers ran around hurriedly to get the perfect shot of Shreyas Iyer and Pat Cummins with the shiny trophy. Soon after, a sudden shower arrived and quickly became a downpour, catching the groundstaff off guard. They scrambled to dismantle the nets and rush the covers on to the square. Preparations for the closing ceremony were also disrupted by the rain.Amid the frenetic scenes, Cummins kept calm. When reporters asked Shreyas probing questions about his fitness, Cummins leaned back on his rocking chair to watch highlights of MS Dhoni hitting sixes on the TV. When the captains were asked about the prospect of dew during the final, Cummins showed off his dry sense of humour.Related

How KKR shaped themselves into the awesome class of 2024

Tactics Board: Who wins the Starc vs Head battle? Will dew play a part?

Trailblazers KKR and SRH face off for ultimate glory

“We don’t know how the wicket is going to play tomorrow and also looking at the match [second qualifier] from the TV, we felt the dew factor would play a great role,” was Shreyas’ response. “But it didn’t and the ball started spinning…”Cummins interrupted at this point with a quip: “No, there was heaps of dew.”Cummins was being Cummins. Composed. Stress-free. On and off the field.

****

Most people would love the lunch at Lord’s. Except perhaps Cummins, who had ordered a takeaway after the controversial Jonny Bairstow stumping last June. It was one of the biggest controversies in recent Ashes history but Cummins was in his bubble, one that IPL pressure will find hard to pierce.Before taking over as Sunrisers Hyderabad captain, Cummins had never led a team in T20 cricket. Sure, he had won the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup last year, but leading an IPL franchise is entirely different. Especially if you’re an overseas captain. Just ask Cummins’ predecessors at SRH: Aiden Markram, Kane Williamson or David Warner.Cummins outlined some of those challenges on the eve the final. “I think in a tournament like the IPL, there’s so much pressure from obviously the number of fans that are watching, media, journalists,” Cummins said. “But also from their own team back home, or their own coaches and everything as well.”SRH had finished last in 2021, eighth in 2022, and last again in 2023. Under Cummins, they have risen spectacularly to make the final ahead of more-fancied teams this season. They used to be the side that defended sub-150 totals for fun. Then 2021-2023 happened and they lost their identity. Under Cummins’ leadership, this SRH side has transformed into the second-fastest scoring team in IPL history.Pat Cummins is eyeing another trophy to add to his collection•AFP/Getty ImagesTravis Head and Abhishek Sharma at the top. Heinrich Klaasen in the middle. Cummins himself can give it a whack lower down the order. The conditions in Chennai may or may not be extremely batting friendly on Sunday, but Cummins has encouraged his players not to change what has worked for them so far.”I mean there has been a few changes [in the team] this year,” Cummins said. “Obviously, Dan Vettori, as head coach, is a big one as well. Few other guys have come in this season, but I think at the start of the season you map out the style that you want to play to give yourself the best chance to win. Obviously, along the way you’re allowed to adapt and maybe change the personnel.”But we were pretty strong with how we wanted to play – super-aggressive – and in a 14 game-season, you’re not going to win every single game, but we think if we play that way, you’re going to win most of them. That’s kind of how it played out – there are little bumps that come along the way but that’s okay, you try and make sure it stays on course.”Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat and T Natarajan have complemented SRH’s explosive batting with their defensive bowling skills. Their find of the season, however, is 20-year-old Nitish Kumar Reddy, who displaced the experienced India player Washington Sundar as the first-choice allrounder in the SRH XI. Nitish smashes spin, bowls seam, and is extremely agile in the field. Cummins believes he is a star in the making.”It [the contribution of Indian players] has been huge,” Cummins said. “Our experienced bowling line-up as well – [Jaydev] Unadkat, Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar], Nattu [T Natarajan] have all been amazing and some of the youngsters who have come through have won us games themselves. Nitish [Reddy] and Abhishek [Sharma] are probably the two biggest examples. [These are] guys away from the Indian set-up but have been fantastic. That has been the story of our season – those guys have taken the game on and putting themselves out there and are having breakout seasons.”As for Cummins himself, he’s had an up-and-down season with the ball. His form was similar during the league phase of the ODI World Cup, but in the final in Ahmedabad, he rocked India with one cutter after another during a boundary-less spell and claimed the wickets of Virat Kohli and Shreyas.The conditions at Chepauk – a dry red-soil pitch – could offer Cummins the bounce and grip he enjoys. Bet against him at your peril in the IPL final.

With a penchant for sweeping and a love for the long-format, Mark Chapman is hoping to make the most of his time on tour with New Zealand A

Ashish Pant02-Sep-2022The last time New Zealand A fronted up against India A in a red-ball series, Mark Chapman was instrumental in helping his side take a huge first-innings lead in Christchurch. As the two teams face off again, this time in India, Chapman, at 28, is hoping to play more of a senior role and stake his claim for a Test spot.Brought up on a diet of white-ball cricket in Hong Kong, though, the longer format did not always come naturally to Chapman. Born to a New Zealand father and Chinese mother, he is one of the few cricketers to have played international cricket for two countries – Hong Kong and New Zealand. He made his T20I debut aged 20 and his ODI debut a year-and-a-half later, both for Hong Kong. In New Zealand, he had to learn the nuances of red-ball cricket on the fly. A sound technique and the ability to nudge the ball into gaps helped bed him into the Auckland set-up, and he has gone on to become one of their mainstays.”I do have strong ambitions in red-ball cricket. There is nothing more rewarding than scoring a hundred in a red-ball game or getting a first-class or Test win,” Chapman told ESPNcricinfo. “You can’t beat that feeling.”Growing up, most of the cricket that I played was white-ball and short-form, so that is where my experience sort of lay but as I began to play for Auckland a little bit more, we obviously played multi-day cricket – it’s something that I have had to learn on the go and something that I have really come to enjoy.”Chapman has played 35 first-class matches so far, in which he has 2287 runs at an average of 41.58, including 14 fifties and four centuries. Not shabby at all for someone who took to the longer game relatively late.”I have really come to appreciate the challenges of the red-ball game and really see it as the pinnacle of cricket in terms of mental application and mental test,” he said. “So, yeah, Test cricket is something that I would love to play.”Chapman’s style of play is a bit different from a lot of his New Zealand team-mates. Unlike those who look to play straight having grown up on bouncier surfaces, Chapman relies on the sweep a lot, which in a lot of ways is to do with him playing more in Asian and subcontinental conditions in his formative years.He hopes that his penchant for sweeping will help him on this tour of India, where New Zealand A are playing three red-ball and three white-ball games.

“I have really enjoyed trying to read the game and playing the situation that is in front of me. There is no better and more rewarding feeling than being there at the end and hitting the winning runs.”Mark Chapman

“I played in Asia growing up, and the sweep shot was something that I needed to use to be able to access boundaries and score some runs, particularly in slightly slower conditions,” Chapman said. “It’s been something that I have always had, and something I have worked hard on particularly for this tour, because in New Zealand, where the wickets are slightly better and don’t turn a lot, you may not necessarily use it.”Playing in my early days for Hong Kong, I was a little bit smaller, so I had to become pretty efficient in rotating the strike and that [sweeping] was, I guess, my way of keeping my strike rate up with the odd boundary.”Chapman made his international debut for New Zealand in a T20I against England in 2018, and got his first ODI for them later the same month. Since then, though, he has been part of just a handful of internationals and a Test call-up remains elusive, but Chapman insists he isn’t in a “desperate rush”.”This generation of New Zealand cricket has been really strong, and we’ve made a lot of World Cup finals and done well in the Test Championship. The competition for the places in the team has been really competitive,” he said. “I have just been chipping away at my game. For me, it is just about being a better cricketer every day regardless of the outcome and just enjoying my cricket as well, because it can be a long hard slog at times particularly when you are travelling a lot and not necessarily playing as much as you would like.”He’s had a good 2022. Chapman started off the year propelling Auckland to their second Ford Trophy title in three seasons. He was instrumental in helping New Zealand record their highest T20I total of 254 against Scotland in July, and then hit his second ODI century – seven years after scoring his first for Hong Kong – a couple of days later.”Obviously, ambitions are to really nail the [national] spot in a format or two – you love to be playing as much as you can,” he said. “Particularly in the more recent years, I have really enjoyed trying to read the game and playing the situation that is in front of me. There is no better and more rewarding feeling than being there at the end and hitting the winning runs.”If he can do just that in India, it could be a huge stepping stone in his path from the fringes towards a coveted Test spot.

Also, Pant and Pujara break a 72-year-old record

Gaurav Sundararaman11-Jan-20211979 – The previous time India batted for longer in the fourth innings than the 132 overs they batted in this Test. On that occasion, India batted 150 overs against England at The Oval to save the Test. The Oval and SCG Tests included, India have batted longer than 100 overs in the fourth innings of a Test on only five occasions since 1979.ESPNcricinfo Ltd6 – Number of instances of any team batting more than 130 overs (or the equivalent of 130 six-ball overs) to save a Test in Australia. It has happened only twice since 1971. The previous instance was when South Africa batted 148 overs in 2012.256 – Balls played by Hanuma Vihari and R Ashwin in their sixth-wicket partnership. There have only been three instances of more balls played for the sixth wicket in the fourth innings, in a win or a draw. The highest is 353, by Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer against Pakistan in Hobart in 1999.Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant broke a 72-year-old record•Getty Images2 – Number of longer sixth-wicket stands for India in the fourth innings. The 256 balls played by Vihari and Ashwin helped India to draw, but the top two instances came in losses: KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant added 204 in 267 balls in 2018 against England, while Sachin Tendulkar and Nayan Mongia batted 266 balls in 1999 against Pakistan.148 – Runs added by Cheteshwar Pujara and Pant for the fourth wicket. This is the highest fourth-innings fourth-wicket stand for India, eclipsing a 72-year-old record held by Vijay Hazare and Rusi Modi, who added 139 against West Indies in Mumbai.Related

• 'He was crawling on the floor. He couldn't get up or bend down' – Ashwin's wife on his battle with pain in third Test

• Ajinkya Rahane: Draw at SCG 'as good as winning a Test match'

• R Ashwin: 'I was ready for the fight' despite the massive odds

• 'Bitterly disappointed' Tim Paine admits he let his bowlers down

• R Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari's epic stand seals remarkable SCG draw

97 – Pant’s knock was the second-highest score by a visiting wicketkeeper in the fourth innings in Australia. Only England’s Alan Knott scored more than this, in 1975 in Adelaide. Pant has scored 512 runs at an average of 56.88 in 10 innings in Australia, and has scored 25 or more in each of his ten innings there.3 – Wickets lost on the final day by India. Only once since 2001 has three or fewer wickets fallen on the final day in Australia. This was when South Africa played 126 overs to save a Test in Perth in 2005.128 – Balls faced by R Ashwin in the fourth innings – it ranks fifth on the list of most balls faced by an India No. 7 in the fourth innings.134 – Innings played by Pujara to reach the 6000-run mark in Tests, making him the 11th from India to get to that milestone. Only five of them have taken fewer innings to get there: Sunil Gavaskar (117), Virat Kohli (119), Sachin Tendulkar (120), Virender Sehwag (123) and Rahul Dravid (125).

One of the best players in the world over the last 12 months has been former Leeds United star Raphinha. The Brazilian has shone for Barcelona, and scored 34 goals and assisted 26 in just 57 games under Hansi Flick last term.

His exceptional performances were certainly seen by people across the world. The culmination of Raphinha’s success last season saw him finish fifth in the Ballon d’Or race, with Lamine Yamal the only Barca player ahead of him.

Injury has slowed his season down in 2025/26, but he has five goals and assists in six La Liga games.

Leeds fans will never forget his contribution in his final season at the club.

Raphinha’s importance during the 2021/22 season

Brazil international Raphinha only spent two campaigns at Elland Road. The first season was behind closed doors due to COVID, but he had already established himself as a fan favourite.

The second campaign was excellent too, and incredibly important.

The Whites avoided relegation by the skin of the teeth on the final day of the 2021/22 season.

It would turn out to be Raphinha’s last appearance for the West Yorkshire side, and he scored a crucial penalty in their 2-1 win away to Brentford, which helped keep them in the Premier League.

It was more than just that spot kick at the Gtech Community Stadium that signified Raphinha’s importance. He bagged 11 goals and assisted three across the season, including a run of seven goal involvements in ten games between October and January.

His pivotal contributions did not go unnoticed by fans and ex-players alike. One man who could not praise Raphinha enough was Noel Whelan, their former striker. He said the Brazilian “gave everything to keep Leeds United in the Premier League,” showing just how much it meant to the club.

In their promotion campaign last season, Leeds had a player vital to their success, although he has rapidly fallen out of favour at Elland Road.

The Leeds star now out of favour

A few players under Daniel Farke this season have fallen down the pecking order after a busy summer transfer window. Illan Meslier and Joel Piroe are two examples of players who were crucial to earning promotion but have had little or no involvement this term.

Well, someone else who fits that category is Japan midfielder Ao Tanaka. He is a player who Farke clearly rates, and called him an “outstanding” player last season. Summer signings have meant he is struggling to get into the team this term, though.

Last season, the 34-cap Japanese international was a key man in the centre of the park for the West Yorkshire side.

He played 43 Championship games, chipping in with five goals and two assists, including a late strike against promotion rivals Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

It was that sort of form which has led to Tanaka being hailed as the club’s best signing since Raphinha. It is easy to see why, too, with the contributions from midfield helping the Whites to return to the Premier League.

After starting the first couple of top-flight games this season, Tanaka picked up an injury and has since been out of the team. Farke has built momentum in the midfield with Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff, meaning Tanaka can’t get into the lineup.

Ethan Ampadu

6

519 (5.7)

Anton Stach

8

680 (7.5)

Sean Longstaff

8

566 (6.2)

Ao Tanaka

6

190 (2.1)

Ilia Gruev

4

193 (2.1)

Perhaps Tanaka is on borrowed time at Elland Road. Once someone so important to the club, he now can’t get a game under Farke, and with the continuity we are seeing in the middle of the park, it is hard to see where his next start comes from.

Given his crucial role last term, the 27-year-old might well decide to consider his future if the situation doesn’t improve.

After showing his importance, just like Raphinha did a few years ago, his career has certainly gone the other way than how things panned out for the Brazilian.

Leeds have signed a "difference-maker" who is a bigger talent than Rutter

Leeds United have signed a bigger talent than Georginio Rutter with this summer signing.

2 ByDan Emery Oct 21, 2025

Mikel Arteta is currently in the process of building something of a super team at Arsenal.

While the current crop may have been decimated by injuries, notably in defence, the squad depth that Berta and, indeed Andrea Berta have built in recent years has to be admired.

Berta was ruthless in the summer. It looked as though Arsenal’s business was done but the Italian was not satisfied. Late in the day the Gunners swooped for Eberechi Eze, pipping fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the attacking midfielder. They also welcomed Piero Hincapie in the late stages, just as well considering the current injury crisis at the back.

Their squad depth is widely thought to be the main reason that Arteta’s side sit at the top of the Premier League table. While some players look a bit tired – notably Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi – it has allowed more rotation.

Bukayo Saka has been one to benefit from that.

Has Bukayo Saka been quieter in 2025/26?

A few weeks ago, Arsenal took on Bayern Munich. The score as the game approached its late phases was 1-1.

Arteta made a bold call to substitute Saka. In the last few years, the Spaniard would not even dare to take off his talisman but such is their improved depth, he could afford to do so.

It paid dividends immediately. Riccardo Calafiori – another sub in that game – raced to the byline and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Noni Madueke to tuck away. Arsenal went on to win the game.

Madueke delivered another fine performance in Europe this week, scoring twice, including one rasping long-range effort as the north Londoners defeated Club Brugge 3-0.

The former Chelsea man was given a grilling when he first moved across London but it’s safe to say he’s proven people wrong.

Saka, on the other hand, continues to thrive, although he’s perhaps been quieter than normal. The Hale Ender is still the club’s top scorer this term with seven goals to his name. Yet, after bouncing back from a hamstring injury last term, you sense there is more to come in Arsenal red and white from their star man.

Usually so creative and effervescent, Saka’s assist for Mikel Merino’s headed goal against Chelsea at the end of November was his first Premier League assist for a year.

Now, for a man who created more chances per 90 minutes than any player in the top-flight last term, that is a worry.

That said, the England winger remains one of their most important players. If Arsenal are going to win supreme in Europe and domestically this term, they will need Saka to boost those numbers.

He could do with taking a leaf out of another Hale Ender’s book.

Big-money star is better than Saka 15 years after leaving

The Hale End production line has felt like an endless pool of talent in recent years. From that man Saka to Emile Smith Rowe, Arteta’s first few years were dominated by the two virtuoso attackers.

Smith Rowe may have moved on to pastures new but in the present era he has Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman at his disposal. Both players, certainly Dowman, are the best in their age group in the country. 16-year-old Marli Salmon even made his debut against Brugge this week.

Yet, there are some to have bitten the dust far too soon. Think Harry Kane, once of the Arsenal academy. He’s now a Spurs and England legend, plying his trade for Bayern Munich.

He’s not the only former Gunner playing under Vincent Kompany’s wing in the German capital. There is, of course, Serge Gnabry and also Michael Olise.

While Gnabry’s tale will be more familiar to those of an Arsenal persuasion, Olise’s may not be.

Where Are They Now

Like his former Crystal Palace teammate in Eberechi Eze, the winger had to take the long way round to get to where he is now.

Olise was on the books of the Arsenal academy all the way back in 2009, but he ultimately ended up across London in the west where he played in the Chelsea youth system.

Former Chelsea coach Sean Conlon recalled the story back in 2022: “Michael was also training with Arsenal at the time because before you move into the U9s, you’re allowed to train with multiple teams,” he said.

“But he probably lived closer to Chelsea and they obviously have a great academy so he ended up signing for them.”

The spritely forward ended up trading Chelsea for Manchester City and then finally found a home in Berkshire with Reading.

It was with the EFL club that he became a genuine star of the Football League, moving to Crystal Palace in a deal worth just £8m. That turned out to be a bargain. After dazzling Premier League defenders, notably scoring ten goals and registering six assists in just 19 matches during an injury-hit 2023/24, Bayern came calling.

He moved to the Bundesliga in a deal worth around £51m and the rest is history. Now regarded as “one of the best players in the world” by teammate Gnabry, he’s amassed some truly awe-inspiring numbers under Kompany.

Olise vs Saka: 2025/26 League stats
Stat (per 90 mins)	Olise	Saka
Goals	0.55	0.37
Assists	0.73	0.09
Shots	4.27	2.59
Key passes	2.64	2.31
Progressive passes	6.00	1.94
Successful take-ons	2.27	1.85
Progressive carries	6.27	4.26
Stats via FBref.

In Bayern colours, the French trickster has scored 29 goals and supplied 37 assists in 78 outings. In 2025/26 to date, the 23-year-old has netted on nine occasions, posting 14 assists.

He’s truly an elite winger and some might say he’s now better than Saka. Based on the data above, Olise is streets ahead as far as goalscoring and chance creation is concerned this season.

The former Palace sensation has also been far more prolific when it comes to take-ons and progressing the ball forward.

A “magician” – according to Bayern teammate Dayot Upamecano – he is truly one of the most captivating forwards on the planet. Now worth £123m according to reports, there will be regret on Arsenal’s end that he didn’t stick around at Hale End all those years ago.

Arsenal make "generational" £87m Saka & Rodrygo hybrid a priority target

The incredible attacker, who is a lot like Saka and Rodrygo, could be a game-changing signing for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

5 days ago

Arsenal have now joined the race to sign Marseille striker Robinio Vaz, who they could be a perfect fit for their attack, but there is set to be competition from a Premier League rival.

Despite bringing in Viktor Gyokeres in the summer transfer window, the Gunners have still been left a little light on options at centre-forward this season, with the Sweden international missing the last two Premier League games, alongside long-term absentee Kai Havertz.

However, Mikel Arteta’s side didn’t look like they were missing their star strikers one jot on Sunday afternoon, making a real statement with a 4-1 victory against bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby, with Eberechi Eze bagging a hat-trick.

Despite not scoring, Mikel Merino managed to impress in the absence of Gyokeres and Havertz, setting up Leandro Trossard’s opening goal, which suggests the north Londoners now have a deep enough squad to cope with any injury setbacks.

However, that hasn’t stopped Arteta & co identifying a new striker as a target…

Arsenal join race to sign Marseille striker Robinio Vaz

According to a report from Caught Offside, Arsenal have now joined the race to sign Marseille striker Vaz, with scouts of the belief he would be a perfect fit in their forward line, but there could be competition for the 18-year-old’s signature.

Chelsea have now taken the lead in the race for the striker, having already made contact with his representatives, while the Gunners are being more patient, given that the youngster is regarded as a long-term addition to the squad, rather than someone capable of making an instant impact.

The Ligue 1 side are reluctant to cash-in, but a deal could be relatively affordable for the two London giants if they choose to step up their interest, given that the Frenchman’s asking price is around the €20m – €30m (£18m – £26m) mark.

The teenager, who has made two Champions League appearances this season, has been described as “pure quality” by scout Jacek Kulig, and there have been signs he could be a difference-maker in Marseille’s push to win the Ligue 1 title.

The centre-forward has managed to impress when coming off the bench this season, and he already has four goals to his name in the league, while also registering two assists.

That said, while Vaz may have the potential to become a top-level striker, it would not be the end of the world if Arsenal miss out, considering Arteta already has Gyokeres and Havertz at his disposal, while Gabriel Jesus has now returned to first-team training.

Viktor Gyokeres has been named as one of the best strikers in the world

The Best 15 Strikers in World Football Ranked (2025)

Who is the best number nine right now?

By
Charlie Smith

Nov 20, 2025

West Ham United have made an offer to sign a new defender ahead of the January transfer window and have already received a reply.

West Ham defence among worst in the Premier League

So far in the Premier League, the Hammers have had their fair share of defensive issues under both Graham Potter and now Nuno Espirito Santo.

In fact, the Irons are yet to keep a single clean sheet in their opening 11 top flight fixtures, having the second-worst defence in the division after conceding 23 goals.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

West Ham 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham 3-2 Burnley

Only bottom of the table Wolves have let in more (25), with Nuno selecting Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo at centre-back in recent weeks.

Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen was dropped by Potter early into his first season at the London Stadium, with Nuno continuing to use Alphonse Areola in goal.

£67m spent & no Wilson or Fullkrug: Nuno's dream West Ham XI after January

This is the dream West Ham starting line-up that Nuno could build in the January window.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 15, 2025

If the Irons are to avoid the drop, then clean sheets and defensive stability will need to be worked on over the coming months, with the January transfer window also giving the club the chance to bring in new faces.

Now, it looks as if those behind the scenes at West Ham have their eyes on a defensive gem and have already submitted a bid.

West Ham make £15m+ bid to sign Tiago Gabriel

According to reports in Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, West Ham have made an ‘official offer’ to sign Lecce central defender Tiago Gabriel.

The Hammers’ proposal is thought to be worth €18m (£15.8m), however, this has already been rejected by the Serie A side as they value their 6ft 4 defender at €25m (£22m).

Lecce’s valuation applies to next summer, so it looks as if there is no chance of a January move materialising.

The report adds the 20-year-old has ‘impressed with his on-ground defending and has also been very dominant aerially’, something which can be backed up by FBref as Gabriel ranks in the top 2% of defenders when it comes to aerials won.

Tackles

93rd percentile

Aerials won

98th percentile

Blocks

85th percentile

Clearances

80th percentile

Tackles and interceptions

94th percentile

% of dribblers tackled

99th percentile

Long pass completion

93rd percentile

Also capable of turning out as a right-back if required, Gabriel is under contract at Lecce until 2027, however, both parties have the option to extend that until 2029.

He’s made 11 Serie A appearances in what is proving to be his breakthrough campaign, and by the looks of things, West Ham like what they see.

West Ham flop was compared to Pirlo, now he's "National League standard"

George Balderson half-century, Arav Shetty three-for help overcome Somerset

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay10-Aug-2025Lancashire 254 for 8 (Harris 95, Balderson 65) beat Somerset 250 for 7 (Goldsworthy 63, Vaughan 59, Hill 57) by two wicketsMarcus Harris led the way with 95 as Lancashire recorded a nerve-jangling two-wicket Metro Bank One-Day Cup victory over Somerset at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.The home side posted 250 for seven after losing the toss, Lewis Goldsworthy top-scoring with 63, while Archie Vaughan contributed 59 and 19-year-old Devonian Fin Hill 57. Offspinner Arav Shetty marked his List A debut with 3 for 34 from ten overs.In reply, Lancashire reached 254 for eight with 8 balls to spare, Harris making his runs off 99 balls, with 7 fours and 2 sixes. George Balderson hit 65 and shared a match-winning fifth wicket stand of 101 with the former Australia Test player.A crowd of more than 5,000 at Somerset’s annual Family Fun Day saw the hosts suffer an early setback when Tom Lammonby was caught at backward point off George Balderson with the total on five.Goldsworthy and Vaughan had to exercise caution on a pitch lacking pace and were largely content to accumulate in ones and twos. Goldsworthy was first to fifty, off 70 balls, with 5 fours and the hundred partnership occupied 143 deliveries.Vaughan’s 81-ball half-century included only three boundaries and with 30 overs of their innings completed his side were becalmed on 129 for one.Goldsworthy provided 21-year-old Shetty with his maiden List A wicket, driving a catch to mid-off. With onlyten runs added, Vaughan was stumped advancing down the pitch to the graduate of the South Asian Cricket Academy, who quickly followed up by dismissing James Rew in similar fashion.Seamer Luke Hands claimed his maiden List A wicket on debut, Thomas Rew edging through to wicketkeeper George Bell to make the score 146 for five. Sixteen-year-old Hands ended the innings with a creditable one for 32 from eight overs.Somerset required another meaningful partnership and it came from rookies Hill and Josh Thomas, who added 66 in good style before Thomas holed out to deep square off Balderson for 32 at a run a ball. Hill then hit the first two sixes of the innings in the same over from Charlie Barnard, both launched over the leg side.The youngster’s maiden List A fifty came off 49 balls and enabled his side to post what appeared a below par total in bright sunshin.. Lancashire’s reply began with Michael Jones striking a straight six off Josh Davey in the fourth over, Somerset’s experienced seamer taking quick revenge by having him caught at deep cover with the score on 18.It was 42 for two in the ninth over when Bell, on 21, pulled a catch to deep square off Alfie Ogborne and 51 for three as Bohannon was caught and bowled by off-spinner Vaughan attempting a back-foot forcing shot.Harris responded with a six off Somerset 18-year-old Cornish seamer Kian Roberts, a third player making his List A debut, but lost another partner when Harry Singh inside-edged a wide ball from Vaughan onto his stumps.Harris went to fifty off 61 balls and at the halfway point in their innings Lancashire were 111 for four. The Australian looked to be winning the game as he accelerated with a six over long-off off Goldsworthy in a century stand with Balderson that appeared perfectly paced.With a century in sight, Harris fell to the left-arm spin of Goldsworthy, driving a catch to Roberts at mid-off. Lancashire still required 71, but Balderson was going well and moved to a well-crafted half-century off 62 balls, with 4 fours. Shetty gloved a catch behind off JT Langridge with 25 needed and the left-arm seamer struck again when Balderson top-edged a pull shot.Hands was then yorked by Davey to set up a tense finish, which saw Sutton dropped at cover by Vaughan off Davey before seeing side over the line.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has downplayed concerns surrounding his side’s defensive weakness from set-pieces ahead of Sunday’s London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. With Spurs emerging as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous dead-ball sides, the Italian insists Chelsea are working to correct their vulnerabilities as they look to turn mixed domestic form into consistency.

• Chelsea's flaky set-piece defending abilities

  Maresca faced questions in his pre-match press conference about Chelsea’s worrying trend of conceding from set plays ahead of their trip to Tottenham. The Blues have shipped multiple goals from such situations in recent weeks — including a damaging long-throw equaliser against Sunderland and a chaotic concession to Wolves in the Carabao Cup. Those lapses have amplified scrutiny on a side that sits ninth in the Premier League after nine games, struggling to find defensive balance despite notable progress in attack.

  Tottenham, meanwhile, present an added layer of danger. Thomas Frank’s men have thrived on creative dead-ball routines, with Micky van de Ven scoring twice from corners in their recent win over Everton and Kevin Danso’s long throws causing havoc in the opposition's box. With Spurs earning a reputation for their clever set-piece execution, Chelsea’s defensive fragility in this area has become a clear talking point heading into the London showdown.    Maresca, however, remains calm in his assessment. The Italian pointed out that set-piece situations are inherently unpredictable and believes that while the numbers are concerning, they do not paint the full picture of his team’s defensive performances this season. Still, with Chelsea having conceded more expected goals (xG) and shots from set pieces than any other Premier League team, their ability to withstand Tottenham’s aerial threat will be under close observation this weekend.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Maresca downplays the focus on set-piece frailties

  “Tottenham, I think that they are doing very good,” Maresca said when asked about the upcoming derby. “They finished last season winning the Europa League. They started very good this season and also because it's a derby for sure it would be a difficult game.”

  Addressing Chelsea’s defensive frailty from set-pieces, he added: “I think that set-pieces you are going to score goals and you are going to concede goals. The reason why is because if we say that when we concede, we are not strong enough.”

  “I think that with set-pieces, there are teams that they score more goals, less goals, but at the end, set-pieces you are going to score and concede goals because there are actions that are so difficult to defend. We are working on [defending set-pieces]. For sure, we are working. For sure.” 

• Chelsea's defensive structure collapses during set-pieces

  Maresca’s comments come against the backdrop of alarming statistics that underline Chelsea’s struggles at defending dead-ball situations this season. The Blues have conceded an expected goals value of 6.10 from set-pieces, the highest in the Premier League, and 45% of their total xG against comes from such situations. Nearly 40% of all shots faced by Chelsea have arrived from corners, free-kicks, or throw-ins, leaving Maresca with a clear tactical headache to solve.   

  These defensive shortcomings have come despite improvements elsewhere. Chelsea rank among the league’s best in open-play defensive shot quality (0.14 xG per shot conceded), reflecting a well-structured unit that is generally difficult to break down. However, lapses in concentration and organisation during set-piece phases have repeatedly cost them crucial points, including the 2-1 defeat to Sunderland that exposed their susceptibility to long throws and second-ball scrambles inside the box.

  While some have attributed the issue to personnel changes and physical mismatches, Maresca insists it is a collective problem that requires repetition and focus on the training pitch. With Tottenham’s tall defenders and aggressive delivery style, this weekend’s clash serves as an early test of whether those sessions have begun to yield results.  

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Chelsea face massive test against dead-ball specialists Spurs

  Chelsea head into Sunday’s London derby aiming to bounce back from the inconsistency that has defined their Premier League campaign. Maresca’s men currently sit ninth with a record of four wins, two draws, and three defeats — a mixture of high-scoring triumphs, such as the 5-1 demolition of West Ham, and frustrating slip-ups at Stamford Bridge. They remain a work in progress, but one with clear attacking potential and renewed belief under their new coach. 

  Tottenham’s own home form has been patchy, with just four points collected from four matches in North London. Yet their ability to create danger from corners, free-kicks, and throw-ins has been a defining strength this term, and they’ll look to exploit Chelsea’s vulnerabilities in this area. The duel between Maresca’s possession-based control and Frank’s direct, set-piece-focused strategy could prove decisive in determining the outcome of this derby.