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Thomas Frank will face a huge task during his first season as Tottenham Hotspur manager, after his appointment from Brentford a couple of weeks ago.

The Dane has taken the reins from Ange Postecoglou, with the hierarchy wanting the side to reach the next step during his tenure in charge in North London.

After the Europa League triumph last season, the Lilywhites will enter the Champions League, a situation that presents Frank with his first challenge as the club’s boss.

He will need to strike a balance between Europe and the Premier League, needing to rise up the table throughout 2025/26 whilst being competitive in the biggest club competition on the continent.

If the new boss is to be a success, he will need Daniel Levy to back him in the transfer market and hand him the funds to strengthen in key areas and strike a balance with his players.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new signings this summer

The attacking department in North London has been Spurs’ main focus over the last couple of weeks, with numerous names on their radar ahead of a potential transfer.

The likes of Arnaud Kalimuendo and Harvey Elliott have both been firmly on the radar of the Lilywhites, but as of yet no deals have been completed for the aforementioned duo.

Whilst talks have been held for the pair, work has also been done elsewhere, with a move for Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman on the cards during the off-season.

The latest report from TBR Football claims that Frank’s side have been in contact with his representatives over a move to North London, with Arsenal also interested in his signature.

They also claim that he could be available for a fee in the region of £43m this summer after registering 20 goals and six assists for the Serie A outfit last campaign.

Why Spurs’ £43m target would be a better signing than Kudus & Eze

Alongside the previous targets mentioned, Eberechi Eze and Mohammed Kudus have both been frequently mentioned as potential additions from fellow Premier League sides Crystal Palace and West Ham United.

The Englishman has starred for Palace throughout 2024/25, registering eight goals and eight assists in the league, even netting the winner in the Eagles’ unlikely FA Cup triumph.

Such form has also led to keen interest from fellow North London outfit Arsenal, with competition appearing to be fierce for his signature throughout the off-season.

As for Kudus, he currently has a £85m release clause in his contract, with a deal for his signature likely to cost around £60m, potentially negotiating a deal with the Hammers after their original contact.

Both players would be excellent options for the Lilywhites in their quest for success, but may prove to be too expensive, especially considering the inflated fees given their English top-flight status.

Lookman could prove to be a much cheaper alternative, but also a better option within the final third, outperforming the Premier League duo in multiple key areas.

The Nigerian, who’s been labelled “world-class” by the BBC’s John Bennett, has registered more goals and assists throughout 2024/25, along with a higher shot on target accuracy rate – demonstrating his threat within the final third.

Games played

31

34

32

Goals & assists

20

16

8

Shot on target accuracy

40%

27%

28%

Progressive carries

5.7

2.4

3.4

Key passes made

2.4

2.1

1.1

Carries into final third

2.8

1.6

2.1

Carries into opposition box

3.2

0.7

1.4

Aerials won

57%

15%

21%

He’s also registered more key passes per 90, along with more carries into the opposition box, showcasing his direct nature, which has allowed him to be a constant threat to countless backlines.

Lookman’s all-round dominance is further highlighted in his tally of aerials won and crosses completed, having the talent in numerous key areas to make him a versatile option in Frank’s system.

It’s unclear which of the three players the club will pursue this window, but it’s evident that Lookman would be the best option for the Lilywhites during the current window.

All three would massively improve the options at the Dane’s disposal, but the Nigerian has the added quality that could take the side up a notch throughout 2025/26.

More exciting than Semenyo: Spurs in talks to sign "generational" £85m star

The brilliant attacker could be just what Spurs need.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 1, 2025

Northamptonshire just 25 runs ahead with six wickets remaining, going into final day

ECB Reporters Network25-Jun-2024Glamorgan kept their hopes of victory alive in their Vitality County Championship match against Northamptonshire in Cardiff thanks to two wickets from Mason Crane in the final session.Glamorgan had extended their first-innings lead to 211 thanks to late order runs from Crane, James Harris and Andy Gorvin allowing them to add to their overnight total.A score of 99 from Ricardo Vasconcelos and 55 not out from Luke Procter saw Northamptonshire claw themselves back into this match but the wickets from Crane pushed Glamorgan back into the stronger position.Northamptonshire will begin the final day of this match on 236 for four, just 25 runs in front with six second-innings wickets in hand. They will be hoping for another partnership to help them save this game but Glamorgan will be looking for early wickets so they can push for the win.Glamorgan resumed 111 runs in front of Northamptonshire and Crane and James Harris set about extending that in the opening hour. Crane is having his best season as a batter in first-class cricket. He made the second half-century of his career, the first coming in the away fixture against these opponents earlier in the season.Crane and Harris shared a stand of 63 that took Glamorgan into a sizeable lead, but the concern for the home side would have been the ease with which their lower order were scoring runs. The prodigious seam movement that was a feature of the first two days had all but disappeared and the final wicket stand between Crane and Andy Gorvin put on another 53 runs to take Glamorgan to 490 all out.Northamptonshire’s innings had a solid start thanks to a stand of 59 between Emilio Gay and Vasconcelos. Gay was dismissed by Gorvin when he edged through to Chris Cooke for 24. Prithvi Shaw had made it to 23 before he edged a low catch to Cooke to leave Northamptonshire 95 for two.Vasconcelos was steady throughout but as the day progressed the odd ball did misbehave. There were one of two balls from the Glamorgan seamers that bounced more than he expected but it wasn’t until the final session of the day that there seemed to be a real threat with the ball thanks to Crane’s leg spin. He bowled a long spell in the evening session where the ball began to turn.The stand between Procter and Vasconcelos took Northamptonshire exactly level with Glamorgan when Crane made the long-awaited breakthrough when he trapped Vasconcelos LBW for 99. When Crane had Rob Keogh caught at short leg first ball Northamptonshire were four wickets down in their second innings and exactly level with Glamorgan’s first innings score.Procter and Lewis McManus took Northamptonshire to the close without any further damage but there is still a long way to go before the visitors can consider this game safe.

Every year, football’s elite gather in Paris to determine the winner of the Ballon d’Or.

Well, perhaps not if your name is Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian famously snubbed the awards evening in 2024 when he found out he’d been outvoted for the major accolade by Manchester City’s midfield sensation Rodri.

It was a landmark year for the Spaniard, who won the Premier League with City and also won the European Championships after defeating England in the final.

Having suffered a terrible ACL injury towards the end of the year, Rodri was not in the conversation to win the award again in 2025.

The last 10 Ballon d’Or winners
Year	Player	Club
2014	Cristiano Ronaldo	Real Madrid
2015	Lionel Messi	Barcelona
2016	Cristiano Ronaldo	Real Madrid
2017	Cristiano Ronaldo	Real Madrid
2018	Luka Modric	Real Madrid
2019	Lionel Messi	Barcelona
2021	Lionel Messi	PSG
2022	Karim Benzema	Real Madrid
2023	Lionel Messi	PSG/Inter Miami
2024	Rodri	Manchester City
2025	Ousmane Dembele	PSG
2020 award not given due to Covid-19

Instead, it was PSG’s Ousmane Dembele who reigned supreme, having starred as the Parisiens finally won the Champions League in 2024/25.

Ballon d'Or 2025 Final Rankings

Where did the 30 nominees finish?

By
Charlie Smith

Sep 23, 2025

What made Dembele’s triumph all the more remarkable was the fact that he’d never actually been dominated for the award before.

He beat off some stiff competition, including Lamine Yamal, but what does the future have in store for the Spaniard? Well, with the help of Grok, the next ten winners of the Ballon d’Or have been predicted.

1

2026: A first crown for France's best

Kylian Mbappe

With Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi no longer the players they once were, it was always predicted that Kylian Mbappe would rise to the top.

A victory in 2026 would be a long time coming for Madrid’s latest Galactico but it would be an award well deserved. There’s a World Cup in 2026, too. Perhaps he’s just led France to a second triumph in three attempts?

2

2027: The wonderkid triumphs for the first time

Lamine Yamal

One of the favourites for 2025, Yamal finally gets the recognition on a global stage that he deserves in two years time. At the age of 17, he’s already won the Kopa Trophy for the best U21 player, and it feels only a matter of time before he’s officially crowned the best player in the world.

Cole Palmer already thinks he is, and with numbers like he’s achieved in 2024/25, scoring 18 and assisting 26, anything is possible. He is a generational talent, the rightful heir to Lionel Messi’s throne.

Lamine Yamal in 2024/25
Games	55
Goals	18
Assists	25
Stats via Transfermarkt.

3

2028: A victory for the Premier League

Erling Haaland

Like Mbappe, Haaland has been tripped as a future Ballon d’Or winner for a while now but AI thinks we’ll have to wait another three years before seeing Manchester City’s goal machine given the gong.

Given the length of his contract, he’s set to stay in the Premier League for a long time and is likely to continue banging in the goals on a domestic and continental level. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he is the definitive best number 9 of all time once he hangs up his boots.

4

2029: Messi 2.0 does it again

Lamine Yamal

We told you he was generational. Two years on from his first success, Yamal is set to be handed his second Ballon d’Or, truly following in the footsteps of the great Messi.

At this point in his career, he’ll still only be 22 years of age. His potential is utterly frightening.

5

2030: Another win for Real Madrid

Vinicius Jr

Six years on from what he felt was a cruel loss at the hands of Rodri, Brazil’s heir to Neymar and Real Madrid’s heir to CR7, Vini Jr, will finally get his hands on football’s most prestigious individual award.

Although aged 30, AI thinks he’ll still be going strong for Real Madrid, and with it being a World Cup year, maybe, just maybe, Brazil have got their hands on the trophy again.

Vini Jr in 2024/25
Games	51
Goals	20
Assists	17
Stats via Transfermarkt.

6

2031: Another Barca great does it

Pedri

Every player on this list so far has been a forward but Barcelona star Pedri is set to topple the Yamal dominance by winning the award himself, following in the footsteps of the amazing Luka Modric and Rodri, the last midfielders to win the award.

The Spaniard is only 22 at the time of writing but he had a captivating season for Barca as they reached the Champions League final and won LaLiga. He’s played 59 times in 2024/25, scoring six goals and assisting eight. If he does indeed win the Ballon d’Or in 2031, his longevity certainly will have been Modric-esque.

7

2032: Liverpool's new signing takes it home

Florian Wirtz

On the cusp of signing for Liverpool, who knows where Florian Wirtz will be playing in seven years time but AI seems to reckon that after securing a transfer to a Champions League giant and putting in strong showings for Germany, he’ll be the best player in the world.

Well, if it’s with the Reds, it would be their first Ballon d’Or winner since a certain Michael Owen back in 2001.

Wirtz is certainly one of the finest playmakers in the world already, contributing to 31 goals (16 goals, 15 assists) in the 2024/25 season when he was still with Bayer Leverkusen.

8

2033: More success for Germany

Jamal Musiala

Back-to-back success for Germany as Jamal Musiala picks up his first crown in 2033. This could be the start of a newfound dominance for Die Mannschaft, who with Musiala and Wirtz in tow, may well have won the 2032 European Championships.

AI is backing the attacking midfielder to trump everyone else due to Bayern Munich’s dominance, international accolades and consistent form.

9

2034: A third major honour awaits

Lamine Yamal

Rounding things off is a third triumph for one of the best players this generation has seen; Yamal.

In 2034, he’s be 27 and at the peak of his career with AI predicting him to cement his legacy as a generational talent. If he isn’t already, he’s now a truly household name, one of the best players we’ve ever seen in the game and right up there with Messi.

Only two players, Messi and Ronaldo, have won it more than three times, while Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten are the only other players to have all taken it home on three occasions.

10

2035: Brazilian follows in the footsteps of Vini Jr

Endrick

While Yamal will no doubt be in the conversation again after winning it for a third time, his reign is brought to a halt by another of LaLiga’s top wonderkids at the moment, Endrick.

AI predicts that the Brazilian striker will become a powerhouse over the next decade, potentially winning the World Cup 2034 Golden Ball before cementing himself as the best striker in the world in ten years’ time. Grok reckons that the forward’s physicality and finishing ability will give him the edge over Yamal at this point.

The best XI of players to never win the Ballon d'Or

Some of these players were brutally snubbed for the golden ball.

By
Barney Lane

Oct 26, 2024

Strikers have been iconic over the years at Liverpool football club, with different generations of attackers giving the supporters memories to last a lifetime.

Luis Suárez is just one talent who’s captured the heart of most during his spell at Anfield, registering 82 goals in his 133 appearances for the club.

The Uruguayan spent three years on Merseyside before moving to Spanish giants Barcelona, leaving a huge hole at the top end of the pitch as a result.

Talents such as Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and Diogo Jota have all operated at the top end of the pitch in recent years, with only one of them remaining during Arne Slot’s reign at the club.

However, the Dutchman could be about to land a player who could be his new talisman ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, looking to make it back-to-back Premier League triumphs.

An update on Liverpool’s striker situation this summer

Darwin Núñez is a player who looks set to depart Liverpool this summer after failing to deliver following his £85m transfer from Benfica back in the summer of 2022.

The Uruguayan has scored just 40 times in his 139 appearances, an average of one goal every three and a half games, leading to murmurs around his long-term future.

Atlético Madrid has been mooted as a possible destination for the 25-year-old, with the Reds demanding just £35m to sell him – resulting in a £50m loss on their investment.

However, such funds could be used to sign another star, with Benjamin Sesko the latest player touted with a summer switch to Merseyside, according to GIVEMESPORT.

The report claims that the RB Leipzig ace has a £55m release clause in his current contract, with the Reds impressed by his goalscoring tally of 20 goals in his 42 appearances throughout 2024/25.

It also states that he’s high on their shortlist, seen as an affordable alternative to Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, allowing Slot to have the goalscoring striker he’s been craving.

Why Liverpool’s £55m target would be an upgrade on Nunez

It’s safe to say it’s unimaginable where Liverpool would’ve finished in 2024/25 if it wasn’t without Mohamed Salah, with the Egyptian producing countless moments of magic at key points of the season.

The 32-year-old has registered a combined 56 goals and assists in his 48 appearances across all competitions, by far and away the most of any player in the first-team squad.

Luis Diaz sits as the club’s second-highest scorer in the league on 12 goals, a staggering 16 behind Salah, highlighting his importance to the side over the last few months.

Despite his new contract, he’s undoubtedly coming to the back end of his professional career, needing to land other targets in forward areas to spread the load rather than be reliant upon one player.

Sesko would provide exactly, with his goalscoring record in the Bundesliga, one that could the side to have that focal point they have often lacked despite the success they’ve endured.

When comparing his stats to those of current forward Nunez, the 21-year-old has massively outperformed him, highlighting how much he would improve the attacking department.

The Slovenian, who’s been labelled “the new Erling Haaland” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has registered more combined goals and assists than the Uruguayan, along with a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – showcasing his clinical nature.

How Benjamin Sesko compares to Darwin Núñez in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)	Sesko	Nunez
Games played	30	26
Goals & assists	17	7
Shot-on-target accuracy	43%	37%
Take-ons completed	1.5	0.7
Take-on success	52%	38%
Aerials won	2.6	1.4
Aerial success rate	58%	35%
Stats via FBref

He’s also managed to complete more of the take-ons he’s attempted, whilst coming out on top in more of the aerial battles he’s entered – offering the side an all-round threat in the final third.

Whilst £55m may seem a risk for a player who’s never played in England before, it’s a deal worth completing, especially when taking his dominance over Nunez into account.

Given his tender age, he has the opportunity to improve further under Slot’s guidance, potentially becoming the club’s next star attacker to lead them to consistent Premier League glory in the years ahead.

A big Diaz upgrade: Liverpool make approach to sign future "£100m" star

Liverpool could be about to make a move for a sensation who could replace Luis Diaz.

By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 30, 2025

Everton scored a late, late winner against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon to secure a deserved 1-0 win over Nuno Santo’s top four contenders.

Despite Forest sitting third and the Toffees in 14th prior to the match, David Moyes’ men performed incredibly well throughout the match, with the late winner by Abdoulaye Doucoure ensuring they headed back to Merseyside in a great mood.

Everton dominated possession throughout (58% to 42%) while registering 13 shots, claiming seven corners and taking 29 touches in the opposition penalty area, compared to just nine for the home side.

Doucoure has had his critics recently, but his goal to seal the victory will go a long way to redemption, that’s for sure.

Abdoulaye Doucoure's game in numbers vs Forest

The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, with his future at their new Bramley more Stadium rather uncertain at this moment in time.

Before the Forest clash, the Malian star had scored only two goals in the Premier League this season and not many expected him to pop up and net the winner on Saturday afternoon.

However, he popped up like a seasoned striker, bursting onto the end of Dwight McNeil’s counter-attacking pass to find the back of the net. His celebration? Rather cryptic, let’s put it that way, pointing to his head and then appearing to sign an imaginary piece of paper. Perhaps a new contract is incoming?

While the goal was vital, the midfielder completed 33 of his 37 passes – a success rate of 89% – took 50 touches, succeeded with 100% of his long balls and crosses into the box plus made a solitary tackle.

Will this display be enough to convince Moyes to extend his Everton contract for at least another season? Who knows, but he certainly bailed out a few players during the game.

Accurate passes

Mykolenko (51)

Key passes

Moreno (4)

Tackles

Garner, Anderson & Milenkovic (3)

Ground duels won

Anderson (7)

Shots on target

Ndiaye (3)

Everton star saved by Doucoure must be dropped

While many of Everton’s forward line have flattered to deceive this term, a certain Jack Harrison has been notably poor throughout the campaign and failed to influence the side again against a team chasing a Champions League place next season. As a result, he must be axed from the starting XI.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The winger had missed only four Premier League matches before the match on Saturday yet had registered only one goal and one assist during that time.

Those are hardly the best returns for the current Leeds United loan player, and he won’t be returning to the club next season. That’s a certainty.

Harrison did look lively in spells against Forest, delivering 14 crosses into the opposition’s penalty area, although only four were accurate. He even set up Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner for chances, yet both players missed their opportunities.

His antics going forward meant the winger lost the ball a staggering 25 times throughout the game. Given he took 60 touches, this works out as losing the ball once every 2.4 touches.

Journalist Chris Beesley gave the Englishman a match rating of 7/10 for his display, writing in the Liverpool Echo, notably criticising an effort he had that was blazed over the bar. It rather summed up his stint at Goodison.

Thus, with the man who replaced him, McNeil, actually registering the game-winning assist, perhaps it is the former Burnley man who should start instead of Harrison next time around.

Friedkin table offer in race to sign "perfect" £25m+ defender for Everton

They’ve had a response…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 10, 2025

Sunday was a day to celebrate Test cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jan-2024West Indies beating Australia at the Gabba. England beating India in Hyderabad. Two thrilling Test match finishes were witnessed on Sunday, much to the delight of the cricket fraternity.

Are you not entertained.

— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) January 28, 2024

Also. I know it’s been said many times in the last 24 hours with the two victories we’ve seen today. But, long live test cricket. You simply don’t get the same emotional ups and downs in any other format. It is unrivalled

— Steven Finn (@finnysteve) January 28, 2024

Test cricket proving again why it’s the ultimate in the sport… t20 can only but hope.

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) January 28, 2024

First up, West Indies, inspired by a seven-wicket haul from Shamar Joseph, fashioned a stunning eight-run Test win, their first in Australia in 27 years.

What a remarkable moment for Shamar Joseph and West Indies cricket. The most remarkable test win that I can put my mind on, given the context

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) January 28, 2024

What a special performance by the West Indies, showed raw talent and fighting spirit can defy all odds. Congratulations @windiescricket

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 28, 2024

Thanks to this young man Shamar Joseph for bowling one of the most remarkably courageous, & high quality spells on an injured right foot. All credit to you and your loved ones bro, for what you have achieved and will continue to achieve. pic.twitter.com/fA0Wd8id67

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) January 28, 2024

Love your work gents @windiescricket A lot of proud West Indian friends around the globe today. Enjoy the win and build from here.

— Niall John O Brien (@niallnobiobrien) January 28, 2024

The West Indies roar back into life with an amazing test win at the GABBA Incredible display of just giving it everything.. Celebrating hard tonight and maybe morning #cricket #testmatch #westindies

— Damien Martyn (@damienmartyn) January 28, 2024

Whoohoooo… Shamar Joseph #AUSvsWI What a story … it’s a great day for the @windiescricket .. Congratulations .. that was amazing guys !!!

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) January 28, 2024

Today's Gabba win was a lovely throwback to my growing up years when West Indies used to dominate the game. These young boys must have made all those legends proud. Particularly excited about the young Shamar Joseph! #AUSvWI #gabba

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 28, 2024

Do yourself a favour, go read about his life on wikipedia! Literally had tears in my eyes while reading about his journey. Inspirational to say the least

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) January 28, 2024

Yesterday he went to the hospital due to injured toe.
Today he created history at Gabba.
12 months ago he was nowhere.
And today he is everywhere.
Shamar Joseph! World cricket will remember your bravery. pic.twitter.com/R39YqCmrfU

— Mohammad Yousaf (@yousaf1788) January 28, 2024

Indomitable spirit shown by the @windiescricket team and Shamar Joseph. If you don't know his story, please find out as it's awe inspiring. This victory is the stuff dreams are made of and it's indelibly etched in the annals of history! #proudwestindian

— Samuel Badree (@qmanbad) January 28, 2024

Great win for West Indies. Test cricket how good !!!

— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) January 28, 2024

Well done @windiescricket that was something special to win a test match in Aussie land after 27 years. Young side beating the world champs at home is something to cherish for a long time. Well done the men in maroon Shamar Joesph what a story , what a superstar #Ausvwi

— Farveez Maharoof (@farveezmaharoof) January 28, 2024

West Indies just beat Australia in Australia in a Test Match by 8 runs.
I love such results, for the love of Test Cricket. Beautiful.

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 28, 2024

What a sensational win by WI!! Shamar Joseph retired hurt from batting yesterday & then came out to bowl today & took 7-68 to win the match. That’s the type of character needed for international cricket & play through the pain barrier. Where’s the deciding 3rd Test?!! #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/Lsu9m6hJvQ

— Majid Haq (@MajidHaq) January 28, 2024

Congratulations West Indies. Shamar Joseph's stellar performance with the ball for West Indies against Australia is nothing short of extraordinary! Taking 7 wickets, he's truly a force to be reckoned with. .

— Mohammad Amir (@iamamirofficial) January 28, 2024

So so rapt for @windiescricket just now at the #GABBATest Watta win! Take a bow Shamar Joseph #sevenfor #AUSvsWI

— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) January 28, 2024

What a great advert for test cricket. Superb victory for England in India and a remarkable victory for West Indies in Australia!

— Devon Malcolm (@devon_malcolm) January 28, 2024

There was another thriller brewing in Hyderabad, with England making an incredible comeback to go 1-0 in the five-Test series against India.

Couple of amazing Tests! #AUSvsWI #INDvENG

— Isa Guha (@isaguha) January 28, 2024

Fantastic game of Test match cricket in front of a terrific crowd to support. Just shows what a fearless and positive mindset can achieve. Well played England #INDvsENG #TestCricket #Hyderabad

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) January 28, 2024

What a great Test win @englandcricket So good too watch!! Big team effort.Absolute Masterclass from @OPope32 in attack & defence in these conditions. So pleased for @tomhartley100 . Test cricket is the best!! A lot of cricket to go but this result sets the series up nicely.

— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) January 28, 2024

A stunning win for England in Hyderabad. Magnificent from Ollie Pope and extraordinarily magical for Tommy Hartley. I’m thrilled to bits for the boys @englandcricket

— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) January 28, 2024

WOWWWWW! What a test match

— Danielle Wyatt (@Danni_Wyatt) January 28, 2024

Test Cricke ..
Long live Test Cricket ,#AUSvWI #INDvENG

— Fawad Ahmed (@bachaji23) January 28, 2024

Remarkable test victory for England, so many stories to be told over the 4 days. Pope and Hartley showing enormous character and resilience in the toughest arena which is India. #INDvsENG

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 28, 2024

What a win. Pope simply outstanding. But, the show of confidence Stokes showed in Tom Hartley at the end of day 1 has paid dividends. Fantastic captaincy leading to an amazing victory

— Steven Finn (@finnysteve) January 28, 2024

Wow wow wow!
TEST CRICKET YOU ABSOLUTE BEAUTY!

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) January 28, 2024

The Tests followed South Africa’s first ever win in women’s T20Is against Australia.

South Africa beat Australia
West Indies beat Australia
England beat India

Crazy day of cricket!

— Amanda Wellington (@amandajadew) January 28, 2024

Doesn’t happen very often…both the Australian Men’s & Women’s team losing!!! Important victories for SA Women & West Indies Men in Test cricket. Great for the global game!!!

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) January 28, 2024

England’s under-fire seamer adapts to livelier pitch and reaps rewards

Alan Gardner25-Mar-2022How do you solve a problem like Chris Woakes? Not that you’d think there’s much wrong with a fine, multipurpose cricketer and all-round good guy, a man capable of scoring a Test hundred and opening the bowling in a World Cup final. If he were a vehicle, Woakes would be a high-spec, low-emission five-door saloon that comes with automatic parking assist and plenty of room in the trunk.Yet there is one element of his game where the reviews turn consistently negative: an overseas bowling average in the 50s. Contrast that with Woakes’ heroics in home conditions, where he takes his wickets at a cost of 22.63 – better than the two classic roadsters left behind for this trip, James Anderson (24.20) and Stuart Broad (25.78) – and you have the central conundrum that England’s hierarchy were hoping to address over the course of a three-Test series in the Caribbean.Come the second day in Grenada, it’s fair to assume that conclusions were already being drawn. Woakes had misfired badly with the spotlight on him in Antigua and things had not improved perceptibly since that ropey first spell. He might not have played here, had Ollie Robinson been fit, and had chipped out two wickets – Jermaine Blackwood and Kemar Roach – from two-and-a-bit Tests, that clunking away record continuing to hang around his neck like an albatross.England may have thought that entrusting Woakes with opening the bowling would increase his cutting edge, but another tepid start set the tone in the wrong way. Kraigg Braithwaite and John Campbell calmly compiled their third 50-plus stand of the series, aided by a new-ball spell from Woakes and Craig Overton that carried all the menace of an offer of flowers and a foot massage. Half of the 30 deliveries Woakes bowled were left alone, and figures of 5-2-11-0 took his combined returns from initial spells across five innings in Antigua, Barbados and Grenada to 21-6-70-0.Related

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All this on the spiciest pitch of the tour, one which had enabled West Indies’ seamers to fill their boots in reducing England to 114 for 9 on day one. Perhaps conditions had eased – as they clearly did while Jack Leach and Saqib Mahmood were putting on their last-wicket salvage operation – but the comparison was not flattering. Jayden Seales, Roach and Co. had required a bit of time to get things right, England’s openers surviving into the 13th over before wickets began to tumble – but up to that point, according to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball logs, the West Indies fast bowlers had induced 21 not-in-control responses; across the same number of deliveries, England managed just nine.”I think in the first hour we probably could have bowled a little bit fuller,” Woakes told BT Sport after play. “We were probably a little bit short, could have made the batsmen play a little bit more. But at the same time, I actually thought when we got the ball in the right areas, the ball didn’t seem to offer a lot of what we saw yesterday. Maybe the roller wore off after an hour and then once we got the ball in those areas more consistently, we saw it was more difficult to bat.”Reasonably put but once again there was a sense that, no matter how many admirable skills he does possess, Woakes was lacking for something. Nasser Hussain wrote in his autobiography about how Duncan Fletcher, England’s coach during his captaincy, rated Darren Gough for a quality he referred to as the “dogf*ck” – translated by Hussain as “the ability not to get fazed and to know what to do”. Woakes, to put it mildly, doesn’t come across as a prime “dogf*ck” candidate.But one player in the England XI does undoubtedly have those Gough-like qualities of indefatigability and resourcefulness. If Woakes has been the de facto attack leader, in the absence of Anderson and Broad, then Ben Stokes was once again the ring leader as the tourists set about turning things around after a fruitless first hour.Stokes crowbarred an opening by hitting the pitch hard, getting one to scuttle through and pin Brathwaite lbw; Saqib Mahmood found similar success against Shamarh Brooks, and when Overton dug one in short to produce a glove down the leg side from Campbell, England had their template for success on a surface that remained tricky to bat on if no longer the green mamba of Thursday morning.None of which seemed to bode well for Woakes and his prim, orthodox approach when he was called back into the fray after lunch. But then you don’t survive for more than a decade in international cricket, claiming almost 300 wickets as well as a World Cup winner’s medal, if you don’t have a bit about you. Maybe the “dogf*ck” was there after all, or perhaps it was simply a change of fortune, but Woakes had suddenly gone from school prefect to bearded brawler in the thick of the action.Chris Woakes struck twice in one over•Getty ImagesImmediately he began to bowl a more attacking line, England reviewing unsuccessfully for an edge down the leg side off Blackwood, then seeing a similar decision given against Nkrumah Bonner only for the DRS to intervene again. But Woakes kept bashing away until he finally hit pay dirt.His first wicket came via a skidding bouncer that left Bonner on his backside as it kissed the glove through to Ben Foakes. Three balls later, he again tested out the middle of the pitch to good effect, Jason Holder miscuing a pull to deep square leg. Blackwood was then pinned just above the knee roll and this time the umpire – and the technology – sided with the bowler. West Indies were 95 for 6 and, while not quite in the same stew that England had extricated themselves from 24 hours previously, the game was evenly poised.”To pick up three today was really nice,” Woakes said. “I always try to do a job for the team. That was quite an important spell after lunch, getting their middle order out. It’s the sort of wicket, with the ball getting softer that they could have cashed in. As long as I’m doing a job for team I’m happy.”Obviously I would have loved to have taken more wickets, but it hasn’t happened. The most important thing is trying to do a job for the team and whilst I’m still selected I will continue to do that.”At the end of the day things were still in the balance, as another lower-order fightback edged West Indies in front on first innings. Woakes had bared his canines and claimed three or more wickets in an innings of an away Test for only the fourth time in 36 attempts – whether his efforts are to be remembered as a vital contribution to a gutsy Test win or a footnote in England’s latest failure in the Caribbean is as yet unwritten.It wasn’t quite a case of Woakes saying “No more Mr Nice Guy” and tearing up all our pre-conceptions. But it might help prevent England from deciding “No more Mr Nice Guy” the next time an overseas tour comes around.

A significant update has now emerged regarding Raphael Wicky becoming Middlesbrough’s next manager, as the Championship side look to find the right replacement for Rob Edwards in the near future.

The exit of Edwards to Wolves has knocked Boro for six at an important point in the season, but it is vital that they don’t allow it to derail their Championship promotion push in the coming weeks and months.

A number of candidates have already been mentioned as potential options as the Englishman’s successor, including former Young Boys manager Wicky.

It has been claimed that Boro are serious about appointing the 48-year-old as their next boss after he impressed during talks, although he is far from the only candidate being mentioned for the job.

Former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is a contender for the Championship side, with the Dutchman reportedly given Gareth Southgate’s endorsement, following their time working together with the England national team. Steven Gerrard, Gary O’Neill and Carlos Corberan are some of the other names to have been thrown around.

Wicky keen on taking Middlesbrough job

Now, according to a fresh claim from The Northern Echo, Wicky is keen on becoming Middlesbrough’s next manager, with the Swiss very much in the mix to come in.

He is said to be one of a host of overseas bosses who are “interested” in taking charge at the Riverside Stadium, following his exit from Young Boys last year, having spent two years at the club.

Wicky stands out as a strong option for Boro, with journalist Graeme Bailey describing him as an “impressive” individual, following a successful managerial career to date.

He won both the Swiss league title and Swiss Cup with Young Boys in the 2022/23 season, outlining his winning mentality, and at 48, he is still a relatively young manager who will bring fresh ideas to the Riverside.

It remains to be seen if the 4-4-2 diamond-playing Wicky will ultimately be Boro’s pick as their new boss, but the fact that the job appeals to him can only be a good thing, and his trophy-winning pedigree isn’t something that should be ignored.

Middlesbrough now considering move for ex-QPR manager recommended by Southgate

He’s been out of a managerial job since 2022.

1

By
Tom Cunningham

Nov 14, 2025

It is vital that the club don’t rush into the decision, however, instead ensuring that they have the best possible choice of manager to hopefully spearhead their return to the Premier League, rather than making a quick call and bringing in the wrong man.

How Middlesbrough feel about Raphael Wicky as Swiss manager holds Riverside talks

Still in a whirlwind following a frenetic first Ashes Test, skipper Steven Smith was non-committal over whether Travis Head would continue to open the batting after his 69-ball century powered Australia to a crushing eight-wicket victory at Perth. Head opened the batting for the first time in a Test innings outside of South Asia, replacing Usman Khawaja who had spent some time off the ground in England’s second innings due to back spasms.His elevation, after Marnus Labuschagne had been given the task in the first innings, proved a game-changer and he smashed 123 off 83 balls to knock England’s all-out pace attack off the lengths that had proved so effective on the opening day.The opening positions have been a cause for concern for Australia for some time. With Khawaja, 38, under pressure and Jake Weatherald posting scores of 0 and 23 in his debut, there could be a push for Head to take the role on an ongoing basis in this series.”Let’s just digest this first, the last couple of hours have been pretty incredible,” Smith told reporters after the match. “It’s probably too early to say anything on that, but what we just witnessed was quite incredible. I’m glad to have been in the house to see it.”We didn’t like how things functioned in the first innings with Marn going up top and me batting three. So Trav took it on and played one of the great Ashes knocks.”Related

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Khawaja was forced off the field during England’s second innings in a recurrence of back spasms he first experienced on day one. He was fit to take the field on day two, but felt further pain after stretching high for a ball that flew above him in the slips.”He was reasonable this morning. I actually thought it was his knee at one point,” Smith said. “Fortunately, it was the same thing [back spasms]. He [Khawaja] said before that it’s probably one of the best back spasms he’s ever had given the circumstances [of Head’s century].Smith said the circumstances around Khawaja’s ill-timed absence in the field in England’s first innings, making him ineligible to open the batting, was a “little frustrating”. Khawaja eventually batted at No.4 and was dismissed for just 2.”Wasn’t ideal, it all happened pretty quickly,” he said. “I got told, I think just before we got the last wicket….that he needed to be on the field to go and bat.”I think that’s why we landed where we landed yesterday [with Labuschagne opening]. Today we had a little bit more time to go through it and work it out.”I mean, those things can happen in the game. No one’s fault. Move on.”Much like Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg, Smith defended Khawaja’s decision to play golf prior to the Test match. “He’s not moving particularly well in there, the old fella, but his preparation was the same as it’s been for every Test match I think that he’s played,” he said.”There was nothing out of whack there by any stretch. Unfortunately, he just pulled up a bit lame early in the game. That happens when your back goes.”I’ve been there myself when your back seizes up and it’s not a nice place to be. So I can feel his pain right now.”Offspinner Nathan Lyon had very little to do in the match, bowling just two overs in the seam-friendly conditions. But he did cop a blow to his hip while batting and was visibly wincing in the field.”He’s got a few bruises, keeps showing them off. He’s tough though, he’ll be fine,” Smith said.There has been no update on quick Josh Hazlewood amid fears that he might miss the entire series with a hamstring injury. But Pat Cummins has revealed that he’s a chance of returning for the second Test in Brisbane starting on December 4, as he progresses well from a lower back injury.”It’s on track and pulling up pretty well. [I’m] half a chance for the next game,” Cummins said on the Fox Sports broadcast. “I’m pretty hopeful and it’s probably better than it was a few weeks ago.”

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl recently revealed that he needs players who “understand” what it means to play for the Ibrox giants.

With the January transfer window less than a month away, the German manager said that he has learned which of his players are up to the task of playing for the club.

Whilst he said that he knows which players need to improve, the window will provide him with a chance to replace those players instead of trying to help them improve.

Rangers lining up move for new midfielder

Despite sporting director Kevin Thelwell’s departure at the start of last week, there is already work going on in the background to bolster the former Sheffield Wednesday manager’s side.

Transfer Focus

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

According to GIVEMESPORT, Glasgow Rangers are one of the clubs eyeing up a deal to sign exciting Tromso central midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl in the upcoming January transfer window.

The report claims that the Light Blues have sent scouts to watch the 20-year-old talent in action in recent weeks, as Rohl lines up a move to sign the midfield whiz.

It adds, though, that Premier League side Sunderland are also interested in Hjerto-Dahl, which means that there could be some stiff competition for his signature in January.

GIVEMESPORT also reports that the Norwegian youngster is not expected to cost a fortune, although no exact price tag has been mentioned.

Why Rangers should sign Hjerto-Dahl

Rangers should push to beat Sunderland to a deal for the 20-year-old central midfielder because he could be a Nicolas Raskin repeat for the Scottish Premiership giants.

The Gers signed the Belgian star from Standard Liege in January 2023 for a fairly modest fee of £1.7m, in a move that could be replicated by Hjerto-Dahl, who could sign in January for another modest fee, given that he is not expected to cost a fortune.

On top of the Tromso midfielder potentially joining in a similar transfer deal, the Norwegian gem could also offer similar qualities to Raskin in the middle of the park with his performances.

Hjerto-Dahl, who was described as a “unicorn” by Belgian scout Elijah Michiels, is another central midfielder who can make an impact at both ends of the pitch as a natural number eight.

The Rangers and Sunderland transfer target has been a regular for Tromso in the Eliteserien in the 2025 campaign, starting 28 of his 30 appearances, and has shown some promising signs with his displays.

Appearances

30

33

Goals

4

4

Assists

4

10

Successful dribbles per game

1.3

1.0

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.5

3.4

Possession won in final third

0.6

0.5

Duels won per game

5.1

6.6

As you can see in the table above, he has some fairly similar statistics in comparison to Raskin’s full season in the Premiership last term, with his work in and out of possession, which is why he is such an exciting prospect.

Given that Hjerto-Dahl is four years younger than the Belgium international, his statistics in comparison to the Rangers star’s are fairly impressive, as they show that he can impact games as a scorer and a creator of goals, without neglecting the defensive side of the game.

The Norway U21 international could arrive in January and use the first five months to adjust to Scottish football and life in Glasgow, as Raskin did in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, before being ready to shine in the 2026/27 campaign.

Whilst supporters may not want to hear about long-term signings and preparing for next season, the reality of the situation is that the Gers are already nine points off first place in the league, have not won a game in the Europa League, and are already out of the League Cup.

Worse than Miovski: Ibrox flop just played his worst game for Rangers

This Glasgow Rangers flop played his worst game for the club in the 2-1 defeat to Dundee United on Wednesday.

ByDan Emery Dec 4, 2025

Instead of chasing short-term results and signings, Rangers need to ensure that they have a long-term strategy in place that will ensure that they are competitive in the long run, which Hjerto-Dahl will, hopefully, be a part of.