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Vasco e Palmeiras, apesar de não mudarem suas posições na tabela com os pontos conquistados, tiveram uma mudança nas chances dos seus objetivos no Brasileirão. Depois do término da 23ª rodada da competição, o Lance! atualiza as chances de cada time conquistar o título, uma vaga na Libertadores, na Sul-Americana ou até de ser rebaixado no Campeonato Brasileiro.

Entre os destaques da batalha contra a zona da degola, a reação do Vasco, em pleno clássico contra o Fluminense, chama a atenção com o aumento da chance de permanência do clube.

+ Veja a classificação e simule os resultados do Brasileirão

Enquanto isso, na briga pelo pelo título do Brasileirão, o Palmeiras venceu no ‘apagar das luzes’ e contou com o ‘tropeço’ do líder Botafogo. Com isso, o Verdão dobrou as probabilidades de levar o caneco, mas a porcentagem está em 9,9% e se mostra muito baixa frente aos 81,2% do Glorioso.

Os cálculos foram feitos por um grupo de professores do Departamento de Estatística da UFMG (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), que realiza este trabalho desde 2005. Veja a seguir as chances de cada time no Brasileirão.

Liverpool won the Premier League with relative ease last season, and so FSG’s staggering summer of spending at Anfield must have struck quite the frisson of fear through the rest of the European game.

Though Arne Slot’s side haven’t been at their best across the opening fixtures of the season, they have claimed nine points from nine in the league, winning a tough match at St. James’ Park before narrowly seeing off title rivals Arsenal after Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick.

The Reds haven’t looked at their most fluent, but new number nine Hugo Ekitike has certainly started in fine fettle, three goals and an assist from his first four games.

Undroppable, right? However, the deadline-day acquisition of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak maybe stirs the pot a tad up top.

What Isak brings to Liverpool

Liverpool have two of the most dynamic strikers in the game in Isak and Ekitike, but both would fancy themselves at their most fluent and formidable when threatening from the centre.

Isak is the more clinical and refined man, to be sure, but he’s also nearly three years Ekitike’s senior.

Having two high-level centre-forwards isn’t the worst problem for Slot to have, but he is going to need to consider ferrying one out to the left wing or pushing Liverpool toward a tactical transformation.

However, neither have Cody Gakpo’s fluency as a left-sided forward.

And, of course, Liverpool have already sold an elite winger in Luis Diaz who could have been the perfect balancing force in the frontline.

Liverpool may regret selling Luis Diaz

Liverpool sold Diaz to Bayern Munich for £65.5m in July, with the German giants convincing the 28-year-old to join after FSG failed to agree terms on a new contract with the Reds winger.

He arrived from Porto as Jurgen Klopp’s choice of replacement for Sadio Mane, and though he didn’t quite live up to the same stratospheric heights, succeeded all the same.

Indeed, Klopp himself lauded his new arrival as a “top world level player” back in April 2022.

He leaves an integral part of an illustrious period in Liverpool’s history, having scored 17 goals and supplied eight assists across all competitions last term, filling in at centre-forward on multiple occasions.

Though some questioned Diaz’s output, he didn’t do too badly, ranking fourth among all left wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last year for goal contributions, and in what many would describe as the toughest division of the lot.

Given that Isak arrives at Liverpool with a wealth of prolific Premier League experience under his belt, he could have formed an incredible partnership with Diaz, who always balanced his output and ranked among the top 9% of positional peers in the Premier League last season for pass completion, keeping it crisp and opening up a strong supply line with the Sweden star.

The fact that Liverpool’s player sales across the summer has left them with a smaller net spend than Arsenal perhaps underlines the suggestion that Diaz needn’t have been sold.

The emergence of 17-year-old sensation Rio Ngumoha has tempered the Colombian’s departure, but Diaz remains one of the most experienced and dynamic forwards in the business.

Equally, Florian Wirtz’s struggles across his initial foray into the English game are a reminder that Diaz was pretty crucial in Slot’s title-winning team, and he will be missed as the campaign progresses.

Now worth more than Isak: Liverpool wanted to sign "one of the best in the world"

With Alexander Isak joining Liverpool for £125m on deadline day, do the Reds rue missing out on “one of the best players in the world” worth more?

By
Ben Gray

Sep 2, 2025

Premier League chief Richard Masters dropped a huge hint over the future of the 3pm blackout. The rule has been in place for the last 60 years and the Football Association has consistently policed the blackout as it is viewed as essential to protect attendances in the Football League. However, in recent years, there have been several rumours of a push to abolish the system.

• ' 3pm Black out' rule in place for over half a century

  The '3pm blackout' is the rule that no Premier League, Football League or FA Cup matches be broadcast on live television on Saturday between 2:45pm and 5:15pm. Games may be played on that day and at that time, but they are forbidden to be televised. The rule is in place since the 1960s, when Burnley chairman Bob Lord successfully convinced fellow Football League chairmen that televised matches on Saturday afternoons would negatively impact the attendance of lower league games. While there has been a significant growth in football on TV, the Premier League continue to follow the rule.

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  Masters drops huge hint over future of 3pm blackou

  Speaking at The Summit, Premier League CEO Richard Masters said: "Our current domestic broadcast arrangement means that we are now essentially licensed to our limit. There are no more games outside of 3pm that aren't being broadcast. We are committed to it for the foreseeable future. It's not a decision that we alone make. It's done in conjunction with other football bodies, the FA and the FA. But we're committed to it for the foreseeable future."

• Can the 3pm blackout be changed

  While there have been several rumours in recent years of a push to abolish the rule, it cannot be altered without the backing of the FA, the Premier League and the English Football League.

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  PSR could be scrapped

  Masters also confirmed that the Premier League are set to vote next month on scrapping the divisive Profit and Sustainability Rules and bringing in a new system that will be more aligned with the UEFA financial regulations.

Newcastle United’s transfer window has been one of the most eventful in the Premier League.

The Magpies, fresh from a fifth-place finish last season and preparing for a Champions League campaign, have already been among the busiest clubs in the market.

Their recruitment strategy has been clear: target young players with scope to grow.

Jacob Ramsey arrived from Aston Villa to add drive to midfield, Malick Thiaw was secured from AC Milan to bolster the back line, and Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale have added depth in attack and the goalkeeping department respectively.

Yet, for all the excitement surrounding these signings, Newcastle’s summer has been dominated by uncertainty around Alexander Isak.

The Swedish striker has been at the centre of intense speculation, refusing to train with the squad and missing the opening fixtures against Aston Villa and Liverpool.

The absence of a recognised number nine left Eddie Howe short of attacking options, with Anthony Gordon even forced to operate as a makeshift forward before his red card compounded matters further.

A sudden £69m agreement with Stuttgart for Nick Woltemade has steadied nerves, but it has not distracted from Newcastle’s wider concerns in midfield.

Injuries to Sandro Tonali and Joelinton – even if not serious – have exposed how dependent Howe’s side can be on certain personnel.

It is within this context that the Magpies have begun exploring additional midfield reinforcements.

While one target in particular has caught their attention, prising him away from Inter Milan will be anything but straightforward.

Newcastle table approach for Serie A star

According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Newcastle United have lodged a proposal for Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi, with talks continuing over a potential late move.

Their initial suggestion involved a loan deal with an obligation to buy, but the terms of that arrangement are far from guaranteed.

The Nerazzurri value the midfielder at around €40m (£35m) and would only sanction an exit if the structure of the deal was near-certain – either through a permanent transfer or a cast-iron obligation to purchase.

Frattesi is far from surplus to requirements at San Siro.

Transfer Focus

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

Although Inter’s midfield remains one of the deepest in Europe, manager Cristian Chivu considers the Italian international an important part of his side.

Indeed, the 25-year-old former Sassuolo man has carved out a reputation as one of the most dynamic midfielders in Italy.

Fabrizio Romano recently described him as “one of the best midfielders in Serie A,” a testament to his all-action playing style.

For Newcastle, the pursuit of Frattesi appears to be linked directly to the fitness issues of Joelinton and Tonali.

While neither is expected to face long-term layoffs, the scare was enough to prompt the club to consider adding extra depth.

However, with Ramsey already added this summer and Inter proving resistant to complex proposals, it remains to be seen if a deal will be struck.

Even so, the very fact they made the enquiry highlights how highly they regard Frattesi and how keen they are to ensure their midfield remains among the strongest in England.

Why Frattesi represents an upgrade on Joelinton

From a tactical standpoint, the Italian midfielder offers a profile that differs significantly from Joelinton.

At 29 years old, the Brazilian is approaching his peak years and has been a vital part of Howe’s project, not least for his versatility in operating as both a box-to-box midfielder and an occasional forward.

Last season, he contributed 4 goals and 3 assists in 29 Premier League appearances, while also ranking well for defensive metrics such as tackles (2.14 per 90) and blocks (1.39 per 90).

His combative style and physical presence have long made him a fan favourite. Frattesi, however, provides a more modern interpretation of the central midfield role.

His ability to break forward into advanced areas is reflected in his statistical profile.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 99th percentile for non-penalty expected goals per 90 (0.37), the 95th percentile for total shots (1.91), and the 93rd percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area (3.08).

Few midfielders in Serie A can match his late runs into the box or his instinct for goal-scoring opportunities.

Compared to Joelinton, he registers a higher volume of shots per 90 (2.06 vs 1.69) and demonstrates greater efficiency in getting into dangerous positions, even if his shot accuracy (25%) lags slightly behind the Brazilian’s (28.9%).

Defensively, the comparison tilts back towards Joelinton.

The Brazilian remains stronger in duels, tackles, and blocks, highlighting his value in regaining possession and providing cover in midfield.

Frattesi, by contrast, is less imposing in pure defensive numbers, averaging 1.25 tackles per 90 and 0.88 blocks – a reflection of his role in a side where he is tasked with progressing the ball and supporting the attack rather than anchoring.

Where the Italian really shines is in transitional play.

His 1.70 progressive carries per 90 underline his ability to drive the ball forward, while his off-the-ball movement allows him to destabilise defensive lines and create space for teammates.

Comparisons have even been drawn with Scott McTominay of Napoli and Roma’s Niccolò Pisilli – midfielders who combine stamina with attacking intent.

In a Newcastle side often reliant on the directness of Joelinton and the passing range of Bruno Guimarães, Frattesi’s blend of dynamism and goal threat could provide a new dimension.

Crucially, the 25-year-old is also a player for the long term.

With a market value of €35m (£30m), as per Transfermarkt, he offers both current quality and future resale potential, aligning with Newcastle’s strategy of recruiting players with prime years still ahead of them.

While Joelinton has been integral to the club’s rise, the Italian’s ceiling appears higher, particularly in terms of end product.

For Howe, the question is whether depth or evolution is the priority.

If the aim is to simply safeguard against injuries to Tonali and Joelinton, then Newcastle’s midfield may already be well-stocked.

But if the ambition is to add a midfielder capable of pushing the side towards the next level in Europe, Frattesi represents a compelling option.

Amazing with Woltemade: Newcastle made move to sign "best 9 in the world"

Newcastle could have landed the perfect partner for Nick Woltemade…

1

By
Will Miller

Aug 30, 2025

Will Nottingham Forest continue to be busy in the transfer market, ahead of their Premier League opener against Brentford on Sunday?

So far, the Garibaldi Reds have signed goalkeeper Angus Gunn, Brazilian duo Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha, both from Botafogo, and, most recently and most excitingly, winger Dan Ndoye from Bologna, costing a reported fee of £34m.

Having finished seventh last season, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side are preparing for a European campaign, the first time Forest have competed on the continent in 30 years, meaning squad depth will be key, so are they set to bolster their midfield options further?

Nottingham Forest targeting midfield reinforcements

Despite making four new additions, the best piece of business Nottingham Forest have done this summer, without question, is keeping hold of Morgan Gibbs-White.

The 25 year old appeared destined to depart when Tottenham triggered his £60m release clause, but Spurs were ultimately left ‘stunned’ when the midfielder signed a new three-year contract instead, news that came completely out of the blue.

This is a serious statement of intent from Forest, able to keep hold of their best player, so will they now bolster their midfield options to help get the best out of Gibbs-White?

Well, amid talk that they are on the verge of signing James McAtee from Manchester City, another top midfielder could be on their way to Nottingham.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Nottingham Forest are ‘plotting’ a move to sign Yunus Musah from AC Milan, adding that they’re ‘considering making a bid’ for the United States international, valued at around £22m.

The Rossoneri have reappointed Massimiliano Allegri as head coach this summer, following a catastrophic campaign that saw them finish eighth in Serie A, failing to qualify for any European competition.

Transfer Focus

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

During Il Diavolo’s pre-season tour of Asia last month, newly-hired sporting director Igli Tare stated that “I consider Musah an excellent player, but we are looking for profiles with characteristics that fit the [Allegri] project”, which very much sounds like they’re open to a sale.

So, could the 22-year-old soon swap San Siro for the City Ground?

What Nottingham Forest fans should expect from Yunus Musah

Born in New York City, Musah’s family moved to London when he was just nine years old, subsequently spending seven years in Arsenal’s Hale End academy, before moving to Valencia at the age of 16.

After starting out in los Murciélagos’ B team, he made his senior debut a year after arriving, accumulating 108 appearances for los Che.

His performances caught AC Milan’s attention, joining the Italian giants for a reported fee of £17m two summers ago, featuring 80 times across two seasons for the Rossoneri, albeit he only started 19 Serie A matches last time round.

Musah has also won 47 caps for the United States, although his importance has diminished since the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino last year, with Taylor Rockwell of Total Soccer Show noting that he needs to be starting games regularly at club level as a central midfielder if he harbours realistic hopes of being an important figure at the World Cup.

Well, still only 22 years old, Musah certainly could do so at a high level, with Greg O’Keeffe of the Athletic labelling him an “exciting midfield talent”.

Robbie Dunne of Opta’s the Analyst agrees, asserting that he is ‘immensely talented’ and capable of carrying out any instructions, given that he is able to ‘cover lots of ground quickly’, hence why coaches often shunt him out-wide, even though he is best utilised centrally, with ball-carrying his ‘greatest strength’.

Meantime, Mario Husillos Jr. of Total Football Analysis notes that his ‘influence can be seen all across the pitch when deployed in a central role, thereby given license to ‘get close to the defenders to help in the buildup’.

This certainly sounds as though Musah would be the hard-working, hard-running type of defensive midfielder who would be able to get the best out of Gibbs-White, so let’s compare their respective statistics last season.

The table first and foremost emphasises Musah’s lack of importance at AC Milan, given that he actually made two more appearances than Gibbs-White across all competitions last season, but accumulated almost 1000 fewer minutes.

On top of this, the table outlines why the duo could form an excellent partnership in midfield.

The England international is the creator in chief, hence why his numbers when it comes to goals, assists, shots and chances created are all exponentially higher.

The American, on the other hand, is more secure in possession, completing a higher percentage of his passes, while posting better defensive numbers, most notably in terms of tackles.

At the base of Nottingham Forest’s midfield, there is a spot up for grabs alongside Elliot Anderson, so Musah could be the man for that position, allowing Gibbs-White, deployed as a number ten, to flourish for Nuno’s team.

Nottingham Forest in talks to sign "outstanding" ace; same agent as Awoniyi

This could be a great signing for Nuno Espirito Santo.

1

By
Henry Jackson

Aug 9, 2025

Arsenal are currently attempting to get a host of players off Mikel Arteta’s books, and they must do so quickly if Andrea Berta is to win the race for Eberechi Eze before Tottenham.

The consensus right now is that the Gunners’ current focus is on selling players (Sky Sports), with previous reports suggesting that they may have to offload certain squad members before formally bidding for Eze, despite the player’s recent talks with Berta and Arteta (Ben Jacobs).

Arsenal have long been in discussions with the 27-year-old’s camp (Fabrizio Romano), and there are some suggestions that the north Londoners even hold a broad agreement on financial terms with Palace.

However, their hesitancy and need to sell has gifted arch rivals Tottenham an opportunity to hijack their deal – with Thomas Frank’s side opening talks this week.

If Arsenal are to trim the squad and make room for Eze, it is absolutely imperative that they’re fast about it.

Fabio Vieira, Karl Hein, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Reiss Nelson, Jakub Kiwior are all being linked with exits before the transfer deadline on September 1, as is left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The former Man City star is considering the possibility of seeing out his contract and leaving for free in 2026, but given Arsenal’s need to raise funds and make room in the squad, Arteta’s side obviously prefer to sell now (The Athletic).

Zinchenko is on a considerable salary of around £150,000-per-week at the Emirates Stadium right now and barely got a look in under Arteta last season, so Arsenal will understandably be keen to find a buyer.

The Ukraine international attracted interest from AC Milan earlier this summer, according to reports from Italy, but now Turkish Süper Lig giants Fenerbache are throwing their hat into the ring.

Oleksandr Zinchenko keen to join Fenerbahce after Jose Mourinho talks

According to Turkish news outlet Sabah, Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho has held a meeting with Zinchenko and discussed his plans for the defender – promising to use him in midfield as opposed to at full-back.

These talks have piqued Zinchenko’s interest, as the ex-Ufa sensation is now believed to be keen on a switch to the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

While Mourinho has acquired the player buy-in, there is still work to do on the club-to-club front. Arsenal value Zinchenko at £17 million, but Fenerbache only want to sign him on loan with an option to buy in 2026.

So far, Fenerbache director Devin Ozek has offered Berta a loan fee of £2.5m, with an option to buy set at around £8.6 million, so a significant gap in valuation remains before a deal can be struck.

Arteta brought Zinchenko to Arsenal in 2022 after previously working with him at Eastlands, and the tactician praised his exceptional mentality.

“He’s a perfectionist and a really demanding boy. I know him so well, and after that he brings qualities that we didn’t have in the squad,” said Arteta to the press.

“He gives us a different option to play within the role in different spaces, and I’m really happy to have him.”

The loss to Tottenham Hotspur last week might have taken the shine off somewhat, but this summer has still been a brilliant one for Arsenal so far.

Mikel Arteta’s side have looked great in their other pre-season games, and Andrea Berta has been very busy in the transfer market.

The Italian has already made six first-team additions, with Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi undoubtedly being the most exciting of the lot.

Yet, it appears as if the Gunners aren’t done there, as they continue to be linked with Eberechi Eze, and with reports claiming that they’re now in talks to sell a peripheral player, they may soon have the money needed to sign the Englishman.

Why Arsenal want to sign Eze

Arsenal have been linked with Eze for a long time now, with some reports touting the 27-year-old for a move to the Emirates last summer.

However, it would be fair to say that the links have become far more concrete this summer.

In fact, some from last month claimed that talks with the player have gone well, and that the North Londoners are just waiting for the Crystal Palace star’s £68m release clause to expire later this month, so they have more wriggle room in negotiations.

Whatever the final price for the Eagles ace ends up being, it’s easy to see why Arteta and Co are so keen to sign him.

For example, despite playing for a mid-table side at best last season, the “superstar” attacker, as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, racked up a tally of 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances, totalling 3303 minutes.

Appearances

43

Minutes

3303′

Goals

14

Assists

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

Minutes per Goal Involvement

132.12′

In other words, the former QPR ace averaged a goal involvement every 1.72 games, or every 132.12 minutes across the campaign.

On top of that, the Greenwich-born maestro played a pivotal role in Palace’s FA Cup triumph, scoring in the quarter-final, semi-final, and final.

In all, Eze looks like he’d be a sensational signing for Arsenal, and it appears as if the club are making room for his arrival.

The Arsenal star who could be sold for Eze

While the focus of this summer for Arsenal has been the incomings, there are still several players around the first team who have been linked with possible exits.

Transfer Focus

For example, Gabriel Jesus was supposedly of interest to Brazilian side Flamengo last week, while Leandro Trossard has been linked to Borussia Dortmund on multiple occasions, and even Jakub Kiwior has been turning heads at Porto.

However, as things stand, the player who looks most likely to leave this summer is Fabio Vieira, who first moved to the Emirates three years ago for around £34m.

At least that’s according to a recent report from Sebastien Vidal, who claims that German outfit VfB Stuttgart are now interested in the Portuguese midfielder and have been in talks with Arsenal over a permanent transfer.

The 25-year-old would undoubtedly leave for a loss, but even then, it is probably time Arteta and Co cut their losses, as there is no indication he’ll ever develop into the player they hoped he’d become.

After all, he was only able to amass a tally of 13 goal involvements in 49 appearances across the two seasons he’s spent with the club, and then even last season, when he was on loan with Porto, he didn’t look much more than okay.

For example, the “exceptional” midfielder, as talent scout Jacek Kulig once dubbed him, produced 11 goal involvements in 42 games, but eight of those came in just 26 league appearances.

Appearances

39

33

16

42

Goals

7

2

1

5

Assists

16

6

3

6

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

0.24

0.25

0.26

Ultimately, Vieira clearly has some talent, but it’s equally clear that he’s not good enough to play for Arsenal, and if his departure can make room for Eze, then the club should thank him for his efforts and send him on his way.

Saka & Rodrygo hybrid: Arsenal in contact to sign "amazing" £61m sensation

The talented international would add some real class to Arsenal’s squad.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Aug 4, 2025

It’s a step into the unknown for West Bromwich Albion next season with Ryan Mason at the helm.

Appointing the 33-year-old rookie boss is a bold next step that might well pay off for the Baggies, but he will have his work cut out for him from the get-go, with the likes of Grady Diangana, who had been a part of the furniture at the Hawthorns for some time, now heading out the exit door.

After those high-profile departures soured the mood somewhat, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur coach has been backed, notably with Aune Heggebo leaving Brann behind for a fee around the £4.7m mark to join the Championship side.

The additions up top might not grind to a halt here, however, despite the Nordic striker’s lavish fee, as more attacking signings look to be prioritised.

West Brom's next moves in the market

Diangana isn’t the only notable name in attack that could desert the Hawthorns, with Mikey Johnston still likely despondent after a £5m move to Flamengo fell through at the last minute.

Transfer Focus

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

Spurs youngster Mikey Moore might well be on the West Brom shopping list to bolster down this depleted left-hand side, therefore, but Heggebo could also have competition up top very shortly if the West Midlands outfit power on to snap up an EFL-experienced striker for free.

Indeed, a new report by the Sheffield Star has revealed that Rhian Brewster is unlikely to pen a new contract at his current employers Sheffield United, which will open the door for a suitor to snap up the ex-Liverpool forward for nothing.

The Star further indicates that Sunderland are looking at the hit-and-miss Blades striker, but a report by SportsBoom right at the start of July also suggested that the Baggies were keen on a move for the free agent.

This interest might well accelerate back into motion now this exclusive development has come to light, with West Brom perhaps eager to work their Josh Maja magic again on the former Blades number seven in unearthing a goalscoring diamond in the rough.

How West Brom can work their Maja magic on Brewster

Before transforming into West Brom’s number one option in attack, Maja had been through the wringer during his often bumpy playing days.

The one-time Nigeria international would initially come onto the radar of English football fans when rising the ranks at Sunderland, with Maja powering home a promising seven strikes from 29 Sunderland U23 appearances, before taking it up a notch even further when finding the back of the net 17 times in the senior picture.

However, everything started to unravel when he left the comforts of the Stadium of Light behind, with his spell at Bordeaux ridden with injuries, whilst then struggling to find his feet back on English soil with the likes of Stoke City and Fulham.

West Brom have managed to get the best out of the unfortunate 26-year-old again, with an impressive return of 12 strikes coming his way last season in Championship action, but he is still prone to an extended stay in the treatment room.

Brewster has an eerily similar story to Maja’s, considering the 25-year-old once had the world at his feet when leading the line for Liverpool in the U23 scene, before finding the men’s game to be a cruel beast.

He has since found his way back on the horse despite an injury-plagued few seasons in South Yorkshire, with a promising seven goal contributions coming his way last season, which led to his then-Blades boss Chris Wilder heralding him as “amazing” for his perseverance.

He might well be Mason’s very own Maja-like project if a move is sealed, with the London-born forward amazingly ahead of his Nigerian counterpart in terms of second-tier strikes bagged, as seen in his 18 strikes and counting, next to Maja’s 15.

With Brewster missing only seven clashes last campaign through injury, the hope will be that he can kick on and reclaim his former Reds magic – which saw him net a blistering 13 U23 goals at Anfield – only this time around it could secure a promotion in the senior game.

West Brom could land the dream Johnston replacement in "future superstar"

If Mikey Johnston does end up finalising a move away from West Bromwich Albion, this rising star could be a perfect replacement.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 8, 2025

Australian allrounder set to return home for knee surgery

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Jul-2024Essex have signed Eathan Bosch for the second half of their Vitality T20 Blast campaign after Australia allrounder Daniel Sams was ruled out through injury.Sams, who was the Blast’s MVP in 2023 as Essex finished as runners-up to Somerset, suffered a knee injury playing against Sussex during the first block of group games. With surgery required, he will now return home rather than staying on for the rest of the Blast as planned.Speaking to Essex’s YouTube channel he said that the injury may require “four to six months’ recovery”, which could impact on his availability for the 2024-25 Big Bash League.”It’s been great [to come back here],” Sams said after his third spell at Chelmsford. “My wife and I really enjoy coming back here, and we’ve made some really good friends with the guys and their partners.”It is what it is. I’ve been pretty lucky throughout my career with injuries, so I’ll just have to go home now and recover as best as I can.”Sams had taken seven wickets in six appearances this season, having been a key factor in Essex’s run to Finals Day last summer. They currently six fourth in the South Group, with five wins from eight games.Bosch, 26, was initially brought in for four Championship games and has so far picked up eight wickets at 24.12 from two appearances. A former South Africa Under-19, he has experience of playing in the SA20 for Pretoria Capitals.Essex are next in action when they host defending champions Somerset at Chelmsford on Friday night.

Batter Lauren Down is set to return to New Zealand Cricket’s list of contracted women players. She was one of 17 players to be offered a central contract for 2024-25. Down had declined the contract offer last season while on a maternity break, but was named in the ODI squad to tour England later this month.Down, who has played 28 ODIs and 13 T20Is, last represented New Zealand in an ODI against Bangladesh in December 2022.The 2024-25 contracting period begins on August 1, with the players having until June 17 to accept the offer.Also named in the contracts list was wicketkeeper-batter Polly Inglis, who received the offer for the first time. Inglis got 103 runs for New Zealand A in three one-dayers against England A at home in March, as the hosts won the series 2-1. Before that, she hit 324 runs – the second-most – in NZC’s Women’s One-Day Competition, the domestic 50-over tournament for women.Related

• Polly Inglis earns maiden NZ call-up, Lauren Down returns for India ODIs

• Very little Down time – NZ batter keen to seal top-order spot after baby break

New Zealand women’s head coach Ben Sawyer said: “We’ve landed on a strong list of 17 names that we think are going to play an important part over the next 12 months… A big part of the selection process this year was looking at who could take part in the 2025 ODI World Cup.”Among the centrally-contracted players from 2023-24, the ones to miss out are wicketkeeper-batter Bernadine Bezuidenhout – who has retired from international cricket – and batter Kate Anderson, who wasn’t given an offer.

New Zealand Women central contract offers for 2024-25

Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Sophie Devine, Lauren Down, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Polly Inglis, Hayley Jensen, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Amelia Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe and Lea Tahuhu