In the Premier League this season, Newcastle United have often looked lethargic, particularly on their travels, with the Toon sat in an unsatisfactory 14th spot in the gruelling division.

Eddie Howe will, of course, hope he can hang onto his job post for the time being based on his past successes, which include a triumphant EFL Cup success just last season.

While fans have criticised the current ongoings at St James’ Park, Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher has leapt to Howe’s defence over recent weeks, hailing the 47-year-old as “one of the greatest” managers the Tyneside club has ever had. True enough, but Newcastle are not doing well enough right now.

PIF have given the former Bournemouth boss huge financial backing PIF and results will need to turn around sharply, regardless of how fondly Howe has previously been held.

Ranking Newcastle's summer business of 2025

Newcastle edge into the top four when looking at the transfer spending of all 20 Premier League clubs this summer, with a whopping £250m spent, just eclipsing Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United.

A heavy wad of that money was splashed on landing Nick Woltemade at the £69m mark, which now comes in as being Newcastle’s most expensive incoming ever.

He has largely lived up to his standout transfer fee, too, minus a few no-show performances as of late, with Woltemade already up to six goals in all competitions.

While the towering German certainly ranks highly as far as 2025’s business is concerned, unfortunately, the same can’t be said for Yoane Wissa who must be ranked at the bottom of the pile.

Indeed, has seen more of the St James’ Park treatment room than the field of play since a £55m switch from Brentford was finalised.

Equally, Jacob Ramsey has seen more of the physio team and has not set the world alight on his arrival from Aston Villa, having left his boyhood employers behind for a hefty £43m. Still, having only been afforded one league start so far this season, plenty more will hopefully soon come from the promising Englishman.

Malick Thiaw, on the other hand, is Woltemade’s main rival for the title of being Newcastle’s best acquisition.

He hasn’t struggled one bit to make a spot in Howe’s first team his own, with the ex-AC Milan centre-back – who cost what now looks like a bargain £30m – already being hailed as the “future” of the Magpies by captain Bruno Guimaraes, having stood out in the Champions League against Athletic Club, winning all ten of his duels.

As is obvious from the above, though, it’s been very hit-and-miss on the transfer front by Howe and Co, with their biggest miss to date yet to be mentioned…

Newcastle must regret signing £100k-per-week flop

Howe will be relieved that the Woltemade deal has worked out for the most part, with the German’s arrival coinciding with Alexander Isak’s sour exit from St. James’ Park.

However, just because the 6-foot-6 menace has been banging the goals in, that doesn’t mean it’s been entirely rosy in the attacking quarters regarding new, high-profile signings, with Anthony Elanga already going down as a “massive overpay” according to analyst Raj Chohan.

Elanga would have been expected to set the place alight from minute one of his arrival, having been a real nuisance for Premier League defences to try and contain last season, with his blistering speed up top for Nottingham Forest, also matched by a devastating output of six goals and 12 assists from 43 total contests.

Therefore, with this “frightening” campaign under his belt – as he was once branded by the Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell – the expectation would have been that he would link up with the likes of Woltemade with confidence and swagger, with a £55m price-tag also next to his name.

Games played

17

Goals scored

0

Assists

1

Transfer fee

£55m

Wage per week

£100k-per-week

Transfer cost per appearance

£3.2m

Yet, it’s been anything but a smooth ride for the ex-Manchester United winger so far, with Elanga still stuck on zero goals and just one assist from 17 appearances on Tyneside.

When studying that £55m transfer fee further, that means Elanga has cost the Toon a hefty £3.2m per game so far, with virtually no end product to show for their rash spending.

That’s before you even consider his steep £100k-per-week salary which will cost the Magpies another £5.2m per calendar year.

Thiaw earns just £ 75k per week, on the contrary, while Woltemade at least warrants his higher £132.5k-per-week pay packet at the moment, with plenty of goals put away.

The powers that be at Newcastle will hope it’s just a slow start from Elanga, who is used to terrorising defences with his rapid pace, with Howe also hopeful that his low-on-confidence attacker picks up form soon to turn around his team’s overall lacklustre start.

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1 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 12, 2025

كشف محمد يوسف، المدير الرياضي للنادي الأهلي، عن كواليس توليه منصبه ورؤيته لإدارة الفريق، موضحًا موقفه من تجديد عقود اللاعبين وآلية التعامل مع العقود واللاعبين داخل القلعة الحمراء.

وقال محمد يوسف في تصريحات عبر برنامج “اللعيب” على قناة “mbc masr”: “عندما توليت المسؤولية بعد مباراة صن داونز كمدير رياضي، كان المطلوب مني القيام بالدور الفني، لكن كانت لدي وجهة نظر مختلفة، بدلًا من أن أكون مديرًا فنيًا مؤقتًا في آخر 6 مباريات من الدوري في الموسم الماضي، ثم الانتقال بعد ذلك إلى منصب المدير الرياضي، فضلت تولي منصب المدير الرياضي مباشرة”.

وتابع: “فضلت منصب المدير الرياضي لأنه يعتمد على وضع الخطط والفكر، ويضم مهاماً أشمل وخبرات مهمة لا بد من توفرها، وأيضًا المدير الرياضي يجب أن يمتلك خبرات فنية، لأنه يتدخل في تقييم اللاعبين والمدربين والرؤية الفنية”.

وأضاف: “سبق لي أن عملت كمدير للكرة عام 2018 مع حرس الحدود، واكتسبت خبرات إدارية وكنت مسؤولًا عن التعاقدات والاتفاقيات، ولكن من خلال تجاربي منذ 2004 وحتى الآن، عملت كمدير كرة ومدير فني وحصلت على خبرات كثيرة”.

وواصل: “تجديد عقود اللاعبين في الأهلي ليس صعبًا، النادي يمتلك نظامًا، وأي فريق يسعى للبطولات يكون جزء كبير من الحديث حوله عن حصد الألقاب، في الأهلي، إذا سرنا طريقًا طويلًا وفي النهاية لم نحصد اللقب، يُنسى ذلك، نحن نحسب فقط عدد البطولات”.

وأشار يوسف: “لا توجد مساواة مطلقة في فريق كرة القدم، هناك مهاجم هداف، صانع لعب، لاعب أساسي، وكل لاعب له إمكانيات وقدرات مختلفة، وبالتالي لا يجب أن تكون الأرقام متساوية، نحن كإدارة كرة نصنف هذه الأمور، وكل لاعب له فترة تعاقدية، وبناءً على ما قدمه للنادي يتم تقديره عند التجديد”.

طالع أيضًا | تطورات جديدة في ملف تجديد أليو ديانج مع الأهلي

وبسؤاله عن تأثير الأموال التي حصل عليها زيزو على إمكانية تجديد عقود اللاعبين، قال يوسف: “لا، لا توجد أزمة، معظم الأرقام المتداولة عبر مواقع التواصل غير صحيحة، وهناك مستويات مختلفة وطريقة التعاقد تختلف، زيزو انتقل في صفقة انتقال حر، والأهلي يتمتع بانضباط وهدفنا هو الفوز بالبطولات”.

وعن عقد اللاعب مروان عطية الذي وقعه مع المدير الرياضي السابق محمد رمضان، أكد يوسف: “نعم، العقد موجود، وهناك أرشيف لكل لاعب يحتوي على كافة التفاصيل، وما يُثار أحيانًا غير صحيح”.

وتطرق يوسف للحديث عن إمام عاشور، مؤكدًا: “إمام من اللاعبين الملتزمين فنيًا وإضافة كبيرة للفريق، بعد كأس العالم ناقشت معه وجهة نظري ونقلت الأمر لمجلس الإدارة، وأوضحت له أن عقده مستمر ولم يتغير، وأن أي تعديل في الراتب أو المساواة بأي لاعب مرتبط بمجلس الإدارة، وتم غلق الملف بالكامل، وعاد اللاعب بشكل قوي وسجل هدفًا في آخر مباراة”.

وأضاف: “ليس لدي معلومات عن أي أزمة بين إمام عاشور ووكيله، ولكن النادي الأهلي يحترم من يحترم النادي، ولا يُقبل أي شيء آخر، النادي أوقف التعامل مع هذا الوكيل بعد تصريحاته غير الصحيحة عن عدم احترافية النادي، لأنه لا يجوز ما قاله بأن النادي الأهلي لا يحترم تعاقداته وأنه لا يمتلك فكرا احترافيا، هذه التصريحات لم تكن في محلها، خاصة عندما يكون الحديث عن نادي بعظمة وجماهيرية الأهلي واحترافية مسؤوليه”.

وتحدث يوسف عن صفقة وسام أبو علي، مهاجم الأهلي السابق، قائلاً: “قمنا بما نراه في مصلحة النادي وقررنا بيع اللاعب بشروطنا، ونتمنى له التوفيق، وسام استفاد من الأهلي، المستفيد الأكبر كان اللاعب نفسه، وزادت شعبيته وشارك مع منتخب فلسطين وارتفعت قيمته”.

واختتم: “أما عن عودة وسام أبو علي للأهلي، في كرة القدم كل شيء وارد، اللاعب أصدر بيانًا قبل رحيله واعتذر للجماهير والنادي، ولم نناقش أي عودة له حتى الآن”.

Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign Abde Ezzalzouli, at Unai Emery’s request, and Real Betis’ asking price has been revealed.

Villa’s interest in signing a new forward comes amid doubts surrounding Harvey Elliott’s future, with widespread reports suggesting Liverpool could recall the attacking midfielder from his loan spell in the January transfer window.

Elliott has failed to establish himself as a first-team regular, featuring for just 97 minutes across four matches in the Premier League this season, and Fabrizio Romano has now provided an update on whether there is any way back for the Englishman.

The transfer expert said: “At the moment, it depends on his performances in training. The situation is still not changing and of course, Elliott is not happy.”

Should the 22-year-old exit Villa Park this winter, there may be room in the squad to bring in another attacker, and the Villans are now looking to sign a new winger…

Aston Villa join race to sign Abde Ezzalzouli at Unai Emery's request

According to a report from Spain, Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign Real Betis star Ezzalzouli, with the forward being monitored closely ahead of the January transfer window, although there could be competition for his signature from Crystal Palace.

The Betis board’s asking price is ‘significantly’ in excess of the Moroccan’s current value of €12m (£11m), with the Spanish club eager to retain one of their key players, and manager Manuel Pellegrini has made it clear he wants to keep hold of him.

The 23-year-old has been personally requested by Emery for January, with the manager setting out to sign a new winger in order to strengthen his side’s chances of winning the Europa League.

It is little wonder Pellegrini is keen to keep hold of the 25-time Morocco international, given that he has impressed at Real Betis for quite some time, with scout Ben Mattinson waxing lyrical about the left-winger during the 2024/25 campaign.

The former Osasuna man has also made a flying start to the season, chipping in with three goals and two assists in his opening eight games, which has helped propel his side to fifth in the La Liga table.

Emery strengthened his options at left-wing in the summer, signing Jadon Sancho, but the Manchester United loanee is yet to make an impact, failing to register a single goal or assist in his opening eight matches in all competitions.

As such, it would make sense to bring in a new winger in the January transfer window, and Ezzalzouli could be a fantastic long-term addition to the squad.

Aston Villa targeting Ansu Fati alongside Abde Ezzalzouli Aston Villa prepared to make Ansu Fati offer but face complicated roadblock

The Villans are willing to make a bid for a new forward, after Emery’s plea to the board.

ByDominic Lund Nov 4, 2025

Lees makes 94 before Porter’s three-wicket burst redresses the balance in evening session

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay08-Sep-2025Ben McKinney played with textbook orthodoxy and mature assurance in helping Durham to frustrate Essex for much of a sun-kissed day at Chelmsford with the second first-class century of his burgeoning career.The 20-year-old left-hander, so strong in the V between mid-on and mid-off where a large proportion of his 18 fours and two sixes were caressed, faced 228 balls in compiling an elegant 121 to help Durham to 316 for 8 at stumps in the battle to avoid relegation from Division One of the Rothesay County Championship against their fellow candidates.McKinney was joined by captain Alex Lees, who made 94 from 152 balls, in a 134-run second-wicket partnership that looked to have laid firm foundations for a commanding score on a lifeless Chelmsford pitch.But a new-ball burst from Jamie Porter saw three wickets fall in five balls, starting with McKinney’s departure, in the middle of an evening collapse in which Durham crashed from 240 for 3 to 291 for 8 in 22 overs. Porter finished the day with 3 for 63, backed up by New Zealander Doug Bracewell, who took 2 for 67 at the start of his second spell with Essex.Durham’s decision to bat on the green-tinged wicket was justified for a large part of day one. Apart from a bit of nip and spite in the first couple of overs, it became a batsmen’s paradise and Lees and McKinney in particular took full advantage in laying down a solid platform.Lees lost opening partner Emilio Gay with 55 on the board. Lees had just welcomed Bracewell back to Chelmsford for his second stint by taking 13 from his first five balls. But with delivery No.6 Bracewell had Gay flicking the ball off his legs into midwicket’s hands. It was redemption of a kind for Bracewell, who had dropped a regulation chance early on that reprieved Gay in the same spot where the wicket fell.Lees adopted the anchor role initially as McKinney contributed 35 of the partnership’s first fifty, but only 20 of the second. Though McKinney was outwardly the more aggressive, with two notable firmly-struck straight drives for four off Bracewell and Simon Harmer, it was Lees who clocked marginally the quicker half-century.Lees reached the milestone when he drove Noah Thain for his eighth boundary from 75 balls. McKinney needed three more balls to pass his fifty for only the second time this season, though he did it with his 11th four, a well-placed drive off Porter through mid-off.The partnership was finally broken when Lees played down the wrong line to Harmer and was lbw. David Bedingham followed almost instantly, run out to a throw from mid-off by Porter as he looked to get off the mark first ball. McKinney, at the other end, recognised there was no possibility of a run and barely moved a muscle.Harmer thought he had McKinney on 83 with a sharp caught-and-bowled low down, even throwing the ball to the umpire as he celebrated prematurely with team-mates. However, the umpires conferred and confirmed the ball had not carried. To rub salt in the wound, McKinney reached three figures from 156 balls with a four and a six from successive balls off Harmer, both crossing the long-off boundary.Shane Snater switched ends for the first over after tea and induced Colin Ackermann into an inside-edge to the fifth ball to be caught behind. And when Bracewell replaced Snater he had Ollie Robinson strangled down the legside with his third ball.Essex took the second new-ball after 80 overs and required a third one immediately: the original one lasted just two deliveries after Graham Clark pulled Porter’s loosener over square leg for six and knocked it out of shape.The change of balls finally paid dividends as Porter struck in short order, ending McKinney’s stay by bowling him, then having Ben Raine trapped lbw before disturbing Matthew Potts’s stumps

Bangladesh made three other changes to the side that played Sri Lanka while India went in unchanged

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Sep-2025

Toss Jaker Ali, Bangladesh’s 12th T20I captain, won his first toss and chose to bowl in the Asia Cup Super Fours match against India in Dubai. Jaker stepped into the role – and also took over the wicketkeeping gloves – with Litton Das ruled out with a side strain.With Litton out, Parvez Hossain Emon came back into the side and is expected to open alongside Tanzid Hasan, with Saif Hasan moving down to No. 3. Bangladesh made three other changes from the XI that beat Sri Lanka on Saturday, all to their bowling attack. Out went the offspinner Mahedi Hasan and seamers Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, and in came legspinner Rishad Hossain, fast bowler Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and the seam-bowling allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin, who plays his first match of the tournament.India were unchanged as expected.India: 1 Abhishek Sharma, 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Sanju Samson (wk), 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Varun Chakravarthy, 11 Jasprit BumrahBangladesh: 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Parvez Hossain Emon, 3 Saif Hasan, 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Jaker Ali (capt & wk), 6 Shamim Hossain, 7 Mohammad Saifuddin, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Nasum Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Tanzim Hasan Sakib

Over the years, Manchester United has been the home to numerous elite-level centre-forwards, with Robin van Persie one who captured the hearts of the fanbase.

The Dutchman joined in a controversial deal from Premier League rivals Arsenal for a reported £24m back in August 2012 – a deal that proved to be an absolute bargain.

He ended up making 105 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring a total of 58 goals, with his total of 26 league goals in 2012/13 helping Sir Alex Ferguson win his final top-flight title.

Van Persie also managed to notch 16 assists during such a period, taking his total goal contributions to 74, resulting in an average of 0.7 goals or assists per game over a three-year period.

Such a record has undoubtedly cemented his place in the Red Devils history, but numerous managers have been unable to rely upon similar talents at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim is the latest manager to try and unearth his own version of the talisman, subsequently spending big on a new centre-forward during the recent summer window.

The reasons behind Benjamin Sesko’s struggles at United

After taking the reins back in November last year, Amorim had to rely upon the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee to provide the goods at the top end of the pitch.

However, the duo’s tally of just seven combined goals in the Premier League last season highlighted the need for reinforcements during the summer transfer window.

The board handed the manager over £200m worth of funds to make the desired changes, which resulted in three huge names making the move to Old Trafford.

Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were just two of the additions made by the hierarchy, with Benjamin Sesko the player brought in to operate alongside the pair in the final third.

The latter of the trio cost a reported £74m from RB Leipzig during the summer, with real hope generated by the fans that he would be the man to solve their issues.

However, his start to life in Manchester has been far from plain sailing, as seen by his tally of just two goals in his first 11 league outings – even going four games without a goal.

His early struggles will no doubt present cause for concern, with his underlying numbers also highlighting his lack of impact in recent months after his big-money switch.

He’s only registered a total of 3.6 touches in the opposition box per 90, which has ranked him in the bottom 20% of all other centre forwards in England’s top-flight.

Such a figure showcases that he’s either unable to get himself into the right positions, or he’s not being provided the goods – which could explain his lowly goalscoring tally.

However, Sesko has been hugely reliant upon players around him, with his tally of 0.2 dribbles completed showcasing that he’s unlikely to create a chance on his own.

Like the aforementioned tally, it has placed him in the bottom 20% of other strikers in the league, which could also be contributing to his lack of goals at present.

The United star who could end Sesko’s Man Utd career

There’s no doubt that Sesko will need added time to flourish in England, with his big-money transfer to United in the summer presenting a huge culture change for the 22-year-old.

He’s had to move to a new country, league and surroundings, which is certainly a daunting task for a young talent – which too could be having an effect on his lack of output.

But the lack of quality in such a department has no doubt ramped up the pressure on the Slovenian international to provide the goods in front of goal at Old Trafford.

Amorim will no doubt have to manage Sesko personally to get the best out of the centre-forward, but it’s unclear how much patience the manager will present to the new addition.

The fans, too, will need to cut him some slack, but it will no doubt be tricky, especially given the form of the previous talents in such a role – including the likes of Van Persie.

However, the club may have their next talisman in the form of Chido Obi, with the young star already matching the Dutchman in making the move to Old Trafford from rivals Arsenal.

At just 17, the fans will have to be patient with the Dane, but there’s no doubt excitement has been generated by his incredible goalscoring record in the youth setup.

He scored 13 times in just 11 appearances for the U18 outfit last campaign, living up to the billing he is a “goalscoring machine” in the words of scout Jacek Kulig. Such form has seen him make the step-up to the U21 squad over the last couple of months.

Obi has now made 22 appearances at such a level, scoring nine times and registering four assists in the process – even managing to thrive at an age group four years above his own.

Given the lack of quality in the centre-forward department last season, Amorim even handed the teenager his first taste of senior football in an attempt to improve the situation.

The Dane made a total of eight first-team appearances in 2024/25, but failed to find the back of the net once – however, it didn’t stop the youngster from receiving huge praise.

Teammate Leny Yoro previously waxed lyrical about the youngster, even claiming that he could become “one of the world’s best” in the years to come should he continue on his current path.

After returning to youth level, Obi has backed up Yoro’s statement, averaging a goal every 100 minutes and registering a staggering total of 2.2 shots on target per 90 this season.

Games played

8

Games started

3

Goals scored

3

Mins per goal

100

Shots on target

2.2

Dribbles completed

68%

Touches in opposition box

6.6

Fouls won

1.7

He’s even completed 68% of the dribbles he’s attempted, massively starring in such an area, something which Sesko has been unable to do over the last few months.

Obi has also dominated countless backlines lately, as seen by his tally of 4.7 duels won, with his physical presence potentially perfect for Amorim’s current side.

Whilst he’s just 17, the future is massively bright for the Dane at Old Trafford, with the club desperately needing to streamline his progress into the senior ranks.

Sesko’s inability to impress could certainly hand the manager the perfect chance to allow him to stake his claim and nail down the position as his very own for many years to come.

If he can match Van Persie’s level during his own time with the Red Devils, he will certainly be a fan-favourite and a player who can take the first-team back to their former glory.

An Mbeumo repeat: Man Utd to make £52m bid for "best winger in the country"

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1 ByEthan Lamb Nov 18, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Auxiliar técnico do Vasco, Emiliano Díaz celebrou a mudança de postura da equipe em partidas decisivas nesta temporada. O Cruz-Maltino derrotou o Botafogo de virada por 4 a 2, no Nilton Santos, e terminará a Taça Guanabara sem perder nenhum dos três clássicos que disputou.

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– Sempre falamos o mesmo tanto com Ramón quanto o grupo: clássico é vida ou morte. Pode não jogar tão bem, mas sabe que tem que lutar. Viemos de uma escola de River x Boca, onde perde e morre – afirmou Emiliano.

➡️ Tudo sobre o Gigante agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Vasco

Desde que a comissão encabeçada por Ramón Díaz assumiu o comando técnico do Vasco, a equipe perdeu apenas um clássico. Ao todo, são três vitórias, dois empates e apenas uma derrota.

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Questionado a respeito do retrospecto positivo, o auxiliar revelou estar acostumado a disputar este tipo de confronto e revelou que são partidas que se “desfruta ou sofre”.

– Clássicos são clássicos em todos os lados. Jogamos também Al-Hilal x Al-Nassr, os clássicos se vivem diferentes, são semanas que um não desfruta, e quando o resultado vem você desfruta ou sofre. Clássico é clássico – finalizou.

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Futebol NacionalVasco

Marcelo Balboa backed Mauricio Pochettino’s recent comments after the United States’ win over Uruguay, saying the coach is setting firm expectations for the squad. Balboa noted that Pochettino wants every player – including those based in Europe – to match the required intensity and compete for their place, adding that club form alone won’t guarantee a spot.

Getty Images SportBalboa on Pochettino’s cultural reset

Balboa framed Pochettino’s comments as an intentional cultural reset: the coach isn’t interested in protecting “regulars” or preserving reputations if players aren’t delivering the energy and standards he wants. 

“He [Pochettino] is trying to change the culture in this country. He’s saying anytime you represent the U.S. team, that’s the best team we’re gonna put out, that’s the first team. I like that message,” Balboa told CBS Sports. “If I’m a player in Europe, I’m a little worried because I saw the standard of mentality and energy they brought to this game. 

"There is a clear message. Like, ‘This is what you have to do. These are the parameters I want you to do it under my tactics.’"

AdvertisementGettyUruguay win strengthened the message

Balboa suggested it will make some Europe-based players nervous about their spot if they can’t match the newly demanded work rate.

“And if you can’t do that, there is [Sebastian] Berhalter, there is [Alex] Freeman," Balboa said. "There is [Tanner] Tessmann. There is [Max] Arfsten. There are players that can surprise you. It’s not okay anymore to have eight guys that work their ass off and two guys that relax. It doesn’t work like that anymore in international soccer. I love the message he’s sending. This is the standard of what you need to do here.”

The United States’ emphatic five-goal win over Uruguay gave Pochettino’s message weight, as he dismissed talk of “regular players” and used both the performance and his post-match comments to underscore the standard he expects.

Selection, competition and the evolving USMNT identity

Pochettino appears to be rewarding intensity, pressing, and tactical buy-in as much as name recognition or club pedigree. That raises the stakes for Europe-based Americans who aren’t producing regular minutes for their clubs, and it signals to domestic and fringe players that strong showings at club or in camp can leapfrog reputation.

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Getty Images SportLooking ahead

The U.S. wrapped up their 2025 slate with a strong November camp. The team is reportedly set to play Portugal and Belgium in March, but that has yet to be confirmed by U.S. Soccer. 

Neymar and his father are set to to acquire the Pele brand through their company NR Sports. Neymar returned to Santos at the start of January having left the Brazilian side for La Liga giants Barcelona in 2013, where he'd go on to win La Liga and the Champions League. And the Brazil star is prepared to continue Pele's legacy as the player and his father acquire the brand rights.

• Neymar set to acquire Pele 'brand' for €15.5m

  Pele was on the Santos books between 1956 and 1974, where he excelled for the Brazilian powerhouse. Indeed, the Brazil icon scored 643 goals in 659 outings for Santos before spending three seasons with the New York Cosmos and ultimately retiring in 1977.

  Pele is considered to be one of the best footballers of all time with Neymar and his father expected to continue his legacy when they announce a deal to acquire his brand rights later this week. According to UOL, an official agreement worth a reported €15.5m (£14m/$18m) is expected on Wednesday, November 19 to mark the anniversary of Pele's 1,000th career goal.

  The Pele brand previously belonged to American company Sport 10 and relied primarily on appearances at events. However, the brand has been underutilised since Pele's tragic passing in 2022 at the age of 82 due to multiple organ failure, a complication of colon cancer, which was initially diagnosed in 2021.

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  Santos star out to revive Pele's image

  As a result of the acquisition, NR Sports will be able to use Pele's image and name, license for merchandise, and acquire historical footage as they look to revive and globalise the image of the former Brazil star. Pele's family still attend Santos games, with Neymar recently paying to renovate the box still occupied by the former's loved ones at the Vila Belmiro, which includes new seats, a remodelled bathroom, glass paneling, and air conditioning.

  Neymar has looked to continue his compatriot's legacy by adorning the famous number 10 shirt once worn by Pele for both Santos and Brazil. However, Neymar's return to Santos has been plagued by injuries, meaning the former Barcelona and PSG star has only made 13 league starts for the Peixe.

  Santos are also enduring a difficult domestic season and they head into the final knockings of the 2025 Brasileirao just one point and one place above the relegation zone. They did, though, claim a 1-0 win over Palmeiras at the weekend as Benjamin Rollheiser netted in second half injury time to claim a priceless three points.

• Neymar issued Brazil ultimatum

  Neymar has also been issued an ultimatum by Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti. The Selecao were underwhelming in CONMEBOL qualifying as they booked their 2026 World Cup spot in a bid to land a record-extending sixth World Cup, and their first since 2002.

  Earlier this month, Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti said: "Neymar is on the list of players who can go to the World Cup. He has six months to make the final list."

  The 33-year-old returned to the Brazil squad back in March having last featured for the national team in October 2023, when he suffered a knee injury in action against Uruguay. And Ancelotti has made it clear that any decision for Neymar to return to the Brazil squad will be down to his physical condition after years of setbacks and fitness issues.

  "Neymar has recovered, but he needs to show performance. When the Brazilian league ends he'll have some vacation time, and then he must show his quality and physical condition again," the Italian added.

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  Neymar set for January transfer?

  One way for Neymar to maintain his fitness is to secure a January switch, with a transfer away from Santos mooted. Neymar's current deal runs until the end of the year, and Fabrizio Romano has hinted that the Brazilian trickster could be on the move again in the New Year.

  "Neymar is trying to help, but don't forget that Neymar could eventually be available as a free agent from the beginning of January," Romano said. "So an interesting situation to follow because Neymar could consider a move in the January transfer window. Now Neymar wants to be 100 per cent focused on his priority, so to help Santos avoid relegation and to do his best for his club.

  "In this moment Neymar is not having any advanced negotiation, but some calls have started to understand the situation of Neymar. When there is a player of his level available on the market, it is obviously an opportunity. Okay, maybe Neymar is not in the best physical condition now, Neymar is coming from an injury, he had several injuries recently. But now he’s back, he's fit, he’s trying to help Santos.

  "He's trying to find his best condition, and so keep an eye on Neymar because he could be one of the names to watch for the January transfer window on a free transfer, and so that could be an interesting situation to follow."

How long will Daniel Farke be given to turn around the ongoing Leeds United mess?

After so much joy at Elland Road, Marcelo Bielsa was put out of his misery 26 games into the 2021/22 season in the Premier League, mustering up just a measly five victories.

By way of comparison, the German is only two victories away from matching that amount right now, with 15 fewer league games under his belt.

Of course, Bielsa was handed more time in the hot seat due to his iconic status in West Yorkshire, but Jesse Marsch was also given 20 league games the following campaign when the Leeds ship looked to be sinking.

A trigger-happy dismissal might not be forthcoming, then, but Farke will know he needs to turn fortunes around quickly, as a whole raft of players continue to underperform.

Bielsa and Marsch were no strangers, either, to players joining the Leeds ranks and ultimately flopping, with Robin Koch one costly error that must still generate grimaces at the Premier League newcomers.

The numbers behind Koch's move to Leeds

It’s fair to say there were an awful lot of misses in the transfer department when the South American and his Wisconsin-born counterpart occupied their dug-outs.

Faces such as Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams, and Rasmus Kristensen all joined for big bucks, and then disappeared when relegation was served up at the end of the gloomy 2022/23 season, with Sinisterra and Adams alone costing a whopping £41m to pick up at the time.

Thankfully, the bruised Whites managed to recoup £40m when selling the disappointing duo to AFC Bournemouth. On the contrary, the aforementioned Koch would return to his native Germany for zilch after a largely woeful three seasons in England.

In the end, Leeds were probably just happy to get their former £12m purchase off their roster, even if it was on a free transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt, with the German only managing to collect a dire ten clean sheets from 73 Premier League appearances.

Once branded as being simply “not good enough” by The Athletic’s Beren Cross and looking like a “fish out of water” by pundit Danny Mills, it really was a transfer saga that hurt Leeds, and it still does, arguably, considering Koch has since returned to his more well-known comforts of the Bundesliga and has excelled. This season, he has two goals from ten league appearances, winning a mighty 5.4 duels won on average, too, for Frankfurt.

For context, the no-nonsense Joe Rodon has averaged 5.3 duels won back in the Premier League, but he’s far from a transfer misfire.

Rather, it’s another expensive defensive recruit who could be deemed Leeds’ biggest disaster signing since Koch

Leeds' biggest disaster since Koch

The most frustrating aspect of Koch’s Leeds career, looking back, is that he had a promising debut campaign in West Yorkshire, even if it was ravaged by injury.

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Only 13 starts came his way, but four clean sheets were collected, with a final day showing to close out the 21/22 campaign, even seeing him win seven duels against Tottenham Hotspur.

Unfortunately, Jaka Bijol can’t even cling to any early promise at the moment, having cost £3m more than Koch when leaving Udinese behind.

It should have been a giveaway that the Slovenian might struggle, considering Farke was hesitant to chuck the ex-Serie A titan into his starting XI at the start of the season, with the German eventually chucking Bijol into the Premier League deep-end against West Ham United in late October.

Bijol’s PL numbers for Leeds

Stat

Bijol

Games played

3

Goals conceded

6

Losses

2

Clean sheets

0

Tackles won

3

Duels won

12/19

Stats by Sofascore

He did win six duels against the Hammers as Farke’s men got the better of their relegation rivals 2-1, but his showings against Brighton and Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest since must be leaving a similarly bad taste in the mouth that the German defender once left.

He found himself in no man’s land when Morgan Gibbs-White had all the time in the world to head home this decisive goal at the City Ground, with the out-of-sorts number 16 only managing to win one lacklustre tackle across both heavy away defeats.

The £45k-per-week defender will surely be fearful for his starting spot moving forward; therefore, as Pascal Struijk waits in the wings, with Bijol also yet to show off his prowess in the air, which saw him bag four goals for Udinese in Serie A action.

If Farke is to persist with Bijol, he could go on to be viewed as a Koch-type weak link for oppositions to hone in on, with a potential relegation on his CV also no doubt making him hard to shift for anywhere near his £15m valuation, like the forgettable 29-year-old.

He does still have time to turn around his Elland Road playing days, but the early signs are not good, as Leeds have been here before with a hyped up European import that never lives up to his high price tag.

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Posts ByCharlie Smith Nov 19, 2025