All posts by h716a5.icu

Leeds United are heading towards the opening of the summer transfer window on Sunday, and are preparing to build a squad that can compete in the Premier League next term.

Daniel Farke’s side will be competing in the top-flight in the 2025/26 campaign after they won the Championship title with a staggering 100 points, beating Plymouth Argyle 2-1 away from home on the final day of the season to clinch the trophy.

The Whites are now tasked with preparing a group to battle against relegation from the top-flight at the first time of asking, which is going to be incredibly difficult when you consider recent history.

Southampton, Ipswich, and Leicester were all relegated from the Premier League this season, after Sheffield United, Burnley, and Luton all went down the season before, all six of whom had just been promoted from the Championship.

This illustrates the size of the task at hand for Farke and his players heading into the upcoming campaign, which is why this summer transfer window is particularly important.

Leeds needs to ensure that they have a team that is good enough to compete week-in-week-out in the top-flight, and that is why Brenden Aaronson’s future in the starting XI should be in doubt.

Why Brenden Aaronson must be replaced

The USA international started 43 of his 46 appearances in the Championship as a regular starter under Farke in the number ten position, but he has not done enough to suggest that the step up to the Premier League will suit him.

Aaronson ended the season with a return of nine goals and two assists in those 46 outings in the second tier, which was a decent, but unspectacular, haul for the attacking midfielder.

His finishing left a lot to be desired throughout the season for Leeds, with nine goals from 11.43 xG, and this does not suggest that he is ruthless enough in front of goal to be an effective operator at the top end of the pitch in the top-flight.

Aaronson, of course, played for the Whites in their last season in the Premier League, under Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia, and Sam Allardyce, and his lack of quality was on full display that year.

Appearances

36

xG

3.86

Goals

1

Key passes per game

1.3

Assists

3

Ground duel success rate

43%

Aerial duel success rate

17%

As you can see in the table above, the American flop was incredibly wasteful in front of goal, underperforming his xG by almost three goals, and was a liability out of possession, as opposition defenders dominated him in duels.

With this in mind, the former RB Salzburg star should not be guaranteed to keep his place as a starter when the Premier League season gets underway next season.

Instead, Leeds should attempt to replace him during the upcoming summer transfer window, which appears to be what they are aiming for with their latest target.

Leeds eyeing move for Championship star

According to Leeds United News, reporter Graeme Bailey claims that Leeds United are one of the teams interested in a deal to sign Jack Rudoni from Coventry City this summer.

The report claims that the Whites are keen on doing a deal for the English attacking midfielder in the coming weeks, as they eye up a move for the Championship sensation.

Transfer Focus

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

It adds that the second tier champions are yet to make an enquiry about his availability, though, which suggests that any transfer is in the very early stages at this point.

Meanwhile, EFL Analysis claims that Sheffield United, Leicester City, and Southampton are also lining up moves for the Sky Blues attacking midfielder this summer, providing competition for his signature.

Leeds, though, could have an advantage over those three clubs because of their promotion to the Premier League, and they should use that to snap him up ahead of next season.

Why Leeds should sign Jack Rudoni

The Whites should swoop to sign Rudoni from the Championship side this summer because he could be way better than Aaronson for Farke in the top-flight.

Whilst the left-footed star is unproven in the Premier League, having yet to play there in his career, his performances in the Championship during the 2024/25 campaign suggest that he has more to offer to the team than the American lightweight does.

The former Huddersfield Town star, who was dubbed a “standout” by pundit Lee Hendrie, joined Coventry in the summer of 2024 and hit the ground running as an instant star for the club this term.

Rudoni only delivered five goals and three assists in 35 appearances for the Terriers in the 2023/24 Championship campaign, but the move to the Sky Blues helped to get the best out of him.

Appearances

43

46

xG

7.49

11.43

Goals

9

9

Big chances missed

6

11

Big chances created

16

9

Key passes per game

1.8

1.6

Assists

12

2

As you can see in the table above, the Coventry star delivered 21 goals and assists in 43 appearances for Frank Lampard’s side, ten more than Aaronson managed in three more appearances.

They scored the same number of goals, nine, but the EFL star managed that tally with an xG of just 7.49, which shows that he was far more efficient with the chances that came his way.

Rudoni, whose personality was described as “infectious” by Lampard, also created seven more ‘big chances’ and produced ten more assists, speaking to the kind of creative quality that he could provide Farke’s team with in the Premier League.

These statistics suggest that the Coventry magician could be way better than Aaronson for Leeds by coming in to deliver more quality as a finisher and a creator in an attacking midfield position.

This could give him a greater chance of being a success in the top-flight in comparison to the USA international, as he appears more likely to make an impact in the final third.

Orta wanted him: Leeds eyeing move for "very prolific" Piroe upgrade

Leeds United are eyeing a Joel Piroe upgrade who was previously wanted by Victor Orta.

1 ByDan Emery May 29, 2025

It is now down to the club to win the race for his services in a battle with the likes of Southampton, Sheffield United, and Leicester this summer.

Chelsea officials have held face-to-face Stamford Bridge talks with the representatives of a “monster” player in the last few days, according to a report, with the target keen on a switch to the Blues and set to decide his future after Sunday.

Chelsea set sights on new forward after pivotal Premier League final day

Enzo Maresca’s side take on fellow top five contenders Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League season this weekend, and quite a lot is riding on the line for Chelsea.

£60m Premier League forward has spoken to friends about joining Chelsea

He’s apparently interested.

ByEmilio Galantini May 21, 2025

A win against Nuno Espirito Santo’s men would guarantee Chelsea’s place in the Champions League draw next season, while seriously boosting the club’s summer recruitment drive both financially and in the sense of player-pull.

However, anything less than three points would result in Maresca relying on results elsewhere to go Chelsea’s way, with this airtight race for Europe coming as the most dramatic and enthralling we’ve witnessed in years.

3. Man City

68

4. Newcastle

66

5. Chelsea

66

6. Aston Villa

66

7. Nottingham Forest

65

The immediate goal for Maresca, following his appointment at Cobham last summer, was to guide Chelsea back into Europe’s most prestigious competition. He’s now just 90 minutes away from ticking that item off his Chelsea to-do list, with Maresca set for a nervy bit of final day drama over a mouth-watering encounter against Forest at the City Ground.

While Chelsea’s boss prepares his side for their most important match of the campaign, the club’s transfer chiefs have set their sights on a new striker signing this summer.

Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku have scored just two Premier League goals between them this calendar year, emphasizing Maresca’s need for a clinical centre-forward if they’re to truly reach the next level.

Eintracht Frankfurt starlet Hugo Ekitiké, RB Leipzig ace Benjamin Sesko and Napoli outcast Victor Osimhen are three strikers being considered by Chelsea after their prolific campaigns abroad, but another name who keeps being mentioned is Ipswich Town star Liam Delap.

The Englishman’s £30 million release clause after Ipswich’s relegation is well documented, and Man City’s ex-starlet has produced the goods for an otherwise underwhelming team – scoring 12 Premier League goals this season and counting.

Delap has been called a “monster” by teammates, and he’s stood out as Kieran McKenna’s shining light throughout 24/25.

Liam Delap keen on joining Chelsea and set for imminent decision

Chelsea have been laying groundwork to sign Delap for months, according to journalist Simon Phillips, with his next destination soon to be determined.

As per another update from the reporter, via his Substack, Delap is keen on joining Chelsea and is set to make a decision after this weekend. His agents also held some talks with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Friday, alongside fellow suitors Man United, when the two clubs faced off.

“Chelsea laid down a lot of foundations to sign Delap in January, and he is very much open and interested in a move to Stamford Bridge,” wrote Phillips.

“Delap’s reps were at Stamford Bridge on Friday and held talks with United officials. These talks were not seen as positive via our sources. At the time we did not hear that Chelsea had anyone speaking to the reps of Delap. However, we have since heard from another source that Chelsea did actually get to speak with Delap’s reps early on in the evening before the game.

“Chelsea have scheduled more talks with Delap’s reps and the player will make his decision after the weekend.”

With Jose Mourinho looking to take advantage of Manchester United’s ruthlessness, Fenerbahce are now reportedly preparing a summer move to sign one of Ruben Amorim’s unwanted attacking options.

Man Utd need another summer overhaul

Manchester United have been attempting to return to the top of English football for over a decade now. As each year has passed, however, the Red Devils have become further away from where they once belonged under Sir Alex Ferguson, and the current campaign has seen them fall deeper than ever. Closer to the relegation zone than the European places in the Premier League, United desperately need yet another squad overhaul.

In the past, it’s been Jose Mourinho demanding reinforcements or Ole Gunner Solskjaer receiving a Cristiano Ronaldo-shaped gift that some may argue he never truly desired. These days, it’s Ruben Amorim who needs change at Old Trafford if he is to stand a chance at success with his 3-4-2-1 system. Unlike under Mourinho and Solskjaer, though, there remain question marks over whether United can afford such a big summer.

Amorim on alert: Man Utd consider move to sign "unique" new £30m wing-back

The Red Devils could sign their next Dorgu on the other flank.

ByTom Cunningham May 16, 2025

INEOS have been cutting costs in every way they can this season, including when it comes to the travel expenses and tickets for staff to attend the Europa League final, but next week’s game against Tottenham Hotspur may yet hand them a much-needed boost.

Europa League victory would see the Red Devils clutch Champions League football from the claws of disappointment and from the bottom half of the Premier League. Suddenly, from their lowest-ever finish in the Premier League, Manchester United could be back among Europe’s elite.

That said, with or without Champions League football, some big calls look set to be made this summer, which could spell the end for Joshua Zirkzee amid recent reports and others. The struggling forward may well be one of few to be shown the door at Old Trafford.

Fenerbahce preparing Hojlund move

According to Sozcu, as relayed by TeamTalk, Fenerbahce are now preparing a loan-to-buy move to sign Rasmus Hojlund, who will be allowed to leave Manchester United this summer. A move courtesy of former United boss Mourinho, the Dane desperately needs to rediscover his best form following a disastrous spell in the Premier League.

Appearances

60

Goals

14

Assists

2

With just 16 goal involvements in 60 Premier League appearances, Hojlund has far from lived up to expectations since completing a move worth as much as £72m from Atalanta in 2023.

Whether some around the club still have faith in the Dane despite his record will certainly be interesting to see this summer. Amorim recently praised his goal-shy forward, albeit whilst admitting that he needs fortune to fall his way in front of goal, telling reporters: “Today, he did some three or four connections that can allow us to change the side of the game. I think he deserved this kind of moment [the assist for Dalot] to feel that.

“Every striker wants to score goals and we are going to help him score. He’s so anxious, you can see it. But Josh, everybody, Nous did it. All the team played really well today.”

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has now been told by club chiefs to sign a “special” £25 million star this summer, according to a new report.

Crystal Palace eye multiple free transfers

The Eagles have still got an FA Cup final to prepare for this season, but already club chiefs are working hard behind the scenes to bring in new players this summer. Winning the FA Cup would see Palace play European football next season, and that might have something to do with the fact that the club are not wasting any time when it comes to contacting potential transfer targets.

Crystal Palace make enquiry to sign 28 y/o on free transfer ahead of Fulham

Crystal Palace are now in a race with Fulham to sign an experienced midfielder from La Liga.

ByBrett Worthington May 7, 2025

It’s been recently reported that Palace have made an enquiry to sign midfielder Yvan Neyou, who will leave Leganes at the end of the season. The 28-year-old will be a free agent this summer, and Palace as well as Fulham have already made contact over a move to England.

As well as Neyou, the South Londoners have also been in contact with the agents of Junior Firpo over a possible move to Selhurst Park. The attacking left-back looks set to leave Leeds United when his contract expires, and Palace have now joined the long list of teams who are keen on snapping him up.

The free transfer targets don’t stop there, as a report has now revealed that the Eagles are close to signing Bright Osayi-Samuel from Fenerbahçe. Palace have offered a four-year deal to the right-back worth £3.8 million a season, and it seems to be enough to bring him to Selhurst Park.

Parish now told to sign £25m Newcastle star

According to The Everything is Black and White Podcast, relayed by The Chronicle, Crystal Palace officials have recommended signing Newcastle United’s Joe Willock.

Toon podcast host Andrew Musgrove revealed that Palace chiefs have put the idea forward to Parish: “I’ve been told that transfer chiefs at Crystal Palace have recommended Willock to Steve Parish and that they think they can get him. I think that move would work out for them.”

Willock, who was once dubbed a “special talent” by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, has been at Newcastle since August 2021, during which he has been a regular in the side. However, this season the 25-year-old has found it hard to nail down a regular starting spot, as he’s started just 11 of the 30 Premier League games he’s played.

Willock has fallen down the pecking order behind the likes of Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, and therefore he could be a player the Magpies look to move on this summer.

Apps

157

Goals

15

Assists

9

His arrival at Palace could take some of the burden off finding a direct replacement for Eberechi Eze, who may be on his way out of Selhurst Park. Willock may not have produced the numbers Eze has, but the Newcastle man has shown that he can produce moments of quality in the Premier League, and his goals from midfield would take some pressure off any attacking signings.

Newcastle spent £25 million to get him from Arsenal, and the likelihood is that they are going to want to get their money back for the midfielder, who still has two years left to run on his contract.

Newcastle United have now submitted a significant bid for an “incredible” player, with Eddie Howe of the belief he would be a perfect fit in his midfield, according to a report.

Newcastle pushing for the Champions League

Regardless of whether Newcastle secure Champions League football, the 2024-25 season will always be remembered fondly by fans, having finally ended their 70-year wait to win a major honour, but they still remain in a strong position to seal a top-five finish.

The Magpies are sitting pretty in fourth place, two points clear of Nottingham Forest with just three Premier League games left to play, although their remaining fixtures are on the more difficult side, with matches against two direct rivals now on the horizon.

Newcastle’s remaining Premier League fixtures

Date

Chelsea (h)

May 11th

Arsenal (a)

May 18th

Everton (h)

May 25th

It could prove to be a difficult task, but should Howe’s side qualify for Europe’s elite competition, they should be able to attract some top players in the summer, with the likes of Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah and Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo believed to be of interest.

According to a report from Spain, Newcastle are also interested in a new midfielder, having submitted a €25m (£21m) bid for Girona maestro Yangel Herrera, who they are now determined to win the race for.

Atletico Madrid and top-five rivals Nottingham Forest are also interested in signing Herrera this summer, but the Magpies have now taken a firm step towards securing his signature, having put a strong offer on the table.

Howe believes the Venezuelan would fit perfectly into his side, and the manager is looking to introduce some additional quality into an already impressive midfield, with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali attracting interest due to their performances this season.

Newcastle identify "incredible" £65m Prem forward as ideal summer target

The Magpies have expressed an interest in signing a Premier League attacker this summer.

ByDominic Lund May 6, 2025 Herrera could be "incredible" signing for Newcastle

While Howe is not short on top-quality midfield options, there are clear signs the 27-year-old is a well-rounded midfielder, who could play an important role for the Magpies in a potential Champions League campaign next season.

The central midfielder has caught the eye in front of goal for Girona this term, registering four goals and three assists in La Liga, including a well-taken headed effort against Celta Vigo back in September.

Not only that, but the former New York City FC man impressed with his tackling ability in the early stages of his career, while also catching the eye due to his pass-success rate in the final third during the 2023-24 campaign.

Lauded as an “incredible player” by journalist Zach Lowy, there are plenty of signs that Herrera could be a success at a major European club, so it is a promising development that Newcastle have now made a concrete approach.

West Bromwich Albion now want to appoint an “outstanding” 3-4-3 coach to replace the sacked Tony Mowbray, according to a recent report.

West Brom sack Tony Mowbray

The Baggies appointed Mowbray as their new head coach in January, as a replacement for Carlos Corberan, who left to join La Liga side Valencia. Mowbray joined the Midlands side on a two-and-a-half-year deal, and it was his second spell at The Hawthorns after he led the club to the 2007/08 Championship title.

West Brom can finally axe Diangana by unleashing “special" 21-year-old star

Tony Mowbray could forget about Grady Diangana by unleashing this special West Bromwich Albion prospect.

ByKelan Sarson Apr 17, 2025

This was Mowbray’s first job in football since his recent illness that saw him leave Birmingham City. West Brom hoped that his arrival would help them not only remain in the play-off race but also help them get back into the Premier League. However, just five wins in 18 games have seen the Baggies fall way short of the play-offs, and with them six points behind the top six, with two games to go, the West Brom hierarchy have decided a change is needed once again.

West Brom said in a statement: “The club would like to place on record its thanks to Tony and Mark for their efforts – but has made the decision to part company following a series of poor results.

“Tony and Mark will forever be welcome at The Hawthorns, and their contributions to the club winning the 2007-08 Championship title will never be forgotten.”

West Brom want 3-4-3 Spurs coach to replace Mowbray

Former Albion midfielder James Morrison has been placed in interim charge, but going forward, the Baggies are keen to bring in a highly-rated coach to take them forward. According to reliable reporter Alan Nixon, relayed by West Brom News, West Brom have placed Tottenham’s Ryan Mason as their top target to replace Mowbray.

It is stated that Mason, who is a former midfielder for Spurs and has been caretaker manager for the Premier League side on a few occasions, is at the top of the Baggies’ wishlist for new managers. The report goes on to add that West Brom may have to wait to appoint Mason, though, as Spurs’ involvement in the Europa League means he will likely see out the campaign with the London side.

But West Brom could be willing to wait to appoint Mason, whose preferred formation as a coach is 3-4-3. Since retiring from football in 2018, Mason has been working at Spurs in various roles. He worked with the club’s academy for a couple of years before being promoted to the first team as coach, working under managers such as José Mourinho, Antonio Conte, and now Ange Postecoglou.

Games

13

Won

6

Drawn

1

Lost

6

Mason has impressed a lot of people while working at Spurs, with Postecoglou labelling the 33-year-old “outstanding” for his work on set-pieces.

Postecoglou said: “Ryan Mason is in charge of set pieces; he’s done an outstanding job all year, and Mile [Jedinak], I thought in defensive set pieces we were brilliant again because they have a threat there.”

That nagging sense of complacency was somewhat put to bed following Saturday’s thumping 5-1 win at home to Kilmarnock, with Champions-elect Celtic surging into a four-goal lead inside 25 minutes to nudge themselves even closer to a fourth successive Premiership title.

Such an emphatic result represented a perfect response following the shock defeat to bottom side St Johnstone a week earlier, with manager Brendan Rodgers having stated his players may now be “too comfortable”, amid a run of three defeats in six league games.

Even amid the weekend win at Parkhead, however, Rodgers’ point still stands, with the Northern Irishman suggesting that “change is needed”, having outlined his desire to “improve the team”.

The Hoops did notably move to bring Jota back to the club in January, albeit with that switch seeing Kyogo Furuhashi head to Stade Rennais in the opposite direction, with the Old Firm side still needing to strengthen, rather than merely seeking to plug the gaps.

Thankfully, as far as Rodgers is concerned, it would appear that work is already being done on bringing in fresh faces ahead of next season, with rumours rife regarding the Glasgow side’s interest in Million Manhoef.

Why Celtic are targeting Million Manhoef

As reported in recent days, the Hoops appear to be among the clubs interested in signing the Stoke City sensation this summer, with the 23-year-old having dazzled across the last year or so in the EFL.

The suggestion is that Rodgers has set his sights on signing the winger amid the need for increased depth in the attacking ranks, with Honduran forward Luis Palma set to depart permanently at the end of the season, following his current loan stint at Olympiakos.

It was not revealed how much the Dutchman would cost this summer, albeit with Celtic likely hoping to strike a deal for close to the £3m fee that Stoke paid to snap Manhoef up from Vitesse Arnhem back in February 2024.

The Netherlands U21 international has made his way onto Rodgers’ radar amid his sparkling displays for a struggling side of late, with the right winger registering ten goals and assists for the Championship side in all competitions this season.

With 15 goal involvements in total for the Potters in 49 outings – after previously racking up 30 in 88 games in Holland – the in-demand forward has that golden touch in the final third, with the hope being that he can kick on again should he move to Glasgow.

There will also be optimism that Manhoef can follow in the footsteps of another exciting, left-footed winger who has since dazzled in green and white.

Celtic have struck gold on 'breathtaking' star

Whether it has been the lack of competition at the summit, or their cruel exit from the Champions League, it’s fair to say that Celtic have somewhat stepped off the gas in recent weeks, amid those defeats to Hibernian, Rangers and the Saints.

Market Movers

Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?

Among those who have looked particularly off the boil in 2025, in general, is Nicolas Kuhn, with the 25-year-old – who did score in the second-leg clash with Bayern Munich – having failed to find the back of the net in the league since early February.

Such a drop-off is certainly a reason for concern – with Chris Sutton pinpointing the German’s ‘attitude’ as a potential problem – although it shouldn’t overshadow what has largely been a stunning campaign for the wing wizard, amid his return of 36 goals and assists in just 45 games in all competitions.

Who can forget his stunning brace against RB Leipzig, or that finish on the break against Bayern? Yes, his form has slumped of late, but at his best, the former Rapid Vienna star truly is “breathtaking”, in the words of pundit Marvin Bartley.

Regardless of his impact in recent months, it still appears that Rodgers and co struck a bargain by managing to land Kuhn from his former employers for just £3m during the 2024 winter window, with reports already linking him with a £25m exit to the Premier League.

Games (starts)

28 (21)

31

Goals

10

5

Assists

8

4

Big chances created

10

10

Big chances missed

9

9

Key passes*

1.7

1.6

Pass accuracy*

76%

79%

Successful dribbles*

1.9

1.5

Possession lost*

11.3

13.4

That would represent a mammoth profit on a player who had actually only recorded seven goals and ten assists in 51 games during his time in Vienna, thus boasting a similar record to what Manhoef has achieved at Stoke.

Hopefully, if the Dutchman does link up with Rodgers this summer he can emulate the success of Kuhn on the flanks, although at present, it is clear to see who the superior talent is. Indeed, as per Transfermarkt, Kuhn is now deemed to be worth around €12m (£10m), while the Stoke star, by contrast, is currently worth just €3.5m (£2.5m).

As Rodgers has shown with the German to date, however, he could just be the perfect coach to nurture Manhoef and turn him into yet another exciting, young attacking talent for the Hoops.

The next Liel Abada: Celtic plotting exciting move for £3m star

Celtic are reportedly interested in signing a star who could be Liel Abada 2.0 fo the club.

1 ByDan Emery Apr 14, 2025

Manchester City are now reportedly seriously hopeful about signing a Premier League rival who would instantly replace the departing Kevin De Bruyne when the summer arrives.

De Bruyne announces departure

Bringing an end to what has been an incredible decade at Manchester City, in which he became an undeniable Premier League legend, De Bruyne took to social media to announce that he will be leaving the Etihad this summer. With his contract coming to an end, the Beglian will bow out a free agent and look towards the closing chapter of a sensational career.

Announcing the news, De Bruyne released a statement which read: Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading. So I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player.

Not just KDB: Man City could lose "incredible" ace as UCL club make contact

It’s set to be a busy summer at the Etihad…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 5, 2025

“Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here – and you deserve to hear it from me first.

“Football led me to all of you – and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This City. This club. These people… gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And guess what – we won everything.

“Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele, and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family. “Manchester” will forever be on our kids’ passports – and more importantly, in each of our hearts. This will always be our HOME.

“We cannot thank the city, club, staff, teammates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride.

“Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter. Let’s enjoy these last moments together! Much love, KDB.”

Whilst De Bruyne’s exit will be an emotional one, Manchester City have seemingly wasted no time before turning their attention towards signing the heir to his Etihad throne.

Man City hopeful about signing Morgan Rogers

According to TEAMtalk, Manchester City are now seriously hopeful about signing Morgan Rogers this summer in what would need to be a mammoth deal for the Aston Villa star. Of course, it wasn’t so long ago that the Sky Blues were swinging open the exit door for the midfielder to join Middlesbrough, only for that decision to become a major regret ever since.

A player that Pep Guardiola reportedly loves, Rogers could instantly replace De Bruyne and earn Manchester City redemption – achieving the dream he had as an academy product all those years ago in the process.

Minutes

2,423

1,103

Goals

7

2

Assists

6

6

Key Passes

39

41

Outperforming De Bruyne when it comes to output – albeit whilst playing far more minutes – Rogers is only just getting started in the Premier League. With his performances this season dubbed “superb” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, it may not be too long before the midfielder finds himself back on his way towards the Etihad.

DETROIT — One game. One pitcher. One legacy. As if using a geodetic coordinate system, the American League division series between the Tigers and Mariners has arrived at a pinpoint of a place. Game 5 Friday in Seattle is about Tarik Skubal.

The Tigers ace has made his case over the past two and a half years that he is the best pitcher on the planet. Great. But it’s not enough.

Now, for the second time in 363 days, he will have the ball in his hands in a winner-take-all game. The last time was a bust.

Given a 1–0 lead in the fifth inning against Cleveland in Game 5 of the 2024 ALDS, Skubal coughed up the game in a horrific six-batter sequence: single, strikeout, single, single, hit by pitch, grand slam. Five runs. Lead and game gone in 18 pitches. Drive home safely.

His teammates rustled up a mulligan for him with a syzygy of a rally in ALDS Game 4 against the Mariners Wednesday. Just when the Tigers appeared dead, looking at a 3–0 deficit and staring at the last 15 outs of their season, they came together as weirdly and powerfully as an alignment of celestial bodies. Out of nowhere, they ran off nine unanswered runs to win, 9–3.

Skubal could join sudden death legends

Game 5 is a career-defining game for Skubal, given his loss last season and that his team is 0–3 this year when he faces Seattle. It’s no longer about “pitching well” or “keeping my team in the game.” It’s about going all Jack Morris on Seattle. On the night Morris’s Twins won Game 6 of the 1991 World Series, Morris, the Game 7 starter, walked into the interview room and announced, “In the immortal words of the late, great Marvin Gaye, let’s get it on!” The following night, Morris put the team on his back, throwing 10 shutout innings while refusing to come out of the game.

It was an all-time double elimination pitching performance by a future Hall of Famer. In more recent years, pitching greats who have risen to greater heights in sudden death games include Justin Verlander (2012 and '13 ALDS), Madison Bumgarner ('14 NLWC and World Series, '16 NLWC) and Gerrit Cole ('19 ALDS). This is Skubal’s moment.

Skubal played the preamble to his statement game much differently than did Morris. He walked into the interview room after Game 4 and swatted away a question about personal redemption as if it were an annoying fly.

“I'll let you guys create the narrative,” Skubal said. “I'm just going to do what I do best, and that's play baseball and create pitches. The game is still the game. I'll let you guys write the stories and do your jobs, but you're not going to get anything from me.”

Every game, he said, presents him with an opportunity to compete at his best, no more in Game 5 than it did in the Mariners’ 3–2 win against him in Game 2.

“But the game stays the game, and that’s kind of what you’re going to hear me reiterate,” he said, “[that] is I just need to be focused on pitch by pitch and execute the game plan that we will create. So that’s all I’ve got for you.”

Skubal’s Seattle ties deepen stakes

Another delicious layer to this start is that in happens in Seattle, where a kid from Kingman, Ariz.—a small town in the northwest corner of the state better known for its turquoise lode and its kitschy status as the heart of Route 66 than as a baseball factory—took his 80-something mile per hour fastball to Seattle University, the only school to offer him a scholarship.

“Dad, I'm not going to school there,” he said to his father.

“No, you need to call them, son,” his father replied.

Said Skubal, “And I was like, ‘All right.’ I called them. I committed two weeks later. And the rest is history.”

When he pitched in Seattle in ALDS Game 2, he bought tickets for all 34 players of the Seattle University baseball team and talked to them about following their dreams.

“It’s not a fantasy,” he said. “You can actually accomplish what you put your mind to.”

No, this is not another game, not with what’s at stake and where it is. Skubal may treat it as such from his uber-competitive mind. How, he reasons, can I possibly care or try more than my very best? But the stakes are higher. The venue is more meaningful. The reputation on the line more epic.

“I think it means the world to him,” said pitching coach Chris Fetter. “Especially going back to a place where he went to school and that environment. Yeah, I think it's going to be pretty special. And you're going to see a competitive, fiery guy out there and that’s what we need. And he's going to compete his ass off.”

Said Detroit first baseman Spencer Torkelson, “I don’t have the words. My vocabulary doesn’t have the words to tell you how much this opportunity means to him. If you have one game to win, there’s nobody I’d rather have than Tarik. And if you asked most guys around baseball, not just in this clubhouse, you’d probably get the same answer.”

Skubal made two mistakes in Game 2: two center-cut pitches to Jorge Polanco, who blasted both for home runs. It seems unfathomable that the Tigers could lose four games in one year to the same team with Skubal on the mound. But that is what is at stake.

“I think at the end of the day, he's going to be himself,” Fetter said. “You know, most of the time we're going to go to his strengths as opposed to trying to dissect it too much or overthinking too much. Yeah. Go out and be himself.

 ”And that’s where we talk about not trying to overthink. If you go execute, be yourself, at the end of the day we’re good.”

Skubal wound up at Seattle University only after other schools dropped interest in him after a poor showcase performance on a Saturday morning. They didn’t know that Skubal had played center in a football game Friday night and drove three hours to the Phoenix area the next morning to get on the mound and throw in front of coaches. His velocity dipped to an unappealing 84 mph.

Now Skubal throws a hundred. He has hit 100 mph 43 times this year. Every other lefthanded starter combined has done so eight times. His changeup is the single best pitch in baseball as determined by run value. There is nobody like him. That is not in dispute.

What is in the balance now is whether Skubal can deliver a season-saving, career-defining game. It should require Skubal pushing himself like never before.

Skubal has pitched in 142 major league games, including five in the postseason. Incredibly, he has never thrown more than 108 pitches in a game. His postseason high is 107, in wild-card Game 1 this year. In Game 2 of this series, Skubal threw 97 pitches over seven innings before indicating he was just about done. So, manager A.J. Hinch handed the ball to Kyle Finnegan for the eighth. The Mariners scored three batters later to win, 3–2.

In 1995, in Seattle, a lefthanded, soon-to-be Cy Young Award winner took the ball with his team facing elimination in his first postseason game. Randy Johnson of the Mariners threw 117 pitches over seven innings to beat the Yankees in ALDS Game 3. After one day of rest, he came out of the bullpen in Game 5 to throw three innings and another 44 pitches to win that game, too. It was legendary stuff. They still talk about it today.

Now, 30 years later in the same city, the best lefthander in the game has the ball in his hands for a winner-take-all game. To save the Tigers’ season and to lessen the pain of the last time he found himself at these coordinates, Skubal may have to give more than he’s ever given.

And that was not all. West Indies picked up three injuries and had to manufacture an entirely new opening pair

Andrew McGlashan13-Jul-2025

Justin Greaves celebrates dismissing Alex Carey•Associated Press

A lot happened on the opening day at Sabina Park, and not just with the ball – although that certainly did .One of the greatest spinners of all time was left out. Australia lost 7 for 68 under lights. Batters went into T20 mode in the third session of a Test. Jayden Seales bowled a worldie of a delivery. A substitute fielder took a worldie of a catch. West Indies picked up three injuries and had to manufacture an entirely new opening pair.Day-night Tests can have a strange tempo to them in that, for periods, things can move at a sedate pace, as if setting up for that final session under lights before moving at a breakneck speed. Early in the last session, around the time Beau Webster was dismissed shortly after Steven Smith, Australia shelved the idea of batting normally. At one point, it was worth pondering if Pat Cummins may declare, but the lower order kept swinging until West Indies had 45 minutes to face.

****

On its own, leaving out a spinner on a well-grassed pitch for a pink-ball Test shouldn’t really scream selection shock. But this spinner has 562 Test wickets. The day before, Cummins had sown the seeds for a selection call that, while having plenty of logic behind it, still came with a lot of significance.About half an hour before the toss, Nathan Lyon was kicking a football on his own. A couple of backroom staff wandered up to him. There was a tap on the shoulder from one. Then Scott Boland took the tape measure and marked out his run-up. For the first time in 12 years, Lyon wasn’t included in the XI when he’s been fit.Related

Konstas will play for Australia again, but will he play the Ashes this year?

WI seamers bowl out Australia for 225 after a 7 for 68 collapse

'Exceptional circumstances' behind Lyon's exclusion, says Australia selector

He had bowled one over against India last season in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide and wasn’t needed under lights against England in Hobart during the 2021-22 Ashes. But overall, he has been prolific with the pink ball. Australia have got creative with selection on the subcontinent in recent years, but this was still a surprise.”It’s odd not having him out there,” Smith said. “I think most of us have played pretty much every game with him, but conditions are conditions. I think we saw today how much seam was on offer and Scott Boland’s not too bad at that, as we’ve seen on numerous occasions. Obviously, Nathan’s an exceptional bowler, it’s certainly nothing to do with his skill that’s for sure.”

****

When debutant Kevlon Anderson spilled Sam Konstas at third slip, you feared if West Indies were going to have another fielding nightmare. By tea – the first interval, not the second, in the world of day-night Tests, although can anyone actually agree on what to call them? – they only had one wicket to show for their efforts but had beaten the bat regularly amid sometimes extravagant seam movement.”I think some of the numbers early on, the seam amounts were through the roof,” Smith said. “They might have bowled just a fraction short. It looks pretty sometimes when the ball misses the bat, but when it’s a little bit shorter, it’s actually going too far to catch the edge on a lot of occasions.”Steven Smith and Co went into T20 mode in the third session of a Test•Associated PressBut early in the middle session, Shai Hope pulled off a spectacular catch to remove Usman Khawaja, flying one-handed towards first slip. It was another around-the-wicket dismissal for Khawaja but it had been a gutsy stay. Hope, meanwhile, had taken a terrific catch in Grenada to remove Travis Head and his return to Test cricket as a wicketkeeper has been very solid.Still, shortly before the dinner interval, Australia were sitting nicely on 129 for 2. Then Seales produced one of the deliveries of the series to remove a well-set Cameron Green: angled into middle from wide of the crease, nipping off the seam, zipping past the edge and trimming the bails. Sometimes you really do get a good one.”The ball did a lot more today than it did throughout the entire series,” Seales said. “There were a lot of plays and misses, and not enticing the edges as we did in the previous matches. But as the movement calmed down and the pitch calmed down a bit, it was easier to get wickets.”

****

After dinner, with the lights in full effect, Smith wasn’t going to hang around. He edged one wide of second slip, slashed one over the cordon then nicked a big drive to first. “Throw the kitchen sink at it,” he said when asked about his thinking. “Any width, I was just trying to climb into it. It felt pretty tricky out there and it felt like when the ball was up there and you get a good look at it, have a go at it.”Webster soon fell and it was clear Australia weren’t going to try and see out the day. “We knew that Australia wanted to bowl under the lights, so they would push and see how much they could get,” Seales said.Substitute Anderson Phillip pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss Travis Head•Associated PressWith Head and Alex Carey at the crease, Australia had a pair who could cause damage in a short period of time. Carey, especially, continued to strike the ball crisply. Then Head tried to drive Justin Greaves over extra cover. Off the bat, he appeared to have placed it well enough. But Anderson Phillip, on as one of three substitute fielders, sprinted to his right at mid-off, dived full length, held the catch horizontal to the ground and managed to cling on as he hit the turf. “Great effort, great effort, great catch,” Ian Bishop said on commentary. “It had to be a fast bowler to do it, great athleticism.”

****

Left with 45 minutes to bat, neither designated opener could come out for West Indies. Mikyle Louis had jarred his knee in the outfield – his prognosis did not sound promising – and John Campbell took a blow on the chest at short leg from a hard sweep by Smith.It felt like Mitchell Starc, in his 100th Test, could take a wicket nearly every ball. Then he did: Anderson dragging on in what was one of the tougher debut scenarios to imagine. Starc went to 396 Test wickets. Those four more may not be long in coming.Campbell, who had gone to the hospital for a scan, was back at the ground and set to bat No. 3. But it’s understood that he couldn’t get his kit on in time, so it was over to captain Roston Chase. It was that sort of day.