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West Ham United are not doing so well. It’s a plain fact, one that can’t be avoided.

One that mustn’t be avoided. This is a talented team, a team of pedigree and high-class talent, but it’s also a team suffering from the leave of David Moyes, whose time in the dugout bred riches and silverware, the golden age of the club’s modern history.

It’s important, however, to refrain from looking at the travails under Julen Lopetegui through rose-tinted glasses. Moyes was hurled to the wayside in the later stage of his tenure.

The Conference League might have been won in 2022/23, but the Irons did finish 14th in the Premier League. One year on, despite a host of exciting additions (albeit having lost Declan Rice), a ninth-placed finish was one of disappointment, European football severed.

Moyes had to go, but Lopetegui, simply, has proved to be the wrong appointment. Call it pessimism, but it’s hard to see him turning the ship around.

Lopetegui dangling by a thread

West Ham are among the lower-table fodder having stepped into November, and it’s clear that much work is needed if success is to be found toward the European-qualifying spots.

Having been thumped by surprise package Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Lopetegui’s tenuous hold on his position worsened. However, it’s understood that his job is not yet at imminent risk of severance.

Instead, West Ham chiefs have held such an eventuality in abeyance, with 17th-placed Ipswich Town heading to the London Stadium next weekend. It’s a big one though, to be sure.

15th.

Brighton

8th

16

15th=

Everton

16th

16

15th=

Wolves

20th

16

18th.

West Ham

14th

15

18th=

Crystal Palace

17th

15

20th

Southampton

19th

14

There’s just such little inspiration or attacking intent. This is a team carrying plenty of high-level forwards, a team that has spent £120m on fresh faces this summer.

Turn toward Old Trafford, and perhaps Manchester United’s hesitance in sacking Erik ten Hag is something that the Irons should take note of. As The Athletic’s Roshane Thomas puts it: “I don’t think Lopetegui is capable of turning this around. He was the wrong appointment. This team has regressed, has no identity, the players look despondent and the formation/tactics are questionable.”

Lopetegui might be safe for now, but technical director Tim Steidten and his team are already looking at success plans, with Graham Potter among the candidates.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast's Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

Graham Potter would be the perfect replacement

Potter is an accomplished Premier League manager but has been out of work since being fired by Chelsea in April 2023, merely six months after appointing Brighton & Hove Albion’s boss.

Recent reports have suggested that Edin Terzic, who once served as assistant manager for West Ham, is keen on taking the job, and the man who took Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final last year might indeed be a good pick.

However, Potter knows the run-of-the-mill in the Premier League and has managed 141 matches in the division. The 49-year-old is also starting to be viewed by many as the likely fit for the east Londoners.

And according to GIVEMESPORT, Potter is already being considered by West Ham bosses, which makes a rather plain comment on the faith that is held in Lopetegui’s capabilities.

Would Potter be an upgrade? He certainly plays the style of football that could turn things around. Hailed as a “tactical genius” by podcaster Ibukun Aluko, he’s sure to get more out of West Ham’s most exciting talents than the current boss.

“I want a tactically flexible, possession-based team,” Potter once said to The Athletic. “Players who are brave, who aren’t afraid to make mistakes, who can get on the ball and show courage and really try to enjoy their football.”

Potter’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation could also play to the Hammers’ strengths: Lucas Paqueta might be revived in the number ten role, while Jarrod Bowen could operate with fluidity on the right, serving the central striker or dynamically playing that part himself.

But possibly the biggest winner might be Mohammed Kudus, who has certainly been below his best so far this season. West Ham signed Ajax’s maverick in a deal worth £38m in August 2023, on a five-year deal.

1.

Mohammed Kudus

West Ham

124

2.

Jeremy Doku

Man City

87

3.

Bruno Guimaraes

Newcastle

72

4.

Ebere Eze

Crystal Palace

69

5.

Luis Diaz

Liverpool

67

Kudus is one of the most electric ball carriers in Europe, also ranking among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons (3.95) per 90, as per FBref.

He’s flattered to deceive this term though, only scoring twice across ten appearances in all competitions and stupidly getting himself sent off during West Ham’s bruising 4-1 Premier League loss against Tottenham Hotspur.

Potter could bring him back to the fore, utilising a flexible attacking shape that relies on pressure and high intensity, two things that the Ghana international excels in.

Even without playing at his best this term, Kudus has still averaged 3.5 dribbles and 6.6 successful duels per top-flight fixture, as per Sofascore, emphasising the robust and active role that he plays in Lopetegui’s team.

Now imagine that player in Potter’s set-up, moving with greater freedom, operating in a squad offering greater ball control. His fleet-footedness and direct assaults at enemy lines would surely find him restored, back to his best.

The English manager has never lost across seven clashes against Moyes, which points toward an attacking approach that holds superiority over West Ham’s former style.

Lopetegui’s tactical set-up is candidly indefinable. Something needs to change. Perhaps it is Potter who could conjure up some magic and lead this proud club back to prominence.

West Ham should sack Lopetegui and replace him with fantastic 4-2-3-1 boss

West Ham must sack Lopetegui to bring in this “fantastic” coach as his replacement.

ByConnor Holden Nov 4, 2024

With 57 needed in the last four overs and the chase seemingly dead, they teed off to fell England

Alagappan Muthu10-Nov-20213:40

Jayawardene: Daryl Mitchell drank the magic potion

James Neesham contemplated retirement in 2017. He didn’t. Daryl Mitchell never contemplated opening the batting. He did. And together they dragged a New Zealand side adamantly trying to lose all the way to a T20 World Cup final.It was utter madness. And it came from outta nowhere. England, much like they did five years ago on a sparkling night in Kolkata, had the game in their hands. And not one but two big-hitting allrounders took it away from them.Watch cricket live on ESPN+

Sign up for ESPN+ and catch all the action from the Men’s T20 World Cup live in the USA. Match highlights of the first semi-final is available in English, and in Hindi (USA only).

The equation was 57 off 24. More than two runs a ball. As much as conditions in this tournament have favoured the team batting second, here there was no dew. The single biggest thing that made run-scoring easy on these dry UAE pitches was nowhere to be found.That’s why Mitchell – the best T20 six-hitter in New Zealand’s domestic circuit for the last five years – could find only one boundary in the first 10 overs of a 167 chase.That’s why Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson were dismissed for single-digits.That’s why Liam Livingstone could bowl four overs of his part-time all-sorts for just 22 runs. When he finished his spell – after taking out New Zealand’s then top-scorer Devon Conway for 46 – England’s chance of victory according to ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster was nudging 80%.Neesham has had enough of these games. His Twitter timeline is a tribute to his wit – yes – but also to how badly that 2019 World Cup final broke him. He was out there in the Super Over. He hit Jofra Archer for a six. He ignited New Zealand’s hopes when they really shouldn’t have had any on that night only for them to fall so agonisingly short.Just as Neesham and everyone watching were reeling from the deja vu, Chris Jordan came up to bowl and leaked a monster six over square leg. That shot became the centerpiece of New Zealand’s breathtaking resurrection, 23 runs coming off an eight-ball 17th over – including a relay catch that quickly morphed into another monster six – as one of England’s go-to men just crumbled under pressure.Suddenly New Zealand only needed 34 off 18 balls. And it was Mitchell’s cue to wind up. He set up deep in his crease. His front leg had the good sense to keep away. Chris Woakes missed his lengths. And three brutal hits in the 19th over – two over the ropes and one onto it – brought sweet, unbelievable and everlasting victory.England change it up
This semi-final had all the feels of two heavyweight boxers sizing each other up. But there was no real KO punch.Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow were rather cautious at the top, their gameplan dictated in equal parts by the early swing on offer and the big occasion they found themselves in.England went away from their typical T20 template – attack every ball – to a more nuanced one – respect every ball. For the first time since 2014, they had to wait till the 15th over of the game to pick up their first six.Malan and Moeen adapt
England’s approach protected them from early wickets, but that left a lot on the middle-order’s shoulders. A middle order that hasn’t had too much time in the middle at this tournament.But Dawid Malan controlled things beautifully. If you’re in any doubt about that, pull up clips of his cover drives. With flowing hands and sublime timing, he pushed England forward and was unlucky to miss out on a half-century.Moeen Ali didn’t make that mistake. Playing the world’s most elegant slogs, his 51* off 37 provided the finishing kick that took a good total to a defendable one. With most of England’s batting tonight revolving around left-handed blades, New Zealand’s best spinner Mitchell Santner bowled only one of his four overs.No dew
Guptill was caught off a flick. Williamson was caught off a scoop. Now those shots come off when there’s pace in the pitch. And there’s always pace in the pitch if there’s dew around. New Zealand expected it to come. But it stood them up instead.Woakes – who before this World Cup was left in T20I wilderness for five-and-a-half years – picked up both those wickets and set England on their victory march. This team prides itself in being on cutting edge pf both batting and bowling. But in Abu Dhabi – where cricket takes a time machine back to the 90s – they realised knocking it around for 160 and building on scoreboard pressure with tight Test-match lengths had the better chance of success.And all of that would worked a treat if a big-hitting allrounder hadn’t decided to turn everything on its head. Again.

Sonia Bompastor's side fell behind early in the second, but Mayra Ramirez grabbed an equaliser for the Lionesses forward netted in injury time

Lauren James grabbed a dramatic 93rd-minute winner for Chelsea as they showed the spirit of champions in a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Everton in the Women's Super League.

Having seen off the same opponents in the FA Cup last time out, confidence in the home camp of enjoying another comfortable afternoon’s work should have been high. The WSL leaders did, however, struggle to get going against stubborn rivals from Merseyside that were happy to sit in, get bodies behind the ball and make life as difficult as possible for James, Keira Walsh and Co.

The only opportunity of note in the opening 45 minutes came early on, with Maelys Mpome seeing claims that the ball had been bundled over the line following a scramble from a corner waved away before the defence versus attack routine set in. Chelsea were always running the risk of getting caught by a sucker punch, and that duly arrived in the 51st minute as Kelly Gago drifted into the space left by an advancing defensive unit and calmly fired across Hannah Hampton into the top corner.

Said lead only lasted 11 minutes, with Mayra Ramirez – who was allowed to turn with her back to goal and drill a low effort across and beyond Courtney Brosnan – refusing to let the Blues' unbeaten run come to an end. And with the clock ticking down, Lionesses star James stepped up to complete a remarkable turnaround as she collected the ball 20 yards from goal and sent a stunning left-footed effort skidding into the back of the net – sparking wild scenes of celebration.

GOAL rates Chelsea’s players from Kingsmeadow…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

Hannah Hampton (5/10):

Stepped off her line to make one brave catch in the opening exchanges – knowing that she would take a hit – but was unable to do anything about the Everton goal.

Ashley Lawrence (5/10):

Was able to push well forward, as the visitors sat back, and was not afraid to try her luck with shots from the edge of the box – but the Toffees goal came from her area of the field.

Maelys Mpome (6/10):

Thought she may have forced the ball over the line early on, but saw those appeals waved away, and looked assured for most of the game – stepping out from the back with confidence.

Millie Bright (6/10):

Had virtually nothing to do, apart from pick the ball out of the back of the net, with the commanding centre-half standing up to the challenges that she faced well.

Sandy Baltimore (6/10):

Offered plenty of width down the Chelsea left, as she flew forward at every opportunity, and was involved in the Blues’ equaliser when winning possession over on the right flank.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield

Keira Walsh (5/10):

Always assured in possession and keeps things ticking over in the middle of the park, but was unable to find space between the lines and in behind.

Sjoeke Nusken (5/10):

Plenty of energy in the Chelsea engine room, with Everton prepared to let the Blues have the ball for long periods, but needed to move it quicker at times.

Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (6/10):

The Blues needed more from those in attacking areas of the pitch, with Kaneryd the one to pick out Ramirez for the equaliser.

Lauren James (7/10):

Did her best to generate a spark, with the odd dangerous run and cross posing problems before producing the moment of magic that ultimately settled the game.

GettyAttack

Catarina Macario (5/10):

Had to drift deep and wide in search of the ball, with frustration setting in, and that meant that she often vacated the playmaking post that she is supposed to fill.

Mayra Ramirez (6/10):

Will be happy to have found the net after being crowded out for much of the contest, with a smart finish delivered when spinning seven yards out and firing back across goal.

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Lucy Bronze (6/10):

Introduced immediately after the Everton goal and was her lively self when bombing on from right-back while looking to provide attacking support.

Maika Hamano (6/10):

Never stopped running and helped to ensure that Everton were not allowed to take any kind of control in the middle of the pitch.

Wieke Kaptein (5/10):

The Dutch teenager was another asked to provide hard running in the middle of the field, and was prepared to go beyond Ramirez with late bursts into the box.

Niamh Charles (6/10):

Gave Everton no time on the ball following her introduction off the bench, with every effort made to win possession back as high up the field as possible.

Aggie Beever-Jones (6/10:)

Came agonisingly close on a couple of occasions, with her clever glanced header hitting the top of the crossbar before then clipping the outside of the post with a half-volley from close range.

Sonia Bompastor (6/10):

Named another strong starting XI and will take heart from the fact that Chelsea improved slightly after making changes in the second half.

Leeds United missed out on the chance to move back into the automatic promotion place on Wednesday night as they were beaten 1-0 by Millwall.

The hosts won the match at The Den thanks to a first-half goal from Japhet Tanganga, who prodded the ball into the bottom corner from a header back across from the left flank.

It is only the second defeat of the Championship season for Daniel Farke and his men, but they will be disappointed that they failed to trouble the Lions.

Millwall away is not the fixture you would immediately think of suiting a player like Brenden Aaronson, and that turned out to be the case on Wednesday.

Brenden Aaronson's performance in numbers

The USA international has lost 60% of his duels in the Championship this season and his slight frame in the number ten role did not seem to be the ideal fit for a clash at The Den.

As expected, the former Union Berlin loanee struggled to get into the game and lost seven of his 11 ground duels and three of his four aerial contests throughout the match.

This shows that the opposition defenders found it far too easy to get the better of him, on the deck and in the air, as he did not have the requisite physicality to compete with them.

When he did have the ball, though, his use of it was solid. Aaronson completed 93% of his attempted passes and created two chances for his teammates, but did not register an assist.

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

The American was not the worst performer on the night for the West Yorkshire outfit, though, as centre-forward Joel Piroe struggled even more than him.

Why Farke must drop Piroe

Farke must now instantly bin the Dutch striker from the starting XI after he struggled badly against Millwall, in and out of possession, on Wednesday night.

LeedsLive handed him a dismal player rating of 4/10 and wrote that he offered virtually no threat in the final third with his work inside the Lions’ box, despite playing the full 90 minutes.

Piroe has scored five goals in 14 appearances in the Championship so far this season but did not come close to finding the back of the net at The Den.

xG

0.18

xA

0.04

Pass accuracy

89%

Duels won

1/5

Fouls won

0

As you can see in the table above, the former Swansea City marksman was a lightweight out of possession for the Whites, losing 80% of his duels in total.

Aaronson won five times as many duels as the Dutch striker and completed a higher percentage of his passes, whilst winning three fouls for his side, which suggests that the American – despite a poor showing – still offered more than the Leeds number ten.

Quite simply, Piroe let Farke down with his struggles in and out of possession, offering little to no threat in the final third and being dominated off the ball, and that is why the German should swiftly drop him for Mateo Joseph at the weekend.

Sold for £3.7m: Leeds flop is now worth more than Tanaka after leaving

The former Leeds United man has made a strong start to life with his new club.

1 ByDan Emery Nov 5, 2024

The 10-man Herons snuck out a point thanks to a stoppage-time equalizer after two individual errors haunted their performance during regulation

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Inter Miami draw NYCFC 2-2Tomas Aviles sees red after scoring opening goalLionel Messi records two assistsGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportTELL ME MORE

Inter Miami narrowly escaped defeat to New York City FC, as Lionel Messi powered them to a 2-2 draw with two assists.

The South Beach club earned a crucial point to kick off the defense of their Supporters' Shield, but it almost wasn't meant to be.

The began things on a high note, taking a remarkably early lead just five minutes into the match. Messi recorded his first goal-contribution of the season, sending a delicious ball across the six-yard box to find a sliding Tomas Aviles, who found the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

Two minutes later, though, things began to go downhill for the hosts.

Winger Fafa Picault pulled up with a non-contact injury, going to the ground holding the back of his leg, forcing Javier Mascherano into his first change just seven minutes into the match.

Then, in the 23rd minute, things went from bad to worse as Aviles saw red for denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity offense. The young Argentine committed a reckless sliding tackle on the edge of his own box, taking out the legs of striker Alonso Martinez. Reduced to 10 men, Mascherano's men conceded an equalizer off the ensuing free kick, as the executed a brilliantly designed set-piece with Mitja Ilenic leveling.

Ten minutes into the second half, NYCFC took the lead in the contest, with Martinez capitalizing off a catastrophic error from Jordi Alba. The Spaniard lost the ball right outside his own box, and the Costa Rica international pounced, smashing home to give his club a 2-1 lead.

The had a handful of chances throughout the latter stages of the match to draw level, but a goal never arrived through regulation. However, 11 minutes of stoppage time were added, which proved to be their saving grace.

In the 100th minute of the match, defender Ian Fray drove forward in heroic fashion, finding Messi in NYCFC's end of the pitch, and from there, the Argentine did what he does best. He found the run of substitute Telascvo Segovia, whose looping shot dipped over a forthcoming Matt Freese, but the NYCFC goalkeeper could do nothing about it.

With the late equalizer, Miami earned a point, snatching what was looking to be a brilliant road victory out from under the nose of the on opening day.

AdvertisementDID YOU KNOW?

Miami and NYCFC last met in Fall 2024, with the two sides ending in a stalemate as U.S. international James Sands equalized in the dying minutes of the match.

THE MVP

Lionel Messi:

Down to 10 men, they needed some late magic, and boy did he bring it. Their best attacker throughout the second half, Messi finally helped them draw level in the 10th minute of stoppage-time via his brilliant assist to Telasco Segovia.

The Argentine's brilliance helped them overcome two major individual errors, and that is exactly why he was named the club's captain prior to the start of the campaign.

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Getty Images SportTHE BIG LOSER

Tomas Aviles:

From hero to villain, the young Argentine let his team down on Saturday.

All throughout 2024, he was a loose cannon. He would go from having rock-solid performances to outings plagued by immaturity and poor decision-making. Saturday's match saw a mix of both.

Ultimately, his sending-off cost Miami three points, and he will have to accept that.

Afghan spinner played major role in Kent’s 2021 success

Matt Roller16-Dec-2021No team has ever retained England’s domestic T20 competition but Kent have made a significant move in their bid to do so by re-signing Qais Ahmad for the duration of next year’s Vitality Blast.Kent won their first T20 title since 2007 last year, topping the South Group before beating Birmingham Bears, Sussex and Somerset in the knockout stages. Qais, the Afghan legspinner, played a major role in their success, taking 10 wickets in 12 appearances with a miserly economy rate of 6.65.Afghanistan announced this week that they are due to play three T20Is against Australia in May-June 2022 but Qais has struggled to break into the national side despite his success at franchise level and Kent said in a press release that they expect him to be available for the whole competition, which runs from May 25 until July 16.Kent have already announced the signing of Matt Henry for the second half of the county season. Adam Milne was their second T20 overseas player in 2021 and could return to the club next summer, with New Zealand’s limited-overs schedule clear until their tour of Ireland in mid-July.Related

Rashid Khan returns to Sussex for 2022 Blast

Cox seizes the night as Kent end their long wait for T20 glory

Bell-Drummond leads command performance as Kent power into final

Kent live in Stevens' world as veteran lines up final glory

Qais signs Kent deal for T20 Blast, two Championship games

Qais was also part of Welsh Fire’s squad in the inaugural season of the Hundred, finishing the season as their leading wicket-taker. His availability for 2022 is unclear with Afghanistan due to play Ireland and in the Asia Cup during the tournament’s window from early August to early September.”We are delighted that Qais will be returning to play for us again for the duration of the 2022 Vitality Blast,” Paul Downton, Kent’s managing director, said. “Having a legspinner of Qais’ quality in our side was a major factor in our ability to contain the opposition’s run-rate and ultimately win matches in our title-winning run.”He is a wicket-taker in the crucial middle overs and had a stand-out economy rate. He’s a very popular figure within our dressing room as well as with our members and supporters, and we all look forward to welcoming Qais back next season.””I really enjoyed my first season as a Kent Spitfire and I’m excited to come back for another season,” Qais said. “Winning the Vitality Blast was very special and is something I will always look back on with pride.”It’s a great dressing room at Kent and I’m looking forward to linking up with the rest of the squad again as we look to defend our title.”

Chelsea have reportedly agreed to sign the cousin of Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes from Corinthians in a €10 million deal.

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Chelsea sign Corinthians starletWill join in €10m transfer dealCousin of Arsenal's GabrielFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to , Chelsea have secured the services of 17-year-old Corinthians ace Denner for around €10m. The report adds the Brazilian team will receive an extra €4m in performance-related bonuses and there is also a sell-on clause in the deal.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The teenager will only be able to move to Europe when he turns 18, with the youngster hitting that milestone in February 2026. He will eventually join a list of exciting Brazilian talent at Stamford Bridge, including Estevao Willian and Andrey Santos.

DID YOU KNOW?

Denner, who has been a target for Enzo Maresca's team since January, is reportedly going to sign a seven-year contract with Chelsea.

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Aside from his future Chelsea move, his Corinthians side take on Mirassol in the quarter-finals of the Campeonato Paulista on Sunday.

Leeds United fans will already be nervous about their team’s promotion chances in the Championship, despite the fact the Whites are only 15 games deep into the marathon of the second-tier campaign.

Supporters that pack out Elland Road are far too used to heartbreak on the big occasion, especially when it comes to trying to leap back up to the Premier League, with a 1-0 playoff final defeat earlier this year to Southampton still no doubt stinging.

Of course, there’s also the agony they experienced under Marcelo Bielsa – before triumphantly winning the league in 2020 – after Frank Lampard’s Derby County took great delight in toppling the West Yorkshire giants over two legs in the playoff semi finals the year prior.

With Leeds just outside of those top two automatic promotion spots at the time of writing, the die-hard Whites masses will just be fearing another disastrous near-miss is on the horizon.

Away from all that pessimism, however, there is plenty to still latch onto that’s positive, with Daniel Farke boasting two promotions up to the top-flight on his managerial CV, and plenty more could come from his steady Leeds side who have only tasted defeat twice in league action to date.

Alongside that, the January transfer window also gives Leeds adequate time to strengthen ahead of a crucial 2025, with this being what their lineup could look like come February next year when glancing at some significant transfer rumours…

1 GK – Illan Meslier

Although Illan Meslier has been suspect of some shaky displays this season in goal, he is likely to remain as the Leeds number one shot-stopper moving forward.

The 24-year-old has picked up an impressive nine clean sheets from his 15 Championship games to date, which included a shut-out coming his way versus Queens Park Rangers just before the international break.

2 RB – Jayden Bogle

Jayden Bogle is also likely to remain as Leeds’ main right-back in early 2025, considering he was only purchased this summer.

Alongside the fact he’s still a fresh-faced recruit, the former Sheffield United man has also shone in spurts for Farke’s side by picking up two league goals as an attack-minded option on the right.

3 CB – Joe Rodon

Joe Rodon was also another summer purchase made by Farke to shore up the defence in West Yorkshire and he has become an ever-present under the German’s guidance in the second tier.

He was particularly impressive against Plymouth Argyle in early November, amassing 98 touches as an assured but imposing centre-back figure.

4 CB – Pascal Struijk

Pascal Struijk has also been top-drawer this campaign to date after finding his 2023/24 season was largely stop-start owing to injury issues.

The 25-year-old is now making up for lost time, with two goals bagged from 15 league games so far as a menacing presence from corners, which has even seen him take on captain duties for his promotion-chasing employers.

5 LB – Dennis Cirkin

The first of a trio of new signings comes in the form of Dennis Cirkin, who has been linked with a switch to Elland Road heavily in recent weeks.

With Junior Firpo’s contract up in the summer of 2025, this would be smart planning on the end of Leeds to buy his replacement in January, with the “fantastic” defender – as he was once labelled by former Sunderland manager Lee Johnson – more than capable of replacing the ex-Barcelona left-back.

The standout Black Cats number three is equally as creative as Firpo, having accumulated seven goals and five assists on Wearside from 92 games, and might well be available to pick up for a reported fee of £6m

6 CM – Ao Tanaka

Leeds will know they don’t need to splash the cash in order to obtain some exceptional talents this forthcoming window, as Ao Tanaka only cost Farke and Co £3.5m to acquire in late August.

Helped by an injury crisis in the holding midfield positions, the Japanese gem has been quietly superb for the Whites since entering the first-team fold, with a 92% pass accuracy averaged per second-tier clash among other glowing numbers.

7 CM – Lewis O'Brien

Leeds might well be in the market for another new holding midfielder this January, with Lewis O’Brien previously on their transfer radar.

O’Brien is being touted to make a £7m move to LAFC, but as the former Huddersfield Town man narrowly missed out on promotion with the Terriers back in 2020, he could fancy a return to the EFL with Leeds.

He was also a top performer when on the books of Leeds’ near neighbours, amassing eight goals and ten assists as a reliable head from 131 total games. He could, therefore, be a potential option ahead of Joe Rothwell.

8 RM – Wilfried Gnonto

Leeds fans must go into a state of panic whenever a window opens, knowing full well that Wilfried Gnonto might finally up and leave.

The Italian winger could stay put this time again, having mustered up two goals and five assists in league action so far for the West Yorkshire titans.

9 CAM – Brenden Aaronson

The ex-FC Zurich star is likely to be partnered by Brenden Aaronson in attack past January, with the American breathing life back into his playing days at Elland Road this season.

He already has four goals and one assist next to his name as the former RB Salzburg man aims to offer even more during some high-stakes games to come near the summit of the table.

10 LM – Ryan Kent

The last incoming on the transfer front could see Farke and Co add a free agent into their ranks with Ryan Kent linked to potentially further bolster their left wing options.

Largie Ramazani is currently sidelined after an encouraging start to life in England, whilst Tottenham Hotspur loanee Manor Solomon has largely underwhelmed in this spot, with no goals and just one assist picked up from eight appearances.

Kent could offer the Whites something different down this channel, therefore, with the ex-Rangers man boasting 33 goals and 56 assists from his memorable stay at Ibrox.

Uganda beat Scotland in the 13th place playoff game as Jamie Cairns’ 6 for 24 went in vain

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jan-2022After their quarter-final heartbreak against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka rode on a brilliant century from their captain Dunith Wellalage to put it past South Africa in the fifth-place playoff semi-final in North Sound.Opting to bat, Sri Lanka had slipped to 25 for 3 by the ninth over, with South Africa’s 15-year-old fast bowler Kwena Maphaka sending the openers back in a fiery first spell. Shevon Daniel and Wellalage then rebuilt with a 62-run fourth-wicket stand, before Daniel was dismissed for a 54-ball 29.By then, Wellalage had played himself in and found strong support from Ranuda Somarathne. The pair added 130, during which Wellalage, who has been a key performer with both bat and ball during the campaign, brought up his century. He eventually fell in the penultimate over of the innings, but not before helping Sri Lanka shift gears.Somarathne himself hit three fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 57 as Sri Lanka ended with a competitive 232 for 6, with the last ten overs counting for 76 runs.With scores of 65, 104, 96 and 97 in four of his last five innings, Dewald Brewis – nicknamed “Baby AB” – was key to South Africa’s chase. But he managed just 6 this time, and was the second wicket to fall inside the powerplay overs.Gerhardus Maree made 44 at just better than a-run-a-ball, but South Africa lost wickets around him and that made it a tall ask for the lower-middle order. With South Africa at 117 for 7, Sri Lanka smelt victory, which they eventually closed out in the 38th over as South Africa were bowled out for 167. Five of the six Sri Lanka bowlers – only last week’s star performer Vinuja Ranpul missed out – were among the wickets.Sri Lanka have now advanced to the fifth-place playoffs, while South Africa will compete for the seventh spot.Meanwhile, Uganda beat Scotland by 51 runs via the DLS method in the 13th place playoff game in Trinidad. Ronald Lutaaya top-scored for them with 64, before Juma Miyaji and Christopher Kidega shared seven wickets, as Jamie Cairns’ 6 for 24 went in vain for Scotland.

USMNT prospect Cavan Sullivan has hailed the “astronomical” impact that Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has made on MLS.

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Messi moved to America in summer of 2023Teen sensation Sullivan made MLS debut a year laterBoth helping to raise profile of game in the StatesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi made his way to the United States in the summer of 2023. He made an immediate first impression, with a historic Leagues Cup triumph being savoured by Inter Miami a matter of weeks after his arrival.

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Messi has gone on to claim Supporters’ Shield honours, breaking more records in the process, while also earning MVP recognition in MLS for the 2024 campaign. He is back in the hunt for major silverware this term, although his game time is being carefully managed at present.

DID YOU KNOW?

A year after Messi arrived in America, teenage wonderkid Sullivan made his MLS debut for the Philadelphia Union. He was just 14 at the time and now has a move to Premier League giants Manchester City lined up, which will be completed when he turns 18.

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GettyWHAT CAVAN SULLIVAN SAID

Sullivan is considered to be the hottest of prospects, landing a spot in the Messi+10 documentary series, but has told of how Argentina’s sporting GOAT has changed the game for everybody: “It’s pretty apparent that stadiums have sold out, tickets have been sold, more television viewers, just his impact on world football has been astronomical.

“Obviously, non-soccer fans are buying tickets to watch him play and then they turn into soccer fans. That's what I like to see here in the country.

“These past few years, American soccer has jumped a lot of levels, but there are still people who aren’t aware of how fun and how the beautiful game can be so [enjoyable]. It’s good to see people switch over to watching soccer.”