Chelsea have now entered negotiations over a deal to sign a rapid new centre-back, and an opening offer is set to be made within weeks.
Blues looking to sign new centre-back despite Cahill comments
With Levi Colwill suffering an ACL injury back in August, the Blues’ offer centre-back options have had to step up to the plate this season, and Gary Cahill has been very impressed with their performances, so much so that he believes his former club don’t need to sign a new defender.
Cahill said: “There has been a lot of noise around this for a long time, but I think the lads that are there are doing a very good job of proving that they don’t need to add to this position,”
“I’ve been very impressed with Wesley Fofana since he’s come back. Touch wood that he stays fit.
“Trevoh Chalobah: look at the job he’s been doing – he’s a bit of an unsung hero. Trevoh is probably the most underappreciated player at Chelsea.
However, while a senior centre-back may not be required, BlueCo are always keen to bring in exciting up-and-coming prospects, and they have now entered negotiations over a deal for Gremio defender Luis Eduardo.
That is according to a report from AS (via Sport Witness), which states Chelsea have now entered talks to sign Eduardo, alongside Premier League rivals Manchester United, with opening offers set to be made in the coming weeks.
The Blues are now trying to ‘accelerate’ their pursuit of the centre-back, given that scouts have been left impressed with his performances, with the 17-year-old well-known for his pace, having reached 38 km/h for Gremio earlier this year.
The speedster has a €60m (£53m) release clause included in his contract with the Brazilian club, although it is unclear whether BlueCo would be willing to shell out such a big fee on a very young player.
Chelsea now ready to trigger £44m release clause for "unstoppable" striker
The Blues are looking to sign a new centre-forward, who has been in fantastic form so far this season.
ByDominic Lund Nov 30, 2025 Luis Eduardo impressing at youth level
The teenager is yet to establish himself as a regular starter for Gremio, having made just one appearance for the senior team, but he has put in some eye-catching performances for both club and country at youth level.
Despite being a centre-back, the Corrente-born ace managed to score two goals in seven appearances for Gremio U20s in 2025, while he has also netted three goals in 13 appearances for Brazil U17s.
Eduardo could be one for the future, but Cahill is correct in his assessment that Chelsea don’t need to worry about bringing in a new centre-back anytime soon, given Chalobah’s recent form, most recently netting the opening goal in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
Enzo Maresca also has Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile at his disposal as back-up options, and with Colwill still to return, the manager is well-stocked at centre-back.
December 2024 was a strange month for Joshua Zirkzee. It began with a two-goal salvo against Everton, but ended in humiliation as he was hauled off 33 minutes into United’s defeat by Newcastle, his substitution greeted with mocking applause from his own fans.
Twelve months on, and Zirkzee continues to have a strange status at Manchester United. He had not started a game until the home defeat at the hands of Everton at the end of November, when his abject performance against David Moyes’ 10 men seemed to justify Ruben Amorim using him so little. When United fans subsequently learned that Zirkzee was starting the next game against Crystal Palace, some joked in WhatsApp groups that they no longer wanted to watch.
But by full-time, the fans in the away end at Selhurst Park were adding Zirkzee’s name to the chorus of Daft Punk’s ‘One More Time’ as the hit tune blared out around the stadium after the Dutch striker had played a massive part in turning a certain defeat into victory.
It was not the first time Zirkzee had delivered a show-stopping moment when the least was expected of him, and it was a reminder that United cannot afford to let him leave in the January transfer window despite his overall status in the squad.
AFPFrom zero to hero
Zirkzee's performance against Palace summed up his career at United thus far. He had offered very little in the first half, registering zero shots and losing most of his aerial duels while his opposite number Jean-Philippe Mateta upstaged him.
But everything changed in the second half. Zirkzee's goal, surely his finest in a United shirt, was the standout moment, but it was also indicative of a much-improved overall display. Zirkzee’s passing accuracy increased from 57 per cent to 77%, and the forward ended the game having played six lay-offs, the most since that win over Everton 12 months previously.
He was also more combative, winning double the amount of aerial duels in the final half-hour than in the first 60 minutes. One of those duels saw United win the free-kick from which Mason Mount struck the winner.
Zirkzee has previous for turning the narrative, given he managed to do so following that harrowing episode against Newcastle. Two weeks later, he scored the winning penalty in the FA Cup third-round shootout win over Arsenal and was being serenaded by the 9,000 United fans who had crammed into the Emirates Stadium away end, evidently keen to make him feel valued again after the way he had been treated at Old Trafford.
A few weeks later, Zirkzee completed his journey from being a figure of derision to an almost cult-like figure for supporters when his name was chanted to the tune of the Cranberries smash hit 'Zombie' after scoring against Real Sociedad in San Sebastian. He then scored in another Europa League away game when he gave United the lead in Lyon with a late header.
But in the following game at Newcastle, his season effectively ended when he injured a thigh muscle. He did manage to recover in time to come off the bench in the Europa League final, but it was no triumphant return as he was unable to stop United slumping to a costly defeat to Tottenham.
It must have been a frustrating summer for him, then, as he watched £200 million worth of new attacking players arrive. Having struggled to hold down a starting berth last season even when Rasmus Hojlund was toiling, Zirkzee wasn't called upon early into the new campaign as Benjamin Sesko settled into the side.
Getty Images SportHigh risk, low reward
Zirkzee was very clearly the second-choice centre-forward behind Sesko, and fifth-choice for one of the two No.10 roles behind the striker. As early as October, reports began to emerge that he was frustrated with the lack of opportunities and wanted an exit in January.
With a World Cup on the horizon, Zirkzee has not been picked by Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman for more than a year, and no one can blame him for wanting to start afresh.
Everton and West Ham have emerged as potential Premier League destinations, but the strongest interest has come from Italy, where Zirkzee kickstarted his career at Bologna after being let go by Bayern Munich. AC Milan and Como were first suggested, but Roma, who are vying to win a first Serie A title since 2001, are making the biggest push for Zirkzee amid the struggles of Artem Dobvyk and Evan Ferguson up front.
Roma are, however, only interested in a loan with an option to buy which hinges on them qualifying for the Champions League. In other words, it is a deal with plenty of risk and not much reward for United.
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Getty Images SportLethal touch
United know how hard it is to sign a striker in January, having only managed to get Wout Weghorst in the winter of 2023 when they needed to replace Cristiano Ronaldo. And despite Zirkzee's struggles in a stop-start United career, it is clear that he is worth keeping around until the summer at least.
Zirkzee’s goal against Palace was a much-needed reminder of how lethal he can be when he gets in the right positions. For a player who is known much more for bringing others into play than scoring himself, the Dutchman can still pack a mean punch with his right foot.
His Selhurst Park strike was his best in a United shirt, showing impressive composure to take Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick down on his chest and then fire into the net from the narrowest of angles. He had also shown his deadly touch on his debut against Fulham, when Erik ten Hag was in charge, producing a deft first-time finish to decide the game. His goal against Real Sociedad, a thumping strike from outside the area which left goalkeeper Alex Remiro completely flummoxed, was another reminder of his shooting prowess.
Despite being right-footed, Zirkzee is equally comfortable shooting with his left, using his weaker foot to score against Palace and land a first-time finish from a similar position for Bologna against Cagliari, the first of 12 goals he scored in his final season in Serie A.
O Flamengo aceitou a proposta do Internacional de 4 milhões de euros (R$ 21,65 milhões na cotação atual) por Thiago Maia, mas um imbróglio envolvendo a equipe carioca e o Lille, da França, atrapalha a venda.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasDicasFlamengo x Fluminense: estatísticas e informações para apostar no jogo pelo CariocaDicas24/02/2024FlamengoFlamengo: Ministério Público arquiva processo contra Marcos Braz por agressão em torcedorFlamengo23/02/2024Mercado do EsporteUniforme do Flamengo passa a valer R$ 214 milhões em patrocínios; veja raio-XMercado do Esporte23/02/2024
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A equipe francesa, dona de 50% dos direitos econômicos de Thiago Maia, quer que o Rubro-Negro repasse uma quantia maior para ceder 25% dos direitos.
O Internacional segue interessado em Thiago Maia, mas entende ser necessário a chegada de um volante e contratou Fernando, que ficou apenas 42 dias no Vila Nova-GO
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– Thiago Maia está mais distante do que estava, pois não tivemos respostas sobre as relações contratuais entre o Flamengo e ele. Nós avançamos em outros jogadores dessa posição, como o Fernando.- disse Alessandro Barcelos, presidente do Internacional, à Rádio Gre-Nal.
Enquanto aguarda o desfecho da novela, Thiago Maia segue treinando sepado no Ninho do Urubu. O volante, que atraiu interesse do Corinthians no início da temporada, está no Flamengo desde 2020.
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Cruz Beckham has fiercely defended his father David after Cristiano Ronaldo claimed he was physically superior to the retired Manchester United legend. The Al-Nassr star is still playing at the age of 40 and boasts an impressive physique, an area he feels he has the beating of Beckham. But the ex-England captain's youngest son has hit back at the Portuguese in savage style.
Ronaldo puts down Beckham's 'normal' body
The Portugal icon spoke with journalist Piers Morgan about his career, his future, and much more during a lengthy chat earlier this month. In that conversation, ex-Man Utd and Real Madrid man Beckham, 50, was also briefly brought up. Ronaldo was asked who he thought was the better-looking of the two, with the veteran striker not mincing his words.
"His face is beautiful, yeah, handsome face," he said. "The rest is normal, like it's normal. I'm not normal. I'm perfecto. For me [good] looking is not only the face but the whole package. Imagine Cristiano and a normal guy with red speedos on the Copacabana, you think I am not going to have a chance with nobody."
When asked who would get more attention walking across the Copacabana, Ronaldo boasted: "Me, 100 per cent," before adding, "He's [Beckham] looking good. I like him, he is a guy who speaks good, I like him."
The former Juventus star also suggested he is the most famous person on the planet.
"We'll do a debate for the world: who's the most famous? Me or President Donald Trump? I think, in the world, even in small islands, they know me more than him," he said.
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Cruz sticks up for father David Beckham
In response to this, the 20-year-old Cruz referenced Ronaldo's "rest is normal" comments and put together a side-by-side shot of the Portuguese when he signed for United as a teenager in 2003; in addition to one of David in his 20s. In that image, Beckham appears to have the edge.
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Beckham still got it
A few months before he turned 50, Beckham was on the front cover of Men's Health. The Inter Miami co-owner revealed that to this day, he still does two exercises: push ups and pull-ups. But it wasn't always something he enjoyed.
He told the magazine in February: "I hated pull-ups with a passion. I could literally only do two or three – three at most. Bob decided to focus on press-ups and pull-ups. I hated both, and now we do them most days. I didn’t have pecs until I met (trainer) Bob [Rich]. You could say I’ve gone up a few cup sizes as a result. I never really had a desire to, either. I wanted to be as lean as I could. But since retiring, I’ve put a bit of meat in my pecs."
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What comes next for Ronaldo and Beckham?
Aside from physique wars, Beckham will be focusing on Inter Miami's Major League Soccer Eastern Conference final clash against New York City on Saturday, which will see Lionel Messi take centre stage once again. Ronaldo, meanwhile, will be hoping his Al-Nassr side can beat Istiklol in the AFC Champions League 2 on Wednesday.
Arsenal are a club with a proud history of developing and promoting young talent into the first team.
Mikel Arteta has carried that tradition on during his time, with the likes of Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and now Max Dowman all getting chances under him.
However, when it comes to the most successful Hale End product under the Spaniard’s stewardship, it’s hard to ignore Bukayo Saka, who has become a world-class superstar in recent years.
So, fans should be very excited about another young prospect making his way through the academy, who has been likened to a young version of the England international.
Saka's academy journey
Saka joined Hale End as a seven-year-old, with him later revealing that it was his father who pushed for him to join the club over others.
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Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
The Ealing-born gem made his debut for the club’s U18 against Fulham in August 2017, a game the Gunners would lose 4-1.
The youngster would end that season with a respectable haul of eight goals and four assists in 22 games.
The following year, he made just six appearances for the U18S and 24 for the U23S, scoring six goals and providing nine assists for the latter.
However, that was also the season in which he made his first-team debut, away to Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League group stage, under Unai Emery.
At this point, the exciting prospect was still very much seen as a left-sided attacker and had made just a single appearance on the right across both campaigns.
The 19/20 season brought the end of Saka’s time in the academy setup, as he made just one appearance for the U23s in a Premier League 2 game against Everton, which they drew.
Saka’s youth record
Team
U18s
U23s
Appearances
28
25
Goals
16
6
Assists
6
9
All Stats via Transfermarkt
In all, the now 24-year-old made 28 appearances for Arsenal’s U18s, in which he produced 22 goal involvements and 25 appearances for the U23s, in which he produced 15.
Everyone now knows how the rest of the story goes, and so fans should be excited that there is another Hale End talent currently being compared to Saka.
Arsenal's next Saka
With the likes of Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly and now Dowman, it feels like Hale End can’t stop producing incredible talents, and the next one off the line might just be Brando Bailey-Joseph.
The 17-year-old has been so impressive in recent months that, despite only signing scholarship terms with the club a few months ago, he has already put pen to paper on a professional deal.
Moreover, according to one analyst, he is currently looking “very reminiscent of a young Saka.”
The argument he puts forward is that, like the Gunners’ talisman, there has been a lot more talk around other youngsters in the academy over him, and he is just quietly plugging away in the background.
Bailey-Joseph’s 25/26
Appearances
16
Minutes
1098′
Goals
4
Assists
4
Goal Involvements per Match
0.5
Minutes per Goal Involvement
137.25′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, in 16 appearances this term, totalling 1098 minutes, he has scored four goals and provided four assists.
That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every other game, or every 137.25 minutes, which would be pretty good for a striker, let alone a winger who has been moved between both sides over and over again.
In addition to the output, the analyst also points out that, like Arteta’s mercurial number seven, he has shown an “incredible technical” ability in the academy.
This is an opinion shared by Hale End expert Will Balsam, who claims that the youngster’s “fire feet, chopping into the grass constantly, make it impossible for defenders to know what’s coming.”
Ultimately, while it’s so early in his journey, Bailey-Joseph looks like he could be the next Hale End star to make it in the first team and follow in Saka’s footsteps on the wing.
Rice was fuming with him: Arsenal's "future captain" has regressed big time
It has been a season to forget for the Arsenal star so far this year.
Celtic were saved by their captain yet again on Saturday night when they were heading for a drab 0-0 draw away at St Mirren before Callum McGregor stepped up with seconds remaining.
The Hoops skipper picked the ball up from range in the 95th minute and unleashed a screamer of a shot that nestled in the top corner to secure all three points for the visitors.
Up until that point, Martin O’Neill’s side had struggled to show much in the way of quality against St Mirren, despite holding 73% of the possession, per Sofascore, which is why the game was tied with seconds remaining.
The hosts even created a ‘big chance’ from one of their 13 shots on goal, but, thankfully, they were unable to convert any of the opportunities that they created on the night.
Celtic, meanwhile, did not create a single ‘big chance’ from their 16 efforts against St Mirren, per Sofascore, which is why they needed a long-range strike from their captain to win the match.
Whilst McGregor’s sensational strike from distance bailed the club out in general, the skipper also bailed out several of his underperforming teammates on the night.
Celtic's worst performers against St Mirren
It would be remiss of us to speak about the worst performers on the night without starting with the player who was withdrawn from the match after 45 minutes, Johnny Kenny.
The Ireland international, who scored four goals in four matches for Celtic before Saturday’s game, won just one duel and lost possession six times from 17 touches in the first half, per Sofascore, as he failed to provide a focal point up front.
Kenny’s withdrawal meant that Daizen Maeda moved into the centre-forward role, after starting out wide. However, he ended the 90 minutes with two out of seven duels won, no key passes, and no shots on target, per Sofascore, which illustrates his ineffectiveness in the final third.
Celtic’s starting wingers vs St Mirren
Stats
Sebastian Tounekti
Daizen Maeda
Minutes
67
90
Shots on target
0
0
Key passes
1
0
Big chances created
0
0
Dribbles completed
2/6
1/2
Duels won
3/11
2/7
Possession lost
14x
12x
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Sebastian Tounekti and Maeda both struggled out wide, and the latter up front in the second 45, throughout the game against St Mirren.
These statistics show that all three of the forwards who started on Saturday night failed to do enough to suggest that O’Neill should keep them in place for the club’s trip to play Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
Tounekti, Maeda, and Kenny were not the only underperforming Celtic players who failed to provide enough quality on the pitch against the Saints, though, as one Hoops flop is now looking like the new Luis Palma.
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Supporters will likely remember Palma, who is currently on loan at Lech Poznan, as a player who made a fast start to life in Glasgow before falling off and eventually being deemed surplus to requirements.
The Honduras international produced seven goals and nine assists, with 14 ‘big chances’ created, in 28 Scottish Premiership games during the 2023/24 campaign for the club, per Sofascore.
Unfortunately, though, the winger followed that up with a return of zero goals and zero assists in eight league matches the following season before being sent out on loan to Olympiacos for the second half of the campaign.
Whilst his fall-off this term may not be quite as drastic as Palma’s was, Celtic central midfielder Reo Hatate appears to be heading in the same direction.
Why Reo Hatate should be dropped by Celtic
The Japan international was a sensation in the middle of the park for the Scottish giants in the 2024/25 campaign with a return of nine goals and 14 ‘big chances’ created in 37 outings in the Premiership, per Sofascore.
Hatate provided regular quality at the top end of the pitch with his ability to make a difference as both a scorer and a creator of goals, as evidenced by his statistics, and that made him a vital player for Brendan Rodgers.
This season, however, the 28-year-old star has failed to deliver consistent quality in midfield for Celtic, with the clash against St Mirren being his latest underwhelming performance, which is why he should be ruthlessly dropped by O’Neill.
The Japanese midfielder, who was described as “sloppy” by ex-Hoops boss Neil Lennon during the game against Sturm Graz in the Europa League, ended the night with no shots on target, no ‘big chances’ created, and a duel success rate of 20% (1/5), per Sofascore.
This shows that his performance was lacking in both quality and physicality, as he lost 80% of his physical tussles without providing any moments of genuine quality on the ball, and that has not been a rare occurrence for him this season.
Reo Hatate – Premiership
24/25
25/26
Appearances
37
10
Goals
9
1
Minutes per goal
241
708
Conversion rate
14%
10%
Big chances created
14
2
Assists
4
1
Dribble success rate
70%
57%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Hatate’s performances have dropped off since the end of last season, as he is scoring and creating goals far less frequently for the Premiership champions.
The Japan international’s last league goal for the club came against Aberdeen on the 10th August, and he has only produced two goals – including one penalty – and one assist in 18 appearances in all competitions this term, per Transfermarkt.
His concerning drop-off in form this season suggests that he may be on the road to becoming the next Palma, as a once supreme talent who now looks too inconsistent to be reliable to the Celtic manager.
Therefore, O’Neill should ruthlessly drop the central midfielder from the starting line-up to face Feyenoord away from home, as the Hoops may need quality and physicality to beat their Dutch opponents, and Hatate did not show either against St Mirren.
Nancy can forget Maeda by making £325k-per-week star his 1st Celtic signing
Celtic’s potential new manager could forget about Daizen Maeda by signing this reported transfer target.
India’s new ODI captain gears up for his first game in charge of a team that includes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
Tristan Lavalette18-Oct-20252:29
Gill: ‘Extra responsibility brings the best out of me’
As Shubman Gill fronted the press pack in Perth, with the picturesque Swan River behind him, several locals passing by looked on curiously as if they could not quite pinpoint exactly who he was.Gill, clearly, does not yet quite have the global stature of Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma. But that should soon change, with him holding the top leadership posts for India in Tests and ODIs. As the new poster boy of Indian cricket, Gill and his counterpart Mitchell Marsh are plastered on the marketing signs around the city to promote the ODI series opener between Australia and India at Optus Stadium.It represents a transition for India as they start building towards the 2027 World Cup, a tournament where they will hope to end a 16-year wait for the title.Gill, 26, has cut a relaxed figure so far on tour, appearing undaunted about stepping into the hot seat and following in the footsteps of Rohit and Kohli. He is perhaps encouraged by the successful start to his Test reign but, unlike in that format, there is the added intrigue of him now captaining these larger-than-life cricketers he grew up idolising.Related
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“These are the kind of players I used to idolise when I was growing up. The kind of hunger that they had used to inspire me,” Gill told reporters. “It is a big honour for me to be able to lead such legends of the game. I am sure there would be so many moments in this series where I would be able to learn from them.”If I get in a difficult position, I wouldn’t shy away from taking advice from them.”With Rohit remaining in the team despite being stripped of the captaincy, there has been innuendo over how seamlessly the leadership baton will be passed on. However, Gill said he has already leaned on Rohit’s experience.”The narrative that goes on outside is different. There’s nothing like that between us – things are just as they were before, ” Gill said of his relationship with Rohit. “He is very helpful. And whatever he has learned from his experience, or if I think I need some help, I ask him what he would have done in a particular situation.”I like to know everyone’s thoughts and then decide as per my understanding of the game. In that respect, I have a great equation with both Virat and Rohit . Whenever I have a doubt, I go to them and take their suggestion, advice, and they also don’t hesitate in sharing [their knowledge].”Shubman Gill addresses the press in Perth•AFP/Getty Images
The three-match ODI series in Australia will be the first glimpse of what type of style and combination Gill wants for his team. What has been seemingly answered, having scored five tons from 13 innings since taking charge in the Test format, is that Gill is a cricketer who thrives with the added responsibility.His Test average has risen noticeably, though that might be difficult to replicate in ODI cricket given his average currently stands at 59 from 55 matches.”I like it when I have the additional responsibility. The pressure brings out my best,” he said. “I enjoy that responsibility, though I feel when I go out to bat, I take the best decision when I think as a batsman and do not think too much about being a captain and thinking like one.”When I do that, then I put myself under extra pressure. As a batsman, I think what the team needs the most at that moment. So I try to take decisions as Shubman Gill the batsman rather than taking that additional responsibility of scoring all the runs or finishing the match.”While the ODI series is likely to be a celebration of Kohli and Rohit, as they bid farewell to a country where they have had countless battles, Gill is set to emerge into prominence in Australia where he is unlikely to fly under the radar again.”Definitely, very exciting,” he said about his debut as ODI captain. “It’s very big shoes for me to carry the legacy that Virat and Rohit have left.”How they converse and what kind of communication or messaging they had with the players is something that helped me get the best out of myself. That’s the kind of captain I would want to be, where all my players feel very secure in the job they have to do.”
Shohei Ohtani had a monster game on Thursday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers blew out the Athletics 19-2 at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani hit home runs in back-to-back innings to move into a tie for the league lead during the victory. If there was a bright spot for the A's, it may be that they found someone who can effectively deal with the three-time MVP at the plate: backup catcher Jhonny Pereda.
Trailing by 14 heading into the 8th, Pereda took the mound to try and save the arms in the bullpen. Ohtani came to the plate with two runners on and no outs. Pereda threw four straight fastballs that were clocked between 62 and 68 MPH. After Ohtani took three pitches and fouled one off Pereda reached back and threw an 89 MPH four-seam fastball.
Everything that happened after that was amazing.
First Pereda flinched as he saw Ohtani swing the bat. Ohtani grimaced knowing he had chased one up and out of the zone and missed. The knowledge that he had been struck out by a position player probably didn't help. Pereda tried to stay cool, but couldn't hide his smile. Then he threw the ball over the dugout so that he could keep the ball forever.
Pereda, 29, made his MLB debut last season with the Miami Marlins. He's 6-for-32 with a double and RBI this season with the Athletics. Whatever else he does as a big leaguer, he'll always be able to say he struck out one of the best hitters in the history of the game. And he's got the souvenir to prove it.
The North Siders have surprised the baseball world by becoming one of MLB's best teams through the first two months of the 2025 campaign. After missing the playoffs last year, the Cubs are on pace to win 101 games, own the National League’s best run differential (+95) and the NL’s second-best record (35–21), behind only the Philadelphia Phillies. While Chicago has gotten solid pitching thus far, the team's offense has been the difference maker.
Behind the emergence of former glove-first prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, Seiya Suzuki slugging at a career-high rate and Kyle Tucker playing like a guy who wants a $500 million contract, the Cubs are bludgeoning opposing pitching. Their offense ranks alongside the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers as one of the best in baseball, leading the majors in runs scored.
Chicago’s offense is a well-oiled, versatile machine. The Cubs hit for power, they hit for average, they get on base, they come through with runners in scoring position and they are arguably MLB’s best baserunning team.
We're going inside the numbers to show just how dominant the Cubs' offense has been so far in 2025.
5.89 — Runs scored per game by the Cubs, the best in baseball. It is a 1.35 run per game increase from 2024.
6 — Number of regular field players that have produced 1.2 or more WAR, tied with the Dodgers for the most in MLB.
7 — Number of Cubs regulars with an OPS+ of 102 or higher, the most in the National League and tied with the Yankees for the most in baseball.
123 — Team OPS+, third in baseball behind the Yankees and Dodgers, and a 23-point increase year-over-year.
.262 — Team batting average, second in MLB and a 20-point increase from 2024.
.335 — Team on-base percentage, fourth in MLB and an 18-point increase from 2024.
212 — Walks by the Cubs this season, third in MLB behind the Yankees and the Dodgers.
.450 — Team slugging percentage, third in MLB behind the Yankees and Dodgers. An improvement of more than 50 points from 2024 (.393).
79 — Team home runs, third in MLB behind … the Yankees and Dodgers.
.880 — Team OPS with runners in scoring position, second in MLB behind the Dodgers.
85.7% — Team stolen base percentage, the best in baseball. The Cubs have stolen 72 bases, third-most in MLB behind the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers, on 84 attempts.
51 — RBIs by Seiya Suzuki, the most in MLB, one more than teammate Pete Crow-Armstrong.
.921 — OPS by Cubs catchers, the best mark in the NL. Career years from Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya have given Chicago another unexpected source of offense in the lineup.
142 — Crow-Armstrong's OPS+, a 54-point jump from 2024 (88).
159 — OPS+ of Kyle Tucker, best on the Cubs and seventh in the National League.
2.5 — Offensive WAR generated by Tucker, second in the NL behind Shohei Ohtani (2.8.) Crow-Armstrong is fourth at 2.4.
25 — Double plays hit into by Cubs hitters, tied for the fewest in baseball.
2 — Times the Cubs have been shut out in 2025, the fewest in baseball.
1.9 — WAR generated by Javy Baez in 47 games for the Mets in 2021. The Cubs received Pete Crow-Armstrong from the Mets for Baez and Trevor Williams on July 30, 2021.
3.2 — WAR generated by Crow-Armstrong through 56 games in 2024. He leads the National League.
$771,000 — Crow-Armstrong's salary for the 2025 season, making him baseball's best bargain.
Chicago's offense is explosive while also being balanced and well-constructed. When general manager Jed Hoyer traded for Tucker this offseason, some were surprised he added such an expensive rental to a team generally believed to be at least a year away from contention. It seemed like an expensive gamble. He clearly saw something others didn't.
Crow-Armstrong has become a legitimate MVP candidate in his second full season, as he’s the only player with at least 15 home runs and 15 stolen bases thus far. He's an elite defender who has already solidified his place among MLB's best two-way stars.
Given the depth and balance of the lineup, there is zero reason to believe the Cubs' offense will slow down any time soon.