Aaronson has often been labeled a tweener, but his versatility has been vital for Leeds this season. That same flexibility could position him for increased minutes with the USMNT.
PHILADELPHIA – Recent Brenden Aaronson stats circulating on social media confirm what has been easy to overlook: despite steady criticism, the Leeds United midfielder is thriving this season.
The truth is this: Aaronson has been one of the Premier League’s most effective attacking players so far. Not always pretty, not necessarily prolific, but undeniably impactful. He’s a major reason Leeds sit just outside the relegation zone roughly one-third of the way into his second Premier League go-around. His performances have also put him firmly back in the U.S. men’s national team picture. For a while now, Aaronson has had a point to prove. This season, he is proving it.
“I think that the confidence that I have now and the sustainability of it is at a really good level,” Aaronson said to reporters on Wednesday's USMNT media call. “I’m happy with my mental space, and I think that’s the biggest thing in football. When you’re playing at your best level, you have the confidence, and that’s what I feel like is changing my game.”
So now, as he returns to Philadelphia – the place where he started his soccer career – for the final USMNT camp of 2025, Aaronson is in a unique spot. He's in form and thriving. He's also fighting for a spot. After being benched for much of the Gold Cup, a tournament that lacked some of the USMNT's heavy hitters, Aaronson's spot is still anything but certain. This camp, then, is another chance to go out and earn it and show why his effectiveness for Leeds could translate to whatever plans Mauricio Pochettino has for him.
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Changing perceptions
Aaronson spoke about it with GOAL last year: he doesn't like the perceptions of him or his game.
"It's definitely upsetting," Aaronson told GOAL, "Because I think, in moments, I show a lot of quality with the ball. I don't think a lot of people see that. People see my energy and that type of thing, and that's easy to see. You'll always see me giving 100 percent. That's something that I've always had. That was the first thing I learned from my dad at a young age."
"I want to be outside of that box," he added. "I'm not just a runner. I'm not just a guy who's pressing all the time. I'll show that, of course, but I think I'm also more than that, you know? I think I'm a guy that brings other things to the pitch and, yeah, I just wish people could see that more."
Leeds United fans have seen more of it this season. The numbers don't jump off the page, admittedly. He scored a goal recently against West Ham in an standout Man of the Match performance that included a mazy run through the entire Hammers team. He then set up a goal in this past weekend's loss to Nottingham Forest, notching his first assist of the season. One goal and one assist, generally, aren't anything to get excited about, but the underlying numbers tell a different story.
Yes, the defensive statistics are still elite when compared to other midfielders and wingers, which is always helpful for a promoted team looking to stay up. The chance creation numbers are good, too. Per DataMB, Aaronson is right among the league leaders in chance creation ratio, which measures the amount of key passes per 100 attempts. When it comes to creating danger, Aaronson has been right up there among the Premier League's very best, even if there hasn't been as much to show for it as many would like.
“It’s always a learning process going out there and playing,” Aaronson said. “But I think I’ve been playing at a good level this year, and I need to continue to get better and better and help the team the best I can."
All of that isn't to say that Aaronson is at the level of the Premier League's best. Few would believe that. It does indicate, though, that Aaronson is getting better and is making a real effort to prove that doubters wrong.
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Learning from criticism
There have been multiple times during Daniel Farke's two-year Leeds United tenure when he has had to publicly defend his American midfielder from criticism. The most recent came just a few short weeks ago.
“It’s important not to put too much weight on his shoulders,” Farke said in September. “Sometimes the feeling with Brenden is that we are a bit over-critical in public. We know Brenden has challenges in his offensive game in terms of decision-making, being a bit clearer and more straightforward. This is something we speak a lot about.
“It’s not like I press a button, do my magic, and he’s a completely different player. In training, we bring him more into positions where he has to make decisions. It’s not like he is not willing to score or is not highly motivated. Sometimes, because he is so on it, he is, perhaps, losing a bit of his calmness, but it’s not helpful if everyone is always criticizing him.”
Aaronson, meanwhile, recently acknowledged that he avoids looking into that criticism. It's something he's dealt with for much of his professional career. In his first season with Leeds, the club was relegated. A subsequent move to Union Berlin didn't work out. He returned to Leeds knowing he'd have to win back the fans' trust. That process is ongoing, even after helping the club back to the Premier League with an ironman run through the Championship.
“Listen. I wear the shirt of Leeds United. One of the biggest clubs in England,” Aaronson told Morning Footy. “The fan base is amazing. We have amazing fans, and sometimes it can be tough. It comes with the pressure of wearing the kit. [Criticism] is always there, it is always gonna be there.
"I’m not someone who uses social media. I never go on. My fiancée and my parents can look at that stuff. I tell them not to sometimes, but my mom can’t help it. I try to stay away from it. Week in and week out, all I can do is do the best I can and just go out there to be myself. That’s what I try to focus on.”
This week, Aaronson is focused on the USMNT and making a mark that could, ultimately, carry him to a second World Cup roster.
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Finding his place with the USMNT
One of Aaronson's biggest assets is his versatility. He can play as an attacking midfielder. He can play on the wings. He can slot in as a No. 8 or even as a wingback, in theory. He's also a player that, no matter where you play him, seems like an ideal supersub, one that brings obvious energy and, if his Premier League run is anything to go by, a little bit of danger.
“I play the winger like a No. 10 if I’m being honest with you,” Aaronson said. “I think at [Leeds] my coach talks to me about having the freedom to go and get involved with the game. Of course, he wants the formation and, of course, he wants me to stay in the positions, but I just kind of go out there and play like I would in the midfield. I don’t really change too much about it.
“I’m not a winger that’s going one-v-one or stuff like that. I want to be in between the lines; I want to be driving with the ball. I want to be playing the final pass and shooting the final shot.”
Despite that versatility, this season has been a difficult one for Aaronson on the USMNT front. He was left out of the USMNT's March CONCACAF Nations League roster, although hindsight does say that may have been a blessing in disguise given how that camp went. Then, after returning to the Gold Cup, Aaronson was largely a substitute, starting just one game: a largely meaningless game against Haiti to close the group stage after two wins to start the tournament. It wasn't a surprise when he was then left out of the September squad as Pochettino looked elsewhere.
Aaronson returned in October and, despite playing just 26 minutes, he made an impression. In that cameo against Australia, he looked extremely dangerous. That performance, along with his recent run with Leeds, led to him being called back in for this November camp.
"Brenden is an experienced player who has already brought a lot to the national team," Pochettino said this summer. "He’s a player who has a total commitment to the national team. His character, whichever position he's in, he’s always helping, always being positive in all moments. He’s a very dynamic player. We're very familiar with his characteristics and he’s a player who brings a lot of positives to the group."
With Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, and Weston McKennie all sidelined, the U.S. are short on attacking midfield options. That gives Aaronson a chance to step into the spotlight in the place where he spent six years developing before moving to Europe.
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A chance and a homecoming
Even now, five years after he left the club, Aaronson remains one of the Philadelphia Union's top success stories. He burst onto the scene in 2020 as a Best XI player. He's since played in Europe at the highest level. This week, Aaronson is one of four Union academy alumni in the USMNT group alongside Matt Freese, Mark McKenzie and Auston Trusty. All four are fighting for World Cup places. All four's next chance to do so comes in a stadium that they, at least for a time, called home.
On Saturday, the USMNT will host Paraguay at Subaru Park in their penultimate friendly of 2025. Aaronson, along with Gio Reyna, Diego Luna and Timothy Tillman, will be looking to show he deserves a larger role as one of the team’s No. 10s. The 25-year-old Leeds star will hope for that opportunity as he returns to where it all began.
“I think the best thing about the Philly development is we have the mentality from a young age, this winning mentality,” Aaronson said. “I think from when we both went to the school, there was always Champions League on TV, football all the time, and that was the beauty of it. I think you were just kind of just surrounded by all these guys who wanted to be the best player they could be.
"It’s not cutthroat, but it is competitive. So I think everybody wanted to reach the highest level. And that’s what the beauty was.”
There isn't always beauty in Aaronson's game. He hopes that the outside world will notice more of it than they have in the past, though, and, as long as he keeps providing those types of moments, Aaronson's fight will continue as he pushes for more with club and country.
Manchester City are now monitoring FC Koln forward Said El Mala, with it being revealed that Pep Guardiola is personally an admirer.
Injuries are piling up for Arsenal, with both Gabriel and Viktor Gyokeres suffering blows ahead of the North London derby, which could be a major boost for Man City in the Premier League title race, having recently closed the gap to four points at the top of the table.
However, if Guardiola’s side are going to mount a serious push for the title, they may need to start finding some goals from elsewhere, with Erling Haaland scoring 14 of the 23 the Blues have to their name in the Premier League this term.
Haaland has been susceptible to injuries in the past, missing 21 City games across the previous two seasons, which means they cannot afford to be overreliant, and the manager may be keen to provide the Norwegian with some additional support in attack during the January transfer window.
Real Madrid’s Arda Guler and Rodrygo have recently been named as potential targets, with the latter’s future at the Santiago Bernabeu now in major doubt, while another, lesser-known target is also now of interest…
Man City monitoring Said El Mala with Pep personally keen
According to a report from Sky Sports, Man City are now closely monitoring FC Koln forward El Mala, as Pep has been left impressed by the 19-year-old, having reviewed several videos and clips.
City scouts have recently been in attendance at the Bundesliga side’s matches to observe the youngster’s performances, but there could be competition for his signature, with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund also being named as potential suitors.
Koln are in a strong negotiating position, having extended the teenager’s contract until 2030, which puts them in a position to demand over €40m (£35m), and the player himself isn’t in a hurry to leave.
Hailed as a “flamboyant” winger by scout Jacek Kulig, it is little wonder the German starlet is attracting so much attention, having performed very well in the Bundesliga so far this season, netting four goals and picking up two assists in ten outings.
That said, it is still very early days for the Koln star, given that this is his debut campaign in the Bundesliga, so there are doubts over whether he would be able to make an immediate impact at Man City in the title race.
El Mala could be a future star, but there have recently been encouraging signs that Guardiola will be able to rely on some of his other attackers to provide support for Haaland, with Jeremy Doku scoring and receiving the Man of the Match award in the 3-0 win against Liverpool.
As such, Guardiola’s squad should already be strong enough to push Arsenal all the way this season, but if the manager feels a fresh injection of quality is needed, Rodrygo, who has far more top-level experience, could be a suitable option.
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Glasgow Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell has been questioned by some supporters for the work that was done during the summer transfer, with signings and the appointment of Russell Martin.
It is hard to describe the former Southampton manager’s tenure at Ibrox as anything other than disastrous after he won five matches in all competitions before being sacked last month.
The ex-Rangers centre-back did not have much joy in the dugout during his second stint at the club, as a manager rather than as a player, with 24 goals conceded in 17 matches.
On top of the clearly poor decision to bring Martin to Ibrox, Thelwell’s signings during the summer transfer window have come under some scrutiny, after the new owners provided him with plenty of money to spend.
The appointment of Martin and the work done in the summer window led to a start of one win in the first eight matches of the Scottish Premiership season for the Light Blues, which has put them on the back foot in the title race.
Danny Rohl has come in and won all four of his Premiership games in charge, to his credit, but there are still several summer signings who are yet to prove their worth.
Picking out the worst summer signings for Rangers
It would be hard to look past the most expensive signing of the summer when talking about the worst signings, as Youssef Chermiti was signed for £8m from Everton. That is the most money Rangers have paid for a player since they paid £12m to sign Tore Andre Flo in 2000.
Since that mega-money move to Ibrox, the Portugal U21 international has scored one goal in 13 appearances in all competitions for the Light Blues this season, and that goal came via some rather questionable goalkeeping, as shown in the clip below.
Chermiti is not the only centre-forward signing who has struggled this season, though, as Rangers signed Bojan Miovski for a fee of up to £4.2m and he has delivered two goals in 16 outings in all competitions, per Sofascore.
Further back on the pitch, central midfielder Joe Rothwell has been a disappointment since his permanent move from Bournemouth. The 30-year-old talent was brought in to offer experience and quality in the middle of the park, but he has failed to make a positive impact.
25/26 Premiership
Rothwell
Percentile rank vs CMs
Tackles
7
Bottom 27%
Interceptions
8
Top 29%
Duels won
16
Bottom 26%
Duel success rate
47%
Bottom 39%
Aerial duels won
4
Bottom 25%
Possession won in the final third
1
Bottom 19%
Ball recoveries
22
Bottom 36%
Stats via FotMob
As you can see in the table above, the English flop ranks poorly among his positional peers in the Premiership in a host of key defensive metrics, whilst playing as a number six for the Light Blues.
Thelo Aasgaard, who was signed from Luton Town, is another summer signing who has failed to deliver, with one goal and one assist in 19 appearances in all competitions, per Sofascore, which shows that the attacking midfielder has been ineffective at the top end of the pitch.
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Whilst there are understandable question marks over all of the summer signings mentioned so far, there is a player signed by Thelwell who impressed against Livingston, and may be on his way to becoming the new Calvin Bassey at Ibrox.
After signing from Leicester in 2020, the Nigeria international only played eight Premiership games in his first season. In the 2021/22 campaign, the versatile defender featured in just three of the first nine league games under Steven Gerrard, per Transfermarkt.
The left-footed star then became a regular in the side when Giovanni van Bronckhorst took over in October and went on to play 50 games in all competitions before sealing a £19.6m move to Ajax in the summer of 2021.
Now, central defender Emmanuel Fernandez could follow a similar path to success at Ibrox after he produced an impressive display against Livingston on Saturday.
Why Emmanuel Fernandez may be the next Calvin Bassey for Rangers
As was the case with Bassey under Gerrard, the summer signing from Peterborough rarely got an opportunity to showcase what he could do on the pitch during Martin’s time at the club.
Per Transfermarkt, Fernandez featured in one of Martin’s seven league matches in charge of the Light Blues and was an unused substitute in all six of the Champions League qualifiers.
The 24-year-old centre-back only started in a 1-1 draw with St Mirren in the Premiership and a 4-2 win over Alloa Athletic in the League Cup, scoring his first goal for the club in the latter appearance.
Fernandez finally got his first start in the league of the Rohl era against Livingston on Saturday and did not disappoint. On top of scoring the opening goal in the match, making it two goals in three starts for the club, he won eight of his 13 duels and was not dribbled past a single time, per Sofascore.
After the win over Livingston, one Rangers podcaster described him as a “massive” player who “makes a difference” at both ends of the pitch because of his imposing physique.
25/26 Premiership
Emmanuel Fernandez per 90
Percentile rank vs CBs
Tackles made
0.99
Bottom 26%
Duels won
10.44
Top 1%
Duel success rate
72.4%
Top 5%
Aerial duels won
6.96
Top 1%
Aerial duel success rate
87.5%
Top 1%
Interceptions
2.49
Top 5%
Shots blocked
0.99
Top 31%
Stats via FotMob
As you can see in the table above, Fernandez is one of the most dominant and impressive central defenders in the Premiership if you compare his two starts in the league to his positional peers on a per 90 basis.
These statistics suggest that the English defender deserves more chances to start and showcase his quality, which he may well get with John Souttar and Derek Cornelius both missing through injury at the moment.
If he continues to start and produce the level of performance that he has in his first two outings in the division, Fernandez could go on to be a defensive monster for Rohl and anchor the team for the foreseeable future.
Like Bassey, Rangers may look back in the future and wonder why he did not play more regularly earlier in the season, because the towering star looks like he has been a hidden gem at Ibrox.
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A Manchester City star on £150,000-a-week is in a protective boot and set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Pep Guardiola celebrates 1,000th game as manager in Man City win over Liverpool
Prior to the international break, Pep Guardiola took charge of his 1,000th game as a manager as his City side defeated Premier League rivals Liverpool 3-0.
Jeremy Doku was the star of the show on the pitch at the Etihad, rounding off his performance with a goal in the second half after first half strikes from Erling Haaland and Nico Gonzalez.
Talking after the win at the Etihad, Guardiola reflected on his managerial career, which began at Barcelona B in 2007.
“I think my period at Barcelona B is the foundation for many things. To realise that I was able to do it and learn a lot.
“I will never forget the guys in that first season. For me, it has been so special to make 1,000 games in front of my family and especially against Liverpool. I have a huge respect for that club.”
Over the last 18 years, Guardiola has won 716 games in charge and looks set to lead City in another title battle with league leaders Arsenal.
Wins
716
Draws
156
Losses
128
Trophies
40
Goals scored
2,445
Goals conceded
813
However, he will have to do that for large parts of the season without one of his trusted midfielders.
Injury update on Man City’s Mateo Kovacic
According to reports relayed by Sport Witness, Mateo Kovacic underwent successful surgery last Friday on ‘calcifications’ that had grown in his heel.
The midfielder, who has made just one Premier League appearance all season following Achilles surgery in the summer, is now set to travel down to London next week to have stitches removed.
Now in a protective boot, a rehabilitation programme usually lasts four months, so Kovacic, on £150,000-a-week, will hopefully return by March as he looks to get minutes before the World Cup with Croatia.
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Between now and March, Man City currently have 22 games scheduled in all competitions plus the FA Cup third round tie that has yet to be drawn.
Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic is hoping to have Kovacic recovered in time for the World Cup next summer, recently saying: “I hope Kovacic won’t miss the World Cup. He has similar problems to those he had four or five months ago.
”We believe he’ll be with us at the World Cup. I’d like him to be back in March. It must be tough for him. The injury and the surgery are taking a psychological toll on him. I hope Kovacic gets through it all.”
Man City leading race for Rodrygo with Real Madrid future now in major doubt
Tottenham have set a mammoth price tag for star defender Micky van de Ven amid serious interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool, according to a new report.
Micky van de Ven continues to shine at Tottenham
Van de Ven has been an outstanding presence for Spurs in the opening months of 2025/2026, quickly establishing himself as a key figure under Thomas Frank.
The young defender has combined defensive solidity with a remarkable goal-scoring touch, already finding the net five times across all competitions – a striking return for a player primarily tasked with keeping things tight at the back.
Van de Ven has also scored twice as many goals as any other Premier League defender so far this term, including Arsenal’s highly-praised set piece weapon Gabriel, with the Dutchman involved in all but one of Tottenham’s seven clean sheets this season too.
The 24-year-old’s combination of pace, power and goal threat has made him an indispensable member of Frank’s starting eleven, and his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch gives Spurs a unique edge.
Van de Ven’s importance to the Lilywhites is nothing new, as he bailed Ange Postecoglou’s high line out time and time again when he was fit and available to take part.
With Cristian Romero out injured and steadily working his way back to match fitness, van de Ven and Kevin Danso have helped to fill the Argentine’s shoes to great effect as Spurs now sit third in the Premier League table.
Tottenham absentee list to face Everton
Problem
Estimated return date
Dejan Kulusevski
Knee
22/11/2025
James Maddison
ACL
01/06/2026
Radu Dragusin
Knee
22/11/2025
Ben Davies
Thigh
23/11/2025
Yves Bissouma
Ankle/Foot
08/11/2025
Cristian Romero
Groin
01/11/2025
Destiny Udogie
Knee
08/11/2025
Dominic Solanke
Ankle
08/11/2025
via Premier Injuries
Van de Ven’s brace against Everton, with both goals coming from set plays, sealed a crucial three points for Spurs last Sunday as they became the first away team to claim victory at the brand-new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Ever since van de Ven’s arrival in north London over two years ago, the Netherlands international has been linked with a high-profile move elsewhere.
Real Madrid have specifically been mentioned as suitors amid their reported search for new centre-backs, so much so that reports suggest Tottenham are prepared to double van de Ven’s salary to keep him away from the Bernabeu.
Spurs are in no immediate danger of losing the centre-half, considering he’s contracted until 2029, and Frank is convinced that he is happy in N17.
That being said, there is always a danger that Real could turn a player’s head, and if they manage to tempt van de Ven, Spurs are apparently clear in their demands.
Tottenham set 'historic' Micky van de Ven price tag as Real Madrid and Liverpool circle
According to reports from Spain, Tottenham have set an ‘historic’ price tag for van de Ven as Real, Liverpool and even Bayern Munich circle for his signature.
It is believed that Spurs want a minimum £88 million for van de Ven, which is described as an ‘historic’ sum and would make him the most expensive defender in football history — eclipsing the £80 million that Man United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019.
Frank’s side are determined to keep hold of him and only a “massive offer” would see him leave, highlighting his growing importance both on and off the pitch.
This valuation could be part of a broader strategy reflecting Tottenham’s ambition and financial muscle, especially following a significant £100 million capital injection by the club’s owners, the Lewis family.
The investment underscores their long-term commitment to strengthening the squad and competing at the highest level, and stopping key stars like van de Ven from leaving will be pivotal as the north Londoners look to kick on from their Europa League triumph in May.
He has played just 12 Tests for South Africa in all these years, but away from the limelight, Simon Harmer has put together a truly remarkable body of work
Sampath Bandarupalli23-Oct-20254 – Harmer is only the fourth South Africa player to claim 1000 wickets in first-class cricket. Charlie Llewellyn (1013), Mike Procter (1417) and Allan Donald (1216) were the ones to get there before him.2 – Only two players who made their first-class debuts in the 21st century have taken 1000 wickets in the format. Harmer, whose first-class debut was in November 2009, and James Anderson, who had made his debut in May 2002. His milestone 1000th wicket came in July 2021. Anderson was also the last of the 216 bowlers to reach 1000 first-class wickets before Harmer.Related
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Harmer is the only bowler in the world with over 900 wickets since his first-class debut, with Malinda Pushpakumara’s 874 being the next best.514 – Wickets for Harmer in first-class cricket in England. Of those, 513 have come for Essex, all since 2017, and one for South Africa in a Test in 2022. Harmer is the only bowler with 500-plus first-class wickets in England since 2017, with Kyle Abbott’s 442 being the next highest.Harmer’s 35 five-fors and ten ten-wicket match hauls are also the most by any bowler in England in this period.Not to forget, Harmer has 453 wickets at home in South Africa, the second-highest since his first-class debut, behind only Shaun von Berg (522).Simon Harmer is an Essex legend, with 513 wickets for them in first-class cricket•Getty Images58 – Five-wicket hauls for Harmer in first-class cricket. Only Pushpakumara (80) and Gayan Sirisoma (61) have more five-fors than Harmer since his first-class debut in November 2009. R Ashwin (51) is the only other bowler with 50-plus five-fors in this period.Harmer’s effort in the Rawalpindi Test was his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket outside of England and South Africa, where he has 35 and 22 respectively. Harmer, however, has played only 11 first-class matches outside those two countries.331 – Wickets for Harmer in Chelmsford, the home ground of his county team, Essex. Only one bowler has taken more first-class wickets at a ground in the last 20 years – 374 by Tim Murtagh at Lord’s.Harmer has 27 five-wicket hauls across the 58 matches he played in Chelmsford, the most by a bowler at a venue in the last 20 years. Harmer has taken ten-plus wickets in a game on ten occasions at the venue, which is also the most.20 – Right-arm offspinners with 1000-plus wickets in first-class cricket before Harmer. Robert Croft was the last offspinner to reach 1000 wickets, having got there in 2007. (Twenty other players with 1000 FC wickets had multiple bowling styles throughout their careers, with right-arm off-break being one of them)55,618 – Balls that Harmer has bowled in his first-class career so far. Only one other player has bowled over 50,000 balls in the format since his debut – Nathan Lyon (55,790).
England 172 for 2 (Jones 86*, Beaumont 40) beat New Zealand 168 (Plimmer 43, Smith 3-30, Sciver-Brunt 2-31, Capsey 2-34) by eight wicketsAn injury to key bowler Sophie Ecclestone proved no barrier for England as Amy Jones overhauled a meagre target to send New Zealand out of the World Cup with a heavy defeat.Ecclestone injured her bowling shoulder while fielding and sent down just four deliveries, including a wicket, before England bundled New Zealand out for 168 inside 39 overs in their final group game.Her fellow left-arm spinner, Linsey Smith, overcame a difficult start to capture three wickets while part-time off-spinner Alice Capsey and seamer Nat Sciver-Brunt took two each before Jones’s unbeaten 86 took England home with ease.Related
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Allrounder for all seasons – Sophie Devine's ODI career in numbers
The result meant that England secured the No. 2 spot behind Australia, meaning that in the unlikely event of their semi-final against South Africa being washed out in Guwahati on Wednesday and on the subsequent reserve day, they would progress on the basis of holding a superior position on the table.It also ensured there would be no fairytale farewell for New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, who has played her last ODI in a match where New Zealand’s batters collectively failed convert starts and their bowlers struggled to put dents in England’s top-order.On the face of it, England had an easy ride into their semi-final campaign, but Ecclestone’s injury was cause for concern and they had to overcome a wayward start with the ball and in the field while their re-jigged middle-order went untested.The openers Jones and Tammy Beaumont broke the back of the run chase with a 75-run partnership and Jones combined with Heather Knight for an 83-run stand that took England within 11 runs of victory.England’s top four have all scored runs at this tournament, with Knight and Sciver-Brunt posting centuries and Beaumont and Jones reaching fifty before this game. Down the order they brought in the vastly experienced Danni Wyatt-Hodge for her first match of the tournament, replacing Emma Lamb who has struggled at No. 6.Knight’s dismissal, lbw to Devine for 33, prompted England to send Wyatt-Hodge in at No. 4 ahead of Sciver-Brunt to give her some exposure in the middle ahead of the knockout phase, although it was limited as she faced seven deliveries for 2 not out.Sophie Devine waves farewell after her final ODI•ICC/Getty Images
Beaumont raced to 26 off 20 balls, with four of her five boundaries up to that point coming in one Jess Kerr over. Back-to-back fours off Amelia Kerr put Beaumont in touching distance of 40 but, once she arrived there, she was struck on the pad by a Lea Tahuhu nip-backer right in line with middle stump.Knight carved the next ball expertly through backward point for four and, having overturned an lbw dismissal to New Zealand’s bemusement as Melie Kerr’s delivery was shown to be going over the stumps, Knight advanced down the pitch to power a huge six over long on in her next over.All the while, Jones had been steadily creeping towards her half-century with excellent timing and she brought up the milestone with six off Suzie Bates. Jones upped the tempo and helped herself to three fours in a row off Rosemary Mair before eventually bringing up the winning runs with consecutive boundaries off Devine, who left the field through a guard of honour from both teams.Earlier, Ecclestone took a tumble trying to intercept a boundary from Bates off the second ball of the match and jarred her shoulder after running from mid-off to chase Capsey’s misfield at extra cover.Bates only managed to reach 10 before spooning a waist-high full toss from Smith straight to mid-off where Lamb stood as a substitute for Ecclestone.Struggling to grip the new ball, Smith continued to serve up some wayward lengths and, after Bates had failed to capitalise, Kerr did with four boundaries on the trot as she set about rebuilding through a 68-run partnership alongside Georgia Plimmer.Sophie Ecclestone picked a wicket in the four deliveries she bowled before going off with injury•Getty Images
With Smith pulled from the attack and Ecclestone still off the field having her injury assessed, Capsey entered to make a crucial strike as Kerr sought to go big down the ground and picked out Charlie Dean, who then struck with the first ball of the next over, pinning Plimmer on the pad for 43 as England wrested back control.Ecclestone returned briefly to remove Brooke Halliday, caught by Sophia Dunkley at deep midwicket, but then Dunkley bowled the remaining two balls of the over as Ecclestone, feeling more discomfort in her shoulder, left the field for the remainder of the innings.So it fell to Devine to make one last stand with the bat, even more so when Capsey took an excellent diving catch off her own bowling to remove Maddy Green – although she dropped another off Izzy Gaze next ball – but it wasn’t to be. Devine managed 23 off 35 before she strode forward to a Sciver-Brunt off-cutter which kissed the inside edge before landing in the glove of wicketkeeper Jones.Smith returned in the 29th over and, more comfortable with the worn ball, removed Gaze playing around a slow, full delivery that angled in to hit the top of off stump.Sciver-Brunt grabbed her second wicket by pinning Mair lbw and Jess Kerr was run out by a good throw from Dean at extra cover to Jones to put New Zealand on the brink of being bowled out. Dean finished it with a superb catch over her shoulder while running back at mid-off to remove Tahuhu and give Smith her third.
Over the years, Manchester United has been the home to numerous elite-level centre-forwards, with Robin van Persie one who captured the hearts of the fanbase.
The Dutchman joined in a controversial deal from Premier League rivals Arsenal for a reported £24m back in August 2012 – a deal that proved to be an absolute bargain.
He ended up making 105 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring a total of 58 goals, with his total of 26 league goals in 2012/13 helping Sir Alex Ferguson win his final top-flight title.
Former Manchester United forward Robin van Persie.
Van Persie also managed to notch 16 assists during such a period, taking his total goal contributions to 74, resulting in an average of 0.7 goals or assists per game over a three-year period.
Such a record has undoubtedly cemented his place in the Red Devils history, but numerous managers have been unable to rely upon similar talents at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim is the latest manager to try and unearth his own version of the talisman, subsequently spending big on a new centre-forward during the recent summer window.
The reasons behind Benjamin Sesko’s struggles at United
After taking the reins back in November last year, Amorim had to rely upon the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee to provide the goods at the top end of the pitch.
However, the duo’s tally of just seven combined goals in the Premier League last season highlighted the need for reinforcements during the summer transfer window.
The board handed the manager over £200m worth of funds to make the desired changes, which resulted in three huge names making the move to Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were just two of the additions made by the hierarchy, with Benjamin Sesko the player brought in to operate alongside the pair in the final third.
The latter of the trio cost a reported £74m from RB Leipzig during the summer, with real hope generated by the fans that he would be the man to solve their issues.
However, his start to life in Manchester has been far from plain sailing, as seen by his tally of just two goals in his first 11 league outings – even going four games without a goal.
His early struggles will no doubt present cause for concern, with his underlying numbers also highlighting his lack of impact in recent months after his big-money switch.
He’s only registered a total of 3.6 touches in the opposition box per 90, which has ranked him in the bottom 20% of all other centre forwards in England’s top-flight.
Such a figure showcases that he’s either unable to get himself into the right positions, or he’s not being provided the goods – which could explain his lowly goalscoring tally.
However, Sesko has been hugely reliant upon players around him, with his tally of 0.2 dribbles completed showcasing that he’s unlikely to create a chance on his own.
Like the aforementioned tally, it has placed him in the bottom 20% of other strikers in the league, which could also be contributing to his lack of goals at present.
The United star who could end Sesko’s Man Utd career
There’s no doubt that Sesko will need added time to flourish in England, with his big-money transfer to United in the summer presenting a huge culture change for the 22-year-old.
He’s had to move to a new country, league and surroundings, which is certainly a daunting task for a young talent – which too could be having an effect on his lack of output.
But the lack of quality in such a department has no doubt ramped up the pressure on the Slovenian international to provide the goods in front of goal at Old Trafford.
Amorim will no doubt have to manage Sesko personally to get the best out of the centre-forward, but it’s unclear how much patience the manager will present to the new addition.
The fans, too, will need to cut him some slack, but it will no doubt be tricky, especially given the form of the previous talents in such a role – including the likes of Van Persie.
However, the club may have their next talisman in the form of Chido Obi, with the young star already matching the Dutchman in making the move to Old Trafford from rivals Arsenal.
At just 17, the fans will have to be patient with the Dane, but there’s no doubt excitement has been generated by his incredible goalscoring record in the youth setup.
He scored 13 times in just 11 appearances for the U18 outfit last campaign, living up to the billing he is a “goalscoring machine” in the words of scout Jacek Kulig. Such form has seen him make the step-up to the U21 squad over the last couple of months.
Obi has now made 22 appearances at such a level, scoring nine times and registering four assists in the process – even managing to thrive at an age group four years above his own.
Given the lack of quality in the centre-forward department last season, Amorim even handed the teenager his first taste of senior football in an attempt to improve the situation.
The Dane made a total of eight first-team appearances in 2024/25, but failed to find the back of the net once – however, it didn’t stop the youngster from receiving huge praise.
Teammate Leny Yoro previously waxed lyrical about the youngster, even claiming that he could become “one of the world’s best” in the years to come should he continue on his current path.
After returning to youth level, Obi has backed up Yoro’s statement, averaging a goal every 100 minutes and registering a staggering total of 2.2 shots on target per 90 this season.
Chido Obi – U21 stats in 2025/26
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
8
Games started
3
Goals scored
3
Mins per goal
100
Shots on target
2.2
Dribbles completed
68%
Touches in opposition box
6.6
Fouls won
1.7
Stats via FotMob
He’s even completed 68% of the dribbles he’s attempted, massively starring in such an area, something which Sesko has been unable to do over the last few months.
Obi has also dominated countless backlines lately, as seen by his tally of 4.7 duels won, with his physical presence potentially perfect for Amorim’s current side.
Whilst he’s just 17, the future is massively bright for the Dane at Old Trafford, with the club desperately needing to streamline his progress into the senior ranks.
Sesko’s inability to impress could certainly hand the manager the perfect chance to allow him to stake his claim and nail down the position as his very own for many years to come.
If he can match Van Persie’s level during his own time with the Red Devils, he will certainly be a fan-favourite and a player who can take the first-team back to their former glory.
An Mbeumo repeat: Man Utd to make £52m bid for "best winger in the country"
Manchester United look set to make another huge bid for a new attacker for Ruben Amorim.
Toss Rashid Khan says in T20s the toss doesn’t matter as much as giving yourself the best chance. By his own logic, he thinks batting first in Abu Dhabi is the way to go because that’s what he’s done when the coin fell in his favour. Afghanistan are in a run where they are playing six T20Is in 13 days and that’s resulted in a slight reshuffling of personnel. Rashid confirmed one change from the team that stumbled badly in the tri-series final against Pakistan just two days ago, with batter Darwish Rasooli stepping out for allrounder Gulbadin Naib.The pitch, reports suggest, has 3.5mm of grass on it, which is unusual on this ground. Hong Kong might have taken that into considering during their pre-match plans because their captain Yasim Murtaza wanted to bowl first. He also invited the world to keep an eye on 22-year-old batter Kalhan Challu, whose power-hitting has rescued the team from difficult situations as recently as July against Samoa.Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (capt), Noor Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Fazalhaq Farooqi.Hong Kong: Anshuman Rath, Zeeshan Ali (wk), Babar Hayat, Kalhan Challu, Nizakat Khan, Aizaz Khan, KD Shah, Yasim Murtaza (capt), A Shukla, Ateeq Iqbal, Ehsan Khan.
O volante colombiano do Palmeiras, Richard Rios, foi um dos grandes destaques da importante vitória da sua seleção sobre a Espanha, nesta última sexta-feira (22), em Londres.
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Após entrar no segundo tempo, o jogador que foi titular do Palmeiras durante toda primeira fase do Paulista foi importante para que a Colômbia conseguisse o gol da vitória com Daniel Muñoz, após belíssima jogada de Luís Diaz.
Na internet, diversos colombianos se renderam ao jogador do Palmeiras e inclusive chamaram ele de presente e futuro da Seleção Colombiana, que busca voltar a disputar uma Copa do Mundo após ficar de fora da última edição.
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A Colômbia agora enfrenta a Romênia na próxima terça-feira (26), a partir das 16h30 (horário de Brasília).
Richard Rios pegará carona com Leila Pereira e junto de Endrick e Murilo, deve estar à disposição de Abel Ferreira para o duelo diante do Novorizontino, pela semifinal do Paulistão 2024.
Confere aí o que alguns colombianos falaram de Richard Rios após a vitória sobre a Espanha: