Portuguese's task is proving even harder than anyone imagined but he knows the path to a better future and must keep following it
Ruben Amorim had just fielded a question about not selecting Marcus Rashford and was listening to one about squad rotation when he was rudely interrupted. Not by a journalist, but by a drip coming from the ceiling of the Old Trafford press conference room.
There has been a lot of change at Manchester United in the last year since Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased his stake in the club for £1.2 billion ($1.5bn). The training ground is being renovated, plans to build a brand new stadium have accelerated, £160m ($200bn) has been invested in new players, and more than 250 people have lost their jobs including Sir Alex Ferguson, Erik ten Hag and Dan Ashworth. And yet the team are still losing 3-0 at home to Bournemouth, Rashford's attitude remains a huge talking point and there is a leak in the stadium every time it rains heavily.
Amorim left sunny Lisbon and an all conquering Sporting CP that he had built to join this dysfunctional club and now he has to miss Christmas for the first time to take his dishevelled team to Wolves on Boxing Day. He could be forgiven for regretting that decision now he realises the scale of the rebuilding job he faces. But he is not about to change course and nor should he.
Because even though it feels like United have not made any progress since swapping Ten Hag for Amorim, the Portuguese has a plan to revive the team. He must stick to it, and the club must back him along the way.
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No real signs of progress
Nine games in to Amorim's reign, the statistics do not make for encouraging reading. United are 13th in the Premier League table, one place higher than where Ten Hag was when he was sacked in October but in the same position as when Amorim took the baton from interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy in November. They have taken seven points from their six league games, one fewer than Ten Hag earned from his last six in charge.
They are also out of the Carabao Cup, the competition they won in Ten Hag's first campaign, and Amorim's hopes of emulating the Dutchman's excellent record in the FA Cup look slim after – through no fault of their own – being drawn away to Arsenal in the third round. They have conceded 17 goals in their nine matches under the Portuguese, seven of which have been from set pieces. They have also lost two home games (to Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest) while conceding three goals, just as they did under Ten Hag (against Liverpool and Tottenham).
United have at least made progress in the Europa League and after the victories against Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen they have a strong chance of finishing in the top eight and making the last-16 without having to go through the play-offs. They also pulled off a stunning derby victory away to Manchester City. But then again, Ten Hag also managed to beat City, including in an FA Cup final.
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Taking responsibility for injuries
There have been a couple of noticeable improvements though. The team are scoring more goals than under Ten Hag (1.8 goals per game compared to 1.5). They also look less vulnerable in open play, being able to control the opposition's transitions better. While the set-piece defending is deeply concerning and must be improved, Amorim has managed to make his team look ever so slightly more cohesive.
The manager has also sought to take responsibility for the number of injuries the team gets by rotating the squad as much as he can, even if it means sometimes playing players with lesser ability. After making six changes from the defeat at Tottenham for the Bournemouth game he explained: "It's not rotation to see players and prepare the future, it's simply to not have injuries. I know there's a long-term project and we're focused on that, but I also know that at big clubs you don't have a lot of time and you have to win games. I have a clear idea of the responsibility I have here but I'm trying to manage the team to not have injuries. If you have injuries it's a massive problem."
Ten Hag's second campaign was destroyed by injuries but while the Dutchman was always keen to point out how many players he was missing, he never made a link between the injuries and his own reluctance to rotate.
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Tougher than Ten Hag
Amorim has also proven to be a much better communicator than Ten Hag, both with the media and with his players. While Ten Hag talked a good game about improving standards and cracking down on breaches of the discipline, his actions did not speak louder than his words.
When Cristiano Ronaldo left the pre-season game with Rayo Vallecano at half-time, he was still in the squad for the opening game of the season against Brighton. When the Portuguese refused to come off the bench against Tottenham, he was only banished from the squad for one game.
When Rashford was late for a team meeting at Wolves after oversleeping, his punishment was to be left out of the starting line-up, only to be brought on at half-time when the game was goalless. Rashford scored the winning goal and all was forgiven. And last season when he skipped training after his drunken night out in Belfast he only missed the game against Newport County. Just days after that discretion, he started against Wolves and scored.
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'Big talent, big responsibility'
Amorim has proven to be a much tougher enforcer of his rules. He left Rashford and Garnacho out of the squad for the Manchester derby after questioning their attitude off the pitch and while the Argentina international was back for the trip to Tottenham in the League Cup four days later, Rashford was again left out and was not selected for the Bournemouth game. The homegrown forward's continued absence from the squad is causing a huge distraction and if United do wish to sell him, not playing him while appearing to call out his attitude will only drive down his price.
However, Amorim is not going to budge until he sees a noticeable improvement in Rashford's displays in training, and his detailed explanation after the Bournemouth game should give great encouragement to United fans who have become sick of certain players not pulling their weight. He said: "Everyone at Carrington knows what I'm talking about and what I want from Marcus and for everyone else so it's not a distraction for us, maybe it is for the media but that's not my concern. [Rashford should be] like any other player, the best that they can be.
"If you have big talent, [you need to show] big performance, big responsibility, big engagement. Push everybody forward. In this moment some guys have a big responsibility here because they are here for a long time. This is one of the lowest moments of our club we have to face it and be strong in this moment, that's what I want from every player in the team."
Manchester City star Alex Greenwood has posted a message from her hospital bed after successfully undergoing knee surgery.
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Lionesses star Greenwood stretched offMan City ace has knee surgeryPosts message from hospital bedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The England international was stretchered off against St Polten in the Champions League last week, with the 31-year-old subsequently having surgery on the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in her left knee. Now, she has vowed to come back stronger in a post on social media.
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Alongside a photo of her in a hospital bed, she wrote on X: "Not the ending to 2024 that I had planned. I will work so hard to be back on the pitch as soon as I can, for now I’m going to take some time to myself & family who always give their time to me. Thankyou for all the support this year, see you all soon."
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In most cases, a MCL tear is less serious than an anterior cruciate ligament one but Greenwood could still face a long spell on the sidelines. The defender may be in a race against time to play again this season and will have an eye on the 2025 European Championship swhich begin in Switzerland next July.
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City captain Greenwood will rest for a certain amount of time before working her way back to fitness in the coming months.
Wood’s 55-ball ton is Derbyshire’s fastest in List A as Harry Came chimes in with half-century
ECB Reporters Network04-Aug-2021A brilliant record-breaking maiden List A century by Tom Wood led Derbyshire to a 41-run victory over Nottinghamshire in the Royal London Cup match at Derby.Wood’s 55-ball hundred was Derbyshire’s fastest in List A cricket and the second-fastest in all formats for the county.The 27-year-old smashed 14 fours and three sixes in his 59-ball 109, which propelled Derbyshire to 258 for 6 in a game reduced to 27 overs by heavy rain the previous evening.Harry Came scored 57, his first List A fifty, and an unlikely target of 259 proved beyond Nottinghamshire, who were bowled out for 217 with Brett Hutton scoring 46 from 20 balls and Finn Hudson-Prentice taking 3 for 37.The start had been delayed by three-and-a-half hours while groundstaff dried out part of the square that was saturated when it was left uncovered overnight.After matting was eventually put over the wet areas, the match began at 2.30pm with Wood and Came going into overdrive after Nottinghamshire elected to bowl.Although Mitch Wagstaff skied Joey Evison to point, Came pulled Hutton for six and drove Liam Patterson-White over the long off boundary.Dane Paterson conceded 14 from his third over which also included four byes and Came pulled Evison for his third six before missing a sweep at Patterson-White.Brooke Guest was bowled advancing at Patterson-White but Wood pulled Hutton for a big six as 18 came from the 20th over.Alex Hughes was lbw trying to swing a full length ball from Paterson and after Hudson-Prentice lofted Patterson-White over long off for six, he was brilliantly caught by Peter Trego diving full length at mid off.Wood took three fours from Luke Fletcher and then drove Paterson for six as Nottinghamshire leaked 65 from the last four overs.His hundred came when he pulled Hutton for his third six and he left to a standing ovation when he was caught at short third man off the last ball of the innings.It needed something special for Nottinghamshire to deny Derbyshire their first victory in the competition and although Trego briefly threatened to match Wood’s pyrotechnics with 28 from 20 balls, they fell well short.Trego and Matthew Montgomery added 54 in five overs but an athletic catch by Wagstaff at point removed Montgomery and Trego miscued a pull at George Scrimshaw.Lyndon James was stumped coming down the pitch to Mattie McKiernan and Nottinghamshire’s fading hopes ended when former Derbyshire batsman Ben Slater drilled Alex Thomson to long off.Hutton enjoyed himself in the evening sunshine but could not save Nottinghamshire from their first defeat to Derbyshire in one-day cricket since 2004.
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney shared that "his family is safe" as wildfires devastate suburbs of Los Angeles.
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Raging wildfire yet to be brought under control
Has already burnt down 1,000 buildings
McElhenney family remains safe from the flames
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Los Angeles residents have faced harrowing scenes as raging wildfires consume the city’s suburbs, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake and forcing thousands to evacuate. One of the most severe incidents, the Palisades fire, has already destroyed over 1,000 buildings, displacing 37,000 people under evacuation orders. Another 32,500 residents have been uprooted due to the Eaton fire.
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In another alarming development, the Hurst fire, which erupted near the Sylmar area of Los Angeles, has expanded to engulf 500 acres. The blaze prompted the evacuation of approximately 3,000 residents overnight. With the combined impact of these wildfires, emergency services are stretched to their limits as they battle to contain the flames and prevent further devastation. Local authorities have urged residents across affected areas to conserve water. The overwhelming demand on firefighters has caused a significant drop in both the pressure and quality of the city’s water supply, further complicating efforts to combat the fires.
WHAT MCELHENNEY SAID
Amid the chaos, McElhenney, who is a Los Angeles resident, offered a personal update on Instagram. Sharing his gratitude for the safety of his loved ones, McElhenney wrote: wrote: "Our family is safe. So many homes, whole neighbourhoods are just… gone. Everyone in our lives reaching out, which makes our heart so full. An astonishing amount of bravery displayed by the first responders going into hell to help. THANK YOU."
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WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?
As McElhenney deals with the fallout of the wildfires, his football club, Wrexham, are not in action for some time. The team’s scheduled League One match against Reading has been postponed due to the Royals' progression to the third round of the FA Cup. Hence, Wrexham’s next fixture is now set for January 16 against Shrewsbury Town in the league.
England take on the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League this Saturday – here's all you need to know ahead of the game.
A new era gets underway for the Three Lions on Saturday evening, with Gareth Southgate no longer in charge following his exit after the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
In his place is Lee Carsley, with England's Under-21s manager in temporary charge for the time being as the FA search for Southgate's long-term successor. Should the 50-year-old impress during his stint as boss, it could be that he is even retained on a full-time basis.
With domestic action making way for international football this weekend, England take on Ireland in the Nations League at Dublin's Aviva Stadium, which has more edge to it than the dour friendlies that can take place at this time of year.
The Three Lions are now in the competition's League B following their relegation in 2022, so improvements are needed to return to the top tier. Carsley isn't the only manager in charge for the first time, though, with Heimir Hallgrimsson enjoying his maiden game as Ireland boss.
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ByBen Browning Jul 17, 2024 Republic of Ireland v England kick-off time & UK TV info
Ireland's clash with England takes place on Saturday 7th September, with kick-off at the Aviva Stadium at 5pm BST.
In terms of where to watch the weekend action, the match is live on ITV1 and ITVX, as well as on STV and STV Player for those in Scotland. Coverage starts at 4pm, with kick-off in Dublin at 5pm.
Republic of Ireland v England team news
Carsley's first England squad was an interesting one, with a number of uncapped players chosen, including Lille midfielder Angel Gomes, Nottingham Forest ace Morgan Gibbs-White and in-form Chelsea winger Noni Madueke. Incidentally, all three were part of the victorious U21 EURO-winning campaign in 2023 under Carsley, while Cole Palmer is another member of that team in the squad.
As far as the more established players are concerned, Phil Foden could miss out through illness, but Harry Maguire and Jack Grealish have been recalled following their Euro 2024 omissions.
Player
Club
Dean Henderson
Crystal Palace
Jordan Pickford
Everton
Nick Pope
Newcastle
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool
Levi Colwill
Chelsea
Marc Guehi
Crystal Palace
Ezri Konsa
Aston Villa
Rico Lewis
Man City
Tino Livramento
Newcastle
Harry Maguire
Man Utd
John Stones
Man City
Phil Foden
Man City
Conor Gallagher
Atletico Madrid
Morgan Gibbs-White
Nottingham Forest
Angel Gomes
Lille
Kobbie Mainoo
Man Utd
Cole Palmer
Chelsea
Declan Rice
Arsenal
Jarrod Bowen
West Ham
Eberechi Eze
Crystal Palace
Anthony Gordon
Newcastle
Jack Grealish
Man City
Harry Kane
Bayern Munich
Noni Madueke
Chelsea
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal
Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa
For Ireland, Leicester City winger Kasey McAteer has received his first senior international call-up, while Seamus Coleman and Evan Ferguson are both involved. Jayson Molumby is back in for the first time since November 2023.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is still missing with an Achilles problem, while Burnley midfielder Josh Cullen is likely to miss his first squad since 2020 because of injury.
Player
Club
Caoimhin Kelleher
Liverpool
Mark Travers
Bournemouth
Max O'Leary
Bristol City
Seamus Coleman
Everton
Matt Doherty
Wolves
Dara O'Shea
Ipswich
Nathan Collins
Brentford
Jake O'Brien
Everton
Andrew Omobamidele
Nottingham Forest
Liam Scales
Celtic
Callum O'Dowda
Cardiff
Robbie Brady
Preston
Will Smallbone
Southampton
Jayson Molumby
West Brom
Alan Browne
Sunderland
Jason Knight
Bristol City
Kasey McAteer
Leicester
Adam Idah
Celtic
Evan Ferguson
Brighton
Sammie Szmodics
Ipswich
Chiedozie Ogbene
Ipswich
Callum Robinson
Cardiff
Troy Parrott
AZ
How the Nations League works
Established in 2018, the Nations League contains four leagues (A-D), with countries ordered by their national coefficient ranking. There have been various changes to the format since then, though teams now battle to win promotion and avoid relegation.
Leagues A-C consist of four groups of four teams, with each country playing home and away. Meanwhile, the two groups that make up League D have three teams apiece in them.
A new knockout round has been introduced this year. The top two teams in each League A group face a two-legged quarter-final, with the winners making it into the final tournament, which will involve four teams as usual.
The teams that finish bottom in Leagues A and B will be relegated, while the two lowest-ranked teams in League C are relegated to League D. Group winners in Leagues B-D are promoted.
There is also a new promotion/relegation play-off system in place, with third-placed nations from leagues A-B playing teams that finish second in leagues B-C in a two-legged play-off. This will mean that teams have even more to play for, as their position determines where they might be in the next edition of the competition. The bottom-placed teams that aren't automatically relegated from League C will also face a relegation play-off.
Performance also gives nations an opportunity to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with four slots available for UEFA's World Cup play-offs for those who fail to do so via the qualifying tournament.
Who's in England's group?
FotisIoannidis
Joining England in Group B2 are the Republic of Ireland, Finland and Greece, with the Three Lions' following game after Ireland coming at home to Finland next Tuesday (10th September).
Kick-off at Wembley for that game is at 7.45pm, with matches to come against Greece and Finland during October's international break.
In November, the Greeks host England, before Carsley's side's final international match of the year ends with a home clash with Ireland.
Gary Neville says Trent Alexander-Arnold’s dire display for Liverpool against Manchester United was the result of an “insulting” bid from Real Madrid.
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Right-back struggled against Red DevilsSubject of January bids from La Liga giantsContract running down towards free agencyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
England international Alexander-Arnold has come in for fierce criticism on the back of his performance in a 2-2 draw with the Red Devils at Anfield, with Roy Keane claiming during that Premier League contest that the 26-year-old is more suited to Merseyside neighbours Tranmere Rovers than La Liga giants Madrid.
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United enjoyed plenty of success in the area of the field that Reds right-back Alexander-Arnold was supposed to be covering, with two assists provided from that flank, with the first a result of the England international giving the ball away. There have been claims that his eye has been taken off the ball by offers from Madrid during the January transfer window – as his contract at Liverpool runs down towards free agency.
WHAT NEVILLE SAID
United legend Neville told when assessing Alexander-Arnold’s abject display and the possible reasons for it: “The bid for Real Madrid is bad timing for him, now I don't know what's going to happen with Trent Alexander-Arnold whether he's going to leave Liverpool or not but if you've got that going into a big game, you're a local lad as well, that won't be easy with that distraction. Manchester United are an animal, I thought it was insulting from Real Madrid, they do that sometimes they think they can get what they want.
“Liverpool are a club of immense stature, they're never going to sell you Trent Alexander-Arnold for £20 million in January, they're taking the mickey a little bit. That's probably unnerved him a little, you can imagine his family, his agents, all saying, 'what's going on?' you can imagine that noise – which I don't think would've been helpful.”
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Neville went on to claim that fellow pundit and Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher believes that Alexander-Arnold’s representatives “invited the bid from Real Madrid”. Carragher responded to those comments by saying: “We're not naive enough to think Real Madrid would put a bid in for a player in January for a player for nothing in four months. Do you seriously believe they're sat at home and it comes through on Sky Sports, 'wow'. Of course they do.
“Because he's getting criticism that he might leave for free now if Real Madrid put a bid in in January and Liverpool don't accept, maybe they can say, 'well you were offered £30 million to £40 million', for me it was to buy a little bit of time if he goes for free, they can say Liverpool were offered £20m, £30m to £40m.”
Aston Villa reportedly have their eyes on a free transfer in 2025, however, Newcastle United are in talks to seal a deal of their own.
Aston Villa transfer rumours
NSWE and Monchi were extremely productive over the summer, signing eight players in the transfer window. Amadou Onana, Ian Maatsen, Jaden Philogene, and Ross Barkley all sealed permanent moves to Villa Park and have featured under Unai Emery during the current Premier League campaign.
Meanwhile, Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea joined in a deal that saw Douglas Luiz head to Juventus, however, the pair have been sent out on loan to Bologna and Valencia respectively. Meanwhile, Lewis Dobbin also joined and left on loan, whereas Cameron Archer was brought back to the club from Sheffield United, only to then be sold to Southampton.
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It was a busy few months in the Midlands, and earlier this month, Monchi admitted that Villa shouldn’t be scared to sell as well as buy if they want to compete at the very top. “If we want to be in the top we need to sell, 100 per cent. Because of our revenue – we cannot raise more revenue because of our stadium. We need to consider the profit as revenue.
“We need to consider in future that to sell a player is revenue. Because we cannot have more revenue. When Damian worked in Valencia and I worked in Sevilla it was OK to increase the level by selling players. The most important thing in my opinion is not selling players – the most important thing is to buy good [players].
“We were not afraid to sell players but we had to do it within a plan. In my opinion we need to sell players because City sell players, Arsenal sell players, Real Madrid and Barcelona sell players. We are not afraid to sell players – the most important thing is to have, one – a buyer, and two – buy a player to replace this one.”
Despite potentially needing to sell in 2025, there have been rumours of further incomings. Recently, defender Richard King has been linked with a Villa Park move, whereas Besiktas winger Semih Kilicsoy and Brazil U20 international striker Rayan Rocha are also on the radar.
Another mooted target has been Lille striker Jonathan David. Reports earlier this month said that Villa were one of the sides in the running to sign the Canada international, and a further update has now emerged.
Aston Villa in contact over Jonathan David move
According to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, Newcastle United are in talks with David over a potential pre-contract agreement in January.
However, the Magpies aren’t the only Premier League side David’s representatives are talking to, with the report adding that Aston Villa, alongside Arsenal, Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United have also been in contact, asking to be kept informed of the situation.
Lille's Jonathan David
The possibility of signing the “mind-blowing” striker appears to have alerted a lot of English suitors, so Villa may have to act fast if they are to win the race for the 24-year-old.
Southampton supporters will be starting to get a little tetchy about their side’s chances of beating the drop, even with the Premier League season only five games in.
Russell Martin’s Saints are yet to pick up a win in the testing division, but it could’ve been oh-so different last weekend after promising Southampton youth product Tyler Dibling opened the scoring against another relegation-threatened outfit in Ipswich Town.
However, Sam Morsy for the away side would have other ideas late on and delivered a sucker punch right at the death to deny Martin’s men an elusive three points.
At least the South Coast side managed to pick up a draw in this contest, with a recent 3-0 defeat to Manchester United at St Mary’s still a sore scoreline to stomach, as Jack Stephens really struggled defensively against Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils.
Stephens' performances this season
Recognised as a well-thought-of servant at Southampton, with 185 games for the Saints now under his belt and the captain’s armband on his sleeve, Stephens still hasn’t been able to cope with the step-up in quality so far.
He was notably poor against Man United, with the experienced 30-year-old even sent off late on in the one-sided affair after this poorly-timed tackle stopped Alejandro Garnacho in his tracks.
Daily Mail journalist Nathan Salt would dish out a 3/10 match rating to Stephens after this early bath, with the lacklustre centre-back not helping his side whatsoever after his dismissal, as Garnacho then ended up shaking off the cynical tackle with a late strike to make it 3-0 on the day.
Struggling away at Brentford the game prior too, with only one duel won from five attempted as Thomas Frank’s Brentford put Stephens’ side to the sword 3-1, the dismissal against United has at least given Martin food for thought as to who could replace the Saints captain moving forward.
Tyler Harwood-Bellis came into the side in Stephens’ place against Ipswich and looked solid – with 50 accurate passes tallied up playing out from defence – as the 30-year-old now worries about his standing in the main Saints lineup moving forward.
Stephens' wage at Southampton
The defender’s excessive wage also doesn’t help his cause, with Stephens raking in more than both Yukinari Sugawara and Ben Brereton-Diaz in the current Saints camp – as per Capology – despite the duo both joining as bold signings just this summer.
Sugawara has also fitted in seamlessly at Southampton so far, with his strike against Brentford actually breaking his team’s goalscoring duck in the top division. That said, he still finds himself earning less per week compared next to Stephens’ pay packet.
According to Capology, Stephens earns £45k-per-week compared to the Japanese gem’s £40k-per-week wage, with Ben Brereton-Diaz earning even less than the new standout Saints defender himsef at £35k-per-week.
Top five highest earners at Southampton – 24/25
1. Aaron Ramsdale
£120k-per-week
2. Joe Aribo
£70k-per-week
3. Maxwel Cornet
£65k-per-week
4. Adam Armstrong
£60k-per-week
5. Jan Bednarek
£60k-per-week
Sourced by Capology
Stephens is only £15k-per-week off entering the top five highest earners at Southampton, with his recent suspension exposing the fact his hefty take home might not be warranted.
With Brereton-Diaz, there will be a hope that he does improve for the Saints moving forward away from Stephens’ woes, as the former Sheffield United man did fire home six goals last season in the division for the Blades.
Back to Stephens, however, and Martin will need to have a frank talk with the experienced defender soon about his future on the South Coast, with his current deal at the Premier League side up next summer.
He could still be important this season as Southampton aim to keep their heads above water in the challenging league, but his performances will have to drastically pick up, after his horror show display against Man United.
Southampton now shortlist "solid" new manager who Martin has never beaten
With the January transfer window a matter of months away, Newcastle United’s scouting department are reportedly tracking a South American reinforcement who’s already become a star in Europe.
Newcastle transfer news
Those at St James’ Park have plenty of making up to do in 2025 on the transfer front after a monumental failure in the summer saw Eddie Howe’s side left short on fresh faces. You wouldn’t know it, however, with the former Bournemouth boss currently getting the very best out of the side at his disposal. The Magpies have so far won three from four Premier League, with the only time they’ve dropped points coming against the Cherries.
That said, when the fixtures begin to come thick and fast over the festive period, Newcastle may have their squad depth, or lack thereof, exposed for all to see in the Premier League, leading to some January reinforcements. On the transfer front, those in Tyneside have already been linked to the likes of Leroy Sane, who would be quite the apology gift for Paul Mitchell and co. to present to St James’ Park alongside a potential midfield reinforcement.
According to TNT Sports in Brazil, Newcastle’s scouting department are now tracking Ederson at Atalanta in hopes of luring the Brazilian away from last season’s Europa League winners. They’re reportedly not alone in their interest, however, with competition from Manchester United and Juventus suggesting that a tight battle is set to commence for Ederson’s signature in 2025.
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With Sandro Tonali back in action to sit alongside Bruno Guimaraes, the prospect of Ederson’s arrival to complete such a midfield is certainly a mouth-watering one for those at St James’ Park. Forming that trio, alone, may well make the midfielder’s reported £40,000-a-week salary worth paying.
"Machine" Ederson would unleash Guimaraes
Without a defensive midfielder of similar calibre sitting next to him, Guimaraes has been unable to unleash his attacking quality since the early days of his Newcastle career in a significant blow for Howe’s side. The arrival of Ederson, accompanied by the return of Tonali, would finally allow Guimaraes to become the creator from the Magpies’ midfield, however.
Progressive Carries
32
65
Progressive Passes
214
283
Tackles Won
49
53
Ball Recoveries
188
237
Guimaraes’ numbers, for starters, simply reflect just how incredible a player that Newcastle have at their disposal. Whether it’s going forward or sitting in front of the backline, the Magpies have one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Ederson, meanwhile, more than holds his own, especially off the ball with his ability to recover possession particularly standing out. Placing the Brazilian alongside his countryman at club level would be an act of genius by Newcastle, who must win the race for his signature in 2025.
Dubbed a “machine” by Italian football expert Carlo Garganese after the Europa League final, the Atalanta star is one that Newcastle’s scouting department is watching and one that the rest of the Premier League should be keeping a keen eye on in 2025.
Ashton Turner hopes a return to the bowling crease will boost his chances of being part of Australia’s T20 World Cup squad.Turner has undergone multiple shoulder operations during his career, the most recent two years ago, and has rarely been seen with the ball. However, across the last two ODIs in West Indies he sent down 14 overs, claiming two wickets and impressing with his control.It was the most he had bowled since the end of 2016-17 Australian domestic season when he delivered 41 overs in a Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales.He now hopes for more opportunity with the ball during the five-match T20I series in Bangladesh, starting on Tuesday, which is a final chance to impress the selectors before the World Cup squad is named.”Bowling is something I’ve always loved and unfortunately due to my shoulder injuries I haven’t been able to contribute much in games,” he said. “It’s been almost two years since my last operation, so I feel as good about my bowling as I have in a long time.”Although I haven’t been able to bowl a lot in games, behind the scenes I’ve been working a lot at training and it’s nice in conditions that suited spin bowling and to be another option for the captain. Hoping that my bowling workloads can increase from here.”Don’t think I’ve bowled eight overs in a game for more than four years…no doubt that will take some time. Feel like I’ve done everything I can over the recent periods and I’m starting to enjoy it as much as I used to.”Having a second string could be a deciding factor in selection although Turner’s primary job will remain with the bat. He is seen as one of the players who could be Australia’s finisher but he only played twice in the recent T20I series against the West Indies. His best innings came in the first ODI when he made 49 while the performance that put him on the map internationally was his 84 off 43 balls against India in Mohali in 2019.To date, he has made 87 runs from 89 balls across nine T20I innings. The 22 balls he faced in the third ODI in St Lucia is the most he has managed in a single game, in a position where the demands are often for instant results very quickly, but he believes his role in domestic cricket for Perth Scorchers stands him in good stead.Ashton Turner bowled 14 overs across two ODIs against West Indies•AFP
“There’s no secret until you’ve been able to walk out in high-pressure situations and perform, training can’t replicate that pressure,” he said. “I’m fortunate that for a number of years now I’ve been able to experience some close games in the middle order and try to finish innings. With that experience, comes confidence and that’s not something that can be found at training.”In the West Indies, he also took the chance to pick the brains of Andre Russell who is a master of the closing overs and has also lent on the recalled Dan Christian in the Australian dressing room.'[Speaking to] Andre Russell on the back of the West Indies tour, being able to get some insights from him about how he goes about his game. He’s probably the best in the world at the moment at finishing innings and he’s another one playing T20 cricket only,” Turner said. “The message coming from Andre is that he’s trying to replicate the situations he has in games and challenge him as much as possible.”Dan Christian is someone I’ve played a lot of cricket with but not necessarily spent a lot of time in the same dressing. So I have spoken to him about his transition from playing all formats of the game to now plying his trade as one of the best middle-order finishers in the domestic circuit. It’s interesting to see a change in his philosophy around batting and how he models his training and that’s certainly evolved over the last five years.”The five-match T20I series against Bangladesh that begins on Tuesday will be played across seven days in Dhaka. Australia are expected to be captained by Matthew Wade in the absence of Aaron Finch who has returned home with a knee injury.