Visitors win basement battle despite all-round efforts of Amanda-Jade Wellington

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay15-Jun-2025Bess Heath demonstrated maturity aplenty to carry Durham to a four-wicket victory over Somerset in the Vitality Blast women’s competition at the Cooper Associates Ground, Taunton.Chasing 139 to win, the visitors were indebted to the 23-year-old middle order batter, who scored 38 not out from 25 balls under pressure to help the visitors reach their target with 11 deliveries to spare. Suzie Bates top-scored with 49, while Somerset seamer Mollie Robbins returned figures of 3 for 22 in a losing cause.Put into bat, Somerset were in good shape at 75 for 2, thanks to knocks of 36 and 31 from Bex Odgers and Niamh Holland respectively. But Sophia Turner and Mady Villiers claimed two wickets apiece as Somerset lost their way during the middle overs, and it required a breezy 31 from Amanda-Jade Wellington to haul the cider county to a modest 138 for 7.Durham have now won two of their six games in the short format, but Somerset remain without a victory and continue to prop up the table.Eager to make amends with the bat following a series of modest scores, Somerset made a disappointing start, Amelie Munday chasing a wide delivery from Grace Thompson and finding backward point in the opening over. Doing her best to redress the balance, Odgers pulled Lauren Filer for six, while Holland twice drove Thompson to the boundary as the powerplay gathered momentum.Katie Levick’s legspin proved expensive as Durham struggled to stem the flow of runs in the face of aggressive batting from Somerset’s second-wicket pair, Holland ramping Filer for another six as the partnership realised 50. The stand was worth 58 when Holland, having contributed a progressive 31 from 20 balls, attempted to drive Villiers over the top and found long-on with the score 63 for 2 in the eighth.Odgers advanced her score to 36 from 33 balls and had a half-century in her sights, only to then dance down the pitch to Sophia Turner and be comprehensively stumped by Mia Rogers as Somerset slipped to 75 for 3 at the halfway stage.Sensing an opportunity to apply pressure, the experienced Bates and Levick successfully restricted the scoring and Sophie Luff and Fran Wilson, tied down and unable to find the boundary, both succumbed to frustration as the home side slipped to 91 for 5. Charlie Dean came and went quickly, removed by Levick, as Durham continued to turn the screw and Somerset were 102 for 6 when Wellington joined Alex Griffiths in the middle.Again cast in the role of saviours, the seventh-wicket pair dug their team out of a hole, adding 36 from 22 balls to disrupt the opposition bowlers and carry Somerset to their highest short-format total of the season so far. Adept at working the field, Australia international Wellington scored 31 off 17 balls and accrued five fours, while Griffiths finished unbeaten on 11.Somerset needed early wickets and Robbins removed Leah Dobson for 11 in the fifth, but the indefatigable Bates proved an altogether different proposition. The New Zealand international dominated the reply, contributing four boundaries in a powerplay that yielded 49 and staging an opening stand of 38 with Dobson to afford the chase solid foundations.Villiers took on Wellington’s legspin, harvesting a brace of fours before falling to the Australian with the score 49 for 2, but Hollie Armitage proved obdurate in contributing 14 at a run a ball in an alliance of 38 for the third wicket with Bates. Griffiths bowled Armitage to give the home side renewed hope and, when Robbins had Bates caught at mid-on in the 13th, Durham were 87 for 4, needing a further 52 at 6.5 an over with two new batters at the crease.Robbins was enjoying herself and she induced Rogers to hole out to Griffiths in the deep to further reduce the visitors to 93 for 5, at which point the contest was back in the balance. Katherine Fraser was run out by Griffiths for 10 to set-up a potentially interesting finish, but Heath demonstrated sound temperament in an unbroken stand of 20 with Thompson to settle the outcome.

Newcastle United are believed to have made a contract offer to one of their most important players, as they look to stave off potential interest from Saudi Pro League clubs.

Ross Wilson "delighted" with Newcastle job

The Magpies have made huge progress on the pitch in recent years, excelling under Eddie Howe, but important figures off the field have also played their part in the club’s success.

Earlier this week, Ross Wilson was confirmed as Newcastle’s new sporting director, taking on the role vacated by Paul Mitchell, and he has spoken of his delight at coming in at St James’ Park.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be here at Newcastle United. This is such a special club, and I fully understand the passion, ambition and expectations of our incredible supporters, as well as the ambition and desire of our ownership to keep developing and building an even stronger Newcastle United.

“My conversations with ownership have been extremely positive, and I’ve also been in regular contact with Eddie Howe and David Hopkinson. The trust, cohesion and alignment we’re building already feels strong, and we believe that being united as a team will be so important as we continue to move the club forward together. I’m excited to work with everyone across the different areas within our football department.”

Now, a significant piece of Newcastle contract news has emerged, as the club look to tie down one of the most influential players at the club.

Newcastle make contract offer to star player

According to UOL [via Sport Witness], Newcastle have offered Bruno Guimaraes a new deal until the summer of 2030, continuing to see him as a huge figure.

The Magpies are wary that Saudi clubs could come in with bids for the Brazilian at some point in the future, so they are looking to tie him down for the next five years.

Bruno signing a new contract at Newcastle would be huge for anyone associated with the club, with his influence and passion at the heart of the midfield huge ever since he arrived at the club.

The 27-year-old’s quality was on show in last weekend’s 2-0 win at home to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, with Howe lauding him after the game.

“I thought we had control of the second half and we needed a moment to bring us the goal. Bruno’s goal was a moment of magic from an unbelievable player. He makes a difference more often than not.”

Anderson re-signs; £75m PL star joins: Ross Wilson's dream XI at Newcastle

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At 27, the £160,000-a-week Bruno is at the peak of his powers, and there is no reason why that will change in the next three or four years, so giving him a contract extension is a no-brainer, also putting them in a strong position if another club does make a move for him, in terms of being able to demand huge money.

Manchester United are keen to add more talent under Ruben Amorim and could now look to make a move that would make the world sit up and take notice of developments at Old Trafford.

Man Utd look to strike tactical balance under Ruben Amorim

Undoubtedly, Amorim’s decision to stick with his complex 3-4-3 formation has drawn his fair share of admirers and critics. However, the Portuguese boss doesn’t appear likely to change that any time soon.

Per Pundit Arena, Emile Heskey has claimed that regardless of their tactical set-up, a lack of leaders in the Old Trafford dressing room is a reason behind their inconsistent form this season.

He stated: “Nothing seems to go right for Ruben Amorim. Everyone keeps talking about the tactics, but when you put 11 players on the pitch, they’ve got to fight. Where’s your leaders? I remember playing at Liverpool, I was only 22 at the time, we had Gary McAllister and he would be on to us. Steven Gerrard was younger than me, he would be on to us, Sami Hyypia, too.

“It doesn’t look like Man Utd have any leaders on the pitch, who are really digging people out.”

Now, that may be a little harsh. Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire are two shining examples of leadership, but ultimately, the best form of authority in football comes from players who do their talking with the ball at their feet.

Related Man Utd have a "£100m + footballer" who's becoming their new McTominay

Man Utd will not want to repeat the mistake they made with McTominay

Posts 2 ByJoe Nuttall Oct 13, 2025

Bringing new talent with the potential to be world-class is what will take Manchester United closer to their glory days. Nevertheless, that is easier said than done, all things considered.

However, they may now be plotting a seismic move to sign a proven international who is becoming one of Europe’s best attacking forces due to his excellent displays.

Man Utd ready to go big for Kenan Yildiz

According to reports in Europe via Stretty News, Manchester United are planning to launch an offensive for Juventus star Kenan Yildiz, someone who was previously of interest to the club during the summer window.

Regardless, it would take a fee well over the region of £86 million to entice him to Old Trafford, with the Serie A giants keen to retain the 24-cap Turkish international at all costs.

Five similar players to Kenan Yildiz (FBRef)

Lazar Samardzic

Atalanta

Francisco Conceicao

Juventus

Mohammed Kudus

Tottenham Hotspur

Zuriko Davitashvili

Saint-Etienne

Dejan Kulusevski

Tottenham Hotspur

Labelled “brilliant” by Massimiliano Allegri, Yildiz has registered two goals and four assists in eight appearances for Juventus this term across all competitions, proving his worth as the Old Lady aim to push for the league title.

Furthermore, the Regensburg-born winger has already created 17 chances and delivered eight successful crosses in Serie A, per Fotmob, illustrating his ability to carve open defences.

With Manchester United pushing hard for his signature, it remains to be seen whether they can come to an agreement with Juventus on a structure for a potential deal and whether he would be open to moving to Old Trafford.

The search for Rangers’ next manager is heating up and, as such, a new name has reportedly emerged as the “favourite” to take the vacant role at Ibrox.

Rangers manager update

Some may still be in shock at Rangers that it’s not set to be Steven Gerrard in the dugout when domestic football returns. The Liverpool legend looked destined to return to Ibrox, before dealing the 49ers their latest blow. Forced back to the drawing board after their top candidate cited bad timing for rejecting the job, the new owners have quite the task on their hands.

Given that the Gers already sit as many as nine points behind Celtic and 11 behind unexpected leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership, to say that they can’t afford to get things wrong with their next appointment would be an understatement.

So far, similar names to the summer as well as some new faces have emerged as candidates. Danny Rohl, for example, has reportedly been discussed once again, whilst the likes of Graham Potter and Raphael Wicky have been mentioned for the first time.

It’s a case of choosing experience or youthful exuberance for those at Ibrox. Rohl would be an exciting choice, but not the safest option in current circumstances amid his inexperience. Potter, meanwhile, has the experience but would also be coming in off the back of failing at both West Ham United and Chelsea.

Other options include Hearts boss Derek McInnes. For Rangers, if they can’t match the league leaders, then hiring their manager may be their next best option. Former Ibrox star Kris Boyd believes the ship has sailed on that front, however.

It may also be none of those aforementioned options, with fresh reports now indicating that another name has emerged as the “favourite” to take the Rangers job.

Kevin Muscat now "favourite" for Rangers job

As reported by talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Kevin Muscat is now emerging as the “favourite” for the Rangers job, overtaking Rohl in the process. The 52-year-old is currently in charge of Shanghai Port, but may yet be on his way to Scotland.

Whether the Gers wait until the Chinese Super League season concludes on November 22 or target the manager right away is the big question. After such a poor start to the campaign, the Gers could certainly do with an immediate boost, but the ball may be in Muscat’s court on that front.

It’s also not the first time that Muscat has been linked with a move to Rangers. In previous years, the likes of Philippe Clement have beaten him to the job, but this time could finally be different.

Having won the Australian league twice and the Australian cup with Melbourne Victory, the Japanese league and Japanese Super Cup with Yokohama Marinos, and the Chinese league and cup with Shanghai Port, Muscat has won everywhere he has been. Now, Rangers could be next.

Ibrox should love him: Rangers hold talks to hire "insanely talented boss"

Rangers have held talks with a manager who could get Ibrox rocking once again.

ByDan Emery Oct 14, 2025

The favourite for the job has also worked as Ange Postecoglou’s assistant with Australia in the past and may yet hand the Gers similar success that his compatriot gave the Bhoys.

Manchester United have been backed for a shock Premier League title tilt as a former Red Devils coach feels that 'positive power' is finally building under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. With their latest win at Anfield over reigning champions Liverpool, United have finally registered back-to-back victories in the Premier League for the first time since the Portuguese coach took charge of the club.

'Positivity building' under Amorim

Amorim's journey at Old Trafford has been far from plain sailing as in his maiden season, United finished 15th in the Premier League and failed to secure a slot in any of the European competitions. The head coach naturally made full use of the summer transfer window as he splashed big money to secure transfers for stars like Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in a bid to bolster his squad.

The Red Devils' miseries, though, continued in the 2025-26 campaign despite the heavy spending, as after six Premier League matches they had registered just two wins and were eliminated from the Carabao Cup second round by fourth-tier club Grimsby Town. However, things may have started to change for good at United, because after securing a routine win over Sunderland they next beat Liverpool at Anfield, a feat they achieved for the first time in nine years.

AdvertisementAFPMan Utd backed for Premier League title run

After the win over the Reds, United only climbed to ninth position in the Premier League table, although they are only two points behind third-placed Liverpool. Arsenal are currently top, enjoying a three-point cushion to second-placed Manchester City. While many believe that the title race will involve those three teams, former United coach Rene Meulensteen sensationally claimed that it is far too early to write off the Manchester club from the title race.

Speaking to , Meulensteen said: "There will be little twists and turns around the corner. If Arsenal lose maybe one or two players and maybe they lose one or two games, everything changes. That could easily happen in a run-in. So I still think Arsenal, Man City, and Liverpool are going to be fighting for the Premier League and we can’t rule out Man Utd if they go on this run we are hoping for. It could be three wins in a row and suddenly the whole momentum shifts into a positive power. Then suddenly it could be wide open because they’re only two points off Liverpool despite how the season has started."

Ex-United coach hails Liverpool

Meulensteen also spoke about his compatriot Arne Slot and Liverpool's sudden dip in form after losing three successive matches in the Premier League to Crystal Palace, Chelsea and United. The Dutch coach said: "I have high respect for Arne Slot because I’ve known him for so long. He won’t change. He’ll be the same, very measured and very honest in his opinion and observations. He doesn’t make things worse than they really are because he knows they are playing some really good football and creating chances, they just don’t put them in the back of the net.

"Last year, sometimes you catch a wave, you catch a flow, and everything that you hit goes in. Now they’re hitting a wave that goes against them. You have to ride the wave, turn around, and jump back on it. But that can only be done by not changing anything."

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Getty Images SportAmorim has his players' backing

After the win over the champions last weekend, club captain Bruno Fernandes had shown support towards the United boss and he claimed that the players believe in his system, amid fierce criticism over his tactics in the past months.

Fernandes told reporters: "Our shape always gives teams issues. It is a little bit ungrateful to talk about shape when we lose games and in the same way I am grateful to talk about it when we win. We always believe in the system, whether we win or lose, but it's about doing the right things in the right moments. We had moments we had to suffer and we did that in the game and the main thing is to do the same thing and believe what we prepare is what is going to give us the win."

يستعد منتخب المغرب للناشئين لخوض مباراة صعبة أمام البرتغال اليوم الخميس، في المواجهة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا.

وتقام المباراة بين المغرب والبرتغال على ملعب رقم 8 بمنطقة أسباير في مدينة الريان، ضمن لقاءات الجولة الثانية من مرحلة المجموعات بـ بطولة كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا.

ويرغب منتخب المغرب في الفوز وتحقيق نتيجة إيجابية أمام منافس قوي، بعد الخسارة في الجولة الأولى أمام اليابان، فيما يسعى المنتخب البرتغالي لتأكيد بدايته القوية في البطولة.

طالع | ترتيب مجموعة المغرب في كأس العالم للناشئين تحت 17 عامًا بعد الخسارة أمام اليابان

ويتواجد منتخب المغرب في المجموعة الثانية من بطولة كأس العالم، مع البرتغال واليابان وكاليدونيا. موعد مباراة المغرب والبرتغال اليوم في كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا

تبدأ مباراة المغرب والبرتغال، اليوم الخميس في تمام الساعة 02:30 عصرًا بتوقيت القاهرة، 01:30 بتوقيت المغرب، 03:30 بتوقيت مكة المكرمة. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة المغرب والبرتغال اليوم في كأس العالم تحت 17 عامًا

تُنقل المواجهة بين المغرب والبرتغال، مباشرة عبر قناة beIN Sports EXTRA 1، وقناة الكأس 5.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنـــا

Six-laden display from West Indies not enough to stay in the series, as Banton, Bethell star in chase

Andrew Miller08-Jun-2025

Tom Banton swings into the leg side in his matchwinning cameo•Getty Images

England 199 for 6 (Buttler 47, Brook 34, Banton 30*) beat West Indies 196 for 6 (Hope 49, Charles 47, Wood 2-25) by four wicketsHarry Brook had said at the toss that he “fancied a chase” in the second T20I in Bristol. Well, he was handed one all right, as West Indies obliged in trademark style, serving up a six-laden display of power-hitting that included five in a single 31-run over from Adil Rashid – the second-most expensive in England’s T20 history – and 75 runs off the final four overs of their innings.Despite 15 blows over the ropes in total, and a stiff target of 197, even that was not nearly enough to rein in a newly liberated England batting line-up that responded with a salvo of cameos to hunt down their target with nine balls to spare.Fresh from his matchwinning 96 on Friday, Jos Buttler was once again the top-scorer, with 47 from 36, while Brook led as he would wish to be followed with 34 from 20. However, the star turns came from the young guns Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton in the middle order, whose combined haul of 56 from 21 balls drove England to an unassailable 2-0 series lead with Tuesday’s final match in Southampton still to come.Wood brings the wheelsIn a match marked by such formidable hitting, however, it was a bowler in his first international appearance since September 2023 who made the ultimate difference. Brook had wanted a “point of difference”, he said, in confirming Luke Wood’s recall. His left-arm pace is an attractive option at the best of times, but with a strong cross-wind cutting across the County Ground, the conditions were tailor-made for his inswinger to the right-hander.So Evin Lewis discovered with an Exocet of a first delivery – full, fast, tailing in at the toe, and extracting an immediate verdict from umpire Martin Saggers, even as Wood charged down the pitch in full celebrappeal mode. His follow-up to Shai Hope wasn’t quite as intended – a wild full-toss as the yorker slipped out – but two overs for four runs in the powerplay kept West Indies very much under wraps.Brydon Carse’s introduction gave a more accurate reflection of the carnage to come, however. With England once again opting for just two frontline quicks, Carse’s more conventional angles were very much to Hope’s liking – with two fours and three sixes, each of them creamed over long-off as he opened his stance to take advantage of the short straight boundaries.Jason Holder slammed an unbeaten 29 off nine balls, including three of five sixes off one Adil Rashid over•Getty Images

Hope and Charles fail to kick onEngland’s plethora of spin options were rolled out after the powerplay, as Hope’s early momentum was stalled. Johnson Charles, who had hitherto been the silent partner in their second-wicket stand, took a few early lumps out of Bethell and Rashid, whom he slammed over midwicket for six, through the grasp of a leaping Wood on the boundary’s edge.In the same over, however, Rashid followed up with a ripper – a dipping, fizzing legbreak to Hope, that turned sharply past the edge for Buttler to complete the stumping as West Indies’ captain toppled out of his crease for 49 from 37 balls.At 90 for 2 in the 11th, Sherfane Rutherford was pushed up the order in a bid to pick up the tempo. But Will Jacks – a decent match-up to the left-hander – cramped his style with a series of offbreaks across his body, before Bethell sent him on his way for 6 from 8, as Banton hoovered up a slog to long-on.Charles connected for a third six, off Rashid, but 15 dot-balls out of 38 told a tale of an innings without fluency. Carse returned with a change of ends to make amends for his profligate opening gambit, but it was Wood who prised him out – second ball of his second spell – via a deflection onto middle stump as he followed the batter outside off.Power surge to finish West Indies’ extraordinary depth of power-hitters means that someone is bound to come good in the end … or several people, as it turned out. Rovman Powell was briefly the man as he brought Friday’s hero, Liam Dawson, down to earth with 20 off his final over, and he had blatted his next ball, from Carse, over deep midwicket for another six before Wood clung onto an excellent tumbling take on the cover boundary.But, with Brook trusting his senior man Rashid to bowl the 19th over, Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd turned on the afterburners, amid scenes of certain carnage that were reminiscent of that infamous final over in Kolkata in 2016. Rashid was smoked for five sixes out of six – the exception being a scuffed single to backward square from Holder off the fourth ball, to mock boos from an enthusiastic contingent of West Indies’ fans.Wood restored a degree of decorum – and capped an excellent comeback with figures of 2 for 25 – as Shepherd was run out for 19 off 11, but Roston Chase smacked his first and only ball down the ground for six, the 15th of the innings, as West Indies finished on a healthy 196 for 6 that included 75 from the final four overs. Brook had got his chase.Buttler, Duckett start with poiseWith ten an over needed from the outset, Jamie Smith didn’t hang around, twice slogging Holder through the line and holing out to the second attempt for 4. But his second-over departure meant the in-form Buttler had all the longer to marshal the chase, and in Holder’s next over, he signalled his poise with an imperious driven six over long-on.Ben Duckett, however, was the impish source of early impetus, with his array of sweeps and dinks including a scoop over the keeper for six. He had a life on 11, when Lewis couldn’t cling on at point, but – after setting up the chase in a 58-run powerplay – Duckett miscued a pull off Shepherd and was spectacularly grabbed by a leaping Powell at wide long-on for 30 off 18.Buttler took up the cudgels, including an audacious reverse-hoick for six off Gudakesh Motie’s second delivery. But, on 43 from 29, he had a reprieve in the midst of a pacy over from Alzarri Joseph, in which he was tempted to take on the short straight boundaries and instead miscued a short ball to deep midwicket. Charles, however, couldn’t settle under the swirling ball, and the moment was lost.Banton and Bethell apply the late flourishWith the run-rate nudging above 11, it was Brook’s turn to come to the party in a 20-run over off Shepherd that included an extraordinary cut for six off a fast, straight full toss, as well as a misfield from Charles that earned him further stick from an invested Bristol crowd. But, just when it seemed the worm was turning in England’s favour, Buttler reversed his hands on a sweep off Akeal Hosein – fresh off the plane at 7.30am after his visa issues – and that man Charles was on hand at deep third to send him on his way for 47.Brook greeted the offspin of Chase with an open-shouldered launch down the ground, but two balls later, he picked out Powell for an easier grab in the deep. At 126 for 4, the innings was in danger of slipping away.Banton, however, slog-swept his first ball for six to lay down a marker, and though Motie’s next over started tightly, Banton showed his versatility with a reverse for four and a muscular straight six to keep the chase right on track. Bethell immediately got the memo with three more startling blows over the ropes in Joseph’s next over – his fast hands belying his apparently slight frame.He ruined his cameo by dinking the final ball straight to Chase at short third, but his 26 from 10 balls had broken the requirement into tiny pieces. Jacks picked out cover for 7 but by then Joseph had already wrecked any hope of a fightback with five wild wides down the leg-side. Banton and Carse duly closed out the chase to make it five wins in five for the Brook regime.

Bangladesh have a tough decision to make. If Mehidy Hasan Miraz comes back into the XI for the second Test – and according to coach Phil Simmons there is no guarantee he will – who makes way?The theory seems to be that the player who stood in for him at Galle goes out. But what if that player – offspinner Nayeem Hasan – took a vital 5 for 121 in the first innings, and a tidy 1 for 29 in the second. Nayeem was the equal-highest wicket-taker in that match, which ordinarily should ensure he plays the next match in the series.But he is an offspinner, and so is Mehidy, who is returning to the team. Taijul, by dint of experience as well as being a left-arm spinner, will likely keep his place.”You assume that [Mehidy] will be in the team for the second match,” said Simmons, implying that he still may not be ready. “But at the same time, everyone else has to do their job and we can’t worry about Mehidy coming in.Related

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There is a chance, though, that three spinners can play, according to Simmons. Sri Lanka appear to be going in the opposite direction – they are considering playing three seamers at the SSC. But Bangladesh have the problem of a performing offspinner, whom they are understandably reluctant to keep out.”The first thing is that we will assess what the wicket looks like and the conditions, and then we decide which way we’re going to go – if it’s the three spinners”, Simmons said. “Nayeem had a wonderful game up in Galle. To leave him now is a little difficult. But if a decision has to be made, people understand that it’s what is good for the team.”Having dominated the back end of that Galle Test – Bangladesh were the side pushing for a victory on day five – spirits in the visitors’ camp are high, Simmons said.”They players are really good. When you play good cricket, it helps to lift you. The players’ mental strength is there, and physically they are very good.”

Leeds United finally scored a goal from open play in the Premier League in their exciting 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home on Saturday.

The Whites had only scored one goal, a penalty against Everton, in their opening four matches of the top-flight campaign, which created concerns over the attacking quality within the group.

Daniel Farke’s side hit back at the critics with three goals in the first half at the Molineux, two coming from open play, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach, and Noah Okafor all got themselves on the scoresheet.

Stach’s goal was the pick of the bunch. The summer signing from Hoffenheim’s belting free-kick into the top corner was a beautiful goal, and he followed that up with an assist for Okafor’s strike.

That win does not put all concerns over the quality of the squad to bed, though, firstly because Wolves have lost all five of their matches in the division and appear to be one of the weaker teams in the league.

Secondly, because there are still some players in the team who are yet to reach lift-off in the Premier League, Brenden Aaronson is one of them.

Why Brenden Aaronson needs to step up for Leeds

To his credit, the USA international is a hard-working player who will always put in a shift and leave everything on the pitch with his relentless pressing and desire to win possession back.

Unfortunately, though, Aaronson’s lack of physicality often means that his hard work goes unrewarded at Premier League level, because opposition players are faster and stronger than him.

For example, the USNMT star has not won a single aerial duel in the division so far, across five appearances, per Sofascore, and he has already been dribbled past six times, ranking in the bottom 6% of wingers in the league in that statistic, per FotMob.

Aaronson showed flashes of quality in the Championship last season, scoring nine goals and providing two assists in 46 matches, but he has yet to prove that he is good enough for the Premier League.

His performances when the West Yorkshire outfit were last in the big time do not help the idea that he is not up to scratch at this level, as he was not up to the task in the 2022/23 campaign.

Appearances

36

xG

3.86

Goals

1

xA

2.59

Assists

3

Ground duel success rate

43%

Aerial duel success rate

17%

As you can see in the table above, Aaronson hugely underperformed in front of goal and lost the majority of his duels on the deck and in the air in that season, as Leeds were relegated from the Premier League.

This is why the 24-year-old attacker has to step up in the present day and start to show that he can deliver goals and assists on a regular basis, having failed to provide any goal contributions in five league games so far this term.

The lack of quality provided by Aaronson at the top end of the pitch should enhance the feeling of regret that the club should have for cashing in on a player who has gone on to be even better than the former RB Salzburg star.

Leeds had Polish attacking midfielder Mateusz Bogusz on their books before they decided to cash in on him in March 2023, for a fee of £874k, per Transfermarkt.

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

What the versatile forward has achieved since moving on from Elland Road suggests that the Whites had a mare by allowing him to move on for a fee that was less than £1m.

Why Leeds United should have kept Mateusz Bogusz

Bogusz only played three times for the first-team, starting two of those matches, at Leeds before his move to LAFC in 2023, which means that the midfield star did not get many opportunities to shine in West Yorkshire.

The Poland international’s transfer to the MLS provided him with the chance to play regular football and showcase his quality at the top end of the pitch week-in-week-out, and he grasped that chance with both hands.

Bogusz, who was hailed as a “dangerous” player by reporter Greg Beacham, scored 24 goals and provided 19 assists in 90 matches for LAFC in all competitions, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he provided goals and assists on a regular basis.

The 24-year-old star, who is the same age as Aaronson, proved that he could produce consistent performances in the final third, mostly playing as an attacking midfielder for the American outfit.

Appearances

36

46

xG

9.20

11.43

Goals

16

9

Big chances created

9

9

xA

6.11

6.05

Assists

8

2

As you can see in the table above, Bogusz’s performances in the MLS during the 2024 season were more impressive, particularly from a goalscoring perspective, than Aaronson’s were in the Championship for Farke’s dominant side.

These statistics suggest that the Whites would have been better off with the Poland international in the number ten position, because he could have offered more quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals at the top end of the pitch.

As well as missing out on a quality player, Leeds also missed out on a bigger payday. Cruz Azul swooped in to sign the attacking midfielder for a fee of £7.4m in January of this year, which is significantly more than the £874k that the Whites raked in for his services in 2023.

At the time of writing (23/09/2025), Bogusz is valued at £6.5m by Transfermarkt after a return of two goals and seven assists in 32 outings for the Mexican side. This means that his value has soared by 644% from the £874k that he was sold for less than three years ago.

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Therefore, Leeds must regret cashing in on Bogusz for multiple reasons, because he would be an upgrade on one of the club’s current attackers, Aaronson, and because they missed out on millions.

MatériaMais Notícias

A briga na qual o vice de futebol do Flamengo, Marcos Braz, se envolveu nesta terça-feira (19) se tornou um caso de polícia. À noite, o torcedor Leandro agredido pelo dirigente foi à 16ª Delegacia Policial da Barra da TIjuca, na Zona Oeste do Rio de Janeiro, e prestou depoimento.

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Leandro Campos da Silveira Gonçalves Júnior, de 22 anos, afirmou que foi mordido na virilha por Braz. O entregador, que tem seu trabalho vinculado a um aplicativo, chegou à DP com sua mãe, Patrícia.

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De acordo com os relatos, dois amigos de Leandro que trabalham no Via Parque e souberam da presença de Braz no Barra Shopping. Com isso, a dupla, que integra o 2º Pelotão da organizada Torcida Jovem do Flamengo, foi ao local e fez cobranças ao dirigente. Posteriormente, Leandro apareceu no local, fez cobranças e xingou Braz. De acordo com o depoimento, o entregador foi agredido quando virou as costas e, entre as agressões de Braz, houve uma mordida na virilha.

Perguntados sobre a forma como tomaram conhecimento da presença do vice de futebol do Flamengo no shopping, os amigos de Leandro afirmaram que “a notícia corre” e que “viram imagens na Internet”. Em seguida, foram socorrer o entregador, que havia sido agredido por Braz e um segurança.

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O dirigente estava no Barra Shopping comprando um presente para sua filha, que faz aniversário nesta quarta-feira (20). Seu pai, Mário Braz, foi à delegacia para acompanhar as investigações. De acordo com sua advogada, Ani Luzi, Leandro Campos da Silveira Gonçalves Júnior também passou por exames no Hospital Lourenço Jorge e depois passará por exame de corpo de delito. O vice de futebol do Flamengo também irá para o Instituto Médico Legal (IML).