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The decision not to sign Jadon Sancho on a permanent deal evoked memories of the Chelsea of old. A ruthlessness that famously saw Carlo Ancelotti given the sack after missing out on the Premier League title in his second season – just a year on from guiding the club to the double

In the case of Sancho, the Englishman had notably scored a stunner in last month’s Conference League final, albeit while ending 2024/25 with just three goals and five assists to his name in the league. Good, but not good enough.

That has been a commendable motto for the Blues over their glorious last 20 years or so, having repeatedly hired and fired, all while increasing the competition in their playing ranks with successive statement signings.

Take Nicolas Jackson, for instance, the Senegalese striker hardly disgracing himself – suspensions aside – with 24 league goals across his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge, albeit with just ten of those coming last term. Again, good, but not quite good enough.

£30m man Liam Delap looks to have swiftly usurped the former Villarreal man in the pecking order, all while being acutely aware that failure to perform himself could see yet another fresh face acquired – a certain Hugo Ekitike springs to mind.

As the old adage goes, pressure makes diamonds, with Enzo Maresca and co no doubt hoping that more exciting additions can thrive in this pressurised environment in west London…

Latest on Chelsea's search for new forwards

Sancho is gone, but in his place, young Jamie Gittens could be set to arrive, with Chelsea still working to bring the 20-year-old back to England from Borussia Dortmund, amid his prior stint in Manchester City’s youth ranks.

Despite reports that Gittens has agreed a seven-year contract with the Blues, there appears to still be club-to-club negotiations taking place regarding his reported £55m price tag.

With that deal yet to get the green light, it is still worth the west Londoners seeking alternatives, with TEAMtalk reporting that they are among the clubs to have made an enquiry over Lyon starlet, Malick Fofana.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

That contact has come amid the Ligue 1 side’s recent relegation – something they are set to appeal – with clubs lining up to potentially pounce on their ongoing financial woes and apparent need to sell.

As per the report, the likes of Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have also made their move for the 20-year-old, with those suitors hoping to strike a deal for less than the Belgian’s previous £42m price tag.

Why Fofana could be Chelsea's next Eden Hazard

The signing of an exciting, young Belgian talent from Ligue 1 – ring any bells?

Of course, Chelsea famously won the race for a 21-year-old Eden Hazard back in the summer of 2012, with the then-Champions League holders plucking the winger from Lille for a reported fee of £32m.

198 goals and assists would follow in a Chelsea shirt for the now-retired wizard, although that doesn’t quite tell the full story. This was a player, at his pomp, who was a match for any opposition or opponent.

A man who could win a game on his own – take his solo stunner against Arsenal in 2017, for example – Hazard at his best was simply a sight to behold, jinking his way past defenders with consummate ease. It’s no wonder he was hailed the “best player in the Premier League” at one stage by pundit, Paul Merson.

Young Fofana has a way go to hit the levels of his sparkling compatriot, although the comparisons are – unsurprisingly – already being made, with GOAL noting that he has been described as ‘Eden Hazard-like’ by those in his homeland.

As per The Athletic’s Alex Barker, what particularly sets the 20-year-old apart, in a similar mould to Hazard, is his dribbling prowess, having been noted as “one of the best” in Ligue 1 in that regard.

Indeed, he notably ranks in the top 3% among his peers in France’s top-flight for progressive carries made per 90, as per FBref, while also ranking in the top 2% in that same metric among attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues.

Jamie Gittens – Borussia Dortmund

8

4

12

Kenan Yildiz – Juventus

7

5

12

Eliesse Ben Seghir – Monaco

6

3

9

Malick Fofana – Lyon

5

4

9

Antonio Nusa – RB Leipzig

3

4

7

Jean-Matteo Bahoya – Frankfurt

2

3

5

Jesus Rodriguez – Real Betis

2

1

3

Mamadou Diakhon – Stade Reims

2

1

3

Yan Diomande – Leganes

2

1

3

Bazoumana Toure – Hoffenheim

0

3

3

For context, Hazard ranked in the top 1% of Premier League wingers in that regard during his final season in English football (2018/19), having simply been a master ball-carrier for the Blues.

Like the 126-cap Red Devils star too, Fofana also boasts an end product to match that devastating flair, having ended 2024/25 with 11 goals and six assists to his name in all competitions, included six goals in just ten Europa League outings.

Described as a “starboy” by writer Zach Lowy, the Lyon gem looks destined to reach the top over the coming years, with Chelsea able to offer him the chance to follow in Hazard’s footsteps at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca's next Cole Palmer: Chelsea enter race to sign £50m PL "machine"

The incredible talent could be a star for Chelsea.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 28, 2025

Virgil van Dijk has been one of the most dominant centre-backs in the world after joining Liverpool from Southampton back in 2018, with the Dutch star almost always in control of things at the back.

But who is the best top-flight central defender the Premier League has seen since its creation in 1992? We’ve witnessed elegant ball-players, goalscoring brutes and pure sweepers, but someone has to be number one…

Ranking factors

• Appearances
• Titles
• Clean sheets
• Personal honours
• What others have said about them

20 best centre-backs in Premier League history: in pictures

20

Gary Cahill

Aston Villa, Bolton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace

After beginning his Premier League career with Aston Villa and Bolton, Gary Cahill made his name at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea, winning two league titles with the Blues alongside John Terry.

In fact, at one point, Terry described Cahill as “different class” and “England’s best centre back”, with the latter being named in the PFA Team of the Year on three separate occasions.

19

Kolo Toure

Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool

Not many players can say they have played for Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool, but that is the Premier League path Kolo Toure took between 2002-2016.

The Ivorian was part of the Gunners’ famous ‘Invincible’ squad and his man-marking ability, speed and strength in the air have seen him named as one of the most underrated players of the Premier League era in the media.

18

Marcel Desailly

Chelsea

Not only was Marcel Desailly a top centre-back, but the French icon could also turn out as a holding midfielder if required as well.

He won multiple trophies throughout his career, including three honours as a Chelsea player, and made defending look easy in England. Desailly didn’t win a Premier League title, but he was named in the PL team of the decade between 1992-2002.

17

Paul McGrath

Aston Villa, Derby County

Aston Villa legend Paul McGrath was 32 years of age when the Premier League was formed, but he still went on to make more than 160 appearances in the top flight, the majority of which came at Villa Park.

Former manager Ron Atkinson even hailed McGrath as the best centre-half ever to play in the Premier League and is still referred to as ‘God’ by the Villans.

16

Ledley King

Tottenham

Spurs icon Ledley King made more than 250 Premier League appearances at White Hart Lane and has gone down as a Tottenham legend.

In truth, if it wasn’t for Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, King would have earned more than 21 England caps as, during his prime, King even ‘reminded some observers of the great Bobby Moore’ – not a bad comparison to have.

15

Sami Hyypia

Liverpool

A key member of the Liverpool side that won the League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup in 2000/01, Sami Hyypia was a bargain buy for the Reds after signing for just over £2.5m from Willem II.

The Finnish giant has gone down as “one of the smartest pieces of business the club has ever conducted” and would go on to captain Liverpool. He never won the Premier League but left his mark as an imposing centre-back.

14

Jamie Carragher

Liverpool

Jamie Carragher began his career as a right-back before being moved central by Rafael Benitez and would go on to establish himself as a Liverpool legend.

Making more than 700 appearances as an Anfield defender, Carragher was being spoken about as England’s best defender at one point in his career ahead of the likes of Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Sol Campbell, however, he never lifted the league title during his 17 years as a Liverpool professional.

13

John Stones

Everton, Man City

A great modern day centre-back of the Premier League era, there hasn’t been many better on the ball in defence than John Stones.

He’s been a favourite of Pep Guardiola’s at the Etihad Stadium, who has even used him as a holding midfielder at points during his time. Guardiola said he “loves” Stones and called him “incredible”, with the former Everton man winning six titles and being named in the PFA Team of the Year twice while at City.

12

Martin Keown

Everton, Arsenal

One defender who did lift the title, on three occasions in fact, was Arsenal’s Martin Keown. In the peak years of his career at the age of 26 when the Premier League was formed, Keown moved to the Gunners from Everton in 1993 and got better with age.

After starring at Highbury for more than 10 years, Keown got the fairytale send-off in May 2004 as part of the ‘Invincible” squad and is regarded as ‘one of the club’s greatest defenders’.

11

Gary Pallister

Man Utd, Middlesbrough

At the age of 27, when the Premier League began, Gary Pallister was at the top of his game and would go on to help Man Utd win four titles in five years.

The towering defender had pace, ‘terrific ball control’ and ‘excellent aerial ability’. Pallister has gone down as a Red Devils legend and was even named in Roy Keane’s dream Man Utd XI.

Leeds United are interested in signing an in-demand French striker who is also wanted by Scottish giants Celtic.

Leeds transfer rumours following promotion to the Premier League

The Whites and Daniel Farke are preparing for life back in the Premier League following a successful Championship campaign.

Promotion was secured for Leeds over the Easter weekend which resulted in a party at Elland Road on Monday evening. Farke’s side secured wins over Oxford United and Stoke City, whereas Sheffield United fell to defeat against Burnley to guarantee a top two finish for the Whites and the Clarets.

Talking after sealing promotion to the Premier League, captain Ethan Ampadu said: “It’s amazing. If you look at the scenes here, as it was after the final whistle, just pure excitement. Within ourselves we’ve got another target, so we can enjoy this now, but we’ve got another target we want to achieve. But right now, it’s very good.”

Centre-back Joe Rodon added: “For me it hasn’t sunk in yet. I don’t think it will until the end of the season, but I’m just delighted for everyone involved with the club, the fans and what it means to them. It’s what everyone has worked for all season and I’m buzzing.”

With top flight football back in Yorkshire for the 2025/26 season, the 49ers Enterprises may look to splash the cash on several new signings, and a new centre-forward is thought to be on the wishlist.

Player

Fee

Joe Rodon

£10m

Jayden Bogle

£5m

Ao Tanaka

£2.95m

Manor Solomon

Loan

Largie Ramazani

£9.3m

Joe Rothwell

Loan

Isaac Schmidt

£2.5m

Josuha Guilavogui

Free

Alex Cairns

Undisclosed

There are doubts at Leeds over Joel Piroe’s ability in the top flight, despite the striker scoring four goals in the first half against Stoke on Monday. There are also concerns over Patrick Bamford.

There have been some forwards linked with moves to Elland Road recently, including AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham. However, a new up-and-coming young forward appears to be on the Leeds radar, going off a recent update.

Leeds keen on French forward Moussa Soumano

According to Africa Foot, Leeds are one of several sides keen on Ajaccio forward Moussa Soumano. Aged just 19, Soumano is also wanted by Celtic and Leicester City, whereas Brentford have already made an offer worth €3m (£2.5m) to sign the attacker.

49ers not messing: Leeds swoop for "unique" £1.5m Premier League striker

The Whites have set their sights on a forward who is currently plying his trade in the Premier League.

1 ByDominic Lund Apr 24, 2025

Also capable of playing on the wing if required, Soumano has scored five goals and provided two assists in 66 appearances for his current employers. Not exactly a prolific record, however, the 6ft French attacker has been hailed as a promising talent and is ‘considered one of the great hopes of Corsican football’ in Africa Foot’s report.

Soumano could be one to keep an eye on, with Leeds potentially looking to bring in some talented teenagers alongside some big names, just like they did with Crysencio Summerville and Mateo Joseph when they were last in the top flight.

In his comeback from a life-threatening car crash in December 2022, Rishabh Pant made 18 off 13 balls and passed the wicketkeeping test too

Nagraj Gollapudi23-Mar-2024

Rishabh Pant at the toss of his comeback match in Mullanpur•BCCI

The moment Rishabh Pant has longed for since December 30, 2022 arrived at 4.06 pm on March 23, 2024, in little-known Mullanpur. David Warner had gloved an attempted hook off a slower bouncer from Harshal Patel and was walking back, but the ongoing review process extended the wait. Yards away from Warner on the other side of the boundary, was Pant, ready to take his first steps on a cricket field in a competitive match since surviving a car crash 15 months ago.As Pant started his walk to the middle, he was introduced as the new batter over the public address system. The whole crowd – the ground was more than half full, with thousands still outside because of the security process – stood up to celebrate Pant’s return. It wasn’t a visceral roar but it was wholesome. The non-striker Shai Hope also punched his bat with a gloved hand a few times to welcome his captain.A large number of fans had travelled from neighbouring towns and cities in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and, of course, Delhi. A few wearing navy blue ‘Pant 777’ t-shirts braved the harsh afternoon sun in anticipation of a Pant special, which the Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting had predicted, having observed how zealously his captain had been training in the week leading up to today.Pant took guard on leg stump. The Punjab Kings left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar angled the ball away from his reach, forcing Pant to stretch and reach to connect. Having had his knee ligaments reconstructed, it’s an area he’s going to be tested, in addition to throws coming to his end while running between the wickets. Pant refused to run a double twice in his first six deliveries.Related

• The still feet and knee-flex of Rishabh Pant

• Good early signs, but the task's cut out for Pant now

• Pant on his comeback: 'Feels like I'm going to make my debut again'

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• Sam Curran's 47-ball 63 gives Punjab Kings win at new home

Such caution is understandable as he is taking small steps back after a severe injury. On 4, Pant pulled a long hop from legspinner Rahul Chahar straight to deep midwicket, where Harshal Patel was blinded by the sun and couldn’t catch it. His second boundary was a cover drive, off Harshal, but Pant’s innings ended soon after.A slower offcutter from Harshal climbed towards Pant’s head and his predetermined ramp ended up in backward point’s hands. He rapped his pads, berating himself. His first innings in his second innings as a cricketer lasted 23 minutes and ended on 18 off 13 balls, but it had its moments.The Capitals finished with 174 and then came Pant’s bigger challenge: keeping wickets and making decisions as captain in the fast and furious pace of T20 cricket. He was up for it, even after losing one of his four specialist bowlers Ishant Sharma to an ankle injury.Ask batters to pick the chirpiest wicketkeeper around and Pant is likely to be high on their list. Part of his talkativeness may be to wind up the batters, but he also does it to motivate and guide his bowlers.Rishabh Pant made 18 off 13 balls in his comeback match•BCCIPant has kept wicket to Kuldeep Yadav at both India and DC, and shares a rapport with the left-arm wristspinner. Throughout Kuldeep’s four-over spell against Punjab, Pant rarely kept silent, and some of that chat came through on the stump microphones. (let him hit long), (you are bowling well. Relax and bowl freely),” Pant said in Kuldeep’s first two overs as Prabhsimran Singh and Sam Curran were batting.Prabhsimran’s aggressive intent was evident, and Pant wanted Kuldeep to relax. (You are our only hope. It [the wicket] will come),” were Pant’s words the ball before Kuldeep had Prabhsimran caught in the deep. Not just to Kuldeep, Pant’s message to his team was to keep believing, even as Punjab took control of the chase. You could hear him saying “put in the energy”.Pant’s biggest strength was his fearlessness, and the question was whether he would still be fearless. He did not hesitate to stretch or dive behind the stumps, and attempted two stumpings, successfully dismissing Jitesh Sharma with the second attempt.On the eve of the Capitals’ season opener against Punjab, Ponting had described Pant as the “heartbeat” of the team. While the result did not go his way, Pant was pulsing with energy, and achieved what many feared he may never do again. Play cricket.

England’s rookie opener cites influence of “destructive” senior batter

Matt Roller18-Jun-2022Jason Roy will win his 100th ODI cap in Amstelveen on Sunday and there is no clearer embodiment of his influence on a generation of English white-ball batters than his opening partner in this series.Phil Salt, who hit his first international hundred in the first of three ODIs between England and the Netherlands on Friday, was 18 when Roy broke into the England side seven years ago and has clearly taken after him in his approach. “He’s very much in the Jason Roy mould,” Jos Buttler said after Friday’s game, with a grin of approval.Roy’s ODI average has hovered around 40 but it is his strike rate (107.08 across his career and second only to his regular opening partner Jonny Bairstow) that sets him apart. Eoin Morgan has always valued Roy’s selflessness and his willingness to attack in the powerplay, taking risks against two new balls in order to get England off to fast starts; three key innings in a row when returning to the side in the 2019 World Cup underlined his worth.Salt’s own attacking intent was evident on Friday as he raced to 38 off 29 balls inside the powerplay, despite Roy’s early dismissal (bowled through the gate by his cousin, Shane Snater). Salt was given a life on 40 when Snater shelled a chance at deep point, but never looked back from there.Related

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He punched the air and kissed the England badge on his helmet when he reached three figures and eventually fell for 122 off 93 after an innings which showed his dominance down the ground, particularly with an early punch past the bowler straight out of Roy’s playbook.”J-Roy has definitely been an influence,” Salt said. “I’m lucky to have people like that around who are willing to give up their time and have those chats and want to see you do well. I love chatting the game through with J-Roy because he’s so clear and so destructive in what he does.”Morgy has been very clear with how he expects people to play if they want to be in an England shirt and that’s something that I’ve bought into from day one of being around this team. It’s pretty self-explanatory what you need to do if you want to play for England. He sets the goalposts very clearly.”Salt’s inclusion in this squad was a significant vote of confidence from the new England hierarchy: he was the only player from No. 1-8 on Friday without some kind of central contract (Liam Livingstone has an incremental deal) and was picked ahead of James Vince, Sam Billings, Tom Banton and any number of other young batters.He has shown his versatility in his fledgling England career, hitting a 22-ball 50 from No. 6 on his T20I debut, and hopes that his performances can help him become an obvious choice as the ‘spare’ batter in a full-strength squad, as well as the first reserve in case Roy or Bairstow is unavailable.”I’ve only had three ODIs before this, against Pakistan, and there were some players who played well in that series who missed out,” he said. “So to be on this trip, I’m very grateful for that. Hopefully I can keep performing and proving them [the interim selectors] right.”Every time you put on an England shirt is an honour so I want to keep doing that. It’s as simple as knowing that when I get the opportunity, I’ve got to perform and I’ve got to do well: that’s how it’s going to work if you want to have a long England career. If I can keep doing stuff like that and keep putting my name in the hat, hopefully I will give the selectors a headache.”Roy’s own place has come under threat at various points in his ODI career, most obviously in 2017 when he was dropped during the Champions Trophy, but he has generally responded emphatically. He has had a few quiet months, taking a break from the game after his mysterious ban for an undisclosed misdemeanour which has still not come to light.He will not be concerned about the prospect of Salt overtaking him in the pecking order just yet: he has a huge bank of work behind him and is a senior player in England’s group, and this series, squeezed into a week between two Tests, is typical of the schedule over the next nine months (they are set to tour five different countries over the winter). It will be impossible – in some cases, logistically as well as realistically – for multi-format players like Bairstow to play every game, so strength in depth will be key.Roy’s greatest legacy is that there will come a time when the generation of young English openers that he inspired are so good that he is no longer needed. But for now, that moment lies somewhere in the middle-distance.

Australia were halfway towards their target to launch a home World Cup campaign with a win before Yadav turned it around

Andrew McGlashan in Sydney21-Feb-20202:47

Spinners can always turn the game for us – Kaur

Alyssa Healy was back in the runs, Australia were halfway towards their target with a run-a-ball needed and eight wickets in hand to launch a home World Cup campaign a long time in the making. Then it all changed.The ball after bringing up her fifty with a six, Healy chipped a flighted leg-break back to Poonam Yadav who held her nerve following a big full toss. From there, Australia’s innings unraveled as she caused havoc with her googly. Yadav, the leading wicket-taker in T20Is over the last two years, picked up three more in her next 11 deliveries and was only denied a hat-trick when wicketkeeper Taniya Bhatia made her one mistake on an evening where she was otherwise outstanding behind the stumps.The Law that denied Yadav a fifth wicket

Over 17.3: Poonam Yadav to Gardner, 1 no ball, what was that? Grubber, bounces twice, sneaks through the legs and rattles the timber. Gardner hangs on and chats to the umpire. Since it bounced twice before reaching the crease, it is a no-ball

Law 21.7: Ball bouncing more than once, rolling along the ground or pitching off the pitch: The umpire shall call and signal No ball if a ball which he/she considers to have been delivered, without having previously touched bat or person of the striker…bounces more than once or rolls along the ground before it reaches the popping crease

The fact Australia were all but out of the chase come the last over showed how complete the shift to India had been. In the moment it is easy to overstate the importance of something, but this had the feel of a very significant start to the tournament.With victory in front of a record-breaking crowd for a standalone women’s game in Australia of 13,432 – a healthy proportion cheering for the side in blue – India secured a sizeable step towards making the semi-finals. Conversely, if Australia are going to win a World Cup where there is so much expectation they are going to have to take a much harder route than many envisaged just a few weeks ago. They can’t afford another slip-up now.Not that the result itself should be considered a huge shock. Australia were favourites – rightly so – but only a couple of weeks ago India dusted them up in the tri-series (only to lose a final they probably should have won) and have now beaten them in the last three global events: the match at the 2017 World Cup is famous for Harmanpreet Kaur’s 171, the match at the 2018 T20 World Cup was less significant as it didn’t impact progression for either team – this one feels much closer to the former for impact, although they could yet have to do it again if they want to claim the title.

“She [Poonam Yadav] bowled the first over pretty regulation as a legspinner then slowed it up immensely after that. We probably didn’t adapt well enough.”Alyssa Healy

Yadav had not played in the tri-series earlier this month as she nursed an injured finger on her left hand that remained bandage as she smiled her way through the post-match press conference alongside Kaur. “It is painful, but when I play the match I forget it,” Yadav said. “Bowling-wise I was confident I could bowl at any time.”During her time sidelined, fitness has been her focus which has included a gluten-free diet that hasn’t exactly been to her tastes. “I am surviving on rice which I don’t like at all. [They] scold me saying, “no, you are not allowed to eat gluten.” They take it off my plate, but I understand that they are doing this for the sake of the team.”Poonam Yadav celebrates•Getty ImagesHer absence meant Australia had not seen her recently – last facing her in the group match at the 2018 tournament where she claimed 2 for 28 – and when the injury was referenced to Healy she admitted being unaware, saying she thought the tri-series non-selection may have been tactical. As it’s turned out, maybe it was a useful coincidence for India.”We prepared really well,” Healy said. “She bowled the first over pretty regulation as a legspinner then slowed it up immensely after that. We probably didn’t adapt well enough. We don’t get legspinners coming down at 60kph very often and she’s incredibly skillful.”While Yadav, who was held back until the 10th over, bowled beautifully after the early full toss, the Australians produced some poor batting and were unable to read her wrong ‘un – Rachael Haynes missed by a long way and Ellyse Perry, who slipped down to No. 6 in a curious reshuffle of the batting order, played a loose stroke across the line. Looped up at around 60kph, dipping late on the batters (and even being called no-ball for bouncing twice at one point which denied her a five-wicket haul), it preyed on their eagerness to put bat to ball on a surface that was sluggish and probably aided spinners more than the hosts would have liked.”We went out thinking it was a flat wicket and played some shots we shouldn’t have,” Healy said. “Most of the wickets that fell today were batters playing across the line in both innings, so for us we’ll have a look at that and say we didn’t adapt.””Poonam did a great job for us, credit goes to our bowlers – they trusted themselves and won the game for us,” Kaur said. “She is a very good T20 bowler, she always bowls for the team and it’s not easy to play, she is a little slower in the air. When you have to hit her, you have to show patience and very good skill.”Yadav praised the role played by Narendra Hirwani, the former India legspinner, who is on the team’s coaching staff. “Mentally he helps us a lot. He talks about understanding the bounce. He talks about we all have variations, but when to use them how to use the bounce and the right areas to pitch.”As it is for Australia, this is just one game for India, but given their victory was also fashioned after a top-order collapse, which was repaired by a career-best 49 from Deepti Sharma in the much-criticised middle-order, it was a win that made a statement. The next couple of weeks will show if they live up to it.

Nearly three decades after the original release of Adam Sandler's classic golf comedy , movie-goers are celebrating the long-awaited release of the sequel. Even if they do have to stream it from their couch.

Baltimore Orioles catcher Alex Jackson found a different way to honor the release of in his team's 18-0 rout of the Colorado Rockies Saturday night.

Alright, maybe he didn't exactly have the movie in mind, but the timing of this move was uncanny.

As the O's put up run after run, Jackson pinch hit for Tyler O'Neill in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Rockies waved the white flag by that point, putting in position player Kyle Farmer to pitch the eighth.

Jackson saw a 47-mph meatball which came to the plate so slow he had to step into it, à la Gilmore's signature and uncanny golf swing. The ball sailed 401 feet to center field for Baltimore's 18th and final run of the night.

Baltimore's offensive explosion made them the only team in the modern era to have a dozen or more players get an at-bat in a game and have every one of them record a hit and score a run, per OptaSTATS. The O's had 18 hits total Saturday, with three homers including Jackson's Gilmore swing.

If he hasn't already, Jackson should head home and throw on . He definitely has a case to make the cast for the next film.

Wrexham spent big in the summer of 2025, but former Red Dragons boss Dean Saunders has told GOAL why Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac will likely make more funds available in the January transfer window. The ambitious Welsh outfit are looking competitive in the Championship, with collective sights locked on winning promotion to the Premier League.

• Record-breaking rise: Three successive promotions

  Hollywood co-owners have never shied away from that ultimate goal, with Mac stating that dream in public while Wrexham were climbing out of the lower leagues. Three successive promotions have lifted them out of the National League and into the second tier of English football.

  Just one more step up the ladder is required in order to rub shoulders with the elite. Reynolds and Mac have helped to fund a meteoric rise, while opening up a window to the world with the award-winning ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series.

  Life in the Championship was never going to be easy, with a record-shattering outlay of more than £30 million ($40m) required in order to get Phil Parkinson’s squad ready for the most testing of divisions.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Spend to compete: How Wrexham have fared in the Championship

  Assessing the Red Dragons’ efforts so far, Saunders – speaking in association with – told GOAL: "They have not won that many games, they have had nine draws, which is remarkable. They have drawn loads but that’s alright, it’s a marathon not a sprint – as long as you keep picking points up.

  "The loss at Hull gives the manager a chance to go and – maybe there were cracks they were getting away with – he can go in and say it and go ‘right, that run has come to an end, onto the next run’.

  "They spent £10m on Nathan Broadhead. Josh Windass and Kieffer Moore can get goals in the Championship, they can play at that level. It’s about getting success at that level. That’s why there are five leagues – players try and climb up the leagues and they stop at the point where they can’t beat the full-backs. In League One, they used to beat the League Two full-backs but now in League One they are finding it hard to make an impact in the game, so they get left out.

  "The Championship is another level. You have got players coming down from the Premier League and players who can do a job at that level, and you have also got Championship players who turn up Sat-Tues, Sat-Tues and know what to do and how to prepare in the Championship, because it’s week in, week out.

  "You have got to be careful what players you sign. Some Premier League players will be like ‘what is this, we are playing again on Tuesday, Millwall away when it’s raining and it’s a scrap?’ You have got to get players who are prepared to put their foot forward."

• Spend again! Reynolds & Mac finding transfer funds

  Quizzed on whether it will take another £30m to get Wrexham over the line and into the top-flight, Saunders added – with another window of opportunity set to swing open in the new year: "What can you say to the owners of Wrexham? They have put enough money in, they have enough sponsorship money.

  "I never thought they would pay £10m for a footballer, Wrexham. I never paid a penny for a player! My biggest earner was probably Andy Mangan on £1,500-a-week – that was the wage I could go to. Some of them now are on 30 times that.

  "They are doing great. If we had asked at the start of the season where do you think Wrexham will finish? You wouldn’t know how to answer it – they might do alright because of the momentum, they might struggle at this level. They are about touching distance from the play-offs. I’m sure they will add some players in January. These lads are determined to get to the Premier League."

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  Where will Wrexham finish in the 2025-26 campaign?

  Reynolds and Mac always knew that they could not complete Wrexham’s ascent by themselves, with huge sums of money required in order to reach the top of the pyramid. They have sold minority stakes and will continue to speak with any potential investors.

  For now the Red Dragons sit 14th in the Championship table, with a nine-game unbeaten run brought to a close last time out at Hull City, but are only four points adrift of the play-off places and a shot at earning the ultimate promotion.

Xabi Alonso has insisted that he's unfazed by reports of friction between him and Vinicius Junior as pressure ramps up on the Real Madrid manager amid the team's three-match winless run. The streak started with a loss at Liverpool in the Champions League, followed by back-to-back draws in La Liga against Rayo Vallecano and Elche, which allowed Barcelona to cut the gap at the top of La Liga to just one point.

• Vini Jr's fallout with Alonso

  Vinicius Junior has had problems with new manager Alonso over his game time since the start of the season. It all escalated during El Clásico, when the 25-year-old was seen ranting after being taken off by the boss in the second half of the match. He subsequently issued a public apology for his behaviour but raised more eyebrows by neglecting to mention his manager in his statement.

  The Selecao star's current contract runs out in 2027 and he has yet to reach an agreement with Madrid to extend his stay. According to , Vinicius Jr. has informed Los Blancos he will not renew his current deal "while his relationship with head coach Alonso remains so strained".

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  Alonso unperturbed by mutiny

  Addressing Vinicius Jr's supposed mutiny and managing big egos in the Madrid dressing room, Alonso said: "It’s just as important as the footballing philosophy, the tactical and physical work, managing personalities… and it’s a process with different phases that you have to know how to navigate. At Real Madrid, it’s fundamental. I didn’t realise it had been six months, but it’s turning out to be exactly what I expected. A very demanding job with good moments and moments where you need that concentration and connection. We’re in one where we have to show a reaction. I’m enjoying the whole package, everything it entails. I said it on the first day and I’ll say it again."

  When asked to comment on the topic of players getting managers sacked, Alonso added: "It’s demanding, but I’m certainly not the first manager to have to deal with these situations. I think a lot about what Carlo [Ancelotti], [Jose] Mourinho, or [Manuel] Pellegrini, the managers I’ve had, would have done in their time. These aren’t new situations; we have to know how to deal with them, we have the necessary standards and self-criticism. We know where we want to go… and putting all of this together, I’m enjoying it. 

  "We have to have a lot of respect for the players and the teams and how they prepare. I don’t want to and I’m not going to talk about that. I know what a dressing room is, I know the moments you have to go through, and you have to deal with the external noise. It shouldn’t make us lose focus on what’s important for us. We have to know how to get through these moments; we know the consequences of bad results, but they shouldn’t derail us from the path we want to take."

• Does Alonso have Madrid's backing?

  Asked if he has got the club's backing in this situation, Alonso said: "I’m guessing it is not the first time you’ve asked that question. We know the moment we’re in, in La Liga and the Champions League. I’m not focused on that, I’m focused on the players, on what we can control, and what happens at Valdebebas.

  "Not of support, because it’s not necessary, but we have the usual day-to-day communication with the president, I spoke this morning with him, and I also speak with Jose Angel [Sanchez, general manager] every day or two, the usual."

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  Nadal's advice for Vinicius Jr

  Die-hard Real Madrid fan and tennis legend Rafael Nadal has sided with Alonso in the tussle, telling: "I think it can be resolved through dialogue, with everyone on the same page. I believe Vini needs to understand who is in charge and respect that authority, and also the club, given what it means to be a Real Madrid player. But I think he's doing his best, and those things that come out of him, which sometimes aren't well-received, can be corrected through dialogue and an awareness that things can be improved. The first person who needs to want to explore that path of improvement has to be him. When I hear him speak in interviews, saying that he wants to improve in every aspect, I think he needs to find strong allies, and I'm convinced that Real Madrid will have the right people, and he will be there to advise him. 

  "The basic principle is wanting to do it. And Real Madrid has in Vinicius an asset that they can't devalue and that they have to protect, regardless of any performances that might not be to everyone's liking. As a player, he's a club asset; it's a situation that Real Madrid, being the immense club it is, knows how to manage, and I think they've done it well. The proof is that Vinicius' performance is now better than it was before. Football has a problem that is also a great strength; ultimately, many stories are written every week, and that magnifies things, but footballers are people, and that's how things are resolved, as human beings, by talking, understanding each other, and trying to project an image – one that is truly genuine – of unity, respect, and everyone pulling in the same direction."

Karun Nair left out of the 15-man squad while Pant remains injured

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Sep-20253:28

What does the squad for the WI Tests tell us?

Ravindra Jadeja has been named the vice-captain of the India Test squad for the two West Indies matches next month – it’s his first time in the position, though he has been vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is in the past.Shubman Gill will lead in his second Test series after debuting in the position in England earlier this year, but the injured Rishabh Pant, who was the vice-captain on the tour of England, hasn’t recovered sufficiently to make the squad. Pant, who had fractured his foot while batting in the fourth Test in England, is currently recovering at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Dhruv Jurel and N Jagadeesan are the two specialist wicketkeepers in the squad, with Jurel expected to be the first choice to stand behind the stumps.Jasprit Bumrah is also part of the squad, although there is only three day’s gap between the Asia Cup final, on September 28 in Dubai, and the start of the first Test against West Indies from October 2 in Ahmedabad.ESPNcricinfo LtdFrom the expanded squad that toured England, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh and Shardul Thakur have missed out, along with Pant. Abhimanyu, Akash Deep and Kamboj have been included in the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup, which will be played against Vidarbha from October 1 in Nagpur. Of them, Akash Deep had reported to the CoE recently to recover from a niggle he had picked up in England, which kept him out of the Duleep Trophy and recent India A matches.Coming in are Axar Patel, Devdutt Padikkal and Jagadeesan, who had been flown in for the final Test after Pant picked up his injury.On the exclusion of Nair, who had scored 205 runs in eight innings in England with a best of 57, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar said at a press conference in Dubai while announcing the squad: “We expected more from Karun. Padikkal offers a little bit more at this point. Wish we could give everyone 15-20 Tests, unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. Padikkal was in the Test squad in Australia, played against England in Dharamsala, got a fifty there. He’s shown some decent form. Frankly, we expected a bit more from Karun.”Related

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Meanwhile, one of Nair’s likely replacements, Sarfaraz Khan, is currently recovering from an injury.The rest of the squad wears a familiar look, and with spin expected to play a bigger part at home than pace, India have named Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Axar as the three spin-bowling allrounders, as well as Kuldeep Yadav. Nitish Kumar Reddy is the fast-bowling allrounder, with Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna the frontline quicks.On Bumrah’s availability – it had been confirmed before the five-Test tour of England that he would play only three Tests to manage his workload – Agarkar said, “This team has been picked for both the Tests, so he’s available for both Tests. We’ve had a fair break after England. He didn’t play the fifth Test [at The Oval] either. So there’s been a five-week break. Even this tournament [Asia Cup] has been fairly spaced out till the last week. So no, he’s ready and keen to play both Test matches.”India’s two Tests against West Indies, starting on October 2 in Ahmedabad and October 10 in Delhi, is their second of six series in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. Their cycle began with the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series in England, where India drew the five-Test series 2-2.Having earned 28 out of the maximum of 60 available points for five Tests, India are third in the WTC points table, with 46.67 percentage points. Australia and Sri Lanka are above them with 100 and 66.67 percentage points respectively. West Indies have zero percentage points, having lost three Tests to Australia in June-July.India’s squad for West Indies TestsShubman Gill (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja (vice-capt), Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, N Jagadeesan (wk)