With the loss Renegades’ chances of making it to the playoffs took a massive beating
AAP14-Jan-2025Big hitting from Hobart Hurricanes mainstays Matthew Wade and Tim David has proved to be the difference in a crucial win over Melbourne Renegades in Hobart.The four-wicket home win with two balls left, however, has come at a potentially high cost, with opening bowler Billy Stanlake injuring his shoulder only six days out from the knockouts. The win puts Hurricanes on top of the points table with two games left and almost ends Renegades’ slim playoffs hopes.Sent into bat, Renegades fought hard after another top-order collapse, but their 154 for 7 was not enough. In the chase then, after limping to 66 for 4 at the ten-over mark, Hurricanes steadied through Nikhil Chaudhary’s 36. Wade then belted 36 from 23 balls with five fours and one six, but his dismissal in the 17th over meant another plot twist, with Hurricanes needing eight off the last over.Tom Rogers was unlucky not to trap David leg before with the third ball of the over – the review showed it pitched just outside off stump. Rogers tried a yorker with the next ball and David hoiked the low full toss over deep square leg for a massive six that tied the scores.David’s single then won the game and he hit an unbeaten 24 from 15 balls, including two fours and a six.Jacob Bethell scored a fluent 87 off 50 balls•Getty ImagesJacob Bethell picked two wickets with his left-arm spin after anchoring the Renegades with a 50-ball 87.The Hurricanes won the toss and paid a high price for the first Renegades wicket when Stanlake took a great diving catch off Riley Meredith to dismiss Josh Brown. Stanlake immediately held his right shoulder and briefly left the field. He twice tried to start the next over, but pulled up in his delivery stride and went off the ground again for the rest of the innings.The Renegades’ top order failed again and were in trouble at 23 for 3 and then 69 for 4. Then Bethell combined with Tim Seifert (24) and Sutherland (15) to put the pressure back on the hosts.Bethell was run out in the last over after facing 50 balls, with eight fours and four sixes. Meredith was the pick of the Hurricanes attack, taking 3 for 36 from four overs.Hurricanes brought in Caleb Jewell and Jake Doran for Ben McDermott (hamstring) and Chris Jordan (back), while Renegades’ left-arm wristpinner Callum Stow took a wicket on debut after he replaced Kane Richardson (soreness).
O Grêmio abriu o placar da partida contra o Cuiabá, neste domingo, pela terceira rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, logo aos nove do primeiro tempo. No entanto, 20 minutos depois de Vina marcar de cabeça para a equipe visitante, Marllon empatou em rebote de cobrança de falta e enfureceu torcedores do Tricolor na web, que pediram o retorno do goleiro Adriel aos titulares.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoWeb critica atuação da árbitra Edina Alves no clássico entre Flamengo e BotafogoFora de Campo30/04/2023CorinthiansCorinthians precisa apelar à Conmebol para ter Danilo na Libertadores; Lázaro é opção em caso de negativaCorinthians30/04/2023Humor EsportivoZoações com o Flamengo bombam na web após derrota para o Botafogo; veja os memesHumor Esportivo30/04/2023
+Zoações com o Flamengo bombam na web após derrota para o Botafogo; veja os memes
O goleiro vive imbróglio com o time gaúcho desde que o técnico Renato Portaluppi externou a insatisfação com algumas atitudes do jogador, que foi retirado da equipe antes do jogo contra o Cruzeiro por desrespeitar normas internas. Adriel voltou a ficar no banco contra o ABC, pela Copa do Brasil, mas foi vaiado pela torcida e deu um soco na porta do vestiário em sinal de insatisfação.
+Ronald, do Grêmio, admite ‘sonho realizado’ com convocação para Mundial Sub-20 na Argentina
Contra o Cuiabá, o escolhido como titular para a meta tricolor foi Gabriel Grando. Adriel voltou a ficar fora da relação, e Felipe Scheibig ficou como opção no banco de reservas. O Imortal venceu a partida por 2 a 1.
continua após a publicidade
+Próximos jogos do Grêmio: veja calendário, datas, horários e onde assistir às partidas
Confira as principais reações de alguns torcedores na web:
Adriel faz falta, mais muita falta. Pena que q fez merda.
— Alexandre Machado (@alexandre162011) April 30, 2023
Volta Adriel
— Raul Ribeiro 🇪🇪 (@ri_be_iro_) April 30, 2023
vamos fingir que o rolê do adriel nunca aconteceu, ele volta a jogar e a gente finge que nem lembra
— CAROL 🇪🇪🌟 (@carolinedietze_) April 30, 2023
Adriel, nunca vou te perdoar por deixar o Grando de titular
— ✨ (@thaainasantoss) April 30, 2023
que saudades do adriel
— enzo (@enzoogfbpa) April 30, 2023
GOLEIRO RUIM, O JOGO TAVA BOM, CONTROLADO, MAS DAÍ VEM ESSE RUIM ENTREGAR O EMPATE
— allan¹⁹⁰³ com saudade do geromel (@allanzws) April 30, 2023
Defesa do Grêmio tenebrosa.
Grando, DB e Bruno Alves.
É de chorar.
— Fabiano Hardt (@FabianoHardt) April 30, 2023
saudades quando tínhamos goleiro, só foi o merda do adriel sair que levamos gol todo jogo
Gus Atkinson has been awarded the Bob Willis Trophy for England’s Player of the Year after a debut Test summer in which he collected 34 wickets as well as scoring his maiden hundred.Atkinson collected the award, voted for by members of the Cricket Writers’ Club, at the Kia Oval on Tuesday. The annual awards ceremony also saw Shoaib Bashir named NV Play Young Player of the Year, the latest winner of the CWC award dating back to 1950.Sophie Ecclestone won the JM Finn Women’s Cricket Award, while Ryana MacDonald-Gay was voted Emerging Cricketer. Liam Dawson, last month named the Professional Cricketers’ Association men’s player of the year, claimed the County Championship prize.”I was just hoping to make my England Test debut, and to have the summer that I’ve had, it’s a huge honour and to get this award at the end of it tops it off,” Atkinson said.”My debut, obviously taking 12 wickets was very special, and playing in Jimmy Anderson’s last Test was a big honour. Probably my favourite moment was that century against Sri Lanka.”Bashir has gone from virtual unknown to England’s first-choice spinner in the last 12 months, claiming three Test five-fors – including a match-winning haul in the second Test against West Indies at Trent Bridge. He picked up the prestigious CWC award for players under the age of 21 at the start of the summer.”Two years ago, I didn’t have a county,” Bashir said. “It’s been really special. With a lot of hard work, I’m thankful to be playing for my country. Long may it continue.”It was very special, first time I’d played at Trent Bridge. For me to take that last wicket and seal the deal to make it 2-0 in the series, it was one of the highlights of my season.”Other winners of the CWC awards included England Physical Disability opening batter Brendon Parr, who was presented with the Lord’s Taverners charity’s Disability Cricketer of the Year award.James Anderson and the cast of Tailenders took the Peter Smith Award for outstanding presentation of cricket to the public, and the Derek Hodgson Cricket Book of the year was won by David Kynaston and Harry Ricketts for.Cricket Writers’ Club chair Dean Wilson said: “Huge congratulations to all our award winners, reflecting another terrific year of cricket for all members of the media to cover.”At a time of unprecedented change in the game on and off the field, there are precious few opportunities to pause and reflect and honour the efforts of those who bring so much joy.”Whether it is the skill and guile of Sophie Ecclestone and Shoaib Bashir, or the excellence of Gus Atkinson or Brendon Parr, there has been much to admire. Long may that continue.”
During the off-season, weekends don’t tend to generate much excitement for football fans. It’s time to enjoy the summer weather and disassociate ourselves from the stresses of supporting a team. However, for Arsenal fans on Sunday, there was certainly something to get the blood pumping.
It’s been two years now, two long years that the Gunners have needed a new striker and they finally look set to bring one to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal's KaiHavertzwith manager MikelArtetaafter being substituted
For much of the transfer window so far, the question has been, will Mikel Arteta sign Benjamin Sesko or Viktor Gyokeres?
Well, it looks like the answer has arrived emphatically; Gyokeres.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein broke the news over the weekend that the reds were set to sign the Swede from Sporting, finally agreeing a fee with the Portuguese club that will see him move for a guaranteed fee of £55m plus an extra £8.6m in add-ons.
Arsenal, however, are not done there.
What's next for Arsenal after Gyokeres
This has been a particularly busy fortnight for Andrea Berta with Arsenal having confirmed the arrivals of three players: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard.
It’s now widely expected that Noni Madueke will complete his move to the red side of London this week with Fabrizio Romano reporting on Monday that he will sign a contract until 2030 after undergoing the final part of his medical.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
After that, Arsenal look set to bolster their defence with the addition of a young defender plying their trade in LaLiga.
That’s according to a number of sources, including the aforementioned Ornstein who claimed at the start of this week that Arsenal “are working to complete” a move for Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera. Personal terms have reportedly already been agreed.
Cristhian Mosquera for Valencia.
An update was also provided by sources in Spain, via Sport Witness. They report that the player was left out of training on Monday and is now already flying to England to undergo a medical and officially put pen to paper on his contract.
Previous reports have suggested it could take a bid of £17m to lure him away from Spain.
What Mosquera could bring to Mikel Arteta's Arsenal team
The arrivals of Zubimendi and Gyokeres will undoubtedly cause much fanfare this summer but should Berta and Co get a deal over the line for Mosquera, it must also be celebrated.
After all, the 21-year-old has showcased himself to be one of the best young defenders in Spain over recent years.
Valencia defenderCristhian Mosquera.
On the face of it, you may not think Arsenal need to sign another centre-half. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are immovable objects at the heart of Arteta’s defence and have steered the Gunners to the best defensive record in the Premier League over the last two seasons.
Yet, it could be argued that they’ve struggled to find adequate backup. Italy international Riccardo Calafiori, who is a centre-back by trade, has played more as a left-back since arriving in the English capital and Jakub Kiwior’s future remains up in the air.
To his credit, Kiwior did stand out while Gabriel nursed a hamstring injury and actually looked like the more composed out of him and Saliba when Arsenal travelled to the Bernabeu. It was Saliba’s mistake that led to Vini Jr’s goal in the second half.
The Frenchman and Gabriel will resume their partnership in 2025/26 but Mosquera, a front-footed modern defender, will fit like a glove into this Arsenal team.
Analyst Ben Mattinson has described Mosquera as “one of the best backline aggressors of his age” while noting that the youngster will be the “aggressor and leader that Gabriel is but from right centre-back”.
What that means is that the Valencia star could be the perfect profile to help transitions into midfield, thus helping the likes of Zubimendi and Declan Rice get on the ball more.
Anytime Arteta’s side find possession in the hands of those two this season, something is bound to happen. European football expert, Sid Lowe, has noted that the Spaniard “is just about as good a deep-lying midfielder there is in Europe, apart from maybe Rodri,” while we all know the power and carrying ability that Rice has from deep.
To rubberstamp why Mosquera would be so beneficial to the build-up and midfield transition, we’ve highlighted the following numbers via FBRef.
Mosquera in LaLiga – 2024/25
Metric
Stat (per 90)
Rank vs LaLiga CBs
Progressive carries
0.95
Top 18%
Progressive passes
3.34
Top 37%
Pass completion
90.5%
Top 16%
Long pass completion
68.1%
Top 16%
% of dribblers tackled
77.5%
Top 16%
Ball recoveries
5.15
Top 4%
Stats via FBRef.
What the metrics above suggest is that Mosquera is very much ball-dominant. He loves to carry the ball forward and he marries that attribute with the composure to play out from the back.
For context, his pass completion rate of 90.5% was greater than Gabriel’s 90.2% in the Premier League last season.
He’s not just front-footed, but he’s an aggressive defender too, something Mattinson outlined. Only 16% of centre-backs in LaLiga tackled a higher percentage of dribblers. Only 4% of positionally similar players made more ball recoveries.
This is an elite defender in the making and his ability to make an impact higher up the pitch and carry the ball into midfield will only be beneficial, particularly for someone like Rice.
The club’s record signing loves to drop into the hole and then burst forward. He does that regularly with Gabriel and Saliba behind him but should one of them be unavailable, Mosquera will ensure Rice and Zubimendi can play in the same way.
Way better than Madueke: £50m PL star wants to join Arsenal alongside Eze
Arsenal could sign another Premier League star beyond just Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta faces a huge task ahead of him in the 2025/26 campaign, potentially coming under serious pressure should he fail to win a trophy.
The Spaniard has now been in the role at the Emirates for five and a half years, with his only trophy coming in the FA Cup back in his first season at the helm.
In the Premier League, the Gunners have finished as runners-up in each of the last three seasons, being unable to make that final step and end the two-decade wait for a league triumph.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetaduring a lap of appreciation after the match
Investment is needed from the hierarchy during the off-season if they are to finish at the top of the table next time around, handing the manager the tools he needs for success.
With the transfer window now in full swing, countless names have been mentioned as options for Arteta, leading to moves being made on various deals.
The latest on Arsenal’s hunt for new additions this summer
A striker has been firmly on their radar over recent weeks, leading to talks being held with the representatives of RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, but no agreement has yet been reached.
Moves have also been made to sign PSG wonderkid Warren Zaire-Emery, looking to take advantage of his situation in France which has seen him losing his starting place in Luis Enrique’s side.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates their second goal scored by Lukas Klostermann
However, they may look past a deal for the teenager, given the progress that has been made to sign Sevilla star Lucien Agoume, according to one Spanish outlet.
They claim that the Gunners are leading the race for his signature, with fellow English sides Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur also firmly in the race for his signature.
It also states that the 23-year-old is available for a fee in the region of £20m this summer, potentially forming an excellent partnership with one other talent in North London.
Why Arsenal’s £20m target would be perfect alongside Zubimendi
Over recent months, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been the name on all supporters’ lips after he’s been consistently linked with a move to Arsenal.
It was confirmed back in January that a deal had been agreed to land the 26-year-old this summer, but such a move has been quiet over the last couple of weeks.
That was until Fabrizio Romano confirmed that a deal is imminent with the midfielder still set to make the move to the Emirates despite interest from Real Madrid.
It’s been reported that the hierarchy are set to pay just over his €60m release clause in his contract, securing the deep-lying option Arteta has been crying out for.
However, he could thrive alongside Agoume in North London next season, with the Frenchman having all the tools to star in the middle of the park and giving the Gunners a new dimension.
Lucien Agoume in action against Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe.
Agoume, who’s been labelled “one of the most talented defensive midfielders” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has completed 83% of passes and achieved a dribble success rate of 76% – subsequently able to drive forward after Zubimendi regains possession for the side.
He’s also created 1.2 chances per 90, showcasing his ability his progress the play and aiding the attackers in front of him to thrive and bolster their title credentials.
Lucien Agoume’s stats for Sevilla in LaLiga (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
35
Goals & assists
4
Passes completed
83%
Dribbles success
76%
Chances created
1.2
Tackles won
1.4
Interceptions made
1.7
Stats via FotMob
The 23-year-old’s talents continue without the ball, winning 1.4 tackles per 90 and making 1.7 interceptions per 90, handing Arteta an added ball-winning option alongside Zubimendi and taking some of the pressure off his shoulders as a result.
£20m in today’s market would be a superb piece of business by the hierarchy, landing a young player who could improve massively in the years ahead given his tender age.
The prospect of a partnership between Agoume and the Spaniard at the heart of the side is certainly an exciting one, handing Arteta the strength and depth he needs to push for the title in 2025/26.
He's the next Timber: Arsenal submit offer to sign "insane" £43m star
After Jurriën Timber proved to be such a revelation this season, could Arsenal return to the Eredivisie to sign an “insane” defender worth £43m?
Wolverhampton Wanderers are now set to say goodbye to Rayan Ait-Nouri as Manchester City are reportedly closing in £33.7m deal to sign the player.
The Algerian defender has been with Wolves since 2020, but after five seasons at Molineux, now is the time to cash in.
This follows on from Manchester United signing Matheus Cunha, bringing in £62.5m for Vitor Pereira to use this summer.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' RayanAit-Nouri
Cunha will be missed, no doubt about that, but Ait-Nouri has been one of the best players for Wolves in the Premier League over the previous few years.
Rayan Ait-Nouri's record at Wolves
Last season, the defender enjoyed his most productive season with regards to attacking output since he joined Wolves.
Across 41 matches, Ait-Nouri scored five times while registering seven assists for the club. He also created eight big chances in the Premier League for the Old Gold, while averaging 1.3 key passes and succeeding with 1.7 dribbles per game last term.
The onus for Pereira now is to find a player who can be signed cheaply that will go on to replicate the success that Ait-Nouri has at the club.
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2024/25
41
5
7
2023/24
38
3
4
2022/23
27
2
1
2021/22
27
1
6
2020/21
27
1
2
He will have money to spend. That’s a certainty. Could he sign a player from his homeland this summer who might be an even bigger talent than Ait-Nouri?
Wolves eyeing move for Roger Fernandes
Journalist Graeme Bailey stated recently that Wolves are keeping tabs on Braga’s Roger Fernandes ahead of making a potential swoop.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
“I think the Portuguese league will be somewhere that they explore; it wouldn’t surprise me if they do look towards that league again,” said Bailey.
“I’ve heard Roger Fernandes’ name linked to Wolves in recent weeks as well, wouldn’t surprise me if he was on the agenda.”
Roger Fernandes for SC Braga.
Despite typically operating as a right-winger, Fernandes can also play either left-back or left wing-back, positions that Ait-Nouri made his own at Wolves.
Quite how highly-rated the 19-year-old is evident by the fact that he even made his debut aged just 15 years and eight months for Braga back in August 2021 – a record in Portugal’s top-flight. Ait-Nouri, by contrast, was 17 when he made his first senior bow for Angers in August 2018.
Last season, meanwhile, Fernandes made 48 appearances across all competitions for the Portuguese side, scoring five goals and chipping in with seven assists.
For context, Ait-Nouri’s final season in France saw him register just three assists in 17 games in Ligue 1, before joining Wolves at the age of 19.
Fernandes shone at both ends of the pitch. Not only did he create six big chances while averaging 1.3 key passes per game, but the youngster also won over 50% of his contested duels while averaging 1.5 tackles per match for Braga.
Last summer, talent scout Jacek Kulig praised the teenager, describing him as “Braga’s biggest jewel” and “one of the most exciting U19s in Portugal.”
It would certainly be a significant coup should Pereira land the winger this summer, especially given his high ceiling for development.
Wolves might only have to pay a fee of around £25m to secure his services. With the club raising nearly £90m by selling Cunha and Ait-Nouri, it could prove to be a wonderful bargain this summer.
Wolves now keeping tabs on £25m winger who is similar to Antonio Valencia
The Old Gold are looking to add some attacking flair this summer.
Chelsea’s transfer plans for the summer window are now in full swing, having just reached an agreement for the signing of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, but their striker search may not be over with the Englishman.
Chelsea could sign second striker after Liam Delap
Earlier this week, Chelsea shook hands on a £30 million deal for Delap, fresh off the back of his 12-goal haul for Kieran McKenna’s relegated side.
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The ex-Man City starlet was a beacon of light in an otherwise dismal Ipswich side, and his £30 million release clause was always going to result in club’s poaching Delap from Portman Road after his excellent 2024/2025 campaign.
Delap had offers from Man United, Newcastle and Everton as well as Chelsea, but the latter jumped into pole position after their qualification for next season’s Champions League, with the striker now set to bolster Enzo Maresca’s forward line.
Maresca knows the centre-forward well from their time together at City, and Delap was academy teammates with Cole Palmer, so the 22-year-old already has plenty of connections at the club and should get settled quickly.
Delap is set to undergo a medical on Monday ahead of his proposed switch to Stamford Bridge, but according to recent reports, he may not be their only new addition up front.
Rank
Team
Points
GD
Man City
71
+28
Chelsea
69
+21
Newcastle
66
+21
6
Aston Villa
66
+7
7
Nottingham Forest
65
+12
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has reported that Chelsea are still “pushing” to sign Eintracht Frankfurt sensation Hugo Ekitike, regardless of Delap’s arrival, following other claims that BlueCo could bring in two number nines before summer deadline day on September 1.
Chelsea’s pursuit of a double-striker deal is described as very possible, especially after their qualification for the Champions League, with player sales also likely to play a key role.
Chelsea in pole position to sign Hugo Ekitike after opening talks
According to CaughtOffside, despite his mammoth £84 million asking price, Chelsea and Liverpool remain interested in Ekitike as we enter the mini-transfer window open from June 1 to June 10.
After opening talks, it is believed Chelsea are currently in pole position to sign Ekitike ahead of Arne Slot’s side, following the Frenchman’s excellent haul of 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 appearances across 24/25.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
Despite never quite making it at PSG, the 22-year-old has displayed his obvious quality in the Bundesliga, and those who’ve worked with Ekitike have showered praise on him, so he’s an option worth considering after Delap.
Called an “amazing” talent by French football expert Julien Laurens, Ekitike’s reserve team coach at Reims, Franck Chalencon, has shared exactly what Chelsea can expect from him.
“He’s a very clever player which has seen him to adapt and understand the expectations of professional football,” said Chalencon.
“His main quality? His instinct for goal. It’s very rare that Hugo plays a game without creating a chance himself at any occasion. In front of the goal, his ratio is excellent. But he’s not only a striker, he can play on the wing, too. Very technical. He knows what to do with the ball, when to keep it, when to give it.”
Following a campaign full of moments to forget defensively, Manchester United are reportedly prioritising a summer move to sign a central defender who is now a Champions League finalist.
Man Utd's summer wishlist
At risk of sounding like a broken record given how often the Red Devils have been in this exact position in the last decade, Manchester United simply must get this summer right.
The jury is still out on Ruben Amorim, who has had the excuse that these are simply not his players in a system that requires certain profiles to thrive. But that excuse cannot be something to fall back on in the next campaign if the former Sporting Club boss is backed this summer.
If the Manchester United boss is to stand any chance of turning things around in the coming months, then a number of arrivals are needed. And that could yet include the likes of Matheus Cunha and Patrik Schick.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' MatheusCunhacelebrates scoring their fourth goal
The former would be a particularly impressive signing following an excellent individual campaign at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Single-handedly keeping his side alive at times before Vitor Pereira arrived to turn things around, Cunha is now likely to leave the club this summer courtesy of a reported release clause worth around £63m.
Regarding Manchester United’s interest, recent reports suggest that it is the Red Devils in the driving seat for his signature in what would be a fantastic way to commence a crucial summer.
Man Utd could now be offered £135k-p/w star in exchange for Rasmus Hojlund
United could be about to be offered a new midfield signing to get their struggling striker off the books.
ByBrett Worthington May 8, 2025
Whilst Cunha would undoubtedly provide United with an attacking solution, there would still be plenty of work to do at the other end. Alas, that’s something the Red Devils seem to be well aware of, with signing one particular target now reportedly among their top priorities.
Man Utd prioritising Bisseck move
According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are now prioritising a move to sign Yann Bisseck this summer and are already considering a formal proposal to sign the central defender.
A Champions League finalist after playing his part in Inter’s stunning 7-6 aggregate victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals, Bisseck would be an excellent addition to Amorim’s backline. Among all the goals, the defender played his part across two legs in a starting role in both the away leg and then Tuesday’s San Siro thriller.
Dubbed “dominant” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Bisseck’s experience in a back three would also hand Amorim a perfect option as he looks to solve Manchester United’s defensive problems once and for all.
Whether those at Old Trafford can convince a Champions League finalist into a summer switch to a side currently struggling in the depths of the Premier League will be the big question in the coming months, however.
Leeds United is currently the home to various talents who have made their names across Europe before moving to Elland Road over the last couple of seasons.
Brenden Aaronson is just one player who cost big money to secure a move for his signature, costing a fee in the region of £25m during their final season in the Premier League back in 2022/23.
The American has so far failed to demonstrate why the hierarchy forked out such a hefty fee for his signature, struggling to make a real impact under Daniel Farke in recent weeks.
Whilst he scored the opener against Swansea City last weekend, it was only his second goal contribution of the calendar year, struggling to produce any tangible results in their hunt for Championship promotion.
He’s since been unable to match the levels produced by one player who starred in Yorkshire after his own transfer from the Swans multiple years ago.
Pablo Hernandez’s stats for Leeds United
Over the years, Leeds has been the home to countless icons, with Pablo Hernandez undoubtedly cementing himself as a modern-day hero for his heroics at Elland Road.
The Spaniard originally moved on loan from Swansea back in 2016/17, before joining permanently in the January of that campaign after impressing in the first half of the season.
Former Leeds winger Pablo Hernandez.
Such a move would be the springboard for his success with the Whites, with Hernandez going on to register 36 goals and 41 assists from 175 outings, helping the club lift the Championship title at the close of the 2019/20 campaign.
He was a pivotal part of Marcelo Bielsa’s side that season, remaining a key member of the squad the following year as the club ended their long wait for Premier League football.
Whilst he left the club back in 2021, current boss Farke already has his own version of the fan-favourite, playing a vital role in their own ambitions of returning to the top flight.
The player who’s become Farke’s own Hernandez at Leeds
The plethora of attacking talent on the books at Leeds has contributed to their phenomenal attacking record, which has seen them score 78 times in the league this season – by far the highest tally in the division.
Joel Piroe has been central to such a record, netting 15 league goals to date, a tally which is the highest within the current first-team squad – producing key goals at various moments.
The Dutchman arrived in a £10m deal from Swansea back in the summer of 2023, following in Hernandez’s footsteps in joining from the Welsh outfit and having an immediate impact in Yorkshire.
The similarities to Hernandez continue, with the 25-year-old also able to feature in the number ten role, as seen in certain matches this season, with the “superb” star, as dubbed by one analyst, key to the club’s recent success.
During his final Championship campaign in Yorkshire, the Spaniard notched a total of 18 combined goals and assists back in 2019/20 – cementing himself as a key member of Bielsa’s squad.
Piroe has already registered a combined 21 contributions with seven matches remaining this campaign, with any hope of securing promotion potentially down to whether he can continue to produce the goods in the final third.
Combined goals & assists from Leeds attackers in the Championship (2024/25)
Player
Tally
Joel Piroe
21
Daniel James
19
Manor Solomon
14
Brenden Aaronson
11
Wilfried Gnonto
11
Mateo Joseph
6
Largie Ramazani
6
Stats via FotMob
He’s been subject to criticism in recent times, but it’s safe to say the club wouldn’t be in this current position without his goals, certainly playing a key role in their promotion ambitions.
Whilst it’s unclear whether he will be able to cut it in the Premier League, Piroe has a huge job to catapult the side into the top flight between now and the end of the season.
His goals could provide the difference over the next couple of weeks, with the Dutchman able to cement his place in the Whites’ history books should he produce the goods and fire them back to England’s top-division.
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His persistence has helped him carve a place in a side that mirrors a turnaround as improbable as his own
Shashank Kishore20-May-2024Swapnil Singh, 33, is in the midst of a dream run with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He has now been part of each of their six straight wins that have catapulted them into the playoffs. He has so far picked up six wickets in six games at an economy rate of 8.76. He has bowled in the powerplay with great control, and has delivered key wickets, starting with that of Heinrich Klaasen. It was the foundation of RCB’s defence of 206 against a rip-roaring Sunrisers Hyderabad side. RCB haven’t looked back since.Swapnil was originally picked as a back-up left-arm spinner to Mayank Dagar, who had been traded from SRH. But when Dagar wasn’t as effective and RCB found themselves at the bottom of the points table with seven losses in eight games, Swapnil got his opportunity.”When I came here, I knew I wouldn’t play initially,” he told . “But I never got onto the field for training thinking I won’t play. Our first practice session was like my first match. From the first ball, I had to be on target if I had to play. Nets was like my match.”Related
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When Swapnil arrived for RCB’s trials in November 2023, he made one request to Andy Flower, the new head coach.”Just give me one chance, this might be my last chance.” Flower was non-committal, but knew Swapnil from his previous stint at Lucknow Super Giants, where he was a net bowler for one year before being signed in 2023. Swapnil was called for a pre-season trials followed by a camp conducted by Malolan Rangarajan, RCB’s head of scouting.”My camp [called by RCB] wasn’t great, but it wasn’t bad either,” Swapnil said. “On auction day [for IPL 2024], I was in Dehradun for the start of the Ranji Trophy. When I wasn’t picked, I frankly thought it was over. There were so many other ways to win the world. I thought I’ll finish playing this season and quit. I was very disappointed. When my family called, we just broke down.”To Swapnil’s surprise, RCB eventually picked him right at the end. It was the first time he was picked in the IPL for two seasons in a row.Prior to being signed by LSG last year, he was first called up as a net bowler, a role he reluctantly accepted. “When Deepak Hooda [his Baroda team-mate who was also picked by LSG] called me and asked if I wanted to be a net bowler for LSG, I scolded him and hung up the phone. Then he called again and said, ‘just think about it’.”Swapnil called Irfan Pathan, one of his mentors. When Swapnil found his career hit a dead end at Baroda, Irfan had helped him find a new team, Uttarakhand. Swapnil’s Baroda stint had ended abruptly because he’d been told, “there’s no place for you in the team” by the state captain at the time.Swapnil Singh made an impact for RCB right from his first over•Associated Press”I asked why and was told they were preferring a youngster. It was a blessing in disguise that I left Baroda. Sometimes when you’re kicked out of your own home, you learn to go outside and stand on our feet. I realise now maybe it was a great thing to have happened. I would’ve been finished had I remained in Baroda.”Pathan advised Swapnil to take up the net-bowling offer. “I honestly didn’t go out of happiness. I went with a heavy heart, reluctantly,” he said. “But in the first couple of days itself, they were impressed. Every net session, I used to bowl from the first ball till the end.”Narendra Hirwani (spin consultant of LSG for their first season in 2022) liked me a lot. He transformed my bowling 180 degrees. I really wish I was associated with him from a lot earlier in my career.”Swapnil was primarily a left-arm spinner, but an equally handy lower-order batter. He has two first-class centuries, six List A fifties and two T20 fifties. In fact, when he made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2006, aged 14 years and 355 days, he was primarily a batter. But bowling would soon take over.Swapnil was in the running to be a part of India’s Under-19 World Cup squad in 2008. But he was eventually left out as the selectors preferred Ravindra Jadeja. It took him eight years from there to make his IPL debut, for Punjab Kings in 2016, and another seven to double that tally. Last year, he featured in two games for LSG but couldn’t pick any wickets.”Honestly, Andy played a big role,” Swapnil said. “I asked him, ‘sir, why don’t you give me an opportunity to bat? He agreed and allowed me to bat. That day, GG (Gautam Gambhir) was also there, and they were both impressed. I may have been the first net bowler to have been given the chance to also bat in the nets.”Despite all that, Swapnil nearly walked away from the game after seeing his name in the ‘unsold’ list in the first few rounds of the mini-auction last December. But here he is, five months on, content with the way he has progressed this season.”I would always speak to my brother and tell him, ‘I haven’t hit a four or six, I just have one wicket. So I want to hit a four and a six, as I have the wicket anyway ()’. I knew this season if they play me in a game, Faf [du Plessis] will give me at least one over. In that game [his RCB debut], I hit a four, a six and I didn’t bowl six, but seven balls in my first over [due to a no-ball]. I picked up a wicket off the seventh [two in the over – Aiden Markram and then Klaasen]. It’s all god’s blessings.”His long journey of two decades in domestic cricket has taken him from Lucknow to Baroda and now Dehradun. On Saturday night, he won over Bengaluru, not just with his bowling but with the pressure catch he took to dismiss MS Dhoni in the final over.Now with potentially three games to go, can his dream season continue to flourish and get the perfect ending?