Leeds United, following their disappointing EFL Cup exit in midweek, will be seeking to return to winning ways as the Championship returns…

What's the latest Leeds team news?

Daniel Farke has endured a tumultuous start to the new season, having failed to win in his opening three league matches before finally claiming all three points with last Saturday's win over Ipswich Town.

They now face another tough task against newly-promoted opposition, welcoming Sheffield Wednesday to Elland Road.

With a host of new players set to be available for this fixture, at last the German manager will boast a positive selection headache given the mass overhaul he has masterminded in the final week of the transfer window.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

One such example was the acquisition of Djed Spence, who could revolutionise the right-back spot after joining on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

However, it is another of their August additions that must be recalled for today's clash, with Joe Rodon having been sorely missed most recently against Salford City.

His inclusion, alongside his Lilywhites teammate, could help solve one of the club's big issues.

Will Joe Rodon start against Sheffield Wednesday?

Given how quick Farke was to throw him into the starting side, it is clear just how important the Wales international will be for the Yorkshire outfit this season as they seek to earn promotion.

Already his quality and impressive pedigree have begun shining through despite only having made three league appearances, with his 7.15 average rating impressive. This is a figure buoyed by his outstanding 92% pass accuracy, paired with 1.7 interceptions and 3.7 tackles per game, via Sofascore.

When he is present the entire team is elevated, and the 25-year-old will hope that he can prove instrumental in plugging the gaps that have seen them ship seven goals in their opening four fixtures.

His reemergence into the starting side is made particularly important given how youngster Charlie Cresswell failed to impress in that midweek cup clash, with his 6.8 rating the joint-lowest of those who started for the travelling side.

The 21-year-old's inability to stake his claim emphasised Rodon's absence and how big of a miss he proved to be, with Rennes boss Bruno Genesio having lauded his importance and strong mentality whilst on loan: "Joe Rodon shows an exemplary mindset, although he does not play."

Spence also suffered from a lack of game time with the same club, having seen his season in France cut short due to injury.

However, to once again be reunited with his £10k-per-week defensive teammate could prove revolutionary for Leeds, who have been crying out for both a new defensive leader and some added energy in the full-back spots.

Rodon would offer the foundation for his 23-year-old right-back to recapture form from his loan with Nottingham Forest, which saw him record six goal contributions, one key pass per game, and earn praise from former Tricky Trees stalwart Brian Laws: "Full-backs do not tend to get many headlines.

"He grabs them by the handful. In every single game, he has a positive impact. He has power going forward, he has electric pace, he has an abundance of skill, he can drop his shoulder, step-over, go inside or outside — he is a major threat."

It is worth noting that he was allowed to thrive within that setup beside Joe Worrall, with Rodon boasting more than enough quality to assume this role and hand Spence his ideal start to life at Elland Road.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na tarde desta quinta-feira (18), o técnico Eduardo Berizzo convocou Gustavo Gómez, do Palmeiras, para disputar as Eliminatórias da Copa do Mundo de 2022 pela seleção do Paraguai. Desta forma, o zagueiro passa a ser o quarto desfalque, causado pela data-Fifa, no setor defensivo alviverde.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasGabriel Menino celebra convocação como lateral e afirma: ‘Jogaria até de goleiro’Palmeiras18/09/2020PalmeirasConvocado, Weverton é o terceiro goleiro mais chamado por TitePalmeiras18/09/2020PalmeirasConvocado, trio titular do Palmeiras será desfalque contra São PauloPalmeiras18/09/2020

#Albirroja ⚪🔴 | Lista de futbolistas del exterior, reservados por el DT Eduardo Berizzo para los partidos ante #Perú (08/10) y #Venezuela (13/10).

¡Vamos Paraguay!
¡Juntos por #ElSueñoQueUne! 🇵🇾 pic.twitter.com/xtGGB6TacD

— Selección Paraguaya (@Albirroja) September 18, 2020

Além de Gómez, também foram convocados Matías Viña, lateral-esquerdo (Uruguai); Weverton, goleiro (Brasil); e Gabriel Menino, que pode atuar como lateral-direito (Brasil). Eles serão ausências no Verdão nos duelos contra Botafogo, no dia 7 de outubro, e São Paulo, no dia 10.

Também existe a possibilidade de não conseguirem participar do jogo contra o Coritiba, no dia 14, no Allianz Parque. Isso se deve ao fato de que o último compromisso dos atletas com as seleções de seus países será no dia 13, apenas um dia antes da partida em questão. Desta forma, o Palmeiras dependerá do condicionamento físico dos jogadores e de uma questão de logística para trazê-los de volta a São Paulo a tempo.

Para segurar o tranco, o elenco palestrino oferece a Vanderlei Luxemburgo Felipe Melo, Luan, Vitor Hugo e Emerson Santos na zaga, Lucas Esteves na lateral esquerda, além de Mayke e Marcos Rocha na lateral direita.

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Gustavo Gómez será mais um dos desfalques na defesa do Palmeiras: o lado positivo

Apesar de o elevado número de desfalques na defesa ser motivo de preocupação para a comissão técnica de Luxa, isso também é um sinal de que o setor está indo bem.

O Palmeiras foi o time menos vazado na conquista do Paulistão 2020, com apenas sete gols sofridos. No Brasileirão, ocupa o terceiro lugar no ranking de melhor defesa, tendo levado oito gols (atrás de Inter e Grêmio, que foram vazados seis vezes). Por fim, na Libertadores, o sistema defensivo alviverde foi superado apenas duas vezes e a equipe ocupa o quinto lugar no quesito.

Shakib Al Hasan continues to be sidelined after sustaining an injury during the recently-concluded tri-series

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Feb-2018Bangladesh have included middle-order batsman Sabbir Rahman in their squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka, while off-loading Sunzamul Islam and Rubel Hossain. Bangladesh will remain without the services of Shakib Al Hasan for the Test, which begins from February 8. The allrounder hasn’t recovered from a finger injury sustained in the final of the recently-concluded tri-series.Rubel didn’t play in the Chittagong Test but Sunzamul did and finished with unflattering figures of 1-153 from 45 overs. Sabbir returns to the squad, having played last played a Test on Bangaldesh’s 2017 tour of South Africa without much success.Mahmudullah will remain captain in Shakib’s absence as Bangladesh look to plug the top allrounder’s gap with extra batsmen and spinners.Squad for the second Test: Mahmudullah (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das (wk), Mushfiqur Rahim, Imrul Kayes, Mominul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Kamrul Islam, Mehidy Hassan, Nayeem Hasan, Tanbir Hayder, Abdur Razzak, Sabbir Rahman.

Half-centuries from captain Jason Sangha and Param Uppal contributed to Australia’s all-round effort, handing PNG a mammoth 311-run drubbing in Lincoln

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jan-2018Australia Under-19 opener Nathan McSweeney’s 156, aided by half-centuries from captain Jason Sangha and Param Uppal, and a seven-wicket haul from fast bowler Jason Ralston handed PNG a mammoth 311-run drubbing in Lincoln.Jason Ralston’s impressive figures•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Having set a target of 371, Ralston ran through the PNG line-up with figures of 7 for 15. While Zak Evans and Ryan Hadley took out one wicket a piece, Ralston’s offensive, across 6.5 overs, proved sufficient to ensure PNG were bowled out for 59 inside 24.5 overs, with only one batsman – Leke Morea (20) – notching up a double-digit score.Much of the trouble for PNG, however, began with the ball as their decision to bowl backfired spectacularly, despite having made the first strike off the eighth ball of the innings. After Semo Kamea removed Max Bryant for a duck, McSweeney hammered 18 fours and four sixes and trotted to a 111-ball 156, putting on 250 runs for the second wicket with Sangha (88), at an astounding rate of 7.28. Left-arm quick James Tau’s double-strike off successive balls in the 36th over accounted for McSweeney and Sangha, following which Austin Waugh (26) partnered with Uppal (61) to add 92 for the fourth wicket. With less than four overs left until the end of the innings, the duo, too, fell off back-to-back deliveries to Dare Aiga, but had done enough to ensure Australia finished on 370 for 8.

Tottenham Hotspur's plans to replace Harry Kane have taken another twist as a report shares news on Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.

Who will Spurs replace Kane with?

Spurs' links to top forwards have varied from the exciting to bizarre, coming after they sold their star talisman Kane to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

The likes of Romelu Lukaku, who is struggling to leave Chelsea this summer, have been linked alongside more in-form names like scintillating young Gent star Gift Orban.

Whoever comes in to succeed Kane will have some absolutely huge shoes to fill, especially since he smashed both Tottenham and England's all-time goalscoring records last season.

The 30-year-old will prove a major asset for Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel but Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou must somehow contend without a guaranteed 20-plus-goal-per-season forward.

Luckily, the Australian has had some time to ponder life without Kane, as Postecoglou recently admitted the England star's mind was made up long ago.

"I had a conversation with Harry the first day he arrived and he was up front and honest, and I was the same,” Postecoglou said.

“You get an indication there that he kind of made up his mind: that if the clubs agreed he would go, particularly if it was before the first game. That was my preference as well.

“There's nothing along the way that's sort of made me feel there's anything other than this outcome."

Amid the consistent rumours surrounding Kane's replacement, it appears a fairly new link has come to light courtesy of a report this week.

Brighton's Ferguson, who has been lavished with praise for his sky-high potential over the last 12 months, is up and running already after bagging his first goal of the new campaign last weekend.

The Republic of Ireland international opened his 2022/2023 account with a stoppage time strike in Brighton's 4-1 win over league newcomers Luton Town.

Ferguson stands out as one of the division's most exciting young centre-forwards, a fact not lost on Tottenham who have apparently touched base with Brighton and the player's reps over a possible move.

That is according to 90min, who claim Spurs have made contact with the Seagulls and those close to Ferguson, but the response isn't exactly what they hoped for.

Indeed, it is believed Roberto De Zerbi's side are reluctant to part ways with the 18-year-old, who looks likelier to stay for the foreseeable future.

What's been said about Evan Ferguson?

The teenage star is currently growing his reputation excellently, with Premier League record goalscorer Alan Shearer recently lauding his performance against Luton.

“I love everything about him, what I’ve seen," said Shearer on Match of The Day (via The Argus)

“The hold-up play, his desire to get into the box, his strength. Very impressive.”

The sentiment was echoed by fellow pundit Micah Richards, who tipped Ferguson to become a "real star".

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

“They have got some young talent," said Richards.

"Ferguson, Joao Pedro and Adingra were outstanding. All on the scoresheet, 21 and under. But Ferguson is going to be a real star.

“There is something in his play. He is so mature, the way he links up, the way he takes his chances. Everything about him, I love. He’s natural."

Former teammate and Liverpool star Alexis MacAllister also called the forward "amazing".

Ryan Taylor of The Daily Express has shared a promising update on Fulham and their attempts to sign Everton midfielder Alex Iwobi before deadline day.

Who will Fulham sign?

Marco Silva's side, despite rushing to make late summer signings, have enjoyed a fairly solid start to the new Premier League campaign with a win, draw and one loss from their opening three top flight encounters.

Fulham caused a Carabao Cup upset on Tuesday evening too, having knocked high-flying Tottenham out of the Carabao Cup second round on penalties, with Tete scoring the decisive spot-kick to send his side through.

The Whites' impressive 2-2 draw away to Arsenal last weekend, courtesy of a dramatic late equaliser from star midfielder Joao Palhinha, also showed there is something to build upon for 2023/2024.

However, with just days of the summer transfer window remaining, Fulham appear to be scrambling for late deals after already sealing moves for Calvin Bassey, Raul Jimenez, Adama Traore and Timothy Castagne.

The latter defender's arrival has particularly excited Fulham vice chairman Tony Khan, who said the Belgian will bring star quality and versatility to Silva's squad.

"I'm excited to welcome Timothy Castagne to Fulham," said Khan (via The BBC).

"I'm pleased that Timothy has committed to a four-year contract with us, and we believe that he'll be an excellent addition to Marco's squad."

Fulham are now also believed to be closing in on a late move to bring Sevilla striker Lucas Ocampos to Craven Cottage, with The Telegraph claiming a deal has been agreed between the clubs.

After the possible signing of Ocampos, it is expected that the west Londoners will be one of the more busy clubs in the last gasp stages of this transfer window.

Iwobi, who starred for Everton at points last season, is another player they're chasing and reporter Taylor of The Express has shared a fairly promising update on their pursuit.

Taking to X, the journalist claims a Fulham move for the 63-cap Nigeria international "looks likely" with Fulham in talks over a late deal.

However, Taylor also urged some caution, as there is another English side who remain interested in taking Iwobi from Goodison Park.

"Fulham in talks to sign Alex Iwobi on permanent deal from Everton," he wrote.

"Toffees have failed to reach agreement with 27-year-old over new contract & current deal expires in summer of 2024. Move looks likely but there is interest from another PL side."

How good is Alex Iwobi?

The 27-year-old started all 38 league matches for Everton last term and starred as one of their best-performing players per 90, according to WhoScored.

Bagging two goals and seven assists in that time, Iwobi also made more key passes per match than any other of his teammates – standing out as a true attacking threat.

Speaking late last year, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson praised Iwobi's form at the time in an interview with Football Insider.

“I like his versatility," said Robinson.

“His performances have been outstanding. He’s shown that he can play off the left, off the right, he can play centrally.

“I think you can see that Frank Lampard is getting the best out of him right now.

“He’s playing some of the best football of his career right now.”

Morne Morkel claimed his first Test five-for in five years against Zimbabwe. It is a statistic that barely tells the story of the kind of danger he poses, but one that he hopes will allow him to keep his spot in the starting XI for the summer’s bigger contests.”It was nice to get wickets under my name so when it comes to selection, guys will maybe think about me,” Morkel joked after the Boxing Day Test.The reality for Morkel is not quite so funny.Despite being the most successful seamer in the match, he is the also the one most at risk of missing out when Dale Steyn returns, as soon as next week. South Africa take on India at Newlands from January 5 in the first of three Tests, and will likely stick to a frontline attack of three seamers and a spinner in Cape Town. Kagiso Rabada, the highest wicket-taker for South Africa in 2017 and second-highest overall, and Vernon Philander, a menace on seaming pitches, are all but secure. This leaves the selectors to choose between the swing of Steyn and the bounce of Morkel, who admitted he “never knows,” if it could be him on the bench.”We’ll have to see,” Morkel said. “Dale has been bowling exceptionally well in the nets. He looks strong, he is very fit and I reckon he would have been a handful on this [Port Elizabeth] wicket but it’s another week for him to freshen up.”It’s also another week without game time for Steyn, which may work in Morkel’s favour. While Steyn has not played an international fixture since November 2016, Morkel has featured in all but one of South Africa’s Tests since March. Morkel missed the second match against Bangladesh in October after suffering a side strain in the first and needed six weeks to recover.Despite only playing one 20-over Ram Slam game (Steyn featured in five), Morkel took to the field in a three-day match before the Boxing Day Test. He bowled 19.4 overs and took seven wickets in that match. Steyn, meanwhile, returned 0 for 16 from his 12 overs for CSA XI against the touring Zimbabwe side. On workload alone, that may have meant Morkel was going to play ahead of Steyn in the four-day, day-night Test, but a viral infection Steyn picked up on the eve of the match saved the selectors from needing to choose between the two.Now Morkel has international overs in the legs while Steyn has spent the last week in the nets. That may make it prudent to play Morkel in the first Test against India, while sending Steyn off to play a three-day match. South Africa’s provincial teams have a round of fixtures from January 4 to 6, which may be used to prepare Steyn for a Test return on spicy Highveld surfaces.South Africa have asked their groundsman to prepare pitches with pace and bounce and to leave grass on them to facilitate seam movement as they prepare to push the home advantage against India. Even at St George’s Park, where it is usually slow and flat, the ball was nipping around. Though leaving more grass on the pitch is a common tactic in pink-ball matches, it was also a convenient time to let India know what they are in for.Morkel was careful not to sprout too many threats too early. “For me, there is no personal sort of message, for us it’s important not to get involved in those sorts of things,” he said. “If we are strong and we are fit and we get the results in the wickets column, it will make nice reading in the papers. In the past, the build-up has always been great, the talk of the wickets, the talk of the bounce, we do have a slight advantage, but we still need to land the ball in the right areas, still need to bowl with intensity.”He emphasised the third session as being particularly important for the South Africa attack because it’s then that their endurance will be tested. “It’s going to be about that last session in the day when the ball is soft and conditions are tough,” Morkel said. “Majority of the runs in Test cricket are scored after tea time. So for us, it’s going to be if we have enough petrol in the tank to knock India over at the back end of the day.”Morkel’s own fitness over the last few months has been a focal point for him, especially because he spent most of 2016 on the sidelines with what could have been a career-ending back injury. He worked on smoothing out his action and prioritising international cricket. “With the back injury I had, it was important for me to really look at the schedule and find windows where I can do my conditioning work,” he said. “England was a big tour for me, I wanted to be fit and I knew if I went to IPL, which can be quite a demanding six weeks, I would be in trouble.”Whether he will return to the T20 leagues remains to be seen but for now Morkel is committed to playing for South Africa for as long as possible, even as an understudy to Steyn. “Mentally, I am a lot fresher [when I take breaks], it gives me a lot more time to work on certain things,” Morkel said. “When you play back-to-back series or games you don’t really have that time to work on certain things. But now, to set goals and to try and reach that is very pleasing.”

حددت إدارة نادي أتالانتا الإيطالي موقفها من بيع لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، في فترة الانتقالات الصيفية القادمة.

ويرغب آرني سلوت مدرب ليفربول الجديد، في الحصول على خدمات لاعب أتالانتا، بهدف تعزيز خط وسط الريدز بالموسم القادم.

اقرأ أيضًا.. كيليهر يتحدث عن مستقبله مع ليفربول في الموسم المقبل

وبحسب ما ورد في الصحف الإيطالية، فإن نادي ليفربول يضع لاعب خط وسط أتالانتا، إيدرسون، على قائمة تعزيزات الفريق الصيفية.

وأكدت شبكة “توتو ميركاتو” الإيطالية أن نادي أتالانتا لا يفكر في بيع إيدرسون، ويرغب في الحفاظ على عناصر الفريق الأساسية في الموسم الجديد.

النادي الإيطالي ليس متأكدًا من قدرته على إيجاد بديل مناسب لتعويض رحيل إيدرسون ينفس الصفات وبسعر مناسب هذا الصيف.

وشارك إيدرسون هذا العام في 52 مباراة رفقة فريقه أتالانتا بجميع المسابقات، حيث أحرز 7 أهداف وقام بصناعة هدف وحيد طوال الموسم.

Liverpool are considering a late swoop for West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen, but only should one outcome occur before September 1st, according to reports.

Where is Jarrod Bowen from?

Bowen was originally born in Leominster, Herefordshire, but completed his big move to the Premier League and indeed the London Stadium from Hull City back in 2020 where he’s since gone on to become an integral member and regular feature of David Moyes’ first team, clocking up 161 appearances to date.

The England international still has another two years remaining on his contract, but having emerged as the Irons’ joint-top goalscorer last season alongside Said Benrahma, he’s caught the eye of FSG and Jurgen Klopp, but not for the first time.

Last summer, TalkSPORT reporter Alex Crook revealed that the Reds boss is an “admirer” of the right-winger, whilst transfer insider Dean Jones confirmed that the Merseyside outfit were “keeping an eye” on the 26-year-old’s situation, and despite a deal having failed to come to fruition at the time, they are now considering taking a second bite of the cherry.

Are Liverpool signing Jarrod Bowen?

According to Football Transfers, Liverpool have "listed" Bowen as a potential transfer target should Mohamed Salah leave before Friday's deadline.

Klopp reportedly views the attacker as an "ideal replacement" for his veteran, who is being targeted by Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, and it's stated that they are prepared to table a €150m (£128m) package to prise him away.

Anfield chiefs are "adamant" that they don't want to sell their prized asset and have made their stance clear, but it doesn't sound like that's going to stop his potential suitor from trying their luck.

Liverpool's Summer Signings

Fee

Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton)

€42m (£36m)

Dominik Szoboszlai (RB Leipzig)

€70m (£60m)

Wataru Endo (Stuttgart)

€20m (£17m)

How many goals has Jarrod Bowen scored for West Ham?

Since joining the Hammers, Bowen has racked up 74 contributions (42 goals and 32 assists) in 161 appearances, form which has seen him hailed “outstanding” by journalist Josh Bunting, and whilst nobody could ever really replace Salah, Moyes’ star will be one of the closest to him.

Sponsored by Adidas, the attacker also last season recorded a total of 159 crosses and 73 shots over the course of the campaign, with both statistics being the highest throughout his squad, via FBRef, highlighting his desire to create chances and hit the back of the net.

Read The Latest Liverpool Transfer News HERE…

The Europa Conference League winner, who pockets £60k-per-week, is also a versatile operator with his ability to play in seven different positions over the grass, including everywhere across the frontline and even three roles in the midfield, which is yet another attribute that the boss will no doubt have been attracted to.

Furthermore, Bowen shares the same agent, PLG, as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Nathaniel Phillips, so this existing connection that his representative has to the club could give chiefs a small advantage should they decide to pursue a deal in the final days of the window, and it may be one to keep an eye on.

Sunderland secured their first three points of the season with a hard-fought victory over Rotherham on the weekend.

But, if the club is to mount another promotion push then they must bolster their attacking options. This campaign, the Wearside Giants have recorded 45 shots in three Championship outings, scoring just four times and losing twice.

Last season, the Black Cats were massively aided by the imperious form of Amad Diallo and seem to desperately miss his prolific nature in offensive sequences. The Ivorian was Sunderland’s top scorer with 14 goals, and they require a new player to replicate these heroics…

What’s the latest Sunderland transfer news?

According to journalist Alan Nixon (via his Patreon site), Sunderland are in the running to sign Crystal Palace’s Jerurun Rak-Sakyi.

There is a hotly contested race for the tricky winger, with league rivals Blackburn Rovers also said to be interested.

Would Jesurun Rak-Sakyi be a good signing for Sunderland?

Last term, the 20-year-old gem emphatically burst into national prominence thanks to a glorious loan spell at Charlton Athletic in League One.

Across 40 starts, Rak-Sakyi registered 15 goals and eight assists, and averaged 1.9 dribbles per game, ranking the highest in the squad for each metric.

Rak-Sakyi's ex-manager Ben Garner was mesmerised by his natural ability and end product, saying:

“He takes everything in his stride and has adapted very quickly to the challenges and physical demands of the game.

“His standout attribute is his wonderful balance and ability to change direction. He can beat people with his body movement. He can go both ways, finish off both feet, but he’s also got his eyes up and has vision. I worked with a lot of players in academy football who were fantastic dribblers but didn’t see movement around them. Jes can carry the ball but he’s got awareness.”

These numbers, coupled with the attacker’s impressive profile, mean he is resoundingly above third-tier level and a move to Sunderland could be perfect, given the limited opportunity he is being afforded at Selhurst Park.

The joyous technician has been at Crystal Palace since 2019 but has only mustered three senior appearances, totalling just 87 minutes. He was an unused substitute in the loss to Arsenal on Monday evening and has been unable to forge any notable game time, despite the injury to Michael Olise.

Therefore, the Stadium of Light could be the perfect destination for Rak-Sakyi, whose right-wing berth is missing the indomitable Diallo, who was magnificent in his brief spell in Wearside.

Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman was full of adulation for the Manchester United loanee and said:

“Amad's performances in the games – not just with the ball but some of his defensive work, his energy, his pressing – the way he has taken to the supporters, he's absolutely bought in to what we required of him.”

Rak-Sakyi is more than capable of repeating Diallo’s magic and has already shown his glistening potential when awarded with trust.

Meanwile, current Addicks boss Dean Holden has described the 5 foot 10 livewire as a “fantastic” young player, who is “dedicated, professional, and diligent.”

With this mentality and talent, he could be a monumentally useful asset for Sunderland and the driving force of another promotion challenge.