Elly De La Cruz is having a great season. He has improved in every statistical category from his rookie year, collecting more hits, doubles, triples and home runs than he did in 2023. He has also improved his batting average, on-base and slugging percentages in a larger sample size thanks to more than 200 more plate appearances than he had as a rookie.
Of course, it's his speed that truly sets him apart as one of the most electric athletes in the sport. With a week-and-a-half remaining in the season, he leads baseball with 64 stolen bases. He's just the sixth person to steal more than 60 bases in a season in the last decade.
But that's not what makes this season truly historic.
De La Cruz also leads baseball with 203 strikeouts and counting. With 11 games remaining on the Reds schedule, he has 15 more strikeouts than the next most K'd batter in baseball, Ezequiel Tovar.
It's not the best historical achievement, but when you do something that has never been done in the entirety of a sports existence, it's pretty amazing. Especially when that sport has existed for over a century. And they've been keeping incredibly detailed records of stuff like this since the 1880's.
Finally a Lankan game at the G. Bring on the bands and the lively fans
Priyan Weerasinghe03-Mar-2012Choice of game Funny how Cricket Australia allocates grounds to games. Matches at the MCG involving Sri Lanka tend to attract almost the entire large Sri Lankan community living in Melbourne. So CA, in its wisdom, had Sri Lanka playing just one match in Melbourne this CB series, that too the one before the finals. Having attended all the matches involving Sri Lanka on this ground since 1995, I was going to be there, rain, hail or shine, dead rubber or not.Team supported Sri Lanka.Key performer Hussey, D (David/Dangerous). He held the Australian innings together and brought the home side (although Lankans may argue that they are the home side at the “G”) to the brink of victory in a pulsating match. He holed out trying to hit the ball out of the park in the final over with just 10 runs to get. Game over, bye bye and thanks for coming, India. Sri Lanka in the finals, and on to Brisbane on Sunday.Honourable mentions for Lasith Malinga for coming back so strongly after the shellacking he received from Virat Kohli in Hobart, and for Dinesh Chandimal for another splendid half-century.One thing I’d have changed about the day Overzealous administration. My friends were allowed to bring a Lankan Papare band inside the stadium, but were then given last-minute notice of dimensions for “acceptable” drums, which meant that the bass drum could not be used. Problem resolved after much negotiation and a promise to not bring the same drum to the Boxing Day Test at year-end, when Sri Lanka will play their first Test here since the infamous Murali-Hair incident in 1995.Face-off I relished James Pattinson v Tillakaratne Dilshan. Aggressor v Aggressive. This round was won convincingly by the young tyro. He pitched one just outside off and surprised Dilshan with the bounce to get a catch to the keeper.Wow moment The old man Hussey, M (Mike/Man) can still take breath-taking catches to match the best of them. Here, he took a running catch on the rope from a lusty Thisara Perera hit, realised his momentum would carry him over the line, threw the ball back in and stepped in to catch it again. Take a bow, Mr Cricket! And join the circus in your retirement.Close encounter After the aforementioned pulsating finish, most Lankan fans stayed in their seats (Okay, they were standing on them) to celebrate the win. In a pleasant and surprising gesture, a few Sri Lankan players fanned into various parts of the ground with bags of soft balls, throwing them into the crowd. Dilshan and Dammika Prasad (reserve) both made their way to my section. Dilshan does have a great arm, even with a soft ball.Shot of the day Pity his innings didn’t last long, but Mahela Jayawardene started the day at a cracking pace, hitting a luscious cover drive off Ben Hilfenhaus’ second ball. The swing of the bat was something to behold. Two balls later, he was out taking a risky single.Crowd meter There were 29,000 people at the ground (it’s only the MCG’s vastness that can make such an attendance look decidedly paltry). The crowd made up for it with good cheer and even better voice. Over 80% of the support was for Sri Lanka, with the stands a sea of blue and yellow, and Lion flags waving in all directions. The costumes were clever and banners witty.Entertainment Downstairs in the Great Southern Stand was scene of the action off the pitch, with two papare bands in adjoining aisles providing non-stop music. I was sitting with one of the bands, and the commitment of these volunteer band members to keep the music going for the 100 overs is amazing to watch from close quarters. They would certainly rival the players for hard work and team ethic. Many supporters were providing solid and liquid sustenance to keep the band going.Fancy-dress index There were the regular attendance of Kangaroos, Lions and ATM machines (to garner support from the sponsor of the series and win tickets to the West Indies), but the prize in most eyes went to the young man dressed like a village damsel in Sri Lanka.As for the bunch of Aussies in nappies, not sure what they were thinking or what inspired their fancy. They did however manage to stay the course of the game without bathroom breaks, so those large adult nappies must surely have served their purpose.Overall It was a great game and a fitting finale to the series prior to the finals. In a match that ebbed and flowed, with both teams seizing the opportunities and handing them back, it was a high-quality contest with a thrilling finish. Sri Lanka bounced back very strongly following the thumping they received from India in the previous game, and will take a lot of confidence to the finals from having beaten Australia three times already in this series.Australia, on the other hand, will take heart from the fact that they ran the Lankans so close without Michael Clarke in the team. The bouncy Brisbane wicket will give them a better “home ground” advantage than the G and it partisan, mostly Lankan crowd.
تحدث المدير الفني لفريق مانشستر سيتي، بيب جوارديولا، لأول مرة عن التقارير الصحفية التي تشير إلى اهتمام حامل لقب الدوري الإنجليزي بضم عمر مرموش، النجم المصري.
وارتبط مانشستر سيتي، في الأيام الماضية، بصفقة عمر مرموش وإمكانية الحصول على خدماته من صفوف آينتراخت فرانكفورت.
وتضاربت التقارير الصحفية حول توقيت إتمام تلك الصفقة، وما إذا كان من الممكن حدوثها في موسم الانتقالات الشتوي الحالي.
وظهر بيب جوارديولا في مؤتمر صحفي، منذ قليل، للحديث عن مباراة مانشستر سيتي وسالفورد في دور الـ64 من كأس الاتحاد.
وسُئل جوارديولا عن نشاط مانشستر سيتي في ميركاتو يناير، حيث رد في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “سيتي إكسترا” الإنجليزية: “لا تسألوني عن ذلك لأنني لن أجيب”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. ترتيب هدافي الدوري الألماني بعد هدف عمر مرموش أمام سانت باولي
وأضاف: “ستسألون نفس الشيء عن كل ما يرتبط بنا في وسائل الإعلام، طوال ذلك الشهر، لذلك لن أتحدث، يمكنك الإصرار، لن أجيب لأنني لا أعرف الوضع”.
وواصل: “نعلم أنه لا ينبغي لنا الذهاب إلى نافذة الانتقالات، لا أحب ذلك كثيرًا، الموقف الذي حدث هذا الموسم مع العديد والكثير من الإصابات، لكن ماذا يحدث؟ لن أتحدث لأنني لا أعرف”.
واسترسل: “بالطبع لدي محادثات مع النادي، لا أعرف ما سيحدث لأنه صعب للغاية، ما سيحدث سيقع، وإلا فلن أستطيع أن أقول أي شيء آخر”.
وعن مرموش تحديدًا، قال: “اسمع، ألم أكن واضحًا في إجابتي؟ هيا! لقد كنت واضحًا في إجابتي، لن أتحدث، إنه لاعب من فريق آخر، لن أقول إجابة”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. رئيس إيفرتون السابق يحث مانشستر سيتي على ضم مرموش: مختلف عن هالاند.. وسيضيف السحر
وأوضح: “يمكنك أن تتحدث في كل مؤتمر صحفي عن سوق الانتقالات حتى النهاية، لن أجيب على سؤال واحد! لا تتعامل بهذه الطريقة! الأمر سهل، لا تعليق!”.
وشدد: “حدث نفس الأمر في الماضي، كنت واضحًا، أليس كذلك؟ يمكنك أن تحاول ذلك في أي وقت تريد، لا مشكلة على الإطلاق، لكنك تعرف إجابتي!”.
Chelsea maintained their unbeaten start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, with a 2-0 win over local rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge this afternoon.
Enzo Maresca’s side now sit on seven points in England’s top-flight, adding to their 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace and 5-1 rout against West Ham United last weekend.
It was a superb display from the Blues on home soil, taking control of the game and limiting Marco Silva’s side to just three shots on target in the 90-minute contest.
Chelsea manager EnzoMarescabefore the start of the second half
The game wasn’t all positive for the Italian, with striker Liam Delap limping off with a hamstring injury within the opening quarter of an hour – which is set to rule the Englishman out for eight weeks.
Such a display allowed numerous players to thrive once again, standing their claim for a regular starting role in the club’s hunt for Premier League success come the end of May.
How Chelsea’s win over Fulham played out
Chelsea were fortunate not to find themselves one goal down early in the clash at the Bridge, with Josh King putting the visitors ahead – but the goal was ruled out after Rodrigo Muniz was adjudged to have committed a foul in the build-up.
However, the Blues took the lead just minutes before the break, after Enzo Fernández’s corner was nodded into the far corner by summer addition Joao Pedro.
Maresca’s side held a one-goal lead going into the break, which quickly became two in the second half after yet another VAR intervention from Michael Salisbury.
A cross from Trevoh Chalobah was blocked by the arm of Ryan Sessegnon, resulting in a penalty being awarded after referee Rob Jones was sent to the monitor.
Captain Enzo tucked home the subsequent spot kick, completing the scoring and securing a second league win in the three outings so far in 2025/26.
Alongside Enzo and Pedro, one other Blues player hugely impressed during the triumph, now being more than deserving of a consistent run within the starting eleven.
The Chelsea star who’s now as undroppable as Enzo & Pedro
Given the huge volume of signings at Chelsea over the past couple of years, it’s been tricky for Maresca to find a settled starting eleven that could lead his side to success.
Hundreds of millions of pounds have already been spent over recent campaigns, including over £200m this window – with today’s goalscorer Pedro just one of the additions made by the hierarchy.
However, the Blues have also been the home to one of the best academies in the country over recent years, often developing talents who can make an impact in the first-team.
Centre-back Chalobah is just one player who has developed through such a system, now being a key member of Maresca’s side – despite looking certain to depart 12 months ago.
He started the game against the Cottagers this afternoon, having a game to remember and helping the side keep a clean sheet on their way to victory.
The centre-back made three tackles and won 11 duels – with both tallies the highest of any player on the pitch – offering a dominant presence out of possession.
However, in possession, the 26-year-old also starred, recording 80 touches and completing 90% of the passes he attempted – with five of his efforts going into the final third.
Chalobah stats vs Fulham
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Minutes played
90
Touches
80
Pass accuracy
90%
Duels won
11
Tackles won
3
Passes into the final third
5
Interceptions made
4
Recoveries made
2
Stats via FotMob
Such a showing has certainly cemented his place within Maresca’s starting eleven, subsequently being able to form a superb partnership at the heart of the backline with Tosin.
The fact that he’s been able to keep out new signing Jorel Hato shows the quality the academy graduate possesses – with Maresca needing to stand by him in the months ahead.
Better signing than Simons: Chelsea targeting "generational" £100m talent
Despite missing out on Xavi Simons, Chelsea could be plotting an even bigger statement move…
Liverpool are marching their way through the summer transfer window like nobody’s business, with the signings made thus far fitting additions to a Premier League-winning team.
It’s a good thing too, for the Anfield side’s domestic rivals are looking to reel in impactful additions of their own as they look to challenge for the top-flight title next term.
FSG will slow down now, though, having signed two full-backs and Florian Wirtz (for a British-record £116m fee) to boot.
And there’s more still to come. The Merseysiders have placed themselves in a strong financial position after biding their time across recent transfer windows and claiming a windfall from sealing the league title.
Where might FSG strike next?
Where Liverpool are planning to strengthen
There’s plenty of noise surrounding Liverpool’s planned signing of a centre-forward, but with Bayern Munich plotting to sign Luis Diaz, we may see a left-sided winger arrive at the club in the coming month too.
The usual rumours linking Liverpool to Anthony Gordon have resurfaced; might we see the Three Lions star playing alongside Alexander Isak, his Newcastle United teammate, at Anfield next season?
After such a fierce wave of activity, Liverpool can now afford to be opportunistic, though there is still a pressing need for a central defender as Jarell Quansah prepares to join Bayer Leverkusen for £35m and Ibrahima Konate’s contractual uncertainty rumbles on.
Liverpool had attempted to bring Dean Huijsen over from Bournemouth, but that one’s off the cards.
Huijsen might have signed for Real Madrid, but Liverpool have shown they still want to sign a centre-back, and there’s one man in particular in Richard Hughes’ sights.
Liverpool agree personal terms for Premier League star
As per journalist DaveOCKOP, Liverpool have reached an agreement on personal terms with Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Guehi is out of contract at the end of the 2025/26 season and Liverpool are planning to take advantage of the market opportunity, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, with talks been the clubs slated for this week.
Liverpool and Palace are apart on their valuations, so the coming days will prove crucial. The Reds hope to strike a deal for £30m.
Why Liverpool want natural leader Marc Guehi
With so much change taking place at Liverpool this summer, it would be good to sign an experienced Premier League star, and Guehi fits the bill in that regard.
Praised by England U21 coach Lee Carsley for showing “leadership qualities on and off the field”, Guehi may even find himself in contention for the armband down the line, having captained the Eagles in each of his 44 appearances across all competitions last season, leading his side to the FA Cup title after beating Manchester City in the final.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehireacts after the match
In this regard, the England international might even become Liverpool’s next Jordan Henderson, arriving for a fairly large fee from a Premier League rival after demonstrating authority and influence to marry with the technical quality.
Guehi, it must be said, is one of the most composed and cultured ball-playing centre-halves in the Premier League, actually ranked among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe over the past year for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.
His completeness and potential to guide Liverpool through a new era over the coming years speak of a certain similarity to Henderson, especially as he would play alongside a legend in Virgil van Dijk for the next few years as the Dutch captain approaches his twilight. In Henderson’s case, this was applicable to Steven Gerrard.
Liverpool signed Henderson from Sunderland for £20m back in 2011. He had already been capped by England and was considered a hugely promising midfield talent.
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson
No one could have imagined what he would achieve. Across 492 matches for Liverpool, Henderson notched 91 goal contributions and captained Liverpool toward the Premier League, Champions League and many more.
Now, a new leader in Guehi can follow suit. He might be a little older, but the defender can emulate his compatriot, having established himself in a settled Premier League outfit, standing out.
Matches (starts)
25 (23)
34 (34)
Goals
0
3
Assists
1
2
Clean sheets
4
11
Touches*
61.6
64.9
Pass completion
87%
84%
Key passes*
0.3
0.5
Ball recoveries*
4.8
4.3
Dribbles (success)*
0.3 (64%)
0.4 (86%)
Tackles + interceptions*
1.8
2.6
Clearances*
3.5
4.6
Duels (won)*
3.6 (60%)
4.9 (59%)
It’s clear that this is a man of consistency and incremental, steady improvements. Regarded as a “monster in defence” by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, the stocky defender won’t just be an exciting addition, but an instrumental one.
Liverpool, having lost Trent Alexander-Arnold and with Andy Robertson potentially on the move too, must ensure that they don’t create too youthful an underbelly to Slot’s title-winning squad, and Guehi will thrive in bringing his wealth of leadership qualities to the fold.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehiin action
Liverpool might have two of the most talented central defenders in the game, but the Reds need to replace Quansah with a player capable of playing a bigger part, the England U21 star only handed four top-flight starts.
Guehi is clearly an upgrade across every facet, both from a technical standpoint and in regard to his maturity.
Moreover, he’s a natural-born leader, and coming from a divisional rival having carved success for himself, perhaps Slot will see his own version of Henderson welcomed to the ranks in the coming weeks or months.
He betters Isak in key areas: Liverpool make the "next Mbappe" a key target
Liverpool are interested in signing a new striker this summer.
Newcastle United are looking to sign a stopgap for Sandro Tonali in January, and a move for an "excellent" midfielder could still happen, according to journalist Alex Crook.
Newcastle eyeing Tonali replacement
Ever since the Magpies were rocked by the news that Tonali has been banned for 10 months for betting offences, it has been clear that they badly need a replacement when the January transfer window arrives.
While Eddie Howe still has strong options in the middle of the park, from Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, squad depth will likely become more and more important as the season goes on, as legs begin to tire.
Newcastle willing to pay £26m for “extremely agile” potential ace
Could he be an ideal Sandro Tonali replacement?
ByHenry Jackson Nov 26, 2023
Newcastle have been linked with a plethora of players when it comes to filling the void left by Tonali, and the first-choice target arguably appears to be Kalvin Phillips, with the Manchester City and England man continually tipped to make a move to St James' Park.
The Magpies could also look to Saudi Arabia for potential additions, however, with both Ruben Neves and N'Golo Kante mentioned as possible solutions for Newcastle in the recent past. Whatever happens, at least one new midfielder is needed midway through the season, and now another name has been mentioned as an option to come in.
Newcastle could sign Gabri Veiga
Speaking on the Premier League All Access Podcast [via The Boot Room], Crook claimed that Newcastle could potentially sign Gabri Veiga in January, with the Spaniard currently playing for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.
gabri-veiga-transfer-news-opinion-premier-league
"I think they’re still worried with how they’re perceived, but it would be a surprise for me if they didn’t take at least one player from Saudi in January.
"It might not be Ruben Neves, Al-Hilal are keen to keep him. But Gabri Veiga was a player who was very much in their sights this summer and it was a bit of a surprise at such a young age that he went to Saudi, so I’d keep an eye on that one."
Veiga could be an interesting option for Newcastle, with the 21-year-old's move to Al-Ahli arguably raising eyebrows during the summer, due to his age and the fact that he had been flourishing so much for Celta.
Last season, the Newcastle transfer target scored 11 goals in 28 La Liga starts, showcasing his ability to provide end product from his attacking midfield role, and a future call-up to Spain's senior squad feels possible, considering he has won 14 caps for the Under-21s.
Appearances
56
Goals
11
Assists
4
Veiga isn't necessarily a like-for-like replacement for Tonali, with the current Magpies ace a more disciplined figure who often plays deeper, but if the chance to sign the ex-Celta star arrives, it is still a move that Howe should consider going through with.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has called the youngster an "excellent player who has something special", which is high praise from one of the most renowned bosses in the game, and he could decide that his time in Saudi Arabia hasn't been successful, instead making a speedy return to Europe and kicking on in his career.
After suffering play-off heartbreak last season, it's no surprise that Sunderland are once again on course to secure their shot at a place at Wembley, even if it is early days. Tony Mowbray's side currently sit inside the play-off spots on goal difference. Given how tight things are in the Championship so far this season, the January transfer window could make or break Sunderland's season.
The Wearside club weren't the busiest during the summer, with their most exciting deal coming in the form of Jobe Bellingham, who has since enjoyed success at The Stadium of Light. Further reinforcements could come through the door during January and that may include one specific target.
Sunderland transfer news
Since the end of Amad Diallo's loan spell last season, whilst Sunderland haven't been incredibly short on goals, they have missed the spark that the Manchester United youngster provided. Another attacking addition could be made a priority in the New Year, and that's where Luciano Rodriguez comes in.
According to reliable reporter Alan Nixon on his Patreon, relayed by The 72, Sunderland are eyeing a move for Rodriguez, who has continued to impress for Uruguay top flight side Liverpool. The forward can play in any of the front three roles, which could hand Mowbray a major boost when it comes to positional depth. Though considered an ambitious deal, Sunderland will reportedly have the funds available following the sale of Ross Stewart during the summer transfer window.
It remains to be seen whether the Black Cats can secure a deal, but the fact that they've scouted Rodriguez suggests that they're certainly keen on the Liverpool forward.
"Incredible" Rodriguez would boost Sunderland's promotion chances
At just 20-years-old, Rodriguez's stats show that he is seemingly a player full of potential and someone that Sunderland should be desperate to sign. At Liverpool this season, the forward has been involved in 10 goals in 27 appearances to attract the interest of Mowbray and co. The Uruguay U20 may only get better with time too, and could even look to follow in the footsteps of his compatriots, Luis Suarez and Darwin Nunez, by enjoying success in English football, potentially starting with promotion at Sunderland.
Luciano Rodriguez for Uruguay U20s.
January looks set to be an important month for Rodriguez's career, especially if the Black Cats make their move. In the Championship, he'd likely gain even more attention and even more praise after already impressing the likes of Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig, who said:
"Luciano Rodríguez is absolutely incredible at Sudamericano U-20. Already one of the biggest individual winners of the tournament without a doubt."
As Sunderland look to finally replace the spark of Diallo, who played a pivotal part in their play-off push last season, Rodriguez could be the player to turn to and feature alongside star man Jack Clarke. Throughout his career so far, the versatile forward has shown several signs that he's only just getting started when it comes to goals.
The former Australian batsman will no longer continue as a selector after his contract ends in August because of his increasing involvement in TV commentary
Daniel Brettig14-May-2018
Five Australians who made centuries on Test debut: (From L-R) Fielding coach Greg Blewett, captain Michael Clarke, Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh and national selector Mark Waugh•Getty Images
Australian cricket will soon rid itself of a major conflict of interest after Mark Waugh chose to step down as a national selector in order to commentate full-time for the pay-TV provider Fox Sports.Officially Waugh is still slated to be the selector on duty when the limited-overs team travels to England in June for a series also to be broadcast on Fox, but he will have moved on by the time the next home summer begins.Waugh, who has been a selector since May 2014, will be part of Cricket Australia’s new host broadcaster, with Fox Sports (part-owned by News Corporation) having paid the lion’s share of the A$1 billion television-rights fee sought. In return for the cash, CA has hidden two of three international formats – ODIs and Twenty20s – behind a paywall for the first time in Australian history.For the past year, Waugh has been officially designated CA’s T20 selector in addition to being on the panel to choose teams across all formats, despite concurrently commentating for the Ten Network on its successful coverage of the Big Bash League (BBL). Ten’s loss of the rights to the BBL, alongside Nine’s forfeiture of the rights to international cricket for the first time in 40 years, has led to a feeding frenzy for commentary positions at Fox and also Seven, which will show Test matches and some BBL games on free-to-air television as part of a sub-licensing deal.Alongside the CA board director Mark Taylor while he was also commentating for Nine, Waugh’s has been the most obvious conflict on Australian television screens over the past four seasons, making for numerous awkward moments – not that Ten minded the recurring source of conversation starters. Shaun Graf, Cricket Victoria’s operations manager, said what many were thinking after Waugh offered a thinly veiled criticism of Glenn Maxwell on one broadcast by saying of D’Arcy Short: “Haven’t seen him play a reverse sweep, have we in six games? I think some of the other batsmen around the country, take note.””I know he puts himself into a little bit of a conflict of interest by being a commentator as well, [but] I don’t think that’s the forum to discuss anything like that,” Graf told SEN Radio last summer. “Maybe ‘Junior’ should concentrate on his special comments but not maybe talk as much in relation to the selection side of things.”The Olympic hockey player and respected coach Ric Charlesworth, a state cricketer for western Australia in the 1970s and ’80s, raised the issue of Waugh’s conflict in a 2016 book. Charlesworth is a mentor to the new Australian coach Justin Langer. “Another boundary that seems to have been crossed in cricket is that of selection,” Charlesworth wrote in .”One of the Australian selectors, Mark Waugh, appears on television as an expert commentator and gives opinions on form and performance… this appears an extraordinary conflict of interest. Many of the traditional boundaries are being crossed and there is increasing pressure for coaches and players to ‘come out’ of the game during the contest and sponsors, broadcasters and producers drive this behaviour.”Given to following his instincts rather than relying overly on numbers, Waugh made a mark upon the final squad-selection he has been involved in, choosing Nic Maddinson for the T20 leg of the England tour even though the former state captain had been left out of the New South Wales contract list for next season.Waugh’s signature with Fox Sports joins those of Isa Guha, Mel Jones, Adam Gilchrist, Michael Hussey and Michael Vaughan. Seven, meanwhile, have signed Ricky Ponting. Nine’s long-time commentator Bill Lawry has declined approaches from the two networks.
Rangers are believed to be showing an interest in signing a player dubbed a "human wrecking ball" this month, adding more firepower to their attack in the process.
Rangers transfer news
The Gers will surely want to conduct some important business during the January transfer window, as they can now strengthen their squad with players who Philippe Clement specifically wants to suit his style of play for the very first time.
It would be a surprise if nobody else came in after Fabio Silva, particularly because of the number of stories linking Rangers with reinforcements, with interest in Hearts star man Lawrence Shankland implying the Ibrox outfit would like more end product.
Liverpool youngster Owen Beck is also considered an option, with the left-back expected to head out on loan again after returning to Merseyside from a positive stint at Dundee earlier in the campaign. Nottingham Forest attacker Emmanuel Dennis is another player who has been thrown into the mix, with a move to Ibrox possible if he gets his wish.
Added firepower in the final third is so important in the Scottish Premiership title race, so bringing in someone who can make a difference in that area looks like a primary point of focus at Rangers this month.
Rangers interested in Joe Gelhardt
According to an update from The Daily Mail, Rangers are keen on signing Joe Gelhardt from Leeds United, but they aren't the only Scottish club showing an interest.
Leeds forward Joe Gelhardt.
"Leeds striker Joe Gelhardt, meanwhile, has been attracting interest from Celtic and Rangers."
Gelhardt is exactly what Rangers should be looking for in the January window, with the young striker someone who has been highly-rated for some time now. Granted, the 21-year-old has struggled for regular playing time at Leeds so far this season, making only six appearances in the Championship, but Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has lauded him in the past, saying:
"He’s like a human wrecking ball. I like him; he’s really exciting. He’s fast; he’s aggressive; he gets on the ball, he takes people on. Once he gets into the box, he loves it; that’s where he can do most of his damage."
Although at his best as an out and out striker, the Leeds youngster is more of a playmaker up front than a prolific number nine, producing some stunning assists during his time in Yorkshire and being praised as a creative focal point by coaches at the club.
Indeed, Gelhardt has already registered 10 goal involvements (three goals and seven assists) in 49 appearances for Leeds, while at Under-21 level for the Whites, he netted an incredible 20 times in just 31 matches, adding another six assists to his name.
England Under-20s
1
2
England Under-18s
6
3
England Under-17s
13
6
England Under-16s
5
2
England Under-15s
4
2
The Englishman could feel that January is a good time to enjoy a fresh challenge, given his lack of minutes at Elland Road, and he has the trickery and eye for goal to make a real impact at Rangers.
The threat of Celtic signing Gelhardt instead should act as a warning, too, and where he ends up could ultimately have a big say on where the Scottish Premiership trophy ends up come the end of the season.
Farhad Moshiri's seven years as owner of Everton football club have been chaotic, to say the least.
Record-breaking transfers, relegation battles and a whole host of managerial sackings have all culminated in their demise towards the foot of the Premier League table and while moving into a state-of-the-art stadium in 2024 could transform their mood, it could have the opposite effect if the Toffees are a Championship club by that point.
The Toffees have survived relegation by the skin of their teeth in recent campaigns and unless Sean Dyche somehow performs some miracles, another battle against the drop is on the cards.
Unfortunately, the main reason for their downward spiral has been their constant lapses of misjudgement in the transfer market, paying the price for shelling obscene amounts of cash on disappointing talent.
The likes of Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Sandro Ramirez, Yannick Bolasie, Davy Klaasen and Cenk Tosun – a list that is by no means exhaustive – have all foregrounded the bitterly disappointing transfer strategy that has been carried out since Moshiri took to the helm.
Everton have ultimately fallen victim to throwing money down the drain on talent that promised to deliver so much and it was the arrivals of Bolasie and Morgan Schneiderlin in 2016/17 that kickstarted this trend.
The background behind Everton's signing of Morgan Schneiderlin
Everton captured the defensive midfielder for £24m from Manchester United in January 2017, reuniting him with former manager Ronald Koeman, who he spent a season under at Southampton.
The Frenchman originally left St Mary's for Old Trafford in 2015 for a similar fee but struggled to make inroads into the first team during Jose Mourinho's time in charge.
He only featured on 47 occasions for the club and struggled to hold down his place in the matchday squad, perhaps foreshadowing how the rest of his career would plan out.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Departing the club in acrimonious circumstances, Schneiderlin later revealed that he "lost himself as a player" at Man United due to a multitude of reasons, but it was the demands set by then manager Louis van Gaal that affected him the most.
He said: "It was not just the manager's fault, it was my fault, too. My role was not the one I had at Southampton. I felt restricted in my game. I felt they wanted to change things in me. I was not thinking as me, I was thinking about what pleased the coach.
"When you reach that point, every pass you make, everything you do, you don't play free. Something stopped me from being who I was. I wanted so much to do well and it is one of the most frustrating things ever."
Having lost himself at one of the biggest clubs in the world, the Frenchman struggled to recapture the form that saw him burst onto the scene at Southampton as a youngster, and pay back the original price tag with exceptional performances.
Morgan Schneiderlin's statistical record at Everton
Schneiderlin arrived at Everton when Ronald Koeman was spearheading their charge towards Europe and he would have expected the 27-year-old, at the time, to become the anchor of their ship.
A tough-tackling defensive midfielder with a sublime passing range, Schneiderlin boasted the desirable ingredients for a European charge in the Dutchman's possession-based style.
The 6 foot 1 anchorman had previously showcased an ability to recycle possession for his team, caress line-breaking passes through to his attackers and read the game superbly to sniff out danger.
Manchester United Michael Carrick
Those were all attributes that saw Rio Ferdinand earmark him as a replacement for Michael Carrick at Man United and Koeman partnered him next to the energetic and tenacious midfielder, Idrissa Gueye.
Although he promised to deliver those sought-after attributes for the Toffees, instead the Frenchman, quite simply, didn't endear himself well to the Goodison Park faithful and this was embodied by his lack of discipline on and off the field. In 88 appearances for the club, he was shown 14 yellow cards and three red cards, channelling his aggression in the wrong way.
Given his subpar performances, Schneiderlin's exit was mooted for a while, but it didn't happen till the summer of 2020 as OGC Nice paid £2m to lure him back to France.
The total cost of Schneiderlin's time at Everton
During his three-and-a-half-year stint at the club, he earned a whopping £22.8m in wages, as per Capology.
Indeed, when adding his initial transfer fee of £24m to that total, Schneiderlin drained Everton of a staggering £46.8m, as the club's finances took a monumental hit without significant returns on the pitch.
£120k
£90k
£75k
£70k
£70k
Remarkably, the Frenchman's wage of £120k per week saw him become the club's highest earner after signing in the 2016/17 campaign. He was on more money than several key players in the squad, including Romelu Lukaku, Idrissa Gueye and Ross Barkley.
Schneiderlin unfortunately symbolises Everton's habit of draining the club's resources on woeful talent.
Schneiderlin's career path since leaving Everton
Since leaving Goodison Park in 2020, the 33-year-old has become a journeyman, plying his trade in three different countries.
Having made 59 appearances for Ligue 1 giants OGC Nice, he moved to the other side of the world to sign for Western Sydney Wanderers, but only made 11 appearances in the A-League before packing his bags once more and relocating to Greek Super League side, A.E Kifisias.
While his career has taken a downward spiral, much like Everton's fortunes, Schneiderlin admitted in a recent interview during his brief time in Australia that he could still be at Manchester United if he played to his full potential, as per the Daily Mail.
Morgan Schneiderlin
He said: "I know if I played to my full potential, with freedom, I would not be in Australia right now.
"Maybe I would still be at Manchester United. When I signed, I wanted to be a legend there. That is why I am mad with myself and it will be hard until the end of my life.
"My friends ask, 'Why are you saying this?' But I know myself and what I can bring. I know this time at Manchester United affected me for the longest period in my career. I was so frustrated I couldn't give what I wanted."
The Frenchman failed to recapture the form that saw him become one of several big-money departures out of Southampton and ultimately, never recovered from his damaging spell at Man United, nor his disastrous time at Everton.