Bryan Mbeumo arrived at Manchester United with huge expectations from the fanbase, after the hierarchy forked out a whopping £71m, including add-ons for his signature.

The Cameroonian has already matched those expectations in the Premier League, as seen by his tally of five goals within his first nine encounters at Old Trafford.

His latest showing against Brighton and Hove Albion was arguably his best for the Red Devils, scoring twice and leading Ruben Amorim’s men to a third successive league victory.

The 26-year-old also created two chances and completed four dribbles – with both tallies the highest of any player on the pitch from both of the starting elevens.

There’s little debate that he’s taken the responsibility of being the club’s biggest offensive threat, surpassing the levels previously set by one other first-team member.

The change of Bruno’s role & lack of impact against Brighton

For large periods of the 2024/25 campaign, Bruno Fernandes was often United’s go-to man for goals and assists – undoubtedly saving the club from an unthinkable relegation battle.

The Portuguese international ended the year on a total of 37 combined goals and assists across all competitions, a tally which was by far and away the highest of any player in the squad.

However, the attacking midfielder has been forced to drop into a slightly deeper number eight position to accommodate the likes of big-money addition, Mbeumo.

Such a decision has taken the responsibility off his shoulders, with a more all-round performances now expected from the Red Devils’ first-team captain.

His deeper position has seen a slight decline in his performance level, as seen by the latest display against Brighton at Old Trafford, with the 31-year-old enduring somewhat of a quiet afternoon.

Bruno only completed six passes into the final third against the Seagulls and only completed 50% of the dribbles he attempted – subsequently being unable to match the levels from 2024/25.

He was also dribbled past on three occasions, whilst also losing nine duels – the most of any player – showcasing the lack of positive impact he’s had in his new position.

As a result, one other player within the first-team squad has taken the responsibility of providing the goods alongside Mbeumo within the final third in recent weeks.

The United star who’s becoming Amorim’s next Bruno

Whilst it’s still early days in 2025/26, United look like a different team compared to last campaign, with Amorim deserving huge credit for the work done during the off-season.

After the first nine games of the new Premier League season, the Red Devils rank second for expected goals (xG), showcasing the threat the side now possesses in forward areas.

Amorim’s men have also registered the highest average of shots on target per 90, with such a record enabling the side to score 15 goals in the first nine matches of the new league campaign.

As previously mentioned, Mbeumo has played a key role in such success, as seen by his tally of five goals and one assist – working out at 40% of the side’s goals to date.

However, the Cameroonian international has been joined at Old Trafford by Matheus Cunha, with the Brazilian joining the Red Devils in a £62.5m deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He also arrived with huge expectations this summer, after he registered a total of 21 combined goals and assists in the Premier League whilst being involved in a relegation battle.

The 26-year-old has partnered Mbeumo in the number ten role behind the striker, which has subsequently resulted in Bruno dropping into his deeper role over the last couple of months.

However, Cunha has taken to such a task like a duck to water, arguably replacing the Portuguese international as one of the Red Devils’ leading talismen.

He netted his first goal for the club in the recent triumph over Brighton, with such an effort getting the ball rolling for Amorim’s third league victory in a row.

Cunha, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, also produced numerous impressive figures that showcase his class within the final third.

Cunha – stats against Brighton

Statistics

Tally

Minutes played

81

Touches

62

Goals scored

1

Passes completed

89%

Chances created

2

Shot on target accuracy

100%

Dribbles completed

2

Chances created

2

Stats via FotMob

Along with his goal, the attacking midfielder completed 89% of the passes attempted and registered two chances created for his teammates – showcasing his ability to provide for those around him.

He also placed 100% of his shots on target, whilst also completing two of his three dribbles – highlighting his incredible all-round ability within the final third.

Whilst it may be early days in his career at Old Trafford, Cunha has already captured the hearts of the fanbase and cemented himself as a key player within Amorim’s ranks.

Should he continue in such vein, there’s no reason why he can’t soften the blow of Bruno’s drop in form and lead the side to new heights in the near future.

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Posts ByEthan Lamb Oct 28, 2025

Just when Chelsea were seemingly building serious momentum, wait, what happened?

When the Blues took a fourth-minute lead through Alejandro Garnacho against Sunderland, they appeared set to cruise to a nice routine victory at 3 o’clock on a Saturday.

However, Wilson Isidor equalised for the Black Cats soon after and then, right at the death, with the home side pushing for a winner of their own, Chemsdine Talbi snatched victory, sparking wild celebrations from the Mackems who had traveled to West London.

Chelsea did end the afternoon with 16 shots to Sunderland’s ten, but forced Robin Roefs into just two saves, while Robert Sánchez made six, hence why the newly-promoted outfit ended the game with a higher xG figure: 0.97-1.16.

Before this, Enzo Maresca’s team had won four on the spin, demolishing Ajax 5-1 in the Champions League, while also beating both Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Now, though, question marks will be raised against the manager, so, with a fierce London derby against Tottenham to come next Saturday, which player should Maresca cast aside following his display during this defeat?

João Pedro's start to life at Chelsea

Back in the summer, after arriving mid-way through the Club World Cup from Brighton, straight into action having been on a Brazilian beach, João Pedro was being heralded as a revelation.

He scored twice on debut against former side Fluminense in the semi-finals, before also netting during the final demolition over Paris Saint-Germain a few days later.

However, since serious football has returned, he’s not lived up to these admittedly astronomical high standards.

Pedro has scored only twice this season, on target against both West Ham and Fulham back in August, thereby enduring something of a goal drought, which is not ideal given that Liam Delap is sidelined long-term.

Also not helping Pedro’s cause is the fact that, on Wednesday night, he missed the annihilation of Ajax, suspended, having been sent off in stoppage time against Benfica, and the team put in a free-flowing, free-scoring display in his absence.

Per Sofascore, during Sunday’s defeat to Sunderland, in 85 minutes on the field, he touched the ball just 30 times, lost possession on nine occasions, was flagged offside twice, and mustered zero shots, replaced by Tyrique George towards the end, a change Chelsea supporters may have wished to see sooner.

However, his place in the starting lineup may actually not be under that much threat, given that his primary competition for minutes may have actually been even worse.

The Chelsea youngster who should be dropped

It may still only be October, but Marc Guiu has already endured a weird season.

The teenage Spaniard began the campaign on loan at Sunderland, making just three appearances for the club, scoring against Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup, before being abruptly recalled following the aforementioned injury sustained by Delap.

Upon his return to West London, he did not feature in any of their first six fixtures, making the recall seem a bit pointless, but he then changed the game off the bench against Nottingham Forest last weekend, providing a much-needed focal point.

Guiu was then rewarded with a start against Ajax in mid-week and repaid the manager’s faith, breaking the deadlock in that one, thereby starting against his, briefly, former club this weekend too, a first-ever Premier League start.

However, as the table below documents, safe to say he did not make Sunderland supporters rue what could have been.

Shots on target

1

8th

Shots off target

1

6th

xG

0.22

4th

Accurate passes

2

30th

Duels contested

3

23rd

Duels won

Zero

30th

Possession lost

6

17th

Touches

10

26th

SofaScore rating

6

30th

As the table documents, Guiu won zero duels, completed just two passes, and touched the ball only ten times, the same number as the man who replaced him in the 76th minute, namely Jamie Gittens.

Bobby Vincent of Football London awarded him a 4/10, noting that he ‘got very little change’ out of Dan Ballard, while Sam Tabuteau of the Evening Standard added that he ‘struggled to get into the game’ and lacked ‘finesse’, believing the game was a ‘reminder of his inexperience’, both of which are pretty polite ways of phrasing it, we would suggest.

Thus, the Barcelona wonderkid may not be the answer to Chelsea’s centre-forward conundrum after all.

With games against Spurs, Barcelona and Arsenal to come in November, Maresca will surely favour alternative options, especially for those tougher assignments.

Not just George: Maresca must start Chelsea teen who's "similar to Palmer"

Enzo Maresca must start this exciting Chelsea youngster more regularly, who is being compared to Cole Palmer.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 25, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro, Eliminatórias da Eurocopa e Copa da Argentina são os principais destaques deste domingo (15) de futebol. Confira onde assistir ao vivo e os horários das partidas.

Joao Pedro promised to take Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo out for dinner after starring for the Blues in their 1-0 win over Spurs on Saturday. Pedro, who last scored for Enzo Maresca's side in August, finally ended his nine-game goal drought as Caicedo provided him with the all-important assist. The win helped the Blues climb up to the fifth position on the league table.

• Pedro ends goal drought

  Pedro, who joined Chelsea from Brighton this summer, started the 2025-26 campaign on a bright note as he scored two goals in his first three Premier League outings, however, after his last goal against Fulham in August, the Brazilian forward endured a nine-game goal drought across all competitions. It finally ended this Saturday as Pedro scored the winner for his club against Tottenham from Caicedo's assist.

  Pedro was denied scoring on three occasions by Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario before Caicedo won back possession from Micky van de Ven and then fed Pedro with an assist from which he broke the deadlock and also sealed three points for the Blues. 

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  I need to invite you to dinner

  Speaking to reporters about his conversation with Caicedo, Pedro said: "Moses, everyone knows, is a top, top player. It is a pleasure to play with him, and when he pass to me on the pitch, in the half-time I said I need to invite you to dinner, so yeah I just want to say thank you to him. Thanks to the team for the support. I scored but I still need to improve. I had a lot of chances, but we won the game. I think I needed this goal after a long time I don't score for Chelsea and I think the team expect (goals) from me, so I just want to say thank you to Moses, thank you to the team and now we need to enjoy this victory."

• 'We need to look forward'

  Further analysing the team's performance against Spurs, Pedro added: "I think it was a big game, a derby, and we know they are a good team. We knew we had to do 100 per cent to win this kind of game, and we did. We won the game, and now we need to look forward."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Caicedo at par with Rodri according to Maresca

  Blues boss Maresca also lavished praise on the Ecuador international as he boldly claimed that Caicedo is among the best midfielders in the world alongside Manchester City star and former Ballon d'Or winner Rodri.

  The Italian coach said: "I said many times, the best thing from Moi, for sure, we judge him inside the pitch, but he's so humble, he's such a good guy, he's always there to help everyone. And I just said to the television interviewer that for me, him and [Manchester City's] Rodri, in this moment, they are the two best defensive midfielders in the world."

  With the well-deserved win against Thomas Frank's side, the Blues climbed back into the Premier League's top four. They next face Qarabag in the Champions League away from home on Wednesday, before hosting Wolves for a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on November 8.

Freddie Freeman had a legendary World Series run with the victorious Los Angeles Dodgers this year, starting with his walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning of Game 1 over the New York Yankees.

He went on to hit a home run in the first four games of the World Series, and eventually won the World Series MVP award.

One Dodgers fan, The Bismarck Tribune's Maeve Hushman, decided to commemorate Freeman's World Series performance with a tattoo of his grand slam. The tattoo shows the numbers of the three players on the bases when Freeman hit his homer—No. 50 Mookie Betts on first, No. 25 Tommy Edman on second and No. 3 Chris Taylor on third. It then shows a ball being hit outside the ballpark.

What a creative way to celebrate the Dodgers' title. She will never forget Freeman's historical walk-off grand slam, that's for sure.

The Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball on Saturday announced that they will begin the process of transferring ace pitcher Rōki Sasaki to MLB via the posting system.

Marines general manager Naoki Matsumoto said the following in a statement.

"Ever since he joined the team, we have heard from him that he dreamed of playing in America. After making a comprehensive judgment over the past five years, we have decided to respect his wish. We hope he will do his best as a representative of Japan. We are rooting for him."

Sasaki, 23, is widely regarded as one of the best pitchers in the world. Armed with a four-seam fastball that routinely hits triple digits, a nosediving splitter and a slider, the 6'4" righthander dominated hitters in Japan to the tune of a 2.02 ERA and 524 strikeouts in 414 2/3 innings pitched.

Then, MLB hitters got their first taste of facing Sasaki in the spring of 2023 during the World Baseball Classic, which Sasaki's native Japan won.

Sasaki wowed fans with his fastball-splitter combo, making two starts for Japan and compiling a 1-0 record with 11 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings pitched.

How does MLB's Posting System work?

Under current rules of NPB's posting agreement with MLB, the release fee, a sum of money the Marines will receive once Sasaki signs a deal with a big-league club, will depend upon the guaranteed value of his MLB contract. MLB clubs will have 45 days to negotiate with Sasaki after he is posted.

How much can Roki Sasaki earn in an MLB contract?

Plus, because Sasaki is not yet 25 years old, he will be considered an international amateur free agent, which will limit his earning potential, but also broaden his free agency market. MLB teams can use international bonus pool money to sign Sasaki to a minor-league contract, and he can then be added to the major league roster prior to the start of the 2025 MLB season.

"I am very grateful to the team for officially allowing me to post," Sasaki said in a statement. "There were many things that did not go well during my five years with the Marines, but I was able to get to this point by concentrating only on baseball, with the support of my teammates, staff, front office, and fans.

"I will do my best to work my way up from my minor contract to become the best player in the world, so that I will have no regrets in my one and only baseball career and live up to the expectations of everyone who has supported me."

Winning trophies and top-scorer awards might be routine to Erling Haaland, but this week the striker stands on the brink of what could be a once-in-lifetime opportunity: to qualify for the World Cup with Norway. Since Haaland was born in 2000, Norway have never competed on the world's biggest stage. Their six attempts have all fallen flat, only reaching the play-offs on one occasion.

Automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, however, is in their own hands. And at the feet of Haaland. The Manchester City striker is the top scorer in UEFA qualifying on 12 goals from six games, five more than closest rival Memphis Depay.

In Norway's most recent qualifier against Israel, Haaland struck a hat-trick in a 5-0 drubbing. In the previous game, he scored five and set up two more as Norway walloped Moldova 11-1. The Scandinavians have won all six of their games to take a three-point lead over Italy ahead of their final two games, Thursday's home fixture against Estonia and Sunday's showdown with the Azzurri at San Siro.

But most crucially, and in large part thanks to Haaland's insatiable hunger for scoring, they hold a 16-goal lead in goal difference, the tie-breaker in the event they finish on the same amount of points as Italy. Victory against Estonia, who have lost five of their seven qualifiers, will therefore all-but guarantee them a spot at the World Cup.

Haaland and Norway are taking nothing for granted, but they are on the cusp of what the striker, who has won almost every major trophy with City, has described as the biggest objective of his career.

Getty Family ties

Haaland has a very close relationship with his former footballer father, Alfie, but also a healthy rivalry with him. "He never pushed me to anything, but he early knew that I wanted to become good at football," Haaland told magazine. "I said a long time ago 'Hopefully I'll become better than you'. I told him many times. That's been something that has been a motivation for me ever since I was young, to live from football and become better than him."

It is fair to say that Erling has already had a far more impressive career than Alfie, who won zero major honours in his 20-year stint in professional football. Erling, by contrast, has won nine trophies, including the Champions League and Premier League, two Golden Boots and been named Player of the Season in both England and Germany. But Alfie can boast of one thing his son is yet to achieve: he has played in a World Cup.

Alfie was part of the Norway side that qualified for the 1994 World Cup in the U.S., and so there is an added significance to Erling's bid to reach next summer's tournament and become the second member of his family to not only play in the world's most prestigious competition, but to do so in the same country as his father.

AdvertisementGetty 'Biggest party ever'

Norway last reached the World Cup in 1998 (Alfie didn't make the squad), and while in the U.S. they agonisingly missed out on the knockout stage by one goal after all four teams in their group finished on four points, Norway had an epic journey in France, reaching the last 16 by beating none other than world champions Brazil. 

Granted, Brazil had already qualified as Group A winners, but they still fielded an all-star side including Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo and the best player in the world at the time, Ronaldo. Norway went behind in the 79th minute but staged an incredible turnaround in the space of five minutes to snatch a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Tore Andre Flo and an 89th-minute penalty from Kjetil Rekdal. 

Norway were beaten 1-0 by Italy in the last 16, but no one alive then will forget the achievement of beating Brazil and making it to the knockout stage. Haaland is not looking that far ahead, but he knows that just making it to the finals will be a historic achievement. "If we would qualify for the World Cup, it would be like another big nation winning it," he told . "It would be the biggest party ever. Scenes in Oslo would be incredible."

Getty 'Sick and tired'

Norway had something approaching the biggest party ever when they beat Italy 3-0 in June. Rain had hammered down relentlessly throughout the game, but fans remained inside the Ullevaal Stadion long after full-time, serenading their players while wearing their ponchos.

"People didn't want to go home," said coach Stale Solbakken. "The rain was pouring, but they were there long before the game and long after the game."

Solbakken was part of the squad at the 1998 World Cup, giving the current crop of players, the vast majority of whom were not born then, a link with the past, although it is one that Solbakken wants to break: "We are sick and tired of talking about that now, so we need to get to another tournament. It’s 25 years since we've been in a major tournament, so it's about time."

Solbakken's experience at the World Cup is not even his most significant achievement. While training with FC Copenhagen in 2000, the 57-time Norway international collapsed from a heart attack as his heart stopped beating for almost seven minutes and he went into a coma for 30 hours. "He was clinically dead," said the club doctor who revived him. "It is a miracle that he is still alive."

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AFP'Biggest match-winner'

Solbakken was forced to retire at the age of 30, entering coaching in 2002. He won eight league titles with Copenhagen in two spells before becoming Norway coach in 2020. He is blessed with an incredible generation of players headlined by Haaland and Martin Odegaard (who is out injured at the moment), and backed-up by Haaland's City team-mate Oscar Bobb, Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth, RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa, Fulham midfielder Sander Berge and Borussia Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson.

"Offensively, we have players with some X-factor now. We feel we can always score a goal," Solbakken added. "As a team, we have become much more solid defensively as well. We have a better mix. The feeling (in the squad) has always been good, but there’s an extra edge to it now that we have done so well."

No one has quite the X-factor of Haaland, and yet Solbakken insists the striker is "easy to coach". "He is very down-to-earth in terms that he wants to do his work defensively as well," he added. "He thinks about the team before he thinks about himself. You can see that when other players score, he's as happy as he is when he scores himself. He's aware he's a leader and he's taking care of his team-mates in a very good way. The other players know that Erling is our biggest match-winner and that we have to make sure that we put him in the right areas so he can score goals and be dangerous."

James Rew scores unbeaten ton batting with younger brother, Thomas, for first time in senior match

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay06-Aug-2025

Somerset brothers James and Thomas Rew combined in a dominant century partnership to steer Somerset to a comprehensive six-wicket victory over Middlesex at Radlett and get their county’s Metro Bank One Day Cup campaign off to a winning start.Batting together for the first time in senior cricket, James struck a magnificent unbeaten 106 from 90 balls (15 fours), while younger brother Thomas displayed his big-hitting form from the recent England Under 19s series. His 51 from 54 balls with three fours and three sixes was his first senior half-century. But while he fell with 58 runs still required, his brother was there to steer the side home with 15 balls to spare.For Middlesex, Josh de Caires hit a fine 71 in 86 balls, his maiden List A half-century to lay the foundation for Middlesex’s total of 289 for 7.While he shared an opening stand of 63 with Joe Cracknell (23), wickets fell at crucial times as Middlesex’s run rate slowed against tight Somerset bowling. It was new skipper Ben Geddes (40) who wrestled back the initiative before Jack Davies blazed a brilliant 64 during a fifth-wicket stand of 61 with Luke Hollman, 98 runs coming in the final 10 overs.Jake Ball, who also had two catches dropped off his bowling, finished with figures of 3 for 43, while Jack Leach took 3 for 47.Earlier, de Caires started confidently against Alfie Ogborne, cutting and pulling consecutive short balls and was strong on the drive too.Ball bowled a consistent probing line but was left frustrated during an excellent first over when two chances went down behind the wicket. Ben Green at wide first slip failed to hold a low chance offered by de Caires on 25, while keeper James Rew put down a regulation catch off Cracknell on 15.Ball and Green kept things tight, challenging the stumps with the scoring rate slowing significantly, just 23 runs coming in nine overs. Feeling the pressure, Cracknell flashed outside off-stump to Ball, Green making no mistake as he took a slip catch above his head.Finally, de Caires got one away, driving through midwicket, the first boundary for seven overs. Shackles released, he came down the pitch to dispatch Green for six before reaching his fourth consecutive half-century after three Championship fiftiesIt was Leach who made a double breakthrough. First, he got one to grip and turn to take the edge of Sam Robson’s bat, then, while the sweep had proved effective for de Caires, the reverse sweep proved his undoing. The Middlesex opener was adjudged lbw, leaving him frustrated as replays suggested the ball struck glove rather than pad.Geddes picked up the mantle, cutting and pulling dismissively. He picked a delivery from Ball off his hip for six as Middlesex’s rate climbed back above five but was caught attempting a big shot against Leach.Davies was soon on the charge, collecting two sixes as he slog-swept Archie Vaughan and hooked Green into the pavilion before smashing three boundaries over the covers.Ball broke the partnership, castling Hollman (21) as he dragged on and having Davies excellently caught by a diving Vaughan at long-on. Toby Roland-Jones was last to go, caught in the deep in the final over off Green.Middlesex strayed in line and length as Somerset openers Tom Lammonby (38) and Vaughan accumulated steadily, Lammonby clipping three boundaries stylishly off his legs.Noah Cornwell separated the pair, pushing one across Vaughan who edged to a diving Cracknell before Josh Little built steady pressure, finding consistent bounce and movement, eventually drawing Lammonby into the edge.Lewis Goldsworthy (38) took consecutive boundaries off wide deliveries from Little, while James Rew got off the mark swinging a Little free hit over the slips before stroking through midwicket. He cut a rare bad ball from Hollman to bring up the 50-partnership before Henry Brookes removed Goldsworthy as he deflected onto his stumps.The Rews settled into their work adding 107 in 16 overs, James showing beautiful timing as he gloriously drove Brookes before pulling Roland-Jones through midwicket. His brother drove nicely too but also dispatched Roland Jones for a big six.James cut Roland-Jones for consecutive boundaries and with Somerset passing 200 in the 36th over, Thomas audaciously reverse slog swept de Caires for six.Thomas pulled Hollman for another maximum to bring up the 100 partnership but with 60 needed off the last 10, he was caught pulling a short ball from Cornwell straight to midwicket.James though continued in the same vein before hitting two boundaries off Brookes to go to three figures and win the match.Josh Thomas (24) proved good support, winning a reprieve when he was dropped in the deep off Cornwell with 19 needed.

تألق كيليان مبابي مهاجم ريال مدريد في فوز منتخب بلاده فرنسا ضد أوكرانيا برباعية نظيفة، حيث سجل هدفين ليصل لهدفه رقم 400 في مسيرته الكروية في سن السادسة والعشرين فقط.

وواصل كيليان مبابي أداءه المذهل الذي يقدمه مع ريال مدريد باستثناء آخر مباراتين انتهتا بنتائج مخيبة للآمال، وقد قيل الكثير عن سياسة غرفة الملابس والثقة في تشابي ألونسو بعد الهزيمة أمام ليفربول والتعادل في فاليكاس.

وعلق كيليان مبابي في تصريحات لإذاعة “كادينا كوبي” الإسبانية حول الأزمة الراهنة في ريال مدريد: “ماذا تريدونني أن أقول؟ ليس لدي ما أقوله”.

أقرأ أيضاً.. مبابي يحقق رقمًا مميزًا بعد ثنائية مباراة فرنسا وأوكرانيا: إنجاز لا يبهر الناس

وأضاف: “عندما لا تفوز في ريال مدريد يتحدث الناس كثيراً ولم نفز في آخر مباراتين، لقد لعبنا بشكل سيئ للغاية لكننا سنعود بعد التوقف ومستعدون للفوز ضد إلتشي”.

ودعم مبابي المدرب بسبب الأداء الذي يقدمه ريال مدريد في جميع المسابقات بغض النظر عن النتائج الأخيرة وأن الفريق يسير على الطريق الصحيح: “نحن في صدارة الليجا وضمن أفضل 8 فرق في دوري أبطال أوروبا، الوضع ليس مثالياً ونعلم أنه عندما لا تسير الأمور على ما يرام يكثر الكلام”.

واختتم عن هدف لاعبي ريال مدريد بتحقيق الألقاب هذا الموسم: “نحن متحدون للفوز بجميع الألقاب هذا العام”.

Leeds United must wish they could play at Elland Road exclusively in the Premier League.

When looking at just their home record this season in the demanding division, the Whites have only been beaten once on their patch all campaign long, with two wins also collected.

It’s when you look at the West Yorkshire outfit’s away record that you begin to view the cracks, with four defeats picked up from five away contests, also seeing Daniel Farke’s men leak a concerning 12 goals.

This miserable record on the road was clear for all to see on Saturday as Farke and Co. were humbled 3-0 by Brighton and Hove Albion, as the Leeds backline was regularly all at sea on the South Coast.

Games played

5

Wins

1

Draws

0

Losses

4

Goals scored

3

Goals conceded

12

xG

3.58 xG

xGA

8.89 xGA

It was also another no-show from the Leeds attackers at the Amex, too, as a rudderless Dominic Calvert-Lewin now worryingly looks over his shoulder at potential transfer developments this coming January…

Leeds plot January move for EFL star

Calvert-Lewin has chipped in with one of Leeds’ three away goals this season, but he is otherwise goalless, away from heading home a past effort against bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Therefore, with Joel Piroe also rumoured to be on the move, it isn’t the greatest shock to see the relegation-threatened side be linked with some fresh blood up top, as Football Insider now reveals that Coventry City star Haji Wright is on their agenda.

Indeed, Football Insider states that Farke’s men are monitoring the Sky Blues’ star man ahead of a potential January switch, although winning his signature is not deemed a priority, despite Leeds’ ongoing frustrations in front of goal. Transfermarkt currently value the forward at £9m.

Still, it is alleged that the free-scoring American is on their potential shopping list, with Noah Okafor presumably jumping for joy at the prospect of working with a striker who has been deemed “too good” for the Championship previously by EFL-based pundit George Elek.

Branded as Leeds’ “best chance of something happening” away at Brighton by journalist Graham Smyth, Okafor will hope he can link up with Wright to devastating effect down the line, as the exciting pair, in theory, attempt to push Leeds out of the relegation mire together, while Calvert-Lewin is demoted to the bench.

How Wright can boost the Leeds attack

Nobody can call out Calvert-Lewin for not trying or cutting a passenger-like figure on the pitch, with five duels won on average already this season by the ex-Everton marksman in league action.

But, he’s stuck on that one goal, and he only managed to fire two paltry efforts at goal across his side’s last two Premier League contests. While he continues to look goal-shy, Wright is tearing the Championship to shreds week in week out for Frank Lampard’s table-toppers, as a Premier League move awaits.

Coming in at a similarly tall 6-foot-3 frame to that of Calvert-Lewin, Wright now has eight second-tier goals next to his name this season from 12 league outings, with the Los Angeles-born forward usually in the right place, at the right time to gobble up an opportunity.

Lampard has even labelled Wright as a “constant problem” for defenders to keep tabs on, with the goalscoring menace only needing 22.7 touches on average this season to fire home his electric Championship goal tally.

Games played

95

Goals scored

40

Assists

10

Hat-tricks

1

Wright has excelled at the Sky Blues with a fast-paced attacker often at his side, with Lampard spoiled for choice this season by having the likes of Victor Torp and Brandon Thomas-Asante also at his disposal.

If the 27-year-old centre-forward were to relocate to Elland Road shortly, he would surely hope he could form a blistering working relationship with Okafor, who has stood out as one of Leeds’ most direct players this season to date.

Indeed, while most of his teammates receded into their shells against Fabian Hurzeler’s men, Okafor would end the one-sided affair with a mightily impressive five successful dribbles under his belt.

Lauded as being a “class difference maker” by Leeds-based content creator Oscar Marrio, too, Farke will hope that if he does bring in Wright in January, the American will be supplied with chances galore by the Swiss international.

The worry might well be that Wright isn’t proven in the Premier League.

But, it’s clear that Leeds need something fresh up top, instead of over-relying on a hit-and-miss Calvert-Lewin to consistently deliver the goods, as the “unbelievable” EFL hotshot – as he was once labelled by ex-international teammate Tim Ream – potentially becomes Leeds’ first foray into the January transfer window.

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