Babar Azam has been rested keeping in mind Pakistan’s busy schedule, Mahmood says

Danyal Rasool14-Oct-2024In desperate need of a result following an innings defeat in the first Test, Pakistan have seemingly had a complete change of heart on the sort of pitches they want at home, and opted to use the same one from the first Test. To that end, they have lined up with three spinners, with seam-bowling allrounder Aamer Jamal the only pace outlet.According to assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, though, this is precisely how Pakistan had planned it all along.”We had a clear plan of what pitches to prepare for Bangladesh, and what to prepare vs England,” he said on Tuesday. “Our approach was pace wickets against Bangladesh and spin pitches against England. Our instruction to the curator for the first Test was that the ball should spin after the second day. But the pitch didn’t take turn until even the fifth day. Hopefully the ball will begin to take turn on the ninth day.”Related

Aaqib-ball sparks Pakistan's latest revolution

Stokes bullish after defeat: 'We've got the best top six in England'

Captain Stokes loses his sheen as Rawalpindi return ends in flat defeat

Sajid and Noman revel in the moment as Pakistan's plans come together

Ben Stokes finds his house still in order after enforced absence

If the expectation was that the pitch would take turn from the second day in the first Test, Pakistan’s line-up did not necessarily reflect that. Legspinner Abrar Ahmed was the only specialist spinner in the XI, with Pakistan lining up with Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi and Jamal to round the attack out. Now, unless one of the part-timers are thrown the ball, it will be the first time Pakistan play a men’s Test with only one quick bowler.It wasn’t an attack that left the Test with its reputation enhanced. England piled out 823 for 7, the highest score Pakistan have ever conceded. Captain Shan Masood was critical of the bowlers, and the focus has shifted to finding a way to take 20 wickets by any means necessary.”You have to take 20 wickets,” Mahmood said. “We thought about how we’re going to take those. We thought that if we use that pitch, the thinking was how do we take 20 wickets against England and we thought spin was the way to do it.”The players who are coming in are experienced. They are all experienced and have been playing first-class cricket for a while. The best option is to play players at home on pitches they are used to, so I don’t think there’ll be that much pressure on that.”

“Pakistan has so much cricket coming that the selection committee decided to give Babar a rest, because Pakistan have to go to Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa”Azhar Mahmood on Babar Azam being omitted from the Test squad

While each of the incoming spinners – Zahid Mahmood, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan – have accumulated plenty of first-class experience over the years, none of it has been particularly recent. The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy season hasn’t started yet, meaning these players’ last red-ball involvement was in the previous season – none of them have played a first-class match since January this year. Thrown in against an England side that broke a multitude of records on this very pitch last week, it is not a particularly gentle easing in.Mahmood also attempted to downplay all the changes from the first Test, particularly the leaving out of Babar Azam, which he insisted was “rest” rather than “drop”.”Babar is our No. 1 player in terms if technique and ability,” he said. “Pakistan has so much cricket coming that the selection committee decided to give Babar a rest, because Pakistan have to go to Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.Jason Gillespie and Azhar Mahmood hatch their plans•Getty Images”We need to take advantage of our conditions. We announced the team for one Test match because we knew we would have changes. After this we’re flying to Australia to play white-ball cricket. We knew we’d have to rest Shaheen and other important players because we have non-stop cricket for the next six months.”There may be some scepticism towards Mahmood’s reasoning. None of the upcoming white-ball tours are as significant for Pakistan as a three-match home Test series against England. This is arguably the biggest series for Pakistan in this current season, and there will invariably be questions about why the upcoming white-ball series couldn’t serve as a more appropriate avenue for rotation.Fielding three spinners in addition to Salman Agha, who Mahmood said in August was a “specialist spinner”, requires a certain degree of confidence that the pitch will take turn. “We left a lot of grass on the pitches and wanted the ball to turn to use the pitch in our favour. Let’s see if it works for us.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Passada a intensa carga de emoção com a sofrida vitória do Internacional por 1 a 0 contra o Metropolitanos, pela Libertadores, o técnico Mano Menezes reconheceu que a equipe sofreu muito mais do que o desempenho indicou para assegurar o triunfo.

Além de apontar números que sugerem domínio do Colorado frente ao time venezuelano, o treinador defendeu que, se o time tivesse conseguido marcar o primeiro gol de maneira mais antecipada, o placar no Beira-Rio teria sido bem mais elástico.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol InternacionalRashford retorna aos treinos no Manchester United e pode estar de volta para decisão na Europa LeagueFutebol Internacional19/04/2023LibertadoresApesar da derrota, The Strongest deixou boa impressão contra o FluminenseLibertadores19/04/2023Fora de CampoSaiba quais são os jogos da Série A do Brasileirão investigados por manipulaçãoFora de Campo19/04/2023

>Confira aqui a tabela completa na fase de grupos da Libertadores!

Mano Menezes fez questão de exaltar, também, o caráter de organização demonstrado por seus comandados, mesmo com a crescente necessidade de vitória, já que o cenário que se tornava cada vez mais tenso conforme o tempo ia passando.

-Preciso elogiar a postura da equipe em termos de equilíbrio para buscar a vitória. Não demos contra-ataque no segundo tempo ao adversário e fomos premiados com a busca pela vitória do primeiro ao último minuto. É importantíssimo. É o gol que é capaz de virar a chave que temos tentado e deixamos escapar a vitória – disse.

+ Assine o Star+ por apenas R$32,90 por mês e acompanhe o Inter na Libertadores quando e onde quiser

O técnico colorado exaltou os números da equipe para justificar seus elogios aos jogadores do Internacional.

-Para falar de desempenho temos que colocar os números. O Inter teve aproximadamente 68% de posse, o que diz que dominamos. Tivemos 24 conclusões contra 3 e 14 escanteios contra nenhum. Provavelmente, se fizéssemos o gol cedo, seria 4 a 0. Mas demoramos. Bola bateu no travessão, no poste, cria uma dramaticidade grande para um jogo que não era para ter essa dramaticidade. Mas acontece – concluiu.

كسر فينسنت كومباني، مدرب نادي بايرن ميونخ صمته وعلق على إمكانية عودة هاري كين إلى صفوف توتنهام هوتسبير خلال فترة الميركاتو الصيفي العام المقبل.

كين سوف ينتهي عقده مع نادي بايرن ميونخ بنهاية الموسم المقبل، ولم يتم توقيع عقد جديد بين اللاعب والفريق البافاري حتى هذه اللحظة.

وورد أن نادي توتنهام يمتلك خيار إعادة شراء كين من جديد، وذلك في العقد الموقع مع بايرن ميونخ.

وكان مدرب توتنهام ، توماس فرانك، رحب بفكرة عودة كين إلى السبيرز من جديد وأنه سوف يكون سعيدًا إذا عمل مع ابن الـ32 عامًا.

أقرأ أيضًا .. رئيس جالطة سراي يتحدي ليفربول: سنهدي جماهيرنا فوزًا عظيمًا

وأشار كومباني في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “مترو” إلى أن كين يجب أن يكون واضحًا مع إدارة بايرن ميونخ إذا أراد العودة إلى توتنهام.

وقال كومباني: “إنه يمر بمرحلة ممتازة، وآخر ما أريد فعله هو فتح الباب أمام نقاش مختلف حول فكرة رحيله عن بايرن ميونخ”.

وأضاف كومباني في حديثه عن كين: ”الشيء الوحيد الذي أراه دائمًا مع هاري هو رغبته في الفوز بالألقاب وهو قادر على ذلك في بايرن ميونخ، هذا هو التركيز الوحيد”.

ثم أوضح المدير الرياضي لبايرن ميونخ، ماكس إيبرل عن مصير كين: “أعتقد أنه في سنه لا يزال يحرز تقدمًا كبيرًا كشخصية على أرض الملعب”.

وأردف: ”في توتنهام بالطبع كنا نعرفه جميعًا من خلال تسجيله للأهداف، لكنني أعتقد أن أسلوب لعبه الحالي في هذا الفريق، ليس فقط من حيث تسجيل الأهداف بل كلاعب وقائد في الملعب والتضحية بنفسه من أجل الفريق وهذا يظهر ما كنت أقوله”.

وتابع: ”إنه في سن يسمح له باتخاذ قراراته بنفسه سواء كان لديه بند في عقده أم لا، إذا قال أريد اتخاذ قرار كما فعل في توتنهام، فسيتخذه، لكننا نتمنى بالطبع أن نحقق معه موسمًا ناجحًا للغاية وفي المستقبل”.

Taskin Ahmed was the first player called in this year’s BPL draft when the new franchise Durbar Rajshahi picked the 29-year old fast bowler. Defending champions Fortune Barishal took Mahmudullah, who recently retired from T20Is, with the seventh overall pick as they retained several of their last season’s squad members for the 2024-25 team.Like Taskin, fast bowlers Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana were also first round picks, for Khulna Tigers and Rangpur Riders respectively. Litton Das (Dhaka Capitals), Shamim Hossain (Chittagong Kings) and Rony Talukdar (Sylhet Strikers) rounded off the first round. There was however no takers for Category A players legspinner Rishad Hossain and Najmul Hossain Shanto, Bangladesh’s current T20I captain and the top scorer from 2023 season.Barishal would later pick both Shanto and Rishad with the 15th and 43rd overall picks for local cricketers. Shanto hasn’t been in great form off late, while many believed that Rishad’s availability is slightly unclear as the Hobart Hurricane picked him for this season’s BBL.Sylhet took Mashrafe Mortaza, who appeared for the same franchise for the past two seasons. Sylhet had retained Zakir Hasan, Tanzim Hasan, Paul Stirling and George Munsey, while directly signing Jaker Ali. Among those they picked in the draft were Reece Topley, Rahkeem Cornwall and Samiullah Shenwari.Defending champions Barishal retained Tamim Iqbal, the player-of-the-tournament last season, and Mushfiqur Rahim. They directly signed Towhid Hridoy, Dawid Malan, Kyle Mayers, Mohammad Nabi, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Ali and Jahandad Khan. They also took Pathum Nissanka from the draft although the Sri Lankan batter is available partially during the BPL.Pakistani cricketers Saim Ayub (Dhaka Capitals), Akif Javed (Rangpur Riders) and Mohammad Hasnain (Khulna Tigers) were the first three overseas picks, followed by James Fuller (Barishal) and Graham Clark (Chittagong).Among the uncapped Bangladeshi players, Nahid Rana (Rangpur), Habibur Rahman Sohan (Dhaka) and Jishan Alam (Rajshahi) were the early picks.The BPL teams can continue to sign players directly till the scheduled tournament start date of December 27. Barishal, Khulna, Sylhet and Rangpur are the existing franchises while Dhaka, Chittagong and Rajshahi are new in this season.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly intensifying contact to sign a £78m “superstar” who Spurs think could help with a Premier League title push.

Heung-min Son to leave Tottenham

The main north London news in recent days has been on Heung-min Son’s pending Spurs departure this summer, with the South Korean star revealing he will leave the club ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Talking at a press conference during the pre-season tour, Son, who lifted the Europa League title just months ago, shared an emotional goodbye.

Son looks on course to head to the MLS with LAFC, leaving Daniel Levy and Thomas Frank on the search for a replacement to the star forward.

Fabrizio Romano: Tottenham take "formal steps" for next signing after medical

Spurs are closing in.

3 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 2, 2025

Real Madrid winger Rodrygo has been mentioned as a potential target, and there has been a new update on a potential transfer.

Tottenham intensify contact to sign Rodrygo

According to a report from Spain, Tottenham is Rodrygo’s ‘most concrete option’ if he is to leave the Bernabeu over the coming weeks.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain haven’t made the Brazilian a priority target, leaving Spurs with a free run at a swoop for the £78m-rated forward.

It is claimed that Spurs chiefs, along with Frank, ‘have intensified contact with the player’s entourage to convince him of the project’ in north London.

Tottenham are ‘planning the right moment to launch an official offer’ for Rodrygo, who they think ‘could be key to making the final leap in their quest to win the Premier League’.

A move looks like it could still be one to keep an eye on following this update, with Rodrygo, now aged 24, capable of playing on either wing or through the middle.

Liverpool don’t want to sell Luis Diaz this summer, but they might have to. Keeping a player on the books whose heart is set elsewhere is an ill-fated move, and the Colombian wants to leave Anfield.

You can see his case. Aged 28, Diaz is one of the finest wingers in the game, but he earns a comparatively modest salary at Liverpool and has entered the second-to-last year of his contract.

Diaz wants a pay rise, but Liverpool aren’t inclined to give him one, instead willing to see out his contract.

He was a crucial part of last season’s success. Diaz scored 17 goals and supplied eight assists across all competitions for Liverpool, his best return for the club.

His electric pace, tenacious fight and versatility proved perfect for Arne Slot as the Dutch coach led the Reds to the Premier League title.

But Bayern Munich are persistent in their bid to sign the Colombian winger, having already seen a £58.5m bid knocked back this summer.

However, Sky Germany confirm that the Bundesliga champions continue to push, and with Liverpool set to sign a new striker, perhaps his sale for a mammoth fee wouldn’t be such a bad thing in the long run.

The latest on Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike has been one of the more coveted names on the market this summer. Manchester United and Newcastle United have both shown an interest, but it’s the Reds who will likely prevail, the Frenchman submitting a transfer request on Thursday to seal a deal with the Anfield side.

Valued at €100m (£85m) Ekitike will cost a pretty penny, all right, but he’s worth it, already regarded “one of the best strikers out there” by analyst Ben Mattinson.

While Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak has been sporting director Richard Hughes’ first choice, the Magpies have rejected Liverpool’s advances, so the Reds have stolen their top target instead.

He’s not as good as Isak, but the 23-year-old does have sky-high potential, the genuine chance to make headway over a number of years at Liverpool and reach that pedestal.

While Diaz spent a fair share of time as a makeshift striker in 2024/25, he is at his core a left-sided forward. With Darwin Nunez supposedly off as well, Liverpool might need to sign a winger to go alongside Ekitike.

Liverpool line up Luis Diaz heir

According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Liverpool have retained an interest in signing Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, having come close to signing him one year ago.

The England international, 24, is valued at £75m and any concrete move is dependent on Diaz’s future. However, the long-standing interest and Gordon’s Merseyside affiliation could see him push for a return to Anfield, having left Liverpool’s academy as an 11-year-old.

While Real Madrid’s Rodrygo is also on Liverpool’s radar, with preliminary talks having taken place, Gordon might be the man to go for.

Why Liverpool want Anthony Gordon

In Cody Gakpo, Liverpool have a prolific and proven left winger. However, Diaz’s departure would call for a direct replacement, and while Rodrygo would be a stunning signing, Arsenal also have a vested interest, and Real Madrid are seeking upwards of £87m.

Gordon would be a more than acceptable fallback. A high-speed runner with a dogged approach to his football, the Newcastle star has bloomed into one of the Premier League’s finest over the past couple of years, with teammate Bruno Guimaraes describing him as “special”.

Technically sharp and physically robust, he certainly fits the mould that Diaz would leave behind, and this dynamic skill set could be the perfect thing for a young striker in Ekitike, who will need support as he steps into the cauldron of fire that is the English top flight.

Ekitike will, of course, have the likes of Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz to lead the supply line, but in Gordon, Liverpool could retain the sense of energy and completeness that Diaz brings to the table.

And anyway, the Toon talent has already demonstrated in the Premier League that he’s capable of throwing down with the likes of Diaz, and indeed Rodrygo, whose skill has led Luka Modric to describe him as a “world-class superstar” in La Liga.

Let’s dig a little deeper. Now, we’re going to skew the data a tad. Gordon’s 2024/25 campaign left plenty to be desired, but he was a force to be reckoned with the season prior.

Looking at that 2023/24 term, comparing it to Rodrygo and Diaz’s league efforts last term, we can see that he’s got the potential to make quite the impression at Liverpool.

Quite the effort. Gordon’s performances, notching 21 goal contributions across Newcastle’s injury-hit year, led to the honour of the club’s Player of the Year. It was his first full season on Tyneside, and an illustration of his capacity for high-level performances.

And while his high duel rate, creativity and potency in the final third would elevate Ekitike as he makes his maiden way in England, the centre-forward could certainly return the favour, with a style of play that is truly layered and vast.

Indeed, as per FBref, Ekitike ranked among the top 10% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last season for assists, the top 6% for shot-creating actions, and the top 4% for both progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90.

Whichever way you look at it, it’s hard to imagine Liverpool’s transfer window being anything other than a success. Slot proved his worth last season, and now he’s being rewarded with the parts to create a lasting squad of champions.

Better than Isak & Ekitike: Liverpool make £142m "monster" a dream target

Liverpool have two primary candidates to bolster their forward line; Alexander Isak & Hugo Ekitike.

1

By
Matt Dawson

Jul 17, 2025

Cristiano Ronaldo could be heading back to America for the first time in over 10 years, with the USMNT planning an exhibition match with Portugal.

United States preparing to co-host World CupIntend to line up glamour friendly contestsCR7 last graced U.S. soil in summer of 2014Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

That is according to , who claim that the United States are hoping to play host to CR7 and Co and an “NFL-sized venue on the east coast”. It is being suggested that said contest could take place during the international break of March 2026.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly keen to “face teams from different confederations” as he prepares his squad for a home World Cup next summer. The U.S. do not need to qualify for that tournament as co-hosts.

DID YOU KNOW?

There is still work to do when it comes to readying the USMNT for clashes with the global elite, with a 2-0 defeat to South Korea last time out further highlighting that point. Facing Portugal would be a big test, with a friendly date with Belgium also being sought.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyTELL ME MORE

Said contests can only be confirmed if Portugal and Belgium qualify for the 2026 World Cup without the need for a play-off. Ronaldo and the 2025 UEFA Nations League winners are also being lined up for a meeting with Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium.

Big picture: Pride (for India) and WTC points at stake

A 2-0 series scoreline heading into the final Test is what most followers of the game would have predicted when this three-match India vs New Zealand series began 15 days back. But barely anyone would have predicted that “2” would not be against India’s name.It has taken a series of firsts for New Zealand to find themselves in the position they are in. And now as they head to Mumbai with the series in the bag, they have the chance to do the unthinkable – inflict a series sweep over India in India. Only once have India been swept in a series of more than one Test at home – against South Africa in 1999-2000 – and never in a series of more than two Tests. Can India save themselves the blushes?Related

• Bumrah likely to be rested for Mumbai Test

• Ajaz Patel is back at the scene of his greatest triumph

• India need Kohli and Rohit to regain their old aura

• Nothing's changed, India say, but it all looks different

• Team-man Tim and the art of letting go (only if he has to)

While there is pride at stake for the home team, there are also crucial WTC points up for grabs for both sides. India are still leading the WTC points table but that lead has been cut short big time with these two defeats. Another loss here and they will have plenty of catching up to do in Australia.For New Zealand, getting to the WTC final seemed far-fetched when this series started but these two wins have brought them right back into contention. A win in Mumbai and then in the three-match series at home against England will keep them in the mix for another WTC final.It’s taken a lot of grit, determination and long spells of brilliant cricket for New Zealand to be able to dictate terms. They cleaned up India for 46 in Bengaluru and then stuck it out in the second innings when Rishabh Pant and Sarfaraz Khan were hitting them around. The naysayers would say the conditions in Bengaluru were more suited to New Zealand than to India. So they went to Pune and beat India in conditions that were completely different.Rarely has an overseas spinner outbowled his Indian counterparts in India. But Mitchell Santner understood the assignment from the get-go and India had no answers to his guile and dip. They also have Ajaz Patel, who is at the scene of his epic ten-wicket haul from 2021.For India, it’s more about how to bounce back from these shock defeats and get a win under their belt ahead of the Australia tour. On paper, this is a dead rubber. In reality, it’s anything but.

Form guide

India LLWWW
New Zealand WWLLL3:41

Gambhir: ‘The more T20 is played, the less people will defend’

In the spotlight – Virat Kohli and Mitchell Santner

Virat Kohli has a problem, it’s called spin, and it’s grown in the last few years, particularly in Asia. Since the start of 2022, Kohli has played 19 Tests in which he has scored four fifties and two centuries. Of those, 12 have been in Asia, where he’s managed just one fifty and a hundred. What’s stood out in those is his fallibility against spin.In 19 innings in Asia since January 2022, he’s fallen to spin 16 times, averaging 29.31. The corresponding number against pace is three dismissals while averaging 47.00. For someone who has that old-school long stretch forward against spinners, he has often been dismissed playing from the crease. He’s fallen to spin three out of the four innings in this series, to Glenn Phillips in Bengaluru and twice to Santner in Pune. On a Mumbai surface that is bound to turn, Kohli might need to do a bit extra to get his spin numbers on point.It will be Mitchell Santner who will once again be tasked with not allowing Kohli and the others to get away. For someone whose Instagram bio reads “part time New Zealand cricketer, full time golfer”, it was an incredible effort to come in and pick up 13 wickets in Pune, the same number he had managed in the five Tests he had played prior stretching to June 2021. He had tweaked his side in Pune, but seems to have recovered fine. He batted and bowled in the nets two days before the Mumbai Test and will hope to have a similar impact to what he did in Pune.

Team news: Bumrah to be rested? What about Southee?

While the series already lost, there are chances India might give Jasprit Bumrah a rest before the five-match series against Australia starting next month. With practice being mandatory, everyone did everything they could at the nets the day before the Test, except Bumrah, who did not bowl. Gautam Gambhir said that Bumrah is fit and available. But with a long tour ahead, India might look to give their premier quick a break like they did earlier in the year against England in Ranchi. Will they replace him with a spinner in Kuldeep Yadav or a fast bowler in Mohammed Siraj remains to be seen. The batting unit should remain unchanged with Sarfaraz Khan holding on to his spot.India (probable XI): 1 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2 Rohit Sharma (capt), 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Sarfaraz Khan, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Washington Sundar, 10 Jasprit Bumrah/Kuldeep Yadav/Mohammed Siraj, 11 Akash DeepMatt Henry looks set to come into New Zealand’s XI instead of Tim Southee•AFP/Getty Images

Matt Henry looks set to return to the New Zealand XI after missing out from the Pune Test because of a glute niggle. He bowled at full tilt two days before the Test and had a fitness test on Thursday. Henry was the pick of the bowlers in Bengaluru and is likely to come in place of Tim Southee. There were more indications from practice on the eve of the game with Santner fielding to the quicks at third slip instead of Southee, who often mans that position. The rest of XI is likely to be unchanged.New Zealand (probable XI): 1 Tom Latham (capt), 2 Devon Conway, 3 Will Young, 4 Rachin Ravindra, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Glenn Phillips, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Ajaz Patel, 11 William O’RourkePitch and conditionsThe red-soil surface in Mumbai is dry and will take turn early. It is expected to crumble as the Test goes on but there should be good bounce for the fast bowlers and spinners. It is expected to be humid in Mumbai with the temperatures likely to be around the low to mid-30s on the Celsius scale.

Stats and trivia

• Among the current lot, Kohli has the most runs at the Wankhede Stadium – 469 in eight innings at 58.62 with three fifties and a century
• Rohit Sharma has played only one Test at his home ground, back in 2013, where he scored an unbeaten 111 against West Indies
• Since his debut in November 2018, Ajaz has the most wickets for an overseas spinner in Asia – 70
• Henry is third on the list of fast bowlers for most Test wickets in 2024 – 31 in five Tests

Quotes

“I think looks a really good wicket. Obviously, it’s really difficult for anyone to judge how the wicket is going to behave unless the game starts on it and both the teams have batted on it. But I feel it looks a decent wicket and I’m sure once the guys get in, they can actually make the most of it.”
“I think so, yeah. We’ll have a look obviously at the wicket but I think if you look at past tosses, I think most teams have batted first.”

As Alexander Isak edges closer to the exit door, Newcastle United are beginning to map out life without their talismanic striker.

The Swede’s choice to skip Newcastle’s pre-season tour of Southeast Asia and instead train at former club Real Sociedad has only heightened speculation about his future.

While Liverpool lodged a bid to secure his signature, the Magpies are already working on contingency plans. In Benjamin Šeško, Newcastle believe they have identified an heir to Isak’s throne.

A towering presence at 1.94m, the 22-year-old is equally capable of leading the line with intelligence and intensity.

Despite the club’s willingness to meet RB Leipzig’s valuation, the Slovenian appears to prefer a move to Manchester United – even in the absence of European football.

This has left the door open for alternatives.

One name is emerging as a serious contender – a raw but high-ceilinged talent who combines power, pace and composure in front of goal.

Newcastle looking at Europe's next powerhouse forward

According to TEAMTalk, Newcastle and Aston Villa are among five Premier League clubs interested in Porto striker Samu Aghehowa.

The 21-year-old Spanish-Nigerian powerhouse has taken Europe by storm since joining Porto from Atlético Madrid for around £15m last summer.

Aghehowa has scored 27 goals in 45 games, including six in the Europa League and two against Manchester United, evidence of his ability to shine on the biggest stage.

As per the report, sources close to the player suggest he is keen on a move to the Premier League, drawn by its competitiveness and global appeal. However, Porto’s valuation, a steep £70 million, partly due to Atlético Madrid’s 50% sell-on clause, may complicate matters.

Nevertheless, it’s believed a lower fee could be negotiated, with £50m-£60m having been suggested.

Why Samu Aghehowa Might Be the Next Šeško — Or Better

Standing at 1.93m, Aghehowa fits the same physical profile as Šeško. Indeed, analyst Ben Mattinson described Omorodion as an “absolute powerhouse”, while also noting that he is the “real deal”.

Crucially, he’s already proven capable of shouldering a club’s attacking burden, an attractive quality for both Newcastle and Villa, especially with the latter facing uncertainty over Ollie Watkins’ future.

Should Newcastle miss out on Šeško, Aghehowa represents a similarly ambitious gamble, albeit one with a potentially higher ceiling.

In truth, comparisons between the pair are as inevitable as both are towering, physically dominant forwards.

What’s more, both are under the age of 23 and represent the archetype of the modern target man: capable of bullying defenders whilst also possessing the technique to play in dynamic, high-tempo systems.

According to data from FBref, his non-penalty expected goals (npxG) stood at 8.4, with 11 goals scored in open play, and he averaged 2.5 shots per 90 minutes. But as promising as those numbers are, Aghehowa’s hold up well in comparison.

In the Liga Portugal, the Porto man scored 19 league goals and added three assists. Across all competitions, he notched 27.

The same data shows he ranks in the 75th percentile for non-penalty xG per 90 (0.43) and the 86th percentile for total shots per 90 (3.10).

In terms of pass completion, he’s even more efficient than Šeško, ranking in the 96th percentile (77.8%), demonstrating his ability to play quick link-up football.

Additionally, the former Atleti starlet is an active presence in the box.

He ranks in the 86th percentile for touches in the attacking penalty area (5.45), and, surprisingly for a striker, in the 73rd percentile for interceptions – testament to his defensive work rate.

Šeško, for all his finishing prowess, has a more passive off-ball profile. With Isak increasingly detached, training independently at Real Sociedad and unlikely to return without resolution, Newcastle’s hierarchy must make a call.

Wait for a Šeško U-turn, or invest in the next rising star before the market catches up?

Aghehowa might not be a household name yet, but neither was Haaland before his Salzburg breakout, nor Šeško before Leipzig.

The traits are all there: size, speed, hunger, and a fearless eye for goal. In the end, signing him wouldn’t just be a response to Isak’s departure, it could be a defining statement of ambition for the years ahead.

Related Gordon's new Isak: Newcastle leading the race for £50m Sesko alternative

Newcastle are faced with the unenviable position of finding an Isak replacement this summer.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Aug 1, 2025

Leeds United are interested in a move for an “outstanding” £35m player in the summer transfer window, according to a transfer update.

Farke in need of attacking signings for Leeds

The start of the new Premier League season is now less than two weeks away, with the Whites preparing for their return to the top flight after two years away.

Daniel Farke will be pleased with some of Leeds’ summer transfer business, not least midfield additions such as Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff, but he will also know that further attacking signings are important, stressing as much over the weekend.

Everton striker Beto has been linked with a move to Leeds this summer, with the Blues seemingly happy to move him on after completing the signing of Thierno Barry from Villarreal earlier in the window.

Meanwhile, Fulham ace Rodrigo Muniz has also been backed to come in at Elland Read, in what would be a statement of intent signing by the Whites.

He scored eight goals in as many starts in the Premier League last season, including finding the net in a win over eventual champions Liverpool.

Leeds keen on "outstanding" £35m Sara

Now, according to a new report from Caught Offside, Leeds and 49ers Enterprises are one of six clubs who are eyeing Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray this summer.

The £35m-rated midfielder is also being eyed up by the likes of Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Wolves, with the former thought to be the “most advanced” in their efforts to snap him up.

Sara is a top-quality footballer who could be perfect for Leeds, not least because he is capable of taking up both defensive and attacking midfield roles, showcasing his versatility.

The 26-year-old Galatasaray ace has experience of English football already, having played for Norwich City in the past, being praise by David Wagner during their time working together.

“He is an outstanding player. Not only for us but in this division – no one has a doubt about this. It’s crystal clear. All the goals, (barring) the penalty which was lucky, were top class.”

Sara has never beaten Leeds in his career, failing to achieve victory in four attempts, and he was part of the Norwich team that got thumped 4-0 at Elland Road in the Championship playoffs back in 2023/24.

Chris Wood 2.0: Leeds pursuit of £26m star is a "work in progress"

Leeds United are reportedly still considering a swoop to sign a Premier League forward who could be Chris Wood 2.0

ByDan Emery Aug 2, 2025

That’s not to say that he couldn’t be brilliant for the Whites, however, adding so much quality in the middle of the park and providing stiff competition for Stach, Longstaff and others.