Category Uncategorized

In one of the most pivotal scenes during the hit movie 'Moneyball', which tells the story of the Oakland Athletics' ground-breaking, data-led approach in baseball – later copied by the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) at both the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool – the club's general manager Billy Beane has a candid discussion with veteran player David Justice over his role.

"David, you're 37. How about you and I be honest about what each of us wants out of this? I want to milk the last ounce of baseball you got in you, and you want to stay in the show," Beane, played by Brad Pitt, says after interrupting Justice in the middle of a batting practice. "Let's do that. Now, I'm not paying you for the player you used to be – I'm paying you for the player you are right now. You're smart, you get what we're trying to do here. Make an example for the younger guys, be a leader. Can you do that?"

Justice, whose body language switches from dismissive and defensive to fully engaged during Beane's speech, accepts that challenge and subsequently helps to revive the A's fortunes. It's easy to imagine Arne Slot pulling Mohamed Salah aside and delivering some similar home truths amid Liverpool's struggles for consistency on the football pitch this season, only to be met with a far more hostile response.

Salah signed a new contract at Anfield back in April that guaranteed him another two years in the Premier League "show". But the 33-year-old has since failed to set a shining example as the highest-paid player in the Liverpool squad, or seemingly take on board any constructive criticism.

Instead of stepping forward as a leader in times of trouble, Salah has become a destructive force, putting himself above the team. No one can take away the 'Egyptian King's' status as a Reds icon after so many years of brilliance and tangible success, but his decision to publicly speak out against Slot after being dropped to the bench has permanently tainted his legacy.

Getty Images SportFrom talisman to complete liability

Salah finished fourth in the final vote for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, which was a fair reflection of his stellar contribution to Liverpool's Premier League title success in 2024-25. Ever-present under Slot in the Dutchman's first year at the helm, Salah racked up a combined total of 47 goals and assists, the most ever recorded in a 38-game season.

His ruthless finishing and dazzling playmaking skills made the difference week in, week out, and in August, he deservedly became the first man to ever win the PFA Players' Player of the Year award three times. But Salah hasn't come close to matching those heights in the first half of the current campaign.

In fact, it could easily be argued that he has become a liability. The former Roma and Chelsea forward has only scored five goals in 19 appearances across all competitions, and even more worryingly, has been almost completely anonymous in Liverpool's build-up play and defensive phases. 

There are two key reasons for that. The first is that Trent Alexander-Arnold's summer move to Real Madrid has hit Salah harder than anyone could have predicted. Without a constant supply of world-class service down the right flank from the England international, Salah has looked completely lost.

Secondly, Liverpool have also been unable to cover for Salah's refusal to track back without pressing monsters Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota. The club's decision to sell Diaz to Bayern Munich in the summer window has aged poorly, and the tragic death of Jota has left a void that new additions such as Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike have yet to fill.

AdvertisementAFPLoyalty all used up

There have been widespread calls for Salah to be taken out of the team throughout the season, which Slot largely resisted initially. He was restricted to late Champions League cameos against Galatasaray and Eintracht Frankfurt, but started all of Liverpool's first 12 Premier League games.

Slot showed Salah a great deal of loyalty based on the mutual trust they had built up last term, especially as results took a major turn for the worse. The Reds endured a run of nine defeats in 12 games across all competitions, with a 3-0 home loss to struggling Nottingham Forest marking the lowest point.

Liverpool dropped to 11th in the table after that result, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal after just 12 matches. Their title defence ended that day, and Slot was, in the eyes of many, hanging on to his job by a thread. Shoring up the weak right side that opponents had been exploiting at will was the first obvious step towards steadying the ship, and that meant taking Salah out of the firing line, which Slot did for the trip to West Ham on November 30.

Sure enough, the Reds produced a much-improved display to win 2-0, and Salah didn't even get off the bench. He did get a full 45 minutes as a half-time substitute in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Anfield three days later, but found himself back in the dugout for the duration of Liverpool's 3-3 thriller against Leeds on Saturday.

There was nothing much wrong with the attack at Elland Road; it was a series of familiar defensive mistakes that cost Slot's side. Liverpool may well have lost the game had Salah been on and in the same half-hearted mood he has been all season. So when he accused Slot of throwing him "under the bus" after the game, it was impossible to feel any sympathy towards the Egypt international.

Getty Images SportNo right to claim special treatment

After the humiliating loss to Forest, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher urged Salah to front up to the media as one of the most experienced and respected figures in the dressing room. “On the back of all these Liverpool defeats, it's always Virgil van Dijk who comes out,” Carragher told . “I only ever hear Salah speak when he gets man of the match or he needs a new contract. I'd like to see Mo Salah come out as one of the leaders, one of the legends of Liverpool, come out and speak for the team. It shouldn't always be the captain.”

Salah finally came out at the weekend, but only for self-serving reasons, and couldn't resist signing off with a petty swipe at Carragher.

"I couldn't believe that I'm sitting on the bench for 90 minutes! The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I'm very, very disappointed to be fair,” he said. “I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season. Now I'm sitting on the bench and I don't know why. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame. I got a lot of promises in the summer and so far, I am on the bench for three games, so I can't say they keep the promise. After what I have done for the club, it really hurts. Tomorrow, Carragher is going to go for me again and again, and that’s fine.”

Carragher was only asking Salah to take a bit of responsibility and issue a rallying cry, which would have meant a lot to the Liverpool faithful and Slot. But Salah clearly doesn't care about the club's current plight. That 'woe is me' attitude smacks of arrogance and a lack of self-awareness. The board may have promised that Salah would remain their main man during contract talks, but it had to have been conditional on him maintaining his standards. Now that they have plummeted, he has no right to claim any special treatment.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

Getty/GOALBigger than the club

Salah also committed the unforgivable crime of disrespecting his manager. “I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don't have any relationship,” he said of Slot. “I don't know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn't want me in the club. I don't think I am the problem. I have done so much for this club. I don't have to go every day fighting for my position because I earned it. I am not bigger than anyone but I earned my position. If I am somewhere else, everybody would go to the media and defend the players. I am the only one in this situation.”

The only one who has been thrown under the bus is Slot. Salah must have the memory of a goldfish, because Slot was his most fierce ally amid a barrage of criticism between August and November, and snapped back angrily when presenter Lynsey Hipgrave pressed him on Salah's importance before Liverpool's 3-2 loss at Brentford: “Should I have to explain or do his numbers speak for themselves? Mo has been so influential for this club since he’s been here and since I’ve been here.”

Slot had also been pleased with Salah's reaction to being dropped, describing him as a "top professional", but will surely now be re-evaluating that assessment. Despite his pleas to the contrary, Salah obviously thinks he's bigger than the club. He's shown his true colours, undermining Slot in the process, and the Liverpool boss now has to affirm his authority.

So many players have been guilty of underperforming, from Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate to Alexis Mac Allister and £116 million ($155m) man Florian Wirtz, while Isak and Milos Kerkez currently fall into the bracket of major transfer flops, and Slot has been forced to shuffle his pack consistently. But Salah is the only one who has thrown his toys out of the pram. He hasn't been the only problem, but he is now main one.

Bayern Munich legend Oliver Kahn has given his verdict on veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s performance against Arsenal. Kahn insisted Neuer was fouled during the controversial opening goal but admitted the goalkeeper made a "mistake" for the third strike that sealed the first defeat of the season for Vincent Kompany and Co.

• Neuer involved in controversial opener and decisive third goal

  Bayern goalkeeper endured a difficult evening during his side's 3-1 Champions League defeat to the English team, with two of the goals conceded drawing significant scrutiny. Kahn provided a detailed verdict on the critical moments, defending Neuer over a controversial opener but admitting the veteran made a "mistake" on the goal that effectively ended the contest.

  Bayern Munich's unbeaten Champions League run came to an end at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, with the spotlight falling firmly on the performance of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer regarding key moments in the 3-1 defeat.

  Arsenal took the lead in the 22nd minute following a corner kick. As the ball was delivered into the six-yard box, Neuer appeared to be impeded by an Arsenal player, preventing him from making a clean attempt to catch or punch the ball clear. Amid the confusion and contact, Jurrien Timber finished to put the hosts ahead.

  While Lennart Karl briefly equalised for Bayern, Arsenal regained control in the second half through Noni Madueke in the 69th minute. The critical moment that sealed Bayern's fate arrived in the 77th minute. Gabriel Martinelli struck Arsenal's third goal after Neuer came rushing up the field to challenge him, only to be left in the Brazilian's dust.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Kahn argues Neuer was fouled for Timber goal

  Kahn offered a robust defence of Neuer regarding the opening goal, arguing that the shot-stopper was the victim of a foul that went unpunished by the match officials and VAR.

  Speaking to , Kahn analysed the corner kick incident: "As a goalkeeper, you're focused on the player taking the corner. That means you can't see what's happening behind you. And if someone comes along at that exact moment and gives you even the slightest nudge or bumps into you, you lack the coordination you need to bring the corner down or punch it away."

  Kahn expressed strong disdain for such tactics used against goalkeepers in the penalty area. "I hated those kinds of disguised attacks. Even a small nudge is enough to make you lose the necessary coordination with the ball. In my opinion, VAR should have intervened and awarded a foul and a free kick."

• Bayern legend admits 'mistake' on Martinelli strike

  While Kahn defended Neuer over the first goal, he was less forgiving in his assessment of the decisive third goal scored by Martinelli in the 77th minute. When asked directly if Neuer had committed an error that led to the goal, Kahn's response was blunt.

  "Was that a mistake, yes or no? Yes, if that's how you want to see it, then it was a mistake," Kahn admitted, acknowledging that the German international should have done better in that defining moment.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Bayern Munich lack cutting edge despite possession

  The defeat marked Bayern Munich's first loss in the Champions League group stage this season and dropped them to third place in the standings, three points behind new leaders Arsenal. Despite dominating possession with 55% of the ball and completing significantly more passes than their opponents, Bayern struggled to threaten the Arsenal goal consistently.

  Kompany's side managed only two shots on target throughout the entire match, compared to Arsenal's eight, highlighting their issues in the final third against a disciplined Gunners defence. The result leaves Bayern level on 12 points with Inter Milan, making their final group fixtures crucial for securing a top seeding for the knockout phase.

There comes a time when a club must face the thought of one of their superstars leaving. Not in hostile, bitter circumstances, but because age has caught up with them, and it is the right time to close the door on their glittering stay.

Steven Gerrard’s departure from Liverpool a decade ago was very much representative of this, but now, the Anfield side are beginning to understand that Mohamed Salah is likely into his final stretch at the club, having signed a new £400k-per-week contract in April that will take him to the end of next season.

Last year was Salah’s. The Egyptian forward decided one Premier League trophy wasn’t enough and embarked on a record-breaking journey toward his second title with Liverpool, scoring 29 goals and supplying 18 assists across the top-flight term.

The decline since the summer has been steep, and though there are a number of circumstances likely impacting his performance, Salah is 33 years old and claims that he is suffering the inevitability of a late-career wind down are justified.

Liverpool need a new right winger by the end of 2026/27, but they also need more energy and athleticism, with Salah not the only player culpable of lacking those elements this season.

Liverpool ready to search for Salah successor

There’s been a statistic floating about regarding Liverpool’s running metrics, and it’s concerning, to say the least. Only once across Liverpool’s past seven Premier League matches have they outrun their opponent.

Salah has been at the epicentre of this struggle. The veteran winger’s defensive work rate has decreased over the past several years, but his insane levels of prolificness have eased any frustration over this foible.

But now that his sharpened edge has been dulled, it’s becoming clear that Salah is a weak link, ranking among the bottom 4% of Premier League positional peers this season for tackles won and the bottom 15% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

The sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich hasn’t helped things, with the Colombian among the most electric and tenacious forwards out there. Liverpool did not directly replace Diaz, who chalked up 25 goal contributions in all competitions for Arne Slot last year.

But Liverpool could find their new version of the 28-year-old in his Bayern teammate Michael Olise. According to Spanish sources, the France international is in Richard Hughes’ sights as Liverpool plan for the future, and the Reds are even believed to be preparing a British-record package worth €200m (about £177m).

Olise, 23, has been a revelation in Germany since joining from Crystal Palace over a year ago, and FSG know they need to replace Salah with an elite winger when the time does come.

What Olise would offer Liverpool

Since signing for Bayern in a £50m deal, Olise has scored 27 goals and supplied 30 assists across 72 matches. Widely regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in England, called a “magical footballer” by content creator HLTCO, he has established himself as a superstar.

An elegant and intelligent wide forward, Olise is not a clinical goalscorer, but he boasts so many athletic and technical qualities that could see him thrive as Salah’s successor, especially as he wouldn’t be trying to mimic the club legend’s playing style, rather, bring his own flavour.

In the Bundesliga this season, for example, the Les Bleus talent has averaged 1.9 key passes, 1.7 successful dribbles and 4.2 duels per match, as per Sofascore, with seven goal involvements from just eight starts.

Looking at the potential addition through a wider lens, we can see that Olise is actually outstripping Salah over many important metrics across the past year, and with Liverpool’s talisman seemingly declining in front of goal, that gulf will only stretch over the next 18 months.

Mohamed Salah vs Michael Olise (past 12 months)

Stats (per 90)

Salah

Olise

Goals scored

0.62

0.38

Assists

0.33

0.50

Shots taken

3.08

3.55

Shot-creating actions

3.96

6.60

Touches (att pen)

8.64

6.48

Pass completion (%)

70.1

80.7

Progressive passes

3.78

7.15

Progressive carries

4.13

4.90

Successful take-ons

1.28

2.53

Ball recoveries

2.77

3.95

Data via FBref

Olise is not so much of an out-and-out goalscorer as Salah, but in this, Liverpool could strike the jackpot.

With Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike both signed this summer, Liverpool have revamped their central attacking options. Olise would be the perfect add-on, bringing Diaz-esque dribbling and peerless playmaking back to the Premier League, helping Slot’s side’s overall fluency.

Though the Reds ostensibly have the parts to fashion stunning attacking play and sustain it, there’s no question that something is missing. When Salah leaves, that will only become clearer, with the struggles for form up top now that he is not on his A-game already being felt. For so long, Liverpool have been reliant on the iconic winger’s brilliance, and now they need new solutions.

It was a mistake on FSG and Slot’s part not to have added a direct Diaz replacement to their ranks this season, and the ramifications are certainly being felt, stretched and accentuated by Salah’s own woes on the right.

Were a younger iteration of Salah in this struggling Liverpool side, the sale of Diaz would not be so keenly felt. Now, it’s vital that Liverpool and Hughes get it right in sourcing a replacement.

You won’t find many better than Olise, and he has the perfect style of play to stand in the space that Salah will eventually vacate, not an imitation but his own, world-class player.

Related Not Wirtz: Slot's own Firmino proved he can end Gakpo's Liverpool stay

One of Liverpool’s star men proved he has what it takes to play in a number of positions under Slot’s wing.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Nov 14, 2025

Taskin starred with the ball, Litton led the way with the bat, and comeback man Saif contributed a fine all-round display

Abhimanyu Bose30-Aug-2025Taskin Ahmed, Saif Hassan and captain Litton Das played starring roles as Bangladesh eased to an eight-wicket win over Netherlands in the first T20I in Sylhet.Taskin took four wickets and Saif, playing his first T20I since October 2023, bagged his first two T20I wickets as Bangladesh restricted the visitors to 136 after asking them to bat. Saif completed his comeback with a quickfire cameo to support Litton’s brisk half-century as Bangladesh won with 6.3 overs to spare.

Taskin keeps Netherlands quiet

Max O’Dowd started well for Netherlands, driving and flicking Shoriful Islam for three fours in the second over. He then launched Mahedi Hasan, who opened the bowling, for a six down the ground in the third.But Taskin struck with his first ball, getting O’Dowd to spoon a catch to cover off a leading edge.Netherlands managed just nine more runs from the 2.5 remaining overs in the powerplay, with their only boundary coming through another leading edge from Teja Nidamanuru that just evaded a leaping cover fielder.Then, Taskin struck again with the first ball of his second over, the eighth of the innings. Vikramjit Singh looked to switch gears and go down the ground, but could only pick out long-on.

Saif ends Netherlands counterattack

Nidamanuru counterattacked, pulling Taskin for a six later in that over before squeezing one past short third for four. That began a stretch that brought Netherlands 27 runs off just 11 balls, before Saif nipped the counterattack in the bud with his maiden international wicket.Netherlands captain Scott Edwards tried to sweep the offspinner but couldn’t get distance on his shot, and Jaker Ali ran to his right to take a brilliant diving catch at long leg. Two balls later, Saif had Nidamanuru holing out to deep midwicket.Mustafizur Rahman got on the board when a short ball drew a top edge from Shariz Ahmad’s attempted pull to leave Netherlands five wickets down in the 13th over.Taskin picked up two more wickets in his remaining two overs, and Netherlands added just 52 to their score over their last eight overs.Saif Hassan struck twice in an over•BCB

Emon starts strong, Litton continues the momentum

Parvez Hossain Emon got Bangladesh off to the perfect start with two fours and a six off the first three balls of the innings, from offspinner Aryan Dutt. He put away two shortish balls either side of point, and when Dutt went fuller, Emon slog-swept him over midwicket.Tanzid Hasan also started with a boundary, clipping Kyle Klein through backward square leg, but Dutt applied the brakes next over when he slid a quick one through Emon’s defences.Litton, however, ensured Bangladesh didn’t let the pressure build. In the fifth over, he drove Dutt through point before flicking him over midwicket next ball. In the last over of the powerplay, Litton crashed left-arm spinner Daniel Doram through the covers before launching him down the ground for his first six.Tanzid did a good job in a support role while Litton kept going after the bowling. He welcomed Shariz Ahmad with back-to-back boundaries in his first over, and punished Klein for straying onto his pads, whipping him fine on the leg side for another six.By the time Tanzid picked out long-on off a full toss in the tenth over, Bangladesh needed just 45 off 65 balls.

Saif completes perfect comeback

Litton brought up his 13th T20I half-century, off just 26 balls, in the 11th over. Then Saif, having got his eye in while scoring seven off nine balls, let loose, coming down the track to loft Tim Pringle over long-on.Saif then swung Paul van Meekeren into the leg side for a four before sealing the win with back-to-back sixes off Vikramjit in the 14th over.Litton contributed just 10 runs to an unbroken 46-run stand for the third wicket, with Saif finishing unbeaten on 36 off just 19 deliveries – a knock that will encourage the returning batter, whose career T20I strike rate jumped from 81.25 to 106.02 after this match.

ECB announce fixtures for men’s and women’s competitions in 2026, in new two-month window

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Nov-2025Warwickshire have retired their Birmingham Bears moniker for T20 Blast matches, and will instead revert to being called Warwickshire Bears when the rebooted men’s and women’s competition gets underway in 2026.The club won their sole T20 title as Birmingham Bears in 2014, but have reverted to their county name after more than a decade, following feedback from members and in recognition of the women’s county competition that got underway this season.”Warwickshire has and always will be at the heart of who we are,” Stuart Cain, the county’s chief executive, said. “It’s our identity and has been for well over a century.”Over a decade ago, the club decided to be bold with a city-based name for our T20 team and it saw attendances grow to record levels and attract new fans to the Bears. But with our long-term future in mind, and following feedback from members through the members committee, now is the right time for change.”We represent the county and that’s what returning to Warwickshire Bears is about.”The announcement came ahead of the ECB’s unveiling of next year’s Blast fixtures – which, for the 14th consecutive year, will be hosted at Warwickshire’s home ground of Edgbaston (or EdgBLASTon, as per the club’s “bold and electrifying move” to rebrand the stadium for the duration of the tournament).The Blast schedule has been compromised in recent years, following the introduction of the Hundred in a mid-summer block in July and August. This year’s event featured a final on September 13, almost two months after the conclusion of the group stage in July, meaning that each of the four teams were missing key players – a situation described by Lancashire’s captain, Keaton Jennings, as “ludicrous”.The new-look tournament will take place in a tightened two-month window. The group stage for men and women will run from May 22 to July 12, with the men’s quarter-finals taking place three days later on July 15 and Men’s Finals Day on July 18. Women’s Finals Day will take place 24 hours earlier, on a Friday, at the Kia Oval.Related

• PCA reiterates fatigue concerns ahead of county domestic review

• 'Wanted six sixes more' – Lynn makes history with first Finals Day hundred

• Smeed 94 powers Somerset to Blast glory in record 195-run chase

• Smeed delivers his knock-out blow as Somerset seal record chase

• 'Ludicrous' scheduling leaves T20 Finals Day shorn of star billing

The men’s groups have been rejigged, with three groups of six teams replacing the long-standing North and South Groups, albeit with a retention of many of the more traditional rivalries – including Yorkshire versus Lancashire in Lancashire in Group A, Gloucestershire versus Somerset in Group B, and Surrey versus Middlesex in Group C.Each team will now play 12 group-stage matches instead of 14, which has allowed the schedulers to place 80% of these fixtures in fan-friendly slots on a Friday, Sunday or a Bank Holiday. Following feedback from the PCA, which warned of the dangers of player fatigue in a recent survey, the total number of back-to-back matches in the men’s competition has been reduced to six – which is down from more than 50 two years ago – while there is just one in the women’s competition.”The changes to the men’s and women’s Vitality Blast competitions for 2026 have been made in order to benefit fans and players alike,” Neil Snowball, ECB managing director, competitions and major events, said. “Every county will host a men’s and women’s double header, with 61 double-headers in total, while the significant reduction in back-to-back games gives players more opportunity to perform at their very best throughout the competition.Surrey’s Grace Harris poses with the Women’s T20 Blast trophy•ECB via Getty Images

“The narrative of both competitions will also be easier to follow with the knockout stages following on immediately after the group stages, culminating in a true celebration of T20 cricket with the women’s and men’s Vitality Blast Finals Days being hosted at the Kia Oval and Edgbaston on consecutive days.”PCA Chief Executive, Daryl Mitchell, said: “Throughout the past 12 months, the PCA has worked tirelessly alongside the professional game to improve standards for players across all formats. The Vitality Blast competitions for 2026 highlight considerable improvements with a real energy injected into them.”Players want to be at their optimum levels to perform at their best in county cricket’s flagship T20 competition and a significant reduction of back-to-back fixtures across the men’s and women’s Blast, alongside more men’s and women’s double headers and reduced travel in the men’s game will allow this.”The tournaments will begin with 16 men’s and women’s double-headers across the May Bank Holiday Weekend. Somerset, the men’s defending champions, will face Hampshire Hawks in a rematch of last year’s final at Taunton, while Surrey – the women’s winners – will face Lancashire.Yorkshire’s women, who will be embarking on their maiden Tier 1 season, will take part in their first Roses double-header at Old Trafford on 10 July.

Vitality Blast Men’s Competition

Group A: Derbyshire Falcons, Durham, Lancashire Lightning, Leicestershire Foxes, Notts Outlaws, Yorkshire

Group B: Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire Steelbacks, Somerset, Warwickshire Bears, Worcestershire Rapids

Group C: Essex, Kent Spitfires, Hampshire Hawks, Middlesex, Surrey, Sussex Sharks

When approaching a transfer window, whether it is in the summer or January, Glasgow Rangers should be looking to do one of two things with their signings.

They should be making signings with a view to improving the team in the short-term, as they should always be competing for trophies every season.

As well as those impact signings, the Gers should also be looking for young players who have the potential for big development, with a view to selling them on for a substantial profit in the future, to carry their player trading model.

In the summer transfer window just gone, Kevin Thelwell led the recruitment drive and it is hard to see many signings that fall into either of those categories at the moment.

In terms of short-term impact, Rangers are currently fifth in the Scottish Premiership after finishing second last season, which shows that they have regressed on the pitch.

Meanwhile, there are not too many players who were signed in the summer who currently look like they will go on to be sold for a profit in the future.

Rangers summer signings who are most likely to be sold for a profit

Thelwell, who was moved on from his position on Monday, swooped to bring in seven players on permanent deals to Ibrox in the summer, along with the pre-agreed permanent deals for Oscar Cortes and Lyall Cameron that were agreed before he joined in April.

Rangers have a fairly decent record of selling players for big money in recent years. Calvin Bassey joined Ajax for £19.6m, Joe Aribo joined Southampton for £6m, and Nathan Patterson signed for Everton for £11.5m in 2022, whilst Hamza Igamane was sold to Lille for £10.4m this year.

Excluding Cortes and Cameron, as they were not sanctioned by Thelwell, it would be bold to confidently predict that any of the seven permanent summer signings will be sold for profit.

Djeidi Gassama feels like the most likely, at this moment in time, because he was signed from Sheffield Wednesday for £2.2m and has produced six goals and two assists in all competitions, per Transfermarkt. No other summer signing has scored more than twice.

Because none of the others have provided much of an attacking threat, Emmanuel Fernandez, despite playing just four matches, may rank second. Signed for £3.5m, he has scored two goals in four matches and won 88% of his aerial duels in two league outings, per Sofascore.

1

Djeidi Gassama

2

Emmanuel Fernandez

3

Oliver Antman

4

Thelo Aasgaard

5

Youssef Chermiti

6

Bojan Miovski

7

Joe Rothwell

As you can see in the table above, Joe Rothwell and Bojan Miovski, who both started on the bench against Livingston last weekend, rank in the bottom two because they have been bit-part players at the ages of 30 and 26, which does not suggest that they are likely to kick on and be sold for a big profit.

Oliver Antman, with three goal contributions, and Thelo Aasgaard, with two goal contributions, rank just ahead of those two because they are 24 and 23, respectively, and still have time to improve.

Youssef Chermiti ranks in fifth because he has plenty of time to develop, at 21, but was signed for a whopping fee of £8m and has only produced one goal in 13 matches as a striker, per Transfermarkt, which makes it seem unlikely, on current evidence, that they will recoup that outlay.

Meanwhile, there is a player in the current Rangers squad, signed before Thelwell arrived, who does look likely to be sold on for a substantial profit, and potentially for even more than the likes of Joe Aribo and Hamza Igamane.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Nicolas Raskin was signed by former Gers boss Michael Beale under the previous ownership at Ibrox, whilst they were between sporting directors, in January 2023 for a reported fee of roughly £1.5m from Standard Liege.

Why Rangers could sell Nicolas Raskin for a profit

Given that the Belgian midfielder was signed for a fairly small sum of money, certainly in comparison to a player like Chermiti, it will be ‘easier’ for Rangers to bank a profit on him if they ever decide to cash in.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Leeds and Tottenham are two of a number of clubs across the Premier League and Europe that are eyeing up a possible move for Raskin, but that the Gers want a “big fee” for their star.

This shows that there are teams keen on snapping the Belgium international up from Ibrox in the winter window, which means that Rangers could, if they wanted to, cash in on him to fund new signings for Danny Rohl, not to say that is what they should do.

TEAMtalk reported earlier this month that it would take a fee of £18m to £20m to tempt the Gers to sell Raskin, which would be a substantial profit on the £1.5m they signed him for almost three years ago.

Selling him for a fee in that region would mean that Rangers would get more money for him than they did for Igamane, Patterson, and Aribo, as aforementioned, although it would take a fee of £20m for him to take Bassey’s crown as the most expensive sale in the club’s history.

Appearances

33

10

Sofascore rating

7.43

7.39

Goals

4

1

Assists

10

2

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.4

2.8

Ground duel success rate

57%

53%

Aerial duel success rate

56%

56%

As you can see in the table above, Raskin’s performances as a box-to-box midfielder in the Premiership have been exceptional since the start of last season, as he has provided quality in the final third and defensive strength out of possession.

The 24-year-old maestro, once praised as “unbelievable” by ex-Gers striker Kris Boyd, has proven that he can provide consistent performances for the club, which is something the batch of summer signings this year have failed to do thus far.

That is why Raskin may end up being sold for a huge fee, as possibly the most or second-most expensive sale in the club’s history, amid interest from several teams in January, whilst it is hard to say if any of Thelwell’s signings will go on to be sold for a profit.

"Rotten" Thelwell signing is Rangers' biggest waste of time since Dowell

This summer signing by Kevin Thelwell has been as bad as the deal to bring Kieran Dowell to Rangers.

ByDan Emery Nov 26, 2025

Whilst Rangers supporters may not want to see the Belgian move on from the club in January, his story and the fact that there is the possibility that he is sold for huge money is an example that Thelwell’s replacement should look to follow.

Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign Abde Ezzalzouli, at Unai Emery’s request, and Real Betis’ asking price has been revealed.

Villa’s interest in signing a new forward comes amid doubts surrounding Harvey Elliott’s future, with widespread reports suggesting Liverpool could recall the attacking midfielder from his loan spell in the January transfer window.

Elliott has failed to establish himself as a first-team regular, featuring for just 97 minutes across four matches in the Premier League this season, and Fabrizio Romano has now provided an update on whether there is any way back for the Englishman.

The transfer expert said: “At the moment, it depends on his performances in training. The situation is still not changing and of course, Elliott is not happy.”

Should the 22-year-old exit Villa Park this winter, there may be room in the squad to bring in another attacker, and the Villans are now looking to sign a new winger…

Aston Villa join race to sign Abde Ezzalzouli at Unai Emery's request

According to a report from Spain, Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign Real Betis star Ezzalzouli, with the forward being monitored closely ahead of the January transfer window, although there could be competition for his signature from Crystal Palace.

The Betis board’s asking price is ‘significantly’ in excess of the Moroccan’s current value of €12m (£11m), with the Spanish club eager to retain one of their key players, and manager Manuel Pellegrini has made it clear he wants to keep hold of him.

The 23-year-old has been personally requested by Emery for January, with the manager setting out to sign a new winger in order to strengthen his side’s chances of winning the Europa League.

It is little wonder Pellegrini is keen to keep hold of the 25-time Morocco international, given that he has impressed at Real Betis for quite some time, with scout Ben Mattinson waxing lyrical about the left-winger during the 2024/25 campaign.

The former Osasuna man has also made a flying start to the season, chipping in with three goals and two assists in his opening eight games, which has helped propel his side to fifth in the La Liga table.

Emery strengthened his options at left-wing in the summer, signing Jadon Sancho, but the Manchester United loanee is yet to make an impact, failing to register a single goal or assist in his opening eight matches in all competitions.

As such, it would make sense to bring in a new winger in the January transfer window, and Ezzalzouli could be a fantastic long-term addition to the squad.

Aston Villa targeting Ansu Fati alongside Abde Ezzalzouli

Aston Villa prepared to make Ansu Fati offer but face complicated roadblock

The Villans are willing to make a bid for a new forward, after Emery’s plea to the board.

By
Dominic Lund

Nov 4, 2025

Pakistan got to their highest T20I score while batting first against India, 171 for 5. If India win, it will be the highest successful chase of Asia Cup 2025. Yet, the total looked insufficient after the start Pakistan had. They scored just 80 runs in the back 10 despite being just one down at the halfway mark.There was a period of 39 legal deliveries without a boundary leading up to the death overs, which completely derailed what looked like a promising innings that could finally give the tournament a game to remember. It would have frustated Pakistan even more that they had got the better of India’s spin threat, hitting three sixes in the first three middle overs, but succumbed to the sixth bowler, Shivam Dube.Dube ended up with figures of 4-0-33-2, taking the wickets of the two set batters, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub, who put on 72 for the second wicket after the latter’s demotion to No. 3. Farhan, who reached 51 off just 34 balls, ended up with just 58 off 45. It was only Faheem Ashraf’s unbeaten 20 off 8 in the end that gave Pakistan respectability.Pakistan, the slowest side bar Oman and UAE in the middle overs during this Asia Cup, had looked set to correct those numbers, but Dube’s breakthrough and the quality of Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav proved to be too big a challenge. Varun went for just 25 in four overs, and Kuldeep returned figures of 4-0-31-1.

Rain took away Pakistan’s chances on what might have been their biggest night at the World Cup, but Fatima Sana, their captain, wrote her name on the game in indelible letters

Andrew Fidel Fernando16-Oct-2025

Fatima Sana picked up three wickets in her first five overs•ICC/Getty Images

Chapters have been written on captains and their trials in Pakistan men’s cricket, countless talk show and podcast hours have been devoted to the topic, and few positions in the game invoke so much mythology. Pakistan women’s captains know not to expect such things, of course. But if there is a shortage of attention paid, this is not because they have a shortage of stories to tell.In this World Cup alone, Fatima Sana has borne significant burdens. First, there is the inescapable, oppressive geopolitical heft of it all: that there is a Colombo wing to this tournament is down almost totally to Pakistan’s presence in it. In the approach to the tournament, there were also the expected questions about the tension surrounding the fixture with India, and then the entire drama over handshakes, which Sana – a 23-year-old – deserved least of all to be caught up in. She was distinctly uneasy in both instances, approaching these challenges as she might a pair of boulders that required rolling up a hill.But put a ball in the woman’s hand, set her down at the top of her mark, and she is transformed. Who is this person with the hairband and a look of intense determination? In this role, Sana plays in an even richer bloodline – Pakistan fast bowling. This World Cup, her performances have ranged from fierce to fearsome.Related

• New Zealand look to stay in semi-final hunt against winless Pakistan

• From bowler to blazer: Nilakshika Silva's 26-ball statement to the world

• Rain, redemption and a race for the semis: SL face SA in crucial Colombo clash

• England's lucky break masks deeper batting issues

• Rain saves England after Sana and Co leave them in tatters

Before the match against England on Wednesday, Sana already had five wickets from three matches at an average of 23.4.At a venue best known for the turn it offers spinners, Sana was doing what Pakistan captains are often asked to do – make the best of less-than-ideal situations. Also the rain. It practically forced Sana to put England – a team that had won all three matches so far – in to bat on a track notoriously unkind to chasing teams. So she produced one of the seam-bowling spells of the tournament.Sana’s first wicket was the most aesthetically pleasing, wobble seam outside off, darting back off the surface, shooting between Amy Jones’ bat and pad and into the stumps. The wobble seam was crucial to this spell – some balls held their line, creating doubt in the batters’ minds, and gaps between their bats and pads. Sana bowled Nat Sciver-Brunt off her inside edge with another wickedly jagging ball and then, later in that same seventh over, pinned Heather Knight in front of the stumps.Fatima Sana’s new-ball spell that had set Pakistan on course for a rousing performance•ICC/Getty ImagesSana would get to throw her right fist into the air a fourth time, later in the match, when she had Charlie Dean caught at short fine-leg, after the first stretch of rain. But it had been the new-ball spell that had set Pakistan on course for a rousing performance. After she left England 39 for 4, even the Pakistan outfielders seemed to feed on Sana’s ferocity, running balls down more efficiently than they have all tournament.That rain returned following an excellent start to the chase from Pakistan’s openers felt especially cruel, given the good a victory could have done Pakistan. This could have turned out to be their most famous victory. They had never beaten England in any ODI, let alone in a World Cup.A win for Pakistan would also have been the first serious upset in what has been a tournament short of drama so far. Twice in two nights in Colombo, rain has ruined results that might have opened the tournament up – Sri Lanka also having been the likelier victor when the rains came on Tuesday in their game against New Zealand.With luck, this match will not be remembered long as a great miss for Pakistan women’s cricket. They have three matches left in this tournament, against three oppositions who will perhaps expect to beat them – New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka. But it should be remembered for Pakistan’s fast-bowling captain, as a match on which she wrote her name.

There has now been a new update on Manchester United’s interest in AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, with details of his release clause emerging ahead of the January transfer window.

Semenyo has been one of the breakout stars of the Premier League this season, with Bournemouth teammate Lewis Cook praising the forward for the improvements he’s made to his game, saying: “He’s got a lot better at running back and helping out the team too. He’s a powerful lad and has all the ability in the world. Hopefully he can continue to show that.”

Naturally, given the level of his performances, the 25-year-old has started to attract interest from elsewhere, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and United being named as potential suitors.

It was previously thought that it may take around £80m to prise the former Bristol City man away from Bournemouth, but there has now been a new update on his future, which suggests a deal could be done for a more reasonable price.

Man Utd line up Semenyo move amid £65m release clause

According to a report from United In Focus, Man United are now considering a January move for Semenyo, whose £65m release clause will become active in January, with transfer expert Graeme Bailey providing a further update.

Bailey said: “Manchester United have been chasing Antoine Semenyo since the summer; they have maintained that interest since. I am told they were fully aware of the clause when he signed his new deal, after known about its validity for January and beyond.

“United like Semenyo, and whilst unlikely, he is an option that would be considered for January. Whilst Semenyo does have a clause, £65m in one hit is a big ask for any club.”

Despite being cheaper than initially expected, £65m would be a huge outlay, but it could be worth INEOS breaking the bank to sign the Ghanaian, who would become one of Man United’s top ten most expensive signings of all time.

Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie recently lauded his teammate as “scary good”, having already racked up nine goal contributions in the Premier League, although he would’ve been frustrated not to add to his tally against Aston Villa last time out, being denied from the penalty spot by Emiliano Martinez.

Still, there have been some very encouraging signs from the London-born forward, with perhaps his best performance coming in the Cherries’ 3-1 win against Fulham, picking up a brace and an assist, which resulted in a 9.5 SofaScore match rating.

Having struggled recruitment-wise in recent years, Man United may have finally found a winning formula, bringing in proven Premier League stars Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in the summer, and Semenyo would be a similar type of signing.

Man Utd preparing British-record bid for £200m superstar Related The new Ronaldo: Man Utd preparing British-record bid for £200m superstar

Manchester United are looking to make further attacking investments after this summer’s spending.

Posts 2 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 17, 2025