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On a night that saw Newcastle United’s attack take lift off against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League, former Magpie Shay Given hit back at Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge’s bizarre recent dig.

Howe: USG win a "big step" for Newcastle

Following a difficult start to their Premier League season, which was summed up by a last-gasp defeat against Arsenal last time out, Newcastle needed a good night in the Champions League. The pressure was certainly on, too. The Magpies entered their game against USG as the clear favourites and simply needed to deliver.

Goals from Nick Woltemade and Anthony Gordon quickly eased any fears about a potential upset, however, and the latter then scored his second penalty of the evening before Harvey Barnes rounded off a fine evening in which all of Eddie Howe’s attacking players shone.

Pleased with his side, the Newcastle boss spoke after the match: “Hopefully, it helps us when we return to the Premier League because we’ve been waiting for a performance like that where, really, we looked like we could score at any moment.

“It wasn’t a perfect performance, there’s things we can improve, but it was a big step in the right direction. It was an important stage as well in the Champions League because, as I said before, we have to start well.

“These competitions are so high, and the demands are so big on us that if we’re slow starters, we could leave ourselves too much to do. So, I certainly leave here in a lot healthier, positive frame of mind, and I’m looking forward to the next game.”

Up next for the Magpies is the visit of Nottingham Forest and Ange Postecoglou in a game that may see Woltemade score his fourth goal for the club to continue an impressive start.

Shay Given hits back at "idiot" Woltemade claim

It’s fair to say that some in Bavaria have been left with a sour taste after Newcastle signed Woltemade ahead of Bayern Munich in the summer. Ex-Bayern chief and current board supervisor Rummenigge even went as far as to say: “We shouldn’t fulfil every demand to make someone happy, especially the financiers at VfB Stuttgart.

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“I can only congratulate those in Stuttgart for finding – I’ll use quotation marks here – an idiot who paid that much money. Because we certainly wouldn’t have done that in Munich!”

Of course, that “idiot” has now seen the towering forward score three times in six games in all competitions to make £69m look like a “cheap” deal as far as former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given is concerned.

With Forest up next, Woltemade has the chance to continue the form that earned him a move to St James’ Park in the first place and the type that will continue to prove any doubters wrong.

Barcelona’s injury crisis has deepened with Pedri ruled out after suffering a hamstring tear in the aftermath of El Clasico. The midfielder, who has been a near ever-present under Hansi Flick, will miss several key fixtures as the Catalan giants face a mounting list of absentees, including Raphinha, Gavi, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen, piling further pressure on the German coach ahead of a crucial run of games.

Pedri sidelined after hamstring tear adds to Barca’s injury crisis

Barcelona have confirmed that Pedri has suffered a tear in the distal biceps femoris muscle in his left thigh, ruling him out for several weeks. The midfielder, who looked visibly fatigued during the 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, was unable to train the following morning and instead worked in the gym as medical staff assessed the damage.

The club released an official statement: “The first team player Pedri has suffered a tear in the distal biceps femoris muscle in his left thigh. The player’s recovery will dictate his return to action.”

The 22-year-old has been Flick’s most consistent performer this season, starting all 13 of Barcelona’s competitive fixtures and logging over 1,000 minutes, more than any other player in the squad. Moreover, he started all four of Spain's World Cup qualifying matches across September and October. His relentless workload appears to have caught up with him, with fatigue and overuse likely contributing to the latest setback.

Pedri was already due to miss this weekend’s clash with Elche due to suspension, having been sent off at the end of the Clasico loss, but will now be sidelined through the international break, missing the Champions League match against Club Brugge and the La Liga fixture versus Celta Vigo.   reports that the Canary Islander midfielder could be out for up to three weeks.

AdvertisementGettyBarca’s growing fitness concerns deepen Flick’s challenges

Pedri’s injury compounds an already dire situation for Barcelona’s medical department. The club are currently without several key players, including Raphinha, Gavi, Ter Stegen and Andreas Christensen, while Lamine Yamal, Jules Kounde and Ferran Torres continue to nurse lingering fitness issues. The losses have left Flick with limited options, particularly in midfield, where Pedri’s creativity and control have been crucial. 

It’s the latest in a long string of injury blows that have derailed Barcelona’s early-season momentum. The Catalans have already endured damaging defeats against Paris Saint-Germain, Sevilla and Madrid, slipping five points behind Los Blancos in La Liga. The situation highlights not only Flick’s tactical challenges but also the physical strain on a squad stretched thin by fixture congestion.

Flick turns to youth as Pedri joins growing injury list

Flick now faces the difficult task of patching together a midfield without his most influential player. The German coach is expected to rely on academy graduates such as Marc Casado, Marc Bernal, Fermin Lopez, and Dro Fernandez in the coming weeks.

While Robert Lewandowski, Joan Garcia and Dani Olmo are nearing full fitness, their returns are unlikely to offset the impact of losing Pedri, who is widely seen as the “metronome” of Barca’s midfield. The young Spaniard’s technical ability, intelligence, and vision have been irreplaceable, with his injury forcing Flick to consider tactical adjustments heading into a busy run of fixtures.

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Getty Images SportSetback before key fixtures tests Barcelona’s depth

With the Catalan giants still reeling from their Clasico defeat, Flick’s immediate focus is on stabilising results ahead of the international break in November. The Blaugrana face Elche this weekend, followed by Club Brugge in the Champions League and Celta Vigo in La Liga, all matches they must navigate without Pedri. Should his recovery go as planned, the Spain international could return to the fold after the break for crucial encounters against Athletic Club and Chelsea, but the Catalan club will not rush him back given his injury history.

For German coach Flick, Pedri’s absence could hardly come at a worse time. As the injury list grows, so does the pressure and Barcelona’s response to their recent slump in the next few weeks may determine whether they remain in contention for domestic and European honours this season.

Glasgow Rangers have just under two weeks to find a new manager to lead the Ibrox giants out in their next Scottish Premiership match after the international break.

The powers that be at Ibrox made the decision to part ways with Russell Martin on Sunday night, after a fifth draw in seven league games, and it was a decision that is hard to argue against.

Five wins in 17 matches in charge of the club in all competitions was not a record that the board could stand behind and justify to provide the head coach with more time, which is why they are now in a position where they need to replace Martin.

Rangers identify Championship manager as a target

It will be interesting to see who the likes of Patrick Stewart and Kevin Thelwell settle on, as they are reportedly keen on bringing in an English manager.

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According to the Scottish Daily Express, Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards has emerged as a contender for the job, as Rangers are considering a move for the English coach.

The former Luton and Watford tactician only joined Boro in the summer, but the Light Blues are looking at him as a potential option to replace Martin.

Scottish Daily Express does not reveal how serious their interest is in the Championship gaffer, though, and other managers have been linked with the job.

Sean Dyche, who has been out of work since being sacked by Everton in January, is reportedly interested in joining Rangers, but Edwards would be an even better appointment.

Why Rob Edwards would be better than Sean Dyche for Rangers

One potential reason not to appoint Dyche is that he has not managed a team that has been expected to compete at the top end of a league table since the 2015/16 campaign with Burnley in the Championship.

He has finished 10th or lower in eight of his last nine seasons as a manager, with seventh being the highest finish in those nine years, per Transfermarkt, which means that it may be difficult to adjust to the expectations at Ibrox.

Edwards, however, won the League Two title with Forest Green Rovers in the 2021/22 campaign, won the play-offs in the Championship with Luton Town in the 2022/23 season, and is currently second in the Championship with Middlesbrough.

The English tactician, who has played a 3-4-3 system with Boro (Transfermarkt), has won five and lost one of his first nine league matches in charge of his current club, which is in stark contrast to Martin’s dismal form for Rangers in the Premiership.

25/26 Championship

Middlesbrough

League rank

xGA

7.2

1st

Goals against

6

1st

Goals against per 90

0.67

1st

Non-penalty xGA

7.2

3rd

Shots on target against

17

1st

Clean sheets

4

2nd

Stats via FBref

As you can see in the table above, his Middlesbrough side have been one of the standout teams, if not the standout team, from a defensive perspective in the Championship this season.

Edwards, who journalist Mark Ogden described as an “ultra-positive” manager, has shown that he can coach a solid defensive unit as part of a team that is competing at the top of the table, whilst his coaching history shows that he can win titles and improve teams, like Forest Green Rovers and Luton.

This suggests that he would be the perfect fit for what Rangers currently need after the 24 goals conceded in 17 matches under Martin, because of his ability to coach an impressive defence.

He would be an even better appointment than Dyche, as well, because he has a recent track record of competing for titles or promotion, including the current season, whilst the former Burnley boss has been a perennial survival specialist for the past decade.

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Therefore, the Light Blues should realise their interest in Edwards by approaching Middlesbrough to discuss a potential deal for the manager, rather than moving for Dyche.

Now that the Alexander Isak debacle is over, Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe can get to work and make headway throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

While PIF’s intent was always to keep the Sweden international on the books this summer, Newcastle, having won last year’s Carabao Cup and qualified for the Champions League with a fifth-place Premier League finish, his obstinacy in forcing his way out of St. James’ Park made it a tricky situation to circumvent.

Luckily, the Magpies have pulled through with some shrewd dealings over the past couple of months, and Howe will feel that he has a squad fit to challenge, having replaced Isak and Callum Wilson with two new strikers.

Newcastle's centre-forward changes

Isak scored 27 goals across all competitions last season, including 23 in the Premier League, putting him behind only Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

Replacing him was never going to be an easy task, but Howe must be content with the £50m addition of Yoane Wissa from Brentford, with the 28-year-old having posted 19 strikes across the 2024/25 campaign.

Wissa doesn’t have the depth of technical quality or range of weapons as Isak, but he should provide a consistent outlet in the final third.

And with Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade having also signed in a club-record £69m deal last month, Newcastle have the potential to refashion their frontline into something special.

Newcastle have signed one of the most exciting young forwards in world football, but the jury is very much out as to whether he will hit the ground running in the Premier League – not least after netting just 17 goals in 2024/25, only 12 of which came in the Bundesliga.

With Isak now gone, Howe may well rue the sale of another free-scoring Premier League forward a few years ago.

Newcastle must regret selling the original Wissa

Newcastle signed Chris Wood from Burnley in a £25m deal in January 2022, part of a shake-up after PIF swooped in and changed the Toon’s trajectory.

Where Are They Now

Like Wissa, the one-time Leeds United man was a relative short-term solution, having moved to St James’ at the age of 30.

Like Wissa too, Wood had more than proven his Premier League credentials prior to making the switch, arriving in the North East after reaching double figures for league goals in each of his four full top-flight campaigns at Turf Moor.

In all, the 6 foot 3 striker netted 49 goals in 144 games for the Clarets in the top tier, a remarkably similar record to Wissa’s own return of 45 goals in 137 league games back in west London.

Unfortunately, Wood subsequently looked “a bit lost” during his time at the club, as pundit Tam McManus remarked at the time, only scoring five goals across his 39 appearances.

However, Wood has bounced back and then some with the Tricky Trees, sensational last season as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side qualified for Europe.

His 20-goal return surpassed both Wissa and Woltemade’s respective hauls, and given the consistency of his output in the Premier League, Howe may well regret having issued his sale so prematurely.

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3

2 (0)

24/25 (NFFC)

36

20 (3)

23/24 (NFFC)

31

14 (1)

22/23 (NFFC)

7

1 (0)

21/22 (NUFC)

18

2 (0)

20/21 (NUFC

17

2 (0)

The towering talisman resurrected his career at the City Ground, but it goes to show that the quality was always there, and that he might have gone from strength to strength on Tyneside had he been given more time.

But the decision to sign Isak ended his chances of becoming a superstar in black and white.

Wood might be 33 now, but he’s showing little sign of slowing down, having bagged himself a brace on the opening day of the season as Forest beat Brentford 3-1.

Had he found his footing on Tyneside, the New Zealand native might have eased the drama of the past few months and then some, providing Howe’s side with a clinical outlet over these past few weeks, which have yielded little in terms of success in the final third.

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After announcing the arrival of Nicolo Savona, Nottingham Forest have reportedly turned their attention towards handing Nuno Espirito Santo another one of his demands.

Nottingham Forest plot late signing spree

Amid a heated fallout with owner Evangelos Marinakis and sporting director Edu Gaspar last week, Espirito Santo revealed that he believes Nottingham Forest still need a goalkeeper and reinforcements at fullback. Now, one week on, he looks set to get his demands.

The Tricky Trees have left the Portuguese manager with very little room for complaints after welcoming as many as nine signings this summer and have just announced the arrival of new right-back, Savona.

After meeting his demand, Marinakis and everyone around the City Ground will be desperate for this saga to come to an end. The Greek owner told reporters at the Europa League draw: “Everything is solid. We all want Nottingham to succeed. We are here in the good days but we are even closer in the difficult days, so personally I don’t see a problem.

“We are all together, united, and we’ll make some corrective actions and everything will be smooth and ready to go. We have a solid relationship.

“Of course, sometimes we can be nervous, say one thing, say another, but what counts at the end of the day is the real relationship between me and Nuno, between Nuno and the players and between the players and ourselves.”

Meanwhile, with two days left until the transfer window slams shut, Forest could yet welcome some final additions to truly emphasise their backing for Espirito Santo. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss has just got the full-back that he was looking for and it now looks as though he could see another demand ticked off the list.

Nottingham Forest agree John Victor deal

According to Fabrizio Romano, Nottingham Forest have now reached an agreement to sign John Victor from Botafogo. The Brazilian came incredibly close to joining West Ham United earlier this summer, but now looks set to get his Premier League wish without the London club, courtesy of those at the City Ground.

Whilst Victor is unlikely to take Matz Sels’ starting place, there’s no doubt that he’ll be a solid backup to turn to for Espirito Santo. The 29-year-old played a starring role as Botafogo shocked the world by defeating Paris Saint-Germain at the Club World Cup earlier this summer and could now get the chance to replicate that form in a Forest shirt.

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Praised for a “phenomenal” period of form in Brazil by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, Victor should hand Espirito Santo the goalkeeper that he’s been looking for and, once again, hand him little room for complaints. Whether that will satisfy the Portuguese manager and end his fallout with Marinakis and Edu remains to be seen, however.

West Ham United now hold “concrete interest” in signing an “elite” midfielder alongside their deal for Southampton star Mateus Fernandes, and talks have already been held over a deal which could amount to £17m.

West Ham eyeing several new signings after poor start

West Ham have made a very disappointing start to the new Premier League campaign, suffering consecutive defeats, and the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the EFL Cup didn’t offer any respite, crashing out in a 3-2 defeat after conceding two late goals.

There have been suggestions that Graham Potter’s job could be on the line, as a result of the extremely poor results, and the manager is now frantically trying to improve his squad before the September 1st transfer deadline.

Amid doubts over Lucas Paqueta’s future, the Hammers are looking to bolster their attacking options, with a number of targets on the shortlist and a deal for Fernandes now agreed, with the Hammers set to pay roughly £38m for the Portuguese’s signature.

West Ham Attacking Targets

Current club

Position

Artem Dovbyk

AS Roma

Striker

Lorenzo Pellegrini

AS Roma

Attacking midfielder

Raheem Sterling

Chelsea

Winger

Strengthening in central midfield is clearly still a priority, with a deal for Soungoutou Magassa also believed to be close to completion, and the AS Monaco maestro is not the only option on the shortlist.

Indeed, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg on X, West Ham now hold “concrete interest” in signing Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Aleix Garcia, and direct talks have already been held with the German club.

Figures have been discussed, and although a formal offer is yet to be made, a deal could be possible for the relatively affordable fee, with Leverkusen looking to hold out for around €20m (£17m).

"Elite" Garcia could excel at the London Stadium

Football scout Ben Mattinson was left enamoured by the Spanish midfielder during the 2023-24 season, at which point he was said to be one of the best in his position in the world, with the former Girona man’s passing ability dubbed “elite”.

Primarily a deep-lying midfielder, the Leverkusen maestro is also very capable of contributing on the front foot, picking up seven goal contributions in 28 Bundesliga appearances in the 2024-25 campaign.

With Tottenham Hotspur recently opening talks over a deal for Paqueta, Potter may need to bring in a new playmaker, and Garcia certainly has what it takes to succeed at the London Stadium.

That said, having already lost Mohammed Kudus to their London rivals this summer, it is vital the Hammers keep hold of Paqueta in the final days of the transfer window, given that the Brazilian is one of the only players who can hold his head high so far this season, scoring two goals.

Arsenal may well have romped to a 5-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday evening, marquee summer signing Viktor Gyokeres scoring twice, but arguably, the spotlight was taken away from that performance.

Why? Well, before a ball was kicked at the Emirates Stadium, Eberechi Eze was formally announced as a new Arsenal player.

Eze walked down the tunnel and stepped onto the turf, donning his new shirt which read Eze 10.

What a moment, what a signing this is, not least because of the quality Eze possesses but the circumstances in which a deal happened.

In midweek, it looked as though the England international was destined to sign for Spurs. A fee had been agreed and once Crystal Palace’s Conference League tie had taken place, he was set to head to north London.

Eze did indeed head to north London but it was Arsenal he signed for instead. The Athletic reveal that a phone call between the playmaker and Mikel Arteta on Wednesday turned the tide and by the evening, everything had been sewn up.

So, what’s next, if anything for the Gunners?

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With the Eze deal sewn up, attention will turn to player exits at the Emirates. Before the window slams shut on 1st September a whole wave of players could be heading for the exit door.

Polish defender Jakub Kiwior continues to be linked with a move away, as does Reiss Nelson. You sense they are two of the most expendable assets right now.

If Kiwior does leave, then reports suggest a replacement could be brought in.

That’s according to club insider Hand of Arsenal, who reported on Saturday that Kiwior is still “insisting” on leaving the club behind.

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As a result, discussions have been held behind the scenes about signing Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in a late deal.

That being said, Guehi has reservations about moving to Arsenal given he’d have to compete with William Saliba and Gabriel for a place in the team. Not ideal in a World Cup year, it must be said.

Liverpool have been leading the race for Guehi’s signature this summer with a deal mooted at around £45m.

An amazing Eze repeat

Have you ever seen a deal unite the fanbase more than Eze? We’re struggling to think of many examples, such is the rarity of the event, but Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are perhaps two examples that spring to mind.

So, why is there so much fuss? Well, back when he was just 13, Eze was released by Arsenal, a moment that left him in tears as he struggled to train.

This is a comeback story, it’s a tale of redemption, a character arc we very rarely see in football. Eze has gone away, done the hard yards via the likes of QPR and Wycombe Wanderers. His dream, however, is now fulfilled. He always wanted Arsenal. This move was a no-brainer.

The obvious emotional connection is a big factor here but plainly, the attacker is a phenomental talent. Like the Declan Rice move two years ago, he’s proven Premier League quality. As Gary Neville once said, “this was the banker”.

While success is never guranteed in life, it’s hard to see a world where Eze isn’t a rip-roaring success. Just last season, he was on fire in an Eagles shirt, scoring 14 and assisting 11 in all competitions.

Club allegiances aside, acquiring Guehi would be a very similar signing. Not just would the Gunners be hijacking Liverpool’s bid for the defender but he’s a Premier League-proven star, someone who would be nothing but a success.

2024/25

43

14

11

2023/24

31

11

6

2022/23

40

10

4

2021/22

19

1

1

2020/21

36

3

6

Starring alongside Eze for a number of years now, Guehi was notably described as “England’s best player” by some at the European Championships last summer and since then he’s only gone from strength to strength.

Dubbed a “monster in defence” by Palace reporter Bobby Manzi, the centre-back is a natural leader having captained the side to duel FA Cup and Community Shield wins in recent months.

It’s rare an opportunity comes along to sign an established England international but in the space of just a few days here, Arsenal could spring a surprise and grab two of them.

If the Rice move two years ago was mega, then getting deals across the line for Eze and Guehi would be quite something.

One might argue that Arsenal don’t necessarily need a new defender. We hear that view point. The Gunners have added Cristhian Mosquera to their ranks over the summer. He looks like the perfect combination of Gabriel and Saliba.

However, if Kiwior does go, Arteta knows he needs a big squad after an injury riddled 2024/25. Guehi would be the perfect signing, sealed in Eze-esque fashion. How about that?

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Liverpool’s 2025/26 campaign is upon us. This weekend, Arne Slot will lead his troops out for the first time this term, looking to claim the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, who won the FA Cup in May.

The curtain-raiser is little more than a prelude to the campaign, but for the Premier League champions, it’s an opportunity to showcase the new quality added to the ranks, and to set the tone for the years ahead.

The likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike will be gunning for starts up top, while full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong will hope to kick off a long and fruitful partnership on the flanks. Giorgi Mamardashvili may make his debut following Alisson Becker’s departure from pre-season due to a personal issue. The Brazilian has since returned to training.

One player who will not feature for the Reds is Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, who desperately wants to sign for the Merseysiders and has already been the subject of a rejected £110m bid.

But will sporting director Richard Hughes manage to pull it off?

The latest on Alexander Isak to Liverpool

Newcastle’s struggle to sign a new centre-forward has inhibited Liverpool in their quest for “the best striker in the Premier League”, as Isak has been described by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher.

Isak’s position at Newcastle appears untenable, for he was not included in the club’s recent barbecue, a get-together involving the squad, staff and family members, and he has also been ordered to train alone.

With the Magpies actively searching for a new number nine, it feels like Isak will be granted the chance to move at some stage this summer, albeit that is hardly a certainty. For their part, Liverpool are said to be readying a fresh approach, according to reports.

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42 (41)

27

6

23/24

40 (36)

25

2

22/23

27 (18)

10

3

Should Liverpool fail to capture their quarry, FSG have earmarked several alternatives, with one in particular appearing a curious choice.

Liverpool open talks for Isak alternative

According to Empire of the Kop, Liverpool are interested in signing Yoane Wissa from Brentford this summer, should they fail to prise Isak away from St. James’ Park. It’s understood that initial enquiries have been made.

Wissa, 28, was one of the Premier League’s most prolific forwards last season and is valued at £50m. Suitors will hope to pay less. Newcastle have led the race over recent weeks, but Tottenham Hotspur and Al-Nassr have also expressed a desire to snap him up.

The DR Congo international has now returned to training after previously going on strike, though he still targets a move away from the Gtech Community Stadium.

That said, if Liverpool were to bump up the intensity of their intrigue, there’s perhaps a sense that Hughes might inadvertently add to the Magpies’ woes, for Wissa would surely be enticed by a one-way trip to Anfield.

Why Liverpool are interested in Yoane Wissa

Wissa might not be the flashiest name on the market, but he’s a clinical goalscorer and he’s proven in the Premier League. Last season, he scored 20 goals across all competitions, including 19 in the Premier League.

Hailed by Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam for his “absolutely sensational” finishing, Wissa might not have Isak’s dynamism or staggering technical ability, but he’s rather good at what he does, and would provide the perfect counterpoint to Ekitike.

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

He does, however, mirror Isak’s ready-made clinical nature, and that’s something that could prove important given that Ekitike is not the finished product.

There’s a partnership there, for sure. Wissa and Ekitike might not be stylistically similar as number nines – and that bodes well for Liverpool’s long-term fluency – but the Bees star could become the Reds’ next version of the former Eintracht Frankfurt man all the same.

That’s because Newcastle have a vested interest in the £25k-per-week talent, with their interest longer-standing too (the Tyneside outfit first bid for Ekitike in 2022, before ultimately signing Isak).

For Liverpool to steal ahead and pile more misery onto the Carabao Cup champions would be a cruel blow to those of a Toon persuasion, but the argument for signing Wissa is strong.

Forking out another British-record fee on Isak is understandable, but that doesn’t mean Liverpool should spend a ridiculous amount on an alternative just to tick a box. In Wissa, an astute purchase could be made, and one which would enhance and progress the team all the same.

With Darwin Nunez on the cusp of completing a permanent transfer to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, this would be a necessary move to make, and one which would see Wissa establish himself as Liverpool’s next version of Ekitike.

Wissa might not have Isak’s show-stopping name, but there’s no question that the DR Congo star boasts a wealth of Premier League experience and would serve as a welcome counterpoint to the expansive Ekitike.

Liverpool have already stolen one centre-forward target from Newcastle this summer, and they could do the same again by completing a shrewd move for Wissa, should a deal for Isak fall through.

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West Indies 180 for 5 (King 63, Lewis 50, Pathirana 2-27) beat Sri Lanka 179 for 7 (Asalanka 59, Kamindu 51, Shepherd 2-39) by five wicketsBrandon King and Evin Lewis crashed 107 off 55 balls at the top of the order, to set West Indies beautifully on course to their target of 180, in the first T20I against Sri Lanka. Although the hosts’ middle-overs bowlers slowed West Indies’ progress, they were never in serious trouble.They had plenty of batting to see the chase through, and Sherfane Rutherford finished it off with a four off the first ball of the final over.Shamar Joseph was the most economical of West Indies’ bowlers, conceding only 27 from his four overs. Though King and Lewis later outshone them, Sri Lanka had two half-centurions too, in Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka, whose 82-run stand was the most substantial of the innings.

King, Lewis blast the powerplay

Lewis struck the first boundaries, launching Chamindu Wickramasinghe for a six and four at the end of the first over, but it was King who made the greatest impression while the fielding restrictions were in play. King’s standard move was to run at the bowlers and blast them down the ground. So good was his hand-eye coordination, that he did it twice against seamer Asitha Fernando in the second over, before taking aim at the spin of Maheesh Theekshana in the third over.By the end of the powerplay, King had eight fours (some of them edged, to be fair), and 39 runs off 20 balls. Lewis, who had blasted boundaries off Wickramasinghe almost exclusively, had 31 off 16 balls. And West Indies had 74 off the first six.They kept swinging, and by the end, Lewis made 50 off 28, and King 63 off 33. The requirement was fairly simple after their onslaught.Shamar Springer celebrates his maiden T20I wicket•AP Photo/Viraj Kothalawala

WI quicks strike early

By contrast, Sri Lanka’s top order had failed to prosper on a helpful surface, thanks in part to sharp bowling from West Indies’ quicks. Romario Shepherd caught the edge of Pathum Nissanka’s bat three times, conceded fours behind the wicket and then had him caught by the keeper on the third occasion, to make West Indies’ first breakthrough. Kusal Perera was then bowled by Shamar Joseph early in the following over.When Kusal Mendis was also bowled by an excellent quicker delivery from Gudakesh Motie, leaving Sri Lanka at 58 for 3, it felt as if West Indies were about to carve open the game.

Kamindu may be good at cricket

But then perhaps it’s time to admit that Kamindu appears to know what he is doing on a cricket field. Having recently become the fastest batter since 1950 to 1000 Test runs, he produced 50 off 41 here in the shortest format, outdone in his team only by Asalanka who clubbed 59 off 35, Kamindu would also bowl two overs for 14, switching arms when necessary. He took the wicket of the opposition’s top scorer, King, with his left-arm spin, and collected figures of 1 for 14.

Vikram Rathour, the former India batting coach, will once again team up with Rahul Dravid as he joins the support staff at Rajasthan Royals in a similar capacity. Dravid was named the RR head coach earlier this month.Rathour’s association comes on the back of a five-year stint with the Indian team, where he worked alongside Ravi Shastri and later Dravid. In June, Rathour’s contract ended soon after India’s triumph at the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.”Having worked closely with Vikram for many years, I can confidently say that his technical expertise, calm demeanor, and deep understanding of Indian conditions make him a perfect fit for the Royals,” Dravid said in a statement.Related

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“Together, we’ve built a strong rapport, guiding India to key successes, and I’m thrilled to reunite with him. His ability to nurture young talent and elevate players’ potential will be invaluable as we aim to further strengthen our squad and continue building a world-class team here at Rajasthan Royals.”This will be Rathour’s second IPL stint, having earlier been part of the coaching set up at Punjab Kings. He has also been the director of cricket at Himachal Pradesh previously.Earlier this month, Rathour was part of New Zealand’s coaching set-up as batting consultant in Greater Noida, as part of their preparation for six Tests they were to play in Asia.”The opportunity to work again with Rahul, and now with a talented group of young cricketers, is hugely exciting,” Rathour said. “I look forward to contributing to the team’s vision and working toward our goal of developing top-class players for the Royals and for India which can help in winning championships.”Back in the day, Rathour was a prolific scorer for Punjab, scoring a majority of his 11,473 first-class runs for them. His international career was very brief; he played six Tests and seven ODIs between 1996 and 1997.