Chelsea have now submitted an opening bid of £64m for an “incredible” striker, but they are set to face fierce competition for his signature from their Premier League rivals, according to a report.
Blues ramping up striker pursuit
The Blues looked toothless in front of goal yesterday afternoon, drawing 0-0 away at Brentford, with Christopher Nkunku once again failing to deliver at striker, having scored just three Premier League goals all season.
The performance at the Gtech Community Stadium underlined the need for Enzo Maresca to bring in a top striker in the summer transfer window, and the west Londoners have been ramping up their pursuit over the past few weeks.
There has been a positive update on the move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, with the Nigerian now setting his sights on a move to Stamford Bridge, while Maresca’s side are also plotting an approach for Lille striker Jonathan David, who is set to be available on a free transfer.
Chelsea now interested in signing £43m Inter Milan star alongside Thuram
The Blues have identified a new target ahead of the summer transfer window…
ByDominic Lund Apr 6, 2025
A number of Europe’s top strikers are on the shortlist, including Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, and a report from Spain has now revealed Chelsea have made their first move for the Swedish striker, submitting a €75m (£64m) bid for his services.
However, there may be fierce competition for Gyokeres’ signature, with Manchester United also submitting an offer of the same value, while recent reports have also detailed the Sporting star could be keen on a move to Arsenal following talks with sporting director Andrea Berta.
Sporting CP's ViktorGyokeres
The Blues believe the forward will be able to adapt to life in the Premier League quickly, which is why they are willing to make a huge offer, and his goal record in Portugal this season indicates he could make an instant impact in Maresca’s side.
"Incredible" Gyokeres impressing in Portugal
The 26-year-old has been in simply sensational form for Sporting this season, amassing 43 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions, showcasing that he is ready for a big move to one of Europe’s top clubs.
Not only that, but the Sweden international, who has been lauded as “incredible”, ranks highly across a number of other key attacking metrics over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.
Statistic
Average per 90
Shot-creating actions
3.85 (95th percentile)
Progressive carries
4.29 (96th percentile)
Successful take-ons
1.18 (83rd percentile)
Touches (Att pen)
6.07 (86th percentile)
With Nkunku potentially in line to leave this summer, and Nicolas Jackson now without a goal in his last 10 Premier League games, it is clear the Blues will need to bring in a top striker this summer.
Gyokeres’ goal record indicates he could be one of the best options on the market, so it is exciting news that Chelsea have now made the first move by submitting an opening bid.
The Premier League is back, and it’s quite the fixture for Everton supporters to sink their teeth into.
Last month’s Merseyside derby still lies fresh in the memory, James Tarkowski having sent Goodison Park into ecstasy after firing a last-gasp equaliser past Alisson Becker. Moving to Bramley Moore this summer, it was a fitting finale for a historic fixture in English football.
Now, Anfield awaits David Moyes and his Toffees troops. The turnaround under the Scotsman’s wing has been startling, amazing, with Everton currently nine games unbeaten in the top flight.
But this is sure to be a tough one. The title-chasing Reds were knocked out of kilter before the international break, but will be looking to return to form and move closer toward the title.
Everton, of course, will do everything in their power to prevent that.
Everton – Recent Record at Anfield
Season
Competition
Result
23/24
Premier League
2-0 loss
22/23
Premier League
2-0 loss
21/22
Premier League
2-0 loss
20/21
Premier League
2-0 win
19/20
FA Cup
1-0 loss
Data via Transfermarkt
Everton team news
Merseyside’s red patch has not been a happy place for Everton in a long time; barring one euphoric result, Everton have been consigned to defeat with deflating regularity.
Everton manager David Moyes
However, Moyes’ men outplayed their neighbours for sizeable chunks of February’s 2-2 draw and there’s every chance they capitalise on Liverpool’s injuries and recent loss of form.
The Blues do have issues of their own, though, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin still sidelined.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Key attacking outlets Iliman Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil have reached the end of their rehabilitation, but this one may come a smidge too soon for them.
Thus, Abdoulaye Doucoure is bound to reprise his industrious role at the attacking point of midfield, while James Garner and Idrissa Gueye should continue their solid partnership in the basal area.
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure
But what of the flanks? Everton need to prepare to absorb waves of artillery but equally must strike when they can. Well, with options slim out wide, Jack Harrison may return to the right, leaving a newly welcomed talent with room to leap forward and take his own starting berth.
Everton's answer to Szoboszlai
Szoboszlai is one of Liverpool’s most important parts, bringing his own brand of football to the number ten spot. With just seven goals and six assists across 40 matches this season, he’s not the most prolific, but his firebrand energy makes for a difficult foe.
He’s a real handful, but Everton could have their answer in Charly Alcaraz, who joined on loan from Flamengo in January and needs to complete five appearances from nine available to settle at Everton as a permanent feature.
Alcaraz, 22, has played six times and started thrice in the Premier League since joining, bagging a goal and an assist each on his first game from the opening, during a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.
Everton midfielder Charly Alcaraz
Technically gifted, versatile and tenacious, the Argentina talent has the trappings of a high-level star in the future, with journalist Antonio Mango hailing him as a “special talent.”
Likely to feature off the left of Doucoure, should he start, Alcaraz has averaged 1.6 key passes and 3.6 successful duels per PL game this season, as per Sofascore, also completing 60% of his dribbles.
It’s a skill set that aligns somewhat with Szoboszlai’s, among those in their position in Europe’s top five leagues, as noted by FBref – more on that below.
Charly Alcaraz vs Dominik Szoboszlai (past 365 days)
Stats (per 90)
Alcaraz
Szoboszlai
Goals scored
0.17
0.18
Assists
0.17
0.18
Shots taken
3.40
2.41
Shot-creating actions
3.06
4.29
Pass completion
84.6%
83.4%
Progressive passes
5.43
5.07
Progressive carries
2.04
2.57
Successful take-ons
1.19
0.91
Ball recoveries
5.09
5.31
Tackles + interceptions
3.06
1.78
Clearances
1.19
0.54
All stats via FBref
One of Liverpool’s staple attributes is their ability to keep the energy levels up, overwhelming opponents when legs begin to tire. Szoboszlai is fundamental in that regard, his indefatigable running, his drive, his doggedness.
Everton could do with such a player to strike back at Anfield, showing Slot’s squad once again that they are capable of expansive dynamism.
No longer is this a desolate unit lacking the means and confidence to. Avoiding defeat against Liverpool would lead to a ten-match unbeaten streak, and Alcaraz’s performance will be crucial toward achieving this.
Everton will rely on their defensive strengths for sure, but they will also need to meet fire with fire in some phases and Alcaraz’s involvement from the outset could be the perfect way to combat the energy and dynamism Szoboszlai will bring to the table.
Classic Moshiri: Everton rejected global star for £3m, now he's worth £233m
Everton really fumbled the bag with this Champions League superstar.
Winter is here, and Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank knows he is staring down the barrel of a gun as he looks to find form and consistency after a tough start to his tenure.
That may be an understatement. Spurs have lost three on the trot, and Saturday’s home defeat against Fulham in the Premier League means the 3-0 victory over Burnley in August remains an outlier in regard to three points down N17 this season.
The fans are frustrated, no doubt about that. And they have a right to be. Tottenham have lacked sparkle in their attacking play this season, though Frank will feel that injuries to Dominic Solanke, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have put him on the back foot.
Much has been made of the Londoners’ creativity (or lack thereof), but it’s also clear that the Lewis Family need to authorise the signing of a centre-forward.
Why Spurs need a striker
Harry Kane and Heung-min Son have both left the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in recent years, and the superstars have not really been replaced with elite options.
Mathys Tel is young and talented, but he is also raw. Solanke is a proven Premier League star, but his entire stint in north London has been blighted by setbacks. Richarlison is in fine form, but probably not the long-term solution at number nine.
What Frank and the fanbase need is an up-and-coming superstar to spearhead this next era at the club.
That’s why Samu Agwehowa has been earmarked. According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham have joined the race for the 21-year-old Porto striker after his convincing performances in Portugal.
The Spanish international has a €100m (about £88m) release clause in his contract, though Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange would be certain to lodge an offer far south of that daunting figure.
What Samu would bring to north London
Richarlison is a curious striker. He is capable of so much, and yet he performs to his full capacity with consistent inconsistency.
Richarlison’s Tottenham Career (Prem)
Season
Apps
Goals + Assists
25/26
13
5 + 2
24/25
14
4 + 1
23/24
28
11 + 4
22/23
27
1 + 4
Stats via Transfermarkt
Injuries have not helped the Brazil international, but it’s clear that he is not Kane. That said, Richarlison has been in moderately good form this season, essential in providing an outlet as Solanke founders in the infirmary.
But in Samu, Frank would land a goalscorer who has the potential to be “one of the best strikers in Europe”, according to journalist Zach Lowy, so powerful and potent in the final third.
Joining Porto from Atletico Madrid in 2024, Samu has chalked up 37 goals and four assists across just 62 appearances, including ten from 17 outings in all competitions this season.
He ranks among the top 8% of forwards in the Primeira Liga for progressive carries and the top 3% for successful take-ons, emphasising not only his pace but his control and force when on the ball and driving forward.
His athleticism and natural poaching instinct earn him a certain likeness to Richarlison, but given his age and the consistency of goalscoring, Samu might actually prove an upgrade on the South American.
Take, for example, his Europa League performances this year, winning 57% of his duels and averaging a tackle per game, as per Sofascore.
Combativeness forms a key part of Richarlison’s toolbox, and if Spurs are to upgrade on the 28-year-old, who has actually been linked with a move away from the club of late, they will want to sign someone who can emulate him while building up a skillset that transcends what Spurs have hosted in recent years.
Samu is all that and more, and he would be a fantastic signing for a Tottenham team in need of a new talisman.
Spurs star who was one of "the best" in the country is now as bad as Porro
Some of Tottenham’s star players have let Thomas Frank down this season.
O Palmeiras não saiu do 0 a 0 contra o San Lorenzo, na noite desta quinta-feira (30), no Allianz Parque. Por fim, sobrou a irritação da torcida palmeirense, que não poupou críticas ao trabalho de Abel Ferreira. Confira!
Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is now having to deal with unsettled players as he also prepares for a vital North London derby this weekend, according to a new report.
Spurs, under the new leadership team of co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange, are bracing for a significant January transfer window where several fringe players could well depart N17.
The most high-profile of them appears inevitable for Yves Bissouma, whose spell at Spurs appears to be nearing a conclusion. The 28-year-old Mali international’s contract expires in June 2026, positioning him for a potential free transfer next year amid ongoing interest from Galatasaray after they failed to sign him in the summer.
Frank has already criticised Bissouma for his punctuality and discipline, explaining at the start of 2025/2026 that the midfielder “has been late several times and the latest time was one too many”.
The midfielder is currently absent with an ankle problem and hasn’t featured in a competitive game all season, but The Mail report Bissouma’s contract includes a one-year extension option — meaning they might not lose him for free next year after all.
Tottenham absentee list
Problem
Estimated return date (subject to change)
Dejan Kulusevski
Knee
29/11/2025
James Maddison
ACL
01/06/2026
Radu Dragusin
Knee
22/11/2025
Ben Davies
Thigh
23/11/2025
Kota Takai
Ankle/Foot
23/11/2025
Mohammed Kudus
Knock
23/11/2025
Randal Kolo Muani
Jaw
23/11/2025
Yves Bissouma
Ankle/Foot
23/11/2025
Lucas Bergvall
Concussion
23/11/2025
Dominic Solanke
Ankle
23/11/2025
Archie Gray
Calf/Shin/Heel
23/11/2025
via Premier Injuries
In any case, they’d also only trigger it if they can’t sell him in the winter, and Bissouma isn’t the only player who could leave in under two months time.
Indeed, Richarlison’s future also hangs in the balance.
The forward’s own contract runs out in 2027, and he’s struggled for consistency not just this season, but ever since his £60 million move from Everton in 2022. Richarlison is believed to be attracting interest from his former club and Frank reportedly views the 28-year-old as ‘expendable’, meaning a January exit for the Brazil international isn’t ruled out despite Dominic Solanke’s injury woes.
On-lookers wouldn’t be at all surprised if one of the aforementioned pair left Spurs in the winter, provided they can sign a replacement for Richarlison, but a much more surprising name has now been touted for the exit door as well.
Mathys Tel keen to leave Tottenham in January and 'unhappy' in London
Just months after his £30 million permanent move from Bayern Munich, Roma have now emerged as potential January suitors for striker Mathys Tel.
Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reports the 20-year-old is unhappy in London and keen on departing Tottenham when the winter window opens, which comes as a shock given he’s basically only just arrived and performed fairly well when called upon.
Tel scored Tottenham’s equaliser against Man United last time out with an excellent finish on the turn, and opened the scoring in Spurs’ 2-1 win away to Leeds just before the October international break.
However, he was also controversially excluded from Tottenham’s 22-man Champions League squad by Frank, owing to the limited numbers they could select due to homegrown quota issues.
Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini has identified Tel as his primary target, viewing the youngster as someone with significant room for development who possesses the ideal profile to strengthen Roma’s attacking options.
La Gazzetta even suggests that Spurs could green-light a loan deal as opposed to an outright sale, but given both Randal Kolo Muani and Solanke’s struggles to stay fit, this would be rather unwise.
Given Frank’s limited attacking options, Roma’s apparent optimism about securing a deal may prove very premature. Tottenham need more options up top, not less, and Tel is someone who’s still raw but could pay dividends in the future as he continues to adjust to life in England.
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann once backed Tel to become a ’40 goal a season’ striker, and while he’s still some way off that, letting him leave certainly doesn’t benefit the Lilywhites in any way.
India captain says “If we want to win the match, then never mind the combination”
ESPNcricinfo staff28-Oct-20254:23
Suryakumar: ‘I am in a good space, runs will come eventually’
India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav agreed that selecting a squad of 15 can sometimes gets challenging, with multiple options in the race for one slot, but said that the players understand the team’s needs and have their focus on one simple goal: to help India win matches.”It’s a good headache to have so many options, [whether] fast bowlers, [or] spinners,” Suryakumar said ahead of the first T20I against Australia in Canberra. “From the top to No. 7, everyone is flexible; anyone can bat anywhere. It is a little difficult during squad selection, but in this team, the atmosphere is such that everyone knows that the goal is to win.”If we want to win the match, then never mind the combination. So, even if someone has done well in the last two matches, but he is not fitting in the combination for the next game – for example, if we want to play an extra spinner or play an allrounder instead of a fast bowler – the player understands. We have reached that situation.”Related
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Suryakumar jokingly suggested that he maintains “a good friendship with everyone”, making it easier to tell them when they are not playing. But he has asked all 15 members of the squad to be ready at all times.”See, only 11 people can play, 15 cannot play, but according to me, anyone can get an opportunity at any time,” he said. “In the Asia Cup, Rinku Singh did not get the opportunity till the final, but he got a chance at such a time, when he needed 3-4 runs to win [the match] and he hit the boundary. I keep telling everyone to keep preparing and you never know when your opportunity can come. It can come in an important game; anything can happen.”Suryakumar was also glad to have Jasprit Bumrah back in the India squad after the fast bowler was rested for the ODI series and expected him to be the “guy who will take charge” against Australia, particularly in the powerplay.”As you saw in the Asia Cup, he took the responsibility of bowling two overs minimum in the powerplay,” Suryakumar said, “It is good that he is raising his hand. It is going to be a good challenge against the Aussie team in the powerplay.”The way he has played his cricket for the last so many years, he has kept himself right on the top, and he knows how to prepare for a good series. He knows how to come and play cricket here. I think he has visited this country the most of all the guys. So all of them have spoken to him. He is very open and very helpful in that, but yeah definitely when he takes the ground, starting from tomorrow, it will be a good thing. Good to have him in the squad, when we play in Australia.”Jasprit Bumrah will make a return to the India squad•Getty Images
India haven’t had recent success in Australia. They lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1 in December-January and then went down in the ODI series 2-1 earlier this month. But Suryakumar doesn’t feel the recent losses will have any bearing on the T20I series, particularly considering India’s form, having lost just two of their last 15 T20Is.”According to me, it’s a different format,” he said. “The team is the same, but the format is almost different: Test, one-day and T20. And [as for] the brand of T20, we will continue playing the brand of cricket that we have been playing. There is no need to change anything and according to me, there are always challenging conditions, when you go to Australia, England, South Africa, [or] New Zealand. There is challenging cricket in all these countries, but at the same time, how you adapt to it and how you think about how to play shots, how to make runs.”I think it is non-negotiable at this level, you do your preparation and come. I feel it’s a good thing, good challenge to have going forward and we are playing five T20s, so I think it will be more fun.”Suryakumar Yadav has not scored a half-century in his last 14 innings•AFP/Getty Images
Suryakumar’s own form has been under scrutiny. He had a lukewarm Asia Cup 2025, managing just 72 runs in seven innings at an average of 18.00. The 35-year-old, however, isn’t fussed about his form as long as India keep winning.”I feel I have been working really hard,” he said. “I have had good few sessions back home, good two to three sessions here, so I am in a good space. I think that is really important… runs, it will come eventually but I think working hard towards the team goal, it’s more important what team wants from you in different situations. I take one game at a time and if it starts then I think it will be a good thing.”The one area where India have struggled in recent times has been their fielding. They were guilty of dropping many chances in the Asia Cup, and while Suryakumar reckons that fielding lapses are a part of the game, he wants the team to give the fielding department special attention.”See, catches do get dropped,” he said. “As a fielder, when you attempt a catch, sometimes you spill it. A batter gets dismissed, a bowler at times doesn’t get wickets. This is a part of the game. But, according to me, what you do after that is important. It was an optional session today, but everyone came to work on their fielding.”That means the team is working towards something really special. This is a department which I have told them we have to work really hard if we want to be the best fielding unit in the world. You have seen teams taking good catches, saving runs… they win matches through their fielding.”Sometimes the batting and bowling go awry, but you can also win matches through fielding. We are working hard. But there is no guarantee that if you take 25 catches today, then you won’t drop one tomorrow. You can drop, it’s part of the game but how much you want the ball to come to you, how much intent and opportunity you create, that is important for me. If someone drops a catch, it’s not a problem. There is disappointment, but at the same time, if you put in the effort, then there’s no problem.”
اعترف بول ميرسون، النجم السابق لنادي آرسنال، أنه سيتفاجأ إذا تصرف المدرب آرني سلوت بطريقة ما تجاه المصري محمد صلاح، في مباراة يوم الأربعاء ضد سندرلاند في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.
ويستضيف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة فريقي ليفربول وسندرلاند، في إطار منافسات الجولة الرابعة عشر من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، موسم 2025/26.
وحقق ليفربول فوزًا على وست هام بهدفين دون رد على ملعب “لندن الأولمبي” يوم الأحد الماضي، في الجولة الثالثة عشر، في مباراة غاب عنها محمد صلاح الذي تواجد على دكة البدلاء.
اقرأ أيضًا.. تاونسند يحذر من رد فعل محمد صلاح بعد استبعاده من تشكيل ليفربول
وقال بول ميرسون، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “rousingthekop” الإنجليزية: “سأُصاب بالصدمة إذا قرر آرني سلوت إعادة محمد صلاح إلى تشكيلة ليفربول في هذه المباراة، هذا ليس القرار الصائب، لقد تم استبعاده (من مباراة وست هام) لسبب وجيه، وفاز ليفربول”.
وأضاف: “يحتاج محمد صلاح إلى الجلوس على مقاعد البدلاء ليستعيد مستواه المعهود، لا يمكن اختيار اللاعبين بناءً على أدائهم السابق، اتخذ سلوت القرار الصائب باستبعاد صلاح في المباراة الأخيرة، وعليه الالتزام به”.
وواصل: “من المستحيل أن ينهي ليفربول الموسم خارج المراكز الأربعة الأولى، أتوقع فوزهم في هذه المباراة بنتيجة 2/1 وحصد ثلاث نقاط إضافية”.
يلتقي منتخب الجزائر، اليوم السبت، مع نظيره البحرين، ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس العرب 2025 المقامة في دولة قطر.
وتقام مباراة الجزائر والبحرين على ملعب خليفة الدولي ضمن منافسات الجولة الثانية من دور المجموعات ببطولة كأس العرب 2025.
طالع.. مجموعة مصر | موعد والقنوات الناقلة لمباراة الكويت والأردن اليوم في كأس العرب 2025
وكان منتخب الجزائر قد تعثر في مباراته الأولى مع السودان بالتعادل السلبي، بينما خسر منتخب البحرين أمام العراق بهدفين مقابل هدف.
منتخبا الجزائر والسودان يحتلان المركزين الثاني والثالث بنقطة وحيدة، خلف العراق المتصدر بثلاث نقاط، بينما البحرين رابعا دون نقاط. موعد مباراة الجزائر والبحرين في كأس العرب
وتنطلق المباراة بين الجزائر والبحرين في الساعة الثالثة والنصف عصرا بتوقيت القاهرة والساعة الرابعة والنصف عصرا بتوقيت الدوحة والسعودية والبحرين، الثانية والنصف ظهرا بتوقيت الجزائر. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة الجزائر والبحرين في كأس العرب
وتبث المباراة عبر قنوات بي إن سبورتس HD المفتوحة، بالإضافة إلى قناة الكأس، أبوظبي الرياضية، ودبي الرياضية وإم بي سي مصر 2.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.
Taunton surface falls foul of ECB regulations after 35 wickets fell in two days of Durham fixture in July
ESPNcricinfo staff19-Sep-2025
Durham captain Alex Lees assesses the Taunton pitch on day one•Getty Images
Somerset have been deducted four points in the Rothesay County Championship for a breach of ECB Pitch Regulations.The charge pertains to Somerset’s Division One fixture at against Durham in July which saw 35 wickets fall in just five sessions. Lord Ian Botham, Durham’s honorary president, accused his former county of deliberately preparing a playing surface that “reduces the game to a farce”.Match referee Simon Hink subsequently rated the Taunton pitch “below average”, with standing umpires Ian Blackwell and Martin Saggers noting the excessive turn across days one and two. The Pitch Regulations apply to all counties, with regulation 4.1 stating pitches must be prepared to provide “an even contest between bat and ball, and must allow all disciplines in the game to flourish”.Following an investigation by the Cricket Regulator, which included statements from players and coaches of both clubs, the Cricket Discipline Panel (CDP) has handed Somerset a sanction of eight points, of which four are suspended until the close of play of the last day of the 2027 season. The immediate deduction means their season points tally drops to 175, though they remain third in Division One.While conduciveness to spin and the result – Somerset won by five wickets – were deemed aggravating factors, the tribunal acknowledged the club had sought to prepare the best possible pitch, and that the “substandard pitch rating” was their first in the last 24 months.The tribunal also deemed it “inherently unlikely” that Somrerset deliberately prepared a poor surface given the hosts bowled first after winning the toss, exposing themselves to batting last when conditions would have been at their toughest. It also noted the voluntary steps the club has already taken to trial alternative loam to improve its pitches at Taunton, and their co-operation throughout the process.”Whilst we are disappointed by the outcome, we are pleased that the tribunal rejected any suggestion that the Club deliberately sought to produce a substandard wicket,” said Somerset chief executive Jamie Cox in a statement released by the club. “We would also like to thank the CDP for their clarity and transparency throughout the hearing process.”Somerset County Cricket Club will always aspire to produce the best possible pitches which will ensure an enthralling contest between bat and ball.”
If Leeds United end up getting rid of an under-fire Daniel Farke in the near future, they will need to heed a lesson of years gone by.
As was seen after Marcelo Bielsa’s exit – who lifted the Championship title aloft much like the German – the grass isn’t always greener when you dismiss an under-pressure manager in the Premier League.
Indeed, a flurry of managers in the form of Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce all didn’t work, which culminated in relegation.
The West Yorkshire giants would then land Farke to pick up the pieces, but even he will know he is on thin ice now regarding his job security, with four defeats picked up in the Premier League from his last five league clashes.
Leeds hang just one point above the dreaded drop zone, with Farke’s atrocious record in the top division of just nine wins from 60 matches, not doing a lot to raise spirits.
He hasn’t been helped, arguably, by some unconvincing transfers coming through the door in the summer, with Leeds splashing out £98m on some hit-and-miss purchases.
Where Perri ranks among Leeds' recent signings
The West Yorkshire outfit’s spending power was somewhat pushed to the background when weighed up next to fellow promoted side Sunderland, who sit eight points better off than Leeds, owing to £162m being forked out.
Still, Leeds have managed to steal some headlines with their own notable business, with Noah Okafor already two goals down donning his new white strip, after leaving AC Milan behind for a fresh adventure in the Premier League.
In much the same vein as Sunderland landed Premier League experience centrally with Granit Xhaka, Leeds also went down the shrewd, top-flight-calibre route themselves when acquiring Sean Longstaff’s services, with journalist Daniel Storey even going as far as to hail the capture of the Newcastle-born star for just £12m as “one of the best signings in the Premier League”.
Unfortunately, though, as Leeds have grown accustomed to over recent years when landing duds such as Luis Sinisterra and Rasmus Kristensen, they have also fallen victim to some underwhelming signings from the summer just gone, with Lucas Perri – in particular – sticking out as a costly blunder already in between the sticks.
Even the most casual observer of the Championship last season would have known that Leeds were far from satisfied with the amount of errors Illan Meslier was making in goal, during a crunch promotion run-in, with pundit Adrian Clarke stating last season that the error-prone Frenchman “has to go” if Premier League action was back on the menu.
The Championship title-winners listened to Clarke’s advice, with all signs pointing in the direction that picking up Meslier’s replacement in Perri for £13.9m from Lyon was a smart use of money, considering Meslier’s fellow compatriot had an encouraging ten Ligue 1 clean sheets under his belt when making the switch to England.
Perri’s PL numbers for Leeds
Stat (* = per 90 mins)
Perri
Games played
6
Goals conceded
12
Goals conceded*
2.0
Saves
12
Touches*
43.7
Accurate passes*
20.5 (58%)
Clean sheets
2
Stats by Sofascore
Unfortunately, though, under the intense heat of being near the foot of the Premier League, Perri has largely crumbled, with moments of “superb” goalkeeping, for which he was praised by journalist Graham Smyth after clawing away a goal-bound effort against Nottingham Forest, often then met with moments of Meslier-like indecision.
Consequently, Perri has now let in a concerning 12 strikes from six Premier League games, among other worrying numbers, with the outstanding ‘keeper they thought they’d obtained from Lyon yet to come to the forefront.
Purchased for a steep £13.9m, this is an almighty concern that he doesn’t look all that much of a notable upgrade on his former Lorient counterpart, with former Leeds player Jon Newsome even coming out after the crushing 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest to state that Perri looks like a “waste of funds”.
Journalist Adonis Storr has also been openly critical of Perri by stating that he always “parries straight to opponents”, which led the Tricky Trees to have a field day against the ropey Brazilian.
If Perri remains this unconvincing in goal in the long run, Leeds will find it hard to beat the drop, with one of his defensive teammates at the City Ground also in with a worrying shout to be one of the Whites’ worst bits of business from their recent bumpy Premier League history.
Leeds dud fast becoming one of their worst signings
In Perri’s defence, at least he has two clean sheets next to his name to have something to smile about.
On the contrary, fellow summer arrival Jaka Bijol is yet to collect a Premier League clean sheet from his limited opportunities in Farke’s first team mix, having been branded as “monstrous” centre-back by Como scout Ben Mattinson when plying his trade for Udinese.
Winning 4.8 duels won on average last season per Serie A clash, the hope would have been that Bijol would instantly get up to speed with the high intensity of the Premier League and be the gritty warrior Leeds need to comfortably survive.
After all, he cost even more than Perri to obtain at the £15m mark, with only Anton Stach and the aforementioned Okafor costing more this summer at £17.4m and £18m, respectively.
While Stach has that sweetly struck free-kick against Wolverhampton Wanderers to hold onto, and his Swiss counterpart has those two Premier League strikes also in his favour, Bijol’s start to life in England has been strangely stop-start.
Indeed, the Slovenian centre-back has only managed to line up for three Premier League clashes to date this season, with many wondering whether Leeds had made an almighty error splashing the cash on Bijol, only for him to warm the substitutes bench behind Pascal Struijk.
However, Farke might well have been better placed to leave the shoddy number 15 on the bench for the foreseeable future, when analysing his disastrous Premier League appearances so far, as Bijol was caught ball-watching for Forest’s decisive match-winner on Sunday afternoon.
Perri is hardly loving life under scrutiny at Elland Road, knowing he now has an out-of-sorts Bijol in front of him, with Leeds last keeping a clean sheet in league action when Struijk partnered Joe Rodon, and the Slovenian was left rooted to the bench.
Bijol in November
Stat
vs Brighton
vs Forest
Minutes played
90
82
Goals conceded
3
3
Touches
89
79
Accurate passes
81/86 (94%)
65/71 (92%)
Tackles won
0/0
1/1
Interceptions
0
1
Clearances
3
4
Blocked shots
0
0
Ball recoveries
6
1
Total duels won
1/3
4/6
Stats by Sofascore
At their current rate, with 20 goals already leaked, Leeds could be on their way to conceding even more goals than the 78 strikes they gave up during the 2022/23 season when relegation was on the cards.
That same season, Leeds had to put up with a weak Robin Koch in defence, who once cost £12m from Freiburg in another shambolic defensive purchase.
At his current downward slope, Bijol is likely to be remembered more for being a Koch-like blunder than a bright spark like Okafor, with the Slovenian having to buck his ideas up soon, or be viewed as £18m that was rashly chucked away.
Thankfully, he does have time on his side to rewrite his Leeds narrative, as Perri and Bijol hope the slide can be eventually arrested, with or without the manager that brought them to this country remaining in the dug-out.
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