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Liverpool signed a “truly generational talent” in Florian Wirtz last month, as the German playmaker has been described by sports media professional Cristian Nyari.

His playmaking and flair will certainly help cover for the sale of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who now performs his talents in Real Madrid white.

Sure, the Reds have paid Bayer Leverkusen £100m up front, with the possible add-ons raising the deal to a British-record £116m, thus adding an incredible dimension to Arne Slot’s Premier League champions.

And Liverpool may yet welcome another attacking player to the fold, for rumours concerning Luis Diaz’s potential Anfield sale this summer are persisting.

Why Liverpool might need a left winger

Last month, Liverpool rejected Barcelona’s advances for Diaz, with the 28-year-old identified as the perfect piece to complete Hansi Flick’s frontline.

Slot wants to keep the 28-year-old on Merseyside, but every player has a price, and the Colombian is entering the penultimate year of his contract.

And according to Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Liverpool may find the perfect heir in Rodrygo, who will be allowed to leave Real Madrid this summer after playing a fringe role under Xabi Alonso at the Club World Cup.

The Brazil international has, however, been valued at a jaw-dropping €100m (£85m), so it would definitely take the big-money sale of a forward like Diaz to facilitate the deal.

Why Rodrygo would be a Luis Diaz upgrade

As per the report, Rodrygo would be open to a move to Liverpool, even if Arsenal currently lead the race for his signature, but he would only make the leap if given assurances that his place would lie on the left wing.

Luckily, Liverpool would be happy to oblige, for Diaz could be sold to get the transfer wheel spinning.

Rodrygo, 24, has routinely been fielded out on the right flank across his years at Los Blancos, but he’s long considered the alternate flank his most effective role, something that was reflected through his statistics across the 2024/25 campaign.

Right winger

29

8

5

Left winger

12

6

6

Centre-forward

8

0

0

Described as a “world-class superstar” by his former Real teammate Luka Modric, Rodrygo could absolutely come to prove an upgrade on Diaz, should he be entrusted with a regularity of minutes in his favoured position.

Liverpool’s South American sensation did post 17 goals and eight assists last season, but Rodrygo actually hit the same number of goal involvements (25) despite his travails.

Given his junior age and incredible mastery of the grand Champions League stage, there’s every chance that Slot could hit the jackpot by signing the one-time Santos prospect. He already boasts 25 goals in just 64 games in Europe’s premier competition, while Diaz has scored just ten times in 34 outings.

Moreover, Rodrygo has demonstrated that he can match Diaz’s crisp passing and his energy. As per FBref, the Brazilian ranked among the top 2% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues last term for pass completion and the top 14% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Ultimately, Liverpool would be selling a crucial part of the Slot project in Diaz, but Rodrygo is more than his equal and could prove to be the perfect investment to propel this team up to the next level.

Huijsen 2.0: Liverpool enquire to sign one of the 'most complete teen CBs'

Liverpool could be set to target their next centre-back sensation, in the mould of Dean Huijsen

ByRobbie Walls Jul 10, 2025

Warwickshire 254 and 321 for 9 (Hain 111*, Burgess 79) drew with Hampshire 298 and 453 for 6 dec (Vince 166*, Dawson 120, Hannon-Dalby 3-65)A dogged rearguard action from Warwickshire denied Hampshire a third successive victory as a hard-fought Vitality Championship match ended in a tense draw at Edgbaston.Chasing 498 to win, Warwickshire resumed on the final morning on 40 for one and batted out the day for 321 for nine thanks largely to a seventh-wicket partnership of 183 between Sam Hain (111 not out, 254 balls) and Michael Burgess (79, 162).They came together with their side in serious trouble at 123 for six but batted with patience and technique to consume 55 overs and steer the match towards a draw.Hampshire pressed hard in the closing overs but had to settle for a draw having largely outbowled a home attack including Chris Woakes. For Warwickshire, though their fourth-day resolve saw them escape defeat, their wait for a championship victory goes on. In Division One, only they and neighbours Worcestershire have still to record a win this season.Warwickshire badly needed that resolve in the second half of the day after their top order collapsed in the first. They took a big hit from the fifth ball of the morning when Keith Barker bowled Will Rhodes.Hampshire winkled out another three in the morning session. Danny Briggs, having eked 26 from 81 minutes, flashed at a wide ball from Barker and nicked it. Dan Mousley edged spinner Liam Dawson to slip and Ed Barnard was bowled by a beauty from James Fuller.When, to the ninth ball after lunch, Jacob Bethell played back fatally to Kyle Abbott and fell lbw, Warwickshire were 123 for six with 66 overs to survive. That is the sort of challenge that Hain and Burgess relish, both having batted the Bears out of many a hole, and they duly got their heads down again.Hain struck his 800th four in first class cricket on his way to reaching 50 (116 balls) and grew in fluency as the afternoon went on. Two sixes pulled over long-leg off Fuller saw off the old ball and the new one also failed to part the seventh-wicket pair.Hain biffed a Felix Organ full toss to the boundary to reach his 18th first class century and Burgess passed 4,000 first class runs and struck his 500th four in an innings of high diligence. Warwickshire were closing in on safety when, with 11 overs left, Burgess edged a cut at Organ and the ball rebounded off the wicketkeeper to Nick Gubbins at silly point.A fired-up Fuller then rattled Woakes’ off stump and Hampshire were buzzing with 40 balls in which to take the last two wickets. With the tenth of those, Fuller hit Craig Miles’ off stump, leaving last man Olly Hannon-Dalby with five overs to survive.A Fuller lifter rapped Hain on the hand, a blow that required lengthy treatment, but with only 21 balls left the batter soldiered on, abetted by Hannon Dalby (a steel-nerved 0 not out, 11 balls) to see his side to a draw.

With Liam Delap heading for the exit door, Ipswich Town have reportedly made their first move in an attempt to replace their star man with a Manchester City gem this summer.

Chelsea closing in on Delap move

Whilst it seemed as though it was Manchester United in the driving seat in the race for his signature, Delap has handed the Red Devils an unexpected rejection and is reportedly heading to West London. As revealed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have even already booked a medical to sign the Ipswich star after triggering his bargain £30m release clause.

Although Delap’s pending departure is an undeniable blow, it’s one that Ipswich would have been expecting ever since their Premier League relegation was confirmed and the forward’s cheap release clause was revealed.

Manager Kieran McKenna, perhaps more than most, will be well aware of the impact that Delap’s exit could have. The Ipswich boss was as honest as ever when speaking about the rumours linking the former Manchester City gem with a move away from Portman Road, recently telling reporters: “Liam’s looking at his options for next year, which I think he is entitled to do and we support him with that.

“I think we have given him permission to do that this week. It’s a very important decision for his future. Of course there is a lot of interest – and rightly so. I think part of his week has been having some of those conversations.”

As frustrating as his departure will be, Ipswich have already moved on quickly this summer with reports now suggesting that they’ve made their first approach to sign a potential replacement.

Ipswich make first approach to sign £10m Mubama

According to Romano, Ipswich have now made their first approach to sign Divin Mubama from Manchester City this summer. The 20-year-old forward is a player with plenty of promise and showcased his potential for City’s youth side by scoring an impressive 17 goals in 15 games throughout the campaign.

Now, he could ready for first-team football and will cost Ipswich £10m if they push on with their move this summer.

It should come as no shock to see those at Portman Road turning their attention towards Manchester City’s academy for a second time. Their move for Delap, despite their relegation, remains impressive and one year on they could repeat that stroke of genius by signing Mubama.

If "sensational" Ipswich star leaves, it would be as disastrous as Delap

Ipswich Town could also lose this sensational star away from just Liam Delap leaving Portman Road.

By
Kelan Sarson

May 23, 2025

Described as “strong aerially” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the Manchester City talent could replace both the goals and physical presence that Delap often offered McKenna’s side across the last 12 months. For £10m, all signs are pointing towards a player full of promise.

Glasgow Rangers will need a new manager in the dugout at Ibrox when the 2025/26 campaign gets underway later this year, having relieved Philippe Clement of his duties in February.

Barry Ferguson came in to replace the Belgian head coach as an interim manager until the end of the season, and his side did beat Aberdeen 4-0 last time out in the league.

However, the former Rangers central midfielder has only won five of his 13 matches in charge of the club in all competitions, losing four of those games.

Ferguson’s most recent managerial experience before his current stint at Ibrox came at Alloa Athletic in the 2021/22 campaign, when he lost 17 of his 33 games at the helm.

These statistics do not suggest that the former Scotland international is the right man to lead the Light Blues back to glory in the Scottish Premiership moving forward, which is why he should not be a contender for the job.

It does appear as though Rangers are set to look externally for their new head coach this summer, as they have been linked with a move for Davide Ancelotti.

Why Davide Ancelotti could be exciting for Rangers

It was recently reported that the son of Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently part of his father’s coaching staff at Real Madrid, is closing in on the Rangers job.

The Light Blues were reported to be pushing to bring him to Ibrox to convince him to take his first role as a senior head coach, rather than going to join his dad when he becomes the Brazil manager later this year.

The Rangers-linked coach has worked with his father at Real Madrid, Everton, and Bayern Munich, and has been described as an influential figure behind the scenes.

Former Bayern midfielder Javi Martinez, as quoted by the BBC, hailed Davide’s influence on Carlo: “The evolution process never stops and it is more difficult to adapt for older coaches. Davide completes Carlo and helps him understand the evolution of football. Davide is incredible: prepared, serious, a great person, like his father.”

As you can see in the graphic above, he has learned from one of the best managers around, given the incredible number of trophies his father has won, and that illustrates why him being an influential figure on his coaching staff is a big positive ahead of a possible move to Rangers.

This is why, despite his lack of outright managerial experience, Ancelotti could be an exciting appointment for the Gers and a chance to get behind a new era at Ibrox, which could be kickstarted with an excellent signing.

Rangers make contact to sign English forward

According to The Herald, Rangers have made contact with Blackburn Rovers forward Tyrhys Dolan to remain informed on his situation ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Gers want to keep tabs on the English attacker, who could become a free agent this summer if he does not extend his contract with the Championship side.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It reveals that Blackburn would value Dolan between £5m and £10m but they could lose him for a nominal compensation fee if he runs down his contract to sign for the Light Blues.

The report, however, adds that Premiership rivals Celtic are also monitoring the winger ahead of a possible swoop for his services in the summer window, which shows that there will be competition for the 23-year-old dynamo’s services.

This means that Rangers may have to act fast once it becomes clear that Dolan will be available to sign when his contract at Ewood Park expires at the end of June, as they will have to beat other teams to his signature.

The board should push to get a deal over the line for the Blackburn star because he could be an excellent signing to kick the Ancelotti era off with a bang, should a move to appoint the Real Madrid coach go through.

Why Rangers should sign Tyrhys Dolan

The Light Blues could kickstart the Ancelotti era in exciting fashion by signing Dolan because he is a promising young talent with the potential to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch in Scottish football.

At the age of 23, the Blackburn star would arrive with plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve as a player, which means that he could be a long-term addition to the side as well as having the quality to make an instant impact.

As you can see in the clip above, Dolan is also a player who has showcased his quality in the final third in the Championship for the English side this season.

The incredibly versatile attacker, who can play on the left, on the right, as an attacking midfielder, or as a striker, has shown that he has the potential to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis if put in the right environment.

Dolan has only averaged 38.1 touches per game in a Blackburn team that ranked 16th in the league for xG, with 51.6 xG in 46 matches, which shows that he was not getting loads of touches in a well-coached attacking side.

Vaclav Cerny, meanwhile, has delivered 12 goals and three assists with 50.7 touches per game for Rangers on the right flank in the Premiership this season.

24/25 season	Cerny (Premiership)	Dolan (Championship)
Appearances	31	44
Touches per game	50.7	38.1
Shots	90	51
Goals	12	7
Conversion rate	13%	14%
Big chances created	6	7
Assists	3	6
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Dolan enjoyed a better conversion rate of shots to goals than Cerny has managed so far this season in the Premiership, and created more ‘big chances’ for his side with roughly 12 fewer touches per game on average.

These statistics suggest that the English star’s output at the top end of the pitch could soar if he was put in a Rangers team that gives him plenty of touches in the final third, with more chances to take shots and create chances as an exciting wide player.

Dolan, once hailed as “outstanding” by former boss John Eustace, would also provide an exciting celebration for supporters when he scores, as shown in the clip above.

In all seriousness, though, he could be the perfect first signing of the Ancelotti era as a superb young talent who has the quality and the potential to be a star at Ibrox, with the chance to be more influential in the final third as part of a more dominant and attacking team than he has been at Blackburn.

Rangers: 49ers plotting statement signing of "very talented" £4m Brazilian

The Gers’ prospective new owners have set their sights on a midfielder.

By
Dominic Lund

May 13, 2025

Aston Villa are battling Manchester United in the race to sign a teenager who has a release clause worth just £4 million, according to a new report.

Aston Villa's plans for the summer begin to take shape

Villa are hoping to seal a spot in next season’s Champions League, as the race to finish in the top five in the Premier League gathers pace in the final weeks of the campaign. But whether the Midlands side secure Champions League football or not, it is likely to be a busy summer for Unai Emery and co. as most summers have been since his arrival.

Aston Villa may already be close to signing an "elite" Rogers replacement

Aston Villa will be considering who they can swoop in for if Morgan Rogers departs the club.

ByKelan Sarson May 1, 2025

There is a lot to decide in regards to the futures of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, both of whom are on loan from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively. Meanwhile, rumours have started to begin regarding the future of Morgan Rogers, as he is linked with several high-profile teams in the Premier League.

But Villa’s focus will be on strengthening the team this summer, and one player they appear keen on signing is Kevin de Bruyne. It was reported last week that Villa held internal talks over signing the Belgian this summer.

It’s now been reported by Football Insider that club chiefs are ready to go and sign De Bruyne should Emery want a deal to be done. The midfielder is coming to the end of his contract at Manchester City and therefore can be picked up on a free transfer.

Aston Villa face Man Utd in race to sign £4m teenager

As well as looking at signing an experienced head like De Bruyne, the Villans also have their eye on adding more exciting youth to their team. According to Spanish reports, relayed by Sport Witness, Aston Villa are among the teams interested in signing Christian Kofane from Albacete Balompie.

The report states that as well as Villa holding a keen interest in the 18-year-old forward, Manchester United and Newcastle United are also in the race to sign the teenager. It claims that all three clubs have already made contact with Albacete Balompié over signing Kofane, but so has ‘half of Europe’, with teams such as Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Villarreal, Real Betis, Lille and AS Monaco all interested.

Kofane, who is described as a ‘sensation’ in this update, is under contract until 2031, but this report does state that he has a release clause which is worth €5 million, which is roughly £4.2 million, and this is described as easily affordable for the Premier League teams.

Apps

15

Goals

6

Assists

1

Kofane has gathered more attention in recent weeks, as he’s scored five goals in his last seven games. His arrival at Villa Park would likely see him join up with the club’s academy team, but the Villans must believe that Kofane has the ability to become a star for their first team, and therefore, they may be willing to trigger his release clause, given it is a small amount.

It wasn’t a performance to remember for Australia’s bowlers, especially Mitchell Starc

Sampath Bandarupalli24-Jun-20241:14

Manjrekar: ‘Rohit’s selflessness the most appealing thing about him’

205 for 5 – India’s total against Australia in Gros Islet is the joint-highest by any team against Australia at the men’s T20 World Cup. West Indies made 205 for 4 against Australia in the semi-final of the 2012 edition.It is the third 200-plus total for India at the men’s T20 World Cup, joint-second-most alongside West Indies and only behind South Africa’s five.92 – Rohit Sharma’s score against Australia is the second-highest for India at the men’s T20 World Cup, behind Suresh Raina’s 101 against South Africa in 2010, also in Gros Islet.Related

• Arshdeep: A lot of credit for my wickets goes to Bumrah

• Rohit transformation steers India towards date with destiny

• Rohit had to 'open up all sides of the field' to counter St Lucia breeze

• Ball-by-ball: Rohit takes Starc down in 29-run over

It is also the second-highest individual score by a captain at the men’s T20 World Cup, behind Chris Gayle’s 98 against India in 2010 in Bridgetown.15 – Sixes by the India batters in Gros Islet, the most by them in an innings in a men’s T20 World Cup game. The previous highest was 13 against Bangladesh in North Sound on Saturday.Only two teams have hit more sixes in a men’s T20 World Cup game – 19 by Netherlands against Ireland in 2014, and 16 by Australia against India in 2010.8 – Sixes hit by Rohit during his 92-run knock, the most by an India batter in an innings at the men’s T20 World Cup. He broke the record held by Yuvraj Singh, who hit seven sixes against England in 2007, including six in one over off Stuart Broad.These are also the most sixes by any batter against Australia in a men’s T20 World Cup innings.19 – Balls Rohit needed for his half-century, the fastest by any batter against Australia in men’s T20Is. The previous quickest was off 20 balls by Yuvraj in the 2007 T20 World Cup and by Kieron Pollard in a T20I in 2012 in St Lucia.It is the fastest fifty of Rohit’s T20 career, bettering the 22-ball fifty he scored in a T20I against West Indies in 2016 in Lauderhill. It is also the fastest fifty by any batter in the 2024 T20 World Cup.ESPNcricinfo Ltd52 – India’s total when Rohit reached his half-century, the lowest to feature an individual fifty in a men’s T20I innings (where ball-by-ball data is available). The previous lowest was 53, for Vanuatu’s Patrick Matautaava against Malaysia in 2019.51 – Runs scored by Rohit in the powerplay. He is only the fourth batter to score a fifty inside the powerplay at the men’s T20 World Cup, after Stephan Myburgh in 2014, KL Rahul in 2021, and Litton Das in 2022.29 – Runs conceded by Mitchell Starc in the third over, including 28 scored by Rohit. It is Starc’s most expensive over in his international career and the costliest in all T20s.The 29 runs conceded by Starc are also the second-most by an Australia bowler in men’s T20Is, behind Glenn Maxwell’s 30 against India in Guwahati last year.The scorer was kept busy•ICC/Getty Images203 – Sixes hit by Rohit in T20Is. He is the first batter to complete 200 sixes in T20Is, with Martin Guptill (173) being the only other with 150-plus sixes.34 – Wins for India at the men’s T20 World Cup, which includes the Bowl Out win over Pakistan in 2007. They are now the most successful team in the competition in terms of number of wins, surpassing Sri Lanka’s 33, which includes a Super Over win.24 – Sixes hit by India and Australia in the game are the joint-second-most in a men’s T20 World Cup game. Netherlands and Ireland hit 30 sixes in Sylhet in 2014, while Australia and India also hit 24 when they faced off in Bridgetown in 2010.4165 – T20I Runs for Rohit. He is now the leading run-getter in men’s T20Is, surpassing Babar Azam’s 4145.

He has upped his six-hitting game to wreak havoc on bowlers this season

Mathew Varghese, ESPNcricinfo stats, Illustration by Kshiraja K11-May-2022ESPNcricinfo Ltd

When Jaiswal scored his century, he had no idea his coach Jwala Singh was at the stadium

Sreshth Shah in Potchefstroom04-Feb-2020″I made him promise me before he left. I made him promise me that he will finish the World Cup with the most runs. If he gets it, I told him I’ll gift him a car.”That’s Jwala Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s coach, talking to ESPNcricinfo inside Chalet 26 of Potchefstroom’s JB Marks Oval, watching his protege take a big step in fulfilling that promise, with a century against Pakistan in the semi-final on Tuesday.Jaiswal, however, has no idea Singh is in South Africa. Jaiswal had categorically told Singh not to come for the tournament. But Singh couldn’t resist, so he flew to Johannesburg and then drove to Potchefstroom as soon as India’s semi-final spot was confirmed. He stays hidden all day, away from Jaiswal’s line of vision, just in case his student gets distracted seeing his coach.But Singh is more than Jaiswal’s coach. Since Yashasvi’s father handed over his son’s responsibility to Singh in 2013, Yashasvi has lived with his coach in Mumbai. Effectively, Singh is the father figure in Jaiswal’s life. The love is on display as Singh gets up from his deck chair to clap as soon as Jaiswal scores the run that takes him past Sri Lanka’s Ravindu Rasantha as the tournament’s highest run-scorer.The Jaiswal at the Under-19 World Cup, though, is very different from the Jaiswal in domestic cricket. Back in India, the left-hand batsman has built a reputation of being an attacking batsman. He has already struck double-hundreds twice in one-day cricket, once for Mumbai Under-19 and another for the senior Mumbai team. But at the World Cup, he has been restrained. Against Sri Lanka, his 59 came at a strike rate of 79.72. Against New Zealand, his 57 was scored at a strike rate of 74.02. Against Australia in the quarter-final, his strike rate was 75.60 while scoring 62.”In Mumbai, he has senior cricketers around him, so he has the freedom to play his natural game. But here, he knows he’s probably the most crucial part of the team’s batting,” Singh explains. “That’s what makes Jaiswal special – his adaptability.”Fifteen minutes later, Jaiswal guides a short ball down to the fine-leg boundary to inch closer to his fourth fifty in five games. Singh chips in again, giving an insight into the teenager’s brain.”You see that shot? That’s what sets him apart,” he says. “Any other batsman and he would’ve gone for the pull. But Jaiswal knows that’s not the right option when there’s no run-rate pressure.”The reason Singh can analyse Jaiswal so well is because they’ve stayed under the same roof for five years now. Once upon a time, Jaiswal would live in the tents of Azad Maidan in Mumbai while beginning his cricketing journey, selling , a street snack, after practice to stay financially afloat in India’s most expensive city. But since Singh opened his home’s doors for Jaiswal, they have practiced cricket in the daytime and chatted about everything else in the evenings.”We have a rule at home. Every evening, he gives me a massage and tells me how his day went,” Singh says. “Even if I forget to ask him for a massage, he will come to me. Because he’s not had much of a childhood, he can get easily lured into things that teenagers do these days. So we discuss every aspect of his life. Everyday. But he is this headstrong because I’ve never given him anything on a platter. Even on the IPL auction day, I sent him to shop for groceries.Yashasvi Jaiswal hits into the leg side•Getty Images”Once in a generation can someone become a legend. Jaiswal has that in him, which is why it’s so important to stay grounded. There are so many players who have played for India and done well. But legends don’t come by every day. That’s what I have tried to drill into him. He has now come to understand what all he can achieve if he keeps his head in the right place.”This one time, he was the Player of the Series in a local tournament. He got a INR 10,000 voucher. He said he wanted to buy a cricket helmet, so I gave him permission to buy one.”When he came back, he said, ‘I’ve spent INR 3000 extra, can you give me that money please?’ That was the first time I got angry at him. I snatched the helmet from him and said, ‘13000 for a helmet? That’s ridiculous. You will wear this when you really deserve it.'”I put the helmet on top of his almirah after that. So that he could see it every day. The day he made his Ranji debut, I personally handed that helmet over to him. That’s the day I realised that whatever goal you give Jaiswal, he will fulfil it.”Singh, who was also Prithvi Shaw’s coach from 2015 to 2018, says that he feels blessed to have shaped two cricketers who are destined for greatness. At one time, Singh – from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh – had dreams of being an India cricketer. But knee injuries dashed his hopes and so he chose to be a coach. He has recently given permission for a movie to be based on his life story. It’s title is apt: .As Jaiswal reaches his nineties, I probe whether the now-successful Jaiswal – with an IPL contract at hand – has ever given him a gift, Singh’s smile widens.”You see his jersey number? It’s 23 because that’s my birth date,” Singh says. “What more can I ask for?”Before my daughter was born, he was my only child. Now he’s an elder brother to my girl. Even my girl has proven lucky for him. The day she was born, December 6, 2017, he struck the double-hundred for Mumbai Under-19.”He is so mature that when I said I’ll give him a car for being the highest run-scorer, he said he doesn’t want a new one. He wants to take my old Brezza so that I buy myself a new one.”A few moments later, Jaiswal reaches his hundred by slog-sweeping the Pakistan spinner Aamir Ali over deep midwicket. He raises his arms, looked upwards and says a silent prayer. Singh then says, “I think I’ll reveal it to him now. That I’m here.”

The Mets have endured a difficult second half of the season, having lost seven games in a row and 11 of their last 12.

As the team's struggles continue to mount, manager Carlos Mendoza announced Tuesday that he'd be making a change to the starting rotation. Veteran right-hander Frankie Montas is no longer set to make his next scheduled start and will instead be pitching out of the bullpen for the foreseeable future, Mendoza told reporters.

The team hasn't officially decided on a replacement in the rotation for Montas. Mendoza indicated they'd been eyeing Noah McLean and Brandon Sproat, two of the organization's top pitching prospects, as potential call-ups, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. McLean is the No. 3 prospect in New York's farm, while Sproat is No. 5, per MLB Pipeline.

In 2025, Montas has made seven starts and eight total appearances. He has a career worst 6.38 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 12 walks in 36 2/3 innings. In his most recent outing, Saturday against the Brewers, Montas followed an opener and pitched three innings while surrendering three runs, though only one was earned.

The 32-year-old would've been in line to start Saturday against the Mariners, but instead it seems the team will look to one of its farmhands instead.

Leeds United pulled off an impressive victory to get back to winning ways in the Premier League on Wednesday night. Daniel Farke’s side beat Chelsea 3-1 at Elland Road to pick up a huge three points.

It was the perfect start for the Whites in front of a packed-out home crowd. After an intense first five minutes or so where they dominated, Leeds broke the deadlock.

It came from a corner, with defender Jaka Bijol making a brilliant run to the front post and emphatically heading home.

Chelsea didn’t really threaten much and eventually paid the price. Leeds doubled their lead right on the stroke of half-time, through a brilliant strike by Ao Tanaka.

The Whites won the ball back on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area, with Jayden Bogle finding Tanaka in space. The Japanese international fired home a strike from range to put them 2-0 up.

Chelsea did pull one back with just 50 minutes on the clock, thanks to substitute Pedro Neto at the back post. Yet, Leeds managed to keep them at bay, and with 18 minutes to go, capitalised on a defensive error to secure all three points.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored their third, a goal which capped off a brilliant performance.

Calvert-Lewin’s stats vs. Chelsea

Calvert-Lewin’s goalscoring form has begun to improve in recent games. He bagged against Manchester City last weekend, and again against Chelsea on Wednesday night, although that strike was certainly easier.

It was a mistake from Blues defender Tosin Adarabioyo which led to the goal, with the centre-back playing a sloppy pass to Robert Sanchez.

The Spaniard was immediately under pressure, with the ball crocheting off his body and into the path of Calvert-Lewin, who tapped home from two yards out.

However, it was not just his goal which impressed about the former Everton striker’s performance.

He was a nuisance throughout for the Chelsea defence, with Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post awarding him a 9/10 rating, explaining that he ‘brought others into play’ superbly.

Indeed, the statistics back up what was a superb showing from Calvert-Lewin. He only had 37 touches but made an impact with most of those, winning an impressive 11 duels, managing three shots and, of course, bagging Leeds’ third goal.

Chalkboard

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

However, the Whites’ number nine was not the only one of their players to stand out against Chelsea.

Leeds’ other standout player vs. Chelsea

It was a huge win for Leeds on Wednesday night, which took a huge effort across the board. One of the best players was midfielder Anton Stach, who ran the game in midfield and was impressive defensively, too.

The numbers from the game reflect a controlled midfield performance from Leeds’ summer signing. He had 50 touches and completed 19 out of 24 passes, creating a superb four chances, one of which teed up Tanaka for his goal.

Off the ball, Stach made four recoveries and won three duels.

Touches

50

Passes completed

19/24

Chances created

4

Ball recoveries

4

Duels won

3

Clearances

3

Assists

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The 27-year-old German was a “revelation” in the centre of the park, according to journalist Adonis Storr. That is something Smyth seemed to agree with, also giving him a 9/10 rating post-match, calling that showing his ‘best Leeds performance’.

Indeed, it is easy to see why Smyth is of that opinion. For the German to put in a showing like that against a side competing in the Champions League and that are pushing Arsenal at the top of the Premier League is a colossal effort.

He was everywhere against one of the strongest sides in the top flight, and the chances he created added that creative spark in the final third. He played a huge role in Leeds’ attacking play, which ultimately helped get them over the line.

Stach proved why he could be considered an undroppable member of this Leeds side. This was a much-needed win, and he was right at the heart of it.

Calvert-Lewin’s goals recently have been key, but Stach’s performance in midfield is exactly what is needed for them to beat the drop.

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