After a mixed start to life as Rangers manager this week, Danny Röhl and his team may now be going into a crucial fortnight with a sense of positivity.

Last Thursday, the Gers were demolished 3-0 by Brann in the Europa League, leaving them bottom of the gigantic league table, but then did manage to beat Kilmarnock 3-1 at Ibrox on Sunday, thanks to second-half goals from Danilo and Youssef Chermiti.

This lifts the Light Blues up to fifth in the Premiership table, with some crucial fixtures ahead.

On Wednesday night, they’ll travel to Edinburgh to take on Hibs, before a League Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden next Sunday, followed by a visit from Roma in the Europa League four days later.

So, ahead of three massive tests, which Rangers star made themselves undroppable with their performance against Killie?

Nicolas Raskin's importance to Rangers

Russell Martin made many mistakes as Rangers manager, but his public falling out with last season’s player of the year Nicolas Raskin proved to be one of the most costly.

The Belgian was unceremoniously left on the bench for Champions League qualifiers against Viktoria Plzeň and Club Brugge, before not being included in the matchday squad at all for home matches against Celtic and Hearts.

The latter, a miserable 2-0 defeat, was when the support really started to turn against Martin, with Darrell Currie perplexed as to why any coach would choose to leave their “best player in the stand”.

However, recognising the error of his ways, Raskin was back in the team a week later as Rangers beat Hibs 2-0 in the League Cup quarter-finals, the Belgian heading home the opening goal, albeit this did little to help Martin remain in a job.

Raskin has started both matches since Röhl’s appointment, a trend you can guarantee will continue at Easter Road on Wednesday, but who else has put themselves forward as one of the first names on the team sheet?

Rangers summer signing who starred vs Kilmarnock

Fair to say, plenty of Rangers’ 13 summer signings have not impressed so far; Joe Rothwell, Nasser Djiga, Thelo Aasgaard, Jayden Meghoma and Youssef Chermiti, to name but a few.

Chalkboard

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

However, the last of those signings, namely Derek Cornelius, who arrived on deadline day, could prove to be the best.

The 27-year-old Canadian international is something of a globetrotter, having played in Germany, Serbia, his native Canada, Greece, Sweden and France before moving to Scotland, arriving on a season-long loan from Olympique de Marseille, opening his Rangers account with this header on Sunday.

Overall, the late addition was ultra-impressive, as the numbers outline.

Goals

1

1st

Shots on target

2

1st

Dribble success %

100%

1st

Defensive actions

10

2nd

Clearances

9

2nd

Duels contested

15

1st

Duels won

8

1st

Accurate passes

75

2nd

Passing accuracy %

91%

5th*

Touches

107

2nd

Average rating

8.1

1st

*minimum 15 passes completed.

As the table documents, Cornelius was immense against Kilmarnock.

The defender had the most shots on target of any player on the pitch, while registering the most duels contested and duels won, ranked second only to centre-back partner John Souttar when it came to defensive actions, clearances, accurate passes and touches.

Upon his arrival in Govan, then-manager Martin highlighted Cornelius’ “experience”, while Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell heralded his “defensive and leadership abilities”.

Meantime, after games against the Netherlands and France, the latter a memorable goalless draw in Bordeaux​​​​​​​, Canada head coach Jesse Marsch praised his “incredibly strong performances”, adding that the defender is “smart, he understands a lot of the tactical responsibilities, and he’s played with a lot of confidence and belief in himself”.

Well, very early into his Rangers career, the centre-back is starting to show some of that potential, crucially forming an encouraging partnership alongside Souttar.

Thus, with games against Hibs, Celtic and then Roma next on the agenda, Cornelius has catapulted himself into the undroppable tier of Rangers players, alongside Raskin and Djeidi Gassama, but few others.

​​​​​​​

Holding back Raskin: Röhl must drop the "cooked" Rangers flop vs Kilmarnock

Following a 3-0 defeat to Brann in Danny Röhl’s first match as Rangers manager, he must move on from his flop holding back Nicolas Raskin.

ByBen Gray Oct 26, 2025

Mikel Arteta has urged calm and perspective after Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly was dropped from Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad. The 19-year-old left-back has struggled for regular minutes this season, and while his omission has sparked debate among fans, Arteta insists the setback could “happen for the right reason” as he backed the teenager to bounce back stronger.

• Lewis-Skelly omitted from latest England squad

  Lewis-Skelly was one of several players omitted from Tuchel’s latest England squad for the November internationals against Serbia and Albania. The 19-year-old, who featured in the October clashes, was left out as Tuchel prioritised players receiving consistent game time at club level. Manchester City’s Nico O’Reilly and Tottenham’s Djed Spence were instead called up, with the England boss emphasising that competition and performance dictated his selection.

  Lewis-Skelly’s exclusion follows a season in which he has struggled to cement a first-team place. Despite impressing in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid last month, the teenager has only played 92 minutes of Premier League football this term, primarily featuring in cup competitions. With Riccardo Calafiori reclaiming the left-back role after recovering from injury, Lewis-Skelly has found himself pushed down the pecking order at the Emirates.  

  Tuchel had previously warned that a lack of minutes could jeopardise Lewis-Skelly’s England place, and his latest squad confirms he has acted on that stance. As it stands, Lewis-Skelly will have to reclaim his starting spot at club level if he is to return to the national team setup before next year’s World Cup.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Arteta sends a positive message to Lewis-Skelly

  Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League trip to Sunderland, Arteta expressed empathy for Lewis-Skelly but encouraged the player to see his omission as part of a larger journey. "Yes for sure, we are here to support and to help each other and give a good perspective of the situation," Arteta said when asked if the teenager needed reassurance." 

  The Arsenal boss continued to praise the maturity and achievements of the 19-year-old despite his recent setback. "When you look at his age, what he's already done, he's just remarkable. So don't look at the one [bad] moment what is happening for you because maybe it happens for the right reason and today you cannot see it."

• Getty Images
  

  Tuchel explains Lewis-Skelly snubbing from November squad

  Tuchel’s decision to omit Lewis-Skelly was not based on form alone but on consistency and competition within the England setup. The England manager explained that the Arsenal defender, along with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Morgan Gibbs-White, had been “out-performed” by players earning regular starts for their clubs. “Myles simply needs more starts, more minutes,” Tuchel said, noting that Nico O’Reilly’s sustained run at Manchester City had pushed him ahead in the selection order. 

  For Lewis-Skelly, the message is clear: minutes on the pitch matter as much as talent. His total of 470 minutes across all competitions this season lags behind rivals Spence and O’Reilly, who have featured far more prominently for their respective clubs. Nevertheless, within Arsenal, there remains full belief in the teenager’s long-term potential. Lewis-Skelly is widely regarded as one of the brightest talents to emerge from the Hale End academy in recent years.

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  Lewis-Skelly may still have a way into England World Cup plans

  Lewis-Skelly’s immediate focus will be on reclaiming a more prominent role within Arteta’s matchday plans. With Arsenal navigating a busy run of fixtures across domestic and European competitions, opportunities are likely to arise, particularly if Arteta continues to rotate his squad. A strong performance in upcoming fixtures could strengthen his case for both Arsenal minutes and a potential recall to the England setup in March.  

  As for Tuchel, the door remains open. England’s manager has repeatedly stated that his selections are fluid, dependent on form and fitness, not past reputation. With the 2026 World Cup less than a year away, Lewis-Skelly’s challenge is clear.

يثير جوليان ألفاريز مهاجم أتلتيكو مدريد والمنتخب الأرجنتيني الجدل حول مستقبله، حيث لم يجدد عقده ولكنه ليس هناك أي تسرع في إنهاء المفاوضات التمديد معه.

ويرتبط جوليان ألفاريز بعقد مع أتلتيكو مدريد حتى عام 2030، وكان قد أنضم لصفوف الروخي بلانكوس مقابل 75 مليون يورو من مانشستر يونايتد.

وسجل ألفاريز 29 هدفا وصنع 8 تمريرات حاسمة خلال 57 مباراة مع أتلتيكو مدريد، وأحرز هذا الموسم 9 أهداف وصنع 4 تمريرات حاسمة خلال 14 مباراة.

أقرأ أيضاً.. ديكو يكشف حقيقة تدعيم برشلونة في ميركاتو الشتاء

ويعلم نادي أتلتيكو مدريد أن برشلونة وباريس سان جيرمان مهتمين بالحصول على خدما ألفاريز صاحب الـ25 عاماً، وتعزز أنباء عدم تمديد عقده من زيادة الشائعات حول مستقبله.

وعلق وكيل ألفاريز في تصريحات نشرتها “Frenchfootballweekly” حول هذه التكهنات :”لا شئ مما كتب صحيح، إنها مجرد تكهنات خيالية”.

وكسر الأرجنتيني صمته ليرد على اهتمام باريس سان جيرمان وبرشلونة: “بصراحة لا أعرف، أرى ما يقال في الشبكات الإخبارية، في إسبانيا هناك الكثير من الحديث عني وعن برشلونة”.

وأضاف :”عندما وقعت لاتلتيكو العام الماضي كان هناك حديث كبير عن باريس، صحيح أن مفاوضات جرت بين مسؤولي باريس ووكيلي، وأبدى الجميع اهتمامهم بي لكن لا شئ تم، حالياً أركز على أتلتيكو مدريد وسنقيم الوضع بنهاية الموسم”.

MatériaMais Notícias

A semana começou turbulenta para o Grêmio. E tudo isso por conta do resultado negativo contra o Internacional, no clássico disputado no domingo (8). No Beira Rio, a equipe de Renato Gaúcho foi derrotada por 3 a 2. Mas o que complicou a situação e polemizou foi a reação que Renato Gaúcho teve no final da partida.

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Quando a partida terminou, viajou direto para o Rio de Janeiro sem prestar nenhuma entrevista pós-jogo, nem mesmo a coletiva. Essa reação teria gerado um incômodo até mesmo em Alberto Guerra, presidente do time.

– Do segurança ao presidente, do faxineiro ao CEO, ninguém no Grêmio concordou com essa decisão. Foi uma decisão unilateral do treinador. Entendemos, ele tem compromisso amanhã de manhã. Achamos que ele deveria estar aqui dando suas explicações, mas é uma decisão que ele tomou e internamente vamos avaliar isso- disse o dirigente.

Transforme sua paixão pelo futebol em profissão. Descubra o caminho com o curso Gestor de Futebol!

O Lance! entrou em contato com alguns jornalistas que acompanham de perto a equipe, no Rio Grande do Sul, que opinaram se acreditam que Renato Gaúcho estaria ou não forçando sua saída do Grêmio.

Leonardo Sonda, Band RS
Não acredito em tentativa de forçar uma saída do clube. Mas, é inegável que o comportamento recorrente é um desrespeito de Renato com a “instituição” Grêmio. Ainda não está claro o motivo da viagem apressada do treinador ao Rio de Janeiro, torçamos para que nada de grave tenha acontecido. Porém, em outros momentos com comportamentos semelhantes, Renato demonstrou absoluta consciência que não seria demitido sob qualquer hipótese, por tudo que aconteceu quando foi demitido do clube em 2021. Portaluppi tem superpoderes no Grêmio: manda, desmanda, define suas folgas e dias de trabalho. Talvez, o momento mais constrangedor da noite tenha sido a entrevista do Presidente Alberto Guerra. Não por culpa do Presidente, que faz uma boa gestão até aqui, mas por reforçar nos microfones a indisciplina do seu treinador. O clube exigiu que Renato falasse após a partida e foi ignorado. No contexto gremista, a insubordinação é normalizada e premiada com alguns dias de folga na cidade maravilhosa.

Bruno Flores, repórter da Rádio Gaúcha
– O ponto mais importante do caso em que o Renato não aparece para a coletiva após a derrota acachapante no Gre-Nal é a falta de comunicação. Dias antes do jogo, o técnico comunicou que tinha um compromisso inadiável e que viajaria. O presidente Alberto Guerra contemporizou e apostou que Renato mudaria de opinião após o clássico, o que não aconteceu. Ficou o dito pelo não dito e cada um tem suas razões, mas nada foi acertado definitivamente. Aqui em Porto Alegre, não existe nenhum elemento que faça parecer o Renato está forçando uma saída. Porém, uma relação é feita de elos, e alguns foram quebrados entre o técnico e o presidente do Grêmio com esse episódio constrangedor.

Tainan Nunes, repórter Canal TN
– Acredito que não, porque o Renato sempre costuma viajar para o Rio em Data FIFA já que o Grêmio se reapresenta só quinta-feira. Porém o fato de ter não dado coletiva prejudicou muito o ambiente entre ele e o Guerra pensando em 2024.

Luciano Coimbra, jornalista esportivo de Porto Alegre
– Renato e o Grêmio vivem um relacionamento cheio de poréns… O Grêmio tem no Renato um ídolo que trouxe o clube de volta as conquistas estaduais, nacionais e continentais. Muito por isso ele é idolatrado cada vez mais pela torcida e por muitos dirigentes. Claro que essa relação tem seus altos e baixos e a derrota no Clássico Grenal 440 somada a sua não participação na entrevista coletiva após a partida estremeceu um pouco este convívio. A direção gremista sabendo que Renato tinha uma viagem agendada para a noite após o Clássico já deveria ter conversado com o treinador para trocar a passagem para outro horário no dia seguinte ou até mesmo fretar um vôo para esse deslocamento ser feito no mesmo dia. Ingenuidade da direção gremista que esperou o resultado da partida para conversar com o treinador. Se a vitória estivesse sido conquistada, ele viajaria igual e ainda tiraria onda que estava falando pouco ou nem falando porque não precisava após mais uma vitória em clássico. Como a derrota aconteceu, as explicações precisaram ser dadas pelo presidente Alberto Guerra e pelo auxiliar Alexandre Mendes. Não vejo que esse episódio de ontem tenha sido para forçar uma saída do clube. Isso já ocorreu outra vez justamente após o Grenal 413, também no Beira-Rio, onde o Grêmio venceu por 2×1. À época, Renato ainda brincou na “coletiva” que a lesão do árbitro Jean Pierre o atrasaria e ele perderia seu voo. Ele faria a mesma coisa caso tivesse vencido neste último jogo, mas optou por sair sem conceder entrevista para não precisar explicar a fraca atuação da equipe e a derrota para o rival.

César Fabris, Rádio Imortal
– Renato hoje é a principal figura na história do Grêmio, em cima disso tem uma liberdade fora do comum para o futebol brasileiro. O fato dele ter saído sem dar coletiva só prova o quanto ele tem liberdade. O que chamou atenção foi a diretoria reprovar internamente e extremamente. Na antiga gestão acontecia fatos parecidos e sempre teve omissão. Não vejo uma maneira dele forçar a saída, simplesmente é o Renato sendo Renato. Toma as decisões sem pensar na opinião pública ou da diretoria.

Juliano Piasentin, jornalista esportivo
– É constrangedor o episódio em que Renato Portaluppi deixa o Beira-Rio sem conceder a entrevista coletiva no domingo, após a derrota no GreNal 440. No entanto, isso não quer dizer que o comandante tricolor esteja forçando uma saída do clube do qual é ídolo e já virou estátua. Renato é gremista declarado, em todas as ocasiões que deixou o Grêmio nas passagens anteriores, as saídas aconteceram sem trauma. Em 2011 e 2021 Portaluppi pediu demissão, em 2013 não renovou o contrato ao final da temporada. Não é de sua índole forçar a saída, ainda mais em Porto Alegre.Sobre a coletiva de imprensa, em 2018, após vitória por 2×1 no mesmo Beira-Rio, mas pelo Gaúchão, Renato não respondeu as perguntas dos jornalistas. As diferenças são duas: vitória tricolor e um pronunciamento. O motivo: também uma viagem para o seu amado Rio de Janeiro.

Luã Hernandez, jornal Zero Hora
– Não acredito que o Renato esteja forçando uma saída do Grêmio. Ele sempre gostou de ter essa autonomia, seja para indicar jogadores, expor suas ideias sobre futebol, administrar as folgas ou viajar para o Rio quando tivesse algum compromisso. Por isso, esse casamento entre Renato e Grêmio sempre deu liga, porque ele cuidava mais do que apenas de treinar o time e tinha liberdade para tomar decisões, mesmo que impopulares. Mas, dessa vez, desagradou a diretoria e isso foi exposto publicamente. Raras vezes vi algo assim na relação entre clube e Renato. Pode ser um indicativo de atrito em uma relação que parecia muito amistosa. Agora vamos aguardar o desenrolar desse episódio, mas me parece um indicativo de que, para 2024, Grêmio e Renato podem seguir caminhos distintos.

Najmul Hossain Shanto’s run-out in the 17th over and the two-wicket 18th over, Taskin said, turned the match in Sri Lanka’s favour

Andrew Fidel Fernando03-Jul-2025

“I was expecting we would win with five to seven overs in hand,”Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed said after the first ODI. He was right to think that that was the strongest possibility, as Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto took them to 96 for 1 at the end of 16 overs in a chase of 245.But frequently, expectations are not reality. And collapses happen. Bangladesh lost seven wickets in the time it took them to score five runs.What sparked the collapse was a good piece of fielding by debutant Milan Rathnayake, which helped run Shanto out for 23. Not long after, Wanindu Hasaranga had Litton Das and Tanzid in the same over.Related

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“Those two wickets in one over was the turning point for them,” Taskin said. “Definitely, we batted badly in the middle phase, but we had a great start with 100 runs in 16 overs. Then 100 for 2 and 107 [105] for 8 – that was very costly.Perhaps Bangladesh’s best batter of the evening was Jaker Ali, who hit 51 off 64 balls.”When Jaker got set, he was batting very well,” Taskin said. “He scored a fifty. With him, if we had two or three batters left, then we could have won the match. Yes, it’s accepted that we didn’t bat well, but seeing two or three guys bat on this wicket, it doesn’t feel like the wicket was that bad. That was our failure.”Taskin said that perhaps “panic” had been the reason for the loss.”Yeah, after that great start, we were a bit relaxed that everything was going our way, and suddenly, that run-out and one of our set batters, Tamim [Tanzid], got out,” he said. “Then we panicked a bit. We didn’t play our natural game, and under pressure, we collapsed. That’s how we lost this match.”

Opener shared a 209-run stand with Australia A skipper Jason Sangha who also made an unbeaten 121

AAP22-Jul-2025Darwin-born Jake Weatherald sealed a happy homecoming and put his name in the conversation surrounding Australia’s opening batter conundrum for the Ashes with an imperious century for Australia A against Sri Lanka A.Starting day three of the second four-day game on 45, Tasmania’s Weatherald powered to 183 in a magnificent 275-ball innings punctuated by 16 fours and two sixes.Australia A captain Jason Sangha made an unbeaten 121, his third first-class century in his last five innings dating back to the end of the Sheffield Shield season. The pair’s 209-run third-wicket stand, after Kurtis Patterson made 59 in a 134-run second-wicket stand with Weatherald, took Australia A from 76 for 1 on resumption to a strong 379 for 3 by stumps on Tuesday, in reply to Sri Lanka A’s 485 for 6 declared.With the Darwin pitch ideal for batting, the chance of a result looks slim, with the series poised to end 0-0 after game one finished in a stalemate.Most discussion out of the match, then, may centre on Weatherald after the 30-year-old made hay on the Marrara Cricket Ground pitch to score his 13th first-class century.Coming after his 54 in his only innings in game one, the knock was a timely reminder to national selectors as they weigh top-order options for this summer’s home Ashes after a bleak tour of the West Indies for openers. Usman Khawaja has averaged 15.37 in his last eight Test innings and will turn 39 during the Ashes. The 19-year-old Sam Konstas fared even worse when recalled to partner Khawaja in the recent 3-0 Test series romp in the Caribbean, averaging 8.33 and looking well short of the finished article. Nathan McSweeney – dropped after averaging 14.40 through his first three Tests last summer against India – made 94 for Australia A last week to push his case for a possible recall, but failed on Monday in the second match, making 12.Jason Sangha brought up a century from No. 4•Cricket AustraliaInto calculations for a top-of-the-order Test debut in the Ashes comes Weatherald, who opened for Australia A and raised his century on Tuesday off 146 deliveries, scoring in virtually every part of the ground.The left-hand batter is coming off the finest summer of his career, in which he topped the Sheffield Shield competition with 905 runs.His three Shield centuries – as with his effort on Tuesday – showed his capacity to push on to make a big hundred, scoring 186 against Queensland, 155 against Victoria, and 145 against New South Wales.On Tuesday, he and Patterson progressed their second-wicket partnership to 134 before Patterson was caught at point for 59 reaching for a wide delivery from paceman Asanka Manoj.Weatherald and Sangha piled on 209 for the third wicket before Weatherald was bowled by offspinner Nuwanidu Fernando.

Gus Atkinson has found himself in the middle of a country versus county wrangle, the upshot of which will involve him playing for Surrey’s second XI rather than their first team, after he was omitted from England’s side to face India in the fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford.Atkinson has not played competitive cricket since May, when he injured his hamstring during England’s one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge. Although he has since been deemed fit enough to return to the squad from the third Test onwards, even playing for his club side Spencer CC during the Saturday of the Lord’s Test, he has yet to feature.On Monday afternoon, the 27-year-old was put through his paces by men’s physical preparation coach Peter Sim and bowling consultant Tim Southee. However, with England 2-1 up in the series, the management have decided not to pick Atkinson for the Manchester Test, which begins on Wednesday.The soft outfield, coupled with the need to supplement the likes of Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and skipper Ben Stokes with a team-mate who can guarantee a certain number of overs, has meant that Atkinson will not be risked. Chris Woakes, who pulled up well a week on from the final day at Lord’s, has kept his place despite a current series haul of seven wickets at 56.42.Related

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• Bumrah to play fourth Test; Pant on track to keep as well

In the circumstances, England were keen for Atkinson to head north to Scarborough for Surrey’s County Championship match against Yorkshire. However, the county have opted not to include Atkinson into their XI. Instead, he will return to London to play for Surrey’s second XI in a four-day match against Somerset at the club’s LSE Ground in New Malden.Surrey’s reasons for not selecting Atkinson are the same as England’s, given he has not played a red-ball match in two months, and they may need to lean heavily on their bowlers given the Kookaburra ball will be in use for this round. They also have the depth not to need to risk Atkinson for this crucial fixture, with the defending champions currently leading Division One by just a point from Nottinghamshire.Jamie Overton, part of the squad for the first three Tests, will play his first Championship match since May. He will line up alongside stalwarts Jordan Clark and Dan Worrall, as well as Matthew Fisher, who has excelled with the Kookaburra, taking 10 wickets in the last two fixtures.Atkinson is currently on a two-year central contract, which means the ECB rather than Surrey pay his wages. Though England would obviously prefer Atkinson to play for the first XI, it is accepted that they cannot force counties’ hands when it comes to selection.Another of England’s omitted seamers, Josh Tongue – who played in the first two Tests at Headingley and Edgbaston – will feature for Nottinghamshire on days three and four of their Championship clash against Hampshire at the Utilita Bowl.

West Ham United face a familiar struggle for goals this season and now appear to be taking steps in an effort to rectify the problem come the January window.

West Ham offer youth a chance in hunt for goals

Niclas Fullkrug and Callum Wilson are both experienced heads in front of goal and Jarrod Bowen is a permanent threat for the Hammers. However, there has been a frustrating lack of goals dispersed throughout their side lately, contributing to their Premier League struggles.

In surprise fashion, Northern Ireland international Callum Marshall earned his top-flight debut as West Ham chased a way back into the match in their defeat away to Arsenal, leading Nuno Espirito Santo to talk up his potential post-match.

He stated: “What I’ve been seeing in training sessions, his energy, he’s a good finisher, good mobility, he can recognise the gaps in the space, he has a good chance. Even though he’s not a strong boy against a very tough centre-half, he managed to get the header, so I think we have something that we can use.

“We’re going to have three strikers available: (Niclas) Fullkrug, Callum Wilson, and Marshall. We’re going to need all of them, different players, that are going to give us different solutions and options moving forward.”

Scottish youngster Josh Landers is another candidate to bolster West Ham’s forward line after 14 goals in 19 matches last term. Nevertheless, it feels likely that Nuno will turn to the transfer window after his side’s return of six goals in seven matches.

Weekly wages: West Ham United FC 2025/26 highest-paid players

The Irons’ biggest earners for the 2025/26 season…

By
Charlie Smith

Sep 24, 2025

Desperate times call for desperate measures and the new regime will have designs on evading the relegation zone and building momentum, and they may look for a helping hand in the form of an out-of-favour striker.

West Ham ask to keep informed on Joshua Zirkzee

According to TEAMtalk, West Ham have asked to keep informed on Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee as the Netherlands international continues to be out of favour at Old Trafford. Intermediaries will run the rule over potential options for the forward, with both loan moves and permanent arrangements set to be explored and the player open to joining another English club.

Zirkzee believes he can succeed in the Premier League and would be open to remaining on English soil, albeit Juventus and AC Milan have previously shown interest in bringing the 24-year-old back to Serie A following his exploits with Bologna.

Coming in as a caveat, the Schiedam-born man isn’t a conventional number nine and has come off the frontline to link play regularly since his £36.5 million move to Manchester United last summer.

Either way, his talent would undeniably improve West Ham’s shrinking pool of options if they were to convince him that the London Stadium is the best place to take his next career step, though only time will tell whether that scenario can become a reality.

Worcestershire Rapids retained their sliver of a hope of Vitality Blast qualification with a 45-run win over Notts Outlaws at Visit Worcestershire New Road.The Rapids amassed a hefty 206 for seven thanks to punchy contributions from the top five, led by Ethan Brookes (57 from 20 balls) and Brett D’Oliveira (46, 36). Dillon Pennington took 3 for 34.The Outlaws replied with 161 all out (Tom Moores 57 from 29, Matt Montgomery 47 from 22, Brookes 3 for 30) to suffer a defeat which leaves their qualification hopes also hanging by a thread. The Outlaws must beat Lancashire Lightning tomorrow and hope that Warwickshire Bears and Leicestershire Foxes lose. The Rapids, meanwhile, their group games over, need the Bears, Foxes and Outlaws to lose, accompanied by the required seismic shift in net run-rate.Both sides require a highly unlikely cocktail of results from the final round of games. After their erratic campaigns, it’s highly likely that neither will figure in the quarter-finals.The Rapids were put in but Isaac Mohammed (27, 15) delivered a vibrant start before he was superbly held on the deep mid-wicket boundary by Calvin Harrison, so close to the Ladies Pavilion that he could have had a cake.D’Oliveira and Kashif Ali kept the tempo high with a stand of 62 from 39 balls. Kashif (34, 21) lifted Liam Patterson-White to long-on and D’Oliveira steered Pennington to slip but Brookes and Adam Hose bashed 59 from 28 balls.Hose (33, 21) lifted Pennington to long off but Brookes struck the ball beautifully to thunder to an 18-ball half-century. He took his side past 200 with 16 from three balls from Sams in the final over.The Outlaws’ chase suffered early damage when Freddie McCann sliced a slog at the eighth ball, from Khurram Shahzad, to cover and Jack Haynes was brilliantly caught by Blast debutant Ben Gibbons at long on. Gibbons took a simpler catch from a failed Joe Clarke scoop off Shahzad and when Moises Henriques skewed Brookes to backward point, The Outlaws were 49 for four and in a pickle.Montgomery kept his side in contention by flailing a six and nine fours. The South African was starting to worry the home fans and had taken 19 from a Ben Allison over before lifting the last ball of it to deep cover.Brookes’ happy day continued when he had Sams and Patterson-White caught off successive balls. Moore peered through the gloaming to biff a 27-ball half-century but his departure, to another fine boundary catch, this time by Hose, effectively ended the content.Both these teams still harbour a vestigial hope of qualification but both are likely to be sitting at home in quarter-final week pondering what might have been with a bit more consistency.

Allrounder Michael Bracewell also unavailable for the two Tests in Zimbabwe

Deivarayan Muthu07-Jul-2025Fast bowler Matt Fisher has earned his maiden call-up to the New Zealand squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.Kane Williamson remains unavailable for New Zealand, having signed a deal with Middlesex, which will also include playing for London Spirit in the Hundred. Offspin-bowling allrounder Michael Bracewell, who is currently in action for MI New York in the MLC, was also unavailable for the Zimbabwe Test series, which will overlap with the Hundred. Bracewell was picked by Southern Brave for £200,000, a deal which was “agreed and factored into his NZC central contract”, according to a statement from the board.With the two Tests in Zimbabwe not part of the World Test Championship (WTC), New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said he respected the decision of both players. “Kane and Michael were up front with New Zealand Cricket about their availability for this tour during the contracting process,” Walter said.”While all Test matches are hugely special and important, the fact these Tests aren’t part of the ICC World Test Championship did influence the discussions on this occasion.”Fast bowlers Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears were also unavailable for the Zimbabwe tour. While Jamieson is on a personal break, awaiting the birth of his first child, Sears is recovering from a side injury, sustained during the MLC, which will require another two-four weeks of rehab.ESPNcricinfo LtdFisher, 25, has played 14 first-class matches so far, taking 51 wickets at an average of 24.11. He also made an appearance for New Zealand A in India in 2022, when he claimed four wickets, including that of Rajat Patidar. Fisher had represented New Zealand in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup and has been contracted to Northern Districts since.In the absence of Sears, Fisher could provide New Zealand’s attack a point of difference with his ability to hit 140kph. Jacob Duffy is the only other uncapped player in the Test squad though he is now a familiar face in Black Caps’ white-ball sides. Duffy is currently ranked No.1 in the ICC’s rankings for T20I bowlers.”Matt’s someone we’re really excited about,” Walter said. “He’s one of the fastest bowlers in the country and we think he’s got an X-factor. We’re blessed to have a large number of strong fast bowlers in this country and we’re looking forward to adding Matt into that mix now, giving him a little bit of touring experience and a taste of what it means to be part of the Black Caps.”Ajaz Patel returns to New Zealand’s Test squad after recovering from injury•AFP/Getty ImagesWill O’Rourke, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith will round out the seam attack as New Zealand build depth in the new era after Tim Southee and Trent Boult.Batter Henry Nicholls and left-arm fingerspinner Ajaz Patel returned to the Test squad. Nicholls had last played a Test match in December 2023 but has worked his way back after scoring 464 runs in six innings for Canterbury at an average of 116 in the 2024-25 Plunket Shield.As for Ajaz, he had last Test was the one at the Wankhede in Mumbai last year, when he bagged a match haul of 11 wickets to spin New Zealand to a 3-0 sweep of India. Ajaz then missed a huge chunk of the domestic season for Central Districts with a serious knee injury. After having completed a lengthy rehab, Ajaz will return to action in the Global Super League (GSL) in Guyana before linking up with the New Zealand side. Ajaz will be assisted by Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips in the spin attack.Devon Conway, who has dropped from the T20I squad for the tri-nation series against hosts Zimbabwe and South Africa, has been included in the Test squad. The likes of Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell and Phillips will link up with the New Zealand squad after completing their commitments in the MLC.Tom Latham, who had a county stint with Warwickshire during the winter, will return to captain New Zealand for their first Test tour of Zimbabwe since 2016. In all, New Zealand have played 17 Tests against Zimbabwe, winning 11 and drawing six.New Zealand’s Test squad will assemble in Bulawayo on July 27 after the T20I tri-series ends in Harare on July 26.NZ Test squad Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Will Young