Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has named a “complete” star as the greatest player in the club’s history.
Odegaard vying to become first Arsenal captain since Vieira to lift Premier League title
It has been far too long since the Gunners lifted the Premier League title, with Patrick Vieira the last captain to do so, way back in 2004, but Odegaard is looking to end the soon-to-be 22-year wait this season.
Barring the disappointing 1-0 defeat at Liverpool, the Gunners have otherwise made an ideal start to the season, having introduced some star quality into the squad during the summer transfer window.
Perhaps most importantly, Mikel Arteta finally got a new striker through the door, with Viktor Gyokeres joining from Sporting CP, and the Sweden international has gotten off to an impressive start, scoring three goals in two games at the Emirates Stadium.
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Following Thomas Partey’s departure, it was also vital to get another top central midfielder through the door, and Martin Zubimendi is looking like he could be exactly that, bagging a brace in the 3-0 victory against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The entire squad has the opportunity to write their names into the history books by ending the long wait for a league title this season, potentially placing themselves alongside the likes of Vieira Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires and Sol Campbell as club legends.
However, in an interview with Sky Sports earlier this year, Odegaard has named a different former Gunner as the club’s greatest-ever player.
When asked whether Thierry Henry is the best player in Arsenal’s history, the Norwegian said:
Henry one of the best in Premier League history
Not only is the Frenchman Arsenal’s greatest-ever player, but he is also one of the best in Premier League history, having been inducted into the Hall of Fame back in 2021.
The 48-year-old is a four-time Premier League Golden Boot winner, while he also holds the joint-record for number of assists in a Premier League season, chipping in with 20 during the 2002-03 campaign.
Season
PL appearances
Goals
1999/00
31
17
2000/01
35
17
2001/02
33
24
2002/03
37
24
2003/04
37
30
2004/05
32
25
2005/06
32
27
2006/07
17
10
The 123-cap France international also scored some remarkable goals during his time with the Gunners, and played a vital role in his side winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, in an era where Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United were dominant.
It will be a tall order for any Arsenal player to eclipse Henry’s achievements in north London, but Arteta will be hoping his side can finally end the long wait for the Premier League title this season, having spent heavily once again in the summer.
Tottenham Hotspur are now in talks to sign a “world-class” £43m star, who is ready to fly into London to complete a move.
Spurs looking to sign forward before 7pm deadline
As we enter the final hours of the summer transfer window, Tottenham remain keen on signing a new forward, having failed to bring in a like-for-like replacement for Son Heung-min, with Manchester City’s Savinho remaining at the Etihad Stadium.
Taking to X, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani, who can play at both centre-forward and on the wing, has now emerged as an option for Thomas Frank’s side.
However, Spurs are also ramping up their interest in a different forward of a similar mould, with a report from The Boot Room revealing they have now entered talks over a deal for wantaway Atalanta star Ademola Lookman.
The Italian club are looking to receive £43m for Lookman, and they could be willing to accept an initial loan deal, which would include an obligation to buy, with transfer expert Graeme Bailey adding: “Lookman has emerged as an option for Tottenham, not dissimilar to their Xavi Simons deal. They were in the right place at the right time.
“I am told Lookman is keen, Tottenham are keen, and this has a chance ahead of Monday’s 7pm deadline.”
Atalanta's AdemolaLookmanin action
Promisingly, with the Atalanta forward keen on a move to N17, he is now ready to fly to London to complete the deal.
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Much like Kolo-Muani, the Nigeria international is able to play at both striker and on the wing, making him a versatile option for Frank, and the 27-year-old has maintained a fantastic record in front of goal during his time with Atalanta.
Season
Serie A appearances
Goal contributions
2022-23
31
21
2023-24
31
19
2024-25
31
20
Not only has the London-born forward impressed in the Serie A, but he memorably caught the eye in the 2024 Europa League final, scoring a hat-trick to secure a 3-0 victory for his side over a Bayer Leverkusen side that won the Bundesliga undefeated.
Courtesy of the hat-trick against the at-the-time German champions, the Atalanta star scooped up a prestigious award and received very high praise from the BBC’s John Bennett.
Lookman would clearly be a top-quality addition to Tottenham’s squad, and a £43m fee seems reasonable, given the level of his performances in the Serie A and Europa League.
Leeds United’s struggling attack is very much a work in progress currently.
While the defence has been largely solid since making the nervy step-up back to the Premier League, with another clean sheet nearly collected away at Fulham, the forward areas have looked consistently below-par, scoring just once from their opening four clashes.
Daniel Farke will be ripping his hair out at the moment, trying to work out a successful attacking formula, having masterminded an incredible promotion just last season that saw 95 goals fired home.
The German does have some promising new attackers at his disposal, but it looks as if it will take time to get them to their best, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, in particular, enduring a tough start to life in West Yorkshire.
Calvert-Lewin's tough start at Leeds
Plenty of eyebrows were raised when Calvert-Lewin entered the building late in the busy summer transfer window as Leeds’ standout striker signing.
After all, the injury-prone former Everton marksman would join on a free transfer, with alternative faces in attack such as Noah Okafor arriving with plenty more positive fanfare, having cost a whopping £18m to obtain.
Still, irrespective of the costs involved in their respective deals, both players visibly struggled at Craven Cottage, with a calamitous own-goal ultimately the difference-maker.
Indeed, Okafor would fail to impress on his first Premier League start, failing to complete an accurate cross for the lofty Calvert-Lewin to try and connect with. On top of that, the quiet Swiss also failed to hit a single shot on target at Bernd Leno’s goal.
The numbers aren’t any prettier when assessing the Sheffield-born striker, either, with the low-on-confidence number nine only managing a meagre 15 touches of the ball as an isolated figure in Farke’s forward line.
The manager will just be praying that the 28-year-old gets the service he needs shortly to break out of his poor start, with the former England international boasting 71 goals in the top-flight when brimming with confidence.
Wolverhampton Wanderers up next might well be the occasion where Calvert-Lewin finally shows up.
Yet, in an alternate reality, the ex-Toffees centre-forward would already be up and running in Leeds white.
Leeds have sold a player who's perfect for Calvert-Lewin
Away from Okafor, Farke does have a lot of options up his sleeve down the wings, with Daniel James, Wilfried Gnonto, and Jack Harrison all being thrown into the action late on at Craven Cottage.
The last of those listed does feel as if he is on borrowed time at Leeds, though, with the hit-and-miss Englishman only averaging 21 minutes of action this season in the league when used sparingly.
Jake O'Brien and Jack Harrison in action
Even more worryingly, Harrison finds himself without a goal or assist in Premier League action since scoring last March for Calvert-Lewin’s ex-employers, with Leeds now wishing they had Jack Clarke back at their disposal in a dream reality to help the below-par attackers out.
When Clarke’s name springs to mind, he is certainly more synonymous for his blistering exploits with Sunderland than with Leeds, with 28 goals and 23 assists coming his way for the Black Cats after struggling to ever settle at Tottenham Hotspur immediately after ditching Elland Road.
Games played
32
Games started
12
Goals scored
0
Assists
4
Big chances created
4
Thankfully, the right-footed forward did show off his explosiveness in the Premier League last season with Ipswich Town.
An “unplayable” star in the words of Tony Mowbray, the attacker may well have been worried that he’d just be pigeonholed in the Championship.
However, he did show flashes of his excellence in Suffolk last campaign to suggest he could be a Premier League-level talent moving forward, with four assists coming his way from just 12 starts under Kieran McKenna. One of those assists also saw him compared to a £100m player, with Sky Sports commentator Alan Smith suggesting he “has a bit of Grealish about him.”
This split-second ability to be able to fashion a chance for a teammate would be music to the ears of an isolated Calvert-Lewin, with the hot-and-cold Englishman content with minimal touches of the ball before being unleashed in front of goal.
At his peak in 2020/21, he averaged just 34.7 touches per league match, which still ended up with him picking up an impressive 16 strikes.
Clarke succeeding as an impact substitute option also suggests he would be an upgrade on a forgettable Harrison if he were back at Elland Road.
Away from all these theoretical conversations, though, the ex-Norwich City boss will just have to make do with what he’s got until January at the very earliest, with the attack hopefully having clicked by that vital mid-point.
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Arsenal have reportedly made contact with the entourage of a rising Serie A star but will have to splash the cash to sign him. The Gunners spent just under €300 million (£262m) on signings this summer but speculation is mounting that they are ready to go big again. But a certain European giant is unlikely to want to sell one of their prized assets.
Arsenal want Juventus ace
Reports in Italy state that Arsenal are one of the clubs that have enquired about Juventus star Kenan Yildiz. It is said Mikel Arteta's side have made contact with his team about a future move, and now Tutto Juve has claimed that the Italian giants value him at €80m (£70m) to €100m.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesJuventus to fight for Yildiz
Despite these transfer links, Juve reportedly have no interest in selling him, and the Serie A outfit are hopeful of tying him down to a new and improved deal. His current terms run until 2029 but Juventus are prepared to offer him a bumper contract.
Yildiz's stock keeps rising
The 20-year-old had a breakout season for Juve last term, scoring 12 goals and nine assists. The forward, who can also play as an attacking midfielder or winger, also has two goals and four assists from just five games this campaign.
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Getty ImagesYildiz's reputation likely to grow
The Turkey international has a burgeoning reputation and it is only natural that top teams want to recruit him. Incidentally, Juventus face Atalanta in Serie A action on Saturday, before they kick off October with a Champions League clash away at Villarreal on Wednesday.
Everton looked to be on their way to a resurgence when David Moyes replaced the beleaguered Sean Dyche in January, and though the Toffees rose toward a comfortable mid-table finish in 2024/25, old issues seem to be resurfacing at the moment.
Moyes’ tenure has hardly turned stale, but he needs a few more signings before the closure of the transfer window, with Everton having struggled to hit their stride in their Premier League opener, defeated 1-0 at Leeds United on Monday evening.
Signings are needed, but since the Sky Sports pundits bemoaned Everton’s lack of activity, a £40m deal has been agreed with Southampton for the transfer of Tyler Dibling, regarded as one of England’s most exciting teenage prospects.
If The Friedkin Group manage to steer that one over the finish line, they look set to turn toward number nine.
Everton lining up deal for another forward
Dominic Calvert-Lewin left Everton this summer at the end of his contract. The striker has since signed for Leeds. He was one stream within a flood of departures, overseen by Moyes, deemed necessary after years of dour returns.
Replacing him, Thierno Barry has joined Everton from Villarreal for £27.5m, but, even with Beto in the ranks, Everton might be interested in signing another talented marksman.
It’s early days, but Everton like what they see, and according to Spanish outlet El Chiringuito TV, technical director Angus Kinnear is prepared to raid the Yellow Submarine once again this summer, having reopened contacts to discuss a deal for Karl Etta Eyong.
Etta Eyong scores for Villarreal
Though the 21-year-old centre-forward wants to continue his development in Spain, he’s tempted by the opportunity to play in the Premier League.
Villarreal would seek €25m (£21m) for his signature.
Why Everton want Etta Eyong
Beto and Barry make up a confident pairing for the number nine spot, but Eyong’s youthfulness and blooming consistency in front of goal suggest he might be a signing worth making to complete the set.
Perhaps what’s most exciting is Etta Eyong’s slick translation of goals in the Segunda division to a promising return in La Liga.
He’s yet to showcase his potency across many matches at the highest level, but the signs are certainly promising.
Cadiz Mirandilla
46
14
2
Villarreal B
30
19
6
Villarreal
5
2
–
Cadiz
2
–
–
Etta Eyong’s natural-born clinical edge and his “powerful” physical profile, as has been noted by journalist Kai Watson, suggest he has what it takes to succeed in ther Premier League, and with similarities to Everton recruit Barry, hailing from the same club, you can understand Everton’s desire to bring him over, having already opened talks.
The Cameroonian striker scored last weekend as Villarreal kicked off their La Liga campaign with three points, winning 2-0 against Real Oviedo. Sofascore’s data reveals the up-and-comer won three duels and completed 80% of his passes too.
The 6 foot 5 Barry’s profile arrested Everton’s attention, and with Beto’s long-term future at the Hill Dickinson Stadium uncertain, striking a shrewd deal for a talent such as Etta Eyong could be a masterstroke
Indeed, he might have that covetous innate goalscoring touch, which could prove worthwhile for the Merseysiders as they package their squad with enough quality and depth to challenge at the front end of the Premier League.
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Jamie Vardy has revealed that he received special advice from Chelsea's ex-Leicester boss Enzo Maresca before completing a sensational free transfer to Cremonese. After 13 unforgettable years at the King Power Stadium, the 38-year-old striker has swapped the East Midlands for northern Italy, penning a one-year deal with the Serie A outfit.
Vardy joins Cremonese after Leicester exitMaresca’s advice swayed a shock Serie A moveDebut could come against Hellas VeronaFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Vardy, who will don the number 10 shirt, is relishing the challenge of proving himself on foreign soil. While some expected him to take a lucrative final payday or a quieter retirement route, the veteran forward has surprised them all. Dutch legend Robin van Persie had made a strong pitch to lure Vardy to Feyenoord, but the Englishman opted for the underdog option in Cremona.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
But what exactly swayed Vardy towards Cremonese? The answer lies in a familiar face from his Leicester days. While the likes of Claudio Ranieri, the mastermind of Leicester’s miraculous 2016 Premier League triumph, and Esteban Cambiasso, a Serie A legend, were natural points of contact, it was Maresca who proved pivotal.
WHAT VARDY SAID
Speaking about the decision to join Cremonese, Vardy admitted: "There's only one of those I've been speaking to for the entire summer out of them [Maresca, Ranieri and Cambiasso], we still keep in touch, which is Enzo. I managed to have a good chat with him once we knew it was going to be a possibility, and he did nothing but the sign the praises of the club and Cremona as a city. His advice was to come here and that was it."
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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR VARDY?
The international break has delayed Vardy’s first appearance in Italy, but anticipation is building fast. Having only signed at the end of August, his match sharpness isn’t where it needs to be. However, there's every chance the veteran could lace up as soon as September 15, when Cremonese face Hellas Verona. Even if he starts on the bench, his very presence will light up the Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium.
The tournament could bring with it the unique prospect of players from India and Pakistan being team-mates
Firdose Moonda05-Nov-2024The revival of the Afro-Asia Cup – a series of white-ball matches played between an Asian XI and an African XI – is on the cards according to the Africa Cricket Association (ACA). The continental body held its AGM on Saturday, where it appointed a six-person interim committee to restructure the ACA and increase the number of competitive opportunities for players on the continent.One of its aims is to reach out to other organisations, such as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and explore cross-continental opportunities such as the Afro-Asia Cup. The tournament was only played twice before, in 2005 in South Africa and 2007 in India. A third edition, scheduled for 2009 in Kenya, never took place but almost two decades later, it may happen after all. Should the tournament take place again, it presents a unique opportunity for players from both India and Pakistan – who do not play bilateral cricket against each other currently – to be part of the same Asia XI team.”The Afro-Asia Cup, apart from the cricket, brings the much-needed financial input to the organisation, and the appetite is huge from both ends,” Tavengwa Mukuhlani, interim chair of the ACA, who is also the Zimbabwe Cricket Chair, said at a press conference. “We have had conversations with our counterparts within the Asia Cricket Council, and obviously our African contingents, they want the Afro-Asia Cup to be revived.”While ACC representatives did not respond to ESPNcricinfo at the time of publication about the return of the Afro-Asia Cup, it is learned that no formal request has been made to the ACC, neither has any discussion around this taken place at the body’s recent meeting in Malaysia. In 2005, the three-match ODI series was shared 1-1 after a rained-out final game, and in 2007, the Asia XI won all three matches.The 2005 Asia squad was captained by Inzamam-ul-Haq and included Rahul Dravid, Ashish Nehra and Anil Kumble while the 2007 Asia XI squad included MS Dhoni, Sourav Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar alongside Mohammed Asif, Mohammed Yousuf and Shoaib Akhtar. At the time, relations between India and Pakistan were warm on and off the cricket field, and the two countries played regular bilateral cricket. The 2008 Mumbai attacks changed that equation, however, and the sides have played one white-ball bilateral series since, in 2012-13. They have only played in ICC events otherwise, with Pakistan traveling to India on a couple of occasions: India have not played in Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup.The ACA is also planning to launch a “mini version of the IPL,” according to CEO Cassim Suliman, called the Africa Premier League, though it remains in the planning phase. “We are planning to, after board approval, bring the Africa Premier League. That’s what we’re busy with at the moment on the sponsorship. Once that comes together, we will go to the board, the board will okay it, and then we will take it from there,” he said. “It’s the mini vision of the IPL. So we’re taking that concept of the IPL and driving that concept to ensure that everybody benefits in that aspect. As far as where we’re going to play, the board will decide. We’re going to look at facilities that are going to warrant spectator viewership. It’s still at the initial stage. Obviously, we want to do things right the first time to make sure we get the ball rolling on it. But the board will decide exactly who’s hosting and from there, we’ll take it to them from there. It’s going to be like the IPL format, but with a lower status and then we’ll grow it from there.”There is currently only one franchise tournament in Africa, South Africa’s SA20, but Mukuhlani was hopeful that a South African franchise could be involved in the Africa Premier League and committed Zimbabwean players to the proposed tournament. “The participation of South Africa and Zimbabwe gives context to the competition, and there is also the experience that the upcoming teams get from playing alongside players from South Africa and Zimbabwe,” he said. “So yes, we will participate.”
For all of Andre Onana’s errors last season – having made three of them leading to a goal in the Premier League – it was arguably at the other end of the pitch where Manchester United’s problems lay in 2024/25.
Indeed, the Red Devils ended the campaign having just scored 44 top-flight goals, with rivals – and champions – Liverpool having reached almost double that tally (86) on their way to title glory.
Such woes were notably epitomised in Erik ten Hag’s final game, with the Old Trafford side slipping to a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United on the road, as Diogo Dalot inexplicably missed an open goal for the profligate visitors.
Things didn’t exactly improve even amid Ruben Amorim’s arrival, with United looking particularly limp in the 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, having failed to convert any of their three ‘big chances’.
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With pre-season now underway and the new campaign looming, the question remains just where the goals will come from for Amorim’s side in 2025/26 – well, AI tool ChatGPT has the answers…
Defenders
Desperate times called for desperate measures in 2024/25, with Amorim repeatedly resorting to deploying Harry Maguire as a makeshift striker, having notably stated after the win over Lyon that the 32-year-old centre-back is “the only guy that can score a goal with his head”.
Of course, the Englishman had come up trumps at the death against the Ligue 1 side, having also produced further heroics throughout the campaign, namely away to Porto in the Europa League and at home to Leicester City in the FA Cup.
With the forwards toiling, up stepped Maguire and his defensive colleagues to deliver the goods when needed, with the injury-hit Lisandro Martinez scoring a vital winner away at Fulham, having also scored a stunning opener in the 2-2 draw at Anfield back in January. Leny Yoro, meanwhile got off the mark away to Lyon in the quarter-final first-leg.
With Matthijs de Ligt also an aerial threat at 6 foot 4, the Red Devils do at least have a set-piece presence to fall back on, although more will be needed from those on the flanks, with Patrick Dorgu still yet to open his account for the club.
The suggestion from ChatGPT is that the young Dane will chip in next term, alongside both Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw, albeit with no player from the defensive unit expected to exceed four goals in all competitions in 2025/26.
Predicted goals:
Centre-backs – Matthijs de Ligt (3-4 goals), Harry Maguire (2-3), Lisandro Martinez (2-3), Leny Yoro (1-2), Ayden Heaven (0-2)
Full-backs – Diogo Dalot (2-3), Luke Shaw (1-2), Patrick Dorgu (1-2), Noussair Mazraoui (1-2)
Midfielders
The man who led the way for both goals and assists last season, Bruno Fernandes will likely have another vital role to play next season, having shunned Saudi interest to stay put in Manchester.
Man Utd – 2024/25 squad stats
Player
Goals & Assists
Goals
Assists
Bruno Fernandes
39
19
20
Alejandro Garnacho
21
11
10
Amad Diallo
20
11
9
Rasmus Hojlund
14
10
5
Joshua Zirkzee
10
7
3
Marcus Rashford
10
7
3
Christian Eriksen
10
5
5
Casemiro
8
5
3
Diogo Dalot
8
3
5
Manuel Ugarte
8
2
6
Stats via Transfermarkt
With attacking additions – outside of Matheus Cunha – likely to be prioritised in the coming weeks, the Portuguese playmaker may find himself operating in a deep-lying role in 2025/26, ensuring his goal return could be limited somewhat.
2023 arrival, Mason Mount, will be expected to pick up the slack, with ChatGPT suggesting that he could chip in with seven to nine goals, having scored three goals at the tail-end of another injury-impacted 2024/25 campaign.
That included a stunning brace at home to Athletic Club to secure United’s progression to the Europa League semi-final, with the club’s number seven needing to build on such a display ahead of a potentially pivotal third season at Old Trafford.
Elsewhere in the midfield ranks, ChatGPT believes that Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro could all contribute a handful of goals apiece, most likely “via set-pieces or late runs”.
Predicted goals:
Midfielders – Bruno Fernandes (10-12 goals), Mason Mount (7-9), Kobbie Mainoo (2-4), Manuel Ugarte (2-4), Casemiro (2-4)
Forwards
There is set to be much upheaval in this department, with the aforementioned Cunha already joining on a £62.5m deal from Wolverhampton Wanderers, while numerous outgoings are likely to occur in the form of Rashford, Garnacho, Sancho and Antony.
22-year-old Dane, Rasmus Hojlund, appears in line to follow that quartet, albeit with journalist Fabrizio Romano outlining his desire to stay put for a third season in English football. According to ChatGPT, that scenario could see the £64m signing improve upon his ten-goal return from last season and actually finish as the club’s top scorer, as he did back in 2023/24.
Rasmus Hojlund
As for Cunha, the Brazilian – who scored 15 league goals in 2024/25 – will hopefully pick up where he left off last time out, with United’s new number ten thus far the only major arrival to Amorim’s first-team ranks.
With further additions not factored in, the onus may be on Joshua Zirkzee and Amad to step up to the mark, with the pair both tipped to at least reach double figures for next season.
As for teenage sensation Chido Obi, ChatGPT believes that he will be afforded 10-15 competitive outings next season, ensuring his goal return will be minimal.
Veteran allrounder Samit Patel tormented Leicestershire Foxes for the second time this Vitality Blast season as Derbyshire Falcons completed a double over their East Midlands neighbours in the North Group to lift their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals.The 39-year-old Falcons skipper, whose 64 was the difference when the sides met at Edgbaston at the start of the campaign, hit nine fours and two sixes in an unbeaten 67 as Derbyshire chased down 185 to win by four wickets with four balls to spare.Ben Cox hit four sixes in a 30-ball unbeaten 61 and Lewis Goldsworthy 48 from 41 as the Foxes finished strongly to post 184 for six. Former Leicestershire seamer Zak Chappell took three for 42 and Patel two for 27, with Pakistan left-arm quick Mohammad Amir wicketless on his Derbyshire debut.Derbyshire had been well ahead of the required rate by posting 64 in their batting powerplay but had lost three of their key batters. Luis Reece edged behind off Mike, who then held a good low catch in the deep to remove the dangerous Aneurin Donald. Tom Scriven marked his return from a six-week injury absence by bowling David Lloyd, each of the trio falling to the eighth ball they faced.Yet with fellow veteran Wayne Madsen (46) and Patel using their nous to find the gaps in the field, the Falcons were more than halfway to their target at 96 for three after 10.They put on 80 in nine and a half overs before Madsen smacked Hull straight to New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham on the cover boundary. When Mike had Ross Whiteley leg before for a golden duck in the next over, the outcome looked less certain with 52 still needed off 33 balls.Brooke Guest was caught off a top edge to give 19-year-old Sam Wood his first senior wicket but there was no pinning down Patel, who continued to find the rope as the last over arrived with the scores level, Chappell hitting the winning boundary.Earlier, Patel had seen a quick reward for deciding to field first as the Foxes lost three wickets for 45 in the powerplay, with early indications that taking the pace off would be an effective tactic.Chappell, hit for two fours and a six, responded by bowling Sol Budinger with a slower ball and held another one back a touch to similarly dismiss Rishi Patel, with Paul Stirling run out in between, his first innings for the Foxes ended by Madsen’s direct hit from midwicket.The home side slipped to 78 for five by the 11th over. Neesham’s first innings as a Leicestershire player encompassed a stumping chance survived off Alex Thomson before he was bowled by Patel, with Louis Kimber following a big six over the leg side by hitting the left-arm spinner’s next ball down straight to long off.But Goldsworthy and Cox sensibly gave themselves time to get the measure of the pitch and their 48 off four and a half overs until the former was caught on the cover boundary created an opportunity for Cox to attack in the last four overs.He had some luck on 10, his first attempt to clear the ropes dropped by Thomson, who lost the ball in the sun, but cashed in by hammering four sixes in the last four overs, scoring 44 of the 58 runs added.
Sheffield United are keen to rebuild after missing out on promotion to the top-flight and have now made contact to sign a star who is thriving in the EFL, according to a report.
Sheffield United set to go again despite managerial uncertainty
The Blades will still be feeling the heartache of their EFL Championship playoff final defeat to Sunderland last month, though there is plenty of talent present at Bramall Lane as they prepare for another tilt at promotion next term.
Nevertheless, Sheffield United chiefs are said to be deliberating over whether to sack Chris Wilder following a frustrating conclusion to their bid for Premier League football, with no decision yet made as to if he will still be in charge by the time pre-season commences.
SheffieldUnitedmanagerChris Wilder reacts after the match
In spite of conflicting opinions, BBC reporter Nick Staton believes Wilder deserves to lead the Blades into 2025/26 and that criticism of the man at the helm is simply unwarranted.
“Wilder is United’s best ever boss. This isn’t to undermine the brilliant work of Dave Bassett, but the game’s changed. Football has never been more challenging or dominated by money.
“A manager’s job is harder than it was 30 years ago. Considerably so, in my opinion. Even in defeat, Wilder should be praised. There’s nobody better to get things going again next season.”
Sheffield United want to make "excellent" free agent their first summer signing
Sheffield United are now in a race to sign a Championship striker on a free transfer.
By
Brett Worthington
Jun 5, 2025
Inevitably, time marches on and so does the focus of a particular club. Sheffield United have already identified free agent forward Emil Riis Jakobsen as a target, illustrating that plans are already in place regardless of who is in the dugout.
Continuing that theme, the Blades are now interested in bringing a versatile star to Yorkshire who only has one year remaining on his current contract.
Sheffield United make contact to sign Ethan Galbraith
According to Football Insider, Sheffield United have made contact to sign Ethan Galbraith from Leyton Orient by virtue of registering their interest in the Northern Ireland international’s services.
Swansea City are also in the mix, and it is said that the League One outfit could look to cash in on the versatile 24-year-old, who can play at right-back, in central midfield or on either flank.
Ethan Galbraith’s excellent campaign for Leyton Orient – all competitions
Appearances
51
Goals
6
Assists
8
Labelled “unbelievable” by Richie Wellens, the Manchester United academy graduate helped his side to the playoff final before Charlton Athletic saw them off, and his ability to function in several different roles has drawn attention on the market.
Earning four caps for Northern Ireland, Galbraith is wanted by at least one other unnamed second-tier club and may represent an inexpensive option due to his contractual situation.
However, you get the feeling that Wilder’s future will need to be decided before the Blades can proceed on this one. Hopefully, a conclusion on that front can be reached sooner rather than later.