Category Uncategorized

While there were a few wobbles towards the start, it would be fair to say that Nuno Espírito Santo’s time in the West Ham United dugout has largely gone well so far.

The Portuguese coach has lifted the East Londoners out of the Premier League relegation zone and picked up some impressive results against Newcastle United, Manchester United, Everton and Burnley.

One of the players who seems to have benefited most from his arrival is Callum Wilson, who rediscovered his goalscoring form.

However, it might not be enough in the eyes of the club, as West Ham are now being linked with a striker who would represent an upgrade on the Englishman, a striker who once finished in a Jarrod Bowen-esque way.

West Ham linked with Wilson upgrade

The transfer window reopens in under a month, and, as is the case with most other clubs, West Ham have already been linked with a plethora of exciting players.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, Toulouse’s highly rated English defender, Charlie Cresswell, has once again been touted for a move to the London Stadium, as has Nuno’s old number one, Jose Sa.

However, while both players would certainly have a positive impact at West Ham, neither one could be described as a Wilson upgrade, unlike Santiago Giménez.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, the Hammers are among several clubs that have been offered the chance to sign the AC Milan forward next year.

If the East Londoners do want to take up the offer, either on loan or in a permanent deal, they will have to get moving, as the report also states that Leeds United are the team with the most concrete interest in the player.

It could be a complicated transfer to get done for West Ham, but considering Giménez’s ability and goalscoring record, it’s one they should fight for, especially as he could be an upgrade on Wilson and arguably finished like Bowen in the past.

Why Giménez would be an upgrade on Wilson

There are a few reasons why Giménez would represent an upgrade on Wilson, and the first is their respective output.

Now, it is undoubtedly the case that the Englishman is actually outdoing the Mexican international in this regard so far this season, scoring four goals in 12 games compared to his one goal and two assists in 11 games.

However, when you take a step back and look at his form last season, and especially when he was playing in the Netherlands, it becomes clear that the former Feyenoord star is the more dangerous striker.

For example, while the former Newcastle United star scored only once in 22 appearances last year, the Resistencia-born marksman scored 22 goals and recorded six assists in 38 appearances.

Moreover, the season before that saw the Coventry-born ace do pretty well, scoring ten goals and providing one assist in 26 games, but his potential competition still did better, scoring 26 goals and providing eight assists in 41 games.

Games

41

26

Minutes

3204′

1338′

Goals

26

10

Assists

8

1

Games

38

22

Minutes

2110′

458′

Goals

22

1

Assists

6

0

With all this in mind, it’s clear that the “insane” Milan forward, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, is the far superior goalscorer, and considering he is left-footed, there is a Bowen-esque way to how he often curls the ball into the net.

Now, on top of the output, the 46-capped Mexican ace also has age on his side, coming nine years younger than the veteran 33-year-old Englishman.

Finally, the £78k-per-week game-changer also has fitness on his side, as he’s only had one season in his career in which he’s missed more double-digit games through injury, compared to Wilson, who has had seven.

Ultimately, while it might not be the club’s top priority, West Ham should go out and sign Giménez as soon as possible, as he could supercharge their attack.

West Ham are brewing another Potts and he finishes just like Jarrod Bowen

West Ham United could have another Potts-esque academy gem on their hands who could be the next Jarrod Bowen.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Dec 3, 2025

Liverpool are in an unfamiliar state of flux in the Premier League and Fabrizio Romano has now delivered a definitive update over Arne Slot’s future at Anfield.

The Reds have failed to build on their title win last campaign and suffered a heavy 3-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest at the weekend, with several of their big hitters underperforming in a disastrous display against Sean Dyche’s men.

Of course, certain factors have made it difficult for Slot to enjoy the same success that he managed to achieve on Merseyside last season, albeit their summer transfer spend of over £400 million has meant plenty of criticism is being thrown their way after new additions failing to adapt to life at the club.

PSV Eindhoven await in what is set to be a crucial Champions League encounter, not only to keep the Reds on course for a top eight league phase finish, but also to alleviate growing noise surrounding his tenure with results flattering to deceive.

Ultimately, there has been a collective fall below usual standards at Liverpool that has been uncharacteristic to say the least. Not only do they sit in the bottom half of the Premier League, they are also 11 points behind in a title race that was anticipated to be tight from the outset by most in English football.

Form is temporary and class is permanent is a saying that many Reds fans hope will ring true over the coming weeks. Either way, their side now face the challenge of proving that is the case, especially given they have a heavy festive schedule to come that will require full use of a squad that look out of sorts.

Slot is in the firing line and some are seriously starting to question his credentials. Providing an update on his future, renowned journalist Romano has given an insight regarding what could happen next.

Fabrizio Romano delivers Arne Slot Liverpool update

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano has stated that despite Liverpool’s poor performances under Slot, he will be given time to turn their situation around and retains the full backing of the Anfield hierarchy.

He said: “Obviously, losing six of the last seven Premier League games is something not at Liverpool level. The results are unacceptable, Liverpool and everyone at the club knows that. At the same time, my information to answer many questions on our podcast Men In Blazers is that Liverpool at the moment are not activating any contact to replace Arne Slot.

“At this stage, the situation is still under control. It’s complicated, it’s difficult, it’s an emergency situation. Liverpool are internally discussing about this topic, the manager, the management, the staff, all have all together, been given some responsibility, of course, also to the players.

“It’s not just Arne Slot, it’s also the players. If you look at some of the games, it looks crazy how Liverpool players really can’t perform in some of these games at their usual level.

“But at this stage, I’m told that of course, Arne Slot knows that this situation must change as soon as possible, especially in the Premier League more than in the Champions League. In the Premier League is important for Liverpool to change this situation. As of now, Liverpool as a club, owners, management, still back the manager, support the manager and want to see different results as soon as possible.”

Jurgen Klopp's seven-word answer when asked about returning to Liverpool

The iconic manager has already had his say.

ByTom Cunningham Nov 22, 2025

Rumours may be swirling around his future, though it seems as if Liverpool are in no rush to make any rash decisions, with Slot likely still retaining plenty of credit in the bank from last season.

In a fluid situation, that may change if results are to continue on the same trajectory, but the former Feyenoord boss looks to be safe for now ahead of their double header against PSV and West Ham United.

Pat Cummins remains in rehab with no decisions made yet on when he will return to bowl

Alex Malcolm08-Oct-2025The chances of Pat Cummins being fit for the first Ashes Test are growing slimmer by the day as he is yet to be cleared to bowl with just over six weeks to go before the first ball of the series in Perth. and reported on Wednesday that Cummins’ latest scan on the lumbar bone stress issue in his lower back had shown signs of improvement but not enough to be cleared to bowl again.Cricket Australia have not provided a comment but ESPNcricinfo understands that Cummins’ rehabilitation is continuing to progress and no decisions have been made on when the skipper will return to bowl, his participation in the first Test or the Ashes series as a whole.Related

Cummins 'running out of time' as Perth D-day looms but Ashes hopes alive

'He doesn't need much' – Starc says Cummins can play off limited preparation

Joe Root relishes chance to make history as latest Ashes shot looms

Hazlewood, Starc in line for SCG Shield outing before Ashes

Cummins may 'take a few risks' to be able to play Ashes

Cummins has not bowled a ball since Australia’s last Test match in Jamaica in July. Shortly after the lumbar issue was revealed in early September Cummins said he was “willing to take a few risks and be a little bit aggressive” to play in the Ashes which included not playing any white or red-ball lead-up games.But the timeline to build his bowling loads adequately to play in Perth, even with some associated risk, have become tighter than would normally be acceptable for CA’s medical and high performance staff.Cummins has been doing leg strength work during his time off but has not been able to do any rotational work. Even beyond the back issue itself, the risk of a soft tissue injury becomes greater off a compromised preparation and Cummins has had to manage some soft tissue and ankle issues over the last few years with carefully tailored build-ups into key series.Last year he was rested from Australia’s limited-overs tour of the UK to do a 10-week block of training in the lead-in to the Border-Gavaskar series. Even then he only managed to play one 50-over game for New South Wales and two ODIs for Australia before the first Test against India after initial plans to play a Sheffield Shield game were aborted.The first Test of the Ashes starts on November 21, six weeks from Friday. The second Test begins on December 4 in Brisbane. The third Ashes Test in Adelaide starts in exactly 10 weeks on December 17 and the fourth Test is on Boxing Day, another nine days after that.Scott Boland could play a big part in the Ashes•Getty ImagesWith eight-day rests after each of the first two Tests of the series there is a chance, if Cummins were to need extra time, that Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland could get through to the end of Adelaide without needing a rest or reinforcements.There is only a four-day gap between Adelaide and Melbourne and also between Melbourne and Sydney. The need for fresh legs in both bowling units at the back-end of the series could be vital, as was shown in the 2023 Ashes series in England where Mark Wood and Chris Woakes both missed the first two Tests before dominating the last three as the freshest bowlers on either side.India’s Jasprit Bumrah was injured trying to carry his team’s attack through five Tests last summer, injuring his back in the final Test in Sydney off a four-day break having bowled the highest number of overs in a single Test in his career in Melbourne, following huge loads across the first three Tests.The management of Starc, Hazlewood and Boland in the lead-up to Perth will become even more important. Starc and Hazlewood were named in Australia’s ODI squad to face India in three matches starting on October 19 while Hazlewood was also named for the first two T20Is of the five-match series against India that begins on October 29. Both men look set to play one Sheffield Shield game as well for New South Wales on November 10.Steven Smith could step in to lead Australia at the Ashes if Pat Cummins is unavailable•Associated PressBoland played the first Shield game of the summer for Victoria and got through 35 overs. He will likely play at least one more but the chances of him playing three appear slim and he definitely won’t play all four.Among the reinforcements beyond those three, Michael Neser bowled well on a flat pitch at Allan Border Field against Tasmania taking six wickets across 43 overs. It remains to be seen how he might be managed over the next three Shield matches coming off a major hamstring injury last season.Brendan Doggett missed the opening Shield round of the summer because of a minor hamstring problem but is expected to line up for South Australia against Queensland next week. Sean Abbott is another in the mix and could return to Shield cricket for New South Wales next week in Melbourne against Victoria after being left out of Australia’s ODI squad to face India. He has been named in the T20I squad for the first two matches on October 29 and 31 which overlapsBeyond the bowling, Cummins’ potential absence would leave Australia needing a replacement captain with Steven Smith the most likely candidate having stood in as skipper six times since Cummins took over the captaincy in 2021. Smith has captained Australia in 40 Tests overall. Travis Head is the other vice-captain of the Test team but he would be less likely to take the reins ahead of Smith.

Worcestershire fight back through Taylor, Libby but face uphill struggle to avoid defeat

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay25-Sep-2025Worcestershire 123 and 270 for 6 (Libby 72) lead Sussex 350 (Simpson 129*, Taylor 4-106) by 43 runsJohn Simpson’s unbeaten 129 and six second-innings Worcestershire wickets kept Sussex in command on day two of the Rothesay County Championship clash at Visit Worcestershire New Road.A glistening fourth century of the season from the away side’s skipper saw Sussex add 122 runs to their overnight score, before they were bowled out for 350.With a deficit of 227, Jake Libby and Rehaan Edavalath added a century stand for the first wicket to throw the Pears a lifeline.Six wickets across the second half of the day however saw Worcestershire cling onto a slender lead of 43 runs heading into the third day with just four wickets intact.A resplendent morning at Visit Worcestershire New Road saw the home side land the first blow of the day when Tom Taylor bowled Jack Carson in the first over of the morning.A 53rd wicket of a remarkable season followed soon after for Taylor as Danny Lamb feathered a nick through to Rob Jones at second slip, to check the visitors progress at 245 for 7.Simpson registered his fourth hundred of a memorable Division One campaign, reaching the milestone in 138 balls and scoring 18 boundaries in the process, shortly after Ollie Robinson had departed for a brisk 24.Simpson kicked on as the visitors reached 350 and strengthened their grip on the match, before Matthew Waite’s introduction into the attack saw him take two wickets in four balls as he dismissed both Ari Karvelas and Jayden Unadkat, with Sussex all-out for 350 possessing a healthy lead of 227.Simpson finished unbeaten on 129, with his 19th first-class century the standout innings of the game.Libby surpassed 1000 first class runs for the season in the Rothesay County Championship early into the afternoon session as the Worcestershire reply got off to a cautious start.The shackles were freed by Libby however, as he moved through the gears with some dismissive pull shots through midwicket as Sussex’s opening bowlers grafted to no avail in the sunshine.Libby pressed on in fine style, reaching a third Division One half-century of the season in just 63 deliveries, as he and Edavalath added 113 for the first wicket on a pitch showing signs of flattening.Edavalath made 45 and Libby a superb 72, before the pair were dismissed inside four overs of one another, with Edavalath first lbw off a straightening Unadkat delivery and Libby following soon after having edged a ball behind to James Coles at slip to give the Indian seam bowler his second of the innings.Robinson collected his first wicket of the innings when he hurried Isaac Mohammed with a short ball to dismiss the teenager for 4.First-innings top scorer Dan Lategan and number five Rob Jones came together midway through the afternoon to add 63 for the fourth wicket with the hosts working hard to find a foothold in the game.Despite making it to the tea interval unscathed, Tom Haines ended the partnership in the 46th over of Worcestershire’s reply, as he pinned Lategan lbw for 30, with the hosts still 40 runs in arrears.Jones produced a gritty knock of 46, with Worcestershire heading towards the close at parity, but his wicket and the dismissal of Ethan Brookes handed Sussex back the initiative late on.

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!