The age of the home side is a major talking point but they remain formidable while England have come full of strokemakers and genuine pace

Andrew Miller and Andrew McGlashan07-Nov-20257:23

Will Joe Root finally score his first hundred in Australia?

Top orderAustralia Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green
England Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Jacob BethellTheir displays in the New Zealand ODIs may beg to differ, but England’s batters arrive in Australia with a rare clarity of purpose, thanks to three years of constant backing from the selectors and an overarching licence to be proactive. In Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, they boast Test cricket’s standout opening partnership since 2019, and if doubts persist about Crawley’s overall returns, then Australians will need little reminding of his 189 at Old Trafford in the 2023 series. How the diminutive Duckett tailors his game to Australia’s bouncier surfaces could be one of the subplots of the series.Related

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Will Australia's pitches be juicy for the Ashes?

Hazlewood cleared of injury, Abbott out of first Test after hamstring scans

The Australia selectors' aversion to risk might have boxed them into a corner

Judgement deferred ahead of Ashes, but England wary of the power of narrative

England’s obvious issue is the identity of their No. 3 batter, although the debate may prove to be a red herring. Ollie Pope tends to start series very well, and in averaging a notch below 39 since 2022, he is a long way from being a lame duck at first-drop. His removal from the vice-captaincy will make a switch to Jacob Bethell easier if England so choose, but it seems unlikely they will take that option just yet.Their opponents, by contrast, still don’t know which order they will be lining up in, even if the personnel for Perth are now in place. Jake Weatherald’s impending debut could enable Marnus Labuschagne to slot back into his favoured No. 3 berth, but while his Sheffield Shield form is a significant boost, Usman Khawaja’s struggle for meaningful runs remains a worry as he enters what could be the final stretch of his international career. To highlight Australia’s recent uncertainties at the top, if Weatherald debuts, he will be Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since David Warner retired.It could yet be that Cameron Green retains the No. 3 position if he doesn’t play as a full allrounder. He adapted impressively in the Caribbean, but England won’t mind seeing him there.Who comes out on top? England, if the pitches are flat; Australia, if hanging tough is requiredMiddle orderAustralia Steven Smith, Travis Head
England Joe Root, Harry BrookHere lies the engine room, not just of the respective teams, but arguably the series itself. A pair of all-time great batters on either side, in Steven Smith and Joe Root, and two other brilliant contemporary performers in Harry Brook and Travis Head, with a string of match-seizing displays in their repertoire.A big Ashes ahead for Steven Smith?•AFP/Getty ImagesAll eyes are on Root going into this campaign. As the current No.1-ranked batter in the world, he could not ask for better circumstances as he seeks that elusive maiden hundred in Australia – the only significant void in his immense repertoire. His counterpart, by contrast, has 18 already on home soil and, as he showed in racking up two more hundreds in an overall off-colour series against India last summer, Smith’s muscle memory is liable to kick in at any given moment.Brook, currently No. 2 on the rankings, showcased some startling strokeplay in the New Zealand ODIs last week, and as vice-captain, he has an added layer of responsibility going into a seminal series. But his record in Australia is undeniably limited – at international level he’s made just 69 runs at 9.85 in the country, all during England’s T20 World Cup win in 2022, while his solitary BBL campaign for Hobart Hurricanes realised 44 runs at 6.28. It’s unlikely to remain that fallow for long, but it’s a reminder of the magnitude of the Ashes stage.Head, meanwhile, has eight of his nine Test hundreds on home soil, and plays with a freedom that will take England’s own game back to them if he is allowed to get on a roll. Stokes kept him relatively quiet in 2023 with a persistent short-ball ploy, and while he certainly has the pace at his disposal to do so again, it’s a draining method to deploy across five Tests. Smith, for his part, declared he was “ready” before he had had a proper hit back with New South Wales.Who comes out on top? Australia, purely through weight of prior experienceAllroundersAustralia Cameron Green, Beau Webster
England Ben Stokes, Will JacksThis category might as well be Ben Stokes versus himself, given the inordinate importance of England’s captain to… well, every aspect of his team’s challenge. Four years ago, he rushed back to action before he was mentally or physically ready; four years before that, he was the spectre at Australia’s feast as England were devoured in his post-Bristol absence. Now, he’s back as their strategic kingpin, a full 12 years after he alone emerged with a reputation enhanced from the 2013-14 whitewash.Ben Stokes could be the key to it all for England•Martin Rickett/PA Photos/Getty ImagesIt hardly needs mentioning what “the Headingley heartbreaker”, as one Aussie paper described him last week, can achieve with bat in hand. But his break-glass-in-emergency bowling could yet be the crucial aspect of his performances. He’d scarcely featured as an allrounder for two years until his 15-wicket display against India last summer but, between his knack for partnership-breaking and his willingness to take on the old-ball donkeywork, he could prove vital in keeping his quicks fresh and firing.Green, who could slip back to No. 6, has yet to sprinkle the stardust in quite the same way as Stokes, but he still shapes as a pivotal cricketer for Australia over the next ten years. At full fitness, he is, like Stokes, a genuine pace-bowling option and as a batter could easily be the long-term No. 4 when Smith is done. He struggled with the turnaround from IPL to Test cricket in 2023, eventually being dropped for the final Test, and given he’s a rhythm player, his lack of recent cricket could be a telling factor.Beau Webster, meanwhile, has done little wrong in the allrounder role since debuting against India, although England probably won’t lose sleep over him. If Green is fully fit to bowl, he shapes as the fall guy.Who comes out on top? England, if Stokes doesn’t break himself in the processWicketkeeperAustralia Alex Carey, Josh Inglis
England Jamie SmithJamie Smith travels to Australia as one of England’s great white hopes. A batter of proven power and untapped potential who ought to thrive on bouncy surfaces. His counterattacking methods and calmness when batting with the tail make him an ideal No.7 in… whisper it… the mould of Adam Gilchrist. Much like Brook, however, the theory has not yet met the reality of Australia’s cauldron-like venues.Jamie Smith could be a game-changer in the middle order•Getty ImagesIn Alex Carey, Australia now have a tried and tested international career. Four years on from his hasty debut, he has become a fulcrum of the side. Events at Lord’s in 2023 will, no doubt, get a few airings during this series and for a time after that, he did struggle. But over the last 18 months, he has been outstanding with an average of 41.89 along with some excellent glovework, until a few drops in the West Indies earlier this year.Who comes out on top? A tight one to call. Experience vs youth. If the series becomes relatively low-scoring, it could be a defining head-to-head.Fast bowlersAustralia Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc
England Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Matthew PottsHere’s where things get interesting. Pat Cummins’ absence – at least for the first Test – is perhaps the first indication of mortality in an awesome Australia seam attack that has ruled the roost for a decade. Josh Hazlewood, who has bowled magnificently in early-season white-ball matches and is five away from 300 Test wickets, and Mitchell Starc remain formidable performers, while Scott Boland has his 6 for 7 in the 2021-22 Ashes as proof of his credentials.Mitchell Starc is a great of the game but will age finally weary him?•Randy Brooks/Associated PressBut age is not on their side, and given England’s determination to go after their opponents – Boland has already been earmarked as a target in some quarters, which promises a fascinating duel – it seems inevitable that one of the lesser lights in Australia’s seam ranks will be pitched onto centre stage at some key moment, although it may yet be Cummins himself who plays the super sub role.England have their own concerns, of course. Mark Wood is edging back to operational fitness for what will surely be his own last hurrah, while the excitement surrounding Jofra Archer’s miraculous return to all-formats action should be tempered by the four years of frailty that preceded it. If either suffers a setback mid-match, it would be a disaster.And yet, for the first time since 2010-11, England are primed to hit Australia with a battery of 90mph/145kph quicks, all of whom can expect to make an impact no matter how spicy (or otherwise) the Australia pitches turn out to be. They might conceivably miss the old-school skills of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes, but their recent record down under suggests otherwise.Who comes out on top? This is nip and tuck, even in Cummins’ absence. It could come down to further injuries. England need Wood and Archer to stay fit.SpinnersAustralia Nathan Lyon
England Shoaib BashirProven GOAT-tier offspin on the one hand; high-ceiling-ed optimism on the other. On paper, there’s hardly a contest in this department, as Nathan Lyon lays his 562 Test wickets on the table against Shoaib Bashir’s 20 months of on-the-job training. Who knows if Bashir will even feature in the series’ early exchanges – Perth, then a pink-ball Test, might encourage an extra seam option, or even the part-time spin of Will Jacks to enable extra batting depth. But when he does, we shall see whether England’s defiantly biomechanical selection policy stands up to its acid test.England have invested a lot in Shoaib Bashir•PA Images/GettyThe logic has long been that Bashir has the ability to drive his offbreaks into the pitch from a high release point and provide a wicket-taking threat that others, notably Jack Leach, would have lacked in Australian conditions. He’ll be backed up, too, by Stokes’ unfailingly positive captaincy – a few swings for the fences won’t deter England’s captain from persisting in his quest for breakthroughs. Nevertheless, of all the aspects of England’s battle plan, this one feels the most fraught with danger. Not least because of the thrum of inevitable quality twirling down from Australia’s side.One thing is certain, though, and it’s that England won’t let Lyon settle. That was clear in 2023 before Lyon’s series-ending injury, which highlighted how vital he remains to the balance of their side, although the role he plays could be determined by conditions.Who comes out on top? Australia. Surely.

West Ham United have now submitted an offer of around £20m for a “natural goalscorer”, with Nuno personally a big fan.

West Ham targeting new striker with Fullkrug heading for exit

It has recently been revealed that Niclas Fullkrug is heading for the exit door this winter, having struggled to find the back of the net consistently since arriving from Borussia Dortmund, scoring just three goals in 28 appearances for West Ham.

Callum Wilson has been the man leading the line as of late, and the Englishman has impressed, bagging a brace in the 2-2 draw against AFC Bournemouth, but there are also question marks over his long-term future at the London Stadium.

Given that Wilson is set to turn 34 in February, and his contract expires at the end of the season, it would be a shrewd move to bring in a younger striker, and the Hammers are desperate to sign at least one new centre-forward in the upcoming window.

That is according to a report from Hammers News, which states West Ham have failed with an opening bid of £20m for Al-Hilal striker Marcos Leonardo, with the Saudi Pro League side adamant they won’t sanction a departure.

However, the Irons may return to the negotiating table with another offer, such is their determination to get a deal done, with Nuno personally a big fan of the Brazilian, who was linked with a move to Nottingham Forest during the manager’s time in charge there.

Nuno has made bringing in a new striker the number one priority for the January transfer window, and if the Hammers were able to get a deal for the 22-year-old done, they would be signing a player in red-hot form.

West Ham and Tottenham get Ivan Toney response after holding discussions

The Al-Ahli striker is fielding enquiries ahead of January.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 29, 2025

"Natural goalscorer" Leonardo on fire in Saudi Arabia

Indeed, the Al-Hilal star has been fantastic since the Club World Cup in the summer, scoring four goals in five matches in the new-look competition, and he has since impressed considerably domestically too.

The former Santos man also earned high praise from scout Jacek Kulig courtesy of very impressive attacking numbers during his time in Brazil.

With Fullkrug heading for the exit door, West Ham undoubtedly need to bring in a new striker this winter, and Leonardo could be capable of leading the line for Nuno’s side for years to come.

It was the latest in South Africa’s list of unlikely wins, and the hero of the hour was Nadine de Klerk, not usually the first name that comes to mind when thinking of game-changing players

Vishal Dikshit10-Oct-20253:14

Review – You ain’t seen Nadine yet!

South Africa take a lot of pride in turning things around.England, for example, know this. Three years ago, South Africa had been handed a 6-0 thrashing on their white-ball tour of England. Seven months later, at the T20 World Cup, South Africa – far from being the favourites – edged England by six runs for a historic maiden World Cup final appearance.Coming into this World Cup, their recent record of five straight ODI losses to India in subcontinent conditions wouldn’t have given them much confidence for the game on Thursday. And the memory of the 69 all out against England at the start of the tournament would have still been pretty fresh. But South Africa found a way, once more, somehow, under pressure, against the home team, and when they were again far from being the favourites, to win the game, and win it in the last ten overs.Related

• Tryon grinds it out, just like South Africa needed her to

• South Africa eye NRR boost against Bangladesh

• De Klerk upstages Ghosh as South Africa win thriller

The performance that turned the tables on India came from a player who is hardly the most celebrated or feared or the best-known in the South African camp. Nadine de Klerk. She did take a three-for against Australia in the 2020 T20 World Cup semi-final, but she’s hardly the player oppositions mark as among the first few to target.On Thursday in Visakhapatnam, de Klerk was thrown perhaps the biggest challenge of her career so far. In India’s home World Cup, with nearly 13,000 Indian fans thronging the stands, she walked out with the score at 142 with South Africa’s top six gone. The equation was a stiff 110 to get from 85 balls. The Indian spinners were tightening the strangle in the middle overs. When de Klerk joined Chloe Tryon in the middle, they knew their best shot was to take the game deep, even with ten runs an over to get in the last four-five overs.But, to get there, de Klerk didn’t take the safest or most cautious of routes. She swept away the worries against left-arm spin by putting away Shree Charani for four and followed it with a fearless shimmy out of the crease to find the gap on the leg side for the same result.Nadine de Klerk found ways to pierce gaps that few players are able to•Associated PressDe Klerk has trained herself for a power game that requires her to go for big hits. She has featured in T20 tournaments around the world and mastered the skill of hitting powerful sixes. Being a multi-sport athlete, she has kept herself fit physically and mentally to keep up with the rigours of being an allrounder, even if it means performing day-in and day-out, as South Africa had to do on Thursday after travel from Guwahati to Indore to Visakhapatnam for their third match. She has been given the job to “finish games off”, and now she was planning her way through it.She decided to “take the game on” and her experience of being a former hockey player helped her “hit those awkward gaps where normally there are no fielders”. If mid-on and mid-off were in the circle, she went over them; if they were dropped back, she dispatched the ball square for more runs to make the Indian team sweat.”I think today it was just about not trying to overhit the ball,” she said after the game. “I think simplicity is everything. I think today was just about really backing myself and not trying to overhit it and just time the ball. It was quite a good wicket.”

“I guess when it comes to the back ten [overs], you can really start backing yourself and try and take the game on. And if it does come off, that 70 or 80 runs in the last ten makes a massive difference in these totals”Nadine de Klerk

She and Tryon brought it down to 60 from 36 – ten an over in the last six like they had planned – but now, Tryon started to face issues in her heavily strapped left leg. She got treatment after hobbling around for a while and the onus, naturally, fell on de Klerk, who took down Sneh Rana for a six and a four at the start of the 46th over to make it 42 off 28 before Rana trapped the struggling Tryon lbw on 49.”Yeah, I think it obviously got a little bit more tricky when she [Tryon] got out, but I think even though her leg gave her a bit of problems, I think she’s probably one of the best finishers in world cricket,” de Klerk said. “We know she can clear any boundaries. I think when we were batting together, we were still pretty confident to chase the score. I guess it’s just about the belief and the character at the end of the day, and we just wanted to stick it out and fight really hard because we knew how important this game was for our team.”With India now into South Africa’s tail, de Klerk thought it was best to target the quick bowlers as pace was easier to work with under the lights with some dew around, and she went after India’s most inexperienced, Kranti Gaud. There was the punch on the Protea emblem on her jersey with her left glove, right hand holding the bat aloft after launching Gaud well beyond the deep-midwicket boundary to get to her third ODI fifty. That was followed by a straight six that deflated the Indians further, having brough the equation down to 23 from 18 with. It was an 18-run over.And the celebrations begin…•ICC/Getty Images”I think the most important part is, and we’ve seen it in this World Cup, is you just have to stick it out,” de Klerk said. “Doesn’t matter if you’re batting No. 8 or 9, if you give yourself a chance. I mean, Richa [Ghosh] did it today for India as well. Just try and bat time. And I guess when it comes to the back ten [overs], you can really start backing yourself and try and take the game on. And if it does come off, that 70 or 80 runs in the last ten makes a massive difference in these totals.”With Ayabonga Khaka at the other end, de Klerk farmed the strike and took it upon herself to wipe out almost all of the remaining runs, with two mighty sixes in three balls against Amanjot Kaur finishing things off.A day before this game, de Klerk had said there were “going to be a lot of ups and downs” in this World Cup and “this World Cup is all about fight and character at the end of the day”. Who knew those words would narrate her own story a day later and reverberate so loudly in a stadium with thousands of Indian fans gone quiet after she hit the winning runs, before being mobbed by her team-mates.And South Africa’s record against India in the last three World Cups? Three-zero. Try turning that around.

Liverpool fans have been impressed after hearing club legend Steven Gerrard share his thoughts on the current Mohamed Salah saga. The Egyptian star has been critical of the club and manager Arne Slot after being benched in recent games for the Reds. Former defender Jamie Carragher has hit out at Salah for his comments, but Liverpool fans think Gerrard's analysis of the situation is far more accurate.

• Salah in the spotlight amid Liverpool struggles

  Salah's future at Liverpool is in the spotlight after he gave an explosive interview in the wake of being left out of the Liverpool starting XI for the third successive game against Leeds United. The Egyptian star accused the club of 'throwing him under the bus' and claimed his relationship with Slot had broken down. Salah was subsequently left out of Liverpool's next game against Inter in the Champions League, and it's not clear yet if he will feature against Brighton next time out before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt. Television pundit Carragher has since made headlines by sharing his thoughts on the saga and has been very critical of Salah, calling the Liverpool star's comments a "disgrace." Another Liverpool legend, Gerrard, has now shared his thoughts on the row and has had some sympathy for Salah.

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• AFP
  

  Gerrard gives his verdict on Salah

  Gerrard told : "He's obviously really upset he's not playing, which I respect. He won’t sit out of the team, which I respect. The couple of lines about throwing people under the bus [is] wrong. He needs to reverse a little bit away from that. He needs to deal with that with the manager. This needs Virgil van Dijk to go, 'How are we sorting this out for the benefit of not the club, or the team, but the fans?' I've seen this and I've lived it. I lived it with [Luis] Suarez when he fell out with Brendan [Rodgers]. I've seen it all.  I've been there myself from a personal point of view. I did the Salah statement in 30 seconds against [Manchester] United when I got sent off. So no-one's perfect. We've all had head losses as players. We’ve all done emotional things. And I know in time when this all calms Mo will go, 'I shouldn't have said that, I maybe shouldn't have said that, I was a bit emotional, I was a bit hasty.' But at the end of the day, Liverpool football club needs Mo Salah, back playing well, back scoring goals, because he is the best player, the best scorer and he will help them get out of this. If this goes on this is bigger than what we all know and what we see."

• Liverpool fans blast 'imposter' Carragher

  Some Liverpool fans have reacted on social media to Gerrard's comments and feel he has a far better grasp on the situation than Carragher.

  Liverpool and Salah supporter @Corballyred posted on X: "That's how a real legend talks about the Salah situation and not someone with a clear agenda against Salah like Carragher."

  Another fan @PauluzRFRM added: "Situations like this tell you who's truly wise and who's not but Carragher can't relate."

  And @DivvyBet agreed, posting: "Listen to a real legend talk, not that imposter on Sky."

  @AFC_Beeb added: "This is another sensible comment from Steven G unlike @Carra23 whose comment came out like hatred for Mo. Carragher you should learn a thing or two from Gerrard and Henry with their comments."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  What next for Salah and Liverpool?

  Salah's future at Liverpool remains uncertain following his outburst and with Saudi Pro League clubs reportedly willing to try and tempt him away from Anfield in the January transfer window. Slot is yet to confirm if the winger will play any part in Liverpool's next game against Brighton at Anfield on Saturday, and his team sheet for the game will make for interesting reading. Salah is then due to join up with the Egypt squad for AFCON and will miss a host of games for the Reds. If Egypt do manage to make it all the way to the final, then he will not be able to return until January 19 at the earliest

The Tasmania left hander made a case over the last 18 months that the selectors couldn’t ignore

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff07-Nov-20253:09

Australia’s Ashes squad: No Konstas, Labuschagne to open?

Jake Weatherald believes maturing as a player and a cricketer has helped put him on the cusp of a Test debut he feared may never come.An aggressive left-hander, Weatherald has been picked in Australia’s 15-man squad for the first Ashes Test in Perth following a stunning career revival in Tasmania.Darwin-raised, Weatherald’s first-class career started brightly in South Australia, before a form slump and mental health challenges ended in him being dropped from the Sheffield Shield team.Related

• 'Greyhound' Doggett in line to become Australia Test Cap No. 472

• Konstas dropped, Weatherald called up for first Ashes Test

• Ashes squad talking points: Kingmaker Green to dictate Australia's plans

• Cummins feeling good for Gabba, but rest may be needed

But having scored 1391 runs at 53.5 from his past 15 first-class games since his move to Tasmania, the 31-year-old is a chance to open the batting for Australia this summer.”Playing for Australia’s the hardest thing to do in Australian sport,” Weatherald said in Hobart on Friday. “It was always a goal that felt maybe a little bit out of reach at times.”But at the same time, I probably got comfortable with myself to know that if I did the right things, at the right time, and I took my opportunities, then I’d be ready to go. It is a pinch-yourself moment.”As a kid in Australia, you grow up wanting to play professional sport; representing Australia in cricket is the highest honour, and something that I’ve aspired to my whole career.”If selectors decide to go with Weatherald, he will partner with Usman Khawaja at the top. Khawaja raised eyebrows last week when he firmly backed in his Queensland team-mate Matt Renshaw to earn an Australian recall.But Weatherald, who was getting coffee with mates when George Bailey rang with the good news, laughed off the comments, with Khawaja fully behind the newest member of the Australian squad. Khawaja joined in the fun with a “Who this?” reply to a clip of Weatherald’s interview with the .”He didn’t have me in four days ago,” Weatherald joked when asked about Khawaja now backing him to play. “You get the backing of someone like that who’s played so much first-class cricket, so much Test cricket.Jake Weatherald had been a stand out in domestic cricket•Getty Images

“He’s made so many hundreds for Australia and is such a respected cricketer within our community. I’d be really excited to partner up with him at some point.”Speaking to Fox Cricket on Thursday, Khawaja said: “He’s been knocking the door down. I’ve played a lot of cricket against him…he’s a terrific player. Conditions last year were pretty hard at Shield cricket, and he was a standout.”Weatherald’s hopes of getting into the XI could hinge on allrounder Cameron Green being able to bowl enough overs in the next Shield game for Western Australia. Labuschagne will almost certainly be back after finding form following his axing for the three Tests in the West Indies.Green batted at No.3 in the Caribbean, but could shuffle down to No.6 to accommodate Labuschagne, as well as Weatherald as an opener, if he is able to justify his position as a genuine allrounder.But Labuschagne opening, as he did unsuccessfully in the World Test Championship final, also remains an option for selectors.Green is the only member of Australia’s squad aged under 30, leading to ‘Dad’s Army’ jibes from the English. But Weatherald is confident he is only in contention for Australia because of how he has matured as a cricketer.”People laugh about it, talking about the old team that we have,” Weatherald said. “But the same time, I think that’s the biggest blessing is we’ve all matured as cricketers.Jake Weatherald’s career was transformed last season with over 900 Shield runs•Getty Images

“We’ve got to a point in our careers where we understand our games and how to handle the media, how to handle the pressures of playing first-class cricket. Hopefully that keeps me in good stead.”When the squad was announced, Bailey spoke about Weatherald’s positive approach with the bat, something the selectors have been looking for since David Warner’s retirement, but while Weatherald will bring his natural game to Test cricket he is also willing to adapt.”I think the way I operate is probably around that [being positive],” he said. “But at the same time, I’m not too preconceived about what I want to do. I feel adaptable. I don’t feel like a one-gear player. I feel like I can do different things.”If that means I have to lock in and bat a day and score 50 runs, that’s the best thing for the team and the conditions, that’s what I’ll do. But at the same time, if the opportunity is there, I’ll definitely take it.”Weatherald, who reflected on the 2005 Ashes as “his first fond memory of cricket”, is also confident of being able to deal with everything Ashes cricket will throw at him.”I think so, in terms of my mindset,” he said. “I think I’m pretty understanding of what I need to do to get ready as a cricketer but also how to deal with the pressure that comes out. I’ve never been a part of it. I’ve only been from the outside looking in. I’m sure the pressures and things that will come will be intense. But at the same time, I just see it as a great opportunity to be a part of it. And whatever happens, happens. It’s just going to be a cool thing to be a part of.”You know, the media, the Barmy Army, all that sort of stuff is going to be a pretty incredible experience.”

The winger, who has been a steady contributor for the MLS Cup hopefuls, talked to GOAL about his impressive season since returning to North America

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Emmanuel Sabbi knew Vancouver had what it takes from early on. All of the signs were there: a manager in Jesper Sorensen who was locked in and invested, a motivated squad, and a fanbase that was truly willing to get behind the team. 

"When I got here, I saw the firepower we had. It's been next man up mentality since Day 1, since I got here, and we've really shown that, and it looked prevalent early. You know, our coach demands a lot from us," he tells GOAL. 

But could he have ever hoped that they would be playing in MLS Cup? That's less certain. Still, the work has been put in:

"So it's just a testament of hard work, and the reality now is here," he says. 

And it's deserved, in truth. Vancouver started hot, stayed hot, and then got that extra piece in Thomas Muller to take them over the line. Sabbi, meanwhile, has been a mainstay. He tallied double-digit goal contributions with seven goals and three assists for the Whitecaps and has been a steady presence in attacking areas all year. Where that lands him remains to be seen. He has one cap for the USMNT. There could yet be others. But first, there is a trophy to win. And it's a big one.

Sabbi joined GOAL Convo, a weekly Q&A with central figures in North American soccer, and talked about Vancouver's improvement, playing against Lionel Messi, and why he hopes to be in the USMNT conversation in the future. 

Getty Images SportON PREPARING FOR THE FINAL

GOAL: You're playing in MLS Cup, a massive final. What's going through your head?

SABBI: Yeah, I didn't really know what I was coming to. But yeah, I'm here, talked to Jesper [Sorensen] and Ryan Gauld, and got a real gist of what Vancouver is like, and ultimately made my decision to come. And it's been a great season.

GOAL: What has surprised you the most about playing in MLS?

SABBI: The pace, honestly. The pace is really, really high here. There are great, tremendous players around and, yeah, it's very pacey here. So I really like that.

GOAL: Do you think that suits your game?

SABBI: Definitely. You've just got to get into it, right? I mean, I came, got a little injury, and then just had to get up to speed. And once I got up to speed, it was really amazing to be in MLS.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportON CONTENDING FOR MLS CUP

GOAL: When you came into the season, did you in the back of your mind say, 'MLS Cup is a reality,' or when did it start to really hit you that this is a contending team?

SABBI: When I got here, I saw the firepower we had. It's been next man up mentality since Day 1, since I got here, and we've really shown that, and it looked prevalent early. You know, our coach demands a lot from us. And also, we demand a lot from each other. Honestly, it looks like we would get here from all the games that we've played and how we perform. So it's just a testament of hard work, and the reality now is here. 

GOAL: What makes Jesper Sorensen so unique as a manager? You always hear from players like, 'oh, this guy, he's, he's laid back,' or 'this guy is he's super tactically driven or focused.' What makes him special?

SABBI: He kind of has everything, honestly: tactically, he's sound mentally, he's prepared for every game. I think all-around, he's a great coach. He helps the young ones as well, as you've seen a lot of young players play and played a big role. So I think all-around, he is a great coach. He helps everyone. He's also into our personal lives. And it's really nice to have a coach like that.

Getty Images SportON MIAMI

GOAL: Who is your favorite player?

SABBI: [Laughs] Lionel Messi. 

GOAL: You played against Messi in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. What's it like playing against him?

SABBI: I mean, it's the best player of all time, and you're standing on the pitch with him and playing against him and trying to defend him. And, you know, it's surreal. 

GOAL: What's your earliest Messi memory?

SABBI: Honestly, his first goal was insane. And just getting a pass from Ronaldinho like that, and just finishing it the way he did. It's insane. It's incredible to see that he's still doing it today, and yeah, hopefully he doesn't go against us! 

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GettyON THE USMNT

GOAL: You've been capped before. Do you ever think about the possibility of being on the national team again? 

SABBI: I hope so. My job was to try to have good performances and be consistent. And I hope that, you know, the national team has seen that, that I'm a candidate to try to make my mark there as well. And I'm just grateful for the opportunity to come back and play in MLS and show how good I am and that I'm ready.

GOAL: Was that part of your decision to come back to MLS, to get a little more visibility? 

SABBI: Not really. I think the national team looks at all the leagues, honestly. And it was just a different choice for my family and me, and I listened to my family and talked to my agent, and then had a couple of calls with Vancouver, and that's how it became possible.

Doggett, who is a good chance of being in Australia’s Ashes squad, claimed six wickets to keep South Australia in the game

Tristan Lavalette29-Oct-2025Cameron Green, playing as a specialist batter, fell for a duck but Western Australia team-mate Cameron Bancroft issued a reminder of his indefatigable approach at the top of the order with a determined century at the WACA.Bancroft’s 122 off 255 balls guided WA into a position of strength against South Australia on day two despite the stirring efforts of spearhead Brendan Doggett who finished with 6 for 48 from 21.2 overs.Related

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Doggett is pushing to be a fast-bowling reserve for the Ashes having been part of the World Test Championship squad earlier this year and originally due to tour West Indies before injury struck.”There has been a little bit of noise, but trying not to think about it,” Doggett said about his potential Ashes chances. “I just want to keep playing for South Australia and keep putting good performances together. I think that’s all I can control at the moment.”After missing the India ODIs due to side soreness, Green had a starring role in the field on day one as he eyes making a bowling return in WA’s next Shield match against Queensland starting on November 11.But Green, batting at his preferred No. 4, lasted just six deliveries after whacking Doggett straight to mid-off. It was left to Bancroft to anchor the innings and he returned to form with steely defence mixed with classical drives.A slow start to the season has seen him slip outside of the Ashes selection mix on the back of making just 344 runs at 26.46 last season compared to an average of 48.37 across WA’s hat-trick of titles.Cameron Green fell for a duck as he builds towards the Ashes•Getty Images”I’ve had my time at that level, feel really grateful. If an opportunity came to play for Australia, that’s great, but certainly not feverish about it,” said Bancroft, who played the last of his 10 Tests during the 2019 Ashes.After dominating the opening day, WA resumed on 87 for 0 with Bancroft and skipper Sam Whiteman having to contend with far more disciplined bowling from South Australia’s quicks.In his return from a hamstring injury, Doggett had been sluggish late on the opening day but found his rhythm from the get go amid overcast morning conditions. Doggett had Whiteman edging to second slip to break the 93-run opening stand and immediately caused Hilton Cartwright problems by pitching up and targeting the pads.Cartwright was made to dig in as he shifted up the order from his customary No. 4 spot due to Green’s return. With the surface flattening out after notable sharp bounce and carry on the opening day, Bancroft and Cartwright started to take the game away from South Australia as they built a half-century partnership and batted into the second session.Cameron Bancroft drives during his century•Getty ImagesWith South Australia needing a spark, it was up to Doggett to bend his back and he did exactly that after lunch with a stirring spell that accounted for Cartwright and Green in consecutive overs.But South Australia’s momentum was halted by Cooper Connolly, playing his first Shield match of the season having recently impressed in the India ODI series. Connolly has already proven he’s a three-format player in his fledgling career and seemed set to add a sixth half-century in eight Shield innings as he scored at a run-a-ball pace.Connolly was particularly aggressive against offspinner Ben Manenti and the approach rubbed off on Bancroft with the pair trading sixes as WA powered past South Australia’s first innings total of 215.But Connolly’s cavalier knock ended on 33 when he whacked Nathan McSweeney to extra cover before rain halted play for an hour. On resumption, McSweeney unexpectedly turned the game briefly with the further scalps of Bancroft and Aaron Hardie, who threw away his wicket after miscuing a reverse sweep.WA did finish with a 92-run first innings lead but were unable to make a breakthrough before stumps were called early due to bad light.

Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has revealed that he had been bowling with an illegal action “a little bit intentionally” when he was reported for a suspect action and subsequently suspended after his county stint with Surrey in 2024.Shakib had been suspended from bowling in all competitions organised by the ECB after his action was found illegal at an independent testing at Loughborough University in December last year. As per the ICC’s regulations, his suspension was automatically enforced in international cricket.”I think I was doing it a little bit intentionally because I bowled more than 70 overs [in one match],” Shakib told the podcast. “I never bowled 70 overs in my career in a Test match. I was playing that four-day match for Surrey against Somerset in Taunton. I was so tired.Related

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“I played back-to-back Test matches in Pakistan. We won that series and then I went to play those four-day matches. The only thing I was thinking the umpire could have done was just warn me first, at least. But it is in the rules, so they had the right. I didn’t complain.”I went to do the test, I failed. And then I saw my test. I was like, ‘okay, so these things are happening’. Then I had to train for a couple of weeks so I went back to Surrey again and they were kind enough to help me. I did two sessions and I was back to normal. I was like, ‘it’s so easy’.”Shakib played just one game for Surrey last season and bowled 63.2 overs, split into 33.5 and 29.3 overs across the two innings. He was later cleared to bowl earlier this year after he gave his third bowling assessment test at Loughborough University in the UK. In the meantime he had failed a second bowling test in Chennai, after which the BCB selectors didn’t pick him for the Champions Trophy, even the board had clarified he was available to play as a batter in all forms of domestic and international cricket.

On Saturday lunchtime, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta had a big decision to make. Play Martin Odegaard or Eberechi Eze in the number 10 position?

Well, the Spaniard chose his club captain Odegaard. It was a successive start for the Norwegian who is now back from injury and ready to make an impact.

What that meant was that the Gunners’ November Player of the Month was selected on the left flank.

It wasn’t a decision that went well for Eze. The scorer of that famous hat-trick in the north London derby just a few weeks ago, his influence from the left, rather than in a central area, was severely lacking.

It was Eze who switched off at the back post for Matty Cash’s opener and despite having a goal ruled out for offside, he was anonymous in the final third.

The summer signing was subsequently withdrawn at the half time interval having registered just 13 touches of the ball and amassed just seven passes.

Why Arsenal must pick Eze over Odegaard in the number 10 role

Before Emiliano Buendia’s late winner at Villa Park on Saturday, TNT Sports’ Martin Keown had named Martin Odegaard as the player of the match.

The club captain drifted in and out of the game, but left the field with three key passes and three shots to his name. He also ensured Bukayo Saka looked like a constant threat in the game. Indeed, in the words of the Telegraph’s Sam Dean, he noted that “it can’t be a coincidence that Saka has been so dangerous today, on the day he is reunited with Odegaard,” suggesting that as a pairing, they remain one of Arsenal’s “great weapons.”

That they may well be, but the skipper arguably held Arteta’s team back. While Eze has looked like such a big goal threat over the last few weeks, a dynamic and silky player who can produce a moment of magic out of nowhere, Odegaard was sluggish and timid in possession.

His biggest problem is that unlike Eze, he takes too many touches and he’s slow in possession. The 26-year-old is one of the best midfielders in the world on his day. He’s supremely creative but Arsenal’s summer recruit from Crystal Palace has taken them to the next level in recent weeks.

Mins played

90

45

Touches

80

13

Key passes

3

0

Shots

3

0

Successful dribbles

1/4

1/1

Duels won

3/10

2/5

Possession lost

15x

3x

It was surely no coincidence that two of their finest wins of 2025, the victories against Spurs and Bayern, came with Eze in the team over Odegaard.

It feels incredibly unlikely that Arteta will drop the latter but he must explore what this team could be like without their captain.

That said, Eze isn’t the only threat to Odegaard’s long-term future at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal's next Odegaard and Eze

Eze’s arrival has coincided with a lack of game time for Ethan Nwaneri. Last season he was compared to Lionel Messi by Joe Cole and described as “the most exciting footballer in England.” How times change.

While the 18-year-old is still up there as one of the finest young talents in the country, scoring nine goals last term, regular senior football has eluded him in 2025/26. He has played just 165 minutes of Premier League football this term and only 20 minutes since the start of November.

Nwaneri will no doubt come good but he will also have to rival the great Max Dowman for a place in the team over the forthcoming years. Odegaard, beware.

The two exciting teenagers are not the only threats to Odegaard’s long-term future, however. Enter Holger Quintero.

At the end of last week, Arsenal announced the signings of a set of twins, Holger and Edwin Quintero from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle.

They have become one of the finest exponents of young talent in world football in recent years. Part of their alumni include Moises Caicedo, Piero Hincapie and PSG’s brute of a central defender William Pacho.

Well, the Quintero twins look like the next cabs of the rank and while they will not be seen in Arsenal colours until they turn 18, the 16-year-old’s have signed an agreement to join the club, something that was announced last Thursday.

Edwin is a left-footed right winger and, alongside Dowman, has been labelled as a “10/10 talent” by scout Jacek Kulig. As for his brother, Holger, he is an attacking midfielder by trade and an exciting one at that.

Described as a “top talent” by Como scout Felix Johnston, he possesses a glittering array of skills, outlined by Kulig.

The scout notes that he has “superb close control, flair and creativity” while hailing the youngster’s “low centre of gravity and excellent agility, acceleration and coordination.”

Close control and creativity are two areas in which Odegaard also thrives in but it’s arguably that lack of acceleration and ability to carry the ball forward with pace that holds him back. That’s where Quintero could trump him in the years to come.

Further described as a young kid with “elite dribbling skills with futsal-like ball control”, there is a reason Arsenal have decided to invest in these two young attacking sensations.

To predict they could become world beaters might be a stretch at this stage, but there is huge excitement about them both. As Kulig put it, Holger is “one of the most exciting U17s in South America.”

Watch out, Odegaard, it might not only be Dowman coming for your place.

4/10 star had his worst game in an Arsenal shirt vs Aston Villa

Arsenal suffered their second defeat of the season against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

ByAngus Sinclair 5 days ago

West Ham face a pivotal January transfer window that may well determine their Premier League survival, but manager Nuno Espírito Santo also faces the threat of losing players.

Players who could leave West Ham in January

Niclas Füllkrug tops the departure list following his disastrous £27 million move from Borussia Dortmund, with the 32-year-old’s spell marred by repeated injury lay-offs.

He’s scored just three goals since arriving in 2024, failing to find the net at all this season, and his agent, Thorsten Wirth, has publicly acknowledged the transfer simply hasn’t worked.

Fullkrug is reportedly desperate for regular playing time to salvage his 2026 World Cup hopes, with Hamburg, Wolfsburg, Stuttgart, Hoffenheim and AC Milan all expressing rumoured interest in the Germany international ahead of January.

There is also the matter of James Ward-Prowse, who’s been completely excluded by Nuno ever since the Portuguese’s arrival at Rush Green.

West Ham’s results in the Premier League so far

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

West Ham 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham 3-2 Burnley

Bournemouth 2-2 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Liverpool

The 30-year-old was a firm regular under Graham Potter and named vice-captain, but Nuno’s appointment has seen him miss out on every single Premier League matchday squad.

Ward-Prowse is resigned to leaving West Ham in January as a result, with reports suggesting he could be joined by Guido Rodriguez as the Argentine attracts interest from abroad.

They may not be the only midfielders set for the London Stadium exit door either, as uncertainty continues to surround the future of Lucas Paqueta.

The Brazil international, who sent an interesting response to backlash surrounding his ridiculous sending off against Liverpool over the weekend, is reportedly open to the prospect of a mid-season exit and could well leave as their most high-profile departure.

Former West Ham senior scout, Mick Brown, has now told Football Insider that Paqueta leaving the club is a credible possibility.

West Ham set for 'big decision' over selling Lucas Paqueta

Brown says that West Ham are set for a ‘big decision’ over selling Paqueta next month, and Nuno will be ‘fuming’ about the 28-year-old’s conduct against Liverpool following one of the most bizarre dismissals you’ll ever see.

The former Lyon star, who was once on the verge of joining Man City before his spot-fixing allegations scuppered the deal, will leave the club in 2027 as things stand when his contract is due to expire.

Paqueta has already admitted that he desires a return to Flamengo one day, and admitted the move was actually close to happening last summer.

Nuno will need a replacement for Paqueta if he does leave, but West Ham are believed to be in the market for a new midfielder.