Premier League legend Sol Campbell has named his favourites to become the next invincibles – and it is not Mikel Arteta's side.
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Simple message brings devastating results as quick rips through Australia with 5 for 34
Vithushan Ehantharajah06-Jul-20230:32
Does Mark Wood think he can reach 100mph?
Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum are about simple, clear messaging. Cricket is a complicated enough sport, and English cricket a pressurised enough environment without introducing anything that may elicit doubt. Especially at a time when England need as few distractions as possible to overturn a 2-0 deficit.Ahead of this third Test at Headingley Chris Woakes, for instance, was told “you do you” before his first Test in 16 months and did exactly that. With his usual accuracy and nip off the pitch, the 34-year-old picked up three vital wickets in Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head and centurion Mitch Marsh in Australia’s first innings.Mark Wood’s instructions were even clearer. Long before he had the ball in hand for the seventh over from the Pavilion End, even before he went to bed on Wednesday evening ahead of his first match of the English summer, and first Test since December 2022 in Pakistan, Stokes relayed a straightforward brief. Bowl rockets, don’t fret about the runs. A simple message brought devastating results as Wood ripped through Australia with 5 for 34.This was not just about wickets, even if they were pretty spectacular. Usman Khawaja lost his leg stump at the end of a four-over opening spell where no delivery dropped below 91mph. Then an entire tail was lopped off inside 16 balls to snuff Australia out for 263. Yet the real power and truest glory of Wood’s exploits today was the emotion he evoked.Related
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Undoubtedly, everyone here witnessed the best day of the series so far. So much of it was in keeping with the last 11 days’ play: just as either team looked like they were getting in front, the other pulled them right back. On balance, Australia have the ascendancy, leading by 195 after removing three of the host’s top order.Just as in England’s attack, the point of difference was a bloke charging in and slinging down such fire it made the heat emanating from the Western Terrace feel like a cool breeze. Wood was seen as the ideal weapon to unleash against Australia after the last few days of English discontent following the final exchanges at Lord’s. In the end, he was edge-of-your-seat distraction.Stokes used him in bursts: four overs then two before lunch, before three in the middle session and 2.4 at the end. For a player who has subsisted on those workloads this year, with a last competitive outing coming in the IPL on April 15 for Lucknow Super Giants against Punjab Kings, it was the only way he could be used. And Wood responded by bringing his best, averaging 90.7mph across his 11.4 overs and, moreover, covering for four dropped catches that allowed Australia to regroup from 85 for 4.It wasn’t all his own way, particularly in the middle session when Marsh swung him away in front of square for six. Though even that period had a whiff of showdown about it. As the Western Australian put it, an upbringing on fast Perth decks made him all too aware this was a moment where he had to sink or swim. Wood was the only bowler to drive him to such limits.Mark Wood blasted out Pat Cummins for a duck•Getty ImagesTo watch Wood anyway is to sense a bloke charging to the crease like this may be his last delivery. The ankle and elbow surgeries, and the other parts of the body fast bowlers break and rebreak for our entertainment will eventually overpower his spirit. But based on today’s efforts and outcome, we are not as close to that point as previously feared.The ferocity of his deliveries was such they did not simply rap glove (both of the batters and Jonny Bairstow) or crack timber (bats and stumps) but stripped the context of the moments in play with the brutality of flesh blasted off bone.A routine developed among those in the stands for every delivery from the 33-year-old’s first four overs. A look to the person to your left or right to make sure they saw it too and you weren’t dreaming, then a glance at the big screen to check the speed. The “whoops” and “ooohs” for each reading finally turned to meaningful roars when Khawaja’s leg stump was taken out emphatically with the final act of that spell.People often talk about how pace bowling was better in “their” day, as if the current generation are too weighed down by oat milk and the crippling weight of a world around them falling to bits to either purvey or appreciate this lost craft. The truth is, few cherish it more than those watching this generation of cricket. Partly because the game is slowly tearing itself apart. But mostly because, well, bowlers have never been quicker.A case in point: those initial four overs from Wood came at an average pace of 92.90, which slots it into No. 2 of the fastest spells in an English Test since 2006 (when accurate ball-tracking data was available). He has four of the top six in that category – Brett Lee has the third and fourth – all from a single Lord’s Test against India in 2021 in which Wood returned previous best home figures of 3 for 51. No. 1 was 93.41mph which Wood was on course to bettering before the last two deliveries in that sequence.Throw in the fact he also sent down the fastest four-over spell in T20 World Cup history in a group game against Afghanistan in 2022 and it is clear while the gap between appearances are frustrating, the upside is unrivalled. For a man from Ashington who grew up in a world of swing, seam and elbow grease, lusting for Ferrero Rocher and possessing what his closest friends describe as “noodle arms”, it is a remarkable feat of endurance above all else. When considering the greatest speedsters over the last 20 years, he must feature.Ultimately, being part of those conversations are what it is to be at this level of sport. But the man himself acknowledges his case is not as strong as others. When told his opening burst had set an Ashes record, bettering Brett Lee’s 92.4mph offering at Old Trafford in 2005, Wood cherished the feat and the company but understood where the true measure of worth lies: “I’d rather have his wickets.”The Australian’s 310 are unreachable, given Wood is still five away from triple figures. But Thursday represented an important step towards rectifying a peculiar quirk of being far more effective away from home.Considering the Dukes is an English bowler’s best friend, it has never quite taken to Wood’s charm. The previous 14 appearances at home left him with an average of 39.63, while his 49 overseas dismissals have come at 24.18, six lower than the career average of 30.57.Even with the love of Test cricket in this country, it still suffers from the usual issues of distance and timezones dictating relevance. Wood might have impressed on the previous Ashes tour with 17 wickets and an impressive 6 for 37 in the final Test at Hobart, but performing through the winter nights ring-fenced his brilliance from the broader conscience. It also did not help that it was a chastening and utterly forgettable campaign from an English perspective. Stuart Broad even tried to void it.As Wood strode off with the match ball for the first time in England, raising it for a fourth time in his career but first towards his mother, Angela, and father, Derek, it felt like we were witnessing a personal moment for an individual and public relief for the team.Mark Wood holds up the ball after claiming a magnificent five-wicket haul•Getty ImagesHaving taken the winning wicket at Trent Bridge in the 2015 Ashes – a photo of the Nathan Lyon dismissal takes pride of place in his home – he missed the entirety of 2019 after tearing his side in the World Cup final. An injury picked up during the last of his 10 overs before making it worse when he put in one of the worst dives in humankind as he attempted to cross the line at the nonstriker’s end for the winning run.He was desperate to play the first Test of this series at Edgbaston only for Stokes to decide to save him for the second. Then, in the lead-up to Lord’s, the right elbow operated on twice last year began swelling. With the extra week’s grace, he has put in what could prove to be his most impactful display for his country.England has always come first for Wood. So much so that when Lucknow were preparing for an IPL fixture against Chennai Super Kings, he was reluctant to reveal too much about how to combat two of their upcoming opponents, Stokes and Moeen Ali.Here at Leeds, he has done them a huge favour by, for now, covering up some shortcomings. Drops of Smith, Head (off Wood in his pre-lunch dart), Marsh and Carey are, at this juncture, not as terminal as England’s previous 13 missed chances across the first two defeats. And they managed to largely contain Australia – Marsh notwithstanding – despite being a bowler light after Ollie Robinson left the field midway through his 12th over with a back spasm.That’s the key thing about breathtaking pace. It strips context, enriches the game, lifts your team-mates, scares your opponents and, well, always gives you a fighting chance. Exactly what England need from here until this Ashes is over.
Throughout the years, Tottenham Hotspur supporters have been truly blessed with the chance to watch numerous elite-level attackers feature for the club.
Players such as Heung-min Son, Teddy Sheringham and Harry Kane all managed to make themselves club-legends in North London, with the latter breaking nearly every record in sight.
The 32-year-old currently sits at the top of the Lilywhites’ all-time scoring charts on 280, which saw 208 of his efforts come in the Premier League – with only Alan Shearer scoring more.
However, Spurs’ lack of success on the pitch ultimately led to his departure in 2023, which has left boss Thomas Frank unable to have the chance to work alongside the talisman.
He will no doubt want his own elite-level talent within the final third, potentially landing a player of that calibre during the upcoming January transfer window.
Over the last couple of months, Spurs have been just one Premier League side linked with a potential deal for Porto star Sami Aghehowa in the winter window.
The Spaniard has been in tremendous goalscoring form during the early stages of 2025/26, as seen by his remarkable tally of 13 goals in his first 22 appearances across all competitions.
However, the Portuguese outfit don’t want to lose their star man anytime soon, subsequently slapping an €80m (£70m) asking price onto the 21-year-old’s head.
He’s not the only centre-forward in their sights ahead of the upcoming window, with Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta another player being considered by Fabio Paratici.
According to one Spanish outlet, the Lilywhites are seriously considering tabling a bid for the Frenchman in January, as his contract talks at Selhurst Park look to have stalled in recent weeks.
It also states that the Eagles may be forced to offload the 28-year-old in the near future to avoid losing him for nothing, with his current deal set to expire in June 2027.
During Frank’s time in charge at Brentford before taking the Spurs job, he often had numerous top-level attackers at his disposal, which helped make the Bees an established top-flight club.
The Dane mainly relied on forward Bryan Mbeumo during the latter years of his spell at the GTEC, with the Cameroonian international providing a constant source of goals in the Premier League.
During the 2024/25 season, the 26-year-old netted a career-best 20 league goals, ending the campaign as just one of five players to achieve the feat in the division.
He no doubt thrived under the 52-year-old across the capital, so much so that the manager made a fierce attempt to land his signature after taking the reins in North London.
However, a reunion just wasn’t meant to be, as Mbeumo opted for a move to join Manchester United during the summer, subsequently leading Frank to hunt for a new talisman.
The likes of Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison have often provided the goods in attacking areas for Spurs this campaign, but Frank could get his new star forward with a move for Mateta this winter.
The Palace star has registered 30 goals in the last two full seasons in England’s top-flight, whilst already making huge waves during the first 15 games of the new campaign.
Mateta already has seven goals in 2025/26, but it’s his underlying stats from his outings at Selhurst Park that would make him Frank’s next star attacker in the capital.
The French international, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by one analyst, has registered 1.6 shots on target per 90 this season, which such a tally ranking him in the top 7% of all players in the league.
|
Jean-Philippe Mateta – PL stats in 25/26 |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
15 |
|
Goals scored |
7 |
|
Shots on target |
1.6 |
|
Dribbles completed |
53% |
|
Crosses completed |
75% |
|
Aerials won |
2.5 |
|
Touches in opposition box |
4.1 |
|
Recoveries made |
3.5 |
|
Stats via FotMob |
|
Such a figure showcases his relentless nature in front of goal, handing the Spurs side the constant nuisance and goal threat they have lacked since Kane’s departure.
He’s also completed 53% of his attempted dribbles to date, whilst achieving a 75% cross completion rate – highlighting his all-round nature within the final third.
His biggest asset is his hold-up play, which could allow the Lilywhites to have the needed focal point they’ve craved, with the striker winning 2.5 aerials per 90 so far this season.
It could hand Frank the aerial presence needed to dominate in the 18-yard box, but also an option to help link the play and create intricate moves off a direct ball into the striker.
Whilst he operates in a different role to Mbeumo, the pair have both demonstrated their goalscoring prowess in recent times, with clinical goalscorers often hard to come by in the modern game.
Mateta could provide Frank with exactly what he wants in the January window, with such a move handing the Dane the perfect attacking option to kickstart his career in charge of the Lilywhites.
Their new Son: Spurs have held advanced talks to sign a future £100m player
Tottenham are looking to add fresh quality to their attacking flanks in 2026.
1
By
Angus Sinclair
3 days ago
Everton chiefs are now confident in their bid to sign a “menacing” forward who has a £34 million release clause, according to a new report.
David Moyes wants midfield reinforcements at Everton
Heading into the new stadium, it is clear to see that David Moyes is keen to put together a squad at Everton that can look up the table rather than over their shoulder. The Toffees are unlikely to have lots of money to spend this summer as like everyone else they dance around PSR, but Moyes will have no intentions of another relegation scrap.
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Strengthening his midfield appears to be high on the list, and that can be shown with their latest transfer targets. According to talkSPORT, Everton have returned to Wilfred Ndidi as a potential target this summer. The midfielder could cost Everton as little as £9 million, due to a release clause that has now been activated due to Leicester City suffering relegation.
As well as looking at Ndidi, the Toffees have reportedly registered their interest in signing James McAtee from Manchester City. The attacking midfielder is expected to leave the Etihad due to his lack of game time last season, and he could be available for around £25 million.
There is now a new name on their midfield list, and that is Raphael Onyedika from Club Brugge. Everton are said to be in pole position to sign him, with Club Brugge looking to get £25 million for his services.
Everton confident in their bid to sign Thierno Barry
But as much as Moyes wants a new midfielder, that may have to wait, as the Toffees focus on securing their top striker target. According to TBR Football, Everton are now ready to accelerate talks to sign Thierno Barry from Villarreal.
The Toffees’ interest in Barry emerged at the very start of the summer transfer window, but they have had to be patient when it comes to a transfer, as the forward has been away with France at the U21 Championships, only knocked out by Germany on Wednesday.
Despite interest from other teams across Europe, The Friedkin Group are confident they can sign Barry this summer. The forward’s representatives have already held talks with the Premier League side, and he is now open to the move. The fact that Barry has a £34 million release clause makes the deal easier to do, but the Toffees may even end up paying slightly more than that if they do the deal in installments.
Apps
35
Starts
25
Goals
11
xG
12.41
Total shots per game
2.1
Big chances missed
15
Chance conversion
15%
Assists
4
Big chances created
7
Barry, who has been dubbed “menacing” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, joined Villarreal in August 2024, and in his first full season, the striker scored 11 goals in 35 La Liga appearances.
His presence and ability to find the net have made him a target for Everton, who lacked a serious presence at the top end of the pitch last season and now look set to lose Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the end of this month.
MatériaMais Notícias
da imperador bet： A relação entre o mascote e um clube de futebol está ligada intrinsecamente. Ter uma representação que seja a ‘face’ do clube publicamente é crucial para um time vencedor, sobretudo por conectar diversos elos, como crianças, adultos e idosos. Não sendo diferente, o Vasco da Gama já teve representantes ao longo de sua história, mas afinal, qual a verdadeira mascote do Vasco?
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da bet7： +Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Gigante da Colina com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF
DON CORVO I, o vitorioso
A relação entre Don Corvo I e o Vasco da Gama teve início em 1947, quando dois chargistas inseriram o animal em um de seus desenhos sobre o clube. Criado por Álvaro do Nascimento Rodrigues, colunista do Jornal dos Sports, e ilustrado pelo chargista Otelo Caçador, a ave era constantemente vista na caravela cruzmaltina nas charges. Na Europa, o corvo é sinônimo de azar e agouro, contudo, foi ”importante” para uma das fases mais vitoriosas do clube carioca, o ”Expresso da Vitória”, época a qual o Gigante da Colina conquistou títulos como o Campeonato Carioca de 1947, 1949, 1950 e 1952 e o Sul-Americano de 1948. Nesse meio tempo, surgiu a necessidade de uma representação emblemática para os times; e o Vasco já tinha um mascote, o Almirante, entretanto, o corvo já estava inserido na torcida o suficiente para ser mais adorado. Como não havia corvos no Brasil, a ave foi trazida de Portugal no fim de 1947, e chegou a visitar uma rádio e até ”falar”. A ideia morreu na década de 60, quando o animal faleceu e o Vasco entrou em uma seca de títulos. Após isso, o clube retornou para seu mascote original, o Almirante.
ALMIRANTE, o mascote do Vasco
O Almirante é, oficialmente, o mascote do Vasco. Criado em 1944, pelo argentino Lorenzo Molas, o mascote é uma forma de homenagear o navegador português Vasco da Gama, que batizou o clube. Nas primeiras ilustrações, o indivíduo era caracterizado com feições marcantes, como seu bigode longo, ausência de cabelo e sobrepeso. A primeira charge foi ao ar no dia 30 de junho de 44, com o Almirante representando o vascaíno na proa de uma caravela com a cruz de cristo, e desde então, foi adotada rapidamente pela torcida do time e passou a figurar mais desenhos do autor. O mascote sempre era acompanhado de uma navegação portuguesa, sendo considerado um “verdadeiro lobo do mar, em sua caravela, sempre pronto a navegar e enfrentar todas as tormentas”, como diz o dono do Jornal dos Sports, característico da época. Tempos depois o clube o adotou como mascote oficial, devido a seu sucesso. No ano de 2012, o Almirante foi alterado, recebendo traços mais infantis, o que não foi aprovado, tanto que, em 2018, o mascote voltou para suas expressões sérias, recebendo o apelido de “Almirante Pistola”.
BARBOSINHA, o infantil
O Barbosinha é a representação mais infantil que se tem no mascote do Vasco da Gama. O mascote é uma homenagem ao goleiro Barbosa, um dos maiores atletas da história do clube e do esporte. A ideia nasceu em 2020, quando o clube abriu uma votação para que os sócios do clube votassem no nome do novo mascote do Cruz-Maltino, o qual Barbosinha venceu a disputa e ganhou o cargo de mascote oficial, assim como o Almirante. Barbosa foi o goleiro do Expresso da Vitória, a fase mais vitoriosa do clube. O atleta disputou mais de 400 partidas pelo Gigante da Colina, entretanto, teve um marco em sua carreira, a copa de 1950, o qual sofreu o gol que o condenaria por muitos anos de sua vida. Barbosa sofreu um tento de Ghiggia, atacante uruguaio, na final da Copa, da qual o Brasil perdeu de 2 a 1. Em 7 de abril de 2000, o atleta faleceu em São Paulo, deixando um legado extremamente vasto para o esporte. Posteriormente, o CT do Vasco foi apelidado com seu nome, além do Mascote Barbosinha, que ganhou vida em uma tentativa de homenageá-lo.
EDDIE, o força jovem
Por fim, o zumbi Eddie não é oficialmente um mascote oficial da instituição Vasco da Gama, contudo, é a representação da torcida organizada Força Jovem Vasco, a principal do time. Apesar de não ser vinculado diretamente ao time, o personagem é uma das principais imagens do time no exterior, devido ao sucesso da persona. Eddie é uma criação da banda de rock Iron Maiden, uma das mais famosas do mundo. O Vasco é o único time do mundo que pode utilizar imagens do grupo em suas ideias. E assim, criou o Zumbi Eddie como mascote do Vasco, mesmo de forma não oficial. A estranha relação começou em 1989, quando os torcedores passaram a usar Eddie como símbolo da FJV, utilizando-o em seus itens, como bandeiras e roupas. Em 2001, Janick Gers e o baixista Steve Harris foram convidados para assistir o jogo entre Vasco e São Caetano no Maracanã, na final da Copa João Havelange, antes de se apresentarem no Rock in Rio, festival musical do Rio de Janeiro. Desde então, a torcida e a banda criaram uma relação de amizade, sempre um prestigiando o outro, e Eddie tornou-se símbolo oficial da maior torcida organizada do clube. Os integrantes do clube, sempre que vêm ao país, são homenageados e vistos durante as partidas do Vasco.
This promises to be a very busy summer for Rangers at Ibrox.
New manager of the Gers, Russell Martin, is going to want to oversee a mass-overhaul of his squad, with plenty of ins and outs expected in the coming weeks.
So, could the Light Blues be about to land the first signing of the Martin era?
Rangers targeting defensive reinforcements
Things are ramping up at Ibrox right now with a move for winger Kwame Poku reportedly set to be wrapped up.
However, that’s not the only deal edging closer to completion.
Indeed, according to a report in Spain, Rangers have reached an agreement with Bournemouth to sign Max Aarons on a season-long loan, adding that an agreement is “nearly finalised”.
The 25-year-old full-back burst onto the scene with Norwich City, making 213 appearances for the Canaries, 70 of which came in the Premier League, touted as the next big thing, almost joining Tottenham Hotspur for £15m when he was still a teenager.
This big move never came to fruition, moving to Bournemouth two summers ago, but making very little impact on the South Coast, thereby actually spending the second half of last season on loan at Valencia, albeit he featured only five times for los Che.
Nevertheless, still only 25, Aarons is a player with plenty of potential, so could have a big impact in Govan.
Why Max Aarons could be Rangers' next loan star
Rangers have had plenty of players arrive on loan and have had a big impact throughout history, as the table below outlines.
Černý
2024/25
52
Not set to return
Sima
2023/24
39
Did not return
Diomandé
2024
19
Made permanent £4.3m
Tillman
2022/23
43
Did not return
Hagi
2020
13
Made permanent £3.5m
Defoe
2019
20
Made permanent free
Ojo
2018/19
36
Did not return
Kent
2018/19
43
Made permanent £7.5m
Weiss
2010/11
35
Did not return
Diouf
2010/11
22
Did not return
Rangers have had plenty of loan players in recent seasons and throughout history, but few have had as big an impact as Ryan Kent, underlined by the fact his move from Liverpool was made permanent for £7.5m, a club record for modern times.
Kent would go on to make 218 appearances for the club, scoring 33 goals and providing 56 assists, winning the Premiership title and the Scottish Cup, a key figure in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team that reached the Europa League Final.
The winger now plys his trade in Major League Soccer for Seattle Sounders, starting the Rave Green’s Club World Cup opener against Botafogo last Sunday, preparing to take on Atlético Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the coming days.
So, why could Aarons be Rangers’ latest superstar loanee?
Well, writer Kai Watson labels him a “great athlete”, while Tom Quartly of Breaking the Lines believes the full-back offers ‘fluidity in both attacking and defensive phases’, claiming he has the talent to be one of English football’s ‘brightest stars’.
So, while Aarons hasn’t played a lot of football in recent years, he’s far from finished at 25 years old, and still has plenty left to offer.
What the arrival of a new right-back, who will surely have been guaranteed minutes, means for captain James Tavernier remains to be seen, but Aarons is surely just the first of many highly-rated Premier League or EFL players on their way to Ibrox this summer.
Tavernier didn’t particularly enjoy his best season at Ibrox, anyway, so this is certainly a deal worth getting over the line as Martin seeks to improve the squad.
He's Vaclav Cerny 2.0: Rangers are now set to sign "unplayable" star
Rangers are reportedly set to complete a deal for a star who could be Vaclav Cerny 2.0.
ByDan Emery Jun 16, 2025
da betobet： If there is one area of the team Arsenal need to strengthen this summer, it’s the attack.
da leao： While Mikel Arteta’s side finished a distant second to Liverpool in the Premier League this season, they ended the campaign with a better defensive record than anyone in the league but with 17 fewer goals scored.
So, with this apparent weakness compared to their title rival, it’s hardly surprising to see the club linked with a host of talented strikers, like Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Ollie Watkins, in recent weeks.
However, the North Londoners could also do with more options off the left, which would help to explain the links to a player who could be their next Lukas Podolski.
Arsenal's winger search
Before we get to the player in question, it’s worth going over some of the other wingers who have been linked with Arsenal this summer, like Nico Williams and Rodrygo.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The former has been a long-term target for the club and has a release clause worth around £50m, which doesn’t seem too unreasonable for a 22-year-old international who racked up 18 goal involvements in 45 games this season.
Rodrygo, on the other hand, could cost as much as £85m, but considering he’d be moving from Real Madrid and has produced 24 goal involvements in 51 appearances this year.
However, while both players would be excellent additions to the Gunners’ squad, neither one can really be compared to Podolski, unlike Leroy Sané.
Interestingly, according to a recent report from German outlet BILD, the Bayern Munich star, who is out of contract this summer, could be on the move, and when it comes to English clubs, he would only be interested in joining Arsenal, with his desire to join North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur ‘low.’
It would appear as if there is some degree in the player from the Gunners as well, as earlier this week, it was fairly widely reported that talks had taken place between his representatives and the club.
It might not be the most exciting transfer, but Sané has more than proven himself over the years, and there are certain elements to this potential deal that could make him become a new Podolski for the club.
Why Sané could be Podolski 2.0
So, before getting into some of the other reasons why Sané would be a good signing, it’s worth addressing why we look at him as a potential Podolski 2.0.
The first is that both players would have joined the club from the Bundesliga as German internationals, and furthermore, while the former Gunners ace joined from Koln in 2012, he too had spent time and won titles with Bayern Munich.
Secondly, both players are positionally versatile, with the Bayern star mainly playing off the left but being able to play off the right as well, while the 40-year-old was also primarily a left-winger at the Emirates but has spent more time up top in his career.
On top of that, the pair are both left-footed, and while they can easily create and score goals, they have tended to favour the latter throughout their careers.
For example, the former Manchester City ace, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed “world-class,” has scored 133 goals and provided 125 assists in his 496 appearances, while the Koln legend has found the back of the 238 times and provided 138 assists in 700 games.
Sané & Podolski
Bundesliga
Sané
Podolski
Appearances
200
210
Minutes
12501′
15482′
Goals
51
70
Assists
47
37
Goal Involvements per Game
0.49
0.50
Minutes per Goal Involvement
127.56′
144.69′
Premier League
Sané
Podolski
Appearances
90
60
Minutes
6089′
3268′
Goals
25
19
Assists
30
12
Goal Involvements per Game
0.61
0.51
Minutes per Goal Involvement
110.70′
105.41′
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Last but not least, given the fact he’s 29 years old and would be joining for free, the Essen-born international could have a similar impact as his senior compatriot did at the club, in the sense that he could come in, spend a couple of seasons as a useful offensive option and then move on, without being a significant financial burden.
Ultimately, Sané is still a brilliant footballer, and considering he’d be available for free, bringing him to the club feels like a no-brainer for Arsenal.
Their own Kane: Arsenal begin talks to sign "exceptional" £42m goalscorer
The promising poacher could develop into something special at Arsenal.
ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 5, 2025
Xabi Alonso has admitted that Real Madrid face a major challenge to reach the level of Paris Saint-Germain after a humbling 4-0 defeat in the Club World Cup semi-final. The new Los Blancos boss described the loss as 'painful' and a clear wake-up call, vowing that the team must now begin a new era with 'fresh minds' and stronger unity ahead of next season.
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It’s Mr Cool’s 39th birthday. So, time to test whether you’ve been watching closely and taking notes on how to be not just cool but MS cool
ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jul-2020
The allrounder overcame injuries and mental-health issues to end up with a T20 World Cup winner’s medal
Annesha Ghosh20-Mar-2020Soon after touching down at Melbourne airport a fortnight ago, Australia allrounder Sophie Molineux told reporters she hoped to make the most of pop star Katy Perry’s presence at the MCG for the T20 World Cup final. “Hopefully, I am dancing with her at the end,” she said a day after taking the key wicket of South Africa opener Lizelle Lee in Australia’s thrilling semi-final win at the SCG.Twenty-two-year-old Molineux got what she wished for, leading her team-mates down a runway at the MCG and dancing with Perry after Australia beat India in the final and won their fifth T20 World Cup.
That’s how you celebrate a win. pic.twitter.com/vEUsUTINZ1
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) March 8, 2020
But it was almost a miracle that her World Cup campaign ended on so bright a note, given the trajectory of her career over the past 12 months.In March last year, Molineux, a left-arm spin-bowling allrounder underwent surgery for a dislocated shoulder she suffered while training with her state side, Victoria. She made her way back into the Australian team over the next six months, with a superlative Test debut in the Ashes in England, but then missed the tour of the Caribbean and the home series against Sri Lanka as she entered an extended period of recovery.Having overcome the injury-related setbacks, she decided to take a break in the middle of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) last November to focus on her mental health, which made the prospect of her inclusion in the World Cup squad far from likely. Molineux admitted she is fortunate things took a turn for the better.”It’s been a pretty funny few months. I think I am really lucky because the World Cup was definitely not on my mind back then,” she told ESPNcricinfo. “There’s never going to be a perfect time to take a break, especially when you’re in professional sport. There’s always going to be some cricket coming up. I was playing Big Bash at that time, but I knew I had to do it. I knew there was a World Cup coming up, but whether I would be there, I wasn’t really sure. So I wasn’t going to spend time worrying about that because it was far too out of my control.”But looking back, to have been able to play the World Cup and then win it is pretty cool. [That] Sunday night was special. To be able to run out in front of 90,000 people, to do that with ten of your best team-mates, lift the World Cup… it has all been pretty special and still feels quite surreal.”But that’s what sport is all about, isn’t it? The highs and the lows… And winning the World Cup at the MCG was certainly a high.”Her decision to step away from the game came around the same time as a raft of withdrawals from the men’s senior and A sides. The Victorian trio of Glenn Maxwell, Nic Maddinson and Will Pucovski took breaks from their cricketing commitments to deal with mental-health challenges, and the summer before, Molineux’s Australia team-mate Nicole Bolton had stepped away from cricket due to her own mental-health issues.
“There’s never going to be a perfect time to take a break, especially when you’re into professional sport; there’s always going to be some cricket coming up. I was playing Big Bash at that time, but I knew I had to do it”Molineux on her break due to mental-health issues
That Molineux found it relatively smooth to ease back into the national side, she said, was down to Cricket Australia’s support and an ecosystem that encourages players to monitor and, as recent evidence testifies, open up about their mental-health concerns. Australian players, besides discussing their state of mind with coaches, medical staff and team psychologists, have the option of reporting problems or spiralling feelings using the wellness apps used to track their physical and mental well-being.”It’s sort of funny that I took the break when I did,” Molineux said. “You take such breaks focusing on the needs of the immediate present without thinking much about the future. You try and stay in the present and work through each day, each week. And it’s important you have the right people around you in such times.”The support I got at the time from Motty [head coach Matthew Mott] and Meg [Lanning, the captain], and everyone from Cricket Australia, Cricket Victoria, my team-mates, my family… after such highs in your career, when you look back, you tend to realise and appreciate even more what having someone’s back at such moments can do. [Through] that period I realised how lucky I was to have that support around me, and really, Cricket Australia and our support staff have been amazing.”Just before this year’s World Cup, though, Molineux found herself pegged back once again. She sustained a thigh injury during the last stretch of the home tri-series involving England and India in early February, and while she was named in the World Cup squad, she hurt her other thigh too in the meantime and was sidelined till the last league game of the world tournament.”She had two corked thighs for this World Cup,” Mott told ESPNcricinfo on the sidelines of the team’s celebrations in Federation Square in Melbourne the morning after Australia thumped India in the final. “There is a bit of dispute on how she actually got the second one. I think she actually landed on the square again. It is a bit of a mystery [even now].”Credit to our medical team, though. Honestly, I thought she was pretty much done for the tournament. The scan I saw looked horrific – there was a lot of blood around her leg, and we just thought there was absolutely no chance of getting her back out there, but they kept the faith, kept her around…”That Molineux slotted straight back into the XI upon recovering just in time for the knockouts was down in part to a tournament-ending hamstring injury to Australia’s premier allrounder, Ellyse Perry, ahead of the semi-finals. The wicket of Lee in her first over in the semi-final would mark the beginning of Molineux’s first home World Cup. Two nights later she would get opener Smriti Mandhana with her first delivery in the final.”As soon as she took that first wicket in the final, I think everyone just went, ‘You beauty!'” Mott said. “You don’t like taking injured players into big matches, but I definitely think that was a big part of it, trying to get her up for that game. Obviously you lose Ellyse Perry, but you add another world-class allrounder in there.Mott said the team management wasn’t confident they would be able to get Molineux up for the semi-final, and that even if they did, it might have been just that one game they would “get out of her” given the protracted recovery. “But we needed it,” Mott conceded.It wasn’t until 9.30 on the morning of the final that Molineux would be declared fit. To see her dealing India a telling blow, winning the World Cup and capping off a roller-coaster ride of a season dancing to the other Perry’s chartbusters on stage was incredible to him.”It was touch and go right to the 11th hour,” Mott said. “When you see her dancing that night you find that hard to believe!”