Leeds United have also shared the news of an injury blow to a “key” star after getting knocked out of the EFL Cup to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday evening.

Leeds knocked out of EFL Cup with embarrassing Sheffield Wednesday defeat

Daniel Farke said he was embarrassed and apologised to Leeds fans after his side crashed out of the EFL Cup on penalties. Against an extremely young Owls side, the Whites fielded a strong side and required Jayden Bogle to cancel out goalkeeper Karl Darlow’s second-half own goal to take the tie to penalties.

However, misses from Joel Piroe, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sean Longstaff saw the Whites lose 3-0 in the shootout. Talking after the game, Farke said:

“We have to take all of the criticism and we are self-critical because out of all the chances we should put four or five goals to bed. It’s always a bit annoying and you feel a bit embarrassed as a Premier League side, but we have been involved in so many games on this level, especially in the cup – this is why there are so many surprises and shock results.

“Even the team in the lower league can win such a game. Today was one of those days and congratulations to Sheffield Wednesday.”

When asked for his message to Leeds fans, Farke said: “You can feel for them. We’re sorry anyhow. We feel a bit embarrassed that we don’t go through in such a game. We can just say ‘sorry’ because they made the trip and wanted to celebrate.”

Leeds signings

From

Fee

Noah Okafor

AC Milan

£18m

Anton Stach

Hoffenheim

£17.4m

Jaka Bijol

Udinese

£15m

Lucas Perri

Lyon

£13.9m

Sean Longstaff

Newcastle

£12m

Gabriel Gudmundsson

Lille

£10m

James Justin

Leicester City

£10m

Sebastiaan Bornauw

Wolfsburg

£5m

Lukas Nmecha

Wolfsburg

Free

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Everton

Free

Farke reveals injury to Leeds star Tanaka

Missing from the defeat at Hillsborough was midfielder Ao Tanaka. The Japan international was replaced in the 5-0 defeat at the Emirates on Saturday and, like Ethan Ampadu, has suffered an MCL injury and will be out for weeks. When asked about Tanaka’s injury, Farke said:

Tanaka starred in the opening day win over Everton and has been a vital player for Leeds since joining from Fortuna Dusseldorf last summer for just £3m.

However, with both Ampadu and Tanaka sidelined for the foreseeable, Farke will have to rely on Longstaff, Anton Stach and Ilia Gruev, or look to bring in another midfielder before the transfer deadline.

The Professional Footballers' Association is reportedly in talks with Chelsea over how they are treating exiled duo Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi. Both the Blues winger and defender tried to secure deadline day exits but in the end they stayed put in the club's 'Bomb Squad'. Now, it is understood the PFA have intervened over how they are being looked after.

PFA concerned about Chelsea duo

According to BBC Sport, the PFA have contacted Chelsea as they want to ensure that Sterling and Disasi have the 'platform to train to an optimum level' despite not being involved with the first team. The union has sought to ensure clubs are aware of FIFA's strict regulations over players who are isolated from squads in circumstances that could fall under 'abusive conduct' by the club. If so, this may entitle an individual to terminate his contract, citing 'just cause'.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALUncertain future for Sterling and Disasi

Sterling's contract, which earns him £325,000 per week, runs until 2027, while Disasi's terms expire in 2029. The former nearly joined Fulham on loan, and the latter turned down a switch to West Ham earlier this month. Both are unlikely to have a future at Chelsea, with the pair unlikely to play first-team football for months.

Sterling and Disasi had summer offers

The report adds that Chelsea, who are closely working with the PFA, presented former Manchester City star Sterling with potential moves to Bayern Munich and Napoli over the summer. Bayer Leverkusen and Galatasaray were also interested, and Disasi decided against joining West Ham and Bournemouth.

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Getty ImagesWhat next for the Chelsea outcasts?

Both Sterling and Disasi are said to have been assigned specific training times and a designated Chelsea coach to work with at the club's training ground. Meanwhile, the first team travel to Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.

The BCB has put its constitution reform committee on ice in the face of an ongoing boycott by the Dhaka clubs. The city’s second-tier competition, the Dhaka First Division Cricket League, has been suspended since January 14 with the clubs refusing to play.Their protests stem from reports that the BCB’s constitution reform committee submitted a resolution to reduce the number of BCB directors nominated by the Dhaka league from 12 to four. There has been no formal announcement, by the BCB or the committee in question, of such a move. It would require a change in the BCB’s constitution to do this, and it would need to be approved at the board’s annual general meeting.Either way, the BCB announced on Saturday that it is going to take a look at the committee’s scope of work and terms of reference.”The board decided to postpone the constitution review committee’s activities,” BCB director Mahbubul Anam said. “This committee could be changed or expanded at a later time. The rest of the activities will take place only after their scope of work and terms of reference are prepared. The terms of reference will be on how they will make the necessary changes to the constitution, how they will do it by involving stakeholders.”Anam said that the reports of the committee submitting any resolution were unsubstantiated. “They never submitted any proposed changes to the board president or anyone in the board. We have also heard that they didn’t submit anything to the National Sports Council. Many of the changes spoken about isn’t also correct.However, he said, the BCB wants the whole process to be more transparent. “The BCB directors feel that the process has to be clearer. There’s no secrecy about the constitution. It is a public information. We want to suspend their activities to stop such discussions. The board feels that stakeholders must be involved so we need change and expansion.”The BCB also announced the names of the board directors who will lead 21 out of its 23 standing committees.Nazmul Abedin Fahim was announced as the head of the men’s cricket operations committee and the women’s wing. Fahim had threatened to resign from the BCB’s board of directors after a rift with BCB president Faruque Ahmed, centred around Nazmul wanting to head these two committees.Faruque himself has been named chair of the board’s marketing committee. Akram Khan, Mahbubul Anam and Fahim Sinha have also got roles as chair of various committees.The BCB has instructed the various newly appointed chairs to form full committees for each of their posts over the next two weeks.The heads of the BCB’s working committee and security committee will be named later.

Liverpool won the Premier League with relative ease last season, and so FSG’s staggering summer of spending at Anfield must have struck quite the frisson of fear through the rest of the European game.

Though Arne Slot’s side haven’t been at their best across the opening fixtures of the season, they have claimed nine points from nine in the league, winning a tough match at St. James’ Park before narrowly seeing off title rivals Arsenal after Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick.

The Reds haven’t looked at their most fluent, but new number nine Hugo Ekitike has certainly started in fine fettle, three goals and an assist from his first four games.

Undroppable, right? However, the deadline-day acquisition of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak maybe stirs the pot a tad up top.

What Isak brings to Liverpool

Liverpool have two of the most dynamic strikers in the game in Isak and Ekitike, but both would fancy themselves at their most fluent and formidable when threatening from the centre.

Isak is the more clinical and refined man, to be sure, but he’s also nearly three years Ekitike’s senior.

Having two high-level centre-forwards isn’t the worst problem for Slot to have, but he is going to need to consider ferrying one out to the left wing or pushing Liverpool toward a tactical transformation.

However, neither have Cody Gakpo’s fluency as a left-sided forward.

And, of course, Liverpool have already sold an elite winger in Luis Diaz who could have been the perfect balancing force in the frontline.

Liverpool may regret selling Luis Diaz

Liverpool sold Diaz to Bayern Munich for £65.5m in July, with the German giants convincing the 28-year-old to join after FSG failed to agree terms on a new contract with the Reds winger.

He arrived from Porto as Jurgen Klopp’s choice of replacement for Sadio Mane, and though he didn’t quite live up to the same stratospheric heights, succeeded all the same.

Indeed, Klopp himself lauded his new arrival as a “top world level player” back in April 2022.

He leaves an integral part of an illustrious period in Liverpool’s history, having scored 17 goals and supplied eight assists across all competitions last term, filling in at centre-forward on multiple occasions.

Though some questioned Diaz’s output, he didn’t do too badly, ranking fourth among all left wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last year for goal contributions, and in what many would describe as the toughest division of the lot.

Most Goals + Assists from LW (Top 5 Leagues 24/25)

Player

Goals

Assists

Raphinha

18

11

Bradley Barcola

14

10

Vinicius Junior

11

10

Luis Diaz

13

7

Vincenzo Grifo

8

11

Data via Transfermarkt

Given that Isak arrives at Liverpool with a wealth of prolific Premier League experience under his belt, he could have formed an incredible partnership with Diaz, who always balanced his output and ranked among the top 9% of positional peers in the Premier League last season for pass completion, keeping it crisp and opening up a strong supply line with the Sweden star.

The fact that Liverpool’s player sales across the summer has left them with a smaller net spend than Arsenal perhaps underlines the suggestion that Diaz needn’t have been sold.

The emergence of 17-year-old sensation Rio Ngumoha has tempered the Colombian’s departure, but Diaz remains one of the most experienced and dynamic forwards in the business.

Equally, Florian Wirtz’s struggles across his initial foray into the English game are a reminder that Diaz was pretty crucial in Slot’s title-winning team, and he will be missed as the campaign progresses.

Related Now worth more than Isak: Liverpool wanted to sign "one of the best in the world"

With Alexander Isak joining Liverpool for £125m on deadline day, do the Reds rue missing out on “one of the best players in the world” worth more?

Posts ByBen Gray Sep 2, 2025

Liverpool have welcomed a range of new signings to Arne Slot’s title-winning squad, spanning Giorgi Mamardashvili between the sticks to Hugo Ekitike as Anfield’s new talismanic frontman (for now).

A bid for Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak remains in the pipeline, though the prospect of the all-powerful striker completing Liverpool’s attacking set remains reliant on the Magpies finding and signing adequate replacements. Don’t hold your breath.

A deal has been agreed for Parma teenager Giovanni Leoni, and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi remains a top target.

However, several Liverpool stars may yet be on the move before the September 1st deadline.

Who Liverpool could still sell

Liverpool have recently sold forwards Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, but Federico Chiesa may yet leave too, with a return to his Italian homeland on the cards after a frustrating year on Merseyside.

Harvey Elliott is also planning to leave, for the young playmaker has been reduced to a peripheral role in Slot’s system, and will likely find his match action further impeded after the £116m signing of Florian Wirtz.

Such players would be allowed to leave with little complaint, but that isn’t the case as far as Ibrahima Konate is concerned.

Instrumental in winning the Premier League last year, Liverpool’s Konate has entered the final year of his £70k-per-week contract, and while long efforts to renew terms have been made, sporting director Richard Hughes has yet to make a breakthrough.

And now, according to transfer insider Simon Phillips, Chelsea are willing to join Real Madrid in bidding for the centre-back this summer, prepared to offer a significant sum to bring him over to Stamford Bridge. A figure in the region of £43m has been mooted elsewhere.

Were the Les Bleus powerhouse to choose the latter option and sign for Chelsea, might Liverpool be looking at a dreadful repeat of that one-time loss of Fernando Torres to the London side?

Liverpool must not sell Ibrahima Konate

The thought of Konate linking up with Trent Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid is bad enough, but to consider him wearing blue under the Stamford Bridge lights is to swallow a bitter pill indeed.

More still, the 26-year-old would be directly strengthening a Premier League title rival at their time of need, Chelsea having lost Colwill for the lion’s share of the season.

Having spent four seasons with Liverpool, it’s no coincidence that the France international’s injury-riddled stay smoothed out last year, the first term he has lifted the Premier League with the Redmen.

Liverpool must fight tooth and nail to keep such a player in their mix, especially as Virgil van Dijk edges toward the twilight of his illustrious career.

Under new management, Liverpool enjoyed collective improvements on the fitness front last season, with Slot and his team’s renown for maintaining high availability levels paying dividends. Longer sessions with reduced intensity did the trick, along with calculated substitutions across the campaign.

Konate indeed benefitted, enjoying more Premier League football than ever before across the span of a league season.

24/25

31 (30)

6

23/24

22 (17)

4

22/23

18 (17)

17

21/22

11 (11)

1

Were the Reds to lose their “monster” of a defender, as he has been called by analyst Josh Williams, while reaching the peak of his powers, it could be reminiscent of that deal that allowed Torres to head to Chelsea for a record-breaking £50m fee.

The Spanish legend had torn English football to shreds after leaving his homeland and joining Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool side in 2006, scoring 81 goals and supplying 19 assists across just 142 matches in all competitions.

He never found the same degree of invincibility with Chelsea, although he did win a host of honours with club and country, including the World Cup and the Champions League, but El Nino, to be sure, harks back to his time on Merseyside as the finest football he has produced on an individual level.

Torres’ decision to leave Liverpool for Chelsea stung, but the candid truth is the Blues were higher up the food chain at that point in time. The bigger beast.

Stamford Bridge can no longer claim that narrative, and for Konate to depart and rehouse himself in west London would be a gut-punch of a move for those of a Liverpool persuasion.

With Hughes at the head of the table, let’s hope that that unthinkable eventuality does not become a reality.

Their new Trent: FSG’s key target flying to sign for Liverpool on Thursday

Liverpool are looking to seal a few exciting signings to close the transfer window.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 14, 2025

Arne Slot bemoaned Liverpool’s struggles defending set pieces as they suffered their first Premier League loss of the season against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Reds were undone by a corner and a long throw as Ismaila Sarr and Eddie Nketiah put an end to the champions’ perfect start to the 2025-26 campaign in a 2-1 win for the Eagles at Selhurst Park.

How did Liverpool suffer their first defeat of the season?

In a match which saw goalkeeper Alisson prove to be Liverpool’s best player, Slot’s men struggled all afternoon as Palace secured a precious result which ensures they are now the only unbeaten team left in the top flight this season. Oliver Glasner’s side took the lead through familiar Liverpool foe Sarr after Ryan Gravenberch headed straight into his path from a corner. And after huffing and puffing for the majority of the second half, the Merseysiders thought they had earned a point through substitute Federico Chiesa’s late strike, only for Nketiah to make the most of a long throw to down the visitors.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportSlot highlights Liverpool's set-piece struggles

And in the aftermath of a difficult trip to south London, Liverpool manager Slot highlighted his side’s once-formidable ability to defend set plays as a new-found cause for concern this season, pointing out the two goals they conceded in a similar fashion in their last-gasp 3-2 victory over Newcastle on August 25.

Liverpool boss explains concerns

In quotes carried by Slot said following the Palace loss: "Very difficult first half. They did really well and deserved to be 1-0 up, we were lucky it was only 1-0. Second half it was the opposite. It took a while before we scored and we did with a few minutes left. But from a second set piece they won the game. If you want to compete you need a very positive balance with set pieces and even more in this league. It was one of our biggest strengths last season, now we have conceded two against Newcastle and two here. But this league is more and more and more about set pieces.”

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Getty Images SportSlot refuses to criticise officials as Nketiah scores in 'extra time of extra time'

Nketiah found the back of the net for Palace seven minutes into injury time, with the fourth official having initially declared a minimum of six. However while admitting conceding in "extra time of extra time" was “never ideal”, Slot refused to criticise the officials following the game. Discussing the timing of Palace’s late winner, Slot added: ”It is never ideal when you concede in extra time of extra time. But there was a sub so half a minute extra was fair. I have to check when they exactly scored but we have to defend the throw-in better. We take learnings from all the games we have played and we can take even more from a game like this.”

Everton are showing themselves to be a real threat in the forward areas based on their blistering attacking performances so far in the Premier League.

Of course, it is only early days, but the Toffees have responded to a disappointing 1-0 loss on the opening day to Leeds by putting five strikes past Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Jack Grealish picking up a mightily impressive four assists along the way.

With Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also in on the goals and assists, alongside Iliman Ndiaye already running teams ragged with two efforts on the board, David Moyes’ men are now far removed from their previous attritional makeup under Sean Dyche.

This is before you even throw new recruit Tyler Dibling into the equation, with the 19-year-old a bold pick-up from Southampton who is also ready to take the Premier League by storm.

What Dibling can offer Everton

Everton has managed to produce many of their own special homegrown attackers over the years, with the likes of Ross Barkley and Wayne Rooney springing to mind.

With this example, however, they have poached the cream of the academy crop from the Saints in Dibling, with the teenager costing a whopping £40m to bring in this summer, even as his ex-side suffered relegation at the end of last campaign.

When watching the young forward in action, it’s clear to see why he has cost such an extortionate amount, despite still being inexperienced, with an impressive four goals and three assists next to his name in the St Mary’s senior ranks.

One particularly memorable display from the direct winger last season against Manchester United even saw former England legend turned commentator Stuart Pearce herald Dibling as a “devotee to Grealish”, with a hope now that the entertaining attacker can be as instantly successful on Merseyside – like the ex-Aston Villa midfielder – away from loose comparisons.

Amazingly, while the Toffees have invested significantly in the future with this £40m buy, they could well have their very own homegrown Grealish brewing in the background, too, in this 18-year-old ace.

Everton's own homegrown Grealish

As previously mentioned, the Merseyside outfit has often been viewed as a club that gives their very own chances in the first-team set-up when ready.

One up-and-coming youngster that has risen the ranks and looks destined for more senior minutes soon is 18-year-old Harrison Armstrong, who was named on the bench by Moyes for the action-packed victory at Wolves.

He has since moved on to Preston North End on a season-long loan, but the highlights package posted by the Lilywhites after his move was confirmed shows off the obvious talent the skilful midfielder possesses to be viewed in the same glowing light as the assist-heavy Grealish.

Indeed, from just eight senior appearances to date for the Toffees, Armstrong has a standout three assists next to his name.

CM

19

3 + 1

DM

11

2 + 2

LW

4

1 + 0

AM

3

0 + 1

CF

2

0

RW

1

0 + 1

LM

1

0

RM

1

0

With a further ten goal contributions also coming his way for the Everton U19s and U21s – when looking at the table above – it’s abundantly clear why he has been labelled a “phenomenal” youth talent by one of his former managers in John Eustace, when previously loaned out to Derby County.

His adaptability to play all across the midfield positions only strengthens the argument more that he could be a new Grealish in the making, with the Liverpool-born starlet more than a capable performer on the left flank – much like the new Everton number 18 – away from just lining up in a central midfield spot.

It could well be that Armstrong just needs more first-team experience under his belt before he’s regularly strutting his stuff in Moyes’ senior side, with another loan out to the second tier, no doubt toughening him up.

The EFL’s elite division made Grealish the stylish performer he is today, after all, with a sturdy 14 goals and 16 assists notched up in the Championship by the 29-year-old, before further cementing himself as a Premier League star on Merseyside.

Armstrong will hope he can live up to his own hype down the line, with both the 18-year-old and Dibling up Moyes’ sleeve, making the future look very rosy at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, away from the short-term heroics served up by man of the hour Grealish.

Everton on verge of £17m move for Doucoure-esque "difference-maker"

This could be a brilliant signing for the Blues.

ByHenry Jackson Sep 1, 2025

Both teams have started WPL 2025 with wins but they were far from clinical

Hemant Brar16-Feb-2025Who’s playingDelhi Capitals (DC) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, February 17, 2025, 7.30pm ISTWhat to expectIt’s a rematch of the last season’s final. After topping the league stage in WPL 2024, DC must have fancied their chances of lifting the trophy. After all, they were playing at their home ground and had a 4-0 head-to-head record against RCB. However, they faltered at the final huddle for the second season in a row.Both DC and RCB have started their 2025 campaign with a win. RCB beat Gujarat Giants in the tournament opener, while DC sealed a last-ball win against Mumbai Indians. But both wins were far from clinical. Chasing 202, RCB needed 79 from the last six overs before Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja took them over the line. Similarly, DC would have lost If not for the three contentious run-out decisions going their way.Team news and likely XIsWith a sickness going around in their camp, DC had to go in with one fewer overseas player in their XI. But if Marizanne Kapp is available, she could replace Niki Prasad. Finding a place for Jess Jonassen may not be as easy, though.Delhi Capitals (probable): 1 Meg Lanning (capt), 2 Shafali Verma, 3 Jemimah Rodrigues, 4 Alice Capsey, 5 Marizanne Kapp/Niki Prasad, 6 Annabel Sutherland, 7 Sarah Bryce (wk), 8 Shikha Pandey, 9 Radha Yadav, 10 Arundhati Reddy, 11 Minnu ManiShafali Verma is the leading six-hitter in the WPL•BCCIWith Shreyanka Patil ruled out of the tournament, RCB have signed Sneh Rana in a like-for-like replacement. Rana could be in the action straightaway, replacing Prema Rawat in the XI.Royal Challengers Bengaluru (probable): 1 Smriti Mandhana (capt), 2 Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Raghvi Bist, 5 Richa Ghosh (wk), 6 Kanika Ahuja, 7 Georgia Wareham, 8 Sneh Rana, 9 Kim Garth, 10 VJ Joshitha, 11 Renuka SinghPlayers to watchMeg Lanning, who has retired from international cricket, looked rusty in DC’s opening game. Shabnim Ismail beat her with pace on multiple occasions and eventually bowled her for 15 off 19 balls. Lanning and Shafali Verma’s opening stands were the bedrock of DC’s success in the first two seasons. The team will hope their captain is back to her best soon.Smriti Mandhana does not seem to enjoy facing offspin, especially early on in her innings. In the previous match, she lasted just two balls against Ashleigh Gardner. DC are likely to test her with the same ploy. They have got not one but two offspinners: Alice Capsey and Minnu Mani. It will be interesting to see Mandhana’s approach.Key stats DC have a 4-1 head-to-head record against RCB. Lanning (691), Ellyse Perry (657) and Shafali (601) are the top three run-getters in the WPL. All three will be in action on Monday. No one has hit more sixes in the WPL than Shafali’s 35. On average, she hits a six every ten balls.

Everton have got themselves up and running over the past couple of matches in the Premier League, having won at their new home against Brighton & Hove Albion before securing a win on the road against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Integral in both victories was new loan recruit Jack Grealish, assisting twice and then twice again. Everton are looking to make real headway under David Moyes’ wing this season, challenging high up the table, away from the relegation dog fight.

A range of exciting signings have been made, Grealish so far proving the cherry on the cake, but Moyes appears keen to land another midfielder before the window slams shut.

Everton still searching for midfielder

Having emerged as a top target at Everton since Moyes replaced Sean Dyche in January, it looks like the pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek is going down to the wire.

However, Graham Potter might want to keep him on the books for depth, and so the Toffees may want to make a lunge for an alternative.

And perhaps that could be Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old wants to leave Old Trafford on loan before the deadline, and Everton have been credited with an interest over the past few weeks.

Man United have informed their academy product that he is expected to stay and fight for his place over the coming campaign, but much could change at the eleventh hour of the transfer window.

Newcastle United have also shown interest in signing the Red Devil, but Everton might feel that Mainoo could best foster his clear talent at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Why Everton must sign Mainoo

Mainoo might be out of favour at Man United, but he has been described as a “generational” talent by journalist Andy Dunn and as a future “£100m-plus footballer” by United writer Alex Turk.

Why? He’s already played 74 times for the senior side, scoring seven goals (including a crucial strike in the 2024 FA Cup final against Manchester City).

Even if Everton only manage to land him on a loan deal, they should consider opting for Mainoo ahead of Soucek, even though the Czech Republic international has a wealth of experience in Moyes’ former Hammers system.

Mainoo struggled last year, but he showcased remarkable quality when breaking onto the scene in 2023/24, and given his strength when carrying the ball forward and technical quality, he could add that physical shine that Moyes covets while adding some flair to the side too.

Matches (starts)

35 (30)

24 (24)

Goals

9

3

Assists

1

1

Touches*

38.2

49.0

Pass completion

75%

87%

Big chances created

1

0

Key passes*

0.4

0.6

Dribbles*

0.2

1.3

Ball recoveries*

1.8

4.0

Tackles + interceptions*

1.9

2.9

Duels won*

5.0

5.0 (52%)

He’s less of a goalscoring threat than Soucek, but more active in the duel, more energetic and more fluid with his passing.

Indeed, even though he endured a tough campaign, Mainoo ranks among the top 11% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

Having watched Grealish hit the ground running as a loanee from Manchester, Everton might want to sign Mainoo in the coming hours, adding some youthful exuberance and plenty of technical quality besides.

Beto upgrade: Everton battling PL rivals to sign “unstoppable” £17m gem

Everton could continue their summer spending spree with another centre-forward addition to replace Beto

ByWill Miller Aug 30, 2025

Surrey welcome chance to work with giants of IPL, but resolve to keep controlling stake

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Feb-2025

Surrey have confirmed that they will be retaining their majority stake in Oval Invincibles, as they begin their period of exclusive negotiations with Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), the owners of Mumbai Indians, in the wake of last month’s Hundred equity sale.RIL secured a 49% stake in Invincibles, the reigning Men’s Hundred champions and the most successful team across genders in the tournament’s four-year history, after valuing the franchise at £123 million at a live auction on January 30.That means they are expected to pay just over £60 million for their equity share when the team ownership transfers from ECB to Surrey County Cricket Club at the end of 2025. This will be undertaken through negotiations with RISE Worldwide, Reliance’s subsidiary, which has been named as the club’s preferred partner from the 2026 season onwards.Mumbai Indians, five-times winners of the IPL, are widely seen as the most powerful IPL franchise, while Surrey are the richest English county club. The Invincibles’ men’s and women’s teams will become the sixth and seventh teams associated with RIL, after Mumbai Indians (in both the IPL and WPL), MI New York (MLC), MI Cape Town (SA20) and MI Emirates (ILT20).Related

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RIL, owned by the Ambani family, had been widely linked with buying a stake in London Spirit, but that franchise was eventually secured by a Silicon Valley tech consortium that valued the Lord’s-based franchise at £295 million.Up to five IPL teams could be involved in team ownership when the sales process is completed later this month. Last week, Sun Group – owners of Sunrisers Hyderabad – secured a 100% stake in Northern Superchargers for £100 million, while Sanjiv Goenka’s RPSG Group – owners of Lucknow Super Giants – expected to land a 70% stake in Manchester Originals when their negotiations are complete.Southern Brave is widely expected to be secured by GMR Group, co-owners of Delhi Capitals, who last year bought a groundbreaking majority stake in host county Hampshire, while the owners of Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals are among those who are understood to have shown interest in Nottingham-based Trent Rockets.Surrey, however, have reiterated their desire to keep hold of their controlling stake in Invincibles, while welcoming the chance to work with a franchise that has won 11 league titles across the globe, including at least one in each of the competitions they have competed in.Oli Slipper, Chair of Surrey CCC, said: “We said at the outset that we wanted the best partner to ensure that Surrey continue to lead the way in English cricket and in Mumbai Indians that is what we have got.”They share our passion for cricket, they own the biggest and most successful team in the IPL, the Mumbai Indians, and we believe this partnership will bring continued success to both Surrey CCC and our Hundred team.”Beyond cricket, the huge success of RIL’s global business will help Surrey to thrive off the field too. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Mrs. Nita Ambani, Akash and his team as our new partners.”Mrs. Nita M Ambani, Owner of Mumbai Indians, said: “Cricket is more than just a sport, it’s a passion that unites people across geographies and cultures. Welcoming Oval Invincibles into our Mumbai Indians family is a proud and special moment.””England, with its rich cricketing culture, has always been special to the game,” Akash Ambani, Owner of Mumbai Indians, added. “To have the iconic Oval, which has witnessed some of cricket’s greatest moments, as our home venue is truly special.”