عبر ديفيد فيا مهاجم برشلونة السابق عن رأيه في المسؤولية المتزايدة الملقاه على عاتق لامين يامال موهبة البلوجرانا والذي أصبح عنصراً أساسياً في خط هجوم الفريق.

وتحدث فيا عن الضغوط التي يواجهها لاعب برشلونة في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية: “سترتجف ساقا لامين يامال لو أدرك أنه يقود برشلونة ومنتخب إسبانيا”.

وشدد ديفيد فيا مهاجم برشلونة وفالنسيا السابق أن أفضل ما يمكن أن يقوم به لامين يامال في الفترة الحالية هو الاستمتاع بكرة القدم دون التفكير كثيراً في التوقعات المأمولة منه.

أقرأ أيضاً.. فليك يدق ناقوس الخطر في برشلونة بعد الهزيمة أمام إشبيلية وباريس سان جيرمان

ويعاني لامين يامال نجم برشلونة حالياً من إصابة لكنه يسابق الزمن للعودة إلى الملاعب بعد فترة التوقف الدولي.

وفي حالة سارت الأمور كما هو مخطط لها فإن لامين يامال سيشارك لمدة تتراوح بين 30 و45 دقيقة كبديل ضد جيرونا قبل أن يعود للتشكيل الأساسي ضد أولمبياكوس في دوري أبطال أوروبا حيث من المتوقع أن يلعب ما بين 60 و70 دقيقة.

وفي حال مشاركة لامين يامال في هذا العدد من الدقائق بدون أي مخاوف فإن اللاعب سيكون جاهز تماماً لمباراة الكلاسيكو المرتقبة ضد ريال مدريد في 26 أكتوبر.

He was taken to the hospital for treatment, with his scans being sent to London for analysis

Danyal Rasool03-Jan-2025

Pakistan will have to complete the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town without the services of their opening batter Saim Ayub, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the match after suffering a right ankle injury.Ayub had to be stretchered off the pitch in just the seventh over of the match, when Ryan Rickelton edged a delivery through the slips, sending Ayub off on a chase to deep third alongside Aamer Jamal. Jamal pulled it back in as Ayub stood poised to be the relay fielder, but lost his balance and twisted his ankle. He went down immediately and appeared in anguish holding the lower part of his leg as the physio rushed on.Despite prolonged treatment outside the boundary line, Ayub was unable to put any weight on his right ankle, and appeared to be in tears as he was placed on to a stretcher and taken off, with the injury casting a pall over proceedings for Pakistan. Things only got worse a few overs later when his replacement, Abdullah Shafique, put down a simple chance Aiden Markram at cover. It would not cost Pakistan much, though, with Markram falling to Khurram Shahzad two overs later.Ayub was sent to hospital soon after the incident, and shortly after the close of play, the PCB confirmed he would play no further part in the contest. “Saim underwent X-rays and MRI tests this afternoon,” the statement read. “The reports have been sent to specialists in London for further advice on the treatment and time away from competitive cricket.”Ayub has been a breakout star across formats over the last few months, and was Player of the Series when Pakistan beat South Africa 3-0 in the ODI series last month, scoring two hundreds in three games.He is one of the few all-format regulars for Pakistan, and was expected to be a key figure for the side in the upcoming Champions Trophy that Pakistan will host, beginning in February. That participation may now be in serious doubt.”It’s a big blow, the kind of form he’s in,” Salman Agha, Ayub’s team-mate, said at the close of play. “He would have been a great asset on this wicket. I wish him well and hopefully he’ll be better soon.”

Mikel Arteta has defended Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres after another quiet outing in a big game, as the Gunners bagged a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Manchester City at the Emirates. The £64 million summer signing failed to register a single shot or create any real danger against Pep Guardiola's side, leaving frustrated fans questioning his impact.

• Gyokeres' abysmal stats in Man City draw

  Gyokeres lasted the full 90 minutes but registered just 24 touches on the ball, fewer than any other outfield player on the pitch. He recorded zero shots, zero dribbles, and lost possession 13 times, with a passing accuracy of just 62%. Arsenal ultimately relied on a late equaliser from Gabriel Martinelli to salvage a point after Erling Haaland’s opener for City. However, Arteta has launched a defence of Gyokeres, insisting the team has to do more to play to his strengths.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Arteta launches 'trying his best' defence for Gyokeres

  Arteta told reporters when quizzed on Gyokeres' struggles: “Well, there were a lot of very good balls in the box, especially I remember three of them that he was very, very close to doing against City. To have very big open chances is extremely difficult, but he's certainly trying his best and trying to do that and we have to provide more for him, that's it. There were a lot of situations where the chances were there and then the final pass was missing today. In many moments it was very, very open.”

• Getty Images
  

  Gyokeres struggling against top opposition

  Gyokeres has so far failed to impose himself in Arsenal’s biggest fixtures, with his three goals coming against newly promoted Leeds United and struggling Nottingham Forest. His lack of impact against title rivals is raising concerns, especially given the club’s heavy investment in his services. Arteta’s public backing shows he remains confident in the Swede, but pressure is mounting for him to deliver on the biggest stage.

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• Next up for Arsenal: Port Vale then Newcastle

  Arsenal face Newcastle United away in their next Premier League fixture; however, they will first turn their attention to a midweek Carabao Cup third-round tie against Port Vale. Arteta will likely rotate his squad for the trip to Stoke-on-Trent, but Gyokeres will be expected to start again when the Gunners arrive at St James' Park next Sunday.

Sri Lanka’s batting folds for second match running in 45-run loss at Bay Oval

Madushka Balasuriya30-Dec-2024New Zealand 186 for 5 (Chapman 42, Hay 41, Robinson 41) beat Sri Lanka 141 (Perera 48, Duffy 4-15) by 45 runsAfter a first T20I which had been more akin to a smash and grab, New Zealand produced a much more team-centred effort to come away comfortable winners in the second T20I, and with it secure the series 2-0. It means Sri Lanka’s long wait for a series win in New Zealand continues.Having been set an imposing target of 187, Sri Lanka’s batting once more threatened for large parts before falling away at the death. Only Pathum Nissanka (37), Kusal Perera (48) and Charith Asalanka (20) provided any innings of substance, but with a long tail in tow, the hosts needed much more than that if they were to overhaul a spirited New Zealand outfit.Jacob Duffy once more was at the forefront of proceedings, as he ensured strong efforts from Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman and Mitch Hay would not be in vain. Duffy’s 4 for 15 was far and away the best bowling effort, as he provided crucial breakthroughs across Sri Lanka’s innings.It was Hay, however, that took home the player-of-the-match award for his 19-ball 41. It was a knock that took New Zealand’s total from a middling one to above par, and put his side ahead of the game – a position which they scarcely looked like letting go of from that point on.Duffy does it againIn the first T20I it was Duffy’s single-over triple-strike that signposted Sri Lanka’s monument collapse. In the second game, while not as explosive – this time he spread his scalps over all four of his overs – his impact was just as telling.Mitchell Santner too was clever in his use of Duffy, bringing him on initially in spells of just one over each, before a critical two-over burst at the death. The tactic worked a charm, as after a wicketless first over, he picked up a wicket off the first delivery of each of his subsequent three overs.Pathum Nissanka was the first to go, bringing an end to the opener’s threatening 38 off 27. Duffy was then brought back in the midst of another threatening stand when Kusal Perera and Charith Asalanka had put on 31 off 20, only for Perera to fall for a 35-ball 48.A third first-ball strike to remove Wanindu Hasaranga, followed by the dismissal of Maheesh Theekshana two balls later, ended another fine day out for Duffy.Mitchell Hay added late impetus for New Zealand•Getty ImagesSri Lankan strike rates a concern?Sri Lanka once more flattered to deceive with the bat, and while this defeat was not anywhere near as egregious as the loss in the first game, there will be question marks surrounding their inability to to finish an innings strongly.Once more a solid platform was laid – 72 for 2 at the halfway mark – but they ended up bowled out for 141 by the start of the 20th over. And among their primary concerns might be an inability to score runs quickly enough.Even the batters that got runs were unable to strike at more than 140 – a stark contrast from New Zealand, who had three batters hit at a rate above 140, including Hay who struck at 215 – while another area to improve might be the running between the wickets; New Zealand ran 14 twos as opposed to Sri Lanka running just five.New Zealand’s controlled aggression Having been asked to bat first once more, only three of the opening 10 overs didn’t include a boundary, and five of those overs went for at least 10 runs. This meant that even Sri Lanka’s better bowlers on the day weren’t ever able to build any sort of concerted pressure, while other were barely allowed to even settle. Much of this was down to the measured intent shown by Robinson and Chapman, with both batters comfortable in using their feet to shift Sri Lanka’s bowlers off their lengths.Theekshana, usually among Sri Lanka’s more economical bowlers, was targeted in particular, going for 20 off his first two before being taken out of the attack. The express Matheesha Pathirana wasn’t safe either, with Chapman twice coming down the track to dispatch him – first over the covers and then a wallop over deep midwicket.More importantly New Zealand were diligent in their running between the wickets, constantly searching for possibilities to turn singles into twos. This meant that while Binura Fernando, Hasaranga and Nuwan Thushara had never really looked under any sort of pressure, New Zealand somehow managed to rack up 86 by the halfway point.Hay finally shinesDespite New Zealand’s strong start, Sri Lanka might have been happy with how the game had panned out by the 18th over. Sixty-six runs and three wickets in the eight overs since the 10th had brought about the distinct possibility that New Zealand might not even make the 172 they had in the first game.And it might have been the case too, if not for Hay. His first three T20Is – all against Sri Lanka – had brought two ducks and a grand total of three runs. But here, against two of Sri Lanka’s wiliest bowlers, Hay belatedly announced himself on the international stage.In a 19-ball cameo – more than doubling the number of deliveries he had faced in his previous three T20Is combined – Hay bludgeoned 41 runs, including four fours and two sixes. Having bided his time initially, taking 12 off 9, he clattered 29 off his next 10.Theekshana was the first to get the treatment, with two monster hits down the ground the highlight of an 18-run penultimate over. Hay then turned his attention to Sri Lanka’s most economical bowler up to that point – Binura – smartly dispatching him for two boundaries, including an audacious scoop, to ensure 34 runs off the final two overs – and 100 off the final 10.

This summer transfer window has acted as a period of change for Liverpool, and it has felt at times like the transition from the end of the Jürgen Klopp reign to the start of the Arne Slot one. Whilst this will be Slot’s second season at the club, last year’s Premier League-winning campaign was predominantly done with his predecessor’s signings, with the exception of Federico Chiesa.

Prominent members of Liverpool’s front line have departed the club this summer, including Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, which have helped fund new faces. Liverpool’s opening day win against Bournemouth has demonstrated Slot’s favour towards his own signings, as four of the starting eleven were signings from this summer.

Slot now looks likely to remove another one of Klopp’s favourites as a German club are prepared to offer Liverpool a massive return on their investment.

RB Leipzig preparing bid for Elliott as personal terms agreed

RB Leipzig are preparing to submit a bid worth £25.9 million for Liverpool and England attacking midfielder, Harvey Elliott. This report comes from the Empire of the Kop, who stated that Liverpool’s valuation of Elliott is closer to £34.5 million, and the gap between the two figures will “potentially be bridged through structured payments and add-ons”.

This deal will see Liverpool receive more than 500% profit on Elliott, given that he only cost them £4.3 million when they signed him from Fulham in 2019.

Elliott has fallen out of favour at Liverpool since Slot took over, with his appearances dropping from 53 in all competitions during the 23/24 campaign to 28 appearances in all competitions in the 24/25 campaign. Since departing Liverpool, Klopp has taken over as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull and may be one of the figures behind recruiting Elliott.

Empire of the Kop also report that Elliot has come to terms with the fact that he does not feature heavily in Slot’s plans and is accepting a move to the Bundesliga, having already agreed personal terms in principle. These personal terms include a pay rise where he’ll increase from the £2.08 million that he earns each year at Liverpool to a new salary between £2.6 million and £3.4 million a year.

Elliott's transfer adds to Slot's forward depth issues

While Elliott didn’t feature prominently for Slot last season, his departure would still add to the minutes that need to be made up. Slot’s new-look forward line will have to make up for the minutes of the recently sold Diaz and Nunez, as well as those of Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in the summer.

Premier League Minutes Last Season

Jota

1,194

Diaz

2,410

Nunez

1,118

Elliott

360

Total

5,082

Whilst it may seem like a mammoth task to make up 5,082 minutes, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké came close to that last season. Across the last Bundesliga campaign, the pair racked up 4,933 minutes of game time, only 149 minutes short of what the listed players played combined.

Thierry Henry is one of the best Premier League players of all time and has rightly gone down as an Arsenal legend following his iconic spell under Arsene Wenger.

Since retiring back in 2012, the France forward has been a pundit and a manager, working with broadcast giants Sky Sports and CBS Sports. He’s covered the Champions League alongside Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards for the American broadcaster, with the trio kept in check by Kate Scott.

Back in 2019, Henry appeared on Carragher’s ‘The Greatest Game’ podcast and was asked to name his all-time five-a-side team of outfield players.

The Arsenal hero decided to snub ex-Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi and Portugal icon Cristiano Ronaldo, instead choosing five ‘football legends’ from previous generations.

Jose Mourinho nearly signed one of Arsenal's best ever players for Barcelona

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ByCharlie Smith Jun 7, 2025 5 Franz Beckenbauer Germany

Starting at the back in Henry’s dream team is Franz Beckenbauer. A Bayern Munich legend who helped win three consecutive European Cups, the centre-back also lifted the World Cup with Germany in 1974.

A two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Beckenbauer is regarded as one of the best defenders the game has ever seen alongside Paolo Maldini.

4 Michael Laudrup Denmark

A name that might surprise many in Henry’s list is Denmark attacking midfielder Michael Laudrup, who played for Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid between 1985 and 1996.

Known best for his passing, technical skills and dribbling ability, Laudrup was called “underrated” by Henry, who labelled him a “monster”.

“I do not understand. If there is a player who is underrated, it’s him. Those who talk about football and who go deep recognise it to its true value, but almost nobody remembers when asked which number 10 has the most marked. Michael Laudrup was a monster.

“He was the best 10, and by 10 I mean the one who makes his team play. Too many players in history have had the number 10 and only think about scoring.

“Laudrup… my god. The passes he made. On the ground, he broke two lines, and it is as if the ball slowed when she saw the attacker.”

La Liga

1986

Serie A

1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995

Eredivisie

1998

European Cup

1992

Copa del Rey

1990

UEFA Super Cup

1992

KNVB Cup

1998

Spanish Super Cup

1991, 1992

Intercontinental Cup

1985

FIFA Confederations Cup

1995

3 Johan Cruyff Netherlands

A player who arguably transformed the way the game is played today, both as a player and as a manager, was Johan Cruyff.

Starring for both Ajax and Barcelona both on the pitch and in the dugout, Cruyff won three Ballon d’Or awards during his career.

The forward could do it all, score goals, beat defenders with ease and provide assists, creating the famous Cruyff turn which is still used today.

2 Diego Maradona Argentina

Before Messi, Argentina had Diego Maradona as their national footballing icon, with the attacking midfielder leading his country to the 1974 World Cup.

Henry said Maradona inspired him as a youngster, comparing him to Messi in the process when asked by Carragher.

1 Pele Brazil

Finishing off Henry’s side is Brazilian forward Pele, who holds the Guinness World Record for most goals with 1,279 in 1,363 matches.

Bursting onto the scene with hat-tricks in the World Cup as a teenager, Pele lifted the famous trophy on three occasions with Brazil and always stepped up on the biggest stage. Following his passing at the end of 2022, Henry hailed Pele, saying:

“As long as there is football, as long as there is a World Cup, we will always talk about Pele. He is an inspiration for all generations, no matter what, until the end of time. Everyone was Brazilian on that day. Pele means a lot to football.”

Leeds United are ready to permanently sell a member of Daniel Farke’s first-team squad in the final days of the summer transfer window.

Leeds make James Justin 10th summer signing

The Whites have been busy following their return to the Premier League and have now spent more than £100m on new signings.

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

The latest player to arrive was versatile full-back James Justin, who signed a four-year deal in Yorkshire after suffering relegation with Leicester City last season.

Despite having less than 12 months left on his deal, Leeds forked out £10m for Justin, who said after signing for the Whites:

“Obviously to join a club of this size and to have the history it has had, and being back in the Premier League was a massive thing for me, so I’m over the moon to have joined.

“It’s been a while since I’ve known of the interest, but obviously I was still a Leicester player, so I had to give my all for Leicester whilst I was there. That’s something obviously that you can expect from me when I put on a Leeds shirt, is to give my all when I’m on the pitch. But for it to finally have happened, it’s taken a weight off my shoulders for sure.

“Everyone that I’ve spoken to about the club and the area has had great things to say about it. So I’m excited to join the lads and get to work.”

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Further incomings and outgoings are expected at Thorp Arch before the September 1 deadline, with winner Largie Ramazani on course to head to Valencia on a season-long loan.

The 49ers Enterprises are searching for more attacking additions, but after signing Justin, a current Leeds defender could be about to wave goodbye to Elland Road for good.

Leeds ready to sell £3m Isaac Schmidt after signing Justin

According to reliable reporter Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, Leeds are now in talks to sell Isaac Schmidt to German side Werder Bremen on a permanent basis.

Signed for £2.5m from Swiss side FC St Gallen last season, Schmidt could now depart for a profit, with the 49ers in line to receive £3m.

Farke, who used Schmidt in pre-season while Jayden Bogle was out injured, praised the full-back last season, admitting he was “impressed” with the Switzerland international.

“I’m not surprised — he’s played in several different positions. What I like about Isaac is lots of competition, Firpo is playing outstanding, Bogle the same. It’s a joke that Byram who has good points per game doesn’t play. It’s tough for Isaac. He came after not playing in English football. He needed to adapt but longer with us longer he impressed. I like his attitude.”

However, with regular football not on offer for Schmidt in England ahead of the 2026 World Cup, a permanent move away seems to be best for all involved, especially following Justin’s arrival.

MatériaMais Notícias

Uma das grandes promessas para o futuro das categorias de base do Bragantino, o volante Nathan Camargo vem despertando a atenção de alguns clubes do futebol europeu. Convocado em 2020 para a Seleção Brasileira Sub-15, Nathan sempre foi visto com potencial de muito destaque em sua geração a nível nacional.

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O atleta, inclusive, atuou em três partidas da equipe profissional no Campeonato Paulista deste ano, além de ter sido relacionado para jogos da Copa do Brasil e da Copa Sul-Americana.

Aos 17 anos, Nathan Camargo agora se prepara para a disputa da Copa Paulista, prevista para o início de julho. Formado nas divisões de base do Bragantino, o jogador é visto internamente como uma das grandes apostas do clube para a posição.

Nas últimas semanas, no entanto, algumas sondagens de clubes da França começaram a ganhar um pouco mais de força com a proximidade da abertura da janela de transferências.

Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed has launched an impassioned defence for the recent spin-friendly pitches for Test matches in the country.Ahead of the second Test against West Indies in Multan, Aaqib said that if the decision to prepare such wickets been taken sooner, Pakistan may have been closer to making the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Speaking publicly for the first time since assuming the role of interim coach of the Test side, he said he remained focused on winning Test matches and dismissed concerns about his side’s strategy.”Why is it that if fast bowlers take wickets, [people say] Test cricket is moving forward, and if spinners take wickets, Test cricket’s going backwards?” Aaqib said on the eve of the game. “I don’t understand this. When you go to Australia and England, they prepare pitches how they like. So, if we prepare turning wickets and spinners take wickets, what is the problem?”Of course, we were right to prepare a spin pitch [in the first Test] against West Indies. Their batters are not as proficient against spin when compared to fast bowling. I also want to address concerns about where our Test cricket is going. If we had taken these decisions earlier, then we would have been in the race for the WTC [final]. The rule of Test cricket is to win at home. If you win at home and you win two to three Tests away, you become a strong candidate for the final.”Related

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Aaqib was speaking after his team wrapped up victory in the shortest completed Test in Pakistan – the first Test against West Indies. He said Pakistan were trying to prepare a similar surface for the second Test too, and the decision to pivot to spinning tracks, masterminded largely by him and selector Aleem Dar when they were appointed to the men’s selection committee in October, was partly necessitated by a drop in the skill levels of Pakistan’s current fast bowlers.”We used to be strong on [bowling] reverse swing, but now that skill level has gone down,” he said. “We have told our fast bowlers if you want to take wickets here, their reverse-swing skill will have to go up. In the past, we had Shoaib [Akhtar, Waqar [Younis], Wasim [Akram], and both spin and pace bowlers took wickets.”In the clearest sign that Pakistan’s latest strategy looks like it might be here to stay, Aaqib acknowledged the toll this was taking on his side’s batters because “even they have never played in these conditions”. He indicated broad changes would follow in the off-season with regards to Pakistan’s domestic pitches as well as the training regimen the batters would be put through to prepare them for these wickets in the future.”Even though foreign players are struggling with spin pitches from abroad, so are our players, because they have never played on these pitches,” Aaqid said. “Moving forward, we have told them their training and practice routines will be geared towards this, and we will change domestic pitches too. Our next Test is not until October, so that gives them time to improve their batting.”All three pitches against England last October were declared satisfactory by the ICC•PA Images via Getty Images

Pakistan’s tactics have come under intense discussion, and at times criticism – both from outside the country and within. While they escaped ICC censure for the surfaces they prepared against England last October – all three were declared satisfactory – a decision on the pitch for the first Test against West Indies has not yet been made.Criticism from abroad has focused on whether Pakistan’s tactics amount to pitch doctoring. Concerns have been raised at home over Pakistan’s future ability to develop fast bowlers and quality batting talent, and if this is likely to further erode Pakistan’s competitiveness in away Test series.”We were in South Africa just now, and we came very close to winning a Test,” Aaqib said. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t take those last two wickets in Centurion. No spinner played those Tests for us there. You have to select a team depending on the conditions you get.”It’s about winning Tests; that’s what matters. We think we can prepare these pitches in every center of Pakistan, and it should be as difficult to beat Pakistan here as it is to beat Australia or South Africa away. People should know if they’re going to Pakistan, they will have to do something extraordinary to beat Pakistan.”

Leeds United were not short of goals last season in their sensational Championship campaign. The Whites were the dominant side in England’s second tier, reaching 100 points and finishing top of the table on goal difference, ahead of fellow centurions Burnley.

Daniel Farke’s side were the dominant team in front of goal, scoring 24 more goals than any other side. In total, they found the back of the net 95 times, and it was that clinical instinct that helped them become the dominant force they were last term.

After already signing one attacker this summer, Felix Nmecha, now the Yorkshire side are looking to add to their depth in forward areas by dipping into the transfer market once again.

Leeds' next attacking target

With Nmecha already through the door, Leeds’ focus has shifted to wingers. They failed in a bid to sign Igor Paixao from Feyenoord, with the 25-year-old making the move to French side Marseille. Interestingly, this could have opened the door for Leeds’ next move to materialise.

Transfer Focus

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

According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Farke’s side are looking to bring Marseille and England under-21 international Jonathan Rowe to the club.

Having targeted him last summer before his move to France, they are now ‘reigniting their pursuit’ of the former Norwich City star.

Described as a ‘key objective for the 2025 summer window’, a move for 22-year-old Rowe is not going to be straightforward. Leeds are one of four Premier League sides that want to sign the forward this summer, with Marseille said to be looking for a fee of £17m.

Why Rowe would be a good signing

After impressing in the Championship for Norwich a couple of seasons ago, Rowe got his big move to Ligue 1. In a Marseille shirt, he showed great promise under former Brighton and Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Last term, the London-born winger played 30 games for the nine-time French champions, scoring three times and assisting four. However, he managed just 846 minutes, equivalent to nine full 90-minute games, resulting in an impressive average of 0.7 goal involvements per game.

The Norwich academy graduate previously shone in the 2023/24 Championship campaign. Playing on both the left and right wing, he scored 12 goals and assisted twice in 32 appearances, including this sublime strike against Hull City on the opening day of the season.

He showed that he’s “got that bit of magic” for the Canaries, as noted by then-teammate Shane Duffy. Could he well have shades of Raphinha about him?

If Farke had the pick of any former attacker to add to his squad this season, he’d surely choose the former Stade Rennais star.

The Brazilian has been sensational for Barcelona this term, with their manager Hansi Flick saying “he’s in the running” for the Ballon d’Or.

Before his big move to La Liga, the Brazilian spent two memorable seasons at Leeds. He played 67 times for the club, scoring 17 goals and assisting 12.

His final goal came away to Brentford on the last day of the 2021/22 season, which helped keep his side in the Premier League.

Well, Farke can’t have Raphinha this term, but there are similarities between a deal for Rowe, and one for the Barca star back in 2020. Not only would the pair have both moved to Elland Road from Ligue 1, but they can both operate on each flank and as a number nine.

Statistically, they put up strikingly similar numbers from their sole seasons in France. As per FBref, Marseille star Rowe averaged two key passes and 3.33 progressive carries per 90 minutes, compared to 2.11 key passes and 3.11 progressive carries each game for Raphinha.

The stats suggest that Rowe could become Farke’s own Raphinha. Not only would both players have joined from France’s top flight, but the stats behind those campaigns are remarkably similar, as is the versatility they offer.

For just £17m, this could be a fantastic way for Leeds to upgrade their side and add more threat in attack at Elland Road.

Farke's answer to Sesko: Leeds offered chance to sign £93k-p/w "leader"

Leeds United have the chance to snap up their own Benjamin Sesko with this transfer.

1

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