West Ham chiefs have now been told exactly what they need to complete a deal for AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez in January, with Nuno Espírito Santo’s side in the market for another centre-forward as Niclas Füllkrug packs his bags.

The Hammers are stepping up their pursuit of a number nine ahead of the winter transfer window, with Fullkrug set to depart as the injury-ridden German international seeks a new chapter (Fabrizio Romano).

Fullkrug, according to multiple reliable media sources, is exploring options to leave, with talks already happening, after having struggled with injuries and a lack of overall form since his move from Borussia Dortmund last year. His impending departure has intensified the need for attacking reinforcements, with Nuno apparently keen to bolster his forward options following a difficult start to the campaign.

The East London club have “already” begun scouring the market for potential targets (Fabrizio Romano), and West Ham are reportedly keeping an eye on Man United striker Joshua Zirkzee as a potential reinforcement, among others.

Sunderland 3-0 West Ham

West Ham 1-5 Chelsea

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham

West Ham 0-3 Tottenham

West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace

Everton 1-1 West Ham

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

West Ham 0-2 Brentford

Leeds 2-1 West Ham

West Ham 3-1 Newcastle

West Ham 3-2 Burnley

West Ham have been linked with Palmeiras striker Vitor Roque and explored a loan move for Real Madrid’s Endrick, before Lyon swooped in to take command in the race for his signature as the Ligue 1 giants press ahead with a deal.

Additionally, Gimenez has emerged as a target for West Ham too.

The Mexico international, who scored for fun in the Eredivisie and even once commanded an £88 million price tag, hasn’t managed to carry on that form at the San Siro since making his eventual £28 million move to Milan earlier this year.

Gimenez has managed just seven goals in 30 total appearances for the Rossoneri, and Milan chiefs may now green-light a mid-season departure for the 24-year-old, who had previously starred under Arne Slot at Feyenoord.

The North American racked up 26 goals in 41 appearances in Slot’s final season at Feyenoord, and finished the previous campaign as their top scorer whilst firing them to the title that year.

Interestingly, Milan are believed to be interested in Fullkrug as a replacement for Gimenez, with the prospect of a swap deal even touted in the press very recently.

West Ham told Santiago Gimenez deal conditions as Fullkrug swap deal mooted

While the possibility of a swap deal or even part-exchange is apparently there, a report by Calciomercato has detailed exactly what David Sullivan needs to do to make a deal happen.

According to their information, West Ham’s hopes of securing Gimenez in January hinge on meeting strict conditions set by the Italian giants.

Milan will only consider selling for a permanent transfer fee of at least £22 million, and crucially, the deal must come from a club that Gimenez himself approves. The Italian outlet emphasizes that without these two conditions being met, any discussions remain purely hypothetical.

The situation presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Nuno’s side. However, that being said, there is reason to believe that Gimenez would be a major upgrade on Fullkrug.

The eight-year age difference between the two strikers means that West Ham would certainly benefit from a swap for the long-term, and unlike Fullkrug, Gimenez enjoyed 20-plus goal seasons in the build up to his Milan move.

Gimenez’s “sensational” form at Feyenoord attracted interest from elite Premier League sides, including Arsenal, and West Ham could now have a chance to help him rediscover his goalscoring touch in England.

Milan’s willingness to sell means a deal is there to be done, so Gimenez could genuinely be one of Nuno’s better options.

All the numbers and records from a series where the Indian batters made merry

Sampath Bandarupalli02-Aug-2025

Ravindra Jadeja finished with 516 runs for the series•Getty Images

3809 – Runs aggregated by India across the five matches of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. It is the second-most runs recorded by a team in a Test series, behind only Australia’s 3877 during the six-match Ashes series in 1989. The series aggregate is also the second-highest behind the 1993 Ashes, where England and Australia collectively scored 7221 runs.8 – Number of 300-plus totals for India, the joint-most by any team in a Test series. India also breached the 350-mark on eight occasions, two more than any other team in a Test series.516 – Ravindra Jadeja’s tally is the fifth-highest for a batter coming in at No. 6 or lower in a Test series. These are also the most runs recorded by an India batter coming in at No. 6 or lower in a Test series, going past VVS Laxman’s 474 runs against West Indies in 2002.Related

Gill shows he is ready for the grind of India's Test captaincy

Butter-fingered England spill six chances at The Oval

Oval and out: Jaiswal's series comes a full circle with statement hundred

Jaiswal hundred, Siraj's late strike make India favourites

Jadeja’s six fifty-plus scores are the joint-most while batting at No. 6 or lower in a Test series. Four of Jadeja’s six fifty-plus scores came in the second innings, the joint-most for a batter in a Test series.1131 – Jadeja’s run tally in Test cricket in England while batting at No. 6 or lower. These are the most runs in that position for a visiting player in any country in Test cricket, surpassing Clive Lloyd’s 1126 in Australia.Jadeja’s ten fifty-plus scores at No. 6 or lower in England are also the joint-most for a visiting player in a country, alongside Lloyd’s ten in Australia. Among Indian batters, only Sachin Tendulkar (12) has more fifty-plus scores in Tests in England.ESPNcricinfo Ltd754 – Shubman Gill’s series aggregate is the second-highest for a captain behind Don Bradman’s 810 against England in the 1936-37 Ashes. No other batter has scored more runs in a series between England and India, going past Graham Gooch’s 752 runs in 1990.470 – Boundaries hit by India (422 fours and 48 sixes), the most by any team in a Test series, going past 460 by Australia (451 fours and nine sixes) in the 1993 Ashes.12 – Number of individual hundreds for India, the joint-most for any team in a Test series. These are also the most for India in a Test series, going past the 11 they recorded against West Indies at home in 1978-79.5 – Five Indian batters scored 400-plus runs in this series, Yashasvi Jaiswal being the latest addition. Only three times has a team had five (or more) batters scoring 400-plus runs in a Test series previously – six for Australia in the 1993 Ashes, while five each for South Africa against England in 1964-65 and Australia in the 1989 Ashes.Eight batters have aggregated 400-plus runs across England and India in this series so far, the joint-most for a Test series, alongside the Frank Worrell Trophy in 1975-76 and the 1993 Ashes.Three India batters have gone past the 500-run mark in this series – Gill, KL Rahul and Jadeja, the joint-most for a team in a Test series.Akash Deep celebrates his fifty•Getty Images66 – Akash Deep’s score is the third-highest by a nightwatcher for India in men’s Tests. Syed Kirmani scored 101* against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in 1979, while Amit Mishra scored 84 against England in 2011, also at The Oval.79.66 – Percentage of runs scored by Jaiswal behind square on the offside during his 118. In all, he recorded 94 runs in that region – 11 fours and two sixes. As per ESPNCricinfo’s ball-by-ball logs, it is the highest percentage of runs scored behind square by any batter while scoring a century in men’s Tests since 2003.6 – Catches dropped by England in India’s second innings, the most by them in an innings since 2018. They dropped six catches in India’s first innings at Edgbaston in 2022 and New Zealand’s second innings at Wellington in 2023.

The Phillies defeated the Marlins on Friday night in Miami by a score of 9–3, with the win helping Philadelphia hold on to the No. 2 spot in the NL standings with just under a month to go before the postseason.

But while it was a good outcome on the field for the Phillies, for some fans in the stands, Friday night was quite an ordeal. After centerfielder Harrison Bader hit a home run into the stands in the fourth inning, one fan, who did not come away with the home run ball, insisted that their claim to the ball was valid, despite the ball already being in the hands of a child.

Eventually, the fan who had gotten the ball relented, taking the ball out of the child’s glove and giving it to the insistent fan, who walked away in a huff. It was a bizarre scene.

The Phillies fan who ultimately left with the ball came under fire from fans across the internet, and also left anchors Nicole Briscoe and Michael Eaves in disbelief as they recapped the interaction.

“Really lady?” Eaves asked, incredulous. “Hate to call her a Karen, but…” Briscoe said.

“I don’t care lady who you are. You didn’t have a kid with you. He did. It is about them,” Briscoe concluded. “What the hell? What is wrong with people?”

“You didn’t catch it! It’s fair game!” Eaves insisted.

Thankfully, despite the awkwardness of the moment, the story had a happy ending, with the fan who gave up the ball receiving a nice prize package from the Marlins staff at the stadium and getting to meet Bader after the game to receive a signed bat.

A lesson for everyone though—when in doubt, let the kid keep the ball.

In the ever-growing cross-city rivalry between the Mets and the Yankees, Juan Soto's mega-contract he signed this offseason—sending him from the Bronx to Queens—is only the latest blip on the radar.

The deal, a 15-year, $765 million pact, keeps the four-time All-Star with the Mets through 2039 and through his age-40 season … at least we think.

In a recent appearance on , host Brandon Tierney went on a bit of a rant about Soto's transition from pinstripes to orange and blue—and in doing so, questioned if the outfielder is really as young as we think he is:

"If you gave me a chance to put him on the Yankees right now, for the contract he signed with the Mets, or the contract that the Yankees offered, my answer would be … I'm good," he said. "Pass."

"Now I'm not good to the point where I'm feeling good about the Yankees team," Tierney continued. "And that's a Cashman thing, but 15 years of this? Honestly, does he look 26 [years old]? … When you're 26, you still have a youthful glow … I think that there's a chance, a good chance, he's not 26. I'll say it. Whatever."

What is this, ?

Tierney went on to dig himself deeper, saying that, while he doesn't want to give his theory any more credence, Soto may be closer to age 30.

Quite the interesting hill to die on.

The Mets are just 1-9 in their last 10 games as they cling on to the final National League wild-card spot with just over a month to go in the 2025 season. Soto leads New York in home runs with 29 and is batting .252 with 69 RBIs.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em busca do pentacampeonato da Copa do Brasil, o Palmeiras estreia na competição nesta noite diante do Botafogo-SP, no Allianz Parque, buscando um bom resultado já no primeiro jogo da eliminatória.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

Para construir uma vantagem que faça o Verdão jogar mais tranquilo em Ribeirão Preto, daqui três semanas, o time de Abel Ferreira precisa fazer as pazes com as redes.

Isso porque o ataque alviverde não vive boa fase no Brasileirão, e com apenas um gol nas primeiras quatro rodadas, o atual bicampeão brasileiro tem o segundo pior ataque da competição.

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Já na Libertadores, a fase do ataque alviverde muda completamente, e o time tem sete gols nos três jogos que fez na fase de grupos.

Este será o segundo encontro do Palmeiras diante do Botafogo-SP neste ano, uma vez que o Verdão bateu o rival do interior por 1 a 0 na campanha do tri do Paulistão.

➡️ A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!

O provável Palmeiras para encarar o Botafogo-SP é: Weverton, Mayke, Murilo, Gómez e Piquerez; Aníbal Moreno, Zé Rafael e Raphael Veiga (Luís Guilherme); Estevão, Endrick e Flaco López.

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يستهل منتخب مصر مشواره في بطولة كأس العرب 2025 بمواجهة نظيره الكويتي، في المباراة التي تجمع بينهما ضمن لقاءات البطولة الدولية.

وتقام المباراة بين مصر والكويت على أرضية استاد البيت في إطار لقاءات الجولة الأولى من مرحلة المجموعات لـ كأس العرب.

وتضم المجموعة الثالث بـ بطولة كأس العرب مصر والكويت ومعهما الإمارات والأردن، ضمن المسابقة المقامة في قطر خلال الفترة من 1 حتى 18 ديسمبر.​

ويبحث منتخب مصر عن انطلاقة قوية في البطولة العربية تحت قيادة جهازه الفني الحالي، بقيادة حلمي طولان ساعيًا لتحقيق نتائج متقدمة بالمسابقة.

طالع | تشكيل منتخب مصر المتوقع أمام الكويت اليوم في كاس العرب 2025

بينما يدخل المنتخب الكويتي اللقاء بمعنويات مرتفعة بعد عبوره من الملحق وتأهله إلى دور المجموعات، في مواجهة منتظرة جماهيريًا وإعلاميًا بين المنتخبين. موعد مباراة مصر والكويت اليوم في كأس العرب 2025

وتنطلق أحداث مباراة مصر والكويت اليوم الثلاثاء 2 ديسمبر 2025، في تمام الساعة 4:30 عصرًا بتوقيت القاهرة، 5:30 مساءً بتوقيت مكة المكرمة والكويت. القنوات الناقلة لمباراة مصر والكويت اليوم

تُنقل مباراة مصر والكويت في كأس العرب 2025، عبر قنوات، ام بي سي مصر2، و الكأس 1، و beIN Sports المفتوحة، وقناة أبو ظبي الرياضية، ودبي الرياضية، ومنصة شاشا. معلقو مباراة مصر والكويت في كأس العرب

ويتولى مهمة التعليق على أحداث مباراة السعودية وعمان، كلا من “مدحت شلبي، وفهد العتيبي، وحفيظ الدراجي، ومنتصر الأزهري وخالد الحدي”.

ويُمكنكم متابعة أحداث مباريات اليوم لحظة بلحظة من مركز المباريات من هنــــا

Perhaps to be expected of this modern-day Manchester United team, the recent five-game unbeaten run was merely a false dawn, as Ruben Amorim’s tenure reached another low on Monday evening.

That wet and miserable night at Grimsby is arguably the nadir of the Portuguese’s year in charge, although the latest loss to Everton could well run it close, following what was simply a lifeless performance from the hosts at Old Trafford.

Handed a bizarre advantage following Idrissa Gueye’s slap on ex-United man, Michael Keane, the Red Devils contrived to slip up against their ten-man opponents, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall firing in a deserved lead on the hour mark.

Despite having ample time and opportunity to get back into the game, the Red Devils barely threatened Jordan Pickford’s goal from then on, albeit with the Englishman making one notable save to deny Joshua Zirkzee’s goalbound header.

The Dutchman, to his credit, came as close as anyone to getting the home side level on the night, but that should not overshadow what was another desperate display from United’s number 11.

The 24-year-old wasn’t the only INEOS signing under the microscope against the Toffees – far from it – but his performance certainly warrants further scrutiny.

Joshua Zirkzee's dismal Everton display in numbers

On a different day, the £36.5m man might have been the hero had his well-taken header evaded the sprawling Pickford, with the striker’s last Premier League goals having actually come against the Merseysiders almost a year earlier.

As it is, Amorim is left to reflect upon a largely limp showing from Zirkzee in attack, with the ex-Bologna man’s woes only heightening the frustration regarding Benjamin Sesko’s absence.

Sesko – with just two goals for United to date – hasn’t been perfect, but even amid his struggles at Spurs, he was still a handful, a physical outlet whom Amorim’s side can look to.

Zirkzee might be a self-described ‘nine and a half’, but at 6 foot 4, he should be doing far better, notably losing the ball on 12 occasions from just 35 touches.

Far too frequently, the struggling forward dallied in possession or produced an errant touch or flick, looking distinctly uncomfortable with his back to goal.

The caveat to that, of course, is that he had featured for just 90 minutes in total this season prior to that, with there likely to be an element of ring rust for a player handed just his first league start of 2025/26.

That being said, on a wider focus, this remains a striker who has scored just three top-flight goals since signing back in the summer of 2024, with United again left looking desperately short at the top end of the pitch.

Problems at the other end also persist, however, with the backline looking particularly erratic.

Amorim must bench Man Utd's "best in the world" star

Much of the blame for Monday’s defeat lies at Amorim’s door, with the 40-year-old’s failure to release the handbrake and shuffle his system having been desperately evident, as his side toiled for an equaliser amid their second-half dominance.

In the ex-Sporting CP man’s defence, however, he must have been scratching his head at the laboured showing of those on the pitch, with Leny Yoro notably putting in a tame effort to try and prevent Dewsbury-Hall from converting.

That weak act – which was followed by another weak stop from the previously impressive Senne Lammens – came amid a largely frustrating display from the young Frenchman, with Harry Maguire’s absence felt again in the back three.

Yoro’s pace and recovery speed is a useful tool, although he has the tendency to be bullied up against a physical forward line, winning just two of his five ground duels, as per Sofascore.

Perhaps more frustrating were his woes in possession, losing the ball on ten occasions, while failing to really drive forward from his right-sided role, even with ample time and space afforded to him.

Yoro – 25/26 PL stats
Stat (*per game)	Record
Games (starts)	12 (8)
Goals	0
Assists	0
Key passes*	0.3
Pass accuracy*	88%
Successful dribbles*	0
Tackles*	1.0
Interceptions*	1.0
Total duels won*	58%
Aerial duels won*	72%
Dribbled past*	0.4
Stats via Sofascore

Unlike last term, when the 20-year-old was a central figure in United’s Europa League charge, he appeared hesitant to get forward, rarely attempting to burst into space to support the likes of Amad ahead of him.

There is an argument to suggest he may need to shift to a left centre-back role, having thrived there in the second half of last season, although with Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven already in contention there, Amorim surely can’t make that switch.

Currently ranking in the bottom 2% of European centre-backs for blocks, the bottom 9% for clearances and the bottom 27% for aerial duels won per 90, as per FBref, the ex-Lille starlet certainly isn’t thriving as expected, having previously been described as the “best in the world” for his age by Rio Ferdinand.

Options at right centre-back really are quite limited – particularly in the absence of Maguire – although Amorim may have to consider relocating Noussair Mazraoui, and shifting Yoro back to the bench.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

As Ferdinand suggested, the France U21 international is a massive talent, but United and Old Trafford are yet to see the best of him.

Worse than Bruno Fernandes vs Everton: Amorim must bin Man Utd's 3/10 flop

This Man Utd star struggled in the 1-0 home defeat to Everton

1

By
Joe Nuttall

Nov 25, 2025

It seemed for an age that his bowling exploits were capped by physical ailments but in Manchester, the Stokes of old turned up and made things happen

Vithushan Ehantharajah24-Jul-2025

Ben Stokes celebrates his five-wicket haul•Getty Images

The raise of the ball was done with all the enthusiasm of a man lifting a plunger out of a blocked toilet.Ben Stokes’ fifth five-wicket haul, completed on day two of the fourth Test against India, means only he, Ian Botham, Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis have taken as many alongside scoring at least 10 centuries. No cricketer should be shy of entering that kind of club. But Stokes looked a little sheepish.You could understand where Stokes was coming from to an extent. It was likely a mix of not wanting to take the glory – his modus operandi since assuming the Test captaincy – and a tinge of embarrassment that it had been a long time coming. His last five-for, against West Indies at Lord’s – came back in September 2017.Related

• England hope 'stiff and sore' Stokes can bowl on fifth day at Old Trafford

• England play down workload concerns after Stokes retires hurt with cramp

• Duckett, Crawley flatten India on day headlined by Pant's bravery

• When left is right for Jofra Archer

• 'England openers came out 90 seconds late' – Gill on Lord's sledging

A few weeks on from that career-best 6 for 22, Stokes stayed up late in Bristol and, well, you know how that one went. And that, along with plenty of other situations, many beyond the allrounder’s control, has made days like these seem further away.It seemed his bowling exploits were capped. Some of those have been physical ailments and so, by proxy, all have been mental.But this 5 for 72 has, for now, kept India to 358 and allowed England a handy run out under the sun to trail by just 133 at stumps on day two. It also puts Stokes top of the pops with 16 dismissals this series. And moreover, back in a groove that, up until the last month, had seemed lost to the annals.Three batters trimmed off. Two bumped. Always threatening. Never knowingly under-bowled. All this signposted a return to the Stokes of old. Namely the one he was across 2019 and 2020 – a period he reckons was his peak.2:17

Crawley: ‘Owe it to myself to have a few good performances’

Funnily enough, there were no five-fors during this stanza. But even that was not necessarily about the 41 dismissals at 27.70 across both years, but the skill, control and durability across 368.1 overs.There are a specific 2.2 overs at the end of the final day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands in January 2020, that Stokes rewatched heading into this summer. Desperate to recapture the perfect rhythm, high pace and immaculate lengths distilled in that match-winning spell of 3 for 1.”I used Cape Town as a visual thing for me,” revealed Stokes in Leeds, ahead of the series opener. “To look back at and go, like, ‘what was I doing there’? Because that’s when I felt really good.”Zak Crawley was in the cordon five years ago, taking a juggling blinder to give Stokes his second of that set, and was in prime position here to admire the similarities.”There’s so many similarities to that,” Crawley said at stumps on Thursday. “He was bowling quickly back then. He’s got that pace back now. And the way he just gets that away movement from the right-hander, that zip, which is as much as anyone in the world really. He gets that bounce.”He’s a proper wicket-taker and he can make things happen and that’s certainly the case when I first came into the side back then (2020). And he seems to have got that back now, which is a phenomenal effort considering the injuries he’s had and, well, he’s a little bit older now.”This summer, Stokes’ average speed – 135.38kph – is the third-fastest he has registered in a home season since 2019. His control evident from the shift from day one to day two, earning his final three wickets for just 25 in 10 overs.Day two boasted the highest degree of swing of any day this series, so Stokes pushed his length forward. Of Wednesday’s 14 overs, 19.7% were full (within 6.25m of the stumps) and the dismissal of Shubman Gill, his opposite number, was at the shorter limit of that threshold. Thursday’s Stokes went further, with 32.2% to fashion what swing there was into a weapon. Shardul Thakur skewed his drive to a diving Ben Duckett at gully, then Anshul Kamboj played down what became the wrong line for Stokes’ fifth.Arguably the more impressive milestone for Stokes had come on day one, ticking over the most he has ever bowled in a series, currently. It will certainly be the most meaningful to him.Previous roles as an enforcer or “break glass for match winner” quick meant he was kept to cameos. But he has always had the skills. The problem soon became his body. Thankfully, we appear to be through the tunnel.0:49

What makes Crawley and Duckett click as a pair?

The light was seen by Stokes back in 2023. An overdue left knee operation after the ODI World Cup cleared up what was threatening to become a chronic mess. And though two right hamstring tears in six months followed, the lessons from that first procedure – specifically, how much easier rehabilitation was with a sleeker physique – had already been learned.The biggest benefit for Stokes has been around recovery. Not only have performances been backed up, but the speeds have been consistent. The first innings averages tell the story; 134.3kph (Headingley), 135.59kph (Edgbaston), 136.71kph (Lord’s) and 135.2kph here.The gap between Lord’s and Manchester is probably the most insightful as far as where Stokes is at right now.After bowling 44 overs in the victory at Lord’s, including 20 on day five to help bag that 201 lead, Stokes spent the next few days in bed. As such, when it came to training on Monday at Emirates Old Trafford, he was ready to get back on the grind, even if he was still feeling a little tired.Two days out from the first Test at Headingley, Stokes had wowed his team-mates by bowling a mammoth 11-over stint. And while he was not going to do the same here, he did want to get the wheels turning. Unfortunately, the Manchester weather got in the way.Instead, Stokes beasted himself on Tuesday. After a gym session in the morning, he bowled in the Trafford Cricket Centre – Lancashire’s onsite indoor nets – which is by no means the done thing for a bowler on the eve of a match because the indoor surface is unforgiving on the joints. Not only did Stokes get through that, he followed it up with a long batting stint. Then he sent down 24 of the first 114.1 overs of this match.Without question, Stokes’ renewed fitness drive has allowed him to stitch together a series like this. He sensed it himself, which is why after 11.2 overs against Zimbabwe, back in May, he felt he did not need to play for Durham or England Lions to be right for India.At the same time, all this has come with a bit of balance. Captaincy, at least from the outside, feels a little easier. Given the fear at the start of his tenure centered around marrying those duties with his all-action nature, he seems to be at his most switched on while carrying the bowling burden.It’s worth noting that on day three at Lord’s, when Brendon McCullum sent over bowling consultant Tim Southee to suggest Stokes cap a spell at seven overs, Stokes had already decided that was that. He knew he had run that particular race. That he went on to bowl 9.2- and 10-over spells two days later owed more to a sense he had the wares to crack the game open than simply indulging a hero complex. Vindication of both came with the removal of KL Rahul in the former and a belligerent Jasprit Bumrah in the latter.On the subject of balance, Stokes seems to have found a sweet spot. The graft away from the field to allow the gut-busting on it is tempered in various ways. Though he stopped drinking alcohol as he recovered from a hamstring operation at the start of the year, he sups the occasional drink as a reward following a satisfying day’s play. Everything in moderation, including moderation.At 34, you might term this all as growth, and in some ways it is. Of a man getting better attuned with his body and still developing a greater affinity for the craft of bowling.It used to be said of Stokes that it was hard to discern what kind of allrounder he was, beyond one with an appetite for big moments. Detractors would say that was down to neither-here-nor-there numbers with bat and ball.Now, entering the twilight of his career, Stokes is, emphatically, a bowling allrounder. And that’s not because the batting numbers are taking a dip, but because he has never been a more complete bowler than right now.

Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche arrived at the City Ground to replace Ange Postecoglou in October and has enjoyed a fairly strong start to life in the Midlands.

The English tactician has won three of his six matches and kept three clean sheets, most recently masterminding the incredible 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League.

Unfortunately, though, the player Dyche knows the most within the Forest squad, Chris Wood, has been unavailable for selection due to a knee injury.

The latest news on Chris Wood's injury

The New Zealand international suffered a knee injury in October that has kept him out of action for over a month, and he is yet to feature under Dyche for the Tricky Trees.

Prior to the Liverpool win, Dyche said: “It is just a settling period (for Wood), it is nothing too serious, it is a grumbling knee. It is serious enough to stop him from loading it; from loading in daily training, but it is settling down.”

This means that it is a case of wait and see for the experienced frontman before he can return to training and Premier League action, after he scored a staggering 20 goals in the top-flight for Forest last term.

The former Burnley man only scored two goals from 2.77 xG in the first eight matches of the current Premier League season, though, per Sofascore, and it will be interesting to see if Dyche can get him back to his best.

Meanwhile, Forest are reportedly eyeing up a January transfer window swoop for Porto centre-forward Samu Aghehowa, who could be the manager’s new version of Wood.

Why Samu could be Dyche's new Wood for Nottingham Forest

The current Tricky Trees striker turns 34 next month and there is no guarantee that he will come back from this knee injury to deliver goals on a consistent basis, which may be why a new striker is on the agenda for January.

Like Wood, who is 6 foot 3, Samu is a physically imposing centre-forward who stands at 6 foot 4 and has the strength and size to compete with Premier League defenders to be the kind of focal point that Dyche wants his number nine to be.

Journalist Zach Lowy once claimed that the Porto marksman can be “one of the best STs in Europe” and his form in Portugal suggests that he is now living up to that praise.

The Spain international scored six goals in nine Europa League matches in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore, whilst his form in the Portuguese top-flight has been phenomenal.

Appearances

30

10

xG

14.07

4.98

Goals

19

6

Minutes per goal

119

105

Assists

3

1

Aerial duel success rate

51%

60%

As you can see in the table above, Samu has provided a consistent and clinical threat in the final third for Porto in the Liga Portugal since the start of last season, whilst also winning the majority of his aerial contests in that time.

These statistics suggest that the 21-year-old centre-forward would be the perfect signing for Dyche as his next version of Chris Wood, because he has the physique, the finishing skills, and the aerial ability to be a complete number nine for the Forest boss.

The Spaniard would also have Wood at the club as an experienced mentor for him to continue his development, as the ex-Burnley ace is 12 years his senior and could be an excellent role model to help with his transition to English football.

Therefore, Forest should push hard to get a deal done for the Porto sensation because he could be an excellent addition to the squad as Wood’s natural successor under Dyche.

Gibbs-White would love him: Nottingham Forest looking to re-sign £20m star

This star could improve Forest’s midfield and benefit Gibbs-White

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 24, 2025

Vitor Matos now reportedly wants to take the Swansea City job in a major boost for the Championship club, who are preparing to trigger his big-money release clause.

It’s been a chaotic search for a new manager in Wales. The Swans decided to sack Alan Sheehan at the same time that Southampton, Norwich City and Middlesbrough all moving on from their own coaches – sending the Championship into a managerial merry-go-round.

Ultimately, it was Swansea who were made to pay for their timing, with top target Kim Hellberg now heading to Boro to replace Rob Edwards and send his first admirers back to square one.

With the Championship set to make a return from the international break this weekend, Swansea remain without a manager and will be led by Darren O’Shea on an interim basis.

Up against Bristol City on Saturday afternoon, Swansea will be looking to avoid a fifth-straight game without a victory and avoid dropping down to as low as 20th in the Championship.

Just when they’ll have their next permanent manager in charge is the big question. The Jacks head straight from their game against Bristol into a Tuesday night clash against Derby County and with the fixtures coming thick and fast, they need a permanent appointment sooner rather than later.

According to some recent reports, however, they could be in for some good news in their chase to sign Matos, who has made his decision.

Swansea preparing to trigger Matos release clause

According to reports in Portugal, as relayed by Wales Online, Swansea are now ready to trigger Matos’ release clause following rumours that the Maritime manager has decided to take the job if the opportunity comes his way.

Meanwhile, although other reports have claimed that Maritime are not willing to enter negotiations under any circumstances, those in Portugal have revealed that Matos has a release clause worth €1m (£900k) in his current contract – allowing Swansea to bypass club-to-club talks.

It’s good news for Swansea that the 37-year-old is keen to take the job, but there’s no denying that hiring him would be a gamble. The former Liverpool coach is incredibly inexperienced and the Swansea job would be his first as a manager in England.

Jurgen Klopp would be the first to hand the 4-3-3 coach rave reviews, but even the German is yet to see Matos in a potential relegation scrap. Those in Wales currently sit just seven points clear of the Championship’s dropzone and simply cannot afford to get their next appointment wrong in the coming weeks.

Instant blow for Matos as "one of Swansea's key players" could now leave