Who would make it to your all-time Chennai Super Kings XI?
ESPNcricinfo staff25-Apr-2020Wouldn’t it be fun to pick an all-time Chennai Super Kings’ XI, based on player stats for the franchise? We’ve picked ours, now it’s your turn to participate in choosing the readers’ XI.BatsmenAllrounders and bowlers
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Tanto Fluminense, quanto Vasco possuem em seus centroavantes os protagonistas de suas equipes. Germán Cano e Pablo Vegetti terão a chance de fazer um novo duelo após o grande clássico disputado no dia 16 de setembro de 2023.
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Naquele duelo, o Cruz-Maltino levou a melhor muito por conta da grande atuação do camisa 99, que marcou um gol e contribuiu com uma assistência para Gabriel Pec. No jogo aéreo, o Pirata levava a melhor conta a defesa do Tricolor.
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Por outro lado, o artilheiro da Libertadores passou em branco e não conseguiu ser o protagonista que costumou ser com o Time de Guerreiros. Mas Cano tem uma predileção por balançar as redes contra seu ex-clube no Campeonato Carioca.
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Em quatro partidas disputadas pelo Fluminense contra o Vasco, sendo duas pelo estadual e outras duas pelo Brasileirão, o camisa 14 marcou três gols. Todos esses feitos foram alcançados no Cariocão, sendo que a última edição ficou marcada por um golaço do centroavante do meio de campo.
MOMENTOS DISTINTOS
Em 2024, Vegetti e Cano iniciaram a temporada de maneiras distintas. O Pirata ainda não balançou as redes dos adversários com a camisa do Vasco. O atleta participou de dois jogos amistosos no Uruguai, além de duas partidas oficiais no estadual.
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Segundo Emiliano Díaz, filho e assistente técnico de Ramón Díaz, o centroavante vinha jogando longe de seu ideal por conta de uma lesão na costela. Embora o atleta tenha sido dúvida durante a semana para o confronto, sua presença em boas condições é essencial, visto que o Cruz-Maltino marcou apenas um gol nos últimos três jogos.
Por outro lado, Cano marcou gols nas duas únicas partidas disputadas pelo Fluminense com sua equipe principal no Campeonato Carioca. O atleta balançou as redes conta Bangu e Sampaio Corrêa, mas enfrenta seu primeiro grande desafio em 2024 para seguir dando sequência ao que já vinha fazendo com a Armadura Tricolor.
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Campeonato CariocaCanoFluminenseVascoVegetti
Aston Villa are now considering a January move for a “fantastic” Champions League player, but they will have to shell out a huge fee to get a deal over the line.
Villa looking to boost push for Europe by strengthening in January
Villa have surged up the Premier League table in recent weeks, courtesy of winning seven of their last eight matches, although there have been some suggestions that their current run of form could end soon, given that they have been defying xG.
The Villans’ 16 goals this season have come from an xG of just 11.88 xG, and they have been relying on players scoring from outside the box, with Boubacar Kamara the most recent example, firing home from distance in the 1-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Regardless of how they’ve managed to win games, Unai Emery’s side have placed themselves very much in contention to qualify for Europe yet again, and they are now looking to strengthen in January to bolster their chances.
That is according to a report from Leonino (via Sport Witness), which states Aston Villa are now considering a January bid for Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande, but they may have to break the bank, with the Portuguese club demanding his €80m (£70m) release clause is paid in full.
Sporting have been struggling to tie Diomande down to a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in 2027, which could open the door for a move to Villa Park. However, several Premier League clubs are in the race for his signature, including Crystal Palace.
With Sporting unwilling to listen to winter bids, Villa may have to wait until the summer to pursue the centre-back, unless they trigger the release clause, although it is unclear how feasible that would be, given their well-documented PSR issues.
"Fantastic" Diomande could be exciting long-term addition for Villa
The 21-year-old, who is represented by the same agency as Harvey Elliott, is at the right age to be a long-term success at Villa Park, and he impressed right across the 2024-25 campaign, as highlighted by scout Jacek Kulig.
A modern defender, the Ivorian, who has made three Champions League appearances this season, is very comfortable in possession of the ball, as showcased by his performance across some key statistics over the past year, while the youngster also has a keen eye for goal.
Ousmane Diomande’s key statistics
Average per 90 (past year)
Non-penalty goals
0.09 (88th percentile)
Passes attempted
67.57 (90th percentile)
Pass completion %
92.7% (98th percentile)
That said, Villa have one of the best defences in the Premier League, having conceded just 11 goals, so there is no pressing need to sign a centre-back, and it may be better to wait until next summer to sign Diomande, at which point Sporting’s asking price will hopefully drop.
The Saudi PIF takeover at Newcastle United in recent years has allowed a new generation of supporters to witness unthinkable levels of success on the pitch.
Eddie Howe has led the Magpies to multiple seasons competing in the Champions League, something which was a far-fetched dream under the ownership of Mike Ashley.
The hierarchy has invested serious money into the first-team squad over the last couple of years, which has allowed for numerous high/profile international names to move to St James’ Park.
Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes are just two players who are Brazilian internationals but also operating at the heart of the Magpies squad – something which was once an unthinkable sentence.
However, one other player could be set for a spell in the national team in the months ahead, especially if he keeps up his tremendous form in the Premier League.
Why Barnes could start at the World Cup
Over the last couple of weeks, winger Harvey Barnes has hit a tremendous run of form that has seen him nail down the left-wing role in Newcastle’s starting eleven.
The 27-year-old has started seven matches in the Premier League this campaign, already netting on three occasions, with his showing against Manchester City his best to date.
He scored a double against Pep Guardiola’s men at St James’ Park at the end of last month, subsequently securing a vital win for the Magpies on Tyneside.
Barnes has also thrived on the European stage, as seen by his tally of four Champions League goals in just five appearances – with two of which coming in just 27 minutes against Benfica.
As a result, rumours have been circulating over a potential call-up to the Scotland national team, with the winger potentially able to represent the nation through his grandparents.
He could feature at the World Cup in 2026, but he may even do so for England, with Barnes currently keeping international star Anthony Gordon out of the Magpies’ starting eleven at present.
It will certainly be a key few months for the winger, but it’s an exciting one for sure, which could see him reap the rewards of his recent success for Howe’s men.
The Newcastle star who has to start at the World Cup
As previously mentioned, the current Newcastle squad is littered with international stars, many of whom have taken their careers to the next level since their moves to the North East.
Dan Burn arrived in a fairytale return to St James’ after growing up in the area as a boy, but his move to the Magpies from Brighton in 2022 has seen the 33-year-old reach unimaginable heights.
The centre-back has been a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s England international setup, as seen by his tally of five appearances to date – with his debut coming back in March of this year.
It remains to be seen if he will have done enough to go to the World Cup in around six months’ time, but the defender has certainly done his chances no harm in recent times.
There is also a huge argument that Lewis Hall should be England’s starting left-back in the USA next summer and rightfully so given his recent form in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old has struggled with injuries at times in 2025/26, but it’s not stopped him from starring when handed the chance to start within Howe’s first-team squad.
The £28m man been selected to play in seven league games to date, with Hall making his comeback from an injury layoff during the Champions League victory over Athletic Bilbao back in November.
Hall has since started all four league games for the Magpies and has subsequently produced some incredible numbers, which could solve England’s long-standing left-back issue.
The £45k-per-week full-back, who’s been dubbed an “absolute baller” by scout Antonio Mango, has completed 2.1 dribbles per 90 whilst achieving a success rate of 69% to date – showcasing the incredible ability he possesses in possession.
He’s also completed 85% of his passes to date, even registering his first assist of the season against Everton, which magnifies his ability to cause chaos to the opposition.
Games played
7
Assists
1
Pass accuracy
85%
Successful dribbles
2.1
Dribble success
69%
Tackles made
3.4
Duels won
7.8
Recoveries made
4.7
However, without the ball, Hall has been just as impressive, as seen by his tally of 3.4 tackles made and 7.8 duels won per 90 – subsequently offering a huge threat at both ends of the pitch.
Such a skillset would be perfect for Tuchel’s current squad, with the youngster needing to continue on the same trajectory over the next few months if he is to go to the World Cup.
If he manages to continue his recent success, there’s no reason why Hall and Barnes could be starting alongside one another down the left-flank for their country, with the younger man already regarded as “one of the best” in the Premier League in his position.
There is certainly a long way to go until the tournament commences, but the duo’s recent success at St James’ could certainly hand the German a huge decision to make.
Eddie Howe has already found a bigger talent than Anderson at Newcastle
Howe’s Newcastle side are showing green shoots after a difficult start to the season.
ByAngus Sinclair Dec 5, 2025
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has now made a major decision on Pedri’s fitness ahead of the Champions League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this Tuesday.
The Blues will be looking to return to winning ways in the Champions League on Tuesday, having been unable to overcome Qarabag last time out, drawing 2-2 away at the Azerbaijani side, but they should be heading into the game with renewed confidence.
Enzo Maresca’s side have put together a good run in the Premier League, winning their last three matches without conceding, most recently securing a 2-0 win at Burnley courtesy of goals from Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez.
Maresca was particularly happy with his side’s defensive showing, saying after the game: “The way we competed I am very happy.
“To come here and not concede is very difficult. It’s normal to concede something. But overall they only had one real chance. During the game they didn’t have any big chances and during the game we had loads of chances.”
However, the manager will be well-aware that Tuesday’s opposition will be much tougher, and the west Londoners have now been handed a boost heading into the Champions League encounter…
According to reports from Spain (via Sport Witness), Pedri is now unlikely to travel to London ahead of Tuesday’s game, as Flick and his coaching staff believe it is not worth risking the midfielder, who suffered a hamstring injury near the end of October.
The 22-year-old is now a serious doubt for the trip to Stamford Bridge, having missed training on Sunday, which will be welcome news for Maresca & co, who need every advantage they can get heading into the game against the reigning La Liga champions.
Lauded as “amazing” by journalist Muhammad Butt, the Barcelona star has been absolutely integral for Barcelona over the past year, regularly displaying his ability to dictate games, set-up chances for his teammates, and drive the ball forward.
|
Pedri’s key statistics |
Average per 90 (past year) |
|
Assists |
0.17 (80th percentile) |
|
Passes attempted |
91.85 (98th percentile) |
|
Progressive carries |
3.42 (99th percentile) |
|
Successful take-ons |
1.40 (97th percentile) |
That said, the La Liga side are likely to be just as fearful of Chelsea’s midfield, with Fernandez scoring his fifth goal of the season against Burnley at the weekend, while Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has waxed lyrical about Moises Caicedo this season.
As such, Chelsea should no doubt fancy their chances heading into Tuesday’s game, taking on Barca in a competitive game for the first time since a 3-0 defeat at Camp Nou back in 2018.
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Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was sentenced to nearly five years in prison on Thursday after stealing about $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers star in order to pay off his gambling debts.
Mizuhara was handed a 57-month prison sentence by U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb at a federal courthouse in Santa Ana, Calif., on Thursday afternoon. He will also have three years of supervised release and be required to pay Ohtani $17 million in restitution and an additional $1.1 million to the IRS, according to Tisha Thompson of ESPN.
Mizuhara's lawyer reportedly sought an 18-month sentence for his client, but the judge ruled in favor of the 57-month sentence. The judge ruled that the 40-year-old should self-surrender on March 24. The Japan native could also potentially be deported after completing his sentence.
Mizuhara admitted to placing as many as 19,000 bets over a two-year period and racking up a gambling debt of over $40 million. Last summer, he pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return.
"I truly admire Shohei as a baseball player and a human being and I was committed to devote my life so Shohei can be the best version of himself on the field. I want to say I am truly sorry for violating his trust in me," said Mizuhara to the court, via the BBC.
Rio Ferdinand has now claimed Thomas Tuchel “has to” select Danny Welbeck in England’s World Cup squad next summer, having emerged as the second-best striker behind Harry Kane.
Captain Kane will almost certainly be a nailed-on starter at the World Cup, should he remain fit, given that the 32-year-old is the Three Lions’ leading all-time goalscorer, having scored 76 goals in 110 appearances.
The Bayern Munich star has also made an incredible start to the season, amassing 20 goals in 13 matches in all competitions, blowing existing records set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi out of the water.
England’s back-up options aren’t quite as reliable, however, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who scored the winner against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final, netting just one goal in nine Premier League appearances this season.
There may also be doubts about the inclusion of Ivan Toney, given that the 29-year-old arguably isn’t testing himself at the highest level week in week out, having signed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in the summer of 2024.
Ferdinand urges Tuchel to take Welbeck to the World Cup
As such, Ferdinand has now made the bold claim that Welbeck should be re-introduced to the England squad, saying: “He’s second to Harry Kane. If you’re talking form right now and the squad was being picked tomorrow, Danny Welbeck has to go, no?
“I would take him. If he finishes the season in the form he’s in right now, there’s no way you can’t take him because he’s only going there for a month, it ain’t like we’re saying to him he has to play a full season, you’ve got to be ready and that role he can do that, coming in and out, be a support act for someone like Harry Kane.”
“Right this second, right this moment in time, form wise he’s [Welbeck] above all of them [Ollie Watkins, Dominic Solanke and Ivan Toney], and playing in the best league in the world. He’s second, for me.”
The ex-Manchester United defender also added: “He’s a class act on and off the pitch, a great guy.”
In fairness, the Brighton striker is in far better form than Watkins, having scored five goals in his last four Premier League games, most recently finding the back of the net against former club Man United with a remarkable free-kick.
That said, it may be a risk for Tuchel to reintroduce the striker to the squad, given that it has been a long time since he was involved in the England set-up, with the 34-year-old’s last cap coming in a friendly against Switzerland way back in 2018.
There is also still plenty of football to be played before the England boss decides his squad, and Toney should arguably be on the plane as the main back-up for Kane, having proven he can handle big-game pressure by coolly converting a penalty against Switzerland in the 2024 Euros quarter-final.
AI has predicted England's squad for the 2026 World Cup No Foden or Palmer: AI predicts Tuchel's England squad for 2026 World Cup
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ByMatt Dawson Oct 14, 2025
Naim has been recalled while seamers Taskin and Mustafizur have returned to the squad, having recovered from injury
Mohammad Isam04-Jul-2025
Najmul Hossain Shanto had an underwhelming 2024 and played only one T20I this year•ICC/Getty Images
Bangladesh selectors have dropped Najmul Hossain Shanto in one of the five changes to T20I squad for three-match series against Sri Lanka later this month. Shanto was part of the squad for their previous T20I series against UAE and Pakistan in May, but featured in only one of the six matches.Shanto had an underwhelming 2024, where he averaged 18.84 in 21 T20Is, with just a single half-century. In contrast, he fared better in 2023, scoring 218 runs in ten innings at 31.14 average, and a higher strike rate of 119.78. Having stepped down from the T20I captaincy in January this year, he now finds himself out of the squad entirely.Left-handed opener Mohammad Naim has been recalled in Shanto’s place, among four other changes in the bowling unit. Naim, who has played 35 T20Is, has returned back to form during the 2024-25 domestic season. He was the highest run-getter in both the BPL and NCL T20s, finishing on 827 runs at an average of 37.59 average and a strike rate of 140.40, including a century and six fifties.Pace duo Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman have also returned to the squad, having recovered from injury and featured in the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Mohammad Saifuddin has earned a recall as well, marking his return after more than a year.The 28-year-old fast bowler was overlooked for last year’s T20 World Cup after a disappointing performance in the T20I series against Zimbabwe in May. He subsequently took a two-month break from cricket in August. Since returning, Saifuddin has picked up 37 wickets across the BPL and DPL– Bangladesh’s premier white-ball competitions.Shoriful Islam, who suffered a groin niggle during the second T20I against Pakistan in May, has been retained in the squad. In the spin department, there’s another shuffle, with Nasum Ahmed replacing Tanvir Islam. The ongoing switch between left-arm spinners suggests the selectors are still undecided on their preferred option for the white-ball formats.Bangladesh will play the three T20Is on July 10 in Pallekele, July 13 in Dambulla and July 16 in Colombo.Bangladesh squad: Litton Das (capt, wk), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mohammad Naim, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Saifuddin.In: Mohammad Naim, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad SaifuddinOut: Khaled Ahmed, Tanvir Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto
Kotian and Kamboj shared a 121-run stand before Kamboj got two wickets in an over
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jun-2025
File photo: Tanush Kotian made an unbeaten 90•Tanuj/Ekana Cricket Stadium
Tanush Kotian and Anshul Kamboj headlined the final day of the second unofficial Test between England Lions and India A as the match ended in a draw. The two shared an unbroken 121-run stand for the eighth wicket before Kamboj also struck twice in an over before the teams shook hands.The partnership lasted the entirety of the middle sessions, and they scored at a touch over five runs an over for the 29.4 overs they batted together.India A were already looking to accelerate towards the end of the first session, which ended with Shardul Thakur bowled by George Hill as he drove down the wrong line.Kotian and Kamboj then piled on the runs for India A, and the team decided to push back their declaration till the tea break, even if they could have had a crack at Lions earlier in the game.0:28
Watch – Gill faces Bumrah at the nets
Kotian, who signalled his intentions early in his knock with a six off Josh Tongue, took the attack to Farhan Ahmed and the 17-year-old offspinner ended up conceding over 108 runs without a wicket.Like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Thakur before him, Kotian targeted the spinner with big hits down the ground, while Kamboj was happy to dispatch anything short or overpitched from the fast bowlers.They brought up their half-century stand off just 56 balls, soon after which Kotian scored his 16th first class fifty. The tall allrounder then quickened his scoring, with an array of strokes ranging from classical shots to more improvised ones like a ramp over the slips cordon.Lions soon turned to part-time options like their openers Tom Haines and Ben McKinney as well as Emilio Gay, and it allowed Kamboj to ramp up his intent and bring up a maiden first-class fifty. Kamboj’s shot of the day was when he took on a slot ball from Haines and lofted it down the ground for six.After the tea break, the Lions came out to bat, with the declaration leaving Kotian 10 runs short of a fourth first-class century.It was Tushar Deshpande who got the first wicket when he drew Haines’ outside edge and Reddy took a diving catch to his left. Then Kamboj, in his second over, had Gay edging behind before beating Jordan Cox’s outside edge to knock him over.The day had begun for India A with Reddy and Dhruv Jurel watchfully playing out the first hour, although Tongue had Reddy edging to first slip where a regulation chance went down.Reddy was on 17 then and he later brought out some big hits against Farhan to get to 42 before Hill, in the first over of his spell, castled him with a beauty. He got a length ball to seam in from outside off, with Reddy leaving a big gap as he fended down the wrong line.In between the dropped chance and Reddy’s wicket, Eddie Jack, who extracted appreciable movement off the pitch, got one to nip away and take Jurel’s outside edge.Thakur was enterprising in his innings, cutting Jack for four and hitting back-to-back sixes down the ground off Farhan. He tried to drive Hill through mid-off but Hill got it to seam in between bat and pad to end his cameo on 34 off 47 balls.Among the bowlers from the England squad for the first Test, Chris Woakes bowled just three overs on the final day, and Tongue, who became an injury worry for the first Test when he hobbled off on the third day after bowling four overs, came out and bowled five on day four and looked in good rhythm in his spell.
After going unbeaten in their last two matches, Leeds United suffered a home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur. The Whites were beaten 2-1 by the North London outfit, and despite creating some good opportunities, they couldn’t capitalise and ended up losing at Elland Road for the first time this season.
It was the visitors who took the lead in West Yorkshire, through Frenchman Mathys Tel. The former Bayern Munich prodigy got slightly fortunate with his effort from outside of the area, after a deflection took it over Karl Darlow into the back of the net.
Daniel Farke’s side hit back soon after, with new signing Noah Okafor once again getting on the scoresheet. Quick reactions meant the Swiss attacker could get on the end of a parry from Spurs’ goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who deflected Brenden Aaronson’s effort into his path.
Just before the hour mark, Spurs scored their second through one of their summer signings, Mohammed Kudus. The Ghanaian forward pounced on a loose ball, driving inside and firing a shot goalwards. Again, it took a deflection, leaving Darlow for dead and nestling into the bottom corner.
Kudus’ goal proved to be the difference-maker in a game where a few Leeds players struggled. One of those was Gabriel Gudmundsson.
Gudmundsson’s stats vs. Spurs
It has, generally speaking, been a good start to the season for Gudmundsson. The new Leeds left-back, who is a full international with Sweden, has started every game under Farke so far this season.
Whilst he has been impressive for the most part, as he was against the Lilywhites, Gudmundsson made an error which allowed Kudus the opportunity to score.
He got in a tangle looking to clear the ball, instead letting it bounce awkwardly off his torso and into the path of Kudus.
The stats from Gudmundsson’s efforts against the North London giants don’t cover him in glory. He made one error, which led to a goal, and he only won three out of five tackles. On the ball, he had 46 touches and lost possession 12 times.
Indeed, Graham Smyth, journalist for The Yorkshire Evening Post, gave him a 6/10 for his efforts at Elland Road. He said Gudmundsson had a ‘couple of nice moments’ on and off the ball, but did criticise him for a lack of contact on the ball, which led to Spurs’ winner.
It was certainly a tough day at the office for the left-back, but there was a fellow defender who struggled even more.
The Leeds player who was worse than Gudmundsson
It was certainly not the result Leeds would have wanted at Elland Road, given the fortress they have turned it into under Farke. They had more shots and possession than the visitors on Saturday lunchtime, but a couple of moments meant they didn’t even earn a point.
One of the players who struggled was 26-year-old centre-back Pascal Struijk. The former Ajax youth defender has been crucial for Leeds this season, playing 90 minutes in every Premier League game and skippering the side twice.
Yet, his efforts against Spurs were underwhelming.
There were two “unfortunate” deflections off the Leeds number five for each of the goals, as per The Athletic’s Beren Cross, which took the ball past Darlow to see his side go behind on both occasions.
He received a 5/10 rating for his performances by Smyth. The journalist said Struijk had ‘ropey moments at the back’ and pointed out the fact that he was ‘beaten in the air’ when Spurs struck the woodwork themselves.
The stats reflect how poor the 26-year-old was against the Lilywhites. He had 74 touches and, on the ball, was generally quite good. He completed 94% of his passes. Yet, he only won 40% of his duels and didn’t attempt a tackle.
Struijk stats vs. Spurs
Stat
Number
Touches
74
Pass accuracy
95%
Pass accuracy
61/64
Long balls completed
1/3
Aerial duels won
2/4
Ground duels won
0/1
Stats from Sofascore
With summer addition Jaka Bijol knocking on the door for a spot in the starting lineup, perhaps Farke will decide to drop Struijk.
It is certainly disappointing that he struggled, especially in the air, against Spurs, and he certainly could have done more to prevent the goals.
Bijol has been an unused substitute in the Premier League this season, but perhaps this poor performance from Struijk will be enough to convince Farke to rotate the side ahead of the clash with Burnley.
Leeds had the original Gudmundsson & they let him leave for just £1m
Leeds must regret cashing in on this star who was the original Gabriel Gudmundsson at Elland Road.
ByDan Emery Oct 2, 2025