Marcus Rashford has been accused of lacking accountability for the problems he and Manchester United faced last season. The forward fell out of favour under Ruben Amorim as results fell off a cliff, failing to apply himself in training according to the head coach, but has since joined Barcelona on loan and is enjoying his best run of form in more than 18 months.
Ex-Man Utd striker weighs in
Louis Saha, who spent four and a half years with Manchester United between 2004 and 2008, suggested that Rashford didn't respond in the right way to the challenges that faced him at Old Trafford last season.
"As a professional, you need to find solutions, regardless of whether the manager likes you," Saha said, speaking to football betting site BetVictor. "We all face moments where we have to perform on the field, and that wasn't his response. There were definitely times I saw a player who was out of form, who didn't want to be there, and that's not normal.
"It's not normal to play like that. You might want to request a transfer, but when you're on the field, you work hard. He wasn't working hard, something was clearly wrong, and he was unhappy. You shouldn't let anything take away your joy on the pitch because you have a responsibility to your fans. It's not about the manager, or the club owners; it's about the thousands of people paying for tickets.
"I get angry because it feels like a waste, and it shows a lack of accountability. Now, I'm very happy for him as a football player, not just for me, but for fans all over the world in Barcelona who can now enjoy a terrific player. But, of course, as a Manchester United fan, I'm angry."
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Rashford's fine Barcelona form
Rashford had enjoyed a career best season in 2022-23, racking up 42 goals and assists combined in 56 appearances for United that year. But over the subsequent 18 months, from the start of 2023-24 until being dropped by Amorim in December 2024, this dropped to just 24 in 67 games.
After showing flashes in the second half of last season with Aston Villa, Rashford has quickly started hitting impressive numbers again since joining Barcelona on loan. So far, it's 12 goals and assists in only 13 outing for the Blaugrana across La Liga and the Champions League. He's netted four times in Europe alone and set up Barcelona's only goal in the weekend's El Clasico defeat.
Rashford was 'part of the problem' at Man Utd
Rashford recently implied that he considered the "inconsistent environment" he encountered at Manchester United over the past couple of seasons to be behind his sustained loss of form.
"I feel like I have been in an inconsistent environment for a very long time, so it is even more difficult to be consistent," he complained.
That prompted a response from ex-United skipper Roy Keane that suggested Rashford was part of the problem that was causing it, with managers and staff coming and going. "Towards the end of his time at United, there was obviously issues. He was part of the problem with the environment, especially [being] one of the most experienced players at United," Keane went on to say during an appearance on ITV programming. "He should have been setting the standards and showing new people at the club what it's like to be a United player."
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Getty Images Sport
England star keen on Barcelona stay
Barcelona hold an option to buy Rashford for just £28 million ($37m), significantly cheaper than the £40m ($53m) that rivals clubs are expected to be quoted, and it has been reported that the England international would like to continue in Catalonia beyond this season. He wants to stay and Barcelona are said to be "closely monitoring" the situation.
"I'm enjoying this football club and I think for anybody who loves football, Barcelona is one of the key clubs in the history of the game. For a player it is an honour," Rashford told last week.
However, the big obstacle for Barcelona, still not out of the financial woods, is being able to afford it.
Nottingham Forest are now in advanced talks to appoint a “sensational” new manager following the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou on Saturday.
Ange sacked by Marinakis after 3-0 defeat against Chelsea
Nuno Espirito Santo left big shoes to fill, after leading Forest to Europe last season, but Ange’s reign as Forest boss was nothing short of disastrous, with the Australian becoming the second-shortest reigning manager in Premier League history.
The 60-year-old lasted just 39 days as manager of the Tricky Trees, picking up just one point in five Premier League matches, while also struggling in the Europa League, with his side falling to a 3-2 home defeat against FC Midtjylland earlier this month.
The final straw was Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat against Chelsea, although the scoreline arguably didn’t reflect the performance, with Morgan Gibbs-White, Igor Jesus, Neco Williams and Nikola Milenkovic all missing big chances across the 90 minutes.
Evangelos Marinakis didn’t wait around, sacking the former Tottenham Hotspur boss before he could even do his post-match interview, and the owner has now set his sights on a replacement.
According to an update from Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett on X, Sean Dyche is now in advanced talks to become the new Nottingham Forest manager, and the move could materialise quickly if Marinakis decides the 54-year-old is the right man for the job.
There is a belief Dyche would offer stability and motivational skills, which could bring the Tricky Trees’ poor run of form to an end, with the Europa League side currently in the relegation zone after a very poor start to the season.
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ByEmilio Galantini Oct 18, 2025
The former Everton boss is not the only manager on the shortlist, however, as Dorsett reveals that Roberto Mancini hasn’t been ruled out, with the 60-year-old available after leaving his role as Saudi Arabia manager last year.
"Sensational" Dyche could steady the ship at the City Ground
The Englishman has developed a reputation for being able to steady the ship at clubs staring down the barrel of relegation, leading Everton to safety on the final day of the 2022-23 campaign, after replacing Frank Lampard in January.
With Forest massively underperforming and perhaps set for a relegation battle of their own this season, having collected just five points from their opening eight games, it would make sense to appoint the ex-Burnley boss, who has received high praise from journalist Mark Douglas.
There are question marks over appointing Dyche on a long-term contract, having been unable to kick on with Everton after avoiding the drop, being sacked after less than two years in charge, but giving him a contract until the end of the season could be a savvy move,
Fast bowler currently rehabbing after undergoing knee surgery in March
Vithushan Ehantharajah20-Jun-2025
Mark Wood has not played Test cricket since last summer•Stu Forster/Getty Images
Mark Wood says he could yet make an appearance in England’s Test series against India as he steps up his rehabilitation after knee surgery.Wood, the 35-year-old, limped out of the Champions Trophy earlier this year with medial ligament damage in his left knee, and underwent an operation in March. The initial prognosis was for a four-month recovery period, which effectively ruled him out of featuring in the five Tests against Shubman Gill’s India, which began at Headingley on Friday.However, Wood has now revealed he could be in with a shout for the final Test, at the Kia Oval, which begins on July 31. It is understood he will make his competitive comeback for Durham in their County Championship fixture away to Somerset, a round with the Kookaburra ball in use, which begins on July 22.Related
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“Rehab is going well,” Wood told BBC Test Match Special. “I’ve just started bowling very lightly, so I’m on the comeback trail now officially.”I’m hoping still to play a part in this series, so I get to have a look at some of the players here who I might come up against. I’m still targeting probably the last Test. Anything before that is maybe a bit too soon. The last Test, I might not get there, but at the minute that’s still my focus that I might play a part.”It’s been a bit slow [coming back] to start with. I haven’t been able to do a lot, but starting to speed up now, getting some bowling in, hopefully not too much longer. [I am] still hoping that I can play a part right at the end of the series, but I’ll just wait and see.”England will be cautious with Wood given the Ashes tour of Australia on the horizon, and the fact their pace options have been limited by injury. Olly Stone’s own knee injury ruled him out of the entire Test season, while Gus Atkinson was not available for the first India Test after suffering a hamstring strain against Zimbabwe.Meanwhile, Jofra Archer’s carefully managed return continues, with the England management optimistic he could be available for the second Test in Birmingham, starting on July 2, whetting the appetite for a potential Test comeback after four years out batting stress fractures of the back and right elbow.The expectation is that Archer will turn out for Sussex against Durham from Sunday, having last played competitive red-ball cricket in May 2021.
Neymar marcou seu primeiro gol com a camisa do Al-Hilal na última terça-feira (3). O camisa 10 desencantou com seu novo clube saudita depois de cinco jogos com o clube. O craque fez o segundo gol da partida que terminou em 3 a 0.
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No dia 7 de março de 2009, Neymar entrou em campo pela primeira vez como profissional. O jogador estreou com a camisa do Santos na vitória do Peixe sobre o Oeste, mas não marcou gols. 8 dias depois, no terceiro jogo de Neymar, o primeiro como titular, o jogador marcou seu primeiro gol com a camisa alvinegra na vitória por 3 a 0 sobre o Mogi Mirim.
+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000
Pela Seleção Brasileira, em 2010, depois de não ser convocado para a Copa do Mundo na África do Sul, Neymar precisou de apenas um jogo para marcar seu primeiro gol com a amarelinha. O jogador balançou a rede de cabeça na vitória por 2 a 0 sobre os Estados Unidos.
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Com a camisa do Barcelona, seu primeiro clube na Europa, Neymar demorou um pouco mais para fazer um gol. O atacante estreou no dia 18 de agosto de 2013, contra o Levante, pelo Campeonato Espanhol. O gol pelo Barça, veio no segundo jogo do brasileiro, na final da Supercopa da Espanha, contra o Atlético de Madrid.
+ Condição especial para matrícula no curso Gestor de Futebol, aprovado por Dante, Petković, Léo Moura e outros craques. Saiba mais!
Na França, Neymar chegou como a contratação mais cara da história e marcou seu primeiro gol logo na estreia. A partida do PSG foi contra Guingamp, o time venceu por 3 a 0 e o camisa 10 terminou com uma assistência, além do gol.
Carse and Stokes picked the two wickets while Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 42
ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jun-2025
Yashasvi Jaiswal looked fluent in his first Test outing in England•Getty Images
Lunch England took two wickets in six balls on the stroke of lunch to change the complexion of the first session of the newly-minted Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. India’s openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, had been largely untroubled throughout their 91-run opening stand after being put in by Ben Stokes. But, Rahul and debutant Sai Sudharsan fell just before the interval.Jaiswal batted through the first session of his first Test in England unscathed and traded crisply-struck boundaries with Rahul. The pair shared 16 fours, all through the off side, as England’s seamers tried and failed to induce outside edges, and did not offer a catching chance for the first 114 minutes of the day.Related
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The only scare for Jaiswal came when he was struck on the ribs by Brydon Carse, who shared the new ball with Chris Woakes in his first home Test. He otherwise scored fluently and batted with the same freedom he had shown in the most recent series between these teams, when he piled on 712 runs in five matches.England were so desperate for a wicket that they burned an lbw review on a ball from around the wicket which pitched outside leg stump. Josh Tongue bowled with good pace and his inswinger trapped Jaiswal on the pad in his second over, but the decision to review was hugely optimistic and reflected their frustrations.But Carse struck with a full, wide outswinger, which Rahul edged straight to Joe Root at slip for 42, and debutant Sudharsan strangled his fourth ball in Test cricket down the leg side to Jamie Smith off Stokes. England’s double-strike left the game in the balance, and took some of the scrutiny off Stokes’ decision to bowl first at the toss.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank boasts a wealth of hugely impressive talents in his squad that have seriously impressed under him so far.
The Dane’s exceptional start to life in the Spurs dugout has yielded four wins from seven in all competitions so far, including just two defeats, and they were desperately unlucky to lose that UEFA Super Cup final to European champions PSG.
While a draw at underperforming Brighton last time out is hardly cause for major celebration, the Amex has been a very unhappy hunting ground for Spurs in recent years.
Ange Postecoglou’s Lilywhites blew a two-goal lead to surrender a 3-2 defeat on the south coast this time last year – losing 4-2 away to them the year prior – and history threatened to repeat itself again when Spurs found themselves 2-0 behind last Saturday.
However, Frank’s side displayed real dogged professionalism to claw themselves back to 2-2 — courtesy of goals from Richarlison and reported Spurs transfer target Jan Paul van Hecke (OG) — and had even more chances to score before the final whistle.
Xavi Simons missed a great opportunity to net his first Premier League goal for Tottenham, in what was a promising display of what is to come from the Dutchman, while Lucas Bergvall added to his ever-growing collection of excellent performances.
Lucas Bergvall’s career at Tottenham so far
Stats
Appearances
52
Goals
2
Assists
6
Bookings
8
Minutes played
2,714
via Transfermarkt
Spurs’ midfield is looking stacked right now, with summer loan signing Joao Palhinha also impressing as he eyes a 2026 permanent move to Tottenham.
Alongside the likes of Bergvall and Palhinha, a special nod has to go to the young Pape Sarr.
Tottenham told "important" Pape Sarr deserves much more credit
Speaking to Tottenham News, ex-Brentford boss Martin Allen has claimed that Sarr has gone unnoticed with his Spurs performances this season, and deserves more credit.
Signed by Fabio Paratici in 2021 for around £15 million, the Senegalese spent the rest of 21/22 back on loan at FC Metz before playing his way into the Spurs senior team.
The 23-year-old was awarded a new long-term contract last year as a result of his showings under Postecoglou, keeping him at the club until 2030, and Sarr has been equally as good since Frank replaced the Australian.
Tottenham Hotspur's Mathys Tel, Pape Matar Sarr, Richarlison and YvesBissouma
Prior to their draw at Brighton, Sarr was handed the starting nod by Frank in each of Tottenham’s first four Premier League games — bagging his first of the campaign in a 3-0 win at West Ham and assisting Brennan Johnson’s third against Burnley in a 3-0 opening weekend victory.
According to WhoScored, the ex-Ligue 1 sensation is Tottenham’s third-best performer by average match rating per 90 in the top flight, with only Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison sitting above him.
In truth, Sarr’s price tag from four years ago is now looking like chump change, and he could be a fixture of Frank’s midfield for years to come if he carries on performing when required.
Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo has doubled down on his defence of the controversial plan to stage the AC Milan vs Como clash in Australia. Despite backlash from fans, players and coaches, De Siervo insists the decision is vital for the league’s global growth and has urged FIFA to grant the final approval, claiming the move is an “unpopular but necessary” step for Italy’s football future.
Milan-Como in Perth: A historic first for Serie A
For the first time in history, a Serie A match is set to be played outside Italy, as Milan and Como prepare to face off in Perth, Australia, in February 2026. The groundbreaking decision has stirred debate across the Italian football community, drawing both praise and sharp criticism. The fixture, approved “on an exceptional basis” by UEFA, awaits final authorisation from FIFA to officially go ahead, though the Serie A chief maintains there is little the latter can do to block the scheme.
The idea emerged due to logistical complications caused by the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, which will render San Siro unusable from February 6 to 22. Instead of relocating the match within Italy, the Lega Serie A opted for an international venue, hoping to strengthen the league’s global visibility and market reach.
Como, earlier in a statement, described the move as essential for the league’s survival, calling it “a forward-looking decision to secure Serie A’s future competitiveness.”
Lega Serie A CEO De Siervo stood firm amid public criticism, saying the move represents courage and long-term vision rather than opportunism. “If you ask an athlete if he wants to fly 20 hours to play a soccer match in his league, he’ll obviously say it’s crazy,” De Siervo told . “If you ask a coach who’s playing for the Scudetto or Champions League qualification, he’ll also resist. But this is about whether we want the egg today or the chicken tomorrow.”
He added that the goal is to modernise Italian football’s commercial approach. “Anyone developing a sports property must think five to 10 years ahead. If we want to become an international league, we must have the courage to make unpopular decisions." His comments reflect Serie A’s broader strategy to expand its global footprint, particularly in Asia-Pacific markets, where fan interest in European football continues to grow.
'FIFA can't stop it' – CEO confident of approval
De Siervo also revealed that the process of authorisation is nearly complete. “One Serie A match out of 380 is a small sacrifice, that’s only 0.26% of our calendar,” he said. “We’ve already obtained five out of seven required authorisations. AC Milan, Como, and all 20 Serie A clubs are in agreement, as are the FIGC, UEFA, and the Australian Federation.”
The remaining approvals from the Asian Confederation and FIFA are expected soon. “Gianni Infantino will have to resolve this somehow,” De Siervo said confidently. “From a technical standpoint, there are no valid reasons to block it. The football governing bodies have rights and duties, but they cannot prevent something that isn’t explicitly prohibited.”
He further suggested that while the decision feels revolutionary now, it will be seen as normal in the near future. “This match, which many see as a break with tradition, will probably be remembered as the first step towards modernisation. In five years, this will be routine.”
Serie A isn’t the only European league experimenting with playing regular-season matches abroad. Spain’s La Liga had received UEFA’s approval to stage the Barcelona vs Villarreal match in Miami in December 2025, though that plan was cancelled. UEFA described both moves as “exceptional cases” and clarified that these permissions “should not set a precedent.”
While traditionalists argue that domestic matches should remain on home soil, the commercial logic is evident. Both Serie A and La Liga are seeking to emulate American sports leagues, which have successfully hosted games internationally to build global fanbases.
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Getty Images SportLandmark game nears full approval with FIFA decision coming
The scheduled fixture between AC Milan and Como in February now hinges on FIFA’s final approval. Should it be confirmed, Perth’s Optus Stadium is expected to host the historic encounter, marking a major promotional moment for Italian football. For Milan, the match could also serve as an opportunity to further engage with fans in Oceania, as the club continues its push for global brand expansion under RedBird Capital.
However, challenges remain and the concerns over travel fatigue, ticket access, and the loss of local matchday experiences. Still, De Siervo and Serie A remain firm in their conviction that such international ventures will ultimately elevate the league’s status.
If FIFA grants approval, Milan vs Como in Perth will not only be a Serie A first but also a test case for the future of domestic football globalisation, one that could redefine how Europe’s top leagues approach expansion beyond their borders.
Just when Celtic supporters thought this season couldn’t get any more miserable, the news all football fans fear during an international break filtered through to Parkhead.
According to widespread reports, striker Daizen Maeda has withdrawn from the Japan squad due to ‘tightness in his left foot’; the seriousness of the issue is not yet known.
Maeda didn’t actually feature as the Samurai Blue drew 2-2 with Paraguay in Suita on Friday, returning home prior to Tuesday’s clash with five-times world champions Brazil in Tokyo.
Once the international break is over, Celtic will travel to Dens Park to face Dundee on Sunday, before crucial clashes with Sturm Graz in the Europa League and then current Premiership leaders Hearts at Tynecastle the following weekend.
With Maeda potentially set to miss these important games and more thereafter, who should Brendan Rodgers choose to deputise during his absence?
Daizen Maeda's importance to Celtic
It is worth reiterating just how important a figure Maeda is to Celtic, despite his dip in form this season.
As the table below documents, not many players have scored more Celtic goals across Rodgers’ two spells in charge than the Japanese international.
Scott Sinclair
148
60
Moussa Dembélé
94
51
James Forrest
221
46
Daizen Maeda
100
46
Callum McGregor
261
37
Leigh Griffiths
96
37
Kyōgo Furuhashi
82
31
Adam Idah
76
29
Odsonne Édouard
68
27
Tom Rogic
105
24
Nicolas Kühn
69
24
As the table outlines, should Maeda score 15 more goals this season, he would become Rodgers’ leading scorer as Celtic manager, having currently played 148 fewer matches than the current leader, Scott Sinclair.
His stoppage time winner against Motherwell last time out was only his third of the season so far, but he did bag 33 during the previous campaign, four of which came in the Champions League, the first player to reach that many for the club in a single European Cup campaign since Joe Craig all the way back in 1977/78.
Daizen Maeda
Maeda has also previously netted four times against Rangers too, converting the winning spot-kick in December’s League Cup Final, so Rodgers will be desperate for his star attacker to be available for the next Glasgow derby between the two at Hampden on 2 November.
For now, who is best suited to fill his void in the forward line?
The Celtic star who should replace Maeda
Considering Kyōgo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kühn and Adam Idah have all been sold throughout 2025, reinforcing the attacking department was a priority for Celtic this summer.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Supporters would argue this happened too late, with an entirely new front three arriving in the final hours of the window, after they’d been eliminated from Champions League qualifying by Kairat.
Sebastian Tounekti and Kelechi Iheanacho have both got off the mark in hoops, establishing themselves as part of the first-choice front three alongside Maeda, but we’re yet to see much from Michel-Ange Balikwisha, so is this now his time to shine?
The Scottish champions had attempted to sign a winger 12 months earlier, only for him to suffer an injury, belatedly joining from Royal Antwerp for around £5m in late August.
Upon his arrival, manager Rodgers labelled him a “really talented, exciting player” noting that he “can play both sides of the pitch”, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout asserts that “pace, dribbling and finishing” are his primary attributes.
The Belgian was thrown in for his debut during the dire Old Firm at Ibrox at the end of August, making six appearances for the club so far, four of which have come off the bench.
Balikwisha made his most telling contribution for the Celts to date during that aforementioned comeback 3-2 home win over Motherwell last time out, teeing up Maeda to nod in the last-gasp winner with an inch-perfect cross.
Unlike many of his teammates, Balikwisha has not been on international duty, yet to receive his first senior Belgian call-up, so has spent the last fortnight at Lennoxtown working with Rodgers and getting up to speed, which can only be beneficial.
Assuming Tounekti and Iheanacho keep their places at Dens on Sunday, Rodgers’ attacking alternatives are Yang Hyun-jun, James Forrest or youngsters Johnny Kenny, Shin Yamada or Callum Osmand; the latter is yet to even make his senior debut for the club.
Thus, starting Balikwisha appears to be a no-brainer, giving him the clash with Dundee as an opportunity to stake a claim, with huge games against Sturm Graz, Hearts, Rangers and Midtjylland all on the horizon in the coming weeks.
Rodgers made to sweat over two Celtic stars amid international break injury scares
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has ruthlessly snubbed one of his most influential former Blues teammates when naming his all-time Premier League XI.
Football FanCast ranks Premier League's greatest-ever players
Football FanCast have now ranked the greatest players in Premier League history, and there is certainly no shortage of Chelsea players among them, with former captain John Terry named as the best centre-back to have ever played in the top flight.
Petr Cech also tops the list of goalkeepers, while Didier Drogba is regarded as the ninth-best striker in Premier League history, having maintained a fantastic record in front of goal throughout his time at Stamford Bridge, culminating in the Blues winning the 2012 Champions League final.
Season
Drogba PL appearances
Goal contributions
2004-05
26
15
2005-06
29
26
2006-07
36
24
2007-08
19
14
2008-09
24
9
2009-10
32
40
2010-11
36
24
2011-12
24
6
As such, it will come as no surprise to learn that Terry, Cech and Drogba all feature in Obi Mikel’s all-time Premier League XI, but the former central midfielder has ruthlessly snubbed one of his former teammates.
As reported by talkSPORT, the Nigerian named N’Golo Kante and Paul Scholes as his two central midfielders, leaving out Frank Lampard, and he even went on to clarify that the ex-England international wouldn’t have featured in a three-man midfield either.
Lampard undoubtedly one of the greatest Premier League midfielders
It is a little strange that the 38-year-old opted to omit his former teammate, given that the Englishman is without doubt one of the best Premier League midfielders of all time, particularly impressing on the front foot.
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The Coventry City manager chipped in with a remarkable 211 goals and 149 assists in 648 professional appearances for Chelsea, cementing his place in the Premier League Hall of Fame in the process.
That said, Kante is also a fantastic choice from a more defensive point of view, given what the Frenchman achieved at Leicester City and Stamford Bridge, winning two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the 2020-21 Champions League and the 2018-19 Europa League.
Lampard played in a golden era of midfielders, sharing the stage with the likes of Scholes and Gerrard, and a number of other former Chelsea stars, who also feature in our list of the best Premier League midfielders of all-time.
Leeds United are competing well in the Premier League and could turn to an exciting Brazilian in their bid to improve the quality of their squad at Elland Road.
Leeds frustrated after draw with Bournemouth
Despite a spirited performance against an established top-flight outfit, Leeds will feel a sense of frustration at dropping two points against Bournemouth in the dying embers of their 2-2 draw in Yorkshire.
Joe Rodon and Sean Longstaff forced the home side into the lead after Antoine Semenyo’s opener. However, Eli Junior Kroupi had the last word to steal a share of the spoils for Andoni Iraola’s men courtesy of a fantastic finish in stoppage time.
Speaking post-match, Daniel Farke chose to remain positive after his side were held, paying tribute to his players for their impressive levels of chance creation.
“It was a really good point against a good side, but if you concede that late and should deservedly have won this game of course it doesn’t feel great. Just compliments for our lads today. We’ve outperformed them in terms of expected goals, 19 shots. Just one team was missing big chances, normally we should have won.
“First half we had enough chances to win two Premier League games and sadly missed them all. There was not one big mistake but we’re in possession on 94 minutes then there’s a sloppy touch on the ball. We would not need to be there with a foul.”
Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie admitted his side were relieved to leave Elland Road with a point, illustrating the distance Leeds have come in a short space of time and the progress they’ve made.
Behind the scenes, the Whites and the 49ers Enterprises are already plotting a transfer swoop that could add another intriguing option to his talented squad if all were to go to plan.
Leeds look to sign Gustavo Prado below release clause value
According to South American reports via Sport Witness, Leeds are considering a £17 million move for Internacional youngster Gustavo Prado, who is capable of playing on either flank and is someone viewed as a market opportunity for the Elland Road club.
The Whites have increased their scouting focus on the Americas and have sent a scout to Chile to watch the star in action for Brazil’s Under-20 side at their World Cup. Despite his release clause standing at £51 million, they could look to swoop at around the £17 million mark, a valuation that he could be made available for by his current employers.
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Prado, 20, has scored twice in 22 appearances across all competitions in 2025, and his potential arrival may provoke nostalgia over his compatriot Raphinha, who is now one of the world’s best wingers at Barcelona following his spell in Yorkshire.
Nevertheless, Stuttgart and Atalanta are also keen on his services, signifying that there is work to be done before he indeed signs on the dotted line at Elland Road, a deal that won’t come cheap.