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The other cricketer among the office bearers is Raghuram Bhat, the former India and Karnataka spinner, who has been elected treasurer of the BCCI

Vishal Dikshit28-Sep-2025Former Delhi captain Mithun Manhas has been elected unopposed as the new BCCI president at the 94th annual general meeting of the board. He is the 37th elected BCCI president (interim appointees have overseen matters on five occasions).Manhas was the only contender for the president’s post, which was vacant since former India allrounder Roger Binny stepped down in August this year. Rajeev Shukla, the BCCI vice-president, had filled in in an interim capacity.Shukla continues as vice-president with Devajit Saikia continuing as the board secretary. There is a second cricketer among the BCCI office bearers, with former Karnataka and India spinner Raghuram Bhat taking over as treasurer. Bhat was the Karnataka State Cricket Association president from 2022 to 2025; his term officially ends on September 30. Prabhtej Singh Bhatia – the former treasurer – is the new joint secretary.”It’s an absolute honour to be the president of the world’s finest cricketing board,” Manhas said after the AGM in Mumbai. “At the same time it’s a huge responsibility and I give my assurance that I’ll be committed to do it to the best of my abilities and dedication and passion.”When asked what worked in his favour to become the new BCCI president, he said: “Maybe my work, my credentials as a cricketer, as an administrator. For the past four years I’ve been at the J&K Cricket Association.”Manhas, who will turn 46 in October, played domestic cricket for 20 years from 1997-98 to 2016-17. He played 157 first-class games, in which he scored 9714 runs; 130 List A matches, with 4126 runs; and 91 T20s (1170 runs). He was part of the sub-committee appointed by the BCCI to run the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association. Born in Jammu, Manhas switched from Delhi to Jammu and Kashmir in 2015 before retiring the following year. He has worked as a coach with various teams, including as batting consultant for the Bangladesh men’s Under-19 team as well as IPL sides Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans.Former India bowlers Pragyan Ojha and RP Singh replaced S Sharath and Subroto Banerjee in the senior national men’s selection panel. The committee is led by Ajit Agarkar, whose term runs till October 2026, and also has Ajay Ratra and SS Das. Banerjee’s term was over, and Sharath was moved to the junior selection panel as chairperson, replacing Thilak Naidu. The others in the committee are Harvinder Sodhi, Ranadeb Bose, Pathik Patel and Krishna Mohan.Former Saurashtra captain Jaydev Shah has also been added to the BCCI’s Apex Council, replacing Mizoram’s Khairul Jamal Majumdar, who has become a part of the IPL Governing Council, led by the chairperson Arun Dhumal.Pragyan Ojha is one of two new members of the senior men’s selection committee•PTI In the senior women’s national selection committee, former India batter Amita Sharma replaced Neetu David as the chairperson. Her team comprises Shyama Dey, Sulakshana Naik, Jaya Sharma and Sravanthi Naidu. Apart from Dey, the rest are new inductees. Amita played 162 matches for India – five Tests, 116 ODIs and 41 T20Is – from 2002 to 2014.Jayesh George takes over as the chairperson of the Women’s Premier League committee, which has senior BCCI functionaries Manhas, Shukla, Saikia, Bhatia and Bhat, as well as Dhumal. The others are Madhumati Lele, Sanjay Tandon and RI Palani.BCCI office bearers: Mithun Manhas (president), Rajeev Shukla (vice-president), Devajit Saikia (secretary), Prabhtej Bhatia (joint-secretary), A Raghuram Bhat (treasurer)IPL governing council representatives: Arun Singh Dhumal, M Khairul Jamal MajumdarMen’s selection committee: Ajit Agarkar (chairperson), Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra, RP Singh, Pragyan OjhaWomen’s selection committee: Amita Sharma (chairperson), Shyama Dey, Sulakshana Naik, Jaya Sharma, Sravanthi NaiduJunior cricket committee: S Sharath (chairperson), Harvinder Sodhi, Pathik Patel, Krishna Mohan and Ranadeb BoseWPL committee: Jayesh George (chairperson), Mithun Manhas, Rajeev Shukla, Devajit Saikia, Prabhtej Bhatia, A Raghuram Bhat, Madhumati Lele, Sanjay Tandon, R I Palani, Arun Singh DhumalInfrastructure committee: Rohan Jaitley (chairperson), Mithun Manhas, Rajeev Shukla, Devajit Saikia, Prabhtej Bhatia, A Raghuram Bhat, Anirudh Chaudhury, Sana Sathish Babu

In what's a massive loss before the regular season even began, New York Yankees ace starting pitcher Gerrit Cole will undergo Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and will miss the entire 2025 campaign.

While the news is a gut punch for Cole, the Yankees organization, and the club's fans, the 2023 Cy Young Award winner is in a strong frame of mind. Shortly after news broke of his need for season-ending surgery, Cole took to his account on Instagram and shared an inspiring message.

“I have a lot left to give, and I’m fully committed to the work ahead. I’ll attack my rehab every day and support the 2025 Yankees each step of the way,” Cole wrote. “I love this game, I love competing, and I can’t wait to be back on the mound—stronger than ever.”

Cole, 34, was shut down a year ago after experiencing right elbow discomfort, and he did not make his '24 season debut until June. But he rebounded to have a solid season, pitching to a 3.41 ERA in 95 innings in the regular season, then helping the Yankees win the franchise's first American League pennant since 2009 in the postseason, in which the veteran righthander recorded a 2.17 ERA in 29 innings.

Cole, who grew up a Yankees fan, inked a nine-year, $324 million contract with New York back in December of '19. He opted out of his contract in November of '24 but he and the Yankees agreed to continue with the deal as presently constructed, which means he's owed an additional $144 million through 2028.

In five seasons with the Yankees, Cole has pitched to a 59-28 record and a 3.12 ERA with 915 strikeouts in 759 innings.

Chelsea restored some of the pride they lost in their Champions League thumping at the hands of Barcelona last season with a creditable 1-1 draw with the Spanish giants. After a chastening 8-2 semi-final aggregate loss to Barca, the Blues had a point to prove and were on track to do that with Ellie Carpenter's piledriver. But Ewa Pajor's strike ensured the spoils were shared on Thursday.

After a bright start from the visitors, a determined Chelsea took the lead in the 16th minute when Carpenter emphatically smashed the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box. Barcelona's Pajor nearly hit back straight away when she slotted past Livia Peng, only for her effort to be ruled out for offside, but the Polish striker wouldn't be denied in the 24th minute when she fired through a crowd of bodies after the Blues failed to clear a corner. 

Barca stopper Cata Coll did well to keep out Wieke Kaptein's lofted shot following a defence-splitting pass from Erin Cuthbert and then the Netherlands international rattled the post after a neat layoff from Alyssa Thompson. Just as the hosts' grip on the contest – which was delayed for a while due to a power cut – started to loosen in the second half, substitute Catarina Macario expertly headed in a free-kick, only for her effort to be ruled out for just straying offside by the narrowest of margins.

Chelsea should have been 2-1 with 10 minutes to go when a brilliant move ended in Carpenter smacking the ball wide when it seemed easier to score from eight yards out. The result saw Barcelona go top of the tournament's league table, whereas Chelsea are sixth after four matches. While this may appear to be a good result, this was a missed opportunity for Sonia Bompastor's side.

GOAL rates Chelsea's players from Stamford Bridge…

AFPGoalkeeper & Defence

Livia Peng (6/10):

The summer signing is in for the injured Hannah Hampton and was competent enough in between the sticks for Chelsea.

Lucy Bronze (7/10):

The veteran pulled off a number of important clearances, along with the odd powerful surge into the opposition's half.

Nathalie Bjorn (6/10):

Was solid if unspectacular in Chelsea's backline. If Millie Bright is to return to the starting XI, her place in the team may be under threat if Naomi Girma continues to excel in defence.

Naomi Girma (8/10):

Made a brilliant, last-ditch tackle to keep the scores level early on and some of her recoveries at the back were very impressive. Started ahead of Bright, and it seemed to have been the right call.

Sandy Baltimore (9/10):

Was solid and smart at the back and was a right nuisance going forward. She linked up well with Thompson down Chelsea's left and was arguably their best player.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield

Keira Walsh (7/10):

The former Barcelona ace plugged some gaps in Chelsea's midfield and linked up well with her team-mates.

Wieke Kaptein (7/10):

Was so close to grabbing a brace but a mixture of the Barcelona keeper and some bad luck kept her at bay.

Erin Cuthbert (8/10):

The captain led by example with a typically industrious and committed performance. She also threaded some nice through balls to her team-mates in the final third. 

AFPAttack

Ellie Carpenter (7/10):

Scored a quite brilliant goal in the first half but was guilty of being a bit sloppy in possession and some of her passing was errant. Plus, she missed a glorious opportunity late on to win it.

Aggie Beever-Jones (7/10):

Held the ball up well and brought others into play. She is working her way back to fitness but got an assist for Chelsea's goal and did herself proud.

Alyssa Thompson (8/10):

Her pace and trickery kept Barcelona's backline honest, both on the left and right wing. Sometimes she takes a touch too many when there are better options available but she is a big talent.

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Catarina Macario (8/10):

It looked like she scored with her very first touch with a sublime header but VAR ruled it out. Was very impressive off the bench.

Sonia Bompastor (7/10):

After last season's drubbing in this competition, the Frenchwoman's team gave a much better account of themselves, particularly in defence. They also created clearer-cut chances and were well organised.

Nissanka’s ton got Sri Lanka within sight of victory but the remaining batters couldn’t quite get them across the line

Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Sep-20252:05

Is captaincy affecting SKY’s form?

India won the Super OverIn regular play, Pathum Nissanka’s 107 off 58 balls and Kusal Perera’s 58 off 32, cancelled out a rapid 61 from Abhishek Sharma, and a 49 not out off 34 from Tilak Varma. India hit 202 for 5. So did Sri Lanka.In the Super Over though, Sri Lanka were very clearly out of steam on all fronts. First, they didn’t send Nissanka out to bat, choosing Kusal Perera (who sliced one to deep backward point first ball), Dasun Shanaka (who struggled with Arshdeep Singh’s wide yorkers), and Kamindu Mendis (who has never been an explosive T20I batter) out instead.Between these three, they managed a total of two runs. Suryakumar Yadav would almost laughingly put the first ball of their Super Over – bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga – through cover, to claim three first ball. This meant India went through to the Asia Cup final undefeated, and were really only tested in this match, in which they rested Jasprit Bumrah and Shivam Dube.Perhaps their aura had lost a little of its shine, but India pushing through to a victory even when Sri Lanka’s top order was batting beautifully, will be something India will take heart from ahead of the final against Pakistan.India’s innings, meanwhile, had gone smoothly. Abhishek produced another spectacular start, striking up a 59-run partnership with Suryakumar who contributed only 12 off 13 to that stand. Later, Tilak and Sanju Samson would put on 66 together.Pathum Nissanka celebrates his maiden T20I century•AFP/Getty ImagesNissanka’s 127-run partnership off 70 balls, however, was the biggest of the tournament. It got Sri Lanka within sight of victory. But the remaining batters couldn’t quite get them across the line.What happened in the Super OverSri Lanka are required to bat first in this Super Over, but Nissanka, their best batter of the tournament, is not picked to come out straight away. (We’re sure, at this stage, that he will come in if a wicket falls, though.)Perera and Shanaka are sent in instead, with Arshdeep tasked with bowling this over, in the absence of Bumrah.Perera slices the first ball, a wide yorker, to deep point, where substitute fielder Rinku Singh takes a good running catch.Kamindu Mendis, who does not have a track record of scoring quickly against high-quality opposition comes out next, even though Nissanka is just sitting there in the dugout. Predictably Kamindu struggles to get more than an edge to the next Arshdeep ball, and they scramble a single.Shanaka can’t really hit Arshdeep’s wide yorkers either, and attempts a bye off the fourth ball.Arshdeep appeals for the caught behind while wicketkeeper Sanju Samson runs Dasun Shanaka out at the striker’s end.But because Arshdeep has appealed for the catch, the umpire gives Shanaka out. (The umpire’s finger is raised only after the run out is completed, but according to the rules, the out decision effectively overturns the run out.) Shanaka awake to this loophole, immediately asks the umpire: “It’s a dead ball, right?”, just after he reviews the caught behind decision.It turns out Shanaka is correct as per the laws. Because he had been wrongly been given out caught behind, he is exonerated from the run out, even though the stumps were broken before the umpire’s finger was raised.Shanaka gets to live another ball and perhaps propel Sri Lanka to a competitive Super Over score.Shanaka top edges one to deep third very next ball, ending Sri Lanka’s Super Over.India score three first ball and win.Abhishek Sharma rocks the powerplayAlthough opening partner Shubman Gill was dismissed off the ninth ball of the innings, the tournament’s best batter still scythed his way through the powerplay. His best powerplay over came against Dushmantha Chamera. Abhishek came down the track and crashed him over long off off thifd ball, before raising the fifth ball over short fine leg’s head, then slicing the next one over short third.Abhishek Sharma brought up his third successive fifty•Getty ImagesIt only took Abhishek 22 balls to get to fifty. By the end of the powerplay, India were 71 for 1. Abhishek eventually miscued a Charith Asalanka half-tracker to deep midwicket, in the ninth over. His 61 came off 31 balls.Nissanka’s sublime inningsNissanka had scored heavily in the group stage, but had been quiet in the first two Super Four games. In this match, he exploded. He hit Hardik Pandya through point for four first ball, lifted other seamers over deep midwicket, and hooked others over backward square leg. He hit his fifty off 25 balls, and just continued to attack through the middle overs, as Perera also scored rapidly.Nissanka became Sri Lanka’s fourth T20I centurion (among men) at the end of the 17th over, when he thumped Arshdeep into the sightscreen. He got there of 52 balls. His eventual 108 off 58 is Sri Lanka’s highest individual T20I score.

They might have dropped points for the first time since late September on Saturday, but Arsenal remain atop the Premier League table heading into the international break.

Mikel Arteta’s side are four points clear of Manchester City in second place and have looked utterly sensational for much of the season, even with most of their attackers out of action.

Moreover, those who have remained fit have stepped up massively so far and currently look like some of the best players in the country, if not in Europe.

One of those stars is, of course, Declan Rice, but even the Englishman is being outperformed by another of Arsenal’s most important players, someone who could be one of their best-ever signings in the Premier League era.

Rice's development at Arsenal

When Arsenal splashed a club record £105m on Rice in the summer of 2023, most fans expected him to come in and become the club’s first choice six for the foreseeable future.

After all, while he had played in other positions for West Ham United, he was first and foremost a defensive midfielder in East London.

Unsurprisingly, this was how Arteta used the Englishman for much of the 23/24 season, with him making 31 appearances at the base of midfield, 19 in central areas and one at centre-back.

However, towards the end of that season, the manager was playing his record signing higher up the pitch, and that trend continued into the following campaign, where the 26-year-old became far more of an all-action, box-crashing left-eight.

For example, by the end of the season, he had made 37 appearances in central midfield and just 15 as a six, and as a result, his output massively improved, with him scoring nine goals and providing ten assists.

It seemed that the former Hammers’ captain would continue to play further up the pitch this season, especially with Martin Zubimendi joining the club, but once again, and for the third consecutive campaign, his role has slightly changed.

The 70-capped Englishman is still starting games in central midfield, but on top of getting forward and crashing into the opposition’s penalty area, he is once again dropping deep at times, specifically to create a double pivot with his new Spanish teammate.

Appearances

120

Starts

109

Minutes

9613′

Goals

18

Assists

25

Goal Involvements per Match

0.35

Minutes per Goal Involvement

223.55

Points per Game

2.10

This change is clearly visible during games and on his heatmaps, but he was also happy to tell the press during the last international break that the manager has “adjusted my position at Arsenal a bit this year to give me a bit more freedom to drop deeper but to also get in the box when I can.”

Add an outrageous ability with dead balls that has already seen him chalk up five assists to go with his two goals this season, and it’s easy to see why so many consider Rice to be one of the best players in the league.

However, even with how well he is playing this year, there is another Arsenal star doing even better who could be in for a shout as being one of the club’s best signings in the Premier League era.

The Arsenal star who could be one of their best-ever PL signings

The good news for Arsenal fans and Arteta is that several players in the current squad could potentially fit this description.

Chalkboard

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

However, when it comes to someone who has really taken yet another step up this season, it’s practically impossible to ignore Gabriel Magalhães.

The Brazilian was once seen as something of a liability at the back, so much so that he made just 32 appearances, totalling 2807 minutes, across all competitions during his first season with the club.

However, he began to steadily improve after that initial campaign, and while there were rumours of him being up for sale in the summer of 2023, he’s become utterly invaluable since.

In fact, while William Saliba is viewed as the more cultured of the two centre-backs, and was constantly touted for a move to Real Madrid before his contract renewal, it could be said that the Brazilian has been the better player across the last two years.

25/26

17

5

24/25

42

8

23/24

50

5

22/23

48

3

21/22

39

5

20/21

32

4

For example, he has almost entirely rid his game of the silly mistakes that hurt his reputation early on and has become a titan at the back.

Moreover, while he is more than capable of the cute passes his French partner likes to play, he also has that old-school approach to the game.

He makes more than his fair share of perfectly timed but nonetheless thunderous all-action challenges that get the fans on their feet.

Add to that the fact he’s 6 foot 3, a vocal leader and clearly someone who loves the art of defending, and it’s easy to see why Arsenal writer Adam Keys has described him as the Gunners’ “colossus” at the back.

Now, the 27-year-old’s defensive contributions, which played a vital role in the club’s eight clean sheets in a row, would be reason enough for him to be classed as one of their best signings in the Premier League era, but he’s more than just a defender.

Since joining the league, no defender has been involved in more goals than the Brazilian, and across all competitions, he has racked up an outrageous tally of 22 goals and eight assists.

Seeing the São Paulo-born monster’s name on the scoresheet at the end of a game has become something of an inevitability this season, and yet opposition teams remain incapable of stopping it from happening.

Ultimately, Rice is a world-class player, but over the last couple of years, especially this season, Gabriel has been operating just above him, and therefore, could be one of Arsenal’s best-ever Premier League signings.

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The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Jordan Walker in the first round of the 2020 MLB draft. After a decent rookie season in 2023 he was named the starting right fielder for opening day in 2024, but spent much of the season in triple-A.

His 2025 season nearly got off to a disastrous when he was forced to leave the Cardinals game against the Washington Nationals early this week. During the third inning of a game at Cacti Park on Tuesday, he successfully tracked down a fly ball in right field, but after he threw the ball in it was clear there was something wrong.

It turns out Walker had stepped on a sprinkler and jammed his knee. He left the game after the inning ended. Here's video:

On Wednesday he had inflammation in his knee and got an MRI that revealed no structural damage. The Cardinals are going to rest him for a week and reassess.

Walker is 2-for-14 with eight strikeouts during spring training.

Before he steps up to the plate, Cubs outfielder Ian Happ peers at a bull’s-eye sticker affixed to the inside of his batting helmet, just above the earpiece—a quick depth perception exercise that reminds his brain to utilize both eyes while at bat. This small habit is just one element of Happ’s vision-training routine, which he started after posting career lows in batting average (.226), on-base percentage (.323) and OPS (.757) during the 2021 season. A teammate referred him to Ryan Harrison, owner of SlowtheGameDown, a vision performance program based in Irvine, Calif. 

“We want people working on our bodies and swings, but if you can’t see the ball, you’re not going to have much success,” Happ says. “I think it’s a big part of what we do and it’s the least [thing] emphasized or trained.”

Indeed, shoulder presses and squats are workout standbys, but exercises for the eyes are often overlooked. That’s where Harrison—who works with athletes in baseball, football and hockey—concentrates his training. The eye contains six muscles that work together to move it in all directions, like the strings on a marionette. They are divided into two groups: the recti, the primary vertical movers when the eye is abducted, or looking away from the nose; and the oblique, used when the eye is adducted, or looking towards the nose. During his initial evaluation with an athlete, Harrison uses a series of tests and drills, most of which originate from another time—and another Harrison. After playing baseball at Cal, Ryan’s father Bill became an eye doctor and later began working with the Royals as a vision-training specialist in 1971. He went on to work with 15 MLB organizations and several NCAA baseball programs before his death in 2019.

“A lot of the stuff we do today is based on what they were doing in the ’70s,” says Ryan. “The technology is updated. But the brain and the eyes haven’t changed. It’s really about how we’re using those skill sets and enhancing them.”

Former Chelsea star Oscar is reportedly considering retirement after being hospitalised with a heart issue. The 34-year-old is said to have fallen ill during a bicycle test at current side São Paulo and since then, he has been diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, where the blood pressure drops too low, causing people to faint. Now, reports suggest the Brazilian is weighing up whether or not to end his career.

Oscar recovering in hospital

After spending eight years playing in China, Oscar rejoined São Paulo on a deal until 2027 at the end of last year. Following that move, he said: "I'm happy to be back in Brazil and to be able to play for São Paulo, which is the club where I started out, where I made my base and where I grew up. I thank you for the affection I have received on social media these past few days and I will do my best to achieve great things together."

Fast forward to the present, and the veteran may have kicked his last ball for the club after this health scare on Tuesday. 

The Brazilian team said on Thursday: "Midfielder Oscar remains hospitalized at Einstein Hospital Israelita, where he was admitted on Tuesday afternoon after presenting an intercurrence with cardiological changes during exams carried out at SuperCT. An extensive investigation carried out at the hospital confirmed the diagnosis of vasovagal syncope. Oscar remains clinically well and stable, hospitalized in a cardiology unit, and this Friday will undergo an electrophysiological study."

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesEnd of the road for Oscar?

Following the incident, Oscar – who started his career at São Paulo way back in 2008 – posted in an Instagram story: "Everything will be alright, God willing." 

While he is seemingly staying upbeat, Brazilian publication Globo states that Oscar – who moved to Shanghai in 2017 in a £60 million ($79m) move that reportedly pocketed him around £400,000 a week – is mulling over whether or not to retire from football. They add that it may be more likely he hangs up his boots, rather than continuing.

The report states: "According to a specialist heard by Globo, the problem is not life-threatening and can be solved with medication or simple surgical intervention, where a ganglion is cauterized to avoid getting out of control. Also, according to the expert, Oscar may be able to return to football if everything goes well and he feels comfortable to do so. For now, Oscar still has no discharge forecast. At the age of 34, he evaluates with his family whether he will announce his retirement or continue in football. The biggest tendency is for him to leave professional football."

What is Oscar's condition?

According to the NHS, vasovagal syncope is common, can affect anyone, and is often a temporary problem affecting the body's control system (autonomic nervous system). It is a common cause of fainting that occurs due to a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, leading to reduced blood flow to the brain. Certain triggers affect the nerve messages, and as a result of this issue, you can feel weak, sick, sweaty, and light-headed – and that can lead to losing consciousness. If you have this problem, people are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids, not to stand still for long periods, and to avoid overly warm environments. If you get warning symptoms, sufferers should lie down and squeezing firmly on a ball may be helpful. 

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AFPWhat comes next for Oscar?

Football fans will be eagerly awaiting to hear from Oscar, who played 203 times for Chelsea and scored 38 goals between 2012-17 before joining Shanghai Port, again and whether or not he will continue his playing career. After making more than 500 appearances in club football, playing 48 times for Brazil, and winning trophies in England, China, and his home country, he may decide that for the good of his health, it is time to move on to something different. However, the Brazilian may still have another chapter to write in his footballing journey.

Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly willing to launch a £70m offer to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid after the Spanish giants weakened their sale stance ahead of 2026.

The Lilywhites are looking to make a statement move next year in a new era without Daniel Levy. They already stole headlines when they won the race to sign Xavi Simons in the summer, but signing one of Real Madrid’s attacking stars would take Thomas Frank’s side to a whole new level.

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Whether they’ll be in a position to convince Rodrygo to join is difficult to say, however. Whilst Tottenham sit as high as fifth and only four points off second place Manchester City, they’re also on a run of just one win in their last four games in all competitions. Life under Frank has simply shown promise but featured inconsistency.

Saturday’s frantic 2-2 draw against Manchester United summed things up. Spurs were toothless and then ruthless as they came from behind to lead 2-1 in the 91st minute only for Matthijs de Ligt to equalise for the Red Devils in the last minute.

The international break comes at a good time after such a dramatic game, but things don’t get any easier for those in North London. Up next, Spurs are set to square off against Arsenal in the North London derby. The Gunners haven’t lost since August and just conceded for the first time in over 13 hours against Sunderland.

Up against the best defence in the league, if not the world, questions will be asked about the star power in Tottenham’s frontline. They’ll already likely be without summer arrival Randal Kolo Muani through injury in a frustrating blow despite his goalscoring woes, and will be forced to turn to Richarlison to get their frontline firing on all cylinders.

It’s a problem that needs addressing in 2026 and one that Rodrygo could certainly help solve.

Tottenham now willing to launch £70m Rodrygo offer

According to reports in Spain, Tottenham are now willing to launch an offer to sign Rodrygo worth as much as €80m (£70m) in 2026. The Brazilian has struggled for game time under Xabi Alonso and could yet seek a move away ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Florentino Pérez and co. are now reviewing the winger’s future and are more likely to accept a big-money offer for a player who is becoming less motivated sat on their bench week in, week out.

Alonso’s trash would instantly become Frank’s treasure. Rodrygo would transform Tottenham’s attack as a multiple-time Champions League winner and as one of the best wingers in world football. The Brazilian is also a player who has received incredibly high praise and comparisons with Real Madrid legend Raul – that’s the level that he’s at.

At £70m, everything points towards a player that Tottenham should go all out to sign when the January transfer window swings open.

Spurs flop who's been "swallowed by PL" must be dropped for Odobert

After defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League last week, it’s safe to say Arsenal have demonstrated they are capable of battling with Europe’s elite.

Mikel Arteta has transformed the side after taking the reins in December 2020, overseeing a transition that has taken them back to Premier League title challengers in recent seasons.

However, the Spaniard is yet to complete the job of winning the title, desperately needing to push for such an achievement in 2025/26 to cement his legacy at the Emirates.

If the 43-year-old is to go one better and end their two-decade wait for a title triumph, he will need the hierarchy to support him in the transfer market to allow him to have the best chance of success.

With the summer rapidly approaching, rumours have already been swirling over potential targets, with most of the links being in the same area of the pitch.

An update on Arsenal’s pursuit of new forwards

Over the last couple of days, Arsenal have received a huge boost in their pursuit of landing a new striker, with an update provided on the future of Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres.

New sporting director Andrea Berta has wasted no time in making the Swede his number one target after previously holding talks with his representatives over a move to North London.

However, the latest update has confirmed that he’s not interested in a move to fellow English side Chelsea, potentially putting the Gunners in pole position for his signature in the coming months.

He’s not the only attacker touted with a move, with the likes of Kingsley Coman and Nico Williams also hugely admired ahead of the summer window.

According to one Spanish outlet, the Gunners are already in advanced talks to land the Athletic Club star and are more than willing to trigger his £50m release clause in the coming months.

Why the £50m star could be Arteta’s very own Vini Jr

Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has been one of Europe’s most deadly forwards in recent years, notching a tally of 45 goals across his last two seasons under Carlo Ancelotti.

Many thought he would win the Ballon d’Or for 2024, but was pipped to the post by Manchester City’s Rodri, with his standing in such an award highlighting how threatening he has been in Madrid.

However, in the recent Champions League clashes with the LaLiga giants, Arsenal managed to silence the Brazilian for large spells, only managing to get on the scoresheet after a mistake within the backline.

There’s no denying he is a hugely talented player, with Arteta able to land his version of the superstar this summer should they complete a deal for Williams.

The Spaniard has been labelled as a similar player to Vini Jr by FBref based upon their respective figures from 2024/25, showcasing how impressive the transfer target has been.

When delving into the stats, the 22-year-old has managed to match or better the Madrid star in numerous key areas, with any move undoubtedly improving the forward line in North London.

Williams, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by Eduardo Hagn, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has notched a higher shot-on target accuracy rate – highlighting his clinical nature in the final third.

Games played

27

25

Goals & assists

10

16

Shot-on-target accuracy

37%

30%

Shot-creating actions

5.2

5.2

Tackles won

0.8

0.2

Take-ons attempted

8.2

7.5

Aerials won

40%

12%

He’s also managed to win more of the aerial duels he’s entered, whilst also attempting more take-ons per 90, offering Arteta a real all-round threat within the final third should he join the club.

If the Gunners are to finally end their drought without a league title, it’s pivotal that the hierarchy back the manager with the right additions to help him in his quest.

The Athletic Club star ticks all the boxes with his pace, constant attacking threat, and his end product, with the £50m fee touted a potential bargain should he get anywhere near the levels produced by Vini Jr in recent years.

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1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 19, 2025