Kyle Jamieson has also been removed from the squad, while Zak Foulkes and Will O’Rourke have been retained
ESPNcricinfo staff22-Mar-2025
Matt Henry has a shoulder injury as well as an ongoing left-knee issue•ICC via Getty Images
Matt Henry, who had been included in New Zealand’s squads for the fourth and fifth T20Is against Pakistan despite an injured shoulder, has been officially ruled out, and will continue “his injury rehabilitation programme,” New Zealand Cricket said on Saturday.Zakary Foulkes, who had been selected only for the first three games of the series, has been retained for the last two games as Henry’s replacement. Foulkes was persisted with after returns of 1 for 11 (three overs) in the first game and none for 32 (three overs) in the second game, both of which New Zealand won.In another tweak to the squad, Kyle Jamieson, who was Player of the Match in the first T20I for his returns of 3 for 8 but was expensive (none for 54) in the third game, which Pakistan won, has been left out for the last two games. Will O’Rourke, who had originally been picked only for the first three games, has been added to the squad in Jamieson’s place.Henry had injured his right shoulder while diving in the outfield during the Champions Trophy semi-final win over South Africa earlier this month, which put him out of the final against India, and has also been managing an ongoing left-knee issue.Of the New Zealand quicks, Jacob Duffy has played all three matches of the series, and leads the wicket-takers’ list with seven strikes, while James Neesham and Ben Sears have played two games each. Ish Sodhi and captain Michael Bracewell, the two spinners, have also played all three games.New Zealand lead the series 2-1, with the fourth and fifth games to be played on Sunday (in Mount Maunganui) and on Wednesday (in Wellington).New Zealand squad for last two T20Is vs PakistanMichael Bracewell (capt), Finn Allen, Mitchell Hay (wk), Tim Robinson, Tim Seifert (wk), Mark Chapman, Zakary Foulkes, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Jacob Duffy, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi
Liverpool, it’s probably fair to say, are the team to beat in the Premier League this season. Nine points claimed from nine points available, last year’s champions haven’t played that well so far, and yet stand at the top of the pile as the September international break takes centre stage.
Arne Slot has worked wonders on Merseyside, nurturing the seeds of Jurgen Klopp’s later days in the Anfield dugout and winning the league title in his first year at the helm. Liverpool were not afforded a shot at the title by most pundits, but lift the trophy they did.
Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool
And he did it without any real first-team investment. Liverpool missed out on Martin Zubimendi, for example, but Slot fashioned Ryan Gravenberch into a world-class six.
This summer spun a different tale, however, with Liverpool’s ambitions knowing no bounds. Twice the Reds broke the British transfer record through deals for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
However, the signing of Hugo Ekitike was also completed, and though he cost a pretty penny, the young forward has what it takes to become a superstar at the club.
Hugo Ekitike's rise in value
Make no mistake, Ekitike has been considered a top talent from his early days as a pro. Having been developed through his formative years with French club Reims, the 23-year-old earned a big move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, signing for the Ligue 1 giants in a total €35m (about £30m) package.
Newcastle waged transfer war against Liverpool this summer, but the recent months weren’t the root of the Magpies’ interest in the young Frenchman, having agreed a deal to sign him way back when before PSG came along.
Ekitike’s efforts as a youngster with the Parisians proved fruitless, and he left for Eintracht Frankfurt after featuring just 33 times, scoring four goals. His £14m switch to the Bundesliga after an initial loan period underscored that blot on the copybook, albeit one which proved instrumental for his growth in hindsight.
Frankfurt promised him a platform to foster his immense abilities, and there he grew into the player he is today, and player who, excitingly for the Reds, remains the unfinished product.
Three goals and an assist from Ekitike’s first four outings with Liverpool bespeak his potential, and perhaps add a layer of tension for Isak, who knows his place at number nine is not secure.
Already, the France international appears to have been worth the money, FSG having fought to beat off competition from Newcastle and more this summer, signing Ekitike for an initial £69m fee, which may rise to £79m.
He’s the real deal, and evidence that Liverpool are willing to pay the big bucks for up-and-coming talents if they deem them standing beneath a high ceiling.
The same could be said for Anthony Gordon, who was targeted last summer in a bumper move. However, peer down a different timeline and you might find the Three Lions star a one-club man at Liverpool.
Liverpool must regret losing Anthony Gordon
Gordon made his name on Merseyside, but he did it in blue. The 23-year-old winger completed 78 appearances for Everton, scoring seven goals, after graduating from their Finch Farm academy, but he only found a home on that patch after previously cutting his teeth with Liverpool.
Indeed, a boyhood Red, Gordon was released from Liverpool’s youth system when he was 11 years old, very much a victim of the ruthless nature of youth football. Even so, Liverpool chiefs must kick themselves for having let that one slip through their fingers.
Sold by Everton to Newcastle for £45m after forcing his way out of Goodison Park, Gordon has since grown into one of the Premier League’s most prominent wide forwards, hailed as a “relentless machine” by journalist Sripad.
Named Newcastle’s Player of the Year for 2023/24, Gordon posted 21 goal contributions across the league campaign and demonstrated such fluidity and tenacity, a beacon throughout a tough, injury-riddled period for the Toon.
He’s described himself as “a nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, and while Gordon struggled to recapture his remarkable early form last year, he still contributed toward triumph in the Carabao Cup and steered United back into the Champions League.
Gordon – Career Stats by Position
Position
Apps
Goals
Assists
Left winger
124
26
29
Right winger
53
8
8
Attacking midfield
21
13
2
Centre-forward
18
5
1
Stats via Transfermarkt
Liverpool’s data analysts rarely miss the mark, and so clearly Gordon has something about him, indeed coming close to signing the 24-year-old in 2024 as Newcastle looked to avoid PSR punishment. They found alternative ways to circumvent the financial restrictions, and Gordon stayed put.
Still, Liverpool were eager to pay, seemingly undeterred by his lofty price tag. In fact, recent reports from the past few months suggest that FSG have considered making their move this summer, with a £100m fee attached to the interest.
Such a figure places Gordon above Liverpool’s new superstar Ekitike, though some might comment that ‘Premier League tax’ has played a part in inflating Gordon’s price tag.
Hugo Ekitike celebrates for Liverpool
Ekitike has the tools to make real progress at Liverpool, developing over the next few years into a superstar. Positionally different, it’s something that the Reds envisaged for Gordon not too long ago.
Though the recent emergence of 17-year-old prodigy Rio Ngumoha has eased Liverpool’s need to find a left winger to compete with Gakpo, it’s likely that Gordon could have played a crucial role in the club’s success, had FSG succeeded in bringing him over from Tyneside last summer.
Alas, it wasn’t to be, and if the Reds wish to revisit their intrigue down the line, they will probably have to fork out an even heftier fee than was paid for Ekitike in July.
It could have all been so much easier if Gordon had been allowed to develop within Liverpool’s academy.
Forget Leoni: Liverpool already have a Guehi upgrade in Slot's "monster"
Liverpool missed out on Guehi, one of their top summer transfer targets, on deadline day.
يستضيف فريق ليفربول خصمه مانشستر يونايتد في مباراة قوية، مساء الأحد، وذلك في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لكرة القدم.
ويلتقي ليفربول مع مانشستر يونايتد في الجولة الثامنة من الدوري الإنجليزي، موسم 2025/26، على ملعب “الأنفيلد”.
ويحتل ليفربول المركز الثالث في جدول الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 15 نقطة، في حين أن مانشستر يونايتد لديه 10 نقاط ويحتل المركز الحادي عشر.
طالع | تشكيل ليفربول الرسمي أمام مانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي.. موقف محمد صلاح
ويأمل النجم المصري محمد صلاح استعادة مستواه في مباراة اليوم خاصة وأن مانشستر يونايتد يُعد خصمه المفضل بعدما ساهم في 19 هدفًا أمامه، بواقع 13 هدفًا و6 أسيست. تشكيل ليفربول المتوقع أمام مانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي
حراسة المرمى: جيورجي مامارداشفيلي.
خط الدفاع: دومينيك سوبوسلاي، إبراهيما كوناتي، فيرجيل فان دايك، ميلوس كيركيز.
خط الوسط: جرافنبيرخ، كورتيس جونز.
خط الوسط الهجومي: محمد صلاح، فلوريان فيرتز، كودي جاكبو.
خط الهجوم: هوجو إيكتيكي.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.
A disputa pela liderança e também pelo G4 da Série B está extremamente acirrada. E em um jogo que mexe diretamente com as primeiras posições, Criciúma, terceiro colocado, e Novorizontino, quarto, se enfrentam, neste sábado, às 17h. Quem vencer pode assumir a liderança da competição. O Vila Nova, vice-líder, também vai a campo neste sábado, quando enfrenta o ABC.
+ Confira a classificação atualizada e a tabela completa da Série B
CRICIÚMA X NOVORIZONTINO
Data e horário: sábado, 22/7, às 17h Local: Estádio Heriberto Hulse – Criciúma – SC Árbitro: Diego Pombo Lopez (BA) Auxiliares: Paulo de Tarso Bregalda (SE) e Luiz Augusto Silveira Tisne (SC) Onde assistir: Band e Premiere
Chelsea have identified a Real Madrid star as one of their top targets for 2026 already, with BlueCo prepared to meet the player’s asking price, according to a new report.
Enzo Maresca’s side ranked among the Premier League’s biggest-spending teams during the summer window, splashing close to £290 million, but their array of player sales meant that Chelsea actually recorded a small profit.
The Premier League’s biggest summer spenders
Team
Spent
Received
Net Spend
Liverpool
£415,000,000
£187,000,000
£228,000,000
Chelsea
£285,000,000
£288,000,000
-£3,000,000
Arsenal
£255,000,000
£9,000,000
£246,000,000
Newcastle
£250,000,000
£152,000,000
£98,000,000
Man Utd
£216,000,000
£68,000,000
£148,000,000
Nottm Forest
£205,000,000
£107,000,000
£98,000,000
Tottenham
£181,000,000
£36,000,000
£145,000,000
Sunderland
£162,000,000
£44,000,000
£118,000,000
Man City
£152,000,000
£53,000,000
£99,000,000
West Ham
£124,000,000
£55,000,000
£69,000,000
via BBC
The west Londoners, and quite rightly so, have earned a reputation for being one of England’s most prolific selling clubs, and if Bayern Munich trigger Nicolas Jackson’s obligation to buy clause next summer, they’ll stand to earn a further £56 million on top of his record-breaking loan fee.
Interestingly, Jackson could face off against Chelsea in the Champions League this evening, with Vincent Kompany handed a dilemma over playing the Senegalese against his parent club.
Chelsea'sNicolasJacksonis pictured on the substitutes bench before the match
The 24-year-old’s potential sale would do wonders to fund Chelsea’s 2026 summer plans, and they have a few key items on the agenda already. If Maresca cannot sign a centre-back in January, it’s something they’ll reportedly visit later in the new year.
Elsewhere in the squad, a fresh claim has surfaced that Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga is firmly on Chelsea’s radar.
Chelsea identify Eduardo Camavinga as top target for 2026
According to reports from Spain, Chelsea are eyeing Camavinga as one of their priority signings for 2026.
Eduardo Camavinga in action for Real Madrid.
The Frenchman is yet to make a single appearance under Xabi Alonso this season after just returning from an ankle injury, but was on the bench for Real’s 2-1 win over Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Valued at around £52 million, it is believed that Chelsea are prepared to pay that price for Camavinga, and if any club were to offer it, Real would also be happy to negotiate his exit.
Would Eduardo Camavinga fit in at Chelsea?
Maresca already boasts a star-studded midfield of Enzo Fernández, Moises Caicedo, the returning Roméo Lavia and Dario Essugo — although the latter is set to be sidelined for a lengthy period after surgery.
The 22-year-old is a player of real quality when fit and available, but Camavinga’s worrying injury record comes as a real warning to BlueCo.
He made just 35 appearances in all competitions last season — missing nearly 30 games through a combination of knee, muscle and hamstring problems — and the last thing Chelsea need is an injury-prone player who’s barely available.
That being said, Camavinga has also attracted huge praise for his performances at the Bernabeu.
حرض صحفي إسباني، لاعب فريق برشلونة، لامين يامال، على أحد لاعبي فريق ريال مدريد بعد مباراة الكلاسيكو بينهما، مساء يوم الأحد، في بطولة الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.
واستضاف ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” مباراة فريقي ريال مدريد وبرشلونة في الجولة العاشرة من الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2025/26.
وتمكن ريال مدريد من تحقيق فوز ثمين على برشلونة بهدفين لهدف، بفضل ثنائية كيليان مبابي وجود بيلينجهام، في مباراة شهدت توترًا كبيرًا بين الفريقين في الثواني الأخيرة، خاصة بسبب لامين يامال.
وتسبب لامين يامال في إزعاج ريال مدريد بتصريحاته قبل يومين من مباراة الكلاسيكو، بعدما قال عن الملكي: “يسرقون ويشتكون”.
اقرأ أيضًا.. آس: صمم على اللعب.. لاعب ريال مدريد خاض كلاسيكو برشلونة وهو مريض للغاية
ولم يتفاعل لاعبو ريال مدريد مع التصريحات قبل المباراة، ولكنهم بمجرد إطلاق صافرة نهاية الكلاسيكو، استغلوا الأمر للرد على الإسباني، حيث كانت البداية عند داني كارفاخال الذي وبخه بحدة بسبب ما تفوه بها، بخلاف استفزاز فينيسيوس جونيور.
وانزعج الصحفي الإسباني، فيران كورياس، بصحيفة “سبورت”، من تصرف داني كارفاخال تجاه مواطنه وصديقه في منتخب إسبانيا، لامين يامال، ولذلك قرر تحريض الأخير ضده.
وكتب كورياس عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع إكس: “لو كنت مكان لامين يامال، لقررت عدم الذهاب إلى منتخب إسبانيا، وأطلب من كارفاخال أن يذهب ويفوز بكأس العالم لمنتخبه”.
Jo sóc Lamine i no vaig més a la selecció espanyola i li dic a Carvajal que vagi ell a guanyar el Mundial amb la seva bandera — ferran correas (@ferrancorreas) October 26, 2025
O Santos, nesta quarta-feira (9), anunciou Alexandre Gallo como o novo coordenador técnico do clube. O profissional chega para substituir Paulo Roberto Falcão, que se desligou do cargo na última sexta-feira (5) após uma denúncia de importunação sexual feita por uma funcionária do hotel em que o representante do Alvinegro vive.
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Identificado com o clube como ex-jogador, Gallo atuou no Peixe entre 1992 e 1996. No período, ele foi capitão do time vice-campeão brasileiro de 95, mas não atuou na partida de volta, disputada no Pacaembu, por cumprir uma suspensão pelo terceiro cartão amarelo.
+ Já atualizou sua camisa de 2023? Confira os novos uniformes do Peixe!
Após pendurar as chuteiras, iniciou seu trabalho como treinador. Foi auxiliar de Luxemburgo, em 2004, na campanha santista do octacampeonato brasileiro. Em 2005, teve a oportunidade de ser o treinador do Peixe, ficando à frente da equipe em 41 jogos.
– Estamos trazendo um profissional com identificação com o Santos, que já viveu muito esse time e que não pensou duas vezes em aceitar esse desafio – afirmou Rueda.
Visitors trail by 97 with nine second-innings wickets still standing going into final day at Derby
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay27-Apr-2025
Zak Chappell claimed 4 for 55 to tighten Derbyshire’s grip•Getty Images
Zak Chappell tightened Derbyshire’s grip on the Rothesay County Championship Division Two match as Middlesex were forced to follow on at Derby.The fast bowler took 4 for 55 with the visitors bowled out for 315, eight short of the follow-on target, despite half-centuries from Leus du Plooy, Ben Geddes and Jack Davies.Middlesex then lost Nathan Fernandes to the first ball of their second innings before closing on 60 for 1, still 97 behind.Derbyshire’s mood going into the third day matched the glorious weather and the outlook got even brighter for the hosts when Ryan Higgins went in the third over of the morning.He clipped Chappell firmly but in the air to mid-wicket where Alex Thomson dived full length to his left to take a stunning one-handed catch.Thomson was mobbed by jubilant team mates and not just for the quality of the fielding because Higgins represented a big wicket in the context of the game.But that was to be the only success for some time as nightwatchman Blake Cullen and du Plooy dug in to lift the spirits of the visitors.After retiring hurt with a foot injury the previous day, du Plooy was able to resume his innings with Max Holden as a runner and although restricted, the former Derbyshire man played soundly to bat through to lunch.Cullen also shaped well although he was reprieved on 16 when he edged Chappell to first slip where Caleb Jewell got a hand to it but could not hold on.He took advantage and passed his previous highest score of 34 by clipping Luis Reece to the mmid-wicket boundary but missed out on a maiden 50 when he aimed a big drive at the all-rounder and was caught behind.But Cullen had done a good job for his team, batting 95 minutes in the morning and sharing a stand of 60 from 118 balls with du Plooy who was put down at short leg on 35 off Jack Morley.Du Plooy completed his 50 from 133 balls but then edged Chappell to second slip with Middlesex still 117 runs short of avoiding the follow on.Geddes and Davies played sensibly to reduce that by 55 but the spinners were finding some turn and Thomson broke the stand with a ball that spun sharply.Geddes had launched the off-spinner over long on for six but when he reached out to drive the next ball, he was bowled through the gate.Chappell returned to have Zafar Gohar and Toby Roland-Jones caught behind but Davies pulled and drove him for two sixes to reach 50.With eight needed to avoid the follow-on, Davies tried to launch Thomson for another maximum but failed to clear long off and Derbyshire immediately sent Middlesex back in.They were rewarded with the first ball as Nathan Fernandes sliced a drive at Reece into the hands of gully.but in his next over, he pulled up with a problem in his right leg and had to leave the field although he was back on before the close.Stephen Eskinazi and Holden batted through to stumps in relative comfort but Middlesex have a lot of work to do to avoid defeat.
Former England keeper stars with bat again to take control for Surrey
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay17-May-2025
Ben Foakes came to Surrey’s aid again•Getty Images
Ben Foakes maintained his fine form with the bat by hitting 86 to fashion a solid Surrey lead in their Rothesay County Championship encounter with Yorkshire at the Kia Oval.Foakes, who hit a career-high 174 not out against Warwickshire earlier this week, followed it up with another vital knock to guide the home side to 384 for seven at stumps on day two, 129 in front.Australian left-hander Kurtis Patterson also sparkled on his Surrey debut with 85 but after he and Dan Lawrence fell in rapid succession, they needed Foakes – aided by the lower-middle order – to cement their advantage.Medium-pacer George Hill, fresh from recording a nine-wicket match haul in Yorkshire’s previous game at Essex, was again the pick of the visitors’ bowlers with figures of four for 58.Rory Burns and Dom Sibley resumed in the morning with a deficit of 209 and shaved off just another 10 runs before the skipper departed, nudging a Jack White delivery that left him into the hands of slip.That brought Patterson to the crease for the first time in Surrey colours, taking a while to settle before he unveiled his ruthless cover drive and dispatched both White and Jordan Buckingham to the rope.Buckingham was expensive, conceding two boundaries in quick succession to Sibley – who appeared nicely set at 29 until he failed to get forward sufficiently to Hill and was trapped leg before.However, Patterson was into his stride by then and advanced to his half-century from the penultimate ball of the morning session, ably supported by some wristy leg-side strokeplay from Dan Lawrence.Yorkshire might have removed Patterson on 60 soon after lunch, when he miscued a hook off Buckingham – but James Wharton, moving in from long leg, was unable to cling onto the catch.After receiving treatment for a back problem just before the interval, Lawrence still looked uncomfortable in the middle, but he stuck around for almost two hours helping Patterson to add 112.However, Surrey’s momentum was dented when they lost both batters in the space of three deliveries, with Ben Coad returning for his second spell of the day to pin Lawrence in front of the stumps for 31.Hill’s impact was even more immediate, removing Patterson in the same manner with the first delivery of his stint from the Vauxhall End and that left Foakes and Jason Roy to regroup as they closed in on the visitors’ total.Foakes struck the ball cleanly and crisply, particularly on the leg side, while Roy employed a greater degree of brute force, punching Jordan Thompson off the back foot for four and slamming Adam Lyth into the pavilion to secure his side’s first batting bonus point.The final say went to Lyth, who had his fellow ex-England opener pouched at slip for 26 in the first over after tea, but Foakes progressed past 50 for the fifth time this season with one of his looser shots, slashing White just past the slips for two.Yorkshire captain Jonny Bairstow handed his wicketkeeper’s gloves to Jonny Tattersall for the final session, having sustained a finger injury, but continued to direct proceedings in an outfield role.It was Tattersall who snapped up an outside edge off Foakes late in the day to provide Hill with his fourth wicket, but Jordan Clark – having almost chopped on twice early in his innings – swung the bat to reach 41 not out with a clutch of boundaries.
There was a bit of concern among some sections of the fanbase heading into this season because Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke does not have an impressive record in the Premier League.
He was relegated with Norwich City in the 2019/20 campaign before being sacked during his second attempt at managing in the division in the 2021/22 season with the Canaries.
However, the West Yorkshire outfit have picked up eight points from six matches in the Premier League this season, losing just two of their games, in what has been a very solid start to the campaign.
Farke’s side have been competitive in every game barring the 5-0 loss to Arsenal, who are title challengers, and were held to a 2-2 draw by Bournemouth on Saturday.
In that 2-2 draw with the Cherries, Leeds supporters were provided with a reminder of where the club went wrong the last time they were in the top-flight.
Tyler Adams lined up in central midfielder for the away side at Elland Road, a few years on from when he failed to replace Kalvin Phillips under Jesse Marsch.
Why Tyler Adams was a poor replacement for Kalvin Phillips
The Whites sold Phillips to Manchester City in the summer of 2022 after the England international had helped the team to stay in the Premier League for two years.
Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta decided to bring Adams in from RB Leipzig for a fee of £20m to replace what they had lost in the middle of the park, but he was a poor replacement for the Yorkshire-born star.
Adams offered bite in the middle of the park, averaging 5.2 tackles and interceptions per game (per Sofascore), in the Premier League for the Whites, which shows that he was combative and got around the pitch to disrupt the opposition.
The USA international, however, did not showcase the quality on the ball that made Phillips so special to Marcelo Bielsa and Marsch in his two seasons in the top-flight with the West Yorkshire outfit. That lack of quality played a part in the team’s relegation to the Championship in the 2022/23 campaign.
Premier League
Kalvin Phillips (20/21)
Tyler Adams (22/23)
Appearances
29
24
Goals
1
0
Big chances created
5
1
Assists
2
0
Possession lost per game
11.7
12.2
Tackles + interceptions per game
4.2
5.2
Ground duel success rate
53%
55%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Adams did not offer anywhere near as much to the team in possession as Phillips did at his best, losing the ball more frequently whilst creating way less.
These statistics show that Orta and Marsch failed in their attempts to replace Phillips in midfield in the summer of 2022, and the Whites were relegated from the Premier League, in part, because of that. Of course, losing Raphinha from that team did not help matters.
Fast-forward to the present day, Leeds look competitive in the middle of the park thanks to the recruitment work that was done in that area of the pitch during the summer transfer window.
German giant Anton Stach has caught the eye, having scored a stunning free-kick against Wolverhampton Wanderers, since his £17m move from Hoffenheim.
However, it is another Leeds United central midfielder who has emerged as Farke’s own version of Kalvin Phillips at Elland Road in the Premier League this season.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Sean Longstaff joined the club from Premier League rivals Newcastle United for £12m to bolster their options in the middle of the park, and he has been an excellent addition on current evidence.
Why Sean Longstaff may be the new Kalvin Phillips
The English midfield star may be the new Phillips at Elland Road because, unlike Tyler Adams, he has the defensive and technical qualities to be a well-rounded and influential presence in and out of possession for Leeds.
Longstaff really announced himself to the Elland Road supporters, of course, with his strike in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, finding the corner with an excellent strike, as shown in the clip below.
It has been his all-round play in midfield that has impressed the most, though, as Longstaff has also averaged 3.8 tackles and interceptions per game in the league for the Whites this season, per Sofascore.
That is 1.2 more tackles and interceptions per match than Stach has managed in midfield in the top-flight. This suggests that the former Newcastle man is closer to Phillips, from a defensive perspective, than the 6 foot 4 German is, as he covers plenty of ground to disrupt opposition attacks.
Longstaff, who was tipped to be an “unbelievable” player by Alan Shearer, has the quality on and off the ball to help Leeds in all phases. He can sit and be compact to stop teams playing through the Whites, but he can also play a killer pass in the final third when needed to spark attacks or break down low blocks.
Premier League
Kalvin Phillips (20/21)
Sean Longstaff (25/26)
Appearances
29
6
Goals
1
1
Big chances created
5
2
Key passes per game
1.2
1.3
Tackles and interceptions per game
4.2
3.8
Ground duel success rate
53%
55%
Aerial duel success rate
47%
71%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the £12m signing’s statistics in and out of possession so far this season make him very comparable to Phillips in his best season in the Premier League under Bielsa in the 2020/21 campaign.
1.3 key passes per game for Longstaff shows that he has a creative side to his game, whilst his assist for Joe Rodon on Saturday came from a corner, and that means that he adds value in the final third as well as being a combative and defensively strong operator.
Signing a player with bags of Premier League experience has turned out to be an incredibly shrewd move by the Whites, as he has been able to hit the ground running since his move to Elland Road.
He may not have been the most exciting signing when he arrived at the club in the summer transfer window, but Longstaff may well turn out to be the club’s next version of Kalvin Phillips.
Not just Longstaff: 7/10 Leeds star is now completely undroppable for Farke
Leeds drew 2-2 at home to Bournemouth on Saturday and this star made himself undroppable.