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New Zealand A completed a remarkable turnaround in Brisbane to steamroller Australia A by 225 runs in the first four-day match. Scott Kuggeleijn and Sean Solia completed fine all-round outings as the home side were bundled out for 127 shortly after lunch on the final day.Kuggeleijn finished with a career-best 9 for 113 in the match and an unbeaten century while Solia took five wickets – including 3 for 15 on the last day – to go alongside 91.Cameron Bancroft top-scored in Australia A’s second innings with 47 before being lbw to Kuggeleijn when he missed a full delivery. Joel Paris did not bat having picked up a hamstring injury on the third day.Related

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“We had a really good first day and got outplayed from that moment onwards,” Bancroft said. “We’ll have to improve in all areas, our batting wasn’t quite good enough. They were able to control us and we probably didn’t hang in there quite long enough and our bowling was a bit off, weren’t able to build pressure and they hurt us.”Australia A had resumed on 31 for 1 facing a target of 353 and New Zealand A soon made inroads. Caleb Jewell was the first to fall when he top-edged a wild hook shot to deep square leg.Solia’s medium pace then ran through the middle order with Nathan McSweeney lbw, Campbell Kellaway flashing to backward point and Jimmy Peirson given leg before to what appeared a borderline decision.Mitch Perry was cleaned up with the final ball of the morning session when Kuggeleijn got one through him from round the wicket and things did not last long after the break.The short ball did for the lower order as Mark Steketee fending to short leg and Mitchell Swepson swatted into the leg side.The second match of the two-game first-class series is a day-night encounter which begins in Mackay on Monday. Australia A will likely rotate through some of their quick bowlers. Paris’ injury adds to the series withdrawals of Matt Kelly (quad) and Wes Agar (back).Jordan Buckingham will now travel to Mackay having originally just been around for the first game, although could still be rested, while Ben Dwarshuis and Nathan McAndrew can expect to feature.New Zealand A will have Adi Ashok and Dean Foxcroft available after they completed their time with the T20I squad in England.

This week, Arne Slot tasted the first truly crushing defeat of his Liverpool tenure.

Liverpool are out of the Champions League, with Paris Saint-Germain winning on penalties to set up a quarter-final tie with Aston Villa.

However, Liverpool are also 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League, with Sunday also bringing the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United.

While it’s almost certain that Liverpool will enjoy a trophy-winning season to celebrate Slot’s first year at the helm, change is bound to be afoot this summer, with the likes of Luis Diaz facing an uncertain long-term future on Merseyside.

Luis Diaz's Liverpool future

Diaz is an electric-paced and slippery winger capable of causing even the sternest of opponents a spate of problems across a contest.

Only last month, pundit Danny Murphy claimed the Colombian has “gone under the radar” somewhat this season, shifting seamlessly from his preferred wide role to help Liverpool in the centre-forward spot, perhaps the priority position in the transfer market this summer, along with left-back.

The problem lies in Diaz’s lack of cutting edge. Aged 28, time is dwindling for this talented wideman to ever truly be accepted as world-class as he simply doesn’t have the potency in front of goal, certainly not in the same vein as his opposite number Mohamed Salah.

There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. Salah has scored 32 goals and added 22 assists across all competitions this season and is

But deeper analysis highlights the cracks in Diaz’s game. He might have scored an emphatic hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the group stage of the Champions League, but he has blanked across all eight of his further fixtures on the continent.

So with the £55k-per-week talent about to enter the penultimate year of his deal, you have to wonder whether FSG will feel it prudent to cash in for a pretty penny while they still can, with Transfermarkt recording Diaz’s current market value at about £71m.

He’s been a fine servant for Liverpool and is all but set to lift the Premier League in May. However, FSG may feel a bit rueful when glancing back to his £49m transfer from FC Porto in January 2022, for they could have signed a superstar rivalling Salah for the Ballon d’Or instead.

Liverpool could have signed "Europe's best player" over Diaz

Hindsight is only good in, well, hindsight, but Liverpool’s boardroom executives must be somewhat frustrated by their failure to sign one of the season’s superstars back in 2022 all the same.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast’s One That Got Away series.

Though Diaz has performed admirably as Sadio Mane’s heir down the left flank, he’s only scored 37 goals across 139 matches in a Liverpool shirt, equating to a rate of 0.27 per game. Mane trumps him in this regard, with his 120-goal return from 269 appearances marking a 0.45 strike average.

Diaz, to be sure, could have made more of his gifted ability, with reporter Lewis Steele even noting he had been “wasteful and frustrating” through phases of his Liverpool career. It makes the decision not to sign Raphinha in 2022 all the more bothersome.

As Liverpool tied up a deal for Diaz, the Daily Express – via Sky Sports – revealed there was genuine interest in Raphinha, then of Leeds United, but complications and financial obstacles precluded a winter deal.

With a deal for Diaz wrapped up, Liverpool did not need the Brazil international as Leeds fell from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea tussled, but it was ultimately La Blaugrana who demonstrated the strongest pull, signing him for a £55m fee.

Fast forward three years (almost) and he’s being hailed as “Europe’s best player” by the likes of Sky Sports journalist Dougie Critchley. Raphinha ebbed and flowed through his opening two years in Spain but has come alive under the wing of Hansi Flick.

The data backs such claims up. As per FBref, Raphinha ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past 365 days for goals scored, the top 8% for assists and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90.

Though these metrics are distorted by the 28-year-old’s comparative struggles last season. Now, his 46 goal involvements in 2024/25 are bettered only by that man Salah (54), but with Barcelona still in the Champions League, Liverpool’s talisman will no doubt be concerned that he may ultimately lose out.

Along with Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele of PSG, Raphinha is arguably the biggest adversary in Salah’s way to immortalising his name on the most prestigious individual stage, especially if Barca do indeed lift the continental cup, for he has already chalked up 11 goals and five assists from his ten seasonal displays.

Though Raphinha has played the majority of his career on the right, it’s curious that he should be enjoying his most prolific term yet on Barcelona’s left. This bolsters the argument he would have been a sensational signing for the Reds, with such a potent threat easing Salah’s burden and perhaps even making the Egyptian even better.

It could have been a partnership for the ages. No disrespect to Diaz but he’s the same age as Raphinha and dwarfed in regard to clinical output.

Liverpool missed the mark with this one.

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Dan Emery

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Perhaps with replacing Mohamed Salah in mind, Liverpool have now reportedly set their sights on signing the Egyptian’s greatest rival to win the 2025 Ballon d’Or this summer.

Liverpool eye new forwards as Diaz, Jota and Nunez disappoint

Arne Slot’s debut campaign has gone so well at Anfield that the natural expectancy was that they would, one way or another, find a way past Paris Saint-Germain. For the first time in the Dutchman’s Liverpool career, however, his side’s weaknesses were laid bare up against a PSG side who are simply more complete under Luis Enrique these days.

Not just Nunez: Liverpool star who lost the ball every 3 mins let Slot down

Liverpool exit the Champions League in the last 16 after losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Mar 12, 2025

It was fairly fitting that arguably Europe’s best two sides needed penalties to decide what was a two-legged tie filled to the brim with world class quality and in many ways it summed up Darwin Nunez’s Liverpool career that he was the one who blinked first.

Between Diogo Jota’s frantic yet ineffective performance, Luis Diaz’s mixed display and Nunez’s own frustrating cameo, it became clearer than ever that the Reds need an attacking boost this summer, especially if Salah departs as a free agent.

If that is to be the case – and a disastrous one at that – then those at Anfield must pursue the signature of the Egyptian’s Ballon d’Or rival this summer, having already reportedly set their sights on his potential arrival.

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are now eyeing a summer swoop to sign Raphinha from Barcelona in a move that would instantly ease their Salah blow and revive their frontline.

Unlike this time last year, however, Barcelona are unlikely to part ways with Brazilian at the first chance they get. In fact, they’re likely to deny any offer at all for the winger’s signature, given how he has exploded into life to become one of Europe’s most lethal players in the current campaign – scoring 27 goals in all competitions.

"Special" Raphinha one of few who could replace Salah

When Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes go searching for a player capable of guaranteeing 20-plus goals a season whilst also taking up the role of main creator, they will struggle to find an extensive list of players able to come close to the levels that Salah has consistently shown. However, if they turn that search towards Spain they may just find one of a select few stars beginning to show similar traits.

Although the numbers show just how unbelievable Salah’s season has been, Raphinha has been no slouch either and remains the Liverpool star’s greatest Ballon d’Or rival – especially after advancing in the Champions League.

At 28 years old, the former Leeds United winger is finally at the absolute peak of his powers and earning deserved praise from Hansi Flick as a result. The Barcelona boss told reporters earlier this season: “He has good dynamics with the ball and he has had an extraordinary match.

“His offensive and defensive dynamics, and his good technique, are something special. I have never had a player like him and he helps us a lot.”

Ahead of what is likely to be a busy summer transfer window, Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly facing the prospect of losing another key man alongside Matheus Cunha.

Wolves transfer news

Whilst Wolves’ main aim is undoubtedly survival this season, there would have still been plenty of frustration over how their FA Cup run came to an end against Bournemouth last time out. Having levelled things up through a sensational strike from range, Cunha commenced his side’s downfall when he left the referee with little choice but to hand him his marching orders.

Going on to lose on penalties without their star man, Wolves are without a place in the last eight of the FA Cup and will be without Cunha for the next three Premier League games in what is arguably a far bigger blow.

It’s something that Cunha should be desperate to rectify if this is to be his final season in the Midlands. With a £62m release clause in his new contract, the Brazilian has already attracted the reported interest of Arsenal, Chelsea and others to create quite the race for his signature when the summer arrives. And he’s not the only player who could depart Molineux.

According to Record, as relayed by Sports Witness, Benfica are now set to advance their talks to sign Nelson Semedo on a free deal following the expiry of his current Wolves contract at the end of the season.

Wolves have finally found their new Raul Jimenez and it's not Cunha

Wolves may have replaced Raul Jimenez with a current first team star.

1

By
Ross Kilvington

Mar 3, 2025

Yet to sign an extension in the Midlands, the right-back could yet reunite with former Wolves manager Bruno Lage and return to one of his very first clubs back in Portugal.

Wolves, meanwhile, look increasingly likely to bid farewell to another captain and another experienced player without profiting. With a matter of months left until his contract expires, Semedo seems destined to bow out.

Wolves need Semedo's experience

If Wolves are to lose Cunha this summer, then keeping hold of the likes of Semedo is suddenly more important than ever. Vitor Pereira needs no reminding of the right-back’s importance and experience, having handed him the captain’s armband following his arrival and Mario Lemina’s ill-discipline in the final stages of Gary O’Neil’s tenure.

Pereira reiterated his desire to keep hold of Semedo in January, telling reporters: “Because I have time, I’m finding the personalities that I want as leaders in the team. At the moment, I’m not changing the captain and I’m okay with him, but I’m studying the personalities and I need some time for that.

“He’s a good player, he’s professional, he has the skills that I like, so it means that if the club was to ask my opinion, I would want to stay with him.

“There have been no discussions because there have been a lot of things to fix and to work on, so it’s difficult for me to think about everything. But we will have time to sit down and discuss.”

Whether the time has passed for those discussions over renewing Semedo’s £80,000-a-week contract remains to be seen, but it seems as though Benfica are wasting little time in negotiations of their own in pursuit of his signature.

South Africa were adamant that Simon Harmer’s catch in the slips off Marnus Labuschagne, which was ruled not out by the third umpire, had been cleanly taken. But they could at least sleep a little easier knowing it had not been hugely costly thanks to the persistence of Anrich Nortje.On 70, Labuschagne edged Marco Jansen low to Harmer at slip with the catch immediately being claimed. However, Labuschagne stood his ground and the decision went upstairs. After much rocking, rolling, and zooming, the TV umpire, Richard Kettleborough, ruled it hadn’t gone in cleanly.”All of us thought it was out,” Nortje said. “Simon was convinced it was straight. Think if you look at the front-on angles, to us it looks like the fingers are underneath it. Unfortunately, we didn’t get that one, think it would have been a big one at that stage. We are convinced it was out.”Related

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Labuschagne was not able to build on the reprieve, edging a lifting delivery from Nortje from what became the final ball of the day, but believed that the replays showed some part of the ball had to be touching the ground.”Regardless of whether it’s caught or not, with the technology, there’s so many ones that people are adamant they have caught – and Simon said ‘I’ve caught that’ – and in the old rules of catching it, because you felt like your fingers are under it, absolutely, but with the new footage those are so scrutinised because you see so many angles,” Labuschagne said. “Especially that side-on angle, makes it look really bad, then the front-on angle actually looks pretty good.”If there’s no TV then I’m walking, that’s just how the game works. But with the amount of slow-motion footage of the ball, you see his fingers push and split open, according to the technicalities some of the ball is touching the grass, regardless of whether his fingers are under it or not.”He also supported the move to make the on-field soft signal, which in this case was out, largely redundant. It now only comes into play if the TV replay fails or is unavailable, rather than being a ruling that the third umpire has to find conclusive evidence to overturn.”The soft signal on-field doesn’t matter anymore, whereas before it did,” Labuschagne said. “If the umpire gave it out, then he would have [to find] conclusive evidence to overturn it, but now, Kets [Kettleborough] was up there to make the decision with no interference. That’s the best way to do it, because it’s so hard to tell if you are at square leg whether that’s carried or not. In the past, the soft signal has had so much weight.”Former ICC umpire Simon Taufel clarified the tweak to the soft-signal protocol but conceded South Africa could consider themselves unlucky in this instance.”The ICC did tweak its third-umpire protocols in this area last year, where the soft signal in this particular case with a fair catch would carry less weight, only if the TV replays were inconclusive or poor, or non-existent,” he said on . “So Richard really had a tough job with that one, particularly because the camber of the ground slopes away. Obviously, Richard felt that the ball hit the ground before getting into the hands. It’s a tough call… but I can understand why South Africa might feel a bit hard done by there.”In the end, Labuschagne’s thin edge from a rising delivery ended a testing string of deliveries from Nortje and left him cursing that he could not see through one more ball.”It always makes you very angry as a batter when you get out and everyone walks with you off the field,” Labuschagne said. “Really makes you think about that specific ball, but at the end of the day he bowled a really good set, four or five balls in the same spot, and then that one just kicked.”

England captain says player safety was paramount but sympathises with fans at MCG

Danyal Rasool28-Oct-20221:39

Buttler: Every bowler would have had safety concerns

Jos Buttler backed the decision to call Australia’s clash against England off without a ball being bowled, saying conditions weren’t “fit to play”, and that “every bowler who bowled” would have had concerns over the playing surface.”They [the umpires] had some big concerns and, I think, rightly so,” Buttler said, after a series of inspections had led to an abandonment at 8.49pm local time. “The outfield is very wet, there are some areas within the 30-yard circle which were not fit to play. As much as we all want to play cricket, it has to be safe and it certainly wasn’t that.”The abandonment followed heavy rains which have lashed Melbourne for much of the past two days. Even though the rain had eased by the time this contest was due to start, the outfield remained too wet, with both captains understood to be reluctant to risk their fast bowlers in damp conditions.It wasn’t until almost two hours later that the game was officially called off, after yet another flurry effectively made the decision for everyone involved. It also meant that a day that should have featured a double header instead had not a single ball bowled, with heavy afternoon showers ruling out any possibility of play between Ireland and Afghanistan earlier in the evening. Chris Brown, Joel Wilson and Aleem Dar inspect the outfield after heavy rain•Getty Images

“I think every bowler who bowled there would have had concerns,” Buttler said. “Player safety is really important and it wasn’t fit to play whether it’s our bowlers or Australia’s bowlers. I think that the right call was made.”For context. Melbourne is on track for the city’s wettest October since 1975. It has experienced more than double its long-term monthly average. It is also the first time in recorded history Victorian Premier cricket has experienced five straight washouts to start a season.This latest washout means England have just one win in three games, and, barring further weather interruptions, will likely need two wins out of two to guarantee themselves a semi-final spot. It’s not a position one of the tournament favourites might have been expecting to find themselves in at this stage, but a DLS defeat to Ireland and this washout means their margin for error has shrunk considerably. Even so, the England captain said he had no complaints about the corner the weather had backed his side into.”I don’t really have any frustrations. I am not a weather expert in Australia at this time of the year, but we all want to play full games of cricket. Of course we do. Naturally we play a sport which is in the open air and the elements are a huge part of our game. They affect the surfaces we play on, they affect conditions in an intriguing way, and that’s what makes our sport really unique.”But now, unfortunately, we’ve had two games affected by the weather. You don’t want to be involved in those games, but it’s going to happen wherever you play in the world. Certainly in some places you play, you’re generally going to be affected by some weather at some point and it’s a shame tonight, especially for everybody involved.Related

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Afghanistan and Ireland split points after another MCG washout

“But there wasn’t any pressure from anyone [to play today]. Common sense prevailed. As disappointing as it is, as I’ve just mentioned, for everybody involved the conditions weren’t fit.”While the ICC will be relieved that last week’s thrilling India-Pakistan game evaded the wet conditions at the MCG, this was the other marquee game the tournament will have wished the rains had stayed away from. Even with intermittent rain throughout the day, 37,565 fans showed up for the evening game, with unofficial estimates suggesting crowds of up to 60,000 would have been possible if the weather had been conducive. They were instead left to huddle around the upper terraces searching for shelter for much of the evening in chilly conditions, watching multiple pitch inspections that never amounted to much.Buttler said he sympathised with the fans, insisting England would rather have played the game, whatever the outcome, rather than take a draw without a ball being bowled.”All the fans who came to watch this game live, and everyone wanting to watch on TV, it’s disappointing for them. For players especially: Australia against England at the MCG is a must-win World Cup match, as as big as it gets in your career. They’re the games you want to be involved in, no matter what the result is going to be. It’s something you want to experience as you don’t know how often those kinds of opportunities come around. There is a element of sadness that you don’t get to win, lose or draw.”But he was adamant that, as long as England controlled their own destiny, they wouldn’t concern themselves with other results.”Until something’s completely out of our control, we won’t worry about that,” he said. “We know we’ve got two games left to play. And we want to win those two games, and give ourselves the best chance to get through to the next round.”

Setting their sights on the future, Newcastle United have now reportedly joined the race to sign a rising star who’s been dubbed the Swedish Lionel Messi and attracted interest from the likes of Barcelona.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies may have disappointed in the January transfer window, but that’s quickly been forgotten thanks to Eddie Howe’s side and their success in the Carabao Cup. Reaching the final after easing past Arsenal to win 4-0 across two legs, Newcastle will now square off against Liverpool in search of their first piece of domestic silverware since 1955.

What certainly helped that search was their FA Cup victory over Birmingham City, in which Joe Willock netted a well-timed brace to get his side over the line in a frantic 3-2 victory against the League One opposition.

Meanwhile, sat just two points outside the Premier League’s top four, the prospect of completing a move to St James’ Park is certainly becoming increasingly attractive for potential reinforcements, which could yet include a rising star.

According to The Boot Room, Newcastle are now racing to sign Roony Bardghji from FC Copenhagen ahead of huge teams like Barcelona and Manchester United when his contract comes to an end this summer.

The young winger, who’s been dubbed the Swedish Messi, is certainly one to watch and already knows how to hurt English opposition, having scored against Manchester United in the Champions League in November 2023.

Howe has struck gold on Newcastle "machine" who's worth more than Khusanov

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Yet to feature this season after suffering an ACL injury in the last campaign, Europe’s biggest clubs are eagerly anticipating Bardghji’s return, including those in Tyneside.

Still just 19 years old, concerns over Bardghji’s ability to bounce back from such a serious injury should be eased by just how young he is and, therefore, how much time he has to hit previous heights once again.

"Unreal" Bardghji could be ultimate bargain

Winning the race to sign Bardghji, alone, would be an impressive achievement for Newcastle, but to secure his signature for free would represent an act of genius from those at St James’ Park. A future star who’d undoubtedly be worth a hefty fee if it wasn’t for his contract situation, the Magpies could be about to land the ultimate bargain.

Dubbed “unreal” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig before his injury, the future is certainly still bright for Bardghji when he recovers from what was an ill-timed blow last season.

After scoring 11 goals in the previous campaign, the teenager will be desperate to make his return sooner rather than later and instantly hit the ground running wherever he finds himself.

Newcastle, meanwhile, could finally end their search for an impressive reinforcement by securing one of the bargains of the summer.

أدلى دين هندرسون، حارس الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي كريستال بالاس، بتصريحات صحفية عقب فوز فريقه أمام مانشستر سيتي في منافسات كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي.

وفاز كريستال بالاس بنتيجة 1-0 على خصمه مانشستر سيتي، في نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، على ملعب “ويمبلي” (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وبهذه النتيجة، تمكن كريستال بالاس من الفوز باللقب الأول له في تاريخه بمسابقة كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي.

وقال دين هندرسون في تصريحات لقناة “BBC SPORTS”: “شعرنا أن اليوم سيكون يومنا، وضع المدرب خطة لعب ونفذناها، نستحق هذا الفوز بجدارة”.

وعن تصديه لركلة الجزاء، أوضح هندرسون : “لكي نكون منصفين، كان بإمكان هالاند أن يتقدم، لقد أعطاها لـ عمر مرموش وكنت أعرف إلى أين سيذهب، وإلى أين سيسدد”.

وعن قرار حكم الفيديو المساعد بشأن لمس الكرة خارج منطقة الجزاء: “دخلت الكرة إلى منطقة الجزاء وعرفت أن الأمر على ما يرام – من يهتم؟”.

وعن إهداء المباراة لوالده، أكد قائلاً: “لقد فقدت والدي في بداية الموسم، لكنه كان معي اليوم، كان معي في كل ركلة من المباراة، وأهدي هذا الفوز له”.

Joshua Zirkzee came to the defence of Andre Onana after the goalkeeper's costly errors in the 2-2 draw with Lyon on Thursday.

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Onana blamed for draw vs LyonGoalkeeper errors cost Man UtdZirkzee backing them to winFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

A last-minute equaliser from the French side ensured the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final tie finished all square, with Onana blamed for both of the goals his team conceded.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Cameroon international has come under immense scrutiny for his regular blunders since his arrival at Old Trafford, though coach Ruben Amorim came to his defence after the latest upset. Team-mate Zirkzee has also dismissed criticism aimed at the 29-year-old as he backed his team to get the job done in the second leg.

WHAT ZIRKZEE SAID

"One hundred per cent. We're one team, so we're not going to take someone out for making mistakes. That's ridiculous," he said. "To draw in this way is always a little bit, I don't want to say frustrating, but it hurts for it to go this way. But we just have to focus on the next game and that's Newcastle away. And then we all know what we have to do when we face Lyon again at home next week. We have to win it, we all know that. There's no way around that. It's the only thing we have to do… It's not going to be easy but we all want to win, we have to win, so we'll see."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?

United take on Carabao Cup winners Newcastle at St James' Park on Sunday before hosting Lyon to conclude the tie.

Sunderland have a 100% win record so far in the Championship in 2025, with the Black Cats acting as a distant but serious challenger to Leeds United sat at the very top of the unpredictable league.

If the Wearside outfit can keep up this stellar form across an extended period of time, and the Whites show considerable chinks in their armour when the nerves are ramped up, Regis Le Bris’ men might well find a spot in the top two positions becomes available.

Of course, anyone getting too carried away at the Stadium of Light will be aware how uncomfortable a transfer window can be for the Black Cats, knowing full well that some of their top assets are in danger of being poached.

Sunderland could now lose £20m star

According to a report by Football Transfers earlier this week, Arsenal are now setting their sights on snapping up Jobe Bellingham this January, with the Gunners set for a midfield overhaul.

The report further states that both Sunderland and Bellingham struck up a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ during a round of contract talks last summer that means the 19-year-old would be allowed to move on if an acceptable bid was put forward, with a rumoured £20m price tag enough for the Black Cats to consider parting ways.

Whilst losing Bellingham would be far from ideal for Le Bris’ side and their ongoing chances of promotion, it wouldn’t necessarily be the end of the world, especially after the promotion challengers landed the services of Enzo Le Fee this month to bolster centrally.

Moreover, there’s no guarantees that the teenager moves to North London and is instantly gifted first-team football, with the potential there for the deal to be reminiscent of Jack Clarke’s flat move to Ipswich Town, where the ex-Sunderland star is now struggling to make an impact after his own bumper £15m switch.

Why Bellingham could be Clarke 2.0

Much like Bellingham is now, Clarke was one of the first names on the Sunderland team sheet whenever he was available for selection, with his final season at the club full of goals of and assists sealing him a move to the Premier League.

Indeed, the ex-Leeds United attacker would fire home a mightily impressive 15 league goals in total during an eventful 2023/24, resulting in Kieran McKenna’s men wanting a slice of the entertaining attacker after Ipswich clinched promotion.

Clarke’s league numbers last season vs 24/25

Stat

23/24

24/25

Games played

40

16

Games started

39

4

Goals scored

15

0

Assists

4

2

Big chances missed

5

2

Big chances created

12

2

Stats by Sofascore

The same spark that was present in his game as Sunderland’s main man hasn’t followed him over to Suffolk, however, with only four Premier League starts coming his way as a reserve figure under McKenna.

Ipswich supporters will feel slightly let down by Clarke flopping since his arrival to Portman Road, with Arsenal fans no doubt equally disgruntled if Bellingham was to join for £20m only to fade into the background.

Whilst it is undeniable that Bellingham does have what it takes to be a success in the big time – having fired home sumputous strikes like this one above in recent weeks to take his league goal tally to four for 2024/25 – he is still only 19 years of age, with this campaign being only his third ever full season in the men’s game.

Obviously, the allure of the Emirates could prove to be very tempting, but Le Bris seems to be the perfect manager for the teenager at this point in his development.

If Sunderland’s “diamond” was to leave at some point this month – as he was once labelled by ex-boss Tony Mowbray – it would be an initially crushing blow.

But, as the second-tier promotion hopefuls showed with Clarke’s departure, nothing is ever too demoralising for too long.

Related Sunderland eyeing "exciting" signing who could make Bellingham even better

Regis Le Bris would improve his midfield options at Sunderland with this purchase.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Jan 7, 2025