Newcastle United haven’t made the best of starts to the 2025/26 season, but now that the elephant has been excavated from the room, Eddie Howe might feel a little more chipper about his side’s chances over the coming months.

Against Liverpool last month, Newcastle played with the passion and fervour and ability of an elite outfit. And that’s because the Magpies are of top class, so well coached and so well shaped by careful transfer business since Howe and PIF first arrived.

On the scoresheet at St. James’ Park that evening was Hugo Ekitike, who was billed as Alexander Isak’s potential replacement at Newcastle.

However, both ply their trade for Liverpool.

Why Newcastle wanted Hugo Ekitike

Ekitike has scored three goals and provided one assist since joining Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt in July, proving that he has the prolific nature to partner his wide-ranging skill set.

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Regarded by analyst Ben Mattinson to be “one of the best strikers out there” last season, Ekitike has proven that his qualities are transferable, and it’s clear to see why he was earmarked to play in Isak’s stead under Howe’s wing.

Like Isak, Ekitike is a stylish and creative forward, bearing a tall frame and endowed with a fierce athleticism that serves as the backbone of his quality as a top goalscorer.

Sadly, both now ply their trade for league rivals Liverpool, and Howe will need to bring Yoane Wissa up to scratch as swiftly as possible, with the summer signing from Brentford having scored 19 Premier League goals last season.

However, the 28-year-old doesn’t boast as high a ceiling as his new strike partner Nick Woltemade, who some consider a talent who could even outstrip superstars such as Isak.

How Woltemade compares to Isak and Ekitike

Woltemade joined Newcastle from Stuttgart in a club-record £69m deal last week, with a deal struck out of the blue and all but confirming Isak’s sale to Liverpool.

The 23-year-old is still coming into his own, but he scored 12 goals from 17 appearances in the Bundesliga last season and received a call-up to the German national team, having now earned two caps.

However, it’s the underlying data which has attracted Newcastle’s attention and money, with data-driven platform FBref revealing Woltemade ranks among the top 5% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions and successful take-ons, the top 15% for progressive carries and the top 18% for ball recoveries per 90.

He might not be quite the same as Isak and Ekitike, but perhaps that is a positive, allowing Howe to land his next star-in-the-making without signing a mere mimic of the striker just sold.

Matches (starts)

28 (17)

Goals

12

Assists

2

Shots (on target)*

1.8 (0.9)

Big chances missed

11

Pass completion

72%

Big chances created

8

Key passes*

1.3

Dribbles*

1.1

Ball recoveries*

1.9

Tackles + interceptions*

0.5

Duels (won)*

4.4

But in any case, FBref’s number-crunching has revealed that both aforementioned strikers bear a likeness to Woltemade, each blessed with skills that stretch beyond what is expected of a number nine.

A strong presence in the final third allows the towering striker to guide balls to teammates, found through his eight big chances created in the Bundesliga.

Indeed, hailed for his “absolutely ridiculous” quality in the final third by European football expert Zach Lowy, Woltemade is so much more than just a goalscorer, with sharp link-up play and intelligence that rivals that of Isak, albeit applied in a different manner.

Lowy went on to suggest that his prowess as a technically proficient target man is reminiscent of bygone superstars such as Karim Benzema and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, owing to his balance and improvisation and resourcefulness.

Wissa is the more refined attacking signing at Newcastle right now, but Woltemade has the capacity to become something truly special under Howe’s wing, taking samples from Isak and Ekitike’s skill sets and fashioning himself into a unique and effective forward for the Toon.

New Isak: Newcastle have "one of the best teenage prospects in the world"

Newcastle will need to replace Alexander Isak’s goals with a range of different attacking talents.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Sep 3, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur suffered from a lack of creativity during Saturday’s defeat against Bournemouth on home turf, losing 1-0 after such good work in claiming six points from six to get the Thomas Frank era off to a flyer in the Premier League.

The hunt for a playmaker worth their salt has dominated much of the Lilywhites’ transfer window, with Xavi Simons signed on but only after botched efforts for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze, who left Crystal Palace and joined Arsenal.

But the defeat against the Cherries, requiring more than an hour of action for a first shot on target, and Simons alone won’t provide the answer across the wide span of the campaign.

Mohammed Kudus has racked up a few assists already at this early point in his Tottenham career, but it’s not enough, and Daniel Levy looks ready to attack the market one last time and land a player with properties better suited to fixing this chink in the armour.

Spurs lining up D-day signing

Tottenham have what it takes to come on leaps and bounds this season, but much will depend on the coherence threaded through the first-team squad.

And without enough creative ammunition, Frank’s lofty ambitions might prove hard to hit. To put it another way, he could do with another impactful addition in the coming hours.

As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, that man could be Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, with Tottenham having made an enquiry to ascertain the potential of a last-gasp bid for the England international.

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The chances of the energetic attacking midfielder leaving are admittedly slim, but Tottenham may well pull it off if they offer a sum in the ballpark of £80m, the figure quoted as other clubs – including Liverpool – circle.

What Rogers would bring to Spurs

Aston Villa only signed Rogers from Middlesbrough in the Championship for £15m in January 2024, and already, the 23-year-old has established himself as one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League.

After all, he notched 30 goal involvements across all competitions last term, blending his prolific touch with such power and confidence when carrying the ball forward.

Might Spurs be set to land a stunning repeat of their one-time masterclass in winning the race for Dele Alli, who also had strong interest from Liverpool before leaving MK Dons in League One and joining Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham in a £5m package, aged 18.

The rest is history. While Dele’s career has sadly swerved down a dark path, he will always be remembered fondly down N17 for his incredible and prodigious emergence, with Pochettino actually saying back in 2017: “If he is not the best young player in Europe, he’s one of the best. Look at his age and his statistics, the potential is massive.”

Rogers doesn’t quite carry the same weight, but he’s still showcased immense potential under Unai Emery’s wing at Aston Villa.

25/26 (Villa)

3

–

–

24/25 (Villa)

54

14

16

23/24 (Villa)

16

3

1

23/24 (Boro)

33

7

9

Not just a prolific midfielder, Rogers is something of “a machine” when on the ball, as has been noted by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell. He won 4.7 duels per league match last year, as per Sofascore, and shifted from the centre to a more attacking berth with such gusto.

While he can play out on the flank, Rogers shares a further likeness with his countryman in that he is best utilised from the centre, with journalist Carl Anka actually remarking that he has a “Dele-esque” way about him in that regard.

Adding him to the ranks would strengthen Tottenham’s creative potential, to be sure, adding something that Kudus, for all his ability, doesn’t quite inject with the needed skill at this present moment. Indeed, last term, Kudus chalked up just nine goals and assists for the Hammers in all competitions, far fewer than Rogers’ haul of 30.

Kudus is a direct and dangerous winger, but he’s not the most effective of playmakers, and with James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski both sidelined, adding a player of Rogers’ profile to the mix could go a long way toward weaving together the kind of tactical harmony needed for Spurs to hit their targets and exceed them.

More exciting than Simons: Spurs chasing "one of the best LWs in the world"

Spurs could seal a more exciting signing than Simons on transfer deadline day.

5 ByMatt Dawson Aug 31, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have already splashed just shy of £150m on new transfers throughout the summer window, with Thomas Frank being backed in his quest for success in North London.

The Dane took the reins during the off-season, already making an excellent start to life in the role – beating Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad in recent weeks.

However, his side have been further bolstered in the last couple of days, landing the signature of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig in a huge €60m (£52m) transfer.

The Dutchman looked set for a move to Chelsea during this window, but the Lilywhites completed their own hijack after missing out on the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze.

With a couple of days left in the transfer window, Frank could yet land further reinforcements to his first-team squad, with numerous other options emerging on their radar.

Spurs’ hunt for new additions after signing Simons

After bolstering the midfield department, the Spurs frontline now looks to be the next focus of the recruitment team – with Manchester United star Jadon Sancho a player they’re considering.

It was reported in recent days that the winger has been offered to the Lilywhites, but it’s unclear if any deal for the Englishman would be a temporary or permanent one.

However, another Premier League forward in the form of Brentford star Yoane Wissa has also been touted with a switch to North London, according to Football Insider.

Their report claims that Frank is considering a late move for his former striker, after previously having an excellent relationship with the DR Congo international at the GTEC.

It also states the player is also subject to interest from Newcastle United, looking almost certain to leave before Monday’s deadline, given his reluctance to feature for the Bees – with a £60m transfer fee mooted.

Why Spurs’ £60m target would be Frank’s answer to Isak

Alexander Isak is a talent who has constantly tormented countless backlines in the Premier League, with Spurs being just one of the clubs who have felt the wrath of the Swedish striker.

In his five appearances against the Lilywhites throughout his career, the 25-year-old has scored six times – the joint-most of any side – resulting in the Magpies claiming an 80% win rate against the club since his arrival in England.

However, he looks almost certain to depart St James’ Park this window, after refusing to play under Eddie Howe so far this season – amid huge transfer links to Liverpool.

Undoubtedly, his current employers don’t want to lose the Swede, after he netted 20+ top-flight goals in each of the last two campaigns – cementing himself as one of the most threatening talents in the division.

He and Wissa both share similarities given their respective situations at their current clubs, subsequently both wanting to depart to pursue new challenges in 2025/26 and beyond.

However, they also possess matching qualities, as they’ve been labelled as similar players by FBref, with the Brentford star managing to outperform Isak in key areas throughout 2024/25.

Wissa, who’s been labelled “incredible” by one content creator, posted a better goal per shot on target rate, whilst also getting more of his efforts on target – arguably being a more clinical option in attacking areas.

Games played

35

34

Goals & assists

23

29

Shot on target accuracy

46%

43%

Goals per shot on target

0.5

0.4

Pass accuracy

77%

75%

Passes into the final third

1.4

1.1

Progressive carries

2.9

2.7

Fouls won

1.6

0.4

Aerials won

46%

32%

He also completed more of the passes he attempted, whilst making more passes into the final third per 90 – offering a perfect ball-playing option – something which made him such a success in Frank’s system last campaign.

Despite his smaller frame, Wissa also managed to win more of the aerials he entered in 2024/25, potentially being the perfect all-round option for the Lilywhites in their quest for added success.

£60m for the DR Congo star’s signature may seem hefty, but when Isak is currently being valued at £150m, the move for Wissa could actually be a superb deal for Frank and his team.

If he can replicate such levels in North London, he would add a new dimension to the frontline, subsequently boosting the club’s chances of Premier League success in the years ahead.

A Kudus repeat: "Incredible" £70m ace now wants to join Spurs after Simons

Tottenham Hotspur could now complete another deal after landing Xavi Simons earlier today.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 29, 2025

The No. 3 is now the batter under scrutiny heading into the World Test Championship final and tour of West Indies

AAP10-Feb-2025

Selectors will wait to make a call on Marnus Labuschagne’s Test future as Australia brace for a batting squeeze in the World Test Championship final and beyond.It comes as in-form Steven Smith urged selectors to keep the faith in Labuschagne, saying it was not long ago he was in a similar predicament to the faltering No. 3.Related

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Labuschagne’s lukewarm form continued in Australia’s 2-0 series defeat of Sri Lanka with scores of 20 and 4 in his first two knocks. He looked to be finding his feet as he made an unbeaten 26 in a 37-run stand with Usman Khawaja that sealed victory in the second Test in Galle on Sunday.But despite that effort and handy half-centuries in Melbourne during the recent India series, Labuschagne has only made one century in his past 51 Test innings. Since the beginning of 2023, Labuschagne has averaged 31.54, well down on the 62.29 he managed across the four calendar years before then.The timing looks unfortunate with a glut of batting options available for the WTC Final against South Africa at Lord’s in June.Cameron Green is set to return to the selection frame as a middle-order option following back surgery, while Josh Inglis impressed with a century on debut in Sri Lanka.Sam Konstas is pushing for a recall after being ousted from the top to facilitate Travis Head’s shift from No.5 and Nathan McSweeney is vying for a first Test in his preferred middle-order spot.”It’s clear that we’ve got some players that have put their hand up, so there is a squeeze,” said coach Andrew McDonald. “Whoever misses out will be very unlucky.”Australia could change their XI around between the WTC Final and the three-match West Indies series that begins later in June. McDonald said it was “highly likely” the squads would be different for the two, but Australia will defer selection calls, including on Labuschagne, until closer to June.”England creates a different challenge and then off to West Indies, which can spin, it can also swing and seam,” McDonald said. “The beauty of it is we’ve got some time before we have to make some decisions.”It’s great to have options. Will they all be fit at that time? Who fits what conditions and when? I think that’s going to be the art of what transpires across the journey.”Smith remains confident Labuschagne is approaching a big score, sceptical about claims his close mate is even out of form. The stand-in captain went as far as to say he had recently been in a similar situation to Labuschagne, feeling at his best despite scores of 0, 17 and 2 to begin the home summer.Smith has since scored centuries in four of five Test matches since those lean figures against India and was player of the series against Sri Lanka.”Marn’s similar to me, in a way,” Smith said. “I’ve said this a lot of times about myself, there’s a difference between being out of form and out of runs. I don’t think he’s out of form, personally. I’ve watched him train, I’ve watched him play and a lot of the things that he’s done so well are there.”He knows he’d love to score more runs, we’d love him to score more runs, but in my opinion, it’s just around the corner.”

CA chief executive Todd Greenberg expressed “disappointment” that the final could not be played at Adelaide Oval

Alex Malcolm14-Mar-2025South Australia’s bid to host the Sheffield Shield final at Adelaide Oval has been blocked by the AFL with the decider to be played at Karen Rolton Oval as it was originally scheduled.The South Australia Cricket Association and South Australia premier Peter Malinauskas had led a public push to play the final at Adelaide Oval after South Australia locked in hosting rights with a win over Victoria last Sunday.Cricket Australia had originally expected the final to be played at Karen Rolton Oval, starting on March 26, given the drop-in pitches had already been removed from Adelaide Oval for the start of the AFL season. But CA were happy to support Malinauskas and the SACA in their bid to stage the game at the iconic venue which would have required to match to be moved forward two days to start on Monday March 24 to allow for Adelaide Oval’s ground staff to drop a single pitch into the middle of the venue the day after an AFL game that will staged there on Saturday March 22.Related

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The AFL had initially stated it was open to cooperating to allow cricket to use the venue but that changed when concerns were raised about the condition of the playing surface for the footballers if a pitch was dropped in and then removed again on Saturday March 26, the day after the five-day final had been played, before another AFL game was set to take place on the ground on Sunday March 27.CA chief executive Todd Greenberg issued a statement expressing frustration that the final would not be played at Adelaide Oval.”We are disappointed South Australia has been prevented from hosting the Sheffield Shield final at Adelaide Oval,” Greenberg said.”The Sheffield Shield final is a significant event for Australia’s national sport, and we believe Adelaide Oval would have been the most appropriate venue.”I would like to thank Premier Malinauskas for his advocacy in this matter and his passionate support of cricket and the South Australia Cricket Association which made an extremely compelling case to host the final at Adelaide Oval.”March is a very important month for cricket including the Sheffield Shield and Premier and club cricket finals.”We will continue to work collaboratively at all levels to ensure cricket gains and provides appropriate access to shared venues across the country.”Malinauskas had earlier in the week told 5AA radio in Adelaide that his office had received a “galling” request from an AFL “entity”, likely one of the Adelaide based AFL clubs, for financial insurance cover in case an AFL player was injury due to the surface being unstable if the Shield final was staged at the ground.”We have received a request, it’s not from cricket, I won’t say what entity it is in footy,” Malinaskas said.”What I would say is we are asking for people to act rationally and pragmatically in the interest of fans.”I’ve got to say it’s a little bit galling that people are trying to use an opportunity to look after fans as an opportunity to slug the taxpayer and I won’t be having it.”I’m not naming any names, I’m just saying my government is not going to be giving cash so they get out of the way of something everybody thinks should happen.”The Shield final has not been hosted at a multipurpose venue in Australia since 2012 due to the encroachment of the AFL season into the month of March, which had notionally been a cricket month in Australia as Greenberg alluded to.South Australia is hosting their last home and away game at Karen Rolton Oval this weekend against Queensland while the Adelaide Crows will host their first AFL game of the season at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia and Victoria are all vying for the other spot in the final as the final Shield round begins on Saturday.

Bayern Munich reportedly launched a shock summer swoop to sign Raheem Sterling but the Chelsea misfit rejected the Bavarians. The Bundesliga champions made their move late in the window, with Vincent Kompany eager to link up with his former Manchester City teammate. But despite Bayern offering the lure of trophies and Champions League nights, Sterling gave them a flat rejection.

Getty/GOALSterling part of Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’

Instead of lighting up the Allianz Arena, Sterling is stuck in the dreaded "bomb squad" at Stamford Bridge; the infamous group of unwanted players frozen out of Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans. The England star is marooned alongside others who failed to secure exits, including defender Axel Disasi. For the next four months, his reality is training in the shadows until January’s window gives him another escape route.

AdvertisementFamily ties trump trophies

According to Sterling turned down Bayern not for football, but family. He wanted to stay in London, where his partner and children are settled. A nine-month stint abroad without guarantees of regular minutes held little appeal, even with the chance to compete for major silverware.

AFPLondon interest fizzles out

There was talk of a loan move within the capital, with a couple of Premier League rivals exploring possibilities. Yet nothing ever moved beyond preliminary chats. Without firm offers in London, and with Sterling refusing to uproot his family, he was left stranded at Cobham when the window slammed shut.

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The contract conundrum

The elephant in the room is his mega Chelsea deal. Sterling is tied down until 2027 and stands to pocket around £30m ($40m) in wages. No player is walking away from that kind of fortune, and no club is cutting a cheque that big just to send him packing. Both parties are locked in a stalemate where a compromise looks like the only way out, but right now, no solution is on the table.