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A £25m player who possesses attacking “flair” has a verbal agreement with Aston Villa over a move in the current transfer window, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Aston Villa transfer news

There are plenty of incoming and outgoing rumours surrounding the Villans currently, with Jaden Philogene linked with a move away from the club in January. The 22-year-old has only managed two starts in the Premier League so far this season and talks are underway over a possible exit in the coming weeks.

Dewa United wide man Taisei Marukawa is a reported new signing for Villa, giving Unai Emery additional depth in attacking areas for the second half of the Premier League season.

Elsewhere, Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn is another player who has been backed to seal a move to Vila Park in the near future, having become one of the most dangerous players in the Scottish Premiership. He has nine goals and six assists in the league for the Hoops this season, with his ability to thrive on the right-hand side and cut inside so difficult to defend against.

One high-profile rumoured transfer target for the Villans is Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Asensio, who similarly adopts the same position as Kuhn. Whether the Midlands outfit are able to entice him to the club remains to be seen, though.

Aston Villa have verbal agreement with £25m ace

According to Jacobs on X, Aston Villa have a verbal agreement in place with Borussia Dortmund attacker Donyell Malen. However, the club are yet to strike a deal with the Bundesliga giants, who want £25m for the Dutch forward.

Malen has the potential to be such an eye-catching signing for Villa, so this update is hugely encouraging, as Emery searches for more attacking firepower in the final third.

The Dutchman has 59 goal contributions (39 goals and 20 assists) in 131 appearances for Dortmund, which outlines his end product, not to mention netting nine times in 41 caps for the Netherlands. Meanwhile, former Dortmund boss Marco Rose also once lauded his ability back in 2021, saying:

“We’ve always said that we’re convinced of his abilities, but it was always clear to us that he needs time to adapt. He has done that very well in the last few weeks. He’s playing with a lot more confidence, asking for the ball more, demonstrating his flair and chipping in in front of goal. Now we have to work to make sure he can keep it up.”

At 25, Malen appears to be in a sweet spot in his career, possessing lots of experience but also being young enough to improve further, so Villa could be signing a player with another five or six years in him at the top level, at least.

An “astonishing” West Brom player has “little chance” of being fit to face Preston North End on New Year’s Day, according to journalist Lewis Cox.

Latest West Brom news

The Baggies picked up their first positive result without Carlos Corberan in charge on Sunday, as they battled their way to a 1-1 draw away to rivals Sheffield United in the Championship. Having fallen behind, Karlan Grant responded just before half-time.

The search is now on to find Corberan’s successor, with West Brom desperately hoping his exit doesn’t rock their promotion charge, and a number of potential candidates have already been mentioned as possible replacements.

Liverpool first-team coach John Heitinga is seen as a front-runner to come in at the Hawthorns, despite no doubt enjoying life alongside Arne Slot this season, helping the Reds top the Premier League table. The Dutchman managed Ajax for a stint last year and may be keen to lead a team again.

Heitinga isn’t the only individual who has been linked with the vacant West Brom job, however, with Mark Robins backed to come in and lead the troops, having tasted victory against the Baggies twice in the past. He recently suffered a shock sacking at Coventry City and is likely to be keen to return to management. Away from the manager situation at the Hawthorns, the Championship club have now suffered an injury blow ahead of their return to action.

Injury blow for "astonishing" West Brom ace

According to Cox on X, West Brom midfielder Alex Mowatt has “little chance” of facing Preston, having picked up an injury against Derby County on Boxing Day.

Not having Mowatt available for the home clash with Preston to start 2025 would be an undoubted blow for West Brom, even though they did well without him against the Blades. The 29-year-old is an influential performer with so much quality in the middle of the park, bagging four goals and two assists in the Championship this season and being lauded by Sky Sports commentator Gary Taphouse in the past.

If Mowatt does miss out on New Year’s Day, as is expected, the hope is that his absence is still only a short-term one and that he is back for the trip to Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.

West Brom want 3-4-1-2 manager who's beat them twice to replace Corberan

He has won twice against the Baggies in the past.

1

By
Henry Jackson

Dec 29, 2024

The Englishman is too important a player for West Brom to be without for a sustained period, and it would have an adverse effect on their hopes of sealing promotion to the Premier League.

Jason Holder’s young side improved marginally over the course of the tour, but the flaws in West Indian cricket reduced the Test series in Australia to a no-contest

Daniel Brettig at the SCG07-Jan-20163:02

Five things learnt from Australia-West Indies Tests

A lopsided bout ended on the sort of low-key day that Nathan Lyon felt confident enough to bowl legbreaks, David Warner worked on improving his average against West Indies, and Mitchell Marsh walked out to bat at No. 3 for Australia. All this in front of a crowd of 6865, swelled mainly by free admission to the SCG.There had been thoughts among Australians of making a game of it – manufactured last-day chases run deep in the DNA of the coach Darren Lehmann, and the captain Steven Smith is of a similar bent. They offered Jason Holder the chance to defend something in the region of 370 runs in 70 overs, after the hosts had declared their first innings at 0 for 0, but the offer was rebuffed. West Indies, it appears, are going to have to learn how not to lose before they try to win.After the omnipresent rain could not help but make a pair of appearances, proceedings ended with the pleasing introduction of a Richie Benaud Medal for the player of the series, awarded unsurprisingly to the prolific Adam Voges. However, the environment in which this award has been struck contrasts vividly with that which saw Benaud introduce the Frank Worrell Trophy in honour of his opposing number at the conclusion of the epic 1960-61 contest.Fifty-five years ago, the new trophy was soon to represent global supremacy in cricket, with the chorus of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” still ringing around the MCG as Worrell took his bow. This time around, the medal hung around Voges’ neck will not be contested again for quite some time, and almost certainly never during the peak months of the Australian summer.The poverty of West Indies cricket is underlined by the following numbers. Australia’s top five shared six centuries between them, as against the visitors’ one. Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith averaged 100 and 214, while Voges piled up 375 runs without being dismissed. All members of the Australian bowling attack in Sydney took their wickets at an average less than 30 runs apiece; Jomel Warrican’s five wickets at 76 was the West Indies’ feeble best.There has actually been evidence of improvement from West Indies across the series. Their abject display in Hobart was notably bettered in Melbourne, and in Sydney they were at least able to sustain a first innings for long enough to ensure Australia could never really contemplate manufacturing a victory on the final day. Darren Bravo, Kraigg and Carlos Brathwaite and even Warrican showed signs of promise.Nevertheless, the team’s problems were writ large across the three Tests. In any other team the pathologically languid Marlon Samuels would surely have played his last Test, but the ongoing dispute between the WICB and the cadre of Twenty20 freelancers may well grant him another stay of execution. Jason Holder is a principled and skilful young man, but the burden of captaincy clearly affected his output. The less said about the rest of the pace bowling attack, the better.Overseeing all this is the coach Phil Simmons, a man who arrived home from a successful stint coaching Ireland with plenty of big ideas for the future. After a strong start that included a drawn series against England – what would South Africa give for that result right now? – Simmons miscalculated by jettisoning Shivnarine Chanderpaul at a time when his experience was still adding greatly to the team, even if his batting had long since begun to fade.Darren Bravo scored West Indies’ only century in the Tests series•Getty ImagesWhen he assented to Chanderpaul’s omission from the home series against Australia, Simmons thought he would be able to negotiate the return of numerous T20 merchants to the Test side. When this did not happen for the tour of Sri Lanka, Simmons complained of outside influences and was summarily banned by the WICB from doing his job. Chanderpaul’s absence had a marked effect on Samuels and Bravo; the former increasingly floundering without a more senior bulwark, the latter shrugging off the initial shock to showcase a more deliberate style showing evidence of the Guyanese left-hander’s determination.It is worthwhile noting that as this West Indies side have limped around Australia, the Guyana first-class team are lapping the field in the Caribbean regional tournament thanks in no small part to Chanderpaul’s presence. Older and wiser than when he took up the job, Simmons is still hopeful of luring some of the T20 group back to Test cricket. More than ever, he appreciates the need to balance youth with experience.”I still have the feeling that it will always be good to get the best players from West Indies playing all formats of the game, and if we can get that then we will then have an organisation that’s moving forward,” Simmons said. “That is my hope now, at the end of the day we might have a solution, but you still might have players that don’t think they can play Test cricket or don’t really want to play Test cricket anymore.”For Australia, the series represented further strengthening of Steven Smith’s standing as leader, while a new model top order settled into their places. For all that, Smith is aware he has simply done the least expected of an Australian captain – win series at home – and greater challenges lie in wait elsewhere. First there will be New Zealand across the Tasman, then Sri Lanka away, building towards that most vexing foreign assignment – India in 2017.How much value this contest actually had for the hosts is difficult to judge. Confidence was bolstered, certainly, but methods were seldom tested. Marsh and Peter Nevill batted on the final day of the Test in meaningless circumstances when neither had been called upon to bat under pressure all series. Even Warner, a habitual underachiever against the West Indies, was able to improve his record this day.Much the same question of value will be asked higher up by Cricket Australia, about the point of hosting the West Indies in summer. The chief executive James Sutherland believes there is still plenty of affection for the Caribbean side down under. If so, then it may require board-to-board assistance more substantial than the Richie Benaud Medal to ensure that love can be reciprocated with a requisite standard of cricket.

Opener makes 27-ball half-century to make light work of sub-par Blaze target

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jun-2023Danni Wyatt backed up her semi-final heroics with another blisteringly quick half-century, as Southern Vipers condemned The Blaze to their first defeat of the season across formats, to complete an emphatic defence of their Charlotte Edwards Cup title at New Road.In a contest that stretched into the reserve day following torrential afternoon rain on Saturday, The Blaze limped from their overnight 53 for 4 in 9.3 overs to a sub-par total of 114 for 8 in 20. Shrubsole, who confirmed her retirement at the conclusion of the contest, was duly named Player of the Match after her two early wickets had proven key in denying the tournament pace-makers any chance to set a more imposing total.Their ambitions were blighted on the resumption by the offspin of Charlie Dean, who struck with her first delivery of the day as Sarah Glenn lofted a drive down the throat of long-off for 7, before the dangerous Nadine de Klerk gave herself too much room on the cut and lost her off stump for a run-a-ball 14.At 95 for 6 after 17 overs, The Blaze would have gladly settled for a run-a-ball total of 120, but Vipers’ skipper Georgia Adams denied them any late momentum as Sophie Munro was bowled first-ball for a duck. Mary Taylor bowled her solitary over of the final to close out the innings, picking off Lucy Higham with a slower ball to leave the contest very much in her team’s hands at the interval.Seeing as the Vipers opening pair of Wyatt and Maia Bouchier had racked up an imposing opening stand of 108 in 11 overs against Thunder on Saturday, a target of 115 in 20 scarcely seemed daunting. And sure enough, they clattered off in pursuit of victory, posting 67 inside the first seven overs before Bouchier drove too loosely at Sarah Glenn to be bowled for 25 from 20.By then, however, Wyatt was firmly into her stride, as she cracked along to a 27-ball fifty with 10 fours, including six from her first seven legal deliveries. De Klerk skidded one into an attempted pull to trap her lbw with 26 still needed, and though Ella McCaughan was stumped off Higham before victory was completed, Adams sealed the deal with back-to-back fours, with 34 balls left unused.A summer downpour forced the game into a reserve day•Getty Images

An emphatic victory had seemed on the cards even when play had to be suspended on Saturday afternoon, when The Blaze had struggled to 53 for four in 9.3 overs after choosing to bat first, before lightning in the area took the teams off at 4:35pm.Play was officially abandoned at just after 6pm, following torrential rain, with the decision made to come back on Sunday for the reserve day -bad news for some of the Vipers players who had been due to take advantage of the short break in the season by taking a holiday.In the 57 balls possible before the storm breezed in, former England fast bowler Shrubsole pinned her former international team-mate Tammy Beaumont lbw with a trademark inswinger with the third ball of the innings.She then found Sarah Bryce swinging straight up into the air in the following over as The Blaze slumped to 19 for two, and only reached 34 for two by the end of the powerplay.Spinners Lauren Smith and Georgia Adams then put the batting side into more trouble, with Georgie Boyce caught behind with one that popped, and Kathryn Bryce was bowled through the gate.The Vipers had earlier won their Eliminator against Thunder by 18 runs after half-centuries from Wyatt and Bouchier – with Thunder coming up short in the chase of 191.

The release date for Season 4 of Welcome to Wrexham has been revealed, as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney deliver more documentary drama.

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• Hollywood co-owners calling the shots
• Can make EFL history with third successive promotion
• Highs & lows have all been caught on camera

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Hollywood co-owners in North Wales made a point of bringing cameras with them when completing a stunning takeover in 2021. The first series of the popular show covered FA Trophy final heartache at Wembley and play-off disappointment.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  A meteoric rise has been enjoyed since then, with the Red Dragons soaring out of the National League and into the third tier of English football. In 2024-25, a historic third successive promotion is being chased down.

• THE GOSSIP

  An award-winning show has captured every epic moment of that journey, with Reynolds and McElhenney continuing to guide Wrexham down a path that they hope will one day lead to the Premier League Promised Land.

• WELCOME TO WREXHAM SEASON 4 RELEASE DATE

  The highs and lows of a memorable season back in League One will air on FX and Hulu from May 15, 2025. That is less than two weeks after Phil Parkinson’s side complete their league schedule – hoping to avoid the need for more play-off lottery tickets.

He also hoped Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran would get called up to the Test squad in the future

PTI29-Jun-2023Sourav Ganguly cannot understand the process behind Ajinkya Rahane getting the Test vice-captaincy after spending nearly 18 months on the sidelines. The former India captain has called for “consistency and continuity” in the selection process.Rahane, 35, was out of favour for one-and-a-half years but was India’s best batter in the World Test Championship final against Australia earlier this month, with scores of 89 and 46 at The Oval.Related

• Rahane: 'I'm young and there's a lot of cricket left in me'

• Time to temper expectations as India enter Test transition

• Jaiswal and Gaikwad in India's Test squad for West Indies

• Jaiswal a far cry from Dravid and Pujara, but can make No. 3 his own

• Gavaskar defends 'loyal servant' Pujara

Just one Test after he had made a comeback – he played his previous Test in January 2022 – the national selection committee headed by interim chief Shiv Sunder Das re-appointed Rahane as Rohit Sharma’s deputy for the West Indies Test series.So was it not ideal to groom someone like Shubman Gill for the role?”Yeah I think so,” Ganguly told during an exclusive interaction from London.Ganguly suggested that the allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, a certainty in India’s Test XI both home and away, could have been considered for the role.”I won’t say it’s a step backward,” Ganguly said. “You have been out for 18 months, then you play a Test and you become a vice-captain. I don’t understand the thought process behind it. There is Ravindra Jadeja, who has been there for a long time and a certainty in Test matches, he is a candidate.”… but to just come back and straightway become vice-captain after 18 months, I don’t understand. My only thing is that selection shouldn’t be hot and cold. There has to be continuity and consistency in selection.”The Indian selectors have hit the transition button by excluding Cheteshwar Pujara from the squad for the West Indies tour. Ganguly wants the selectors to have clear communication with Pujara, who has played 103 Tests for India, about his future.”Selectors should have a clear idea about him [Pujara],” Ganguly said. “Do they need him to play Test cricket anymore or do they want to continue with youngsters, and communicate it to him. Somebody like Pujara can’t be dropped, then picked, dropped again and then picked. Same with Ajinkya Rahane also.”Ganguly feels Yashasvi Jaiswal has proven himself not just in the IPL but in first-class cricket as well•Bangladesh Cricket Board

‘I feel for Sarfaraz Khan’

The selections of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad for the West Indies tour suggests the selectors have emphasised IPL performances over those in domestic cricket, but Ganguly doesn’t believe this is the case. He hopes, however that Sarfaraz Khan and Abhimanyu Easwaran, who have been prolific in the Ranji Trophy over recent seasons, will get their chance too.”I think Yashasvi Jaiswal has scored tons of runs in Ranji Trophy, Irani Trophy, Duleep Trophy. I think that’s why he is in the squad,” Ganguly said. “I feel for Sarfaraz Khan. At some point he should get an opportunity for the amount of runs that he has scored in past three years.”And same thing for Abhimanyu Easwaran for the tons of runs he has scored in last five to six years. I am surprised that both of them have been omitted but they should get a chance in future. But Yashasvi Jasiwal is a good selection.”Ganguly has observed Sarfaraz from close quarters as director of cricket at Delhi Capitals. He rubbished the idea that Sarfaraz has a weakness against fast bowling.”If you don’t play him against fast bowling, how do you know?” he asked. “If he had problems he wouldn’t have scored so many runs all around [India]. I personally feel he has no problems against fast bowling and he should be given an opportunity.”

Yassine Cheuko, the Argentine's bodyguard, has reportedly had sideline access at matches tightened by the MLS club

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• Lionel Messi's bodyguard had access restricted in 2025
• Yassine Cheuko commented about the matter
• Decision reportedly made by Inter Miami
• Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games now

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, his bodyguard, Yassine Cheuko, has been a regular presence at the MLS team's matches, clearly visible at field level as he patrolled the sidelines. However, Cheuko said in an interview this week that that his access to the pitch has been limited for the 2025 season.

  According to a report from The Athletic, Inter Miami confirmed that it was a club decision to limit Cheuko's movements on matchday. He remains an Inter Miami employee, according to the report, and is able to follow all security policies and protocols implemented by the club and league.

  In a statement issued to The Athletic, an MLS spokesperson confirmed that the league has not changed any policies regarding team security personnel, with multiple teams across the league having security guards that are stationed near team benches. Per the spokesperson, those security personnel are typically placed behind benches outside of the technical area – where the head coach is stationed during the match.

  Cheuko, who arrived in 2023 with Messi when he moved to South Beach, has been the Argentine's security personnel on the sideline of matches during his time in the league. Cheuko is known for chasing down pitch invaders during matches, while making an attempt to keep the talisman safe.

  “I was in Europe for seven years working for Ligue 1 and the Champions League, and only six people invaded the pitch,” Cheuko said in a video interview with House of Highlights, a social media channel. “I love MLS and CONCACAF, but we have to work together. I love helping. I’m not better than anyone, but I have a wealth of experience in Europe. It’s fine, I understand their decision, but I think we could do better.”

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• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Cheuko, who is a mixed martial artist, has expressed his disappointment in not being able to patrol the sideline as much as he did in 2025. Messi, meanwhile, has reportedly shared a similar sentiment.

  “It’s been the case all year long,” a source told The Athletic. “(Lionel and Yassine) are quite upset about it – (Yassine) has always been really critical of all of the other security (across MLS) and suggested that if they were good at their jobs, he wouldn’t even be needed.”

  Cheuko now positions himself in a private box, or in the tunnel that leads to the pitch during matches.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Inter Miami are one of two undefeated MLS teams through the opening six weeks of the season. The are 4-0-1 (WLD) through five matches played, and sit atop the MLS Supporters' Shield standings heading into Matchday 7 of the regular season campaign.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR MIAMI?

  Miami returns for Matchday 7 of the MLS season this weekend in another edition of "Sunday Night Soccer" on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+ when they take on Toronto FC.

West Ham United have been offered a potential January signing as the winter transfer window looms, and he’s a player who footballing superstar Cristiano Ronaldo rates very highly.

West Ham prepare for Southampton as Julen Lopetegui enjoys unbeaten streak

Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui – a man who’s been under heavy fire from critics since replacing David Moyes in the summer – has guided West Ham to a small, albeit slightly encouraging, unbeaten streak lately.

West Ham open initial talks for outright signing of "complete" £17m player

The Hammers are moving early.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 21, 2024

West Ham haven’t lost since their abject defeat away to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City at the very start of December, and have since beaten Wolves 2-1 in the ‘El Sackico’, whilst also securing 1-1 draws against both Bournemouth and Brighton.

While they were arguably fortunate to edge past Brighton with a point, they were minutes away from getting the better of an in-form Bournemouth side at the Vitality Stadium, so there are signs that momentum could be building in Lopetegui’s favour.

West Ham players are beginning to buy into Lopetegui’s methods and slowly starting to get behind the Spaniard, according to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee, so this may well be reflected in their most recent run of results.

Lopetegui has a chance to further solidify his position in the Irons dugout when his side travel to St. Mary’s Stadium for their Premier League clash against struggling Southampton on Boxing Day, with the Saints recently appointing former Serie A boss Ivan Juric as their head coach to replace Russell Martin.

Juric’s arrival on the south coast has teed up this clash to be quite the intriguing encounter, and Lopetegui is certainly not underestimating the task at hand.

“There is no match in our mind other than Southampton,” said Lopetegui on Southampton ahead of their festive face-off.

“Despite being at the bottom of the table, I think they’ve shown lots of good things this season and we know it’s going to be another big challenge.

“It’s the same with every game in the Premier League – you have to be ready to face tough demands and situations, and you cannot start thinking about any of the games that come after this one.”

West Ham offered Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli

In the background, preparations for January are well underway across Europe, and it is now believed that West Ham have been offered the chance to strike a deal for Nicolo Fagioli.

The Juventus gem, rumoured to command a price tag of around £25 million, is said to be keen on a move to London above all – as intermediaries tout him around the Premier League in search of a new club.

That is according to GiveMeSport, who write that West Ham are one of the clubs who’ve been made aware of Fagioli’s availability, alongside both Crystal Palace and fierce cross-town rivals Tottenham.

The Italy international has played in all but three Serie A games under Thiago Motta for Juve this season, but the vast majority of his appearances have been from the bench, even though Ronaldo once endorsed Fagioli for having “great talent”.

“In the past Nicolò also clung on to the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo in the locker room, they had a wonderful bond,” said Fagioli’s brother, Alessandro, in an interview with Tuttosport.

“CR7 always confessed to him that he saw great talent in him. So he advised him to work twice as hard, to never give up.”

Former team-mates lead the Twitter tributes to Virender Sehwag on his retirement

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Oct-2015

Didn't see Viv Richards bat in person but I can proudly say I have witnessed Virender Sehwag tearing apart the best bowling attacks

— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) October 20, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

.@virendersehwag leaves his signature on the game with his tremendous achievements. Loved his instinctive approach to batting & life. 1/2

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 20, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

Had the best seat during most of his superlative performances on field. Am sure Viru'll do much more to bring joy & smiles to our faces 2/2

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 20, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

Pleasure to have played with you @virendersehwag bhai. What an amazing career. Thanks for the guidance and the memories. Modern day legend!

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) October 20, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

@virendersehwag Partnerships will never be the same without you bro! Will miss you…India's greatest and the best opening batsman.

— GGF (@GautamGambhir) October 20, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

@virendersehwag who forced manufacturers to come up with crowd helmets…and still never missed the singles. Will miss you from d other end.

— GGF (@GautamGambhir) October 20, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

Congrats bratha @virendersehwag on a fabulous career.A pure entertainer who gave us sooo much joy . Thanks for all the gr8 memories.#LEGEND

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) October 20, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" "en" align="center"

The original opener; the dare devil. Congratulations @virendersehwag paaji on a wonderful journey & all the best for the future. Rab Raakha

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) October 20, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

Clear thinking n attacking stroke play is been hallmark of ur batting! thank u @virendersehwag for grt memories & wonderful friendship!!

— zaheer khan (@ImZaheer) October 20, 2015

Modern era s Viv Richards @virendersehwag a top player.enjoyed playing and watching u bat and making fun of bowlers pic.twitter.com/VZtXP7lgHu

— Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) October 19, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

Clear thinking and entertainment were things he used as his weapon.A thorough entertainer,congrats on a wonderful career @virendersehwag .

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) October 20, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

Well played @virendersehwag. You embellished our game, you played with a smile but you made us smile too. That is cricket as it should be.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 19, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

VSehwag played all his uncomplicated Crkt on his terms & he leaves the scene too on his terms..on Twitter!He'd be Victor Trumper of India!!

— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) October 20, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

When he scored his first ODI 100, Sehwag looked a mirror image of Tendulkar, but he was a sui generis, truly incomparable

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) October 20, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

Congrats @virendersehwag It was a pleasure & a privilege to work with you. You've taught me more about batting than any other player #Legend

— Trent Woodhill (@TrentWoodhill) October 20, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

Congratulations @virendersehwag on an illustrious international career @BCCI. U described batting in ur own style #champion #ThankYouSehwag

— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) October 20, 2015

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en" align="center"

@virendersehwag played it like nobody else could! tnx for the mesmerising and thoroughly entertaining career.You gave us ultimate joy @BCCI

— R SRIDHAR (@coach_rsridhar) October 20, 2015

Leeds United may look at their 1-1 draw with Preston North End in the Championship as two points dropped, despite their last-gasp equaliser.

They conceded a sloppy goal to go 1-0 down, as Pascal Struijk was easily beaten down the channel and Illan Meslier appeared to parry the ball into the corner of his own net.

Mateo Joseph helped to force a late own goal through Jack Whatmough but the result has now left the Whites three points behind Sheffield United in the table.

During the match, however, it was revealed that the West Yorkshire side have had an interest in one of the players from the opposition line-up.

Leeds United's interest in Preston star

Sky Sports commentator Gary Weaver was speaking during the first-half about Leeds’ search for a number ten to bolster their squad ahead of the January transfer window, and mentioned their interest in Gus Hamer, Emi Buendia, and James McAtee.

The Whites were linked with all three over the summer, including having a bid of £13m rejected for Sheffield United star Hamer, but a new attacking midfielder has been thrown into the mix.

Weaver claims that Leeds “have had a look at” Preston star Mads Frokjaer-Jensen in the past, with regards to their attempts to land a new playmaker.

There was no further mention of whether or not they remain keen on him or how much North End would want to allow one of their key players to depart from Deepdale next month.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Daniel Farke should, however, push to secure a deal for the Danish wizard in January because the German head coach could unearth his own version of Pablo Hernandez.

Why Frokjaer-Jensen could be Farke's Hernandez

Firstly, Frokjaer-Jensen is similar to the former Leeds star in the sense that he is a right-footed playmaker who can operate centrally or on the right flank.

Hernandez played 66 times for the Whites on the right flank, drifting inside into central areas to affect the play, and the Preston whiz started on the right wing on Saturday – creating one ‘big chance’ for his team.

Preston have averaged 47.1% possession in the Championship this season, which means that the Dane is in a team that does not create plenty of opportunities for him to thrive at the top end of the pitch. Whereas, Leeds average 62.1% possession and could provide him with more chances to showcase his quality.

As you can see in the table above, the creative potential is there for Frokjaer-Jensen to improve his output in a team that has significantly more of the ball.

The 25-year-old star, who produced eight goals and three assists in 28 league games for Odense in the 2022/23 campaign, could operate as a right-footed playmaker on the right flank, or as a number ten, like Hernandez.

Leeds’ former Spanish magician created 41 goals in 175 matches for the club, which shows that it would take a lot for the Preston man to emulate his success, but his creative quality in a low-possession Preston team suggests that Farke could unearth his own Hernandez by singing him in January.

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By
Dan Emery

Dec 13, 2024