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Play was abandoned without a ball being bowled on the third day in Manchester

The Report by Valkerie Baynes18-Jul-2020England need to take 19 wickets in two days if they are to keep their series alive against West Indies after the third day of the second Test at Emirates Old Trafford was a washout.With finer weather forecast for Manchester on Sunday and Monday and a fresh seam attack, England’s prospects are “not ideal”, to use Ben Stokes’ words, but they are not completely dire. Failure to force victory in the coming days, however, will mean West Indies retain the Wisden Trophy that they won in the Caribbean 18 months ago.”It’s looking like we’ve got to take 19 wickets in two days,” Stokes told Sky Sports. “But the wicket has offered something throughout the whole Test so far, so we just need to make sure that we can expose that and put as many deliveries as we can, challenging their defensive shots as much as we can.”ALSO READ: Archer cleared to play in third Test after fine and written warningStuart Broad is back in the team and likely to be hungry after his consternation at being overlooked for the first Test in Southampton, which West Indies won by four wickets. He is joined by Sam Curran, who made an early breakthrough when he had opener John Campbell out lbw late on Friday to put the tourists one wicket down still trailing by 437 runs.Chris Woakes is the other addition after England opted to rest Mark Wood and James Anderson following their efforts in the first Test and Jofra Archer was omitted on the first morning of this match for his unauthorised trip home en route to Manchester.Archer will be available for selection for the third Test, also at Old Trafford, after a disciplinary panel fined him £15,000 and gave him a written warning for his indiscretion.In the meantime, it will fall to Broad, Curran, Woakes and Stokes to get the job done for England, not to mention Dom Bess, who will have watched with interest as fellow offspinner Roston Chase claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings after finding good spin and bounce.”It’s not only offering for the seam bowlers,” Stokes said. “We’ve got the options there that we feel we can bowl West Indies out twice if we have to.”It was Stokes’ performance with the bat that went a long way towards putting England in a commanding position at the end of the second day, his 176 combined with Dom Sibley’s 120 meant the hosts posted a first-innings 469 for 9 declared. Had England not lost the first Test, for the eighth time in ten series, their task over the next two days may not have been quite so pressurised.”If we use the first two days as a benchmark for how we want to bat then, then the better we’re going to become,” Stokes said. “We are a very good team at bouncing back from defeats and we’ve proven that.”If we can keep producing days and games like we generally do after a first Test then we’ll start coming closer to being the No. 1 team, which is obviously a goal of ours.”We’re in a great place as a side. We’ve got the right personnel, the right team, the right people helping the players out right now. And I think in two or three years’ time, all the tough times that we’ve experienced – in South Africa and this first game against West Indies – is a great learning curve, not just for the younger guys in the team at the moment but also for the more experienced guys.”If you are always learning from mistakes, it’s going to make you a better player as an individual, but also a better team.”

The 2023/24 season has been a very disappointing campaign for Manchester United, who are currently eighth in the Premier League. They can finish no higher than sixth place, which Chelsea occupy at the moment, although they would have to turn over an outrageous goal difference to do so.

The Red Devils currently have 57 points, equal to that of Newcastle United, who they beat 3-2 in their most recent game. If results go their way, the Old Trafford outfit can reach seventh place and qualify for the Europa Conference League – should they beat Brighton and Hove Albion.

It has also been something of a mixed-bag season for their biggest stars, too. Bruno Fernandes has had an impressive campaign, and has the most goal involvements by any United player this term, with 18 in the Premier League.

Youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have also had a strong time of things this season. 19-year-old Mainoo has played 28 games for the first team, scoring four times and registering one assist. Garnacho has featured in 48 games, getting on the scoresheet nine times and registering five assists.

The academy pair have shown up a fair few of their senior colleagues it's fair to say, but one high-profile star will be hoping to finish the season strongly against the Seagulls, alongside Fernandes and co.

Marcus Rashford's season in numbers

The player in question here is United and England winger, Marcus Rashford. The 26-year-old is one of the most destructive wingers in world football but has not found his feet in the 2023/24 season.

In 41 games in all competitions for United, Rashford has scored just eight goals, of which seven have come in the Premier League, and has just five assists. This is a far cry from his 2022/23 exploits when he scored 30 goals and registered ten assists in 56 games in all competitions.

Like many of his teammates, Rashford has struggled with an injury at the back end of the season. This has caused him to be unavailable for the past few United games, but he did make an appearance off the bench against Newcastle on Wednesday.

Interestingly, that was Rashford’s 400th appearance for the club, a span of games during which he has scored 131 goals and registered 64 assists.

Games

400

Starts

293

Goals

131

Assists

64

After a spell on the sidelines recently, Erik ten Hag could well reinstate Rashford in the starting lineup for a game against one of his favourite opponents later today…

Rashford’s record against Brighton

United travel down to the South Coast to face Brighton at the Amex for their Premier League finale. Of course, it is not their last game of the season, with the FA Cup final against Manchester City the weekend after.

Indeed, Rashford’s record against Brighton is impressive. He has scored four goals in 12 Premier League appearances at the Seagulls. Arguably the best of the bunch came at the Amex, where he got on the end of a superb trivela pass from Fernandes, before cutting in from the left-hand side, chopping inside and away from two oncoming defenders before firing home.

United’s number ten certainly has the potential to hurt Roberto De Zerbi's side again this weekend, having previously run "Brighton ragged", as journalist Liam Canning described it, when the two sides met earlier this season. Whilst Rashford has not been at his best in 2023/24, there is no doubting his lethal ability when in full flow.

With the ball at his feet, the Englishman is deadly. According to FBref, per 90 minutes this season, Rashford averages 3.38 progressive carries which places him in the top 4%, 2.11 final third carries per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 5%, and 2.45 carries into the penalty box per 90 minutes, which ranks him in the top 2%. He is deadly with the ball at his feet, and could well provide United with a cutting edge driving in from the left-hand side.

It makes sense for Rashford to start against Brighton. Not only does he have a good record against them, he will likely be a key player against City in the FA Cup final, so giving him a start at the Amex will help build match sharpness. The hope will be that he can once again wreak havoc alongside Fernandes, who also has four goals – and two assists – against the Seagulls to date.

Not only that, but Garnacho struggled last time out and has looked tired of late on the left flank, receiving just a 5/10 match rating from the Manchester Evening News in midweek; this is no surprise given he has started all of United's Premier League games since 11 November.

This certainly seems like the perfect game to reintroduce Rashford to the starting lineup, and Ten Hag will no doubt be hoping he can have his usual explosive impact against Brighton.

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ByTom Lever May 16, 2024

Arsenal are set to wear their away kit in the north London derby against Tottenham for the first time in 38 years.

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Arsenal set to face Spurs on Sunday in a PL fixturePGMOL has directed them to wear their away stripThey last wore the away shirt against Spurs back in 1985-86WHAT HAPPENED?

The Gunners typically don their traditional red and white home kit when they travel crosstown to face their local rivals Tottenham. However, the home shirt's design for the 2024-25 season has not been ratified by PGMOL to wear against their derby rivals.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE EXPLANATION

According to PGMOL’s assessment, Arsenal’s current home shirt "features too much white" which could create visual confusion when Tottenham take the field in their usual white jerseys. To resolve this issue, the PGMOL ruled that Arsenal must switch to their black away kit for the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

WHAT ARSENAL SAID

While Arsenal proposed a solution of pairing their home shirt with red shorts and socks, this alternative was not approved. The referee’s body stuck with its decision that the black away kit was the best option to avoid any potential kit clash.

"The PGMOL and Premier League ruled that our 2024-25 home kit features too much white, thus clashing with Tottenham’s traditional colours, even with the option of red shorts and socks for us, which was also discussed," said Arsenal.

"As a result, for the first time in recent 'NLD' history, we'll be wearing our change colours."

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DID YOU KNOW?

The PGMOL has also confirmed that Tottenham will wear their away kit when they travel to the Emirates Stadium for the reverse fixture in January.

Arsenal’s decision to wear their away kit for the derby is not without historical precedent, but it has been 38 years since the Gunners last took to the pitch in anything other than their home kit for this specific match. According to Arsenal Shirt Collection, a fan resource on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the last time Arsenal wore their away colours in a north London derby was during the 1985-86 season.

Manchester United have been dealt a boost in their pursuit of a new defender this summer after it emerged that a long-term target "dreams" of playing for the club.

United in need of defensive reinforcements

As this season has made abundantly clear, Manchester United are in need of additions to their backline if they have any hope of improving another disappointing Premier League campaign under Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils are on track to concede the most goals they have ever managed in a Premier League campaign, while injuries have also forced them into 14 different centre-back combinations, culminating in Casemiro playing alongside Jonny Evans in the defeat to Arsenal.

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The Man United prospect has only started three Premier League games this season.

ByTom Lever May 15, 2024

Lisandro Martinez, set to return to the bench against Newcastle, has been restricted to just nine Premier League appearances, while Tyrell Malacia has missed the entire campaign and injury to Luke Shaw has seen Diogo Dalot often deployed as an auxiliary left-back.

A left-back is definitely on the club's wishlist this summer, while the impending departures of Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane this summer when their contracts expire makes a centre-back a necessity too.

Now, reports also claim Aaron Wan-Bissaka is on his way out this summer, with the club open to a sale at a massive loss on the £50m they shelled out to bring him to the north-west from Crystal Palace.

As a result, another option at right back will be needed, and United have just been handed the perfect chance to secure one of their top targets.

Defender "dreams" of Manchester United

That comes in the shape of Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries, who Manchester United have long been linked with. The Inter Milan defender has enjoyed another fine season with the Nerazzurri, helping them scoop the Serie A title.

He has been showered in praise back in the Netherlands, with ex-Real Madrid man Rafael Van de Vaart labelling him the "ideal full back" after one performance for his country.

“[Denzel] Dumfries is our big star. He is really our very best player at the moment, he’s involved in everything,” he told Dutch broadcaster NOS. “He has provided seven assists in the last seven games, but it could have been even more. He is always on the move. A really great player. His touches are also good, which was different in the past. He is the ideal full back.”

Denzel Dumfries 23/24

Appearances

29

Goals

3

Assists

5

Key passes per 90

1.5

But trouble lies ahead between Dumfries and Inter, with a new contract not close and his current £52,000 a week deal expiring in 12 months as things stand.

As per reports in Italy, the two parties "remain distant" over a new deal, despite the Dutchman having "softened his requests". While a transfer isn't being considered right now, Inter "wouldn't be opposed" to cashing in on the 28-year-old for between 30m and 35m euros (£25.7m-£30m).

For his part, Dumfries "dreams of Manchester United" should he leave San Siro, and given their long-term interest in the defender, a move could well come to fruition quickly should they firm up that interest.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is feeling the pressure after an underwhelming start in the Premier League.

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Man Utd have lost their last twoFirst summer under INEOSTen Hag is feeling the pressureWHAT HAPPENED?

If a last-minute goal to lose to Brighton wasn't bad enough, United's opening weeks of the season took a disastrous turn when they lost 3-0 to fierce rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford. Ten Hag has had the international break to recoup and try to work things out ahead of the return to domestic action.

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This was the first summer after INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe took a stake in the club. Their first decision was to keep the Dutchman, but with only three points after three games, the pressure is already mounting on the United manager, who says it's "clear" the Red Devils need to start winning.

WHAT TEN HAG SAID

Ten Hag said: “In football you have to win, you have to deliver, that’s clear. It’s good that the new leadership acknowledge this and says this. We are working together to be more successful and we have higher targets than we’ve already achieved. It’s not only to do with me. Nobody can deny in these last eight or nine months a lot has happened to this club. There's a new leadership team, a new structure and ownership structure, a new leadership team – a huge turnaround, I would say. But we have to win all the games and that will always be the approach. It doesn't change for any game."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR TEN HAG?

United face Southampton on Saturday, with the newly-promoted Saints yet to pick up a point. It's a good opportunity for Ten Hag to build some positivity but if he is unable to get anything other than three points, the Dutchman will face even more pressure.

The Australia captain has spent the last three seasons with the Perth Scorchers

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Jul-2020Australia women’s captain Meg Lanning will return to the Melbourne Stars for the Women’s Big Bash League following three seasons with the Perth Scorchers.The move had been expected for some time but the contracting embargo for the tournament was only lifted last Friday due the disrupted off-season with Covid-19.Lanning, who has signed a three-year deal, previously played for the Stars in the first two editions of the WBBL where she scored 1062 runs and was the team’s leading run-scorer in both campaigns. She then missed her first season with the Scorchers due to a shoulder injury before scoring 920 runs across her next two competitions.ALSO READ: WBBL to feature three-week Sydney hub amid Covid-19 contingenciesWhile the move brings her back to her home state – she also plays for Victoria in the Women’s National Cricket League – Lanning talked of the chance of being able to work with a group of young players and new coach Trent Woodhill as a key factor. Whether Lanning will take the captaincy is still being discussed.”His knowledge of the T20 game and to have worked with so many great players and different franchises in different tournaments is great experience to have,” Lanning said. “So I’m certainly looking forward to working with him and seeing what his philosophy is on T20 cricket especially.”I’d like to thank everyone in Perth for their support during my time there but it’s great to be back in Melbourne”I’m proud to have been part of the first couple of years at the Melbourne Stars and I’m looking forward getting back involved with the club. We’ve got an exciting group and I can’t wait to start working with those players and the coaching staff as well.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe Stars finished bottom of the table last season with just two victories in 14 matches and are the only team never to reach the finals series in the WBBL.”Having Meg back at the Stars is huge, it’s almost like starting again,” Woodhill said. “It’s the chance for the Stars to reset. We won’t be putting too much pressure on Meg to be the star of the show, but we know Meg is a star of world cricket.”We want to be able to provide her with the environment where she can thrive, and bring out the best in her by having as much fun as possible through success and establishing a winning culture.”The WBBL is set to begin on October 17 with the final on November 29. Lanning won’t have the chance to play on home soil in Melbourne until the end of the league stage with the season having been centered around a three-week Sydney hub following the opening two weekends in Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Tasmania.Part of the reasoning behind that was to give the tournament extra flexibility if Covid-19 forces changes to the schedule and it has also aided in getting an increase in broadcast matches.

An independent panel came to a conclusion on Lisandro Martinez's controversial two-footed challenge against Crystal Palace last Saturday.

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Lisandro escaped red card against Crystal PalacePremier League's independent panel backed the referee's decisionWarned player against making such challengesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Per ESPN, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents (KMI) independent panel unanimously backed referee David Coote's decision to not send off Martinez during Manchester United's clash against Crystal Palace last Saturday. The Argentine defender attempted a two-footed tackle on opponent Daichi Kamada for which he was cautioned with a yellow card instead of being sent off.

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While the opponent and several fans demanded a direct red for the United star, Coote went by the UEFA rules, which are followed by the PGMOL and the Premier League. The rule clearly states that if a player does not make contact and complete the action before reaching the opposition player, only a yellow card will be shown. Martinez did attempt a two-footed tackle on Kamada, however, he reached the ground without touching the Japanese midfielder.

WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

The official decision from the KMI is yet to be revealed, however, ESPN got access to the documents which read, "The action viewed in isolation is a ridiculous challenge. Martinez is so fortunate that he doesn't contact Kamada. It supported as correct on the basis that the action by Martinez had been completed and no contact was made, however, the panel felt very strongly that this type of challenge has no place on the pitch."

The document added, "It's a strong challenge made at full speed but below the threshold for a second caution. The intensity of the challenge is too high and it's a reckless tackle showing disregard to the consequences for the opponent."

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

Erik ten Hag's side will begin their Europa League journey on Wednesday as they take on FC Twente before facing Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday in a crucial Premier League fixture.

Four-wicket haul for Hampshire seamer sees Surrey slump to 36 for 5

ECB Reporters Network15-Aug-2020Ian Holland belied Hampshire’s fast bowling injury woes to take four wickets in 22 as Surrey slumped to 36 for 5 in their Bob Willis Trophy clash at Arundel.USA international Holland ripped through the Surrey top order along with new-ball partner Brad Wheal – with Kyle Abbott, Fidel Edwards, Keith Barker, Ryan Stevenson and Ajeet Dale all unavailable for Hampshire. Laurie Evans and Jamie Smith set about a recovery for equally depleted Surrey, and their stand was unbeaten on 43 as the visitors reached 79 for 5 before rain and bad light brought an early close to play.Surrey skipper Mark Stoneman won the toss and elected to bat first after no play was possible during the morning session, due to misty-rain and bad light. That decision almost immediately looked incorrect as Holland began to roll through Surrey.Stoneman did manage to stroke 12 off the opening over of the innings, with Wheal looking rusty during his first first-class bowl for 825 days.Medium-pacer Holland has usually been utilised as a fifth seamer during his three years at Hampshire. But with Abbott and Edwards stuck abroad, and Barker, Stevenson and Dale all injured, Holland claimed the new ball and excelled.He needed just five balls to bowl Ryan Patel, who blocked the ball only for it to slowly rotate back and dislodge his off bail. In his next over, the Australia-bred Holland found Scott Borthwick’s outside edge to nick behind for a duck.Scotland international Wheal then put his injury problems behind him to have Will Jacks lbw – Wheal’s 10 overs in the session returning 1 for 29 – before Stoneman was leg before to Holland for 21.Winless Surrey have also fallen foul of availability issues, with 14 players missing for their defeat to Essex last week. They welcomed back former South Africa international Morne Morkel – who flew in from Australia – with Matt Dunn and Jason Roy also returning to the side.Roy, who missed the opening two rounds due to his involvement with England’s white-ball side, was the fifth man to depart on his first first-class appearance since last summer’s Ashes – and first for Surrey for almost two years. Roy offered no shot to Holland’s in-ducker – which was adjudged to be hitting the off stump – handing the allrounder his 50th first-class scalp.Evans and Smith’s methods of rebuilding juxtaposed each other. Evans, on loan from Sussex, thrashed James Fuller for four successive boundaries, while wicketkeeper Smith score 1 from his first 35 balls.Smith had accelerated, relatively, to 3 from 48 deliveries and Evans reached an accomplished 39 before an early tea was taken due to bad light – and with the light failing to improve and rain falling, that also ended the day’s play.

With a deal to sign Lloyd Kelly on the cards, Newcastle United are now reportedly interested in signing a Premier League record-holder to boost Eddie Howe's side this summer.

Newcastle transfer news

Reports are indicating that the Magpies are set to sign Kelly on a free deal now that his Bournemouth contract has come to an end. The defender is on course to become their first signing of the summer to ease Howe's defensive depth problems. Kelly could instantly help to replace Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, who both suffered ACL injuries towards the end of the campaign. The Newcastle target confirmed his Bournemouth exit on Instagram.

He may not be the only defender through the door this summer, however, with Newcastle also reportedly eyeing a move to sign Dean Huijsen from Juventus this summer after seeing their deal to sign Tosin Adarabioyo hijacked by Chelsea. Meanwhile, behind Howe's defence, there could also be change given recent links to both Giorgi Mamardashvili and Filip Jorgensen – two La Liga standouts.

What's more, according to West London Sport, Newcastle are eyeing a move to sign Asmir Begovic, who will soon be a free agent following the end of his Queens Park Rangers contract – though the London club are reportedly in talks over a new deal. The Magpies aren't alone in their interest, however, with West Ham United also reportedly eyeing a free move for the veteran shot-stopper.

Newcastle make first move for "brilliant" £45,000-p/w Almiron upgrade

This would hand Howe a major boost.

ByTom Cunningham May 31, 2024

Following the departure of Loris Karius, Howe could do with an extra goalkeeper through the door to provide cover for both Nick Pope and Martin Dubravka, should injuries occur. There are not many goalkeepers with more experience in English football than Begovic either, representing an ideal third choice to turn to this summer. The former Stoke City man looks set to have a decision to make in the coming months.

"Fantastic" Begovic would bring wealth of experience

Now 36 years old, Begovic won't be asked to step into a number one role in the Premier League, but his experience can quickly prove to be invaluable if he completes a move to Newcastle this summer.

Having worked under Howe at Bournemouth too, the former Chelsea shot-stopper should have no trouble settling in. The added history to Begovic's arrival would also be the fact that he holds the Premier League record for the goal from the longest distance after scoring from his goal kick against Stoke City in 2013.

Now over 10 years on, Begovic, on £32,500-a-week, is still earning praise from those in English football, including from QPR boss Marti Cifuentes, who said via Football League World: “We won 1-0, but he made two crucial saves in two crucial key moments.

"We won here at Hull a few months ago in a fantastic performance, again he saved the game for us. Those three points without him would have been impossible, absolutely."

With a decision to make, Begovic will be one to keep an eye on this summer in what could prove to be the final move of his career.

Leeds United are currently preparing for a second season in the Championship after they failed to earn promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Daniel Farke's side were beaten 1-0 by Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley last month, thanks to a first-half goal from Adam Armstrong, and they will now compete in the second tier for another year.

The Whites will have to navigate their way through the summer transfer window, which officially opens for business later this month, amid interest in a number of their key performers.

It was recently reported that forward Wilfried Gnonto wants a transfer to the Serie A, winger Crysencio Summerville has been linked with Liverpool, and Archie Gray is said to be of interest to German giants Bayern Munich.

Farke could, therefore, lose some of his important stars on top of already seeing Connor Roberts, Jaidon Anthony, and Joe Rodon return to their respective parent clubs upon the expiry of their loan deals.

The Yorkshire-based outfit could land a replacement for Anthony, though, as they have been linked with an interest in signing a winger from Germany.

Leeds United's interest in Bundesliga forward

Earlier this month, German outlet BILD named Leeds as being one of a number of clubs interested in a swoop to sign Stuttgart forward Silas Katompa Mvumpa.

The report claimed that the 25-year-old attacker is considering a move away from the Bundesliga side due to his lack of regular game time under manager Sebastian Hoeneß, who has often named the whiz on the bench.

It stated that there is 'great' interest in his services and the Whites could face a tough battle to acquire his signature over the coming weeks and months.

BILD claimed that Spanish side Villarreal, Fulham from the Premier League, and Ligue 1 teams Auxerre and Lens are also eyeing up Silas for a possible transfer.

This suggests that it could be a difficult deal for Farke and his team to get over the line as there appears to be plenty of top-flight clubs in the running.

The report went on to add that Stuttgart would be willing to cash in on the winger for a fee of up to €10m (£8.5m) but it remains to be seen whether or not any of the aforementioned interested clubs are prepared to pay that for him.

If Leeds can win the race to secure Silas' signature before the end of the transfer window then they could land a dream replacement for Anthony, to provide excellent depth in the wide areas.

Jaidon Anthony's spell with Leeds in numbers

The Whites swooped to sign the English forward on loan from Premier League side Bournemouth at the start of the season to bolster their options on the wing.

Anthony arrived at Elland Road off the back of a return of three goals and one assist in 30 appearances in the top-flight during the 2022/23 campaign.

His lack of consistent end product in the final third carried over to the Championship season with Leeds as the attacker struggled to force his way into Farke's starting XI.

The 24-year-old whiz, who racked up one goal and two assists in four FA Cup outings, only started two games during the regular second tier season.

Appearances

31

Starts

2

xG

1.7

Goals

1

Assists

0

Big chances created

0

As you can see in the table above, Anthony underperformed in front of goal, with one strike from 1.7 xG, and failed to create a single 'big chance' for his teammates in 31 attempts.

Anthony also came on in all three of the club's play-off matches and failed to provide a single goal or assist, which meant that he ended his loan spell with one goal and zero assists in 34 league matches.

These statistics do not suggest that the Bournemouth outcast is someone the club should be pursuing for a second spell in Yorkshire, whether that is on loan or on a permanent deal.

Therefore, Leeds could be on the lookout for a new winger to replace him in the squad and provide more quality as either a starter or as competition for the likes of Summerville and Gnonto, if they stay, and that is why they should swoop for Silas.

Why Leeds should sign Silas Katompa Mvumpa

The Whites should attempt to win the race for the Stuttgart wizard as the potential is there for him to come in as an upgrade for Anthony, should they replace the Englishman with the £8.5m-rated star.

Despite not starting games on a regular basis in Germany, the DR Congo international was still able to showcase his attacking quality in the Bundesliga this season.

Appearances

27

31

Starts

8

2

Goals

5

1

Assists

2

0

Big chances created

6

0

Dribbles completed per game

1.4

0.4

As you can see in the table above, Silas racked up 11 goals and 'big chances' created combined in 27 appearances in the German top-flight.

Whereas, Anthony only mustered one up in 31 outings in the Championship for Leeds, which suggests that the Stuttgart dynamo would provide far more quality at the top end of the pitch if Farke can convince him to make the move to Elland Road.

The 25-year-old star was once dubbed an "absolute beast" by U23 talent scout Antonio Mango, who also claimed that the Whites target was "unstoppable" during the 2020/21 campaign.

In that season, Silas racked up 11 goals, four assists, and eight 'big chances' created in 25 appearances in the Bundesliga, which shows that the potential is there for him to make a huge impact in the final third with regular game time.

Whilst there is no guarantee that his form in Germany will translate over to the second tier in England, Leeds may have to take risks with signings to propel them to promotion next season as players who are in-form and thriving in a top division may not want to take the step down to the Championship.

Leeds could land Rutter 2.0 as they eye swoop for "exciting" EFL star

The Whites are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal for the young whiz.

ByDan Emery Jun 8, 2024

Therefore, Silas could come in as a dream replacement for Anthony and provide Farke with greater quality in depth in the wide areas if they bring him in and his performances translate to English football.