Category Uncategorized

One of the major criticisms at Chelsea over the past several years has been the perceived over-focus on youth.

While the Blues have invested heavily, spending over £1billion on transfers since Clearlake arrived, there’s no doubting the need for a streamlined focus.

That said, while Chelsea do need established superstars to lead the line and between the sticks, a youthful crop, replete with talent, can be cherry-picked by head coach Enzo Maresca as he looks to bring it all together over the coming months and years.

There’s an up-and-coming talent in particular who will be eyeing first-team involvement sooner rather than later, but before we take a look at him, let’s visit Levi Colwill, whose campaign hasn’t quite gone to plan.

Levi Colwill's season in numbers

Colwill, 22, has been a central part of Chelsea’s senior set-up since the beginning of last season, having previously completed a promising loan spell with Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022/23.

Brighton wanted his services for good, with Liverpool also willing to table a bid before being rebuffed by Todd Boehly’s £100m demands. Though he’s got a lot about him, Colwill’s error-streaked campaign has cast a layer of doubt over his skillset.

Such concerns came to a head in a woeful effort at the AMEX last month.

Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville surprised the world in agreeing Colwill’s defending on the South Coast was damning, while Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley chipped in to brand him “inexcusable” in seeking a foul when there was defending to be done. The Seagulls then scored.

Though Maresca’s fashioned him into a more structured central defender, Colwill has been less accurate in the duel while also making a catalogue of mistakes to detract from his progress.

Matches (starts)

23 (20)

26 (26)

Goals

1

1

Assists

1

1

Clean sheets

4

6

Touches*

62.5

88.0

Pass completion

83%

90%

Tackles + interceptions*

3.2

2.3

Clearances*

2.8

3.1

Ground duels (won)*

3.0 (63%)

2.0 (55%)

Aerial battles (won)*

1.9 (69%)

2.5 (62%)

Errors made

0

4

With Wesley Fofana now returned from injury, Colwill’s struggles have indeed heightened. The England international knows he is a top-class talent with a high-quality passing game – ostensibly perfect for Maresca’s tactical style – but his defending leaves something to be desired.

While Chelsea may have overloaded their Cobham halls with rising prospects, there are inevitably a few who look destined for the very top, with Colwill no doubt looking over his shoulder at a defender offering certain shades of one David Luiz.

Chelsea's new defensive star

The hybrid defender can be a priceless thing in football. For those capable of moving into holding midfield positions, tactical innovators such as Maresca can adopt fluid styles depending on the situation. In other words, it promotes interchangeability.

Luiz embodied this, playing 248 times for Chelsea across two spells, lifting the Premier League, Champions League and the Europa League and FA Cup twice.

Though he’s principally a centre-back, the Brazilian, now 37, was often situated as the third man in a three-back defence that saw English football conquered under Antonio Conte. Moreover, he’s played 36 matches across his career as a recognised midfielder, emphasising his athleticism and ball-playing ability.

Well, Chelsea may just have their next version in another South American: the up-and-coming Aaron Anselmino.

Signed from Boca Juniors last summer for about £15m (see him above celebrating a goal with Edinson Cavani) Anselmino has penned a seven-year deal at Stamford Bridge and arrives having been labelled an “elite talent” by one football analyst on X (Twitter).

The 19-year-old was permitted to remain in his homeland after Chelsea completed his signing to further his development ahead of the big leap toward Europe. However, he was recalled in January and has since been getting to grips with life in west London.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Described as a “complete and dominant” defender by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the teenager carries that gritty combativeness that Luiz once showcased so well, actually praised for his “thoroughness” and “aggression” by former manager Laurent Blanc while at Paris Saint-Germain, when he knocked the Blues out of the Champions League before returning the following year.

Regarding Anselmino, the signs are promising. The Athletic’s Simon Johnson confirmed Chelsea opted to keep their rising talent at the club rather than loan him back out during the winter transfer window, with plenty of sides across the continent and in England keen on doing a deal.

Moreover, Johnson revealed the Argentina youth international has graduated to regular first-team training, but why is this?

Well, according to Sofascore’s data, the dynamic defender played 12 times in the Liga Profesional de Futbal – Argentina’s top flight – in 2024, impressing through his crispness, smoothness, and natural-born creative sense.

Not only did Anselmino complete 86% of his passes, create four big chances and register three assists, but he also averaged 2.2 tackles and three clearances while winning 4.4 duels per game, only picking up one yellow card.

It’s promising stuff, but the most compelling part of all has to be the centre-half’s success in avoiding a single error across his matches. Contrast that with Colwill, who has made four in the Premier League this term, and you can see why he might find a pathway to prominence under Maresca’s wing.

The two-footer’s technical skill and dynamism, irregularly playing in midfield across his maiden years as a professional, has seen him skyrocket toward the forefront of the game. He’s not quite there yet, but all the pointers lead toward a successful future at Chelsea.

Should he leap over this final hurdle of youth, Anselmino may well replace Colwill as Maresca’s starting option alongside Fofana. It’s pleasing to see that Chelsea have such strength in depth, but it’s bad news for Colwill all the same.

Chelsea hit the jackpot selling Lampard's "Drogba-esque" £34m star

Chelsea struck gold on a player they sold for £34m in 2021.

ByRoss Kilvington Mar 8, 2025

Leeds United are in a promising position for promotion even despite Saturday’s draw with West Brom, but there is a collective realisation that squad surgery this summer could be required in a couple of positions.

Leeds held by West Brom but continue planning for promotion

Daniel Farke could only watch as his side were held in a somewhat frustrating Saturday lunch time encounter with West Brom, as they racked up 15 shots but only put two on target, settling for a point courtesy of Darnell Furlong cancelling out Junior Firpo’s opener.

Still, the German will be delighted with Leeds’ position in the hunt for a return to the Premier League, and there is plenty to be done in Yorkshire to ensure his squad possesses sufficient depth to handle the rigours of next season.

Irrespective of what league his side ply their trade in later down the line, the Whites have been linked with several statement moves for high-calibre stars that could revolutionise Farke’s project at Elland Road.

Recently, Leeds United’s interest in Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn has become public knowledge. Capable of playing on either flank, the former Bayern Munich man has been an impressive force north of the border with 18 goals to his name this campaign.

Continuing the theme of exciting potential arrivals, AC Milan loanee Tammy Abraham is an ambitious target for the Whites after a spell at San Siro where he has struggled to fire with regularity.

His previous experience in the Premier League and homegrown status would appeal should promotion come to fruition. Over the last few years, the tale of new top-flight sides being unable to retain their place in the division has been all too common, so you need to be equipped for the challenge that may lie ahead.

Leeds United’s last five league finishes

2023/24 – Championship

3rd

2022/23 – Premier League

19th

2021/22 – Premier League

17th

2020/21 – Premier League

9th

2019/20 – Championship

1st

Farke will be aware of this having experienced a similar fate at Norwich City, where he was dismissed with his side sitting adrift in the hunt for survival after 11 matches in 2021/22. Undoubtedly, he is keen to avoid a prospective repeat scenario, and Paul Robinson has urged the Leeds United boss to act in the market by securing the services of an England international.

Paul Robinson urges Leeds United to sign Aaron Ramsdale

Speaking to Football Insider, Paul Robinson has urged Leeds United to sign Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale this summer, with the outlet confirming the Whites leadership are “planning” to replace Illan Meslier with a new signing.

He explained: “The big one Leeds should look at is Aaron Ramsdale. If Leeds are in the Premier League next year, keen an eye on Aaron Ramsdale’s situation. You’ve got to admire his attitude, the way he’s gone to Southampton and played a lot of this season injured, playing in a team that’s struggled.

Leeds may have unearthed the Championship's new Gyokeres in "dangerous" ace

Leeds United have hit the jackpot with this impressive Championship star.

ByDan Emery Feb 28, 2025

“He’s not wanted to be part of a title-challenging team or Champions League side as a cup goalkeeper, he’s gone to Southampton to play week in, week out. I think he’s a top-class goalkeeper and would be a huge addition for Leeds. That’s going to be a key position for Leeds next year.”

Despite Southampton’s struggles in the Premier League, Ramsdale has made 86 saves this season and the former Arsenal man, who joined the Saints for £25 million, has also recorded a pass completion rate of 87% in his own half.

Keeping two clean sheets in 19 top-flight appearances, the England international looks primed for a new challenge to keep his hopes alive of featuring in the Three Lions’ World Cup squad in 2026. Leeds may be the ideal environment for him to keep developing, but they will likely need to secure promotion before the possibility can advance to becoming a feasible pursuit.

استرجع الحكم الدولي محمد عادل، كواليس أزمة التسريب الصوتي، خلال إدارته مباراة الزمالك والبنك الأهلي، في دوري الموسم الماضي.

وكانت المحادثة التي جرت بين محمد عادل، وحكم تقنية الـvar ميدو سلامة، قد تم نشرها على إحدى القنوات الفضائية، ما دفع الحكم الدولي للجوء للقضاء.

طالع| خاص | مفاجأة بشأن موقف محمد عادل من مطابقة صوته مع التسريب الصوتي

وكانت مباراة الزمالك والبنك الأهلي قد أثارت جدلًا واسعًا بسبب القرارات التحكيمية، وخاصة بعد انتشار تسريب صوتي منسوب لمحمد عادل حكم المباراة وميدو سلامة حكم الـvar.

وقال محمد عادل، في تصريحات لبرنامج ملعب أون سبورت على قناة أون سبورتس: “رئيس لجنة الحكام لم يطلبنا للخضوع لاختبارات اللياقة البدنية، لا يوجد سن للحكم، لكنه لم يستدعينا، ولذلك يمكن أن نُستدعى بعد ذلك”.

وتابع: “أنا ظللت 20 سنة ضابط شرطة، ولم أظهر بعد أزمة التسريبات وأخذت حقي بالقانون”.

وأضاف: “ما حدث عقب المباراة أن أحد العاملين بلجنة الحكام الرئيسية استولى على التسجيل وعرضه على أحد الإعلاميين الكبار لإذاعته، وهذا الإعلامي طرده وقال له أنا مش بتاع تسريبات، فذهب وعرضه على الاثنين المتهمين في القضية وأذاعاه (يقصد إبراهيم فايق وأحمد عبد الباسط)”.

وأكمل: “أثناء التحقيقات في النيابة العامة، المتهمان رفضا الإفصاح عن مصدرهما، والنيابة قررت تحويلهما للمحكمة، ولجأنا للإعلامي الذي عُرض عليه المقطع الصوتي في البداية وطرد الشخص الذي أتي بالتسجيل له، لكنه اعتذر بشياكة وأدب نظرًا لحساسية العلاقة بينه وبين أحد المتهمين”.

وواصل: “المحكمة أصدرت حكم أول درجة في 22 فبراير الماضي، وقالت في أسباب الحكم قيام المتهمين بإذاعة المقطع الصوتي وعدم إذاعته كاملًا وحذف جزء منه لتحقيق مشاهدات لحساباتهما، وتم تغريم كل واحد منهما مليون جنيه و50 ألف جنيه تعويضًا مدنيا”.

وكشف: “استئنفا على الحكم، وتم تخفيض الغرامة لـ 100 ألف جنيه، والمحكمة قالت إن المتهمين لم يأتيا بجديد لتغيير حكم المحكمة، والقضية انتهت”.

وأكمل: “أنا لم أكن متخيل هذا الأمر، من وقت ما خرجت من المباراة الصحفيين قالوا لي إن أحد أعضاء لجنة التحكيم أرسل لنا سكريبت إنه تم إيقافك، ويبدو أن الأمر كان مُدبرا من البداية، ما حدث لن يجعل أي أحد بعد ذلك يقوم بتسريب أي مقطع صوتي للفار”.

وأردف: “المنوط الأول بأن يطلب التحقيق في الأمر من البداية هو اتحاد الكرة، لكنه لم يحرك ساكنًا ولجنة الحكام الرئيسية لم تتحرك، إلا بعض الأصدقاء مثل سامي هلهل ومحمد صلاح عبد الفتاح، وثلاثة آخرين، غير ذلك لا يوجد شيء، والكابتن محمد فاروق صُدم مما حدث، ورحل بعد الواقعة”.

وكشف: “أرسلوا لنا في الاتحاد لجلسة استماع، أنا قلت لنفسي إن المحقق سيقول كيف تم تسريب المحادثة، لكني فوجئت أنه يقول لي إن الدنيا مقلوبة عشان أنا قلت الله يخربيتك يا ميدو، فكانت جلسة تحقيق أشبه بالكوميديا السوداء، فوجئت بأحد أعضاء اللجنة دخل وقال نحن سنعلن عبر الصفحة الرسمية للاتحاد من أجل الحفاظ على شكل التحكيم، قلت له لا أنا سأحول الأمر للنيابة العامة، والموضوع بالنسبة لي كان سينتهي لو كان المتهمين اعتذارا لي من البداية، لكن هذا لم يتم”.

وواصل: “أنا عدت بعد صدور حكم أول درجة، جهاد جريشة هو من طالبني بالعودة للتحكيم بالتزامن مع قدوم أوسكار رويز، والأخير رحب جدًا، وعدت بالفعل للمباريات، وحدثت واقعة في أول مباراة أدرتها بعد الأزمة في دوري المحترفين، وبعد المباراة أحد الناديين تقدم ضدي بشكوى رسمية”.

وكشف: “أوسكار رويز استدعاني لمناقشة الشكوى، فحصلت على شريط المباراة كاملًا وتناقشنا في الحالات وأثبت أن الشكوى كانت كيدية، واتضح أن النادي الذي تقدم بهذه الشكوى بدفع من أحد أعضاء لجنة الحكام”.

واختتم: “أوسكار رويز قال لي أنا أول مرة أرى فريقا فائزا ويقدم شكوى ضد الحكم، قلت له هل تعلم من السبب وراء ذلك، قال من قلت له هذا الشخص وأشرت له، وهذا الشخص مازال موجودًا في لجنة الحكام حتى الآن”.

MatériaMais Notícias

da cassino online： O Grêmio avançou nas negociações envolvendo o atacante uruguaio Luis Suárez. Segundo o LANCE! apurou, as conversas esquentaram, e as partes estão perto de um acordo.

O L! já havia adiantado que Suárez havia se reunido com o Imortal para ouvir a proposta oficial. O acordo seria válido por duas temporadas, e o salário do jogador seria um dos maiores do elenco – estimado em cerca de R$ 1,5 milhão por mês.

RelacionadasLance! BizClube paulista supera rival e lidera ranking de taxa de ocupação de 2022Lance! Biz24/12/2022FortalezaFortaleza anuncia renovação por empréstimo de Caio AlexandreFortaleza24/12/2022PalmeirasPalmeiras dá uma pausa nos treinos virtuais para o descanso de NatalPalmeiras24/12/2022

da esport bet： >Retrospectiva 2022: lembre jogadores que se aposentaram do futebol no Brasil e no exterior

> Confira a tabela completa do Campeonato Gaúcho de 2023!

Recentemente, o atacante deixou o Nacional-URU e ficou livre no mercado. Ainda de acordo com apurações da reportagem do LANCE!, o avanço na negociação ocorreu neste sábado (24).

Luis Suárez defendeu o Uruguai na Copa do Qatar deste ano, mas não conseguiu levar a seleção para o mata-mata.

After losing the first Test to Pakistan, Sri Lanka are determined to “come out harder” in the second, says coach Chris Silverwood

Andrew Fidel Fernando23-Jul-2023

In the days since their loss in Galle, Sri Lanka have been through an honest appraisal through their many flaws in the first Test.This is according to their coach Chris Silverwood, who highlighted fielding and bowling as particular areas for improvement.But they need to improve in “all three departments”, he said. After the loss in Galle, captain Dimuth Karunaratne had also highlighted the twin failures of Sri Lanka’s top order, after they had been 54 for 4 in the first innings, and 99 for 4 in the second.Related

Is Test cricket having its Pakball moment?

Weather and Pakball to contend with for Sri Lanka

“There are certain areas that we need to improve on, fielding being one of them,” Silverwood said one day before the second Test, in Colombo (SSC). Sri Lanka missed at least three clear-cut chances in the first Test. “There’s no hiding from it – we need to improve our fielding. There’s progression in that department. We analysed the last Test match, and if we’re honest, I think we fell short in all three departments.”I think it’s part of learning as a group, we have to be honest with ourselves and reflect inwards. Without pointing fingers out we have to be honest with ourselves.”Sri Lanka have serious ambitions of playing the next final of the World Test Championship (WTC), and a loss in Galle is about as poor a start to the new WTC cycle as could have been hoped for. Despite that rough start, the desire to make a mark on the WTC remains, Silverwood said.”The motivation is there. The players know how important it is to be picking up WTC points. And they know how important it is to be winning at home as well. The pride is there to do that. The motivation’s there. We have to continually do that all the time.1:24

Decoding Abdullah Shafique’s mind-blowing catch at short leg

“The determination is there that this game they’ll come out harder. I want to see them come out of their shells and express themselves and have the confidence to show how good they are.”On the batting front, Sri Lanka will have to contend with Pakistan’s seamers – Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah – again. In the first Test, they were outstanding in the first session of the match, and returned frequently with the old ball to deliver testing spells of reverse-swing.”First of all, we have to accept that the two fast bowlers Pakistan have are very good,” Silverwood said. “They are very good at their craft and have good pace. And they don’t give many runs away. The one thing they can do is hammer a length hard, skilfully, time and time again. And their bouncers are accurate. We have to give them a lot of credit for the way they operate. I think they make life difficult for any batting line-up anywhere in the world.””We have to be ultra-positive. I’m not saying we go out to slog or anything like that. We have to make sure our footwork is positive and our decision-making is strong. And that we find a way of combating these guys.”

Hardik Pandya captains the side which will play five games against West Indies in August, with Suryakumar Yadav named his deputy

Alagappan Muthu05-Jul-2023

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Tilak Varma’s stellar performances in the IPL have paved a way to the Indian T20I squad with the two quick-scoring left-handers chosen as part of a 15-member squad to play against West Indies from August 3. It is their first call-up to the senior side in the shortest format.Hardik Pandya captains the team which will play five games in the Caribbean and the USA, with Suryakumar Yadav named his deputy. Some of the other heavy hitters are missing though. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli haven’t represented India in T20Is since their semi-final exit at the 2022 T20 World Cup. Ravindra Jadeja, the hero of the 2023 IPL final, was absent as well. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has not been picked either.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

This is the first squad chosen by the newly installed men’s senior selection panel and they appear to have bought into the idea of needing batters who can go big from ball one, starting with the two rookies. Jaiswal has already developed a reputation as a powerplay smasher, with a particular emphasis on taking apart the first over of the innings. Varma, who had a fan in Mahela Jayawardene even before he faced a ball of IPL cricket, has only grown in stature since then. The middle-order batter averages almost 40 from 47 T20s, without compromising on his strike rate, which is a healthy 142.54.Shubman Gill and Hardik might act as failsafes if things go wrong but Ajit Agarkar, the new chief of selectors, and his panel have put their trust in a line-up that hits boundaries first and asks questions later. Rinku Singh, who became a revelation by playing that very same brand of cricket in this year’s IPL, remains on the outside. This despite the squad looking light on finishers with Hardik being the only recognised option.India last played T20Is in February 2023, against New Zealand, and seven members of that squad have been sidelined. They are Prithvi Shaw, Rahul Tripathi, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar and Jitesh Sharma, who has been left out without getting a go in the XI.Related

Avesh Khan ready for reboot after being 'all over the place'

'I visualise every night how I can bat' – elated Tilak Varma on maiden India call-up

Samson, Gaikwad and Mukesh called up to India ODI squad for WI tour

Pujara dropped; Jaiswal and Gaikwad in India's Test squad for WI

The bowling group will be led by Yuzvendra Chahal, who is India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, and he will have two other wristspinners, including his old friend Kuldeep Yadav, for company. Axar Patel ticks the fingerspin requirement.The seam attack looks a bit inexperienced but it does contain variety with Arshdeep Singh providing swing and seam from a left-arm angle and Umran Malik providing raw pace. Mukesh Kumar retains his place in the T20I team as well having earlier secured his first-ever Test call-up. Avesh Khan, who played the last of his 15 T20Is in August 2022, has been given another shot. IPL winner Deepak Chahar, who returned from injury to play the latter half of the campaign for Chennai Super Kings, wasn’t picked.Sanju Samson, who is part of the ODI squad on tour, and Ishan Kishan are the wicketkeeping options.India’s tour of West Indies begins with the first of two Tests in Dominica on July 12. Then they play three ODIs from July 27 to August 1 before moving on to the T20Is, the final two of which will be played in Florida, USA.

أعلن مجلس إدارة النادي الأهلي، برئاسة محمود الخطيب، عن رئيس بعثة الأحمر في الإمارات للمشاركة في بطولة كأس السوبر المصري.

ويخوض الأهلي بطولة كأس السوبر المصري بصفته بطل الدوري المصري، والمقرر أن تنطلق الخميس المقبل بمشاركة الزمالك وبيراميدز وسيراميكا كليوباترا.

وقرر الأهلي تكليف خالد مرتجي، أمين الصندوق لرئاسة بعثة الفريق الأول للكرة بالقلعة الحمراء في الإمارات.

طالع.. بالتوقيت الشتوي.. مواعيد مباريات السوبر المصري 2025

ومن المقرر أن يجري مرتجي، التنسيق مع وليد صلاح الدين مدير الكرة للاطمئنان على كافة الترتيبات وتوفير كل سبل الراحة للاعبين والجهاز الفني، قبل السفر ظهر غد للمشاركة في البطولة.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع سيراميكا كليوباترا يوم 6 نوفمبر المقبل الساعة 5 م بتوقيت القاهرة، 7 بتوقيت أبو ظبي على استاد هزاع بن زايد بمنطقة العين.

MatériaMais Notícias

da dobrowin： O técnico Abel Ferreira, do Palmeiras, fala em entrevista coletiva após a vitória sobre o Bahia por 1 a 0, em jogo válido pela 30ª rodada do Brasileirão. O gol do Verdão foi marcado por Raphael Veiga, que ultrapassou Edmundo no ranking de maiores artilheiros do clube na história do Brasileirão. Agora, o camisa 23 ocupa a 5ª posição da lista com 35 gols. Com este resultado, o Alviverde subiu mais uma posição na tabela de classificação e assumiu a vice-liderança do campeonato. Veja a entrevista de Abel Ferreira no player acima!

continua após a publicidade

da bwin： + Tudo sobre o Verdão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Palmeiras

+ Veja a classificação e simule os jogos do Verdão no Brasileirão

+ Veja mais detalhes sobre Palmeiras x Bahia pelo Brasileirão

PRÓXIMOS JOGOS DO PALMEIRAS – DATA, HORÁRIO E LOCAL
Botafogo x Palmeiras – Campeonato Brasileiro – Data e hora: 1/11 (quarta-feira), às 21h30 (hora de Brasília) – Local: Estádio Nilton Santos
Palmeiras x Athletico-PR – Campeonato Brasileiro – Data e hora: 4/11 (sábado), às 21h30 (hora de Brasília) – Local: Allianz Parque
Flamengo x Palmeiras – Campeonato Brasileiro – Data e hora: 8/11 (quarta-feira), às 21h30 (hora de Brasília) – Local: Maracanã
Palmeiras x Internacional – Campeonato Brasileiro – Data e hora: 11/11 (sábado), às 21h (hora de Brasília) – Local: Allianz Parque

da winzada777： Birmingham City were an absolute joy to behold at the very top of League One last season.

da bet7k： Chris Davies’ rampant Blues would only lose three of their 46 league fixtures, leading to a colossal 111-point total being reached, with standout figures such as Jay Stansfield very much raising the excitement levels with a bumper 19 strikes tallied up in third-tier action.

Come the end of their very enjoyable League One marathon, Birmingham would go on to accumulate a mightily impressive 84 goals.

They won’t be receding into their shell when heading back up to the Championship, with plenty of fresh strikers now being linked to make the switch to St. Andrew’s to boost their already frightening firepower, which includes a promising Premier League-bound talent.

Birmingham monitoring situation of £10m striker

According to a report from GIVEMESPORT, the super-confident Blues are now monitoring the situation of Leeds United striker Mateo Joseph.

GIVEMESPORT states that Birmingham have been interested in the Spanish hotshot for some time now, with Davies’ men potentially seeing this opening in the summer transfer window as the perfect opportunity to strike up a deal.

RC Strasbourg are also noted as an interested party- on top of a January £10m bid from Real Betis being mentioned – but Birmingham have successfully flexed their muscles recently to win a similarly expensive striker from a Premier League side.

Of course, Stansfield cost £15m to pick up from Marco Silva’s Fulham last summer, with everyone at St. Andrew’s hopeful that Joseph can go down as an unbelievable success story much like the former Cottagers forward.

How Joseph can be Stansfield 2.0

It was somewhat of a gamble to fork out £15m for Stansfield’s services, considering the electric number 28 only had 21 strikes next to his name in senior action in the EFL before confirming a permanent Birmingham stay.

Now, that lavish fee doesn’t look too steep, with Stansfield an integral part of the Blues’ promotion story.

When moving up a division, Birmingham will be keeping their fingers crossed that Joseph can play an equal starring role, but this time around he could be the exact figure they desire in helping Davies’ men consolidate themselves as a Championship-worthy outfit.

After all, despite fading into the background at times last season under Daniel Farke’s wing, Joseph would still chip in with three goals and three assists in league action. This is a more than respectable return when you weigh up the fact that the 21-year-old only started 11 Championship contests.

With Leeds now in the big time, Joseph will be worrying that his first-team opportunities will become even more sparse. Therefore, a move to St. Andrew’s could be just what the Spain U21 international needs to kick on as he aims to follow in the footsteps of Stansfield, a fellow young striker who was also on the periphery of his then employers, Fulham, before finally becoming a main striker option in the West Midlands.

Joseph’s G/A numbers for Leeds/Spain

Club played for

Games

Goals

Assists

Leeds

73

6

3

Leeds U21s

33

19

3

Leeds U18s

4

1

1

Spain U21s

11

8

0

Sourced by Transfermarkt

That was the case even as Stansfield scored a blistering 38 goals for both the Fulham U18s and U21s combined, with Joseph not that far behind on a healthy total of 20 on the youth pitches at Thorp Arch, away from also hammering home six strikes in the senior ranks.

Staggeringly, Stansfield would only ever reach two senior goals at Craven Cottage, but all of that is firmly at the back of his mind now as Birmingham’s leading star.

The “dynamite” Leeds forward – as he was once glowingly labelled by U23 scout Antonio Mango – will want to be held in the same high esteem soon, rather than fighting it out for scraps at Elland Road.

Therefore, another statement striker deal could soon be on the cards at St. Andrew’s, as Joseph possibly joins and fires in the goals to make Birmingham’s transition to Championship life as smooth as possible.

Related Birmingham City want to beat EFL rivals to sign Klarer 2.0 this summer

Birmingham City could land their next Christoph Klarer by signing this gem from Germany.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Jun 18, 2025

The deal includes the two Tests in Galle and the pair of ODIs which provide preparation for the Champions Trophy

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jan-2025The Seven Network has stepped in to secure the rights for Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka, just 12 days before the first Test begins.Australian cricket fans were at risk of being plunged into a television black hole for the two Tests and two ODIs after no network had acquired the rights.But Seven, which broadcasts home Tests, women’s internationals, and the Big Bash League, will take on the entire tour through their free-to-air stations and on the 7plus app. The first Test in Galle, which starts on January 29, runs concurrently with the day-night Women’s Ashes Test at the MCG.Related

• Smith's assist in Connolly's selection, ten years on from childhood photo

• Extra ODI added to Australia's tour of Sri Lanka

• 'It doesn't look great': Kuhnemann's Sri Lanka tour in jeopardy after thumb injury

“What this summer has shown us is that Australians absolutely love their cricket, and we cannot wait to deliver even more action as Australia takes on Sri Lanka,” Seven’s head of cricket Joel Starcevic said.Every men’s Test tour has been broadcast back to Australia for the past three decades. The last Test not shown in Australia was during the Pakistan tour in 1994.But this will be the first non-Ashes full overseas men’s Test tour shown on free-to-air TV in Australia since Mark Taylor’s team played in South Africa back in 1997, when Seven also had the rights. In 2023 they broadcast the World Test Championship final between Australia and India at The Oval.Foxtel has had a stranglehold on rights for Australia’s overseas matches since broadcasting tours of India and Pakistan back in 1998. They broadcast Australia’s most recent Test series in Sri Lanka in 2022.However, Foxtel has not regularly broadcast Test series from Sri Lanka not involving Australia, and therefore do not have a long-running agreement with them.Foxtel recently agreed to a sale to British-based sports streaming platform DAZN, but that is still to be finalised over the first six months of 2025.Amazon has won the rights to ICC events in the 2024-2027 cycle, including this year’s WTC final, but the streaming giant’s Australian arm is yet to dip its toe into bilateral series.