All posts by h716a5.icu

While success hasn’t always followed, West Ham United have had some genuine world-beaters represent the club over the years.

For example, the likes of Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst are more than just club legends; they are true icons of the English game.

Then, in the modern day, while he’s not quite matched their achievements, Jarrod Bowen is in with a real chance of being the club’s greatest ever Premier League player.

However, there is another man who might have an equal shout for that title: Dimitri Payet.

The Frenchman was utterly incredible during his time with the club, and in great news, Nuno Espírito Santo has someone in his current squad with shades of the midfielder in his game.

Payet's West Ham career

West Ham signed Payet from Marseille for a fee of around £10.7m, and while the move received little media attention at the time, it would soon be looked at as one of the best deals that summer.

It didn’t take long at all for the mercurial midfielder to make his mark, as on his debut, against Arsenal, he provided an assist for Cheikhou Kouyaté from a well-taken free-kick.

From that point onwards, the Saint-Pierre-born genius would continue to turn up for the Hammers, and by the end of the season, he had racked up a brilliant haul of 12 goals and 15 assists in 38 games, totalling 3223 minutes.

Unsurprisingly, such an incredible debut campaign for the club saw him named the Premier League Player of the Year at the 2016 London Football Awards, shortlisted for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year and named West Ham United Player of the Year.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and after telling the club he didn’t want to play for them anymore, he left for £25m in January.

Appearances

60

Minutes

4981′

Goals

15

Assists

22

Points per Game

1.52

It’s hard to overstate how brilliant Payet was to watch at West Ham, and while there isn’t anyone just like him in the current squad, there is someone with shades of him in their game.

West Ham's star with shades of Payet

Now, there are a number of players in this current West Ham side who could go on to do great things at the club, as Bowen already has.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, when it comes to someone who has shades of Payet in their game, it’s hard to look past Crysencio Summerville and the potential he has.

It’s important to say the word potential, as it would be crazy to suggest that the former Leeds United star has reached the levels the Frenchman did at the club.

However, that is not the point, as this isn’t a comparison to say he will be as good as the 38-year-old; it’s to point out the elements of his game that feel Payet-esque.

One such element is his brilliant ability with the ball at his feet, specifically when it comes to dribbling and beating opponents.

This was on full display in his Man of the Match-winning display against Everton on Monday night, as the Dutchman was able to complete three of five dribbles, which was the most of anyone on the pitch, including Jack Grealish.

More than that, he utilises this ball-carrying ability to create numerous chances for his teammates, whether through winning fouls or outmanoeuvring opponents.

SCA (Fouls Drawn)

0.52

Top 1%

Fouls Drawn

2.58

Top 3%

Penalty Kicks Won

0.10

Top 4%

Pass Completion % (Medium)

88.1%

Top 5%

SCA (Take-On)

0.72

Top 7%

GCA (Fouls Drawn)

0.10

Top 8%

For example, FBref ranks him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for shot-creating actions coming from fouls won, the top 4% for penalties won, the top 7% for shot-creating actions coming from take-ons and more, all per 90.

Finally, while his output hasn’t been ideal since his move to East London, there is undoubtedly a star waiting to come out in the “unstoppable” game-changer, as dubbed by Statman Dave.

This was on show in his final campaign with Leeds, when he racked up 21 goals and ten assists in 49 games and won the Championship Player of the Year.

Ultimately, Summerville isn’t as talented as Payet, but with his ability on the ball and dynamism, there are certainly shades of the Frenchman in his game.

West Ham's "quiet leader" now resigned to quitting in January after Nuno decision

The Portuguese’s arrival is set to ignite an overhaul.

ByEmilio Galantini Oct 1, 2025

“We are the same but different as well,” Bhuvneshwar Kumar says about his RCB fast-bowling partners Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal

ESPNcricinfo staff07-May-20253:10

Is is time to start dreaming for RCB fans?

Bhuvneshwar Kumar might be a little understated, but he is a bonafide IPL superstar. No quick bowler has taken more wickets than his 193 in the tournament, and only Yuzvendra Chahal (219 at the time of writing) stands in front of him in the overall list. And he has found ways to stay relevant in a fast-changing game by “being proactive – to be a step ahead of the batter”.His new/old team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are having a season to remember, and part of the reason is the combination Bhuvneshwar has formed with Josh Hazlewood and Yash Dayal: between them, they have 40 wickets so far. RCB have also been the second-most economical bowling side at the death (overs 17 to 20) in IPL 2025, conceding runs at 10.23, a shade behind Mumbai Indians’ (MI) 10.22.”I am back in RCB after 16 years and I am very happy to be back,” Bhuvneshwar said in a video released by the franchise. “From the 2008-09 or 2010 season to now in 2025, things are very different. I had come in as a young player and now I have come back with so much more experience.Related

Bhuvneshwar has 'the perfect answer' for DC on tricky Delhi pitch

“If you talk about Yash and Josh, and the three of us – we are the same but different as well. If we talk about the aspects that are similar, the three of us can swing it. And then if you look at Josh Hazlewood, he has the height, and Yash is a left-arm pacer, which helps create a different angle altogether. And the best part is that all three of us can bowl at any stage of the game, and we have done it as well. These qualities help complement each other a lot.”And if you look back in the season, there have been times that I have not done well, but they have backed me up, or if someone hasn’t had a good day, the rest of the bowlers have stepped up. So we are complementing each other and it is a great sign.”Bhuvneshwar has had two good outings in Bengaluru this season, returning identical figures of 2 for 26 against Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), but both of those came in defeats for RCB when they were in the middle of a horror run at home. The big effort came in Delhi when he played a big role in RCB’s win by sending back KL Rahul, Ashutosh Sharma and Tristan Stubbs on his way to 3 for 33. Rahul and Ashutosh were felled in the 17th over and Stubbs in the 20th. In the 11 overs Bhuvneshwar has bowled at the death this season, he has five wickets and an economy rate of 10.09.”Death bowling is like an instinct. It depends on what is the situation of the match and what you are thinking as well,” Bhuvneshwar, the only bowler to have won the Purple Cap in successive seasons – 2016 and 2017 – said. “When there are team meetings, you plan things in a particular way. But a lot of times, you do it differently on the ground, because that instinct kicks in.”Sometimes there is a very normal situation going on, but you have an instinct that the batter is going to do something different. So that’s when we call it being proactive – to be a step ahead of the batter. There are times when it doesn’t work, but as long as you are proactive and you are getting the batter to do the things you want, you will be on top of the game.”

The glory hasn’t always followed, but Tottenham Hotspur have had some truly world-class stars play for them over the last ten to 15 years.

The one who was able to cement his legacy with a trophy was Son Heung-min, but the likes of Harry Kane, Mousa Dembélé and Luka Modrić were just as brilliant for the North Londoners.

However, when it comes to a combination of otherworldly talent and entertainment value, it’s hard to look past Gareth Bale.

The Welshman transformed into one of the best players in the world at Spurs, and it now looks like the club might have a new version of him.

Bale's rise at Spurs

Ask any Spurs fan what season Bale hit his peak at the club, and the vast majority will say his final season, 12/13.

That campaign saw the Welshman reach levels nobody really knew he could, as he scored 26 goals and provided ten assists in just 44 appearances, totalling 3,891 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal or assist every 1.22 games, or every 108.08 minutes.

Such a ludicrous rate of return for a team that only finished fifth was enough for Real Madrid to come sniffing, and one world record bid of £85m later, the Spanish giants got exactly what they wanted.

However, while the memory of the international legend at Spurs is a great one, things were not always so straightforward for him, nor was he always such a goal machine.

In fact, when the club signed him from Southampton in May 2007, he wasn’t even an attacker; he was a highly rated full-back.

That’s the position he continued to play, through injuries and poor form, for a couple of years in North London, until, partway through the 09/10 season, Harry Redknapp decided to move him up the pitch and play him on the wing.

The rest, as they say, is history, and while Spurs might not have another winger as devastatingly effective as Bale, they might have another international in the making who could be as good in their own position.

Spurs' new Bale

Spurs have several exciting young talents com

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

ing through the academy at the moment, from Luca Williams-Barnett to Oliver Irow, but there is one out on loan who could just be the best of the lot.

That youngster is, of course, Luka Vušković, who is currently on a season-long loan with Bundesliga side Hamburg, and by all accounts, is having an exceptional season so far.

In fact, the Croatian wonderkid has just been named the league’s rookie of the month, and has clearly won over the fans, with content creator Fiago claiming that he’s “the best 18-year-old center back I’ve ever seen in my life.”

That’s not all, though, as not long after the Lilywhites originally signed the youngster, respected analyst Ben Mattinson described him as a “freak athlete” and a “freak talent” with a “scary ceiling,” which sounds quite Bale-esque.

Combine these raving reviews with the fact that he’s currently playing in defence, still incredibly young, and has proven himself to be something of an attacking force over the last year or so, and the comparison is easy to make.

For example, in 36 appearances for KVC Westerloo last season, the Split-born titan scored seven goals and provided three assists, and in just four appearances this year, he has already opened his account.

Appearances

36

4

Minutes

2965′

360′

Goals

7

1

Assists

3

0

Goal Involvements per Match

0.27

0.25

Minutes per Goal Involvements

296.5′

360′

Finally, he has already won a senior cap for Croatia, so it looks like he’s set to dominate on the domestic and international scene for a long time to come.

Ultimately, Vušković is unlikely to become a winger like Bale, but there is arguably even more hype around him today than around the Welshman when he joined Spurs, and he looks set for superstardom.

Spurs sold "phenomenal" striker for just £7m, now he's as prolific as Kane

The incredible striker Spurs sold is starting to play like Harry Kane.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 7, 2025

Vinicius Junior's petulant reaction to be taken off during Real Madrid's 2-1 win over fierce rivals Barcelona on Sunday reportedly didn't go unnoticed by his colleagues. The Brazilian winger made straight for the dressing room when Xabi Alonso wanted to swap him with Rodrygo, briefly refusing to watch the remaining minutes of the match because he was too angry to sit on the bench.

Vini Jr angers team-mates

According to Barcelona-based , Real Madrid players and executives were not impressed by what happened when Vinicius left the pitch. Venting his fury after being removed with 72 minutes played, Vinicius allegedly pointed out that he has often started and not finished games this season.

"Always me," he is believed to have said, before adding that it would be better for everyone if he wasn't left to stew on his feelings. "I'm leaving the team, it's better if I leave, I'm leaving," the player said, before taking off back inside. Eventually, he returned and was involved in the furious post-match confrontations centred around Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.

Although he eventually returned to the bench for the final stages, and was then involved in the post-match brawl that ensued when Dani Carvajal and Thibaut Courtois both angrily confronted Lamine Yamal, the fact that he left the area at all caused an issue.

In the eyes of his colleagues it was "bad" and "wrong" for that to be his reaction to being substituted. Some club officials are claimed to believe Alonso made the wrong call withdrawing the 2024 Ballon d'Or runner-up when he did, but still cannot abide by what followed and are "very upset" over his reaction. That image is not what the club wants to project. Ultimately, the possibility is raised that Real Madrid are "seriously considering" sanctions.

AdvertisementAFPAlonso plays down Vini Jr's behaviour

Publicly, Alonso has done his best to frame what happened as unproblematic, and born out of a professional desire to be on the pitch at all times.

"The only thing Vinicius was missing was a goal," he told reporters. "It's true that he came off the pitch when he was feeling best and I could have waited a bit to replace him, but I understood that we needed fresh players to maintain control. Vinicius wanted to stay on because he was feeling good.

"Franco [Mastantuono] wanted to carry on playing too. He said to me, 'Are you taking me off?' And I said, 'Yes'. Something similar happened with Vini. He wasn't very happy, but neither was Franco. It happens to everyone, but I'm very happy with Vinicius's performance. The schedule is demanding and we have to keep going."

Incident could mark Vini Jr's Real Madrid future

MD's report adds the possibility that it all points to something much more significant. Vinicius is thought to have verbally agreed a new contract in principle with Real Madrid beyond his current deal that is due to expire in 2027, but it crucially remains unsigned. During negotiations, the player is said to have been asking for more money than the club is willing to offer, standing firm on their overall salary structure.

The plan for Vinicius is to wait and see, even to the point of not ruling out a free transfer in just under two years' time. That isn't something Real Madrid would not be willing to entertain – as it stands, he's valued at a monstrous €150 million (£131m/$175m), per . If it got to the summer of 2026 and still no signature is on the paperwork, Los Blancos would have to put him up for sale to ensure that a fee comes in. Whether being punished for his behaviour in El Clasico would make Vinicius less inclined to sign the proposed contract on the table remains to be seen.

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Getty ImagesVini Jr left needing to prove himself

Even though he is undoubtedly one of the best players in the world, Vinicius has reached a point where he needs to prove himself over the next few months. If the Brazilian was a credible contender for the Ballon d'Or off the back of 2023-24, he failed to reach those same standards last season and is still falling short of his previous best in the early weeks of 2025-26. Through 10 La Liga appearances, he has nine combined goals and assists, but they were squeezed into only six games and therefore he is lacking consistency. In the Champions League, meanwhile, he's still waiting for a goal involvement this season.

Alonso has shown his preference for rotation, trying to keep players fresher to win across multiple competitions. But if someone like Rodrygo has been more accepting of that, getting his head down and carrying on even if frustrated on the inside, Vinicius is having a harder time with it.

The worrying thing for the player himself is that Luis Enrique has proven at Paris Saint-Germain that great success can be had by dispensing with big egos and building a squad more focused on the collective than individuals.

Brandon King, Kevlon Anderson and Johann Layne have earned maiden call-ups to the West Indies Test squad

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Jun-2025There was no place for Kemar Roach in West Indies’ squad for the upcoming home Test series against Australia, although the hosts have strengthened their batting by bringing back Shai Hope and John Campbell. They have also given a maiden call-up to Brandon King and Kevlon Anderson, while the fast-bowling attack has a new face in Johann Layne. Anderson Phillip has been retained.The third and final Test of the series in Jamaica, which kicks off the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for both teams, will also be a day-night Test. It will be the third day-night Test in the West Indies and the second at Sabina Park.Roach played West Indies’ last Test, in Pakistan, where he picked up two wickets in a 120-run win that squared the series. Only four wickets fell to quick bowlers in that game in Multan. Roach was in decent form in the Test series in Bangladesh prior to that, picking up nine wickets in two games. He has since played in the first-class West Indies Championship for Barbados and, more recently, for Surrey in the County Championship.WI vs Australia schedule

June 25-29 – 1st Test in Barbados
July 3-7 – 2nd Test in Grenada
July 12-16 – 3rd Test in Jamaica (day-night)

“Despite being under consideration, veteran pacer Kemar Roach has not been included and has been duly informed,” Cricket West Indies (CWI) said about the 36-year-old in a press statement.Layne, a 21-year-old fast-bowling allrounder from Barbados, came into the 16-man squad after picking up 63 first-class wickets in 17 matches. Trinidad & Tobago’s Phillip last played Test cricket in December 2022, the last of his two appearances, but was in the squad in Pakistan and has a five-wicket haul in the ongoing unofficial Test for West Indies A against South Africa A in Gros Islet.The lead spinners in the side are captain Roston Chase and vice-captain Jomel Warrican, while Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph are the main quicks.The batting suggests a fresh start for the team after they finished one off the bottom – Pakistan were last – in the nine-team WTC 2023-25 table with three wins in 13 games.

“Brandon King’s inclusion fits a role we have identified that needs special focus to take our team to those closer to the top of the rankings”Daren Sammy

Campbell is back as an opening option after last playing a Test in June 2022, having served an anti-doping violation in the interim period. He was in good touch at the WI Championship to finish as Jamaica’s top-scorer – and seventh-highest overall – with 517 runs from 11 innings. Campbell and Anderson scored three centuries apiece in the competition.Anderson was one of the stars of the tournament, scoring 573 runs in 11 innings to finish as the third-highest run-getter overall, and Guyana’s best. King, a white-ball star who has turned out for West Indies in 52 ODIs and 63 T20Is so far, played four WI Championship games for Jamaica, scoring 242 runs in eight innings.Hope, an experienced Test-match player with 38 Test caps and a batting average of 41.85, last played a game in November-December 2021.Related

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“I’m excited about the inclusion of young prospect Kevlon Anderson, who comes in after solid seasons in our domestic competitions to help provide stability in the top order, while the return of Shai Hope is welcomed given his consistency in white ball cricket.” head coach Daren Sammy said in a statement. “Brandon King’s inclusion fits a role we have identified that needs special focus to take our team to those closer to the top of the rankings.”We analysed what the top teams in the world are doing and what is needed for us to bridge the gap. We have identified a direction, along with the group of players and resources to give us the best advantage as we seek to take the team up ladder and challenge the best in the world.”Former captain Kraigg Brathwaite, Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach and Mikyle Louis make up the rest of the squad, adding heft and experience. Joshua Da Silva, Alick Athanaze, Amir Jangoo, Kavem Hodge, Gudakesh Motie and Kevin Sinclair are the players to have been dropped from the squad that played in Pakistan. Da Silva, the wicketkeeper-batter, has been ignored despite finishing the WI Championship as it’s second-highest scorer (583 runs in ten innings), while another senior cricketer, Jason Mohammed, was overlooked despite topping that table with 679 runs in ten innings, inclusive of four centuries. Mohammed, 38, has never played Test cricket.Kemar Roach, 36, has been left out of the Test squad in favour of younger fast bowlers•AFP/Getty Images”The start of the [WTC cycle] is critical to building positive momentum as we strive to work our way up the rankings. Beginning with a strong showing against a team like Australia would be ideal in our quest to bring West Indies back to the helm of Test Cricket”, CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe said. “It was imperative that we sought to put a squad together that was well equipped, in both and the batting and bowling departments, to manage the ebbs and flows of this format of the game, while possessing the ability to apply pressure in key phases, through disciplined, purposeful play.”Sammy, asking for patience from fans towards the players and the team, promised exciting cricket in the series.”I am truly looking forward to this series because we want to start off strongly and make our home turf a fortress during this cycle, while having our passionate and proud fans behind us,” he said. “The matches will be challenging but I believe in this core of players, and they are eager to wear the maroon and make our fans happy.”West Indies squad for Test series against AustraliaRoston Chase (capt), Jomel Warrican (vice-capt), Kevlon Anderson, Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Mikyle Louis, Anderson Phillip, Jayden Seales

Bayern Munich’s plan to welcome back Jerome Boateng as an intern under Vincent Kompany has collapsed amid fan outrage over the former defender’s past conviction. The ex-German international, who had hoped to begin his coaching journey at the club where he won everything, has now stepped back, urging focus on Bayern’s success while he turns toward his A-license studies.

Bayern’s plan with Boateng and the fallout

Bayern had intended to bring Boateng back home in a mentorship role under Kompany. The plan was simple but symbolic as the 2014 World Cup winner, who spent a decade in Munich winning nine Bundesliga titles and two Champions Leagues, would begin his post-playing career where it all began, learning the ropes of management.

The club had approved the short internship as part of Boateng’s A-license certification, giving him hands-on experience with one of Europe’s top technical setups. Kompany, who shared a dressing room with Boateng at Manchester City, was said to be enthusiastic about having him join the staff in a developmental capacity.

However, what began as a low-key initiative quickly turned into a storm. Bayern fans launched protests, both online and at the Allianz Arena, condemning the decision and citing Boateng’s 2024 conviction for intentional bodily harm. Supporters unfurled banners reading: “No place for violence at Bayern,” and a petition titled: “Set boundaries against misogynistic violence” gained thousands of signatures within days. The growing backlash led Boateng and Bayern to jointly decide to cancel the arrangement.

AdvertisementAFPBoateng speaks out after fan's protest

For Boateng, the internship cancellation was a painful but calculated decision. The former Bayern centre-back, who had initially expressed joy at returning to Sabener Strasse, admitted that the controversy took a toll on him. Yet, in his words, his focus remains on rebuilding and contributing to football from another angle. 

In a message on Instagram, the defender announced: “After the recent discussions surrounding me, I’ve decided to focus on my topics – the A license, RYZR, and Arena2. That’s where my focus is right now, and your full focus should be solely on the pitch and the goal of continuing this impressive streak of 13 consecutive victories.”

Bayern echoed his sentiment in a statement on social media. The statement from the club said: “In a constructive exchange that FC Bayern and Jérôme Boateng had this week, it was decided that Jérôme Boateng will not be an intern at FC Bayern. Jérôme feels very connected to FC Bayern and does not want FC Bayern to suffer any damage due to the current controversial discussion surrounding him.”

The withdrawal helped defuse rising tensions with supporters, ensuring that the club’s image and fan unity remained intact. Yet the episode also reignited debate about rehabilitation in football and how former players with legal histories can rebuild their careers.

Boateng's legal saga and it's impact

The uproar around Boateng’s return stems from a six-year legal saga that shadowed the twilight of his playing career. The case dated back to July 2018, when Boateng was accused of assaulting his former partner, Sherin Senler, during a vacation in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Boateng consistently denied the allegations, but the case went through multiple appeals and retrials. In September 2021, a Munich court initially fined him €1.8 million, later reduced to €1.2 million after appeal. In July 2024, the final verdict imposed a suspended fine of €200,000 and ordered him to donate €100,000 to charity, though no criminal record was issued. The court emphasised protecting the couple’s daughters, calling them “the real victims” of the prolonged legal dispute.

While the case ended without jail time, its reputational impact was immense. The controversy affected Boateng’s final playing years, limiting his club prospects. After leaving Bayern in 2021, he had brief stints in France and Italy before retiring in 2025, closing a glittering chapter that included over 300 appearances, nine Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokals and two Champions League crowns.

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Getty Images SportWhat’s next for Boateng and Bayern?

Although the internship has been shelved, the Bavarians made it clear that the door to the club remains symbolically open. The management and Kompany personally thanked Boateng for his understanding, emphasising that his contributions to the club’s legacy would always be remembered.

Sources close to Bayern indicated that the original plan was for Boateng to shadow the coaching staff through early 2026, but fan sentiment made the move untenable. Kompany, meanwhile, has publicly supported the decision while urging focus on the team’s ongoing campaign.

Boateng, for his part, has pivoted his energy toward the next chapter, completing his UEFA A coaching license, expanding his athlete recovery company RYZR, and developing Arena2, a project focused on community-based sports performance.

Aston Villa will look to conduct some smart business in January as they bid to rise up the Premier League table and could now turn to an exciting attacker who is making waves in South America.

Aston Villa embroiled in Maccabi Tel Aviv fan controversy

The Villans have been in the headlines over the last few days through no fault of their own, amid controversy surrounding West Midlands Police’s refusal to let Maccabi Tel Aviv fans attend Villa Park, alongside advice on the same lines from multi-agency forum The Safety Advisory Group.

High-profile figures such as Keir Starmer have called for the decision to be revoked before the Europa League clash, which has come as a surprise, given Prime Ministers don’t usually interfere with decisions made by senior authorities relating to football match attendance.

Whether the away fan ban gets overturned or not remains to be seen. Ultimately, Aston Villa are merely stuck in the middle of an unfortunate situation and won’t necessarily have the deciding say on this matter, albeit it has become global news.

Back to footballing matters, John McGinn is close to signing a new deal in the West Midlands, while they could also make an approach for Galatasaray star Wilfried Singo in January.

Unai Emery has managed to recover his side from an uninspiring start to the campaign, and there is a feeling they will kick on over the next few weeks, albeit he will be the first to admit his squad needs serious surgery in 2026.

With that in mind, the Villans have now made an approach to sign one of South America’s most exciting talents, who is garnering worldwide attention.

Aston Villa make Rayan enquiry

According to NTVASCAINOS, Aston Villa have made an enquiry to sign Vasco da Gama attacker Rayan, who has also shot onto the radar of Tottenham and Newcastle due to his goalscoring exploits in South America.

Villa are said to have contacted members of Vasco’s coaching staff about his prospects of a Brazil call-up from Carlo Ancelotti too, so it is clear just how highly they rate Rayan.

Predominantly used as a right-winger, the Brazil Under-20 international has registered 15 strikes and an assist in 45 appearances across all competitions this term, though he is also capable of featuring on the left flank or as a central striker.

Aston Villa's "driving force" is looking like another Milner-type player

Unai Emery could now have a new James Milner-type player at Aston Villa in this consistent star.

ByKelan Sarson Oct 16, 2025

Likely to be a long-term investment, Rayan is set to be out of contract in his homeland at the end of December 2026, potentially offering the Villans a route to land him for an affordable fee over the next few months.

Reported to be keen on a Premier League move, the 19-year-old appears to have no shortage of interest in his services, and it will be intriguing to see if Emery can tempt him to pitch up at Villa Park.

Rayan is a highly-sought after talent, and recently became the youngest Vasco player to reach 10 Brazilian top flight goals since Dinamite in 1973, breaking a 52-year record in the process.

His manager, Fernando Diniz, said the teenager has “enormous game-changing ability” and players of his attacking prowess are “very rare”.

Match edging towards a draw after rain and bad light at Durham

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 24-Jun-2025Debutant Gurinder Sandhu starred for Sussex on day three of their Rothesay County Championship clash with Durham, but the match is edging towards a draw after a mix of rain and bad light caused play to end early at Banks Homes Riverside.Durham had a tough morning with Australian Sandhu (5 for 83) taking the role of chief tormentor, picking up a five-wicket haul on debut as Durham lost their final four wickets for 26 runs to leave them on 327, a first-innings deficit of 34.Durham bounced back through Matthew Potts after lunch to put Sussex under pressure at 27 for 3, but James Coles was once again a thorn in the home team’s side as he led a Sussex recovery with another fifty.After several disruptions because of rain and bad light across the afternoon, play finished early with Sussex on 111 for 4 at close, 145 runs ahead.Resuming on 249 for 5, it was Graham Clark and Bas de Leede’s job to get Durham quick runs and whittle down the 112 deficit as soon as possible.Durham’s top run scorer Clark continued his fine form as he reached fifty from 89 balls, but Sussex bowlers Ollie Robinson and Sandhu restricted run-making opportunities with a new ball, which was taken just prior to close on day two.Robinson got the breakthrough for Sussex removing Clark for 51 as the Durham man attempted to pull a short ball, but he got an edge through to John Simpson behind the stumps.George Drissell came to the crease as Jofra Archer began his first spell of the day, but he and de Leede managed to negate a four-over burst successfully.Durham broke the Sussex shackles as de Leede pulled back-to-back Sandhu balls to the boundary, but the Australian bounced back as Drissell pulled a short one straight to Fynn Hudson-Prentice who was running in from the boundary, which left Durham seven down.Things went from bad to worse for Durham as Sandhu got his fourth, removing Ben Raine for 10 as he chipped one straight to Tom Clark at cover. Then Potts didn’t last long as he edged a Robinson delivery behind to Simpson for 2.Sussex then wrapped up the Durham first innings as Sandhu picked up the final wicket, with Sam Conners caught behind for 7.Sussex’s second innings got off to a bad start as Potts struck without a run on the board, with the England man getting Daniel Hughes for a two-ball duck as he chopped on to his off-stump.Durham got the Kookaburra ball talking as Ben Raine got Tom Clark for 10, with the Sussex No. 3 edging behind to Ollie Robinson behind the stumps. Potts then got his second, bowling Tom Haines for 12 to leave Sussex in trouble.First innings centurion Coles and Danial Ibrahim soaked up some pressure as the task for Sussex changed from quick runs to survival.Two rain delays either side of seven deliveries from Conners and de Leede delayed Durham’s hunt for wickets, with an early tea taken.Coles, who batted so well on day one, flicked a Conners delivery off his legs for four and he followed that with a nice shot through the third region off the bowling of de Leede.He then pulled a Conners delivery to the boundary, which continued his excellent match, but there was yet another interruption as the players went off for bad light, which preceded more rain.Coles resumed after a third delay with a crunching straight drive off Drissell, and he passed fifty for the second time in the match, this time from 65 balls.The 21-year-old then lost his wicket as Raine bowled him for 53, but the players were off for bad light soon after and when the rain started again, play ended prematurely, with the game drifting towards a draw.

Jude Bellingham has been recalled by England for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. The Real Madrid superstar was left out of Thomas Tuchel's selection in October, amid questions of his character, but has been drafted back into the Three Lions fold for November internationals. Phil Foden has also been selected, while there is a shock first call-up for Alex Scott.

Why Bellingham has been recalled by England

Having undergone surgery on a long-standing shoulder complaint over the summer, no risks were taken on Bellingham’s fitness when the last England squad was named. He had limited game time under his belt with Real after returning to action. Questions were, however, asked of why Tuchel was prepared to overlook a talismanic part of his plans during an ongoing countdown to the 2026 World Cup.

Tickets to that event have been safely secured, with the Three Lions making faultless progress through their group, and Bellingham will now be given another chance to add to his tally of 43 caps. Manchester City playmaker Foden will add further creativity to Tuchel’s ranks, while Bournemouth midfielder Scott is looking to make his senior bow.

AdvertisementGettyEngland squad in full

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle United)

Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Who has been selected by England?

Bournemouth star Scott has previously taken in 11 appearances for England’s U21 side, helping them to European Championship glory in 2025. His fine form at club level has been rewarded, as the Cherries sit fifth in the Premier League table.

Barcelona loanee Marcus Rashford is included once again, as he rekindles a lost spark away from parent club Manchester United, while captain Harry Kane – with 76 goals to his name – continues to close in on Peter Shilton’s record haul of 125 caps.

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is welcomed back into the fold and there is another opportunity for Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope to prove his worth having made the Three Lions’ World Cup squad in 2022.

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GettyWho has been left out by England?

With Scott and Wharton being included, Nottingham Forest No.10 Morgan Gibbs-White is among those to drop out. He has found the going tough at the start of the 2025-26 season and is being freed to focus on rediscovering peak form at club level.

Everton loan star Jack Grealish has failed to make the cut again despite enjoying a positive start to life on Merseyside after bidding farewell to Manchester City.

Bayern Munich talisman Kane is the only recognised No.9 to be called upon, meaning that the likes of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and Al-Ahli frontman Ivan Toney miss out.

In an attempt to get fans back onside, the 49ers recently shared a key data comparison in defence of one of their summer signings at Rangers – comparing him to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Cavenagh backs Thelwell and Stewart

After missing out on Steven Gerrard and Kevin Muscat before eventually landing on Danny Rohl, Rangers chiefs Andrew Cavenagh, Kevin Thelwell and Patrick Stewart all met with fans to discuss the 49ers’ plans with the Gers going forward.

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The new owners have been met with plenty of criticism in recent weeks, with banners unveiled at Ibrox and the likes of Thelwell finding themselves at the centre of fan frustration following what looks like a disastrous summer transfer window. Now, however, the 49ers have had their chance to have their say and face up to a disgruntled crowd.

Hosting a fan session in an attempt to get supporters back onside, Cavenagh reiterated his backing for both Thelwell and Stewart even after recent mistakes.

The words are certainly positive, but those at Ibrox will now want to see action. They will be desperate to see new manager Rohl get off to the perfect start against Brann this Thursday and for one attacking talent to prove the 49ers right once and for all in Scotland.

Rangers compare Chermiti to Calvert-Lewin

Whilst they were quick to admit a number of mistakes, the 49ers also launched a defence for Youssef Chermiti. The summer arrival cost as much as £10m on deadline day, but is yet to score a goal for the club or show any signs of making his mark at Rangers.

The 49ers still back their striker, however, and even went as far as to compare him to former Everton star and current Leeds United forward Calvert-Lewin in their recent fan meeting, revealing the 6 foot 4 youngster is a physical specimen.

It’s a bold comparison but one that the 49ers have made based on physical data. Whether Chermiti proves them right is now the big question. At his very best, Calvert-Lewin scored 21 goals in all competitions for Everton in the 2020/21 season, but Rangers’ owners believe that their new striker could be better than that based on the data they’ve seen.