Kyle Schwarber, Phillies Agree to Massive Deal, Keeping Slugger in Philadelphia

The MLB Winter Meetings are off and running in Orlando, Fl. this week, and one of the many proverbial shoes set to drop did exactly that on Tuesday morning.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Kyle Schwarber and the Phillies are finalizing a five-year, $150 million deal that will keep the slugger in Philadelphia for the foreseeable future. The 32-year-old had hit free agency and was testing his market after spending the last four seasons with the Phillies.

MORE: The Six Biggest Questions Entering MLB Winter Meetings

The Phillies fended off pushes from the Mets, Red Sox, Orioles, Pirates and Reds—who also attempted to sign Schwarber—in order to keep their glue guy in the clubhouse, according to Passan.

Schwarber is a three-time All-Star, a one-time Silver Slugger Award winner, helped the Cubs win a World Series in 2016, and this past season with the Phillies, led the National League in home runs with 56 and the entire MLB in RBI with 132.

Philadelphia is looking to win a third-consecutive NL East title in 2026, and now officially has its designated hitter back to help them do so.

Torcedores detonam atuação de meia do São Paulo: 'Comum da bola'

MatériaMais Notícias

A torcida do São Paulo ficou na bronca com Galoppo durante a partida contra o Barcelona, pela quinta rodada da fase de grupos da Libertadores.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasSão PauloSão Paulo decepciona e apenas empata com o Barcelona-EQU na LibertadoresSão Paulo16/05/2024GrêmioGrêmio retoma atividades em São Paulo após viagem de barco e deslocamento na madrugadaGrêmio16/05/2024São PauloEntenda como Zubeldía ganhou o elenco do São Paulo fazendo o oposto de Carpini São Paulo16/05/2024

➡️ Vai dar Brasil? Aposte no Lance! Betting e fature com a Copa América

Zubeldía decidiu preservar Bobadilla, autor do primeiro gol do São Paulo contra o Fluminense, e escalou Galoppo como segundo volante na Libertadores. O meia argentino teve chance de abrir o placar no segundo tempo, mas cabeceou nas mãos do goleiro.

➡️ Siga o Lance! São Paulo no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Tricolor

Diante do Barcelona-EQU, Galoppo completou 50 jogos pelo São Paulo. O Tricolor pagou cerca de R$ 22 milhões ao Banfield, e o argentino soma um gol e duas assistências pelo clube.

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✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
SÃO PAULO X BARCELONA-EQU
LIBERTADORES – 5ª RODADA – FASE DE GRUPOS

🗓️Data e horário:quinta-feira, 16 de maio de 2024, às 21h (de Brasília)
📍Local:Morumbis, em São Paulo (SP)
Gols: ESPN e Star+
🟨Árbitro:Kevin Ortega
🚩Assistentes:Stephen Atoche e Jesús Sánchez

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários de todos os jogos do Brasileirão

⚽ ESCALAÇÕES

SÃO PAULO (Técnico: Luis Zubeldía)
Rafael; Igor Vinicius, Arboleda, Alan Franco e Welington; Alisson, Galoppo e Michel Araújo; Ferreirinha, Luciano e André Silva.

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BARCELONA-EQU (Técnico: Ariel Holan)
Javier Burrai; Alex Rangel, Nicolás Ramírez, Luca Sosa e Anibal Chalá; Leonai, Gaibor e Damián Díaz; Joao Rojas, Preciado e Corozo.

Tudo sobre

LibertadoresSão PauloStar +STARPLUS

Leeds move striker up their shortlist after red-hot breakout in the last few weeks

Leeds United have made a major decision in their pursuit of AZ Alkmaar and Republic of Ireland striker Troy Parrott.

Parrott has made himself a national hero in Ireland in recent weeks, producing plenty of goalscoring heroics in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, scoring five times in two matches.

The 23-year-old scored the vital winner away to Hungary that booked his country’s place in the playoffs next years, with Ray Houghton waxing lyrical about his impact.

“In moments like that you are trying to find the right words to actually put across your feelings. As an ex-player, you know what’s at stake, you know what they’ve been through, you know that when you go through hard times you want to remember the good times even more, and it means so much to you.

“I understood it, that Troy was a young lad who came through and was going to be a sensational talent, went to Spurs as a kid, made his debut when he was 17 and had so much ahead of him, but it didn’t quite go the way everyone anticipated. He had to reinvent himself as a player, so to see the joy he had playing for his country and doing what he did, hopefully it will inspire the next generation of players.

Leeds have been linked with a move for Parrott, looking to bring him back to England, and there has now been a development regarding the situation.

Troy Parrott now moving up Leeds striker shortlist

According to a new report from talkSPORT‘s Alex Crook, Leeds now have Parrott “high on their list” of attacking options. Both the Whites and Wolves are “among the clubs” keen on snapping him up in 2026, with his current club demanding as much as £20m for his signature.

Parrott is the man of the moment, with his stock never higher in his career to date, and he could be a strong signing for Leeds, whether it be in the January transfer window or next summer.

Whites supporters will no doubt hope that it is the former, in order for the Irishman to help Daniel Farke’s side avoid relegation from the Premier League back to the Championship.

Parrott is far from a flash in the pan, having been highly-rated as a youngster and Tottenham, and being lauded by Alkaar head coach Maarten Martens.

Leeds in one of the biggest transfer battles of all time for England midfielder

He could add so much quality and bite to the midfield.

ByHenry Jackson Nov 25, 2025

There is likely to be a battle for Parrott’s signature among Premier League clubs, but if Leeds can come out on top, it could prove to be an inspired piece of business, especially given the striker’s age.

Perfect for Parrott: Leeds could sack Farke for "world-class" 4-3-3 manager

Pakistan overcome late scare to go 1-0 up in ODI series

Naseem and Abrar picked up three wickets, while Rizwan and Agha struck fifties as Pakistan got over the line by two wickets in a tense finish

Danyal Rasool04-Nov-2025Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed inflicted a late collapse on South Africa to bowl them out for an under-par 263 in the opening ODI in Faisalabad.On a dry, flat batting surface, it allowed Pakistan to control the tempo of the chase, one in which they further tightened their grip with an 87-run opening stand in the first 15 overs. South Africa battled hard through the middle overs to drag the hosts back, but Mohammad Rizwan, freshly stripped of the ODI captaincy, shepherded his side calmly through the middle overs with 55, while Salman Agha chipped in with a half-century of his own.But it wasn’t without a dramatic late stumble that almost derailed Pakistan right at the death, needing a late Mohammad Nawaz six to see Pakistan through to a final-over two-wicket win that should have been more comfortable than it ultimately was.Pakistan appeared to have complicated a chase that – at the outset – looked especially straightforward. With 12 overs to go, Pakistan needed just 69 with seven wickets in hand and their two most reliable batters, Rizwan and Agha, having compiled a 91-run partnership. But Corbin Bosch, Pakistan’s tormentor-in-chief this series, struck when Rizwan flicked straight to deep backward square, and Pakistan suddenly began to find run-scoring hard.Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan added 91 together•Associated PressHowever, they retained wickets as Hussain Talat and Agha kept counting the runs down, albeit a little more conservatively than Pakistan might have wished. The upshot, however, was a run-a-ball 45-run stand that took Pakistan to less than 30 runs away from a series lead. But when Talat misjudged a slower ball and looped one to mid-off, George Linde took a stunning catch diving forward, and threw the ball and the game back up into jeopardy.Linde would come back into the attack, ball turning square by this stage, and send back Hasan Nawaz, who saw fit to come down the crease against the turning ball and attempt a straight slog, already halfway down the crease when he was stumped. Pakistan’s plight became even drearier when, 12 runs shy, Agha holed out to Donovan Ferreira, who covered a huge chunk of the Iqbal Stadium before taking a catch that dismissed Pakistan’s anchor.With the equation suddenly ten in seven, it was thanks to a straight hit from Nawaz down the ground of the final ball of the 49th that brought the game irrevocably in Pakistan’s control. There was time enough for Nawaz to be dismissed with the scores level, with Pakistan limping over the finish line – quite literally – when one thudded into Naseem’s pads as they scuttled through for a legbye. It seemed an apt metaphor for the ultimate unconvincing manner of Pakistan’s win.It needed to be nothing like that, especially with Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub batting. The duo matched South Africa’s opening pair in the venom of their opening stand, finding boundaries and sixes in the first 15 that took them to well beyond the required rate. It was only a half-hour of pressure from South Africa’s spinners, Bjorn Fortuin and Ferreira, that turned a cakewalk into a contest.On ODI debut, Donovan Ferreira dismissed both Pakistan openers•Associated PressFerriera struck first with an arm ball that skidded into Ayub as he shaped for a cut. He would double up two overs later as Fakhar mistimed a slog that found long-on before Fortuin struck the dagger into Faisalabad’s hearts. With Babar Azam crawling along to 7, he got one to skid along the angle and trap him plumb in front, both bowler and batter barely waiting for the umpire’s decision.But Pakistan’s stalwarts of late salvaged the situation and steered Pakistan back on course. In their slightly humdrum yet dependable way, Rizwan and Agha kept turning the strike over and taking Pakistan closer to South Africa’s total. Most crucially, they avoided the fate of South Africa in the middle overs, denying the visitors the constant flurry of wickets that had characterised the first innings and hamstrung South Africa.This series has seen six captains across the two sides, and yet, it has been the home skipper who has won the toss each time. After winning their sixth on the trot, Pakistan elected to chase. Through the debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius and the returning Quinton de Kock, the visitors may have given Pakistan reason to regret that decision with a near-flawless start.They took on Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem early and refused to let the spin of Agha or Abrar settle either. Pretorius, who took much of the early impetus, danced down the ground to drive Agha over cover in the innings’ eighth over, while de Kock smashed Abrar over long-off to bring up the 50-run stand.By the end of his first three overs, Agha had leaked 30, and Shaheen was forced to turn to Ayub, and that is where Pakistan began to regain some control. South Africa continued to tick along at a fair clip as Pretorius completed a 48-ball 50, but Pakistan starved him of the strike for the next few overs. Even so, South Africa had got to 98 in the 16th over before Pretorius tried to carve Ayub through the offside, only for Nawaz to complete a sharp catch diving to his weaker right side.For the moment, though, South Africa were not to be slowed down by one bump. Tony de Zorzi made his intentions clear by creaming Nawaz over the top for a six so huge it flew out of Iqbal Stadium and required a replacement ball. De Kock was milking the spinners and getting a boundary away each over, with one through short fine off Ayub, bringing up his own half-century in his comeback ODI.Abrar Ahmed came back well in his later spells•Getty ImagesThe reintroduction of Naseem would serve as the first real break on South Africa’s careening sled. He’d copped 19 in his first three, but coming around the wicket to the two left-handers, he conceded just one in his return over, and when Ayub kept things tight at the other end, Naseem struck in the following over.It was the free-flowing de Kock who, cramped for room from the angle, chipped onto the stumps as he tried to guide the ball fine. Ayub struck six balls later to extinguish de Zorzi’s innings in its embryonic stages, and the momentum began to shift.South Africa lacked batting heft lower down the order. Sinethemba Qeshile’s back-to-back boundaries off Shaheen broke the shackles, while captain Matthew Breetzke walloped Abrar for a six and a four as South Africa attempted a relaunch. But Nawaz induced a top edge from Qeshile off the first ball of the next over, and from thereon Pakistan began to punch their way through a brittle South Africa.It was the first of five wickets to fall within 37 runs as Pakistan gutted their way through South Africa. Abrar got rid of Breetzke and trapped Fortuin first ball, almost believing he had a hat-trick when the umpire raised his finger for his third delivery in a row, but on that occasion, an inside edge denied him the honour.Bosch shielded Ngidi from the strike and put on a valuable 41 runs at the very end, but the resigned disappointment on South African faces at the ultimate score they’d posted told the real story. Four hours later, it was clear how just a few more runs might have made all the difference.

One of "Newcastle's best signings" under Howe is now on borrowed time

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will be chewing on his pencil over the November international break as he works toward solutions that are so badly needed.

Fortunes have gone somewhat askew at St. James’ Park this season, with the club’s away form laying waste to Howe’s hopes of progress after a testing summer transfer window.

But it may be that the ramifications of that Alexander Isak-dominated summer are still being felt. However, tactically, things aren’t right, and the wider struggle of the summer market has led to the current issues which must be overcome if the Magpies hope to make it another positive campaign.

Where PIF have gone wrong in the transfer window

Newcastle have fallen by the wayside, but it’s hardly too late for them to pick themselves back up. But there’s no question that PIF have to learn from their recent transfer struggles, with those brilliant windows of Howe’s early reign something of a distant memory.

In 2024, Newcastle failed to sign a right-sided forward, a glaring gap in the squad. That has now been amended through the £55m addition of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, but Elanga has blanked across 16 matches for the club, and with concerns over his form, questions must be raised over the extensive scouting that led to his signature being obtained.

Interestingly, Nick Woltemade’s fine form at centre-forward has eased the Isak blow, and before the season, that would have been viewed as the biggest issue. Newcastle’s attacking problems stretch more toward the creative side, with Anthony Gordon joining Elanga in having failed to register a goal contribution in the Premier League this season.

For a team whose 97 big chances created were bettered only by Liverpool in 2023/24, this is a real concern. This year, United have only created 14 from 11 matches, placing them 12th for that statistic. Gordon and Elanga must be doing a lot more, with the recruitment having felt they had hit the jackpot when shaping this wide duo.

While Newcastle have added exciting talents to their ranks this summer, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey among those with plenty of scope for growth, this is frankly an ageing squad and one whose freshen-up needs to go a lot further.

Tactical issues this season have been suggestive of this, and considering the company Newcastle are keeping in regard to the average age of their starting 11, it wouldn’t be unfair to suggest that younger profiles are needed for balance and continuity.

Everton

13th

28.0

Aston Villa

6th

27.9

Newcastle

14th

27.6

Fulham

15th

27.6

Burnley

17th

27.1

The need for depth and quality on the defensive flanks is alarming. Kieran Trippier at right-back is 35 years old and out of contract at the end of the season, and Tino Livramento has been unfit at times and deployed as a makeshift left-back at others.

This is largely because of Lewis Hall’s own unavailability this season. But with the 22-year-old drawing strength and fitness once again, we are turned toward the situation of one of Howe’s mainstays.

The Newcastle star now on borrowed time

Newcastle comprise players of myriads shapes and sizes and skills. Some are renowned as being among the best in the world, but some are of a shrewder nature, like Dan Burn, who returned home from Brighton for around £12m at the start of the manager’s reign and has since become one of his mainstays.

After all, it is only the skipper, Bruno Guimaraes, who has featured more prominently for Howe’s Newcastle than him.

1

Bruno Guimaraes

170

2

Dan Burn

165

3

Fabian Schar

163

4

Jacob Murphy

150

5

Joelinton

145

The 32-year-old has done more than endear himself to the Toon fanbase since arriving, but he’s getting on a bit and has been guilty of some suspect performances at left-back this season.

Naturally a central defender, Burn ranks against Premier League full-backs this term among the bottom 6% for shot-creating actions, the bottom 29% for progressive passes and the bottom 4% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

In the first five matches of the season, he was in the centre. Six appearances since have seen the England international deployed as a left-back, and this is inhibiting Newcastle’s flow and overarching connectivity.

Quite simply, Burn is not a natural left-back, even though he has played ample football in the moonlit role. He is a centre-back. 6 foot 6 and cool and composed.

Hall is far more dynamic and energetic in his role, and this will not only widen and add a dimension to Newcastle’s backline, but it could revive the likes of Gordon up ahead.

The boy from Blyth has been a revelation at Newcastle, and, pound for pound, “one of Newcastle’s best signings” since Howe arrived, as has been said by reporter Andy Sixsmith. A small fee and an immortalising contribution at Wembley last season have made sure of that.

But Howe will be putting a spoke in his own wheel if he continues to persist with Burn on the flank, limiting his side’s progression and mobility and dynamism at the back.

With this in mind, the modern legend might find himself slipping into his obscurity over the coming months, and perhaps that will lead to a departure to make way for this new chapter on Tyneside.

Newcastle must regret signing £100k-per-week flop who's cost £3.2m per game

Newcastle United must already rue signing this expensive flop, who is draining them dry.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 13, 2025

Max Fried Becomes Emotional After Potential Final Start With Braves

The Atlanta Braves' season is over following the club's 5-4 loss to the San Diego Padres in the wild-card series on Wednesday—and the defeat could spell the end of starting pitcher Max Fried's tenure with the team.

Fried, a free agent this offseason, became emotional when he was asked what it has meant to him to wear the Braves uniform following the club's playoff elimination.

"To me … It means everything," Fried said, according to Zach Klein of WSB-TV. "It's the organization that traded for me and gave me an opportunity to come to the big leagues and be an established big league player."

"Everyone, from my teammates here day-in, day-out, coaching staff, front office, organization, fans, city … Obviously, don't know what's going to happen. But I've absolutely loved every minute of it and hope there are many more."

If Wednesday was indeed Fried's final start as a member of the Braves, it was a cruel ending. The southpaw lasted just two innings, surrendering eight hits and five earned runs in the loss. In the bottom of the first inning, Fried was hit in the hip by a line drive off the bat of Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.

During the game, Braves manager Brian Snitker told the ESPN broadcast that Fried's hip was bothering him and that the injury factored into the decision to go to the bullpen early.

As poorly as Fried's outing went, it can certainly be argued that the Braves don't even get into the postseason without his eight-inning gem against the Kansas City Royals this past Friday in what may have been his final start at Truist Park.

But it will be difficult for Fried—and Braves fans to deal with an injury and an early exit representing some of the last memories of his tenure with Atlanta.

Fried, who will turn 31 in January, pitched to an 11-10 record with a 3.25 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 174 1/3 innings in 2024. He told reporters at the All-Star Game that he'd "love" to remain in Atlanta. But given the way he pitched in '24, it's fair to expect the Braves to have competition in retaining his services.

Completo, Palmeiras finaliza preparação para encarar o Grêmio

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras treinou na manhã desta quarta-feira (20), na Academia de Futebol, e finalizou a preparação para encarar o Grêmio, nesta quinta-feira (21), em Porto Alegre.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras demonstra interesse em contratar Bruno Henrique, do FlamengoPalmeiras20/09/2023PalmeirasCom Barros, Palmeiras planeja 2024 sem mudanças na estrutura do departamento de futebolPalmeiras20/09/2023PalmeirasRaphael Veiga reencontra vítima preferida com a camisa do PalmeirasPalmeiras20/09/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Abel Ferreira comandou um treino técnico e tático e definiu o time titular que vai em busca dos três pontos para encostar no Botafogo na luta pela ponta da tabela do Brasileirão.

Luís Guilherme, recuperado de uma lesão na coxa, pode ser a grande novidade entre os relacionados para a viagem.

O provável Palmeiras para encarar o Grêmio é: Weverton, Marcos Rocha (Jhon Jhon), Gustavo Gómez, Murilo e Piquerez; Zé Rafael, Gabriel Menino e Raphael Veiga; Mayke, Rony e Artur.

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O Palmeiras não perde do Grêmio desde 2019 e contando somente confrontos na Arena do Grêmio, o Verdão não é derrotado na capital gaúcha desde 2016.

+ Como toda partida do Brasileirão, o jogo será muito disputado e os mercados da Lance! Betting estão a todo vapor. Confira!

A bola rola para Grêmio x Palmeiras a partir das 21h30 (horário de Brasília), com transmissão do Sportv e Premiere.

Spurs have signed an incredible "freak talent" who could be their new Bale

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

West Ham have found an "unstoppable" star who's shades of Dimi Payet

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

£1m+ Arsenal target has heart set on Man Utd move due to Sir Alex Ferguson

An Arsenal target now has his heart set on joining Manchester United, due to his deep respect for former manager Sir Alex Ferguson and the club’s traditions.

Man Utd's standards have slipped since Ferguson's retirement

Man United are well-known for their rich history and traditions, which included wearing suits when arriving ahead of matches, but Wayne Rooney has revealed that standards started to slip after Ferguson’s retirement back in 2013.

Rooney said: “I remember we went to the League Cup final and players were wearing the suits with big, bright yellow trainers and stuff like that.

“I remember we went to the League Cup final and players were wearing the suits with big, bright yellow trainers and stuff like that. I went to Mourinho and said, ‘Listen, I’ve spoken to the players and you need to have a word here and to keep the standards. We can’t have that going to Wembley into a cup final.’

“He’s like, ‘Yeah, yeah, I’ll speak to them’. And then as we came down to leave, I’ve seen Jose there and he’s got a zip-up top with no tie on. I was thinking, “What’s the point?”

With Rooney going on to reveal that players are allowed to wear whatever they want nowadays, one of United’s traditions has arguably been eroded, but that hasn’t stopped an up-and-coming star setting his sights on a move to Old Trafford.

According to a report from Caught Offside, Arsenal target Kirill Glebov, who currently plays for CSKA Moscow, has his heart set on joining Man Utd and dreams of a transfer, citing the Old Trafford atmosphere, the club’s traditions, and his deep respect for Ferguson as the key reasons.

Glebov is currently valued at just €1.5m (£1.3m), but the winger’s price tag could rise considerably if he continues his current form, having started the season very well, which has attracted the attention of the likes of Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Brighton.

Glebov could be future star for Man Utd

At this stage, United don’t appear to have a great deal of interest in the Russian, but there are indications he has plenty of potential, having made a flying start to the 2025-26 campaign for CSKA Moscow.

The 19-year-old already has four goals and two assists to his name in all competitions, which recently earned the teenager a first call-up to the Russian national side, making his debut in the 0-0 draw against Jordan last week.

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That said, Glebov is still at a very early stage of his career, and having strengthened their attack considerably in the summer, signing Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, Man United should now focus on bringing in a new central midfielder instead.

There is certainly no shortage of options on the shortlist, with Al Hilal’s Ruben Neves, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson all believed to be of interest.

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