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The Catalan club has been home to a whole host of iconic Samba stars down the years – but who stands out as the best?

Barcelona have signed a grand total of 29 Brazilian players over the last 35 years, with Vitor Roque the latest through the door in January 2024. The former Athletico Paranaense youngster only lasted one year in Catalunya, though, making just 14 La Liga appearances before the Blaugrana accepted a €25 million (£21m/$26m) offer for his services from Palmeiras in the winter transfer window.

Just like compatriots Philippe Coutinho, Malcom and Arthur Melo before him, Roque was unable to live up to expectations at one of the world's biggest clubs. Sonny Anderson, Fabio Rochemback and Geovanni also endured the same struggles at Barcelona, who have a mixed record when it comes to investment in Samba stars.

As such, it was relatively easy for GOAL to settle on the top 10 Brazilian's in the club's history. Ranking those players, however, was a far more daunting task, because most of them can be categorised as Barcelona legends.

In fact, the only man on the list who hasn't earned that status yet is Raphinha. That could change for the former Leeds United man by the end of May, though, because he is spearheading Barca's latest treble charge under Hansi Flick, and is currently the favourite to win the 2025 Ballon d'Or. The question is: who is Raphinha bidding to overtake in the Blaugrana history books?Check out our rankings below…

AFP10Adriano

Signed from Sevilla for just €9.5m in the summer of 2010, Adriano would prove to be one of the bargain buys of the century in his trophy-laden six-year stint at Camp Nou. He never really nailed down a starting role, but was an invaluable utility player who could operate as a full-back or winger on both sides of the pitch, in central midfield and even in the heart of defence when required. Adriano also had a penchant for popping up with important goals, including a brace in Barca's 4-0 Club World Cup final win over Sadd Sports Club in 2011.

World Cup winner Edmilson was also a contender for this No.10 slot, but we've given Adriano the nod because of his incredible versatility and superior honours list, with the former Sevilla man ending his time at Catalunya with four La Liga titles, two Champions League crowns and three Copas del Rey.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport9Sylvinho

All-action left-back Sylvinho made 128 appearances for Barca between 2004 and 2009 after being snapped up from Celta Vigo, racking up 17 goal contributions along the way. The former Arsenal star had a wand of a left foot and was a master at making overlapping runs, which made him a constant threat going forward, and his tactical awareness was second to none.

Sylvinho fell down the pecking order after Eric Abidal's arrival at Camp Nou, but he continued to give everything when called upon, and produced an outstanding performance to help keep Cristiano Ronaldo at bay in Barcelona's 2-0 Champions League final victory over Manchester United in 2009. That proved to be Sylvinho's final game for the La Liga giants, but he left with five major trophies to his name – a fine return from a player who cost just €2m.

Getty Images8Juliano Belletti

Juliano Belletti replaced Michael Reiziger as Barcelona's first-choice right-back after joining from Villarreal in May 2004, and quickly became a fan favourite because of his passion and forward-thinking style of play. Frank Rijkaard was rewarded for putting his faith in Belletti right from the off; he gave Barca natural width in attack and worked tirelessly out of possession as they stormed to back-to-back league titles.

Belletti is, however, most fondly remembered for scoring Barcelona's winning goal in the 2006 Champions League final against Arsenal. With just nine minutes left on the clock, he somehow managed to fire the ball through Manuel Almunia's legs from a tight angle after latching onto a pass from Henrik Larsson in the box. Remarkably, that was the only goal of Belletti's entire Barca career, but it forever cemented him a place in the club's Hall of Fame.

Getty Images7Raphinha

Raphinha scored two goals in his latest La Liga outing for Barca, including a stoppage-time penalty that gave Flick's side a vital 4-3 win against Celta Vigo. That took the 28-year-old past the half-century mark for goal contributions this term, a feat that has only been accomplished by three other Barcelona players – Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.

No one would have backed Raphinha to reach those heights after his underwhelming first two years at Barca, but Flick has unlocked his full potential since replacing Xavi as head coach last summer. Raphinha's quality in the final third has given Barca an edge in the most important matches, and he's also led by example with his efforts off the ball.

We may well have to push Raphinha into the top five if Barca complete a clean sweep of silverware; he's the best player in Europe right now, plain and simple.

حددت اللجنة المنظمة لـ بطولة كأس العالم لكرة اليد تحت 19 عامًا، الصالات المستضيفة للمسابقة العالمية والتي ستقام في مصر خلال الفترة المقبلة.

ومن المقرر أن تقام فعاليات بطولة العالم لكرة اليد خلال الفترة من 6 إلى 17 أغسطس المقبل. مجموعات بطولة العالم لكرة اليد تحت 19 عامًا

المجموعة الأولى: السويد – البرتغال – الكويت – النمسا.

المجموعة الثانية: المجر – سويسرا – المغرب – كوسوفو.

المجموعة الثالثة: صربيا – إسبانيا – كرواتيا – الجزائر.

المجموعة الرابعة: أيسلندا – البرازيل – غينيا – السعودية.

المجموعة الخامسة: ألمانيا – سلوفينيا – أوروجواي – جزر الفارو.

المجموعة السادسة: النرويج – فرنسا – الأرجنتين – المكسيك.

المجموعة السابعة: مصر – اليابان – كوريا الجنوبية – البحرين.

المجموعة الثامنة: الدنمارك – تونس – التشيك – أمريكا.

طالع | الزمالك يُعلن التعاقد مع بيجاد مروان لتدعيم فريق اليد

وحددت اللجنة المنظمة 4 صالات لاستضافة المباريات هي: الصالة الرئيسية بمجمع الصالات المغطاة باستاد القاهرة الدولي – صالة 2 بمجمع الصالات المغطاة باستاد القاهرة الدولي – صالة حسن مصطفى – صالة العاصمة الإدارية الجديدة.

تُقام مباريات المجموعتين الأولى والثانية على صالة حسن مصطفى بمدينة السادس من أكتوبر، ومباريات المجموعتين الثالثة والرابعة على صالة العاصمة الإدارية الجديدة، ومباريات المجموعتين الخامسة والسادسة على صالة 2 باستاد القاهرة، ومباريات المجموعتين السابعة والثامنة على الصالة الرئيسية باستاد القاهرة.

Under the management of Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur have become, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining teams to watch in European football.

The Australian’s philosophy and methods ensure that, whether at home or away, there will be a bucketload of goals when Spurs play.

However, to get the absolute most out of this style of football, the team needs a ground-covering monster in the middle of the park, someone ready to crunch into tackles and then progress the ball rapidly up the pitch, someone like Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo.

Fortunately, while they can’t go out and sign the Ecuadorian, the club have recently been linked to another exciting defensive midfielder who’s been compared to him.

Tottenham chase midfield monster

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Tottenham are one of several teams interested in signing Palmeiras star Richard Rios this month.

In fact, the report has revealed that the North Londoners have already seen an offer rejected by the Brazilian outfit but are still keen to bring him to N17, while the likes of Nottingham Forest and Everton are also pushing to land the Colombian international.

The report has revealed that the 24-year-old midfielder has a €100m release clause in his current contract, but it’s far more likely that a lower offer will eventually be accepted.

It could end up being a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line this month, but considering Rios’ ability, it’s one worth pursuing, especially as he’s been compared to the brilliant Caicedo.

How Rios compares to Caicedo

So, Spurs fans might not like him all that much – he is a Chelsea star, after all – but Rios being a primarily defensive midfielder and being compared to Caicedo is a tremendously encouraging sign, but where has this comparison come from?

Well, it primarily stems from FBref, which compared players in similar positions at last year’s Copa América, then created a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and, in this instance, concluded that the Ecuadorian was the most similar midfielder to the Colombian at the tournament.

We can better understand how this conclusion was reached by looking at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, progressive passes received, non-penalty expected goals, passing accuracy, passes into the penalty area, blocks, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.

Progressive Passes Received

3.00

3.00

Non-Penalty Expected Goals

0.06

0.04

Passing Accuracy

80.1%

80.0%

Passes into the Penalty Area

0.80

0.75

Blocks

2.00

2.25

Aerial Duels Won

0.40

0.50

However, it’s not just a comparison to the Blues’ midfield general that makes the Vegachí-born star such an appealing prospect, as his general underlying numbers from the last 365 days have also been brilliant.

For example, FBref has placed the “ball-carrying machine,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, in the top 2% of midfielders in the next best 14 competitions for tackles in the final third, the top 7% for dribblers challenged and take-ons attempted, the top 8% for total shots, top 10% for passes blocked, the top 11% for goals plus assists and more, all per 90.

On top of that, Mattinson also describes the dynamic ace as a “press-resistant” monster with an “engine which allows him to get up and down the pitch all game,” which makes him sound like the perfect addition to Postecoglou’s all-action side.

Ultimately, there are risks to signing a player from outside of Europe, but Rios looks like the real deal, and with comparisons to a star like Caicedo, Spurs should make sure they sign him before someone else gets there first.

Real Madrid want him: Spurs heading for Bale repeat with "future £100m" ace

Spurs cannot sell the incredible talent this month.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jan 14, 2025

Former South Africa captain wants the team to play their best attack, comprising five match-winning bowlers

Sruthi Ravindranath03-Dec-2022With South Africa still figuring out their best XI for the Test tour of Australia, former captain Graeme Smith believes they should stick to an “aggressive mindset” and play six batters and five bowlers.”I’d like to see South Africa back their six batters,” Smith told ESPNcricinfo. “I think there’s always that fear because the batting has been weak. They’ve always looked to play the extra batter. Maybe that can be a defensive mindset and not an aggressive mindset. I’d like to see them take an aggressive mindset.Related

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Kagiso Rabada hopes for Test turnaround in Australia after 'disappointing' T20 World Cup

Smith hopes SA20 will help end South Africa's World Cup wait

“You’ve got Lungi Ngidi, you’ve got Marco Jansen. You’ve got [Kagiso] Rabada and Anrich Nortje, and you’ve got Keshav Maharaj, who are all outstanding Test bowlers and can really win you games single-handedly. Work on the batters, get the six batters to bat in partnerships and get totals. If you get the totals you want, bowlers can win you games. And South Africa should pick the bowlers who can win you games.”South Africa’s Test captain Dean Elgar had suggested they were still “in a bit of debate” about playing an extra batter to lengthen their line-up. South Africa are presently second in the World Test Championship table, but their batters haven’t been racking up big numbers in the last few years. Since the start of 2020, they have had just six centuries in 19 games, the fewest among the teams part of the WTC. In their previous Test series, which they lost to hosts England 2-1 in August-September, they had just one batter among the top five run-getters. They also got bowled out under 200 four times in that series.Smith also said South Africa needed to focus on building partnerships. They have had just nine century stands in the last two years, which is again the fewest among the nine teams that are part of the World Test Championships.

“I think whenever you tour Australia you got to be prepared for being in someone else’s country for a period of time. Crowds.. and the players playing the game hard so definitely you’ve got to be mentally preparedGraeme Smith knows a thing or two about touring down under

“If you can get those partnerships together over 100-150, you start to make an impact on the team’s innings. I think when you’re under pressure, you tend to focus on yourself and the pressure just grows, how you can work together as a batting unit to post totals there in Australia is going to be key. You obviously need some of your big players to perform well and take the pressure off the youngsters.”South Africa’s bowling continues to remain their biggest strength. Their bowling average of 24.94 is the second lowest while their strike-rate of 46.7 is the best among the Test-playing teams in the last two years.Among the standouts in this department has been Rabada, who’s been their kingpin across formats. Among the bowlers to take 50-plus wickets since 2020, only his team-mate Nortje has had a better bowling strike rate than him. Rabada is the only fast bowler who was part of South Africa’s successful Test tour of Australia in 2016, when he took 15 wickets in six innings.”The thing about KG is that he’s the center piece for South African cricket at the moment so whenever he doesn’t play it’s noticeable,” Smith said•Getty ImagesAhead of this tour, however, Rabada admitted that the amount of cricket being played was a concern and that it needs to be “managed”.”The thing about KG is that he’s the centre piece for South African cricket at the moment so whenever he doesn’t play it’s noticeable,” Smith said. “But it’s about producing enough talent that you can afford to rest a player here and there. At the moment you know in a World Cup, and a big tour to Australia, he has to play his roles there. And also as he gets more experience, he will learn to manage himself and stay focused on what’s important.”With Elgar saying his side was prepared for a “feisty” series against the current No. 1 Test team, Smith, who has been part of three bilateral tours to Australia, said South Africa should solely focus on competing on the field.”I think whenever you tour Australia you got to be prepared for being in someone else’s country for a period of time. Crowds.. and the players playing the game hard so definitely you’ve got to be mentally prepared. I think the key is always playing good cricket. It’s the only way that I’ve found over the years, having lost really badly once and won twice, if you can play really good cricket and you turn everything around and the home team gets under pressure. So I hope that South Africa focus on their performances, in particular their batsmen. There is some talent in the bowling ranks, [but] if the batters can get some runs in Australia it gives you a chance to beat them.”The first of three Tests between Australia and South Africa starts on December 17 at the Gabba in Brisbane,

MatériaMais Notícias

da 888： O São Paulo confirmou na manhã desta terça-feira (30) as inscrições do atacante argentino Bustos e do zagueiro venezuelano Ferraresi na lista do clube para o restante da disputa da Copa Sul-Americana.

RelacionadasFora de CampoRicharlyson é condenado e paga multa após dizer que goleiro aceitou dinheiro para rebaixar o FortalezaFora de Campo30/08/2022Futebol InternacionalManchester United anuncia acordo com Ajax pela contratação de AntonyFutebol Internacional30/08/2022São PauloSão Paulo não é eliminado por um goiano em mata-mata desde 2003, quando tinha Kaká e Luís FabianoSão Paulo30/08/2022

da pixbet：
GALERIA
+ Confira como estão as negociações para renovações de contratos do elenco do São Paulo para a próxima temporada

Com isso, a dupla, últimas contratações do Tricolor na janela de transferências desta temporada, já estará à disposição do técnico Rogério Ceni para o duelo desta quinta-feira (1/9) contra o Atlético-GO, às 21h30 (de Brasília), no Serra Dourada, no jogo de ida da semifinal do torneio continental.

Ferraresi, que poderá atuar com a mesma camisa 44 com que foi inscrito no Brasileirão, entrou na lista no lugar de Jonas Toró, atacante liberado pelo São Paulo para assinar com o Panathinaikos, da Grécia.

O venezuelano foi titular nos dois últimos jogos do clube no Brasileirão e deve aparecer nos 11 iniciais do Tricolor em Goiânia (GO), já que o titular Miranda não deve se recuperar de um trauma no tornozelo direito a tempo do jogo.

Enquanto isso, Bustos, que atuará com a camisa 39 (é o 19 na competição nacional) entrou na lista no lugar de Maioli, jovem das categorias de base que mal teve oportunidades com Ceni ao longo da temporada. O argentino ainda luta para conquistar seu espaço no plantel são-paulino.

A dupla Ferraresi e Bustos pertence ao Grupo City e estão emprestados por uma temporada ao clube do Morumbi de forma gratuita, com os brasileiros apenas pagando os salários. Há cláusulas para a compra em definitivo dos dois após o fim do vínculo de repasse. Por chegarem depois do prazo, os atletas não puderam defender o São Paulo na Copa do Brasil, competição me que o clube também está na semifinal (perdeu o duelo de ida por 3 a 1 para o Flamengo, em pleno Morumbi).

TABELA
> Confira classificação, jogos e simule resultados do Brasileirão-22
> Confira todos os jogos da Copa do Brasil-22
> Confira todos os jogos da Copa Sul-Americana-22
> Conheça o novo aplicativo de resultados do LANCE!

It’s not clear which formats he would be in charge of, with S Sriram understood to be at the helm of the T20I side

Mohammad Isam31-Jan-2023Chandika Hathurusingha has returned to the Bangladesh men’s national team as its head coach.Not long after Cricket New South Wales confirmed that Hathurusingha had parted ways with them, the BCB announced a two-year deal starting next month. It has, however, not been confirmed which formats Hathurusingha would be in charge of, with S Sriram also around and at the helm of the T20I side.ESPNcricinfo understands that discussions about the roadmap between Sriram and the BCB in Dhaka earlier this month didn’t provide clear answers. But the board had said in December last year that it wants Sriram to be the long-term T20I head coach. If that remains true, Hathurusingha might only be connected with the Test and ODI sides.Related

• Hathurusingha: 'No tension' between senior Bangladesh players and me

• Ireland to stage Bangladesh Super League ODIs in England

• David Moore appointed Bangladesh's head of programmes

• Ireland to play their first Test against Bangladesh

“It’s an honour to have been given this opportunity to coach the Bangladesh national team once again,” Hathurusingha said in a statement. “I really loved the warmth of the people and the culture of Bangladesh. I’m looking forward to working with the players once again and enjoying their successes.”This is 54-year-old Hathurusingha’s second stint with Bangladesh after he had served as the head coach from 2014 to 2017. That included Bangladesh’s famous ODI series-winning streak at home, that included beating Pakistan, India and South Africa in consecutive months. Under Hathurusingha, the team also made the knockout stages of ICC events at the ODI World Cup in 2015 and the Champions Trophy in 2017, and also recorded their first Test wins against England, Australia and Sri Lanka.

BCB: Hathurusingha ‘a proven tactician’

During Hathurusingha’s time with the team, Bangladesh had a 40.20% success rate in 102 matches across formats. For the record, that’s lower than what his successors – and now predecessors – Steve Rhodes (51.11) and Russell Domingo (42.34) achieved.”Chandika’s experience and knowledge of Bangladesh cricket will be an advantage for him and will benefit the players,” BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said. “He is a proven tactician and we have seen his impact on the national team during his first assignment.”Following his time with Bangladesh, Hathurusingha went back to Sri Lanka, his home country, and took charge as the head coach of the national men’s team there, before moving to New South Wales in July 2020.

Calum MacLeod, Richie Berrington, Majid Haq and Kyle Coetzer talk George Dobell and Melinda Farrell through their World Cup memories and pick out their stars – past and future – of ODI cricket

Inteviews by George Dobell and Melinda Farrell12-Feb-2015What is your earliest World Cup memory?
Calum MacLeod: I remember sitting side on at Worcester watching the Scotland v Australia game in 1999. I was 11 years old and I was obviously the poster boy for the Scotland strip because Dad [Donald MacLeod, a well known photographer with an illustrious career in journalism] was taking the pictures. That’s probably my earliest memory of live cricket events I’d gone to, seeing the greats like Warne and McGrath. Gav Hamilton got some runs. I think James Brinkley had the lowest strike rate of all the bowlers in the tournament so I remember sitting there and watching that and getting quite excited.Richie Berrington: It was watching Lance Klusener in 1999 when he was smashing a few against the Aussies in the semi-final.Majid Haq: Watching the 1992 final between England and Pakistan. Pakistan batted quite slowly and it didn’t look as if they had enough. But Imran Khan knew what he was doing. And then Mushtaq Ahmed and Wasim Akram bowled brilliantly. Was I supporting England? What do you think?Kyle Coetzer: The one springs to mind is when South Africa didn’t quite get through. 1999, wasn’t it?Who will be the breakthrough player in this World Cup?
CM: Matt Machan has got a lot about him since he came in. He’s certainly very talented, and hopefully it’s a good chance for him to showcase what he’s got.RB: For us, Matt Machan is very talented. I’ve played with him now for a couple of years and he’s still fairly young but he’s got a lot of experience from playing with Sussex. I’ve seen him score some brilliant hundreds so I’m confident he’ll do well.MH: Calum MacLeod has done very well of late. He could make a name for himself. He has had an amazing story: a seamer who batted XI and now opens the batting and doesn’t bowl. Matt Machan is looking good, too.KC: Calum MacLeod has gone from strength to strength in these last couple of years. It would be nice to see him do well.Who is the best death bowler you’ve seen?
CM: Lasith Malinga is pretty hard to beat.RB: Umar Gul is probably up there. He went through that stage about a year or so ago when he was just bowling unbelievably well at the death.MH: Wasim Akram could do anything. He could bowl over or around the wicket. He could bowl slower balls or bouncers, yorkers or reverse swing. He had it all. I faced Shoaib Akhtar back in 2003, too. He was very quick.KC: Darren Gough wasn’t too bad, you know. I suppose Malinga is the obvious answer, but Gough bowled a lot of important death owners.Who are Scotland going to play in the final?
CM: Australia are looking pretty strong in their own country. India are reigning champions and have a seriously good ODI side. They’re probably the two teams.RB: Australia playing in their own country have got a very good chance. South Africa is probably another one, they’ve been in good form recently.MH: I think we’ll play South Africa in the final.KC: You can’t go far wrong with South Africa, Australia or India – they all have the ability take each other down on their day – but I’m going to go for Australia.Who is the most destructive batsman you’ve seen?
CM: AB de Villiers. Lance Klusener in 1999. He kind of changed it didn’t he? As a lower-order hitter.RB: AB de Villiers.MH: It has to be AB de Villiers.KC: I’d probably say Chris Gayle.What’s the best World Cup match you can remember?
CM: It’s probably not the best contest but Ricky Ponting’s hundred in the 2003 World Cup against India, I think it was in the final, and then Andrew Symonds got some runs as well. I remember watching that and thinking it was something special.RB: Australia v South Africa in 1999. Just the drama.MJ: The semi-final of the 1999 World Cup between South Africa and Australia. Everyone is saying that, aren’t they?KC: It’s pretty hard to look past that semi-final in 1999, isn’t it?Have you ever had a proper job?
CM: Only part-time jobs. I was quite lucky. I was a sandwich artist at Subway for a while, when I was out here. They gave me a little certificate. And I worked at a local restaurant.RB: Early on I had a part-time job, working a few hours in Tescos on the tills. It was something I did while I was trying to continue playing a bit of cricket but I’ve been professional now for a few years.MH: I worked as an accountant for six months before I became a full-time cricketer. That’s the career I’ll go back to after cricket, too. My family had a restaurant in Paisley for 35 years, too, and I helped out there at the weekends, but my dad retired about five years ago, so we have it away.KC: I used to work in a theatre. I was a concierge. You know, showing people to their seats with a torch and that. Does that count as a proper job?Who is the best finisher?
CM: James Faulkner is doing pretty well at the moment. MS Dhoni does it time and time again. He’s calm in big games. We sat as a team one day, it was a T20 match, and the run rate was going up and up and he left a couple of balls and we thought how do you have the calmness to leave those balls under that pressure?RB: I remember Michael Bevan bashing it. In more recent times I’d say Mike Hussey. He was always good to watch the way he’d come in in the middle order and just one minute ticking by and then all of a sudden he was destructive at the end.MH: Michael Bevan, of Australia, was superb. He orchestrated so many run chases.KC: Michael Bevan’s record was unbelievable. He won so many games. If he was there, you always felt Australia were going to win.

Leeds United are currently sat at the top of the pile in the Championship after their 3-0 win over recently-relegated Luton Town at Elland Road on Wednesday night.

The Hatters came down from the Premier League at the end of last season but played more like a team that had just come up from League One, as the Whites swatted them aside with relative ease.

Daniel Farke’s men were incredibly dominant, ending the match with 76% of the possession, and goals from Sam Byram, Joel Piroe, and Dan James ensured that the side came away with all three points.

However, the West Yorkshire outfit are only above Sheffield United on goal difference and are only two points above Sunderland in fourth place, which illustrates how tight it is at the top of the table.

This means that Leeds must remain consistent and avoid too many slip-ups, which was not the case in the second half of last season as they ended up in the play-offs.

To give themselves the best possible shot at automatic promotion to the Premier League, the Whites could dip into the market in the January transfer window, but they may have to cash in on a few players to make room for new additions.

Players Leeds should look to cash in on

Firstly, Farke must look to cash in on Joe Gelhardt amid reported interest from Scotland, England, and Belgium for the 22-year-old forward.

The Yorkshire Evening Post recently reported that there is interest building in the former Wigan Athletic youngster, with the likes of Stoke and Rangers keen on landing him on loan.

Gelhardt has only started two matches and made 12 appearances in the Championship since the start of last season for Leeds, which is why the manager should attempt to sell him – rather than sanction a loan – as he is seemingly not in his plans for the first-team.

Football FanCast also recently posted an article explaining why the former Norwich City head coach should cash in on Austria international Max Wober when the January transfer window opens for business.

The left-footed defender is reportedly on £35k-per-week at Elland Road and is yet to start a game, with two appearances in total, in the Championship this season, which is why Farke should look to move him on as the centre-back is one of the highest earners in the squad whilst not contributing much on the pitch.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

Another player the Whites should brutally bin ahead of the second half of the 2024/25 campaign is a forward who former sporting director Victor Orta once lauded.

The Leeds star who Victor Orta thought was a "top player"

Back in August of 2021, Patrick Bamford was called up to the senior England squad under Gareth Southgate for the first time and it led to high praise from Orta.

The Spanish chief hailed the former Chelsea and Middlesbrough marksman as a “top player” who had “developed magnificently” under the coaching of Marcelo Bielsa.

It was deserved praise at the time for the English centre-forward because he had just enjoyed a terrific 2019/20 Premier League campaign under the Argentine head coach, which earned him a place in Southgate’s squad.

Appearances

38

Goals

17

Big chances missed

21

Big chances created

5

Assists

7

As you can see in the table above, the Leeds striker plundered an eye-catching 17 goals and seven assists in 38 appearances in the top-flight, more than one goal contribution every other game on average.

The Whites forward had proven himself to be a reliable goalscorer at Premier League level, at that time, and it had come after his return of 16 goals in 45 matches during their promotion-winning season in the Championship the previous year.

This meant that Bamford had produced 33 league goals in two seasons with the West Yorkshire outfit, which is why Orta felt compelled to describe him as a “top player”.

The Leeds sporting director added that he was “sure” that there would be “more success” to come for the England international in the years to come.

Unfortunately, that has not been the case for the now-31-year-old number nine and, in the present day, Farke must ruthlessly cash in on the dud.

Why Leeds should cash in on Patrick Bamford

The experienced forward has not been a reliable goalscorer for Leeds for a number of seasons, now, and is reportedly the highest earner in the squad on £70k-per-week.

After his 17-goal haul in the Premier League in the 2019/20 campaign, Bamford managed a return of just six goals in 37 top-flight matches in two seasons.

That included four goals from 8.61 xG in 28 appearances in the 2022/23 campaign, which shows that the attacker significantly underperformed as a finisher in the season that Leeds were relegated in.

Relegation down to the Championship provided Bamford with a chance to get back on track and start scoring goals on a regular basis again. Unfortunately, the English striker’s finishing left a bit to be desired, yet again.

Appearances

33

xG

9.52

Big chances missed

9

Goals

8

Assists

1

As you can see in the table above, the Leeds centre-forward underperformed his xG, again, and missed more ‘big chances’ than he scored goals in the second tier.

The 31-year-old dud, simply, did not provide consistent quality over the course of the season and was, therefore, not a reliable option for the manager.

That may be why he has started the current season as the third-choice number nine for Farke, with academy graduate Mateo Joseph and Dutchman Joel Piroe both preferred ahead of him in the pecking order as it stands, with six appearances and zero stars in the league so far.

Therefore, the manager must ruthlessly ditch Bamford, who is the highest earner in the squad, because he is not a regular on the pitch and has struggled to provide consistent quality in recent years.

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Farke must cash in on the forward in January, if there is enough interest in him, as the £70k-per-week wages he is currently on could be put to better use by finding a player who can contribute week-in-week-out to the promotion push.

Matt Milnes leads Kent attack as 170th Canterbury Festival gets underway

ECB Reporters Network11-Jul-2022Northamptonshire 303 (Gay 112, Rickelton 55) vs KentNorthamptonshire were all out for 303 against Kent, after a fluctuating first day in the LV= Insurance County Championship match at Canterbury.Emilio Gay hit 112 after the visitors lost Ricardo Vasconcelos to the first ball of the day and Ryan Rickelton was the next highest scorer with 55, but having reached 205 for two, they lost their next eight wickets for 98 runs.Matt Milnes had Kent’s best bowling figures with three for 47, while Joe Denly took two for 31 and Matt Quinn two for 51.The 170th Canterbury Festival began with the temperature already over 25 degrees in the shade and in the day’s least surprising development, Northamptonshire chose to bat after winning the toss.The pitch, however, didn’t look benign early on. Vasconcelos went for a platinum duck when he was caught behind off Quinn and Rickelton and Gay then endured a torrid hour, during which they struggled to score at over two an over. Both survived, however, and as the session ground on, the runs came more freely, leaving the visitors on 95 for one at lunch.An elegant cover drive off Milnes took Rickelton to 50 just after the restart, but he then edged the same bowler behind.It was otherwise a session of few chances. Luke Procter was dropped at leg slip when on 12 off Linde and Gay reached his century with a glanced two off George Linde, but he fell in the penultimate over before tea. Kent skipper Sam Billings threw the ball to occasional red-ball spinner Denly and his second ball was pulled to Linde at midwicket, leaving Northants on 206 for three at the interval.Denly struck again soon after the resumption, getting Procter caught and bowled for 33 and Jack Leaning then bowled Rob Keogh for six.The new ball accounted for Josh Cobb who went for nine. He tried to cut Milnes and was caught by Ben Compton at point.Milnes then splayed Jimmy Neesham’s off and middle stumps, bowling him for 33, before Quinn bowled Lewis McManus for four.Ben Sanderson made 23 from 18 balls before he edged Grant Stewart and fell to a juggling catch by Billings and George Linde wrapped up the innings by bowling Simon Kerrigan for seven with the final ball of the day, leaving Jack White unbeaten on six.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has provided an injury update regarding winger Chiedozie Ogbene, having been stretchered off away to Brentford.

Ogbene injured in Ipswich defeat to Brentford

The Tractor Boys suffered a heartbreaking day at the office on Saturday afternoon, eventually losing 4-3 to Thomas Frank’s Bees side.

Ipswich led 2-0 in the first half, only to see that lead evaporate and for the visitors to trail 3-2, but it looked as though Liam Delap had earned his side a point with a late equaliser, despite Harry Clarke’s red card.

There was still time for Brentford to find a winner, however, and Bryan Mbeumo struck deep into stoppage time to inflict a cruel loss on the Tractor Boys, who are still searching for their first win back in the Premier League after nine matches.

Not only was Ipswich’s defeat tough to take, but a serious-looking injury to Ogbene compounded their misery, with the 27-year-old forced off on a stretcher after picking up an Achilles issue. Now, further information has emerged regarding the severity of the issue.

McKenna provides Ogbene injury update

Speaking after the game on Saturday [via RTE], McKenna revealed that Ipswich ace Ogbene could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, with his injury described as “serious”:

“It looks serious, unfortunately. It looks like it could be an Achilles tear, so that would be devastating for him and for us. That’s what I’ve been told at the moment. We hope that won’t be the case but I think that’s what looks most likely.

“Is it a six-to-nine-month injury? You’ll have to get a medical opinion on that but an Achilles tear is a big injury, so we hope that it won’t be that but I think the consensus at the moment is that it is.”

This is an added headache that McKenna could really do without, even if Ogbene hasn’t yet been a hugely important player for Ipswich since arriving from Luton Town in the summer transfer window.

He has featured in five Premier League games so far this season, starting just three of them, but Jamie Carragher waxed lyrical about the Republic of Ireland international last season, saying:

“For me, Chiedozie Ogbene has been absolutely outstanding every time I watch him. He has played on the left and the right and at the moment he is playing right wing back. He’s supporting the play, we know he’s an absolute flying machine. A lot of criticism of a flying winger is if you drop off, has he actually got the quality to thread a little pass or put a nice cross into the box? He has that.”

Squad depth is going to be so vital for Ipswich, in terms of their Premier League survival battle this season, so to suddenly have Ogbene out injured for many months would be an almighty blow.

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Hopefully, his layoff won’t be as lengthy as McKenna fears, but given how serious it looked at the time, Ipswich supporters will be understandably concerned about how long he will be unavailable.