Nearly man Washington makes rare opportunity count

The Impact Player has marginalised players like him, but Sunday night gave him a chance to remind the IPL of his quality

Sidharth Monga06-Apr-20251:55

Bishop: ‘Surprised by how dominant Washington was’

Washington Sundar has had a curious career arc. He first drew attention at the senior level with his tight powerplay bowling during IPL 2017, which didn’t last when he landed in other teams with other ideas. The next big step was in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, when a surprise debut as India’s lone spinner ended up as a showcase for his batting ability against a top Test attack in an unforgettable series win. He plateaued again before becoming more of a regular last year as India began preparing for life after R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.And yet, among the 20 or so players playing T20Is regularly for India, Washington was the only one struggling to get an IPL game. Put it down to the Impact Player rule. Not only does it disincentivise developing allrounders, it takes out of the game the imperfect allrounder, the nearly-there jack of all trades. Washington might disagree but he is not quite a specialist batter and arguably not in the league of Ashwin to play as an offspinner alone.The nearly man played just two IPL matches last year. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) then let him go, and his new team Gujarat Titans (GT), already a strong bowling unit, again didn’t have a slot for him. He nearly played against Mumbai Indians (MI), though, when he was padded up all innings as a possible Impact Player when GT batted first, but they eventually chose a specialist bowler in Ishant Sharma. The story of Washington since the introduction of the Impact Player: losing out to a combination of players – Ishant and Sherfane Rutherford – whom he might have edged out if it was an 11-man team and not 12.Related

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  • Siraj, Gill and Washington hand Sunrisers fourth successive defeat

It was when Washington’s former team SRH rolled out a dream pitch for the visitors – slow and low – that GT went in for the extra spinner, which brought Washington in. This may have also been driven by match-ups, with three left-hand batters in SRH’s top three. Even so, GT realised the pitch was doing more for tall, into-the-pitch quicks than spinners, so Washington didn’t get a bowl even as GT restricted SRH to 152.Washington Sundar hit Simarjeet Singh for two fours and two sixes in a match-defining sixth over•BCCIThen fate took a turn. GT lost two early wickets, their captain was out in the middle, and their coach asked Washington to go in at No. 4. Possibly because they wanted to keep the right-left combination going, or perhaps because Washington’s Tamil Nadu team-mate Shahrukh Khan hasn’t had a great start to this year’s IPL. Whatever it was, Washington saw an opportunity and grabbed it with an innings that was head and shoulders above any other on a testing pitch bar that of Rutherford, who arguably batted when the game was almost over and dew had made things easier.Three balls into his innings, Washington started to exploit the powerplay fields, displaying both classic batting chops and T20-style innovation. The 20 he took of Simarjeet Singh in the sixth over put GT on their way. He dominated the third-wicket partnership with Shubman Gill, scoring 49 in a 90-run stand and giving Gill time to get a measure of the pitch. According to ESPNcricinfo’s smart stats, Washington played the most valuable innings of the match, although Mohammed Siraj was rightfully adjudged Player of the Match for his 4 for 17.Washington will hope he has shown enough to convince GT to make him more of a regular, but he will also know that they are a team driven more by process than results. A certain set of conditions brought Washington in, which suggests they look at him more as a bowler than a batter. Their next game is at home against Rajasthan Royals. If they play on a black-soil pitch again – they did so against MI and it turned out to play slow and low – he could stay in and keep the extra fast bowler out.

Netherlands fast bowler Vivian Kingma banned for recreational drug use

The three-month ban can be reduced to one month if he completed ICC approved treatment programmes

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Sep-2025Netherlands fast bowler Vivian Kingma has been banned for three months after testing positive for a recreational drug. Kingma, 30, admitted to the offence and demonstrated the substance had been used out-of-competition.He was found to have Benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite classified as a Substance of Abuse under the ICC Anti-Doping Code, in his sample following Netherlands’ ODI against United Arab Emirates in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 competition on May 12 in Utrecht.The test conducted was from a sample taken after the game and the ban is effective from August 15. The three-month period can be reduced to to one month if he satisfactorily completes an ICC-approved treatment programme.Along with the ban, Kingma’s records his games since the UAE ODI have been disqualified. That includes two ODIs against Nepal and Scotland, where he collectively took 2 for 122, along with a T20I against Scotland, where he was taken off after bowling three balls.South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and New Zealand’s Doug Bracewell have both served bans for recreational drug use in the last 12 months. Both bans, as in the case with Kingma’s, were initially for three months but were reduced to a month after the players completed treatment programmes.

When Alana King did a Shane Warne

Dunkley was the poor prop in King’s magic trick as Australia went onto whitewash England 16-0 in the Ashes

Alex Malcolm01-Feb-2025Whenever Shane Warne bowled, every bowl felt like an individual event. You couldn’t take your eyes off it because something special might happen.In this series, every ball Alana King bowled felt like an event. At the MCG she delivered an individual “money can’t buy” experience for the lucky fans who were watching. Luckily for those who weren’t, social media will ensure the delivery will live in perpetuity, consumable as a clip at any moment as often as wanted.Sophia Dunkley was the poor prop in King’s magic trick. Unlike Mike Gatting, she knew the moment she heard the death rattle exactly what had happened to her. She dared not look back. But the replay will be kind to her, no matter how deflating it will be to watch.King said after day one she hoped Warne was watching from on high and enjoying her ripping a few legbreaks in front of the MCG’s southern stand that bears his name. Warne would have loved this one.King bounced into Dunkley, and in her words “fizzed” a beautiful legbreak out of her fingers at 72.1kph. It drifted and dropped outside leg stump. Dunkley leaned forward and presented the full face of the bat. From a surface that had 9mm of grass on it, that seamers have dominated on in the men’s game, the pink-ball gripped and spun sharply past Dunkley’s bat at the hit off stump.

“It was a good delivery wasn’t it,” England captain Heather Knight said with a wry smile post-match.”I thought it was outstanding,” Alyssa Healy said.King was modest in her appraisal.”I’ve seen one replay of it, so I can’t really give it a lot of thought,” King said. “But I’m just stoked that I did it at the MCG with a pink ball in hand and with a baggy green on as well. So it’s pretty special.”What King did in this series was pretty special. She was not selected to bowl a single ball in Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign last year. Her first four Test matches had yielded four wickets at 60.50.In the last Ashes series, she played just three of the seven matches, taking four wickets at 41.75. Eighteen months later she is player of the Ashes, with 23 wickets at 11.17 with two five-wicket hauls, including nine in the Test match, to equal the multi-format series wickets record.”I think she’s improved a hell of a lot as a cricketer and as a spinner,” Knight said. “I think the last couple of years she’s really added more revs to what she does. I think she found the pace quite well on this wicket.”She probably bowled a bit slower than she did in the white-ball stuff, and got a little bit out of the surface.”She obviously drifts the ball quite a lot as well. She gets that side spin. And, yeah, that was a pretty good ball to Dunkley.”But we need to find ways to play her a bit better. I think finding a way to counteract what she was doing and try and find a way to score runs and try and put her off her length a little bit. But certainly she’s been really challenging and bowled particularly well.”Related

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She was a captain’s dream for Healy. In both innings of the Test match, she bowled unchanged for her entire spells, never once looking unthreatening.”Just the impact she was able to have every time she had the ball in the hand,” Healy said. “Something felt like it was going to happen and she never let one of the English batters settle at any point in time. So for me, that’s exactly what you want from your spin attack in any of the formats, and Kingy was able to provide that. So I’m pretty proud of her.”For King, it’s been a long road trying to master a difficult craft. A road that’s included a move across the country from Victoria to Western Australia, away from family and friends, all in pursuit of becoming the best legspinner she can possibly be.”I’m trying to enjoy it as much as I can, and I try to do it with a big smile on my face, because legspin is probably not the easiest gig going around,” King said. “There’s going to be hard times when you’re doing some training sessions and it’s not coming out as well as it has been, and that can be back-to-back sessions. You might feel great one day and feel absolutely rubbish the next day, but it’s the work that’s gone in, not just in this series, but in the years before that, to help me get to this level.”But every time that I put on the Australian shirt, I absolutely have a ball. Whether I do well or not, it’s for the team. And to see this team go 16-0 in a pretty big series is something that I’m pretty proud of.”King made it look easy throughout these Ashes and tormented England with some deliveries that will live long in the memory.

'There was no need!' – Antonio Conte rubbishes Napoli exit talk after club president's controversial 'taking the team back' social media post

Napoli manager Antonio Conte played down talk of leaving after the club president made a controversial 'taking the team back' social media post following their win over Atalanta on Saturday. Conte reaffirmed his commitment to the club he had led to a title win only six months back. With the 3-1 victory over Atalanta, Napoli have climbed back to second position in Serie A.

Napoli chief's controversial post

Just hours after Napoli's triumph over Atalanta, courtesy of a brace from David Neres and a goal from Nao Lang, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis shared a social media post congratulating the manager and the team but his message was misconstrued by many. De Laurentiis' X post read: "Bravo Antonio Conte, who has taken the team back in time. Well done to the players who followed his instructions."

The 'taken the team back' statement came across as a wrong message, although the club chief wanted to convey that he had taken back control of the team after briefly losing it at the start of the season. 

AdvertisementGetty ImagesConte confirms commitment to Napoli

Amid talks of him exiting Napoli, Conte told reporters: "There are aspects that are more concerning to those on the outside. I have a strong relationship with the players, we always tell each other the truth, I'm very honest and don't wear masks. I didn't need to take the team back. They were with me, they are with me, and they always will be with me. And I will always be with them, regardless of everything and everyone. They know they're dealing with an honest person who doesn't wear masks. I'm someone who exposes himself, something many don't have the courage to do. They know that nothing and no one will ever damage our relationship.

"A lot of things can happen, but our relationship will always be very strong. After Bologna, I thought I wasn't able to get the best out of them, and I took responsibility. Often, Anguissa, Lukaku, Gilmour, and De Bruyne are forgotten about. These things aren't taken into account; we try to focus more on gossip than on the real fact."

De Laurentiis praised Conte

Earlier this month, in another social media post, De Laurentiis had hailed Conte as the 'real man' as he wrote: "I came across the fairy tale of Conte's resignation on the web. I love social media a lot because they're a contemporary and fast way to spread thoughts. But you know that thoughts aren't always right or shareable. Between me and Conte there has always existed a special harmony that unites men who use the 3 "C"s [Character, Competence, and Courage]… which are very popular with Neapolitans and not only. 

"To the fans who've read some nonsense, I say: I'm proud to have by my side, and by the side of Napoli and the players, a real man like Antonio Conte, capable of sacrificing every second of his life for his profession, with extreme generosity and dedication. This is the most important guarantee that can be given today to a club, to the players, and to demanding fans like those of Napoli."

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Getty ImagesHow is Conte doing at Napoli?

Conte took charge of Napoli at the start of the 2024-25 season, stepping in to steady the ship after a disappointing campaign that had left the club in disarray. His tenure began on a poor note with a 3-0 home defeat to Hellas Verona, but Conte quickly adapted. Breaking away from his trademark 3-5-2 formation, he switched to a 4-3-3 system to better suit Napoli’s attacking strengths and the players at his disposal. The tactical adjustment paid off brilliantly as Napoli went on an incredible run, eventually clinching the Scudetto on the final matchday with a decisive victory over Cagliari. One of Conte’s most inspired moves was signing Scott McTominay from Manchester United, who thrived under his management and was named Serie A’s MVP in his debut season. 

Now competing in both Serie A and the Champions League, Conte's team have struggled to adapt to the new demands. Star striker Romelu Lukaku was ruled out with a long-term injury at the start of the season, while playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has now been sidelined for the time being. 

The reigning Italian champions next face Qarabag FK in a Champions League fixture at home on Tuesday.

Dani Olmo says there is no dressing-room tension as Barcelona and Spain manage Lamine Yamal’s injury situation

Dani Olmo has dismissed claims of significant tension within the Spain national team dressing room, despite the ongoing public dispute between Barcelona and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) regarding Lamine Yamal's latest injury withdrawal. The Barcelona midfielder insisted that "both sides want what's best for the player" and that the situation does not affect the squad.

  • Yamal withdrawal sparks confused RFEF reaction

    Olmo, a key attacking midfielder for both Barcelona and the Spanish national team, has sought to defuse the growing public feud between his club and the RFEF concerning the recurring injury issues of young winger Yamal. Speaking to at the national team camp, Olmo stated that he and his teammates "don't experience that much tension from within."

    The latest controversy erupted when Yamal, who had been called up for Spain's 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Turkey, underwent an "invasive radiofrequency procedure" for pubic discomfort on the same day he was due to join the squad. The RFEF expressed "surprise and dismay," claiming the procedure was done "without prior communication to the medical staff of the national team."

    Despite RFEF sporting director Aitor Karanka later assuring "fantastic" communication, national team coach Luis de la Fuente expressed his confusion, saying: "I've never experienced a situation like this before. I don't think it's very normal. It has surprised us all." This follows a previous public spat in September when Barcelona boss Hansi Flick accused the RFEF of "failing to take care" of Yamal after he returned from international duty injured.

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    Olmo denies tension in dressing room

    Olmo, himself recently recovered from a muscle problem that forced him to miss the previous international call-up, offered his perspective on the often-fraught relationship between clubs and national teams, insisting the players are unaffected.

    "I don't think we experience that much tension from within. In the end, both the club and the national team always look out for what's best for the player, and I haven't seen any problems on either side," he said.

    "Ultimately, both sides want what's best for the player. If Lamine isn't at 100% right now and hasn't been able to be, then there's no problem. Lamine is a very important player for both Barça and the national team, and we need him at 100%, and if he's not, he's not.

    "Barca always generates a lot of talk, both inside and outside the club. But, as I've already said, it's not something that worries us, nor do we feel that tension that might be perceived from the outside. Inside, everything is completely normal, always looking out for the player's best interests."

  • Olmo feeling 'good' after injury recovery

    The star midfielder also discussed his own meticulous approach to fitness, which includes a detailed plan involving physiotherapy, gym work, and a carefully managed diet with a personal chef. 

    "I know my body very well; I know what I need. I try to work both on and off the field, in the gym, to prevent those kinds of problems as much as possible," he explained before providing an update on his current condition. "Good, much better now. I've just recovered from the discomfort that kept me out of the last squad, and after playing three games with Barça, I'm now getting back into form. I feel great, very comfortable, training hard, and ready to return to my best.
    "

    He has been tasked with playing a different role for Spain, one which aligns more with his RB Leipzig days than it does his current responsibilities at Barcelona.

    "[I feel] good, comfortable, with more involvement in the build-up play, especially in this last match alongside Frenkie [de Jong]. It's a position I feel comfortable in. Both De la Fuente and Hansi know me and know what I can contribute in those positions, whether it's more of an attacking midfielder, a bit more centrally, or a number 10 or in more advanced positions. Ultimately, I'm lucky enough to be able to play in more than one position and I feel comfortable in all of them.

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    What next for Lamine Yamal and Spain?

    Yamal will use the international break to focus on his recovery from pubalgia, with expectations that he will be fit for Barcelona's league clash against Athletic Club on November 22. His long-term management will be a key point of discussion and coordination between Barcelona and the RFEF, as both entities recognise his immense talent and importance for the future.

    For the Spanish national team, their immediate task is to secure World Cup qualification in their upcoming matches against Georgia and Turkey. While Yamal's absence is a blow, the squad remains focused on achieving its objective. Spain can secure qualification in their clash with Georgia on Saturday.

    "The ultimate goal is to win, to win both. We haven't mathematically qualified yet, so the objective is to be there, at the 2026 World Cup," Olmo said.

Munro and Pooran power Knight Riders to the top of the table

Barbados Royals stay rooted to the bottom of the table after their third loss in four games

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Aug-2025

Colin Munro and Nicholas Pooran put on a match-winning stand•CPL T20 via Getty Images

Colin Munro and Nicholas Pooran led a clinical chase as Trinbago Knight Riders brushed aside Barbados Royals by seven wickets in Tarouba to rise to the top of the CPL 2025 table. Chasing 179, Munro set the tone with a typically aggressive 67 while Pooran finished the job in style with an unbeaten 65, wrapping up the target with 13 balls to spare. With three losses and a no-result in four matches, Royals are bottom of the table.The foundation of the chase was laid early, as Munro and Alex Hales added 55 for the opening wicket inside the powerplay. Munro, who was the early aggressor, raced to his half-century off just 30 balls. Even after Hales fell for a 14-ball 19, off the final delivery of the sixth over, the momentum remained firmly with Knight Riders.Related

  • Colin Munro: 'If you don't score, it's not the end of the world'

Pooran started off in a brutal fashion, launching an attack against both pace and spin. His unbeaten 65 came at a brisk pace, studded with boundaries and calculated risks towards the end of the chase. The highlight was him hammering Rovman Powell for three consecutive sixes in the tenth over.Royals briefly kept Knight Riders quiet, conceding just 20 runs between overs 10 and 14, but it didn’t shift the momentum.Pooran and Munro added 93 for the second wicket, off just 54 balls, before the latter was run out in the 15th over. But by then, the equation was down to a run-a-ball 30 and Kieron Pollard ensured there were no hiccups, smashing two sixes and a four in his nine-ball stay. The winning runs came in the 18th over, sealing a dominant performance.Earlier, Royals posted 178 for 6, a total that looked competitive at the halfway mark but ultimately proved well below par. They began cautiously after losing Quinton de Kock early but were steadied by a 56-run stand between Brandon King and Kadeem Alleyne. King chipped in with a 23-ball 29 while Alleyne made 41 off 37.Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for Barbados Royals with 45 off 22 balls•CPL T20 via Getty Images

Once King fell, Sherfane Rutherford’s late surge – 45 off 22 – offered Royals some hope. He began with a four off his second ball against Andre Russell, and then took McKenny Clarke for a four and a six in the following over. He smashed two more sixes, off Mohammad Amir in the 16th over, before the fast bowler dismissed Alleyne.From 105 for 2 at the end of 14 overs, Royals accelerated with 73 runs in the final six overs. Captain Powell was particularly merciless against Ali Khan as he scored 23 runs off him in the 18th over, which included three sixes and a four.Russell and Amir were the standout bowlers for Knight Riders. Russell picked up 3 for 37 while Amir’s 2 for 35 ensured control through the middle and death overs.The win puts Knight Riders in a commanding position at the top of the table while Royals are left needing a spark to reignite their faltering campaign. St Lucia Kings are also on eight points alongside Knight Riders, but occupy the second spot owing to an inferior net run-rate.

Zafar Gohar five-for has Gloucestershire on the ropes

His 5 for 53 and career-best 4 for 58 for Noah Cornwell help Middlesex in enforcing the follow-on

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay26-Sep-2025

Zafar Gohar took his best figures for Middlesex•Getty Images

Gloucestershire 286 (Bracey 60, Gohar 5-53, Cornwell 4-58) and 39 for 1 trail Middlesex 634 for 9 dec by 309 runsBad light held up Middlesex’s victory charge after they forced Gloucestershire to follow-on on the penultimate day of the Rothesay County Championship Division 2 season at Lord’s.Zafar Gohar returned 5 for 53, his best figures in a Middlesex shirt, and there was a career-best 4 for 58 for Noah Cornwell as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 286 despite 60 from skipper James Bracey which took him past 1,000 first-class runs for the season.Forced to follow on 348 behind, the visitors lost Ben Charlesworth in reaching 39 for 1 second time around before the light closed in with 31 overs left un-bowled.Gloucestershire began the day 488 in arrears under leaden grey skies, meaning there was seam movement for opening bowlers Toby Roland-Jones and Ryan Higgins.Bracey made light of the conditions, punishing any erring in line, in contrast to Ollie Price, who was scratchy, taking 45 minutes to add a single to his overnight score of 11. That was as far as he got, Cornwell’s introduction bringing his downfall via an edge to gully.Graeme Van Buuren, who signed a new contract earlier this week to remain at Gloucestershire until 2027 got underway with a cracking cover drive, bettered only by the one which took Bracey to 50, the wicketkeeper-batter raising his seasonal landmark in the process.Van Buuren didn’t stay long though, bowled trying to cut one too close to him which cannoned off the inside edge, while Cornwell’s third wicket came courtesy of a poor umpiring decision, Jack Taylor adjudged caught behind, despite a chasm between bat and ball.Bracey batted untroubled through until lunch but fell soon after the resumption as Gohar, switched to the Nursery End, found a fraction of turn to force a thin edge through to wicketkeeper Joe Cracknell.Ajeet Singh Dale came and went before Marchant de Lange and Matt Taylor entertained with a brisk stand of 44 for the ninth wicket, the former clubbing one from legspinner Luke Hollman over the ropes and twice hitting Gohar back over his head.Gohar gained revenge by having him stumped to complete a five-for, leading to Daz Ahmed, hampered by a side strain while bowling, coming in with a runner to play his maiden first-class innings. Cleary in considerable pain he batted out two overs from Gohar before Matt Taylor hooked Cornwell down the throat of long leg to end the innings.Middlesex enforced the follow-on and soon removed Charlesworth caught behind off Roland-Jones but Joe Phillips and Ollie Price, the latter looking more at ease than he had earlier in the day, batted through until tea without further mishap.Only one further over was possible before the murky light sent the players off, giving Gloucestershire hope of batting out a draw on the final day.

Gary O'Neil favourite is on borrowed time at Wolves after Edwards arrival

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans would have been largely encouraged by their side’s first 45 minutes post-Vitor Pereira, as the Old Gold were holding Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea to a tense 0-0 stalemate.

However, after Malo Gusto opened the scoring for the Blues early into the second half, it ended up being one-way traffic as the West Londoners picked up their sixth Premier League win of the season, which, in turn, consigned the lowly visitors to their depressing ninth defeat of the campaign.

Journalist Nathan Judah stated at the final whistle that the West Midlands outfit are “destined” to be in the Championship next season, and it’s hard to dispute this claim, with Wolves still stuck at the bottom of the unforgiving division on just two points.

It will be up to Rob Edwards to somehow steer the sinking ship back on course, with their replacement for Pereira ditching the luxuries of being in a promotion race in the EFL with Middlesbrough, for an intense relegation dog-fight in the top-flight.

Interim manager James Collins did state that he thinks Wolves can stay up, despite their pitiful start, after the dust had settled on the 3-0 defeat, as Edwards assesses what players he will stick by and what players he will ditch after the Saturday night loss.

Edwards' immediate selection dilemmas at Wolves

Watching the Chelsea defeat in great detail, the former Luton Town manager will surely stick with Sam Johnstone in between the sticks.

Without Johnstone in goal, Wolves would have been on the receiving end of a far worse battering, with five saves in total picked up by the ex-West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper. He had become Pereira’s first choice over Jose Sa, and that looks unlikely to change.

Hwang Hee-Chan might find his starting spot is on shaky ground, though. He didn’t register a single shot on Robert Sanchez’s goal, with Edwards hoping that his strike partner on the day, Jorgen Strand Larsen, finds his goalscoring mojo again when he enters the Molineux dug-out, as another goalless display passed him by.

While the forward line desperately needs to improve, something needs to drastically change with the backline in front of Johnstone, with Wolves now conceding a horrific 25 goals after the Chelsea defeat, making them the leakiest team in the entire division.

In particular, this ropey Old Gold defender could already be on borrowed time heading into the brand-new Edwards’ era, even with previous shouts from Gary O’Neil, stating he is an “incredible” talent to work with.

Wolves defender is on borrowed time under Edwards

O’Neil was chosen as the first immediate name to replace Pereira, only for advanced talks to go awry last minute.

No doubt, if his return to the Molineux hot-seat did come true, he would have stuck by Toti Gomes, based on his prior adoration, with the Portuguese centre-back also shining under Pereira’s reign in flashes.

During the early days of Pereira’s stint, as Wolves-based content creator Ryan Leister put it, the Old Gold were a far “better side” with him placed in the starting XI.

Indeed, this is backed up by some mightily impressive numbers, with Gomes winning a commanding 18 duels at the end of December last year against Leicester City and Manchester United to secure Pereira his first two league victories in the West Midlands.

In the here and now, however, Gomes looks a shadow of his former self, as the £25k-per-week defender let Gusto have all the time in the world to head the Blues into a one-goal lead, among other shoddy moments from his lacklustre day at the office, which also saw him win no tackles or aerial duels.

Toti Gomes’ decline at Wolves

Stat (* = per 90 mins)

24/25

25/26

Games played

30

8

Goals scored

0

0

Assists

1

0

Touches*

68.1

53.6

Accurate passes*

46.5 (87%)

37.6 (87%)

Tackles*

2.0

1.0

Ball recoveries*

3.7

3.3

Clearances*

4.7

2.6

Total duels won*

4.8

3.0

Clean sheets

8

0

Stats by Sofascore

With Edwards priding himself on making his former Luton side more “difficult” to break down – as Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta put it – he is likely to want to axe Gomes based on his porous performances so far this season, regardless of his impressive showings under previous regimes, and when Pereira was at his peak in the Molineux dug-out.

Of course, that isn’t to say Gomes will be completely written off, as Edwards attempts to get a tune out of those who are visibly faltering and can do better.

But, it might be beneficial for the underperforming number 24 to be removed from the starting XIs initially when Edwards enters the building, as the 42-year-old attempts to inject some much-needed fight into his downtrodden troops.

Manager's future takes twist after advanced Wolves talks and "dramatic U-turn"

He held discussions with the Molineux side.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 8, 2025

Not Simons & Richarlison: Spurs dud is now one of their worst-ever signings

Over the last couple of years, Tottenham Hotspur haven’t been afraid to splash the cash in the transfer market, in an attempt to try and achieve Premier League glory.

The Lilywhites have a net spend of over £500m in the last five years alone, a figure which puts them fourth out of any team in the division for the same time period.

Daniel Levy was often criticised for his lack of spending in North London, but it’s clear that the 63-year-old did financially back various managers during his two decades at the club.

However, it’s clear in the modern game that money doesn’t equal success – especially in the Premier League – with numerous players often failing to live up to their big-money transfer fees.

The likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Roberto Soldado and Steven Bergwijn have all cost a pretty penny in recent years – with many of them leaving North London in deals much lower than what they arrived for.

In 2025/26, Thomas Frank has a couple of examples already within his first-team ranks, with two of his players arguably going down as some of their additions in recent history.

Richarlison & Simons’ form for Spurs in PL during 2025/26

Back in the summer of 2022, Spurs forked out a staggering £60m, including add-ons, for the signature of Richarlison from fellow Premier League side Everton.

Undoubtedly, given the nature of the transfer fee, his transfer generated huge excitement among the supporters in North London, but over three years on from his transfer – it’s safe to say it’s been a disaster.

The Brazilian has registered a total of 108 appearances for the Lilywhites, but has only scored 24 times – with half of his efforts coming in 2023/24 alone.

However, Frank has kept faith in the 28-year-old this season, but he’s failed to return the favour, as seen by his measly conversion rate of just 21% in the Premier League this season.

He’s also missed six big chances in his 11 outings to date, often being a wasteful option in attacking areas and falling way below the standards expected of a £60m addition.

Richarlison isn’t the only big-money addition to struggle under the Dane’s guidance this season, with Xavi Simons also unable to match the expectations many placed on him after his own move to North London.

The Dutch international, who cost a total of £52m in the summer, has racked up a total of 14 appearances across all competitions, but has only registered two assists in such a period.

The attacking midfielder is yet to find the back of the net, but has also struggled to provide the creative nature many would have expected, given the nature of the fee.

Simons has only achieved a total of 0.8 chances completed per 90, whilst also only completing 38% of the dribbles he’s attempted – showcasing his inability to impress with the ball at his feet.

He’s also only registered a tally of 0.17 shots on target per 90, a figure which ranks him in the bottom 14% of all attackers in the division – further highlighting his lack of quality in the final third.

The Spurs star who’s becoming their worst signing in recent history

After Spurs’ measly 17th-placed finish in the Premier League last season, Frank was always going to have a huge task on his hands to push the club back in the right direction.

The Dane has settled on a 4-3-3 system over recent weeks, but it still appears as though he’s yet to figure out his best starting eleven – as seen against Manchester United last weekend.

He utilised Richarlison in a wide-left position, leaving the likes of Wilson Odobert on the bench – with such a decision undoubtedly costing the side all three points in North London.

The Brazilian has mainly struggled to take the responsibility of leading the line for the Lilywhites, with Randal Kolo Muani also yet to find the back of the net after his loan move on deadline day.

However, the manager has been unable to call upon Dominic Solanke during the vast majority of his time at the club, with the Englishman massively struggling with constant injury setbacks.

The 28-year-old cost a club-record £65m from Bournemouth last summer, with his signature providing the side with the replacement to Harry Kane they were crying out for.

It has not all been plain sailing for the striker, with his tally of just nine goals in the Premier League throughout his debut campaign ultimately falling way below the standards many expected.

Other figures, such as 71% passes completed and just 33% aerials won last season, showcase his inability to operate as a target man – often struggling to offer an imposing figure at the top end of the pitch.

However, Frank’s arrival in North London will have given the talisman a new lease of life, but as seen by his recent setbacks, he’s so far been unable to make the desired effect under the Dane.

Dominic Solanke – PL stats (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

27

Goals scored

9

Pass accuracy

71%

Shots on target

0.9

Chances created

0.5

Dribble success

35%

Aerials won

33%

Fouls committed

1.5

Stats via FotMob

Solanke has been suffering continuously with an ankle issue over recent months, subsequently undergoing surgery that has kept him on the sidelines for an extended period.

He’s not featured since the 2-0 triumph over Manchester City on the 23rd of August, with the Englishman subsequently missing a total of 81 days of first-team action.

As a result of his fitness issues, he’s only accumulated a total of 31 minutes of league action this campaign – an unacceptable tally given the fee forked out for his signature.

Solanke has only racked up 29 league appearances for the Lilywhites in his near 18-month stint at the club, something which is nowhere near the level expected given the mammoth price tag paid for his services.

In that time, he’s also managed to register a goal in every three matches, with Solanke so far being unable to fill the boots vacated by Kane a couple of years prior to his move.

Given his transfer fee and lack of form in North London, the 28-year-old has so far been a huge waste of money, with a new centre-forward desperately needed in the near future if Frank is to be a success at the club.

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Alongside Fullkrug: West Ham must sell £30m flop who was a "big voice"

While West Ham United have certainly signed some real talents over the last few years, they’ve unfortunately made more than their fair share of poor signings.

For example, the likes of Andy Irving, Mads Hermanssen, and Gianluca Scamacca are either failing to make the grade or have already failed, and that’s just from the last few summers.

Yet, perhaps the most disappointing addition the East Londoners have made in recent years is Niclas Füllkrug.

Fortunately, it looks like the German could be moving on sooner rather than later, although West Ham should make sure they get rid of another flop at the same time, someone former manager David Moyes was particularly excited about.

Füllkrug's West Ham disaster

When West Ham splashed £27m on Füllkrug last summer, there was a fair deal of excitement from some in the fanbase, as while he was certainly on the older side, he had just come off a stellar season for Borussia Dortmund in which he reached the Champions League final and chalked up 15 goals and provided ten assists in 43 appearances.

As if that wasn’t enough, he had also just spent the summer playing for Germany in the Euros.

Unfortunately, even those with the lowest of expectations for the veteran striker have since been disappointed with his efforts in East London.

In his first campaign with the club, injuries limited him to just 20 appearances, totalling 877 minutes, in which he scored just three goals and provided two assists.

This season has not been much better, as before his current injury, the 32-year-old had failed to score a single goal or provide a single assist in seven appearances, totalling 385 minutes.

Appearances

20

7

Minutes

877′

385′

Goals

3

0

Assists

2

0

Goal Involvements per Match

0.25

0.00

Minutes per Goal Involvement

175.4′

N/A

So, with the former Dortmund star being both woefully ineffective and injury-prone, most fans weren’t too upset when news broke of his desire to leave the club in the winter window.

It now looks like such a move will occur, with several Bundesliga sides readying offers to take him off the Hammers’ hands.

Füllkrug will probably end up doing alright back in Germany, but his departure would be best for all parties involved, which is also the case for another West Ham dud Moyes once thought would be a success.

The West Ham star who must be sold

Aside from Füllkrug, the West Ham player most in need of being sold in the winter window is, unfortunately, James Ward-Prowse.

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The expectations around the Englishman’s £30m move in the summer of 2023 were even higher than for the German’s arrival, with then-manager Moyes highlighting his “leadership qualities” as a reason why he could become a “big voice” in the dressing room.

Now, to his credit, the former Southampton captain didn’t have the worst of starts during his time in the capital and actually ended his first campaign with a reasonable enough tally of seven goals and 12 assists in 51 appearances.

However, the wheels very quickly came off the following season as new manager Julen Lopetegui didn’t fancy him in his midfield and sent him away on loan to Nottingham Forest.

Unfortunately, Nuno, who was in charge of the Tricky Trees, also quickly realised he did not want the Englishman in the heart of his midfield and barely gave him any game time.

So, the Irons recalled the 31-year-old, and under Graham Potter, he once again became an important part of a team.

However, whether it was age, poor form or something else entirely, the former Saints star came back and looked miles off it and continues to look off the pace into this season.

He simply didn’t have the physicality or athleticism to do the defensive work required of a central midfielder, and he also became far more ineffective going forward.

So when Nuno was appointed manager in September, it was not a surprise to see the Portsmouth-born ace left out of the squad entirely.

Since the Portuguese manager has been in the dugout, the 11-capped international has not even featured in a match-day squad, and it is therefore fair to say his time at the London Stadium is well and truly over.

Therefore, like with Füllkrug, West Ham should sell Ward-Prowse as soon as possible.

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