Ajax are considering a sensational reunion with Erik ten Hag, with director Alex Kroes holding fresh talks to bring the former coach back amid mounting pressure on John Heitinga. The Dutch giants’ struggles under the ex-Liverpool assistant have prompted calls from fans and insiders for change as the club seek stability after another bruising European night.

• Ajax crisis deepens as Heitinga loses support

  Ajax’s season has lurched deeper into crisis following their 3-0 home defeat to Galatasaray, leaving Heitinga’s future hanging by a thread. The result sparked fury among fans, who demanded “a coach with experience” in a statement released by supporters’ group AFCA, urging director Kroes to act swiftly.

  Kroes, who has faced growing criticism over the team’s direction, reportedly met Ten Hag earlier this week in Huizen. Officially described as a “planned coffee meeting,” the timing just days before the Galatasaray collapse has fueled speculation of an imminent managerial change, according to .

  The ex-Manchester United boss, currently out of work after a brief spell at Bayer Leverkusen, remains deeply respected in Amsterdam after his trophy-laden tenure between 2018 and 2022, during which he guided Ajax to three Eredivisie titles and a Champions League semi-final. His potential return is viewed as the club’s only viable lifeline to restore order on and off the pitch.

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  Kroes looks to Ten Hag as crisis solution

  Inside the Johan Cruyff Arena, pressure is mounting not only on Heitinga but also on Kroes himself, whose credibility is now tied to the struggling manager. According to reports, the Ajax director will hold follow-up talks with Ten Hag, hoping to persuade him to take charge before the winter break. For Kroes, the stakes are clear. Without Ten Hag’s agreement, his own position could soon become untenable. 

  Ten Hag’s track record speaks for itself. Under his leadership, Ajax became synonymous with dynamic, high-pressing football and world-class talent development, producing stars such as Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and Donny van de Beek. His return would not only bring tactical clarity but also much-needed stability to a fractured club structure.

  However, the 55-year-old will face a far tougher challenge this time. The current squad, described by Dutch media as “limited and flawed,” lacks the depth and technical quality of his previous era. Yet, given the club’s current state, expectations are modest, few believe a title race is even possible this season.

• Fan frustration reaches breaking point

  Wednesday’s humiliating loss to Galatasaray marked Ajax’s fourth straight defeat in the Champions League, leaving them bottom of the table and with just one goal scored. Heitinga, once seen as a steady interim figure, now looks increasingly out of his depth. Players’ silence spoke volumes: Davy Klaassen, echoing teammates Remko Pasveer and Steven Berghuis, stopped short of backing the coach, admitting there was still “little foundation” and “little development.”

  The discontent reflects deeper structural failings. Ajax’s recruitment has faltered, academy integration has slowed, and confidence has drained from a squad built on uncertainty. The AFCA supporters’ group voiced what many fans feel: “This football will bring tears to your eyes.”

  For a club once hailed as Europe’s model of modern success, the current malaise has been jarring and it explains why Ten Hag, despite previous tensions with the board, is seen as the only man capable of restoring identity and purpose.

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  Ten Hag’s return: motivation, timing and obstacles

  Since the abrupt end to his three-game stint at Leverkusen, Ten Hag has been taking time away from football. Reports suggest he is open to returning to Ajax in January, provided the club demonstrate both ambition and structural support.

  Financially, the move will not be simple. His €6 million severance package from Leverkusen complicates immediate negotiations, but Ajax are prepared to wait if it means securing their preferred candidate. Rival interest from Wolves, currently battling relegation in the Premier League, adds a layer of urgency. 

  For Ten Hag, the appeal is clear – a chance to reclaim his legacy at the club where he built his reputation and reignite a project that still bears his tactical fingerprints. For Ajax, it’s a gamble they can’t afford not to take.

MatériaMais Notícias

A partida Internacional x Santos contará com o árbitro Paulo César Zanovelli, que se envolveu em polêmicas na 27ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro.

+ Veja tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro-2023 clicando aqui

No empate entre Fluminense e Corinthians, por 3 a 3, a arbitragem não passou despercebida por conta de decisões polêmicas. 

+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000

Após a partida, o técnico Fernando Diniz reclamou e apontou supostos erros de Paulo Zanovelli e disse que a partida foi ‘manchada’ pela atuação do dono do apito.

– Jogo manchado pela arbitragem. Não consigo entender. Antes parecia tudo muito claro, principalmente no lance do Marlon. É inconcebível marcar um pênalti como aquele. Não dá para a gente entender como alguém consegue marcar um pênalti com tanta clareza em uma disputa. Se encostar na área é pênalti. Não é a primeira vez que o Fluminense é prejudicado. A pontuação tem muito a ver com o fato do Fluminense ser prejudicado – disse o comandante do Tricolor.

Na partida da última rodada, o árbitro de Inter x Santos gerou irritação da equipe carioca. De acordo com o clube, que fez até nota de repúdio por conta da atuação da arbitragem, dois pênaltis para o Flu não foram marcados e a penalidade assinalada para o Corinthians teria sido inexistente.

O juiz comandou a partida entre Santos e Internacional no primeiro turno do Brasileirão. O confronto, que terminou em empate, não teve grandes polêmicas de arbitragem

A partida entre esses dois clubes que buscam lutar contra a zona de rebaixamento acontece às 16h (de Brasília), neste domingo (22).

Zak Foulkes takes three catches and two wickets, Will Rhodes scores 51

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay06-Jul-2025

Will Rhodes scored a half-century•Getty Images

Durham gave their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast a massive boost when they defeated Birmingham Bears by eight runs at the Banks Homes RiversideNeeding 183 to secure their sixth win of their Blast campaign, the Bears were restricted to 174 for 8 with Zak Foulkes taking three catches and two wickets to add to the ex-Bear Will Rhodes’s 51 in his side’s 182 for 7.Having opted to bowl first in a match delayed by 70 minutes by rain, the Bears struck an immediate blow when home skipper, Alex Lees, was caught by Ed Barnard off Hasan Ali for 4 in the second over, the fielder running back from point to take a fine catch.Ollie Robinson was the next batter dismissed when he was caught at mid-off for 7 by George Garton in Hasan’s next over but Durham still got to 58 in their powerplay, thanks partly to Sam Hain dropping Clark at point the ball after the opener had hit Danny Briggs for six.The batter celebrated by smacking Briggs’ next delivery for six too but was caught behind by Alex Davies off Garton for 43 in the eighth over to leave his side three down with 75 runs on the board. Durham became a trifle becalmed after Clark’s departure and reached the midpoint of their innings on 86 for 3.But Colin Ackermann and Will Rhodes wellied 25 runs off the next 11 balls before fine work by Tom Latham and Dan Mousley ran out Ackermann for 27. Mousley then caught Jimmy Neesham on the long-on boundary for 14 when the New Zealander was trying to hit Jake Lintott for a second successive six but Rhodes reached his second T20 fifty of the season and Kasey Aldridge whacked 31 off 19 balls to steer the Bears towards what seemed a par total.Hasan was the most successful Bears bowler with 3 for 32 but Garton was the most miserly with 1 for 25.The Bears reply got off to a grisly start when Alex Davies skied Matty Potts to Zak Foulkes at mid-on and departed for a single in the second over but the next wicket was an all-Kiwi affair when Tom Latham was caught by Foulkes off Jimmy Neesham in the fifth over for 23.With their side on 43 for 2 and therefore 15 runs worse off than Durham after their powerplay, Hain and Mousley sought to accelerate but their efforts were scuppered when both fell to catches to deep square leg, Hain’s being taken by Potts off Parkinson for 20 and Mousley’s by Nathan Sowter off Aldridge for 19.Those wickets reduced the Bears to 65 for 4 in the tenth over and but the visitors never gave up their hopes of victory. Needing 90 off the last seven overs, they lost Rob Yates, caught by Clark at long leg off Foulkes for 17 and a fine juggling catch on the boundary by Sowter in the same over saw Garton on his way for one.But Barnard and Hasan’s onslaught on the Durham bowling saw 52 runs scored in four overs and left the visitors needing 31 off the final 12 balls. Neesham bowled the penultimate over and conceded just seven runs while taking the wicket of Hassan, caught by Lees at extra cover for 22, and Potts had Barnard caught on the deep midwicket boundary by Foulkes for a valiant 49 off the first ball of the final over, a dismissal which effectively ended the contest, despite Lintott smashing 15 off the last four balls of the game. Durham 182-7 beat Birmingham Bears 174-8Durham 4pts Birmingham Bears 0ptsReport filed by Paul Edwards (07962-115171) – Please do not use by-lineDurham gave their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the Vitality Blast a massive boost when they defeated Birmingham Bears by eight runs at the Banks Homes RiversideNeeding 183 to secure their sixth win of their Blast campaign, the Bears were restricted to 174 for eight with Zak Foulkes taking three catches and two wickets to add to the ex-Bear Will Rhodes’s 51 in his side’s 182 for sevenHaving opted to bowl first in a match delayed by 70 minutes by rain, the Bears struck an immediate blow when home skipper, Alex Lees, was caught by Ed Barnard off Hassan Ali for four in the second over, the fielder running back from point to take a fine catch.Ollie Robinson was the next batter dismissed when he was caught at mid-off for seven by George Garton in Hassan’s next over but Durham still got to 58 in their powerplay, thanks partly to Sam Hain dropping Clark at point the ball after the opener had hit Danny Briggs for six.The batter celebrated by smacking Briggs’ next delivery for six too but was caught behind by Alex Davies off Garton for 43 in the eighth over to leave his side three down with 75 runs on the board. Durham became a trifle becalmed after Clark’s departure and reached the midpoint of their innings on 86 for three.But Colin Ackermann and Will Rhodes wellied 25 runs off the next 11 balls before fine work by Tom Latham and Dan Mousley ran out Ackermann for 27. Mousley then caught Jimmy Neesham on the long-on boundary for 14 when the New Zealander was trying to hit Jake Lintott for a second successive six but Rhodes reached his second T20 fifty of the season and Kasey Aldridge whacked 31 off 19 balls to steer the Bears towards what seemed a par total.Hassan was the most successful Bears bowler with three for 32 but Garton was the most miserly with one for 25.The Bears reply got off to a grisly start when Alex Davies skied Matty Potts to Zak Foulkes at mid-on and departed for a single in the second over but the next wicket was an all-Kiwi affair when Tom Latham was caught by Foulkes off Jimmy Neesham in the fifth over for 23.With their side on 43 for two and therefore 15 runs worse off than Durham after their powerplay, Hain and Mousley sought to accelerate but their efforts were scuppered when both fell to catches to deep square leg, Hain’s being taken by Potts off Parkinson for 20 and Mousley’s by Nathan Sowter off Aldridge for 19.Those wickets reduced the Bears to 65 for four in the tenth over and but the visitors never gave up their hopes of victory. Needing 90 off the last seven overs, they lost Rob Yates, caught by Clark at long leg off Foulkes for 17 and a fine juggling catch on the boundary by Sowter in the same over saw Garton on his way for one.But Barnard and Hassan’s onslaught on the Durham bowling saw 52 runs scored in four overs and left the visitors needing 31 off the final 12 balls. Neesham bowled the penultimate over and conceded just seven runs while taking the wicket of Hassan, caught by Lees at extra cover for 22, and Potts had Barnard caught on the deep midwicket boundary by Foulkes for a valiant 49 off the first ball of the final over, a dismissal which effectively ended the contest, despite Lintott smashing 15 off the last four balls of the game.

Liverpool have not one chance but two to win a game of football this week. Albeit that makes up just half of the four-game losing run that has sent the Arne Slot project into a spin.

How fickle football is. Yesterday’s heroes are today’s villains, and Liverpool know they need to demonstrate sharply a return to form as their Premier League title defence crumbles before them.

This seems rather dramatic, but the Reds are beset with problems, alright, and their issues are illustrated clearly by the miserable statistic of 21 goals shipped in 2025/26. League leaders Arsenal, conversely, have conceded three times across all competitions.

The forwards aren’t really firing, either, not on all cylinders, and there’s a real acceptance now that Liverpool have far-reaching tactical imbalances despite the record-breaking summer of spending, and by Slot’s own admission, they do not have the answers.

What Liverpool and Slot and the supporters need to rise from this rut is a talisman, something to spearhead a charge through so many obstacles. Could that, once again, be Mohamed Salah?

Mohamed Salah's role this season

This has unquestionably been the most challenging period of Salah’s Liverpool career. The 33-year-old has looked a shadow of his usual self, facing heavy criticism for quiet and wasteful performances on the right wing.

Football’s fickleness casts last year’s incredible achievements into the background, and this is unfair. Salah carried Slot’s early project to the highest peak of English football, shattering records and scoring 29 goals and providing 18 assists across the Premier League season. Other avenues lift that haul higher still.

But, equally, we cannot shirk from the Egyptian’s struggles, having watched this legendary forward struggle against a tide. Four goals and three assists from 13 matches is shocking by Salah’s standards, but it’s the squandered chances and lack of fluidity which have beggared belief.

Still, if ever there was a man to return to form, it is him, and Salah’s consolation goal against Brentford last weekend served as a timely reminder of his greatness.

The £400k-per-week superstar will play his part again this year, to be sure, but Liverpool need a new leader.

Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak have been signed on to take the baton as goal-getters-in-chief, but there’s another player under Slot’s wing who is proving himself the talisman to drive a pathway out of this mess.

Liverpool's new version of Salah

If Liverpool’s current “crisis”, as Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher has defined it, is to abate in time to make this a successful season, it’s clear that leaders are needed in more than just the forward areas.

Virgil van Dijk has come under fire for his recent displays, but he remains the galvanising force in defence, barking across the field as the club’s captain.

But the man emerging as the new leading light is Dominik Szoboszlai, who has looked the Anfield side’s best player across a range of positions this term, which is equally impressive and concerning.

It’s been over two years since Szoboszlai, 25, moved from RB Leipzig to Merseyside for £60m, and from the get-go, he’s provided bundles of energy and tenacity.

Slot’s decision to pull him deeper has proved a successful one, as Szoboszlai is not naturally prolific in front of goal and this deeper berth gives rise to his many other qualities.

Said by analyst Raj Chohan to be “Liverpool’s best performer currently”, the Hungary captain has raised his game, maturing while sharpening his technical skill and developing his defensive game.

Matches (starts)

36 (29)

9 (9)

Goals

6

1

Assists

6

1

Touches*

46.1

86.2

Accurate passes*

29.6 (86%)

53.3 (86%)

Key passes*

1.6

1.4

Dribble (success)*

0.6 (55%)

0.8 (54%)

Recoveries*

3.7

6.2

Tackles + interceptions*

1.4

3.0

Clearances*

0.4

3.0

Duels (won)*

2.8 (43%)

4.7 (55%)

The data shows us that Szoboszlai has made headway this season, more robust and more complete than his hitherto level. His physicality and ability to direct and offer dynamism in the build-up is something that, say Alexis Mac Allister has failed to match, and in this, Szoboszlai is stretching head and shoulders above his teammates.

It seems quite likely that, when Liverpool stabilise, Szoboszlai will be able to take his game to the next level, still driving things forward but surrounded by a collective competency that is simply not there right now.

Football is unforgiving. You cannot ride the coattails of your club’s former successes, standing on the shoulders of giants, some of whom might even remain within the first-team squad.

Liverpool were always going to need a period of adaptation, it was clear this would be a transitional season, lacking the fluency and muscle-movement spark of 2024/25 as Slot grabbed and sustained the final embers of Jurgen Klopp’s legacy.

Szoboszlai has retained all that high-octane Klopp-tailored quality while moulding his game into something Slot-esque too. To put it another way, he is more complete than he has ever been, and he is far outstripping his struggling teammates.

Slot must devise a solution to this pit into which Liverpool have fallen. So many players across the field need to step up.

Szoboszlai cannot stand any higher than he already is, and if the Reds are to turn a corner, they will owe much to the Hungarian machine’s quality and verve and unbreakable spirit.

Move over Salah: Slot's 5/10 Liverpool star is the new Jordan Henderson

Liverpool’s crisis deepened as they were condemned to a fourth successive Premier League defeat at Brentford.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 26, 2025

Lunch
Rishabh Pant’s chaotic cameo helped India stretch their lead to 357 on the fourth morning at Edgbaston, after KL Rahul’s calm half-century laid the foundations for him. Dropped on 10 by Zak Crawley, Pant threw the bat – quite literally, collecting it from square leg after losing grip – to reach 41 not out off 35 balls at the lunch interval.Rahul, resuming on 28, ticked over under gloomy skies, with the floodlights on throughout the first session. Brydon Carse caused him some problems, but was all over Karun Nair: he hit him on the grille with a lifter, had him edging into the gap between first and second slip, and finally had him caught behind on the drive for 26.Rahul progressed serenely to his half-century but was cleaned up by Josh Tongue, who was rewarded for sticking to his full length despite being driven for boundaries. Angling the ball in from wide on the crease, Tongue found some late movement away off the seam to beat Rahul’s outside edge, and remove his middle stump.

Pant made his intentions clear by charging his fourth ball and slapping it back over Tongue’s head for six, and was reprieved when Crawley put a straightforward chance down at mid-off off Ben Stokes. He responded by slog-sweeping Tongue for another six, and hauled Shoaib Bashir for three boundaries in as many overs.Shubman Gill batted with more composure at the other end, and faces a decision later in the day around how many runs India should look to set England. It was three years ago today that England completed their record run chase – against the same opponents, at the same venue – but they will likely need far more than 378 to take a two-nil series lead.

كشف حسين الشحات لاعب فريق الكرة بـ الأهلي، عن تفاصيل علاقته مع زملائه وتوقعه للثنائي محمود حسن تريزيجيه وأشرف بن شرقي بالتسجيل خلال مباراتي سيراميكا كليوباترا والزمالك، ضمن لقاءات بطولة كأس السوبر المصري.

وقال الشحات في تصريحات تلفزيونية عبر قناة “أبوظبي” الرياضية: “في مباراة سيراميكا كان تريزيجيه يلعب في مركزي، قلت له قبل اللقاء أنك ستحرز هدفًا، وبالفعل سجل، واليوم توقعت أن يسجل بن شرقي وقلت له ذلك أيضًا”.

طالع | ياسر إبراهيم: لاعبو الأهلي احتاجوا إلى “عزومة” بعيدًا عن الكرة.. وحسين الشحات: هذا اليوم فرق معنا

وتابع: “لأن من يلعب في مركزي دائمًا أتمنى أن يظهر بشكل جيد، ولو هناك مباراة يوجد ضغط أو مشكلة، أقول لزميلي الذي يشارك في مركزي اذهب وسجل هدفًا، لأنني أتمنى دائمًا الأفضل لمن يلعب مكاني”.

وأكمل الشحات: “بدأت فترة التأهيل من الإصابة، وسأكون متواجدًا مع الأهلي قريبًا إن شاء الله”.

وأتم: “عزومة ياسر إبراهيم للاعبين قبل مباراة الزمالك في الدوري كانت يومًا مميزًا جدًا، شعرنا فيه بروح جميلة، وكان لها تأثير إيجابي علينا جميعًا”.

Washington traps Stokes on the stroke of lunch on the fifth day with the visitors needing four more wickets

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jul-2025

Akash Deep produced a lion-hearted performance at Edgbaston•Getty Images

Akash Deep’s early double strike and Washington Sundar’s dismissal of England skipper Ben Stokes on the stroke of lunch have India on the verge of a series-squaring victory in this second Test at Edgbaston. England, trailing by 455, having not quashed talk of a potential record chase last night, will be up against it to even draw this match to preserve their 1-0 lead.Akash’s removal of Ollie Pope and Harry Brook inside the first 25 minutes of the first session gave way for a stand of 70 between Stokes and Jamie Smith. But midway through Washington’s second over, a gorgeous amount of drift and enough turn clipped the left-hander’s front pad ahead of the bat. Stokes’ review was in vain.Akash picked up where he left off on Saturday evening, pocketing another two wickets in a six-over morning spell. Pope was undone by steep bounce from a delivery full of a length, which reared up and forced the No.3 to defend into the ground and onto his own stumps. And then, Brook was left hobbling – and trapped in front – with a wicket delivery that seamed in and caught him on the inside of his right knee.Akash could have had more – and thus a maiden five-wicket haul – when another big seaming delivery cut through Smith (on 9 at the time) only to miss leg stump. Smith had arrived on 83 for 5, a run shy of the score when he came to the crease in the first innings before unfurling a stunning 184 not out. He remains unbeaten on 32.Shubman Gill seemed to be targeting Stokes’ wicket more keenly, particularly with Ravindra Jadeja operating from the City End, replacing Akash after the drinks break. The England captain looked to have been given a life on 18, as he turned the left-arm spinner around the corner, only for the catch to drop shot of Gill at leg slip.But Stokes was soon undone by Washington, given a cursory couple of overs in the lead-up to the break.On the evening of day four, England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick had ceded that, of course, a draw would be regarded as a positive result for England. That became a lot more attractive to the hosts following the morning showers which took 10 overs out of the day, even if the required rate to clear the remaining 536 runs was “only” 6.7 an over. Now, a third 400-plus defeat for Stokes and McCullum’s England looms.

Juventus are eyeing a move for Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand in the upcoming winter transfer window. The Bianconeri had shown interest in the Danish midfielder during the summer, but Sporting rejected their approach, as well as a reported offer from Manchester United. Juventus are also monitoring Sandro Tonali and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as alternative options.

Sporting CP rebuff interest in Hjulmand

According to , Hjulmand has a €60 million (£50m/$72m) release clause in his contract, which has drawn interest from several top European clubs. Juventus have been closely monitoring the Danish midfielder as an alternative to Douglas Luiz, viewing him as a strong addition to bolster their midfield. However, they were unable to make a move for Hjulmand as they needed to offload Luiz first to finance the transfer. 

Meanwhile, United have already made an approach, submitting a €40m (£34m/$46m) offer in the summer that Sporting promptly rejected. United manager Ruben Amorim, who previously coached Hjulmand at Sporting, is reportedly keen to reunite with the midfielder at Old Trafford. The club sees Hjulmand as an ideal fit for their system and a potential alternative to Brighton's Carlos Baleba, who has also been on their radar. United are expected to return with an improved offer as they look to strengthen their midfield ahead of the next transfer window.

Juventus are planning to make a significant investment in midfield, either in the upcoming January transfer window or in the summer of 2026. Juve to structure the deal by taking the player on loan with an option or obligation to buy, allowing them to defer the payment and manage their finances more effectively.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesJuventus eyeing alternatives

One of Juventus’ alternatives to Hjulmand is Newcastle United midfielder Tonali. The Italian spent three successful seasons at AC Milan, where he played a crucial role in helping the club win the Serie A title. His consistent performances made him one of Italy’s most promising midfielders, leading to a 2023 transfer to Newcastle. Since joining the Premier League side, Tonali has become a key figure in Eddie Howe’s midfield, playing an instrumental role in Newcastle’s qualification for the Champions League last season. However Given his importance to the team and his long-term potential, Newcastle are unlikely to part ways with Tonali easily, making any potential transfer a difficult and expensive pursuit for interested clubs.

Another potential target is Milinkovic-Savic, who currently plays for Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia. The Serbian midfielder’s contract with the club runs until 2028, making any move challenging for interested European sides. Before his transfer to Saudi Arabia in 2023, Milinkovic-Savic spent eight successful seasons at Lazio, where he established himself as one of Serie A’s top midfielders and won two Coppa Italia titles. His experience and physical presence make him an attractive option for clubs like Juventus. However, his current salary poses a major obstacle with the midfielder reportedly earning around €20m net per year (£17m/$23m) at Al-Hilal, a figure that would be extremely difficult for Juventus to match under their current financial structure.

Another option could be Franck Kessie of Al-Ahli, who is reportedly open to a return to Europe. Juventus showed interest in signing the Ivorian midfielder during the summer transfer window, but his high salary of €10m (£9m/$11m) per year proved to be a major obstacle.

New horizons for Juventus after change in coach

Juventus began the season strongly, winning their first three matches, including a thrilling 4-3 victory over Inter in the Derby d’Italia. However, their momentum started to fade after a 4-4 draw against Borussia Dortmund, which marked the beginning of a difficult run. Following that match, Juventus drew five games, including the one against Borussia Dortmund, and went on to lose three consecutive fixtures. Worryingly, the team failed to score in their last four matches during this poor spell, raising concerns about their attacking form. As a result, the club decided to part ways with Igor Tudor and appointed Luciano Spalletti as the new head coach. Spalletti’s arrival brought an immediate boost, as Juventus secured a much-needed 2-1 win over Cremonese in his first match.

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Getty Images SportJuventus and Sporting go head-to-head

Juventus are set to face Sporting today in the Champions League as they look to build on their recent victory under new manager Spalletti. The Italian coach will aim to make it two wins out of two since taking charge. The match will also give Juventus a chance to closely monitor their transfer target Hjulmand, as they get a first-hand look at the midfielder’s qualities.

To the well-trained eye of Baseball Hall of Famer and Fox Sports analyst David Ortiz, Game 3 of the World Series was over for the New York Yankees before it even started. Ortiz, speaking on Fox Sports' postgame show following the Los Angeles Dodgers' 4-2 win on Monday night, called out the Yankees'—and their fans'—"body language" from before and during the Game 3 loss, which put New York in a 3-0 hole in the World Series.

"I'll tell you what," Ortiz said. "You hit home when you talk about the body language. Even when Fat Joe came out, the body language from the fans was like damn! I was like what's going on here?! Are we in a funeral already?! You know what I'm saying? I'll tell you what."

Ortiz then went on to add that even after Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo's two-run home run in the ninth inning, which provided a glimmer of hope, he still didn't see any positive signs from the home team's dugout.

"Your body language had to be there all the way to the last out. Even when the home run was hit, they wasn't even celebrating."

The Yankees crowd was energized in the beginning but had the life taken out of it in the first inning by a two-run home run off the bat of Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, who has homered in all three games of the World Series thus far. And any hopes of a comeback were spelled by Dodgers starter Walker Buehler, who blanked the Yanks for five innings to earn the victory.

To hoist a 28th World Series trophy, the Yankees will have to do what just one team in MLB history has done: erase a 3-0 deficit.

Heeding the words of Ortiz, who helped orchestrate the only comeback from down 3-0, might help.

Over the last 25 years, Leeds United have cashed in on a number of star players, most recently after failing to secure immediate promotion back to the Premier League.

The Whites have done deals with the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City and Manchester United, but who is Leeds’ most expensive departure of all time?

Here is a look at Leeds United’s most expensive sales in their history, as per Transfermarkt, with a detailed look at the top 10.

1

Raphinha

£55m

Barcelona

2022

2

Kalvin Phillips

£45m

Man City

2022

3

Georginio Rutter

£40m

Brighton

2024

=4

Archie Gray

£30m

Tottenham

2024

=4

Rio Ferdinand

£30m

Man Utd

2002

6

Crysencio Summerville

£25m

West Ham

2024

=7

Tyler Adams

£20m

Bournemouth

2023

=7

Luis Sinisterra

£20m

Bournemouth

2024

9

Chris Wood

£15m

Burnley

2017

10

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink

£12m

Atletico Madrid

1999

11

Ross McCormack

£11m

Fulham

2014

12

Jack Clarke

£10m

Tottenham

2019

13

Jonathan Woodgate

£9m

Newcastle

2003

14

Glen Kamara

£8.4m

Rennes

2024

=15

Robbie Keane

£7m

Tottenham

2002

=15

Lewis Cook

£7m

Bournemouth

2016

=15

Alan Smith

£7m

Man Utd

2004

18

Ronaldo Vieira

£6.2m

Sampdoria

2018

=19

Robbie Fowler

£6m

Man City

2003

=19

Fabian Delph

£6m

Aston Villa

2009

Here’s a detailed look at the top 10 Leeds United sales… 10 Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink £12m to Atletico Madrid, 1999

Leeds United was Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s first taste of English football, with the Dutch forward joining from Boavista in 1997.

Hasselbaink finished as the joint Premier League Golden Boot winner in his second season, and after a dispute over a new deal, was sold to Atletico Madrid for £12m, with the club making five times the fee they paid for the striker.

9 Chris Wood £15m to Burnley, 2017

Striker Chris Wood arrived at Elland Road from Leicester City in 2015 and enjoyed two solid seasons with the club, scoring 30 goals in all competitions during the 2016/17 season.

His displays caught the eye of Burnley, and the lure of Premier League football persuaded Wood to move to Turf Moor, resulting in the Whites making a healthy profit following his £15m move.

8 Luis Sinisterra £20m to Bournemouth, 2024

Luis Sinisterra was one of a number of players who exercised their relegation loan clause to leave Elland Road in 2023, returning to the Premier League with Bournemouth.

Jaidon Anthony moved to Leeds on loan from the Cherries, and in February 2024, Sinisterra’s move to the south coast was made permanent for a £20m fee.

7 Tyler Adams £20m to Bournemouth, 2023

Weeks before Sinisterra joined Bournemouth on loan, holding midfielder Tyler Adams had swapped Elland Road for the Vitality Stadium in a permanent transfer, reportedly worth in excess of £20m.

The USA international’s one campaign in West Yorkshire ended in relegation, but Leeds did make a small profit on Adams, while his sale also kept the club in line with FFP.

6 Crysencio Summerville £25m to West Ham, 2024

After starring in the Championship and winning the league’s Player of the Year award in 2024, it was no surprise that Leeds’ failure to win promotion back to the top flight resulted in Crysencio Summerville’s exit.

Leeds signed Summerville from Eredivisie giants Feyenoord for a fee believed to be just over £1m, resulting in a huge profit when West Ham triggered an exit clause that cost the Hammers £25m.

5 Rio Ferdinand £30m to Man Utd, 2002

Defender Rio Ferdinand was Leeds’ record departure for 20 years after he joined rivals Manchester United in 2002 for what was a mind-boggling £30m.

Signed from West Ham in 2000, Ferdinand went from strength to strength at Elland Road, and following Leeds’ financial troubles, the Red Devils took advantage and made him the most expensive British footballer in history at the time.

4 Archie Gray £30m to Tottenham, 2024

Academy graduate Archie Gray only made his senior debut for Leeds at the beginning of the 2023/24 season, and less than 12 months later, he was joining Spurs in a big-money £30m deal.

Gray starred in midfield and at right-back in the Championship and was another who had a release clause triggered after Leeds lost at Wembley to Southampton in the play-off final.

3 Georginio Rutter £40m to Brighton, 2024

Like Summerville and Gray, Georginio Rutter also left Leeds in 2024 and was another who had a release clause activated after the club’s failure to win promotion.

Brighton triggered the clause with hours to spare, with the Whites making a profit on the fee they paid Hoffenheim in 2023. Rutter’s £40m sale was the largest sum they received that summer.

2 Kalvin Phillips £45m to Man City, 2022

Academy graduate Kalvin Phillips was transformed by Marcelo Bielsa, becoming a key cog in the Argentinian’s Leeds side between 2018 and 2022.

The holding midfielder even went on to star for England and helped Leeds to the Premier League, which resulted in Manchester City and Pep Guardiola taking Phillips to the Etihad for £45m. However, Phillips held the record as Leeds’ biggest departure for just 11 days…

1 Raphinha £55m to Barcelona, 2022

Leeds United’s most expensive sale of all time is Raphinha, who is also arguably the most talented player the Whites have had this millennium.

Signed from French side Rennes on deadline day in 2020, Raphinha helped Leeds finish ninth in their first season back in the Premier League and almost single-handily kept Leeds up in 2022 before sealing his dream move to Camp Nou following a £55m transfer.