Michael Vaughan: 'Amateurish' if England don't play PM's XI fixture

There is a two-day match in Canberra next weekend but Ben Stokes indicated Test squad members were unlikely to feature

Matt Roller23-Nov-20252:13

Stokes defends attacking approach after batting collapse

England are unlikely to send any of the players involved in their eight-wicket thrashing in Perth to Canberra for next week’s pink-ball tour match, a decision which former captain Michael Vaughan has described as “amateurish”.The speed of Australia’s win in a chaotic first Ashes Test has left England with 11 days before the start of the second, day-night Test in Brisbane on December 4. There is a two-day, pink-ball match scheduled between a Prime Minister’s XI and an England XI on November 29, but England Lions have long been scheduled to fulfil that fixture rather than the main touring party.Related

England decline opportunity for pink-ball practice in Lions fixture

McCullum backs Crawley; calls on England to show greater 'conviction'

Konstas named in Prime Minister's XI to face England

McCullum backs England's team ethic to bounce back from chastening loss

A generational flaying takes its place in England's Ashes lore

Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, said after the first Test that England would consider sending some players to Canberra. “I haven’t even thought about it just yet, to be honest, because I planned on us being a little bit longer than two days,” he told the BBC’s . “We’ll let the dust settle tonight and then we’ll have a good think about it tomorrow.”But Ben Stokes, their captain, suggested that England will stick to their guns and head straight to Brisbane on November 26 to prepare for the second Test at the Gabba. “That’s how it was done a long time ago,” he replied, when asked if his side should look to play another competitive match in the aftermath of their heavy defeat.”We prepare incredibly well,” Stokes said. “We work incredibly hard every single day that we get the opportunity to work on our game, and that’s what we’ll keep on doing because we believe and we trust in our process.England folded twice in Perth but it’s currently unlikely any of the batters will play in Canberra•Getty Images

“If the results don’t go the way in our favour, that’s not going to differ from that (sic) because, hand on heart, we know that we put every little bit or ounce of ourselves into our training, and we know and believe that this is the best way for this team to operate.”Alastair Cook, England’s leading run-scorer in their most recent series win in Australia in 2010-11, urged them to reconsider. “In this situation, I would want to go and play in the pink-ball game against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra, not just leave it to the Lions players,” he wrote in his column.”It can be an uncomfortable decision as you are opening yourself up to failing again, but putting yourself under pressure can have long-term benefits. However much you practise in the nets, you cannot replicate the feeling of time in the middle.”Vaughan, the top-scorer in the 2002-03 Ashes, went even harder, suggesting that England should go into the tour match at full strength – including fielding the fast bowlers that played in Perth. “It’s amateurish if they don’t go and play now,” he said. “What harm is playing two days of cricket with a pink ball under lights?”They’ve played two days of cricket. They’ve been out in the field for, what, 70 [67.3] overs? Look, they’re professional cricketers. I can’t be so old-school to suggest that by playing cricket, you might get a little bit better… My method would be, you’ve got a pink-ball, two-day game: you go and grab it, go and take it. Play those two days, and make sure that you’re giving yourself the best chance.”It’s not being old-school to suggest that a pink ball is different to a red ball. Playing under the lights is different. Australia have won pretty much every pink-ball game in Australia: they’ve lost once. I’m not too old-school to suggest that they should play in that game… I’d like to know why they wouldn’t.”England released three unused members of their Test squad – Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks and Matthew Potts – to play for the Lions in their ongoing tour match against a Cricket Australia XI at Lilac Hill from the second day of the first Test, and may take a similar approach for the PM’s XI fixture.The PM’s XI will be captained by Peter Handscomb and features three other players with Test match experience in top-order batters Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney, and veteran seamer Peter Siddle.

Steven Smith bats with 'eye blacks' ahead of pink-ball challenge

Australia’s stand-in captain said that a pink-ball Test is ‘just a completely different game’

Matt Roller30-Nov-2025Steven Smith looks set to emulate former West Indies batter Shivnarine Chanderpaul by wearing ‘eye blacks’ on his cheeks during the second Ashes Test at the Gabba. He trialled the anti-glare strips while batting in the nets during Australia’s floodlit training session on Sunday evening ahead of Thursday’s day-night, pink-ball fixture in Brisbane.Smith has played 13 of Australia’s 14 previous pink-ball Tests but has not taken to the format in the same way as red-ball cricket: he has only scored one hundred in 24 innings in day-night Tests, averaging 37.04. His record in daytime Tests is far superior, with 35 centuries in 190 innings and an average of 58.31.”The pink ball in general is just a completely different game,” Smith had said during Australia’s most recent day-night Test match, a 176-run win over West Indies in Jamaica in July. “Personally, I find it quite tricky just picking the ball up at certain times of the day and things like that, and the way it behaves is completely different to a red one.”I think people like the spectacle. But as a player, particularly as a batter, it’s very challenging. The game can so quickly, and things change really quickly, which you probably don’t get so much with a red ball. But yeah, people like watching it, I suppose, so I guess it’s here to stay.”Related

'I'll be wearing them' – Smith commits to anti-glare tape in day-night Test

Ten years since Adelaide, pink-ball Tests remain an Australian speciality

Bashir, Jacks in frame as England mull taking the pink for a spin

Root questions need for pink-ball Ashes Test

Head 'happy' to keep opening amid Khawaja debate

The ‘eye blacks’ – small, black, adhesive strips worn on the cheekbone – that Smith wore in training are commonplace in several American sports, and are designed to reduce the glare from floodlights by absorbing the light that would otherwise reflect off the skin.Chanderpaul is the most prominent cricketer to have used them previously. “I always used it whenever it was very glary,” he told in a 2018 interview. “I stick them on and it does help take 60-70 percent of the glare off my eyes, and that was good for me.”Alastair Cook, who played three day-night Tests for England, has identified focusing on the pink ball’s black seam as the biggest challenge for batters due to glare. “When the floodlights shine off the pink leather, it distracts from focusing on the black seam – and if you can’t see the seam as a batsman, you’re in big trouble,” Cook wrote in his column.”Whatever type of cricket you are playing, the seam is your clue as to how the ball will behave… At least you have a chance with a red ball. If it’s a pink one under lights, it’s nigh-on impossible to pick up the seam and, therefore, decide with confidence which way the ball might move.”Smith’s innovation came on the same day that Joe Root questioned whether the Ashes should feature a pink-ball Test, comments which Travis Head dismissed.Australia lead the five-Test series 1-0 after beating England inside two days in Perth.

Endrick, do Palmeiras, imita 'King Kong' em comemoração, e jogadores do Liverpool brigam; veja

MatériaMais Notícias

Endrick marcou mais um gol com a camisa do Palmeiras, nesta quinta-feira (9), e os jogadores do Liverpool não gostaram da comemoração do atacante. Veja o momento no vídeo acima!

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Siga o Lance! Palmeiras no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Verdão

➡️Placar exato! Aposte R$100 no Lance! Betting e leve R$490 no placar mais comum em Palmeiras x Athletico

O garoto de 17 anos imitou o personagem “King Kong”, figura presente em diversas obras cinematográficas dos cinemas. Essa é uma celebração já comum de Endrick, que a reproduziu em outras oportunidades pelo Palmeiras.

Os atletas do Liverpool iniciaram uma confusão, e os jogadores do Palmeiras foram defender Endrick. Após os desentendimentos, o árbitro Andrés Rojas apresentou cartão amarelo para o atacante.

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Jornalistas detonam arbitragem por amarelo a Endrick em comemoração: ‘Vergonha’

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
LIVERPOOL-URU X PALMEIRAS
COPA LIBERTADORES – FASE DE GRUPOS – QUARTA RODADA

🗓️Data e horário:quinta-feira, 9 de maio de 2024, às 19h (de Brasília)
📍Local:Estadio Centenário
🟨Árbitro:Andrés Rojas (COL)
🚩Assistentes:Roberto Padilla (COL) e Jhon Gallego (COL)
🖥️VAR:David Rodriguez (COL)

⚽ESCALAÇÕES

LIVERPOOL-URU (Técnico: Emiliano Alfaro)
Sebastián Lentinelly; Jean Rosso, Matías de Los Santos, Enzo Martínez, Miguel Samudio e Agustín Cayetano; Lucas Lemos e Martín Barrios; Matías Ocampo, Diego Campos e Luciano Rodríguez.

continua após a publicidade

PALMEIRAS (Técnico: Abel Ferreira)
Weverton, Marcos Rocha, Murilo, Gustavo Gómez e Piquerez; Aníbal Moreno, Gabriel Menino e Raphael Veiga; Lázaro, Endrick e Estêvão.

Tudo sobre

EndrickPalmeiras

Well-known English cricket figure under investigation for alleged drink spiking

A well-known figure within English cricket is being investigated by police over allegations of spiking the drinks of two women and sexually assaulting one of them.The reported on Friday that the man, in his 40s, was questioned under caution by Scotland Yard in June after a complaint at a pub in south-west London, in the SW6 area which covers Fulham and Parsons Green. The ECB declined to comment on the allegations.”We are currently investigating allegations of spiking and sexual assault against two women that took place on Thursday, 22 May at a pub in the SW6 area,” the Metropolitan Police told ESPNcricinfo in a statement.”Two women are believed to have been spiked with one also allegedly sexually assaulted. A man in his 40s was interviewed under caution on Thursday, 5 June. Enquiries remain ongoing and no arrests have been made at this stage.”Chris Haward, the managing director of the Cricket Regulator – the independent body responsible for handling disciplinary cases within English cricket – said last month: “Removing sexual misconduct from the game is a priority.”The Regulator has twice charged individuals following instances of sexual misconduct in the last year.A coach was suspended for up to nine months in August after being dismissed by his county for “sexualised and inappropriate” pictures to junior female members of staff. Last November, another coach was suspended for up to six months for “inappropriate sexual behaviour” on a county pre-season tour.

Sunderland ready to bid for Ansu Fati amid Le Bris plan for Barcelona gem

Sunderland have recruited well since entering the Premier League picture and could now be set to make an ambitious yet methodical play to land Monaco loanee Ansu Fati.

The Black Cats are enjoying a steady start to the campaign under Regis Le Bris, and they have been the most exciting of the newly promoted sides to enter the top flight, attracting praise for their entertaining style of football.

Nevertheless, the Sunderland boss is simply enjoying the ride, as he told BBC Sport before their 1-1 draw with Everton that the next challenge for his group is to remain consistent in what will be a testing run of upcoming fixtures.

Wilson Isidor has stepped up to fill the Sunderland striking role, and Chelsea star Marc Guiu could rejoin the club in January after a brief stint at the Stadium of Light.

Of course, stocking up on attacking reinforcements to improve squad depth will be critical to ensuring the Black Cats survive. Early-season form is a positive indication, but the management team will keep their feet on the ground while supporters dream.

It goes without saying, Sunderland are at their most exciting point for well over a decade at the least. They are back competing at the top table and look to be thriving under the pressure, increasing their appeal to potential signings.

With that in mind, they could now go all out for an exciting international winger with the flair to add another dimension in the final third.

Sunderland could build their team around Ansu Fati

According to reports in Spain, Sunderland are keen to bring Monaco loanee Ansu Fati to the North East and see him as a figure who ‘can lead a growing project within the Premier League’ if he were to complete a move.

Aston Villa are also keen on his services, though Barcelona and Monaco have an agreement in place whereby the latter can purchase him permanently for £9.6 million next summer.

Ansu Fati’s incredible early-season form

Appearances

10

Goals

6

Assists

0

La Blaugrana can also buy him back after that for around £24.5 million. Should either agreement not come to fruition, then Sunderland would be free to pursue the Spain international.

Fotmob illustrate that he has created seven chances and has directed 6 of his 13 shots on target in Ligue 1 this term, playing into the theory that he has enjoyed a rebirth of form in the principality of Monaco.

Sunderland have a new star who's been their best signing under Le Bris – it's not Xhaka

Of course, their league finish and level of ambition moving forward may factor into matters, though it appears Sunderland could well be a match made in heaven for Fati.

Salahuddin: 'I have no ego; if someone better comes along, it's for the team'

He cut a frustrated figure at the pre-match conference when it was suggested that the team might be looking for a new batting coach

Mohammad Isam15-Jul-2025Bangladesh have had plenty of troubles on and off the field in 2025. They have suffered series defeats against UAE, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. They have also lost the Test and ODI series in Sri Lanka with one match left on the tour. Ahead of the third T20I on Wednesday, frustration within the Bangladesh dressing room spilt out.Assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin reacted strongly at the pre-match press conference when it was suggested that the BCB is looking for a new batting coach. Salahuddin was appointed last November primarily as the team’s batting coach, but the batting unit has not completely clicked over the last nine months, with some holding Salahuddin responsible.Related

Bangladesh look to end on a high in climactic tour finale

Shanto steps down as Bangladesh Test captain after series loss against Sri Lanka

“My role as a coach in the Bangladesh team isn’t set in stone,” Salahuddin said. “I have never had any ego about it. If someone better comes (in the role of a batting coach), it will be for the team. The Bangladesh team is not the property of my father and grandfather. I will get criticised when I don’t do well, I will get praised when I do well. It is the reality. Whether I give 100% for my team, whether I am honest or not, is the main concern.”Salahuddin’s main gripe was with recent media reports that he has heavily influenced team decisions including selection and player roles. Given his stellar record in domestic cricket for the last two decades, he has also developed long-standing working relations with many cricketers, including those in the current Bangladesh squad.”After coaching for 27-28 years, I am hearing that there are lots of complaints in the team against me. I really would like to know about those complaints. Best if it was given to me in writing. You have to provide hard evidence. It will help me correct myself.”If I feel that the team needs a change for the good of the team, I will most likely do that. Our team has been losing regularly, so how will I benefit from favouritism?”It is not the first time during this Sri Lanka tour that discord within the Bangladesh team has come out in public. Last month, Najmul Hossain Shanto resigned from the Test captaincy, stating that the dressing room had too many captains. Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz are the T20I and ODI captains, respectively.

James Anderson to captain Lancashire in next two Championship rounds

Red Rose turn to veteran seamer with Marcus Harris absent to attend the birth of his child

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jun-2025Lancashire will be captained by James Anderson in their next two County Championship matches, with the 42-year-old stepping into an interim role due to Marcus Harris returning to Australia for the birth of his child.Anderson has only played once in the Championship this season, after a calf injury ruled him out for the first six weeks, but has been in good form in the Vitality Blast. He is set to lead the side against Kent in Blackpool starting on Sunday, in what will be his first experience of captaining a professional XI.Anderson will become Lancashire’s third red-ball captain this summer, with Harris having succeeded Keaton Jennings after a difficult start to the season that also cost Dale Benkenstein his job as head coach.Related

Dal, Morley defy Anderson, Hartley as Derbyshire escape

Benkenstein leaves Lancashire as Croft takes over as head coach

James Anderson: I've missed out on T20 over the past ten years

Anderson shines again as Lancashire continue Blast revival

“Jimmy [Anderson] will lead the side and it is exciting for him and us,” Steven Croft, Lancashire’s interim head coach, told the BBC. “He has captained only once and that was in a pre-season tour T20 game in Dubai so it will be nice for Jimmy and nice for the lads.”He has obviously got a lot to offer on and off the field. It will be a proud moment for him. It is not obviously all on Jimmy but it helps and his presence, particularly as captain, is a massive boost for the rest of the lads.”Lancashire are currently second from bottom in Division Two, having drawn five and lost two of their seven games, but they have enjoyed a successful start to the Blast, winning four of six to sit third in the North Group. Anderson has played his part, returning to the format after more than a decade and taking ten wickets in four matches.The Blast will break after Friday’s fixtures for two rounds of the Championship, with Lancashire facing Kent at home before a trip to play Derbyshire at Chesterfield. Harris will miss both games, but Lancashire will be able to call on Australian overseas signings Ashton Turner and Chris Green.”The way I’m looking at it and what I will say to the team is this is a pivot in the season,” Croft said. “Seven games that have gone before we can’t do anything about. But we still have seven games to climb the ladder and there is still a chance we can go up.”We are only a few wins away from being right at the top so we can use it as pivot in the season to get in the right direction. That break with the Blast, suddenly those wins seem a little bit more attainable.”

Jayawardene: 'We lost the game when we had control of it'

Did Mumbai Indians miss a trick by handing the ball to Deepak Chahar, and not Hardik Pandya, for the all-important final over?

ESPNcricinfo staff07-May-20253:53

Abhinav Mukund: ‘MI bowlers let the game drift a bit in the middle overs’

When the rain went away and Gujarat Titans (GT) needed 15 to win off six balls, Mumbai Indians (MI) had a few options to throw the ball to. Deepak Chahar had bowled just two. Hardik Pandya had bowled just one. The spinners Karn Sharma and Will Jacks had bowled just three between them. It had to be a quick bowler, so it was between Chahar and Hardik, and MI chose Chahar. Chahar was “our main bowler” at that point, Mahela Jayawardene, the MI head coach, said later by way of explanation, but Katey Martin was sure that “you always want your skipper to step up” in such situations.But MI seemed to have made that decision before the team walked out for that one over after the last rain delay, pushing the Tuesday game into Wednesday, that it would be Chahar. A four and a six were hit, a no-ball was bowled, and GT were home off the last ball in a seesawing contest.”Deepak did that job for us when Booms [Jasprit Bumrah] was not there [for the first few games of the season],” Jayawardene said at the post-match press conference after MI’s streak of wins ended at six. “He was good, our main bowler. It’s easier for you to ask me that question and for me to say, ‘yeah, maybe Hardik’. Had Hardik gone for three sixes, you might have asked me why you didn’t bowl Deepak. I don’t like to go to that.”Related

For Gujarat Titans, a famous win comes with a wake-up call

IPL 2025 scenarios: KKR in serious danger of missing out on playoffs

Hardik on MI's three no-balls: 'A crime in my eyes'

“Throughout the game, we made some good decisions with the ball when we had to attack. Deepak’s execution – a couple of balls he missed, they hit some good shots, we bowled a no-ball as well on top of that – and we still came down to the last ball.”It was not the decision; it was the execution. That’s where we lost the game. My thinking is we lost the game when we had control of it and that was disappointing.”On the question of why not Hardik, Martin, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show, said, “He typically bowls the crucial over. And I understand that he went for a few earlier. But yeah, you always want your skipper to step up.” Hardik’s only over in the game had gone for 18 runs, with three wides and two no-balls.Martin and her co-panellist Abhinav Mukund agreed that MI had taken their foot off the pedal in the middle overs of GT’s chase.”I felt they just let the game drift a little bit in that middle phase,” Abhinav said. “Because they have a set plan – like how Gujarat Titans have a set plan with their top three – when it comes to their bowling, they like using Bumrah to the back end of the powerplay, then maybe one in the middle overs and then maybe one at the death, or maybe even two at the death.2:06

How crucial was Gill’s 43 from 46 balls?

“They were forced to change the plan because of Gujarat Titans. But if you see the number of runs that were leaked in between the Bumrah overs – so Bumrah went three and five, and then you had that sudden surge of 37 in three overs [six to eight]. And then another surge [28 runs in overs 13 and 14] before Bumrah did eventually come back on. So… I know, cheat code and all of that, but you’ve got to manage your other bowlers as well. They got lucky with Ashwani Kumar, 2 for 28 in four.”As it transpired, Bumrah and Trent Boult had to bowl out by the 17th over as MI went in search of wickets, leaving Chahar, a powerplay specialist normally, and Hardik as the main options for the last over after rain decided the chase to a 19-over affair. Ashwani played his part well, coming on as a concussion sub for Corbin Bosch and picking up two wickets and bowling economically.At many levels, it was Bumrah or bust for MI in the phase leading up to the death overs, and he didn’t disappoint. Over No. 15 was 1 for 6. Over No. 17 was 1 for 7. Shubman Gill and Shahrukh Khan gone. Bumrah did swing the game, and the DLS equation, MI’s way there.The Gill wicket was a beauty. And Shahrukh was probably just not up to the task.”That’s the thing with Bumrah, right, he has the extraordinary skill and capability to change his length based on the batter,” Abhinav said. “And he went slightly full, he missed the yorker – which I think he’s not too confident about even now, seven games after injury – and went for four. And then he decided, ‘Let me go back to lengths, let me cramp them because that’s what I did the first two overs of the spell to Shubman and Jos Buttler.’ So he went there again. And that’s the ball he nails time and again.”It wasn’t sensible from Shahrukh to keep going, but I have seen him do it multiple times to try and just boss the game. You don’t boss the best in the world, right?”2:04

‘Bumrah can make the best batters look silly’

Till he got out, Gill was playing an ODI-style innings, going at under a run a ball, but doing just what GT needed to stay ahead of the DLS par score in a game where batting was far from easy – it was swinging around more than halfway into the second innings.”The unbelievable part is that you can look so good and elegant as Gill has throughout the whole IPL, and the ball deviated a lot and nipped back in quite a bit, and he was literally nowhere,” Martin said of Bumrah knocking Gill over with one that nipped back in and zipped off the surface. “It was just all about his [Gill’s] hands trying to get the bat on the ball, there was concrete in his feet.”That’s what Bumrah does; he can make the best batters in the world look silly by just the intelligence in where he bowls, the extra pace, and the fire – he’s just got the fire in the belly for Mumbai to get the side across the line. And I think the back-up over from Trent Boult [the 16th, which took Sherfane Rutherford out] and then another wicket [Ashwani getting Rashid Khan]. Ashwani wasn’t even meant to be playing this game, he’d come in at the halfway mark as a concussion sub, and to be able to pick up a couple of wickets, economical too, I think the way Mumbai Indians bowled just shows they are never out of the game.”They weren’t. Till that last over. Poor decision? Poor execution? We’ll never know what might have happened if Hardik, more used to bowling in the death overs, had bowled instead of Chahar.

Celtic agree imminent deal for 8th signing with player travelling to UK

Celtic now look to be closing in on their eighth signing of the summer transfer window, in another boost for manager Brendan Rodgers.

Rodgers "very pleased" with his Celtic side

The Scottish Premiership champions maintained their 100% winning start in the league this season on Saturday, sealing a routine 3-0 victory at home to Livingston. Speaking after the game, Celtic manager Rodgers was in positive spirits, with his side already six points clear of rivals Rangers after just three matches.

“I was very pleased. I thought the performance was really good. We started well and with the tempo that we wanted. There were a lot of changes but the fluidity in the team was very good and we got in to some good areas in the first half. In the second half, we had a good flow in the game and scored three very good goals.

Brendan Rodgers

“Defensively we’re strong, we’ve conceded only one goal in four domestic games. And today, against a team that are very compact and tight, we showed some really good moments of football.”

Now, the positivity appears to be continuing at Celtic, with the Hoops looking to be on the verge of completing another summer signing, following a new update.

Celtic close to completing 8th summer signing

Taking to X on Monday morning, Anthony Joseph reports that Celtic are closing in on the signing of Michel-Ange Balikwisha from Royal Antwerp, with a medical scheduled in the UK this week.

This is brilliant news for anyone of a Celtic persuasion, with Balikwisha a long-time transfer target who could make them even more of an attacking force.

The Belgian has scored 30 goals in 145 appearances for Antwerp, predominantly shining from the left wing, but also being able to do a good job on the opposite flank and in more of a central role.

Muscle injury

2024/25

21

3

Muscle injury

2024/25

57

9

Torn thigh muscle

2024/25

127

17

Knee surgery

2023/24

49

10

Muscle injury

2022/23

44

2

Torn thigh muscle

2022/23

59

12

Hip injury

2021/22

33

7

Hamstring injury

2021/22

18

3

That said, the one slight concern for Rodgers will be Balikwisha’s injury history, with the 24-year-old suffering plenty of absences during his career.

Talks open: Celtic in "negotiations" to sign full-back similar to Johnston

The Hoops could be busy before the deadline.

1 ByCharlie Smith Aug 24, 2025

But hopefully, he has rid himself of those fitness woes, coming in and being an immediate key man for Celtic, giving the Scottish champions the additional firepower that they have craved throughout the summer window.

Leeds on "alert" for star loved by Jurgen Klopp, he'll pick new club "soon"

Leeds United may have seen the transfer window slam shut, but they are still in the race to bring in a former Premier League star who is on the free agent market, according to a report.

Leeds United miss out on Josh Brownhill

Despite the Whites showing an interest in Josh Brownhill, the former Burnley midfielder won’t be moving to Elland Road after leaving Turf Moor for a new challenge elsewhere. Instead, the Warrington-born man is set for a surprise move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Shabab, with Graeme Bailey detailing on X that he has knocked back advances from several Premier League clubs to sign a lucrative deal in the Middle East.

He stated: “Josh Brownhill has agreed terms on his move to Saudi Arabia with Al-Shabab. Brownhill shunned interest from Wolves, Everton and Leeds whilst also rebuffing a late approach from Brentford. He is now due for his medical ahead of penning a two-year-deal worth £100,000-a-week.”

Injuries to Ao Tanaka and Ethan Ampadu have left Leeds light in midfield. At the same time, Joe Rodon recently pulled out of Wales’ double header against Kazakhstan and Canada, albeit he is expected to recover in time to face Fulham.

Nevertheless, a disappointing end to the window has left Leeds a body or two short from middle to front, factoring in circumstances, something that Chelsea’s late hijack of their move for Facundo Buonanotte didn’t help.

Leeds had deal agreed to sign "important" ace who once silenced Elland Road

It was a day to forget for the Yorkshire club…

2 ByTom Cunningham Sep 2, 2025

Senne Lammens was also approached by Leeds before choosing to move to Manchester United, capping off a frustrating final few hours of the market.

Nevertheless, there could still be some out-of-window action at the Whites, with Daniel Farke set to fight to strengthen their engine room with the arrival of a renowned free agent.

Leeds United battling to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

According to Football Insider, Leeds United are looking to sign former Premier League midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a free transfer after he was released by Besiktas.

Pete O’Rourke explained the situation: “Now that he’s left Besiktas, clubs have been put on alert by his availability. There’s interest from clubs in the Premier League, Championship and across Europe as well, with Leeds and Birmingham among them. So I’m sure he’d be ready to return to England after a couple of years away, and I expect there will be some movement on his future soon.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Premier League record

Appearances

235

Goals

20

Assists

24

Titles

PL winner in 2019/20

Praised by Jurgen Klopp for his double against Genk in the Champions League back in 2019, the former England international is now 32 years of age and scored once in 20 appearances across all competitions last season.

Now looking to get back to familiar surroundings, he may find a home at Elland Road due to Farke’s shortage of midfielders, offering leadership and experience if the Whites can beat Birmingham City to his signature.

Game
Register
Service
Bonus