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Manchester United have confirmed head coach Ruben Amorim is remarkably related to one of his players after Portuguese ancestral site Geneall claimed the pair share the same great-great-grandfather. The Red Devils boss's relative was born in France before moving to and settling in Portugal as a circus artist, where they continued to perform alongside raising a family.

Amorim's relative revealed

As per , Amorim's distant relative is none other than defender Diogo Dalot, who has been a regular starter at United since the former Sporting boss took over. They are both great-great-grandsons of Carlos Dallot, who was born in France and toured Europe as a performer with his siblings Jose and Julia.

Dalot has previously confirmed that his family has French origins, and that the circus performers permanently relocated to the Portuguese city of his birth, Braga.

The 26-year-old is now able to call his manager part of the family away from their working relationship. Dalot has started 39 times in Amorim's 54 matches in charge of United, including the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday. However, the Portuguese international was the first man taken off after Forest went into a 2-1 lead early in the second half.

Amorim said of that decision: "If you see Dalot, many times Dalot has the ball with space to make the cross, but he’s a right footer, he’s always inside without space. The only [alternative] is Patrick (Dorgu), you are going to do the same thing. When you have the ball, go to the side and cross, the space is there. Because if you want to come inside [Matheus] Cunha is always there to receive the ball."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDalot key to Man Utd's resurgence

United have been enjoying an upturn in form under Amorim after a tricky start to the season, but Dalot has been an ever-reliable servant for his manager as he continues to embed his philosophy and system at Old Trafford. So far this term, the defender has played as a right and left wing-back, as well as part of the three. In 2025-26, Dalot has made eight Premier League appearances and is now up to 219 in total for the Red Devils. He cost the club £18 million ($23m) from Porto in 2018.

Amorim's biggest believer

At the height of a dark period for Amorim that came with a lot of scrutiny, Dalot was one of the few who stood up for his manager. In the troubles of last term, with United scrambling to avoid being pulled into a relegation scrap and fighting to win the Europa League, the defender claimed that if he is given time, Amorim can lead the club to the Premier League title, a feat not achieved since Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge in 2013. Speaking in an interview, Dalot said: "If you want me to be completely honest, with this manager, I think we can win a Premier League. I think realistically we can win. But then it becomes the most difficult thing to hear as a fan: that it will take time. I understand. I'm a player but, at the same time, I know what you feel. I know that this club is thirsty to win and everybody wants to win. We're not talking about cups – I know that is important, to win trophies – but what brought this club to what it is is big trophies.

"I think we can win a Premier League with this manager, but at the same time, we need to create an environment where he has everything set for what he wants from the players. We need to also adapt to the system. It will take some time. Obviously we cannot think too much ahead, but I'm really convinced that the way he conducts himself, the way that he communicates with players, the idea that he has… we can do it. Now it becomes the most difficult part, but being really honest and positive about it, I think we can win big trophies with this manager."

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Getty Images SportA long road ahead

The Red Devils still look a way off being able to compete with the likes of Arsenal and rivals Man City for the title. But there has definitely been improvement at United, which has coincided with the summer arrivals of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Next up for the Manchester club is a trip to Tottenham on Saturday, a match Amorim will be keen to win after suffering humiliation in the Europa League final last season at the hands of their Premier League rivals. 

Gloucestershire reply with gusto through Charlesworth and Phillips but still trail by 378

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay23-Jul-2025Gloucestershire 179 for 1 (Charlesworth 104*, Phillips 60*) trail Lancashire 557 (Green 160, Hartley 130, Hurst 106, Zaman 4-85) by 378 runsChris Green and Tom Hartley produced record-breaking performances with the bat as Lancashire assumed the upper hand on day two of the Rothesay County Championship Second Division match against Gloucestershire at the College Ground, Cheltenham.Both made their highest individual first-class scores, Green raising a superb 160 from 199 balls with 13 fours and eight sixes, and Hartley 130 via 153 deliveries with 14 fours and six sixes as the Red Rose county posted a formidable 557 in their first innings. Together, the pair staged Lancashire’s biggest ever ninth-wicket partnership of 212, eclipsing a long-standing record set by Australians Les Poidevine and Alexander Kermode in a match against Sussex in Eastbourne way back in 1907.Opening-day centurion Matty Hurst made a career-best 106, while Gloucestershire seamer Zaman Akhter and spinner Graeme van Buuren claimed figures of 4 for 85 and 3 for 117 respectively as their side waged a campaign of damage limitation on an essentially sound if slow Festival pitch.Demonstrating character aplenty, Ben Charlesworth and Joe Phillips launched a spirited counter-attack thereafter, staging an impressive unbroken alliance of 159 in 43.3 overs as Gloucestershire reached the close on 179 for 1, trailing by 378 runs. Charlesworth produced a dazzling display of stroke-play to score the fastest century of the match so far and finish on 104 not out, while Phillips played the supporting role to perfection, posting a stubborn undefeated 60 from 135 deliveries to dampen Lancashire’s hopes of forcing a second consecutive victory in the red-ball format.Again without the services of injured paceman Marchant de Lange, Gloucestershire deployed four spinners, van Buuren taking two wickets in four balls to check northern progress after Lancashire resumed on 290 for 6.Hurst had added just one run to his overnight career-best 105 when he pursued a wide delivery and sliced to Akhter at backward point, while Jack Blatherwait miss-timed a drive and skied to mid-off as the visitors slipped to 302 for 8.That was as good as it got for Gloucestershire. Pulling and driving with growing confidence, Green raised 50 from 87 balls and, together with Hartley, helped secure a third batting bonus point. Putting Todd Murphy under pressure for the first time, Green pulled the Australian Test spinner for two successive sixes over mid-wicket, in the process causing some among a healthy Festival audience to seek cover. No slouch himself and especially strong off the back foot, Hartley also opened his shoulders to good effect as the eighth wicket alliance realised 50 inside 12 overs.Green raised the hundred partnership in 151 balls with an imposing six over square leg off Singh Dale as Lancashire went past 400.Hartley brought up his 50 via 78 balls with a single on the leg side off Singh Dale as Lancashire reached lunch on 415 for 8. Their partnership was already the highest for the ninth wicket for Lancashire in matches against Gloucestershire, improving upon the 107 staged jointly by Billy Tyldesley and Bill Huddlestone at the Spa Ground, Gloucester in 1914 and by Alan Wharton and Malcolm Hilton at Blackpool in 1951.Tom Hartley celebrates his maiden first-class hundred•Getty ImagesGreen went to his hundred from 156 balls in the first over after lunch, the Australian driving Murphy through the off-side for the ninth four of an increasingly authoritative innings. When Hartley nudged a ball from Murphy into the covers and ran a single to move the score onto 445 for 8, he and Green had established a new Lancashire record ninth-wicket partnership. The occasion was marked by a gentle ripple of applause from a small handful of aficionados in front of the pavilion.By now slog-sweeping with impunity, Green plundered a further two sixes off Murphy to establish his highest first class score, surpassing the 121 made against Derbyshire at Chesterfield last month. Not to be upstaged, Hartley posted a career-best score of his own moments later, eclipsing the 73 not out made against Essex at Chelmsford in 2023. Green’s sixth six at the expense of Murphy carried him to a maiden 150 and, six runs later, he claimed the highest score by a Lancashire number eight, eclipsing the 155 mustered by Wasim Akram and Glenn Chapple in 1998 and 2001 respectively.Amid the blizzard of landmarks was a small success for the home side, Charlesworth bowling Green to offer respite. It proved short-lived, Hartley driving Charlesworth to the long-off boundary to register his maiden hundred from 145 balls with his 13th four later in the same over. The England spinner then launched a murderous offensive, smashing a further 29 runs in eight balls, including a quartet of sixes, before hoisting Charlesworth to long-off.Gloucestershire’s suffering continued, Cameron Bancroft shuffling in front of a straight delivery from Jimmy Anderson as the home side lost their first wicket with 20 on the board. Charlesworth and Joe Phillips mustered stubborn resistance thereafter, as tea was taken with the score 59 for 1.Charlesworth then went to a 54-ball half century in style, straight-driving Hartley for six as the second wicket pair continued to frustrate the bowling in the final session.Phillips offered staunch support, eschewing risk and compiling steadily as the Kookaburra ball softened. The hundred partnership occupied 161 balls, after which Charlesworth allowed his natural attacking instincts to take over, the 24-year-old left hander going to his fourth career first-class hundred from just 123 balls with 16 fours and a six. Rather more sedate in his approach, Phillips raised a chanceless 50 from 111 deliveries.

Don't look now, but the New York Mets are just two wins away from the NLCS. Yes, the same Mets that started the year 0-5. The same Mets that were, at one point, 17.5 games back. On Saturday, New York took the first game of the NLDS from the Philadelphia Phillies, going from a low of 21.8 percent win probability (per ESPN) to a 6-2 victory thanks in large part to a five-run eighth inning.

The Mets had to do plenty to make it into the postseason. They had to win one of their final two games (in doubleheader format) on the final day of the season to make it in, but that was crawling out of that massive deficit. Along the way, they were the good vibes ship captains with McDonald's mascot Grimace becoming a key icon and a latin pop hit from one of its players, Jose Iglesias, becoming their anthem.

But, with how hard they had to claw to get here, shouldn't they slow soon? The magic is entertaining, but it has to wear off sometime, right?

Brandon Nimmo doesn't think so. The Mets outfielder was asked on MLB Network if the team is tiring:

"I don't think you can be tired in the playoffs and with this atmosphere. We've been on the road for two weeks now, we've had some amazing games. I think I've played two or three of the best games of my career and they've been within a week span."

Nimmo continued, insisting this is what it's all about:

"This is what we play for. This is what we do that 162-[game] grind for. When you're standing on the line before a game and there's 50,000 people waving their towels and you've got the Red October, it's just like you dream when you're a kid. And you've got all that emotion and adrenaline going, I just don't think you can be tired."

It's perhaps fear-inducing, considering the Phillies have created one of the best home field advantages in baseball the last several years, to hear that the raucous, loud Philly crowd is essentially what's giving the visiting Mets extra life.

The Tampa Bay Rays won't be calling Tropicana Field home during the 2025 MLB season. Hurricane Milton battered the domed stadium in early October, causing significant damage to the roof as well as various other key parts of the field.

Repairs have been scheduled, but they figure to take a lengthy amount of time, leaving the team seeking more immediate solutions as to where they'll play baseball this coming season.

According to Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, a damage assessment of the stadium stated that repairs are expected to cost as much as $55.7 million and won't be complete until 2026. Topkin notes that the roof will account for around $23.6 million of the $55.7 million cost.

That's quite a large bill for a city to cover, considering the team intended to move to a new stadium in 2028. It remains to be seen how much of the cost of the repairs would be covered by insurance, which could play a factor into whether the city would be willing pay such an amount for effectively two more years at Tropicana Field before the move.

The Rays have called the Trop home since their inception in 1998. The stadium first opened in 1990. With their ballpark unavailable for the looming season, it's possible the team plays at the New York Yankees' spring facility, Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, or BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, the Philadelphia Phillies' spring facility.

The opener will head to India with Australia A next month before a crucial month of Sheffield Shield cricket that will determine his short-term Test prospects

Andrew McGlashan19-Aug-20250:27

Konstas gone for duck as tough Caribbean tour ends

Sam Konstas is fully aware he faces a “massive” run of Sheffield Shield matches early in the season if he is to retain his Test place for the start of the Ashes but is focused on shutting out much of the talk and trusting his inner circle.Konstas endured a torrid series against West Indies where he made 50 runs in six innings albeit in challenging conditions where the top orders of both teams found life tough. They were his first Tests since bursting into the side against India last season, but he is now back in the pack as far as selection goes to face England in November.He has resumed training with New South Wales having taken a break after the tour and will return to playing on the four-day leg of the Australia A tour of India next month. That trip has a longer lens from the selectors – Australia have a five-Test tour in early 2027 – so while runs won’t hurt Konstas’ shorter-term ambitions, of most relevance will be what he’s able to do in the early rounds of the Shield in October.Related

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“It’s massive, it’s going to be a big four games and I expect that,” Konstas said on the day a new four-year deal with Sydney Thunder in the BBL was announced that will keep him at the club until 2029. “But for me, [it’s about] just being in the present moment, don’t get too fixated about the outcome and just be very process-driven in those games. Not getting too fazed about what other people say, and obviously have that inner circle that I trust.”For me it’s just trying to best prepare, and then obviously trusting what I think is right in that current moment,” Konstas added. “It was my first time playing in the West Indies, and first time facing those bowlers. They bowled well and hopefully I can build from that experience.”Adopting the right mindset, training hard, not leaving any regrets. For me, that’s the big thing, just the way I prepare, and especially with the people that I trust, having honest conversations with them when necessary and leaving it to that.”Jack Edwards, the New South Wales captain who will also be part of the Australia A tour, has been training alongside Konstas in recent weeks”He definitely doesn’t hold onto it [the tour] for too long,” Edwards told ESPNcricinfo. “It’s great to have him around. He’s working extremely hard at his game as he always does, hitting a mountain of balls…such a young man, he’s definitely going to have a long career for Australia.”Konstas spoke of leaning on Steven Smith and David Warner, his captain at Thunder, for advice. “I’m very lucky to be working with the best in the world,” he said.Picked for Australia after just 11 first-class matches, it’s been acknowledged by the coaching staff that Konstas has been doing a lot of his developing at the top level although there is a belief in the set-up that the setbacks in West Indies won’t do long-term harm.”I’m still learning about my game and finding what works in different conditions,” he said. “Understanding the situations, when to soak up pressure [and] when to attack the game.”That’s where Warner has been a valuable sounding board for him. “I just like his mindset, to be honest,” Konstas said. “He takes the game on and he’s very aggressive. He’s always trying to dictate terms in the way he likes to.”Still only 19 – he turns 20 early in October – Konstas is trying to keep a level head. “As an athlete, you’re going to go through failures and successes, but I tell you, build from those failures and become a better person and cricketer.”

Ruben Amorim is determined to make Manchester United stronger as they reportedly target two priority signings, including a Premier League star. The Portuguese head coach is determined to reshape a squad that finished a dire 15th last season, United’s lowest-ever finish in the Premier League era. Since replacing Erik ten Hag in November 2024, Amorim has battled inconsistency and has overseen a turbulent first year in charge.

Elliot Anderson jumps to the front of United’s target list

According to Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson has emerged as United’s priority target. Anderson is capable of operating both as a No. 6 and as a more dynamic box-to-box midfielder as well. Forest are prepared for a fierce fight to keep him. His contract, which runs until June 2029, means Forest hold a strong negotiating position, but with his valuation now soaring towards £75 million ($99m), United see him as a more attainable prospect than some of their other options.

Having only made his England debut in September, he now has five senior caps to his name and is being tipped as a legitimate contender to start at the 2026 World Cup. His maturity has impressed England boss Thomas Tuchel, who has been unusually emphatic in his praise. 

After England’s 2–0 win over Andorra, Tuchel said: "He’s just a very, very good football player. He has the physicality, he’s very mobile at No. 6. He has the body, he loves to defend, he loves to put his body inside to duels. He loves passing, he loves to break the lines, he’s very mobile in this game. It was a pleasure to see. "I think the team around him made it as easy as possible for him and he had a very strong performance. I think he showed today that he adapts to the situation. Can he show what he showed in training? Can he show what he showed with Nottingham and the under-21s? He played with a lot of freedom. He was very quickly in the flow. I think he has the physicality and he has the mindset to play in more difficult games." 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBaleba still on the radar but Brighton’s price complicates deal

United’s interest in Brighton midfielder Baleba has not faded. The Cameroon international remains a major target, and the club were ready to make a late move in the summer before Brighton dug in their heels. Having previously sold Moises Caicedo to Chelsea for £115m ($154m) in 2023, Brighton signalled that any deal for Baleba would have to be in a similar financial bracket. United balked at the price and walked away, but Amorim continues to admire the 21-year-old’s profile. Baleba, for his part, is open to the switch, and United will revisit the possibility if Forest refuse to negotiate over Anderson. 

Other options on the table: Gallagher, Wharton and Stiller monitored

United’s recruitment team have also been tracking additional midfielders should negotiations stall. Conor Gallagher is seen as a potential short-term option if he becomes available for loan in January. The Atletico Madrid midfielder is pushing to secure a place in England’s World Cup squad, and regular game time in the Premier League could be key. Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton has also been monitored, though he recently signed an upgraded contract at Selhurst Park. Another name being discussed is Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller, who is a deep-lying playmaker with a strong Bundesliga pedigree. United did not bid for him in the summer, but Stiller is reportedly open to a Premier League switch. His £35m ($46m) release clause makes him an affordable option. 

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Getty Images SportCasemiro future in doubt as United plan refresh

Amorim’s desire for midfield reinforcements is partly driven by the uncertainty surrounding Casemiro’s future. The Brazilian’s contract is winding down, and he would need to agree to a pay cut to remain at Old Trafford. United are planning as though a midfield succession plan is essential. The club believes adding a physically robust and technically sharp midfielder in the mould of Anderson or Baleba is critical to establishing the style and structure Amorim wants. Hence, a big-money signing is in the cards. United sit seventh heading into next weekend’s fixture against Everton at Old Trafford after a late equaliser allowed them to snatch a draw against Tottenham in their most recent outing. Performances have improved in patches, but consistency remains elusive.

Everton now reportedly want to sign Nicolas Jackson in an attempt to solve their goalscoring problems and take full advantage of Bayern Munich’s £70m decision.

The Toffees are so nearly the side that David Moyes needs. They welcomed the likes of Jack Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Tyler Dibling in the summer to inject some much-needed creative spark. In many ways, it was almost the perfect summer transfer window for the Friedkin Group.

All the American owners are waiting for now is Thierno Barry. The summer arrival is yet to score a single goal in 11 appearances since taking his place among Everton’s most expensive ever signings and is in danger of becoming a transfer flop. At a time when Beto is also struggling, the Toffees need their £27m star to start performing.

Minutes

563

252

Goals

1

0

Assists

0

0

Expected Goals

3.9

0.5

The numbers don’t make for pretty reading. Beto’s underperformance can be highlighted by looking at his expected goals. The forward can’t complain about service and has had good enough chances to reach at least three goals compared to the reality of his one strike.

Barry, meanwhile, needs more opportunities. Moyes has handed the former Villarreal forward just 252 minutes of Premier League action so far this season and, in contrast to Beto, he has recorded just 0.5 expected goals. Whilst Beto hasn’t been clinical enough, Everton aren’t creating enough chances for Barry.

The truth is that neither striker may get the opportunity to solve the Toffees’ problem in the near future. Names such as Ivan Toney have already been mentioned as reported targets come 2026 and he’s now joined on Everton’s shortlist by a £70m man. One way or another, those in Merseyside look destined to welcome another forward.

Everton now targeting Nicolas Jackson swoop

As reported by Football Insider, Everton now want to sign Nicolas Jackson by taking full advantage of Bayern Munich’s decision to opt out of triggering their £70m buy clause.

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Everton have a whole host of English players gunning for a seat on the plane next summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 31, 2025

The forward’s loan spell at the German club will become permanent if he starts 40 games, but Bayern chief Uli Hoeness confirmed at the start of the season that Jackson is incredibly unlikely to reach that number.

What that does is swing the door open for Everton to make their move when the 24-year-old returns to Chelsea next summer.

Those at the Hill Dickinson Stadium should not share the same reservations as Bayern Munich about signing Jackson, either. He is still very much a player full of potential and someone who knows how to find the back of the net in the Premier League, having scored 10 goals last season and 14 in the campaign prior.

Described as “fantastic” by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca last season, Everton should jump at the chance to sign Jackson next year.

How Richarlison feels about returning to Everton in January

Taylor Rogers reportedly will no longer share a bullpen with his twin brother Tyler.

's Robert Murray reported Wednesday that the San Francisco Giants traded Rogers to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for right-handed pitcher Braxton Roxby.

Rogers was due $12 million in 2025, the last season of his three-year deal he signed with the Giants in 2023.

Over nine seasons in the big leagues, Rogers has logged a 28–34 record, 3.34 ERA and 83 saves as one of the game's better left-handed relievers. He made the 2021 All-Star Game in his last season with the Minnesota Twins, who selected him in the 11th round of the 2012 MLB draft.

After one year split between the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers in 2022, Rogers joined his twin brother, Tyler Rogers, in the Giants' bullpen. In 64 games last year, Rogers logged a 2.40 ERA and 9.6 K/9.

Rogers now joins the Reds' bullpen as another late-game option alongside Alexis Diaz and Emilio Pagan for manager Terry Francona to utilize.

Roxby, 25, has yet to make his MLB debut. The right-hander registered a 5.21 ERA and struck out 65 batters in 48 1/3 innings at Double-A last year.

Will Arsenal have any of their injured attackers back?

Ahead of Sunday’s North London derby, as well as star centre-back Gabriel, Gooners fear that as many as six forward players could remain on the sidelines.

Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Noni Madueke have all been out long-term, with Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyökeres and Martin Ødegaard joining them in the treatment room more recently.

So, if none are back, Mikel Arteta remains very short of forward options, which isn’t ideal considering games against Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are up next, meaning Mikel Merino could once again be thrust into the emergency centre-forward role.

With Ødegaard out, the Spaniard will have Eberechi Eze behind him, although the England international will need to improve upon his recent displays.

He did find the net for Thomas Tuchel’s side last week but hasn’t had much to cheer about in recent weeks beyond that.

Eberechi Eze's start to life at Arsenal

Eze’s move from Crystal Palace is the most excited the Arsenal fan base have been about a signing since Mesut Özil’s deadline day move from Real Madrid in 2013.

That’s not just because he is such an enthralling player, but the fact that he appeared destined to join Spurs, before a last-minute U-turn.

His presentation on the pitch prior to the first home game of the season against Leeds was genuinely a spine-tingling moment, but now the dust has settled, the discussion is around Eze’s performances.

Many suggested the England international had been signed to play on the left wing but, in the absence of Ødegaard, he has started the last eight Premier League and Champions League games in a more central role.

Well, so far, Eze has scored two goals and registered three assists, lashing in a spectacular scissor-kick against, who else, former club Crystal Palace in a 1-0 victory last month.

Nevertheless, supporters would like to see a little bit more end-product from their high-profile new addition, considering all the numerous absentees, aiming to add to his tally against Tottenham on Sunday; should he manage it, the roof might just come off.

Considering all their sidelined stars, determined not to allow another campaign to be derailed by injuries, could Andrea Berta and Arteta enter the transfer market in January, which opens in just 42 days, and attempt to bring “one of the best wingers in the world” to North London?

Arsenal targeting a world-class Eze upgrade

It was one of the sagas of the summer, but we’re back here again!

According to reports over recent days, Arsenal are willing to spend as much as £80m to sign Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, with further claims stipulating that Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester City have registered official offers for the player.

The 24-year-old has started just three times for los Blancos this season, included in Xabi Alonso’s lineup for just one of the last ten La Liga games, yet to score this season.

Despite this, Rodrygo did start both of Brazil’s friendlies during the international break, these against Senegal in North London and Tunisia in Lille, still very much trusted by Seleção boss Carlo Ancelotti, but could he push for a January move away from the Bernabéu to increase his chances of featuring prominently at the World Cup?

Thus, other reports in Spain claim that President Florentino Pérez would sanction a sale in January should a Premier League club bid £70m or more.

So would the winger be worth such heavy investment? Let’s compare his statistics last season to Eze to help answer that question.

Appearances

54

43

Minutes

3,453

3,303

Goals

14

14

Assists

11

11

Big chances missed

6

8

Shooting accuracy

53%

48%

Chances created per 90

2.3

2

Big chances created

9

11

Dribbles success %

58%

51.9%

Possession lost per 90

12.5

15.2

Touches per 90

67.1

54.9

As the table documents, the duo’s statistics were remarkably similar last season; the Brazilian played only 150 more minutes across all competitions, with Rodrygo and Eze both scoring 14 goals and registering exactly 11 assists apiece.

When looking at the underlying numbers though is where the difference is made apparent, with the Brazilian coming out on top when it comes to chances created, dribbling and touches per 90.

Spencer Mossman labels him “one of the best wingers in the world”, while Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham asserted that Rodrygo is “the most gifted player in the squad”, adding that he is “underrated” and “does a lot for the team”, something Arteta would certainly appreciate.

Thus, it is clear that Rodrygo and Eze are very different players, with the Englishman more of a chance creator, while the Brazilian is a direct winger who boasts blistering pace and the ability to take on and glide past defenders.

Right now, particularly with Martinelli, Madueke and Gyökeres in the treatment room, the Gunners would certainly benefit from adding someone with Rodrygo’s talent, skillset and quality, so could he be the final piece in the jigsaw as they chase that elusive first Premier League title for 22 years?

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ByBen Gray Nov 16, 2025

Germany needed only to avoid defeat to guarantee their 2026 World Cup spot when they faced Slovakia at the Red Bull Arena on Monday night. Following a sub-par campaign, which included a 2-0 loss in Slovakia back in September, Die Mannschaft booked their trip stateside in fine fashion as Julian Nagelsmann's side slaughtered the Falcons, easing to a 6-0 victory.

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Germany looked to settle early nerves and it was the home side who forged the first half-chance with just three minutes on the clock, with Florian Wirtz's cross headed over Serge Gnabry. Wirtz himself then fired over from inside the Slovakia box, before the dominant hosts found the breakthrough in the 18th minute as in-form Newcastle striker Nick Woltemade headed Germany.

Midway through the first half, and Germany were two goals to the good through Gnabry, latching onto a perfectly weighted Leon Goretzka pass. And the match as a contest was settled 10 minutes before the break as Leroy Sane scored his first and Germany's third – Wirtz played a superb ball over the high Slovakia defensive line for Sane. Wirtz and Sane linked up again for Germany's fourth as the former picked out the latter at the back post in a rampant opening 45 minutes.

The hosts added a fifth midway through the second half. Ridle Baku replaced captain Kimmich in the 64th minute and made no mistake from close range having been teed up by Gnabry to score his second international goal of his career. Dubravka did all he could to keep the scoreline somewhat respectable as he palmed away a low Goretzka drive in the 73rd minute. But he failed to keep out Assan Ouedraogo's deflected effort as the teenager became the second youngest scorer for the Germany national team a little over a minute after his second half introduction.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportThe MVP

Having struggled at club level and come in for criticism for a series of sub-par displays following his Liverpool move, Florian Wirtz showcased just why the Reds spent big to secure his services over the summer. Wirtz was a creative force in Leipzig as he tore the Slovakia backline to shreds, linking up superbly with Leroy Sane on the opposite flank. Liverpool fans will be hoping he can transfer this flying Germany form to club level when domestic duties return this weekend.

The big loser

The experienced head in the Slovakia backline, Milan Skriniar looked anything but. The 30-year-old won't want to remember Monday's showing in Leipzig in a hurry. Indeed, Skriniar was at fault for Leroy Sane's second and Germany's fourth in a pitiful performance from the former Inter and PSG man.

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Getty Images SportMatch rating (out of five): ⭐⭐⭐⭐