Jogador do DC United, da MLS, a liga dos Estados Unidos, Gabriel Pirani concedeu entrevista exclusiva ao Lance! e falou sobre a importância de Fernando Diniz na carreira. O atacante brasileiro foi comandado pelo treinador em duas oportunidades, em 2021, no Santos, e em 2023, no Fluminense.
continua após a publicidade
Revelado pelo clube paulista, Pirani teve uma maior presença com Diniz em São Paulo, mas a parte mais vitoriosa fica no Rio de Janeiro. No último ano, o jogador conquistou a Libertadores, Campeonato Carioca e Taça Guanabara, e marcou dois gols em 24 partidas.
➡️Torcida do Al-Nassr faz bandeirão com rosto de Alex Telles e homenagem para o Rio Grande do Sul: ‘Estamos com você’
– O professor Diniz me tirou da zona de conforto, me fez aprender mais sobre futebol e entender o campo de outra forma. Ele busca ajudar o atleta em todos os aspectos para chegar em alto nível – disse.
continua após a publicidade
– O diferencial dele (Diniz) é tratar o atleta como um ser humano… Para ele, a evolução do jogador é como um título e isso, querendo ou não, ganha o jogador – destacou.
A relação entre Fernando Diniz e jogadores, principalmente do Fluminense por conta da maior duração pela atual passagem, fez com que Pirani colocasse o treinador como um dos pontos mais importantes de sua carreira em termos de evolução.
continua após a publicidade
➡️Juventus demite Allegri e já está próxima de acordo com treinador brasileiro; entenda
Em meio às críticas da torcida, o técnico do Fluminense insistiu na presença do atacante em alguns jogos da temporada. Como resultado, Pirani marcou um gol importante, no clássico contra o Flamengo, em que garantiu a vitória por 2 a 1 e o título da Taça Guanabara.
– Sou muito grato por tudo que vivi e aprendi trabalhando com ele. Sem dúvidas, sou um atleta diferente após conhecê-lo – afirmou.
Em janeiro deste ano, o Santos oficializou a venda de Gabriel Pirani para o DC United, da MLS, por 1,3 milhão de dólares (cerca de R$6,3 milhões na cotação da época). Pelo clube norte-americano, o atacante soma 2 gols em 23 jogos.
➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!
India roll over for 93 in their chase of 124 with their captain Shubman Gill absent with a neck injury
Sidharth Monga16-Nov-20252:52
Philander: South Africa found ways to get a win
South Africa started the day staring at defeat, only 63 ahead with three wickets in hand, but registered a stunning win, their first in India in 15 years and the second-smallest successful defence in Asia. The whooping and cheering among the South Africa players echoed amid a shocked Sunday crowd at Eden Gardens as the visitors bowled India out for 93 in the absence of their injured captain Shubman Gill.Temba Bavuma was ever present, scoring the only half-century of the match and taking South Africa to a lead of 123 on a pitch with extravagant sideways movement and variance in bounce. He was helped a little by some ordinary spin bowling on the third morning, but he had earned the errors after defending resolutely on the second evening.Related
Kolkata minefield: Bavuma stands tall, Washington stands longer
'I don't buy this' – Pujara won't accept transition as excuse for losing Tests at home
'Job's far from done' – Conrad eyes series win
With 'small hands' and strong instincts, Bavuma shows self-assurance of a player at his peak
Stats – South Africa's first win in India since 2010
The target of 124 was always going to be tricky with Simon Harmer outbowling India’s spinners in the country where he had a forgettable tour in 2015-16. The uneven bounce made Marco Jansen a handful, causing the double jeopardy you need to defend small totals.India began the day in the ascendance but not with bowlers likeliest to take a wicket. Axar Patel opening the day was a surprise, and as the singles flowed with ease you could sense panic. Rishabh Pant, who had been excellent with his rotation of bowlers and field placements on the second evening, began to change bowlers too quickly and also took a desperate review against Bavuma when Ravindra Jadeja had clearly pitched outside leg from over the wicket.That Jadeja was bowling over the wicket in itself was a sign of desperation when all you really needed to do on this surface was bowl a good length and shut the scoring. Jadeja, who until day two was the best player of the match, just struggled to maintain that length and bowled seven overs for 21 runs. Washington Sundar, one of the three spinners in the last four home Tests, was not used at all.Temba Bavuma and Corbin Bosch added crucial runs in the morning•Getty Images
Bavuma’s defence found an ally in Corbin Bosch’s big hits, which he deployed mainly against Kuldeep Yadav. The two added an invaluable 44 for the eighth wicket, 25 of which came off Bosch’s bat. Eventually it was the fast bowlers that kept India alive. Jasprit Bumrah hit the top of Bosch’s off, and Mohammed Siraj, in only his second over of the innings, got the better of Harmer and Keshav Maharaj with reverse swing.It was always going to be a tough target on this pitch, but India had hope in South Africa’s selection of only two spinners, one of whom, Maharaj, had gone for 16-1-66-1 in the first innings. Jansen, though, stunned them at the start in his first two overs to send back the openers. Both these balls jumped off a length, got big on the batters, and took the outside edge.Simon Harmer was unplayable at times•BCCI
Washington, India’s newest No. 3, played resolutely again, mirroring the first half of Bavuma’s innings and facing the most balls in the match, but as it tends to happen on these pitches, Dhruv Jurel put a long hop into the hands of deep midwicket. The ball did stop on him as it tends to happen on these pitches.Harmer might have got on the board with this fortunate wicket, but he bowled beautifully to earn that stroke of luck. Ten years after a crushing tour of India, he is back a much-improved bowler. He could change his trajectory subtly, most of the times able to bowl a good length at different paces. It showed in how he completely tied up the most dangerous batter in the India line-up, Pant, and eventually earned a return catch with dip and turn.ESPNcricinfo Ltd
At 38 for 4, Washington and Jadeja added 26 runs, looked comfortable, but this is when Jadeja’s old-school method of defending with the bat behind the pad came back to haunt him. Just like in the first innings. Once again out lbw pad-first to Harmer, Jadeja ended forgettably a Test he had been largely good in, one during which he became only the fourth man to take 300 wickets and score 4000 runs.Aiden Markram reminded India of the nightmare Glenn Phillips had been on lottery pitches last year when he came on and finally got the edge of a distraught Washington, who scored 31 off 92 to go with his 29 in the first innings. Harmer then spun one past Kuldeep when he slowed it down tantalisingly.At 77 for 7, India were left needing a miracle from Axar, who threatened one when Bavuma gave him a sighter against Maharaj. He hit two sixes and a four, but when he happened to mishit he found a calm Bavuma making a difficult over-the-shoulder catch look ridiculously easy.Siraj lasted only one ball, triggering wild celebrations, the loudest from Kagiso Rabada, who has tasted only defeat on two previous tours of India and was missing this Test with a rib injury.
Has the ship already sailed? Will it ever happen for Federico Chiesa at Liverpool?
The forgotten man last season, the Italian winger has again been rather luckless this time around, having been unable to use the Mohamed Salah situation to his benefit this week.
Indeed, even with the Egyptian having been left out for the trip to San Siro, Chiesa could not pounce on that potential opening in the right-wing berth, having been forced to miss the meeting with Inter Milan through illness.
Almost halfway through his second season at Anfield, the ex-Juventus man – signed for a bargain £13m fee – remains bound to the periphery, featuring for just 29 times across all competitions in total.
Notable moments, like his crucial ‘winner’ against Bournemouth on the opening day, have seen the 28-year-old secure cult hero status on Merseyside, although the jury is out on whether he can truly emerge from the shadows.
Latest on Federico Chiesa's future
In truth, the Reds claimed Premier League glory last term without the impact of any new signing, with Chiesa – the only senior addition that summer – having been restricted to just six league outings all season.
Chiesa – PL Record
Stat (*per game)
24/25
25/26
Games
6
10
Starts
1
0
Goals
0
2
Assists
0
1
Big chances missed
1
1
Big chances created
0
1
Key passes*
0.3
0.1
Pass accuracy*
93%
74%
Successful dribbles*
0
0.1
Possession lost*
2.2
3.7
Stats via Sofascore
Frequently overlooked by Slot in 2024/25, even increased influence this time around has not altered his standing in the attacking pecking order, with all of his ten top-flight appearances coming from the bench.
The man who intervened to deny Wilson Isidor from securing a potential winner for Sunderland not too long ago, there is a will for Chiesa to do well, not least with options not exactly brimming on the flanks.
That being said, Slot – such is his neglect of the one-time Fiorentina star – appears to have other ideas, such has been the winger’s limited game time, with a January exit still being mooted according to recent reports.
As reported by The Athletic, the Euro 2020 hero is said to have a ‘number of admirers’ with the winter window now looming, albeit with it said to pose a potential ‘risk’ if Liverpool do let him depart, considering their relatively small pool of attacking alternatives.
That said, Chiesa himself may wish to push for a move, should his standing not improve, with reports last month suggesting that his agent was in talks over a possible switch, amid hopes of forcing his way back into Italy’s plans ahead of the World Cup qualifiers in March.
A desire to depart would be no surprise considering his lack of use over the last 18 months, with Liverpool perhaps left to reflect on the wisdom of signing off on such a deal.
That said, Chiesa isn’t alone in that department…
Liverpool's pointless signing belongs in the Rodgers era
As harsh as it may be, the minimal impact of Chiesa would force anyone to come to the conclusion that he has been an almost pointless signing, with Slot showcasing little appetite to hand a regular role to the albeit injury-hit forward.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Rightly or wrongly, ‘pointless’ may be the word that springs to mind at present regarding this summer’s marquee signing, Alexander Isak, with the misfiring Swede again looking off the pace against Inter.
Hooked on the 68-minute mark, having made just 25 touches and registered just a solitary shot, the ex-Newcastle United man was again largely a bystander to proceedings at San Siro, with the excuse of his lack of pre-season now beginning to wear thin.
With just two goals in all competitions for his new side, following that controversial, club-record switch from St James’ Park, the 26-year-old has already entered disaster signing territory, with Slot and co in need of a drastic improvement heading into 2026.
There is also a sense that, while depth is needed, was this a move that FSG truly needed to make, considering they had already plucked Newcastle target Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt?
While Isak has toiled, the young Frenchman has dazzled, scoring eight times already from just 22 appearances, rubberstamping the belief that he should be the starting striker.
As for Liverpool’s actual number nine, Isak looks like following in the footsteps of the notable transfer misfires of the Brendan Rodgers era, echoing the post-Luis Suarez world that saw the likes of Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli and Christian Benteke all flatter to deceive at Anfield.
The summer of 2014, in the wake of Rodgers’ near miss with regard to the title, was particularly egregious, with that centre-forward pairing of Lambert and Balotelli ultimately scoring just seven times between them during their forgettable, brief stays on Merseyside.
Perhaps a better comparison lies with Benteke though, signed a year later, with the Belgian – like Isak at Newcastle – looking prolific in the Premier League at Aston Villa, having scored 49 goals in 101 games for the Midlands side.
Just ten in 42 would follow under Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp.
It might be too soon to write Isak off just yet, and throw him in with that trio of disastrous Rodgers signings, although on current evidence, he is looking like the Benteke of 2015.
Hopefully Ekitike can prove to be the Roberto Firmino…
Fewer touches than Alisson & only 10 passes: Liverpool flop must be dropped
Liverpool returned to winning ways in Italy but it wasn’t all positive for Arne Slot.
يستعد فريق برشلونة الإسباني لمواجهة كلوب بروج في مواجهات بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، بعدما خاض مواجهة أمام إلتشي في الدوري الإسباني، ويغيب عنه حارس مرماه خوان جارسيا.
وتغلب برشلونة على إلتشي بثلاثية لهدف، أمس الأحد، ضمن مباريات الجولة الحادية عشر للدوري الإسباني.
ويخوض برشلونة مباراة مساء الأربعاء أمام كلوب بروج، ضمن مباريات مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا موسم 2025-2026.
وأشارت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية إلى أنه في برشلونة لا يجد أي ضرورة في استعجال عودة خوان جارسيا للمشاركة مع الفريق.
اقرأ أيضًا | لامين يامال يسجل رقمًا قياسيًا بعد اختياره ضمن التشكيل المثالي لعام 2025
وغاب خوان جارسيا عن آخر 7 مباريات لبرشلونة بسبب الإصابة، ويواصل عملية تعافيه من أجل العودة للمشاركة بصورة طبيعية مع الفريق الكتالوني.
وأوضح فليك أن جارسيا لن يكون متاحًا لمباراة دوري أبطال أوروبا ضد كلوب بروج، وبحسب ما ذكر التقرير، من المتوقع عودته بعد فترة التوقف الدولي.
وتعمل إدارة برشلونة على التعامل مع جارسيا بحذر تجنبًا لأي انتكاسة وحتى يعود للمشاركة بصورة طبيعية مع الفريق.
O confronto do Botafogo com o Goiás, pela vigésima-quinta rodada do Brasileirão, foi precedido por um momento de reverência. Nesta segunda-feira (2), jogadores campeões da Copa Conmebol de 1993 pelo Alvinegro subiram ao gramado do Estádio Nilton Santos e participaram de uma homenagem pelos 30 anos da principal conquista internacional do clube.
Os atletas de 1993 chegaram pela pista de atletismo do Niltão e, próximos da torcida, comemoraram a conquista. Após dar uma volta olímpica pelo estádio, o grupo recebeu uma reverência. Todos ergueram uma répica da taça.
+ 30 anos da Copa Conmebol: campeões recordam força do Botafogo para conquistar principal título internacional do clube
Atual vice-presisdente associativo do Botafogo, Vinícius Assumpção entregou uma placa comemorativa a cada atleta que esteve no Nilton Santos.
Enquanto os campeões alvinegros passavam, jogadores de Botafogo e Goiás faziam aquecimento para a partida.
Leeds United have been hit with an injury blow ahead of their clash with Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road in the Premier League on Saturday.
Wales international Daniel James has suffered an ankle injury that is currently being assessed by the club, although they are hopeful that it will not be a long-term issue.
Journalist Graham Smyth claims that the forward is set for “weeks” on the sidelines, debunking some speculation on social media that he was due to be out for months with an ACL injury.
If James misses several weeks and games through injury with this ankle issue, Daniel Farke should avoid relying on Jack Harrison as an alternative to Brenden Aaronson on the right flank.
Why Jack Harrison should not replace Dan James
The left-footed attacker returned to Elland Road this summer after spending the previous two seasons on loan with Everton in the Premier League, and he has yet to fully win the fans back over.
Harrison has produced no goals, no key passes, no ‘big chances’ created, and no assists in five appearances in the top-flight for Leeds so far this term, per Sofascore, which shows that he has offered virtually nothing at the top end of the pitch.
That should not come as a surprise to many, though, because the former Manchester City academy prospect struggled badly in the final third for Everton in the 2024/25 campaign.
24/25 Premier League
Jack Harrison
Appearances
34
Starts
24
Minutes
2088
xG
3.52
Goals
1
Key passes
34
Assists
0
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Harrison managed one direct goal contribution in 2,088 minutes of football in the Premier League for the Toffees before his return to West Yorkshire.
This is why Farke should turn to U21 talent Connor Douglas to replace James in the squad whilst the Wales international is missing through injury.
Why Leeds should unleash Connor Douglas
The 19-year-old attacker is a versatile star who can play through the middle as a number ten or out on the right flank, which suggests that he could be a suitable alternative to Aaronson in the short-term, given that the American is a similarly versatile wide option.
In The Pipeline
Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.
Douglas’ form for Leeds at academy level suggests that he is an exciting young player who has the potential to make an impact at the top end of the pitch, after he scored in a 1-0 win over Norwich City’s U21s on Monday night.
The English winger has scored six goals and provided six assists in 36 appearances for the club at U21 level, as well as six goals and three assists in 27 matches for the U18 side, per Transfermarkt.
These statistics show that he can contribute with goals and assists from a wide position, something that Harrison has struggled to do, and that is why he should be given a chance to see what he can do at first-team level whilst James is out with an ankle injury.
Douglas was described as an “electric” forward who is a “joy to watch” by PureFootball writer Trent Gaffney, which also suggests that he could get supporters off their feet with his front-footed and direct play.
Fans may prefer to see a talented young forward given an opportunity to shine and showcase his exciting potential in James’ absence, instead of Harrison being given yet another chance after failing to impress in the last 13 months or so.
Leeds have found their new Phillips in "unbelievable" star & it's not Stach
Leeds United may have found their new Kalvin Phillips and it is not Anton Stach.
ByDan Emery Sep 29, 2025
That is why Farke must unleash Douglas as the replacement for James in the Premier League, for however many matches he misses, instead of just using Harrison.
Palmeiras e Vasco se enfrentam neste domingo no Allianz Parque, pelo Brasileirão 2023 e em todo duelo entre os dois clubes, é preciso exaltar a irmandade entre as duas torcidas e como a história dos dois clubes possuem alguns personagens em comum.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasPalmeiras pode contar com retorno de Dudu ao Brasileirão para manter vivo sonho de títuloPalmeiras27/08/2023PalmeirasLuan e Gómez podem reeditar dupla diante de adversário que marcou estreia do paraguaio no PalmeirasPalmeiras27/08/2023PalmeirasMarcos Rocha celebra os 109 anos do Palmeiras: ‘É uma honra fazer parte da história’Palmeiras26/08/2023
+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
Engana-se quem pensa que essa relação é apenas de torcida organizada, uma vez que a amizade começou ainda nos anos 40, muito por conta do Capitão Adalberto Mendes.
+ Copo Stanley a partir de R$120,00. Bebida gelada nos 90′ de jogo do Verdão!
Em suas histórias mais do que centenárias, Vasco e Palmeiras também contaram com jogadores que possuem grande identificação e história com os dois clubes.
continua após a publicidade
O Lance! decidiu relembrar alguns deles pra você:
Fernando Prass
Ídolo e símbolo da reconstrução do Palmeiras, o goleiro Fernando Prass também fez história no Vasco ao conquistar a Copa do Brasil de 1998!
Luizão
Campeão Paulista naquele histórico time de 1996, Luizão também está na história do Vasco muito pela Libertadores de 1998 e o ataque histórico que formou com Donizete!
+ Palmeiras x Vasco: onde assistir, desfalques e prováveis escalações do jogo pelo Brasileirão
Pedrinho
Cria da Colina e um gênio com a sua perna canhota, Pedrinho infelizmente sofreu muito com as lesões durante a sua carreira, mas também deixou sua marca e guarda com muito carinho a sua passagem de mais de três anos pelo Palmeiras!
continua após a publicidade
Edmundo
Talvez o sinônimo do que é a relação entre Palmeiras e Vasco. Edmundo e o seu coração se dividem entre o cruzmaltino e o alviverde imponente. Ídolo máximo das duas torcidas!
Luan Garcia
Cria da Colina, Luan Garcia se formou como homem no Vasco e após ganhar o ouro olímpico, acabou se transferindo para fazer história no Palmeiras!
Diego Souza
Campeão e destaque da Copa do Brasil de 2011, vencida pelo Vasco, o meia Diego Souza teve uma passagem marcante pelo Palmeiras, entre 2008 e 2010!
Amaral
Formado nas categorias de base do Palmeiras e bicampeão brasileiro pelo Verdão, o volante Amaral passou pelo Vasco entre 1999 e 2000 e acabou conquistando uma Taça Guanabara pelo cruzmaltino.
Felipe
Felipe Maestro é outro craque canhoto que surgiu no Vasco e também acabou vestindo a camisa do Palmeiras, em 2001. Apesar da curta passagem no Verdão, Felipe fez uma ótima Libertadores naquele ano,
Jair Rosa Pinto
Campeão Mundial de 1951 com a camisa do Palmeiras, Jair Rosa Pinto iniciou os seus passos no futebol no Madureira e logo foi para o Vasco da Gama, e foi em São Januário que ele se tornou o primeiro grande camisa 10 do futebol brasileiro, fazendo parte do histórico time cruzmaltino que ficou conhecido como o ‘expresso da vitória’.
A bola rola para Palmeiras x Vasco a partir das 18h30 (horário de Brasília), deste domingo (27), no Allianz Parque e o jogo só será transmitido pelo Premiere FC.
ذكرت تقارير صحفية سعودية، عن المدرب الأقرب لتولي القيادة الفنية لفريق الزمالك، خلال الفترة المقبلة، بعد اقتراب رحيل يانيك فيريرا عن الأبيض.
واستقر الزمالك برئاسة حسين لبيب، عن توجيه الشكر إلى يانيك فيريرا المدير الفني، عقب تراجع النتائج في الدوري الممتاز.
طالع.. خاص | الزمالك يستقر على المدير الفني المؤقت بعد رحيل فيريرا
وكان الزمالك قد تعادل مع البنك الأهلي، بالأمس بهدف لكل فريق، ضمن مباريات الجولة 12 من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
وذكرت صحيفة “الميدان السعودية”، أن المدرب الجزائري نور الدين بن ذكري المدير الفني السابق لنادي الخلود، اقترب من تولي القيادة الفنية للزمالك، وذلك بعد الاستقرار على رحيل البلجيكي يانيك فيريرا من منصبه بصورة رسمية.
وأضافت: “بعد قرار الزمالك بإقالة المدرب البلجيكي يانيك فريرا، المدرب بن زكري يقترب كثيرًا من قيادة الفريق حتى نهاية الموسم، بدءًا من الأسبوع المقبل في نصف نهائي كاس السوبر المصري المقام في دولة الإمارات”.
ويستعد الزمالك لمواجهة طلائع الجيش، في الجولة الـ13 من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز يوم الأحد المقبل، في الساعة الخامسة على ملعب القاهرة الدولي.
“The way I look at this innings, I think it’s an outstanding innings,” Tom Moody says about KL Rahul’s century
ESPNcricinfo staff19-May-20251:07
Moody: ‘Rahul has managed to adjust again to a different role’
It’s tough to be KL Rahul sometimes.Over the years, he has faced criticism for his strike rate in T20 cricket and it was once again a talking point when he scored an unbeaten 112 off 65 balls in a losing cause against Gujarat Titans (GT) on Sunday. Despite a slow start from Delhi Capitals (DC), where they scored just 28 for 1 in the first five overs, Rahul ensured the team almost had 200. But it wasn’t enough as B Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill chased down the target with ease and took GT to the playoffs.Rahul scored his century in 60 balls on Sunday, and his 112 not out came at a strike rate of 172.30. He has been striking at 148.04 in IPL 2025, having accumulated 493 runs in 12 innings. In terms of his strike rate, he hasn’t done better since IPL 2018, when he went at 158.41 in scoring 659 in 14 matches.The criticism hasn’t gone down well with Tom Moody.Related
KL Rahul speeds up in bid to 'get back in the T20 team' ahead of 2026 T20 World Cup
Sai Sudharsan, Gill make it a GT one-two at the top of the IPL 2025 Orange Cap table with Jaiswal at third
The real secret to GT's batting success isn't the batters
Sai Sudharsan and Gill help clinical GT book playoffs berth
Race to IPL 2025 playoffs: three teams battle for one spot
“I always find the criticism around KL Rahul quite extraordinary,” Moody said on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out. “I think he’s a lot better player than a lot of people give him credit for. And the way I look at this innings, I think it’s an outstanding innings. And yeah, look, it’ll depend who wins the game to whether he’s, you know, the Player of the Match or not. But the way I look at this and I look at the batting card, what’s let them down and not reaching that 220 is the other batters that were in only struck at 150. On a [batting-friendly] surface, you want impact.”When you’ve got someone in there that’s anchoring, that’s building the total, your role when you come in is to impact the game – 30 off ten balls, those types of innings, that suddenly take you to that 220. Instead of pointing the finger at the same person, I think it’s the other way around.”At the end of ten overs, DC were 81 for 1 with Rahul on 56 off 38 balls. However, between 15 and 18, Rahul faced a total of only six balls with Axar Patel and Tristan Stubbs at the other end facing more of the bowling. This, Moody felt, made him lose a bit of momentum.”The team had the opportunity to get it to 220. The team didn’t do that,” Moody said. “This is not an individual sport. This is a team sport. And that’s where the communication around who’s coming in and the communication when you’re out there: ‘okay, we need to target two boundaries at the beginning of this over; let’s make this a big over’, that type of conversations.”To me, they just lay idle a little bit in that middle [period]. And also, we’ve got to recognise KL Rahul, I believe, only faced four [six] balls in a period of four overs in the middle of that. So therefore, you know, he lost a bit of his rhythm as well.”
Leeds United are set for an incredibly busy summer of transfer business, after the first window opened on Sunday, as they look to recruit for a season in the Premier League.
The last six teams to have won promotion to the top-flight from the Championship have all been relegated at the first time of asking, including Burnley, Luton, Sheffield United, Leicester, Southampton, and Ipswich.
Daniel Farke, who was relegated from the Premier League with Norwich City in 2020, knows how difficult it will be for the Whites to avoid the drop, which is why the summer transfer window is so important.
Leeds have to recruit well if they want to have a shot at avoiding relegation back down to the Championship, which is what Victor Orta and Marcelo Bielsa did in the summer of 2020.
Former Leeds forward Raphinha.
Orta splashed the cash to bring an exciting talent to Elland Road in the form of Raphinha ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, following the club’s promotion from the second tier, and it was a signing that helped them to avoid relegation for two seasons.
Why Raphinha was a big signing for Leeds
The Brazilian winger was a big signing for Leeds in a multitude of ways. Firstly, they reportedly paid Rennes a fee of £17m, plus add-ons, to bring him to West Yorkshire, which shows that they were willing to spend a significant sum of money on his services.
Secondly, Raphinha was a big addition for the Whites and Bielsa because he made an instant and huge impact at the top end of the pitch in the Premier League, providing quality in the final third on a regular basis to secure vital points for his side.
The Brazil international, as shown in the highlights above, was an exciting player for supporters to watch with plenty of goals, assists, and skills in his debut year in English football with the club.
Raphinha ended that first season with a return of six goals and nine assists in 30 appearances in the Premier League, which shows that he hit the ground running and did not need much time to adapt to the country and division.
Raphinha (Premier League)
20/21
21/22
Appearances
30
35
Goals
6
11
Big chances missed
4
6
Big chances created
12
10
Key passes per game
2.1
1.9
Assists
9
3
Dribbles completed per game
1.9
1.8
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the left-footed wizard followed that up with a haul of 21 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in 35 outings in the top-flight to lead them to survival under Jesse Marsch.
That form, finally, led to another reason why he was a big signing for Leeds, because it earned him a mega £55m transfer to Barcelona in the summer of 2022, which represented a huge profit on the £17m that they paid Rennes for his services two years prior.
The Whites were, of course, relegated the season after he left, illustrating how important he was to their survival, and Leeds could land their biggest and most influential signing since Raphinha by landing a reported Premier League target.
Leeds eyeing move for Premier League midfielder
Journalist Ben Jacobs has suggested that Leeds United could be eyeing up a deal to sign central £35m midfielder Yves Bissouma from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window.
The Mali international just won the Europa League with Spurs, starting in the final against Manchester United, but he could be on his way out of North London in the coming weeks, with the Whites said to be a team to watch in the race for his services.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT: “He wants to stay in the Premier League. I’m told Leeds are another one to watch. They’re looking to add another midfielder. It will all come down to finances and wages for them too.”
As the reporter said, wages could come into play as Bissouma earns £55k-per-week, per Capology. Patrick Bamford is reportedly on £70k-per-week, per Capology, which does not suggest that the club would have to break their wage structure to bring the Spurs midfielder in.
It now remains to be seen whether or not Leeds will be able to get a deal over the line for the ex-Brighton star, but he could be their biggest signing since Raphinha if they can bring him to Elland Road.
Why Bissouma would be Leeds' biggest signing since Raphinha
As aforementioned, Raphinha was a huge addition for Leeds because the quality that he provided at the top end of the pitch played a pivotal role in the team avoiding relegation from the Premier League in both of his seasons at the club.
The Whites have not achieved top-flight survival in a season since the Brazilian star moved on from Elland Road, but Bissouma is a player who has the potential to lead them to survival in the 2025/26 campaign.
Whilst the Mali international did not have the best season with Spurs, starting just 16 of his 28 outings in the top-flight, his form for Brighton before his move to Spurs shows that the potential is there for him to be an excellent player at that level.
U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed that Bissouma was “the best DM in the Premier League” in February 2021, and that was not an outrageous claim to make between the 2020/21 and 2021/22 campaigns.
Last two seasons at Brighton
Yves Bissouma (Premier League)
20/21
21/22
Appearances
36
26
Pass accuracy
87%
89%
Tackles per game
2.9
2.9
Interceptions per game
1.8
1.9
Error led to shot/goal
0
0
Duel success rate
59%
59%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the then-Brighton star caught the eye with 4.7 and 4.8 tackles and interceptions per game in those two seasons, which shows that he was constantly winning the ball back for his side by breaking up opposition attacks.
For context, no Leeds player managed more than 3.5 tackles and interceptions combined per game in the Championship this season, illustrating just how impressive Bissouma’s form for Brighton was from a defensive perspective.
The Spurs midfielder has shown signs of that quality during his time in London, averaging 4.2 tackles and interceptions per match in the Premier League for the club in the 2023/24 term, but he peaked with the Seagulls.
Tottenham Hotspur's YvesBissoumaarrives before the match
At the age of 28, Bissouma still has plenty of time to get back to his best, though, and that is why he could be a transformational signing for Leeds as a proven top-flight performer who could be the ‘best DM in the Premier League’ at his best, making him their best and biggest signing since Raphinha as no one else has kept the team in the top tier since the Brazilian left in 2022.
Way better than Aaronson: Leeds eyeing move for "infectious" EFL "standout"
Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing a star who would be way better than Brenden Aaronson.
ByDan Emery May 30, 2025
He would arrive at Elland Road with pedigree and quality and could provide a strong foundation for Farke’s side in the middle of the park with his ability to consistently break up attacks, which would be particularly vital in a relegation battle where they may have their backs against the wall at times.