Kohli and Rohit set to return for ODIs in Australia

India’s selectors are due to pick the squads for the white-ball tour of Australia on Saturday

Yash Jha03-Oct-2025India’s selection panel, which includes RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha for the first time, is meeting on Saturday to pick the squads for the ODI and T20I tour of Australia beginning on October 19. It is likely to mark the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are retired from T20Is and Tests and haven’t represented India since the Champions Trophy victory in March.The tour begins with three ODIs on October 19, 23 and 25, followed by five T20Is between October 29 and November 8. Here are some of the key questions ahead of the selection.

Should the all-format players get a break?

After a rare break following the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England, India have a packed calendar, with the Asia Cup followed by the ongoing two-Test series versus West Indies, and the first ODI in Australia scheduled five days after the end of the second Test. Less than a week after the fifth T20I in Australia, India host South Africa for a two-Test series followed by three ODIs and five T20Is.Three players appear to be certainties in all three formats: Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav. Given the workloads, the quick turnarounds between formats, and the fact that the next major ODI tournament is the World Cup in 2027, India might consider resting these players for the ODIs in Australia. If they are picked for the 50-overs games, they could be released midway through the T20I series to prepare for the Tests against South Africa.If Gill were to be rested for the ODIs, Yashasvi Jaiswal – who was withdrawn from the Champions Trophy squad after being named in the provisional squad – should be his replacement. He could also join Abhishek Sharma at the top in the T20Is.Will Jasprit Bumrah get a break?•Associated PressWhile Kuldeep does not have a like-for-like replacement, India might have to reconfigure the spin-heavy squads they picked for the ODI Champions Trophy and the T20 Asia Cup to suit Australian conditions.

Who’s in for Hardik Pandya?

Hardik Pandya missed the Asia Cup final with a left quadriceps injury and there are doubts over his availability for the tour of Australia too. Nitish Kumar Reddy is an option to join Shivam Dube as the seam-bowling allrounder in the T20I squad.The replacement for Hardik in ODIs is an interesting question: Dube played the last of his four ODIs in Sri Lanka last year, while Reddy is yet to feature in the format. The 2027 ODI World Cup is in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. India will want to explore their options for seam-bowling allrounders as back-up for Hardik, and Australia might be the right place to get started.

Who are the specialist quicks?

Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are Nos. 1 and 2 in the line behind Bumrah – both were part of India’s squads at the Asia Cup as well as the Champions Trophy. But who is the third specialist fast bowler should Bumrah be rested in either, or both, formats in Australia?Mohammed Siraj could be in line for an ODI comeback, having last played in Sri Lanka over a year ago. Prasidh Krishna is an option too, should India prefer his hit-the-deck style as a middle-overs enforcer. Prasidh – the Purple Cap winner at IPL 2025 – is the likely third seamer in the T20I squad if Bumrah is rested.Will Tilak Varma make it to the ODI squad?•AFP/Getty Images

Spin allrounders: who and how many?

India’s most recent ODI and T20I squads have featured several spin allrounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar were at the Champions Trophy, while Axar played the Asia Cup where Washington, along with Riyan Parag, was a standby.A similar number of spin allrounders is unlikely given the conditions: it’s hard to see India picking both Jadeja and Axar in an ODI in Australia, and the series could be a good opportunity to blood some seam-bowling allrounders instead.Parag featured in both white-ball teams last year, and had scores of 67 and 58 in two List A games for India A against Australia A this week. Tilak Varma – who scored 94 in the second of those matches after his Asia Cup final heroics – could also be a contender for the ODI squad.

No Pant – who’s back-up wicketkeeper in the ODI squad?

Rishabh Pant is unlikely to make it to the squads for Australia as he is still recovering from the fractured foot he suffered in England. While he hasn’t played a T20I since August 2024, Pant was India’s back-up wicketkeeper to KL Rahul at the Champions Trophy.Sanju Samson’s last ODI was in December 2023 in South Africa, where he batted No. 3 and scored his maiden hundred. Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel are the other wicketkeepers to feature in India’s recent T20I squads, but neither has compelling List A credentials.

Buttler flicks the switch to find form at the right time

After a wretched run in the IPL going back to last season, he scored a scintillating century to keep up Royals’ perfect start

Shashank Kishore07-Apr-20242:21

Moody: Buttler’s breakout ton firms up Royals’ position as favourites

One run to win. It was a chance for Jos Buttler to let loose and wallop a shot he likes to bring up a landmark he didn’t play for but had a chance to get to.As Buttler cleared his front leg and swung for the hills, he watched with bated breath as the ball curved away towards the longer boundary. As he just cleared the deep midwicket fence, he looked heavenwards, threw his arms wide and let out all his pent-up emotion. Buttler was back.He had overcome a wretched IPL run that stretched back to the middle of last year; this included five ducks in 14 innings. In that time, he watched Yashasvi Jaiswal become a powerplay king, while having to shelve his own flair, not for the lack of ability, but because he understood he needed to re-align himself after an unexplained form slump.Related

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  • Buttler 100* trumps Kohli's 113* as Royals go 4-0 up

  • The curious case of RCB's struggling overseas batters

It’s a period batters are coaxed into believing the big innings is around the corner simply because they’re hitting it beautifully in the nets. But the harder Buttler tried, the more he looked out of sorts. It was far different to IPL 2022, where he was Royals’ MVP. His sumptuous returns: a chart-topping 863 runs at an average of 57.53 and a strike rate of 149.05, with four hundreds.Buttler came into Saturday’s fixture on the back of scores of 11, 11 and 13. He was seemingly in a self-inflicted bubble that didn’t allow him to play shots he would otherwise to hittable deliveries. It seemed that way early in his innings against RCB too. Partly down to his own diffidence, and partly down to some excellent deliveries early on, like the very first delivery he faced off Reece Topley.Butler offered no feet movement, and the lateral movement amplified his struggle in picking length as the ball beat the inside edge and whizzed over the stumps. You can only wonder what could’ve been. Maybe the discourse would’ve taken a different turn and pointed to his struggles, which have been very real in recent times, going back to the 2023 ODI World Cup where he cut a disconsolate figure as batter and captain, having averaged 15.33 all tournament.Buttler needed some luck, and he’d got that first ball in Jaipur. Yet, it meant very little early on. An attempted scoop off Mohammed Siraj flew off a top edge for a fortuitous boundary. Then in trying to imperiously drive Siraj, he sliced one over point. Buttler was 10 off 10, and the first four overs had just gone for 25 in RCB’s defence of 183.Jos Buttler had some luck early on but soon found his groove•BCCIThen in the sixth over, as spin came on, Buttler broke free. The long hops came and Buttler suddenly rediscovered the feeling of being able to dominate bowlers. A slap through cover, a pull over deep midwicket and a straight one into his swinging arc all suddenly freed up the cobwebs. The over went for 20 and the stranglehold RCB had vanished.Buttler had flicked the switch, going from audacious to the sublime in a second. When he slapped Cameron Green through the covers, a more-than-acceptable slower ball on a length into the pitch, to try and cramp him up, you simply knew Buttler was somewhere near his dominating best. His making of room and generation of power in his punch was a thing of beauty.”I think however long you’ve played the game, you still have the anxiety and stress,” Buttler said afterwards. “The mind is a powerful thing. Sometimes it’s not easy, you just got to tell yourself everything will be okay. You’ve played for a long time, try and sort of dig into the things you’ve done well, keep working hard. There’s no secret to it. And you need a little bit of luck along the way, but just sort of having faith, at some point you’ll be okay.”Buttler revealed the signs were there from earlier. In Mumbai four days ago, he lasted all of 16 deliveries, but had that feel when he dug out a yorker-length delivery from Kwena Maphaka to the cover boundary. There was more confidence when he nearly clipped Jasprit Bumrah to the midwicket boundary.”I did feel really good in the last game even though I got 13,” Buttler said. “I had a really good tournament [SA20] in South Africa at the start of the year, but coming to the IPL, I think, sort of relaying on from the finish of IPL last year where I struggled a bit, I needed one innings to put that to bed and I now look forward.”As Buttler did his thing with Sanju Samson, making the very shots Virat Kohli described as tough look ridiculous easily, while gliding the ball behind square, driving cutters imperiously on the up through covers and punching his way to a century, there was one man in the Royals dug out not least one bit surprised at the turn of events.”Everyone requires a chat, but the chat doesn’t necessarily have to be about cricket or technique,” Director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara said. “Form is a state of mind. Jos is one of the best white-ball openers in world cricket and has been for so many years, he’s very smart, knows how to figure things out. Sometimes you’ve to just let the noise die down and let him be as well. We have a nice balance of that with Jos.”Over the past few seasons, Royals have shown the propensity to drop off after a roaring first half. Which is perhaps why the timing of Buttler’s return couldn’t be better.

All-out attack, adaptability, and everything in between – the Morgan mantra

Five ways in which Morgan the maverick revolutionised England’s white-ball cricket

Matt Roller29-Jun-20221:47

Roller: White-ball revolution will be Morgan’s lasting legacy

All-out attack
At the 2015 50-over World Cup, England played a style of ODI cricket that had long passed its sell-by date: their batters scored at 5.48 per over across the tournament, compared to champions Australia’s 6.82. The rule changes introduced in early 2013 – two new balls, and shifts in fielding restrictions – had altered the way the format was played but England did not seem to have noticed.Morgan was in charge for that World Cup but had been appointed so close to the tournament that he had scant opportunity to change England’s philosophy. In their first game of the 2015-19 cycle, they reached 400 for the first time in an ODI with a new-look, ultra-attacking side built on the principle that batting strength was a clear predictor of success in World Cups.Related

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Eoin Morgan: Maverick, pioneer, game-changer

Crucially, Morgan stuck with his all-guns-blazing approach even in choppy waters. In the third ODI of the new era, against New Zealand in 2015, England were bowled out for 302 in 45.2 overs. “It doesn’t disappoint me,” he said. “I want the guys to continue with that [attacking] mindset and not worry about batting 50 overs: I think that makes guys hesitate and question their natural way of playing and I don’t want that to happen.”At the 2019 World Cup, England were the tournament’s fastest-scoring team by a distance and lifted the trophy at Lord’s.Building experience
Andrew Strauss commissioned a review into England’s white-ball cricket when he was appointed as managing director in 2015. One of its key findings was that ODI experience was a key contributor to success in World Cups, as measured by the number of caps in the squad: to win in 2019, Morgan and England would have to back a core of players over a sustained period of time.In the 2015-19 cycle, England gave at least 40 caps to 13 different players and backed their long-term planning rather than over-reacting to form. Jason Roy, for example, didn’t reach 40 against New Zealand in his first full ODI series, “but because he kept attacking, kept playing in the right way for his role in the team, he was kept in,” Paul Farbrace has recalled. “He started to get his runs later that summer, and has never really looked back.”Adaptability
Morgan recognised that England’s attacking style suited the flat pitches and short boundaries they normally found on home soil but left them vulnerable on slower surfaces. “The wickets are going to be slow, low, they will wear – that’s the nature of ICC events,” he said during the 2019 World Cup.England were tested on those pitches, losing to Sri Lanka at Headingley and to Australia at Lord’s, but faced with consecutive must-win games at the end of the group stages, they doubled down on their style, racking up 337 for 7 and 305 for 8 against India and New Zealand. In the final, they were bogged down by Colin de Grandhomme in the middle overs but scrapped their way to 241 thanks to Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes’ measured restraint, enough to force a Super Over.England were also adaptable when it came to selection, as shown by two major calls on the eve of the World Cup. When Jofra Archer, one of the world’s leading T20 bowlers, became available, he was selected at short notice ahead of David Willey. He was their leading wicket-taker in the tournament and sealed their win in the final, holding his nerve in the Super Over.The other was the decision to remove Alex Hales from the squad after news of a second failed drugs test came to light shortly before the tournament. Only six months earlier, Morgan – along with Joe Root, the then Test captain – had outlined a mantra of “courage, unity and respect” for England players to follow during a tour of Sri Lanka. Hales’ actions were deemed to have fallen short, and he was axed. It was a risk – not least because James Vince, his replacement, struggled in the World Cup – but it was ultimately vindicated by the trophy.Building depth
The clarity of Morgan’s message quickly filtered down into county cricket: scoring rates in the domestic 50-over competition, the Royal London Cup, climbed from 5.38 in 2015 to 5.99 in 2019. And players increasingly took opportunities to travel the world in the off-season and play franchise cricket in order to become more versatile and develop their skills overseas.Morgan embodied his belief that more England players should play franchise cricket, missing the first ODI after the 2015 World Cup – a washout in his native Ireland – in order to stay with Sunrisers Hyderabad at the IPL. By 2021, every member of the team England fielded in the T20 World Cup semi-final had played at least one game at the IPL in their career and most said the tournament had played a significant role in their development.Last summer, England’s first-choice ODI squad were forced to self-isolate following a Covid-19 outbreak, but a hastily assembled second-string side then whitewashed a full-strength Pakistan, playing in the same attacking style that Morgan had pioneered. By 2022, there were so many talented batters that Morgan could not command a place in the side based on his batting alone; the depth he had engineered rendered him surplus to requirement.Embracing diversity
Perhaps Morgan’s greatest legacy will be the extent to which he has championed diversity in his side. “I spoke to Adil [Rashid] and he said Allah was definitely with us. I said we had the rub of the green,” Morgan said after the 2019 final. “It actually epitomises our team.”In his final series in the role, Morgan was consulted about Rashid’s desire to skip fixtures against India in order to make the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. “There were no questions asked,” Rashid told ESPNcricinfo. “That’s a big credit to Morgs for making that environment… it’s been like that with England for the past seven years since 2015.”

'Bangladesh's strong message to the world'

The cricketing community lauded the Bangladesh U-19 team after they won the country’s maiden world title

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Feb-2020

'Disgrace' – Jamie Carragher slams Mohamed Salah for creating 'maximum damage' in damning Liverpool interview

Jamie Carragher believes Mohamed Salah's anti-Liverpool tirade was a "disgrace" and accused him of causing "maximum damage" with his outburst. The 33-year-old stated that the Reds have "thrown him under the bus" after being repeatedly benched by manager Arne Slot, while arguing that he deserves a place in their starting line-up. But Carragher feels the Egyptian is trying to get Slot sacked.

  • Salah goes on the attack

    Shortly after being an unused substitute in Liverpool's 3-3 draw at Leeds United on Saturday, Salah said he no longer had a relationship with manager Arne Slot, that the club was throwing him under the bus and that someone at the Merseyside outfit wanted him to "get all of the blame". In response, Slot claimed he did not feel that his authority was being undermined by the former Chelsea man but said he had "no clue" whether Salah had played his last game for the Reds. For the time being, however, the veteran will not be part of Liverpool's squad travelling to Italy to take on Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday. Salah has been heavily criticised for his comments, and now Liverpool legend Carragher has taken aim at him, too.

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  • Carragher tears into Salah

    Last season, Carragher and Salah got into a war of words after the latter said he was "probably more out than in" as his Liverpool contract ticked down into its final eight months. This prompted Carragher to call him "selfish", before the forward eventually signed a new two-year deal. That feud looked set to escalate earlier this season after Carragher called on Salah to front up more and face the media amid their poor run. Now, he has torn the Egyptian a new one following his eye-opening comments.

    He said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football: "I thought it was a disgrace what he did after the game. Some people have painted it as an emotional outburst. I don’t think it was. I think whenever Mo Salah stops in a mixed zone, which he’s done four times in eight years at Liverpool, it’s choreographed with him and his agent to cause maximum damage and strengthen his own position. He did that 12 months ago, and I called him out on it. He played on the heartstrings of the Liverpool supporters. Liverpool were top of the league, he’d scored the winning goal at Southampton, and that was the time to come out and put pressure on the Liverpool ownership. He’s chosen this weekend to do this, and he’s waited, I think, to choose a bad result for Liverpool. Supporters, the manager, everyone at the club feels like they’re in the gutter and he’s chosen that time to go for the manager and maybe get him sacked." 

  • 'All about me, me, me'

    Carragher did not stop there. He accused Salah himself of throwing Liverpool under the bus, rather than the other way around. The former defender also suggested the ex-Roma ace was thinking only about himself and not his team-mates.

    "The one line that stands out for me is ‘thrown under the bus’. He’s thrown the club under the bus twice in the last 12 months. With the manager right now, he should be doing as much as he can to help the club get out of the worst run they’ve had since the 1950s, and he hasn’t done that," he said. "You weren't a big star before you came to Liverpool, you haven't really won much for Egypt, no matter how big you are, you need help from your team-mates, your manager and fans, it's important that he remembers that. When he talks after Leeds, it's all about me, me, me."

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    What comes next for Salah?

    With Salah not set to be part of the Liverpool side facing Inter, his last game before heading off with Egypt to the Africa Cup of Nations will be against Brighton in the Premier League this weekend. It remains to be seen if he will feature in that contest, though.

Man Utd could still profit from Mason Greenwood as Marseille mull over eye-watering €100m transfer offer from Saudi Pro League

Manchester United could be in line for a cash boost courtesy of Mason Greenwood, with it claimed that a €100 million (£87m/$116m) bid from the Saudi Pro League has been tabled for the 24-year-old forward. If Marseille were to accept that offer, and Greenwood agreed personal terms, then the Red Devils would be due 50 per cent of any fee that is generated from a sale.

  • Golden Boot winner: Greenwood has thrived in France

    United allowed Greenwood to leave Old Trafford on a permanent basis in the summer of 2024. He had spent much of the previous season on loan at Getafe in Spain. Another fresh start was embraced when the opportunity to head for France materialised.

    A productive debut campaign was enjoyed at Stade Velodrome, with Golden Boot honours shared in Ligue 1 with Ballon d’Or-winning Paris Saint-Germain superstar Ousmane Dembele as both men found the target on 21 occasions.

    Greenwood has reached double figures again this term, netting 11 times across all competitions in 2025-26. His performances continue to attract admiring glances from afar, even if Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi is not always entirely happy with what he sees.

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    Huge transfer offer: Neom table bid for Greenwood

    Leading clubs from across Europe, including the likes of Barcelona and Juventus, are said to have seen Greenwood register on their recruitment radar. Big-spending teams in the Middle East are also monitoring his progress.

    According to , that interest has been formalised ahead of the January transfer window. They claim that Neom Sports Club have put a nine-figure offer to Marseille. They want to “finalise his signing as soon as possible”, with the terms tabled considered to highlight how serious they are.

    They have seen Greenwood register 10 goals and four assists across his Ligue 1 outings this season, helping Marseille to challenge for the title. He has also impressed in Champions League action, registering one goal and an assist in elite European competition.

    Neom are said to be impressed by Greenwood’s “consistency in high-pressure situations”. They view him as an ideal candidate to “lead their attack”. They are willing to give the former United winger “a leading role from day one” and are “prepared to compete with any team” that enters the race for a much sought-after signature.

  • Man Utd clause: Red Devils due half of any fee

    Neom Sports Club believe that signing a player of Greenwood’s ilk would be a “huge step in their quest to gain international prominence”. They are piecing together an ambitious project in a bid to rival the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr.

    The terms on offer for Greenwood are also considered to be appealing to Marseille. As they will have to hand over half of any fee to Premier League giants United – due to a clause inserted in his contract – the opportunity to raise 50m (£44m/$58m) is said to be “one of the most attractive offers in the current market”.

    They accept that losing Greenwood would be a “sporting blow”, but bringing in big money for him would “allow them to strengthen several positions and plan for a competitive future”. Those at Old Trafford would also welcome a cash injection during the winter window of 2026.

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    What next? Greenwood mulling over his options

    Marseille are reported to have an “open stance” when it comes to talks about Greenwood’s future, with progress on that front expected in the coming days. Fichajes claim that discussions are “nearing a decisive point”.

    There is, however, acknowledgement that Greenwood has become “one of the major players in the market” and that teams in Europe are likely to join the transfer chase were he to be made available by Marseille. The player himself is said to be “weighing his options”.

    Greenwood is working on a five-year contract with Marseille that is due to run until the summer of 2029. That means the French outfit are under no pressure to sell and can demand the highest possible fee. Their resolve is being tested by Neom, with interested observers in Manchester waiting to discover how an intriguing January window plays out in the south of France.

Northern Superchargers officially renamed Sunrisers Leeds

The Sun Group, an Indian media conglomerate, had completed a £100 million takeover of the franchise earlier this year

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Nov-2025

Northern Superchargers men were knocked out in the eliminator this year•ECB via Getty Images

Northern Superchargers have been renamed ‘Sunrisers Leeds’ by their new owners, one of three anticipated name changes in the Hundred ahead of the 2026 season.The Sun Group, an Indian media conglomerate based in Chennai, completed a £100 million takeover of the Leeds-based franchise earlier this year. Yorkshire opted to sell their 51% stake in the Superchargers on top of the ECB’s 49%, meaning that the Sun Group owns 100% of the company’s shares.The new owners have now filed documents to Companies House in the UK, which confirm that the Superchargers name will be discontinued. The new name ‘Sunrisers Leeds’ falls in line with their other franchise brands: Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape in South Africa’s SA20.

Two further name changes are anticipated in the Hundred, with the league’s eight teams now under private ownership. Manchester Originals are set to become Manchester Super Giants, after Lancashire’s deal with the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group. Oval Invincibles, meanwhile, are expected to be renamed MI London when Reliance Industries Limited’s minority investment is finalised.Sanjay Patel, Yorkshire’s chief executive, earlier this year said that the club would use the proceeds from the sale to start clearing their significant debts. “The deal puts the club in a strong financial position, which has been far from the case for many years here, and we can start looking towards a very bright future,” Patel said.Superchargers’ women won the Hundred this year, beating Southern Brave in the final at Lord’s, while their men were knocked out in the eliminator. The men will return under a new head coach as well as a new name next year, with Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Daniel Vettori linked with the vacancy opened up by Andrew Flintoff’s departure.The ECB announced last week that the Hundred will move from a draft system to a player auction for recruitment from next year, with a substantial increase in salaries and an extra overseas player per side, both designed to boost star power. The 2026 season is expected to run from July 21 to August 16.

New York Red Bulls not '100% sold' on Timo Werner as ex-Chelsea & Tottenham forward sees MLS route blocked ahead of January transfer window

Timo Werner’s hopes of securing a January move to MLS have suffered a major setback after the New York Red Bulls admitted they were “not 100 percent” convinced about signing him. The Leipzig forward, frozen out in Germany, had targeted a winter switch to the United States but with NYRB shifting their squad profile, his path to MLS has unexpectedly narrowed again.

Werner move blocked by Red Bulls

The German international’s bid to reignite his career in MLS has been dealt a blow as the New York Red Bulls confirmed they will not pursue a deal for the RB Leipzig striker this winter. The former Chelsea and Tottenham forward has been entirely sidelined from Ole Werner’s plans in Leipzig, despite having a contract until 2026. With 113 goals for the club, he remains Leipzig’s record scorer, but his status has shifted dramatically.

Werner has been aware for weeks that a move is necessary, and as reported in Germany, he began planning his departure as early as mid-October, with MLS standing out as his preferred destination. New York Red Bulls, a sister club within the Red Bull network, tried to secure him in the summer and even prepared a two-and-a-half-year contract. However, the deal reportedly collapsed when Werner’s salary expectations could not be met.

With his winter exit now looming and his role diminished in Leipzig, Werner had looked again toward MLS. But the Red Bulls, who have an open Designated Player slot and high roster flexibility, have chosen not to revisit the transfer. The shift comes at a time when the club is undergoing a broader identity reset after missing the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDe Guzman explains RBNY 'weren't 100% convinced'

Speaking to about the club’s internal deliberations, newly appointed Red Bulls head of sport Julian de Guzman openly addressed the decision to walk away from the Werner opportunity. “There was always talks about [Werner],” he said, acknowledging the background negotiations. “We have to make sure, here in New York, it makes sense for us. It’s a great name to bring, I think fans would have loved him.”

Despite admiring Werner’s profile and popularity, de Guzman confirmed that doubts remained about whether the signing matched the club’s long-term direction. “The opportunity was there, but I don’t think we were 100 percent sold that this was the right thing for New York. That’s why it wasn’t something we were fully invested in. We’d rather be patient [with that DP spot],” he added.

His comments reflect an ongoing shift in New York’s squad building following a disappointing season. The club endured supporter frustration, especially after failing to use their third Designated Player slot. Fans even displayed banners criticising leadership, including one that read: “Poor Management Breeds Complacency.”

Yet for de Guzman, the decision is strategic, not financial, as he emphasised the need to move beyond marquee signings for their own sake, adding: “I am far from wanting to sign a ‘famous player’. I simply want someone who will help the team improve.” He also referenced the presence of two experienced DPs, Emil Forsberg and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, when explaining why another veteran attacker wasn’t necessary.

Squad structure and coaching changes

The Red Bulls’ decision on Werner comes amid sweeping structural changes across the organisation. De Guzman has inherited a squad with one vacant DP spot, a need for reinforcements on the wings and in midfield, and a goalkeeper position to fill following Carlos Coronel’s departure. He also faces the task of securing a new head coach after Sandro Schwarz was dismissed three weeks ago.

Former Philadelphia Union manager Jim Curtin is among the early names linked to the vacancy. Another internal candidate, Michael Bradley, fresh from leading Red Bulls II to the MLS Next Pro Cup, has also reportedly impressed many within the organisation. “I’m very impressed by what he’s done,” de Guzman said. “It’s his (playing) style. It’s attractive for players, for fans. You can see how calm he is, how he delivers his message to the players. I must say it’s refreshing.”

For Werner, the combination of squad dynamics, Designated Player strategy, and supporter sensitivity has effectively shut the door on a New York move, at least for now.

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Getty Images SportWhat's the route for Werner in MLS?

With the MLS route blocked in New York, Werner will now turn his attention to alternative clubs in the United States. Reports in Germany suggest that he is already considering other American markets, including Los Angeles, where multiple MLS sides could hold the financial and stylistic appeal he is seeking for a fresh start.

January remains decisive with Werner’s situation at Leipzig is unlikely to improve under Ole Werner, and both the club and player appear aligned in their desire to find an exit. MLS remains attractive to the forward due to lifestyle, visibility, and a clear opportunity for leading roles in the right team.

"World-class" £43m forward now Tottenham's top 2026 target with Semenyo

A “world-class” forward is now a top attacking target for Tottenham Hotspur, alongside AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.

Spurs vying to sign Son Heung-min replacement

Son Heung-min has proven he still has plenty left to give since making the move to LAFC in the summer, with the South Korean picking up eight goals and three assists in his opening nine MLS games, so Tottenham may be ruing the decision to sanction a sale.

Initially, Xavi Simons featured at left-wing in Son’s place, but the Dutchman has since moved into a more central role, with Wilson Odobert being given the nod against Leeds United, but the young Frenchman is still yet to register a Premier League goal contribution this term.

On the opposite flank, Mohammed Kudus has made a more impressive start, scoring the winning goal in the 2-1 victory against Leeds, but Thomas Frank may feel he is a little light on top-quality options on the left.

As such, it is no doubt exciting news that Spurs are preparing a January move for AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, with Frank of the belief the 25-year-old would be the “perfect fit” in his squad.

With nine goal contributions to his name in the Premier League already this season, a move to a Champions League club could provide the platform for Semenyo to become one of the best wingers in the world.

Tottenham now in contact to sign "complete" fast winger ahead of Rangers

He would be one for the future for Spurs.

ByHenry Jackson Oct 12, 2025

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Semenyo is one of Tottenham’s top targets to replace Son, but so is Atalanta star Ademola Lookman, with the north Londoners expected to spend a significant amount of money on a new left-winger.

Spurs came close to signing Lookman in the summer, at which point he was valued at £43m, but the deal fell through, as the Italian club were unwilling to sanction a loan move and wanted a permanent sale.

Since then, however, the forward has worked his way back into first-team contention, starting against FC Como last time out, and the Nigerian’s previous exploits suggest he could be a fantastic addition to Frank’s squad…

"World-class" Semenyo could flourish at N17

BBC reporter John Bennett hailed the Atalanta forward in light of his remarkable performances across 2024, perhaps most notably scoring a hat-trick in the final of the Europa League to lead his side to victory against Bayer Leverkusen.

Since leaving England for Italy, the London-born attacker has also maintained a very impressive goal and assist record in the Serie A.

Season

Serie A appearances

Goal contributions

2022-23

31

21

2023-24

31

19

2024-25

31

20

There may be some concerns over the fact Lookman hasn’t set the world alight in England in the past, scoring just four goals in 48 games for Everton, but he has clearly developed since then, and at 27-years-old, the ex-Fulham man may now be in his prime.

VIDEO: Chelsea star caught on camera speeding through traffic in Lamborghini & dangerously undertaking in hard shoulder in his NINTH driving offence

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana has been spared jail time despite being caught on camera driving dangerously in his Lamborghini. This was the French defender's ninth driving offence, and he is already serving a driving ban until May 2027. Fofana, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, has appeared in five matches across all competitions for the Blues in the 2025-26 campaign, including three in the league.

Fofana slapped with fresh driving ban but avoids jail time

According to , Fofana was caught speeding and weaving through traffic on the A3 Esher Bypass in Hook, Surrey. The incident was caught on a dashcam and the footage was presented in court. While the Blues star was spared jail time for what was his ninth driving offence at the age of 25, he has been ordered to serve 300 hours of unpaid community service. He has also been hit with a fresh 18-month driving ban, although his licence is suspended until May 2027 for previous offences. The Frenchman has also been ordered to pay just £85 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge. The video below was shared by the Crown Prosecution Service.

AdvertisementWatch the clip

Fofana slammed by judge

District Judge Julie Cooper slammed Fofana inside the courtroom for setting the wrong example for young people who look up to professional footballers like him.

She said: "You obviously realise there are a lot of young people who look up to you and they would like to be like you and follow you. That’s part of the whole gig. However, they will not be able to afford these expensive cars, with all their additions that keep them safe and you could have some 17-year-old, who has just passed their test, who think they can copy you. They will not be able to handle their car and do some ridiculous driving manoeuvres and they are dead. You need to be much more responsible about your behaviour."

Prosecutor Rabbi Khan said: "The witness identified the danger and this defendant was driving on the hard shoulder at speed in a 50mph zone. The offence is aggravated by an approaching bend that was signposted and he is not indicating when making these manoeuvres. He refused to abide by the road rules at speed."

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Getty Images Sport'There is no explanation or excuse'

Representing Fofana, his solicitor Imogen Cox told the court: "The video speaks for itself – 15 to 20 seconds of driving that are conceded. There is no explanation or excuse for his driving on that day. He attended voluntarily for an interview at Guildford Police Station and apologised for driving and said he had learned a valuable lesson about his driving and had no explanation for his driving on that day. This offence pre-dates the speeding offences, which were all within a seven-month period and tied-up at Lavender Hill. He is essentially of good character, having no criminal convictions against him. He is fit and healthy and able to carry out community work."

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