Essex Women’s head coach Andy Tennant believes the 21-year old can be a long-term success as England Women’s captain

Andrew Miller24-Mar-2025It might, from a distance, look like a wild punt on youth. But Grace Scrivens, England’s former Under-19 captain, is emerging as a contender to be Heather Knight’s long-term successor in the senior women’s team, after being named as captain for the T20I leg of England A’s multi-format tour of Australia.Scrivens, 21, will take charge for the first of three matches against Australia A at Hurstville Oval in Sydney on Wednesday, with Durham captain Hollie Armitage set to lead the 50-over team next week*. Even though she has yet to make her full England debut, Scrivens’ director of cricket at Essex, Andy Tennant, believes she could thrive in the role, just as Graeme Smith did when he was appointed as South Africa captain at a similarly young age back in 2003.”It reminds me back to when Michael Atherton was called the ‘Future England Captain’ when he was at Lancashire,” Tennant said. “That mantle has been placed on Grace’s head. Hopefully, one day, she will become the England captain. I think she would be a bloody good one. But we still need to remember, she’s still only 21.”England A’s tour has taken on heightened significance in the wake of a turbulent weekend for the women’s set-up. Earlier this year, England’s 16-0 points defeat in the Ashes prompted an extensive review by the ECB, and the upshot is now the departure of both the captain and head coach, Jon Lewis, who was sacked on Friday after just over two years in his role.The ECB had not initially named any captains for the seven-match tour, although Scrivens and Armitage, along with The Blaze’s Kirstie Gordon and the withdrawn Bryony Smith, were the only players in the multi-format squads with extensive leadership experience. Last season Scrivens led Sunrisers to victory in the final staging of the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy, while in 2023, she was named in the ICC’s team of the tournament after leading England to the final of the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, where they lost to the favourites, India.Sunrisers have since moved their set-up across to Chelmsford, following Essex’s successful bid to be a Tier 1 professional women’s county. Speaking prior to Knight’s departure, Tennant – who has joined the club alongside 14 of last year’s 16-person squad – was unfazed about the speculation surrounding the team’s young leader.”One of the beauties of Grace as a leader is she recognises she’s young, she recognises she’s got a distance to go, but that in itself is so powerful, because she’s hungry to learn,” he said. “She’s hungry to get better. We’ve seen those leadership qualities in her, and we’re keen to help her grow with them.”Grace Scrivens holds the 2024 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy aloft•Getty Images for Surrey CCCEngland have had just three full-time women’s captains since 2000 – Clare Connor, Charlotte Edwards and Knight – with the latter pair’s tenures spanning 11 and nine years respectively.Knight’s long stint has left alternatives within the current set-up thin on the ground. Nat Sciver-Brunt, her official vice-captain, does not appear to covet the role, while similar doubts surround other senior players, such as Amy Jones, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Sophie Ecclestone. Tammy Beaumont, Welsh Fire’s captain, is a potential short-term appointment although, at 34, she is the same age as Knight, and is not currently a part of England’s T20I set-up.Scrivens herself has yet to make her senior England debut, although a step-up seems only a matter of time given her strong Under-19 record of 293 runs at 41.85. And if, ultimately, another long-term appointment is deemed to be the way to go for England, then Tennant is confident that she would be ready to grow with the role.”She feels to me a little bit like the English Graeme Smith,” Tennant said, referencing South Africa’s former captain who was appointed at the age of 22, after just eight previous Test appearances. He went on to captain his side in 109 Tests across 11 years, before retiring while still in the role in 2014.”She’s that feisty left-hander,” Tennant said. “She plays the game aggressively. She’s a scholar of the game. She loves it. So I think down the line, I’d love her to captain England, and I think she’d be very good at it.”England A’s preparations for the T20I series suffered a blow when Danielle Gibson, one of the squad’s more experienced players, was ruled out of the tour with a stress fracture of the back. She will fly home to undergo rehabilitation at Somerset, with Essex’s Eva Gray called up as a replacement.2pm GMT – This story was updated following the captaincy announcements and Gibson’s injury

To help counter dew, the IPL has decided to allow the team bowling second in an evening match to get the ball changed once anytime after the tenth over. Any further requests for an additional change of ball will be at the on-field umpires’ discretion. The decision was taken on Thursday during a meeting with the ten captains in IPL 2025 and was communicated to the franchises on Friday in a note that was accessed by ESPNcricinfo*.Until now, the umpires had the sole discretion on changing the ball if and when they felt it had got wet because of dew, which is a big factor at certain venues. However, the franchises wanted the match officials to be more flexible and allow a ball change more than once. As per the new rule, the umpires will have to grant the bowling team’s first request for a ball change any time from overs 11 to 20 of the chase.The ball change will be granted on request irrespective of the presence of dew. But the option will only be available in evening matches, not afternoon games, and the request can be made only at the end of an over, not in the middle of it. If the bowling team does not want the ball changed after the tenth over regardless of the dew, a replacement ball will not be brought in.Related

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The ball introduced after the tenth over will have the same level of wear and tear as the one it replaces. Importantly, the ball will be picked by the umpires and the bowling team will have no say in the choice. One potential downside for the bowling team would be if the replacement ball is a bit harder than the ball it replaces, making run-scoring easier.The umpires can change the ball for being wet/out of shape/lost/damaged at any time during the match. That does not take away the fielding captain’s right to get it changed again after the tenth over.Teams have welcomed the decision as dew has played a significant role in the outcome of matches in the past, with teams predominantly opting to chase. India mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who is one of the lead bowlers for defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, said changing the wet ball in the middle overs would definitely be helpful.Andy Flower, the head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who will play the IPL opener against KKR at Eden Gardens on Saturday evening, said he never understood why there was “reticence” on part of the umpires to change a ball affected by dew.”I like the rule change on the captains electing when they can take a second ball in the second half of the [second] innings,” Flower said in Kolkata on Friday. “Changing the ball will make it an even and fair contest. And that’s what we are looking for. The people who make the rules under which we play the game of cricket and ground staff, preparing pitches, they are always looking for a fair balance between bat and ball. And in conditions where dew does affect games significantly, that’s a really good rule change and about time.”

Vitinha's growing influence at Paris Saint-Germain has been formally recognised by his teammates, who have chosen him to be the deputy to captain Marquinhos. The appointment comes just after Vitinha made his 100th Ligue 1 appearance, cementing his status as a key figure for Luis Enrique's side.

Vitinha continues to be the backbone of the team

 According to Foot Mercato, Vitinha has been chosen by his teammates to become the new vice-captain of the club, serving as the official deputy to captain Marquinhos. The 25-year-old's appointment reflects his growing stature and influence within the dressing room under manager Enrique.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesVitinha's growing influence in the dressing room

The decision, made via a players' vote, underscores the high regard in which the Portuguese international is held by his peers. The promotion to the leadership group comes just a day after Vitinha made his 100th Ligue 1 appearance during PSG's 1-1 draw away to Lille on Sunday, cementing his status as a key figure for the Parisian club since his arrival from FC Porto in 2022.

The Portuguese midfielder's key role under Luis Enrique

Vitinha has become a mainstay in Enrique's midfield, starting all seven of PSG's league matches this season and contributing one goal and three assists. The midfielder has reportedly credited the Spanish coach as a key factor in his development, appreciating the clarity of his instructions. His consistent performances have made him one of the first names on the teamsheet and a vital component of the team's engine room.

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PSG held by Lille in latest outing

The news of Vitinha's new role comes on the back of a frustrating result for the league leaders. PSG were held to a 1-1 draw by Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, with Nuno Mendes' second-half goal being cancelled out by a late equaliser from Ethan Mbappe. The draw means PSG remain just one point clear at the top of the Ligue 1 table, with both Marseille and Strasbourg hot on their heels.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca looked as if he had gone public with his desire to sign a new centre-back this summer after Levi Colwill’s injury, amid their ongoing attempts to bring in both Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho and RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons.

Colwill will miss the majority of 2025/2026 after tearing his ACL, leaving Maresca with precious few options for his backline, and the Italian stated last week that the club need more names in that area.

However, in his press conference prior to Chelsea’s clash with West Ham at the London Stadium, Maresca has now gone back on that message, claiming it was lost in translation, and they’re looking at finding an internal solution.

Benoit Badiashile is still injured and will remain out until September, but it is worth noting that members of the Chelsea coaching staff are backing him as a reliable option behind-the-scenes.

Renato Veiga has just sealed a £26 million move to Villarreal, so he can no longer be called upon, while Axel Disasi is believed to be attracting serious interest from Bournemouth.

According to journalist Sebastian Staszewski, they were considering a defensive rising star earlier in the window, but talks have hit a “standstill”.

Chelsea pause talks for Motor Lublin defender Bright Ede

As per the reporter, Chelsea have “paused talks” for Motor Lublin defender Bright Ede, after previously being interested, and this has handed Man United a chance to swoop in and get the teenager instead.

The £7 million defender would come in among BlueCo’s pool of promising young talents, but if Chelsea were to sign a centre-back before the deadline, they arguably need a more proven asset, despite lots of praise for Ede from certain sectors.

Heading into today’s Premier League showdown with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United found themselves winless from their opening three league fixtures.

Thankfully, that early-season curse has now been lifted as Eddie Howe’s Magpies just about got the better of the travelling Old Gold courtesy of a debut strike from £69m buy Nick Woltemade, who was thrust straight into action by the Toon boss.

Woltemade’s game-winning strike fell at the perfect time for the Tyneside hosts after Wolves had threatened with some early first-half efforts. Thankfully, while Vitor Pereira’s away side were wasteful, the home side were more clinical, with the ex-Stuttgart man heading home a teasing Jacob Murphy cross to break the deadlock.

Woltemade wasn’t the only inspired inclusion in Howe’s XI, however, as the 47-year-old reintroduced Joelinton back into the first team fold, who worked excellently alongside the duo of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali during the 1-0 victory.

Guimaraes and Tonali's relationship

Both Guimaraes and Tonali are solid first-team faces at this point, with both players in question starting every possible league game they can so far this season.

The Magpies’ number 39 wasn’t quite at his accurate best centrally with the ball at his feet, as seen in him relinquishing possession a near costly 19 times, but the forceful Newcastle captain did still make his presence known with six ground duels won during the tight win.

While Guimaraes wasn’t quite at his confident best roaming forward, his Italian counterpart was certainly lively in this capacity, with the energetic number eight even hitting the woodwork with one of his three efforts in a bid to make the victory more comprehensive.

With Joelinton also thrown back in the mix after injury, it must be rather easy for Howe to pick his midfield personnel when everyone is fit and firing, knowing he will get consistent greatness out of those at his disposal.

Other partnerships across the pitch will equally make Howe beam from ear to ear, with one duo, in particular, standing out once more against Wolves to now stake a claim at being even more important than the aforementioned duo of Guimaraes and Tonali.

Trippier & Murphy are looking like Howe's "best" pairing

Woltemade will hope, in time, that he can form a partnership that is held in high regard at St James’ Park, with Alexander Isak once bouncing off the likes of Anthony Gordon for fun, before he exited the building for Liverpool.

Newcastle’s right-hand side clearly boasts a healthy working relationship based on the 1-0 win, as both Kieran Trippier and Murphy worked together in harmony throughout to guide Howe’s men to a much-needed three points.

Trippier + Murphy Stats

Stat

Trippier

Murphy

Minutes played

90

89

Goals scored

0

0

Assists

0

1

Touches

96

51

Shots

0

4

Accurate passes

53/68 (78%)

17/26 (65%)

Key passes

5

1

Successful dribbles

0/0

2/3

Total duels won

4/6

3/5

Stats by Sofascore

Between them down the right-hand side, both Trippier and Murphy would amass a whopping six key passes from their combined 147 touches of the ball, with the right winger ultimately picking up the assist that saw Woltemade break his Magpies duck to hand Howe’s men a win.

But, away from their constant creativity, both the hard-working number two and the number 23 also won their fair share of duels to keep Wolves at bay, with a combined duels won count of seven come the full-time whistle.

This split-second ability to create, but also fight for their team’s cause, certainly puts them on the same pedestal as Guimaraes and Tonali, with journalist Craig Hope stating during the match that they make a “big difference” when together on the pitch, as the pair have the “best” understanding as a partnership.

This is high praise, indeed, with Murphy hopeful he can remain a part of Howe’s first team plans, even with Anthony Elanga breathing down his neck as a new £55m recruit.

Trippier, despite being 34 years of age, will also hope he has plenty more first-team minutes heading his direction, as Newcastle tries to build on these three points against Pereira’s visitors, with a Champions League humdinger against Barcelona next on the menu.

Related Newcastle can get Woltemade hitting Isak levels by unleashing "unsung hero"

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Sep 13, 2025

Paris Saint-Germain stars “don’t give a damn” about what opponents have to say when it comes to ‘best team in the world’ titles, with Lamine Yamal and Pedri being made to eat their words as the current holders of the prestigious Champions League crown secured another notable victory over Barcelona. A thrilling contest in Catalunya, which swung one way and then the other, ended in dramatic circumstances as PSG snatched a 90th-minute winner.

Champions League thriller: PSG snatch points off Barcelona

Goncalo Ramos was the man to have the final say, as he swept into the back of the net following a swift counter-attack from PSG. Luis Enrique – who was facing his former employers – had seen Barca take the lead inside 19 minutes through Ferran Torres, as Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford added another assist to his tally in 2025-26.

Teenage forward Senny Mayulu restored parity five minutes before half-time when opening his goal account for the season. Both teams had opportunities in the second-half, but it was Ramos who stole all three points for the visitors.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhat Yamal & Pedri said ahead of clash with PSG

The Portugal international striker was among those afterwards to respond to pre-match comments made by some prominent figures in the Barca camp. Kopa Trophy-winning wonderkid Lamine Yamal posted a story on Instagram which saw him calmly sitting on a railing while wearing a Spain shirt. His message read, having nursed a knock picked up on international duty: “Pressure? I’m back and the mission is back too.”

Yamal’s club colleague Pedri said ahead of the game: “PSG is a team that already showed last season what it was, one of the best teams in the world, and I consider us to be the best.”

He added, having seen the Blaugrana suffer a 4-1 quarter-final defeat to the Ligue 1 giants in April 2024: “All of us Barca fans regret having been so close to qualifying. Football always has revenge, everyone wants to play these matches. Both teams are favourites and we want to win the Champions League. We have the squad to do it and it will be one of the best matches of the moment.”

Ramos & Vitinha respond to comments from Barcelona stars

Talk of revenge was fresh in PSG’s mind when they lined up against familiar opponents. Ramos was eager to ensure that the French giants were not knocked from the loftiest of perches. He told reporters: “We're the European champions, I can't say more than that. If you're the best, you have to show it on the pitch, not talk.”

Midfield maestro Vitinha was also among those to speak in the mixed zone, as he faced questions from the likes of . He said when asked about the comments made by Yamal and Pedri before a ball was kicked: “It happens sometimes. There are often statements made before matches, and it can happen. We don't give a damn. We don't care, we just want to play the match, we won, and we're happy about that.”

He went on to say of downing Barca while missing a number of senior stars: “It's incredible, I'm proud of this team because it's happened several times before to turn the result around. You have five players who normally start who aren't there, you have some kids who play, others who come on very well. Other players who play less often came on and gave a great response. We were behind against one of the best teams in Europe away from home, and even then, you manage to come through in the second half and turn the game around. It's a great statement from our team. I want to thank all my team-mates.”

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GettyWhat next for Barcelona & PSG? Upcoming fixtures

Barcelona will be back in La Liga action on Sunday when taking in a trip to Sevilla – with their unbeaten record in domestic competition, which sees them sat top of the table, being put on the line there. PSG, who have suffered one defeat in Ligue 1 this term, are due to face Lille on Sunday. The latest round of fixtures will take clubs around the world into the next international break.

دافع النجم المصري السابق، محمد أبو تريكة، محلل قنوات “بي إن سبورتس”، عن نجم ليفربول محمد صلاح، قائد منتخب مصر، بعد الهجوم عليه بسبب سوء مستواه هذا الموسم.

ويعاني محمد صلاح هذا الموسم من تراجع في مستواه، خاصة المعدل التهديفي، على عكس الموسم الماضي، ما أثار تواجد الكثير من الانتقادات له.

ويستعد الفريق الأول لكرة بنادي ليفربول لمواجهة مانشستر يونايتد، اليوم الأحد، في إطار منافسات الجولة الثامنة من بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي “الممتاز”.

ويستضيف ملعب “أنفيلد” مباراة الريدز أمام مانشستر يونايتد في تمام الساعة السادسة والنصف مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة ومكة المكرمة.

وقال تريكة، في تصريحات خلال الاستوديو التحليلي لمباراة ليفربول ومانشستر يونايتد: “صلاح كعبه عالي على الفرق الـ6 الكبار في الدوري الإنجليزي، وأقول لجماهير ليفربول ألا يمتلكوا ذاكرة السمك لأن صلاح هو من جلب دوري الموسم الماضي بمفرده”.

اقرأ أيضًا | تشكيل ليفربول أمام مانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي.. موقف محمد صلاح

وأكمل: “صلاح ليس مشكلة بل هو جزء من الحل، أما عن كوكوريلا فهو يقول إن ماريسكا أخبر اللاعبين بأن يهاجموا الجبهة اليُمنى لأن صلاح لا يعود للدفاع، في حين أنه لا يعود منذ الموسم الماضي الذي توج به مع ليفربول بالبطولة وكان هداف الدوري”.

واستطرد: “هل هناك فرصة لمحمد صلاح للعودة للتألق ؟ حتى وإن لم يعد للتألق فإن تاريخه يسمح له بذلك، قُلت قبل ذلك إن اللاعب إذا قدم موسم استثنائيًا فلن يقدم نفس المستوى في الموسم الذي يليه، لكن صلاح يبقى صلاح”.

وأضاف: “حتى إذا لم يحقق نفس مردود الموسم الماضي، فإن الجماهير دائمًا تنتظر اللاعبين الكبار في المباريات الكبيرة من أجل الحسم، صلاح ليس لديه شيء لإثباته، أقول له (إلعب يا نجم وعيش حياتك)، الفريق لديه نجوم كثيرين وصفقات قُدرت بحوالي نصف مليار، أين هم؟”.

وأتم أبو تريكة: “لاعب ظل 7 أو 8 مواسم يصنع الفارق مع الفريق وهو الآن 33 عامًا، يأخذ موسم راحة وزملائه من الصفقات الجديدة هم من يساعدونه، وإذا لم يصنع أي شيء هذا الموسم سيظل هو محمد صلاح”.

The GT keeper put down a simple chance off Phil Salt in the first over of the game

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Apr-20251:17

Chopra: Buttler, a different beast in run-chases

Sometimes it’s good to be bad. Jos Buttler put down a simple chance off Phil Salt in the very first over of the game between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans and that spurred him on to be better with the bat. Considering he was already averaging 94.66 against these opponents since IPL 2022, the extra motivation was likely to produce something special. And it did – a match-winning, unbeaten 73 off 39 balls, not to mention the return of a smile that he seemed to have lost captaining England in white-ball cricket over the last few years.”I thought the bowlers did a fantastic job,” Buttler said after GT restricted RCB to 169. “We probably, if we fielded it a bit better, myself, looking at myself very much so, then we would have been chasing a few less.Related

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“I was pretty embarrassed, especially with [dropping] Salty. He’s a dangerous player. So the only thing I can think of, I was trying to throw it up to earlier, a bit like Herschelle Gibbs style [who dropped Steve Waugh in that fashion during the 1999 World Cup] but I didn’t even… I barely got a glove on it, it hit me in the chest. But due to that embarrassment, I was pretty determined to try and score some runs.”Buttler’s previous six innings against RCB, going backwards, had read 100*, 0, 0, 106*, 8, 70*. It was this version of him that walked out to bat on Wednesday night to crash five fours and six sixes. Not the one that relinquished the England captaincy after a dismal run at the Champions Trophy.”I was trying to play with lots of freedom, lots of intent,” he said. “I had a few months of pretty unenjoyable cricket, so trying to make sure I’m out there giving my best, and obviously a new team, new franchise, and excited to be here.”Buttler was signed by GT in the IPL auction in November for INR 15.75 crore, and although he is playing a different role here, at No. 3, to the one at Rajasthan Royals, where he had had a highly successful spell opening the batting, it seems to be working. He is the third-highest run-getter so far this season with a tally of 166 at a strike rate of 172.91.GT are fourth on the IPL 2025 points table with two wins from three games and head to Hyderabad next to play Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 6.

Alexander Isak will not play football for Newcastle United again, but after scoring on his debut for the Magpies, club-record signing Nick Woltemade looks like he has the potential to make that frontal spot his own.

And Newcastle are up and running. The summer transfer window has been and gone, and nobody will be more delighted than Eddie Howe, whose side were rocked and rocked some more by the turbulence throughout, the Isak saga very much the crux of the issues that seeped into the opening games of the Premier League season.

But the Sweden striker has now gone, and for a British-record £125m fee at that.

However, in Woltemade and the proven goalscorer that is Yoane Wissa, unfortunately, injured for weeks with a knee injury before he could make his United debut on Saturday, Howe has restored the core of his formidable frontline.

Three points against Wolves gives Howe his first win of the campaign and a new platform from which to build on, putting behind him the frustrations of the summer transfer window.

Because the Tynesiders, for sure, have undergone some degree of change in the final third.

Newcastle's new-look frontline without Ekitike

Howe’s Newcastle system is greater than the sum of its parts. Isak was (is) a world-class striker, but he’s a Magpie no more, and Newcastle have responded by welcoming two new talents to the fold bearing skills enough to compensate for his sale.

Wissa’s debut will have to wait due to injury, but the former Brentford striker scored 19 Premier League goals last season, and he offers a proven touch that will likely retain, at least, the relative consistency of Isak’s presence in the final third.

But that’s not all. United needed a right winger in 2024 and had failed in a bid to sign Nottingham Forest star Anthony Elanga on transfer deadline day.

One year on, they got their man, signing the 24-year-old in a £55m package. Elanga hasn’t taken off at St. James’ Park yet, but he brings energy and speed and electricity to the team.

Newcastle have responded well to summer setbacks, adding these forwards to the ranks after missing out on other targets like Hugo Ekitike, now at Liverpool alongside Isak.

There was a time when a deal for Ekitike, 23, looked on, but when Liverpool hijacked the Toon’s move and added him to their ranks, it perhaps left many feeling more confident about Isak staying put.

But it wasn’t to be, and Liverpool got both. While Newcastle have repieced their attack together, there’s no denying the blow, and a less-known fact is that Liverpool also pipped the Toon to another talent this summer, one who could yet flower into a superstar.

How Newcastle missed out to Liverpool again

In August, Liverpool announced the signing of Giovanni Leoni from Serie A side Parma for an initial £26m fee, rising to £30m with add-ons.

An 18-year-old centre-back, Leoni is one for the future and the future is now. He’s extremely talented and considered to fall into the same bracket as Real Madrid’s Dean Huijsen, another summer target for Newcastle, albeit at an earlier stage in his development.

Leoni hasn’t made his debut for Liverpool yet, and so we cannot draw with any real accuracy the player’s current capacity to thrive in England for a top club. But we do know there was something akin to a goulmouth scramble for his signature, and that Newcastle would have loved to land the shot.

Already blooded as a member of the Italian national set-up, the powerful and tall teenager has been described as “one of the most complete teenage centre-backs in Europe” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, who also hailed him as “the future” of Italian football.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast’s One That Got Away series.

Expand Collapse

Look, for example, how the youngster fared against Malick Thiaw in Serie A last year. Thiaw, 24, signed for Howe’s side in a £35m deal last month, fee including add-ons.

Serie A 24/25 – Thiaw vs Leoni

Stats (* per game)

Thiaw

Leoni

Matches (starts)

22 (19)

17 (14)

Goals

0

1

Assists

0

0

Touches*

66.1

46.9

Pass completion

94%

89%

Key passes*

0.2

0.1

Ball recoveries*

3.0

2.0

Tackles + interceptions*

1.8

1.7

Clearances*

3.5

3.6

Duels (won)*

3.7 (59%)

2.5 (61%)

Errors made

1

1

All data via Sofascore

To have missed out on Ekitike was a blow, no doubt, but Newcastle responded by signing a similarly exciting up-and-comer in Woltemade for a similar price, and they’ve added Wissa besides.

Leoni, however, joins Liverpool for what could prove a shrewd fee indeed. But how firm was Newcastle’s interest?

Well, Parma CEO Federico Cherubini spoke after the transfer of rival intrigue in the defender, saying, “We rejected a higher offer from Newcastle for Leoni.” He then spoke of Leoni’s desire to push ahead with a move to Merseyside, insinuating a preference for Arne Slot’s project.

Newcastle have bounced back from their Ekitike rejection by signing two talented and contrasting strikers. Thiaw, too, has much to offer, but then he has also started no more than 19 league matches in any given season in Italy, routinely pegged back with injury issues.

Leoni, meanwhile, took to life on the senior stage with silky aplomb last season, and there’s a belief within inner FSG circles that Liverpool have signed one of the most exciting young defenders in the business, with TNT Sports commentator Adam Summerton remarking that he’s “going to be a star”.

Though the past few months have been tumultuous for those of a Magpie persuasion, it’s commendable that Howe and his team have knuckled down and welcomed a host of exciting signings to join a title-winning squad.

Isak might have gone, and Ekitike may play for Liverpool too, but Newcastle signed Woltemade and remain a force to be reckoned with.

That said, Leoni looks like a special talent indeed, and it’s a shame that he couldn’t be welcomed to St. James’ Park to help shape the future of this still-rising Newcastle side.

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Eddie Howe might now have unearthed an even better duo at Newcastle United than Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali’s midfield partnership.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Sep 13, 2025

Newcastle United are becoming quite the force in the transfer market and could now be able to tempt a high-profile star to St James’ Park in the near future.

Wissa injury puts dampener on Newcastle's new arrivals

Excitement has engulfed the North East air as supporters await Yoane Wissa’s debut following his £55 million move from Brentford on Deadline Day. Nevertheless, the DR Congo international may need to wait a little while before being able to pull on the famous black and white for the first time after Eddie Howe confirmed he picked up a knee injury before his side took on Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He explained: “Unfortunately not, no, so he won’t make this game (vs Wolves). I saw him for the first time yesterday. He’s feeling the effects of the injury he sustained just before he came off, so we’re going to have to see how he is.”

Later, he added on a potential timescale for his return: “I don’t know currently as I sit here. I think he’ll go away for tests and maybe see a specialist to see.”

Jacob Ramsey also missed out due to an ankle issue, leaving Howe short on options as his side look to climb the Premier League table. Nevertheless, Newcastle retain a strong squad with proven top-flight quality, and Nick Woltemade got off to the perfect start with a fine headed goal to open the scoring against Wolves.

Tino Livramento could be in line for a new contract to ward off Manchester City’s advances, albeit the Magpies have needed to deal with change this summer, signifying that incomings in January may be likely.

Adhering to their preference of bringing in Premier League talent, Newcastle are now looking to tempt a renowned star to the North East who has previously been on their radar.

Newcastle United target Jan Paul van Hecke open to Magpies switch

According to Football Insider, Newcastle target Jan Paul van Hecke is open to joining the Magpies due to the prospect of being able to play Champions League football in the North East.

Valued at £60 million, PIF held internal talks about signing the Netherlands international during the summer window and Dan Burn was even drafted in to try and convince him that a move to St James’ Park would be best for his career.

Worth even more than Anderson: Newcastle struck gold on "one of the best"

Newcastle have so much talent running through Eddie Howe’s first-team squad.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 12, 2025

Deemed as an alternative signing to Crystal Palace central defender Marc Guehi, the 25-year-old has made just shy of 100 appearances for the Seagulls, registering one goal and three assists.

Establishing himself as a reliable presence within Fabian Hurzeler’s backline, Van Hecke has already been a consistent figure for the Seagulls on Premier League duty in 2025/26.

Ultimately, plenty can change between now and the January window, though Newcastle already seem to be building a shortlist of exciting targets.