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Both teams have a potent spin attack, with Tahir, Moeen and Motie in Amazon Warriors, and Narine, Tariq and Hosein in TKR

Deivarayan Muthu20-Sep-2025Big picture: A battle of two spin attacksGuyana Amazon Warriors vs Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR). Another chapter will be added to the CPL’s fiercest rivalry when the two teams face each other at Providence in Sunday’s final.Former Amazon Warrior Nicholas Pooran is in his first season as TKR captain, leading their push for the title, with 425 runs in 12 innings. He has been peaking at the crunch, with scores of 90* and 50 in the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, respectively.Amazon Warriors and TKR have met in two finals previously. In 2018, in Tarouba, under Dwayne Bravo’s captaincy, TKR had outplayed Amazon Warriors, with Bravo later coming out and suggesting a video of Guyanese fans trampling on a Trinidad & Tobago flag was extra motivation for TKR to beat Amazon Warriors.Five years later, Amazon Warriors demolished TKR at Providence under Imran Tahir to win their maiden title. Bravo is no longer an active player; he has taken over as TKR’s head coach, while Tahir, 46, continues to light up the CPL with his variations and celebrations. Tahir has formed a potent spin combination with Moeen Ali and Gudakesh Motie, the supremely talented left-arm fingerspinner who can also bowl left-arm wristspin to left-hand batters. Having also won the Global Super League (GSL) earlier this year, Amazon Warriors will be hungry to add another title to their cabinet this year.TKR also have a deadly spin attack, with Pakistani mystery spinner Usman Tariq providing a point of difference to their bowling. Sunil Narine and his protege Akeal Hosein need no introduction to the region. The battle between the two spin attacks could have a big influence on the result.While TKR face a quick turnaround on Sunday, having just played Qualifier 2 on Friday, Amazon Warriors head into the final on the back of a three-day break.ESPNcricinfo LtdForm guideGuyana Amazon Warriors: WWWLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Trinbago Knight Riders: WWLLLIn the spotlight: Shai Hope and Usman TariqOnce regarded as a Test and an ODI batter, Shai Hope has reinvented his T20 batting, earning gigs in T20 leagues around the world – including the IPL and the BBL. While the top order has been hit-or-miss for Amazon Warriors, Hope has been a stable presence at No. 3, topping the run charts this season with 479 runs in 11 innings at an average of over 50 and strike rate of over 130. While his immediate challenge will be to counter TKR’s spin trio, his form also bodes well for West Indies in the long term as they tune up for next year’s T20 World Cup.It’s not often that a spinner outshines Narine, but Usman Tariq managed to do that in both the Eliminator, against Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, and Qualifier 2 against St Lucia Kings. Tariq, who is predominantly an offspinner, comes to a near-complete halt as he approaches his delivery stride, which has made it particularly difficult for batters to pick him. With a few variations in his repertoire, he has also fronted up to bowl at the death for TKR in what is his first T20 stint outside of the PSL.Team news: Amir, Shamar Joseph injuredThere is no reason for Amazon Warriors to tweak their XI, unless Shamar Joseph is fit and ready. If that’s the case, he might replace Hassan Khan. Dwaine Pretorius is also nursing a niggle, but Amazon Warriors head coach Lance Klusener expects him to be “fine” for the final.Guyana Amazon Warriors (probable): 1 Ben McDermott, 2 Quentin Sampson, 3 Shai Hope (wk), 4 Shamarh Brooks, 5 Shimron Hetmyer, 6 Moeen Ali, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Dwaine Pretorius, 9 Hassan Khan/Shamar Joseph 10 Gudakesh Motie, 11 Imran Tahir (capt)Usman Tariq has been terrific with the ball in his maiden CPL season•CPL T20 via Getty ImagesAhead of the playoffs, Pooran suggested that Mohammad Amir is still injured and is facing a race against time to regain fitness for the knockouts. The Pakistani left-arm quick has not played since September 1, so if he remains unavailable, expect USA’s Saurabh Netravalkar to get another game as Amir’s like-for-like replacement.Trinbago Knight Riders (probable): 1 Alex Hales, 2 Colin Munro, 3 Nicholas Pooran (capt & wk), 4 Keacy Carty, 5 Darren Bravo, 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Andre Russell, 8 Akeal Hosein, 9 Sunil Narine, 10 Saurabh Netravalkar, 11 Usman TariqPitch and conditionsSpin to win has been the theme at Providence, and it could well continue on Sunday. Some showers have been forecast for Sunday morning, but the weather is likely to be fine for the evening at Providence.Stats and trivia: TKR eye fifth title Amazon Warriors have faced the Trinidad franchise 14 times at Providence, winning ten, including a one-over eliminator in 2014, and losing four. The highlight of that Super Over was a maiden bowled by Narine, who was playing for Amazon Warriors at the time, to Ross Taylor and a young Pooran, who was playing for Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel then. Earlier this week, Narine (133) surpassed Bravo (129) to become the top wicket-taker in CPL history. Tahir is one strike away from 150 wickets for Amazon Warriors in all T20s. Twenty of those have come in this CPL at an average of 15.60 and economy rate of 7.09. The T&T franchise is the winningest CPL team, with four titles in their kitty so far. They last won a title in 2020, when they enjoyed an unbeaten run.Quotes”Look, it’s a great feeling to be in the final in front of our home crowd. Playing in Guyana is something very special. We have been up and down this season, but always a good feeling, and to be a champion, we need to be very hungry.”
“It’s really important to come together in a tournament like this, especially with the type of players we have in our team. The last couple of years has been challenging for us, and especially here in Guyana, it hasn’t been on our side. But this group has been really amazing.

Southampton are now two wins from two in the Championship without Will Still occupying the Saints’ hot seat.

Amazingly, this is the first time the South Coast titans have won back-to-back league contests since April 2024, with a miserable bottom-of-the-table finish last season not helping this dismal record, which was then being followed up by Still, unfortunately, looking out of his depth at St. Mary’s.

Now only seven points off the Championship playoff spots, it does feel as if the Saints could mount a promotion push if they can get their next managerial appointment spot on.

All signs are pointing to Gary O’Neil being Still’s successor, as the 42-year-old attempts to put his previous Portsmouth ties to one side as a player, to potentially take over Pompey’s fierce rivals…

The latest on Southampton's manager hunt

The ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers boss is the current frontrunner for the Saints vacancy, with reports in recent days noting that they were trying to conclude a deal having established contact with O’Neil.

However, the unemployed head coach is also being considered by Southampton’s Championship rivals, Norwich City, with the Canaries previously having O’Neil on their books as a midfield star before he retired.

Southampton haven’t just been linked with O’Neil. A return for Russell Martin to the St. Mary’s dugout is also being speculated, after his disastrous time at Rangers was cut short.

Moreover, the current interim manager steering the ship steadily in Tonda Eckert shouldn’t be ruled out, either.

As the German made it two wins from two in a caretaker position, it was reported by Football Insider that he is one of the ‘main’ and ‘key’ contenders under consideration to be given the job.

It would be a risky appointment, with Eckert more used to coaching U21s football than managing in the senior game.

But, to get a disgruntled fanbase back on side, it might well be a better move than going after O’Neil’s services.

Why Eckert could be a better appointment than O'Neil

Of course, in O’Neil’s favour, he has managed at the very top of the English game and succeeded in flashes.

He managed to galvanise the Old Gold during the 2023/24 season, even as the likes of Ruben Neves and Nathan Collins jumped ship, with 13 league wins helping Wolves to a comfortable 14th spot in the unforgiving division. Could he be that same stabilising force on the South Coast that pushes Southampton out of their current mess?

However, when the going got tough at Molineux after a bright 23/24 campaign, everything unravelled at a worryingly quick pace, with just two wins from 16 games in charge the following season – which saw Wolves leak 40 goals – seeing him be unsurprisingly put out of his misery.

Chairman Jeff Shi even stated that he cut ties “too late”, with the mood around St. Mary’s no doubt souring if Southampton’s form was to fall off a cliff under his guidance, owing, again, to his strong Fratton Park loyalties.

Southampton could look to continuity instead, in bumping Eckert up to first-team managerial duties, with the 32-year-old much in the same mould as Still before him in being a new and exciting breed of head coach.

Games managed

12

Wins

7

Draws

4

Losses

1

Goals scored

26

Goals conceded

18

Said to favour a 3-4-2-1 formation, Eckert has also largely been a success at the Saints to date, away from picking up two wins from two as the interim fill-in, with five wins and four draws also collected, working closely with the rising stars coming through at Southampton in the U21 ranks.

He has also been a transformative figure for the senior players to latch on to as well, with Adam Armstrong already picking up an assist against Queens Park Rangers and a goal against the Owls under his short reign to date, with statement summer signing Finn Azaz also on the scoresheet under Eckert last match to pick up his first strike in Southampton red and white since late August.

Azaz would even publicly praise the 32-year-old after that 3-1 victory for being a “very detailed” boss, with the feel-good times hopefully continuing if he can collect more wins.

Surely, if more wins are secured, Eckert will be handed the permanent gig.

After all, the promotion-winning Martin was just a year older than Eckert when he was given his first main job at Milton Keynes Dons, with a move for O’Neil just feeling a lot more stale.

Southampton now 'looking to finalise' deal with "underrated" manager after contact

The Saints are chasing a replacement for Will Still.

ByEmilio Galantini Nov 8, 2025

MI New York and San Francisco Unicorns rode a rollercoaster in Dallas with unending twists and turns, till inaugural champions MINY edged last year’s runners-up Unicorns to a two-wicket win. In a game that featured several small but crucial contributions from various players, Trent Boult stood out with his returns of 2 for 19, and even more the back-to-back sixes towards the end of the tense chase of 132, which took MINY to victory and to Qualifier 2 and eliminated Unicorns.MINY will now face Texas Super Kings to decide who takes on Washington Freedom in the MLC 2025 final.Unicorns were lagging behind in the game almost from the start, when they were reduced to 16 for 5 in the powerplay. The twist came when No. 8 Xavier Bartlett powered them to a respectable 131 with a 24-ball 44.MINY were then cruising in their chase with an opening stand of 43, before Matthew Short’s three strikes started their slide and Hassan Khan’s two double-wicket overs added to the Unicorns comeback. MINY were left needing 24 to get off 19 balls but with only two wickets in hand. The final twist came when Boult smashed two sixes off Hassan to turn the equation into a comfortable five to win from nine balls. MINY did not falter thereafter.Matthew Short’s three wickets almost derailed the MI New York chase•Sportzpics for MLC

MINY made the most of their decision to bowl, with Boult and Nosthush Kenjige removing Unicorns’ top four for single-digit scores. While Boult had Tim Seifert and Jake Fraser-McGurk edging behind, Kenjige had Short and Sanjay Krishnamurthi out caught. The last wicket was thanks to a sharp running catch, with Boult running backwards from short third and finishing with a juggle.Unicorns’ problems were compounded when Hassan Khan was involved in a mix-up with Cooper Connolly, falling short to a direct hit from Nicholas Pooran while on a golden duck.Bartlett then rebuilt the innings in partnerships with Hammad Azam and Brody Couch, smashing towering sixes down the ground. He helped Unicorns race from 50 to 100 in just four overs after the halfway mark, and finally fell when he slapped a slow and short delivery from Kieron Pollard straight to midwicket in the 18th over. Rushil Ugarkar dismissed Liam Plunkett and Couch on either side of Bartlett’s wicket to finish with 3 for 19.A rain break delayed the start of the chase but didn’t reduce any overs. Monank Patel and Quinton de Kock were going steady, scoring 37 runs in the powerplay. But then came Short’s double blow: he trapped de Kock lbw from around the wicket, and four balls later struck the top of middle stump by going through Pooran’s bat and pad.Hassan Khan hurt MINY with two double-wicket overs•Sportzpics for MLC

Monank led the chase, going at just over a-run-a-ball. But he soon pulled a Short delivery to deep square leg and MINY were 81 for 3. The alarm bells went off when Pollard, who had scored two fifties in the last three games, chipped an innocuous delivery to long-on. Fraser-McGurk took a diving catch, and suddenly, Pooran was looking worried in the dugout.The alarm bells rang much louder when Hassan struck on consecutive deliveries, first going through Michael Bracewell’s pull to knock his stumps over, and then drawing an outside edge from Heath Richards that stuck in Seifert’s gloves. MINY were now 98 for 6, still 34 adrift with 31 balls to go.Hassan struck two more times in the 17th over. MINY were in a lot more trouble, with the equation soon reading 19 to get from 12. Boult stepped up with consecutive sixes off Hassan and even farmed the strike to deny Kenjige much exposure.In the end, Kenjige himself went on to hit the winning runs with three balls to spare.

Corey Anderson (San Francisco Unicorns), Heinrich Klaasen (Seattle Orcas) and Faf du Plessis (Texas Super Kings) will continue to lead their teams

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Jun-2025 • Updated on 12-Jun-2025Nicholas Pooran, who retired from all formats of international cricket on Tuesday, has been named captain of MI New York for the upcoming season of Major League Cricket (MLC). He replaces Kieron Pollard in the position.He has been with MI New York since being drafted ahead of the inaugural season in 2023, and had a huge role in the team winning the title, scoring 137* in 55 balls in the final, against Seattle Orcas, and finished as the highest run-getter of the season (388), 124 runs ahead of the second-placed Quinton de Kock of Orcas.Pooran has a long association with the MI franchise. He was bought by MI ahead of the 2017 IPL, but didn’t get a game, and was released ahead of the next season, following which he has played for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), Sunrisers Hyderabad and now Lucknow Super Giants. While that wasn’t happy for the player, he has been with their team in the ILT20 in the UAE, MI Emirates.Related

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Pooran is not the only new captain at the six-team MLC. Glenn Maxwell, who retired from ODI cricket recently to focus on T20s in the lead-up to the World Cup next year, has been named the captain of Washington Freedom. Maxwell has replaced Steven Smith as captain at Freedom.Corey Anderson, who played most of his top-flight cricket for New Zealand before shifting allegiance to USA, will continue to lead San Francisco Unicorns – making him the only “local” captain of a team at MLC, while Heinrich Klaasen has also been confirmed to continue as the captain at Orcas.The other two teams in the fray are Los Angeles Knight Riders and Texas Super Kings. Jason Holder replaces Sunil Narine as LAKR captain – though Narine will deputise while Holder is on international duty – and Faf du Plessis will stay on as TSK captain.Freedom are the defending MLC champions, having beaten Unicorns in the final last season. The new season will kick off on June 13 with a match pitting Freedom and Unicorns in Oakland. The final is scheduled for July 12.

انتهت مباراة الزمالك مع منافسه البنك الأهلي بالتعادل الإيجابي، 1-1 في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما مساء اليوم ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.

وأقيمت المباراة بين الزمالك والبنك الأهلي، على أرضية استاد القاهرة، في إطار لقاءات الجولة الـ12 من الدوري.

طالع|فيديو | شيكوبانزا يسجل هدف تعادل الزمالك أمام البنك الأهلي

وتقدم البنك الأهلي في الدقيقة 30 من عمر الشوط الأول من ركلة جزاء، ليتصدى لها أسامة فيصل مهاجم البنك الأهلي ويتقدم لصالح فريقه أمام الزمالك.

وأحرز الأنجولي شيكوبانزا، هدف التعادل لصالح فريق الزمالك في الدقيقة 32 من عمر الشوط الأول، بعد جملة رائعة من لاعبي الزمالك داخل منطقة جزاء البنك الأهلي.

ويواصل الزمالك مشواره في بطولة الدوري المصري، بمواجهة قوية في الجولة القادمة أمام طلائع الجيش، ضمن لقاءات الجولة الـ13 من الدوري المصري. موعد مباراة الزمالك وطلائع الجيش في الدوري

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الزمالك وطلائع الجيش، يوم الأحد المقبل الموافق 2 نوفمبر المقبل، في تمام الساعة الخامسة مساءً بتوقيت مصر.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was a dealt a significant blow last weekend after in-form summer signing Noni Madueke injured his knee in the 1-1 draw with Man City on Sunday, meaning he could now miss up to eight weeks.

Noni Madueke set to miss at least 10 Arsenal games after injury

The 23-year-old hadn’t managed a goal or assist in Gunners colours prior to his lay-off, but it’s safe to say Madueke has been Andrea Berta’s most impressive summer coup thus far alongside young defender Cristhian Mosquera.

While Mosquera seriously impressed in William Saliba’s absence, Madueke was being a menace for full-backs in the attacking areas – with his burst of pace, trickery and inventiveness in the final third showing exactly why Arsenal splashed £52 million on his signature.

There were huge question marks aimed at Arteta and Berta’s decision to sign the England international after a mixed spell at Chelsea, including from Gary Neville, but the Sky Sports pundit is now among critics to admit they were wrong.

The ex-Eredivisie sensation could have hardly asked for a better start to life at the Emirates Stadium, putting the ‘#NotToMadueke’ movement firmly to rights, but he’s now set to miss a host of crucial games for Arsenal.

Madueke managed to avoid an ACL tear, which in itself is excellent news. However, the winger could be out for a maximum of two months and a minimum of six weeks, meaning he won’t be available for at least 10 games.

The games Noni Madueke will miss after knee injury

Date

Competition

Port Vale (away)

September 24

Carabao Cup

Newcastle (away)

September 28

Premier League

Olympiacos (home)

October 1

Champions League

West Ham (home)

October 4

Premier League

Fulham (away)

October 18

Premier League

Atletico Madrid (home)

October 21

Champions League

Crystal Palace (home)

October 26

Premier League

Burnley (away)

November 1

Premier League

Slavia Prague (away)

November 4

Champions League

Sunderland (away)

November 8

Premier League

There is a chance Madueke will be back for the North London derby against Tottenham in November, and Arteta will be optimistic that is indeed the case as he seeks to end Arsenal’s two-decade-long wait for a Premier League title.

Arsenal also without Piero Hincapie after groin injury

Madueke isn’t the only summer signing with fitness issues either, with Arteta now confirming that defender Piero Hincapie has picked up a groin injury.

The Ecuador international was a surprise absentee from Arsenal’s matchday squad against City, and their manager has shared why.

The 23-year-old was signed with Mosquera as a quality back-up for Saliba and Gabriel, not to mention a defender who can play full-back as well.

Hincapie is highly-rated after two impressive seasons with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, and was a regular in Xabi Alonso’s famous, domestically unbeaten double-winning side from 2024.

Hincapie has barely played since joining from Leverkusen on loan with a £45 million option to buy, so he’ll be looking to convince Berta he’s worthy of the purchase option at the earliest opportunity once fit and available.

كشفت تقارير صحفية إسبانية قرارًا جديدًا من جانب نجم فريق برشلونة، لامين يامال، تجاه معجبيه من مشجعي حامل لقب الدوري الإسباني، في خطوة قد تثير غضب الجماهير.

وذكرت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية أن لامين يامال تحول إلى نجم عالمي جديد في عالم الرياضة، ولهذا السبب يتلقى عروضًا مختلفة، أحدها من موقع إلكتروني متخصص في بيع ملابس وأدوات نجوم الرياضة مع توقيعاتهم.

وأوضحت أن اللاعب الإسباني ينوي قبول العرض، ولكن مع شرط محدد من جانب القائمين على الموقع المذكور، والذي يتمثل في امتناعه عن التوقيعات مع الجماهير، حيث يحق له التقاط الصور مع المشجعين فقط دون توقيعات، مثلما كان يفعل بناءً على اشتراط برشلونة نفسه في مختلف الالتزامات.

اقرأ أيضًا.. برشلونة يكشف آخر تطورات ملعب كامب نو الجديد

وأشارت إلى أن لامين يامال تحدث إلى برشلونة في هذا الشأن وتفهم النادي ذلك، وأكدت مصادر أن المفاوضات جارية للحصول على عدد معين من توقيعات اللاعب للإيفاء بالالتزامات المذكورة.

كما أن الوكالة المسؤولة عن إعلانات لامين يامال – وهي كثيرة – تتفاوض مع شركة لتسويق منتجاته الموقعة (أحذية، قمصان، ومنتجات أخرى)، وكلما قلّت المنتجات الموقعة منه المتداولة، زادت قيمة توقيعه.

ولذلك صدرت تعليمات للاعب الشاب بعدم توقيع أي توقيعات أخرى، وعلى أي شخص يرغب في الحصول على توقيعه أن يقوم بذلك عبر هذا الموقع الإلكتروني الذي يبيع منتجات النجوم الرياضية.

وأفادت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية أنه لم يتم توقيع الاتفاق بعد ولكن الطرفين يعتزمان فعل ذلك في الفترة المقبلة.

Can Uzun stole the show as Eintracht Frankfurt surged to a 6-4 win over Borussia Monchengladbach, scoring a goal and providing an assist. The 19-year-old is taking Bundesliga by storm, scoring in every Bundesliga match so far. Germany legend Lothar Matthaus has hailed the teenager's latest display as “absolutely world class,” emphasising his ability to control the entire game, make intelligent decisions, and inspire the team.

• Frankfurt shine as Can Uzun stars

  Frankfurt delivered a thrilling 6-4 victory over Monchengladbach, racing to a 6-0 lead before a late Gladbach fightback. Uzun was central to the dominance, scoring a goal and providing a crucial assist. The German midfielder has now scored in every Bundesliga game this season, tallying five goals and three assists in five matches, cementing his reputation as a rising star. Frankfurt’s fluid attacking display drew praise from fans and pundits alike, with legendary Matthaus noting Uzun’s exceptional form and confidence.

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• Getty Images
  

  Matthaus hails Uzun’s maturity

  The former German international, speaking on , lauded Uzun’s development and on-field intelligence.

  "The ball loves him because he consistently makes the right decisions. He needed a bit of time and hired a private coach in the summer, and now he's someone who has the entire game under control," he said. "He's in high demand at 19 and has the confidence to do anything, and that shows when you're confident and have the coach's trust. What he played yesterday in the first half was absolutely world class."

• Uzun’s journey and rising stats

  Uzun joined Frankfurt from Nurnberg in the summer of 2024 for €11 million (£10m/$12m), with add-ons of €3m, signing a contract until 2029. Initially adjusting to Bundesliga demands, he made 31 appearances in his debut season, scoring five goals and providing three assists, numbers he has already matched this campaign. Frankfurt plans to retain him until at least 2027 as top European clubs monitor his meteoric rise, reflecting the club’s strategy to nurture their young attacking talent.

  In a post-match interview, when Uzun was asked about his recent form, he said: "Of course, it wasn't obvious that things would turn out this way and I'd score so many times in succession. It was a nice goal by me after a great assist from Fares [Chaibi]. The first half was a lot of fun. We hardly gave them anything before the break, I'm happy about the win. I have full confidence in our defense. We scored six goals, which is amazing. Atlético will be awesome opponents. Hopefully I'll also score against Bayern."

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  Eintracht Frankfurt's challenging schedule

  Frankfurt continue to build momentum under their tactical setup, with Uzun as a key driving force in attack. The club faces a challenging set of upcoming fixtures as they are set to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on September 30 before they face Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on October 4.

Ryan Mason has undergone a lot of pre-seasons as a player.

However, the former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder turned West Bromwich Albion boss is now close to completing his first summer in football as a rookie manager, with all the pre-season fixtures done and dusted ahead of Championship action kicking back off.

Mason will be hoping he’s the spark from the dug-out that guides the Baggies back up to the promised land of the Premier League, with West Brom deep into their fifth straight season as a second-tier outfit when matches get back underway.

The 33-year-old has been well-backed in the transfer window, with a whopping £4.7m solely splashed out on landing the clinical Aune Heggebo from Brann, as the lavish spending looks set to potentially continue in the centre-forward department.

West Brom could go back in for £4.3m star

The proof will soon be in the pudding as to whether that amount was too steep to fork out for Heggebo.

However, his numbers playing in his native Norway do not lie, with a mightily impressive 51 goals coming his way for Brann from 146 appearances. Subsequently, Mason is now spoiled for choice up top between his new, shiny 24-year-old and West Brom’s main marksman, Josh Maja.

He could have even more options to call into action if reports from Spain are to be believed, with a new update coming to light on West Brom’s previous centre-forward target, Chris Ramos.

Indeed, Diairo De Cadiz has stated that the Cadiz attacker is generating plenty of interest this summer in his services, but there is no rush to offload him just yet.

The La Liga 2 club is waiting for an offer in the £4.3m region to consider parting ways, having had a far lower £2.1m bid from the Championship side come their way in recent times.

The hope will be that the 6-foot-3 Spaniard can go on to be Mason’s very own Salomon Rondon, with the lofty striker often a physical brute when powering home goal after goal for Cadiz, much like the imposing Venezuelan was at the Hawthorns.

How Ramos can be Mason's own Rondon

Of course, when Rondon was leading the line as a formidable centre-forward, West Brom were seen as Premier League regulars, rather than second-tier promotion material.

While the now 35-year-old was never the most clinical or the most eye-catching – with a reasonable 28 strikes coming his way from 120 Baggies outings – nobody could speak ill about his commitment to the cause, as his final season at the Hawthorns saw him win a dominant 7.7 duels on average per Premier League clash.

Ramos has shown off a similar prowess in the air for Cadiz all across his ongoing stay at his hometown club, with this powerful effort above showing off the 28-year-old’s ability to head home under pressure in a similar vein to Rondon.

Staggeringly, Ramos wasn’t too far off Rondon’s duels won total either when plying his trade in La Liga during the 2023/24 campaign, as the Spanish forward averaged a mighty 7.1 successful duels per match, even as Gaizka Garitano’s side succumbed to relegation.

Games played

37

37

Games started

30

24

Goals scored

5

10

Scoring frequency

Every 525 minutes

Every 223 minutes

Big chances missed

16

15

Total duels won*

7.1

5.1

West Brom do need an option up top that can throw themselves about with conviction, especially with Daryl Dike now back in the treatment room, with Ramos also a reliable source of goals for Cadiz across his last two breakout seasons, as seen in his tally of 15 strikes in all competitions.

While Ramos might struggle initially to instantly break into the first-team ranks, possessing a striker with such strong physical attributes will be an effective weapon for Mason to have up his sleeve across the long EFL season to come.

If he does go on to be a success, the Cadiz number 16 could retrace Rondon’s footsteps even more by becoming a tough, no-nonsense attacker for the West Midlands outfit in the luxurious Premier League.

Perfect for Fellows: West Brom weigh up offer for PL "huge talent"

West Bromwich Albion could soon bring in this exciting talent to partner Tom Fellows.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 4, 2025

Manchester United full-back Patrick Dorgu admitted that he was shocked to see compatriot Rasmus Hojlund leave the club this summer. The Danish forward left for Napoli on loan on the deadline day after being deemed surplus to Ruben Amorim's needs. The loan deal also gives Napoli a chance to sign the striker permanently next summer for a fee of €44 million (£38m/$51m).

• Dorgu was shocked to see Hojlund leave United
• Joined Napoli on a loan deal on deadline day
• Hojlund fell out of favour under Amorim

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The writing was on the wall for Hojlund once United spent heavily to reinforce their attack this summer, including the big-money signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. Once Sesko was signed, it was clear that Amorim would make the Slovenian his first-choice No.9 and Hojlund would fall in the pecking order. 

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  However, despite Sesko's arrival, Hojlund was determined to compete and fight for his place in the team. He was reluctant to move out of Old Trafford, but finally completed the deadline-day loan move. The Denmark international's departure came as a surprise to his compatriot Patrick Dorgu, who joined the club in January.

• WHAT DORGU SAID

  Speaking to , Dorgu said: "That's how it is in football. You never know when it's your turn to move on. We knew it would happen to Christian, but it was perhaps a bigger shock that Rasmus had to move on. I talked to him a lot during the process and could sense which way it was going. Hopefully, we will now see each other every time on the national team.

  "I have been very happy to be team-mates with Christian and Rasmus. It was a big plus for me that they were at the club when I joined. That way it was easier to become part of the squad. But it was in no way decisive for my choice of Manchester United. I was thinking much more about the coach’s plans and ideas with me when I had to make the decision."

  He added, "I travelled alone to Italy when I was 17. I am also alone in Manchester and I am fine that way. You become incredibly strong mentally when you travel alone so early, because you have to make a lot of decisions. I am sure that mental strength has also helped me on the pitch."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR HOJLUND?

  Hojlund and Dorgu are currently with the Denmark national team and will be next seen in action on September 8.