Three double centurions on the second day while J&K’s Khajuria was dismissed on 190

Deivarayan Muthu02-Nov-2025

Nair continues to rack up the runs

Left out of the senior India and the India A squads, Karun Nair served another reminder to the selectors and team management, converting his second successive fifty-plus score for Karnataka into a double-century, against Kerala in Mangalapuram. This was Nair’s fifth double-hundred in first-class cricket and third since 2024.After dropping him for the home Test series against West Indies in favour of Devdutt Padikkal, Nair’s state junior, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that they ‘expected a little bit more’ than his 205 runs in eight innings at an average of 25.62 in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.Nair went back to the Ranji Trophy and scored an unbeaten 174 against Goa in Shimoga in the second round. After that knock Nair felt that he “deserves” to be part of India’s Test team.”Obviously, it is quite disappointing, but I know that I deserve to be there after the last two years I have had,” Nair told reporters during the last round. “People might have their own opinions, but for me personally, I can have my own. My own opinion is that I deserve a lot better.”He eventually ran out of partners in Shimoga but found ample support from 22-year-old R Smaran, who scored a double-century of his own. The pair added 343 for the fourth wicket, stopping 12 short of Karnataka’s first-class record. Manish Pandey and Dega Nischal had piled on 354 for the fourth wicket against Uttar Pradesh in Kanpur in 2017-18.It was seamer NP Basil who ended the stand when he dismissed Nair for 233 off 389 balls, including 25 fours and two sixes. Smaran then proceeded to make a career-best 220 not out. Karnataka will hope that the twin double-centuries will translate into their first outright win this season.Shikhar Mohan: A new star for Jharkhand?•PTI

Another double-centurion: Shikhar Mohan

Jharkhand’s rookie opener Shikhar Mohan also hit a double-century, setting up his team’s push for an innings win against Nagaland in Ranchi. After Jharkhand had lost two early wickets on the first day, Mohan combined with stand-in captain Virat Singh, who was leading the side in the absence of Ishan Kishan, who had linked up with the India A team in Bengaluru as cover for the injured N Jagadeesan. They accumulated 253 for the second wicket before Virat was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Imliwati Lemtur.Mohan and Kumar Kushagra (58) then carried Jharkhand past 400. Robin Minz also helped himself to a half-century before Jharkhand declared on 510 for 8. Mohan finished with 207 off 303 balls, with 21 fours and three sixes in his third first-class innings. A prolific run-getter in age-group cricket for Jharkhand, Mohan, now 20, is making a smooth step up to the Ranji Trophy.Elsewhere in Raipur, Jammu and Kashmir opener Shubham Khajuria came close to a double-hundred, but left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate denied him and dismissed him for 190 off 344 balls. His knock countered Chhattisgarh professional Ravi Kiran’s 7 for 82.Nachiket Bhute’s five-for wrecked TN•PTI

Vidarbha flex their depth

No Danish Malewar. No Atharva Taide. No Harsh Dubey. No Yash Thakur. No problem for defending champions Vidarbha.Despite being hit by injuries and unavailability of their strike bowlers Thakur and Dubey, who are on India A duty, Vidarbha had enough depth to dominate Tamil Nadu in Coimbatore. Tamil Nadu were also without Gurjapneet Singh, Jagadeesan and India Under-19 allrounder RS Ambrish, but it was Vidarbha who coped better.Fast bowler Nachiket Bhute, who was playing his 14th first-class game, stepped into Thakur’s shoes and triggered a TN collapse. From an overnight 252 for 4, TN were bowled out for 291. Bhute threatened both edges, especially the inside edge of both right-handers and lefties with his inducker. Both M Shahrukh Khan and B Indrajith were done in by sharp induckers. Bhute gifted himself a five-wicket haul a day after his 26th birthday.Aman Mokhade then kickstarted Vidarbha’s reply with fluent strokes against both pace and spin. When TN captain R Sai Kishore pushed one marginally outside off, Mokhade stretched forward and swept him flat and hard into the square-leg boundary. When offspinner S Mohamed Ali darted one into the stumps from around the wicket, Mokhade dared to back away and pump him through the covers. But just when he was looking set to reel off this third successive century, Sai Kishore had him caught by Vimal Khumar for 80. Vidarbha’s professionals Dhruv Shorey and R Samarth then helped them cut their deficit to 80 by stumps on day two.

Niko Kovac has given his backing to Aaron Anselmino amid the defender's struggles for regular playing time after he recovered from a muscle injury that hindered his start following a loan move from Chelsea. The Argentine has started four matches for the German side, sparking suggestions he could end up being recalled to Stamford Bridge.

From Chelsea loanee to Dortmund’s unsung hero

When Dortmund lost defenders to injury in August, the club moved quickly to bring in Anselmino on a season-long loan from Chelsea. The expectation with the Argentine's signing wasn't much but to provide cover, learn, and offer rotation. Few predicted how quickly he'd stake a claim.

Anselmino debuted just days after arriving and immediately impressed with calm ball control and intelligent positioning. His early displays earned praise inside the club and across the Bundesliga, prompting supporters and pundits to ask whether a loanee originally considered short-term cover should now be an automatic starter. That debate intensified after he recovered from a brief muscle knock. Some wanted him protected; others saw a player ready to take on more minutes.

Kovac has navigated that tension carefully. Praising the youngster publicly while managing his workload behind the scenes. The young defender now starts regularly, but his exact minutes remain a talking point as Kovac balances his team selection ahead of crucial fixtures.

AdvertisementgettyKovac publicly backs Anselmino

During the press-conference ahead of the Bayer Leverkusen clash, Kovac left no doubt about his view of Anselmino.

"Aaron is doing really well. You can rely on the young man from the first minute to the last," he said. "A great lad, a great defender. He doesn't let anything slip. Everything is settled with Chelsea. I expect him to remain our player until the end of the season. He's getting the minutes he wasn't getting at Chelsea."

A key element in that plan is the loan arrangement with Chelsea with all parties having agreed the move would last through the season, giving Anselmino time to settle and the club certainty about his availability. 

Schlotterbeck’s stalling clouds Dortmund's defence

Anselmino’s breakthrough is valuable precisely because Dortmund’s defensive picture is unsettled. Nico Schlotterbeck remains under contract until 2027 but has stalled on signing an extension; Bayern and Liverpool have been linked, and internal offers, including significant pay rises and captaincy promises, have not yet convinced him to stay. Kovac acknowledged the limits of his influence: “I don't know to what extent I can influence things there – other than showing him appreciation. I do that every single day,” he said.

That impasse matters. If Schlotterbeck departs or his focus wavers, Dortmund will rapidly move from the luxury of rotation to the pressure of replacement. The club’s short-term defensive depth is therefore contingent on two variables: Anselmino’s fitness and readiness to step up, and a timely decision from Schlotterbeck. Sporting director signals that they want clarity as soon as possible.

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AFPKovac needs to focus on three aspects

Kovac now faces three choices he must juggle in real time. First, manage Anselmino’s workload so the loanee can grow into a leading role without injury setbacks. Second, push for clarity on Schlotterbeck's contract extension that would stabilise the back line and allow continued rotation. Third, prepare tactical contingency allotting more minutes for Anselmino in a two-man centre-back pairing, temporary shifts to a back three, or prioritising a defensive signing in January if Schlotterbeck looks likely to leave.

Dortmund will next face Leverkusen in the league before clashing with the same opponents in DFB Pokal's round of 16 on December 2.

Sky Sports reported on Monday that Celtic are closing in on the appointment of Columbus Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy as their successor to Brendan Rodgers in the dugout at Parkhead.

The Hoops are poised to make the French tactician their new permanent manager, which will end Martin O’Neill’s time in interim charge after he takes the next two matches.

With the January transfer window on the horizon, it will not be long before the incoming head coach will have the chance to bring his own players in to bolster the squad.

Celtic set to make move for new centre-forward

According to The Scottish Sun, Nancy is set to make a move for Columbus Crew centre-forward Wessam Abou Ali as one of his first transfer targets in January to add to his options at the top end of the pitch.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

The report claims that the incoming Celtic manager views the Palestine international as a ‘perfect goalscoring machine’ and wants to reunite with him at Parkhead ahead of the second half of the 2025/26 campaign.

It adds, though, that Columbus Crew and Nancy only signed him in July from Egyptian giants Al Ahly for £5.7m, which means that the Hoops will have to pay a fee in excess of that as he has only been with the American side for a matter of months.

If the Scottish Premiership champions can seal a £6m+ deal for the MLS sensation in the January transfer window, it could end Johnny Kenny’s career at Parkhead.

How Abou Ali could end Kenny's Celtic career

Kenny has scored four goals in five matches under O’Neill, which is an impressive return, but he was subbed off at half-time in the 1-0 win over St Mirren in the Premiership last weekend.

The Ireland international has been playing as the main number nine due to an injury to first-choice number nine Kelechi Iheanacho, who is on his way back in the coming weeks.

This suggests that the arrival of a big-money centre-forward signing could put him third in the pecking order, behind Abou Ali and Iheanacho, when they are all fit and available, which may make him consider his short-term future in Glasgow.

Kenny has shown, with five goals this season, that he can be a capable goalscorer at this level. This means that he could find another club where he can play regularly and score goals consistently, if that does not continue at Parkhead.

Abou Ali has scored three goals in five matches for Nancy in the MLS for Columbus Crew since his move in the summer, after he scored three goals in three games at the Club World Cup.

2025/26

6 goals

5 goals

2024/25

15 goals

6 goals

2023/24

19 goals

13 goals

2022/23

10 goals

5 goals

As you can see in the table above, the Palestine international has outscored Kenny in each of the last four seasons in all competitions, which suggests that he would be a much better option for Nancy to call upon up front for Celtic.

Abou Ali was described as a “clinical” and “proven” goalscorer by Columbus Crew General Manager Issa Tall, and his statistics suggest that was an accurate description of his qualities.

The 26-year-old scored three goals from 0.75 xG in the MLS in the 2025 campaign and bagged three goals without missing a single ‘big chance’ at the Club World Cup, per Sofascore, which shows that he is a lethal finisher.

Therefore, the Columbus Crew centre-forward could be a fantastic signing who could lead the line impressively for the Hoops, whilst also potentially ending Kenny’s career at the club, as falling down the pecking order may force him to reconsider his future.

£1.5m Celtic flop has been an even bigger waste of time than Balikwisha

This Celtic flop has been an even worse signing than Michel-Ange Balikwisha for the Scottish giants.

1 ByDan Emery Nov 25, 2025

Max Muncy is coming off his third World Series win with the Dodgers, and he’s here to stay in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers picked up the third baseman’s 2026 player option on Thursday, ESPN’s Alden González reported. Muncy’s option is valued at $10 million for next season. He will return to Los Angeles for his ninth season.

Muncy was a hero of sorts in his World Series appearances vs. the Blue Jays. In Game 7, Muncy hit a home run in the top of the eighth inning to keep the Dodgers’ repeat chances alive. Los Angeles trailed Toronto 4-3 after Muncy’s 373-foot homer. The Dodgers went on to tie the game in the ninth thanks to a home run hit by Miguel Rojas before clinching the title in the 11th. In 17 postseason games this year, Muncy averaged .214/.353/.411, while notching 12 hits, eight runs, three homers and three RBIs.

Muncy played a shortened 2025 season as he landed on the IL twice during the year, once for hyperextending his knee and then again for suffering a Grade 1 oblique strain. In 100 game appearances, Muncy averaged .243/.376/.470, while logging 76 hits, 48 runs, 19 homers and 67 RBIs.

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O Santos acompanha com atenção a tragédia no Rio Grande do Sul, que acontece em decorrência das intensas chuvas na região. O clube promoveu ações para ajudar a população gaúcha e entende que, com o futebol acontecendo, é possível impulsionar ainda mais iniciativas humanitárias.

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➡️O mata-mata da Copa do Brasil está pegando fogo! Abra a sua conta e faça já a sua aposta no Lance! Betting

➡️ Tudo sobre o Peixe agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Santos

Jogando a Série B, que não teve rodadas adiadas, o Peixe não seria favorável à paralisação ou adiamento das competições da CBF, embora isso não seja um consenso interno. Mesmo assim, analisa que as decisões da instituição e dos clubes envolvidos deve ser respeitada.

Atualmente, o Santos disputa apenas a Série B e não está na Copa do Brasil ou alguma competição continental, organizada pela Conmebol. Na segunda divisão da elite nacional não há clubes gaúchos. Essa é outra razão para o Peixe nunca ter visto a necessidade de uma paralisação da Série B.

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Apesar de não ser favorável, antes do adiamento oficial de duas rodadas da Série A, o Alvinegro também entendia que uma paralisação geral de todas as competições seria um ato simbólico e compreensível.

O Santos é integrante da Libra, organização de liga que conta com times da primeira divisão (Atlético-MG, Bahia, Vitória, Flamengo, Palmeiras, São Paulo, Bragantino e Grêmio). Palmeiras, São Paulo e Flamengo foram contra o adiamento de rodadas na Série A, enquanto outros se posicionaram favoravelmente. Apesar de ter uma opinião influente dentro do grupo e em discussões na CBF, o Peixe não quis se posicionar e entrar no debate.

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AÇÃO EM PROL DAS VÍTIMAS

O Santos obteve autorização do Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva (STJD) recebeu torcida na partida contra o Brusque, no dia 19 de maio, pela sexta rodada da Série B. O clube destinou toda a renda do duelo ao Rio Grande do Sul.

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Futebol NacionalSantos

تفاعل الإعلامي البريطاني الشهير، بيرس مورجان، مع تصريحات النجم المصري محمد صلاح، جناح فريق ليفربول الإنجليزي، التي تم تداولها مساء السبت.

وجلس محمد صلاح على مقاعد البدلاء للمباراة الثالثة على التوالي في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز “البريميرليج”، وذلك خلال مباراة ليفربول وليدز يونايتد.

والتقى ليفربول وليدز يونايتد ضمن لقاءات الجولة الخامسة عشر للدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وانتهت المباراة بالتعادل الإيجابي بنتيجة 3-3.

ونشرت الصحف البريطانية تصريحات لمحمد صلاح، أبدى خلالها اعتراضه على تواجده كبديل، وأشار إلى انقطاع علاقته بالمدرب آرني سلوت.

وعلّق بيرس مورجان عبر حسابه الرسمي على منصة “إكس”: “واو.. ربما حان الوقت لإجراء مقابلة يا صلاح”.

اقرأ أيضًا | جماهير ليفربول تتفاعل مع محمد صلاح: كبش فداء.. و”ميكي ماوس” أفضل من سلوت

وكان مورجان أجرى مقابلة شهيرة في عام 2022 مع النجم البرتغالي كريستيانو رونالدو، والتي قام فيها اللاعب بانتقاد المدرب إريك تان هاج، وأعلن رحيله عن مانشستر يونايتد من خلالها، ومن ثم انتقل للنصر السعودي.

وقال صلاح خلال تصريحاته: “يبدو لي أن أحدهم لا يريدني في النادي، لا أفهم ما يحدث معي، أعتقد أنه لو كان في مكان آخر، لكان النادي سيحمي لاعبه، لا أعرف لماذا أنا في هذا الوضع الآن، لقد بذلت الكثير من أجل هذا النادي لأحظى بالاحترام الذي أطمح إليه، ولست مضطرًا للقتال يوميًا من أجل مركزي لأنني أستحقه”، ويمكنك مطالعة تصريحاته كاملة من هنا.

Wow… maybe time for an interview @MoSalah ? https://t.co/vbVX8eDyb2

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 6, 2025

The Dodgers captured their second consecutive World Series title on Saturday night after a thrilling 11-inning Game 7 vs. the Blue Jays.

Los Angeles has grown its roster in the past few years to build the powerful championship team it has become. Two players who are new to the team are starting pitchers Tyler Glasnow (joined in 2024) and Blake Snell (joined in ‘25). Glasnow now has two World Series titles (he didn’t compete in the postseason last year due to injury), while the two-time Cy Young award winning Snell just secured his first one.

Funny enough, the two pitchers were teammates on the Rays in 2020 when Tampa Bay faced the Dodgers in the World Series, which Los Angeles ended up winning. They both ended up in Los Angeles and now have World Series rings of their own after failing with Tampa Bay.

While celebrating in the locker room at Rogers Centre on Saturday, Glasnow dropped a hilarious, but somewhat cringey, line about players who have lost to the Dodgers in any previous World Series.

“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, baby!” Glasnow said, followed by high-fiving Snell.

Both pitchers made relief appearances in Game 7. Glasnow pitched 2.1 innings, throwing two strikeouts and giving up three hits and one run. Snell appeared in the eighth and ninth, striking out two batters and giving up one walk and one hit. The Dodgers went on to win 5-4 in the 11th inning.

Bayern Munich are now in contact with the representatives of a Manchester United star, who has been told to leave the club by Old Trafford legend Paul Scholes.

Man Utd targeting midfield addition in 2026

The January transfer window is now less than a month away and Man United could once again be active on the hunt for reinforcements. In the summer, it was their frontline that took the focus as they welcomed Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha. Now, however, INEOS are looking to add to Ruben Amorim’s midfield.

It’s not a major surprise that the Red Devils are after a midfielder. Casemiro is an ageing option, Manuel Ugarte has proved to be an unreliable option and Mason Mount’s injury history speaks for itself. As such, a move for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton would make perfect sense.

According to The Mirror, the England international sits at the very top of United’s wishlist even though he wants the guarantee of Champions League football next season.

Bad news for Mainoo: INEOS make £70m "passing machine" Man Utd’s no.1 target

Man United’s need for a new centre-midfielder is as pressing as ever.

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For those at Old Trafford, it could be a case of one in one out if they sign Wharton but allow Kobbie Mainoo to leave in 2026. The Carrington graduate has been left aside by Amorim this season, despite the fact that the manager blocked his attempts to leave in the summer and told him to fight for his place.

The midfielder could now follow the path of Scott McTominay and others by thriving away from Old Trafford, especially if it is Bayern Munich who secure his signature.

Bayern Munich make contact with Mainoo

According to TeamTalk, Bayern Munich have now made contact with Mainoo over a 2026 move away from Man United. The German giants have joined the likes of Napoli in the race to sign the 20-year-old, who is increasingly desperate to leave his boyhood club when the chance arrives.

Mainoo isn’t the only one frustrated by his current situation, either. Man United legend took the Instagram after the midfielder was an unused substitute against West Ham United to say: “Bulls**t. The kid is being ruined, not being played in a team that can’t control a game of football. Hate seeing home grown players leave but it’s probably best for him now. Enough is enough.”

At his best, meanwhile, the academy graduate has earned high praise from teammate Bruno Fernandes, who described him as “great” after he first burst onto the scene while journalist Alex Turk has even described him as a “future £100m+ footballer.”

Praise from his captain isn’t enough for Amorim, however, who has not given Mainoo a fair chance since blocking his late loan move away from the club in the summer.

He's "like Reijnders": Old Trafford chiefs pushing Man Utd to sign "elite" star

That will open up fresh possibilities for Sri Lankan cricket with day-night Tests becoming more viable in the country

Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Nov-2025The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in Colombo will get floodlights and other upgrades in preparation for the Men’s T20 World Cup, which Sri Lanka co-hosts with India in February and March next year. Although the SSC has occasionally hosted daytime limited-overs internationals – especially women’s games – Colombo’s day-night games have all been played at Khettarama (R Premadasa Stadium), which in any case is the highest-capacity stadium in the country.SSC’s first match that will require lights will be the T20 World Cup Group B game between Oman and Zimbabwe, scheduled to start at 3pm local time on February 9. It is one of five matches the SSC is due to host at this World Cup. The first of those – between Netherlands and Pakistan on February 7 – will begin at 11am local time whereas the third fixture – between Pakistan and USA on February 10 – is the only match there to start at 7pm local time. Khettarama is set to host at least eight matches, and possibly the first semi-final and the final if Pakistan make it that far. Pallekele, the only Sri Lanka World Cup venue not in Colombo, will host seven games.Building floodlights at the SSC will open up fresh possibilities for Sri Lankan cricket with day-night Tests becoming more viable in the country. Although Khettarama is the preferred limited-overs venue in Colombo, the SSC and the P Sara Oval are still preferred for Tests, owing partly to their reputation for being boutique Test venues.Related

2026 T20 World Cup: Packed run-in for India, no games for Bangladesh

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T20 World Cup: SL and Australia in Group B

Sri Lanka has never hosted a day-night Test, but Sri Lanka’s Test captains have also asked their board to arrange such a fixture, over the years.SLC confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that floodlights construction were already under way at the SSC.The ICC announced the schedule for the T20 World Cup on Tuesday, with the tournament set to run from February 7 to March 8 across five venues in India and three in Sri Lanka.

Tottenham are ready to ramp up their interest in Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo as the north London club prepare to rival both Liverpool and Manchester City for the winger in January. Semenyo has a release clause worth £65 million ($86m) in his contract, something his suitors are acutely aware of ahead of the reopening of the market.

• Semenyo in demand

  Semenyo is a wanted man ahead of the January window. Not only have reports suggested that Liverpool are preparing a move to trigger his release clause in January, which is made up of a £60m ($79m) fee and £5m ($7m) in bonuses, there is also reported interest from City, who view him as the kind of explosive attacking player who can slot into Pep Guardiola's frontline. Semenyo has enjoyed a fantastic season on the south coast, contributing six goals and three assists in 12 Premier League games. 

  Now, Sky Sports report that Spurs are intensifying their interest in the Ghana international ahead of the window. The club attempted to land two marquee wide players in the summer but were only successful in persuading Mohammed Kudus to move to north London, as Savinho stayed at City. It appears they remain interested in the profile, but would prefer to sign Semenyo to the Brazilian. 

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  Can Spurs land him?

  Spurs have endured a difficult season under manager Thomas Frank, and while they are more ready to pay what is required to sign Semenyo, it is unclear if they will be able to qualify for Europe. Ahead of the midweek fixtures, Spurs had won just one home game all season, and sit in the bottom half of the Premier League table. A turnaround is, of course, possible, but reports suggest that Frank is under severe pressure, and could well lose his job before the January window swings open. It is unclear if that would impact Spurs' pursuit of Semenyo. They were interested in signing him in the summer but ultimately baulked at his £70m ($92m) asking price.

• Semenyo supports Arsenal

  Semenyo has been very open about the fact that he is an Arsenal fan, which may well put the brakes on any potential move to Spurs. Having already seen Gunners fan Eberechi Eze slip through their fingers, repeating that mistake would be very costly, but Semenyo insists he pays no attention to rumours. 

  Speaking to The Athletic in October of last year, he said: “I do hear it. But I try not to take too much notice. It is so early in the season and that can all fade away in a split second. It is great to hear they are interested — I don’t know how true that is — but I just want to focus on my game, continue doing what I’m doing, causing problems, scoring goals, getting assists. That’s the main thing. If that does come we will deal with that then but at this moment in time it is just about staying focused on what the goal and the plan is this year.”

  “I am an Arsenal fan,” he says. “I don’t conflict the two with my job. It is great to play against Arsenal, a team I have watched all my life and I want to play for the top clubs as well. In order for that to happen I need to prove it.”

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  Semenyo's next move?

  Semenyo will have his next opportunity to prove his worth when Bournemouth play Chelsea this weekend. They then take on Manchester United, and it's almost certain that scouts will be keeping a close eye on the Ghanaian's performances.

  He has confirmed that he wants to play in Europe, adding in his interview with The Athletic: “Yeah, any team that plays Champions League, Europa (League) — that’s the aim. I know that’s not going to come with a click of my fingers, it’s going to take some time. It’s going to take goals. It’s going to take a lot of consistent performances. But I’ve worked all my life for that and I’m just going to continue working hard. That’s my mentality.”