From using a No. 11 to stop a collapse to bowling a match-winning spell, how Unadkat steered Saurashtra into the Ranji Trophy final

Hemant Brar in Rajkot04-Mar-2020Jaydev Unadkat is rushing to the dressing room.After taking a 52-run lead against Gujarat in the semi-final of the Ranji Trophy, Saurashtra are in the middle of a collapse. Chintan Gaja, who had smashed a career-best 61 moments ago, is now doing it with the ball. He has dismissed Saurashtra’s top three with just four runs on the board, Avi Barot being the latest victim and the reason behind Unadkat’s dash from the players’ gallery to the dressing room.Moments later, to everyone’s surprise, Chetan Sakariya walks out in the middle. Sakariya is no mug with the bat but in this Saurashtra side he bats at No. 11. Here he will be batting ahead of their regular No. 5, and centurion of the first innings, Sheldon Jackson.The logic behind the move is Sakariya being a left-hand batsman will be better equipped to handle Gaja, who was predominantly taking the ball away from the right-handers.Even though Saurashtra are reduced to 15 for 5 soon after, Sakariya and Arpit Vasavada, another left-hander, bail the side out with a 90-run stand for the sixth wicket. Their partnership eventually comes to an end when Sakariya is run out for 45.The move to promote Sakariya up the batting order has worked. And that’s one decision Unadkat is not going to forget any soon.”One thing that I am really, really proud of in this game, and going to remember forever in my captaincy career, is my decision to send Chetan Sakariya in,” Unadkat tells after the game. “He is our No. 11 batsman but after the third wicket fell, I just rushed inside and told him you have to go in next. In fact, I helped him pad up, got him ready in just two minutes and sent him in. I think that’s one decision that I am gonna be proud of for the rest of my career. That was the turning point of the game. The way Chetan played, it gave belief to the team that we can come back from that situation.”

****

Jaydev Unadkat is feeling the heat.Parthiv Patel and Chirag Gandhi have added 158 for the sixth wicket and are threatening to run away with the game. Earlier, Unadkat’s three wickets had left Gujarat reeling at 18 for 3 in a chase of 327. It became 63 for 5 shortly afterwards when Prerak Mankad and Chirag Jani chipped in with a wicket apiece.

“I knew that those 61-62 wickets I have taken won’t matter if I don’t take this one wicket for the team”Unadkat on the importance of dismissing Parthiv Patel

But now, Gujarat have moved to 204 for 5 at tea, needing 121 more for a ticket to the final, and the second new ball is another 16 overs away. Last season, Saurashtra had lost to Vidarbha in the final but this time, it’s looking like their journey will stop at the semis.”We had discussed in the morning that they have a long batting line up and if there is a partnership or two, we won’t be bogged down,” Unadkat says. “But when you are on the field and such a partnership takes place, there are some nerves.”Cheteshwar Pujara has been Saurashtra’s 12th man in New Zealand, liaisoning with Unadkat about the pitch, strategy and team composition over the course of the tournament.”I have been in touch with him throughout this game as well,” Unadkat says. “We talked before he boarded the flight back from New Zealand yesterday. He said to me if there is something, you can leave a message and I would be talking from the flight, via the in-flight Wi-Fi if it’s urgent.”However, an SOS doesn’t go out despite Saurashtra being on the back foot.

****

Jaydev Unadkat is pumped up.He has changed the complexion of the game in just two balls. The 66-over-old ball has given up against Unadkat’s will as he gets rid of Parthiv. The ball pitches just outside off and moves away from Parthiv to take the outside edge. Next ball he takes a low return catch to send Axar Patel back.”I think I started putting something more into the ball in the last session. I knew that those 61-62 wickets I have taken won’t matter if I don’t take this one wicket for the team. That’s what I said before the ball I got Parthiv out that I can give away those 62 [61] wickets for this one wicket. I think that gave me some energy from somewhere and it’s because of that the ball got some zip from the pitch. I think I am going to remember Parthiv’s wicket throughout my career.Jaydev Unadkat roars after taking Saurashtra into the final•Hemant Brar/ESPNcricinfo”The new ball was far away and I think we would have lost the game by the time the new ball would have come into play. The only thing that we were talking about was we needed one breakthrough. We knew how this game was turning and twisting every single session, so I just wanted tea to happen because they were playing really good and I wanted that break somehow. I knew if I had to do it for the team, it would have to be after tea when they are not sure how to go about in the last session.”After Parthiv’s wicket, Gujarat’s innings doesn’t last long.

****

Jaydev Unadkat is ecstatic.He ends up with a seven-wicket haul including the final wicket, and the victory that was drifting away from Saurashtra with every passing moment is now theirs to savour.”I am so happy that I cannot express it,” he says after orchestrating the win. “Not only because we won the match but more so of the manner in which we did so. The way the game was oscillating from one side to the other, it cannot get better than this. I am really happy that whenever we were in trouble, someone put his hand up. The way we came back from being 15 for 5 yesterday was absolutely unbelievable. I think Arpit played the knock of his career.”But what about his own performance? He is having a dream season with the ball. Those 65 wickets would mean at least something.”It means a lot, not in the sense that I have this many wickets, but it just means a lot because I have been able to win at least three-four games for my team on my own in this season. That’s what I have been aiming for. If I have to be right up there in the bowling group we have in our country at the moment, I will have to do something which no one else has been able to do. I think I am right up there now in terms of confidence, in terms of skills.”Physically, it has been challenging for sure. It has been a long, long season and I was feeling a lot of that thing today. I was drained but as it’s just one game more and I am gonna push myself till the end. About this being a dream season, I think I would like to answer that question probably after the final. If I am able to win that game for my team, after that I would say that it was a dream season but not before that.”

Manchester United have opened talks to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, amid rival interest from Newcastle.

• United open talks with Sesko
• Ready to launch a bid for striker
• RB Leipzig ace also wanted by Magpies

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Per , United are prioritising a deal to sign Sesko from RB Leipzig this summer as they seek attacking reinforcements. Newcastle are also pushing for the striker, amid fears that they will lose Alexander Isak to Liverpool in a British-record transfer that could cost the Reds in excess of £120 million ($159m), and United are aware of the need to move quickly.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United have already signed Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo this summer and Sesko is viewed as a priority over other potential targets, including Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. Ruben Amorim's side have explored the conditions of a deal to sign the England international but Villa are insistent that he is not for sale. Nevertheless, manager Amorim would rather sign the Englishman, per

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Watkins is seven years older than Sesko at 29, and had a somewhat worse campaign than the Slovenia international, scoring 17 goals in all competitions compared to Sesko's 21. Sesko signed a new deal last season and with it came the agreement that were a club to bid between €80m (£69m/$92m) and €90m (£78m/$103m), he would be allowed to leave. Arsenal deemed that price as prohibitively expensive earlier this summer, but both Newcastle and United view a deal as achievable.

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  United will hope to secure a deal for a new No.9 soon. They will want to have them in place for their blockbuster season opener against Arsenal on August 17.

Nothing gets the heart pumping like an an evocative celebration. Of all the iconic ones currently on show in cricket, which is your favourite?

Dustin Silgardo and Ishita Mazumder07-May-2020Nothing gets the heart pumping like an an evocative celebration. Of all the iconic ones currently on show in cricket, which is your favourite?Illustrations by Ishita Mazumder

Great keeper, good mate, straight talker – that’s just a few things the former Australia player has been

Ian Chappell27-Feb-2022″Is Rod Marsh an epileptic?” The phone call came at about 11.30 am in Sydney.It was former Queensland and Australian ODI player and now Bulls Masters boss Jimmy Maher. The answer was an emphatic no.The next call was concerning. “Rodney has actually had an attack in the car,” said Maher. “His heart stopped beating for several minutes before the hospital got it started again.”Related

Rod Marsh in Queensland hospital after heart attack

'You never forget things you've worked out yourself' (2010)

Match of my Life: Marsh on The Oval 1972 (2011)

Photographic Memory: Rod Marsh's 264th wicket (2008)

Seventy-four-year-old Marsh is the best Australian keeper I’ve seen and he has been a good mate since we played together in the 1970-71 Test side.He covered more territory standing back than any keeper, and while this was a great asset, it could also be a source of frustration. When Tony Greig edged Gary Gilmour’s awayswinger in the World Cup semi-final at Headingley in 1975, it was headed to my right.It never reached me.”Listen you fat bastard, catches on my right are mine,” I told him during the celebration. That’s one reason our friendship endured: we both made our points clearly.I was once asked who was the better keeper, Marsh or Ian Healy. It was an easy answer: “Have a look at their hands.”Marsh’s hands, despite years of collecting the ferociously fast Jeff Thomson and the extremely quick Dennis Lillee, are untarnished. If you look at that Headingley catch and then the diving leg-side one where he caught Clive Lloyd, you’ll understand about the territory he covered standing back.I awarded Marsh the dubious nickname of Iron Gloves during his Test debut at the Gabba. I’d just read about the poor-fielding Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Dick Stuart, who was nicknamed Iron Glove. It seemed like an appropriate name to anoint Marsh with – he dropped a couple in his first game. Years later, when Marsh claimed the world record for most dismissals by a keeper the laconic Doug Walters informed him: “Marshy, if you’d taken ’em all in your first Test, you would’ve claimed that record four games ago.”It was after Marsh’s first Test that former Australian opener and renowned journalist Jack Fingleton approached me at Sydney airport. “What’s this cove Marsh like?” he asked.I replied, “He’s a good bloke. He can bat, and don’t worry about the first Test, he can keep,” I answered. “Why do you ask?””Well,” replied the fastidious Fingleton, “he just threw his suit carrier in the luggage rack on top of my deer-stalker. I told him, ‘Marsh, my hat’s under there,’ Fingleton continued, “and he replied, ‘It can only improve the hat.'”Marsh famously poaches a Chappell catch at Headingley in the 1975 World Cup semi-final•Patrick Eagar/Getty ImagesI thought to myself that the debutant had a sense of humour, but I only said: “Jack, he’s all right. You’ll enjoy a game of golf with him.”We won that game of golf a few years later, thanks to Marsh’s skill with the clubs.Like all excellent teams, we had not only a very good wicketkeeper but a smart one.Marsh thought that if you were the incumbent, you should improve by doing the job all the time. He improved a hell of a lot, especially against spin. He was naturally very good standing back. As captain, he let me know how the quicks were hitting his gloves, and he was never short of an idea. He also told me the truth and that helped me learn a lot about captaincy.”You’re an idiot,” he told me, with an unprintable word before “idiot”, between overs at Old Trafford in 1972. He reckoned it was a seamers’ paradise and I had two spinners bowling. That warned me I was captaining like it was Adelaide Oval and I had to adjust my thinking to the ground we were actually playing on.Following his playing days, we’ve stayed in touch. He enjoyed a very successful career as head coach at both the Australian and England academies and has been a selector for both countries, as well as chairman of the Australian panel. He was director of coaching at the ICC’s Global Cricket Academy in Dubai, and has been an administrator as well.Whatever the job, he has given it his all, and he told the truth. You always know where you stand with Rod.He has a stalwart family in wife Ros, boys Paul, Daniel and Jamie and their wives and families. He’s a widely admired character and I received numerous encouraging messages when Rod fell ill. Their gist was the same: “He’s a tough bugger, he’ll pull through.”I’m hoping so, because he was a first-class teammate and remains an excellent friend.

Minus Zian Flemming’s late penalty for Burnley at St James’ Park, Newcastle United’s 2-1 win over the relegation-threatened Clarets on Saturday was rather straightforward.

Scott Parker’s men never gave in, but after Anthony Gordon stroked home his fourth penalty of the season, there was a sense of inevitability that the Magpies were going to secure a sixth Premier League victory of the campaign, especially as the away side had to play all of the second half with just ten men.

It was far from vintage, but Newcastle will be pleased that they now enter into the upcoming Tyne-Wear Derby with a confidence-boosting win under their belt.

Then, it’s a tough encounter with Chelsea in league action, before more and more clashes come their way across the bumper Christmas period.

Before you know it, Eddie Howe’s men will be concerning themselves with matters in the January transfer window, as plenty of new signings are tipped to move to Tyneside.

Newcastle's transfer latest

Away from any new arrivals, though, Yoane Wissa lining up for Howe and Co against Burnley would have felt like a fresh signing in itself, as the injury-plagued striker finally pulled on Toon black and white, after exiting Brentford in the summer.

Still, even with Wissa’s return, Newcastle have been credited as being interested in the services of Bees goal machine Igor Thiago, as Keith Andrews fears another Magpies swoop could be forthcoming.

Of course, there is also constant talk bubbling away that Elliot Anderson might well seal a Tyneside return from Nottingham Forest.

Yet, with a ludicrous £100m price tag above the England international’s head, Newcastle might well be better placed to seek out cheaper alternatives, as Hungarian sensation Alex Tóth is allegedly catching the Premier League side’s eye.

Already garnering a lot of hype in his native country for Robbie Keane’s Ferencváros TC, Football Insider has now revealed that a £13m bid could be accepted down the line for the 20-year-old’s services, with Newcastle and Bundesliga clubs eyeing up the emerging talent.

Newcastle could be tempted to land such a promising midfield gem if he is available at such a cut-price fee, with the lingering disappointment of letting Anderson go prematurely, softened somewhat by the Budapest-born star’s arrival.

How Toth could be Anderson 2.0

Newcastle must still have restless nights about the decision to sell Anderson to Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2024, after the homegrown Toon prodigy had made 55 promising appearances in the first team ranks.

He was only just getting started at St James’ Park, though, with hindsight on side, as the 23-year-old is now a regular in Thomas Tuchel’s England set-up, and for good reason.

He’s made a mind-blowing 8.4 ball recoveries per game this season in Premier League action, and won 7.8 duels per match, gifting him the label of being an “elite” performer at the very top by analyst and social media personality Statman Dave.

Likewise, journalist Bence Bocsak has tipped the Ferencváros number 64 to go to “the top” too, with a new Anderson-style project potentially on Newcastle’s hands if they land Tóth this January.

Games played

17

12

Goals scored

2

1

Assists

7

1

Touches*

65.9

54.5

Accurate passes*

37.6 (84%)

32.8 (87%)

Big chances created

8

4

Ball recoveries*

4.2

2.0

Total duels won*

4.8

4.0

Winning four duels per fixture his season in Fizz Liga action, Tóth isn’t a million miles off the high-octane approach Anderson is known for. He even regularly lines up for Hungary, alongside Liverpool faces Milos Kerkez and Dominik Szoboszlai, off the back of these well-drilled showings, with three ground duels successfully won against the Republic of Ireland, just last month.

But, as per analyst page Football Wonderkids, it’s also his well-rounded ability to chip in with goals and assists and tidily play the ball about the pitch that makes him a “special talent” worthy of a Premier League switch, with a standout 11 goal contributions tallied up across his last two league seasons. Like Anderson, therefore, he’s got a goal involvement from the middle of the park in him too.

This has further led to the aforementioned Bocsak hailing the £13m asset as a “modern day midfielder” who is capable of everything, much like Anderson, who has three goals and seven assists for the Tricky Trees in total, yet is also known as a “warrior” for his defensive grit by Como scout Ben Mattinson.

Of course, if Tóth were to make the move to England, he wouldn’t become an Anderson-like talent overnight in his new, intimidating surroundings.

But, for just £13m, it’s surely worth the gamble that he could morph into Newcastle’s second coming of their departed midfielder in time.

He once cost £38.5m: Newcastle plot concrete move to sign "brilliant" PL star

He desperately needs a move.

ByTom Cunningham 4 days ago

Amelia Kerr has made an immediate impact at Sydney Sixers, combining with Ellyse Perry for the match-winning WBBL partnership against Melbourne Stars.The star New Zealand allrounder was player of the match in her Sixers debut on Friday at Junction Oval as they beat the home side by six runs under the DLS method.Related

• Perry continues fine form as Sixers edge out Hurricanes

• King, Ainsworth combine in Scorchers' thrilling win; Knight-Bates pair maintain Thunder's strong start

Sixers’ chase started badly, when Kim Garth’s first delivery had Sarah Bryce caught by Meg Lanning at first slip in the second over for 1.That brought Kerr to the crease in her first game since tearing her right quad in the October 24 one-dayer against India. Kerr made 46 not out from 41 balls, including five fours, and Perry’s unbeaten 48 from 44 deliveries featured six boundaries as they took the game away from Stars.She also took two wickets, including Stars top-scorer Annabel Sutherland.There were concerns that Kerr, the player of the tournament in the T20 World Cup, might be sidelined for much of the WBBL. But she has recovered from her injury ahead of time. Kerr has signed with the Sixers for three seasons after five WBBL campaigns at the Brisbane Heat.Perry won the toss and Stars made a bright start, before she removed Ines McKeon in the fourth over. Stars stuttered from 32 for 1 to 50 for 3, before Sutherland gave some substance with her 42 from 36 balls, with two fours and two sixes.Kerr dismissed Sutherland in the final over and also claimed the wicket of Tess Flintoff two balls later to finish with 2 for 36 from four overs.English star Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the Sixers attack, claiming 3 for 19 from four overs.The result means the two Melbourne teams both carry losses into their Saturday derby at Junction Oval, while Sydney improve to a 3-2 record.

Rangers are almost back in action and it’s a particularly exciting time for the new man in the Ibrox dug-out Russell Martin.

He will take charge of the Gers for the very first time in a pre-season friendly on Sunday, with last season’s Belgian Pro League runners-up in town, and a fair few players could be debuting in light blue.

Lyall Cameron, Max Aarons, Joe Rothwell and Emmanuel Fernandez have all arrived in Govan so far this summer, but could the biggest name of the lot be on his way to Glasgow’s West End soon?

The latest on Rangers' striker search

It appears as though all three Rangers players who scored more than six goals across all competitions last season could depart.

Transfer Focus

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

Václav Černý won’t be back, he has returned to Wolfsburg following his loan, while Cyriel Dessers is seemingly on his way to AEK Athens, if the two clubs can agree a fee, with Rangers holding out for £5m, as relayed by The National.

The biggest departure of them all though, could be Hamza Igamane, who is reportedly being targeted by Ligue 1 side Lille, in a deal which could be worth as much as £20m, thereby becoming Rangers’ all-time record sale.

Martin McMillan of the Glasgow Times claims that les Dogues have put their interest in the Moroccan striker ‘on hold’, but it does appear more likely than not that Igamane will be sold this summer, either ending up at Stade Pierre-Mauroy or elsewhere.

So, as Martin searches for attacking reinforcements, Mark Pirie of the Daily Record has reiterated Rangers’ interest in Jamie Vardy, stating that the Glasgow giants remain ‘keen’ on a move, citing the Daily Mail.

Meantime, Mike McGrath of the Telegraph has previously documented that, wherever he goes, Vardy wants to be a ‘regular starter’ and, well, given Rangers’ need for a centre-forward right now, with a Champions League tie against Panathinaikos less than three weeks away, the veteran would surely be guaranteed game time from the jump.

How Jamie Vardy would improve Rangers

Despite the fact he is now 38 years old, Vardy still scored ten goals last season, made all the more impressive by the fact he was playing for a generally hopeless Leicester City side, who were relegated from the Premier League.

By netting against Bournemouth in May, Vardy took his tally to 200 goals in 500 appearances for Leicester, which is very pleasing for fans of symmetry. In total, the veteran has scored 237 club career goals at professional level, ahead of what free-scoring Rangers skipper James Tavernier (138 career goals) has achieved to date.

His most recent manager at the Foxes, Ruud van Nistelrooy, labelled him a “living legend”, while Rob Tanner of the Athletic believes he is, unquestionably, Leicester’s greatest-ever player.

So, let’s assess how his statistics compare to Igamane, a player 16 years his junior, but one he could soon be replacing.

Appearances

36

46

Minutes

2,899

2,651

Goals

10

16

Assists

4

3

Shots per 90

1.5

3

Shots on target per 90

0.9

1.6

Shots on target %

55.32%

51.52%

Big chances missed

14

7

Touches per 90

20.1

50.3

As the table outlines, Igamane did score six more goals than Vardy last season, while the Moroccan came out on top when it came to shots, shots on target and touches per 90, which all makes sense when you think about it.

Igamane was playing for a dominant team in, according to Global Football Rankings, the 43rd strongest league on the planet.

In complete contrast, Vardy was plying his trade for one of the worst teams in the Premier League, so was very much feeding off scraps, underlined by his miserly 20 touches per 90, making his tally of ten goals actually incredibly impressive.

The season before last, when Leicester were in the EFL Championship, still ranked all the way up at 11th by the aforementioned Global Football Rankings, Vardy scored 20 goals in all competitions, so just imagine how many he would get in the Premiership.

Offer made: Rangers at risk of losing another "complete" star after Igamane

Russell Martin could be dealt a second blow…

5 ByTom Cunningham Jul 1, 2025

In his docuseries, Pulisic reaffirmed his commitment to the USMNT, says he wants to 'break down that barrier'

Pulisic discusses legacy in docuseriesAiming to change the American game for goodUSMNT back in action in SeptemberFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

U.S. men's national team star Christian Pulisic reflected on his desired legacy, revealing in the latest episodes of his PULISIC docuseries that his ambition has always been – and remains – to change American soccer.

The most recent releases touched on Pulisic's decision to skip this summer's Gold Cup. And while Pulisic maintains he made the right decision to withdraw from the 2025 Gold Cup, and clapped back at critics who “disrespected me in a lot of ways, and just completely forgotten about what I've done for this national team,” he reaffirmed his commitment to the USMNT.

"To talk about my commitment? The commitment that I've given to this game? That I've given to my national team, you know, for 10 years? I have paid the price," he said. "That's the only thing that starts to get on my nerves. But to be honest, it just fuels me to get back on the field and just shut everyone up and show everyone what I'm about, at the end of the day."

Pulisic discussed what he ultimately wants out of his career, saying that his ambition is bigger than just trophies, transfers and accolades – it's to change perceptions of American soccer.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT PULISIC SAID

"I don't think about legacy in the way of how other people will view me," he said in the last episode of the  season. "I think it's trying to live with no regrets for me, and I think there've been a lot of things against me. But I'm lucky to be doing what I'm doing. I also try to change the way that I think about things, especially in the last couple of years. I have to deal with all this media pressure, I have to deal with being American and playing in Europe. But instead of thinking of it like that, it's completely changed.

"And it's like, no, I get to do this. I get to do this because I'm good, I get to do this because I've shown over and over that I'm good enough that people criticize me often. I get to have that attention because I'm good, and I hope people can see that and hopefully just see the work that I put in as well.

"Obviously they can't see the work that I do every day behind the scenes and the reason I've got there, but that's kind of what this documentary is so special for, too. Because it's giving a little bit more of a look, and it's how I came to do all this and why I do it, and the people I do it for. And I just want to do everything possible to make sure that once I do hang up the boots, that I'm proud of what I've accomplished. Because I want to inspire, especially American kids who can watch me and think, 'If this guy can do it, then why can't I?' And I want them to have someone to look up to at the highest level, everything that this has to offer as an American.

"I want to break down that barrier. I want to create a legacy that people can look and say, 'Man, this guy changed American soccer.' I think times are changing, for sure. And I think if I can be a small part in that, then I'm proud of the work that I've done."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The idea of changing American soccer has been a specific target for the USMNT since last cycle, when then-coach Gregg Berhalter laid down that challenge to a young group bound for the 2022 World Cup. That group, led by stars such as Pulisic, looked set to stick around for the long-haul, including the 2026 World Cup on home soil, which is expected to be a sport-altering event in America.

Many of those key players from the 2022 cycle remain, but the USMNT has, by and large, struggled over the last year. After crashing out of the Copa America group stage last summer, the U.S. hired Mauricio Pochettino as manager and lost back-to-back games at the CONCACAF Nations League in March. Without Pulisic and a number of other key starters, the team reached the Gold Cup final, but then lost to Mexico.

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR THE USMNT?

With no competitive matches left until the World Cup, the USMNT will be back for a pair of September friendlies against Korea and Japan as they look to build momentum ahead of next summer's World Cup.

Over the last couple of years, Leeds United has been the home to numerous star defenders, many of whom have captured the hearts of the fanbase as a result of their performances on the pitch.

Right-back Luke Ayling joined the Whites for just £500k from Bristol City back in the summer of 2016, racking up over 250 appearances for the club over an eight-year period.

The 33-year-old was part of the previous side that won promotion back to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020, before being a mainstay throughout their stint in the top-flight.

The current squad also has many stars that have replicated such an achievement, with the likes of Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu and Junior Firpo cementing their place in club history after their respective parts in the promotion.

However, this summer presents boss Daniel Farke with another opportunity to strengthen his squad, handing more players the chance to adhere themselves to the fanbase in Yorkshire.

The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new additions this summer

Over the last couple of days, Leeds have made serious moves to land new attackers at Elland Road, to hand Farke with added ammunition within the final third.

Fabio Silva is one player who’s been touted with a move to the club in recent days, with talks being held for the Wolves star, who scored 10 goals on loan at Las Palmas in 2024/25.

However, another name has been thrown into the mix over recent days, with Udinese’s Jaka Bijol the latest player on their radar, according to one Italian outlet.

They claim that the Whites have had their first offer rejected for the 26-year-old centre-back, but remain in talks over a deal and are preparing a second offer.

The defender made 34 appearances in Serie A this season, with no breakthrough yet in a deal for the Slovenian international, who’s valued at around €20m (£17m).

Why Leeds’ £17m target could be Farke’s own Jansson

Centre-back Pontus Jansson joined Leeds way back in the summer of 2016, originally moving on loan from Italian side Torino, before joining on a permanent basis 12 months later.

The Swede made 120 appearances during his two spells at Elland Road, capturing the hearts of the supporters as he helped the club register a third-place finish in 2018/19.

His rise to stardom in Yorkshire was demonstrated by previously being named the club’s captain and offering them a commanding presence at the heart of the defence.

He would eventually leave to join Brentford after a four-year spell with the Whites, playing a huge part in their rebuild and allowing the club to return to the Premier League back in 2020.

However, fast forward six years on from his Elland Road departure, the hierarchy have the opportunity to land their next version of the centre-back in the form of Bijol.

The Udinese star would follow suit by joining the club from an Italian side, whilst offering a commanding presence at the back – as seen by his figures this campaign.

Bijol, who’s been labelled “monstrous” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has made 5.5 clearances per 90 this campaign, along with 3.3 aerials won – handing the Whites added quality in the back line in their attempts to avoid the drop.

His aerial dominance has been further demonstrated by his tally of 68% aerials won – a tally that puts him within the top 6% of all players in Italy’s top flight.

The defender also offers a composed touch in possession, completing 84% of his passes, whilst also playing 3.3 balls into the final third per 90 this campaign, subsequently able to have an impact at both ends of the pitch.

£17m for a player of Bijol’s experience in today’s market could well prove to be a bargain, with the 26-year-old able to make himself a hero if he can prevent relegation in 2025/26.

He also has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Jansson at Elland Road, with the Swede showcasing that signing players from Italy has been a success in previous years.

Better than Beto: Leeds set to make bid for "one of the best CFs in the PL"

Leeds United could finally be about to land a talisman to catapult them to Premier League survival.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 11, 2025

The visitors batted much better second time around but still faced defeat against Australia A

AAP07-Dec-2025England’s Jacob Bethell staked his claim for an Ashes recall after fighting hard in the clash with Australia A in Brisbane.As his England team-mates slipped 2-0 down at the Gabba, Bethell crafted 71 in England Lions’ second innings at nearby Allan Border Field on Sunday.Related

• England sink to another low as Lions thrashed by Australia A

• Richardson stands out with four wickets as England Lions collapse

• McSweeney pushes Test recall case with double century

Bethell last played a Test in August when England lost a thrilling match at The Oval against India. But with questions surrounding Ollie Pope’s future as England’s No.3, he will be pushing to be recalled for the third Test at the Adelaide Oval on December 17.Bethell is averaging 38.71 from his four Tests for England after debuting late last year against New Zealand.The Lions got to 274 for 6 in their second innings at stumps on day three, still trailing Australia A by 148.After slumping to 29 for 3, England’s second XI recovered through Bethell and fellow rising starAsa Tribe. The pair put on a 169-run stand for the fourth wicket, with Tribe reaching his third first-class century.Tribe, who has five ODI and 26 T20I caps for Jersey, was able to survive Australia A’s dangerous bowling attack featuring Jhye Richardson, Xavier Bartlett, Fergus O’Neill, Beau Webster and Todd Murphy.Victorian seamer O’Neill was the pick of the bowlers in the second innings, taking 4 for 53 from 17 overs.Australia A declared at 588 for 8 early on Sunday, after captain Nathan McSweeney’s career-best knock of 226 not out.