When MLB expanded its playoff format to 12 teams in 2022, the hope was that it would create a more compelling final few weeks of the season. Four years in, it seems that mission was accomplished.

With just over a month to play, the races for each league’s three wild-card spots are far from settled. In the American League, five teams are within three games of the final bid. In the National League, the Cubs, Padres and Mets are fighting to fend off the Reds, who are just a game back. As each club jockeys for position, the margins will be thin in determining who makes it to October and who gets left out in the cold.

The household names will need to produce during this crucial time, of course, but so too will the x-factors and complimentary pieces. With a focus on the latter, here’s a pick for who will be each wild-card contender’s key difference maker for the stretch run.

New York Yankees

Current standing: 69–57, AL East 4 GB, AL wild-card 4 GU on fourth place
X-factor: SP Cam Schlittler

The rookie has impressed during his first two months in The Show, allowing no more than three runs in any of his first seven starts. Schlittler was considered among the Yankees’ top pitching prospects entering the season and is coming off his best outing when he threw 6 2/3 shutout innings against the Rays on Wednesday, giving up just one hit while striking out eight. Given Max Fried’s continued struggles, New York can use all the quality starts it can get down the stretch, and Schlittler is proving he can provide them.

Boston Red Sox

Current standing: 68–59, AL East 5.5 GB, AL wild-card 2.5 GU on fourth place
X-factor: SP Dustin May

May was squeezed out of the Dodgers’ rotation at the deadline, but so far he’s proven to be just what the doctor ordered in Boston. In three outings with his new squad, the righthander has two quality starts and a 2.87 ERA, with 17 strikeouts and just four walks. The Red Sox have been searching for a stable fifth starter for a while now, and May has filled that need with aplomb. Settling on three or four starters for a postseason series might be a more complicated problem, but it will be a welcome one if Boston can get there, and May is critical to accomplishing that goal.

Seattle Mariners

Current standing: 68–60, AL West 1.5 GB, AL wild-card 2 GU on fourth place
X-factor: DH Jorge Polanco

Early on this season, Polanco was a pleasant surprise for Mariners fans who might have been frustrated with the team’s relatively quiet offseason. A scalding hot April gave way to an ice cold May and June, but the veteran picked things up in July. Now, Polanco is struggling again, batting .196/.255/.275 in August. Seattle added reinforcements at the deadline in Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor, but that hasn’t come at the expense of Polanco’s playing time. He’s started 14 of the team’s 17 games this month, so the Mariners clearly prefer to see him hit his way out of his slump rather than turn to a replacement player. If Polanco can rediscover his earlier form, it will make a suddenly formidable Seattle lineup that much deeper.

Kansas City Royals

Current standing: 66–62, AL Central 9.5 GB, AL wild-card 2 GB
X-factor: SP Ryan Bergert

Kansas City did well in adding Bergert and pitcher Stephen Kolek in exchange for backup catcher Freddy Fermin at the deadline. The Royals slotted Bergert directly into their rotation, and he’s put up a 2.70 ERA through three starts, pitching into the sixth inning in all three. Those contributions will need to continue if Kansas City wants to remain within striking distance of the final wild-card spot, particularly in the wake of Kris Bubic’s season-ending shoulder injury.

Cleveland Guardians

Current standing: 64–62, AL Central 10.5 GB, AL wild-card 3 GB
X-factor: 1B Kyle Manzardo

Manzardo picked a great time to go on his best tear of the season, catching fire at the plate to help prop up Cleveland’s otherwise subpar offense. Over his last 28 games, Manzardo is batting .287/.396/.598 with eight homers and 22 RBIs, and the Guardians are 16–12 during that span. Perennial MVP candidate José Ramírez continues to do his part, but he’ll need players like Manzardo to chip in and give the offense more firepower.

Chicago Cubs

Current standing: 73–55, NL Central 7 GB, NL wild-card 6 GU on fourth place
X-factor: 3B Matt Shaw

The once-feared Cubs lineup has picked a bad time to go quiet. Through the All-Star break, Chicago ranked second in the majors in runs scored. Since then, the Cubs rank 26th in runs, 28th in on-base percentage and 28th in batting average. Shaw has been the exception, a silver lining that’s almost single-handedly kept the offense from going under. During the second half, the 2023 first-round pick is batting .302/.344/.721 with nine home runs, four stolen bases and 16 extra-base hits in 30 games. After a slow start to his rookie season, the third baseman has found his power stroke, helping pick up the slack for slumping stars Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Dansby Swanson.

San Diego Padres

Current standing: 72–56, NL West 1 GB, NL wild-card 5 GU on fourth place
X-factor: SP JP Sears

Amid San Diego’s busy trade trendline, you’d be forgiven for overlooking Sears’s inclusion in the deal that sent flame-throwing closer Mason Miller to the Padres in exchange for a package that included top prospect Leo De Vries. Sears is much more than just a throw-in, though, and will likely be counted on to log crucial innings for an injury-starved rotation that’s already seen Michael King land back on the IL. Sears has made just two starts with San Diego and has been up and down from the minors, but it’s a safe bet that the Padres will need him to deliver in the coming weeks. He logged six innings in Wednesday’s 8–1 win over the Giants.

New York Mets

Current standing: 67–60, NL East 7 GB, NL wild-card 0.5 GU on fourth place
X-factor: 2B/3B Brett Baty

Mets fans have had a tumultuous relationship with Baty, a 2019 first-round pick and former top prospect who, prior to this year, never quite panned out. Now in his fourth big-league season and still just 25, he’s beginning to look like the everyday contributor the club hoped he’d develop into. Baty has hit .284/.357/.541 since the All-Star break to become a productive bat at the bottom of the lineup. New York has several issues plaguing its roster lately—namely pitching—so there are plenty of candidates to pick for this spot, but Baty can do the team a huge favor by maintaining this form for the next month.

Cincinnati Reds

Current standing: 67–61, NL Central 13 GB, NL wild-card 0.5 GB
X-factor: DH Miguel Andújar

The Reds landed Andújar in a deadline deal with the A’s that didn’t grab many headlines, but the well-traveled slugger has quickly made himself right at home on his fourth team in as many years. Since arriving in Cincinnati, Andújar has started 13 of 17 games (mostly at DH) and raked, batting .383/.442/.660 while predominantly hitting out of the cleanup spot. Reds pitchers have put up the league’s third-lowest ERA (3.39) since the All-Star break, and if their below-average offense can get this big of a boost from Andujar down the stretch, it might be enough to run down the teams ahead of them.

Ottneil Baartman will replace him for T20Is against Namibia and Pakistan, while Lizaad Williams has been included in the ODI squad for Pakistan

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Oct-2025

Kwena Maphaka had hamstring discomfort while playing in a domestic match•Getty Images

Fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has been ruled out of South Africa’s one-off T20I against Namibia and the white-ball tour of Pakistan because of a hamstring strain.Ottneil Baartman has been named as replacement for the T20I, scheduled for October 11. He has also been included in the T20I squad for the three-match series against Pakistan later this month. Lizaad Williams, who is already part of the T20I squad, has been added to the ODI squad for the Pakistan series.As reported by ESPNcricinfo, Maphaka had an injury scare while playing for Lions against Western Province in a four-day domestic match at Newlands last week. He bowled 5.5 overs in the first innings but had to leave the field with hamstring discomfort. He was taken for a scan which revealed no major damage and returned to take the new ball in the second innings. His 3 for 26 in ten overs led Lions’ charge to victory by an innings and 134 runs.However, CSA later stated that “subsequent scans and medical assessments revealed a grade 1-2 injury, and he will undergo rehabilitation over the next four weeks”.South Africa’s long tour of Pakistan begins with two Tests from October 12, followed by three T20Is from October 28 and as many ODIs that will conclude on November 8.South Africa’s squad for Namibia T20IDonovan Ferreira (capt), Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Lizaad Williams, Ottneil BaartmanSouth Africa’s squad for Pakistan T20IsDavid Miller (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams, Ottneil BaartmanSouth Africa’s squad for Pakistan ODIsMatthew Breetzke (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile

Pakistan’s selection committee will meet on Monday to make a decision on the matter

Danyal Rasool18-Oct-2025Mohammad Rizwan’s status as Pakistan ODI captain has been plunged into doubt by the PCB after a statement released by the board said it was “yet to finalise a captain” for the upcoming series against South Africa. The PCB said the white-ball head coach Mike Hesson had called for a meeting of the selection committee to make a final decision on the ODI captaincy.The statement made no mention of Rizwan, who was appointed by the PCB last year and led the side to ODI series victories in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Results in 2025 have been less attractive with a loss in a home tri-series final to New Zealand, an early exit from the Champions Trophy, and an away series defeat in the West Indies.While there had been speculation about the fate of Rizwan, no specific cricketing reason was provided for throwing his role into uncertainty. There has been no obvious drop in batting or keeping form; Rizwan is the second highest scorer for Pakistan in ODIs this year with 361 runs at over 36. In Test cricket, the other format he is currently selected for, he scored 75 as part of a 163-run stand with Salman Ali Agha that helped Pakistan take a 1-0 lead against South Africa in the ongoing Test series.Shaheen Shah Afridi previously had to vacate T20I captaincy for Babar Azam•AFP/Getty ImagesWhile Rizwan has not officially been removed yet, the statement makes it all but inevitable. It was a fate suffered by Shaheen Shah Afridi in T20Is shortly after Mohsin Naqvi took over as PCB chairperson. At the time, the newly appointed Afridi had captained just one series, but when asked about him at a press conference, Naqvi pointedly declined to confirm he would continue the role.”Even I don’t know who the captain will be,” Naqvi said at the time. “Whether Shaheen continues or a new captain comes in will be determined after the fitness camp. There are a number of technical factors we will consider, the details of which I do not want to go into. We want a long-term solution, whether it’s Shaheen or a new man. And then we intend to stick by that man, instead of just changing a captain just because you lose a match.”A week later, Shaheen was sacked as captain and replaced by Babar Azam, with further controversy when the PCB published a statement on Shaheen’s behalf which he declined ever having written or approved. While an uneasy truce was reached between player and board at the time, ESPNcricinfo understands that relationship has improved.Hesson is not technically in charge of determining or appointing the ODI captain, and does not sit on the selection committee. However, that Naqvi appears to have agreed to put the matter to the selection and advisory committees either reflects the influence Hesson currently enjoys at the PCB, or the fact the board was not averse to a change in the first place anyway. The committee will convene on Monday, according to the PCB, with a decision expected then.

It was a battle of wills and wants on a final day where both teams danced on knife-edge. And it couldn’t have set up the next two Tests better

Mark Nicholas23-Jul-2025Nobody saw it coming – not a whole afternoon with barely a run scored. In truth, hardly anyone saw an afternoon with cricket as an option. When play began on the fifth day of the third Test at Lord’s, the consensus was that it would be done and dusted either side of lunch. Then, as Indian wickets fell like confetti from the hot, blue sky, most of us wondered if we’d get any lunch at all.But cricket has rarely behaved as expected. It is a game of unpredictability, driven as much by human frailty as by the strength of character that gets the players there in the first place. Think how often you have settled into your seat to watch your favourite take guard or mark out his run-up and how quickly you have been let down. Cricket, and especially Test cricket, is a game of patience for us all. It is frequently difficult and frustrating. It is a game of instinctive skill that relies on method for its excellence. No cricketer is remotely the same. There are imitations, but no clones, mainly because so much of it is played in the mind. And, of course, cricket is fragile – one minute you have it, the next it is gone.If Ravindra Jadeja had his time again, would he play that remarkable, out of character innings the same way? Or would he go for broke from the outset, before England retreated to the field settings that denied him the oxygen of boundaries? Remember that when he arrived at the crease there were still recognised batters in hand, which gave him options. Once KL Rahul, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy had gone, the options went with them.Related

Sledging, swearing, send-offs – Lord's needling promises explosive series

Jadeja, and the curse of being so good

Six years on from World Cup glory, Stokes and Archer light up Lord's again

Battered players leave bits of hearts and spirits behind after bruising Lord's Test

Eight Days Later: evolved England are in the hunt for statement display

Shane Warne played his part in “finding” Jadeja when he captained Rajasthan Royals in the first IPL. Jaddu was just a kid – a rough diamond, really – but Warne immediately identified the quality in his bountiful gifts and the flair, so much so that he christened him “Rock Star”. Almost unbelievably that is 17 years ago. After which, Warne did many things, the last of them too final to bear. Jadeja too, has done many things, not the least of which is to become one of the best, most entertaining and popular cricketers in the world.Which led me to wonder what Warne would have said about his innings had he been commentating. Probably Warne would have said he should have gone hard out of the blocks; that the counter attack is easier when the field is up and the opposition are looking to take your wicket. Once they sit back, happy to give you a single and bowl at the other guy, it gets a whole lot more difficult. Which isn’t to say Warne would have been right. There were 22 runs and a back-spinning defensive shot in it. That, over five days, is precious little.And at the moment of the back spin, with Siraj batting, as the ball rolled gently back onto the stumps and a bail tumbled off, what would Jadeja have thought? That he got it right or wrong? And in that question, is a truism: that the greatest gift in high-level performance is to make the right decisions under pressure.Trickle-down effect: the moment that ended Siraj’s resistance, and the match•Getty ImagesAt the time, I felt he got it right. Rahul had fallen ten runs after his arrival. The pitch was difficult, irascible in its variable bounce and pace, and therefore hard for the batters to make the play. Washington followed Rahul in the blink of an eye but Reddy was to be trusted, and had after all made a wonderful hundred in Melbourne last Christmas on a tricky pitch against a mighty attack.Together Jadeja and Reddy batted for 15 overs, like cowboys weighing up the odds in the last-chance saloon, knowing full well that there was no one out there to help. They would have talked about pulling the trigger, but figured they were better together, chipping away at a tiring attack. They could not have predicted the extent of the Ben Stokes superpower or the level of his team’s desire. And then, when Reddy took a bullet, Jadeja was left with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and another 81 runs to find. England set deep, biding their time and playing on nerves. For two hours, as next to nothing happened, no one left their seat. And so it was we saw Test cricket’s greatest trick, the ability to make next to nothing into theatre.Bumrah fell to the bouncer tactic and Siraj to the arrows of fortune. Jadeja stood unbeaten, dumbfounded, gutted and alone. The England players went warmly to each of them, knowing what it takes when the stakes are so high. Jadeja would have done the same. There was honour in defeat and no guilt. Jaddu made his choice, fulfilled his part of the deal and ran short of partners. Would he do the same again? Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps even he doesn’t know.That story, those vignettes are a part of history now, not to be dwelt upon in the days ahead. Jadeja is in good form and surely has crucial roles to play. He is a savvy cricketer, both adaptable and adventurous. you would never back against him rising up to play the winning hand in the match directly after the one in which he finished so forlorn.What of Stokes, this great warrior. A friend who played first-class cricket himself thinks Stokes the greatest leader England has had in any sport. If that is an exaggeration, it cannot be by much. For a start, he is an incredible cricketer. The run-out of Rishabh Pant in the first innings, the influential batting while not at his best, the titanic bowling – that phrase about not being able to get the ball out of a bowler’s hand has rung true this series all right. He pretty much literally bowled until he dropped at Lord’s, hammering the ball into a hard length that gave the power players in the Indian line-up no respite. Yes, he leads from the trenches but does so with both a plan and a message. His players know where they stand and exactly what part they must play. They are a team in the collective sense, chosen to realise a series of mini-ambitions that collate as the whole.Take Zak Crawley, who so many are always so keen to drop. Ben loves Zak because Zak is tough; because Zak looks the opponent in the eye; because Zak is not intimidated; because Zak is “team”; because Zak is spirit, harmony and consistency of plan; because Zak can catch everywhere; because Zak can bat and because Zak doesn’t flinch.Zak of all trades: can bat, can catch, can intimidate the opposition•Getty ImagesCrawley made 22 in the second innings, when Bumrah kept hammering his gloves with thunderbolts that burst from the surface. The margin of victory was 22. England could have lost a couple of wickets that niggly evening but Crawley punched back at those hits as if he were a boxer on the ropes. Then he used small and reasonable excuses – advertising on the sight screen and a glancing blow to the hand – to use up a big chunk of time, thus saving England another over at the stroke of 6.30pm. Ben likes Zak because he doesn’t wilt, whatever the provocation. And Ben wants Zak in Australia, the land where many Englishmen have wilted.Crawley explains why Stokes is the leader he is. This criteria in selection may not have been a path well trodden. In the old days, players were dropped for staying out late or batting too slowly or failing twice. Then, more recently, it turned full circle and became easier to stay in the team than get out of it. Now these decisions are based on character and personality every bit as much as performance. Stokes knows exactly what he wants and Crawley is that soldier, for many reasons other than averaging 40.To England, this eight-day break has been gold. For India, a frustration. Shubman Gill and his men would have preferred to get right back on the horse. Defeat needs closure, but while the mind has time to wander, it tends to wander where you don’t want it to go. England have had a breather, simple as that, and then they go again with an eager and combative Liam Dawson back amongst itJofra Archer and Bumrah are playing: of course they are, it’s the witching hour. What a sight each of them is – so different, so impressive. People are saying Bumrah is the best fast bowler ever. Who knows? But he’s up there. Nature plays its part in these things and, in Bumrah’s case, gave him a late release of the ball from a position fractionally past the perpendicular. This gives him an angle to work with and the gift of delivery closer to the batter than is usual. And boy does it show. Everyone’s in a hurry against Bumrah, even on slow pitches, and most play and miss as a matter of course. This is wonderful to watch and horrible to play against. For a time, and in a more bombastic way, Freddie Flintoff had a bit of Bumrah about him, and in that time he too spat the ball from the pitch with the sort of violence that very few have managed before or since. Ask Ricky Ponting.Then there’s Archer, who makes fast bowling look absurdly easy, which it isn’t. His snorter of a ball to Pant in the second innings at Lord’s could have made for a highlight show of its own. The throat bouncer that roughs them up is a wicked thing, cruel in its physical threat and unerring accuracy. We all remember Steve Smith at Lord’s in 2019. We doubted we’d see it again but perhaps we are. Fast bowling is one of cricket’s great spectacles. Well performed, it is the game’s greatest weapon. We have a real good ‘un in an England shirt and great ‘un in an Indian shirt. What’s not to like. Welcome to Manchester, folks.

Arsenal handed Bayern Munich their first defeat of the season with a commanding 3-1 Champions League win at the Emirates, ending the German champions’ 18-game unbeaten run. Vincent Kompany admitted his side were deservedly second best, while Arsenal strengthened their position as the competition’s only perfect team after five group-stage victories.

Arsenal outclass Bayern to end their unbeaten run

Arsenal and Bayern arrived at the Emirates stadium as Europe’s two most in-form sides, both unbeaten in the Champions League and dominating their domestic leagues. But from the opening whistle, it was the Premier League leaders who showed greater intensity, control and aggression in key moments.

The hosts struck first through Jurrien Timber, who rose above Manuel Neuer to nod in Bukayo Saka’s corner. Bayern equalised when 17-year-old Lennart Karl reacted quickest in a crowded box, but the Bundesliga champions struggled to build on that moment. Too many attacks broke down in midfield, and Arsenal constantly regained control through quick combinations and wide overloads.

The second half was even more one-sided. Noni Madueke’s clever movement allowed him to turn in Riccardo Calafiori’s low cross, restoring the Gunner's lead. The Bavarians pushed for a response, but their biggest chance, a Serge Gnabry acrobatic attempt went begging. Moments later, Neuer’s misjudged rush off his line allowed Gabriel Martinelli to score from distance, wrapping up Arsenal’s first victory over Bayern in 10 years.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportKompany accepts defeat, Gnabry highlights Arsenal’s strength

Kompany didn’t hide behind excuses after the final whistle, acknowledging that Arsenal were fully deserving of the result. "I don't like excuses," the Belgian said to reporters. "We've lost now, and let's be honest: Arsenal were better today, and we have to fix that from Saturday onwards."

Former Arsenal academy product Serge Gnabry echoed his manager’s honesty, pointing to moments where Bayern simply couldn’t cope with Arsenal’s constant pressure. "You have to accept that you lose sometimes," said Gnabry to "Arsenal are a very strong opponent; they haven't won all their games so far for nothing. They had a period where they pressed us back with a lot of corner kicks. We didn't manage to do much in the second half."

Arsenal’s perfect run continues as Bayern's ends

The Premier League leaders' performance underlined why they remain the Champions League’s last team with a 100 per cent record. Their pressing structure suffocated Bayern’s build-up, their set-piece dominance caused repeated problems, and their transitions exploited every defensive gap left by Kompany’s side.

For Bayern, the defeat ends an 18-match unbeaten run and exposes cracks that had not been punished in earlier European fixtures. After impressive wins over Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, they were second-best in intensity and duels, areas usually considered Die Roten's strengths. Even with 12 points from five matches, their hold on top spot in the group is no longer guaranteed.

The Gunners, meanwhile, have now established themselves as genuine contenders for the Champions League’s latter stages, the only club still boasting 15 points from 15.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesBayern turn attention to St. Pauli as Arsenal prepare for Chelsea

Arsenal will ride the confidence of this statement victory straight into a Premier League showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a fixture that could further strengthen their grip at the top of the table. Mikel Arteta’s side look increasingly balanced, and the win over Bayern will only deepen belief within the squad.

For Bayern, the focus is now on a swift response. Kompany’s side face St. Pauli in the Bundesliga this weekend, aiming to put the defeat behind them and reinforce their commanding league position. With 31 points from 11 games and only one draw so far, Bayern remain in control of their domestic campaign — but this loss will serve as a reminder of the margins at the highest level. A convincing performance at the weekend would help steady the mood as the Champions League group stage nears its conclusion.

All eyes will now be on how both sides respond, with knockout qualification approaching and momentum in Europe more valuable than ever.

When Andrea Berta arrived at Arsenal towards the beginning of 2025, the transfer plan for the summer was abundantly clear.

The fact of the matter was that during his first window in charge, the squad needed more firepower and, chiefly, a striker was a necessity.

While there were links to the likes of Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko, both of whom got big-money moves elsewhere in the Premier League, the Gunners concluded a deal for Viktor Gyokeres.

The Swede had only spent two prolific seasons in Portugal with Sporting but he was already on the move and deservedly so.

Yet, while the centre forward has done a lot to improve the overall attack, there is a sense that they could do better in future windows.

Arsenal looking to sign new striker

Gyokeres may well have signed but Arsenal still do require a little bit more in attack.

Gabriel Jesus is back in full training but it’s wild to expect him to be at a productive level for a good few months yet after recovering from an ACL injury. Even if he did recover, he’s been linked with the exit door as he approaches the final 18 months of his deal at the Emirates Stadium.

Kai Havertz has also been a long-term absentee which has left Arsenal with only one fit centre forward for much of 2025/26 to date.

So, while Arsenal’s options in several areas now are deep, another striker wouldn’t go amiss.

Transfer Focus

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

That’s where Borussia Dortmund frontman Serhou Guirassy comes into the equation.

According to reports in Spain, it suggests that Arteta and Co are vying with the likes of PSG for the striker’s services.

The report notes that Arsenal are ‘seriously considering’ a move but it’s likely they’ll have to pay around £44m in order to conclude a deal.

The Guinean has a release clause in his contract of that amount, meaning that like Gyokeres, he wouldn’t cost the earth to bring to England.

It’s said that Arsenal are thought to be willing to pay the required amount to get him out of Germany.

How Guirassy compares to Viktor Gyokeres

When Gyokeres signed for Arsenal while the club were on their pre-season Asia tour, there was much fanfare.

At last, Arteta had a proper goalscoring centre forward to add to his ranks. Last term, the former Coventry City star scored 54 goals in 52 games. It was a breathtaking campaign, one that saw him take home the Gerd Muller trophy for the best striker in the world during the last Ballon d’Or gala.

Yet, in Arsenal colours, Gyokeres has not had it all his own way. He’s been wasteful in front of goal and went on a barren run of seven games without scoring at one stage.

That said, he’s not been a complete flop. The Sweden international still has six goals to show for his efforts and has particularly pleased Arteta with what he’s offered to the team.

While he did not score during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Olympiacos in the Champions League, Arteta summed up why he’s been so delighted with what the centre forward is offering. “I think he did the rest of the things you ask for from a striker. The way he’s linking with his teammates, the way he’s opening spaces, the way he’s threatening constantly the back line.”

However, while it does seem unlikely Arsenal will sign another striker, Guirassy could be an upgrade on what they already have.

Described as “one of the best centre-forwards in the world” by one notable football analyst on X, the 29-year-old has been in the form of his life over the last year. Crucially, he’s also demonstrated that form in a top-five European league, something Gyokeres had not done before touching down in London.

In 2024/25, Guirassy found the net on 38 occasions in 50 games, bagging a remarkable 13 goals in 14 Champions League matches. That included scoring five times across two outings with Barcelona.

But what separates him from Gyokeres? Well, a scorer of seven goals this term, the numbers showcase why.

Goals

0.51

0.45

Assists

0.10

0

xG

0.59

0.52

Shots

2.76

2.13

Shot on target %

59.3%

36.8%

Pass completion

72.2%

60.7%

Key passes

0.71

0.90

Passes into final 3rd

1.02

0.45

Successful take-ons

0.20

0.45

Progressive carries

1.63

0.90

Aerial duels won

2.86

1.80

Not only has Guirassy scored more goals per 90 minutes and offered a higher xG, but he excels in bringing others into the game too.

During the 2025/26 season to date, the Dortmund sensation has completed more accurate passes and more assists per 90. It might be Gyokeres who has played more key passes but clearly it’s the former who is more decisive with his final actions right now.

If that wasn’t enough, Guirassy is a better and less chaotic carrier of the ball. Gyokeres resembles something of a raging bull when he’s gallivanting forward but there’s more of a smoothness to Arsenal’s latest transfer target. The fact he averages more progressive carries substantiates that point.

To round things off, Guirassy is also far more likely to win his aerial duels, something that Arsenal have perhaps missed since Havertz’s injury.

To put Guirassy’s numbers into further context, he won more aerial duels (3.77) per 90 than the German did (3.03) in 2024/25.

So, while the Dortmund striker may only be one goal ahead of Gyokeres this term, he offers something of a hybrid situation between Arteta’s two leading marksman. That could well offer the Spanish manager a fabulous balance as Arsenal hunt down their first Premier League title in over two decades.

Choosing to bowl first in a Test match is always a tricky call, but it’s justified if you end the first day in the lead, with eight wickets in hand. That’s what Zimbabwe achieved, as Test cricket returned to the Harare Sports Club for the first time after 2021.Brad Evans’ five-wicket haul and Ben Curran’s half-century put Zimbabwe on top on the opening day of the one-off Test against Afghanistan.With plenty of movement on offer for the fast bowlers, Zimbabwe knocked Afghanistan over for 127 inside a session and a half, before taking the lead at the stroke of stumps. On the way there, they survived some testing bowling from the Afghanistan quicks.Earlier in the day, the returning Richard Ngarava struggled to find his rhythm and Ibrahim Zadran took him for three fours in an over. But the Afghanistan openers found it tougher to tackle Blessing Muzarabani, who extracted extra bounce from a good length. This led to Ibrahim edging one to third slip in the sixth over.But after that, the first hour belonged to Afghanistan, as they ticked along at close to six runs an over thanks largely to Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who came in at one-down. Tanaka Chivanga troubled him with extra bounce. One ball flew over the cordon off the shoulder of Gurbaz’s bat, and he later top-edged a pull, but it landed in a vacant deep square leg region.Ben Curran played an attritional knock•AFP/Getty Images

Gurbaz picked up a couple more boundaries, with an off-drive off a full-toss and a ramp off Chivanga. However, Zimbabwe regrouped in the drinks break, started bowling tighter lines and lengths, and reaped the rewards. First, Gurbaz sliced a full ball from Chivanga to point. Then a mix-up with Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi led to opener Abdul Malik being run-out for his Test best score of 30.Malik had started watchfully before dispatching a couple of short balls for boundaries, but after he squeezed out a yorker from Chivanga in front of cover and took off for a single, Shahidi responded to the call before turning back and leaving Malik stranded.Evans, playing his first Test since February 2023, gave Zimbabwe a boost in the penultimate over before the lunch break. First, a full delivery from around the wicket drew Shahidi into a drive. The length wasn’t quite right for the drive, and the ball nibbled away and found the edge, which Nick Welch pouched at gully, diving to his left. Three balls later, Evans had Afsar Zazai nicking off with a length ball that straightened off the pitch. From 77 for 1, Afghanistan had slipped to 102 for 5.The capitulation continued after the interval, with Muzarabani striking in each of his first two overs after lunch. Bahir Shah got a thick edge to gully’s left and Brian Bennett held on to a diving effort before Muzarabani had Ismat Alam strangled down leg. Sharafuddin Ashraf tried to take on Evans and skied one to mid-off’s left and Zimbabwe’s good fielding display continued as Chivanga completed another diving catch.Muzarabani drew Yamin Ahmadzai’s edge twice in an over, but one went over the cordon and the other fine of backward point for fortunate boundaries. Soon, Evans had Khalil Gurbaz edging behind off a short ball, and cleaned up Ziaur Rahman first ball with a yorker to complete a maiden Test five-for.In all, Afghanistan lost 9 for 50 to vindicate Zimbabwe’s decision to bowl.When Zimbabwe began their innings, Bennett looked tentative early on, beaten on the outside edge twice as he tried to drive outswingers from Ahmadzai. But it was Ziaur who bowled him with a lovely full delivery on off, which angled in and straightened to beat the bat and uproot off stump.Ben Curran and Nick Welch then played watchfully till tea, even as Ziaur thought he had Welch caught behind off the inside edge, only to be denied by the umpire.Ziaur Rahman castled Brian Bennett for his maiden Test wicket•Zimbabwe Cricket

Curran waited until his 21st delivery for his first boundary, slashing Ahmadzai behind point. At the other end, Welch crunched a boundary through the covers off Ahmadzai with tea looming. When Afghanistan brought on spin for the first time in the 13th over, Curran drove Ashraf through the covers off his second delivery.The batters faced a testing period as the seamers returned after tea. Welch, especially, struggled to settle, with the quicks finding movement through the day. In the second over after the interval, Welch got a leading edge that went back over the bowler’s head. One ball later, Alam thought he had his man as Welch edged while looking to drive and Zazai caught him behind the stumps, but his celebrations were short-lived as replays confirmed he had overstepped.Even after that, Welch had several play-and-misses and lucky edges that didn’t cost him. Curran struggled for fluency too. He was not helped when he was struck on the helmet but denied a concussion test by the umpire Nitin Menon, who was looking to speed up a sedate over rate. Menon adjudged that the ball had hit him on the glove when he tried to pull a short ball.Legspinner Khalil’s introduction eased some of the pressure on the batters, as Welch swept his second ball for four and then launched him for a six over midwicket in his second over. In Khalil’s third over, Welch launched him inside-out over cover for another boundary.The Afghan bowlers’ toil finally paid off when Ziaur went through Welch’s defence with an inswinger to send his off stump cartwheeling.Brendan Taylor was rapped on the pads first ball he faced, but the umpire adjudged him not out. Taylor got off the mark off his third ball, tucking one fine off his pads.When Ashraf returned, Taylor lofted him down the ground for his second boundary. He continued to pick up runs quickly, ramping a short ball from Ziaur over the keeper.Curran got to his half-century off 108 balls, with a single in the 38th over. Zimbabwe also took the lead in that over, which proved to be the final one of the day, with umpires calling stumps early due to bad light.

Thomas Frank’s appointment as Tottenham Hotspur boss brought about a newfound sense of excitement, with the Dane tasked with building on last season’s Europa League triumph.

He was brought into the club to replace Ange Postecoglou, even being handed over £100m by the hierarchy to make the desired changes he wanted to his first team squad.

Whilst his tenure in North London started off in excellent fashion, even remaining as the only side unbeaten away from home in the Premier League, but that came crashing down against Arsenal last week.

The Lilywhites have now failed to win any of their last three outings, shipping a total of 11 goals in that time – with five coming against PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday.

As a result, the hierarchy have since been targeting added reinforcements for the January transfer window to try and bolster Frank’s current first-team squad.

Spurs’ hunt for added reinforcements in January

During the past couple of weeks, Spurs have been targeting a move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo – with the Ghanaian seen as the perfect man to improve the frontline.

He’s already scored six times and registered three assists in the Premier League this campaign, leading to interest from other sides such as Arsenal and Liverpool.

However, his asking price has already been revealed, with the 25-year-old available for £65m as his release clause becomes active from the start of 2026.

He’s not the only player currently in their sights, with Juventus centre-back Gleison Bremer a defensive option being targeted ahead of the upcoming window.

According to TuttoJuve, Frank’s men are “ready to make” a €40m (£35m) bid for the Brazilian, who has been restricted to just four Serie A appearances this campaign.

The report states that the Lilywhites see the 28-year-old as the perfect option to bolster their backline, but it’s unclear if his current employers will sanction his transfer.

Why Spurs’ £35m target would be an upgrade on Romero

After Frank’s appointment in the summer, the Dane made a swift decision to create a leadership group that would lead Spurs forward under his guidance in North London.

Centre-back Cristian Romero was named as one of the players in the aforementioned group, with the Argentine wearing the armband in every game he’s featured in.

Whilst many have heaped praise on the 27-year-old in recent times, he’s endured somewhat of a slump in form over recent weeks – as seen by the club’s poor defensive record.

He was even responsible for two of PSG’s goals on Wednesday night, as he gave the ball to Pape Sarr in a dangerous position, before blocking Vitinha’s shot with his hand – resulting in a penalty for the hosts.

His underlying stats have also taken a hit as a result in recent weeks, which has led to numerous areas becoming a cause for concern to the manager and his staff.

When comparing Romero’s stats to those of Bremer in 2025/26 to date, the Brazilian has managed to better his fellow South American in key areas – highlighting why he’d be an upgrade on the Lilywhites defender.

Bremer, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by Matteo Bonetti, has completed more of the passes he’s attempted, whilst also notching more key passes per 90.

Games played

4

10

Goals & assists

2

1

Pass accuracy

89%

88%

Key passes

0.8

0.2

% of tackles won

90%

76%

Clearances made

5.8

3.7

Recoveries made

4.7

3.7

Aerials won

68%

66%

Such numbers highlight his incredible ball-playing ability, with such numbers handing Frank an added option to play out from the back and through the thirds when needed.

He’s also won more of the tackles he’s entered in 2025/26, whilst making more clearances per 90 – offering the needed defensive quality the side has lacked in recent weeks.

Other numbers, such as a higher aerial success rate and more recoveries made, highlight his all-round dominance without the ball – with Bremer looking like an incredible addition at £35m.

Such a move may feel somewhat harsh on Romero, but ultimately, it’s clear that the hierarchy have identified a player who is a level above the Argentine international.

If the board can complete a deal for Bremer, it would be a superb deal and one that could finally hand Frank the answer to their recent struggles in the defensive third.

As bad as Romero: Frank must instantly drop 5/10 Spurs flop after PSG

Thomas Frank will have some huge calls to make on some players after Tottenham Hotspur’s latest defeat.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 27, 2025

Newcastle United now hold strong interest in signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, who has received high praise from England manager Thomas Tuchel.

Alan Shearer recently spoke about just how happy he is Anderson has been able to kick on since leaving his boyhood club due to PSR issues, saying: “It was the best thing. Although it was tough for Newcastle and it wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for PSR.

“But it was the best thing that happened to him, to get out and play. He wasn’t going to get in Newcastle’s midfield. You’ve got to give him credit. He wouldn’t be far away now [from getting in Newcastle’s midfield], I agree with that.”

With the likes of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes to choose from, Eddie Howe has some quality midfielders at his disposal, but it will no doubt be frustrating to have lost their academy graduate, who has since gone on to attract attention from a number of Premier League clubs.

The likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been credited with an interest in the Whitley Bay-born midfielder, and reliable reporter John Percy has now dropped an update on his future at Forest…

Newcastle hold strong interest in signing Elliot Anderson

According to Percy, Newcastle now hold strong interest in signing Anderson, but would-be suitors will have to spend big to get a deal done, with the Tricky Trees looking to hold out for over £100m, including installments.

Sean Dyche’s side are unwilling to sanction a departure this winter under any circumstances, meaning a move will have to wait until next summer, at which point the central midfielder will be in high demand, with Man United also very keen.

The Telegraph report also relays comments from England boss Tuchel, who said: “Anderson is a key player for us at the moment,

“He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, that’s why he is with us and starting for us.

“He is an elite player with the right attitude and a lot of talent.”

The 23-year-old has emerged as an important player for the Three Lions as of late, recently putting in a solid display as Tuchel’s side cruised to a 2-0 victory against Serbia in their penultimate World Cup qualifier.

As such, while it will sting to shell out around £100m for a former youth player, Newcastle should definitely pursue Anderson next summer, particularly considering there are now doubts over Joelinton’s future…

Newcastle hold internal talks to sign Ederson amid Joelinton concerns

Newcastle now hold internal talks to sign Ederson amid Joelinton concerns

The Magpies are looking to upgrade their midfield, as there are now doubts over the Brazil international.

1

By
Dominic Lund

Nov 5, 2025

The role of a central defender has changed over time, with those at the very top now not just world-class in the air and in a tackle, but also brilliant in possession with the ball at their feet.

The new generation of centre-backs are crucial to their team’s build-up play and, in some cases, pass more than most midfielders, but who is the best in the world at the back at this moment in time?

Ranking factors

To help rank the centre-backs in order, we have considered the following criteria:

Current form – how well a player has been performing Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their team Role – how unique their skillset is Reputation – what others are saying about them

Top 15 centre-backs in the world

Rank

Player

Age

Club

Nation

1

Virgil van Dijk

34

Liverpool

Netherlands

2

Gabriel Magalhaes

27

Arsenal

Brazil

3

Alessandro Bastoni

26

Inter Milan

Italy

4

William Saliba

24

Arsenal

France

5

Pau Cubarsi

18

Barcelona

Spain

6

Marc Guehi

25

Crystal Palace

England

7

Ruben Dias

28

Man City

Portugal

8

Marquinhos

31

PSG

Brazil

9

Dean Huijsen

20

Real Madrid

Spain

10

Alessandro Buongiorno

26

Napoli

Italy

11

Josko Gvardiol

23

Man City

Croatia

12

Dayot Upamecano

27

Bayern Munich

France

13

Eder Militao

27

Real Madrid

Brazil

14

Antonio Rudiger

32

Real Madrid

Germany

15

Willian Pacho

24

PSG

Ecuador

15 Willian Pacho PSG and Ecuador

Willian Pacho has gone from strength to strength after joining PSG from Frankfurt in 2024 and now appears to be a regular at the Parc des Princes.

The Ecuador international is still only 23 years of age and has been described as the ‘wall nobody saw coming’ next to Marquinhos.

The €40m fee PSG paid for Pacho is now looking like a smart piece of business, with the player’s market value already increasing to €65m.

Willian Pacho: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Champions League

2025

Ligue 1

2025

UEFA Super Cup

2025

French Cup

2025

French Super Cup

2025

Belgian Pro League

2023

Belgian Cup

2023

Belgian Super Cup

2023

Copa Sudamericana

2019

Ecuadorian Serie A

2021

14 Antonio Rudiger Real Madrid and Germany

Antonio Rudiger has gone from strength to strength after joining Real Madrid from Chelsea back in 2022, so much so that he was linked with a return to Stamford Bridge.

Over the last 18 months, Rudiger has been praised by Carlo Ancelotti and Mesut Ozil, who have said the German “is playing at his best” and in his “prime”.

However, he has missed the majority of the 2025/26 season so far with a hamstring injury which has dropped him down the rankings.

Antonio Rudiger: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

La Liga

2024

Champions League

2021, 2024

Europa League

2019

FA Cup

2018

Copa del Rey

2023

FIFA Club World Cup

2022, 2023

UEFA Super Cup

2021, 2022, 2024

FIFA Intercontinental Cup

2024

Spanish Super Cup

2024

Confederations Cup

2017

13 Eder Militao Real Madrid and Brazil

Dropping down the list due to serious injuries in recent years is Real Madrid’s Eder Militao. The Brazilian was dubbed the “best in the world” at the back by Carlo Ancelotti in 2023 and has won multiple honours at the Bernabeu since 2019.

At the age of 27, Militao should still have plenty of high-level years ahead of him and will be looking to remain fit over the coming seasons.

Eder Militao: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Champions League

2022, 2024

La Liga

2020, 2022, 2024

Copa America

2019

Copa del Rey

2023

FIFA Club World Cup

2023

UEFA Super Cup

2022, 2024

FIFA Intercontinental Cup

2024

Spanish Super Cup

2020, 2022, 2024

12 Dayot Upamecano Bayern Munich and France

Transformed into Bayern Munich’s Mr. Reliable under Vincent Kompany has been Dayot Upamecano, who has partnered Kim Min-jae at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund has said in 2025 that the Frenchman “has become a leader” who “plays strongly and consistently at a high level.” At the age of 26, Upamecano appears to be entering his prime.

Dayot Upamecano: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Nations League

2021

Bundesliga

2022, 2023, 2025

Austrian Bundesliga

2016, 2017

Austrian Cup

2016, 2017

German Super Cup

2021, 2022

11 Josko Gvardiol Man City and Croatia

Josko Gvardiol stars as a centre-back and sometimes as a left-back for Man City and Croatia.

Used as a centre-back in the Nations League for his country, Gvardiol turned out centrally under Pep Guardiola in the latter stages of the 2024/25 season, with City winning five out of six Premier League games with the 23-year-old at the heart of the defence.

Josko Gvardiol: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Premier League

2024

HNL

2020, 2021

FIFA Club World Cup

2024

UEFA Super Cup

2023

DFB-Pokal

2021, 2022

Community Shield

2024

Croatian Cup

2021

Croatian Super Cup

2019

10 Alessandro Buongiorno Napoli and Italy

At the top of his game with a career-high €45m Transfermarkt valuation is Napoli and Italy’s Alessandro Buongiorno.

The 25-year-old is “extraordinary in one-on-one situations” and has been key for Napoli under Antonio Conte, winning the Serie A title in 24/25. Should his rapid rise continue, Buongiorno could climb up this list in years to come.

9 Dean Huijsen Real Madrid and Spain

One of the most in-demand defenders of the 2025 summer transfer window was Dean Huijsen, with Real Madrid winning the race to sign the Spaniard from AFC Bournemouth.

Wanted all across Europe, Huijsen starred in the Premier League after leaving Juventus and Tiago Pinto even said he “will be the best central defender in the world in two years”.

Dean Huijsen: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Coppa Italia

2024

8 Marquinhos PSG and Brazil

Paris Saint-Germain icon Marquinhos has been leading a new generation of stars at the Parc des Princes under Luis Enrique and has still remained at an extremely high level himself.

Now 31, Marquinhos continues to be a regular in a young PSG side and even became the first player in the club’s history to start 100 matches for PSG in the Champions League.

Marquinhos: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Ligue 1

2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025

Copa America

2019

Champions League

2025

Coupe de France

2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2024

Coupe de la Ligue

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020

French Super Cup

2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025

Copa Libertadores

2012

7 Ruben Dias Man City and Portugal

Ruben Dias is coming up to five years as a Man City player and continues to be a regular under Pep Guardiola, with Transfermarkt having the Portugal starvalued at €65m.

Rated as good as Virgil van Dijk by Jamie Carragher 12 months ago, Dias’ displays have dipped slightly at the Etihad in 2024/25, however, there is no denying his quality.

Ruben Dias: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

Premier League

2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Nations League

2019

Champions League

2023

FA Cup

2023

League Cup

2021

UEFA Super Cup

2023

Community Shield

2024

FIFA Club World Cup

2024

Liga Portugal

2019

Portuguese Super Cup

2020

6 Marc Guehi Crystal Palace and England

Marc Guehi is becoming one of the most in-demand centre-backs in world football after his move to Liverpool from Crystal Palace collapsed in the summer of 2025.

Now a regular for England and starring at Selhurst Park, Guehi is on course to become a free agent in 2026 and is being linked with the biggest clubs in Europe.

It shows just how good Guehi has been under Oliver Glasner, lifting the FA Cup and Community Shield with Palace in 2025.

Marc Guehi: Major titles won

Trophy

Years won

FA Cup

2025

Community Shield

2025