In stark contrast to this time last international break, the mood around Arsenal is incredibly positive.

Mikel Arteta’s side are unbeaten in the Champions League, and more importantly than that, sit atop the Premier League table a point clear of Liverpool.

Moreover, it’s not as if the Gunners have ground their way to the top, as they have not only conceded fewer goals but also scored one more than the Reds.

Mikel Arteta has his side playing fun, exciting football. Yet, even though you might expect Martin Odegaard or Eberechi Eze to be their most creative players, it’s someone else who holds that title at the moment – someone far more surprising.

Odegaard vs Eze last season

Before getting to the player currently leading the team in a creative sense this season, it’s worth looking back at how the club’s chief creators got on last year.

Eze was still plying his trade with Crystal Palace at the time, and ended up having the season of his life, scoring 14 goals and providing 11 assists in 43 appearances.

In contrast, Odegaard was only able to amass a tally of six goals and 12 assists in 45 appearances for the Gunners, in a season in which some in the fan base felt like he underachieved.

However, when taking a look at their underlying numbers from last season, which midfielder ends up looking like the better creator?

Well, it might come as something of a surprise to many, given the way their respective campaigns were viewed, but when it comes to purely creative metrics, it’s the Norwegian who came out on top last year.

Progressive Passes

9.11

3.37

Progressive Carries

3.54

2.40

Expected Assists

0.25

0.16

Key Passes

2.36

2.01

Passes into the Final Third

4.61

1.70

Passes into the Penalty Area

2.85

1.35

Shot-Creating Actions

4.73

4.69

Goal-Creating Actions

0.69

0.35

Successful Take-Ons

0.95

2.33

For example, across all competitions, he performed better in various aspects, including progressive passes and carries, expected assists, passes into the penalty area, key passes, and more, all per 90.

Now, there are likely a couple of reasons why he performed so much better than the Englishman, such as the team they both played for and the fact that that Oliver Glasner relied on his former star to be more of a goalscorer. However, these numbers still prove Odegaard is a creative tour de force.

With all that said, neither he nor Eze top the list of creative Arsenal players this season.

Arsenal's most creative player this season

So, with Eze and Odegaard already out of the running, you might have expected Bukayo Saka to be Arsenal’s most creative player this season, or maybe even Noni Madueke before he went down injured.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, you’d once again be wrong. Moreover, even though Declan Rice tops the list for chances created in the Premier League, that is primarily down to his set-pieces.

With all that said, who has been Arteta’s chief creator this season?

Surprisingly, it’s been Jurrien Timber, who, according to Squawka, has created the most chances from open play in the entire team this season, clocking up eight chances at the time of writing.

The Gunners’ “game-changing signing,” as dubbed by respected analyst Ben Mattinson, has been exactly that so far this season, marrying his most monstrous defensive displays with this newfound creativity.

Perhaps the best display of this came in the game against Newcastle United, as he not only kept the Toon quiet on his side of the pitch but also continuously got forward to help create chances for his team.

It’s not just the eye test where the Dutchman impresses, though, as his underlying numbers really help to demonstrate just how complete he is as a player.

Goals

0.34

Top 2%

Goals + Assists

0.52

Top 2%

Non-Penalty Goals

0.34

Top 2%

xG: Expected Goals

0.31

Top 2%

npxG: Non-Penalty xG

0.31

Top 2%

Progressive Passes

6.38

Top 2%

Shots on Target

0.86

Top 2%

Passes into Penalty Area

2.07

Top 2%

Through Balls

0.86

Top 2%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.28

Top 2%

SCA (Shot)

0.69

Top 2%

GCA (Shot)

0.17

Top 2%

GCA (Fouls Drawn)

0.17

Top 2%

Tackles Won

2.41

Top 2%

Tackles (Mid 3rd)

1.55

Top 2%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

1.03

Top 2%

Tkl+Int

5.34

Top 2%

Touches (Att 3rd)

23.10

Top 2%

Penalty Kicks Won

0.17

Top 2%

According to FBref, he sits in the top 2% of full-backs in the Premier League for actual and expected non-penalty goals, shot-creating actions, progressive passes and tackles, the top 7% for total shots and pass completion, the top 11% for touches in the opposition’s penalty area and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, even though he doesn’t get quite as much attention as some of the other stars in the team, Timber is undoubtedly one of Arsenal’s most important and now creative players.

Arsenal can fix Odegaard blow by starting their "best attacker" in new role

The exceptional Arsenal star can help solve Mikel Arteta’s Martin Odegaard problem by playing in a new position.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Oct 9, 2025

Chris Richards was one of the notable absences from the USMNT roster announced Thursday, and Charlie Davies says tensions between Crystal Palace and U.S. Soccer might have been a factor. Palace manager Oliver Glasner publicly criticized the U.S. for playing the centerback in both October friendlies when he was supposedly dealing with an injury.

Getty Images Sport'Due to how much Chris Richards was played'

Davies, the former USMNT star, pointed to Glasner's comments, but also suggested that the Crystal Palace manager contradicted himself by playing Richards extensively after the complaints. USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino played Richards in both October friendlies.

"You can’t reference a calf issue when you’re playing 90 minutes, I’m sorry… If it doesn’t prevent you from playing club football, then you certainly should be called into the national team camp," Davies said on CBS's Call It What You Want Podcast. "Of course [it’s an issue] with Oli Glasner and U.S. manager Pochettino from the last camp due to how much Chris Richards was played."

Glasner shared his frustrations that the U.S. ignored his request to rest the 25-year-old prior to matches against Ecuador and Australia.

“My only complaint is the U.S. team didn’t talk to us because Chris was struggling with his calf for many weeks,” the Palace manager said last week. “We talked to them and said he should rest as they were just friendlies. But they played him twice, every single minute. That’s a little bit disappointing. On the other side, we’ve tried to manage his minutes here, resting him against AEK Larnaca, but you can’t cheat your body."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportNo rest on the club side

Despite Glasner's concerns, Richards has played 90 minutes in all three of Palace's matches since his return. Davies said Richards should have been selected for the Pochettino's November camp.

"Fun fact though, Chris Richards went back to Crystal Palace and didn’t miss a game," Davies said. "He played in every match. That’s what I’m struggling to understand. If Chris Richards had gotten injury or came back injured from the national team, then you’d say, ‘Hey that’s uncalled for, you did this to him because you didn’t manage his minutes.' But that’s not what happened." 

Getty Images Sport'We want to win'

Pochettino, for his part, chose to focus on the opportunities presented to other players in the November camp.

"We want to win and, for sure, we are going to give the possibility to different players and the chances to perform, and maybe to present the possibility for them to be called in the future," Pochettino told reporters on Thursday after revealing the roster. "We want to give the opportunity in international duty to give experiences to some players, because you never know what can happen before we announce to the world the roster for the World Cup."

Mark McKenzie (Toulouse FC), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Joe Scally (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Auston Trusty (Celtic) are among the players who could feature at centerback in the November camp. 

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Looking ahead

The U.S. kick off their final two matches of 2025 with a match against Paraguay on Nov. 15, and will then play Uruguay on Nov. 18.

They have a chance to win the T20I series, while SL will look for amends after being bowled out for 94

Mohammad Isam15-Jul-2025

Bangladesh levelled the series with a big win in Dambulla•Associated Press

Big Picture: Sri Lanka out to stop Bangladesh’s comebackBangladesh have twice levelled with Sri Lanka on the white-ball leg of this tour. They failed to keep the momentum in the ODI series after winning the second game, and crashed in the third encounter by nearly 100 runs. Bangladesh have now set up the T20I series similarly, by winning the second game to make it 1-1. Now’s the chance to make amends.Bangladesh’s 83-run win against Sri Lanka in the last game was only their second T20I victory in eight games in 2025. But they did get a good idea of their best approach in the format: a team-wide performance rather than bank on individual brilliance. In a team lacking superstars in any format, they have to build a unit with several performers.Litton Das returning to form will certainly encourage the team. The Bangladesh T20I captain struck 76 off 50, his first half-century after 13 innings. The numbers might suggest he played an anchor role but he was attacking in both partnerships with Towhid Hridoy and Shamim Hossain. Bangladesh will look for a similar approach, with at least two or three sizeable partnerships, and a big finish to their batting innings.Related

Salahuddin: 'I have no ego; if someone better comes along, it's for the team'

Litton, Shamim lead Bangladesh's rout of Sri Lanka

'I have to do it every day' – Shamim on mixing the mercurial with the mundane

The action now returns to the R Premadasa Stadium where in the night games the pitch currently has a batting-first score similar to that of the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Bangladesh wouldn’t mind the familiarity.Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have to bounce back from getting bowled out for 94, their lowest T20I total at home. They could take a leaf out of their ODI series playbook when they lost the second game, but then roared back with a victory. For that to happen, they would need their top order to step up again, the way Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka set up their first T20I win.Captain Charith Asalanka has to also ensure his XI is balanced and not too lopsided with bowling options. He would also expect runs from Kusal Perera and Avishka Fernando, while the likes of Dasun Shanaka and Chamika Karunaratne have to contribute with the bat. Asalanka has been missing Wanindu Hasaranga, as legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay hasn’t quite delivered in the series so far.Bangladesh’s spinners, though, will keep posing a challenge. Rishad Hossain had a three-wicket haul after a seven-month gap in T20Is. It is shaping up to be a climactic tour finale for both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.Form guideSri Lanka LWWLL (Last five completed T20Is, the most recent first)
Bangladesh WLLLLKusal Mendis has been in fine form across formats against Bangladesh•AFP/Getty Images

In the spotlight: Kusal Mendis and Towhid HridoyKusal Mendis has been Sri Lanka’s standout performer in the last four weeks across formats. The most admirable part of his batting has been his pacing in each format. He tore into Bangladesh’s attack in the first T20I in Pallekele, making light work of the 155 target. His 8 in the second game therefore came as a surprise, particularly when he was run-out running languidly. Kusal has the opportunity to sign off on this tour emphatically.Towhid Hridoy made just 31 in Bangladesh’s win in Dambulla but he provided crucial support to Litton in their third-wicket stand. Hridoy has a middle-order role that requires him to bat in different gears, similar to Mushfiqur Rahim’s for much of his white-ball career. Hridoy is therefore filling into big shoes, while also growing as a cricketer. Increasingly, opposition bowling attacks are taking him seriously enough to look for holes in his batting. Hridoy has all the shots in the game, though sometimes his choice and timing of those shots get him into trouble.Team news: Sri Lanka may need batting depthSri Lanka could bring in Dunith Wellalage in place of Chamika Karunaratne, while Avishka Fernando’s place is under the scanner.Sri Lanka (probable XI): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kusal Perera 4 Avishka Fernando, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Chamika Karunaratne/Dunith Wellalage, 8 Maheesh Theekshana, 9 Jeffrey Vandersay, 10 Binura Fernando, 11 Nuwan ThusharaLitton Das finding form will encourage Bangladesh•AFP/Getty Images

Bangladesh are likely to go with the same team that helped them level the series.Bangladesh (probable XI): 1 Parvez Hossain Emon, 2 Tanzid Hasan, 3 Litton Das (capt, wk), 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 6 Shamim Hossain, 7 Jaker Ali, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin, 9 Rishad Hossain, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur RahmanPitch and conditions: Bowling first a no-brainerThe side batting first in night matches has lost nine out of the last ten T20Is at the R Premadasa Stadium. The average batting first score in these ten matches has been 125 runs, much lower than Pallekele and Dambulla where the first two T20Is were played. There are forecasts of some rain in the evening too.Stats and trivia: Good omens for Bangladesh Sri Lanka’s 94 all out against Bangladesh is their lowest T20I total at home. The previous lowest was 99 against Pakistan in Hambantota in 2012. Bangladesh snapped a six-match losing streak with their 83-run win in Dambulla. This was their sixth losing streak of six T20Is or more. The R Premadasa Stadium is among Bangladesh’s favourite overseas venues in T20Is, having won three out of seven matches there.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced plans to establish and spearhead (FECA), a regional body that will “act as a collaborative platform to coordinate the exponential growth of cricket” across North, Central, and South America.The move comes following CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow’s visit to Lima, Peru, highlighting the board’s commitment to expand the sport beyond the Caribbean. CWI is set to assume a parental role in FECA as the only ICC Full Member in the region.”This marks a pivotal step in advancing cricket across the Americas,” Shallow said in a statement. “Cricket West Indies embraces its responsibility not only to the Caribbean but to the wider region. We recognise the importance of structure, collaboration, and a unified vision to unlock the immense potential that exists throughout the Americas.”CWI’s chief executive officer, Chris Dehring, highlighted the importance of growing the game in countries such as Brazil, Mexico and Argentina, among others. According to the CWI release, there are currently 72,000 registered players in Brazil alone.”Our efforts to expand cricket must redound positively to each country under our remit,” he said. “This growth will not only uplift national programmes, but will also strengthen West Indies cricket by broadening our base, increasing opportunities, and deepening our regional relevance.”With the emergence and development of cricketing hubs in areas such as Brazil, with 72,000 registered players – most of them women under professional contracts – along with Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina, this region is ripe for meaningful engagement.”Currently, two youth teams from the USA are part of CWI’s Rising Stars Under-19 Tournament in St. Kitts, while USA national players such as Aaron Jones, Ali Khan and Shayan Jahangir have been part of the CPL.In addition, four senior teams from the Caribbean will travel to Lima to participate in the Bolivarian Games, which could prove to be an entry point into the South American sporting structure. Cricket is set to feature in the 2027 Pan American Games, where the Caribbean nations with Olympic accreditation will compete.

تحدث الألماني فلوريان فيرتز، لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي ليفربول عن مباراة ريال مدريد وظهوره بمستوى رائع في مركزه الجديد الذي لعب فيه خلال تلك المواجهة.

وحقق ليفربول فوزًا مهمًا على ريال مديد بهدف نظيف في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وقال فيرتز، في تصريحات عبر الموقع الرسمي لليفربول: “أعتقد أن مباراة ريال مدريد تُساعدنا على استعادة الطاقة اللازمة، وستكون على نفس المستوى يوم الأحد، أعتقد أنها كانت اختبارًا جيدًا ونحن مستعدون للمنافسة مجددًا”.

وأكمل: “أعتقد أننا امتلكنا العقلية الصحيحة منذ البداية، كنا جيدين في المواجهات الثنائية، وبذلنا جهدًا كافيًا على أرض الملعب لمنافسة ريال مدريد، وأعتقد أن هذا كان مفتاح الفوز، أننا كنا ننافس بقوة على مستوى عالي وكان من الجيد أن نقدم أداءً جيدًا على أرض الملعب”.

وأردف: “لقد تحدثت بالطبع مع زملائي في الفريق وأخبروني أنها ستكون مباراة صعبة لأنهم (مانشستر سيتي) يحتفظون بالكرة كثيرًا وعليك أن تركض كثيرًا، هم يمرون بفترة جيدة، وقد عدنا أيضًا، وأعتقد أنها ستكون مباراة جيدة، علينا استغلال فرصنا ووضع خطة جيدة للمباراة”.

وأضاف فيرتز: “أعتقد أن الفوز مرتين متتاليتين وشباك نظيفة رفعت من معنويات ليفربول بعد سلسلة صعبة من النتائج، وأعتقد أن هذا كان مهمًا للغاية أيضًا لمجموعتنا، وللنادي بأكمله، وللأجواء، وفي الملعب أيضًا”.

اقرأ أيضًا | جوارديولا: كنت أتمنى منافسة أحد المدربين في الدوري الإنجليزي

وأردف: “نحن سعداء حقًا لأننا تمكنا من الفوز مرتين الآن ونأمل أن نفوز مرة أخرى في نهاية الأسبوع ثم ندخل فترة التوقف الدولي بشعور جيد”.

واستطرد: “لابد لي أن أقول أن أجواء مباراة ريال مدريد كانت الأكثر جنونًا منذ وصولي إلى هنا، لقد استمتعت بها حقًا وكيف احتفل الجمهور بكل حركة قمنا بها، وأنا ممتن جدًا لدعمهم لنا، أتطلع إلى المزيد من الليالي المشابهة”.

وتابع عن تغير مركزه في تلك المباراة: “استمتعت باللعب في المقام الأول لأنني لم أكن متأكدًا من قدرتي على اللعب، لذلك كنت سعيدًا بقدرتي على اللعب، أختار المركز الذي يريده المدرب مني”.

وكشف: “بالطبع أنا على دراية بهذا المركز ولكن يمكنني أيضًا اللعب في المنتصف أو في مركز صانع الألعاب أو على اليسار، وأحاول دائمًا تقديم أفضل ما لدي وأن أكون مهمًا للفريق”.

واسترسل: “أعتقد أنني أتمتع بتواصل جيد مع زملائي في الملعب، بالطبع لم أعد ألعب بنفس الأداء لكنني أحاول بذل قصارى جهدي في كل مباراة، هذا ما أفعله دائمًا وأنا سعيد بقدرتي على خلق بعض الفرص”.

وأتم: “نأمل أن نتمكن من تسجيل المزيد من الأهداف خلال الأسابيع والأشهر المقبلة، ولكنني أحاول فقط مساعدة الفريق من خلال نقاط قوتي”.

MatériaMais Notícias

O desafio de Lúcio Flávio em ajeitar o Botafogo e fazê-lo engrenar rumo ao título brasileiro não se restringirá à equipe titular. Prestes a ter um período intenso de jogos, o Alvinegro precisará contar também com opções em boas condições para se manter em alto nível nesta caminhada.

Em meio à rotina de treinos táticos e técnicos no CT Lonier, o comandante vem deixando os demais atletas atentos para serem acionados em campo. Um dos motivos é a série de jogadores pendurados que o Botafogo tem nesta vigésima-sétima rodada.

+ Eles têm o faro! Aposte R$100 e ganhe mais de R$750 com Sané, Højlund e Chiesa na Data Fifa!

+ Sábado recheado! Aposte R$100 e ganhe mais de R$830 com combinada da Série B

+ Transforme sua paixão pelo futebol em profissão. Descubra o caminho com o curso Gestor de Futebol!

Os zagueiros Adryelson e Philipe Sampaio, o lateral-esquerdo Hugo, o meio-campista Marlon Freitas e os atacantes Victor Sá e Janderson estão com dois cartões amarelos. Além disso, o lateral Marçal e o atacante Diego Costa serão julgados pelo STJD e podem pegar um gancho.

Diante disso, especialmente os mais jovens tendem a ser apurados. Lúcio Flávio conta com seu auxiliar Joel Carli para fazer o aperfeiçoamento. O argentino conhece bem o atual elenco e, além disso, costuma ser muito receptivo em relação a quem está em começo de carreira.

O Botafogo passará por uma mudança logo que retornar a campo. No dia 18, quarta-feira, a equipe não contará com Tchê Tchê que, suspenso, dá lugar a Gabriel Pires.

Outro fator que é levado em conta é a sequência de jogos. Serão oito partidas em 25 dias. Para evitar “armadilhas” como o desgaste excessivo de jogadores, Lúcio Flávio conta com um planejamento minucioso.

Afinal, após o América-MG, no dia 18, o Glorioso enfrentará Athletico-PR, Fortaleza, Cuiabá, Palmeiras, Vasco, Grêmio e Bragantino de três em três dias. Apostando no aprimoramento físico de seus jogadores e na evolução de talismãs, o Botafogo vai a campo novamente no Independência, às 20h, contra o Coelho, quarta-feira.

We’ve got a full day of MLB on the slate, and there are plenty of ways to get in on the action. Today, I am zeroing in on two matchups: the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Milwaukee Brewers and the Hosuton Astros at the Tampa Bay Rays.  

All bets listed below present good value and can be found at DraftKings.

Let’s get to it! 

MLB Best Bets Today for Wednesday, Aug. 14

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers Predictions and Best Bets

Dodgers at Brewers over nine runs (-105)

Milwaukee Brewers ML (+100)

I’ll be backing the home dogs tonight in Milwaukee. 

Walker Buehler has not pitched since June 18 and is returning from the injured list after dealing with hip inflammation. 

Before landing on the IL, Walker had a rough start to the season with a 5.84 ERA. Buehler has not looked the same since returning from his second Tommy John surgery, and though he is 1-1 with a 1.50 ERA vs. the Brewers in his career, I’m throwing that out the window.  Milwaukee has scored three or fewer in its past four games after a four-game stretch in which it scored 42 runs.

The Brewers are due for some positive regression at home tonight in this matchup.

Yes, the Dodgers have the best record in baseball, and they have won four of the five matchups with the Brewers this season. However, the Brewers’ +98 run differential is not far behind the Dodgers’ +105, and they have a 33-24 home record.

This could turn into a slugfest, with Frankie Montas having an 8.50 ERA in four starts since the All-Star Break.

The Brewers have scored 5.91 runs per game in August, while the Dodgers have scored 5.27.  The Brewers have the better bullpen, so we will root for the Brewers to win by a run in a high-scoring affair. 

Houston Astros at Tampa Bay Rays Predictions and Best Bets

Both Teams to score 2+ runs in the First Five Innings (+160)

The Astros will be looking to win their eighth consecutive game tonight at Tropicana Field.  

Ronel Blanco will start for Houston, and though he began the season as Houston’s ace, he has started to show some signs of fatigue.  

Since the All-Star Break, Blanco has had an ERA of 5.68 compared to his 2.68 ERA before the All-Star Break.  His 3.59 walks per nine innings are the fifth-most among qualified starters this season, and his 1.34 home runs per nine rank 15th.  

Last week, in his start vs. the Rays, he allowed two earned runs before getting into trouble and exiting early.   

When Blanco does get into trouble, it's usually in the first or fifth inning. Blanco has an ERA of 4.09 in the first inning and an ERA of 4.74 in the fifth. 

The Rays will start Zack Littell at home tonight. Though Littell held the Astros to one run through six innings last week, I don’t expect the same tonight.   

Littell’s home run numbers are even higher than Blanco’s. He has allowed the 11th-most home runs per nine this season, and both Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez have been hot in August.  

Bregman has hit a home run in four consecutive games and will be looking to make it five tonight. Alvarez and Bregman are the reigning co-players of the Week in the AL and have scored 22 combined runs in the first eleven games of August. 

The Astros are averaging 2.48 runs per game in the first five this season, while the Rays are averaging 2.01.  The game total is set at eight today, and both bullpens have been excellent to start August with a combined ERA of just 2.00.   I see both teams scoring a couple early if we are getting close to eight. 

That’s enough to have me taking a chance on this plus money payout. 

The biggest bullet point on the New York Yankees' offseason checklist is retaining Juan Soto by giving him a new deal.

The Yankees took the first step by meeting with Soto on Monday in California, which included him speaking with chairman and managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman, manager Aaron Boone and senior adviser Omar Minaya. Steinbrenner said it was a "good meeting" that had "very honest back-and-forth dialogue." He didn't offer many other details. Soto told the Yankees how he thinks the team could improve in the future.

But it sounds like Steinbrenner and the rest of the Yankees front office hope to have Soto return to the Yankees lineup in 2025.

"Our fans really enjoyed having him in New York," Steinbrenner said, via ESPN's Jorge Castillo. "He's definitely a significant part of why we got to the World Series. I've got ears. I know what's expected of me. So, look, it's been a priority. We wouldn't have gone out to the West Coast if it wasn't."

Steinbrenner said he had "no idea" if the Yankees were confident in retaining Soto, but that "we'll be in the mix. I'll leave it at that."

The Yankees aren't the only team vying for a chance to sign Soto this offseason. Soto has met with the New York Mets, the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays. He is expected to meet with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers this week, and the Philadelphia Phillies are also interested in meeting with him.

Whether buying them or producing them in the academy, West Ham United have a proud history of developing some of the best talent around.

The best example of this in recent years is undoubtedly Declan Rice, as while joining a fellow London club is never ideal, he did so after captaining the side to European glory.

However, not every promising prospect goes on to fulfil their potential, as before the Englishman, the most talked about youngster at the club was probably Reece Oxford.

So, Nuno Espírito Santo will be hoping that West Ham’s latest exciting talent follows in the footsteps of Rice and not Oxford.

Where is Reece Oxford today?

Ironically, Oxford’s most memorable game as a West Ham player was his full Premier League debut, away to Arsenal in the club’s opening game of the 2015/16 season.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The young Englishman, who was just 16 years old at the time, started in the middle of the park and was given what seemed to be the impossible task of stopping a Gunners’ team that included the likes of Mesut Özil, Santi Cazorla and an in-form Aaron Ramsey.

Yet, instead of being made to look foolish, he helped the Hammers to a famous 2-0 victory, and was described as having “everything” by then manager Slaven Bilic at full-time.

However, even after putting in such an incredible showing and being looked at as the club’s “main talent” at the time, per an interview with former West Ham trainee Lewis Page, the teenager would only go on to make another 11 first-team appearances that season, and then go on loan to Reading midway through the following campaign.

Unfortunately, injuries kept him to just five appearances for the Royals, and after two more underwhelming loan spells in Germany, he was finally sold to Bundesliga side Augsburg in the summer of 2019.

Oxford’s senior career
Club	Games	Goals	Assists
Augsburg	80	3	2
West Ham	17	0	0
Mönchengladbach	8	0	0
Reading	5	0	0
All Stats via Transfermarkt

Initially, things started to look up for the youngster: while he wasn’t playing every week, he was getting more action than before. But it wouldn’t last, as injuries reared their ugly heads once again.

Then a severe case of long COVID kept him out of first-team action from November 2022 until he left the club this summer.

Unfortunately, Oxford remains without a club today, but at 26, there is still a chance he can find his way back into the game. So, with all that said, West Ham will be hoping their latest talent can follow more in Rice’s footsteps.

West Ham's biggest talent since Rice and Oxford

The good news for West Ham fans is that there are several exciting U21 players in the current squad, like Callum Marshall and Oliver Scarles, but the most promising has to be Luis Guilherme.

The 19-year-old joined the Hammers from Brazilian outfit Palmeiras last summer for a fee of around £25.5m, and while that is a lot for such a young player, it might prove to be a bargain in the future.

For example, one of his best traits is that while he is primarily looked at as a right-winger, he’s more than capable of playing all over the pitch, from attacking midfield to left-wing and even up top or as a second-striker.

Moreover, even though the goal involvements have not exactly flowed freely so far, those in the know are incredibly excited about his attacking potential.

According to respected analyst Ben Mattinson, while the Brazilian gem doesn’t take enough shots, when he does, they are of a “high calibre.”

Furthermore, the more Nuno uses him and the more comfortable he becomes in the English game, the more exciting the Hammers could become.

This is because, according to Mattinson, the “electric” winger is a player who “thrives on transitions” and can “turn past players with ease” thanks to his “elite ball manipulation,” which sounds like a player fans would want to watch.

Finally, while he might not hit the levels of a Dimitri Payet, he could bring some of the trickery and mazy runs the Frenchman was famous for back to the London Stadium.

At least that is what it sounds like when Mattinson describes him as an “entertainer” who is capable of producing “match-winning moments,” be that through a “30-yard screamer” or by “taking on players.”

Ultimately, fans have not quite been able to see it over the last year, but there is a very good chance that Guilherme is West Ham’s most exciting prospect since Rice and Oxford, but only time will tell which player he emulates.

Nuno can banish Soucek from West Ham by unleashing "powerful" Irons star

The West Ham gem could help Nuno Espirito Santo pick up his first win in the Premier League.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Oct 23, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

O Grêmio recebe o Corinthians neste domingo (12), pela 34ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. A bola vai rolar a partir das 16 horas (de Brasília), na Arena do Grêmio, em Porto Alegre (RS), com transmissão da Globo, na Tv aberta, e do Premiere, na Tv fechada.

➡️ Veja tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro-2023 clicando aqui

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
GRÊMIO X CORINTHIANS
34ª RODADA – CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO

Data e horário: domingo, 12 de novembro de 2023, às 16 horas (de Brasília)
Local: Arena do Grêmio, em Porto Alegre (RS)
Onde assistir: Premiere e Globo
Arbitragem: Rodrigo Jose Pereira de Lima (árbitro); Victor Hugo Imazu dos Santos e Francisco Chaves Bezerra Júnior (auxiliares); Erico Andrade de Carvalho (quarto árbitro); Rafael Traci (VAR)

⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES
GRÊMIO (Técnico: Renato Gaúcho)
João Pedro, Bruno Alves, Kannemann e Reinaldo; Ronald, Villasanti e Carballo; Everton Galdino, Besozzi e Luis Suárez.

Desfalques: Geromel (lesão muscular)

CORINTHIANS (Técnico: Mano Menezes)
Cássio; Fagner, Gil, Lucas Veríssimo e Fábio Santos; Maycon, Moscardo, Renato Augusto, Giuliano e Ángel Romero; Yuri Alberto.

Desfalques: –

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