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Baseball Hall of Famer and Boston Red Sox legend Luis Tiant passed away this past October at the age of 83. The three-time All-Star and two-time AL ERA leader spent eight seasons in Boston, and even has a sausage stand named after him outside of Fenway Park.

"El Tiante," as he was nicknamed, was also well-known for using an elongated, over-the-head windup to deliver pitches. As such, Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale honored the late Tiant with the same motion to kick off their spring training matchup against the Red Sox on Saturday.

Here's a look:

Pretty cool, especially given that Sale played six seasons in Boston and likely crossed paths with Tiant a time or two.

WEEI Sports Radio's Rob Bradford added that Sale, "had been thinking about doing this in this start for a while," given how much Tiant meant to him, saying that he "marveled" the late pitcher's throwing motion.

Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal defender Gabriel will be unavailable for "weeks" after sustaining a thigh injury on international duty. The defender limped off during last weekend’s friendly against Senegal at the Emirates Stadium and missed the subsequent match against Tunisia. His injury now presents a significant setback for a team sitting four points clear at the top of the Premier League.

• Gabriel to sit out for an extended period

  Gabriel, 27, has been central to Arsenal’s outstanding defensive record this season, with the Gunners conceding just five league goals in 11 matches. However, his injury during the international break will be a major reason for concern for Arteta. The manager confirmed further tests will take place next Wednesday, though early indications suggest a worrying layoff.

  "Gabi is going to be out for weeks," said Arteta. "It's clearly a blow because he's our leader in our backline, and to me, it's never a positive thing. The good thing is that we have very good options, and people have to stand up now and do the job."

  Reports via indicate fears that the Brazilian could miss up to two months, ruling him out for the rest of 2025 and potentially all the way into mid-January. A best-case scenario would see him return after a month, possibly just before Christmas.

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  Hincapie and Mosquera in line to step up

  With Gabriel unavailable for Sunday’s north London derby, Arteta will turn to deputies Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera. Both defenders are under consideration for the crucial clash at the Emirates Stadium, a fixture that could have early implications for the Premier League title race. Riccardo Calafiori is also a doubt after withdrawing from Italy duty with a hip issue. The defender has not trained since returning to England, though Arteta confirmed he will be evaluated in Saturday’s final session.

  "He has been carrying a few things," said Arteta. "He hasn't trained yet. Tomorrow we have another training session, let's see how he is."

  Before the international break, Arteta was already without Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke and Gabriel Jesus. Arteta has hinted that several of those could return soon, but timing remains uncertain. Odegaard is expected back in early December, while Jesus is on track to return in January following ACL recovery.

• Tottenham receive huge boost before the derby

  In stark contrast to Arsenal’s growing injury list, Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank delivered a series of positive updates ahead of Sunday’s derby. Spurs will welcome back Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Randal Kolo Muani, all of whom trained on Friday and are available for selection. Sarr suffered a scare while on international duty with Senegal after limping off against Brazil, while Bergvall had withdrawn from the Sweden squad following further concussion checks. Kolo Muani, meanwhile, missed France’s qualifiers after picking up an injury in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United, but will feature against Arsenal wearing a protective mask. Mohammed Kudus, who missed Spurs’ last two matches, is also in contention to return.

  "Pape trained today,” Frank said. "He's ready, available. Lucas trained today. Ready, available. Kolo Muani, yes. Trained today. Available, of course, has a mask [he] needs to play with."

  Frank did, however, rule out Dominic Solanke, who is still recovering from an ankle injury that has plagued his season. Solanke’s last appearance came in August, and although the striker insists progress is being made, Spurs are unwilling to rush him.

  On Solanke, Frank said: "Dom is not ready yet. I think he also had an article recently where he spoke about it. So we are very, as I said, the same. Very aware that when we put him out there, we want to be absolutely sure, as sure as we can be, that no setback going forward. So I'm comfortable he will soon be ready, but I will not put a timeframe on it."

  There was further positive news for Spurs as Radu Dragusin, Archie Gray, Ben Davies and Kota Takai all returned to full training this week.

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  Derby stakes raised as Arsenal and Spurs prepare for collision

  Sunday’s derby promises to be an exciting affair as Arsenal will be battling to protect their position at the summit despite key injuries, whereas Spurs will arrive with renewed energy as major players return. For a defence built largely around Gabriel’s presence, the timing of the injury is far from ideal. If the worst-case prognosis is confirmed, he could miss 15 matches across the Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.

Manchester United are in the market for reinforcements, and INEOS may now use their negotiation powers to bring a talented midfielder through the door at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim will be the first to acknowledge that his side are a work in progress at this moment in time. However, they are now five matches unbeaten in the Premier League after their draw at Tottenham Hotspur yesterday.

From the jaws of defeat, Matthijs De Ligt secured a deserved point for Manchester United in injury time to cap off an enthralling encounter. However, the Red Devils’ Portuguese boss did confirm that Benjamin Sesko could be absent for a period after being hauled off due to an injury.

He stated post-match: “It’s the knee, and we never know. Right now, I’m not thinking about form or selection. I’m more concerned about the injury because it’s in the knee, and I don’t know how serious it is.”

Either way, a minor blot on a credible day at the office won’t distract Manchester United fans from the fact that their side appear to be headed in the right direction, finally, something that is bound to appeal when aiming to secure signings in January.

Looking towards the future, Hertha Berlin youngster Kennet Eichhorn is someone the Red Devils are keen to land, potentially filling a hole in the engine room long-term if they can see off Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona to land his signature.

La Liga is also a market Manchester United are looking to exploit by signing Barcelona winger Raphinha if they secure Champions League qualification.

Nevertheless, he could cost over £100 million. In contrast, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have eyes on a target based in Spain that could arrive in a financially advantageous deal.

Man Utd could land Valencia star Javi Guerra in cheap deal

According to reports in Spain, Manchester United could land Valencia star Javi Guerra for £21.9 million if they can see off competition from both Atletico Madrid and AC Milan for his signature.

The Spain Under-21 international has a release clause valued at £87.8 million, creating a scenario where he could end up at Old Trafford for up to £65 million less than his asking price.

Starting the campaign off, he has registered two assists in 12 appearances across all competitions for Valencia. However, they view a cut-price sale as an ideal solution for all parties due to what they believe is a drop in form from Guerra over recent months.

No longer guaranteed a starting spot, Carlos Corberan could offload the Valencia-born man, and the January window is set to become a defining point when determining his future.

Man Utd could also sign a proven striker for a bargain figure

It is an open secret that Manchester United want new midfielders, especially with Casemiro coming towards the end of his career, and Guerra could be a cost-effective solution for Amorim should he enter the market in mid-season.

Shohei Ohtani served exclusively as a designated hitter during his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, something that will change in year two when he's anticipated to return to the mound.

As for when he'll be ready to make his pitching debut for the reigning World Series champs, that much remains a bit unclear. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed Ohtani's return to the starting rotation on Monday, telling reporters at the winter meetings that it was "very unlikely" the 30-year-old would be ready to take the mound by Opening Day.

The Dodgers' Opening Day series for the 2025 season will be played in Japan and gets underway on March 18, a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. While Roberts says Ohtani will likely not be ready to pitch, he’s confident that he’ll still be able to play in the games at DH.

“I expect Shohei to be ready to hit in Japan,” Roberts said. “I don’t think he’d have it any other way. That’s our expectation.”

Roberts added that Ohtani’s return to the mound was a tricky one, as the team doesn’t want to lose him as a hitter while he amps up his preparations as a pitcher.

“I think the question is when he starts pitching In major league games, and how we build him up prior to that,” Roberts said. “I don’t see it as a minor league rehab situation. We’ve got to kind of be nimble with that one.”

Ohtani last pitched in an MLB game on Aug. 23, 2023. He underwent elbow surgery that September, which kept him off the mound for all of the '24 campaign. He's made 86 pitching appearances in his career, recording a 3.01 ERA with 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings.

Leeds United need to pick up wins in the Premier League, and fast.

The Whites’ clash with Nottingham Forest this weekend already feels like a pivotal clash when judging their campaign’s narrative so far, with another defeat pushing them closer to the relegation zone, after stumbling to a horrible 3-0 loss against Brighton and Hove Albion.

If the defeats keep piling up, Leeds could dismiss Daniel Farke, even after all his promotion heroics, with Liam Rosenior allegedly already being looked at as one possible replacement.

He can save his skin for another day if he steers Leeds to a victory at the City Ground, with the German surely tempted to drop Brenden Aaronson for this vital showdown, who is struggling to hit consistent form in the Premier League.

Aaronson's ongoing Premier League struggles

If you sat someone down and played them Aaronson’s highlight reel from Leeds’ recent 2-1 home success against West Ham United in isolation, they would surely think the American was a well-established Premier League star.

Indeed, Aaronson put in a man-of-the-match-worthy showing against Nuno Espirito Santo’s men, as a rare top-flight goal came his way.

On top of that, he also won eight ground duels, completed all three of his dribbles, and notched up two key passes for his troubles. Safe to say, he was a thorn in West Ham’s side all night long.

That’s what makes his no-show performance against Brighton the match directly after his West Ham display so much more bewildering, as Aaronson receded into his shell with zero shots or zero dribbles registered.

However, to the hardened Leeds regulars, this isn’t the greatest shock to see such a notable dip in form, with ex-Leeds player Jon Newsome once calling out Aaronson for being “lightweight” when occasionally ducking away from challenges and tussles.

Also said to not be “good enough” to be a regular at the top level by Newsome, which is backed up by that meagre one goal being his only meaningful goal contribution so far this season, he could be dropped for Leeds’ next crunch tie against Sean Dyche’s Tricky Trees.

Regularly falling victim to goalless displays in the EFL, too, Aaronson now looks to be on borrowed time as a Premier League must for Farke.

He isn’t the only figure who massively underwhelmed at the Amex, though.

Once "indispensable" Leeds star is also on borrowed time

Unfortunately, the cruel beast of the top division is sometimes a hard one to adjust to.

Thankfully, Joe Rodon has taken to his new, daunting environment well, after being in Farke’s XI week in, week out in the Championship, with two goals already collected. Fellow Welshman, Ethan Ampadu, on the other hand, has been up and down so far since promotion was sealed.

The Leeds captain is, arguably, a victim of his own success in Farke’s current set-up, with Ampadu judged as an “indispensable” part of Leeds’ midfield when promotion was being eyed up, according to talent scout Jacek Kulig.

His numbers back that up, too, with the Wales international making 4.4 ball recoveries and winning 5.1 duels on average last season, when injuries weren’t stopping him in his tracks. Rodon would manage just 4.0 and 4.3, on the contrary.

Yet, even such a well-recognised part of the German’s lineup is prone to an off-display here and there, too, as the former Chelsea man experienced away at the Seagulls.

Ampadu would only win 50% of his duels against Fabian Hurzeler’s men, with the Brighton boss perhaps even enraged that Ampadu wasn’t sent off when taking out two-goal sensation Diego Gomez in the second half, as the usually assured presence of the number four was nowhere to be seen.

With Anton Stach now at the ex-Norwich City manager’s disposal, who has won 4.7 duels this season in the Premier League – which trumps Ampadu’s own count of 4.4 – Farke might be prepared to drop Ampadu here and there for other midfield stars to shine.

After all, with his poor injury record also seeing him miss three games this season already, it’s clear that this depth will need to be utilised, with Ampadu arguably not one of the first names on the teamsheet, like he used to be.

Rarely-seen Leeds talent could be a surprise Aaronson replacement

Daniel Farke could soon surprisingly throw this Leeds United academy gem into the first team.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Nov 4, 2025

Tyler Adams has been ruled out of the USMNT's November friendlies due to injury, dealing a blow to manager Mauricio Pochettino’s plans. The Columbus Crew’s Sean Zawadzki was also withdrawn through injury. In their absence, LAFC midfielder Timmy Tillman has been called up, joining a reshuffled roster for the upcoming matches.

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  Big loss in Adams

  Adams’ absence is a blow for the USMNT, as the defensive midfielder has been a regular starter for the national team over the past five years and remains a key figure heading into 2026. Adams collided with his teammate Adam Smith in the first half of Bournemouth's Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Sunday. He remained on the pitch and completed the full 90 minutes. 

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  Tillman given his chance

  The decision offers an opportunity for Tillman, who has had relatively few chances in a USMNT shirt. After filing a one-time switch to represent the United States in 2023, he is no longer eligible for Germany and has featured just once for the U.S. since committing to the program. He’s the brother of Bayer Leverkusen star Malik Tillman, who has earned 25 caps with the national team. At club level, Tillman has been a standout for an LAFC side viewed as an MLS Cup contender, powered by a star attacking duo that includes Denis Bouanga, with a Western Conference semifinal against Vancouver looming in two weeks.

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  Pulisic also already out

  Adams' removal comes at an inopportune time for the U.S., who are already missing key players ahead of two challenging fixtures. Christian Pulisic has not been named to the roster and will remain in Milan as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. The attacking midfielder played 30 minutes for in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with struggling Parma. Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards is also absent, while Juventus’ Weston McKennie was not included in Pochettino's squad.

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  Hunting for a signature win

  The USMNT face a couple of tricky fixtures next week. First, they will square off against Paraguay on Nov. 15 in Chester, Pennsylvania. Pochettino's side will then host Uruguay in Tampa. Marcelo Bielsa's side are No. 15 in the FIFA rankings. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers secured their eighth World Series championship in franchise history earlier this week by following their scouting report that proved to be more than accurate.

The Dodgers' plan? Let the New York Yankees get in their own way.

New York Post's Joel Sherman wrote Thursday that the Dodgers considered New York to be the worst-positioned outfield in baseball heading into the World Series. But that's not all.

"What the Dodgers told their players in scouting meetings was the Yankees were talent over fundamentals," Sherman wrote. "That if you run the bases with purpose and aggression, the Yankees will self-inflict harm as was exposed by [Mookie] Betts, Tommy Edman, Freddie Freeman, etc. That the value was very high to put the ball in play to make the Yankees execute. They mentioned that the Yankees were … the majors’ worst base-running team by every metric."

All of those words rang true in the World Series.

In Game 1, for example, Shohei Ohtani took third base on an error credited to Juan Soto for a bad throw into second base. The next batter, Mookie Betts, hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring home Ohtani and tie the game 2–2. The Dodgers eventually won on Freddie Freeman's walk-off grand slam.

In Game 3, the Yankees' poor base running was on display when the not-so-speedy Giancarlo Stanton was thrown out at the plate by Teoscar Hernandez. In Game 4, rookie phenom Anthony Volpe failed to score from second base on a double off the wall.

The Yankees' mistakes really came back to haunt them in the fifth inning of Game 5. In one of the worst defensive frames in World Series history, the Yankees made three errors and allowed five runs—all unearned—to score with two outs. Aaron Judge missed a can of corn in center field, Anthony Volpe misfired a throw to third base and starting pitcher Gerrit Cole forgot to cover first base on a routine ground ball to Anthony Rizzo that should've ended the inning before a single run was scored.

The Dodgers were right: The Yankees did get in their own way, paving a path to Los Angeles hosting a championship parade at Gloria Molina Grand Park on Friday.

New York's biggest priority this offseason will be to retain superstar Juan Soto, the biggest name on the free-agent market. But another top priority should be manager Aaron Boone's squad getting back to the fundamentals that cost them a chance at a World Series title.

Chelsea's players were criticised by Qarabag manager Gurban Gurbanov for being "inattentive" in their 2-2 draw in the Champions League on Wednesday. What was expected to be a routine night for the Premier League giants quickly descended into chaos as the travelling Blues clung on to secure only one point on their travels to Azerbaijan.

• Chelsea falter despite early dominance

  For the opening 20 minutes, Chelsea looked every inch the Champions League heavyweight. After just 16 minutes, Estevao showed why he’s being talked about as the future of Stamford Bridge as he put his side in front with a sleek finish. But as the Blues’ intensity dipped and complacency crept in, Qarabag sensed blood. In the 29th minute, Camilo Duran sliced through Chelsea’s flimsy midfield and tried his luck from distance, but his effort cannoned off the post. Nonetheless, the rebound fell kindly for Leandro Andrade and he levelled the score. Six minutes before the break, Jorrel Hato conceded a penalty and Marko Jankovic converted from the spot to put the hosts in front. 

  By the interval, Maresca had seen enough. The Italian rang the changes, making three substitutions. Among those introduced was Alejandro Garnacho, and the Argentine made an instant impact. Just 12 minutes into the second half, Garnacho took matters into his own hands, driving into the box and unleashing a thunderous left-footed strike that arrowed into the bottom corner, making it 2-2. But rather than building on the equaliser, Chelsea again drifted into sloppiness. The match became wide open, paving the way to a chaotic end-to-end battle that bore no resemblance to the slick, organised football Maresca preaches.

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  Gurbanov takes a dig at Chelsea players

  After the match, Qarabag boss Gurbanov couldn’t hide his pride for his own player. 

  "First of all, I would like to congratulate our supporters," he began. "It was a magnificent day, with Victory Day (a public holiday) in several days. My players struggled and are fighters. My team showed determination until the final minutes against the champions of the world. My team were not afraid and demonstrated Azerbaijani character. They earned their first point against an English team. Of course, this result boosts confidence and our profile. This is what makes our supporters love football. Maybe Chelsea players were inattentive and didn't expect us to attack."

• Maresca unsurprised by hosts' performance

  Chelsea's starting XI, with an average age of just 23 years and 97 days, was the second youngest ever fielded by an English club in a Champions League away match. And the inexperience almost cost them the match. Maresca tried to keep his cool in the post-match press conference, but there was no hiding his frustration.

  "The big difference today for me was inside the box," he said. "The goal we conceded, they are silly goals for me. In their box, for the amount of times that we arrived, we have not been clinical enough. So this is the big difference for me."

  Maresca also gave credit to Qarabag, adding: "They are a good team, I said already a few days ago, they are a good team, they are doing well. And especially at home, it's difficult."

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  A wake-up call in Baku

  Level on points with Qarabag – seven from four games – the Blues are in real danger of being forced into a knockout play-off instead of automatic progression to the Champions League last 16. They are currently 12th in the standings with the top eight assured of a last-16 berth. And tougher tests are on the horizon. Barcelona visit Stamford Bridge later this month, while away trips to Atalanta and Napoli loom ominously.

We’ve had to wait a while, but Football Manager 2026 is finally on its way.

After a number of delays, the latest version of the iconic game will finally be released on 4 November and with it, will come a number of changes.

The changes indicate that the wait will prove more than worthwhile, with over 40 new roles coming to the game and the chance to prove that Ruben Amorim’s system really is the problem at Manchester United.

What’s more, if club football isn’t enough to seal your legacy in the dugout, then a road to glory with San Marino could now do the trick.

So, with the tactics board at the ready, which of course is set up in 4-2-3-1 gegenpress, we’ve taken a look at five changes coming to Football Manager 2026.

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Official FIFA tournaments

Forget taking the summer off on FM26, because the World Cup is calling.

For the first time ever, Football Manager will have official FIFA tournaments in a revamped international management module. The partnership will allow licensed graphics and leave players with the decision to make regarding international teams.

Will you finally bring football home for the England men’s side? Or will you pull off the impossible by getting San Marino to the World Cup and, dare it be said, much, much more?

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The introduction of women's football

The women’s game has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, so much so that England have benefitted from winning the Euros and bringing football home.

Big steps have included broadcast deals to finally add further funding to the game and a number of games at the likes of Anfield and The Emirates. At long last, these players are beginning to receive the respect that they have deserved for some time.

Now, Football Manager has taken a big step after confirming that women’s football will be introduced for the first time in FM26. They confirmed that their database will consist of more than 36,000 players and a further 5,000 non-players alongside 14 playable leagues. 2026 really is the year to become the next Emma Hayes.

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New tactical visualiser

At long last, players won’t have to wait until they’re 3-0 down within 30 minutes against a bottom-half side to realise that their system is not working. On FM26, players will be able to use the new tactical visualiser to see how their system will play out on the pitch.

It will divide the pitch into three vertical zones (defensive, middle and attacking third) and by clicking on any of the nine grids, players will be able to see how their teams move as the ball travels across the pitch both in and out of possession.

For example, when utilising an inside wing-back, players will be able to see that they move into a traditional wing-back position in the defensive third, drift inside in the midfield third and continue their central movements to support when in the attacking third.

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Premier League license

Back in June last year, the Premier League and Sports Interactive signed a multi-year licensing deal to bring official logos, kits and player photos to Football Manager. Now, over a year later, players are finally set to benefit.

The agreement should give the game a fresh new look and add that extra bit of realism. Winning the Premier League will now feel even more glorious with the official trophy awaiting to add to your list of achievements.

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Over 40 new roles

As if there weren’t enough bold ideas to choose from, FM26 will feature over 40 new roles. The ability to use both in and out of possession systems should bring a tactical evolution for many players rather than just the one, more limited role.

It’s been a long two-year wait, but the thought of finally having a midfielder to cover overlapping fullbacks may just make it all worthwhile. See you in the World Cup final, San Marino…

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has challenged Lucas Paqueta to lead the Hammers' revival after the FA formally closed its spot-fixing investigation into the Brazilian. Cleared of all major charges but sanctioned for non-cooperation, Paqueta is now being urged by his manager to embrace his No.10 role and help drag the Irons out of the relegation zone.

• Paqueta cleared of all wrongdoing in spot-fixing case

  Espirito Santo has set a clear target for Paqueta following the end of the Football Association’s lengthy spot-fixing investigation into the Brazilian midfielder. The 28-year-old was accused of deliberately picking up yellow cards in four Premier League games between 2022 and 2023 to manipulate betting markets, but an independent commission ruled the allegations “not proven,” after a 314-page review found no evidence of deliberate wrongdoing.

  Paqueta was instead reprimanded for failing to cooperate fully with the FA’s inquiry, a sanction the commission described as the 'mildest possible' and imposed without suspension or fine. He had provided limited answers during questioning on legal advice, which the panel accepted was due to stress and language barriers. The FA was ordered to pay 90% of the costs after the case collapsed, ending a two-year saga that also saw Paqueta’s £85 million move to Manchester City collapse.

  With the investigation finally over, the midfielder has publicly indicated he is committed to West Ham, despite reports linking him with a January exit. His social media post, a smiling picture in a Hammers shirt beside his children, came just hours after reports claimed he was pushing to leave. West Ham, who rejected summer offers from Aston Villa and Flamengo, are hoping Paqueta’s clearance will now spark a turnaround in form as they sit 19th in the Premier League table.

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  Espirito Santo set plans for Paqueta as West Ham continue to struggle

  Espirito Santo, speaking ahead of West Ham’s clash with Newcastle, admitted the off-field noise had affected Paqueta’s performances but insisted the Brazilian remains vital to the team. “The noise doesn’t help,” Nuno said. “Finally, it ends, but at the same time, there are rumours around. We have to protect ourselves and work in the best way. He’s going to play on Sunday and help his teammates.”

  The Portuguese coach revealed he had a personal chat with Paqueta about the responsibility that comes with his position. “I’ve spoken to him about many things. We need Lucas. I told him personally and the squad that being a No.10 is more than a number. It’s a symbol,” Nuno explained, underlining his belief that Paqueta must now lead by example. “That’s what we need from Lucas. We need him to help his teammates because they trust him. We know there is more to come from him, and we need him as a No.10.”

  Nuno also acknowledged the challenge ahead, particularly against Paqueta’s compatriots Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes. “It’s not only going to be in midfield — there are going to be battles everywhere,” he said. “But we’re going to face one of the best midfields in the Premier League. I think during the game they won’t be friends! After the game, they (Bruno and Lucas) can be friends again!”

• Paqueta remains West Ham's best shot at redemption

  The conclusion of the FA’s investigation represents a huge personal relief for Paqueta, who has endured over two years of uncertainty that derailed his career trajectory. The former Lyon playmaker was on the brink of joining Pep Guardiola’s City in August 2023 before the allegations surfaced, forcing the eight-time Premier League champions to withdraw their £85 million offer. Since then, Paqueta has remained one of West Ham’s most consistent performers, recording three goals in ten appearances this season despite the club’s poor form.

  The midfielder’s creative output has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise dire campaign, with his vision, ball progression, and pressing helping to sustain West Ham’s attacking play. His ability to dictate tempo and find pockets between the lines remains unmatched in the squad, and Espirito Santo is banking on the Brazilian's rediscovered focus to reignite the team’s midfield engine. The new boss believes that, freed from external distractions, Paqueta can finally return to the dynamic form that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after creators.

  Transfer speculation, however, refuses to fade entirely. While Aston Villa made a late approach in the summer and Flamengo remain interested in bringing their academy graduate home, West Ham have held firm. The club sees Paqueta as essential to both their Premier League survival hopes and their long-term rebuild under Nuno, who is determined to build the team around him.

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  West Ham's dreadful form could see them relegated

  Paqueta is expected to start when West Ham travel to St. James’ Park this weekend to take on Newcastle United. With the investigation settled and his manager’s full backing, Paqueta’s task is simple — deliver on the pitch and inspire a team short on confidence and consistency.

  Nuno has made clear that Paqueta’s leadership and creativity will be central to West Ham’s hopes of escaping the relegation zone. The Irons have lost seven of their first nine matches and sit four points from safety, their defence leaking 20 goals and morale at a low ebb. But with Paqueta back in focus and Nuno eager to establish discipline and clarity, the club will hope their Brazilian playmaker can transform resilience into results and begin the long climb away from the bottom three.