logo
How will Gyokeres fare in Premier League?

How will Gyokeres fare in Premier League?

BBC News28-07-2025
"I don't think he's the guy," former England defender Rio Ferdinand said of Viktor Gyokeres on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, when the striker was linked with Manchester United."I've watched him probably three times really, really closely. And three times I've gone: 'He ain't getting that opportunity in the Prem'. Is there enough - after he's physically matched - to get him a goal?"Take a glance at the list of leading goalscorers in Europe's top leagues in 2024-25 and the usual suspects are there.Gyokeres, who is 6ft 2in, managed 39, though the Primeira Liga is not considered one of the top five leagues in Europe.The question is whether Gyokeres he can be prolific in a stronger league. He has just turned 27 and is yet to play in Europe's top five divisions - hence Ferdinand's comments.It is perhaps worth noting 35% of his goals in 2024-25 came from penalties, as he successfully converted all 19 of his spot-kicks.There is little denying that Gyokeres is a goalscorer, but will he be such a success against elite-level defences?"Obviously with Arsenal's front players there's going to be competition," Bjorn Hamberg, Gyokeres' former assistant coach at Brighton and fellow Swede, told BBC Sport."I think he's committed to let go again and obviously he understands that Arsenal will be another step up in the ladder."At the same time, in his last few seasons, especially in the Champions League, you can see he is probably more prepared than ever to take that challenge on."He improves every year and normally stays fit. He's just one of those players who is good around the box, a good finisher, but he's also quite strong in transition and in big spaces."So he's quite versatile in that sense and I think that's a really big thing in the Premier League."Read more on Viktor Gyokeres
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Liverpool v Athletic Club kick off times, TV channel, how to watch and team news
Liverpool v Athletic Club kick off times, TV channel, how to watch and team news

Metro

time10 minutes ago

  • Metro

Liverpool v Athletic Club kick off times, TV channel, how to watch and team news

Liverpool continue their pre-season preparation on Monday with an unusual double-header at Anfield against Athletic Club. The Reds have faced varied opposition so far this summer, beating Preston, Stoke and Yokohama FM and losing to AC Milan. They are now back at their home ground for their final outings before the Community Shield against Crystal Palace at Wembley on August 10. It will be interesting to see how Liverpool boss Arne Slot deploys his players over the two matches, which start at 5pm and 8pm on Merseyside. New signings Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili have all featured in pre-season already and Reds fans will be able to see them in action on Monday evening. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – click here and sign up before Friday to make sure you don't miss the first edition. Athletic are staying in England after these contests with Liverpool, taking on Arsenal in north London on Saturday. They get their La Liga campaign underway on Sunday August 17 against Sevilla in Bilbao. The back-to-back games are played at 5pm and 8pm on Monday August 4 at Anfield. The games will be shown live on LFCTV which you can sign up to watch here. Alisson Becker has missed some pre-season action this season due to 'private reasons' which saw him return to Brazil. Joe Gomez has also been dealing with a minor injury and may not be involved. Liverpool's string of new signings are all available to be involved in the two games. More Trending Athletic Club confirmed their squad for the games: Unai Simón, Padilla, Santos, Gorosabel, Vivian, I. Lekue, Yuri, Adama, Duñabeitia, Areso, De Luis, Johaneko, Vesga, O. Sancet, Galarreta, Jauregizar, Unai G., Prados, Rego Vencedor, Canales, Berenguer, Williams, Williams Jr, Robert Navarro, Nico Serrano, Adu Ares, Guruzeta, Maroan & Izeta. Speaking ahead of the first game at Anfield since Diogo Jota's tragic death last month, Slot said: 'It has been a tough time for everyone connected with the club, but especially for Diogo's family, his wife, his children and friends. 'We cannot imagine the pain that they have been going through, and the club will continue to give them all the support they can going forward. We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go. 'I want to mention the strength and the courage of my players here, too. They have found themselves in one of the toughest positions imaginable, but the way they have come together and the way they have conducted themselves, on and off the pitch, is a credit to them and to this football club. We really couldn't have asked more of the boys, and I am extremely proud of them all.' MORE: Rodrygo makes final decision on future amid Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham transfer interest MORE: Liverpool urged to sign ex-Arsenal transfer target to replace Luis Diaz MORE: Man Utd and Newcastle on alert after club pull out of Benjamin Sesko transfer race

England beaten in all-time thriller as India secure series draw with six-run win
England beaten in all-time thriller as India secure series draw with six-run win

The Independent

time10 minutes ago

  • The Independent

England beaten in all-time thriller as India secure series draw with six-run win

India completed one of the most dramatic Test match victories ever seen on British soil, squaring the series with a stunning six-run victory after Chris Woakes attempted to carry England over the line with a dislocated shoulder. England arrived on the final day of a classic Test summer needing 35 runs to complete a remarkable chase of 374 but were blown away on a morning of unbearable tension and true sporting drama. They lost four for 28 as Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson succumbed to searing pressure at the Oval. Woakes, who is expected to be out for several months with the injury he sustained in the field on Friday, answered his country's call by coming out at number 11 to try and finish the job. Holding the bat in hand, with his left arm bundled up in a sling under his sweater, he joined the fray with 17 runs still needed and was grimacing in pain throughout his brief stay. In the end he did not face a ball as Mohammed Siraj clean bowled Atkinson to secure a sensational result and a 2-2 series draw. The drama unfolded across 57 unforgettable minutes that tested the courage, character and cricketing will of both sides to the limit. Had Woakes played his part in edging England to their target, batting left-handed and against all medical good sense, it would have gone down in the pantheon of great moments at this famous ground. As it was it a near miss. It was also a fitting conclusion to see the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy shared between two teams who have pushed each other to the physical and psychological depths over the course of seven gripping weeks. Ben Stokes' team may not travel for this winter's Ashes as favourites but they will go having been pushed all the way in a five-match marathon that has challenged them like never before. Even so, they will reflect with regret on squandering a winning position of 301 for three on the third afternoon, with Joe Root and Harry Brook both sitting pretty on centuries. Before bad light and rain halted play on Sunday, England's scoring had ground to a complete halt with the ball zipping around merrily and beating the bat at will. The rollercoaster continued to throw up surprises on Monday as Overton hit the first two balls to the boundary. Prasidh Krishna's first ball was short but a full-blooded pull shot still came as a surprise given the precarious nature of the situation. The second was a win for the bowler, jagging into the inside edge and skimming past leg stump, but the result was the same. Having shaved the target down to 27, the battle switched to Siraj versus Smith. This time it was India who landed a blow, Smith's feet in cement as he wafted outside off to his first two balls then nicked the third. There was a brief delay as the umpires checked the dismissal but it was a clean nick and safe catch from Dhruv Jurel, sparking riotous celebrations among the large contingent of away fans. The tension was almost unbearable as Atkinson arrived in the middle and came within a couple of inches of a golden duck. It was a horrible welcome delivery from Siraj, who was convinced the ball was carrying to KL Rahul at second slip. In apparent slow motion, it hit the turf agonisingly in front of his outstretched hands. England's insistence of playing at everything continued, a high-risk response that brought several more fresh-air shots and near misses as well as seven runs before the next gut punch. It was Siraj again, ducking one in and pounding the front pad. An ear-splitting appeal appeared to be falling on deaf ears but umpire Kumar Dharmasena waited an age before slowing raising his finger. Overton had already charged through to the non-striker's end seeking a leg bye and signalled for DRS as he ran through the crease line. Ball-tracking showed it clipping leg stump on umpire's call, ushering in another explosive reaction in the stands as the 20 remaining runs began to feel like five times as many. They eked out three more as Atkinson attempted to protect Tongue from the strike but he was soon exposed, Krishna railing a full ball through his defences to scatter the stumps. That meant only one thing: Woakes would need to answer the call. He came down the steps to a rousing reception, received a pat on the back from Rahul, and began his mission impossible. Atkinson decided playing for time was not an option and made an audacious move, swinging for the fences at Siraj and smashing him high and handsome towards long-off. It carried to Akash Deep but was travelling furiously and he fumbled it for a six. The game of cat and mouse now began. Siraj tossed the last ball of the over wide in the channel, Atkinson missed but set off instantly anyway. Jurel missed an underarm run-out to win the match as Woakes scrambled through in serious pain, leaving 10 to win. Atkinson knew he had to get things done quickly, but it was Siraj's story to finish as he rattled the stumps to complete a five-for.

Late India heroics seal classic Test match victory
Late India heroics seal classic Test match victory

The Independent

time10 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Late India heroics seal classic Test match victory

India secured a dramatic six-run victory over England in the fifth Test at the Oval. This win allowed India to tie the series 2-2 after a gripping final day. Mohammed Siraj was a key performer for India, taking a five-wicket haul that proved crucial. The match went down to the wire on day five, with England needing 35 more runs and India requiring four wickets. Despite late resistance from Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson, India's bowlers, including Prasidh Krishna, held their nerve to clinch the win.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store