All posts by z3u9t.icu

The attacking department at Tottenham Hotspur has been subject to somewhat of an overhaul this summer, especially after the departure of fan favourite Heung-min Son.

The South Korean departed in a £20m move to join MLS outfit LAFC, ending his Lilywhites career on a high after claiming the Europa League title at the end of last season.

However, it was an emotional departure, bringing an end to his decade-long stint in North London – a period that saw him amass over 400 appearances and become the club’s fourth-highest goalscorer in their history.

At 33, it was undoubtedly the right call to allow him to move on to pastures new, but it’s left a void in the forward area – something which Thomas Frank will want to fill before the end of the summer window.

Whilst Mohammed Kudus has already been added to such a department, the new boss has made it abundantly clear that he wants added reinforcements to help him in his quest to rise up the Premier League table in 2025/26.

Spurs preparing another big move after Eze

A deal for Eberechi Eze has been in the pipeline for numerous weeks now, but a deal seems to be edging closer to completion, after key moves were made by Daniel Levy.

It was reported that the Spurs owner held face-to-face talks with Steve Parish over a move for the Englishman, which has seen a verbal agreement of £55m plus £5m in add-ons be reached in recent days.

A deal for the 27-year-old could see the Lilywhites’ pursuit of a new number ten finally come to an end, subsequently turning their attention to Monaco star Magnhes Akliouche in an attempt to further strengthen the squad.

According to The Independent, Frank’s men have identified the winger as the latest attacking target this window, potentially pursuing a move for the 23-year-old before the September 1st deadline.

Their report claims that the Frenchman is seen as an alternative to Manchester City’s Savinho after the lack of progress on a deal for the Brazilian, with Akliouche a cheaper option, currently available for around a bargain fee of £43.5m.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be perfect alongside Eze

As previously mentioned, a deal for Eze appears to finally be edging towards its completion, in a deal that would be yet another excellent deal for Spurs this window.

The attacking midfielder was one of the most potent number 10s in the division last year, managing to register 26 combined goals and assists – subsequently firing the Eagles to FA Cup glory.

If he can replicate such numbers across the capital in 2025/26, it would be a signing that would go a long way to improving the options at Frank’s disposal – making the side a force to be reckoned with across all competitions.

Such a deal would also allow the Lilywhites to get one over their bitter North London rivals Arsenal, with the Gunners also previously interested in a move for the England international.

However, the prospect of Eze operating in Frank’s side is scary enough, not to mention the potential partnership he could strike up with Akliouche, should he too make the move to join the club.

He may be an unknown quantity to many, but the 23-year-old enjoyed a season to remember in his homeland last campaign, notching seven goals and 12 assists in all competitions.

His underlying stats were just as impressive, adding another dimension to the Lilywhites squad, offering another huge attacking threat in the hierarchy’s quest for added success in the near future.

Akliouche, who’s been labelled “exceptional” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, ranked in the 93rd percentile for touches in the opposition box and passes into the 18-yard box last campaign – highlighting his ability to create or be on the end of chances.

Such numbers would fit perfectly into the hands of Eze, who registered 12 assists last season, with the pair able to link up and improve their respective tallies in North London.

Games played

32

Goals & assists

15

Pass accuracy

82%

Progressive passes

6.5

Progressive carries

4.8

Touches in opposition box

5.4

Passes into the opposition box

2.4

Carries into final third

1.8

Take-on success

49%

Key passes made

1.9

The Monaco youngster also ranked in the 94th percentile for carries into the final third, whilst posting a 49% take-on success rate, subsequently able to get the ball into dangerous areas at any given opportunity.

His talents are further reflected in his progressive passes per 90 rate, averaging 5.5 per 90, with such tools able to find Eze – who will be required to make third-man runs in behind the striker within Frank’s current system.

Whilst both players would set the club back over £100m, they are additions that need to be made if the club are to build on their recent European triumph in 2024/25.

Both players are extremely technical, having the talent to get out of tight spaces and create endless opportunities, with Akliouche in particular being an exciting addition for the immediate and long-term future in North London.

Romero will love him: Spurs chasing "one of the best defenders in the PL"

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to land another top defensive talent this summer.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 19, 2025

Everton’s summer transfer window has been defined by a need to strengthen both in attack and defence.

After the addition of Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City, attention has now turned to shoring up the back line.

The Toffees were caught short in their opening Premier League defeat away at Leeds, with James Garner deputising at left-back in Vitaliy Mykolenko’s absence.

Jarrad Branthwaite’s injury further compounds the situation, leaving manager David Moyes eager to explore options that could reinforce the defensive spine of his team.

To complement a backline that conceded only 44 times last season, the joint fourth-best defensive record in the league, Everton must identify players capable of adding both experience and quality at the back.

Against this backdrop, Everton have begun exploring defensive reinforcements who could address immediate gaps while providing long-term stability.

Everton hold talks over Manchester City defender

According to TEAMtalk, Everton have entered exploratory talks regarding a move for Manchester City defender, Nathan Ake.

Described as an “exceptional guy” by Pep Guardiola, the 30-year-old is being considered as a potential addition to help strengthen a defence that Moyes is keen to build on.

Manchester City are reportedly open to selling the player, largely because of the depth of their squad and recent acquisitions in defence, including Rayan Ait Nouri.

Guardiola’s known preference for a smaller squad makes a move more feasible, though any transfer is likely to require a substantial fee, with City valuing the player in the £30-35m range.

Transfer Focus

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

While a loan deal with an obligation-to-buy clause could be considered, Everton cannot pursue that route due to rules that prevent them from taking two players on loan from the same club in one window, as they have already signed Grealish.

The defender is reportedly eager for consistent first-team football and is understood to prefer a club competing in European competitions, which could complicate negotiations, especially considering Newcastle hold an interest.

However, Everton are determined to find a solution before the window closes.

What Nathan Ake can bring to Everton

Ake offers versatility because he is capable of playing at both centre-back and left-back and brings extensive Premier League experience.

Since joining City from Bournemouth for £41m in 2020, he has been a reliable squad player, regularly competing with the likes of Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and Josko Gvardiol for minutes.

Last season, he featured 29 times in the league, showcasing his composure on the ball and technical reliability.

According to FBref, he ranks in the 99th percentile for pass completion rate at 94.4% and the 95th percentile for progressive passes per 90 minutes, with 6.17 per match.

His progressive carries per 90 also place him in the 90th percentile, highlighting an ability to advance the ball effectively from deep positions.

Despite these attributes, the player is less remarkable in traditional defensive metrics, ranking in the bottom 20 percentiles for tackles, blocks, interceptions, and dribblers tackled.

However, at City, his role has often been more focused on ball progression and positional play than on direct defensive duels, suggesting that under Moyes, who may deploy him with different responsibilities, he could adapt and improve in these areas.

Everton’s acquisition of Grealish on loan from Manchester City has added creativity to the squad, but the limitations of the forward are clear.

At 29, he has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, missing 17 games over the past two campaigns.

In 2023/24, Grealish played just 721 minutes, starting only seven matches and making 13 substitute appearances, per Transfermarkt.

His output last season was modest, with a single goal and one assist, though his quality on the ball and ability to create chances has never been in doubt.

Thomas Tuchel has emphasised that consistent first-team football is vital for Grealish if he has plans to play at the World Cup next year.

By contrast, Ake could provide a more immediate and reliable impact in a key area of need. The contrast between these two summer moves underlines Everton’s evolving priorities.

With the squad already strengthened in attack by the likes of Grealish and Thierno Barry, the remaining requirement is to ensure defensive stability.

Injuries to Branthwaite and Mykolenko have exposed the need for experienced and adaptable players who can seamlessly slot into multiple positions. The City defender’s Premier League experience, technical quality, and leadership make him a more impactful addition relative to the immediate threat posed by injuries.

His presence could allow Moyes to maintain balance across the pitch, protect the defensive line, and build a platform from which the team can attack more confidently.

While City value him at £30-35m, the investment is aligned with the type of secure, experienced reinforcement that Everton require.

In comparison, Grealish’s loan structure provides creative options but comes with limitations on continuity and availability, particularly if injuries recur.

For a manager focused on building a resilient and balanced squad capable of competing across a demanding Premier League season, the addition of a versatile centre-back offers more tangible returns than an attacking loan.

Everton’s interest in the Manchester City defender reflects a pragmatic approach to squad building.

By prioritising defensive reinforcement over additional offensive firepower, Moyes is targeting the most pressing weakness in his side.

The player’s Premier League experience, positional versatility, and technical skill offer a solution that addresses immediate needs while providing scope for adaptation and growth.

Romano: Everton leading race to sign £40m star with same agent as Barry

He has been one of Everton’s top targets all summer.

ByCallum Kemp Aug 21, 2025

While Grealish brings flair and creativity, it is the defender’s ability to strengthen Everton’s spine that could have the most decisive impact on the club’s 2025/26 campaign.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have spent big on a number of players over the years, with the Old Gold using their European links to full advantage.

The club have signed stars from the likes of Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and FC Porto, but who is Wolves’ record arrival? Here, we’ve taken a look at Wolves’ 10 most expensive signings.

Rank

Player

Fee

Signed from

Year

Matheus Cunha

£44m

Atletico Madrid

2023

Matheus Nunes

£38m

Sporting CP

2022

Fabio Silva

£35.6m

FC Porto

2020

Raul Jimenez

£30m

Benfica

2019

Nelson Semedo

£28m

Barcelona

2020

Goncalo Guedes

£27.5m

Valencia

2022

Tolu Arokodare

£24m

Genk

2025

Jorgen Strand Larsen

£23m

Celta Vigo

2025

Nathan Collins

£20.5m

Burnley

2022

Fer Lopez

£19m

Celta Vigo

2025

Andre

£18.5m

Fluminense

2024

Jonny Otto

£18m

Atletico Madrid

2019

Adama Traore

£18m

Middlesbrough

2018

Daniel Podence

£17m

Olympiacos

2020

Emmanuel Agbadou

£16.6m

Reims

2025

Patrick Cutrone

£16m

AC Milan

2019

Rui Patricio

£16m

Sporting CP

2018

Joao Gomes

£15m

Flamengo

2023

Sasa Kalajdzic

£15m

Stuttgart

2022

Jhon Arias

£15m

Fluminense

2025

Here's a detailed look at Wolves' 10 most expensive signings… 10 Fer Lopez £19m from Celta Vigo

An attacking midfielder who can play out on the wing, Wolves won the race for Fer Lopez in 2025, spending £19m on his services from Celta Vigo.

Lopez, who was 21 when he put pen to paper on a five-year contract in the Midlands, will be looking to become a star at Molineux and the latest foreign star for the Old Gold.

9 Nathan Collins £20.5m from Burnley

Following Burnley’s relegation to the Championship in 2022, Wolves acted swiftly to secure the services of defender Nathan Collins in a transfer worth more than £20m.

However, Collins’ time at Molineux was short-lived, and 12 months after signing, the Irishman was sold to Brentford, at least for a small profit.

8 Jorgen Strand Larsen £23m from Celta Vigo

Jorgen Strand Larsen’s initial loan move at Wolves became permanent in 2025 for a reported fee of £23m.

The Old Gold quickly had the chance to make a huge profit on the Norwegian striker, with Newcastle making bids for his services the same summer. However, Wolves rejected those bids and kept hold of their star forward.

7 Tolu Arokodare £24m from Genk

Wolves’ deadline day signing in 2025 was forward Tolu Arokodare, who cost slightly more than Strand Larsen at £24m.

The 6ft 6in Nigeria international signed a four-year deal at Molineux after scoring freely in Belgium with Genk.

6 Goncalo Guedes £27.5m from Valencia

After coming through the books at Benfica, Goncalo Guedes played for PSG and Valencia before signing for Wolves in a £27.5m deal in 2022.

But as one of many Portuguese stars to arrive following the influence of super-agent Jorge Mendes, the versatile forward struggled to make an impact in the Midlands, and in 2025, was sold to Real Sociedad.

5 Nelson Semedo £28m from Barcelona

Right-back Nelson Semedo was a regular for Wolves after arriving from Barcelona in a £28m transfer in 2020.

The Portugal international was named club captain in December 2024, taking over from Mario Lemina. However, the defender left the club after his contract expired in 2025.

4 Raul Jimenez £30m from Benfica

Raul Jimenez was a big signing following Wolves’ promotion to the Premier League in 2018, and his loan move from Benfica was made permanent for £30m just 12 months later.

The Mexico international scored 57 goals for the club in 166 appearances before signing for Fulham in a £5.5m deal in 2023.

3 Fabio Silva £35.6m from FC Porto

A big-money signing that didn’t go to plan for Wolves was for forward Fabio Silva, who arrived for a then-club-record £35.6m fee at the age of just 18.

Silva’s time at Molineux saw him loaned out to Anderlecht, PSV, Rangers and Las Palmas, scoring just a handful of goals for the Old Gold before being sold to Borussia Dortmund.

2 Matheus Nunes £38m from Sporting CP

After starring with Sporting CP under Ruben Amorim and catching the eye of Pep Guardiola, it was Wolves who ended up signing Matheus Nunes for £38m in 2022.

The midfielder’s time at Molineux only lasted one season due to his impressive Premier League displays, with Guardiola and City taking him to the Etihad for more than £50m.

1 Matheus Cunha £44m from Atletico Madrid

Matheus Cunha is currently Wolves’ most expensive signing of all time, with the Brazilian striker costing £44m from Atletico Madrid.

He moved to Molineux initially on loan in January 2023 with a permanent deal being activated that summer. Cunha went on to star in a struggling Wolves side, and as a result, moved to Man Utd for more than £60m.

Lionel Messi made a bold claim when talking about the best player England have ever produced, naming a 114-cap star as the “greatest”, ahead of Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and a storied list of strikers.

Messi continues to light up the global game

The great Argentine may now be 38 years of age but he’s continuing to perform remarkably well, standing the test of time compared to some of his peers.

He scored twice during Inter Miami’s recent 4-0 victory over Atalanta United in MLS, taking his tally across his last ten outings to nine goals and seven assists. He notably picked up a hat-trick of assists during their 4-1 win over New England Revolution at the beginning of October.

He also starred for Argentina in October’s international break. Although he did not score, Argentina defeated Puerto Rico 6-0.

The Inter Miami star is yet to decide whether he will go to the 2026 World Cup, but if he is able to do so, Argentina should be in a strong position to go all the way once again, having blitzed their way through qualification.

England, on the other hand, officially qualified for the tournament in America with a 5-0 win over Latvia. The Three Lions will be hoping 2026 is finally the year when football ‘comes home’, but talisman Harry Kane will need to be at his best.

England have a great recent record of producing top strikers, with Rooney scoring 53 goals in 120 international appearances, but Messi has suggested a different Liverpool-born player is the best-ever.

Four England stars Thomas Tuchel could rescue after Southgate struggles

The former Chelsea boss isn’t afraid to make some bold choices…

ByTom Cunningham Sep 7, 2025

Speaking after Steven Gerrard’s retirement in 2016, Messi picked Gerrard as England’s greatest player of all time.

Gerrard without doubt among England's best-ever players

It is arguably a bold claim to suggest Gerrard is the Three Lions’ greatest-ever player, but he is certainly in the conversation, given the instrumental role the 114-cap star played in Liverpool competing for major honours until the mid 2010s.

Of course, it will probably haunt the 45-year-old that he never managed to win the Premier League title, but the former Liverpool captain certainly wasn’t unsuccessful, winning 11 trophies during his time with his boyhood club, including the FA Cup in 2006.

Most famously, the Whiston-born midfielder instigated the comeback in arguably the greatest final in Champions League history, with the Reds coming from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan on penalties in 2005.

Not only did the Liverpool legend always step up when required, scoring a number of crucial goals in finals, but he has also received praise for the impact he had on his teammates, with Gerard Houllier once saying: “He is a natural born leader, a very inspirational leader. He is somebody you want to follow.”

Ange Postecoglou will be hoping that he can claim his first win as Nottingham Forest manager this afternoon when his side travel to face Burnley at Turf Moor.

The Aussie has already lost his first two outings in charge, losing 3-0 against Arsenal last weekend before falling to a late defeat against Swansea City in the Carabao Cup.

Igor Jesus’ first-half double gave the Reds a 2-0 lead at the break, but three second-half goals from the Championship side knocked the Premier League outfit out of the competition at the first hurdle.

However, the clash against Scott Parker’s side today presents a quick opportunity for the 60-year-old to gain his first victory in the role after taking over from Nuno Espírito Santo.

The volume of additions made by Evangelos Marinakis has handed the new boss key depth in various areas of the squad, with one of the new additions deserving of his first league start.

Why Douglas Luiz needs to start against Burnley

Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz joined Forest on loan with an obligation to buy from Juventus during the summer window, subsequently injecting needed quality into the heart of the side.

He’s had to bide his time in the East Midlands, failing to appear in a single minute of first-team action before Wednesday’s cup defeat in South Wales.

The 27-year-old featured in the defeat for an hour, but demonstrated his composed nature – something which could make him a valuable asset against the Clarets later today.

He won 100% of the duels he entered, whilst also being fouled four times – the most of any player on the pitch – with the opposition often unable to dispossess the former Aston Villa man.

Luiz also completed 86% of the passes he attempted, creating one big chance in the process, showcasing his excellent ability in and out of possession.

However, he shouldn’t be the only player handed his first Premier League start for the Reds, with another talent impressing in the defeat to the Swans in midweek.

The Forest player who can unlock Ange’s first win

After securing Europa League football in 2024/25, there was always going to be added pressure on Forest to be competitive in all of the competitions they entered.

European football, for the first time in 30 years at the City Ground, will give a generation of supporters memories to last a lifetime, but also open the door to adding a third star to their badge.

The ability to qualify for such a competition has undoubtedly aided the club in the transfer market, allowing for numerous high-profile names to make the move to the East Midlands.

Luiz will undoubtedly be one of the biggest, given his recent stints across Europe, but Dilane Bakwa is another player the hierarchy managed to get a deal completed for in the same window

The French youngster joined in a deal totalling £30m from Ligue 1 side Strasbourg on deadline day, adding further depth and quality into the club’s already threatening frontline.

However, like Luiz, he’s had to be patient to get his chance to shine, subsequently making his Reds debut off the bench against Arsenal at Emirates, seven days ago.

Bakwa, who’s been labelled “menacing” by journalist Antonio Mango, made his first start on Wednesday and grabbed his chance with both hands – completing 100% of the dribbles he attempted.

Minutes played

62

Touches

38

Pass accuracy

86%

Dribbles completed

100%

Passes into final third

4

Chances created

2

Ground duels won

100%

Big chances created

1

He also registered four passes into the final third, whilst creating two chances for his new teammates and often looking a real threat when driving at the opposition’s backline.

The 23-year-old has bags of pace in his arsenal, potentially making him a key player in Postecoglou’s attacking-minded system – as seen in midweek with the Reds’ second goal.

The right-winger has yet another chance to stake his claim for a regular starting role this afternoon, with the youngster more than deserving of the opportunity to start his first Premier League game.

If he and Luiz both start against Parker’s men, there’s no reason as to why Ange can’t claim his first win as manager – kick-starting his reign and allowing the fanbase to forget about their Carabao Cup disappointment.

"World-class" manager wanted Nottingham Forest job before Ange appointment

A renowned manager was interested in taking over from Nuno Espirito Santo at The City Ground.

ByDominic Lund Sep 18, 2025

One of the biggest stories of the summer was around Newcastle United’s striker situation, as it looked inevitable that their talisman, Alexander Isak, was going to complete a British transfer record move to Premier League champions Liverpool.

The deal’s biggest sticking point was finding a replacement for Isak, and Eddie Howe’s side eventually found two with Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade and Brentford’s Yoane Wissa. Between them, it looked like they could make up Isak’s goals, but it hasn’t been the smoothest start to life in the North East for the new strikers.

Wissa picked up a knee injury during the international break and is yet to make his debut. The DR Congo player has been ruled out for at least Newcastle’s next matches, and his debut may come after the next international break.

When asked why Woltemade received less than 30 minutes of game time against Barcelona, Howe cited it as being the result of Wissa’s injury, alongside Anthony Gordon’s suspension from the Liverpool game. The lack of options has meant that Woltemade has been handled delicately to ensure they aren’t left without any attackers.

While the two new attackers had previously looked sufficient to replace Isak, the opening weeks of the season have demonstrated how quickly Newcastle could be left shorthanded. Due to this, the club are already looking ahead to January to deepen their attacking roster.

Newcastle's Endrick loan plan

Newcastle are looking at bringing in Brazilian striker Endrick on loan from Real Madrid as a solution to their attacking frailties. The 19-year-old is yet to play a minute of football this season under Xabi Alonso and Madrid, alongside Endrick’s party, are concerned that a lack of minutes may hamper his development.

Reports from Spain indicate that this could be the perfect match that provides all parties with what they need. Newcastle are reportedly looking for “a young, dynamic offensive reinforcement hungry for success”, and Endrick is looking to gain more experience and can do so against the notoriously strong defences of the Premier League. In fact, the Magpies are one of the ‘among the first to inquire about his availability’, making an approach to Madrid in the process.

Endrick cost Madrid around £41.4 million, but at this stage, there is no indication that anyone involved wants to make the move permanent, and it is just a good fit for the back half of the season.

From Madrid’s perspective, they can keep Endrick on their books and allow him to develop without taking minutes away from their other forwards like Kylian Mbappe.

Endrick plays like a young Wissa

While there is currently no reason to suspect that Wissa’s knee injury will keep him out longer than his current predicted return date at the end of October, there is always the chance of it re-occurring or taking time to get back to full fitness.

If this does happen, then in the loan signing of Endrick, they will receive a similar style striker. While the Brazilian is young and hasn’t had the opportunities to fully develop his game yet, he looks to be becoming a very similar profile striker to Wissa.

While Wissa is the more experienced and more prolific goalscorer, the pair share lots of similar stats in terms of passing and build-up play, registering similar amounts of passes and a similar success rate, as well as being close in terms of xA.

From Endrick’s perspective, playing with Wissa could give him an insight into the type of player he could become, and Howe will be able to rotate the two players when necessary without having to make other tactical changes due to their similar styles of play.

Whilst Alisson Becker is unquestionably the best goalkeeper that Liverpool have ever had in the Premier League, there’s no denying that his unique injury history have left the Reds short at times. It’s something that Jurgen Klopp had to deal with almost every season and something that Arne Slot now has to handle following the Brazilian’s latest hamstring setback.

The Liverpool manager confirmed the news of the injury that Alisson suffered against Galatasaray and the extent of it, telling reporters ahead of the trip to Chelsea: “I’d be surprised if Alisson’s ready for first game after international break.”

The good news for Liverpool is that they should be used to being without their goalkeeper, but to say that they’ve had some mixed results in his absence in previous seasons would be an understatement.

So, with title rivas Arsenal about to embark on an ‘easier’ run of fixtures by all accounts, do the Gunners now have the upper hand or will the Reds survive with Giorgi Mamardashvili between the sticks?

2019/20: Alisson absent for 18 games Adrian fumbles on biggest stage

Although many will remember the 2019/20 season for how the Covid-19 put a stop to football altogether before Liverpool lifted their first Premier League title, there will still be fans who remember it for Adrian’s Champions League horror show against Atletico Madrid.

Filling in for Alisson, who missed three games with a hip injury not long after he missed 15 games through a calf injury in the same campaign, Adrian gift-wrapped Marcos Llorente’s equalising goal in extra-time as Atletico Madrid advanced in dramatic fashion.

Had Alisson been fit and ready to face Atletico Madrid, Anfield could have enjoyed another Champions League night to remember in a season that they were at their very best under Jurgen Klopp.

2020/21: Alisson misses 10 games Adrian's struggles continue in thrashing at Villa

As football recommenced under Covid-19 protocols, Liverpool and the rest of the Premier League were forced to get used to empty stadiums and what felt like meaningless games at times.

One thing didn’t change for the Reds, however, and that was Alisson’s injury problems. This time, he added to the Reds’ woes by missing 10 games – including five through a shoulder injury and three courtesy of another hip injury.

Once again, it was Adrian who was forced to step up and once again, Liverpool paid the price in full. This time, they found themselves on the end of one of the most shocking results in Premier League history as Aston Villa battered them 7-2 in the Midlands.

2023/24: Alisson injured for 15 games after another hamstring issue Kelleher steps up for Liverpool

By the time that the 2023/24 campaign arrived and Alisson suffered his next injury setback – missing 15 games through a hamstring problem – Caoimhin Kelleher was ready to step up. The Adrian days were over and the Reds finally had a reliable backup to turn to, who enjoyed some excellent form.

Games

10

Wins

8

Draws

2

Defeats

0

Clean Sheets

2

The Irishman enjoyed an unbeaten Premier League run and even played the role of hero as Liverpool defeated Chelsea 1-0 after extra-time in the Carabao Cup. For the first time, Alisson’s absence was not a major concern for those at Anfield.

2024/25: Trend of hamstring problems continue for Alisson Kelleher called upon once again

In this two-year period, Kelleher staked his claim as one of the best backup goalkeepers that the Premier League has to offer. The truth is that he was more than ready to step up to a starting role elsewhere last season and earned a move to Brentford in the summer as a result.

Alisson, meanwhile, struggled with hamstring problems once again and missed a total of 26 games as Slot won the Premier League title in his first season in charge. Without him, Liverpool’s form didn’t necessarily dip. After all, they won the Premier League title in fairly dominant fashion. But Kelleher still had moments to forget against Newcastle United and Fulham.

Truth be told, no matter how impressive the Irishman was during his time at the club and how reliable Giorgi Mamardashvili may not prove to be, it’s hard to deny that Liverpool would rather have a player of Alisson’s calibre at their disposal every week.

Daniel Farke must wonder how he never won promotion with the Leeds United team he inherited heading into the 2023/24 season as the West Yorkshire outfit’s new manager.

Thankfully, the EFL promotion expert did guide Leeds back up to the Premier League at the second time of asking, with a Championship title even being secured along the way, but his previous side disastrously slipped up in the playoff final, even with the likes of both Georginio Rutter and Archie Gray starring week in week out.

Crysencio Summerville, despite his unbelievable display, was another unfortunate member of that team, leaving for West Ham United after the season’s conclusion.

The attacker is still held in high esteem at Elland Road, despite his celebrated stay at the club ultimately ending in disappointment.

What made Summerville so magic

Summerville eventually got a chance to shine again in the top-flight with the Hammers, having initially burst onto the scene as a promising talent in the tough division when Leeds routinely battled against the drop.

An encouraging four goals and three assists came the tricky winger’s way across 28 Premier League outings during the 2022/23 season, with the Rotterdam-born attacker certainly sticking out as a bright spark in an otherwise depressing period for the Whites, as relegation was confirmed.

He was only getting started when looking back, however, with the former Whites number 10 striking fear into Championship defences all season long during the following campaign.

Summerville had the goals and assists to back up his immense footwork and trickery on the left channel, with 20 goals and 19 assists in regular action crowning him as the second tier’s Player of the Season.

Journalist Jake Winderman would even go all out to declare the 5-foot-9 ace as “world-class” for those sublime heroics, while Farke himself stated that the “sky is the limit” for what his star asset could go on to achieve.

Summerville has since shown flashes of his excellence with West Ham, despite injury issues threatening to stop him in his tracks.

After an injury-disrupted 2024/25 season saw just 19 Premier League appearances fall into his lap, the 23-year-old is now up to a quickfire two assists for this campaign, from just five clashes.

While the former fan favourite at Leeds underwent a testing first term away from West Yorkshire, Farke was scrambling for his new Summerville-like star to latch onto, with Manor Solomon stepping into the role effortlessly as another unpredictable talent on the left wing.

Now out on loan with Villarreal, away from parent side Tottenham Hotspur, Solomon was once viewed as a fitting replacement for the immense magic served up by Summerville and Rutter, with a devastating ten goals and 13 assists notched up last campaign by the diminutive 26-year-old helping Leeds to achieve a promotion feat not even their revered Dutchman could clinch.

Solomon would even score Leeds’ title-clinching goal when bursting forward with his usual Elland Road exuberance versus Plymouth Argyle on the final day, with the former Shakhtar Donetsk attacker also receiving similar glowing praise to that of Summerville, lauded as “unplayable” by former Whites boss Neil Redfearn.

The hope was surely to tie down the entertaining forward to a long-term deal past his loan stint, but nothing would come to fruition despite speculative talk suggesting Solomon was up for a reunion, as Leeds looked at other top-flight-ready recruits instead.

So, with Solomon now gone, who has become Leeds’ new Summerville?

Leeds' new Summerville-type figure at Elland Road

Leeds could well have been hesitant to dive in and secure Solomon permanently based on his sketchy track record in the Premier League.

The new Villarreal man is, unfortunately, more known for being ravaged with injuries at that level than being a rip-roaring success, with just four goals and two assists picked up, missing 61 games through injury for both Spurs and Fulham.

Staggeringly, he has already been absent from five games this season through more injury-related difficulties, as Leeds sense they have dodged a bullet somewhat.

In stark contrast, new signing Noah Okafor has been there and done that in some challenging top-flight environments, with a 25-goal haul for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga even seeing scout Jacek Kulig refer to the Swiss international as “prolific” force.

On top of that, he was also previously on the roster of AC Milan for 57 matches, culminating in seven goals being put away with confidence.

Therefore, the powers that be at Leeds would have felt assured that dropping £18m on his services this summer was money well spent, and they have already been vindicated, with two strikes picked up in the Premier League by the direct number 19.

While his calmness in front of goal stands him in good stead to be a Summerville-type figure for Farke’s men moving forward, it’s his ardent manner to always bomb forward and try and create an opening out of nothing that also makes the similarity stick, with Summerville finding that he was constantly fouled in the Championship for also being a brash attacking presence.

Touches

40

27

34

Unsuccessful touches

4

2

6

Goals

1

0

1

Key passes

0

1

2

Successful dribbles

6/14

3/4

1/2

Okafor has come into his own in this regard across Leeds’ last three matches in the league, with the pacey 25-year-old managing an absurd six successful dribbles against Wolverhampton Wanderers, despite only accumulating 40 touches.

Yet, much like in Summerville’s case, it isn’t showboating for showboating’s sake, with two goals picked up across his last three Premier League outings making him a firm starting figure for Farke, which is only reinforced by him amassing three key passes in his attempts to assist teammates around him.

Dubbed as an “explosive” presence by scout Antonio Mango when first securing a move to England, it now appears as if Okafor was the Summerville-like ace Leeds had been crying out for all along.

After all, even an opposition defender for Coventry City in Milan van Ewijk had to hold his hands up at Summerville being an “exceptionally good” dribbler when the Sky Blues clashed with Farke’s men in the second tier.

Okafor will hope, in time, that he’s also remembered as a feared force for defenders to wrestle with, with the early signs of his Leeds career pointing in the direction that he will be a fan favourite for many years to come, particularly if he can be one driving factor behind the Whites becoming top-flight regulars again.

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ByDominic Lund Oct 14, 2025

Just when you think Liverpool have turned a corner, Arne Slot’s Reds ended up falling apart on their Premier League travels to Manchester City.

In the build-up to this showdown between two top-flight heavyweights, Liverpool had managed to collect two wins from their last two games in all competitions to ease concerns of a crisis occurring at Anfield.

However, football is a fickle old game, with the alarm bells ringing once more now, as City strolled to a 3-0 victory on their own patch.

Unfortunately, that demoralising defeat means Liverpool are already eight points behind Arsenal at the summit, as the likes of Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike continue to underwhelm in attack.

The former Eintracht Frankfurt marksman was branded an “anonymous” figure by Statman Dave after failing to fire a single effort on the City goal.

Still, it’s not as if Alexander Isak is banging down the door to replace the misfiring attacker…

Inside Isak's disappointing start at Liverpool

Isak remain rooted to the substitutes bench throughout the 3-0 defeat, with the Swede hoping he can get his Liverpool career up and running after the international break.

So far, the £125m summer recruit has been sparingly used, owing to a lack of pre-season being handed to him at former employers Newcastle United, with the expensive striker yet to break his Premier League duck for Slot and Co.

It’s way too early in his Anfield career to dismiss him as an extortionate flop, though, with Isak undoubtedly a Premier League goal machine when playing at his razor-sharp best, as seen when watching his 54-goal tally for the Toon.

But, he will need to start living up to his previous billing of being the “best striker in the Premier League”, a tag handed to him by ex-Liverpool great Jamie Carragher, particularly if Ekitike continues to also fail to recapture his own goal-scoring groove.

Slot does have other options up his sleeve in this frustrating lone striker spot if needs be, with an emerging 17-year-old talent at Anfield potentially in line to be the number 9 of the future.

Liverpool are brewing a mini Alexander Isak

The number 9 jersey at Liverpool is a shirt steeped in significant history, with Ian Rush becoming synonymous with that number when scoring an all-time best on Merseyside of 346 goals.

Moreover, in more recent times, Fernando Torres took on the weighty shirt and thrived, bagging 81 strikes from 142 games.

Unfortunately, Isak is going down the route of being remembered more as a Darwin Nunez-style figure now donning the number nine, who mustered up a weak 40 goals in total in England.

Who will be the next legendary 9? Well, a teenager by the name of Will Wright – a young individual being heralded as the “next Michael Owen” in some circles – will be praying it could be him.

Ian Rush

654

346

Robbie Fowler

369

183

Ian St. John

424

118

Fernando Torres

142

81

Darwin Nunez

143

40

Indeed, the young striker sensation has already been branded as a “great finisher” by Reds journalist Bence Boscak when plying his trade for League Two outfit Salford City while Total Football Analysis have suggested that he has ‘many of the characteristics to be a top-level centre-forward’.

In the academy ranks last season at the Ammies, Wright fired home a stunning 40 goals, which certainly shows off a striker capable of one day reaching Isak’s Newcastle heights in the senior set-up. It’s for that reason that the aforementioned Bocask believes he is a “brilliant signing.”

He even featured in pre-season under Slot when Athletic Club travelled to Anfield, with one big chance spurned when thrust into the thick of the action.

Arsenal reportedly had their eyes on the clinical youngster before Wright decided to move to Merseyside over North London, with the hope that he could live up to his early promise and become Liverpool’s next free-flowing number nine.

Injuries have curtailed his U21 minutes as of late, with the 17-year-old now out of action until December with a knee problem.

But, when he’s back, don’t write off a sudden rise into the first team scene that’s similar to Rio Ngumoha’s explosion, with the misfiring duo of Ekitike and Isak, also kept on their toes by some fresh blood.

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ByTom Cunningham Nov 12, 2025

Dropping points away to Sunderland was far from ideal, but even so, Arsenal are flying this season.

Unlike last season, Mikel Arteta’s side aren’t finding it hard to score goals, and thanks to their unreal defence, they rarely concede any.

This combination sees them sit atop the Premier League table, four points ahead of Manchester City and eight points clear of reigning champions Liverpool.

While there are several candidates, it would be fair to say that, so far, Gabriel Magalhães has been Arsenal’s player of the season, and Andrea Berta has already signed another version of the Brazilian.

Gabriel's development at Arsenal

Gabriel joined Arsenal from LOSC Lille for around £27m in the summer of 2020, and since then has developed significantly in practically every way imaginable.

Chalkboard

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

Now, the Brazilian wasn’t a bad player in his first season for the Gunners, but he wasn’t one of the first names on the teamsheet.

For example, he made just 32 appearances across all competitions for Arteta, of which 23 were in the league, averaging 1.57 points per game.

He would become more of an ever-present member of the backline over the following seasons, but even during the early stages of the 22/23 season, he was seen as someone who could be a liability.

In fact, following a game away to Leeds United, in which he had a penalty incident overturned, Rio Ferdinand pointed out that “every week he’s in the headlines or he’s in underneath with a little bullet point next to his name and a bad incident.”

Fortunately, towards the end of that year and in the campaigns since, the former Lille star has become increasingly dependable, to the point that he occasionally wears the captain’s armband and has been the club’s standout performer this year.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.06

0.21

Shots

0.64

0.93

Passing Accuracy

85.3%

88.6%

Key Passes

0.11

0.34

Shot-Creating Actions

0.53

1.23

Goal-Creating Actions

0.04

0.27

Tackles Won

0.51

0.53

Shots Blocked

0.82

1.30

Passes Blocked

0.32

0.48

Dispossessed

0.32

0.00

Aerial Duels Won

2.59

3.22

Another way to see his growth is to compare his underlying numbers from his first season to those of today.

Doing this shows that the 27-year-old now wins more tackles, blocks more shots and passes, makes more clearances, wins more aerial duels, completes more of his passes, is a greater goal threat, and is far better at creating chances for his teammates.

In all, Gabriel has been able to channel his natural passion over the years and is now arguably the club’s most important defender, so it’s excellent news that Berta signed someone who could develop just like him.

Arsenal's new Gabriel

Arsenal are blessed with an abundance of extremely talented defenders, but when it comes to the one most likely to develop down a Gabriel-esque path, it’s impossible to ignore Cristhian Mosquera.

Andrea Berta signed the Spanish centre-back from Valencia in the summer, for a fee of just £13m, which one content creator fairly described as “a steal.”

Now, the 21-year-old certainly has some of the elegance of a William Saliba, and could certainly be that ball-playing passing machine at the back, but it still feels like he is going to evolve to be more like the Brazilian.

One of the main reasons is that, despite being so young and having only just joined the team, he already appears mature beyond his years, as exemplified by his unfazed performance against Liverpool at Anfield earlier in the season.

More crucially, though, the 6 foot 3 “monster,” as club insider Hand of Arsenal dubbed him, seems to relish the more physical side of the game.

Sure, he can play it safe, but as respected analyst Ben Mattinson points out, he very clearly “loves to battle with physical attackers” and “thrives in ground duels due.”

Further described as an “absolute cheat code of a player” by Arsenal content creator Harold Hickman, he has already proven himself to be something of a leader.

For example, in his recent games for Spain’s U21 side, he has had the responsibility of wearing the captain’s armband.

Ultimately, it’s still early in his career, but thanks to his composure, ability to compete in physical duels, and passion for doing so, it looks like Arsenal have themselves another Gabriel in Mosquera.

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