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Manchester United midfielder Casemiro could still leave the Red Devils this winter despite the Premier League's transfer window having already closed.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Casemiro out of favour at Man Utd
• Flamengo looking to sign Casemiro on loan
• Worried about the 32-year-old's 'risky' wages

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Casemiro's stint at United has failed to live up to the billing that it had promised after he joined the 20-time Premier League champions from Real Madrid in the summer of 2022. This season, the Brazilian has only played eight times under Ruben Amorim and has been on the bench for United's last five Premier League clashes.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United and Casemiro had been working on a potential departure in January amid interest from Besiktas, Al-Nassr and Roma. However, the Brazilian ended up staying at Old Trafford. Journalist Jorge Nicola and Bolvaip have now reported that Flamengo are considering signing the 32-year-old on a loan deal.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Despite the winter transfer window having closed in England on February 3, the window will continue in Brazil until February 28. The Red Devils are said to be on board with the deal to send Casemiro to Brazil. However, Flamengo are still thinking about whether they want to sign the five-time Champions League winner as his wages could prove to be 'risky' to their finances, despite United being willing to take on part of his salary during the loan.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CASEMRIO?

  There is still a very good chance that Casemiro could end up staying at United for the rest of the season. However, his playing time will likely continue to be limited.

Erik ten Hag lives to fight another day. With Thomas Tuchel having been named as the surprise successor to Gareth Southgate for England, the Manchester United boss has at least been able to shake off one potential challenger to his ‘throne’ at Old Trafford.

The former Ajax man will, however, come up against another possible usurper this weekend, with Thomas Frank – who has been named among the list of candidates to replace Ten Hag – set to be in the opposing dugout as Brentford travel to the Theatre of Dreams.

Currently the man responsible for the Red Devils’ worst-ever start to a Premier League season, the 54-year-old can ill afford another slow start on Saturday – not least against a side who have netted inside the first minute on three occasions already this term.

As was the case in 2023/24, however, Ten Hag’s task has been made all the more difficult due to the diminishing options at his disposal, with injuries yet again hampering any hopes of mounting a serious charge on the top four…

Man Utd team news

Starting on a positive front, it was revealed that Alejandro Garnacho, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are all now back in training at Carrington, with there having been particular concern regarding the Moroccan after he was forced to undergo a heart procedure.

Equally, the club also confirmed that Mason Mount is stepping up his recovery having been absent since the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, while compatriot Luke Shaw – who is yet to featured this season – is also working his way back to full fitness.

Another England star will, however, miss the visit of the Bees, with Harry Maguire set to be out for a few weeks following his withdrawal at half-time against Aston Villa, while further bad news was revealed with regard to his Three Lions colleague, Kobbie Mainoo.

The teenage playmaker – who has started every Premier League game this season – is set to be unavailable for a few weeks due to a muscle injury, leaving Ten Hag with a dilemma to solve in the centre of the park.

How Man Utd can replace Kobbie Mainoo

With it unlikely that Mount will be rushed back too quickly, and with Manuel Ugarte having returned with his own issue following his Uruguay commitments, the likelihood is that United will line up with an experienced – to put it kindly – midfield trio of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro on Saturday.

Prior to lining up together away at Porto prior to the international break, that ageing triumvirate hadn’t lined up together from the start for almost 13 months. As The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell stated, that display in Portugal showcased the “reasons for that”.

In need of some fresh legs to inject some youthful energy into the side in the absence of Mainoo, one might consider looking at young Toby Collyer, although it is another academy graduate who should also be worthy of a shout.

It’s been a rough year for 20-year-old Dan Gore following an injury-disrupted spell on loan at Port Vale in the second half of last season, resulting in the midfield maestro making just one appearance for the club.

Slowly but surely, the Englishman – who made his debut under Ten Hag last season in the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace – has worked his way back to fitness, having started the last two Premier League 2 games for the U21 side, captaining the team on both occasions.

As the Daily Mail’s Chris Wheeler reported, Ten Hag was in attendance to watch the U21s in action against Hertha Berlin last week, with the one-time Utrecht boss particularly keen to keep an eye on Gore’s progress.

The man who lined up alongside Mainoo in the 2022 FA Youth Cup triumph, Gore has earned rave reviews throughout his time in the academy ranks, with talent scout Jacek Kulig hailing him as “one of the most interesting players of his generation in England”.

Only two first-team appearances have come his way so far, although the youngster was notably named on the bench for United’s trip to Porto, showcasing a sign of how highly regarded he is by the senior coaching staff.

Those in the academy too, have also lavished him with praise in the recent past, with youth coach Mark Dempsey describing him as a “proper footballer” and a “leader”, while also stating that he’s the type of player who can “get fans of their seats”.

Chalkboard

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

At a time where United – who have scored the second fewest goals in the division – are starving supporters of excitement, the inclusion of a player like Gore could well be what is needed to help lift spirits.

Of course, it would be a bold call from Ten Hag, but with his future still on the line, he’d be better off falling on his sword, rather than playing it safe.

Man Utd ace was creating as much hype as Pogba, then ETH sold him for £857k

United could have had their next great Carrington midfielder

By
Joe Nuttall

Oct 18, 2024

Tottenham Hotspur has been the home to countless attacking talents over the years, many of whom have captured the hearts of the supporters during their time in North London.

Striker Jermain Defoe registered a total of 122 goals over two separate spells for Spurs, notching 91 of his efforts in the Premier League, making him the club’s fifth-highest goalscorer in the competition’s history.

During his two stints, the former England international spent a combined nine years at White Hart Lane, often being a reliable source of goals, as demonstrated by his tallies for the Lilywhites.

However, fast-forward to 2024, current winger Heung-min Son is undoubtedly Ange Postecoglou’s greatest goal threat in the final third, with the Aussie hoping the South Korean can help fire his side into the top four once more this season.

The 32-year-old has been a key part of the first team since his transfer back in the summer of 2015, registering over 400 appearances for the club – trailing only Harry Kane in Spurs’ all-time Premier League goalscorer list.

He marked his return to first-team action against West Ham United with a goal, as Postecoglou’s men inflicted a brutal 4-1 hammering over their London rivals.

Undoubtedly, the boss has numerous star talents at the top end of the pitch, including one who has made an excellent start to the 2024/25 season under his guidance.

Brennan Johnson’s stats for Spurs

Welsh winger Brennan Johnson has certainly endured an up-and-down year at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after his £47.5m move from fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest last summer.

The 23-year-old made 34 appearances during his first season in the capital, becoming a key player under Postecoglou, and posting some impressive numbers as a result of his consistent minutes.

He posted a total of five goals and ten assists during his debut campaign at the club, with one of his strikes coming in the 2-1 defeat against Wolves at Molineux.

However, the new season has allowed him to take his game to the next level in North London, but he’s endured his fair share of criticism to enable him to get to his current performance level.

Johnson was the subject of a heap of abuse on social media during the opening couple of matches of the 2024/25 season, leading the attacker to deactivate his Instagram account – but it’s seen him gain a bit between his teeth to prove the doubters wrong.

He’s since enjoyed the best goalscoring run of his career, scoring in seven successive matches for club and country, repaying Postecoglou and demonstrating why the Aussie was right to stick with him despite his poor early season form.

Johnson has certainly taken his game to the next level in recent weeks, displaying evidence as to why the club forked out such a huge fee for the attacker.

However, he’s been unable to match the tally of one player, who plies his trade for the club’s bitter rivals.

Bukayo Saka’s stats for Arsenal in 2024/25

It’s no secret that the North London Derby is one fueled by hatred from both sides, with the meeting between the two teams the first date every supporter looks for on the calendar each year.

Derby day is one no side wants to lose, offering up bragging rights to the noisy neighbours for the foreseeable until the teams meet again – something which Spurs have unfortunately already done this season.

We may only be eight matches into the Premier League campaign, but Arsenal have already triumphed over Spurs, with Gabriel scoring the winner from a Bukayo Saka corner.

The latter may play for the Lilywhites’ bitter rivals, but his talent simply has to be appreciated, with the England international registering seven assists in as many league matches so far this season – the most of any player in the division.

Saka has also notched two league goals, but it’s his chance creation that has caught the eye, completing 87% of his passes, and also creating 27 chances in his seven appearances – an average of 3.9 per 90.

The 23-year-old attacker has often tormented Spurs, registering six goal contributions in his ten meetings, ending up on the winning side on six occasions.

However, despite his impact in attacking areas, Postecoglou already has his own version of the Arsenal star, producing numerous figures that are either on par or even better than the Englishman has mustered so far this campaign.

Tottenham's answer to Bukayo Saka

Winger Dejan Kulusevski has been a key player for Spurs over the last couple of years, following his permanent move to North London back in the summer of 2022.

The Sweden international has often featured as a right-winger during Postecoglou’s reign, but in recent weeks Johnson’s form has seen him lose out on his regular role.

As a result, he’s switched to a more central midfield role, starring alongside Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison at the heart of Postecoglou’s side.

However, the switch has actually been a blessing in disguise, allowing Kulusevski to thrive with increased opportunities on the ball, turning him into a chance-creating monster, just like Saka.

The “world-class” talent, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has starred in recent weeks, producing some phenomenal numbers in the Premier League.

The Swede may have registered fewer combined goals and assists than current Gunner Saka, but he’s registered the same number of passes leading to shots per 90 as the Englishman.

Kulusevski has also averaged the same amount of take-ons attempted per 90, whilst bettering the Arsenal star for carries into the final third – showcasing how his switch in position has benefited him in recent weeks.

His performances this season have certainly taken his game to the next level, potentially making him undroppable and one of Postecoglou’s most important players.

The 24-year-old could be crucial in the club’s hunt for a top-four finish, arguably proving to be the difference in Spurs’ hunt for a return to Champions League football next season.

Spurs had the original Mikey Moore before Ange sold him for just £7m

Spurs sold their original Mikey Moore for just £7m.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 21, 2024

The veteran helped make the difference in a game defined by historically young squad, setting up final against Japan

Emma Hayes made 11 changes for Sunday night's match against Australia. Like, all 11 players. This was a totally different U.S. women's national team than the one that took down Colombia on Thursday night. This was a team loaded with youth and inexperience. Hayes was clearly throwing putting them to the test.

They survived, but only just. It finished as a 2-1 win over Australia, a narrow victory that will keep the USWNT alive in their quest to win the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. Considering the inexperience in this team, though, Sunday's victory seemed to be something bigger – a major step forward for a group of young up-and-comers fighting to be more than that in advance of the 2027 World Cup.

It was a veteran who scored the USWNT's first less than a minute into the match. Lynn Biyendolo, formerly Williams, was the goalscorer, capping a sequence led by young stars Emma Sears and Jaedyn Shaw. It was largely the youth that stood out in a game that saw Hayes name the youngest USWNT XI since 2001.

“I feel like this is a new chapter for me,” Biyendolo told TNT. “I changed teams in my NWSL career, I changed last names (after an offseason marriage), but more importantly I’m just excited to wear the crest and help out my country.”

Young stars made an impact off the bench, too. Ally Sentnor and Michelle Cooper combined for the USWNT's second goal, and the U.S. will be glad they did as that turned out to be the game-winner. Cooper's finish – her first international goal – made Australia's 80th-minute goal just a consolation as the U.S. held out for the final 10 minutes.

It will be a memorable day for Cooper, of course. It was a big one for Sears, too, who made her own case for more chances. Perhaps the biggest winners of all were the Thompson sisters, who started alongside one another to make USWNT history. Sunday marked just the fourth time in U.S. history that sisters have started a match together, with the other three of course being the Mewis sisters, Kristie and Samantha.

There were young stars spread throughout the pitch. Virtually all of them can leave with heads held high.

Wednesday night's SheBelieves Cup final against Japan won't be about feel-good stories, though. Japan rolled to back-to-back victories, as well, scoring four goals in each match. This was the time to experiment, and that's what Hayes did.

Now, heading into the last match of this tournament, the USWNT coach will have to pick a strongest XI – and several players made their cases to be in it with their performances in this win over Australia.

GOAL rates the USWNT's players from State Farm Stadium.

• Getty
  

  Goalkeeper & Defense

  Mandy McGlynn (6/10):

  Had to make some big punches in both halves, and she handled those well. Had one nervy moment on the ball, but she recovered. Not much to be done on the Australia goal, so you can't hold that one against her.

  Crystal Dunn (6/10):

  A relatively quiet game on both sides of the ball. Never really got forward to impact the game in the way we're used to seeing.

  Tierna Davidson (7/10):

  Wore the captain's armband for the first time, which is always a cool achievement. Was absolutely rock solid, too, cleaning up everything that came her way.

  Emily Sams (6/10):

  Had a few nervy moments, but wasn't published for any of them. Did well defensively, but needed to be a little bit better with the ball.

  Gisele Thompson (7/10):

  Real credit to the young player who, at times, looked like the best defender on the pitch. Combined well with her older sister and showed no fear defensively. A really impressive day for the teenager.

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  Midfield

  Korbin Albert (5/10):

  Just wasn't quite able to impact the game on either side. Didn't do enough defensively but also wasn't really able to add anything to the attack. You can chalk it up to playing with a newcomer in midfield but, as teh most veteran member of that group, Albert needed to lead a bit more.

  Claire Hutton (6/10):

  Not great, but not particularly bad. Didn't really have much chemistry with Albert, leading to a fairly static midfield. Some things to build on, though, as she looks to continue on after this first cap.

  Jaedyn Shaw (7/10):

  Provided the assist early and then remained aggressive throughout. It never quite came off for her in front of goal, but the hunger was certainly there.

• Getty
  

  Attack

  Emma Sears (8/10):

  Really stood out from the opening whistle. Gave Australia headaches all night as so much of the attack went down her side.

  Lynn Biyendolo (8/10):

  Got her goal and was unlucky not to have gotten a second. As one of this group's few veterans, she really led from the front and set the tone. A goal within the firs minute will do that.

  Alyssa Thompson (7/10):

  Didn't have a signature moment necessarily, but there were plenty of good ones. Coped well with the physicality Australia brought and combined well with those around her, including her little sister.

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  Subs & Manager

  Tara McKeown (6/10):

  Nothing too spectacular from the defender, who looked much like she did in the second half of the Colombia game.

  Ally Sentnor (7/10):

  Gets credit for the assist on Cooper's goal, although she was surely going for goal herself. Continues to make things happen whenever she's on the field, which is how you endear yourself to a coaching staff

  Sam Coffey (6/10):

  Came on to do Sam Coffey stuff. Brought a bit of stability to a midfield that, until that point, wasn't always solid.

  Michelle Cooper (8/10):

  A first international goal for Cooper, who came off the bench to make an instant impact. It was a great finish, too, and it turned out to be the game-winner.

  Yazmeen Ryan (6/10):

  Wasn't as lively as Sears, but definitely had a few bright moments in her 30 or so minutes.

  Emily Fox (5/10):

  Can't fault her too much for the Australia goal considering how quickly they moved, but she still could have done better on it. It's fine, though. Fox gets a bit of leeway given her history here.

  Emma Hayes (7/10):

  Took some major risks and still walked out with a victory. Wasn't as pretty as it could have been, and the USWNT had to sweat a bit at the end, but Hayes surely learned plenty about a large group of young players.

FIFA tie up with local communities across North America to connect the tournament with the country through unique audio brands.

• Sixteen host cities to have their own Sonic ID
• Local producers tasked with infusing regional flavors into official theme
• The initiative aims to showcase the unifying power of sport through music

• Getty Images News
  

  WHAT HAPPENED

  FIFA has announced an innovative musical initiative for the 2026 World Cup, introducing "Sonic IDs" – unique audio brands that will connect the tournament with the local communities of each host city. These Sonic IDs, created by producers from around the world, will give the official FIFA World Cup theme a distinct local flavor for each of the 16 host cities.

  “Some of the most talented and influential producers from the 16 Host Cities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States have come together to create bespoke Sonic IDs — audio brands that connect the FIFA World Cup 26 with Host Cities’ respective communities in a unique and memorable way. The project marks a milestone in the tournament’s legacy, blending global appeal with local flavour through music and sound,” reads the statement issued by FIFA.

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  THE ROSTER OF PRODUCERS

  Dates	Producers
  1 March	Bombon (Houston)
  2 March	Dan the Automator (San Francisco Bay Area)
  3 March	Mr. NaisGai (Miami)
  4 March	Take a Daytrip (New York New Jersey)
  5 March	Sango (Seattle)
  6 March	Dallas Austin (Atlanta)
  7 March	Mexican Institute of Sound (Mexico City)
  8 March	Hill Kourkoutis (Toronto)
  9 March	Ben Zakharenko and Dayvin, Berklee College of Music (Boston)
  10 March	Grayson Repp (Vancouver)
  11 March	Tech N9ne (Kansas City)
  12 March	Toy Selectah (Monterrey)
  13 March	DJ Jazzy Jeff (Philadelphia)
  14 March	DJ Flict (Los Angeles)
  15 March	Bautista (Guadalajara)
  16 March	Tre Nagella (Dallas)

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  This musical project represents more than just a collection of remixes. It's a celebration of the diversity and creativity found across North America, reflecting the unprecedented scale of the 2026 World Cup – the largest in history with more teams and matches than ever before. By involving local producers, FIFA is ensuring that each host city's unique cultural identity is woven into the fabric of the tournament.

  That was FIFA’s idea as their statement said “Music has become an integral part of the FIFA World Cup, and for the 2026 edition, it will reach an entirely new level. For the biggest football tournament in history, featuring 48 teams competing in 104 matches across three host nations, FIFA is introducing a groundbreaking initiative that celebrates diversity, creativity, and the unifying power of sport through music.”

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• WHAT’S NEXT?

  Fans can look forward to the daily release of each city's Sonic ID, starting March 1, 2025. These audio brands will be available to stream and download on popular music platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. Additionally, FIFA's YouTube channel will feature visualizers for each Sonic ID, providing a multimedia experience that captures the essence of each host city.

A total of 169 different players from 40 different countries have won the Premier League Player of the Month award since the accolade’s inception in 1994.

Some, like former West Ham United and Senegal striker Diafra Sakho, Norwich City and Finland legend Teemu Pukki, and Arsenal’s Austrian cult hero Alex Manninger have won it just once, collecting the prize after enjoying unlikely purple patches.

Others, like Thierry Henry, Eden Hazard, Gareth Bale, and Peter Odemwingie (yes, really) have won the award on multiple occasions, proving that their good form was indeed no fluke.

With that being said, we have listed the seven players with the most Premier League Player of the Month awards in top-flight history.

The top 11 players with the most penalties scored in Premier League history

There have been some brilliant takers from 12 yards over the years.

By
Charlie Smith

Nov 6, 2024

7

Mohamed Salah

5 POTM awards

Given that he’s been one of the Premier League’s most outstanding players since his arrival at Liverpool from AS Roma in 2017, it should come as no surprise that Mohamed Salah has won the Premier League’s Player of the Month award on five occasions.

Three of those wins came in his debut season for the Reds, with the Egyptian first collecting the prize in November 2017 and in back-to-back months in February and March 2018.

Salah finished that season as the Premier League’s runaway top scorer with 32 goals as Jurgen Klopp’s side finished fourth behind Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Manchester City.

Salah also won the Premier League Player of the Month award in October 2021 and October 2023.

6

Robin van Persie

5 POTM awards

Robin van Persie is one of only 12 players in top-flight history to have won the Premier League Player of the Month award for two different clubs.

The Dutchman won it three times while playing for Arsenal in November 2005, October 2009 and October 2011, before winning it twice as a Manchester United player during his first season at Old Trafford.

Van Persie’s final Player of the Month award in April 2013 was given to him after he scored six goals in four games, including a hat-trick against Aston Villa which secured United the Premier League title in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final campaign in charge.

5

Wayne Rooney

5 POTM awards

All five of Wayne Rooney’s Premier League Player of the Month wins came during his time at Manchester United.

The Englishman, who is the top flight’s third-highest scorer of all time with 208 goals, first scooped the award in February 2005 during his debut season at Old Trafford, in which he scored 11 league goals.

Rooney won the award again in December 2005, March 2006, October 2007 and January 2010.

Somehow, he didn’t scoop the prize in either August or September 2011, despite scoring nine goals – including two hat-tricks – in United’s opening five games of the 2011/12 season.

4

Cristiano Ronaldo

6 POTM awards

Widely regarded as one of the best players to ever grace a football field, Cristiano Ronaldo enjoyed a stellar first spell in England with Manchester United between 2003 and 2009, scoring 118 goals and winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or.

During that period, he was also named as the Premier League’s Player of the Month on four occasions.

The Portuguese star’s second spell at Old Trafford following his return to the club in 2021 wasn’t quite so successful (nor long), but he was still recognised for his individual brilliance.

In the 2021/22 season, Ronaldo scored 18 Premier League goals and won the division’s Player of the Month award on two occasions.

3

Steven Gerrard

6 POTM awards

Steven Gerrard was Liverpool’s most integral player for much of his 17-season spell at Anfield, scoring 120 Premier League goals from midfield and dragging the Reds from the abyss time after time.

For his efforts, the Englishman was named the PFA Player of the Year in 2006 and was the division’s Player of the Month six times – firstly in March 2001 and lastly 13 years later in March 2014, when he shared the gong with Liverpool teammate Luis Suarez.

However, despite his best efforts, Gerrard was never able to guide Liverpool to a Premier League title, which he described as his biggest regret upon leaving the club in 2015.

“I would love to say that I have got the full collection, it would be the icing on the cake,” he told Football Focus.

Every winner of the PFA Player of the Year award since 2000

Some of the Premier League’s greats have won the coveted award over the years – here’s every winner since the millennium following Phil Foden’s win.

By
Luke Randall

Aug 20, 2024

2

Sergio Aguero

7 POTM awards

Between 2011 and 2021, Sergio Aguero spearheaded Manchester City’s transformation from newly wealthy title hopefuls to the division’s most dominant team.

In 275 top-flight games for the Citizens, the Argentinian scored a mightily impressive 184 goals, firing the club to five titles.

He was named as the Premier League’s Player of the Month on a joint-record seven occasions, firstly in October 2013 after scoring five goals in four games. His most recent award was in January 2020, shortly after netting the 350th goal of his professional career with a hat-trick against Newcastle United.

1

Harry Kane

7 POTM awards

Harry Kane may have never won a piece of team silverware during his career, but he’s picked up plenty of individual accolades.

During his time in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur, Kane won the Golden Boot three times and the PFA Young Player of the Year award once, and was named in the PFA Team of the Year on six occasions.

The Englishman was also named as the Premier League Player of the Month seven times, including three times in one calendar year in 2017, collecting the award in February, September and December.

He won his final Player of the Month award in March 2022 after scoring four goals and providing two assists in four games for Antonio Conte’s Spurs side.

Every Premier League Golden Boot winner

Some of the Premier League’s greatest goalscorers have won the Golden Boot – here’s every player to earn the coveted prize.

By
Stephan Georgiou

May 26, 2025

Hoping to enjoy a busy January transfer window than their nightmare summer, Newcastle United are now reportedly considering a move to sign a Premier League midfielder in 2025.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have eased fears over their drop-off in recent weeks by turning their form around under Eddie Howe. It’s no coincidence that their return to form has gone hand-in-hand with Alexander Isak’s either, with the Swede back to his goalscoring best – netting three in his last three Premier League games. He was, of course, at it again last time out as Newcastle sealed an impressive 3-1 victory against high-flying Nottingham Forest.

As Isak’s form continues, however, concern has seemingly increased over his future at St James’ Park. Recent reports have linked the Newcastle star with the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool amid doubts that he will put pen to paper on a fresh deal for the Magpies. His exit would undoubtedly be a monumental blow.

Hoping to tempt their star man to stay put, those on Tyneside could hand Isak the perfect creator to fuel his goalscoring addiction. As reported in Fabrizio Romano’s Daily Briefing, Newcastle are now considering a January move to sign Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on loan from Chelsea. The former Leicester City midfielder has endured a nightmare spell and desperately needs the game time that the Magpies could offer.

They’re not the only side considering a move though, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly among the potential suitors alongside Aston Villa, Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford. In what could be a busy race for his signature, Dewsbury-Hall has quite the decision to make.

New target: Newcastle want "elite" Guehi alternative ahead of PL rivals

He could finally solve Eddie Howe’s defensive issues if they can agree a deal.

1

By
Ben Browning

Nov 13, 2024

Earning a reported £80,000-a-week at Chelsea, Newcastle would be wise to rescue Dewsbury-Hall in the winter window and reinforce their midfield options on an offensive front.

"Fantastic" Dewsbury-Hall needs move

Appearing just three times in the Premier League so far this season and accumulating just 43 minutes, Dewsbury-Hall’s decision to swap Leicester City for a packed Chelsea squad looks more and more unwise by the day. He desperately needs a winter exit – if only on loan – if he wants to finally make his mark on the Premier League.

Newcastle represent an ideal option too. The former Leicester man would receive the game time that he’s after amid Howe’s current lack of depth and would be fighting for European football in what wouldn’t be far away from Chelsea’s current aims. Having scored 12 goals and assisted a further 15 in the Championship last season too, Dewsbury-Hall is certainly a player capable of making a significant impact when given the chance.

It’s a slight suprise that Enzo Maresca has failed to give his summer signing a real chance at Chelsea after they worked so well together at Leicester last season. The Italian even spoke highly of the midfielder, telling Sky Sports: “He was full of responsibility at first. But since the first international break he has improved a lot.

“He’s calm, fantastic with the ball, he knows when to attack and what to give the team. He is so dangerous near the box, and has the quality to score or assist from anywhere.”

Over the summer of 2023, Todd Boehly’s spending at Chelsea again was rather sizeable, splashing out a whopping £386.7m on 12 permanent signings.

In order to fund this, the Blues also made back around £231.8m in sales, with 14 players leaving the club on permanent transfers, whilst 16 left the club on loan.

The biggest deal of that window was acquiring a midfield partner for Enzo Fernández, signing Moises Caicedo from Brighton, for a fee of around £115m. The 23-year-old midfielder signed an eight-year deal with the club and has already made 61 appearances, scoring two goals and, providing six assists.

Christopher Nkunku also joined from RB Leipzig for a fee of around £52m, agreeing a deal prior to his arrival on July 1st, 2023.

But injuries affected the Frenchman’s first season at the club, as he has only been able to make 31 appearances for the Blues since joining.

Christopher Nkunku's time at Chelsea

Nkunku’s first season at the club only saw 14 appearances, having suffered a knee injury, a hamstring injury, and a hip injury, really struggling to regain and sustain fitness. In those 14 games, Nkunku managed three goals across just 516 minutes on the pitch.

However, to start this term, despite being the understudy to Nicolas Jackson so far, the 26-year-old has made 17 appearances in all competitions, scoring ten goals and supplying one assist, already more than he managed in the entirety of 2023/24.

Despite his good goal tally this time around, the former Leipzig man is far more of a number ten, someone who likes to play off of the striker, be involved in all phases of play, and arrive in the box late, rather than being the out-and-out number nine, looking to occupy the box at all times.

This could see Nkunku force a move, as he looks for more game time in his natural position, with Manchester United reportedly interested in the Frenchman. Therefore, Chelsea could move for a new striker alongside Jackson, and links are beginning to emerge for a current Premier League star striker.

Transfer Focus

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

Chelsea's big-money Nkunku replacement

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who was dubbed “The New Zlatan” by scout Jacek Kulig, is reportedly going to be available in 2025, chiefly if the Magpies fail to qualify for the Champions League, according to Graeme Bailey.

This could see the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea (noted as long-term admirers) and Liverpool all chase up their interest in the striker.

Since joining Newcastle in 2022, Isak has been a phenomenal asset to the Toon, making 78 appearances, in which he’s scored as many as 40 goals. So, how does the Swede compare with what Maresca already has at his disposal?

Both Isak and Jackson do have similar profiles, looking to help their teams in the build-up, progress play, link the ball, run the channels and then arrive in the box.

Winning more aerial duels and, of course, scoring more regularly, Isak would offer a greater box threat. His 6 foot 4 frame is frightening and would give Chelsea something they severely lack currently; height.

Considering their profiles are similar and the fact he’s been priced at a seismic £115m, perhaps developing the rawer Jackson would save them money but the Sweden international is a proven hit now in the Premier League and is waiting for his big money money.

Jackson is there already but Isak would be an amazing pickup for any Premier League top side, guaranteeing goals, and overall quality in all phases of play.

Chelsea must regret selling £35m ace who's dominated Saka like Cucurella

The former Chelsea ace has taken his career to the next level after leaving Stamford Bridge.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 13, 2024

Ellie Taylor admits that “everyone loves the Ted Lasso universe”, with another nod offered towards Season 4 being in the pipeline.

Article continues below

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• Cast & crew are back on board
• Production lined up for 2025
• New storylines for AFC Richmond

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Leading members of the show’s cast and crew have aired their excitement at AFC Richmond returning to Apple TV+ streaming services. Jason Sudeikis, as writer and man behind the moustache on the affable American coach, is said to be fully on board.

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  THE GOSSIP

  He is ready to “reboot” the award-winning series, with it already being claimed that Lasso could be reintroduced to a global audience as coach of a women’s team. That would allow new storylines and characters to be introduced.

• WHAT ELLIE TAYLOR SAID

  Taylor, who plays Flo ‘Sassy’ Collins, told the when asked about the long-awaited return of Ted Lasso: “I've heard that apparently, maybe there is going to be a series four. It would be lovely if there was because everyone loves the Ted Lasso universe, so I wonder if there's room for that to expand or grow or continue in some way.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  She went on to say: “I feel so lucky to be part of such a beloved show. Rarely are you part of something that means so much to so many people. It came out over lockdown and entertainment was so important to all of us and it became this uncynical bit of joy. The latest series was a few years ago and people still want to talk to me about it like it was out last week.”

All is swell at Liverpool. Or is it? How curious, that Liverpool should be eight points clear at the top of the Premier League in the wake of Jurgen Klopp’s departure.

How intriguing that the Reds failed to complete the trigger-happy summer transfer window that fans demanded, and felt was so imperative to the success of the new era.

How funny, then, that Arne Slot’s side are firing freely on all cylinders, even though those contractual concerns loom over Anfield like an encroaching shadow.

How curious that Mohamed Salah should choose now to go against his own grain and speak to the matchday media.

Mohamed Salah's St. Mary's comments

Salah is a voracious chess player, and his decision to speak of his situation after Liverpool defeated Southampton felt like a calculated gambit as the clock ticks away.

36 days remain until Salah – as well as Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold – can agree to pre-contract deals with clubs from overseas. It’s concerning to say the least.

The Egypt phenomenon is Liverpool’s highest-paid player in history, earning £350k per week plus bonuses, and the fact that he turns 33 in June, compounded by the other contract quandaries, has left Richard Hughes dealing with protracted and difficult negotiations.

One thing’s for sure: Liverpool won’t succeed in replacing Salah next summer, not in terms of output. However, if that unthinkable scenario were to occur, the Reds are keen on replacing him with a brilliant Premier League player.

Liverpool in talks for Salah successor

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are weighing up a move for Mohammed Kudus of West Ham United, with the electric winger understood to have an £85m release clause in his contract.

Said to have wowed Reds scouts, Kudus isn’t a goalscoring winger but brings his qualities through other means. Liverpool simply can’t replace Salah with a pastiche; it would fall flat.

Instead, Slot could triumph in reshaping Liverpool’s frontline with such a wide forward.

Transfer Focus

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

What Mohammed Kudus would bring to Liverpool

Principally fielded on the left flank with West Ham, Kudus might find that his ball-striking success enjoys an upswing with a move to Anfield, where he would occupy the right flank in Salah’s wake.

As the table above alludes to, he’s an elite brand of dribbler, ranking among the top 11% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for goals scored, the top 2% for progressive carries and the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

The Ghana international’s performances have seen him likened, statistically as per FBRef, to Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who might not be on Salah’s level but is soaring toward a similar ballpark, having posted five goals and eight assists across 16 matches in all competitions this season.

Saka, 23, ranks among the top 3% of positional peers in the league this year for goals scored, the top 1% for assists and shot-creating actions and the top 1% for progressive carries per 90. It’s clear to see the similarities between the players.

Not just athletic sensations, though, both wingers like to get stuck in. Kudus has won 6.6 duels per game this season to line up nicely against Saka, who boasts an average of six.

Described as a “generational talent” by journalist Gary Al-Smith, Kudus still has much to work on before hitting the level of a top-performing Premier League forward such as Salah, but he’s still only 24 years old – younger than Salah when he joined Liverpool – and is endowed with the athleticism and technical skill to be a triumph.

Move over Salah: 8/10 Liverpool star just dropped his best game under Slot

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points after defeating Southampton 3-2.

By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 25, 2024