All posts by h716a5.icu

With the clock ticking down towards the final ten minutes at Craven Cottage, it looked as if Chelsea were hurtling towards a grim 1-0 defeat to near neighbours Fulham.

However, the Champions League chasing outfit managed to conjure up a dramatic fightback instead to win the tight Premier League clash 2-1, which has now sent Enzo Maresca’s Blues up to fifth in the ever-changing league standings.

With the likes of Nicolas Jackson suffering from an off-day, Maresca and Co had to rely on the heroics of faces such as Pedro Neto over the misfiring striker to secure the golden win, with the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers winger scoring the game-clinching strike right at the death.

Neto's performance in numbers

Indeed, Neto stepped up to the mark valiantly when other Chelsea forwards decided to duck away from the spotlight, with Jackson only managing one meagre effort on goal before he was hooked off on the 73rd-minute mark.

Away from the Chelsea number 15’s uninspired showing, however, the Portuguese attacker would send the away masses packed into Craven Cottage into delirium when his fierce effort was smashed home past a startled Bernd Leno.

Away from this last-gasp moment of quality, the Blues number seven was constantly involved in play in a positive manner, with the 25-year-old firing two other efforts at the German’s net away from his 93rd-minute winner, alongside winning four ground duels when attempting to launch attack after attack.

Having also looked likely in the Ipswich Town draw in the league before this win on the road – with five key passes tallied up against Kieran McKenna’s challengers – Neto will pray he can nail down a starting spot down Chelsea’s left flank off the back of his further standout display against Marco Silva’s hosts.

He isn’t the only figure who could now be deemed as undroppable in the eyes of Maresca, considering one of Neto’s attacking teammates was equally as energetic and impactful in steering the Blues to their 16th league win of the entertaining campaign.

8/10 Chelsea star now as undroppable as Neto

Maresca will still feel irked that it took his team until the 83rd minute to turn the tie around with a number of his key first team personnel letting him down.

But, a major plus for the ex-Leicester City boss to cling onto will be the energy and drive shown by Tyrique George when he entered into the contest, with the homegrown Chelsea product only needing to amass four touches before he left a lasting impact on proceedings.

Fresh off scoring his first ever senior goal for his boyhood employers in the Europa Conference League, George would get his fading team back on level terms versus the Cottagers with a confident and assured finish trickling in after the ball was flicked it into the teenager’s path.

With Jackson’s wastefulness in front of goal well documented, alongside the ongoing struggles of Christopher Nkunku in West London, the answer for Maresca up top between now and the close of the season could be persisting with the Camden-born starlet.

Minutes played

75

12

Goals scored

1

1

Assists

0

0

Touches

46

4

Accurate passes

31/35

2/2

Shots

1

1

Showing off his ability to be a livewire from the start when bagging one of Chelsea’s three goals in Poland in mid-April, George does look ready for more first-team opportunites moving forward, with his cameo against Fulham – which saw him complete 100% of his passes – resulting in a high 8/10 post-match rating being awarded to him by The Express’ Fraser Watson.

Bold calls such as these might see Chelsea sprint ahead to secure Champions League football, with Maresca needing everyone in his camp to be playing at their optimum to get over the line.

Jackson upgrade: Chelsea to make £59m bid for "one of the best strikers"

Chelsea are gearing up to sign a new centre-forward in the transfer market this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 19, 2025

Celtic find themselves on the cusp of another league title and could now look to press ahead in their pursuit of an exciting attacker this summer, according to reports.

Celtic look to finish campaign with a flourish ahead of summer window

Brendan Rodgers has enjoyed another brilliant campaign in the dugout at Parkhead and will look to lead his side to the Scottish Cup final this weekend if they can navigate past St Johnstone at Hampden Park.

Following last weekend’s results, Celtic now only need a point to secure the Scottish Premiership crown for a fourth season in succession. The Bhoys travel to Tannadice next Saturday in their first post-split fixture, which may be where they can finally celebrate with their supporters.

Looking ahead, Rodgers appears to have already set his stall out in advance of the summer window. Danny Ings has emerged as a suggested target at Parkhead as his contract at West Ham United continues to run down.

Mathias Kvistgaarden is on Celtic’s radar after another sparkling season at Brondby, though it remains to be seen if the Bhoys will meet his £13.5 million valuation.

Celtic’s fixture run-in after post-split fixture announcement

St Johnstone (N)

Scottish Cup semi-final

Dundee United (A)

Scottish Premiership

Rangers (A)

Scottish Premiership

Hibernian (H)

Scottish Premiership

Aberdeen (A)

Scottish Premiership

St Mirren (H)

Scottish Premiership

Aberdeen or Heart of Midlothian (N)

*Should Celtic advance to Scottish Cup final

Clearly, there is a desire within the walls at Parkhead to make sure the Scottish champions are equipped for Champions League qualifiers next season.

There is no automatic league phase qualification guarantee, so Celtic need to be proactive as they prepare to enter the final qualifying round.

Either way, the Hoops have now found out how much they will need to pay for a reported summer target, per recent developments.

Celtic find out fee needed to sign Stoke City star Million Manhoef

Over the last few days, information has come to light revealing that Celtic are interested in a move to sign Stoke City winger Million Manhoef and Rodgers has taken a personal interest in bringing the Dutchman to Parkhead.

Now, EFL Analysis report that the Bhoys will need to pay £10 million to land Manhoef. They will also field interest from Championship duo Sheffield United and Burnley alongside Belgian Pro League sides Genk and Club Brugge for his signature.

Celtic must permanently bin Hoops ace who Rodgers thinks is so "important"

Celtic must finally part ways with the flop, who has been outscored by Cameron Carter-Vickers, in the summer.

2 ByDan Emery Apr 14, 2025

Labelled “really exciting” by journalist Dean Jones, the 23-year-old has registered six goals and four assists in 35 appearances this campaign.

Financially, Manhoef’s £12,500 per week pay packet would fit into Celtic’s wage structure, and Rodgers’ men have shown a willingness to shell out sizeable fees for premium talent on the market.

However, it remains to be seen whether they will repeat the trick this summer. Champions League football isn’t a guarantee this year, so any lavish spending may have to wait until their European fate is secured.

Even after they were crowned Premier League champions on Sunday, Liverpool look destined to lose one particular star this summer with his agent already reportedly working on an exit.

Slot credits Klopp after Liverpool title win

Not even the most optimistic Liverpool fan could have predicted a debut title for Arne Slot. The Dutchman had an impossible act to follow in the great Jurgen Klopp, but waltzed in without welcoming any significant arrivals before completing a task only five other Premier League managers have achieved in history. Slot, like Klopp, has now become an instant part of Anfield history.

For the first time this season Slot was no longer the stern, focused tactician at Anfield when the final whistle sounded on Sunday. Instead, like his Liverpool squad, he was seen donning the champions shirt and swaying along to You’ll Never Walk Alone in front of the Kop.

The Liverpool boss took time to express the joy of becoming a Premier League champion whilst also handing credit to Klopp, telling reporters: “I am 99.9% sure that if I pick up my phone there will be a message from Jurgen.

Revealed: The "exciting" 9-goal winger Liverpool chiefs have enquired about

The Premier League champions could swoop in…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 29, 2025

“So many moments in the season the two of us have had contact. I think he showed last season what a wonderful human being he is by introducing me. But what mattered most is the team he left behind that was able to win the trophy. The work Jurgen and Pep [Lijnders] did – the culture, work-rate, quality – was outstanding.”

That Premier League crown is unlikely to stand in the way of a busy summer, however, with one forward seemingly destined to head for the exit door.

Darwin Nunez set to leave Liverpool

According to reports in Spain, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has handpicked Darwin Nunez to sign this summer and the Uruguayan’s agent is already working on a Liverpool exit. The forward’s third season at the club looks set to be his last as Slot gets ruthless and Liverpool look to move on after winning the Premier League title.

It has been his third season that Nunez has arguably looked the most out of place in Liverpool’s squad, which has moved on from Klopp’s heavy-metal approach towards a more controlled style under Slot.

2022/23

42

15

4

2023/24

54

18

15

2024/25

43

7

7

This season’s numbers highlight how Nunez has struggled under Slot compared to the improvements he was making under Klopp and it’s become clearer than ever that he must move on to find his best form.

Once described as “outstanding” by his Klopp, Nunez looks destined to depart Anfield as a case of what might have been rather than the player they believed they had signed in 2022. Whether that means that Atletico Madrid beckons for the £140,000-a-week forward remains to be seen, however.

Wolverhampton Wanderers fans have seen a whole host of top attacking stars grace the Molineux pitch in recent years, with the likes of Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez immediately sticking out.

Between them, the potent pair managed to tally up 101 goals when donning an Old Gold strip, leading to both players still being held in high regard in the West Midlands.

Vitor Pereira and Co will be hopeful that any new strikers that enter the building this summer can be as memorable as both Jota and Jimenez were, with Wolves now being linked to a load of fresh centre-forwards.

Wolves' pursuit of a new striker

The in-form Premier League side might well be keeping their options wide open just in case Matheus Cunha does decide to jump ship, considering the spellbinding Brazilian is being linked incessantly with a switch to Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United.

Already, the Old Gold have been tipped to make moves for breakout Holstein Kiel striker Phil Harres, alongside Leicester City veteran Jamie Vardy, but now they have allegedly thrown their hat into the ring to land deadly Irish marksman Troy Parrott.

As per journalist Ben Jacobs when recently appearing on the Wolfpack podcast, Pereira’s men are keen on snapping up the lethal AZ Alkmaar attacker when the transfer window reopens, with Parrott presumably up for a move back to English shores himself after a testing time with former side Tottenham Hotspur.

If Wolves were successful in their pursuit, the Old Gold could be about to land their next iteration of Kevin Doyle, with Doyle also coincidentally a striker that hails from Ireland who knew how to excite the masses with electric attacking displays.

Why Parrott could be Wolves' next Doyle

Minus the geographical similarities, Parrott has proven himself across many a season now in the Netherlands that he possesses the same goalscoring prowess as the ex-Wolves number 29.

Doyle, across 179 appearances at Molineux, would chip in with a respectable tally of 34 goals and 22 assists. Parrott, for his current employers, already boasts 20 strikes from 45 games, which is a hefty total that follows from his 17-goal heroics when starring for Excelsior elsewhere in the Eredivisie.

He’s even managed to excel on the international stage for the Republic of Ireland, much like Doyle before him, with five goals picked up from 28 caps for his nation – again bolstering his reputation as a feared goal machine.

Amazingly, his 20-goal return for AZ this season actually betters Cunha’s unbelievable rich vein of form for Pereira’s men, with a hope in the air that signings such as Parrott’s getting over the line softens the potential blow of the 25-year-old departing for Old Trafford.

Games played

45

32

Goals scored

20

17

Assists

5

6

Games

28

29

Goals

14

15

Goal frequency

157min

156min

Assists

2

6

Big chances missed

18

2

Big chances created

4

12

Key passes

1.1

1.8

Indeed, the table above shows off Parrott’s impressive goalscoring numbers even more, with Cunha falling short of his Irish counterpart’s output by three goals in all competitions, albeit from 13 fewer clashes.

Lauded as “phenomenal” by ex-manager Ryan Lowe when the duo were together at Preston North End, it’s clear that the former Spurs youngster is ready for a taste of the Premier League again to put his goalless stint in the men’s team in North London firmly behind him.

Wolves might well give him that platform to strut his stuff soon, with the potential there for the Dublin-born striker to be the club’s next Doyle if everything goes swimmingly.

The next Jimenez: Wolves eyeing up "remarkable" £8.5m CF alongside Vardy

Wolverhampton Wanderers could soon land their next Raul Jimenez with this striker purchase.

ByKelan Sarson May 1, 2025

Sunderland might well have closed out their regular campaign in the Championship with a worrying five league defeats on the spin, but heading into the second leg of their playoff affair with Coventry City later on, Regis Le Bris’ Black Cats are firmly in the driver’s seat.

Indeed, the promotion hopefuls lead Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues 2-1 on aggregate after a confident display on their travels last time out, with a potentially bouncing Stadium of Light atmosphere tonight seeing them over the line.

Le Bris will further hope he’s the boss that can consolidate Sunderland as a Premier League regular again if promotion is reached, with the Wearside outfit enjoying many a top-flight season previously when Jermain Defoe was heroically leading the line.

Jermain Defoe's heroics at Sunderland

It’s been a long time coming for Sunderland to be on the cusp of a Premier League return, with the Black Cats competing outside the luxuries of the top-flight since 2016.

The former Tottenham Hotspur star would attempt to keep his forlorn side up during the 2015/16 season against all the odds, but not even his regular heroics would be enough to keep the Wearside giants from sinking down despondently to the EFL.

The campaign prior, however, Defoe’s 15-goal haul in the tricky division would be enough for Sunderland to just about avoid relegation in 17th spot, but that same goal tally the season after would unfortunately go to waste.

In total, the firm Stadium of Light fan’s favourite would notch up a century of Sunderland appearances across three seasons, with 37 goals tallied up, definitely making him a standout purchase.

Well, it’s safe to say that as the Mackems potentially approach another campaign in the top-flight, they’ve found their best signing since the iconic Defoe.

Sunderland's best purchase since Defoe

Le Bris has managed to tempt some top-quality personnel to Sunderland since taking charge of the EFL giants, with Wilson Isidor up to 15 goals now from 50 games this season after netting in the first leg away at Coventry.

Chalkboard

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

While Isidor has certainly shone bright, it’s the remarkable coup of Enzo Le Fee who stands proud as Sunderland’s best signing in recent years.

As it happens, he had a huge role to play in his French compatriot finishing past Ben Wilson with confidence last Friday, with his defence-splitting pass giving Isidor plenty of time to compose himself before firing home.

This sublime moment of quality on such a pressurised stage backs up how much of an outrageous coup it was that Sunderland managed to obtain Le Fee’s services on loan in January, with Defoe also seen as a statement purchase back in 2014, considering his devastating prowess in front of goal in the Premier League was clear for all to see before relocating to the Black Cats.

Le Fee has also displayed his midfield elegance in some grand settings before Sunderland came calling, with the stylish Frenchman once on the desired shopping list of Liverpool off the back of picking up 15 assists on the books of Le Bris’ ex-employers Lorient.

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

1

Touches

43

Accurate passes

17/19 (89%)

Key passes

4

Big chances created

1

The classy 25-year-old would never manage to pull on the famed red strip of Arne Slot’s men, but he certainly looks comfortable donning the red and white of Sunderland at the moment, with the midfielder registering four key passes in total during the first leg win.

Therefore, much like Defoe managed in the Premier League when securing safety for Sunderland, the “really talented” midfielder – as he’s been labelled by his manager – could be as key to Le Bris’ men now as they attempt to leap back up to the big time.

After all, his sensational ability to produce a moment of spellbinding quality in an instant is a hugely effective weapon, particularly if a playoff final to come at Wembley is tense and in need of a game-changing spark.

Delegation travels to Sunderland amid imminent talks to sign 19 y/o

This is a worrying time for Black Cats supporters.

ByHenry Jackson May 9, 2025

Manchester United are now stepping up their efforts to sign Fenerbahce youngster Yusuf Akcicek, who Jose Mourinho has likened to Raphael Varane.

Man Utd set to strengthen spine this summer

There are a number of positions in the United team that need to be addressed by INEOS this summer, and while the forward line is an urgent priority, additions are needed right through the spine of Ruben Amorim’s set-up.

£90k-p/w star tells Man Utd he'd join regardless of Champions League football

A top INEOS target wants to move to United no matter the result of Wednesday’s Europa League final.

ByBrett Worthington May 21, 2025

Christian Eriksen looks set to leave Old Trafford after the final game of the season on Sunday against Aston Villa. The Denmark international is out of contract, and it appears there are no signs of a renewal.

Meanwhile, fellow midfielder Casemiro has also been mentioned as a player who could be allowed to leave this summer. The Brazilian was heavily linked with a move away in January, but nothing materialised, and since then, he has become an important player for Amorim, especially in Europe. But his £350,000-a-week wages could be a reason why the Red Devils decide to move him on.

Surprisingly, Kobbie Mainoo’s future at Old Trafford has come into doubt in recent months, with reports even claiming that Amorim is ready to sell the young midfielder, whose current deal expires in 2027.

Changes are also needed in defence, where Jonny Evans will leave and so too could Victor Lindelof, while Lisandro Martinez continues to struggle with injuries.

Man Utd chiefs want to sign £21m Fenerbahce star

According to Turkish Football, Man United are ready to make a move and sign Yusuf Akcicek, a young centre-back who has thrived under Jose Mourinho this season.

The report claims that United now want to step up their efforts having scouted Akcicek closely during the Süper Lig season. Despite the fact the 19 year-old is under contract until 2028, Fener are open to the idea of selling Akcicek, but they will demand at least €25 million, which is roughly £21 million.

The teenager joined the Turkish giants from rivals Galatasaray’s academy in 2019, and has earned his place as a regular in matchday squads this season, with his manager even likening him to Real Madrid great and former Red Devil Varane.

It’s not just United who are interested in signing Akcicek, as Aston Villa are also believed to be interested in the youngster.

Apps

8

Starts

4

Touches per game

37.0

Passes per game (accuracy)

27.1 (93%)

Clean sheets

1

Interceptions per game

0.6

Tackles per game

1.1

Balls recovered per game

1.8

Clearances per game

2.8

Given the likes of Evans and Lindelof may leave United this summer, the Premier League side may see Akcicek as a player who can become their long-term replacement, and he could be brought in for a fairly reasonable price.

It is no understatement to say that Glasgow Rangers require a major overhaul this summer.

Not just in the playing squad or staff members, but in mentality. Since the Ibrox side won the Premiership title in 2021, the Gers have won only two trophies since.

In comparison, Celtic have won every available league title on offer and have clinched a domestic double this season, although they did lose to Aberdeen in the SFA Cup final.

Things have to change at Ibrox, and fast. The 49ers’ involvement should give those at the club a boost, but the priority is a new manager.

The likes of Steven Gerrard and Davide Ancelotti have been linked with a move to Glasgow, while several other candidates have been touted for the vacant role.

Whoever becomes the next permanent manager will have work to do in order to improve the first-team squad this summer.

There are various positions that need urgent improvement, no doubt about that. Furthermore, several players could be sold to raise funds and help reduce the wage bill.

Cyriel Dessers may finish the season as the top scorer in the Premiership, but if a reasonable offer comes in this summer, the club should cash in.

Why Rangers must sell Cyriel Dessers

Never has a Rangers player exuded more Jekyll and Hyde-like qualities than Dessers. One minute, he is simply unplayable, causing chaos for opposition defenders domestically and in Europe.

Next, he struggles with the easiest of chances and offers next to nothing in the final third.

There is no doubt about his record in front of goal for the Light Blues since he joined in a deal worth £4.5m from Cremonese in the summer of 2023. Indeed, the Nigerian striker has scored 51 goals and grabbed 16 assists across 109 games for the club during his first two seasons.

On the surface, this is an impressive record in front of goal. He has shone in Europe, with his display against Fenerbahce one of the finest by a Gers forward in quite a while.

Unfortunately, these performances are few and far between. Throughout the 2023/24 league season, Dessers missed a staggering 27 big chances across 35 matches.

Over the same number of games in 2024/25, he missed 21 big chances, a slight improvement, but still not great.

Metric

2023/24

2024/25

Goals

16

18

Assists

4

2

Shots per game

2.9

2.4

Big chances missed

27

21

Goal conversion percentage

16%

22%

During the winter transfer window, several clubs were linked with making a move for Dessers. Saint-Étienne, Cagliari, and Empoli were all showing interest in securing a move for the 30-year-old.

Much to the disappointment of large sections of the support, the centre-forward remained in Glasgow until the end of the season at least.

He has two years left on his current contract, which suggests now would be the ideal time to cash in and secure a decent fee for the player.

This could be used to fund future signings, especially a couple of younger players with a higher ceiling for growth.

Dessers shouldn’t be the only player to be moved on this summer by the new manager. Nedim Bajrami is reportedly attracting interest from afar, and now might be a good time to part ways with the Albanian.

Nedim Bajrami has offers on the table

According to reports in Albania (as relayed by Glasgow Times), Bajrami has two options on the table with regard to a summer exit away from the Light Blues.

One comes from the Italian top flight, while the other is from the Bundesliga, and the report states that the midfielder is likely to leave Glasgow when the transfer window finally opens.

Much will depend on the price, however, as the 49ers will be keen on recouping much of the £3.4m that was spent on the Albanian last summer.

It’s safe to say he hasn’t exactly enjoyed the most productive of campaigns in Scotland, despite arriving with plenty of hype.

What exactly went wrong with Bajrami?

Why Rangers must sell Nedim Bajrami this summer

The 26-year-old had impressed for his country at Euro 2024, scoring an incredible opener against Italy after just 23 seconds.

A move to Ibrox in the final days of the summer transfer window looked like a real coup for Philippe Clement.

What looked like a potentially transformative signing for the club eventually turned into a waste of money. Across 44 games for Rangers, he only scored five goals and chipped in with four assists, showing that he has rarely made a big impact at the top end of the pitch.

Considering the sum of money the club had paid, this was hardly the best of returns, especially following a decent start to life in Glasgow.

The midfielder only started 15 Premiership matches, creating only four big chances, averaging one key pass and succeeding with just one dribble per game in the top flight.

In Europe, Bajrami didn’t fare much better. Indeed, he could only muster a single goal from 11 appearances, winning less than half of his total duels per game and averaging 1.3 key passes per game, which shows how ineffective he has been on the European stage since his move to Ibrox.

The nadir came against Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup back in February. Rangers suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat – arguably one of their worst domestic losses – but Bajrami was subbed at half-time following a dismal display.

Stevie Clifford, who runs Four Lads Had a Dream, criticised the Albanian a month before, saying:

“I’ll highlight it again, it’s not singling him out, but Nedim Bajrami is not offering enough at all.

“We need him to influence games & be involved, largely anonymous so far, again.

“£4m is big money to do it in these type of games & he’s miles off it so far.”

All of these points point towards a likely summer exit when the window opens next month. Should Rangers receive a bid that is deemed acceptable, then they must be ready to cash in.

He didn’t live up to initial expectations, and regardless of who the new manager is, Bajrami’s future already looks settled with the offers that are on the table from other clubs.

Hopefully, he can make better signings this summer.

Gerrard's next Defoe: Rangers could sign PL "living legend" this summer

Rangers must make a move for a current Premier League striker this summer

ByRoss Kilvington May 24, 2025

It truly was the best and the worst of times for Tottenham Hotspur last season, and though Ange Postecoglou drove his side to glory in the Europa League, his wretched Premier League form led Daniel Levy to give him the boot.

Though there has been an outpouring of rueful emotion following the news, and though Ange will likely feel aggrieved after ending 17 years of searching for silverware in north London, finishing 17th in the league was unacceptable.

It is, of course, crucial that Spurs use this critical juncture as a launching pad for future fortunes, taking Postecoglou’s foundations and building sustainable success.

Mooted managerial targets such as Fulham’s Marco Silva and former boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has since led Chelsea, don’t quite speak of a step in the right direction.

But Brentford’s Thomas Frank certainly does.

Talks are advancing for Brentford’s boss, with the Lilywhites growing in confidence that a deal will be reached now the 51-year-old has informed his club of his wish to depart.

Change, then, is afoot. With Levy moving swiftly to get a deal done, Tottenham are expected to make changes to the first team.

Let’s have a look at exactly how Frank might put his stamp on his new team.

1 GK – Guglielmo Vicario

Guglielmo Vicario has suffered through his second season in a Tottenham shirt, but he kept a clean sheet in Bilbao and made a crucial save in the dying embers of the match.

With so much going on elsewhere, it looks like the Italian will continue to ward off competition from Antonín Kinský.

2 RB – Pedro Porro

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s transfer from Liverpool to Real Madrid ended Pedro Porro’s chance of moving to the Spanish capital, and though it’s been an up-and-down campaign for the right-back, he’s still an impactful and dynamic talent.

For sure, Djed Spence will be knocking on his door, but Frank’s more stable defensive game could actually see Porro go from strength to strength.

3 CB – Marc Guehi

Marc Guehi is a wanted man. Tottenham are on the case, but so too are Liverpool and Newcastle United believed to be suitors for the centre-back.

Cristian Romero is being linked with a transfer to Atletico Madrid. The Argentine is world-class, but routinely injured, and Guehi could wipe the slate clean.

Matches (starts)

34 (34)

18 (18)

Goals

3

1

Assists

2

0

Clean sheets

11

2

Touches*

64.9

78.8

Pass completion

84%

90%

Key passes*

0.5

0.4

Ball recoveries*

4.3

5.0

Tackles + interceptions*

2.6

3.1

Clearances*

4.6

2.9

Duels (won)*

4.9 (59%)

4.9 (61%)

Errors made

2

2

Worth as much as £70m, Guehi would cost a pretty penny, but his technical and defensive qualities and rare absences highlight his aptness as Romero’s heir. The best ability is availability, after all.

4 CB – Micky van de Ven

Romero may get sold, particularly with Ange now gone, but Micky van de Ven will be going nowhere. Athletic, imposing and a progressive passer, his form and fitness could see him become a defining linchpin of the prospective Frank era.

5 LB – Destiny Udogie

Only starting four Premier League matches in 2025 due to injury, Destiny Udogie hasn’t elicited the awe of football fans this year, but still remains one of the most powerful and high-potential defenders across Europe.

Recent interest from Manchester City, before Pep Guardiola’s side moved for Rayan Ait-Nouri, indicates the strength of his skill set and how he could still become a first-class full-back.

Improvements, though, need to be seen. Perhaps he could take influence from how Frank crafted Rico Henry into a better player in west London.

6 CM – Lucas Bergvall

It’s crazy to think Lucas Bergvall is still only 19, thrown right into the deep end last season, playing 45 matches across all competitions.

The Swedish talent will only continue to improve, and if he takes the right steps, could become a fixed feature in Tottenham’s senior squad.

7 CM – Morten Hjulmand

TEAMtalk believe Tottenham are ready to make their move for Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand, who is also wanted by Man United. The Dane could cost around £50m.

Neither Rodrigo Bentancur nor Yves Bissouma have really cut the mustard, and both strugglers are on the verge of entering their final year at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Hjulmand is tenacious and a tough tackler, more of a natural six than the aforementioned, and he might just prove a huge difference-maker.

8 RW – Leroy Sane

Leroy Sane may end up leaving Bayern Munich this summer, and should the German winger do so, Tottenham could reportedly be there to tempt him back to the Premier League.

Though the 29-year-old has lost some of his raw pace (37th in the Bundesliga for highest-clocked speed last term), he still scored 11 goals from just 17 league starts.

This could be Frank’s new Mbeumo…

9 AM – Dejan Kulusevski

Dejan Kulusevski had surgery on a patella injury last month and will be sidelined for several months, but he’s still one of the most important players down N17.

He might not be as naturally prolific as James Maddison, but Deki’s industriousness and ball retention have seen him step toward the upper echelon of top midfielders, and he may well keep the Three Lions star on the bench.

10 LW – Eberechi Eze

Aside from keeping Postecoglou in the dugout, this could be the summer-defining move. Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze has been heavily linked with Tottenham of late, and with a £68m release clause, could mark the marquee move of the off-season.

FA Cup “superstar” – as he’s been described by football analyst Ben Mattinson – Eze would be an incredible addition, replacing Heung-min Son at left wing. Son scored himself a fairytale ending by winning the Europa League, but recent reports suggest a fee could be generated for the 32-year-old, who is the latest high-profile Saudi Pro League target.

Eze’s pace and silky athleticism would prove the perfect way to replace the legendary skipper, that and his potency, posting 14 goals and 11 assists across the campaign.

Sticking to the recent trend of targeting Premier League rivals, PIF are now reportedly evaluating a move to sign an impressive attacking midfielder for Newcastle United this summer.

Newcastle still chasing Elanga and Trafford deals

Having already signed Antonio Cordero on a free transfer to get their business underway nice and early, Newcastle are now pushing on in an attempt to make some impressive statements. Chasing deals to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and James Trafford from Burnley, the Magpies are aiming to swoop in and weaken their Premier League opposition.

Both are long-term targets and both are players that would hand Eddie Howe instant upgrades within his side. Newcastle’s chase to sign a fresh right-wing option has particularly been no secret in the last 12 months and, after missing out on Manchester United-bound Bryan Mbeumo, Elanga’s arrival would make perfect sense.

Starts

38

35

Goals

6

8

Assists

11

12

Successful Take-ons

25

35

The Swede would push Jacob Murphy all the way for a starting place and offer Newcastle instant strength in depth – something they crucially lacked the last time that they featured in the Champions League.

Even if Trafford and Elanga arrive though, Newcastle may not be done there when it comes to shopping in the Premier League. The Magpies are seemingly in a ruthless mood and have now turned their attention back towards Brentford. Having missed out on Mbeumo, PIF are now reportedly eyeing a summer swoop to sign one of the Bees’ star midfielders.

PIF evaluating Damsgaard move for Newcastle

According to Caught Offside, PIF are now evaluating a move to sign Mikkel Damsgaard for Newcastle this summer. The Danish midfielder is not someone Brentford are keen to lose, but every player has a price and the West London club reportedly value the 24-year-old at €50m (£42m).

Tottenham Hotspur are also sniffing around a deal amid their move for Thomas Frank, with the Bees boss hoping to take a couple of his star players with him to the North side of London.

Damsgaard is a talent who took a few years to discover his best form after initially bursting onto the scene at Euro 2020. Described as “brilliant” by scout Jacek Kulig five years on from that tournament, however, he’s finally at the peak of his powers at Brentford.

Only Mohamed Salah, Elanga and Newcastle’s Murphy assisted more goals than the Dane last season, who could join the latter and perhaps even the Forest star as well, forming quite the creative partnership at St James’ Park.

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Reportedly earning just £35,000-a-week in West London, Damsgaard would hardly break the bank in Tyneside and represents another target who knows exactly how to navigate the challenges of the Premier League. Like Elanga and Trafford, he ticks every box for Newcastle.

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim reportedly sees a “very good” goalkeeper as his leading target in that position this summer, and it’s not Emiliano Martinez.

Who will replace Andre Onana at Man Utd?

The performances of Andre Onana last season undoubtedly played a part in the Red Devils’ struggles in the Premier League, with the Cameroonian too often proving to be an unconvincing figure between the sticks.

It would be a surprise if Onana was in goal for the opening game of the 2025/26 campaign – he may even have been sold by then – and a host of names have been mentioned as succeeding him at United in the coming years.

Villa and Argentina star Martinez has arguably been talked about more than anyone for the Red Devils, with the 32-year-old a huge character who has proven himself on the biggest stage, helping his country beat France on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final.

Lille ‘keeper Lucas Chevalier has also been mentioned at times, while Everton and England ace Jordan Pickford’s name has been touted sporadically, but now another name appears to be at the top of United’s list of options.

Amorim wants Man Utd to sign "very good" goalkeeper

According to journalist Sebastiao Sousa-Pinto on X, Manchester United boss Amorim wants to sign Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa this summer.

“As I have been reporting in recent weeks, Diogo Costa remains on Man United’s list to take over the goal. Valor could be a stumbling block for the Red Devils. He has been Ruben Amorim’s favourite since January, but there are more options on the table if Onana leaves.”

The £63m-rated Costa may still only be 25, which is young for a goalkeeper, but he already feels like a hugely experienced player at both club and international level, making him a strong option for United.

He has now racked up 36 caps for Portugal, helping them win the UEFA Nations League this month and is likely to go into the 2026 World Cup as their first-choice between the sticks. He also has 197 appearances for Porto, keeping 83 clean sheets in that time.

Costa would be an upgrade on Onana, who is a talented stopper but has too many bad mistakes in him, with the former bringing more consistency to the role, having been praised by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who said of him: “I’m not here to rate their players, but he’s very good for sure. He’s consistently been at that level for a few years.”

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At 25, Costa could be the solution in goal for United for the next decade, and the fact that Amorim wants him more than anyone is reason to take a punt on him and trust the boss.