All posts by z3u9t.icu

Everton have come on leaps and bounds since David Moyes returned to the helm in January after so many years away.

However, there are plenty of wrinkles that still need ironing out, with Tuesday evening’s Carabao Cup defeat at Molineux illustrating that fact. The Toffees have gone 30 years without silverware, and Wolverhampton Wanderers handed them their fourth third-round defeat in the competition in five years.

One point from six available in recent Premier League outings, a point against Aston Villa at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and then defeat at Anfield, emphasise the task on Moyes’ hands if he wishes to restore the Merseysiders to their one-time standing and consistency during his first term at the club, but he has the tools to achieve this.

After all, Everton signed Jack Grealish from Manchester City on loan for the duration of the 2025/26 season, didn’t they?

The Jack Grealish effect

Grealish was at a crossroads this summer, having fallen by the wayside at Man City, sinking further and further into the fringes across the second half of his time at the illustrious outfit.

Everton and Moyes offered him a lifeline, and he has taken it with both hands, already registering four assists in the Premier League and being crowned the division’s Player of the Month for August.

Everton lacked fluency and drive in attack last season, and they needed a more passionate approach this year.

But Grealish wears his passion on his sleeves, and he’s built upon a skillset of flair and guile and sparkle. Pep Guardiola once hailed the Three Lions star for his “aggressive” nature on the pitch, but this wasn’t always on show at City.

Now, though, the 30-year-old has restored his bite down the left flank, not just creating but getting stuck in too, with Sofascore recording that he has averaged 7.2 duels per game so far.

Grealish is a sensation, but whether he is the finest forward in Everton’s ranks is a debatable thing when Iliman Ndiaye also plies his craft under Moyes’ wing.

Moyes has hit the jackpot on Iliman Ndiaye

Ndiaye has been a revelation at Everton, signed for just £15m in July 2024. Only spending one term in France with Marseille, the Senegalese winger struggled to get going after previously starring in the Championship with Sheffield United, where his performances earned many plaudits.

And he picked up where he left off in England, hailed for his “dynamite” quality when on the ball by Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp.

Across all competitions last term, Ndiaye scored 11 goals for the Toffees, more than any of his teammates.

He hasn’t quite settled into his finest form this season, but Ndiaye has still been fantastic under Moyes’ wing, scoring twice and assisting once.

When collating his match data with Grealish’s over these opening weeks of the campaign, it becomes all the more clear that Grealish has some fierce internal competition as he plays his way toward contention for the Player of the Year and indeed steers Everton to heights unscaled in many recent years.

Matches (starts)

5 (4)

5 (5)

Goals

0

2

Assists

4

1

Touches*

49.4

44.0

Shots (on target)*

1.4 (0.4)

0.8 (0.6)

Accurate passes*

23.6 (86%)

18.0 (80%)

Key passes*

3.0

1.4

Dribbles*

1.6

3.4

Ball recoveries*

4.2

6.8

Tackles*

1.8

2.4

Duels won*

7.2

8.2

As you can see, most of the effusive noise might be directed toward Grealish so far this term, but Ndiaye is on a level with the England international, and he’s five years younger besides.

Both are electric and pacy players, and there’s a neat balance in Grealish’s playmaking emphasis and Ndiaye’s more direct approach.

It’s also worth noting that the former Marseille man is earning just £45k per week at Everton, and while a bumper pay rise is sure to be on technical director Angus Kinnear’s radar, it’s an illustration of the shrewd business completed in reeling him over. Farhad Moshiri’s dysfunctional reign was characterised by many bungled deals, but credit must be paid for the addition of Ndiaye.

Grealish, meanwhile, is one of the best-paid players in the Premier League, and though he’s playing like it across the opening weeks of his Everton career, Ndiaye is quite the wide forward himself – and he’s permanently on the Toffees books besides.

In any case, both superstars are more than happy to be playing their football on Merseyside, beaming grins clear for all to see.

While Everton have hit the jackpot with the addition of Grealish, it’s important to remember that he is only a loanee. A permanent stay down the line isn’t out of the question, but it will present a new financial obstacle for Kinnear and co.

Ndiaye is already on the books, of course, and he just keeps on going from strength to strength, potent in the final third but also a willing defender, a crisp passer and a breakneck runner.

Data-driven platform FBref underscore all this. Across the past year, the African talent ranks among the top 17% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe for pass completion, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 9% for tackles per 90.

Watch him continue to improve. Here is a talisman. Here is a player who can match Moyes’ ambitions over the coming years.

Everton must only resist any inevitable efforts from interested parties, and while a price tag is unknown, it’s clear that the Toffees would demand a stratospheric sum for their star.

Moyes must ruthlessly drop Beto to unleash Everton's “serious” talent

Everton should start French youth star over Beto to boost Premier League attack.

ByWill Miller Sep 27, 2025

After a summer of perhaps foolish optimism, any such positives have been hard to find for Manchester United in the early weeks of 2025/26, amid what has been the club’s worst start to a Premier League season since the inaugural campaign in 1992.

One notable ray of light has been the displays of summer signing, Bryan Mbeumo, however, with the Cameroonian – signed from Brentford on an initial £65m deal – having scored twice in five games, while denied a third by the sprawling Gianluigi Donnarumma last time out.

There is evidence to suggest that the Red Devils shouldn’t get too carried away by such a promising start. Indeed, £86m flop Antony scored in his first three league outings for the club. Dan James, meanwhile, netted three times in just his first four top-flight games under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

That said, the silk and speed of Mbeumo is difficult not to be heartened by, with both he and fellow new arrival Matheus Cunha seemingly relishing their new status in Manchester, rather than being burdened by it.

The question remains as to whether Mbeumo and co now have the right manager to get the best out of them, with talk rife over the future of Ruben Amorim.

When previous post-Fergie managers were sacked

There are mixed reports over whether Amorim is actually under real pressure or not, with recent claims suggesting that he retains the backing of the board. Other reports, however, have claimed that he could have just three games left to save himself, with Chelsea, Sunderland and Brentford to come before the next international break.

Should a change occur by the time that October hiatus comes around, it would make the Portuguese coach the manager to have been sacked the quickest into a new season in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, even ahead of his predecessor Erik ten Hag.

In the case of the Dutchman, a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United – which included a glaring Diogo Dalot miss and a controversial late penalty for the Hammers – spelt the end for his turbulent Old Trafford reign, with the ex-Ajax boss relieved of his duties on 28 October.

The permanent manager that Ten Hag had replaced – Solskjaer – was given his marching orders on 21 November 2021, with a 4-1 defeat away to Watford sparking what appeared an inevitable exit, in the wake of prior defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool.

The Norwegian had himself been parachuted in mid-season three years earlier, with Jose Mourinho dismissed in December 2018, a 3-1 defeat away to Liverpool proving the final nail in the coffin.

As for Louis van Gaal, the enigmatic veteran did at least see out the season before his 2016 dismissal, albeit with news of his departure unfortunately filtering through as he celebrated his FA Cup triumph on the Wembley turf.

David Moyes – the man to endure the briefest permanent tenure to date – lasted just ten months into his six-year deal, prior to being given the boot in April 2014.

Erik ten Hag

28 Oct 2024

West Ham 3-1 Man Utd

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

21 Nov 2021

Watford 4-1 Man Utd

Jose Mourinho

18 Dec 2018

Liverpool 3-1 Man Utd

Louis van Gaal

23 May 2016

Man Utd 2-1 Palace

David Moyes

22 April 2014

Everton 2-0 Man Utd

Amorim could well be the next victim of such ruthlessness, with a potential replacement already being lined up…

Why Andoni Iraola could be a perfect Amorim replacement

According to reports relayed by Caught Offside, among the leading candidates to replace the former Sporting CP man in Manchester is Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, with tension in the Old Trafford boardroom said to have reached “boiling point”.

The report claims that there is a potential plan in place to carry out an “international reset” in the next break, should results not drastically improve, with Iraola among the top targets being lined up amid his fine work on the south coast. This comes amid reports that Sir Gareth Southgate may also be in the mix.

In an era of managerial excuses and complaints, the Spaniard has set himself apart by simply cracking on with things at the Vitality Stadium, be it despite a raft of injuries last term, or numerous key exits this summer.

Indeed, the Basque-born tactician has thus far guided the Cherries to fourth in the table in 2025/26, despite having lost four members of last season’s back five, including Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi.

The only defeat thus far came on the opening night away at Anfield, although with the expensively assembled hosts needing two late goals to see off their spirited visitors and the lively Antoine Semenyo in that 4-2 thriller.

Iraola – who has overseen respectable 12th and ninth-place finishes in the Premier League – has been particularly key in taking that man Semenyo to a whole new level, registering 36 goals and assists in 83 games under Gary O’Neil’s successor, as per Transfermarkt.

That includes three goals and two assists already this season, with the Ghanaian thriving as part of a relentless and dynamic front line. Such an approach appears tailor-made to get the best out of Mbeumo, with the pair deemed to be statistically and stylistically similar players among those in their position in Europe, as per FBref.

Like Semenyo, the United man is an adept goalscorer and creator, while mirroring his Bournemouth counterpart in being able to operate off the right flank or centrally.

That ability was evident last term, with Mbeumo racking up 27 goals and assists in the league, while creating 17 ‘big chances’ and averaging 1.8 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.

Semenyo, for context, registered 17 goals and assists of his own, while creating 11 ‘big chances’ and averaging 1.2 key passes under Iraola’s watch.

For the ex-Bristol City man to have flourished with the in-demand coach at the helm, just imagine the heights that Mbeumo could reach in such a front-foot, aggressive attacking set-up.

He is an “incredible” manager, as lauded by Pep Guardiola, with it likely to be intriguing to see if the 43-year-old could translate such success at United.

He’s young, Premier League proven and with a knack for getting results despite the circumstances and chaos surrounding him – sounds perfect, right?

Time running out: 5 ways that Ruben Amorim can save his job at Man Utd

INEOS are running out of patience.

ByTom Cunningham Sep 17, 2025

Aston Villa have a lot of work to do before their Premier League season gets underway next month with a home tie against Newcastle United.

Several summer departures will likely take place, with Emiliano Martinez reportedly keen on a move to Manchester United, while Jacob Ramsey is attracting interest from Nottingham Forest. But, with their PSR concerns now a thing of the past, plenty of new signings could also arrive through the door soon.

In particular, some confidence-boosting attacking additions look to be a priority, particularly if Ollie Watkins ends up joining Martinez as another first-team face to have left the building.

Aston Villa considering move for £60m striker

Watkins does look to have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to who he could pick as his next club after Villa, with it being reported that Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are all keen on adding the England international to their respective sides.

Losing Watkins would be a notable blow, but Villa could begin to repair their depleted attack by adding reported target Alejandro Garnacho to their camp from the aforementioned Red Devils, alongside raiding Enzo Maresca’s men when going after a fresh centre-forward purchase.

An update from journalist Ben Jacobs via X indicates that Villa are in the running to land hot-and-cold Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson this summer, with Villa considering his name as they hunt down some more personnel up top.

It’s revealed that Chelsea won’t be pushing the ex-Villarreal attacker out the door – despite his hit-and-miss finishing ability – but they would consider bids if some are forthcoming, with Jackson reportedly available for around the £60m mark.

Transfer Focus

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

How Jackson could be Villa's next Duran

It would be an almighty gamble on Villa’s end to splash out some significant bucks on such an inconsistent performer but there are similarities, not just in the way they arrived in the country, but in their play styles too.

Indeed, the Villans took a risk when they landed Jhon Duran for £18m back in January of 2023, only to be immediately vindicated when he became a clinical hero for Unai Emery and Co.

After all, Duran didn’t dive into the English game boasting the most mind-blowing numbers for Chicago Fire, with only eight goals coming his way from 28 appearances in the Windy City.

Yet, he instantly became a favourite in the West Midlands for his high-octane performances in attack, culminating in a huge chunk of his 20 goals for Villa coming last season when he bagged 12 strikes from just 29 outings.

Goals

7

3

Assists

0

0

Goal conversion percentage

23%

21%

Goal frequency (minutes)

89

79

Shots per game

1.6

2

Chelsea purchased Jackson for around the £32m mark in the same year the Colombian arrived in England, knowing plenty more could come from the 24-year-old in his new location, with Villa already on the receiving end of Jackson’s lethal bursts when he headed home this effort against them during his debut campaign in West London.

Indeed, Jackson fired home a promising 13 strikes in Spain before embarking on this daunting adventure with the Blues, and whilst there have been plenty of grumbles at Stamford Bridge over his wastefulness, he has shown in spells that he can be a deadly and impactful presence on his day, just as Duran has.

Amazingly, despite squandering a costly 43 big chances across his two top-flight seasons at Chelsea, Jackson does still have more strikes next to his name in the Premier League alone than Duran mustered up across his entire Villa Park stint, with 24 goals in 64 league clashes.

Despite that, there are stylistic similarities between the pair, as the numbers showcase.

Shots

3.08

4.27

Shots on target

1.38

1.93

Completed passes

12.3

16.2

Progressive passes

1.54

1.83

Shot-creating actions

2.97

2.54

Successful take-ons

0.73

0.42

Analysing the data, we get a sense that neither are particularly involved in the play in large spells, registering fewer than 20 passes per game.

Likewise, neither striker particularly grabs the ball and takes a player on, completing fewer than one dribble per 90 minutes. Crucially, they both possess the ability to play on the shoulder of the last man and have a gangly playstyle associated with their height. Duran is 6 foot 1, while Jackson is 6 foot 2.

The 24-year-old Jackson might well welcome a fresh opportunity at Villa, particularly when taking in Emery’s transformative powers that worked wonders on the likes of Marcus Rashford last season. He had experienced an equally challenging time at Manchester United before bouncing back well with the Villans, amassing a blistering four goals and six assists in claret and blue.

Moreover, it’s even clearer from the Spaniard’s track record with Duran that he could be the manager to get even more out of a scapegoated Jackson, with the Senegal international once being labelled as a “special” talent by journalist Rahman Osman.

Of course, this move might well backfire if the 24-year-old’s wasteful displays rear their ugly head once more in the West Midlands. But, much like with Duran, it feels like a shot in the dark worth taking.

Better than Ramsey: Aston Villa register interest in £40m "superstar"

Aston Villa could soon win an attacking superstar who is better than Jacob Ramsey.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 17, 2025

Manchester City still have midfielder Kalvin Phillips still on the wage bill. The Englishman hasn’t featured for the club since December 2023.

Since then, he has been sent out on loan to West Ham United, where he played just 320 minutes in half a season.

Last term, Phillips featured for Ipswich Town, going on to make 22 appearances for the Tractor Boys.

Pep Guardiola will be keen to move him on permanently this summer, helping to free up £165k-per-week in wages.

City, however, are reportedly set to cash in on another failed midfielder, just months after signing him…

Man City could be ready to sell £50m flop

In January, City secured the signature of Porto midfielder Nico Gonzalez for a fee of around £50m.

Transfer Focus

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

Given Rodri’s injury, the Spaniard was seen as a replacement for his compatriot, but things haven’t quite worked out. Indeed, he only played 61 minutes for City at the Club World Cup.

Now, according to Manchester City News, Guardiola could be ready to sell the midfielder just months after bringing him to the Premier League.

His representatives have made contact with several clubs across Europe and in Saudi Arabia to gauge potential interest as per the report.

With both Tijjani Reijnders and Rodri capable of playing in Gonzalez’s position, and with the Dutchman capable of offering more going forwards, it appears as though Gonzalez is surplus to requirements.

City will certainly be looking to recoup the majority, if not all, of the £50m they paid to sign the former Porto star just six months ago.

Why Nico Gonzalez could be sold by Manchester City

Since joining City from Leeds United in the summer of 2022, Phillips has featured just 31 times for the club, scoring a solitary goal. He was part of the squad which won the treble during his maiden season, but he failed to make it onto the pitch in both the Champions League final and the FA Cup final.

At the time of writing, Gonzalez has played just 17 times for the Etihad side during his stint thus far, but it looks as though he – unlike Phillips – won’t even reach the 20-game mark the way things are going. Like Phillips, Gonzalez wasn’t quite trusted in a final, spending the entire FA Cup final on the bench.

The Englishman failed to score a single goal during his first season at the club, and while Gonzalez netted just once in the Premier League, he could spend even less time in Guardiola’s ranks. It is clear that the pair were perhaps the right players at simply the wrong time, no doubt about that.

Upon arriving at the club in January, it looked as though Guardiola had signed a player who might well turn into an ideal heir for Rodri. Indeed, he was even hailed as the “mini-Rodri” by the City boss earlier this year.

Lauded as “superb” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig following the 2023/24 campaign, Gonzalez looked like a coup for City.

Passes attempted

77.9

Pass completion percentage

92.9%

Aerial duels won

2.09

Passes into the final third

6.68

Touches

88.33

Indeed, during the first half of the 2024/25 season, the midfielder scored seven goals and grabbed six assists for Porto across 29 matches.

At City, however, he failed to kick on from these impressive figures. The 23-year-old made just 17 appearances for the club, with 11 of these being in the starting XI.

In the Premier League last season, he failed to create a big chance, averaged just 0.1 key passes per game and succeeded with only 25% of his attempted dribbles.

This was a far cry from the attacking traits he demonstrated at Porto. Even defensively, Gonzalez won less than 50% of his total duels per game, while also being dribbled past 0.5 times each match for City.

Now it looks as though he won’t be given a chance by the club as the 2025/26 campaign zooms into focus, with his £50m capture looking to be an even bigger mistake than that of Phillips’ £42m acquisition.

Rodri and Reijnders are both ahead of him in the pecking order and with Guardiola eyeing another signing or two, don’t be surprised to see Gonzalez on the move before the end of the transfer window.

Bigger talent than Reijnders: Pep driving Man City move for £43m sensation

Following the arrival of Tijjani Reijnders, Man City still want to bolster their midfield options, reportedly interested in making a £43m signing.

Jul 4, 2025

Crystal Palace have now submitted a formal bid for a forward, who is also being targeted by two Champions League clubs, according to a report.

Crystal Palace step up Diomande pursuit amid Guehi uncertainty

Marc Guehi is looking increasingly likely to be leaving Palace this summer, with Fabrizio Romano revealing the centre-back could now be on his way to Merseyside.

The transfer expert said: “For Marc Guehi the conversations continue, and this week there will be more, so get ready for more contacts between Liverpool, the camp of the player and Crystal Palace.”

Consequently, Oliver Glasner will need to bring in a replacement for his captain, and Ousmande Diomande has been identified as a major target, with the Eagles thought to be on the verge of sealing a £47m deal for the Sporting CP star.

Crystal Palace now line up £27m swoop for "terrific" defender and "monster"

The Eagles are looking at making a double signing, having scouted two players at the U21 European Championships.

ByDominic Lund Jul 2, 2025

The south Londoners are believed to have had a bid accepted for Diomande, and he could be a real coup for the FA Cup winners, given that the likes of Newcastle United and Real Madrid have also been named as potential suitors.

However, the centre-back is not the only highly sought-after player that Crystal Palace have made an offer for, with a report from Italy (via Sport Witness) revealing they have now submitted a formal bid for Bologna winger Dan Ndoye.

Two Champions League clubs are also in the running for Ndoye, namely Borussia Dortmund and Napoli, with the latter making an offer of their own, which was deemed not high enough by Bologna.

However, the Italian champions remain interested, having recently made contact with the winger’s agent, which could pose a real problem for the Eagles, as he would rather sign for Napoli than make the move to Selhurst Park.

"Complete" Ndoye could be fantastic signing for Crystal Palace

The £17k-a-week Bologna star’s agent, Lodovico Spinosi, certainly has no doubts about his client’s ability, saying last year: “He is a complete player who, if he manages to be more decisive up front, will be at a top-tier club.”

Since then, the Switzerland international has really managed to kick on, enjoying the best season of his career in 2024-25, picking up eight goals and four assists in the Serie A, while playing a role in Bologna’s Italian Cup triumph.

The 24-year-old scored the only goal of the game to secure a shock victory for his side against AC Milan, and he has also proven himself at international level in the past, scoring against Germany at Euro 2024.

With Eberechi Eze’s future in doubt, amid interest from Arsenal, Crystal Palace may need to sign a new winger this summer, and Ndoye, who is capable of playing on both sides, could be a fantastic addition to Glasner’s squad.

Russell Martin’s first game as Rangers manager is just a month away, with a Champions League qualifier scheduled against Panathinaikos.

The Gers will take on the Greek side in a two-legged tie towards the end of July, so new owners the 49ers Enterprises don’t have long to act in the transfer market.

Many will be intrigued to see how Martin sets his Rangers side up as they look to win just their second Scottish Premiership title in 12 years in 2025/26.

£6m star returns to Ibrox: AI predicts who Rangers will sign this summer

It could be a busy few months for the 49ers.

ByCharlie Smith Jun 14, 2025

Grok, X’s AI tool, has already predicted some Rangers signings this summer, and they have now forecasted the starting line-up at Ibrox for 25/26, with a few surprises in store.

AI predicts Rangers’ 2025/26 starting line-up GK: Liam Kelly

Described as a ‘dependable option’, Liam Kelly has been backed to start in goal for Rangers, with Jack Butland’s future seemingly up in the air.

They say ‘Kelly’s experience makes him a solid choice’, despite the 29-year-old only making 13 appearances in all competitions last season.

RB: James Tavernier

Club captain James Tavernier is regularly linked with a Rangers exit but Grok believes he is ‘likely to stay for another season unless a significant offer arrives’.

Games

513

Goals

130

Assists

142

Minutes played

45,296

Trophies won

5

AI adds that Tavernier ‘remains a key figure despite speculation about his exit’ and believes he could add to his 513 Gers appearances.

CB: Aaron Donnelly

Interestingly, Dundee centre-back Aaron Donnelly has been predicted to make the move to Ibrox, despite being a diehard Celtic supporter.

The 22-year-old made the move to Scotland from Nottingham Forest at the beginning of 2025 and actually scored against the Hoops in a 3-3 draw. There haven’t been concrete rumours over a transfer for Donnelly, so this would be a surprise.

CB: Robin Propper

Robin Propper has been heavily linked with a return to the Netherlands with FC Twente, however, a transfer has seemingly stalled, and he has been predicted to start under Martin.

The central defender made 43 appearances in all competitions during his first season at Ibrox and was even named as captain on one occasion.

LB: Ridvan Yilmaz

There has been a lot of talk about the future of Ridvan Yilmaz and a potential Rangers exit, however, the Turkey international is still on the books at Ibrox and has two years remaining on his contract.

Grok says that should he depart, Jefte would come in, but have backed Yilmaz to start for now.

CM: Connor Barron

After making 46 appearances in his first season as a Rangers player, Connor Barron has been backed to keep his place in the side under Martin, despite the arrival of Lyall Cameron.

A defensive midfielder, Barron is described as a ‘long-term asset and a guaranteed starter in the double pivot, aligning with the club’s youth focus’.

CM: Nicolas Raskin

Next to Barron is Nicolas Raskin, who has been linked with a big £25m exit from Rangers this summer.

Clubs linked with signing Nicolas Raskin

Aston Villa

Leeds United

Marseille

It would be a big boost if the Belgium international remained in Glasgow, and his ‘tenacity and work rate make him a mainstay in midfield’ according to Grok.

RM: Nedim Bajrami

Nedim Bajrami was used mainly as an attacking midfielder or on the left during his first season at Rangers, however, he has been predicted to move over to the right in 25/26.

The Albania international is ‘expected to develop further’ and Grok adds Bajrami’s ‘versatility and creativity on the right wing add flair’.

AM: Mohamed Diomande

Another versatile midfielder, Mohamed Diomande played as a defensive, central and attacking midfielder last season.

He has been described as a ‘cornerstone of the midfield’ and is predicted to turn out in a more advanced role under Martin.

LM: Kwame Poku

The second new signing predicted to make the starting XI under Martin is Kwame Poku. Set to leave Peterborough United on a free transfer this summer, Rangers have been backed to win the race for the Ghana international.

A left-footed winger, Grok is predicting Poku to bring ‘pace and directness to the left flank’ at Ibrox.

ST: Hamza Igamane

Finishing off the side is Hamza Igamane, who like Raskin, is also becoming a man in demand. Should he stay, though, could be a guaranteed starter in the final third.

Last season’s Scottish Premiership top scorer, Cyriel Dessers, could leave Rangers this summer, meaning ‘Igamane is poised to lead the line at 22’.

From Xavi and Andres Iniesta to modern greats like Kevin De Bruyne and rising stars such as Jude Bellingham, the debate over just who takes the midfield crown has been rumbling on for quite some time.

In many ways, the question is what do you want to see from a midfielder? If you require technical excellence, then look no further than those Spanish superstars and the likes of Zinedine Zidane. They have often been the jewels in football’s crown no matter the occasion.

Rank

Player

Age

Club

Nation

1

Pedri

22

Barcelona

Spain

2

Jude Bellingham

21

Real Madrid

England

3

Rodri

28

Man City

Spain

4

Declan Rice

26

Arsenal

England

5

Florian Wirtz

21

Bayer Leverkusen

Germany

6

Ryan Gravenberch

22

Liverpool

Netherlands

7

Jamal Musiala

22

Bayern Munich

Germany

8

Martin Odegaard

26

Arsenal

Norway

9

Oihan Sancet

24

Athletic Club

Spain

10

Federico Valverde

26

Real Madrid

Uruguay

11

Dominik Szoboszlai

24

Liverpool

Hungary

12

Xavi Simons

22

RB Leipzig

Netherlands

13

Nicolo Barella

28

Inter

Italy

14

Kevin De Bruyne

31

Man City

Belgium

15

Luka Modric

39

Real Madrid

Croatia

But sometimes beauty is in the long-range strikes, the ruthless tackles and the workhorse engines. And if that is the case, then the attention should drift towards stars such as Manchester United’s Roy Keane and Paul Scholes.

If it’s simply a matter of honours on the table, then it would be Barcelona and Real Madrid who shine brightest, as La Liga’s two mega clubs have dominated the European scene while several of their biggest names thrive on the international stage.

Best midfielders of all time in pictures

Then there is the measure of iconic moments to remember. Steven Gerrard in Istanbul, Modric taking the Ballon d’Or crown and Iniesta’s World Cup winning goal – the list could quite easily go on.

Perhaps the best measure of all-round talent however is the verdicts from those who played with the greats, and Spain legend and superstar goalscorer Fernando Torres believes there is only one answer.

Torres says Gerrard is the best player he ever played with

Torres is perhaps one of the best placed figures in football to judge greatness, having starred for Spain’s dominant international side that won the European Championships in 2008 and 2012, either side of the World Cup in 2010.

And the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker, who spent four seasons on Merseyside with Gerrard, revealed the Liverpool captain was even better than his Spain teammates.

From his very first Liverpool game, Torres and Gerrard’s partnership blossomed into one of the most clinical that Anfield has ever seen. The Spaniard was quick and deadly in front of goal and Gerrard was as precise as it gets behind him to form the perfect duo.

2007/08

8

2008/09

2

2009/10

1

2010/11

2

Assisting 13 of Torres’ 81 Liverpool goals, Gerrard’s partnership with the Spaniard was particularly strong during his debut season. It’s then that the forward may have realised just how talented his captain was, perhaps reaching the conclusion then and there that he would never play with better.

Torres played with Frank Lampard – in what is a debate for another day – as well as Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets and others. Yet, even without a Premier League medal to his name, El Nino still believes that Gerrard is the best midfielder that he’s ever seen.

Sir Alex Ferguson named Liverpool star as the best player in England and as good as Keane

This could settle the debate once and for all…

3 ByBen Goodwin May 17, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur were beaten on home soil (again) to conclude their 2024/25 campaign, with Brighton & Hove Albion winning 4-1 to consign Ange Postecoglou to a 17th-place Premier League finish in his second season.

His second season will be remembered for something different, of course, for the Australian tactician made good on his brazen claim earlier in the year, ending Spurs’ 17-year trophy drought after beating Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday night in Bilbao.

But the league form simply hasn’t been good enough, and the manager’s future is up in the air. He’s failed to get a tune out of these players, domestically, at least, and while defensively the squad have been shoddy, there’s been a lot to desire up top too.

That’s why Spurs are gearing up to sign a new forward this summer, with Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap at the top of the shopping list.

Spurs chasing new forward

Dominic Solanke scored from the spot on Sunday afternoon to seal his 16th goal of the season across all competitions, having also laid on eight assists for his teammates.

However, injuries have prevented him from quite living up to the initial £55m fee, which could rise to a club-record £65m with add-ons, and he needs more frontal support, especially with Heung-min Son entering the twilight of his Premier League career.

That’s why there may be substance to rumours the Lilywhites are preparing to bid for Delap, with GIVEMESPORT reporting earlier in May that Postecoglou’s side are in the race for the English goalscorer, who was relegated with Ipswich this term but impressed throughout, scoring 12 goals across 37 outings.

If Spurs are to make their move, they may need to part ways with one or two, not least because this squad needs a shake-up.

Richarlison may well be at the top of that list.

Levy must sell Richarlison this summer

If Richarlison leaves this summer, he will do so as a Europa League winner, part of the squad whose names are immortal having triumphed on a stage so many before them failed to reach.

However, the versatile star has fallen by the wayside, all in all, especially when considering he cost Daniel Levy a whopping £60m figure when joining from Everton in 2022.

Having overcome a woeful debut campaign, the 28-year-old has enjoyed more clinical results over the past two terms, but it’s not enough to turn the tide.

24/25

24 (11)

5

2

23/24

31 (21)

12

4

22/23

35 (17)

3

4

And against Brighton this weekend, Richarlison failed to leave a positive mark when called into play, albeit he was likely nursing a hangover with the rest of the squad after the midweek merriment.

The Brazilian forward was introduced with less than an hour still on the clock but was still criticised by football.london’s Alasdair Gold for failing to influence the game, branded with a 4/10 match rating.

As per Sofascore, the £90k-per-week star only completed two passes after replacing Solanke, Tottenham trailing by just one goal. He also failed with his one attempted dribble and lost five of six duels.

As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Richarlison is now considering his Tottenham future, with Everton and Flamengo back in his homeland both interested. The robust player wishes to enhance his prospects of playing for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup over the pond.

Tottenham need reform this summer, and Richarlison is a big part of the struggling crew who need to be shipped out, creating space for a new era which could take the success of this season and build something special. Something fit to last.

Spurs hit gold on "sensational" monster who's becoming their new Dembele

The impressive international could be a star for Spurs.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes May 24, 2025

Manchester United have endured a frustrating season at Old Trafford and Ruben Amorim already appears to have adopted a ruthless approach heading into the summer window.

Man Utd begin sizeable summer rebuild

Financially, the Red Devils know they missed a major opportunity by succumbing to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, which is estimated to have cost them a minimum of £100 million in potential revenue.

Coming in as a conservative projection, there could now be major changes at Manchester United over the next few months in a fire sale of sorts. Nobody is off-limits, as Amorim aims to scrape together a competitive budget to bring in reinforcements.

Alejandro Garnacho is in line to leave the Red Devils due to soured relations between his camp and the club following his involvement from the bench in Bilbao.

There is no confirmation of the fee Manchester United may look to recoup for his services, but the Argentinian winger is likely to be the first in a long line of assets sold to raise funds at Old Trafford.

Andre Onana, Luke Shaw, Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro could also be axed in a major clearout. Ultimately, none have performed to expectation in the Premier League, so it is hard to envisage supporters being disappointed if they were to make way.

Man Utd set to sell star Amorim texted Ratcliffe about in major overhaul

The Manchester United manager isn’t messing around.

ByTom Cunningham May 23, 2025

Surgery is needed to ensure the Red Devils arrive into next season capable of putting themselves back on the canvas. Less workload will help without European football to contend with, creating an opportunity to streamline the squad and space for young talent to enter the first-team environment.

Nevertheless, that will rely on departures, and another high-profile star is now set to head elsewhere once his contract in Manchester expires.

Fabrizio Romano: Victor Lindelof will also leave Man Utd

Taking to social media platform X, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Victor Lindelof will leave Manchester United once his contract expires at Old Trafford.

After a meeting earlier this week, a definitive decision has now been made amid the Sweden international fielding proposals from Spain and Italy in his efforts to seek out a new challenge.

Earning £120,000 per week at Manchester United, Lindelof cutting ties will free up some valuable wage expenditure for Amorim to invest in other areas of his squad.

Labelled “brilliant” by Harry Maguire, the 30-year-old has registered four goals and seven assists in 283 appearances for the Red Devils, contributing to one FA Cup triumph and an EFL Cup success in 2023. Nevertheless, his time at Manchester United has come to a natural end and his experience will need to be replaced ahead of the new campaign.

Liverpool’s need for a striker this summer is there for all to see, with the Reds already plotting moves in such a department ahead of the summer transfer window.

Arne Slot’s side may have claimed the Premier League title in 2024/25, but improvements are still there to be made, especially if players were to depart Anfield during the off-season.

Current centre-forward options Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota have both been linked with moves away from Merseyside this summer, with the manager needing to invest money in upgrades on the pair.

It’s unclear how much the hierarchy would demand to part ways with the current talismen, but given their combined tally of just 11 league goals, it’s unlikely they would stand in their way should an acceptable offer be presented.

Should such an event occur, it’s down to the staff behind the scenes to identify potential options for Slot, with numerous players already on their radar ahead of the window.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new attackers this summer

Countless players have been linked with a switch to Liverpool ahead of 2025/26, despite the window not yet being open – highlighting how much of an exciting proposition they really are.

The likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and Hugo Ekitiké are the main three who have been mentioned, but no progress has yet been made on any potential deals.

However, the same can’t be said for another target in the form of Julian Alvarez, that’s if the recent news broken by Argentine journalist Mathias Palacios is to be believed.

He claims that the Reds are keen on a move for the Atlético Madrid talisman in the coming months, with face-to-face meetings for his signature set to commence next week.

Palacios also confirms that Bayern Munich and Arsenal are interested in signing the former Manchester City talent, who’s registered a staggering 35 combined goals and assists in his 53 outings in 2024/25.

Unfortunately, it may take a considerable amount to prise him away from the Spanish capital with CIES Football Observatory suggesting the Argentine is worth £105m.

Why Liverpool’s latest target could be Salah 2.0

Mohamed Salah has been an unbelievable servant to Liverpool Football Club over the last eight years, even extending his stint on Merseyside to a decade after his latest contract extension.

The Egyptian has registered 244 goals and 113 assists in his 400 appearances at Anfield, a staggering record for a player who’s certainly cemented himself in club history.

He’s claimed three Golden Boot awards in the Premier League, and is set to add a fourth to his list after notching an incredible 28 goals in his 37 outings this season.

His £34m move from Roma back in the summer of 2017 will forever be remembered, certainly going down as a bargain and arguably one of their best ever transfers.

However, the board have the opportunity to replicate such a deal in the coming months with Alvarez, potentially following in his footsteps on Merseyside.

The pair both have a similar pattern in their careers, both featuring for other sides in England’s top flight before leaving to go elsewhere in Europe to further their respective profiles.

Salah, who failed to cut it at Chelsea, made a name for himself in Italy before joining the Reds, similarly to how Alvarez has developed after swapping Manchester City for Atlético Madrid.

The pair are now elite attacking talents, with the Argentinian forward having a season to remember, producing countless stats that would bolster Slot’s attack.

Alvarez, who’s been labelled “sensational” by Terry Flewers, has registered 1.4 shots on target per 90, along with a minute per goal ratio of 142 minutes in LaLiga – highlighting his clinical edge in the final third.

Games played

36

Goals & assists

20

Minutes per goal

142

Shots on target

1.4

Dribbles completed

57%

Chances created

1.5

Touches in opposition box

4.5

However, he has also been able to create opportunities for his teammates, completing 57% of the dribbles he’s attempted and creating 1.5 chances per 90 – subsequently able to aid Salah in boosting his own numbers on Merseyside.

Should the former City talent get anywhere near close to the levels produced by the Egyptian over the years, it would be a phenomenal piece of business, adding a new dimension to Slot’s attack.

The prospect of the pair featuring together within the front line is certainly a scary one, with such a partnership strengthening their chances of retaining their crown in 2025/26.

Slot's next Mac Allister: Liverpool pursuing move for "ridiculous" £60m ace

Liverpool may land their next version of Alexis Mac Allister during the summer window.

ByEthan Lamb May 22, 2025