All posts by z3u9t.icu

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson has shared his verdict as Spurs reportedly close in on the appointment of a 52-year-old, with the ex-England international expressing his delight for chairman Daniel Levy.

Tottenham ponder new manager after 20 Premier League defeats

The Lilywhites set a dismal record over the weekend, surpassing their previous number of total Premier League defeats in a single season.

Tottenham: £4m-per-year manager enters pole position to replace Postecoglou

The Australian could still leave Spurs if they win the Europa League.

1 ByEmilio Galantini May 10, 2025

Ange Postecoglou’s side have now lost 20 league games this term, following a 2-0 home defeat to FA Cup finalists Crystal Palace, and this torrid number is quite simply inexcusable for a ‘big six’ club.

Aston Villa (away)

May 16th

Brighton (home)

May 25th

Spurs also find themselves 17th in the table with no wins from their last five. The terrible form of relegated trio Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton has seemingly rescued them from flirting with a drop to the Championship, which makes for seriously grim reading from Postecoglou’s perspective.

Some reports suggest Postecoglou is set to leave Tottenham this summer, even if the Australian ends their 17-year wait for a trophy and qualifies for the Champions League by winning the Europa League final.

A host of tacticians have been tipped to potentially replace Postecoglou, with Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth), Marco Silva (Fulham), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace), Thomas Frank (Brentford), Scott Parker (Burnley), Jürgen Klopp (Head of Global, Red Bull), Niko Kovač (Borussia Dortmund) and Edin Terzić (free agent) all on Tottenham’s rumoured managerial shortlist, according to reports in the last month.

In the meantime, while none of these possible appointments appear close, one hire which is becoming more anticipated by the week is the return of ex-managing director Fabio Paratici.

The Italian’s worldwide ban by FIFA is due to end on June 30th, and this has prompted many reports linking him with a return to N17.

Corriere della Sera recently stated that Paratici will re-join Tottenham after talks with AC Milan broke down, and some media outlets closer to home claim that Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi has been recommended to Spurs by the 52-year-old already.

Robinson thrilled by potential Paratici return to Tottenham

Speaking to Tottenham News, ex-Spurs keeper Robinson has shared exactly why he believes Paratici’s potentially imminent comeback is a welcome boost for the north Londoners.

“His recruitment has been excellent,” said the pundit, who regularly features on Sky Sports.

“Listen, he’s had an official ban, but I think his fingerprints have been all over a lot of Tottenham signings. You can’t work in an official capacity, but there’s nobody saying you can’t ring your mate up and make a phone call and recommend him a player.

“Anyone can do that. You look at the signings that he’s had, you look at Kulusevski, Bentancur, Romero, Vicario. The signings that he’s brought to the club have been a success.

“I think from the outside looking in, it’s somebody that Daniel Levy trusts. So if he comes back in an official capacity, I think that’ll be a good thing for the club if he can work with whatever manager’s in charge next season and get the recruitment right for the style of play that the manager wants to achieve.

“It’s vitally important, as we’ve seen this season with Ange, you have to have a set of players that fit the system that the manager wants to play, or else it’s not going to work.”

There’s just something about Liverpool. While other competitors ebb and flow with football’s ever-changing tide, Anfield stays strong despite ostensible blows.

Jurgen Klopp left at the end of the 2023/24 campaign and many thought it spelt the end of Liverpool’s success in and around the highest level of the continent’s scene, but Arne Slot has worked his magic and the Reds are cruising toward the Premier League title.

One year before, an entire midfield was washed away, four new parts brought in. Each quadrant of that dramatic rebuild has proven instrumental in one way or another, winning the Carabao Cup last season and now on the brink of loftier acclaim.

This ability to leap over hurdles is something that predates Klopp’s arrival, but it was refashioned upon the German’s appointment. It was his arrival which ensured the loss of the club’s prized possession, Raheem Sterling, would not prove to be the crushing blow that most anticipated.

Why Raheem Sterling left Liverpool

In 2014, Luis Suarez left Liverpool for Barcelona for £75m, a bitter blow after the Uruguayan’s brilliance wasn’t enough to get Brendan Rodgers’ outfit over the Premier League finish line in first place.

One year later, Sterling followed, forcing his way out aged 20 in a £49m deal, signing for Manchester City. Steven Gerrard admitted he was “disappointed” in the youngster, who had refused to travel on Liverpool’s pre-season tour after City’s opening bid was rejected.

Liverpool recruited Sterling from Queens Park Rangers’ academy, nurtured him toward the senior stage. It felt like there was so much more to give, and his sale did feel, at the time, like a crushing blow for a Liverpool side sliding back toward mediocrity.

Sterling’s departure was a blow, but so was Philippe Coutinho’s over three years later. Looking back now, neither proved to be to the detriment of Liverpool’s future success – the opposite, in fact.

Man City

339

131

89

Liverpool

129

23

18

Chelsea

81

19

15

Arsenal

26

1

5

At this later stage of a long and storied career, Sterling’s time at Anfield will be little more than an afterthought in his mind, a notion sure to be reciprocated by the Reds fanbase.

But when the memory of Sterling playing in red is dredged up at Liverpool, it’s hardly met with fondness. Indeed, boos can still be heard when the England international collects the ball at his former stomping ground.

Suarez, Sterling, Coutinho. A common theme through all these disappointing departures is Liverpool’s powers of endurance, their ability to absorb the impact of the loss and bounce back even stronger.

That’s not going to be any different this summer, with the club’s new version of the winger now materialising.

Liverpool's new version of Raheem Sterling

Liverpool fans may have begrudged Sterling his decision to leave the club and join Manchester City, but he has forged a fantastic post-Merseyside career for himself, and Trent Alexander-Arnold may well envisage similar heights.

Of course, he missed out on the chance to play under Klopp’s wing, missed out on the chance to be part of a staggering rise from the rubble, up and up and up to the top echelon of football, where Anfield perches to this day.

Praised for his “world-class” quality by Klopp, Alexander-Arnold has devoted far more of his career to Liverpool than his Three Lions teammate, but that’s not to say his move is any less controversial.

Real Madrid are one of Liverpool’s biggest European rivals. Klopp, for all his glory, tasted two Champions League final defeats against Los Blancos, with Alexander-Arnold starting at right-back both times.

If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. It certainly feels like that is applicable when considering Alexander-Arnold’s situation.

Nothing in football is certain, but title-winning success is commonplace at the Santiago Bernabeu, and while things aren’t quite clicking for the Spanish giants this season, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to depart in the coming weeks and Xabi Alonso is touted as his successor.

It’s a new era, one which will excite Trent massively, joining a close friend in Jude Bellingham and many of the world’s best players besides.

No doubt, the thought of pinging balls into the path of Vinicius Junior, of Kylian Mbappe, is an arresting thought indeed, and no doubt a major part in the ball-playing defender’s thought process.

The difference, however, is that the veteran winger left a Liverpool team in transition, not yet christened into Klopp’s dynasty and instead on the ostensible decline after the agonising miss of 2013/14, of Suarez’s flight to Barcelona, of Gerrard’s retirement from the European scene.

Many fans will accept Alexander-Arnold’s decision – which, mind, has not yet been set in stone – but many more will lament his decision to leave his boyhood club, to renounce his status as ‘the Scouser in Liverpool’s team.’

Slot is skipping toward the Premier League title in his first season at the helm; Liverpool have renewed the contracts of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, now set to turn their financial cannon toward significant investment in the summer transfer market.

What more could Alexander-Arnold want?

This situation harkens back to a quote from Klopp when Coutinho was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, now indelibly etched into the Liverpool fanbase’s mantra: “I told him stay here and they will end up building a statue in your honour. Go somewhere else, to Barcelona, to Bayern Munich, to Real Madrid, and you will be just another player. Here you can be something more.”

Football is a tribal sport, somehow giving rise to the fiercest and purest form of passion. Alexander-Arnold’s decision is his to make, but he runs the risk of ceding a spot alongside the legends of his team, should he leave on a free transfer this summer.

Many will remember him in a bracket closer to those who left before him, rather than among Liverpool’s legendary figures. Perhaps the poignant part is that such a status is there for the taking, merely a scribble away.

He's more creative than Trent: Liverpool make £87m "superstar" a top target

Arne Slot could reshape Liverpool’s creative structure by completing this statement signing.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 23, 2025

West Ham continued their winless streak, losing 3-2 to Brighton at the Amex Stadium, making it now seven games without a victory. The Hammers, despite going 1-0 down early on, managed to claw it back, going 2-1 up in the 83rd minute, before conceding an 89th-minute equaliser and a 92nd-minute winner.

Graham Potter’s side held 47% possession in the game, creating two ‘big chances’, taking 12 shots, and generating 1.25 xG in total. Meanwhile, Brighton, having 53% possession, also managed to create two ‘big chances’, taking 16 shots and generating 1.35 xG.

Despite going without a win in the Premier League in their last seven games, West Ham are now safe due to Ipswich also losing against Newcastle, securing the Hammers’ safety. But that won’t dismiss the poor performances of certain individuals, who will likely be playing for their shirts in these final games of the season.

Jarrod Bowen's performance against Brighton

One man who didn’t disappoint with his performance was West Ham’s captain, Jarrod Bowen, who provided both assists against Brighton. The 28-year-old has made 32 appearances this campaign, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in his 2,805 minutes played.

Alongside his two assists, Bowen had two shots blocked in the game, provided four key passes from his 21 total passes attempted, created two ‘big chances’ and won two of his five ground duels, showing his effectiveness in the match despite only having 36 touches (fewer than Alphonse Areola in goal).

But despite a strong performance from Bowen, West Ham had more poor performances than good ones, with one man in particular standing out in this game after losing 100% of his duels.

The West Ham flop who lost 100% of their duels

Jean-Claire Todibo has struggled in his first season in England, losing his place in the side under previous manager, Julen Lopetegui, but earning a spot under Potter, starting eight of their last nine Premier League games and contributing to two clean sheets.

Minutes

90

Touches

60

Accurate Passes

46/50

Clearances

4

Blocked Shots

1

Dribbled Past

1

Ground Duels Won

0/3

Possession Lost

6

Successful Dribble Attempts

0/1

Alongside losing all three of his ground duels, Todibo also didn’t contest a single aerial duel in the match, lost possession six times, failed his only dribble attempt in the game, and was dribbled past once. He did manage to make four clearances and complete 46/50 passes, but the overall performance was not up to standard.

Todibo was awarded a 5/10 match rating by West Ham Zone, making him the joint-second lowest rated. West Ham have struggled defensively this campaign, conceding 58 goals in 34 games, so next season it will likely be a position they look to upgrade on for Potter’s squad.

The French defender is only currently on loan, but these last four games of the season could be key as the Hammers will then decide whether they want to keep hold of Todibo by activating his buy option and keeping him at the club next season.

For now, though, Potter must drop the flop from the starting line-up after his disappointing display, which even Bowen could not save with his two assists.

West Ham are ready to unleash an "explosive" 19-year-old if Kudus leaves

West Ham could effortlessly replace Kudus with someone already at the club.

1 ByConnor Holden Apr 25, 2025

Manchester United remain in contact with the representatives of a £60 million star who rejected them three years ago, according to a new report.

Hojlund "not good enough" for United as new striker links emerge

After what has already been one of the most dismal seasons in the club’s history, Manchester United’s misery deepened on Sunday as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford.

A stunning free-kick from Pablo Sarabia sealed the win for Wolves, who are now level on points with United following the result. It was another underwhelming performance from Ruben Amorim’s side, but one player who drew particularly sharp criticism was striker Rasmus Hojlund.

The Danish forward failed to find the net once again, leaving his Premier League goal tally at just three for the season.

Former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara didn’t hold back in his assessment of the 22-year-old’s display.

“Hojlund makes a massive mess of it,” O’Hara said, referencing a key moment during a United counter-attack, according to Football 365. “He’s driving through. Mainoo has made a great run. He’s in acres of space. It’s not even a hard pass and Mainoo would have a free shot on goal.”

“But Hojlund takes 20 minutes to get it out of his feet and Wolves get back to make a tackle. That sums up his Man United career: not good enough, nowhere near good enough. Hojlund does nothing up front on his own.”

United remain in contact with Sesko

If United are to bounce back next term, there’s no doubt they need to upgrade on Hojlund. A number of high-profile strikers have already been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer, including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap. Another name reportedly under serious consideration is RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Šeško.

According to the Manchester Evening News, despite Šeško turning down a move to United three years ago, the club has “maintained contact” with his representatives in the hope of reigniting a deal this summer. That ongoing communication offers some hope that the Slovenian striker could be persuaded to make the switch to Old Trafford this time around.

Leipzig value the 21-year-old at around £60 million, and he’s enjoyed a breakout season, scoring 20 goals and providing six assists in 41 appearances across all competitions – including 12 goals in the Bundesliga.

Benjamin Sesko Stats 2024/25 (All Competitions)

Games

41

Goals

20

Assists

6

Minutes-per-goal

152

Stats via Transfermarkt. (As of 21/4/25)

Speaking to TNT Sports, via Mail Online, Leipzig teammate Yussuf Poulsen hailed Šeško as the best striker he’s ever played alongside – no small praise considering Poulsen has previously partnered with the likes of Timo Werner, Christopher Nkunku, Matheus Cunha, Loïs Openda, André Silva and Hojlund.

“As a striker, he’s the best I’ve played with,” said Poulsen. “If you look at his abilities, he has everything a top number 9 needs. He’s still young and still learning – not necessarily the technical side of being a striker, but more the finesse. He has it all: strength, shooting, technique – everything.”

Sesko, 6 foot 4, was previously compared to Erling Haaland as a youngster due to his combination of lightning pace and sheer power.

Manchester City are back in action once again in the Premier League this evening as they prepare to travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.

The Cityzens come into this match off the back of a 2-0 win over Leicester City at The Etihad last time out in the top-flight, thanks to goals from Jack Grealish and Omar Marmoush.

Pep Guardiola will still be without star striker Erling Haaland, due to an ankle injury, but the Spanish head coach knows that he can now rely on Marmoush to step up in that position.

Why Omar Marmoush has been a worthwhile signing for Man City

The Egypt international joined the club from Eintracht Frankfurt in the January transfer window and has hit the ground running in Manchester as a versatile forward, who can play out wide or through the middle as a striker.

He started as the centre-forward against Leicester and showed off his goalscoring instincts and technique to pounce on a mistake by Mads Hermansen and fire the ball in off the crossbar.

The 26-year-old sensation has now scored five goals and created three ‘big chances’ for his teammates in seven starts in the Premier League this year, which shows that he has provided an instant threat in the final third as both a scorer and a creator.

These statistics illustrate why he has been a worthwhile signing for City already, because he has made an impact right away and offered quality in front of goal in the absence of Haaland.

Chalkboard

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

Guardiola must, now, unleash Kevin de Bruyne from the start – for his last Manchester derby before he leaves in the summer – to partner Marmoush in attack this evening.

Why Kevin de Bruyne should start against Man Utd

There is, of course, the sentimental angle in the sense that this will be his last chance to play in the derby before his contract expires at the end of the season, so it could be a good moment to bring him back into the XI to have one last dance with the Red Devils.

The Belgian whiz, who has scored three goals and provided six assists against Man Utd in his career, was an unused substitute in the win over Leicester, which could allow him to come into this game fresh and raring to go.

De Bruyne, as you can see in the clips above, has been a sensational creative force for the Cityzens over the years, with his ability to pick out sublime passes and crosses to assist his teammates.

The Belgium international, who Frank Lampard claimed “plays like a superstar”, has consistently created ‘big chances’ for his fellow attackers to find the back of the net throughout his Premier League career with the club.

24/25

12

11

23/24

15

21

22/23

28

31

21/22

25

16

20/21

23

19

19/20

32

33

18/19

11

11

17/18

36

19

16/17

33

24

15/16

22

8

As you can see in the table above, de Bruyne tends to create ‘big chances’ when he starts matches for City in the top-flight, which is why he should be unleashed this evening.

Jeremy Doku, who did not contribute to a goal or an assist last time out, could drop to the bench with Grealish moved out to the left, allowing the Belgian star to play centrally behind Marmoush.

Dream De Bruyne replacement: Man City competing to sign "world-class" star

Manchester City are facing “serious competition” from Premier League rivals as they seek to sign a “world-class” star to replace Kevin De Bruyne.

Apr 4, 2025

This would, hopefully, allow the Man City legend to provide the Egyptian star with the ‘big chances’ he needs to add to his growing collection of Premier League goals since his move to The Etihad in January.

Celtic are into the final stretch of the 2024/25 campaign after coming out on the other side of the last international break of the season with a 3-0 win over Hearts.

The Scottish Premiership leaders secured all three points against the Jam Tarts thanks to two goals from Daizen Maeda and one strike from Jota last weekend.

Celtic are 13 points clear at the top of the Premiership table and are looking to wrap up the league in the next few weeks, as they close in on their fourth successive title.

The Hoops also have the semi-finals of the SFA Cup, where they will face St. Johnstone later this month, to look forward to as they attempt to win a domestic treble this season.

Brendan Rodgers may, however, have one eye on the upcoming summer transfer window and how he can improve his Celtic squad to perform even better in the 2025/26 campaign.

The likes of Arne Engels, Paulo Bernardo, Kasper Schmeichel, Adam Idah, and Auston Trusty all came through the door last year, and they have helped the Hoops to continue their domestic dominance.

Brendan Rodgers' demand for the summer transfer window

According to Football Insider, the Northern Irish manager wants ‘huge’ backing from the board in the summer to ensure that the team can progress in Europe next season.

The report claims that the manager’s future is uncertain at Parkhead, with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2026, and that the club’s performance in Europe is the key to keeping him in Glasgow.

It states that Rodgers wants the board to improve the team to make them more competitive in the Champions League, after they were knocked out in the play-off stage by Bayern Munich this term.

Football Insider, however, does not mention any active transfer targets for the Scottish giants, beyond pointing out that Scotland international Kieran Tierney will arrive at Parkhead on a free transfer from Premier League side Arsenal when his contract at The Emirates expires this summer.

There is a fresh report, though, that reveals one of Celtic’s targets for the upcoming summer transfer window, and it is a player the Bhoys have been linked to in the past.

The latest on Celtic's interest in £5m forward

According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic are still interested in a deal to sign Belgian winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha from Pro League outfit Royal Antwerp.

The report claims that the Premiership leaders sent scouts to watch the forward in action against Union Saint-Gilloise, as Antwerp were hammered 5-1 last weekend.

It states that the 23-year-old whiz has been a long-time target for Rodgers, who is now plotting a fresh swoop for his services, as the manager wanted him in the recent January transfer window and last summer.

The Scottish Sun adds that the right-footed speedster is valued at £5m by Royal Antwerp, but it remains to be seen how much Celtic are prepared to spend on the winger.

Transfer Focus

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

This latest report also reveals that the Belgian side are prepared to cash in on him in the upcoming summer window because the forward will only have 12 months left on his contract, and it could be their last chance to sell the gem before they lose him for nothing in 2026.

Celtic must now push to get a deal over the line for the Pro League attacker ahead of next season, as the winger could be the club’s next version of Mohamed Elyounoussi.

Why Celtic should sign Michel-Ange Balikwisha

The Scottish giants have had many impressive left-sided wingers over the years, including the Norway international they had on loan from Southampton in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns.

Elyounoussi scored 25 goals and provided 14 assists in 67 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, predominantly playing as a left winger but also being deployed as a second striker and as a right winger at times.

The Norwegian dynamo provided a regular threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals from the left flank, and Balikwisha could follow in his footsteps.

In fact, the Belgian star was the second-most similar player, as per FBref, to Elyounoussi in the 2023/24 edition of the Champions League, with the chart below highlighting their statistical similarities – mainly out of possession and as ball carriers.

This suggests that Balikwisha could arrive at Celtic and remind supporters of their former loanee with his similar style of play, whilst his form for Royal Antwerp last season suggests that he can also deliver in the final third.

The Pro League ace, who was once described as one of a number of “incredible” young talents by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has missed a large part of this season through injury, starting two games and creating three ‘big chances’, but he featured in 33 of the club’s 38 league matches in the 2023/24 campaign.

Starts

27

xG

6.46

Goals

7

Big chances created

6

Key passes per game

1.5

Assists

5

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.1

Duel success rate

54%

As you can see in the table above, Balikwisha offered quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals for Antwerp last term, averaging three chances created every two games and outperforming his xG.

These statistics also show that he can hold his own in physical battles, winning the majority of his duels, and this suggests that the forward would be able to deal with the physicality and intensity of the Scottish top-flight.

Like Elyounoussi, Balikwisha likes to come infield onto his right foot from a left wing position to cause problems for opposition defenders at the top end of the pitch, as shown in the clip below.

Rodgers could, therefore, land Celtic’s new version of the Norway international by pushing the board to seal a £5m deal for the attacker when the summer transfer window opens for business, whilst adding another excellent wide option to his arsenal – alongside the likes of Hyun-jun Yang, Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn, and Jota.

Celtic gem was "the next Van Dijk" but Postecoglou sold him for just £1m

The former Celtic star was described as “the next Van Dijk” by his former manager.

ByDan Emery Apr 3, 2025

At the age of 23, Balikwisha also has plenty of time left on his hands to develop and improve, which means that he could be an excellent long-term addition for the Scottish giants.

Overall, the Antwerp star could be a fine addition to the Celtic squad because of the quality he could provide in the final third, as well as the potential he has to progress and grow in value in the future.

Liverpool have now reportedly joined the race to sign a rising star who could replace Ibrahima Konate, having already sent their scouts to watch the defender in action.

What next after Salah's explosive rant?

Just when they thought it couldn’t get any worse, Mohamed Salah found himself strolling through the mixed zone towards the first microphone available. And this was no friendly catch-up. The Egyptian unleashed a sensational rant, accusing Liverpool of throwing him “under the bus” and claiming that there is no longer a relationship with manager Arne Slot.

So, where do Liverpool and Salah go next? The Egyptian has trained today and a decision is yet to be made as to whether he travels to face Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

According to The Athletic’s James Pearce, some teammates were expecting his rant and those higher up at Anfield knew it was only inevitable that the chances increased that he’d speak out with every passing week on the bench.

Slot maintains the backing of Anfield chiefs, however, who view his decision to drop Salah as a selection choice which was unlikely to be long-term.

Perfect for Wirtz: Liverpool could hire the "best young manager in Europe"

Liverpool have an interest in a manager who would be the perfect appointment for Florian Wirtz.

ByDan Emery 4 days ago

What’s more, as reported by the BBC’s Sami Mokbel, the relationship between Slot and Salah is genuinely broken at present and the Egyptian simply does not see a future at Liverpool whilst the Dutchman is in charge.

It’s the lowest moment of Liverpool’s season so far and one that they could certainly do without as the fixtures come thick and fast. Alas, business goes on for FSG, who have reportedly joined the race to solve another one of Slot’s glaring problems at Liverpool.

Liverpool join race to sign Jeremy Jacquet

According to Sky Sports’ Sacha Tavolieri, Liverpool have now joined the race to sign Jeremy Jacquet, who has impressed their scouts at Stade Rennais.

The Reds have already made checks on the 20-year-old defender and could welcome his arrival to replace Konate in 2026. The Frenchman is in the worst form of his Liverpool career and has already played himself out of a potential move to Real Madrid. Now, with his contract still on course to expire in the summer, he could still leave as a free agent.

Dubbed “physically imposing” by Como scout Ben Mattinson back in May and as “an insane centre-back in the making” by Jacek Kulig, Jacquet has only come on leaps and bounds ever since. At 20 years old, he’s someone that should be on the radar of several top clubs.

For Liverpool, that physicality would be key. The Reds have been bullied far too often this season with Konate at the scene of the crime all too often.

Salah replacement: Liverpool keen to sign "one of the best wingers in Europe"

Well, given the circumstances, that was an exceptional result for Chelsea.

Sure, Enzo Maresca’s side would have gone out there looking for a win, but considering Arsenal are the Premier League leaders, a point is not bad and has kept them within touching distance.

Moreover, when Moises Caicedo got himself sent off in the first half, it felt like only a matter of when, not if, the Gunners would take the lead.

There were sensational displays across the pitch for the hosts, including one monster that saved the Ecuadorian international from becoming the talking point.

Chelsea's standout stars

One of Chelsea’s best players this evening, and all season for that matter, was Robert Sanchez.

Chalkboard

The Spanish shot-stopper has come in for some harsh criticism over recent years, but against the Gunners, he was superb.

On top of his passing generally being on point and his collection of crosses being efficient, he also made several top-quality stops, like the one from Gabriel Martinelli’s shot in the first half.

Another hugely important player for the Blues was captain fantastic, Reece James.

The Englishman once again started the game in the middle of the park and was, in the words of presenter Olivia Buzaglo, “gargantuan.”

In his 94 minutes of action, he provided an assist, played two key passes, won 100% of his tackles, won 11 of 12 duels, didn’t get dribbled past at all, recovered the ball twice, and completed 100% of his dribbles.

It was just the sort of performance the team needed from their captain after Caicedo was sent off in the first half.

However, there was another starter who was just as vital to the win, and truly saved the Ecuadorian’s blushes.

The Chelsea player who saved Caicedo

Once Caicedo was sent off, there was an expectation that Arsenal would eventually wrestle control back from Chelsea and stamp their authority over proceedings.

However, the Blues clearly had other ideas.

Just three minutes into the second 45, James delivered an incredible corner into the Gunners’ penalty area, and Trevoh Chalobah rose to meet it and head it home.

It was a well-worked set-piece and a brilliant header that seemed to shock the visitors and gave the Stamford Bridge faithful something to cheer about and take their minds off the red card.

However, while that was the most memorable moment of his game, Chalobah did far more than just score, as he was superb at the back and showed some great on-the-ball skill, coming out from the back on multiple occasions.

He unsurprisingly made quite the impression on the watching press as well, with the Standard’s Dom Smith awarding him an 8/10 match rating at full-time.

The 26-year-old’s statistics more than justify such a rating as well.

Minutes

94′

Goals

1

Tackles (Won)

1 (1)

Clearances

6

Recoveries

4

Ground Duels (Won)

2 (1)

Aerial Duels (Won)

5 (4)

Dribbled Past

0

Touches

52

Shots

1

Fouls Won

1

In his 94 minutes of hard-fought action, the academy graduate won 100% of his tackles, made six clearances, recovered the ball four times, won five of seven duels, didn’t get dribbled past, took 52 touches and won one foul.

It was another performance from the Englishman that proves he’s more than just a stopgap until the club splashes the cash on a new defender.

Or, as Gary Cahill said in an interview that came out a few hours before the game, he is “the most underappreciated player at Chelsea.”

Ultimately, they might not have won, but Chelsea put in a sensational performance to claim a point against Arsenal, and alongside the likes of Sanchez and James, Chalobah saved Caicedo from becoming the talking point.

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ByAngus Sinclair Nov 29, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have been hunting for a new talisman over the last couple of seasons, but none have been able to emulate the incredible levels achieved by Harry Kane.

The 32-year-old rose through the ranks in North London, even being sent on numerous loan spells in the EFL, before making himself a fan-favourite in the Lilywhites’ first-team.

He would spend a decade scoring goals for fun in the Premier League, subsequently achieving a total of 280 strikes for the club – the most of any player in their history.

Such a feat highlights his incredible goalscoring prowess, but his ability to score 30+ goals in 50% of his ten years in North London further showcases his eye for the back of the net.

However, after numerous failed trophy attempts, the hierarchy were left with no choice but to sell Kane to allow him to further his career, with the forward subsequently joining Bayern Munich for £82m in 2023.

In the years since his move, countless options have tried to fill the void, but many have failed, leading to one player assuming the responsibility under Thomas Frank in 2025/26.

How Kolo Muani compares to other strikers in the PL in 2025/26

With Dominic Solanke, Spurs’ club-record signing, struggling with an ankle issue, the Lilywhites hierarchy decided to back new boss Frank with added reinforcements in the centre-forward area.

Richarlison assumed the role of operating as the number nine, but the Brazilian’s injury record ran the risk of potentially having to call upon an academy star to fill the void.

As a result, French international Randal Kolo Muani was signed on deadline day, with the hierarchy securing his signature on a season-long loan from PSG.

A loan fee in the region of £5m was forked out for the 26-year-old’s signature, with the deal appearing as a potential risk-free and bargain deal until the end of 2025/26.

Such a deal generated excitement within the fanbase, after the centre-forward netted 10 goals in just 24 appearances during a separate spell on loan at Juventus last season.

However, a little over two months on from his move, Kolo Muani has struggled with the expectations placed upon him, subsequently only featuring four times in the Premier League and failing to score a single goal.

His underlying figures also highlight the struggles he’s endured in North London, with the Frenchman ranking lowly in numerous key figures for a lone number nine.

He’s only registered a total of 0.47 shots per 90 in England’s top-flight – with such a tally ranking him in the lowest 1% of all other attackers in the division this season.

Kolo Muani’s other tallies of 1.4 touches in the opposition box and 0.4 aerials won per 90 also place him in the first percentile – further highlighting his lack of positive impact to date.

He suffered a broken jaw in the draw with Manchester United last weekend, potentially seeing him spend time on the sidelines – which could give the striker a period to reflect on his dismal start in England.

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Kane’s departure, coupled with Kolo Muani’s lack of form, has certainly rubbed salt into the wounds of the Spurs faithful, with their loss now Bayern Munich’s gain.

The Englishman has carried on his tremendous goalscoring form away from North London, with the striker reaching the next level in his career after his big-money transfer.

Kane has netted a staggering 108 goals in his 113 appearances for the German outfit, with his numbers this season simply eye-boggling and certainly leaving the fans wishing he was still on their books.

He’s already scored 26 times in all competitions in 2025/26, with the entire Lilywhites senior squad only scoring 29 times combined during the same period.

Players like Kane don’t come around very often, with their Spurs faithful extremely lucky to have been able to witness his goalscoring antics first hand between 2013 and 2023.

Kolo Muani has so far failed to live up to the heights many expected, with his temporary deal in North London not expected to turn into a permanent one, given his recent lack of form.

However, the club appear to already have the perfect solution to their long-term centre-forward issues in the form of academy graduate Will Lankshear.

The youngster only joined the club’s youth setup back in August 2022, subsequently making the move from Sheffield United at the tender age of just 17.

Upon his switch to the capital, he linked up with the U21 side, but rapidly caught the eye with his goalscoring ability – with his 2023/24 campaign his best to date.

He found the net a staggering 32 times in just 35 appearances, leading to his first-team debut under Ange Postecoglou during the injury-hit campaign in 2024/25.

Lankshear managed to appear in six separate matches for the Lilywhites, half of which came in the Europa League, with the 20-year-old netting his first senior goal against Galatasaray.

However, he’s followed in Kane’s footsteps in moving into the EFL for valuable senior minutes to continue his development, with the youngster spending the current season on loan at Championship side Oxford United.

He’s already made an immediate impact at the Kassam Stadium, scoring four times in his 14 league appearances to date – leading to one analyst calling him a “Harry Kane regen”.

Games played

14

Goals scored

5

Shot on target accuracy

43%

Passes completed

75%

Dribbles completed

50%

Touches in opposition box

2.9

Fouls won

1.5

Chances created

1.2

Lankshear’s underlying stats from the ongoing season highlight his incredible nature in the final third, which could see him be catapulted into the first-team reckoning in 2026/27.

He’s achieved a 43% shot on target accuracy rate and scoring with 50% of the efforts he’s registered – offering the clinical nature that Kane possessed in London.

The youngster is also keen to get on the ball whenever possible, ranking in the 80th percentile for passes completed, whilst also completing 50% of the dribbles he’s attempted.

Whilst Kolo Muani will need to be cut some slack for his lack of impact, he’s ultimately failed to hit the heights expected of him, with other options needing to be considered.

Lankshear will no doubt be chomping at the bit to make an impact in North London, with Frank desperately needing to hand him the chance to impress upon his return from his loan spell in the summer.

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ByEthan Lamb Nov 14, 2025

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has already achieved something that Russell Martin did not manage in his time at Ibrox by winning successive Scottish Premiership matches.

The German head coach oversaw a 1-0 win at Easter Road against Hibernian on Wednesday night, after beating Kilmarnock 3-1 at Ibrox at the weekend.

A brilliant Jack Butland save from the penalty spot was needed to secure all three points, but it was a resolute display that was worthy of a win.

The match-winner, in terms of the goal that was scored, was Brazilian centre-forward Danilo, who has seemingly revived his career at Ibrox under Rohl.

How Danilo has revived his Rangers career

Prior to Rohl’s arrival in Glasgow, Danilo had been an unused substitute in three of his last four appearances in the matchday squad, and had not featured in the Scottish Premiership since August.

Since the German head coach came through the door, though, the former Feyenoord marksman has scored two goals in two games to lead the Gers to two wins.

Danilo, as you can see in the clip above, brilliantly found the back of the net with a blistering left-footed finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to win the game for the Gers.

Chalkboard

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

His career at Ibrox, which looked on the ropes under Martin, appears to have been revived because of Rohl’s trust in him, and his performances when called upon in the last two games.

Danilo is not the only star who has revived his career at Rangers since the new manager arrived at the club, though, as Nasser Djiga falls into the same category.

How Nasser Djiga has saved his Rangers career

Prior to Rohl’s first match in charge, Football FanCast suggested that the Wolves loanee could be in danger of being ditched in January, because of his errors during Martin’s time in charge.

Before Wednesday night’s win over Hibs, Djiga had been an unused substitute in six of his last eight appearances in the matchday squad, which shows that he fell way down the pecking order under the former Gers head coach.

Rohl’s decision to go to a back three system has provided the Burkina Faso international with an opportunity to revive his career at Ibrox, and his performance against Hibernian suggests that he has taken it.

Minutes

90

90

89

Tackles won

2/3

0/0

1/2

Clearances

9

7

4

Interceptions

3

0

1

Last man tackles

1

0

0

Ground duels won

3/4

2/2

4/7

Aerial duels won

4/4

2/3

0/0

As you can see in the table above, the Wolves loanee was the standout defender in the back three with his exceptional display at Easter Road, winning more duels, making more clearances, making more tackles, and making more interceptions than John Souttar and Derek Cornelius.

He was incredibly aggressive in his defending to mop up situations before they got too close to Butland, and his standout moment came when he recovered brilliantly to make a last-man challenge in the box in the first half to prevent a one-on-one situation.

Djiga was even better than Danilo, who lost 100% (2/2) of his duels on the night, because it was his all-round defensive dominance that played a major role in Rangers coming away with all three points, whilst the Brazilian had one moment of magic in an otherwise uneventful outing.

Overall, a mixture of Rohl’s tactical tweak and Djiga’s brilliance when called upon has seemingly saved the loanee centre-back’s career at Ibrox, for now.

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