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After a stop-start opening to the season, Newcastle United finally appear to be finding rhythm.

Going into their recent home fixture, Eddie Howe’s side had one of the lowest expected goals tallies in the Premier League – a concerning figure for a team competing in the Champions League and aiming for another top-four push.

But after back-to-back victories, 4-0 against Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise and 2-0 at home to Nottingham Forest, the Magpies look revitalised.

The improvement has been clear. Six goals in two games without conceding is a sign that Newcastle are balancing both ends of the pitch.

The performances weren’t so emphatic as to raise expectations sky-high, but they were precisely the kind of controlled, confident displays Howe would have wanted.

And perhaps most impressively, they’ve come despite a growing injury list.

Both starting full-backs, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, face extended spells on the sidelines.

Fabian Schär, meanwhile, has only just returned from concussion, but his place in the starting XI is suddenly far from guaranteed.

That’s because his replacement, a £30m summer signing from AC Milan, has made a seamless transition into the side.

While the spotlight currently belongs to the man spearheading Newcastle’s attack, it may be their new defender who turns out to be “one of the signings of the summer.”

Why Woltemade is the man of the moment

Nick Woltemade’s arrival at St James’ Park was met with curiosity.

The 23-year-old German forward joined from Werder Bremen after scoring 12 goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances.

He caught the eye of Bayern Munich, who saw three bids rejected.

Instead, it was Howe who convinced the towering 1.98m striker that Newcastle was the right place to continue his development.

Since then, the attacker has been nothing short of transformative.

He opened his account on his home debut against Wolves, before adding further goals against Arsenal, Union Saint-Gilloise, and Nottingham Forest – where he rifled a superb penalty into the top corner to round off the win.

His blend of physical presence, link-up play, and calm finishing has quickly made him a fan favourite on Tyneside.

In Sunday’s match against Forest, he was unlucky not to score more than once, denied by the post and an inspired Matz Sels performance.

When he left the field, the Gallowgate End rose to its feet, chanting his name in unison.

Unfortunately, illness has ruled him out of the current international break – though Howe will secretly be pleased to keep his new talisman fresh and close to home.

With Yoane Wissa yet to feature for Newcastle, Woltemade’s form and fitness are paramount.

His early-season output has quelled doubts about Newcastle’s attacking fluency and offered a glimpse into Howe’s evolving system – one that relies less on chaos and more on control.

Yet while the German striker’s goals are making headlines, another of the club’s summer signings is quietly redefining their defensive stability.

Newcastle's real signing of the summer

Woltemade’s impact on this Newcastle side has been eye-catching. On the contrary, Malick Thiaw’s introduction to English football has been understated but immaculate.

The 24-year-old centre-back arrived from AC Milan for £30m after two standout seasons in Serie A, where he made 85 appearances.

His profile – composed, progressive, and powerful – fits seamlessly into Howe’s tactical blueprint.

Statistically, Thiaw’s impact has been immense. Compared to positional peers in the Premier League, he ranks in the 95th percentile among his positional peers for pass completion (93.2%) and in the 85th percentile for progressive passes per 90 (4.86).

That ability to initiate play from deep has added an extra layer of composure to Newcastle’s build-up.

What stands out most is his calmness under pressure – his close control, his knack for turning out of tight spaces, and his confidence stepping into midfield to progress the ball.

For a defender still adjusting to the physicality of the Premier League, his transition has been remarkably smooth.

Thiaw’s partnership with Sven Botman has all the makings of a long-term defensive axis for Newcastle.

Both are young, technically gifted, and dominant in the air. Together, they could form one of the most balanced and forward-thinking centre-back pairings in the division.

For Howe, who knows the importance of rotation with European fixtures piling up, Thiaw’s arrival is more than just depth.

The German brings a level of assurance that allows Newcastle to play higher, press smarter, and retain control in matches that once felt frantic.

While Woltemade’s early-season exploits deserve every bit of praise they’ve received, the real signing of the summer might just be standing behind him.

90-touch Newcastle ace is now as undroppable as Bruno Guimaraes & Woltemade

Newcastle United secured a vital 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest this afternoon.

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 5, 2025

Newcastle United took out their Premier League frustrations on Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Fresh off surrendering a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to Arsenal in the top-flight to remain 15th in the top-flight standings, Eddie Howe’s Magpies went in for the kill against their shaken hosts, who might have expected a closer battle, considering they sit top of their own domestic league standings.

The travelling Toon contingent were treated to a goal-fest at the Joseph Marien Stadium, with Newcastle running out convincing 4-0 victors due to a whole host of standout performers, as Anthony Gordon continued his fine form in Europe’s elite competition versus Sébastien Pocognoli’s men.

Gordon's impressive performance in Belgium

Scoring last time out in the Champions League as a Marcus Rashford-led Barcelona narrowly beat Newcastle, Gordon picked up from where he left off at St James’ Park when making the trip to Belgium.

The England international hasn’t had the most vibrant of campaigns so far but was outstanding this week, with the tricky number ten a major thorn in the side of hosts all night long.

He notably completed five dribbles across the course of the one-sided contest. Still, despite his slick nature, it was his partner on the opposing right channel in Anthony Elanga who won the Toon the first of two penalties Gordon confidently put away.

Nick Woltemade had opened the scoring by this point. Still, just on the stroke of half-time, Gordon would essentially end the contest with his coolly dispatched penalty, which beat a helpless Kjell Scherpen, who had to fish another spot-kick out of the back of his net from the electric 24-year-old in the second half.

Winning nine ground duels for the cause as well, Gordon will hope he can put in an equally lively performance when Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest travel to Tyneside next in the Premier League, having yet to pick up a goal or assist this season in league action.

Amazingly, while Gordon did help himself to a brace, there was another Newcastle star who caught the eye even more.

Newcastle star proving he is now one of the best in the world

The Toon do have a lot of exciting players on their books at this moment in time who could easily slot into a lot of elite sides if given the chance to do so. Alexander Isak has now gone but Howe already has another talisman.

Sandro Tonali’s name instantly springs to mind in this regard, with one Toon-focused content creator after the final whistle had been sounded on the big win away at Union, going as far as to declare the energetic Italian as “world-class”.

Fortuitously collecting this assist when his effort was cleverly diverted home by Woltemade only tells a mere fraction of his tale in Belgium, with the relentless drive he has displayed in the Premier League in spades this season – with 3.7 ball recoveries averaged per league clash – on full display in Europe’s premier competition, too, winning four duels in total helping him to completely dominate proceedings centrally.

Tonali dictated the game throughout with 90 touches overall, which led to journalist Henry Winter declaring the 25-year-old as “incredible” for both his quality on the ball and also his unwavering stamina levels.

Off the back of another near faultless showing, it’s not completely absurd to say Tonali is one of the best in the world in his central midfield position, right now, with the constantly active number 8 clearly a vital cog capable of helping Newcastle through some treacherous clashes on stages such as the Champions League.

After all, if Ryan Gravenberch is in that conversation for Arne Slot’s Liverpool, Tonali should follow closely behind for Howe and Co.

Further hailed as being the “heist of the century” by Magpies-based journalist Thomas Hammond, with Tonali costing around the £55m mark to sign back in the summer of 2023 from AC Milan, Newcastle will hope they can continue to get the best out of their exceptional gem for many years to come, cautiously hoping they don’t fall victim to another Isak situation.

Newcastle's "nightmare" star now in danger of becoming their next Almiron

Newcastle need this man to rediscover his finest form, and fast.

By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 1, 2025

Marcus Rashford has vowed to “keep fighting” after Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in his first-ever El Clasico appearance. Despite registering an assist in the heated Santiago Bernabeu showdown, the Manchester United loanee ended up on the losing side as Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham struck to extend Madrid’s lead at the top of La Liga to five points.

• Rashford issues resilient statement after Clasico loss

  Rashford experienced his first taste of El Clasico drama as Barcelona fell 2-1 to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Goals from Mbappe and Bellingham proved decisive, with the Englishman’s team-mate Fermin Lopez briefly restoring parity after Rashford’s clever assist. Despite flashes of creativity, Rashford’s performance drew mixed reviews, as Barcelona’s depleted side struggled to match Madrid’s attacking precision.

  Reflecting on the defeat, Rashford took to Instagram with a message of resilience, writing: “Clearly, not the result that we wanted yesterday. It's a marathon, not a sprint, and we will keep fighting!” The post underlined the 26-year-old’s determination to stay positive after a tough introduction to Spain’s fiercest rivalry.

  The defeat means Barca have now lost two of their last three La Liga matches, a run that has raised questions about their consistency under Hansi Flick. Rashford’s first Clasico ended in frustration, but his intent to keep fighting suggests a player motivated to turn things around in the coming weeks.

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  Real Madrid lay down statement as title favourites

  Real Madrid’s victory not only snapped a four-game losing streak against Barcelona but also extended their advantage in La Liga title's race. Xabi Alonso’s side now sit five points clear at the summit with 27 points from 10 matches, reaffirming their title credentials after a humbling 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid earlier in the season. The Santiago Bernabeu was electric once again as Mbappe and Bellingham delivered decisive moments that defined the evening.

  For Barcelona, the result was a blow in more ways than one. Pedri’s late red card compounded an already difficult night, while injuries to Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Dani Olmo left Hansi Flick’s team severely weakened.

  Yet amid the disappointment, there were glimpses of hope, none more so than Rashford’s involvement in the equaliser and his continued work rate despite limited service. The English forward showed flashes of his pace and movement, offering signs that he could evolve into a key attacking presence for the Catalan giants.

• Rashford’s performance receives mixed reviews

  The defeat to Real Madrid followed a hectic week for Rashford, who had been instrumental in Barcelona’s midweek Champions League victory over Olympiacos, scoring twice to seal a crucial win. His recent form suggests he is beginning to find rhythm and confidence after an inconsistent start to life in La Liga. Rashford’s willingness to shoulder responsibility in big games has not gone unnoticed, even as scrutiny around his performances intensifies.

  Spanish media offered contrasting assessments of his Clasico debut. Mundo Deportivo praised his assist but called his overall display “baffling,” suggesting he failed to fully utilise his physical strength or decision-making when space opened up. The publication noted that he looked “more comfortable as a winger than as a No. 9,” highlighting the positional dilemma Flick will have to resolve going forward.

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  What comes next?

  Barcelona will aim to regroup quickly as they return to domestic action next weekend against Elche, with a home fixture offering a chance to bounce back. The club’s medical staff are working to accelerate the returns of key players like Lewandowski and Raphinha, while Flick will be back on the sidelines following his suspension.

  For Rashford, the next few weeks represent an opportunity to build momentum and further integrate into Barcelona’s system. His assist against Madrid and goals in Europe point to a player growing in influence and confidence, and the club will hope he can become a reliable attacking outlet for now and the future, if the Catalan side decide to sign him permanently next summer.

After suffering an injury on international duty not long after completing his move to Newcastle United, Yoane Wissa will now be forced to wait even longer to make his debut for the club.

Howe "excited" by Newcastle vs Barcelona

Whilst qualifying for the Champions League undoubtedly helped them on the financial front, the reason why the competition is truly special is weeks like this. For the first time in over 22 years, Barcelona square off against Newcastle at St James’ Park, with the Magpies back on the big stage and hoping to cause quite the upset.

There’s no escaping the quality that Barcelona have in abundance under Hansi Flick and that may frighten some. Eddie Howe is not one of those, however. Instead, the prospect of squaring off against one of Europe’s best sides excites him, as he told reporters.

The last time that Newcastle were in the Champions League, they shocked Paris Saint-Germain in Tyneside with a 4-1 thrashing. Now, two years on, they’ll be hoping to use the magic of St James’ Park to create another historic moment.

Newcastle vs Barcelona: Team news, head-to-head record, predictions & more

The two clubs are set to meet at St James’ Park for the first time in over 22 years.

By
Tom Cunningham

Sep 18, 2025

That said, they will have to do so without summer signing Wissa. The forward waited all summer for his move before finally getting his wish on deadline day. From there, he’d have been hoping to instantly feature, only to suffer the most untimely injury blow on international duty. Now, a new potential debut date has been set.

When Wissa could make Newcastle debut

As confirmed by Howe, Wissa will be sidelined until after the October international break, which should see him return by October 18. It’s then that he could be in contention to make his Newcastle debut against Brighton & Hove Albion in one month’s time. Barring any setbacks, the forward will be keen to get going as soon as he is fit and firing.

Whilst Howe did provide some hope of a quicker recovery by admitting that “it’s always flexible”, Newcastle should avoid rushing Wissa back before he is ready. The last thing they need is for their new signing to pick up another injury blow not long after returning.

In the meantime, the 29-year-old will miss games against Barcelona, Bournemouth, Bradford City, Arsenal, Union Saint-Gilloise and Nottingham Forest. It’s far from the start that he hoped for when he finally put pen to paper in Tyneside.

With six games in the next month, Newcastle must also hope that their other new striker, Nick Woltemade, picks up where he left off after his debut goal against Wolves in Wissa’s absence.

Every year, football’s elite gather in Paris to determine the winner of the Ballon d’Or.

Well, perhaps not if your name is Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian famously snubbed the awards evening in 2024 when he found out he’d been outvoted for the major accolade by Manchester City’s midfield sensation Rodri.

It was a landmark year for the Spaniard, who won the Premier League with City and also won the European Championships after defeating England in the final.

Having suffered a terrible ACL injury towards the end of the year, Rodri was not in the conversation to win the award again in 2025.

Instead, it was PSG’s Ousmane Dembele who reigned supreme, having starred as the Parisiens finally won the Champions League in 2024/25.

Ballon d'Or 2025 Final Rankings

Where did the 30 nominees finish?

By
Charlie Smith

Sep 23, 2025

What made Dembele’s triumph all the more remarkable was the fact that he’d never actually been dominated for the award before.

He beat off some stiff competition, including Lamine Yamal, but what does the future have in store for the Spaniard? Well, with the help of Grok, the next ten winners of the Ballon d’Or have been predicted.

1

2026: A first crown for France's best

Kylian Mbappe

With Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi no longer the players they once were, it was always predicted that Kylian Mbappe would rise to the top.

A victory in 2026 would be a long time coming for Madrid’s latest Galactico but it would be an award well deserved. There’s a World Cup in 2026, too. Perhaps he’s just led France to a second triumph in three attempts?

2

2027: The wonderkid triumphs for the first time

Lamine Yamal

One of the favourites for 2025, Yamal finally gets the recognition on a global stage that he deserves in two years time. At the age of 17, he’s already won the Kopa Trophy for the best U21 player, and it feels only a matter of time before he’s officially crowned the best player in the world.

Cole Palmer already thinks he is, and with numbers like he’s achieved in 2024/25, scoring 18 and assisting 26, anything is possible. He is a generational talent, the rightful heir to Lionel Messi’s throne.

3

2028: A victory for the Premier League

Erling Haaland

Like Mbappe, Haaland has been tripped as a future Ballon d’Or winner for a while now but AI thinks we’ll have to wait another three years before seeing Manchester City’s goal machine given the gong.

Given the length of his contract, he’s set to stay in the Premier League for a long time and is likely to continue banging in the goals on a domestic and continental level. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he is the definitive best number 9 of all time once he hangs up his boots.

4

2029: Messi 2.0 does it again

Lamine Yamal

We told you he was generational. Two years on from his first success, Yamal is set to be handed his second Ballon d’Or, truly following in the footsteps of the great Messi.

At this point in his career, he’ll still only be 22 years of age. His potential is utterly frightening.

5

2030: Another win for Real Madrid

Vinicius Jr

Six years on from what he felt was a cruel loss at the hands of Rodri, Brazil’s heir to Neymar and Real Madrid’s heir to CR7, Vini Jr, will finally get his hands on football’s most prestigious individual award.

Although aged 30, AI thinks he’ll still be going strong for Real Madrid, and with it being a World Cup year, maybe, just maybe, Brazil have got their hands on the trophy again.

6

2031: Another Barca great does it

Pedri

Every player on this list so far has been a forward but Barcelona star Pedri is set to topple the Yamal dominance by winning the award himself, following in the footsteps of the amazing Luka Modric and Rodri, the last midfielders to win the award.

The Spaniard is only 22 at the time of writing but he had a captivating season for Barca as they reached the Champions League final and won LaLiga. He’s played 59 times in 2024/25, scoring six goals and assisting eight. If he does indeed win the Ballon d’Or in 2031, his longevity certainly will have been Modric-esque.

7

2032: Liverpool's new signing takes it home

Florian Wirtz

On the cusp of signing for Liverpool, who knows where Florian Wirtz will be playing in seven years time but AI seems to reckon that after securing a transfer to a Champions League giant and putting in strong showings for Germany, he’ll be the best player in the world.

Well, if it’s with the Reds, it would be their first Ballon d’Or winner since a certain Michael Owen back in 2001.

Wirtz is certainly one of the finest playmakers in the world already, contributing to 31 goals (16 goals, 15 assists) in the 2024/25 season when he was still with Bayer Leverkusen.

8

2033: More success for Germany

Jamal Musiala

Back-to-back success for Germany as Jamal Musiala picks up his first crown in 2033. This could be the start of a newfound dominance for Die Mannschaft, who with Musiala and Wirtz in tow, may well have won the 2032 European Championships.

AI is backing the attacking midfielder to trump everyone else due to Bayern Munich’s dominance, international accolades and consistent form.

9

2034: A third major honour awaits

Lamine Yamal

Rounding things off is a third triumph for one of the best players this generation has seen; Yamal.

In 2034, he’s be 27 and at the peak of his career with AI predicting him to cement his legacy as a generational talent. If he isn’t already, he’s now a truly household name, one of the best players we’ve ever seen in the game and right up there with Messi.

Only two players, Messi and Ronaldo, have won it more than three times, while Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten are the only other players to have all taken it home on three occasions.

10

2035: Brazilian follows in the footsteps of Vini Jr

Endrick

While Yamal will no doubt be in the conversation again after winning it for a third time, his reign is brought to a halt by another of LaLiga’s top wonderkids at the moment, Endrick.

AI predicts that the Brazilian striker will become a powerhouse over the next decade, potentially winning the World Cup 2034 Golden Ball before cementing himself as the best striker in the world in ten years’ time. Grok reckons that the forward’s physicality and finishing ability will give him the edge over Yamal at this point.

The best XI of players to never win the Ballon d'Or

Some of these players were brutally snubbed for the golden ball.

By
Barney Lane

Oct 26, 2024

Liverpool transitioned from one era to another with the artful ease of champions. Now they are vindicated, proven right in their appointment of Arne Slot, who last month became a Premier League-winning manager. And in his first year at that.

Few saw it coming. None, perhaps, other than some optimistic Reds supporters around Merseyside and beyond. As Jurgen Klopp packed up and left last summer, Feyenoord’s boss stepped into his shoes after FSG were given an emphatic no when they sought to pull Xabi Alonso, now Real Madrid-bound, from Bayer Leverkusen.

Dubious heads abounded. Some Liverpool supporters would have held reservations, for sure, but the view from the rest of the Premier League was that the Dutchman was a stop-gap, a temp tasked with absorbing the leaden rain which would inevitably hit Anfield after the departure of a iconic, irreplaceable figure.

But then, Slot hasn’t replaced Klopp, not really. The managerial position is gone, archived for now. In its place, that of a head coach, with Slot working in a more focused role, his modus operandi angled toward that of tactics and the first team.

Transfers, not so much. He still has a significant say, of course, but he reports to overseer Richard Hughes, who wields the power but, in turn, reports to Michael Edwards, FSG’s footballing overlord.

However, it’s a hierarchy with the promise of success. Liverpool have held off on big-money moves over the past year, but the current interest in Florian Wirtz is genuine, all right, and the powers that be are unanimous in their desire to bring him to Merseyside.

Why Liverpool want to sign Wirtz

Last week, Manchester City withdrew from consideration. They admire Wirtz greatly and need his type of profile, given Kevin De Bruyne will play his final game for the club this weekend, but deemed the full package to be too expensive.

That’s not the case for Liverpool, who are aware Bayern Munich believe they sit in the driving seat but are working tooth and nail toward securing a deal all the same. With Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving for Real Madrid, Slot needs a new creative centrepiece and has green-lit the prospective transfer for Wirtz.

Bayer Leverkusen feel they have a generational talent on their hands, and though he’s approaching the penultimate year of his contract, are seeking a staggering €150m (£126m) figure for his release.

The 22-year-old was crowned last season’s Bundesliga Player of the Season after leading Leverkusen to their maiden top-flight title. Xabi Alonso’s side also lifted the DFB-Pokal, completing both domestic feats without a single blemish of defeat.

It’s easy to see why the German playmaker is such a hot commodity: as per FBref, he ranks among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues this season for goal contributions, the top 7% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes, and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.

Wirtz’s talent level goes through the roof, but he also marries his prowess, his skill, with a fixed baseline that has allowed him to maintain potency through the fledgling years of his career. As you will see below, consistency is key.

Anfield’s data analysts probably had a field day upon realising a deal could be struck. Should FSG prevail, though, some shuffling would need to be done.

To put it another way, a beloved talent would be sold this summer.

Wirtz would end star's Liverpool career

As Liverpool gear up for a title-defending campaign, Slot will know his side no longer wear the cloak of an underdog. Now, watchers will have heightened expectations.

With the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and rivals abroad all strengthening, Liverpool’s burning desire to add Wirtz to the ranks makes a lot of sense, even if it would break the bank. That’s why Harvey Elliott needs to be sold.

Elliott, 22, has been around for a while, leaving Fulham as a 16-year-old to move to Merseyside and join his boyhood club. Since his arrival, the creative midfielder has played 145 times for the men’s team, scoring 15 goals and providing 20 assists.

His fatal flaw lies not in technical quality but in athleticism. Elliott doesn’t win enough duels, nor is he mobile enough in the centre of the park to convince Slot he deserves regular starting roles in this high-flying, competitive Liverpool team.

It’s a shame, for Elliott is a “machine” when it comes to output, as per Liverpool writer Sam McGuire, ranking among the top 2% of positional peers this season for goals and assists combined per 90 (FBref).

But Slot simply hasn’t given the rising star the game time he wants or deserves this term, with Elliott making only his second Premier League start of the season during last weekend’s defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion. He, of course, bagged a goal and an assist.

He’s now open to leaving, unlocking a door he certainly won’t want to step through but has grown accustomed to the cold reality that Slot will not give him the minutes he needs to develop at this formative stage of his professional career.

As per Football Insider, Nottingham Forest want to replace Morgan Gibbs-White with the England U21 international, while Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have also registered their interest. The Reds hope to bag around £50m for his departure.

Liverpool will no doubt rue losing one of their own, a player whose potential stretches high above most others. Klopp did say, at the end of his illustrious Anfield tenure, that one of his biggest regrets was failing to give this nifty little playmaker more action.

But time’s have changed. Liverpool are Premier League champions once more and need to defend their trophy.

Wirtz is exactly the type of statement signing they need to make, and though Dominik Szoboszlai’s contrasting, tireless style denotes a prominent role for years to come, it’s hard to argue against Wirtz being an upgrade on Elliott, who could fetch a decent sum this summer to help with the investment.

All of a Liverpool persuasion would be sad to see Elliott go, but maybe a little touched too, waving goodbye like proud parents as their eldest heads out on their own for the first time.

If Slot can’t offer the young midfielder the playing time he needs to fully foster his skills, cashing in for a sizeable fee would be a good move.

Replacing him with Wirtz would soften the blow – just a tad.

Dream Wirtz alternative: Liverpool plot move for "generational" £34m star

Liverpool can forget about a move for Florian Wirtz, with another name entering the mix this week.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

May 22, 2025

The EFL can be a rich hunting ground for exciting talents if you’re a Director of Football at the head of a Premier League outfit looking for shrewd ways to strengthen.

Angus Kinnear, who will leave Leeds United and take Kevin Thelwell’s seat at Everton this summer, knows the myriad prospects across the Championship and will no doubt target a few stars this summer.

In fact, TEAMtalk revealed last week that second-tier Player of the Season Gustavo Hamer and Sunderland’s Dan Neil are both on Everton’s radar, with relegated Leicester star Wilfried Ndidi an option too.

However, Kinnear knows his stuff, and might have already recommended a shrewd purchase who could make a real difference on Merseyside next year.

Everton chasing Championship star

As per Football Insider, Everton have joined West Ham United in the race to sign Burnley centre-midfielder Josh Brownhill, a leading architect behind Scott Parker’s side’s promotion to the Premier League this season.

He’s out of contract this summer, and it’s understood that presently the Clarets have not convinced the 29-year-old into reaching a decision on his future but are ready to open talks pertaining to an extension.

With Celtic also keen, Everton will need to work fast if they want to seal his signature in the coming weeks. However, given that he’s been placed on the shortlist, their interest seems concrete.

What Josh Brownhill would bring to Everton

Burnley’s captain would be a brilliant, under-the-radar kind of signing for Everton. The leadership and experience he would instil (he has 111 Premier League appearances) are elements that Moyes is desperate to stir into his squad.

It’s something the Merseysiders achieved only a few years ago by signing James Tarkowski, who had just been relegated with Burnley and joined at the end of his contract in July 2022.

Hailed as an ‘incredible leader’ by Dyche, Tarkowski has been a solid, no-nonsense defender but also a galvanising presence, barking and baying at his teammates as he upholds strong defensive virtues.

Now, Brownhill could be the next version, walking the same path at a similar point in his career as a free agent.

TFG would be addressing a glaring issue in an astute fashion, as the former owners did three years ago. Everton conceded 66 top-flight goals during the 2021/22 season, and they have bettered that tally across the three years since, shipping 43 goals this year with three games remaining.

Fans eagerly await news of a talented striker to restore the attacking incisiveness, but Brownhill’s industriousness and creativity would be a great way to fortify the ranks.

While Burnley have earned renown for their steely defending this season, they have also been effective and economical in attack, with Brownhill blending an art for well-timed goalscoring with a fundamental playmaking quality.

Indeed, the midfielder has scored 18 goals and laid on six assists across his 42 league outings this term, as per Sofascore, creating eight big chances and averaging 1.2 key passes per game.

Ranking among the top 1% of Championship midfielders this season for goal involvements, his influence is illustrated further, something that could have a marked impact on an Everton side who won’t want to be overreliant on a new striker, whose success in hitting the ground running will be an anxious thing.

Given that the relegated trio are the only Premier League sides to have been outscored by Everton, it’s clear that a deep-lying goalscorer of Brownhill’s ilk could be the dimension-adding star Moyes needs.

Reuniting with Tarkowski in an Everton team looking to reach heights that haven’t been seen for several interminable years, Brownhill could prove a real difference-maker.

He might not have become the “superstar” that pundit Lee Johnson predicted he would shape into back in 2019, but Brownhill is a fiercely underrated player and would slot right into Moyes’ Everton midfield.

An amazing Rooney repeat: Everton open to signing "world-class" PL star

Everton are at an important juncture as they prepare to reinforce David Moyes’ squad this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 6, 2025

It might be an old cliché, but a week in football is indeed a very long time, and Arsenal are evidence of that.

Before Tuesday night, morale couldn’t have been much higher among the fans, as following the demolition of Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, there was a belief that they’d beat Paris Saint-Germain at home.

However, the hosts found themselves 1-0 down in the first three minutes, and while they weren’t blown away, it was a disappointing result, and certain starters, like Martin Odegaard, were particularly poor.

It’s not been a good campaign for the Norwegian international, and if he doesn’t seriously improve next year, he could be replaced by one of Hale End’s most promising prospects, someone looked upon in a similar way to Lamine Yamal.

Odegaard's worrying form

After he won his second successive Player of the Year Award at the end of last season, it would be fair to say that most fans and pundits alike expected Odegaard to have another brilliant campaign this year, but unfortunately, that has not been the case.

For starters, he picked up an ankle injury on international duty in early September that kept him out of the team for two months, and since his return, he’s not looked like the mercurial midfielder of seasons past.

For example, in the 22/23 campaign, he racked up a brilliant haul of 15 goals and seven assists in 45 games, and then last year, he did just as well, scoring 11 goals and providing 12 assists in 48 appearances.

This season, however, he’s only been able to amass a rather middling tally of five goals and ten assists in 40 games.

It’s not just the output either, as while it’s harder to quantify, his impact on the flow of games has seriously diminished, with Tuesday night’s display a prime example, as content creator Connor Humm argued that he may as well have just “sat in the stands” as he was so anonymous in the middle of the park.

In short, Odegaard’s form has fallen off a cliff this year, and while it’s unlikely he’ll be replaced in the summer, another season like this one, and he could well lose his place in the team, especially as Hale End looks to have produced a generational prospect who’s been talked about similarly to how Yamal was, and it’s not Ethan Nwaneri.

Odegaard's future replacement

This season has seen the proper introduction of Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly into Arsenal’s first team, and based on how well they have adapted to senior football in such a short space of time, we reckon fans might start to see a lot more of Max Dowman next year.

Yes, the potential Odegaard replacement in question is none other than the next wonderkid of the Hale End production line, although based on his form for the junior sides and how those in the know are speaking about him, he might just be the best of the lot.

In fact, according to respected talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 15-year-old phenomenon is “the most exciting” prospect “since Lamine Yamal,” which, based on his incredible performance against Inter Milan last night, is supreme praise.

It’s not just him though, as Declan Rice, who has taken on a mentorship role with him, has described the youngster as “the best 15-year-old in the country”, analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as “a ridiculous player”, and academy expert Will Balsam goes one step further, describing him as “one of the greatest footballing brains that’s ever come through Hale End.”

It might sound hyperbolic, but the teenager’s statistics help to illustrate the point.

Despite being just 15 years old and primarily playing in midfield, the unreal talent has scored 16 goals and provided four assists in 21 appearances, totalling 1765 minutes this season.

That means he is currently averaging a goal involvement every 1.05 games or every 88.25 minutes of action, which just isn’t normal for someone his age and helps explain why he’s being placed in the same bracket as Yamal by so many.

Ultimately, if Odegaard continues to perform this poorly next season, we would not be surprised to see Dowman slowly introduced in his place, as while he’s still so young, he is clearly a world-beater in the making.

Arsenal eye Gabriel Martinelli alternative who Tottenham bid for last year

The north Londoners are targeting one of Unai Emery’s key men.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 1, 2025

Strikers have been iconic over the years at Liverpool football club, with different generations of attackers giving the supporters memories to last a lifetime.

Luis Suárez is just one talent who’s captured the heart of most during his spell at Anfield, registering 82 goals in his 133 appearances for the club.

The Uruguayan spent three years on Merseyside before moving to Spanish giants Barcelona, leaving a huge hole at the top end of the pitch as a result.

Talents such as Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and Diogo Jota have all operated at the top end of the pitch in recent years, with only one of them remaining during Arne Slot’s reign at the club.

However, the Dutchman could be about to land a player who could be his new talisman ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, looking to make it back-to-back Premier League triumphs.

An update on Liverpool’s striker situation this summer

Darwin Núñez is a player who looks set to depart Liverpool this summer after failing to deliver following his £85m transfer from Benfica back in the summer of 2022.

The Uruguayan has scored just 40 times in his 139 appearances, an average of one goal every three and a half games, leading to murmurs around his long-term future.

Atlético Madrid has been mooted as a possible destination for the 25-year-old, with the Reds demanding just £35m to sell him – resulting in a £50m loss on their investment.

However, such funds could be used to sign another star, with Benjamin Sesko the latest player touted with a summer switch to Merseyside, according to GIVEMESPORT.

The report claims that the RB Leipzig ace has a £55m release clause in his current contract, with the Reds impressed by his goalscoring tally of 20 goals in his 42 appearances throughout 2024/25.

It also states that he’s high on their shortlist, seen as an affordable alternative to Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak, allowing Slot to have the goalscoring striker he’s been craving.

Why Liverpool’s £55m target would be an upgrade on Nunez

It’s safe to say it’s unimaginable where Liverpool would’ve finished in 2024/25 if it wasn’t without Mohamed Salah, with the Egyptian producing countless moments of magic at key points of the season.

The 32-year-old has registered a combined 56 goals and assists in his 48 appearances across all competitions, by far and away the most of any player in the first-team squad.

Luis Diaz sits as the club’s second-highest scorer in the league on 12 goals, a staggering 16 behind Salah, highlighting his importance to the side over the last few months.

Despite his new contract, he’s undoubtedly coming to the back end of his professional career, needing to land other targets in forward areas to spread the load rather than be reliant upon one player.

Sesko would provide exactly, with his goalscoring record in the Bundesliga, one that could the side to have that focal point they have often lacked despite the success they’ve endured.

When comparing his stats to those of current forward Nunez, the 21-year-old has massively outperformed him, highlighting how much he would improve the attacking department.

The Slovenian, who’s been labelled “the new Erling Haaland” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has registered more combined goals and assists than the Uruguayan, along with a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – showcasing his clinical nature.

He’s also managed to complete more of the take-ons he’s attempted, whilst coming out on top in more of the aerial battles he’s entered – offering the side an all-round threat in the final third.

Whilst £55m may seem a risk for a player who’s never played in England before, it’s a deal worth completing, especially when taking his dominance over Nunez into account.

Given his tender age, he has the opportunity to improve further under Slot’s guidance, potentially becoming the club’s next star attacker to lead them to consistent Premier League glory in the years ahead.

A big Diaz upgrade: Liverpool make approach to sign future "£100m" star

Liverpool could be about to make a move for a sensation who could replace Luis Diaz.

By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 30, 2025

Liverpool find themselves on the cusp of Premier League glory and have now turned their attention to a prolific striker on the market, per reports.

Liverpool set to cement themselves as champions ahead of busy summer

Since arriving at Anfield, Arne Slot has earned due adulation as his side canter towards a second top-flight title of the modern era, which will undoubtedly raise levels of expectation heading into next season.

Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah have committed their futures to Liverpool and have played a major role in upholding standards while on Merseyside. Still, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s uncertain situation threatens to become a sizeable blow should he depart for Real Madrid.

Work has to be done in the market this summer if the Reds want to retain their impending status as Premier League champions next term. Their rivals will likely tool up in the off-season to bolster squad depth in the face of a heavy fixture schedule.

Looking to make a statement, Liverpool are confident they can beat Manchester United to Hugo Ekitike after finding out that a fee of £80 million could secure his signature from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen is a known Reds target amid his rapid rise to prominence, and talks have been held with his camp over the last few weeks.

Liverpool now preparing offer to sign forward who Man Utd have bid £70m for

Liverpool are now ready to join the race to sign an England international this summer.

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By
Brett Worthington

Apr 17, 2025

For now, finishing the season with a flourish will be the priority before celebrations begin after Liverpool win the title. Slot and company will enjoy the moment, though there is plenty of work going on behind the scenes to ensure they aren’t knocked off their perch.

Planning for the future, the Reds boss now has a prolific marksman in his sights who could be the man to spearhead their attack come 2025/26.

Liverpool ready to strike for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are closely monitoring Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins amid fears that they could be priced out of a move for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak. Marcus Rashford moving to Villa Park on a permanent basis could free up the England international, who has dropped to the bench in recent weeks as opposed to being a regular starter.

Labelled “terrific” by Phil Jones, Watkins has scored 165 goals in 455 career games and is firmly in his peak, which has also brought Arsenal to the table.

The outlet claim Luiz Diaz could be sold to create room for the former Brentford man on Merseyside. Liverpool may be tempted by a bid north of £60 million, with the Saudi Pro League emerging as the Colombian’s most likely destination.

Either way, there could be sizeable changes on the way at Anfield as the Reds go all out to retain their spot at the top of the English pyramid next campaign.