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Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has a chance to recalibrate now that the Premier League has put the brakes on for the November international break.

It has not been good enough this season. Ahead of the latest pause, Newcastle needed to get something from their trip to the Gtech. It didn’t happen, and Keith Andrews’ side emerged 3-1 victors and with Dan Burn sent off to boot.

The truth is that the Magpies need a reset. It was always going to be tough to match the form of last season, with Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak charging an incredible winter winning run that led to triumph in the Carabao Cup. Isak has been sold, and the summer transfer window was a turbulent one.

Premier League 25/26 – Oldest Average Starting XIs

Team

Position

Av. Age

Everton

13th

28.0

Aston Villa

6th

27.9

Newcastle

14th

27.6

Fulham

15th

27.6

Burnley

17th

27.1

Data via Transfermarkt

But United are getting old. Too many starters this season ripened some time ago, and in this, Howe must work toward developing further the younger members of his squad.

Newcastle must promote their future

Newcastle might have a somewhat elderly Premier League squad, but that’s not to say they lack up-and-coming stars.

For example, injuries have kept Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall on the sidelines for much of the campaign. 22 and 21 respectively, the dynamic full-backs will be integral to the rekindling of Howe’s system. Last season, Alice Talks Footy hailed Hall as “the best left-back in the league”, and his fellow Cobham graduate as a “super impressive” up-and-comer.

Likewise, Lewis Miley has shown signs of development this season, growing into his skin in central midfield. The Geordie talent has impressed alongside Tonali and the all-action skipper, Bruno Guimaraes, and he could end up replacing a teammate in Joelinton, who has flattered to deceive at times this term.

Has the 29-year-old Joelinton exhausted his physicality? Undoubtedly, the Brazilian is missing some of his usual sharpness and intelligence in the middle of the park.

Joelinton in the Premier League (Tackle & Duel Success)

Season

Tackles per 90

Duels won per 90

25/26

1.4

4.2

24/25

2.0

5.7

23/24

2.0

4.9

22/23

2.2

7.0

21/22

2.1

6.9

20/21

1.1

6.0

19/20

0.9

7.5

Data via Sofascore

Joelinton has played so much football at Newcastle, no holds barred, that it’s understandable he might be slowly winding down.

However, there’s another Toon star whose form this season has been more concerning, for they have yet to reach their prime, and there is a worry that so many injuries have knocked this talent too far out of kilter.

"The future of this club" is now struggling

Newcastle have always been resilient and organised under Howe’s wing, and even amid the frustration of wretched away form this term, Newcastle’s xGA (expected goals against) total stands at just 11.1 in the Premier League, a more impressive figure than all in the division save for Manchester City and Arsenal.

But, even so, improvements need to be made in central defence, and the form of Sven Botman is admittedly becoming a concern for Howe as he waits for his star man at the rear to click into gear.

Sports writer Joel Bland actually commented on Botman’s “embarrassing” effort to clear one of Brentford’s notorious long throws at the weekend. The ball was cannoned in after the interval, Newcastle one goal to the good after Harvey Barnes’ first-half finish, but Botman’s tame clearance allowed Kevin Schade to nod home from close range.

You might call it a schoolboy error. When dealing with aerial danger, it is well-known to sweep the ball away, not divert it cross-box and into the melee.

In this, Botman failed in his duties, and newspaper Chronicle Live saw it fit to brand the centre-half with a 3/10 match rating, having been ragdolled by Igor Thiago all afternoon besides.

Botman needs to recover his former level of security and completeness at the back. He was redoubtable in front of Nick Pope in 2022/23, his debut year in England, keeping 11 clean sheets and conceding only 33 goals all season, the joint-best record, shared with champions Manchester City.

It was only at the start of the current campaign that Bruno described the Netherlands star as being “the future of this club”, along with Malick Thiaw, who swapped AC Milan for St. James’ Park in a package worth around £35m this summer.

But Thiaw has outperformed his counterpart this season, and that having suffered regular injury issues of his own in Italy over the past several years. With Botman having spent plenty of time in the thick of the Premier League action this term, having started seven matches in a row, he should be sharper and more commanding at this point.

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The fact that this is not the case is bound to be on Howe’s mind, though the manager may feel that the reintegration of Hall on the left side of the backline could smooth out some creases and allow Botman to connect with a more natural wide fit that Burn, whose industriousness can only stretch so far.

This all comes with the addendum that Botman has indeed been ravaged by injuries in recent years, stripped bare by setbacks after that tremendous debut campaign in England’s north east.

It is only natural he would take some time to rebuild himself to that one-time level, but Newcastle need quick results if they are to shape this campaign, and the £90k-per-week defender has entered the penultimate year of his contract, and he will need to convince PIF that they would be foolish not to extend his career on Tyneside.

But the Dutchman needs to improve – fast. His form has slumped in recent weeks, and he is paling in comparison to Thiaw beside him, the summer recruit very quickly establishing himself as the cream of Newcastle’s defensive crop.

Related As bad as Botman: Howe must drop Newcastle dud who lost the ball 20x v Bees

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Posts 2 ByKelan Sarson

Manchester United’s need for a new striker has been massively evident over the last couple of months, massively holding them back from any success.

The Red Devils’ lack of goals is reflected in their Premier League goalscoring tally in 2024/25, with no player in the squad able to register double figures.

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee were the two main options at Ruben Amorim’s disposal last season, but only managed to net seven goals between them in England’s top flight.

If the club are to be a success throughout 2025/26, it’s crucial that the board back the manager to allow him to make the additions he requires if he is to be a success in the near future.

Countless players have already been touted for switches to Old Trafford this summer, but it’s important he makes the right call as to which forward he makes his priority in the coming months.

The latest on United’s hunt for new attackers

Ollie Watkins is a striker who has been constantly mentioned over the last couple of days, but no deal has yet been completed for the Englishman’s signature.

Unai Emery’s side are demanding a £60m fee to part ways with the forward, a fee that may prove to be too expensive given his age of 29 and undoubtedly coming to the back end of his career.

As a result, other alternatives have been considered over the past couple of days, with Juventus star Dušan Vlahović emerging as an option, according to the Daily Mail.

They claim that the Serbian has been involved in talks between the two sides, with the Italian outfit using the forward as leverage in a separate deal which could see Jadon Sancho leave the club.

It also states that the 25-year-old – who has a reported price tag of £26m – could be open to a move to the Premier League, but his wage demands could provide a stumbling block in any move this summer.

Why United’s latest target would be better than Watkins

There’s no denying that Watkins would be an excellent option, but his current price tag is way beyond the fee you would expect for a forward given his age.

However, he would offer a Premier League-proven option in the final third, as seen by his tally of 60 goals across the last three seasons under Emery at Villa Park.

As a result, he’s been one of the deadliest stars in the division, but that doesn’t make him the best addition on the market, with other options being a better fit or the current squad.

Vlahovic would certainly be better than Watkins, being four years younger than the Villa star, and having the ability to build on the success he’s already built for himself in Italy.

When comparing their respective stats from last season, the Juve star has managed to outperform Watkins in numerous key areas, showcasing why he’d be a better addition this window.

The Serbian, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, has registered more shots on target per 90, whilst notching more shot-creating actions, handing Amorim’s side the constant threat they’ve lacked in recent times.

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He’s also won more of the aerial battles he’s entered in 2024/25, providing a focal point for the Red Devils to play off and allowing for improved link-up play in the final third.

How Vlahovic compared to Watkins throughout 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Vlahovic

Watkins

Games played

29

38

Goals & assists

14

24

Shots on target per 90

1.3

1.2

Shot-creating actions

2.1

1.8

Take-on success

32%

24%

Aerials won

48%

42%

Progressive passes

1.1

0.9

Passes into final third

0.6

0.2

Stats via FBref

Vlahovic’s dominance is further reflected in his progressive passes and passes into the final third per 90, having the skillset to provide others with opportunities rather than focusing on his own goalscoring record.

It’s unclear how much a deal for the 25-year-old would cost this summer, but if he’s used in a deal for Sancho, it could prove to be excellent business from the hierarchy.

No doubt Watkins would also be a super signing, but Vlahovic has the all-round tools needed to play a vital role in their hunt for glory during Amorim’s spell in charge at Old Trafford.

Related Amorim's own Van Persie: Man Utd preparing £60m bid for "phenomenal" CF

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Posts ByEthan Lamb

Current Leeds United boss Daniel Farke will be hoping he can secure promotion come the end of the season, ending the club’s two-year stint in the Championship.

Should the German manage to achieve such a feat, he would replicate the success of Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road, securing a return to the Premier League at the second time of asking.

The Argentine injected discipline and quality into the playing squad, with his infamous high-intensity playstyle getting the best out of the crop of players – subsequently leading them to the promised land.

He would take the club to unexpected heights, achieving a top-half finish in their return to the top-flight, giving the supporters moments to cherish, albeit behind-closed-doors due to the Covid situation.

Such investment would allow for the 69-year-old to be such a success, with numerous of the additions after promotion making a huge impact during their respective periods at Elland Road.

Leeds' best signings after securing promotion to the Premier League

Raphinha joined Leeds as an unknown quantity to many, arriving in a £17m deal from French side Stade Rennes – wasting no time on impressing in Yorkshire.

The Brazilian would register 17 goals and 12 assists in his two full seasons at the club, even securing survival on the final day against Brentford, scoring and helping the Whites enter their third season in the top flight.

However, he would take no part in the 2022/23 season, leaving in a £55m deal to join Barcelona – a record fee received by the club, forever stitching himself into the club’s history.

Illan Meslier also joined in the summer after promotion, making his move permanent following his loan stint at Elland Road the season prior – becoming the number one between the sticks ever since.

The Frenchman has made 200 appearances, often making a mistake or two along the way, but still maintaining the support of various managers, showcasing the talent he possesses.

However, one other player also moved to the club during the summer of 2020, looking to offer that added threat to make them a success in the Premier League.

The player who Leeds struck gold offloading

Spanish forward Rodrigo arrived in the summer of 2020 from Valencia, costing £30m – a transfer fee that would break the club record in the process, a record eventually broken by Georginio Rutter.

Leeds’ most expensive additions in their history

Player

Fee

1) Georginio Rutter

£35.5m

2) Rodrigo

£30m

= Daniel James

£30m

4) Brenden Aaronson

£24.7m

5) Rio Ferdinand

£23.4m

Stats via Transfermarkt

He would spend three years in the club’s first-team, amassing a total of 99 appearances, with Bielsa putting huge trust in his skill set – dubbing the Spaniard as “very dangerous”.

The former Whites talent registered a total of 28 goals – an average of one goal every 3.5 outings, a solid return for a player who spent his last two years in the midst of a relegation battle.

After dropping into the second tier ahead of 2023/24, Rodrigo would leave Yorkshire in a £3m deal to join Qatari outfit Al-Rayyan – ending his three-year spell undoubtedly as a fan-favourite.

However, given his form in the Middle East throughout the current campaign, the club certainly made the right call in allowing him to depart, failing to match the levels he produced in England.

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The Spaniard has only notched two goals throughout 2024/25, showcasing the struggles he’s faced since his move away from Elland Road two and a half years ago. For context, that’s even fewer than fellow Spaniard Mateo Joseph (3) back at Thorp Arch and perhaps more incredibly, Jayden Bogle (4).

Whilst the club lost £27m on their investment, his goals came at crucial times in the Premier League, enabling them to sustain their top-flight status, potentially making him worth the big-money fee.

However, his recent record showcases that he’s no longer at the level required in Europe, gradually coming to the end of his career, with the hierarchy making the right decision in not standing in his way.

It’s a shame that he’s not managed to replicate such with his current side, with his spell in Yorkshire undoubtedly staying in the hearts of supporters – producing countless moments of magic during his stint at the club.

Related 10 goalkeepers Leeds could sign to replace Illan Meslier

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Posts 2 ByCharlie Smith

Conceived in 1956 by sports writers Gabriel Hanot and Jacques Ferran, the Ballon d’Or is widely considered to be football’s most esteemed individual prize.

Designed to honour the world’s (formerly Europe’s) best player over the previous season, some of the game’s greatest stars have laid their hands on the prize, including Lionel Messi, who has won it a record eight times.

We’ve put together a starting XI of what we believe to be the best-ever Ballon d’Or winners.

Related Ballon d'Or 2024: The 10 favourites to win the men's award

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Posts 1 ByLuke Randall 1 Lev Yashin Goalkeeper (1963 winner)

Lev Yashin is the only goalkeeper to have ever won the Ballon d’Or, having scooped the award in 1963.

Nicknamed the “Black Spider” because of his trademark all-black outfit and how it seemed he had eight arms to save everything, Yashin revolutionised the goalkeeper position.

At a time when the job of the goalkeeper was merely to stand between the posts and save shots, he was known for coming off his line to catch crosses, running out of his goal to meet oncoming attackers, and shouting orders at his defenders.

2 Fabio Cannavaro Centre-back (2006 winner)

Since the turn of the century, just one defender has won the Ballon d’Or. That man is Fabio Cannavaro, who was handed the prize shortly after he captained Italy to World Cup glory in 2006.

Despite his relatively short stature (he is just 5ft 9), Cannavaro was a commanding force in the heart of defence, boasting superb tackling skills, frightening pace, and surprising strength thanks to his low centre of gravity. More than that, however, he was ahead of his time.

The Italian read the game superbly and was renowned for carrying the ball out from the back to launch attacks. Both of those qualities are now widely considered must-haves for modern centre-backs.

3 Franz Beckenbauer Centre-back (1972, 1976 winner)

Described by Pele (who never won the Ballon d’Or due to it originally being only for European players) as “one of the best” he ever saw play, Frankz Beckenbauer was the complete player.

Often credited with inventing the role of the modern sweeper, not only was he effective at stopping forwards in their tracks, but he was also equally effective in midfield and attack, capable of pulling the strings from the middle of the park and finding the net, as demonstrated by his impressive career goals haul.

A Germany and Bayern Munich legend, Beckenbauer won almost everything on offer during his career, including the World Cup, European Championship, European Cup and Bundesliga to go with two Ballon d’Or crowns, first in 1972 before repeating the feat in 1976.

4 Matthias Sammer Centre-back (1996 winner)

Matthias Sammer started his career as a midfielder, and though he enjoyed reasonable success in the middle of the park, he really came into his own when he was converted to a defender in 1994 by Borussia Dortmund coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.

Following the shift, Sammer won back-to-back Bundesliga titles with Dortmund in 1995 and 1996, before then captaining Die Schwarzgelben to their first Champions League in 1997. On top of those domestic achievements, Sammer also won the European Championship with Germany in 1996 and the Ballon d’Or the same year.

Sadly, soon after he guided Dortmund to European glory, his career was cut short by injury and was forced to retire in 1998. Still, his Di Maggio-like streak in the years prior remains among the greatest in football history.

Related Every Player of the Tournament at the European Championship

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Posts ByStephan Georgiou 5 Cristiano Ronaldo Right-midfield (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 winner)

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d’Or no less than five times, first in 2008 and most recently in 2017.

Now approaching 40 and still going strong in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, the Portuguese winger is the greatest goalscorer in football history. As of October 2024, in just over 1,200 professional games for club and country, Ronaldo has scored an eye-watering 907 goals, 450 of which came during his nine-year spell at Real Madrid between 2009 and 2018.

Whether scoring with his head, right foot or left foot, nobody has ever been as good at finding the net than Ronaldo. Unless it’s from a free-kick, perhaps.

6 Zinedine Zidane Centre-midfield (1998 winner)

Zinedine Zidane won the Ballon d’Or in 1998, shortly after he lifted the World Cup with France.

A truly one-of-a-kind midfielder, Zidane was an oxymoron of a footballer. Somehow, he was both energetic and languid in equal measure. He was powerful yet graceful, dynamic but nonchalant.

He also possessed an almost supernatural ability to retain the ball, buying himself space that appeared not to be there thanks to his superb first touch and incredible foreshadowing of his opponents’ and teammates’ next moves.

Related France's top international goalscorers of all time

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Posts ByStephan Georgiou 7 Michel Platini Centre-midfield (1983, 1984, 1985 winner)

To the younger generation, Michel Platini is probably best known for being the disgraced former president of UEFA who was banned from football in 2015 for accepting an improper payment from ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

To older supporters, however, the Frenchman is best remembered as one of the finest players of his generation.

An elegant and intelligent midfield playmaker, Platini operated mostly in the pocket behind the strikers, finding space where he used to carve out chances for those in front of him and find the net himself – something he did 354 times during his career.

Like Zidane, he also possessed an innate ability to see what was going to happen before it played out, meaning he was always one (or sometimes two or three) steps ahead of those around him.

Platini was the first player to win the Ballon d’Or three times in a row, scooping the award in 1983, 1984, and 1985.

Related The top 12 European Championship goalscorers of all time

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Posts ByBrogan Clasper 8 Lionel Messi Left-midfield (2009-2012, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023 winner)

Simply the greatest to ever play the game, no player has won the Ballon d’Or more times than Lionel Messi, who has been named the world’s top footballer on eight different occasions.

At this point, so much has been said about the Argentinian, that it’s difficult to find new words to describe how brilliant he was, and in many respects, still is. So, instead, we will let the former Newcastle United player turned legendary pundit Ray Hudson do the talking.

“They tell me that all men are equal in God’s eyes, this player makes you seriously think about those words,” Hudson once said of Messi.

9 Ronaldinho Attacking midfield (2005 winner)

Messi is no doubt the greatest to ever play football, but arguably few players have ever made watching the sport more enjoyable than Ronaldinho, who won the Ballon d’Or in 2005.

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Boasting a bag of tricks bigger than Santa Claus’ sack, the Brazilian played football not as if he was playing in front of thousands each week, but as if he was still playing futsal on the beaches of Porto Alegre, free to express himself fully without fear.

Many players today and in the past have faced criticism for playing in such a way, being berated by managers and fans alike for not conforming to the rigours of the professional game and putting themselves ahead of the needs of the team. Not Ronaldinho, though. He did it with such excellence and with a huge smile on his face that it was almost impossible to criticise him, let alone dislike him.

Genius needs freedom to flourish, and Ronaldinho was just that: a genius.

10 Ronaldo Centre-forward (1997, 2002 winner)

There is a reason Ronaldo Nazario was nicknamed “O Fenomeno” (The Phenomenon).

Ronaldo, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1997 and 2002, possessed every attribute you could dream of in a striker: pace, power, skill, awareness, and a lethal eye for goal.

During his heyday, his name alone struck fear into the hearts of opposition defenders, who knew that one minor lapse in concentration was all it took for them to be punished by the Brazilian – and even that wasn’t required most of the time. Thanks to his dazzling feet and bullish strength, Ronaldo had the tools to unlock any defence at will.

However, what’s most telling about Ronaldo is how highly he is regarded by his footballing peers, especially given that his career – during which he scored 414 goals for club and country – was hampered by injuries.

“The best player I have ever played with? That’s Ronaldo. I have seen Il Fenomeno do things that nobody else has ever done,” Ronaldo’s former Brazil teammate Kaka once said of him. “The speed of thought that he had – and the speed he had to carry out his actions – were perfect. It was something amazing. I’ve thought a lot about other players before. I think he was a phenomenon.”

Leicester City fans will hope an announcement that reveals who Enzo Maresca's successor is comes soon, with Graham Potter still leading the way to be the Italian's replacement.

With the transfer embargo at the Foxes looking likely to be lifted too, according to reports, next season could see Leicester thrive in the Premier League, rather than settling for safety after being crowned as champions of the second tier.

The East Midlands outfit will want to press on to get a number of new signings in through the door soon, to bolster the squad ahead of the challenge of competing in the elite league again, with reinforcements in defence being targeted.

Leicester eyeing up their next Harry Maguire

According to Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are willing to offload Joe Rodon for just £10m this summer, with interest already there from Leicester among other Premier League clubs.

Fellow newly promoted sides Southampton and Ipswich Town are also reportedly queueing up to win the in-demand centre-back's permanent signature, after he impressed on loan with Leeds United last season, despite his loan club's inability to move back up to the top flight.

Daniel Farke's men were keen on a reunion this summer, but no doubt Rodon will want to test himself in the top English division, having excelled in the Championship, with Leicester admiring him from afar in the promotion race presumably.

How Rodon can become Leicester's next Maguire

Rodon could end up becoming the Foxes' very next Harry Maguire if everything goes to plan, with Leicester signing the 6 foot 4 titan for a similar fee to what is now being touted for the ex-Leeds loanee, winning the now Manchester United defender's services for £17m after a breakout spell with Hull City.

Rodon would be cheaper, however, and could go on to perform like a colossus in a similar fashion to the England international, if his last campaign is anything to go by.

Before the 31-year-old became a common scapegoat at Old Trafford – with the excessive £80m fee Man United once paid for him arguably working against the ex-Foxes man – Maguire was a strong and imposing centre-back at the King Power Stadium.

From his 69 Premier League appearances for his former club, the defender would amass five goals and become a reliable source of important strikes coming up from the back , on top of being a brute presence full stop, winning an average of 5.8 duels per game during his swansong Foxes campaign.

Maguire (18/19) vs Rodon (23/24)

Stat – per 90 mins*

Maguire

Rodon

Games played

31

43

Goals scored

3

0

Assists

0

0

Clean sheets

6

17

Touches*

68.9

83.7

Accurate passes*

48.2 (86%)

66.0 (91%)

Interceptions*

1.2

1.2

Tackles*

1.0

1.1

Clearances*

4.9

4.5

Duels won*

5.8 (73%)

4.7 (68%)

Stats by Sofascore

Albeit whilst playing in the Championship, Rodon's numbers for last season better Maguire in a number of areas based on his 2018/19 showing, whilst also nearly matching up with the Man United centre-back in other aspects.

As can be seen looking at the table above, the Welshman can be an imposing figure – coming in at 6 foot 4 too – but also a calm and measured passer of the ball out from the back.

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Rodon could, therefore, offer even more than Maguire managed during his final season, if the 26-year-old can handle the step-up in quality, after being a top dog in the league below.

Described as possessing a "warrior mentality" by his ex-Whites boss in Farke, when Leeds were scrapping for their lives at the start of last season to make up for a slow start, he could be the perfect person to bring in if Leicester find themselves submerged in a relegation fight.

Who will occupy the Leicester hot seat still remains to be seen, but if the next manager made Rodon their first capture, he would be an instantly popular boss.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson

It would be hard to describe this season as anything other than a car crash for Chelsea, as back-to-back hammerings from Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League have all but ended the Blues' chance of European qualification.

There is still the League Cup final to come, but with the Anfield outfit as their opponent, it is hard to see how they'll be lifting that come full-time.

While there are plenty of problems at the club, one of the biggest is their frontline's inability to finish their chances.

Nicolas Jackson has become infamous for his myriad of misses this season, and what makes it worse is the club's failure to sign a replacement they were heavily linked with last month, a man who would've given them a chance at Wembley and formed a brilliant partnership with Cole Palmer.

Close but no Cigar

Now, clubs like Chelsea are often linked with a multitude of players every transfer window, and while a significant portion of these stories are nothing more than rumours, the links to Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres last month seemed genuine.

Things looked even more real when it was revealed that the Blues had made a £73m bid for the Swedish international halfway through the window.

However, with a release clause worth closer to £86m, the Portuguese giants were unwilling to accept the offer, so Todd Boehly and Co appeared to call it quits.

While this decision to walk away might have been wise from a financial point of view, considering the reluctance to spend from English clubs, it also seriously handicapped what the club could achieve on the pitch for the rest of the season.

Gyokeres could have turned Chelsea's season around

Now, unfortunately for Chelsea, their season has gone so poorly this year that in this case, 'turning it around' would likely just mean qualification for the Conference League and potentially winning the League Cup at the expense of Liverpool; while you may think that's unlikely, Gyokeres' goal record speaks for itself.

In 25 appearances for Sporting across all competitions this season, the former Coventry City ace has scored a remarkable 21 goals and provided nine assists, meaning he is averaging a goal involvement every 0.83 matches.

What makes it more impressive is that he is not being flooded with chances either, as his 15 league goals have come from an expected goals figure of 10.9, and his 12 non-penalty expected goals come from a non-penalty expected goals figure of 8.5.

In short, the dynamic "powerhouse", as described by data analyst Ben Mattinson, has been consistently overperforming his expected goals figure this season. In contrast, Jackson has seven league goals from a figure of 10.8, which would explain why he has picked up a reputation for being profligate.

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Had the Blues just pushed the boat out that little bit more last month and signed the "unplayable" 25-year-old, as former teammate Maxim Biamou described him, then the talismanic Palmer would have had a genuine poacher to work with at the top of the pitch.

The former Manchester City gem has been one of the few bright spots in the Pensioners' bleak season, but his creative numbers have been impacted by his teammate's inability to finish the chances he creates.

Cole Palmer's Creative numbers

Expected Assists

5.4

Assists

4

Progressive Passes per 90

7.20

Progressive Carries per 90

3.31

Shot-Creating Actions per 90

4.51

Successful Take-Ons per 90

1/66

All Stats via FBref for the 2023/24 Domestic Season

For example, he only has four assists in 20 league appearances this season, but an expected assists figure of 5.4 demonstrates that he could be even more involved in Chelsea's play with a clinical frontman.

Related Chelsea can replace Poch with one of Europe's "most talented young coaches"

The 42-year-old has been turning heads all season.

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Ultimately, this could be a transfer miss that really comes back to bite the Blues and potentially even cost Pochettino his job. After all, goals win games, and Gyokeres brings goals.

Manchester United are now set to open contract talks with a "promising" player who's broken into the first team, according to a report.

What's the latest Man United contract news?

Man United have been keen to tie down a number of youngsters to new deals in recent months, with it recently being reported that forward Joe Hugill has now agreed to put pen to paper on a new deal, which will extend his stay at Old Trafford until 2026. The news about Hugill edging closer towards signing a new deal follows United agreeing fresh terms with Dan Gore and Rhys Bennett back in the summer, while Marcus Rashford agreed a five-year contract, with Erik ten Hag clearly planning for the future.

Rashford did more than enough to impress his manager last season, having racked up 30 goals across all competitions, and he is not the only young player who has made an impression on Ten Hag in recent times. According to a report from 90min, the Red Devils boss is believed to be a fan of Hannibal Mejbri, and talks over a new contract have now been opened, with the club of the belief he is worthy of being handed fresh terms.

Hannibal's current deal expires in the summer of 2024, although Man United do retain the option to extend it by an additional year, and it is thought to be highly unlikely they let him walk away from the club on a free transfer at the end of the season. There are indications the midfielder would be eager to extend his stay at Old Trafford, with the report revealing he is keen to prove himself at Old Trafford, having signed from AS Monaco for £4.35m in 2019, although that could rise to £8.7m.

The 20-year-old has already made his breakthrough at international level, having been capped 20 times by Tunisia, and he has now broken into the United first team, having scored his first goal for the club against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.

How good is Hannibal Mejbri?

The Tunisia international has only made four first-team appearances for the Red Devils, as he is still in the early stages of his career, and there is real competition for places in midfield, considering the summer acquisitions of Sofyan Amrabat and Mason Mount. As such, it may be a little while before the youngster establishes himself as a starter for United, but it is clear to see why Ten Hag is eager to tie him down to a new contract, as he put in some promising performances on loan at Birmingham City last season.

Over the past year, the attacking midfielder ranks in the 96th percentile for assists per 90, when compared to his positional peers playing at a similar level, while also placing in the 83rd percentile for progressive carries, displaying his ability to drive the ball forward. It is good news that Man United have opened new contract talks with Hannibal, and they should look to tie him down for the long-term future, considering he's been lauded as "promising" by Ralf Rangnick.

Leeds United could consider an outside “shout” for Lee Bowyer to become their new manager, according to BBC pundit Matthew Kilgallon.

Where is Lee Bowyer now?

Bowyer started his career in the dugout as assistant boss at Charlton Athletic before going on to take to the helm himself at The Valley and later at Birmingham City where he left back in July 2022 and has been out of work ever since, as per Transfermarkt.

The Guardian reported that the 46-year-old was in the conversation to be appointed as Javi Gracia’s successor, and whilst he missed out on the post to Sam Allardyce, it sounds like he’s more than open to making a second attempt to secure the role at Elland Road.

Speaking to TalkSPORT earlier this month, the former professional midfielder confirmed that he would “jump at the chance” to take the reins if given the opportunity, and even though the main three candidates have been Daniel Farke, Patrick Vieira and Scott Parker, he’s still potentially being talked about internally.

Are Leeds appointing Lee Bowyer?

Speaking to The Daily Mail (as quoted by MOT Leeds News), former Whites defender Kilgallon reacted to Farke seemingly being the current front-runner but name-checked Bowyer as a candidate that he’s heard whispers about, saying the fans would love the former midfielder.

“The Leeds United fans need a lift and Farke would provide that. He’s got a proven track record of winning promotion from the Championship. I’ve also heard Scott Parker and Patrick Vieira mentioned, plus a cheeky little shout for Lee Bowyer. The fans would love someone like Bowyer, but it’s looking like it could be Farke.”

Could Bowyer be the right candidate for Leeds?

Leeds supporters will no doubt hold a fondness for Bowyer with him having been a player at the club from 1996-2003, but when it comes to his track record in the second tier, it’s not as good as someone like Farke, so the 49ers should avoid a move.

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In the Championship, the SMI Sports Management client, whose preferred formation is a 3-4-1-2, has taken charge of 102 games but recorded 28 wins, 28 draws and suffered 46 defeats, taking just 112 points from a possible 306 available, via Transfermarkt.

The Canning Town-born talent has also only ever got one of his old sides promoted, so he doesn’t hold a huge knowledge of what it takes to compete and be successful at the required level, therefore the hierarchy should appoint someone with the correct experience and proven history of achievements, with Farke being a prime candidate after leading Norwich to two Championship titles.

Aston Villa are set to make a move for influential Sporting CP midfielder Pedro Goncalves during the summer transfer window, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: Goncalves superb for Sporting

The Portuguese has stood out as arguably one of the best players in the Primeira Liga this season, shining with his performances in both a central and attacking midfield role.

Goncalves has scored an impressive 12 goals and registered six assists in 23 league appearances, as well as netting three times in the Europa League.

That includes an outrageous Goal of the Season contender away to Arsenal last week, with the 24-year-old lobbing Aaron Ramsdale from close to the halfway line, as Sporting knocked the Gunners out of Europe.

Goncalves has been linked with a summer move to Villa in the recent past, as Unai Emery looks to make some significant signings at the end of the season.

Now, a new rumour has emerged, as the Villans continue to eye up a move for him.

The Latest: Villa set to make move

According to Record [via Aston Villa News], Villa are ready to make a move for Goncalves in the summer, even though his £70million release clause could prove to be a stumbling block.

He is mentioned as a sizeable upgrade on Philippe Coutinho, who is longer the player he once was – the Brazilian has scored just once in 22 appearances this season – and is someone Emery no doubt wants to bring in.

Goncalves’ current Sporting deal doesn’t expire until the summer of 2026.

The Verdict: Could be a special signing

If Villa managed to pull off the signing of Goncalves it could be a spectacular piece of business, with the two-time capped Portugal international a footballer of immense talent.

The creativity and end product he possesses is outlined by an overall tally of 55 goals and 28 assists in 117 matches for Sporting, while his aforementioned goal at Arsenal was described as ‘outrageous’ by journalist Jordan Campbell.

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At 24, Goncalves is at a great age to come in and be a new hero at Villa Park, with his best years likely to be ahead of him but plenty of experience already in his legs, too.

He could be the player that Coutinho used to be at Liverpool, wreaking havoc with defence-splitting passes and eye-catching strikes, lifting the level of those around him in the process.

The release clause issue is clearly a potential problem for Villa, but if they can strike a deal for Goncalves, it could be their most important transfer of the summer.

Manchester United are among the bunch of suitors circling around AS Monaco for centre-back Axel Disasi…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, United boss Erik ten Hag is mulling over a move for the young colossus, with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United also both touting the defender, with a report from Foot Mercato earlier this season stating that a fee of £44m would be required to prise him away from Monaco.

However, the 24-year-old’s name raised to the tip of the rumour mill at a time when uncertainty bubbles concerning the future of Harry Maguire at Old Trafford, although the report continues to state that Ten Hag is against letting the £80m defender leave this winter.

A deal for the young titan could be complicated, though, by Chelsea’s recent acquisition of Benoit Badiashile, who signed earlier this week in a £35m swoop, with Monaco unlikely to be content with letting two promising positional peers both slip away during the same transfer window.

Dias 2.0

Signing for Monaco from fellow French outfit Reims in the summer of 2020, Disasi has since made 105 appearances, scoring nine goals and serving four assists.

His all-encompassing aura as a modern centre-back is a testament to the tremendous training setup oj which the Monegasques pride themselves, bringing a wealth of talented players through the ranks with every passing year.

As per Sofascore, the 24-year-old has recorded an average rating of 7.03 in Ligue 1 this term, impressing with his 83% passing accuracy and 0.4 key passes per match. He is also formidable with his defensive pedigree by making 1.2 tackles, two interceptions and 3.1 clearances per game.

This robust, “powerful” approach has been previously lauded by former Paris FC under-19 coach Mathieu Lacan, who previously waxed lyrical about Disasi’s composed and athletic nature.

He said: “In his very first match for us, he impressed me with his serenity, the way in which he was calm but also so powerful. I could see he had huge potential. Besides his athletic qualities he was very mature for his age.”

At United, he could be the latest gem to be deployed into a star-studded system, exhibiting the full range of attributes indeed required to truly become a star performer at the Theatre of Dreams.

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He could emulate the impact of Ruben Dias at crosstown rivals Manchester City, with the Portuguese ace signing for the Sky Blues in a £65m deal in September 2020 and instantly standing out with his defensive acumen, picking up the Premier League title and the 2020/21 PFA Player of the Year award.

As per FBref, Dias is one of the most comparable players to Disasi, with the latter ranking within the top 3% of defenders for assists, the top 7% for progressive passes and the top 15% for interceptions – indicating an attack-minded mentality which will suit Ten Hag’s fluid, positive philosophy to a tee.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig also once heralded the player for his “dominant” approach, and this assertiveness would likely grow even further with a move to the Red Devils.