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Jose Mourinho’s reunion with Chelsea, the club where he enjoyed so much success across two spells at Stamford Bridge, is one of the headline fixtures in this season’s Champions League as he takes new employer Benfica back to his former stomping ground. Blues winger Pedro Neto is relishing the chance to come up against his fellow Portuguese thanks to his incredible legacy.

• Mourinho seeking to bounce back

  From someone who was routinely winning league titles in the first 15 years of the 21st century, as well as taking two different clubs to Champions League glory, Mourinho’s reputation has taken a battering over the past decade.

  Following his second dismissal by Chelsea in 2015 after a spectacular collapse just months after delivering the Premier League trophy, he was unable to restore Manchester United to their Sir Alex Ferguson vintage, was given the boot by Tottenham Hotspur without winning anything, and has taken on jobs below the traditional European elite where he had made himself at home.

  Mourinho had a tense few months with Fenerbahce that ended trophyless, and only this week, was slated by Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk, who claimed the ‘Special One’ has lost his edge.

  Now back at Benfica 25 years after his initial stint flamed out over a contractual dispute, Mourinho wants to take the Lisbon giants back to the top of the mountain after only a single Liga Portugal title in the last six seasons. As it goes, Mourinho himself believes he is a "much better coach" these days.

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  Neto's pride facing Mourinho

  Neto considers it a source of "pride" to be facing a Mourinho-led team because of the stature the 62-year-old has back home, arguably helping to put Portuguese football back on the map.

  "As a Portuguese [player] it will be a pride to play against Mourinho," Neto told reporters.

  "What he represents to the club and what he represents to Portuguese people as well, the opportunity he gave to Portuguese people to go around the world and play in the best teams and manage the best clubs. We are really looking forward to playing against them and it is a really good opportunity to bounce back as well.

  "You cannot have a divided opinion on him. What he did for Portugal, what he did for Portuguese people, what he has won. People in Portugal respect him a lot and know the value that he has. Benfica hired him for that reason. He is one of the biggest names in Portugal with [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Luis] Figo. It would be a privilege to be managed by Jose Mourinho, who wouldn't want to be managed by him?"

• Mourinho is a 'legend'

  Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca may be a former Pep Guardiola disciple from his days as an assistant at Manchester City, but he shares a similarly high opinion of Mourinho.

  "It will be a privilege to face Jose," Maresca said at a pre-match press conference on Monday.

  "A legend for [Chelsea], not only for this club but for different clubs. For me, it's first of all a privilege to represent this club in the Champions League. For sure it's also a privilege to face a fantastic manager like Jose."

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  Mourinho's record against Chelsea

  Mourinho’s most frequent opponents in his managerial career to date have been Liverpool (31 games) and Barcelona (27), but he’s also come up against Chelsea on 14 occasions. He had never faced them prior to landing his job at Stamford Bridge off the back of leading Porto to the Champions League title in 2004, and it wouldn't be until three years after leaving west London that Jose finally met Chelsea in competitive action.

  That was as Inter boss, knocking them out of the Champions League semi-finals in 2010 with home and away victories, en-route to completing a historic treble for the Milan giants. Carlo Ancelotti believes that elimination against a coach ex-Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich had sacked and moved on from was a contributing factor in his own eventual dismissal.

  With Manchester United, Mourinho lost four of seven Chelsea encounters, winning just two. His Spurs side knocked Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup on penalties in September 2020, which technically counts as a draw because the teams weren't separated until a shootout, and he hasn't faced the Blues against since leaving the Tottenham job in 2021.

  Overall, it's a record of four wins, three draws and seven defeats in reunions with Chelsea.

Mumbai Indians (MI) continued their dominance over Gujarat Giants (GG) and took another step towards making a direct entry into the final of WPL 2025 with a nine-run win in their penultimate league match. The sparse home crowd was treated to a couple of stroke-filled knocks – MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur hit her third half-century in four outings at the Brabourne Stadium while Bharti Fulmali smashed her maiden WPL fifty, off just 22 balls, to give MI a mighty scare.In the first match in Mumbai this season, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amanjot Kaur played support acts to their captain as MI posted 179 for 6. GG were kept on a tight leash in reply, with the lack of dew doing them no favours. Amelia Kerr and Shabnim Ismail shared five wickets – the latter delivering the key blows of Ashleigh Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield – as GG were all out for 170. It was just the third time in 19 games this season that a team successfully defended a target. It was MI’s sixth win in six matches against GG in the WPL.The win took MI to ten points, on par with Delhi Capitals, with a net run rate of 0.298 (just below DC’s 0.396) and a game to spare. They play Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Tuesday in under 24 hours to round off the league stage. MI need to win that match to top the table and get a direct entry into the final, while the team that finishes second will play GG in the eliminator.Soon after GG fell just short, coach Michael Klinger said at the press conference that they tried to chase the target down in 18 overs, which would have taken them to the top of the table.

Fulmali blitz gives MIghty scare

GG were 70 for 5 in the 11th over and Deandra Dottin had survived a dropped chance just before Fulmali walked out. She got to her task by taking Sciver-Brunt for three fours in an over – one square through the off side, one over cover and then through square leg. It is not often that a batter outshines Dottin and causes headache to the opposition but such was Fulmali’s assault. Soon Kerr bowled Dottin to leave GG’s equation down to 88 off 41.Bharti Fulmali smashed a 22-ball fifty•BCCI

Fulmali then walloped Kerr over long-on and did the same to Amanjot in the next over. Overall, she scored 24 off the nine balls she faced of Kerr, including a sequence of 6, 6, 4 which helped her to a 22-ball fifty before she fell in the same over. That left GG needing 38 off the 18, which soon became 23 off 12 after Simran Shaikh, in for Dayalan Hemalatha, and Tanuja Kanwar hit Matthews for 15. But MI held their nerves despite a frenetic finish to register their fifth win in seven matches.

Opening troubles continue for MI

For the second game in a row, MI opened the batting with Kerr after being inserted. She faced the left-arm spin of Kanwar for starters before clipping Kashvee Gautam for a four. But she found it tough to rotate strike and was run-out after pushing one straight to Gardner at mid-on and setting off.It was Matthews and Sciver-Brunt who provided MI the momentum in the powerplay. They exploited the short boundary – the square boundaries measured 58m and 52m – by moving around the crease. Matthews pulled her West Indies team-mate Dottin over deep square leg for a six in the opening over before aerially sweeping Kanwar in the same region for another. Sciver-Brunt also swept Kanwar through short fine leg as MI were 44 for 1 after six overs.

The Kaurs set MI for a strong finish

Legspinner Priya Mishra had Matthews caught behind soon after the powerplay. Like she has been doing this season, Harmanpreet started off swiftly – she reversed Mishra through short third with the back of her bat and then attacked Meghna Singh in the only over she bowled. MI’s run rate hovered in the early sevens and she, in the company of Sciver-Brunt, ensured it never dipped. They added 59 off 40 before Gardner broke through.The reverse sweep from Harmanpreet Kaur… from the back of the bat•BCCI

That brought Amanjot to the crease at No. 5 for only the second time in the WPL. She drove Dottin through the covers and then meted out special treatment to Gautam, with whom she has trained with for over a decade now, hitting her for a sequence of 4, 4, 6 to help MI take 15 off the 17th over. Gautam did have the last laugh by having Amanjot caught at long-on for a 15-ball 27 to end the 19-ball 33-run stand. Harmanpreet then completed her half-century off just 31 balls as MI scored 55 off the last four overs, the exact equation GG needed in the chase.

Early strikes cost Giants

Having benched the misfiring Hemalatha, GG opted to use Gautam as the opener alongside Beth Mooney, who popped a catch to cover on the first ball of Matthews’ spell. While Gautam does possess the ability to hit big shots down the order, she was like a deer caught in headlights against the high-pace and swing of Ismail. Gautam was on 9 off 12 balls with nine dots at the end of the fifth over when GG were 34 for 1. She just managed to get away from a 120kph short ball Ismail hurled at her. Gautam fell in the last over of the powerplay, stumped off Sanskriti Gupta’s offspin.Two balls later, Ismail had Gardner caught low at slip for a two-ball duck, that was a body blow for GG. While Harleen Deol hit five fours against spin – three of them in successive balls off Matthews – she missed a googly from Kerr to be trapped lbw. GG could have lost steam and finished much lower than what they did, if not for Fulmali.

When Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool behind prior to the Club World Cup, fans at Anfield were left furious.

In all honesty, it was no secret that Trent was going to head to Real Madrid, but the way in which he departed has rubbed some the wrong way.

The Liverpool-born full-back had been part of the Reds setup for nearly his entire life and it came to a point where he refused a new deal at the club.

The fact they weren’t initially getting a fee for one of their prized assets was remarkable, really, but he did eventually fetch £10m when Madrid decided they wanted him in the squad for the Club World Cup.

Liverpool have since replaced him but have they truly replaced his best qualities?

How Liverpool can replace Trent

With Trent gone, Richard Hughes and Co moved swiftly to secure the services of Jeremie Frimpong who like Florian Wirtz, traded Bayer Leverkusen and Germany for the Premier League.

Frimpong is incredibly attack-minded, just like Alexander-Arnold, but he’s more about pace and aggression, soaring down the right wing, rather than inverting and spraying passes.

Both are progressive but in their own different ways. So, how can Slot rediscover that progression from central areas?

Well, Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton wouldn’t go a miss.

Transfer Focus

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

Reports in recent weeks have linked Liverpool with a move for the England international and he’s still being touted with a switch.

talkSPORT report this week that Manchester United are considering a bid for the midfielder amid doubts surrounding their pursuit of Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.

The report further notes that Liverpool are long-term admirers of the former Blackburn Rovers star.

While it’s unlikely Wharton moves this summer, particularly amid a £100m asking price, this is certainly one to watch for Richard Hughes and Co heading into 2026.

How Wharton could replace Trent’s best qualities

While Liverpool won’t lose any attacking intent having swapped Alexander Arnold for Frimpong, they will lose a big dose of creativity.

We’re all familiar with how Frimpong loves to get down the flank but what that means is that he’s not going to be someone who plays passes through the lines.

According to data supplied by FBRef, in the 2024/25 Bundesliga, Frimpong made just 2.14 progressive passes and 1.17 key passes per 90 minutes, metrics that ranked him in the very worst 11% of full-backs in the division for the former and the top 34% for the latter.

Liverpool’s former number 66, however, was very strong in this department. In the 2024/25 Premier League, the scouser made 8.83 progressive passes per 90 minutes, ranking him in the best 1% of positionally similar players. He also supplied 1.98 key passes every 90 minutes, ranking him in the top 5%. It’s safe to say he’s an elite creator.

So, where do Liverpool rediscover those attributes with a player in the centre?

Wharton would certainly help. Described as a “generational talent” in the words of former Sky Sports employee Matthew Stanger, he is one of the calmest and composed players in possession in England.

Last season, he made 1.78 key passes per 90 in the league, more than Frimpong and also registered 7.31 progressive passes across the same time frame. That ranked him among the division’s finest 7% of midfielders for that metric.

Not just creative from central zones like Alexander-Arnold was, he could be a defensive upgrade too.

Tackles won

0.96

1.90

Interceptions

1.37

1.18

Aerials won

0.48

0.11

Errors

0.00

0.15

Yellow cards

0.14

0.19

A look at the numbers indicates that while the former Red got through his fair share of tackles, overall, Wharton is a lot more complete from a defensive point of view, winning more aerial duels and making a higher volume of interceptions.

So, while the Palace superstar may not play in the same position as Alexander-Arnold, he could be everything that was hoped of Trent if he had eventually become a midfielder.

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ByWill Miller Aug 14, 2025

Celtic are striving forwards under Brendan Rodgers and another action-packed season is in store for the Bhoys, which could now lead to a significant development at Parkhead.

Celtic find themselves pursuing several arrivals

Five signings have come through the door officially this summer for Celtic to strengthen their bid for another Scottish Premiership title. However, recent reports suggest plenty more could be on the way before too long.

Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone is on the Bhoys’ radar and could be a big-money arrival at the £7 million mark, though any thought of him coming in at Parkhead may hinge on the future of Daizen Maeda.

Of course, Brendan Rodgers has already got one answer to his multi-faceted striker quest after confirming that Shin Yamada will join Celtic from Kawasaki Frontale after weeks of speculation hinting the Japanese forward is set for a move to Glasgow.

During the week, Celtic saw off Sporting Lisbon in expert fashion courtesy of goals from Reo Hatate and Luke McCowan. Speaking post-match, the Hoops’ Irish boss praised his side’s excellent tactical execution against a distinguished opponent.

He stated: “Performance wise it was outstanding. We made another step in our fitness and tactical idea with some of the players coming in. Overall it was a very, very good performance against a very good team. Tactically we were excellent with our pressure and pressing and some of our football was outstanding.

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BySean Markus Clifford Jul 17, 2025

“We maybe lacked a little bit in the final third at times just to finish off some great moves but other than that it was a very, very good workout for us.”

In spite of the Hoops’ display, Rodgers still has work to do in tailoring his side, and he will need to make sure his key players stick around for another tilt at domestic and European success.

Celtic closing in on bumper new Daizen Maeda contract

According to Football Insider, Celtic are pushing ahead with their attempts to tie down Daizen Maeda, and he is said to be willing to commit long-term with one demand – the Hoops match his ambitions.

Rodgers views the Japan international as a central part of his future plans and is willing to build his entire team around him, with talks open over a new deal amid interest from the Premier League in his services.

Daizen Maeda’s importance to Celtic

Appearances

158

Goals

62

Assists

28

Shedding some further insight, O’Rourke stated: “It makes a lot of sense for Celtic to try and keep hold of Maeda. If Celtic want to continue their dominance in Scotland, they’re going to have to keep hold of their best players, and there’s no doubt Maeda is amongst those.

“He’s under contract until 2027, so they’re looking to extend that and give him bumper new terms just to keep the player happy and ward off interest from Premier League clubs.

“There was talk that Brentford and Tottenham were interested in him.The Japan international was their top goalscorer last season, so he isn’t going to be an easy player to replace if they do end up losing him.”

With 33 goals to his name last season, Maeda became Celtic’s most reliable option whether wide left or as a centre-forward and is widely viewed as an indispensable player in Glasgow’s east end.

Only two years remain on his deal, so it would make perfect sense for the Bhoys to tie him up on an extended contract before his future becomes a main topic of conversation.

Celtic may bring in a new centre-forward to compete with the likes of Adam Idah, Shin Yamada, and Johnny Kenny before the summer transfer window slams shut.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed that the Hoops want to “improve” their “forward” options after his side beat St Mirren 1-0 at Parkhead in their first match of the Scottish Premiership season.

When looking at potential options to add to the club’s striker ranks, the Premiership champions do not have to sign a marquee forward from one of Europe’s major leagues.

In fact, one of Celtic’s most successful striker signings in the past 15 years or so was Gary Hooper, who joined from Scunthorpe United in 2010.

Celtic hit the jackpot with Gary Hooper

In the two seasons prior to his move to Glasgow, the English marksman scored 19 goals in the Championship and 24 goals in League One for Scunthorpe, but he had never played in the Premier League.

The Hoops took a gamble on a player from the lower leagues in England and they hit the jackpot with Hooper, as he went on to be a roaring success at Parkhead.

In 138 matches for the Scottish giants, the prolific forward racked up an eye-catching haul of 82 goals and 30 assists in all competitions, before sealing a move to Norwich in 2014.

Transfer Focus

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

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Hooper was an exceptional striker for the Hoops, as evidenced by his sensational goal return, and Celtic can now repeat that masterclass with a swoop for Richard Kone.

Why Celtic should sign Richard Kone

The Scottish giants are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the Wycombe Wanderers star, who is valued at £7m by the English club, as he could be Hooper 2.0.

As was the case when Hooper joined, Kone would arrive at Parkhead without any top-flight or European football under his belt. He has only played at League One level with the Choir Boys to date.

This means that the Ivorian marksman would join as a young, at the age of 22, and hungry striker who has everything to prove, rather than being an experienced forward who may see a move to Celtic as a step down or a last payday.

His form for Wycombe in League One last season also suggests that Kone has the potential to be an effective and exciting number nine option for Rodgers to call upon if the Hoops get a deal over the line for him.

24/25 League One

Richard Kone

Percentile rank vs STs

xG

15.89

Top 7%

xG on target

16.84

Top 6%

Goals

18

Top 7%

xA

3.33

Top 8%

Assists

3

Top 32%

Successful dribbles

44

Top 6%

Duels won

240

Top 5%

Aerial duels won

131

Top 9%

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, Kone outperformed his xG by just over two goals and ranked incredibly highly among his positional peers in a host of metrics, as a goalscorer, a creator, and as a physical presence.

These statistics suggest that he could thrive in a Celtic team that creates plenty of chances, as evidenced by the three ‘big chances’ that were created for Idah against St Mirren.

Idah failed to take any of those three opportunities to find the back of the net, but the Wycombe star’s form last term suggests that he would not be as wasteful.

Kone, whose nine-minute hat-trick in League One last season was dubbed “extraordinary” by pundit Gabriel Sutton, could be the lethal and consistent striker that Celtic are looking for, which is why they should be pushing to sign the lower leagues star in a Hooper repeat.

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Posts 1 ByDan Emery Aug 5, 2025

Thomas Frank will face a huge task during his first season as Tottenham Hotspur manager, after his appointment from Brentford a couple of weeks ago.

The Dane has taken the reins from Ange Postecoglou, with the hierarchy wanting the side to reach the next step during his tenure in charge in North London.

After the Europa League triumph last season, the Lilywhites will enter the Champions League, a situation that presents Frank with his first challenge as the club’s boss.

He will need to strike a balance between Europe and the Premier League, needing to rise up the table throughout 2025/26 whilst being competitive in the biggest club competition on the continent.

If the new boss is to be a success, he will need Daniel Levy to back him in the transfer market and hand him the funds to strengthen in key areas and strike a balance with his players.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new signings this summer

The attacking department in North London has been Spurs’ main focus over the last couple of weeks, with numerous names on their radar ahead of a potential transfer.

The likes of Arnaud Kalimuendo and Harvey Elliott have both been firmly on the radar of the Lilywhites, but as of yet no deals have been completed for the aforementioned duo.

Whilst talks have been held for the pair, work has also been done elsewhere, with a move for Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman on the cards during the off-season.

The latest report from TBR Football claims that Frank’s side have been in contact with his representatives over a move to North London, with Arsenal also interested in his signature.

They also claim that he could be available for a fee in the region of £43m this summer after registering 20 goals and six assists for the Serie A outfit last campaign.

Why Spurs’ £43m target would be a better signing than Kudus & Eze

Alongside the previous targets mentioned, Eberechi Eze and Mohammed Kudus have both been frequently mentioned as potential additions from fellow Premier League sides Crystal Palace and West Ham United.

The Englishman has starred for Palace throughout 2024/25, registering eight goals and eight assists in the league, even netting the winner in the Eagles’ unlikely FA Cup triumph.

Such form has also led to keen interest from fellow North London outfit Arsenal, with competition appearing to be fierce for his signature throughout the off-season.

As for Kudus, he currently has a £85m release clause in his contract, with a deal for his signature likely to cost around £60m, potentially negotiating a deal with the Hammers after their original contact.

Both players would be excellent options for the Lilywhites in their quest for success, but may prove to be too expensive, especially considering the inflated fees given their English top-flight status.

Lookman could prove to be a much cheaper alternative, but also a better option within the final third, outperforming the Premier League duo in multiple key areas.

The Nigerian, who’s been labelled “world-class” by the BBC’s John Bennett, has registered more goals and assists throughout 2024/25, along with a higher shot on target accuracy rate – demonstrating his threat within the final third.

Games played

31

34

32

Goals & assists

20

16

8

Shot on target accuracy

40%

27%

28%

Progressive carries

5.7

2.4

3.4

Key passes made

2.4

2.1

1.1

Carries into final third

2.8

1.6

2.1

Carries into opposition box

3.2

0.7

1.4

Aerials won

57%

15%

21%

He’s also registered more key passes per 90, along with more carries into the opposition box, showcasing his direct nature, which has allowed him to be a constant threat to countless backlines.

Lookman’s all-round dominance is further highlighted in his tally of aerials won and crosses completed, having the talent in numerous key areas to make him a versatile option in Frank’s system.

It’s unclear which of the three players the club will pursue this window, but it’s evident that Lookman would be the best option for the Lilywhites during the current window.

All three would massively improve the options at the Dane’s disposal, but the Nigerian has the added quality that could take the side up a notch throughout 2025/26.

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 1, 2025

Northamptonshire just 25 runs ahead with six wickets remaining, going into final day

ECB Reporters Network25-Jun-2024Glamorgan kept their hopes of victory alive in their Vitality County Championship match against Northamptonshire in Cardiff thanks to two wickets from Mason Crane in the final session.Glamorgan had extended their first-innings lead to 211 thanks to late order runs from Crane, James Harris and Andy Gorvin allowing them to add to their overnight total.A score of 99 from Ricardo Vasconcelos and 55 not out from Luke Procter saw Northamptonshire claw themselves back into this match but the wickets from Crane pushed Glamorgan back into the stronger position.Northamptonshire will begin the final day of this match on 236 for four, just 25 runs in front with six second-innings wickets in hand. They will be hoping for another partnership to help them save this game but Glamorgan will be looking for early wickets so they can push for the win.Glamorgan resumed 111 runs in front of Northamptonshire and Crane and James Harris set about extending that in the opening hour. Crane is having his best season as a batter in first-class cricket. He made the second half-century of his career, the first coming in the away fixture against these opponents earlier in the season.Crane and Harris shared a stand of 63 that took Glamorgan into a sizeable lead, but the concern for the home side would have been the ease with which their lower order were scoring runs. The prodigious seam movement that was a feature of the first two days had all but disappeared and the final wicket stand between Crane and Andy Gorvin put on another 53 runs to take Glamorgan to 490 all out.Northamptonshire’s innings had a solid start thanks to a stand of 59 between Emilio Gay and Vasconcelos. Gay was dismissed by Gorvin when he edged through to Chris Cooke for 24. Prithvi Shaw had made it to 23 before he edged a low catch to Cooke to leave Northamptonshire 95 for two.Vasconcelos was steady throughout but as the day progressed the odd ball did misbehave. There were one of two balls from the Glamorgan seamers that bounced more than he expected but it wasn’t until the final session of the day that there seemed to be a real threat with the ball thanks to Crane’s leg spin. He bowled a long spell in the evening session where the ball began to turn.The stand between Procter and Vasconcelos took Northamptonshire exactly level with Glamorgan when Crane made the long-awaited breakthrough when he trapped Vasconcelos LBW for 99. When Crane had Rob Keogh caught at short leg first ball Northamptonshire were four wickets down in their second innings and exactly level with Glamorgan’s first innings score.Procter and Lewis McManus took Northamptonshire to the close without any further damage but there is still a long way to go before the visitors can consider this game safe.

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

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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.

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By
Barney Lane

Oct 26, 2024

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.

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

By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 30, 2025

Everton scored a late, late winner against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon to secure a deserved 1-0 win over Nuno Santo’s top four contenders.

Despite Forest sitting third and the Toffees in 14th prior to the match, David Moyes’ men performed incredibly well throughout the match, with the late winner by Abdoulaye Doucoure ensuring they headed back to Merseyside in a great mood.

Everton dominated possession throughout (58% to 42%) while registering 13 shots, claiming seven corners and taking 29 touches in the opposition penalty area, compared to just nine for the home side.

Doucoure has had his critics recently, but his goal to seal the victory will go a long way to redemption, that’s for sure.

Abdoulaye Doucoure's game in numbers vs Forest

The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, with his future at their new Bramley more Stadium rather uncertain at this moment in time.

Before the Forest clash, the Malian star had scored only two goals in the Premier League this season and not many expected him to pop up and net the winner on Saturday afternoon.

However, he popped up like a seasoned striker, bursting onto the end of Dwight McNeil’s counter-attacking pass to find the back of the net. His celebration? Rather cryptic, let’s put it that way, pointing to his head and then appearing to sign an imaginary piece of paper. Perhaps a new contract is incoming?

While the goal was vital, the midfielder completed 33 of his 37 passes – a success rate of 89% – took 50 touches, succeeded with 100% of his long balls and crosses into the box plus made a solitary tackle.

Will this display be enough to convince Moyes to extend his Everton contract for at least another season? Who knows, but he certainly bailed out a few players during the game.

Accurate passes

Mykolenko (51)

Key passes

Moreno (4)

Tackles

Garner, Anderson & Milenkovic (3)

Ground duels won

Anderson (7)

Shots on target

Ndiaye (3)

Everton star saved by Doucoure must be dropped

While many of Everton’s forward line have flattered to deceive this term, a certain Jack Harrison has been notably poor throughout the campaign and failed to influence the side again against a team chasing a Champions League place next season. As a result, he must be axed from the starting XI.

Chalkboard

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

The winger had missed only four Premier League matches before the match on Saturday yet had registered only one goal and one assist during that time.

Those are hardly the best returns for the current Leeds United loan player, and he won’t be returning to the club next season. That’s a certainty.

Harrison did look lively in spells against Forest, delivering 14 crosses into the opposition’s penalty area, although only four were accurate. He even set up Iliman Ndiaye and James Garner for chances, yet both players missed their opportunities.

His antics going forward meant the winger lost the ball a staggering 25 times throughout the game. Given he took 60 touches, this works out as losing the ball once every 2.4 touches.

Journalist Chris Beesley gave the Englishman a match rating of 7/10 for his display, writing in the Liverpool Echo, notably criticising an effort he had that was blazed over the bar. It rather summed up his stint at Goodison.

Thus, with the man who replaced him, McNeil, actually registering the game-winning assist, perhaps it is the former Burnley man who should start instead of Harrison next time around.

Friedkin table offer in race to sign "perfect" £25m+ defender for Everton

They’ve had a response…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 10, 2025