All posts by n8rngtd.top

Manchester United have been a side who have so often been known for their ability to win trophies, but that’s something that has been hard to come by in recent years.

The Red Devils have only won two trophies since 2020, none of which were the Premier League, now going over a decade without a triumph since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.

However, big money has been spent to try and end such a drought, but they’ve so far been unsuccessful in the quest, needing added funding throughout the summer window.

Ruben Amorim is the latest manager to try and cement himself in the club’s history, but has so far shown no signs of winning the division, achieving a win percentage of just 40%.

He appears to have been given the benefit of the doubt after taking the reins mid-season, but he will have to make a quick start next season if he is to be a success at the Theatre of Dreams.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

Bryan Mbeumo has been the main player linked with United over recent weeks, with the player himself expressing his desire to move to Old Trafford this summer.

However, after the Red Devils’ second offer of £62.5m was rejected, Brentford’s sporting director, Phil Giles, stated that the Cameroonian would be happy to stay in London if their asking price wasn’t met.

Another name has been mentioned as a potential addition this summer, with Aston Villa talisman Ollie Watkins remaining a key target, according to The Athletic’s latest update.

They claim that the Red Devils have been in contact with the fellow top-flight outfit over a move to Old Trafford after he bagged 17 goals and 14 assists across all competitions in 2024/25.

It also states that Rasmus Hojlund could be offloaded, with the English international just one player they are considering a move for to bolster their attacking department.

Why United’s latest target could be Amorim’s answer to Isak

Alexander Isak is a player who has proved to be a constant threat to countless backlines in the Premier League, as seen by his staggering goalscoring tallies.

The Swedish international has registered 62 goals in his 109 appearances for the Magpies, including back-to-back 20-goal campaigns in England’s top-flight.

As a result of his tremendous goalscoring record for Eddie Howe’s side, he’s been constantly touted with big-money moves away from St James’ Park, but a £150m price tag has been mooted.

The Red Devils themselves have been seen as a potential destination in recent days, but a move is extremely unlikely given his price tag and the club’s lack of European football.

However, they could land their own version of Isak this window with a move for Watkins, as the Villa star has been labelled as a similar player to the Swede by FBref.

When comparing the pair’s respective figures from last season, the Englishman has managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, potentially providing an excellent attacking option for Amorim’s side.

Watkins, who’s been labelled by podcaster Rohan Jivan “one of the best centre-forwards in Europe,” has registered slightly fewer goal contributions, but matched him for goals per shot on target, whilst getting more of his efforts on target – subsequently demonstrating the clinical ability he possesses.

The 29-year-old has also won more aerial battles and drawn more fouls per 90, having the ability to operate as a focal point – something which Amorim’s side have greatly lacked in recent months.

His ability to carry the ball into forward areas is also reflected by matching Isak for carries into the opposition box per 90, with Watkins evidently a more well-rounded option for the Red Devils.

Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal for the Villa talisman would cost this summer, it’s clear that he would be a cheaper alternative to Isak, but still offering the club the needed quality they crave.

If he can transfer his skillset to Old Trafford with him this summer, it would be a superb signing that would massively improve the side and make them a force to be reckoned with once again in the near future.

Gyokeres alternative: Man Utd submit bid to sign their own Kane after talks

Man United are still planning to sign a centre-forward this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 30, 2025

Liverpool’s expeditious start to the summer transfer window has seen the double signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz wrapped up before the end of June, and Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is set to follow.

And there’s more yet to come. With a deal agreed for the transfer of Jarell Quansah to the BayArena, Liverpool have upped their interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who is entering the final year of his contract.

Of course, the Reds still need a striker too.

Liverpool chasing Premier League star

Darwin Nunez’s proposed transfer to Serie A champions Napoli could see efforts on that front doubled over the coming weeks.

Saying that, though, Liverpool love a market opportunity, and are monitoring a right-sided Premier League forward as Federico Chiesa expects to leave Anfield as well this summer.

As per French reporter Sébastien Vidal, in a bid to possibly replace Chiesa, Liverpool are interested in signing Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, though they face stiff competition from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

The Cherries have valued the Ghanaian at £70m, a figure none of his suitors are willing to meet, but if that figure can be whittled down, Mohamed Salah would have the perfect understudy to cover him on the right.

This isn’t a priority for Liverpool, but the versatile Semenyo has the perfect profile for Slot’s system and could become the latest jackpot signing from the south coast.

Why Liverpool want Antoine Semenyo

Liverpool have raided a rising Premier League winger from the south coast before. Indeed, Sadio Mane is one of the club’s most iconic modern players, starring under Jurgen Klopp’s wing for many years after joining from Southampton for £35m in 2016.

Semenyo carries certain similarities to the prolific Senegalese, who was a deadly goalscorer but also a fierce advocate of his manager’s vision, working like a machine, covering numerous positions. Klopp once called Mane a “complete” and “world-class” player, and who would argue against him?

Hailed as a “workhorse” and a “duel monster” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Semenyo has been instrumental for Andoni Iraola’s system at the Vitality Stadium, scoring 13 goals and assisting seven more across all competitions last season.

Mane, let’s not forget, wrapped up his Saints career with 15 goals and seven assists across 43 matches in 2015/16, so, like Semenyo, he wasn’t the finished product and needed that move to a club on a higher rung of the ladder.

As per FBref, the versatile forward also ranked among the top 20% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the English top flight last season for successful take-ons and the top 5% for shots taken per 90, underlining his prowess as a pressure-applying force in front of goal but also a player who can drive play into the danger area himself.

All told, Semenyo is a talented and proven Premier League star who would not only cover Salah but also use his dynamism to cover on the left flank too.

To reach Mane’s level would be difficult indeed, but he’s certainly underrated, and a move to Merseyside could help put his name on the map.

The next Torres: Liverpool preparing huge bid to sign "frightening" striker

Liverpool aren’t messing around in the transfer market this summer.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 23, 2025

Enzo Maresca will have plenty of work to do this summer if he wants to strengthen his Chelsea squad for the challenges ahead.

The Blues are set to take part in the inaugural Club World Cup in America this month.

While the prize money on offer is ridiculous – the winner is set to receive up to $125m – Maresca will be keen on using the tournament as extended preparation for pre-season.

Liam Delap has already been signed by the Stamford Bridge outfit ahead of the competition, but unless a deal can be done swiftly, this will be all of their business before they fly across the pond.

Of course, this won’t stop the manager from working hard behind the scenes to try and plan with regard to future signings.

Indeed, several players have been linked recently. Mike Maignan, the French number one and AC Milan goalkeeper, could be tempted to make the move from Italy to England in the coming weeks.

Jamie Gittens is another potential addition to the squad that Maresca is working hard to get done.

The club have reportedly had a bid rejected for the winger, with Borussia Dortmund looking at a fee of around £42m for the Englishman.

This won’t be wrapped up before the Club World Cup, but could the Blues make the move a priority?

Why Chelsea want to sign Jamie Gittens

It is no secret that the Stamford Bridge outfit loves to hoover up the best young talents. The squad is full of players who aren’t quite at their peak, but have incredible potential.

Enzo Fernández, Cole Palmer, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu and Moises Caicedo immediately spring to mind.

There could be a major overhaul of the first-team squad this summer, as several players look set to leave London. As a result, there could be an opening for the exciting Gittens.

Since making his debut for Dortmund four seasons ago, the English forward has gone from strength to strength, echoing the trajectory of both Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham at the German club.

He has made over 100 appearances for the Bundesliga side, registering a total of 31 goal contributions – 17 goals and 14 assists – an impressive tally at such a tender age.

Last season was a mixed one for the 20-year-old, however. He did continue his development during the first half of 2024/25, but once Niko Kovac took over as manager, his progress stalled.

The winger created six big chances and succeeded with 2.4 dribbles per game – a success rate of 52% – which proved he loved causing chaos for opposition defenders.

Under Kovac, Gittens started just nine of his 16 matches, scoring a solitary goal for the club, a stark contrast to the 11 goals he’d netted earlier in the campaign. It is obvious that the Croatian manager doesn’t see a future for the talented youngster in his current system.

If the Blues are able to secure the services of Gittens for a fee that won’t break the bank, they could be onto a winner, no doubt about that.

He is young, has a high ceiling and has sparked in a top-five European League while making appearances in the Champions League.

Chelsea have a player joining in the next few weeks that may be an even bigger talent than Gittens, however. Step forward, Estevao.

Chelsea's future Ballon d'Or winner

In May 2024, the Blues secured a deal to bring Brazilian sensation Estevao to Stamford Bridge, paying a fee in the region of £29m for the winger.

Over the years, players such as Neymar, Vinícius Jr, Rodrygo and Kaka have moved from Brazil to Europe in a bid to make their mark on the continent.

Estevao is no different, and Chelsea certainly looked like they had struck gold in signing the then-17-year-old.

The teenager has received some wonderful praise during the embryonic stages of his career thus far. Analyst Ben Mattinson believes he is a “future Ballon d’Or winner” while already going as far as to say that he is a “superstar” thanks to his early displays for Brazilian side Palmeiras.

Former prodigy Neymar has even gone as far as to say the youngster is a “genius” and this sort of praise suggests Chelsea have signed someone who will rake them in a giant profit in a few years.

Since making his club debut in 2023, the 18-year-old has already racked up 78 senior appearances for Palmeiras, scoring 26 goals and grabbing 15 assists in the process.

His performances in the 2025 Copa Libertadores have been a joy to watch indeed. He has recorded five goal involvements across his five games in the competition thus far.

When compared to his peers in South America’s most prestigious club competition, the teenager ranks in the top 1% for touches in the attacking penalty area (7.82) and non-penalty goals (0.95) per 90.

Furthermore, he also ranks in the top 2% for shots on target (2.13) and for carries into the penalty area (3.32) per 90 for Palmeiras.

His performances have led to the youngster already winning five caps for Brazil, making his debut against Ecuador last September, aged just 17.

If he continues this upwards trajectory, there is no doubt Estevao will be a regular fixture for his nation under the management of Carlo Ancelotti.

The World Cup is a year away and by enjoying a successful debut season at Chelsea, he could well be the star of the show in America next summer.

His final act as a Palmeiras player will be to take them as far as possible at the Club World Cup this month.

They are in a group that includes Inter Miami, Porto and Al Ahly, with a knockout round space is certainly attainable if the club perform at their best.

For Maresca, he will be able to count on the Brazilian sensation once the tournament ends and the 2025/26 campaign begins.

While Gittens would be an exciting signing, no doubt. Do Chelsea need him? If Estevao can hit the ground running, £29m could turn out to be a shrewd piece of business for all involved.

Better than Delap: Chelsea step up move for £85m "monster in the making"

Chelsea are looking to improve their attacking options further

1

By
Ross Kilvington

Jun 9, 2025

A “sensational” goalkeeper has now been identified as Aston Villa’s top target to replace Emiliano Martinez this summer, according to a report.

Martinez's time at Villa could be coming to an end

After being a peripheral figure during his time with Arsenal, Martinez’s career has gone from strength to strength since making the move to Villa Park, most notably playing a key role in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, scooping up the Golden Glove award.

The goalkeeper’s impressive performances for his country go hand in hand with some top displays at club level, recently winning the Premier League Save of the Season award for a remarkable stop against Nottingham Forest.

However, the 32-year-old’s time with the Villans could now be coming to an end, amid growing interest in his signature, with Manchester United currently showing the strongest interest, while Atletico Madrid have also been named as potential suitors.

As such, Unai Emery may be tasked with bringing in a replacement between the sticks this summer, and a new top target has now been identified by recruitment chiefs, namely OGC Nice goalkeeper Marcin Bulka.

Indeed, according to a report from The Boot Room, Bulka is now emerging as Aston Villa’s first-choice option to replace Martinez, should the goalkeeper move on this summer, although Marseille and some other unnamed clubs could provide competition for his signature.

Nice had been hoping the shot-stopper would be willing to commit to a new contract, but discussions have not progressed, and if he doesn’t sign a new deal, the French side will look to cash in this summer, potentially opening the door for a move to Villa Park.

"Sensational" Bulka impressing in Ligue 1

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has singled the Pole out for praise in the past, describing him as “sensational” for his performances at club level, most notably putting in a remarkable performance against Paris Saint-Germain back in April.

Aston Villa join battle for "fantastic" midfielder in cut-price £8m deal

He’s a wanted man.

By
Tom Cunningham

Jun 8, 2025

The 25-year-old achieved a Sofascore match rating of 10, courtesy of a fantastic display against the Champions League winners, making a number of important contributions as his side ran out surprise 3-1 winners at the Parc des Princes.

French journalist Julien Froment was also left impressed by the Poland international’s performance, hailing the £6k-a-week goalkeeper for his “colossal” contribution to his side’s shock victory, which suggests he could now be ready for a big move this summer.

That said, while Bulka could be a fantastic signing for Aston Villa, they will still be hoping that Martinez is willing to remain at the club, having won two Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper awards during his time at Villa Park, most recently scooping up the 2024 award.

One of the key summer targets for Newcastle United over the next couple of weeks seems to be Liam Delap. The Ipswich Town striker is a player of keen interest to four Premier League clubs, according to TeamTalk, and are ‘holding showdown talks’ in the coming days.

Whilst the Magpies are in contact with Delap via manager Eddie Howe, who is looking to convince him to make the move, they will face competition from top-flight rivals Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton. There are four different projects on the table for Delap, but he would be the same price for each club, given that he has a £30m release clause.

If the North East giants do miss out on the striker, they seem to have a backup option on the cards.

Newcastle chasing Delap alternative

So, it does seem like the Magpies are trying their very best to persuade Delap to make the move to St James’ Park over any of the other clubs interested this summer. However, if that does not work out, their next option could lie in the Premier League, too.

Transfer Focus

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

According to a report from one Spanish news outlet, Newcastle are firmly in the race for Brighton and Hove Albion star Joao Pedro, with the Tynesiders said to be ‘willing to pay’ a fee of around €70m (£59m) to get their man.

The article suggests that Howe’s side view him as ‘as an opportunity to continue growing’ in attacking areas, although they do face a ‘huge transfer battle’ with newly-crowned champions, Liverpool, for his signature.

It is thought that the player wants to leave the Amex, with both the Reds and Newcastle ready to make a ‘good financial offer’, alongside an ‘attractive sporting project’.

Why Joao Pedro would be a good signing

It has been a strong season for Brighton superstar Pedro. Unfortunately, he could not quite help claw his side back into Europe, meaning they will once again go without continental football after finishing eighth in the top flight.

However, the 23-year-old put in some big contributions across the campaign, playing 27 times in the top flight. In that time, he managed to find the back of the net on ten occasions and also registered six assists.

One of the standout things about Pedro’s 2024/25 campaign was his ability to frequently score against the best sides in the Premier League. The Brazilian managed two goals against Arsenal, a winning goal against Man United and a goal and assist against their cross-city rivals, Manchester City. He also grabbed two assists against Aston Villa.

Of course, with Newcastle looking to compete for higher honours next term, it is surely appealing that he can score against some of the biggest clubs in the top flight. Those are sides the Magpies would have to beat to maybe even challenge for the Premier League.

Should the Magpies sign Pedro ahead of Delap, it could well be a better addition to their squad. Of course, it was a fantastic campaign for the England under-21 star despite Ipswich’s relegation; he is now wanted by clubs across the Premier League.

However, he did not notch up as many goal involvements as Pedro managed in the Blue and White stripes of Brighton. Delap scored 12 times this term, but managed just two assists.

With Pedro grabbing 16 goals and assists, he perhaps offers more with his all-around game than the Ipswich striker.

This is further backed up by the stats on FBref. Not only does Pedro average slightly more goals per game than Delap with 0.46 to 0.42, but he also ranks higher in other key metrics.

That includes shot-creating actions, where the Brazilian averages 3.32 per game compared to the Ipswich star’s 2.15.

If Newcastle win the race to sign Pedro, he seems like a far better addition to the club than Delap, for his all-around package. Whilst he can regularly find the back of the net, he also creates chances and brings others into play, which could be deadly given the strength of their attack.

As Dougie Critchley said, he is a “special” footballer, and could be perhaps exactly what Newcastle need to take their attack to the next level.

Howe thinks Newcastle could sign two Marseille stars to play up front with Isak

The Magpies are plotting some exciting moves…

2

By
Sean Markus Clifford

May 26, 2025

Liverpool’s title success may have been unexpected at the start of the campaign, but it highlights the excellent work done by Arne Slot in his first year at the helm.

The Dutchman has created a seamless transition after taking the reins from the departing Jürgen Klopp, claiming the club’s second-ever Premier League title.

Whilst they’ve failed to win any of their last three outings after claiming the trophy, the hard work in the early stages has allowed them to enjoy the last few weeks of the season.

However, with just one game left in 2024/25, attention will now undoubtedly switch towards the transfer market, with key additions needed in multiple areas to aid the manager in replicating the success.

The manager has already wasted no time in strengthening his squad, with Jeremie Frimpong edging ever closer to a switch to Anfield, potentially being joined by various other stars in the coming months.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new signings

Alexander Isak has been a name constantly touted with a switch to Liverpool this summer, understandably so given his record of 23 goals in 33 league outings this campaign.

However, such a player comes at a premium, with Eddie Howe’s side demanding a fee in the region of £150m to part ways with their star attacker during the off-season.

Such a figure could lead the hierarchy to different targets ahead of the summer, with work already being done to land RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, according to DAVEOCKOP.

The report states that the Reds have been in talks with the Bundesliga outfit over a move for the Slovenian international, who currently has a £84m release clause in his contract.

It also claims that the 21-year-old would be open to a move to Merseyside, but no formal approach has yet been made despite the keen interest in his signature.

Why Liverpool’s £84m target could be Slot’s own Firmino

Brazilian forward Roberto Firmino was an unknown quantity to many Liverpool supporters before his switch from Hoffenheim back in 2015, but it didn’t take long for him to adhere himself to the fanbase.

The Reds forked out £28m for his services, a fee that proved to be a bargain given his stint at Anfield, registering over 100 goals in his 362 appearances.

He often operated in a false nine position, with his best campaign coming in 2017/18, when he registered 27 goals and 16 assists in his 54 appearances across all competitions.

However, he departed in the summer of 2023 on a free transfer, joining Saudi side Al Ahli, with the Reds desperately missing a centre-forward of his calibre since his move away from Merseyside.

That could all be about to change this window, with Slot able to replicate such a move if they land the services of Sesko – following suit of Firmino in joining the club from a Bundesliga outfit.

If he manages to get anywhere near close to the levels produced by the Brazilian for the Reds, he would be one hell of an addition, already showcasing his talents despite his tender age with Leipzig this campaign.

The 21-year-old, who’s been labelled a “monster” by talent scout Antonio Mango, has registered 21 goals in all competitions this season, with four of which coming in the Champions League – highlighting his ability to thrive at the top level.

His underlying stats have been just as impressive, registering 1.2 shots on target per 90 and a dribble success rate of 55%, handing Slot an excellent all-round option in the final third.

Sesko has also won 57% of the aerial duels he’s entered, handing the side the focal point they’ve often lacked despite their success throughout 2024/25.

It’s likely that the club would be able to negotiate a deal below his £84m clause, with the youngster having all the tools to develop further and become a leading player for the side for many years to come.

If the Reds are to take the next step under Slot and maintain their first-season success, additions will need to be perfect, with the Slovenian offering the manager a sensational option in forward areas.

Time to forget Kerkez: Liverpool chasing "one of the best young talents"

Liverpool are moving fast to wrap up some statement signings after a title-winning campaign.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 20, 2025

Barcelona vs Real Madrid is La Liga’s showpiece fixture. Over the years, plenty of star players have made their mark for the Catalans or Los Blancos – or both. And for some, they thrived under the pressure of appearing in El Clásico without being asked twice.

Here, we have taken a look back through the history books and found the last 15 players to score on their league El Clásico debut.

The Top 11 El Clásico Goalscorers This Century

Who has scored the most often in El Clásico since 2000?

1

By
Barney Lane

May 10, 2025

1

Jude Bellingham (2023/24)

28th October 2023: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid

Jude Bellingham announced himself as a Real Madrid hero when his brace defeated Barcelona in Catalonia thanks to a last-minute winner.

Bellingham was appearing in his first El Clásico clash following his move from Borussia Dortmund, with the English midfielder scoring goals for fun in his early Madrid career.

His double against Barca was not only his first Clasico goals, but also saw him reach 10 La Liga goals in 11 matches. He ended with 23 in all competitions, winning the league and the Champions League.

2

Ilkay Gundogan (2023/24)

28th October 2023: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid

In that same game in late 2023, Ilkay Gundogan briefly threatened to overshadow Bellingham’s big day when he netted six minutes into his first El Clásico matchup.

Gundogan had joined after leaving Manchester City in the preceding summer, having just led the Citizens to their historic treble.

While the move didn’t work out for the former Germany international, he did briefly have his name up in lights before Bellingham stole his thunder.

3

Ferran Torres (2021/22)

20th March 2022: Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona

Having joined Barca from Manchester City in January 2022, the £55m signing was just two months into his career at Camp Nou.

At the time of the 2021/22 season’s first Clasico, Madrid were flying high at the top of the table, whilst Xavi’s Barcelona were languishing some way behind in third – meaning the hosts were certainly heading into the affair as the favourites.

But nobody could’ve predicted what ensued. The subsequent title winners were thumped 4-0 on their own patch, and Ferran Torres netted the third for his first strike in this fixture.

The fleet-footed wide player drifted in from the left and thundered home Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s audacious cut-back to score on his El Clásico debut.

4

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2021/22)

20th March 2022: Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted a brace on his El Clásico debut in the aforementioned thumping Barca dealt Real in early 2022.

Like Torres, the Gabonese forward left the Premier League in favour of a move to the Catalan club and was signed during the winter transfer window that year.

Following a goal-littered four-year stint with Arsenal, Aubameyang opted to begin a new chapter in Spain and found the net 13 times in 24 outings for Barca.

5

Sergio Agüero (2021/22)

24th October 2021: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid

Following his departure from Manchester City in the summer of 2021, Sergio Agüero was assigned as Barca’s new centre-forward.

After an injury-stricken start to life back in Spain, the Argentina international was making only his second appearance of the season, coming on as a second-half substitute for his El Clásico debut.

With the hosts 2-0 down, Agüero pulled one back after stroking home Sergiño Dest’s cross in the seventh minute of stoppage time, though it ultimately came too late.

6

David Alaba (2021/22)

24th October 2021: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid

Prior to Aguero’s consolation, David Alaba opened the scoring quite brilliantly after powering home a well-struck left-footed effort into the far corner, leaving Marc-André ter Stegen helpless.

It was the Austrian’s first goal for Los Blancos following his arrival from Bayern Munich, which ended a trophy-laden 13-year spell with the Bundesliga giants.

Alaba and his side went on to win La Liga, the Champions League and the Spanish Super Cup that year, so it was not a bad first season in Madrid.

7

Óscar Mingueza (2020/21)

10th April 2021: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona

With the visitors 2-0 down 30 minutes from time, La Masia academy graduate Óscar Mingueza pulled one back for Barcelona with a neat finish to give his side a lifeline in this La Liga clash.

Barca midfielder Ilaix Moriba came inches away from completing a remarkable turnaround as his effort struck the woodwork in stoppage time.

Victory for the hosts moved them to the summit of the league table, whilst Ronald Koeman’s team dropped to third, a point behind their bitter rivals.

Mingueza went on to make 66 appearances for his boyhood club before departing for Celta Vigo in 2022.

8

Arturo Vidal (2018/19)

28th October 2018: Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid

Barcelona completed a demolition job against Real, who were struggling under the stewardship of former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui in the opening stages of the 2018/19 season.

Lopetegui received the sack a day later as Los Blancos languished in 9th, seven points adrift of league leaders Barca.

Former Liverpool duo Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suárez netted to put their side 2-0 up heading into the break, before the Uruguayan forward added a third and fourth in the second half to complete his hat-trick.

And with three minutes of normal time remaining, El Clásico debutant Arturo Vidal headed home a fifth to make matters worse for the visitors.

9

Jesé (2013/14)

26th October 2013: Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid

Barcelona summer arrival Neymar broke the deadlock in the 19th minute of the first Clasico of the 2013/14 season before Alexis Sánchez netted an exquisite chip 12 minutes from time to extend his side’s lead.

Real Madrid’s Jesé, then 20 years old, scored a stoppage-time consolation goal assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo. Regardless of the result, it will likely remain a joyous memory for the Spaniard, who was playing in his first clash against Barca.

Premier League fans may be familiar with the former Real winger’s brief time with Stoke City, though his sole season with the Potters wasn’t particularly inspiring, scoring just once in 13 outings.

10

Neymar (2013/14)

26th October 2013: Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid

Unsurprisingly, Neymar, the player who went on to become the world’s most expensive footballer, scored in his first El Clásico.

Having signed following a mega-money transfer from Brazilian outfit Santos, expectations were high upon the forward’s arrival.

He was already a global superstar after lighting up Brazil’s top flight, with many of his skilful montages going viral, so fans waited in anticipation to see how he’d fare against one of the continent’s most feared sides.

In spite of the pressure, Neymar took centre stage and opened the scoring for the Catalan club, striking a low effort into the bottom-right corner.

Neymar went on to score 15 goals that year, laying on as many assists.

Leicester City will soon be back in the Championship and have now lined up a potential replacement for Ruud van Nistelrooy who would be open to taking over at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy's uncertain future

Truthfully, Leicester City have struggled to adapt to the Premier League and their relegation against Liverpool earlier this month proved to be something of an inevitable end result.

Ruud van Nistlerooy has been unable to turn the tide since taking over from Steve Cooper, with a return of three victories, two draws and 18 defeats across all competitions certifying that his side will return to the EFL Championship after a year in the top-flight.

The former Netherlands international is under contract until 2027, but there are naturally some doubts over his position at the club following a dismal run of results.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl is said to be on the Foxes’ list and has been evaluated internally by their hierarchy. Meanwhile, England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley has also emerged as a potential candidate.

Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior could be targeted by Leicester City following his sterling work at the BlueCo-owned Ligue 1 outfit, though he is also attracting interest at Southampton, who have their own vacancy to fill.

Leicester City now eyeing Europa League striker with 10 goals this season

The Foxes have their eye on a 20-year-old forward who’s been on the scoresheet regularly this season.

By
Dominic Lund

Feb 20, 2025

The bigger picture in the East Midlands can be altered with the right appointment. Sales will happen this summer, but there is still the makings of a talented squad to work with for whoever is chosen to lead the Foxes in the Championship.

In light of this, another progressive candidate has come to the table and may be open to taking the job at the King Power over the next few weeks.

Leicester City set for tussle over top target Russell Martin

According to The Sun, Russell Martin is Leicester City’s first choice to fill their managerial vacancy, and he is now said to be keen on being installed as their new manager should an approach be made for his services.

On the flip side, Rangers have shortlisted the 39-year-old as a candidate to take over from Barry Ferguson, creating a scenario where whoever makes the first move could land the former Southampton and Swansea City boss.

Intriguingly, he has lost every match when in the dugout against Leicester City, but his promotion-winning campaign with Southampton last term may be of interest to the Foxes as they seek a return to the Premier League in 2025/26.

Neither themselves or Rangers are in an immediate rush to make an appointment, so it remains to be seen how things will play out for the former Scotland international, who has previously been praised by Pep Guardiola for his brave tactical framework.

Ultimately, timeframes aren’t important for Leicester City, they will take their time before coming to a conclusion over who is the right man to take them forward.

Manchester City’s summer of spending is seemingly set to commence.

The Sky Blues were the world’s biggest spenders in January, signing Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico González, Vitor Reis and Juma Bah for a reported £180m; that’s more than the other 19 Premier League clubs spent combined.

However, this appears likely to be a mere amuse-bouche ahead of the summer rebuild, so will the Citizens snap up one of the Premier League’s best players?

Manchester City targeting a new full-back

According to a report by journalist Graeme Bailey, Manchester City are interested in signing Wolverhampton Wanderers full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri, having already made ‘background checks’ regarding the Molineux sensation.

As the report goes on to note, Pep Guardiola has previously suggested that they will look to sign a left-back this summer, stating “obviously, Nico’s helping us, but he’s not a left-back… we’ve found solutions”.

So, could Aït-Nouri be that solution, valued at £40m by Wolves, according to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider?

Well, the Algerian international has certainly caught the eye, with Dougie Critchley of Sky Sports noting that he has “been one of the Premier League’s best players” in recent months, while David O’Brien praises his “creative” qualities.

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But would he be a good fit at Man City, and would his potential arrival be reminiscent of the signing of another sky blue stalwart?

Why Ait-Nouri could be the next Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker joined Manchester City from Tottenham back in 2017 for a reported £53m, a world-record fee for a defender at the time.

Fair to say, this proved to be a good investment, as the table below outlines.

When Walker departed for AC Milan in January, Ali Tweedale of Opta’s the Analyst stated that the Englishman is the Premier League’s ‘best-ever right-back’, while Michael Cox of the Athletic adds that Man City would not have enjoyed nearly as much success as they have in recent times without being ‘reliant on his recovery pace’ which, now that he’s 34, ‘has faded’.

So, could Aït-Nouri have a similar impact at the Etihad? Well, let’s assess his statistics this season to help answer that question.

As the table outlines, Aït-Nouri is a very well-rounded full-back, ranking highly when it comes to both attacking and defensive metrics, but also dribbling, with only 11 players having attempted more take-ons, an impressively high figure for a full-back.

The Algerian is also always available, missing just one Premier League match all season, and this was due to a suspension, which would be a very useful asset, considering the defensive injury crisis Man City have endured throughout the season.

Moe Adikwu of Breaking the Lines believes Aït-Nouri possesses ‘enormous potential’, while also noting ‘there is still a lot of room for improvement’, but Venkatanarayanan of Total Football Analysis highlights that he ‘is known for his attacking prowess’, so would therefore thrive in a team higher up the table.

It appears pretty likely that Aït-Nouri will wave goodbye to Wolves this summer, so do Man City lead the race to land his signature? If a deal is to be agreed, he could represent a left-sided version of Walker at full-back.

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Arsenal secured their 18th Premier League win of the season earlier this afternoon, demolishing relegation-threatened Ipswich Town 4-0 at Portman Road.

First-half goals from Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli put Mikel Arteta’s side two ahead, before Leif Davis’ dismissal ended any chance of a second-half comeback for the hosts.

The Belgian added his second of the contest, before Ethan Nwaneri put the finishing touches on what was another superb showing from the Gunners.

Although the title looks all but gone with just five games remaining, it hands the side huge momentum ahead of their crunch Champions League semi-final with PSG next week.

Such a display has given numerous first-team players the confidence booster they’ve so desperately needed, hopefully allowing them to be in top form for the remainder of the campaign.

Arsenal’s star performers against Ipswich Town

Declan Rice was the star in the two legs against Real Madrid in Europe over the last couple of weeks, building on such displays against the Tractor Boys.

The 26-year-old won 100% of the tackles he entered, whilst also completing 95% of the passes he attempted – having a huge impact at both ends of the pitch.

As previously mentioned, forward Trossard grabbed two of the Gunners’ four goals in the triumph, in what was undoubtedly one of his best showings of the season so far.

Alongside his goals, the former Brighton ace managed to win 100% of the aerial duels he entered, whilst also managing a total of ten touches inside the opposition’s 18-yard box.

However, despite the showings of the aforementioned duo, one other starter had an afternoon to remember, looking back to his best in the process.

The Arsenal star who produced his best display of the season

The club’s progression in the Champions League will give the supporters the hope of winning their first ever European title come the end of the ongoing season.

However, if they are to achieve such a feat in the next few months, Arteta will need all of his players to play an important part, needing to be at the top of their game.

Injuries have certainly plagued the side, restricting numerous key players from reaching the heights they have shown they are capable of over the previous seasons.

Midfielder Martin Odegaard struggled with an ankle issue during the early months of the season, restricting him from being able to make an impact in the first team.

However, his showing earlier on today was certainly his best of the season, impressing and playing a key role in the mammoth triumph in East Anglia.

The Norwegian featured for the entirety of the victory, registering a total of 115 touches, completing 90 passes at a completion rate of 89% – highlighting his impressive nature in possession.

He registered three shots during the win, two of which were on target, with the other rattling the post – unlucky not to find himself on the scoresheet after setting up Trossard’s opener.

Defensively, Odegaard also impressed, winning 100% of the tackles he entered, whilst also making four recoveries in what was a superb display from the Gunners’ captain.

As a result of his showing, the midfielder was handed an 8/10 match rating by The Standard’s Simon Collings, showcasing how impressive he was this afternoon.

The next few weeks are vital for the Gunners’ season, with the Champions League arguably their last chance to win a trophy, given the gap in the Premier League.

If they are to achieve such a feat, Odegaard could play a vital part, with any success they could endure potential down to the Norwegian’s return to form.

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