In what would be quite the move, Wolverhampton Wanderers have now reportedly expressed interest in hijacking a move to sign 19-year-old talent who has already held talks with Arsenal.

Wolves searching for Cunha replacement

Top of Wolves’ wishlist remains signing a replacement for Matheus Cunha this summer. The Brazilian is reportedly set to join Manchester United, who will trigger his £63m release clause, even after they lost the Europa League final and failed to qualify for the Champions League as a result. Left with money to burn, those at Molineux will have quite the task on their hands in the coming months.

With Premier League safety long confirmed, Wolves have at least had the luxury of turning their attention towards the summer transfer window before the season has even reached a conclusion.

As a result, names such as Yuri Alberto have been back in the headlines as of late. According to recent reports, Vitor Pereira has now requested a reunion with the Corinthians star in the coming months and he could yet arrive to become Wolves’ Cunha replacement.

It would be a fitting reward for Pereira, who has transformed Wolves ever since arriving to replace Gary O’Neil to earn a nomination for the Premier League Manager of the Season award in the process.

He will undoubtedly be one to watch next season in his first full year in charge in the Midlands. Whether the summer transfer window only boosts expectations remains to be seen, but even if it’s not Alberto, a Cunha replacement seems top of Wolves’ list of priorities.

Wolves interested in hijacking Carrizo deal

If it’s not Alberto then it could be a surprise candidate who replaces Cunha this summer. According to Velez Sarsfield journalist Martin Etcheverry, Wolves are now interested in hijacking a deal to sign Maher Carrizo, who has already held talks with Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City.

Related Wolves battle Borussia Dortmund for 18 y/o starlet with £10m release clause

Wolves are among the teams chasing a young star, who is out of contract in December.

Posts ByBrett Worthington May 19, 2025

Still just 19 years old, Carrizo has a promising future ahead of him and one which could, ultimately, lie away from Argentine club Velez. With a release clause worth just £14m, a deal would certainly be feasible for Wolves, who wouldn’t be outspent by those in the Premier League’s top six on this occasion.

A “superb prospect” according to scout/analyst Jacek Kulig, Wolves would be welcoming a player who could step into Cunha’s role for years to come if they have the right patience. The Midlands club will have money to spend this summer and Carrizo should be among the players they attempt to splash out on this summer.

Newcastle United will feel a major sense of relief following the weekend’s events and could now look to strike for two players at the same club in the summer window, according to a report.

Newcastle United squeeze into final Champions League place

Despite the Magpies enjoying a season to remember, Eddie Howe’s overriding emotion after securing Champions League qualification will be relief following his side’s 1-0 loss to Everton on the final day.

Manchester United came forward to ensure Aston Villa missed out, while Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Chelsea put the seal on a return to Europe’s premier competition in the North East.

While Newcastle’s appeal on the transfer market is already strong, Howe has cited the pull of the Champions League as a key avenue to bringing in quality additions between now and the closure of the window.

“The power of the Champions League and the pull of the Champions League is huge and we can’t get away from that, the excitement that this will bring for the people here.

“And of course it’s a selling point for us now, it’s an opportunity for us to sell that dream to future players that might be considering coming to us.”

Eddie Howe battling to keep hold of "unsettled" £150k-a-week Newcastle ace

Losing him would be a big blow for the Magpies.

1 ByHenry Jackson May 24, 2025

Borussia Dortmund breakout star Jamie Gittens is said to be on Newcastle’s radar and could be on the market for around £50 million, though Chelsea and Arsenal are also in the race for his signature.

Moving towards the summer, there is plenty of optimism over the business that could take place at St James’ Park. Antonio Cordero is already joining from Malaga, and he could now be followed by two attackers from the same club in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Newcastle United eye Jonathan Rowe and Luis Henrique double deal

According to TBR, Newcastle are looking to sign Marseille pair Jonathan Rowe and Luis Henrique; two players who Howe is said to hugely appreciate as the Magpies eye new additions this summer.

The former has signed permanently due to an obligatory clause in his loan spell from Norwich City, while Henrique has enjoyed a magnificent campaign featuring predominantly off the right flank.

Jonathan Rowe (left winger)

Luis Henrique (right winger)

Appearances: 30

Appearances: 35

Goals: 3

Goals: 9

Assists: 4

Assists: 10

Rowe is believed to be the main name on Newcastle’s list, and he has managed to average 1.3 shots on target per Ligue 1 match this term despite a modest goal return.

On the other hand, Henrique has fashioned 53 opportunities on the other side, providing a valuable threat during Marseille’s runners-up finish behind Paris Saint-Germain in the French top-flight.

Seeking to add depth to his forward line, Howe is intent on Alexander Isak staying put now that Champions League football has been secured, potentially creating a new front three if both men mentioned were indeed to arrive at St James’ Park.

A week is a long time in football, and Tottenham Hotspur are currently a testament to that.

While the Lilywhites’ domestic campaign has been an utter disaster this year, the fans probably don’t care at the moment, and following their impressive win on Thursday night, they are now in the Europa League final.

However, while the players and supporters can dream and look forward to that game, the board need to continue their preparations for what has to be a massive summer of transfer business.

It seems they are doing just that, as once again, reports have come out linking them to Bournemouth’s star defender Dean Huijsen for £50m, though thanks to an incredible youngster on their books, they may not need to sign the Spaniard at all.

Why Spurs want Huijsen

So, before we get to the player Tottenham could promote instead of splashing the cash on Huijsen, it’s worth taking a moment and looking at why they reportedly want to sign the Bournemouth star in the first place.

One of the most significant reasons will be the seriously impressive speed at which he’s adapted to and come to thrive in English football.

For example, despite only turning 20 in April and this being his first campaign in the country, the Amsterdam-born monster has made 33 first-team appearances for the Cherries, in which he’s scored three goals and provided one assist.

On top of that, the former Juventus gem has also made two appearances for the senior Spanish side and played a significant role in them making it to the Nations League final.

Last but most certainly not least, the highly-sought-after defender also boasts some genuinely impressive underlying numbers, with FBref placing him in the top 3% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty expected goals plus assists and interceptions, the top 4% for clearances, the top 5% for sho-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.15

Top 3%

Interceptions

1.97

Top 3%

Clearances

7.05

Top 4%

Non-Penalty Goals

0.12

Top 5%

Shot-Creating Actions

1.61

Top 5%

Progressive Carries

1.45

Top 8%

Total Shots

0.73

Top 16%

Progressive Passes

4.67

Top 17%

In short, Huijsen is an exceptionally promising young centre-back, but Spurs might be better off not signing him this summer, as they look to already have a bigger talent on the books, albeit out on loan.

Spurs' bigger talent than Huijsen

While some out there might think we are talking about the promising Ashley Phillips, who just spent the season on loan with Stoke City, they’d be mistaken.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Instead, you’ve got to go just a little further out to Belgium, where Luka Vušković is spending the season on loan with KVC Westerlo alongside fellow Spurs loanee Alfie Devine.

So, why do we think the incredibly exciting young Croatian might be a bigger talent than Huijsen? Well, we’ll break it down into two areas: his defensive abilities and offensive abilities.

Starting with the former then, and despite only turning 18 in February, the 6 foot 6 “monster of a CB,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has been incredibly effective at the back for his side this season.

According to FOTmob, he sits in the top 7.8% of centre-backs in the league for aerial duels won, ball recoveries and blocks and the top 22.2% for overall duels won – which is undeniably outstanding for someone so young.

Then, when it comes to his attacking prowess, he’s in a league of his own.

For example, the “crazy” talent, as dubbed by Mattinson, has managed to score seven goals and provide three assists in 34 games this season, which for a centre-back is incredible, and works out to a goal involvement every 3.4 games.

Appearances

34

Goals

7

Assists

3

Goal Involvements per Match

0.29

Ultimately, while it’s impossible to be certain until he plays in England, it does appear that Spurs have already signed a bigger talent than Huijsen in Vušković.

Forget Porro: 9/10 star with 96% passing is looking like Spurs' best player

It was a sensational performance from the Spurs star.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes May 9, 2025

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery will be hoping that missing out on Champions League qualification won’t alter his transfer plans this summer.

The Midlands side will play in the Europa League next season, a competition in which they have a great chance of winning. But will this prospect attract the players Emery wants?

Marcus Rashford returned to Manchester United after the end of his loan spell with Villa. He is valued at £40m by the Red Devils, but with Barcelona interested, Emery might miss out.

Could he perhaps make a move for one of his teammates instead?

Aston Villa transfer news

Bringing Rashford back to Villa Park would be a popular move by the manager, especially given how well the Englishman performed at the club.

It now looks unlikely that he will return, but Emery doesn’t appear to be disheartened, as he eyes a move for Alejandro Garnacho instead.

According to Caught Offside, Villa are exploring a move for the Argentinian sensation this summer in a bid to improve their squad.

The youngster has been told he could leave Old Trafford this summer, although Bayer Leverkusen are keen on signing him. The Bundesliga side are, however, looking for a loan deal, while United would prefer a permanent exit.

It would be a major coup if Emery could lure the player to the Midlands, especially with how highly-rated he is. Much will depend on the fee demanded by Ruben Amorim, as the Midlands club will need to stay within the profit and sustainability regulations.

If he does join, Garnacho could be a better signing than Rashford.

Why Aston Villa must sign Alejandro Garnacho

During his six-month loan spell, Rashford scored four goals and grabbed six assists for Villa, but he missed the final five games of the season due to a hamstring injury.

Throughout the 2024/25 season, Garnacho registered 21 goal contributions – 11 goals and ten assists – for Man Utd. Due to Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, however, he doesn’t fit into his plans.

Metric

Rashford

Garnacho

Goals

6

6

Assists

3

2

Big chances created

8

4

Key passes per game

1.1

1

Successful dribbles per game

0.7

0.7

Shots per game

1.4

2.3

At the start of last season, Statman Dave heaped praise on the South American starlet, saying he was “generational” and the future looked bright indeed for him at Old Trafford.

Given the fact that he is much younger and holds a higher ceiling for development than Rashford, there is no doubt he would be a much better signing, especially for the long term.

This argument begins to hold more weight when comparing the two players over the 2024/25 season from a domestic point of view.

Garnacho not only registered more shots per 90 (3.44 vs 2.15) than Rashford, but he also recorded more shot-creating actions (86 vs 56), more touches in the attacking penalty area (176 vs 64) and more successful take-ons (26 vs 18).

On this evidence, prioritising the signing of Garnacho rather than that of Rashford should be key for Emery heading into the summer window.

He could thrive if played in the correct system, no doubt about that.

Aston Villa exploring deal for £70m "superstar" with more G/A than Rashford

The Villans have set their sights on a forward, who regularly provided goals and assists throughout the 2024/25 campaign.

ByDominic Lund May 30, 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.

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.

Most goals scored by U23 STs in Europe’s top-five leagues (2024/25)
Player	Club	Games	Goals
Arnaud Kalimuendo	Stade Rennais	33	17
Hugo Ekitiké	Eintracht Frankfurt	33	15
Emanuel Emegha	Strasbourg	27	14
Benjamin Sesko	RB Leipzig	33	13
Mika Biereth	Monaco	16	13
Liam Delap	Ipswich Town	36	12
Thierno Barry	Villarreal	34	11
Joao Pedro	Brighton	27	10
Stats via Transfermarkt

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

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will have a host of difficult decisions to make when it comes to the playing squad during the summer transfer window, which opened for business on Sunday.

As well as deciding on players to join the club this summer, with Kieran Tierney already one star who is set to join at the start of next month, the Hoops boss will also have to sanction exits from Parkhead.

It has been reported that winger Luis Palma is working with his agents to seal a permanent or loan exit from Glasgow this summer, after Olympiacos did not take up their option to sign him permanently.

The Honduras international spent the second half of this season on loan with the Greek giants, and is now set to look elsewhere to find a home for the 2025/26 campaign and beyond.

Palma has had his moments in a Celtic shirt, with ten goals and ten assists in 48 matches, but the Hoops are now looking to part ways with him this summer.

One player who has already been ruthlessly ditched by the Scottish Premiership giants this summer, though, is experienced goalkeeper Scott Bain.

How Celtic have reshuffled their goalkeeper ranks

With Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo the clear first and second-choice options for Rodgers between the sticks, Bain was set to be the third choice once again heading into next season.

The Scottish shot-stopper did not play a single minute across any competition for the club this season, and only played three times in all competitions during the 2023/24 campaign.

At the end of last month, the club confirmed that the 33-year-old had left the club, despite having a year left on his contract, as they mutually agreed to part ways.

It has since been confirmed that Bain has agreed a one-year contract to join newly-promoted Falkirk in the Premiership, which could give him a better chance of playing regular football next season.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph reported last month that Aberdeen goalkeeper Ross Doohan has agreed to join the club on a free transfer to replace Bain as the third-choice at Parkhead.

Appearances

15

Saves

33

Successful run-outs

20

Penalties saved

1/1

Duel success rate

100%

Clean sheets

2

As you can see in the table above, Doohan played 15 times in the Premiership this season and could be a decent enough option to call upon if Schmeichel and Sinisalo are both unavailable and the third-choice is needed.

The goalkeeping department is not the only area of the squad that should be addressed, though, as Rodgers should also ruthlessly axe Auston Trusty, after just one year in Glasgow, if there is enough interest in him from elsewhere.

Why Celtic should move on from Auston Trusty

At the end of the 2023/24 campaign, Liam Scales was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year for his performances in the left-sided centre-back position for the Hoops in the Premiership.

Despite the Ireland international’s form, and Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh, and Maik Nawrocki being in the squad, Rodgers opted to further bolster his options at the back by signing Trusty.

Chalkboard

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

Celtic reportedly splashed out a fee of £6m to sign the USA international from English Championship side Sheffield United, which shows that they were willing to commit a significant portion of their budget to bring him to Parkhead.

Looking back, it was a slightly strange decision to spend so much money on another option in the left-sided centre-back position when Scales, who is only 26, played in 34 of the club’s 38 Premiership matches last season on his way to being in the Team of the Year.

This did not suggest that there was an imminent need for £6m to be splashed on a new centre-back unless they were a clear and significant upgrade on Scales.

Unfortunately, though, Trusty’s performances in his debut season in Scottish football were not of a high enough standard to prove that he is a better option, and the Irish central defender ended the campaign as the first-choice next to Carter-Vickers once again.

At the start of the year, Rodgers said that Trusty had to do better against Dundee and claimed that he contributed to the team being “a bit soft”, as he was beaten too easily in the air in the clip above to make it 3-3.

Appearances

26

22

Clean sheets

14

10

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.9

2.3

Dribbled past per game

0.2x

0.5x

Error led to shot

1

4

Error led to goal

0

1

Duel success rate

72%

64%

As you can see in the table above, the American flop made far too many errors at the back in the Premiership, making four more errors leading to shots or goals in four fewer appearances than Scales.

The Ireland international was also stronger in his duels and did not allow opposition forwards to get the better of him in dribble attempts, which suggests that he was more reliable for Rodgers.

That could be why Scales ended the season as the first-choice left-sided centre-back, including starting the SFA Cup final, and that is why it has been a dismal first year in Glasgow for the £6m signing.

Nawrocki also caught the eye in his three rare Premiership outings, winning 65% of his duels and being dribbled past just once, as he did not make a single error that led to a shot or goal.

Rodgers must ruthlessly axe Celtic star who was meant to be his own Rodri

Celtic must move on from this star who was compared to Rodri before joining the club.

ByDan Emery Jun 3, 2025

Therefore, Rodgers should instantly and ruthlessly part ways with Trusty after just one year in Glasgow because Scales and Nawrocki appear to be more reliable and quality options ahead of him, which is why Celtic should attempt to recoup as much of the £6m they spent on him as possible this summer.

A Champions League club are now “pushing hard” to sign a Sunderland star “immediately”, with a bid currently in the works, according to Sky Sports reporter Patrick Berger.

Wembley trip on the horizon for the Black Cats

The Black Cats didn’t exactly finish the Championship campaign in ideal fashion, losing their final five games, but they have managed to turn on the style when it matters, booking their spot at Wembley for the play-off final with a dramatic victory against Coventry City.

However, Regis Le Bris isn’t content with simply reaching the final, with the manager insisting his side must get the job done, saying: “Our focus is now fully on the final. It’s really clear — this is the main objective of the season.

“We have to take the final step. It will be tough, but we must put the work in now to make sure we’re ready.”

The importance of Sunderland restoring their Premier League status cannot be understated, not least because they could have a battle trying to keep hold of their key players beyond the summer, should they fail to return to the top flight.

In fact, in an update on X, Berger has now revealed that Borussia Dortmund are “pushing hard” to sign Jobe Bellingham “immediately”, with the German club keen to sign the midfielder prior to this summer’s Club World Cup.

An offer is currently being prepared, which Dortmund are planning to submit after Saturday’s play-off final, although they are yet to reach an agreement with Bellingham on personal terms, and they don’t believe they are in pole position for the youngster.

Should the Black Cats be willing to sanction a departure this summer, they would be looking to receive a fee of €25m – €30m (£21m – £25m).

Black Cats could struggle to keep hold of Bellingham even if they go up

It could be a very difficult task for Le Bris’ side to keep hold of the 19-year-old beyond the summer, given that a number of other English clubs are also in the race for his signature, such as Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.

The hope will be that the teenager is tempted to test himself in the Premier League, should Sunderland prevail against Sheffield United, but the opportunity to play in the Champions League could be tempting, with Dortmund recently securing qualification for next season’s competition.

Sunderland now want to sign 26 y/o defender who has just been relegated

He is expected to leave his current club.

ByHenry Jackson May 20, 2025

In truth, news of Dortmund’s increased interest is an unwanted distraction ahead of the play-off final, and full focus must remain on Saturday’s game, which could be pivotal in terms of Sunderland’s future trajectory.

The Championship play-off final has become known as the ‘richest game in football’, and this year’s edition is set to be the most lucrative to date, with the winners set to receive a minimum of £220m in extra income next season.

Manchester City are now interested in a surprise move to sign a £35,000-a-week player from Chelsea, according to a new report.

Man City closing in on three new signings

As they did in January, City are expected to be very busy this summer, as Pep Guardiola eyes several incomings as well as outgoings. City have already announced the signing of Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The deal is thought to be worth around £31 million with £5 million in add-ons, after Guardiola identified him as the player to solve their left-back problems.

After Reijnders: Man City to submit bid for Mahrez 2.0 "in the next hours"

Man City’s squad overhaul looks set to continue this summer, amid Tijjani Reijnders’ expected arrival.

ByRobbie Walls Jun 4, 2025

And the Blues have also agreed a deal worth £46.3 million with AC Milan to sign midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. The Dutch international underwent his medical on Sunday, and he is now expected to sign a five-year deal before the Club World Cup.

The final player City are trying to get in before Tuesday’s deadline is Lyon attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki. It was claimed last week that discussions have been held over a deal, and they are now close to agreeing a deal for around £35 million. His potential arrival at the Etihad could see him become the man to replace Kevin de Bruyne, who has now departed the Blues.

Man City lining up surprise move to sign £35k-p/w Chelsea ace

While City work on deals to get players in before the start of the Club World Cup, they also have their eyes on players they would like to sign further into the summer transfer window. Now, according to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, City are lining up a move to sign goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea.

The Blues want to bolster their goalkeeper options for next season, given that Scott Carson is now leaving the club following the end of his contract. Bettinelli has been identified as a replacement, as City feel his character makes him ideal to be their third-choice keeper.

Leading up to the summer transfer window, there has been a lot of talk about the future of current number one Ederson, who has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia. That has yet to progress, but it seems it could be all change in the goalkeeper department at the Etihad Campus.

Apps

7

Goals conceded

20

Clean sheets

0

The 33-year-old, who earns £35,000 a week at Chelsea, has been at Stamford Bridge since July 2021. He joined the club on a free transfer from Fulham, and in those four years, he has played just one game for the Blues, and that came in the FA Cup in the 2021/22 campaign. The goalkeeper is under contract until 2026.

As you might expect, it has been a busy summer transfer window already for Chelsea. Liam Delap’s move to Stamford Bridge is all but confirmed.

The West London outfit have agreed a deal with now-relegated Ipswich Town for the transfer of Delap, and ‘he can be considered’ a Chelsea player, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The England U21 international is not the only player Chelsea are hoping to sign in the coming days, before the Club World Cup. AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan is also a target, although Romano reported in a separate post that the two clubs are not close in valuation for the shotstopper.

Chelsea are also closing in on another transfer target before their Club World Cup campaign begins.

Chelsea's new transfer target

Over the past few summers under Todd Boehly, Chelsea have become a club notorious for spending big money on some of the most exciting young talents in Europe; Delap would be a prime example of that transfer policy.

Another player who fits that trend is Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens. According to a report from Caught Offside, the 20-year-old is reportedly subject to a £55m bid from the West London side, who are ‘in talks to try to get a deal done’ sooner rather than later.

The reason they are in such a hurry to get this one over the line is that they face competition from other English clubs.

Newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool, London rivals Arsenal and Manchester City, who Gittens represented as an academy player, as well as Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, are also interested. Hence, Chelsea have placed a bid.

Why Gittens would be more exciting than Delap

It was a shockingly poor season for Borussia Dortmund, who just snuck into a Champions League qualification spot on the final day of the league season. For Gittens, however, it was a campaign of success from an individual point of view.

The England youth international was a key aspect of Dortmund’s side in the 2024/25 campaign. He featured in 48 games across all competitions, finding the back of the net 12 times and registering five assists.

The winger, who was born in London, has a knack for scoring goals in big games. Last term, one of his eight Bundesliga goals came against 2023/24 champions Bayer Leverkusen and the side who snatched their title off them, Bayern.

However, they were not the biggest goals that Gittens scored last term. The former Man City academy star bagged away against Real Madrid in the Champions League, giving Dortmund a 2-0 lead and becoming the youngest English player ever to score against Los Blancos in the process.

In fact, it is something like that means you can argue that the “world-class” Gittens, as Dougie Critchley called him, is a more exciting signing than Delap. Of course, the Tractor Boys attacker is a brilliant piece of business from Chelsea, for just £30m, but Gittens is perhaps a better deal.

It has been a strong season overall from Delap. The Ipswich forward star scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League appearances.

However, he was not incredibly consistent, and actually failed to score in the last seven top-flight games last season.

Not only has Gittens shown how dangerous he can be at such a high level, against one of Europe’s biggest teams, but his underlying numbers are exciting.

In particular, the Dortmund winger’s dribbling stats on FBref show just how deadly he can be. For example, he averaged 3.57 successful take-ons per game last season, ranking him in the top 1% of wingers in Europe.

Gittens dribbling stats in last 365 days

Stat (per 90)

Number

Percentile

Take-ons attempted

7.97

98th

Take-ons completed

3.57

99th

Progressive carries

5.53

91st

Carries into final third

2.95

88th

Carries into penalty box

3.06

93rd

Stats from FBref

Signing the Dortmund attacker would certainly be a captivating addition for Chelsea. There is no doubt about that. There is certainly a strong case to be made for the fact that he is an even more exciting signing than Delap, given the European pedigree he brings and his ability in one-vs-one scenarios.

For £55m, this seems like an excellent deal for the Blues, and one that can elevate them to new heights this term.

Related Better than Gittens & Sancho: Chelsea targeting "electric" £49m star

Chelsea are looking for a new winger this summer, amid Jadon Sancho’s expected exit

Posts ByJoe Nuttall Jun 4, 2025