All posts by z3u9t.icu

As was the case last season, Liverpool look a cut above their rivals in the Premier League, having stormed into a five-point lead after just five matches.

Arne Slot’s side have been far from perfect this season, but they have a knack for digging deep and finding a decisive goal in the closing stages. It is what champions are made of.

And, of course, it helps that Ryan Gravenberch is playing with such aplomb in the centre of the park. The Dutchman has picked up where he left off last year, and has even been heralded as “the best player in the country” right now by journalist Daniel Storey, having scored and assisted in the Reds’ latest win over Everton.

Gravenberch’s incredible rise to prominence over the past year has extinguished the need for a new number six. Efforts were made to sign Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, but the Spaniard stayed put and has now signed for Arsenal.

Oh well, Liverpool fans won’t care a jot. Gravenberch’s brilliance has also made it unlikely that a bid will be lodged for Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, who has been on sporting director Richard Hughes’ radar but who has been priced at £100m by the Eagles.

Liverpool might actually have sold a suitable Wharton alternative this summer, and, in fact, the same could be applied across many corners of the field, such was the scale of the exodus in the transfer market.

Liverpool's summer sales

Liverpool broke the spending record in the transfer window this summer, but they also recouped over £200m in player sales, with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez leading the way there.

However, Slot and Hughes also got rid of a host of younger members. Jarell Quansah left for Bayer Leverkusen in a £35m deal, while Harvey Elliott, while still technically a Liverpool player, joined Aston Villa on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season, with an obligation to buy for £35m.

Elsewhere from the academy, Caoimhin Kelleher left for Brentford in the search for first-team football, and Ben Doak closed the door on his nascent Anfield journey by signing for Bournemouth in a £25m package.

All talented players with high ceilings above them, but there’s something of a forgotten man in there too. Indeed, Tyler Morton left Liverpool and joined Lyon over in France for a £15m fee in August, and it’s one which Hughes might come to regret.

Liverpool may regret selling Tyler Morton

Morton graduated from Liverpool’s academy and completed 14 senior appearances and a string of loans before leaving for Lyon. Regular minutes and a platform to build upon formed the basis of Morton’s decision.

And it was the right one: he’s flying. Likened to Xabi Alonso by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Morton is a smart playmaker with energy and vision to be proud of. The way in which he’s settled into life in France bears testament to that.

Cody Gakpo was also recorded to humorously declare Morton as a similar player to the one-time Reds maestro, so there’s clearly something there.

Alonso was an architect of a midfielder, truly one of a kind. Morton isn’t an elite player, but his skillset shares similarities, and that will serve him well.

Indeed, his is a sharp footballing mind, and Morton was among the first to acknowledge the potential of Slot’s system after Jurgen Klopp ended his iconic tenure at the helm.

“You can see it’s starting to click already,” Morton said after Liverpool defeated Arsenal in pre-season in August 2024. Few – if any – expected the Reds to challenge for the Premier League title at that stage, but Morton saw the genius inherent in his new boss’s tactics, and he was on the money.

This is a further similarity to Alonso, who was among the sharpest midfielders in the business back in his playing days. The Spaniard’s illustrious managerial career serves as further evidence of his brilliance.

Leaving Liverpool was clearly the right move to kickstart his career, but the midfielder may well be frustrated that he wasn’t afforded a greater opportunity to showcase his skills under Slot’s wing; he’s good enough to have impressed, for sure.

Matches (starts)

4 (4)

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches*

73.8

Accurate passes*

50.3 (90%)

Key passes*

2.5

Succ. dribbles*

1.0 (80%)

Tackles

1.3

Clearances*

2.0

Ball recoveries

3.5

Duels won*

3.5 (58%)

Morton’s only four matches into life in France, but he’s certainly showing himself to be a midfielder of real quality, with reporter Andres Onrubia Ramos remarking that he has been “a total success” in France.

Obviously, Morton isn’t on the same level as prime Alonso, but there’s undoubtedly a likeness of style, and that’s something that Liverpool might come to regret parting with if he continues to skyrocket to the top.

Morton’s loan spell with Hull City across the 2023/24 Championship season underlined his natural technical quality. According to data-driven platform FBref, the teenager – at the time – ranked among the top 14% of midfielders for touches, the top 17% for pass completion, the top 11% for through balls and the top 16% for goal-creating actions per 90.

Curiously, Wharton, Blackburn Rovers up-and-comer at the time, was among Morton’s most comparable players, and so now that we can observe the former Liverpool talent’s start to life in Ligue 1, the question is raised as to whether a bumper bid for the Palace man is necessary down the line.

Well, that would be the case if Liverpool had inserted a buyback clause when cashing in on the 22-year-old, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.

While FSG’s decision to sell Morton to Lyon was understandable, given the limited playing time that the English midfielder could have expected after a peripheral 2024/25 season, his performances in France so far have underlined the asset Liverpool have lost.

Should Liverpool end up forking out a significant sum for a player such as Wharton during the coming transfer windows, we can’t help but wonder whether Morton might have saved a pretty penny for the Anfield side as he continues to make gains over the Channel.

Forget Salah & Ekitike: Liverpool star is “the best player in the country"

This Liverpool star is growing into a true superstar of a player.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 22, 2025

Leeds United splashed the cash during the summer transfer window to bolster their squad with a host of new signings to make them competitive in the Premier League.

A return of eight points from the first seven matches of the top-flight season suggests that it has been money well spent so far, particularly given that they have already played Arsenal, Spurs, and Newcastle.

Daniel Farke has created a team that has a good blend of players who were instrumental to the club’s success in the Championship last season and the signings brought in during the summer window.

The midfield is a good example of that because it has recently consisted of Ethan Ampadu, in his third season at Elland Road, alongside new signings Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff.

This shows that Leeds have not been overly reliant on their Championship team, but they also have not completely ripped up what worked for them in the 2024/25 campaign.

One position on the pitch that is still up for debate is centre-forward, though, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin has yet to fully convince since his move to West Yorkshire.

Why Leeds more from Dominic Calvert-Lewin

The 11-cap England international was brought in on a free transfer during the summer transfer window after he was released by Everton at the end of last season.

Calvert-Lewin is a vastly experienced Premier League campaigner, as this is his tenth year in the division, which made him seem like a sensible signing on paper, particularly on a free transfer.

His experience in the top-flight has been evident early on in his career at Elland Road in the way that he duels with opposition centre-backs, having won 4.6 duels per game and 41% of his aerial duels, per Sofascore.

The 28-year-old striker, who scored his first goal for the club against Wolves, has shown that he can compete with defenders and provide a physical presence in the number nine role.

However, Leeds need more from Calvert-Lewin in front of goal in the box, because he has scored one goal and missed five ‘big chances’ in the Premier League this season, per Sofascore, which shows that he has been wasteful with the opportunities that have come his way.

25/26

1.08

1

24/25

8.58

3

23/24

13.63

7

22/23

6.50

2

21/22

6.22

5

20/21

18.21

16

19/20

16.11

12

18/19

6.17

6

17/18

5.44

4

16/18

1.25

1

As you can see in the table above, the English forward’s career in the top-flight does not suggest that he is likely to improve his efficiency in the final third, which is a concern.

However, if his physical and hold-up play does enough to help the Whites win enough points to avoid relegation, irrespective of his goal return, then the Whites will surely deem him to have been a successful signing by the end of the season.

Calvert-Lewin’s arrival at Elland Road, and subsequent emergence as the first-choice striker at Elland Road, has led to one of last season’s stars now looking like he is on borrowed time in the Premier League.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ series has everything you need.

Joel Piroe played a pivotal role on the pitch for the West Yorkshire outfit in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns in the Championship, but now faces an uncertain future at the club.

Why Joel Piroe has an uncertain future at Leeds

In the summer of 2023, Leeds swooped to sign the Dutch centre-forward from Championship rivals Swansea City for a fee of £10m, in a move that was described as a “statement transfer” by journalist Phil Hay.

The reporter hailed the shift in mood within the fanbase and around the club in general that the signing caused, as they had signed a proven goalscorer at the level. Piroe’s return of 46 goals in 96 games for Swansea, per Transfermarkt, made him an exciting addition.

Proven goalscorers are hard to find at any level, as evidenced by Calvert-Lewin’s current struggles in front of goal, but that is exactly what Leeds found in the Championship with Piroe.

The left-footed star scored 14 goals in his first Championship season with the Whites, before winning the Golden Boot with a 19-goal haul last term to help his side win the title.

A return of 33 goals in two league seasons in the second tier shows that Leeds made a great decision when they signed him from Swansea in 2023 as a statement transfer, as he brought the guaranteed goals that his form for the Welsh side promised.

Promotion to the Premier League, though, was always going to mean that some of the club’s stars from the promotion-winning season may find it difficult to get game time in the top-flight, as not every player is able to make the step up.

Piroe, on current evidence, already looks like he is on borrowed time at Elland Road after a difficult start to the 2025/26 campaign, having fallen behind Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha in the pecking order.

Duels won

1.22

Bottom 3%

Duel success rate

15.4%

Bottom 3%

Aerial duels won

1.22

Bottom 17%

Aerial duel success rate

22.2%

Bottom 3%

Fouls committed

0.61

Bottom 14%

Successful dribbles

0.00

Bottom 3%

Dribble success rate

0%

Bottom 3%

As you can see in the table above, the Dutchman has failed to deal with the step up in intensity and physicality in the Premier League, ranking among the worst strikers in the division in a host of physical metrics.

So far, Piroe has made three appearances, started two games, and been an unused substitute on three occasions, per Sofascore. All three of those minuteless matches on the bench came after his two starts, which suggests that Farke was not too impressed by his performances.

The Dutchman failed to score a goal, missing one ‘big chance’, and did not create a single chance for his teammates in those three appearances, to go along with his struggles off the ball.

Therefore, the former Swansea star may be on borrowed time at Elland Road unless there is a significant change to his performance level, as he may have to reconsider his future if it gets to January and he is rarely getting minutes on the pitch.

Earns more than Tanaka: Farke's "liability" is on borrowed time at Leeds

This Leeds flop who earns more than Ao Tanaka is on borrowed time at Elland Road.

ByDan Emery Oct 10, 2025

There is no doubt that Piroe has been a success at Leeds, because he was signed in the Championship to score goals and did exactly that, but he may be coming to the end of his journey in West Yorkshire, unfortunately.

Everton are now believed to be looking to bring in a “fantastic” manager to replace Sean Dyche as the Friedkin Group close in on a takeover from Farhad Moshiri.

Everton takeover latest

The Blues are still without a win in the Premier League this season, although Saturday’s 1-1 draw away to Leicester City did at least see them get their first point on the board. There was an element of disappointment about the result again however, considering Everton were leading through Iliman Ndiaye’s goal and because they were up against a team who were playing Championship football last term.

This terrible start to the campaign has understandably meant that there is huge pressure on Dyche to keep his job, with the Englishman seemingly losing admirers by the week among the Goodison Park faithful and a potential takeover sure to change his status as well.

On that note, it appears John Textor has taken too long trying to sell his stake at Crystal Palace, as it is now the Freidkin Group closing in on a deal, with reliable reporter Mark Douglas revealing on Monday that an Everton takeover is “very close” and Friedkin is plotting “significant” investment and an “immediate review of football operations” – something which may place Dyche’s position in danger.

Moyes favourite to be new Everton manager

A new report from Football Insider claims that Everton are now looking to bring David Moyes back to Goodison, should they decide that Dyche is no longer the right man for the job. The Scot is considered a “popular appointment” by both “the boardroom and the fans”, having enjoyed such an impressive stint in charge first time around, although it is unclear how much of that support is from the potential new investors.

Opinion may be divided among Everton fans when it comes to a Moyes return, with some no doubt happy about the potential for it happening, and others perhaps feeling that a younger option is needed. He enjoyed a good second spell at West Ham, not least because he won the UEFA Europa Conference League back in 2022/23, but has ironically struggled against Dyche in his career, barely averaging over a point per game against the 53 year-old and winning only 3 of 11 head to heads.

Legendary centre-back Martin Keown lauded him during his last stint with the Hammers, saying: “I think David Moyes deserves credit because you know he’s at the back end of his career but I think he’s getting ever-better. He’s actually showing improvements. Fantastic work they’re doing in Europe, and he seems to be relishing the battle right now.”

Moyes is known for adopting a 4-2-3-1 formation, and while not necessarily the most attack-minded manager around, he could arguably play better football than has been on show under Dyche, with entertainment value severely lacking under his management and only four goals scored in the league so far this season.

West Ham

230

1.53

West Ham

31

1.19

Sunderland

43

0.72

Real Sociedad

42

1.21

Man Utd

51

1.73

Everton

518

1.54

Preston North End

211

1.72

Moyes’ vast experience could help Everton get themselves out of this current hole, in a period where avoiding relegation from the Premier League this season is paramount ahead of the move to Bramley Moore Dock.

Reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has shared some news on West Ham United and technical director Tim Steidten's transfer plans for January.

West Ham tipped for busy January

As reported elsewhere, West Ham are backed to be one of the busier sides in January, with defender Thilo Kehrer already sealing a loan move to Monaco for the rest of the season.

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The former Liverpool star has previously tipped him for stardom.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 4, 2024

Both in terms of incomings and outgoings, other reliable media sources like Fabrizio Romano have stated that West Ham chiefs have been working on this transfer window long before its official opening. It is believed that the Hammers could make multiple new signings this month (Wayne Veysey), including a new striker and centre-back, with West Ham believed to hold an interest in Wolves defender Max Kilman.

Supporters are eager to hear about West Ham bringing in a new number nine in particular, though, especially after they failed to replace Gianluca Scamacca last summer.

Michail Antonio's injury, combined with David Moyes' lack of faith in Danny Ings, has forced star winger Jarrod Bowen to play a makeshift striker role for large parts of the campaign.

While the Englishman has shone in that position, there is very little cover behind him, barring youngster Divin Mubama and Ings. West Ham, like half of Europe, are therefore taking a real liking to Stuttgart star Serhou Guirassy.

The Guinea international's sensational 2023/2024 season has turned heads from all over the continent, with Guirassy netting 17 league goals in just 14 Bundesliga appearances so far.

ExWHUemployee shares Guirassy to West Ham update

Speaking on his West Ham Way podcast, reliable club insider Ex has shared an update on West Ham's chances of signing the in-form striker this month. He says transfer chief Steidten has worked on signing Guirassy for West Ham, but the competition for his signature is fierce given the £15 million release clause in his deal.

“As we have reported for some time, Serhou Guirassy is still a top target for the club this January,” said Ex.

“Tim Steidten has worked on this potential deal, although I must stress there are many others keen on the player.

“Not only has his performances attracted other top clubs to look at the player, but the fact he’s got a £15m release clause makes the competition for his signature fierce. Another stumbling block is the player is part of the Guinea side at the AFCON, although they are not expected to advance far due to a tough group they are in.”

Barring his goals, Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg has also called Guirassy a "leading figure" in his club's dressing room.

"He is very strong physically," said Plettenberg to Sky.

"He knows how to score and he is known as a leading figure in the dressing room. However, what you do have to say is that it is a very good first season. So, there is a chance it is a one-season wonder but I'm not sure that will be the case.

"He's a good age, very experienced and very focused. He also has good and tough management in the background."

Leeds United are now set to push to sign a Barcelona forward in the January transfer window, having already made persistent enquiries over a deal.

Leeds looking to bolster attacking options this winter

Earlier this season, Danny Murphy suggested Leeds’ lack of top-quality forwards could put them at real risk of relegation, saying: “I still think Leeds and Burnley will go.

“I think the biggest problem for Burnley and Leeds is firepower. I agree with what we talked about earlier. I think all the newly promoted sides doing well is great for the Premier League. I’d like to see them all stay up, actually. But I don’t think it’ll be the case.”

Since then, however, the Whites have displayed they have what it takes to cause some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs real problems, defeating Chelsea 3-1, before going on to draw 3-3 with Liverpool courtesy of a last-gasp Ao Tanaka equaliser.

That said, with Daniel Farke’s side still just two points above the relegation zone, they remain interested in improving their forward line during the January transfer window, and they have now made contact over a deal for Barcelona’s Roony Bardghji.

That is according to a report from Spain, which states the Whites have lodged persistent enquiries to sign the Barca forward on loan in the January transfer window, as they believe he would be perfectly suited to their style of play.

Leeds are unwilling to give up on securing the 20-year-old’s signature, despite his recent emergence as a first-team player for the La Liga club, and they are set to push for a January deal in the coming weeks.

Bardghji could play major role in helping Leeds avoid the drop

The Sweden international hasn’t featured particularly regularly so far this season, but he showed exactly what he’s capable of in Barca’s most recent La Liga match, scoring one goal and setting up another in the 5-3 triumph against Real Betis.

Romano: Leeds make contact to sign "outstanding" £21m attacker in January

The Whites have received a response after making an approach for a new attacker.

ByDominic Lund 5 days ago

It was an impressive all-round performance from the Kuwait-born forward, who completed two dribbles and won two duels, and Hansi Flick will be delighted he is now coming into his own in La Liga, having also previously put in some eye-catching displays for FC Copenhagen.

With Daniel James recently suffering a hamstring injury, and receiving criticism at times this season, it would be ideal to bring in a new forward in the upcoming transfer window, and the Barca ace would be a like-for-like replacement, given that his main position is right-wing.

As such, Leeds should definitely look to sign Bardghji, off the back of some impressive showings in both La Liga and the Champions League, grabbing an assist in Barca’s 6-1 victory over Olympiacos.

Despite fielding numerous different centre-back pairings this campaign due to enforced reasons and not choice, Erik ten Hag's Manchester United side have been a relatively strong unit on the whole, especially in the Premier League.

United have kept the joint-second-most clean sheets in the top flight, six, conceding an average of just 1.38 goals per game.

However, rumours have arisen regarding Raphael Varane's future at the club, who has had an injury hit time in Manchester, and according to Football Insider, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are willing to let the World Cup winner leave in the summer when his contract expires.

Therefore, let's take a look at three incredible centre-back replacements for Varane.

1 Option 1: Matthijs De Ligt – Bayern Munich

Dutch centre-back Matthijs De Ligt is the first star who could send Varane packing in the summer. The 24-year-old is reportedly unhappy with his lack of minutes at Bayern Munich, and he could reunite with Ten Hag at Old Trafford.

According to a report from The Athletic, Man United have contacted the German club regarding a potential loan move for the former Ajax giant.

Passes completed

68.24

Top 16%

Passes into final third

7.25

Top 2%

Touches

84.51

Top 16%

Touches (Att pen)

2.16

Top 2%

Aerials won

3.33

Top 12%

As you can see, De Ligt is a dominant defender both on the ball and off it, particularly in the air, which can be useful at both ends of the field.

His ability to progress the play and be comfortable in possession will elevate United's control, while his speed and athleticism will make the side difficult to face in transition, in a similar way to how William Saliba mops up at Arsenal.

2 Option 2: Jean-Clair Todibo – OGC Nice

Jean-Clair Todibo has arguably been the most linked player to Man United in January, and CaughtOffisde confirmed that the Nice defender is among the top three targets for Ten Hag.

The French rock has been instrumental for Nice this campaign, as they have conceded the fewest goals in Ligue 1, 11, and climbed into second place.

Passes completed

82.81

Top 8%

Touches

101.88

Top 6%

Progressive passes

4.84

Top 16%

Tackles + interceptions

3.30

Top 25%

Dribblers tackled

1.17

Top 18%

Todibo is a defender who is extremely composed on the ball and rarely gives it away cheaply, but his high progressive passes mean he isn't passive in possession.

His tackles and interceptions combined are very high, as he is an aggressive, proactive defender, and funnily enough, his most similar player according to FBref is United central defender Martinez.

All confirmed Premier League done deals: January transfer window 2024

With the January transfer window coming towards its conclusion, FFC has all the info for tracking your club’s winter transfer activity.

ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024 3 Option 3: Jarrad Branthwaite – Everton

Jarrad Branthwaite has been immense in his first proper campaign in the Premier League, which has led to Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig labelling him an absolute "monster."

A recent report from The Mirror stated that Everton could be forced to sell their most valuable assets, which means that the £100m valued Branthwaite would be the first out the door.

The table below shows that the 21-year-old loves to defend, and he reads the game brilliantly while also having the ability to defend 1v1 situations with ease. This makes him extremely difficult to play against, with analyst Ben Mattinson hailing him a "physical beast".

Tackles

2.11

Top 17%

Dribblers tackled

1.39

Top 1%

Dribblers challenged

1.72

Top 15%

Interceptions

1.78

Top 9%

Ball recoveries

6.39

Top 12%

The former PSV defender is also cool-headed and rarely makes impulsive actions, which would make him the perfect replacement for Varane, especially as Martinez is the opposite.

Leeds United have finally picked up another win this season in the Premier League on their own patch.

Before Friday night’s clash versus lowly West Ham United, the Whites’ last home success in the league stretched way back to the opening day.

Now, however, the Elland Road hoodoo has been lifted, as a quickfire double early into the tense game handed Daniel Farke’s men a much-needed 2-1 win to shove the Hammers further into their relegation pit.

Several top performers on the night ensured the three points were secured, as Leeds thankfully broke out of a run of three games without a victory in league action.

Leeds United's top performers against West Ham

Leeds fans, heading into this Friday night clash under the Elland Road floodlights, would have been lamenting their side’s recent wasteful displays in league action, having notched up 14 efforts on the Burnley goal at Turf Moor in a dire 2-0 defeat.

This wastefulness wasn’t on display against Nuno Espirito Santo’s lax visitors, however, as a first-half sucker-punch gifted Leeds a two-goal cushion after just 15 minutes had ticked away, with Brenden Aaronson getting the show on the road when converting a rebound after only three minutes.

Aaronson was a bright spark all night long, away from merely this crucial contribution, with 100% of his dribbles being successfully completed, making him a notable thorn in the side of a leaky West Ham outfit.

With 80% of his ground duels won as well, it’s fair to say everyone was singing the American’s praises come the full-time whistle, despite Farke stating at the full-time whistle that he can often be a “polarising” presence.

Joe Rodon would also be lathered with praise come the end of the 2-1 win when connecting with this sweetly taken corner to double his Premier League goal tally for the season, with Sean Longstaff also boosting his assist haul in the process, as the Welshman was left with plenty of space to head past a busy Alphonse Aréola.

Lucas Perri also stood out in between the sticks on his return to the Leeds XI, having had to calmly palm away an acrobatic Jarrod Bowen effort right after Aaronson’s instinctive opener. He was so close to a clean sheet, too, only for Mateus Fernandes to grab a Hammers consolation effort at the death.

Yet, despite the relief of a win being notched up, not every Whites first-teamer performed at their very best against the East Londoners, with this rusty individual in danger of losing his spot in Farke’s main team, as games come thick and fast in November.

The 6/10 Leeds star who could now be dropped

Of course, there will be concerns in West Yorkshire that Dominic Calvert-Lewin went another game without a Leeds strike, especially when coming up against such a charitable Hammers defence.

Still, nobody could deny the number nine’s determined work ethic for his team, with eight duels won in total when he has thrown into the thick of action.

Minutes played

72

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

37

Shots

1

Accurate passes

25/29 (86%)

Key passes

0

Total duels won

1/3

On the contrary, Ao Tanaka would exit the contest on the 72nd mark with zero of his ground duels being successfully won, as Farke potentially prepares to reshuffle his midfield pack for the test of Brighton and Hove Albion away at the start of next month, away from starting the Japanese gem again.

Indeed, while Ethan Ampadu and the aforementioned Longstaff made their presences widely known – as Ampadu successfully won three ground duels from his 66 touches of the ball – number 22 faded in and out of the clash, with Tanaka actually amassing fewer touches than Perri come the full-time whistle at 37 touches, next to the ex-Lyon stopper’s tally of 51.

Tanaka’s quiet performance was picked up on by Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth, with Smyth reserving high 9/10 ratings for the likes of Aaronson, but the former Fortuna Düsseldorf man would only receive a middle-of-the-road 6/10 appraisal after the dust had settled on the 2-1 win.

Smyth would simply note that Tanaka’s showing was a ‘mixed bag’ as the 27-year-old fell victim to being ‘outmuscled’ a couple of times, as evidenced by him losing 100% of his ground duels.

It will be interesting to see if Farke is tempted to drop Tanaka as tough games away at Brighton, Nottingham Forest, and Manchester City come onto his team’s agenda, with the number 22’s slight off-day very much sticking out as one rare negative, during what was a largely very positive showing against the relegation-threatened visitors.

Better than Rodon: Leeds star who won 100% tackles is already undroppable

This Leeds United star should be undroppable after outshining Joe Rodon against West Ham.

1 ByDan Emery Oct 25, 2025

Chelsea delivered yet another top-class performance, smashing Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side 3-0 at Stamford Bridge and going level on points with Arsenal after 13 games played in the Premier League.

Enzo Maresca’s men held 64% possession against the Villans, creating two big chances, taking 17 shots in the game, and generating 1.61 xG. The goals were scored by Nicolas Jackson, Enzo Fernández, and Cole Palmer, as the Blues continued their rich vein of form.

There were some key performances all over the pitch for Chelsea, one of which was the performance of 23-year-old midfielder, Fernandez, who scored a goal in back-to-back weeks, continuing his fine streak of form since returning to the side.

Enzo Fernández's performance in numbers

Fernandez found himself out of the Premier League starting XI under Maresca for a few weeks, as he chose to prioritise physicality in central areas, starting Roméo Lavia alongside Moises Caicedo.

However, since his return to the starting XI, Fernandez has made himself undroppable, scoring goals in successive Premier League games, and providing five assists in his previous four outings.

Alongside his goal against Aston Villa, Fernandez also managed two key passes, two out of two successful dribbles, and won six of his 11 ground duels, making three tackles.

The excellence of Fernandez has made him one of the first names on the team sheet in recent weeks, but he isn’t the only one, as Marc Cucurella is making himself undroppable with his performances, and it was another excellent one against Villa.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Marc Cucurella's performance in numbers

The 26-year-old Spaniard has made 15 appearances so far this season in all competitions, contributing to three clean sheets in his 1,100 minutes played.

Cucurella brings leadership, tenacity and hunger to the Chelsea team, making it a nightmare for attacking players to face him, getting stuck in, winning his duels, and getting under the opposition’s skin.

Minutes

90

Touches

127

Accurate Passes

105/109

Long Balls

2/4

Ground Duels Won

4/7

Aerial Duels Won

1/1

Clearances

2

Tackles

4

Against Villa, the full-back had an enormous 127 touches – the most of anyone on the pitch – and made 105/109 passes (96% completion). His sturdy nature on the ball, mixed with his aggression off of it, made him pivotal in this game.

The Spanish defender won four out of his seven ground duels, won his only aerial duel in the game, and made four tackles, clamping down his side of the pitch with his 1v1 defending. That said, it was his attacking contribution that was most impressive, steamrolling Jaden Philogene before taking the ball on the overlap to supply Jackson’s goal.

Emery tried to switch things up after 66 minutes, throwing Leon Bailey on the right to run at Cucurella, but the Spain international continued to come out on top, playing a huge part in Chelsea’s clean sheet.

Many questioned the £60m fee Cucurella cost the club back in 2022, especially after his tough start to life in blue. But since the halfway point of last season, the 26-year-old has shown his quality and settled into a real role in this squad. Now, many fans would suggest that the price tag was a bargain for what he brings to the side.

The next Palmer: Chelsea want "incredible" £40m star who can rival Jackson

Chelsea could add some depth up front

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 30, 2024

Manchester City are currently on an unthinkable run of poor form. Pep Guardiola’s side have not won in their last six games, and their best result in that time was a 3-3 home draw against Feyenoord in the Champions League. They threw away a 3-0 lead in that game, conceding all three goals in the final 20 minutes.

The Cityzens did not win a single game in November, and face an incredibly tough trip to Anfield in the first game of December. It certainly seems like their current run could extend into the final month of the year.

There have been some incredibly disappointing individual performers in this winless run.

City’s worst performers in November

One of the players who has struggled the most over the past month is Josko Gvardiol. The defender has looked far from his best, making some clumsy mistakes which have not helped the Cityzens on this lean run they are on.

One of the Croatian’s worst games on this run came against Sporting in the 4-1 loss in the Champions League. As per Sofascore, he gave away a penalty and won just three from 11 duels as City were taken apart by a side coached by Ruben Amorim, who has since made the move to Manchester United.

Eling Haaland has also been a player who has struggled to perform at his best. Although the deadly Norwegian striker has incredibly high standards, he has scored just three goals in this run of six games without a win and was an unused substitute for one of those games. Two of those strikes came against Feyenoord, and the blame certainly cannot be put onto Haaland for the draw against the Dutch side.

Opposition

Result

Competition

Minutes

Goals

Tottenham

2-1 defeat

Carabao Cup

N/A

N/A

Bournemouth

2-1 defeat

Premier League

90

0

Sporting

4-1 defeat

Champions League

90

0

Brighton

2-1 defeat

Premier League

90

1

Tottenham

4-1 defeat

Premier League

90

0

Feyenoord

3-3 draw

Champions League

90

2

Another of Guardiola’s most trusted players, Phil Foden, is also in poor form. It has been a disappointing campaign for the England international as it is, but he has just one goal involvement in the last six games.

He is someone who needs to get back to his very best in order to help City get back to winning ways.

Arguably City’s worst player in this run of form has been goalkeeper Ederson, however, who has seen his career at the Etihad Stadium spiral.

Why Pep's "best signing" must now be sold

The Brazil international was once considered Guardiola’s “best signing” as City manager. At least, that is what Dominic Farrell told the Manchester Evening News in October 2021. A little over three years on, however, and things are not so easy for the City number 31.

He has played 16 times this season, conceding 25 goals and keeping just three clean sheets. Shockingly, Ederson is just 15 goals away from equalling his worst season in terms of goals conceded for City, which is currently 40 in 2021/22, across all competitions.

This run of poor form for the Cityzens has seen the Brazilian let in 15 goals in five games, an average of three per game. Like Haaland, he was an unused substitute in one of the games on this winless streak.

The past week has been particularly poor for the former Benfica goalkeeper. He let in four goals against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, before conceding three against Feyenoord; there could certainly be a case to be made that he was at fault for all of the goals against the Dutch side.

Ederson must surely be feeling the pressure right now, and his place in the starting lineup is far from a guarantee. The £100k-per-week star could well be replaced by Stefan Ortega.

Last season, Guardiola described Ortega as “one of the best goalkeepers I’ve seen in my life”, following a superb one-on-one save against Spurs that essentially won City the Premier League.

After strong links to Saudi Arabia last summer, the Cityzens’ number 31 might well be a target again in January or the 2025 summer window. If this lean run of form continues, it does not seem out of the question that City sell him, given they have Ortega as a more than capable option.

A huge amount is resting on City’s trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on Sunday. The legendary Spanish manager may decide to drop the Brazilian in favour of Ortega or could keep the faith in the man who has served him so well over the years.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

Whatever the case, Ederson certainly needs to regain the form he showed over his first seven years at the Etihad Stadium, or could be sold in ruthless fashion.

As bad as Ederson: Pep must ditch 5/10 Man City star who lost the ball 13x

The Man City ace struggled to make an impact vs Feyenoord

ByJoe Nuttall Nov 27, 2024

Arsenal have now made an approach to sign a new centre-back, but they will need to fend off competition from one of their Premier League rivals, according to a report.

Arsenal transfer news

If the Gunners are going to be in the race for the Premier League title once again this season, they may need to strengthen in attacking areas, given that they don’t have a player in the mould of Erling Haaland or Mohamed Salah in front of goal.

As such, there have been reports linking Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres with a move to north London, while they are also said to be keen on signing RB Leipzig’s up-and-coming striker Benjamin Šeško. Mikel Arteta’s side have been particularly impressive defensively in recent times, conceding the fewest goals of any Premier League side last season, and the manager’s marquee summer signing was Riccardo Calafiori.

However, there are indications that Arteta may need to bolster his backline further in the January transfer window, considering that Jakub Kiwior is said to have been put up for sale.

Arsenal targeting Ousmane Diomande

With that in mind, Arteta appears to have identified a potential replacement in defence, as reports from Portugal (via Sport Witness) state that an approach has been made for Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande. However, the 20-year-old will not come cheap, as he has a release clause of €80m (£66m) included in his current contract, which Sporting continue to refer to in their negotiations.

The report states that both Arsenal and Chelsea have already made approaches for the defender, which have been knocked back by the Portuguese club, while German giants Bayern Munich are now intensifying their efforts to get a deal over the line.

All three clubs are said to hold a ‘serious’ interest in the centre-back, and while he is aware that club are beginning to queue up for his signature, he is focussed on his career at Sporting in the meantime.

If the Gunners are able to win the race for the youngster, he could be a solid addition to the squad, with football scout Jacek Kulig claiming that he has “absolutely everything to become a top-class CB”. Performance analyst Jack Fawcett has also been full of praise for the Sporting starlet.

Even though the Ivorian is just 20 years old, he has a plethora of first-team experience with Sporting, making 26 league appearances in the title-winning 2023-24 season, and he has made three outings in the Champions League in the current campaign.

As such, there are clear signs that Diomande could be destined for great things, so it is promising news that Arsenal appear to be one of the clubs firmly in the race for his signature, and it will be interesting to see how the situation develops before January.