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The left-back showed his striker's instinct to give the largely uninspiring visitors the edge before Mateo Kovacic wrapped up win

Nico O'Reilly continued his dream debut season with Manchester City by putting his uninspiring side on the way to a massive 2-0 victory at Everton which could prove crucial to their bid to qualify for the Champions League. The 20-year-old broke the deadlock in an often dull match in the 84th minute before substitute Mateo Kovacic clinched the victory in added time. The win took Pep Guardiola's side up to fourth in the Premier League table, albeit with their rivals to finish in the top five all still to play later this weekend.

The first half made for bleak viewing. James Tarkowski's header against the post was Everton's only attempt of note. Matheus Nunes did force a smart save from Jordan Pickford while Kevin De Bruyne thundered a shot that looked to be goal-bound before it was bravely blocked by the head of Jake O'Brien. The lack of quality was striking, best summed up when Matheus Nunes committed a foul throw.

The second half wasn't much better but Pep Guardiola looked to his bench, throwing on Kovacic and Jeremy Doku. Soon after Nunes teed O'Reilly up in the six-yard box and the youngster got the crucial touch to beat Jordan Pickford and give City a lead they barely deserved.

Kovacic then banged in a second in the 91st minute which finished off Everton once and for all. It was far from pretty, but City survived a tricky trip to Merseyside and returned with the maximum points.

GOAL rates Man City's players from Goodison Park…

• Goalkeeper & Defence

  Stefan Ortega (6/10):

  Threw his arms into the air to block Jarrad Branthwaite's close-range header then stopped Abdoulaye Doucoure at the near post. A smart throw out set Savinho free on the attack. Did not always transmit security from crosses though.

  Matheus Nunes (6/10):

  His low effort was one of City's few shots in the first half but this was a mostly scruffy performance from the midfielder-turned-right-back. His foul throw was indicative of his display, but all was forgiven when he played the match-winning pass to O'Reilly

  Ruben Dias (5/10):

  Given a few scares by Doucoure. Had the most touches of a City player in the first half but the most they amounted to were a couple of hopeful long balls that were easily cut out.

  Josko Gvardiol (5/10):

  Beaten in air by Tarkowski when he hit the post. Saw a lot of the ball but never caused any danger and it appears he is not as useful in the middle of defence as at left-back.

  Nico O'Reilly (8/10):

  Another encouraging display was rounded off by him grabbing the winner, showing the instinct of a natural No. 9.

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• Midfield

  Nico Gonzalez (5/10):

  Gave City control in the middle albeit sterile control, rarely stretching Everton. Indeed, the breakthrough came when he had been taken off for Kovacic.

  Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

  Tried to influence the play from deep but didn't take many risks until he teed up Kovacic for the second. It was a far cry from when he scored twice here in the 2023 title run-in.

  Bernardo Silva (6/10):

  A competent but largely uninspiring performance, failing to get in the usual danger areas.

• Attack

  Kevin De Bruyne (5/10):

  Came close to breaking the deadlock with his thumping effort which hit O'Brien's face but it was the one moment of quality as he cut a frustrated figure, misplacing passes and struggling to create any spark.

  Omar Marmoush (4/10):

  Gave Everton very little to think about and rarely even got in or around the area. His only effort was when he was played in and scuffed his shot straight at Jordan Pickford.

  Savinho (6/10):

  His bursts of pace were City's main outlet but he was removed for Doku when the game was still goalless.

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• Subs & Manager

  Jeremy Doku (6/10):

  Gave City a bit more penetration in behind.

  Mateo Kovacic (7/10):

  Sewed up the points with his powerful late strike, his second goal in as many games.

  Manuel Akanji (N/A):

  Made his comeback from injury in the 88th minute.

  Pep Guardiola (6/10):

  Must have been bored stiff watching that but his changes helped City earn three priceless points.

Liverpool are now preparing a bid worth £97.5m for a “world-class” forward, and Darwin Nunez could be used as a makeweight in a swap deal, according to a report.

Nunez could be set for Anfield exit

Nunez has had plenty of chances to prove himself at Anfield, and while there have been promising signs from time to time, he has struggled to justify his huge price tag.

As such, it appears as though the Uruguayan’s time on Merseyside could be coming to an end, with FSG now reportedly willing to accept a £60m offer.

The Reds have also started looking at replacements for the 25-year-old, with it recently being revealed that Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is high up the list of targets.

Liverpool now in talks to sign £21m Robertson successor for Slot

Robertson has struggled in the current campaign…

By
Tom Cunningham

Jan 12, 2025

During the January transfer window, Arne Slot has been looking at different ways to get unwanted players off the books, with Federico Chiesa’s future at Anfield also in doubt. It has been reported that Chiesa could be used as part of a swap deal to sign Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, following the Italian’s poor start to life in the Premier League.

However, according to new reports from Spain, Liverpool are now preparing a bid worth £97.5m for Kvaratskhelia, combining a transfer fee with a player swap, with Nunez potentially being sent to Napoli as part of the deal.

At the moment, Paris Saint-Germain are leading the race for the forward’s signature and have agreed terms with the player, but the Reds’ proposal could put them in a good position to get a deal done.

Napoli have stalled in negotiations over a new deal for the 23-year-old, meaning he could be on the move in the summer transfer window, and there is no shortage of interest, with Manchester United and Chelsea also keen.

Kvaratskhelia performing at the highest level

The Georgia international has been a key player for Napoli over the course of a number of seasons, and he has continued to play an important role in his side’s title pursuit this season.

In 17 Serie A outings, the winger has bagged five goals and three assists, and he is ranked as the Italian side’s second-best performing player, with an average WhoScored match rating of 7.12.

Kvaratskhelia also played a key role for his national side in Euro 2024 last summer, with talkSPORT’s David Tanner lauding him as “world-class”, leading Georgia to the round of 16 for the first time.

Nunez’s move to Liverpool has simply not worked out, so it makes sense to include him in a deal for Kvaratskhelia, although it may be wiser to use Chiesa as a makeweight, given that he is showing even fewer encouraging signs than the Uruguayan.

The former Juventus man has made just one appearance in the Premier League, and a goal against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup is unlikely to buy him much time to show further signs of improvement.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have hailed manager Phil Parkinson, as he insisted the owners "deserve" their back-to-back-to-back promotions.

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• Wrexham have climbed into Championship
• Won League One promotion on Saturday
• Reynolds & McElhenney hail Parkinson

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Wrexham beat Charlton on Saturday to confirm their rise into the Championship, and seal a third successive promotion. Wild scenes greeted the full-time whistle as the Welsh club prepare for the second-tier. One more promotion will see them in the Premier League.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Manager Parkinson has been at the helm of the club for their rise, taking over in 2021 and initially guiding them out of the National League. Having signed a 12-month rolling contract, the former Hull and Bradford City boss has become a legend in North Wales, but he is keen to give credit to the owners, while they would rather hail the head coach.

• WHAT PARKINSON AND THE OWNERS SAID

  Parkinson said: "I think it's about the collective. The owners have come in and done an amazing job. I'm so pleased for them because they deserve it.

  "There's lots of ways you can be supportive as owners. It can be making sure we get a key player when it matters the most. But it can also be support when the results don't go quite as well as you want them to, but still allowing us to do our jobs.

  "That's what they've always done. They're invested in all of the decisions, but they trust us in our decision making and that's why we've had success over the last three years."

  Reynolds told : “You can look at so many beating hearts at the club but it all goes back to Phil, I mean the leadership in that locker room and we thankfully don’t make football decisions but the faith that the club has in Phil and the community has in him speaks volumes.”

  And McElhenney concluded: “In Phil we trust and Ryan and I always find it silly that at the end of the games it’s us standing here with microphones because we’re not the ones out here on the pitch doing the work.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Wrexham play Lincoln City in their final game of the season on Saturday. A party awaits.

The 2024/25 season has been relatively poor for Manchester City, and that may have opened Pep Guardiola’s eyes as to where he needs to improve his team in the next few transfer windows.

The Citizens are expected to have a busy end to the January transfer window, as they add several new players to the squad in the hope it can help them get back into the top four as well as compete in the Champions League and FA Cup. But given the form City have been in, especially around the Christmas period, Guardiola may now be aware of players who don’t have a long-term future.

So, with plenty of players arriving in January and potentially more on the way in the summer, we have taken a closer look at which City players could leave the club in the not-too-distant future.

Manchester City players out of contract in summer 2025

Is Kevin De Bruyne’s time at the Etihad coming to an end?

By
Henry Jackson

Jan 15, 2025

1

Scott Carson

Scott Carson joined Man City back in August 2019 on loan from Derby County. His loan lasted for two seasons before it was made into a permanent transfer in 2021.

Carson was brought to City as their third-choice goalkeeper, with his addition to the senior side aiding the team’s homegrown quota. The shot-stopper has played just two games for City, the last being in the 2021/22 season, and now at 39 and with his contract expiring this season, he could be set to leave the Etihad.

The Englishman could decide that this is the right time to retire and move into the next stage of his career, while City may see this as a good opportunity to freshen up their goalkeeping department.

2

Ederson

As well as Carson potentially leaving this summer, Ederson could also be set to end his time at the Etihad. The Brazilian joined City in 2017 and has gone on to play over 350 games for the club, becoming one of the best shot-stoppers in the Premier League, if not the best.

However, this season has been a bit of a struggle for the 31-year-old, as while dealing with injuries, he has also been dropped by Guardiola in recent weeks.

Ederson was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia last summer, but a move didn’t work out, and with his contract up in 2026, a move to get him out of the Etihad this summer could be on the cards to avoid the club losing him for free later down the line.

The Sky Blues have reportedly identified Diogo Costa as a top target for a new goalkeeper, and his arrival would surely spell the end of Ederson’s time at the club.

7 players who could move to the Saudi Pro League in January

Who could be heading for a payday during the winter window?

By
Henry Jackson

Nov 30, 2024

3

Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker’s seven-and-a-half-year spell at Man City looks to be coming to an end, as he wants to try a new challenge. Guardiola recently revealed that the right-back has asked to leave the Premier League champions as he wants to play abroad.

The Englishman has been strongly linked to Milan in this January transfer window on a loan deal. Walker is under contract at City until 2026, so unless there is an obligation-to-buy clause inserted, he will be returning to the Etihad, but a permanent move will likely occur in the summer given his desire to leave the club.

Considering he is 34, it is probably the right time for Walker to leave City, as the Citizens will have their eye on signing a player who can play that role for the foreseeable future.

4

John Stones

John Stones is another City player who is under contract until the summer of 2026, and given he is now 30, a decision could soon be made about his long-term future at the club.

Stones has had some tricky spells at City but has overall been an important player for Guardiola. However, injuries this season have meant that he has played just 12 times in all competitions so far, and with the champions now having sealed the signings of Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov, letting a central defender leave may be a plan of theirs.

At times, Stones has found his position under threat, and with new arrivals, plus Josko Gvardiol and Manuel Akanji potentially being ahead of the English defender in the pecking order, Stones could be the one to make way to balance the books.

5

Matheus Nunes

Despite only joining the club in 2023, Matheus Nunes could be a player who City look to move on in the coming transfer windows as they reshape their squad.

The Portugal international earned his move to the Etihad after impressing at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Nunes hasn’t been given the same number of opportunities as he was at Molineux, and when he has played, he has struggled to make an impact.

It was reported back in October that City were ready to sell Nunes at the end of the season as he had fallen down the pecking order. The 26-year-old continues to be in and out of the City side despite their woes on and off the pitch, and if he fails to nail down a starting spot during their struggles, he could be a player Guardiola decides to sell so they can get their money back.

Every Premier League club's record transfer sale

Which Premier League clubs are the best sellers?

By
Stephan Georgiou

5 days ago

6

İlkay Gündoğan

İlkay Gündoğan made a sensational return to the Etihad during the summer transfer window, and the German was hoping to carry on from where he left off in 2023.

While he has played in the majority of the games for City, Gundogan hasn’t quite had the same impact on this team as he did previously. The 34-year-old has looked leggy and overrun at times in this campaign, and with him only signing a one-year deal, an exit could be on the cards once the current season finishes.

Gundogan’s return may have helped Guardiola fill the void in midfield for this season, but the City boss will probably have his eyes on bringing in a younger player who can do what the German is doing now.

Weekly wages: Manchester City FC 2025/26 highest-paid players

We at Football FanCast have gathered all the information on exactly how much the wages of each player is at Manchester City.

By
Charlie Smith

Sep 23, 2025

7

James McAtee

James McAtee is a player who has a bright future ahead of him, and he would have been hoping that he could have spent it as a regular City player. However, the midfielder has struggled for consistent minutes at the Etihad this season after they decided against loaning him out following two successful spells at Sheffield United.

By mid-January, McAtee had played just 13 times for City in all competitions this season, with only three coming as a starter. Amid his situation, several Premier League teams and European sides are thought to be chasing his signature, whether on a loan or permanent switch.

The 22-year-old is another City player who is under contract until 2026, so a decision will likely be made soon over what happens to his long-term future, and if his minutes don’t improve, a move could be on the cards sooner rather than later.

8

Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne is facing a very important few months, as his Man City contract expires at the end of this season, while it remains unclear if he will sign a new deal or look to leave the club.

The Belgium international is one of City’s best players of all time and has been so important in their success over recent years, but at 33, injuries and fitness are starting to take over, and he isn’t quite having the same impact that he once did.

De Bruyne was heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia during the summer and continues to be linked with such a move, while he is also thought to be on the radar of a few MLS clubs.

The Belgian is now free to speak to overseas clubs, and even if a deal is not agreed upon, his time at City looks to be ending, and a move does look likely to happen in the summer as his contract runs down.

5 potential replacements for Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City

With Kevin De Bruyne into his 10th season at Manchester City, here are 5 possible successors if he says goodbye to the Etihad.

By
Barney Lane

Oct 20, 2024

9

Jack Grealish

England attacker Jack Grealish is another star who could be leaving Man City in the coming months.

The 29-year-old’s time at the Etihad has been very stop-start, and given he is not getting any younger, a move away could soon happen, especially if City decide to bring in a new player in that area of the team.

Grealish already has strong competition in the form of Jeremy Doku, so another arrival could spell the end of his time at City.

Tottenham were linked with a move for Grealish back in November, and while their interest may not be sustained, he could have potential suitors if he continues to be in and out of the City team.

The Englishman is contracted at the Etihad until 2027, so it gives City some time to decide, but a sale in the summer could be City’s best chance of recouping a lot of the money they spent to get him out of Aston Villa in 2021.

Tom Brady-owned Birmingham City have made English football history by recording the highest points tally in a single professional season.

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• Birmingham made English football history
• Recorded 108 points with one game to spare
• Blues beat Blackpool 2-0 on Wednesday

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Blues created English history with a 2-0 win at Blackpool on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Ethan Laird and Alfie May. After the 45th match of the 2024-25 campaign, Birmingham now have 108 points to their name, the most in a single professional season in English football. They broke the previous record held by Reading, who recorded 106 points in their Championship-winning campaign in the 2005-06 season.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Last Sunday, they had broken League One's points tally after their 4-0 win over Mansfield. Wolves had earlier held the record of registering 103 points in the 2013-14 season. Birmingham returned to the Championship within a season of going down from the English second tier.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  In the ongoing season, the Brady-owned side has scored the most goals, 82, and conceded the least, 30. They have won 33 out of 45 matches and only lost three times.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR BIRMINGHAM?

  Chris Davies' side will play their final game of the season on Saturday when they face Cambridge United away from home.

In what would hand Oliver Glasner one final boost in the January transfer window, Crystal Palace have now reportedly joined the race to sign a Champions League winger who could finally replace Michael Olise.

Crystal Palace transfer news

As things stand, Romain Esse remains the only player to come through the door at Selhurst Park ahead of Monday’s deadline, but the final days could yet change that.

A number of players have been linked with a move to South London over the few weeks and the Eagles could yet swoop in and land at least one last reinforcement before the window slams shut. Among those threatening to steal the headlines is Manchester City’s James McAtee.

Imagine him with Eze: Crystal Palace plot swoop for "exceptional" PL gem

Crystal Palace could sign a new left-back before the window closes.

1

By
Connor Holden

Jan 30, 2025

The young midfielder was denied the chance to join Bayer Leverkusen, who instead opted to sign Emiliano Buendia on loan from Aston Villa. Now, still searching for a consistent starting place, Crystal Palace are reportedly on red alert in pursuit of his signature.

He may not be the only attacking boost sent the way of Glasner this month, however, as those at Selhurst Park look to hand their manager the firepower needed to push beyond a relegation scrap and the bottom-half.

According to Ekrem Konur of Caught Offside, Crystal Palace have now joined the race to sign Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge ahead of Monday’s deadline in what would finally see them welcome a replacement for Olise.

Despite signing Ismaila Sarr in the summer, Palace have still been without a player capable of creating chances in Olise-like fashion – Eberechi Eze is the only Eagles player creating more than 1.3 chances per game.

Tzolis, who creates 2 per game in both league and European action, would instantly solve that problem though and showcase exactly why he’s been playing Champions League football this season.

Facing competition from Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Palace would be handing themselves a significant advantage in their battle to avoid the drop if they won the race to sign Tzolis this month.

"Incredible" Tzolis would ease Mateta responsibility

When it’s not Jean-Philippe Mateta wheeling away in celebration for Crystal Palace, it’s only a select few who manage to step up and take responsibility in Glasner’s side and that’s a problem that Tzolis could fix.

The Club Brugge winger has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season, including one in the Champions League, and certainly offers a threat to keep an eye on down the left and right-hand side. Praised for an “incredible” performance by football talent scout Jacek Kulig back in November, Tzolis’ next step could be the Premier League.

Having already scored more goals than Olise managed in his final season in a Palace shirt, Tzolis is certainly one to watch.

Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Benfica's Alvaro Carreras and have hatched a clever financial plan that involves Manchester United.

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• Madrid want to sign Carreras
• Benfica demanding €60m for left-back
• Los Blancos devise plan that involves Man Utd

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to a report from , Real Madrid are interested in signing highly-rated Benfica left-back Alvaro Carreras this summer, and have devised an ingenious plan involving Manchester United to sign the player for a bargain price. Left-back was not an area Madrid wanted to address as a priority, even though they were linked to Alphonso Davies, but now Los Blancos reportedly want an upgrade that can replace Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Owing to his stellar performances, Benfica are demanding a €60 million fee to sell Carreras. Madrid are unwilling to spend that amount, but that's where the Red Devils enter the picture. In January 2024, United sold Carreras to Benfica for just €6m. With the Spaniard meeting certain conditions, United now have an €18m buy-back clause which they could activate this summer. Considering that the former Real Madrid youngster is not in Ruben Amorim's long-term plans, United could yet activate the buy-back option and sell him for around €30-35m, a fee that's much more appealing to Los Blancos than what is being quoted by Benfica.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Real Madrid's head of scouting Juni Calafat has been monitoring the defender and believes that he fits perfectly into the club's long-term vision. Should they not advance with their interest in Carreras, Madrid do have a buy-back option for Girona's Miguel Gutierrez. The former Real Madrid player has been linked with a return and has a modest buy-back value of €8m. However, doubts over Gutierrez's talent have grown after a poor season with the Catalan side.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

  A major shake-up is expected to unfold at the Santiago Bernabeu this summer. It is widely believed that Carlo Ancelotti will leave this summer and will be replaced by Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso. While fans await the end of the season to figure out which direction the club's future is heading, Ancelotti's men will welcome Celta Vigo in a crunch La Liga fixture this Sunday, May 4. Madrid are four points behind arch-rivals Barcelona with just five games to go, but still remain in the hunt to defend their top-flight crown.

Leeds United have made an approach to sign a £15m player compared to Archie Gray, according to The Athletic.

Farke makes teasing Leeds transfer claim after Burnley draw

The Whites remained top of the Championship following a 0-0 stalemate at Turf Moor against promotion rivals Burnley on Monday evening.

Daniel Farke’s side, like so many others, failed to get past the Clarets defence but did stretch their unbeaten run to 12 games in all competitions.

Talking after the game, Farke said: “Good result for us, good point on the road. “Happy with the clean sheet, our defensive behaviour. Two of the best sides in the league, difficult game, difficult circumstances with the weather. They’re on a massive unbeaten run as well, especially at home. It was a game of few mistakes. Both teams were there without crucial mistakes, both teams were struggling to create enough chances.

“I’m pretty happy with how we controlled their processes without the ball. I wish we would have been a bit more confident and committed with the ball. Of course when a chance comes along you have to be a bit more on it. In the build-up and midfield play we were patient enough but the final decision, pass or finish could have been a bit more convincing or committed or better prepared. That’s the only thing I could criticise a little bit.”

The German also teased a potential transfer update for supporters ahead of this weekend’s Elland Road clash with Cardiff City.

Leeds and the 49ers Enterprises are yet to make a January signing, with rivals Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland all adding to their squads or the second half of the campaign.

Some late activity could be on the cards for the Whites, though, with an approach made for a new transfer target.

Leeds make enquiry for Matt Targett

According to The Athletic, relayed by MOT Leeds News, Leeds have made a late enquiry to Newcastle United over a potential transfer for Matt Targett.

The left-back, who cost the Magpies a total of £15m from Aston Villa, could be on the move from St James’ Park before the February 3 deadline, and Leeds are seemingly keen.

The 29-year-old has also represented Fulham and Southampton alongside Villa and Newcastle, winning 1-0 at Elland Road with Villa in 2021.

He’s played just 80 minutes of senior football under Eddie Howe this season, so an exit appears to make sense for all involved. Leeds have Junior Firpo and Sam Byram as left-back options, but with both out of contract at the end of the season, Targett could be a shrewd option.

As per Football Transfers, former Leeds youngster Archie Gray, who moved to Tottenham last summer after starring at full-back, has been named as a player similar to Targett, and it looks as if a late move to Elland Road is one to keep an eye on.

Aston Villa certainly did not enjoy a quiet January transfer window before the deadline on Monday as they made several moves in an attempt to improve their squad.

Monchi and Unai Emery made bold moves as they look for an improved second half of the season, with the Villans currently sat in eighth place in the Premier League.

Arguably, the biggest decision they made in the winter window was the one to cash in on Jhon Duran, who made a £64m move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

That deal came after Villa had also sold Jaden Philogene to Ipswich Town and Diego Carlos to Fenerbahce, which freed up the funds for the club to bring in new recruits.

The Villans ended the window with Marcus Rashford in on loan from Manchester United, Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia in on permanent deals, as well as Axel Disasi and Marco Asensio on loan on deadline day.

Asensio was the second-to-last player to complete his move to Villa Park, as the Spanish forward joined on lona from Paris Saint-Germain until the end of the season.

What Marco Asensio could bring to Aston Villa

The 29-year-old star has arrived in England to provide Emery with a fantastic, versatile, attacking option for the Villans for the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.

He has the ability to play on either flank as a winger or as an attacking midfielder, whilst the Champions League winner has also played as a centre-forward before.

There is no doubt that Asensio comes with a huge pedigree. He has won three Champions League trophies, four La Liga titles, one Ligue 1 title, and played for Real Madrid and PSG, which shows that the forward knows how to win the best silverware and how to handle the pressure of playing for teams that are desperate to win trophies.

That is the level Villa may want to aspire to be at and the Spain international could come in to help with that cultural shift, by bringing high standards and a winning mentality with him.

The 29-year-old ace scored 61 goals and provided 32 assists in 286 matches for Real before his move to PSG in the summer of 2023. Asensio then went on to produce seven goals and 11 assists in 47 appearances for the French giants.

These statistics show that the Spaniard has proven himself to be able to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch, on the wing or as a number ten, in two of Europe’s major leagues.

Villa will now be hoping that he can bring that experience and quality over to their Premier League and Champions League matches in the coming weeks and months, as the forward could be a terrific option for Emery if he can hit his stride in England.

Despite all of that pedigree, all of his achievements, and the fact he is coming in from PSG, Asensio is, reportedly, not among the top ten earners at the club.

Aston Villa's top ten earners after signing Asensio

According to Capology, the former Real Madrid man is on a wage of £116.5k-per-week with Villa, which makes him the 11th-highest earner in the squad at the moment.

Fellow winter transfer window recruit Marcus Rashford is at at the top of the pile on a reported weekly wage of £225k, which is £75k more per week than the second-highest earner, Youri Tielemans.

As you can see in the table above, Asensio does not crack the top ten list, whilst Malen and Rashford have arrived to position themselves in there, and that may come as a surprise given the clubs that the Spanish whiz has played for in his career.

One of Aston Villa's highest earners must be dropped after Asensio signing

One of the players in that top ten list, however, could finally be ditched from the starting XI by Emery after the signing of the PSG forward on loan, and that is attacking midfielder John McGinn.

The Scotland international has started 17 of his 20 appearances in the Premier League this season, mostly playing on the right wing or as the number ten behind Ollie Watkins.

His weekly wage of £120k means that the midfield star earns significantly more than Villa sensation Morgan Rogers, who reportedly earns £75k-per-week.

The England international has racked up ten goals and five assists in 32 appearances in all competitions for the Villans, including three goals and one assist in eight matches in the Champions League.

These statistics show that Rogers has provided a big threat at the top end of the pitch from an attacking midfield position, and the same cannot be said of McGinn, unfortunately.

Chalkboard

The Scottish midfielder ended the 2023/24 campaign with a return of nine goals and seven assists in 53 appearances in all competitions for the club, which was a very solid return for the former Hibernian maestro.

Unfortunately, however, McGinn’s form has declined and he has failed to provide consistent quality at the top end of the pitch in the Premier League so far this season.

As you can see in the table above, the Scotland international has underperformed against his xG and his assist tally has been inflated by quality finishing from his teammates, whilst it also shows that Rogers has offered far more on £45k less per week.

These statistics show that McGinn has struggled to make a meaningful impact in the final third in the top-flight when playing on the right wing or as a number ten, which is why Emery should use the signing of Asensio to ditch him from the team.

As aforementioned, the Spain international has a history of providing goals and assists for PSG and Real Madrid, whilst playing in similar positions, and that is why the manager should include him in the starting XI over McGinn in the second half of the season.

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By
Ben Browning

Feb 4, 2025

Chelsea’s dream of playing in a new stadium remains distant, with Todd Boehly revealing that it could take up to 17 years to complete the project.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Stamford Bridge has a capacity of just over 40k
• Blues feel the need for a bigger home
• Boehly does not see it coming for another 17 years

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Stamford Bridge, with its 40,173-seat capacity, is currently the ninth-largest stadium in the Premier League – and increasingly viewed as insufficient for a club of Chelsea’s stature. London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham boast state-of-the-art grounds seating over 60,000 fans, which makes it more pressing for the Blues to up their stadium game.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Chelsea’s previous efforts to secure a new stadium have repeatedly stalled, despite exploring various high-profile options. In 2012, the club examined a plan to build a 60,000-seat ground at the historic Battersea Power Station site. That vision ultimately fell through, as did proposals to relocate to Earl’s Court – another west London location with potential. With no solution in place, Chelsea remain anchored to a venue that, while rich in history, is no longer competitive with other elite stadiums in terms of scale and revenue potential.

• WHAT BOEHLY SAID

  Boehly acknowledged that the scale of the project makes it one of the most significant challenges facing the club. "It is years in the making,” Boehly said in an interview with . “When we originally bought the club, we agreed initially that we had 15 or 20 years to figure this out. It is a big project in a really interesting city like London where there are a lot of constituencies that have an opinion. Obviously the number one constituency for us is our fanbase and what's going to be the best for Chelsea. I think everyone recognises that a club as big as Chelsea should have a stadium that reflects the size of the club and ultimately that's going to be a strategic advantage.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

  While the club’s long-term infrastructure plans are still taking shape, Chelsea are focused on finishing the current season on a high note. The Blues are aiming to seal their place in the Conference League final as they host Djurgardens on Thursday, holding a commanding 4-1 lead from the first leg. Following that, they will shift their attention back to domestic duties with a Premier League clash against Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.