All posts by z3u9t.icu

After a weekend off, Arsenal are back in action in the Champions League tonight.

The wheels might have already come off in the Premier League, but Mikel Arteta’s side have been brilliant in the Champions League this season, and while they cannot be underestimated, PSV Eindhoven offer a great chance of progressing.

Since their first meeting in 2002, the Gunners have played the Dutch outfit ten times, winning four of those games, drawing four and losing just two.

Moreover, Arteta’s men beat them 4-0 at home last season, and while they drew 1-1 away, it was a heavily rotated side.

Therefore, the manager should look to put out as strong a side as possible tonight, which means making one key change in the middle of the park: dropping Jorginho.

Why Arteta should drop Jorginho

So, there are a few key reasons why Arteta should be looking to drop Jorginho in tonight’s game.

The first is that the Italian midfielder is now 33 years old, and while he can certainly still contribute to important games, as exemplified by Daily Mirror journalist Darren Lewis’ description of him being a “big game player,” he rarely starts in back-to-back matches anymore.

Moreover, despite being second, PSV are the highest scorers in the Eredivisie this season, with a whopping 73 goals to their name, so the game tonight will likely require the Gunners’ midfield to cover an incredible amount of ground, which just isn’t something the former Chelsea ace can manage anymore.

The second reason is that, even though he can have a big impact on games, it’s fair to say that the Imbituba-born ace didn’t against Nottingham Forest last time out.

Now, he certainly wasn’t bad at the City Ground, but the 6/10 rating from the Daily Express’ Charlie Parker-Turner was probably fair, as in his 70 minutes of action the Italian lost six of seven duels, committed three fouls, didn’t play a key pass or take a shot and was dribbled past once.

Minutes

70′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Expected Assists

0.04

Touches

52

Passing Accuracy

40/46 (87%)

Key Passes

0

Crosses (Accurate)

1 (0)

Shots on Target

0

Shots off Target

0

Duels (Won)

7 (1)

Possession Lost

9

Fouls

3

Dribbled Past

1

In all, Jorginho’s an incredibly useful player to have in the squad, but with so much on the line tonight, Arteta must play his best lineup, which means making a key change in the midfield.

The Arsenal star who should come in for Jorginho

When it comes to making a change at the base of midfield for a game of this magnitude, only one player can come in: Thomas Partey.

After missing much of last season through injury, the Ghanaian international has become an integral part of the Gunners’ squad this year, starting 88% of Premier League games and making 39 appearances across all competitions, in which he’s scored three goals and provided three assists.

On top of his pure output, the former Atlético Madrid star has been like a metronome at the base of midfield for Arteta’s side, helping bring the ball out of the defence and getting it forward to his midfield partners or the frontline.

Appearances

39

Starts

32

Minutes

2830′

Goals

3

Assists

3

Goal Involvements per Match

0.15

Minutes per Goal Involvement

471.66′

For example, according to FBref, the “monstrous” machine, per content creator Bhavs, sits in the top 4% of midfielders in the Premier League for completed short passes, the top 8% for overall passes completed, the top 9% for total passing distance and more, all per 90.

Now, it is true that, like Jorginho, the 30-year-old ace struggles to cover ground in the same way he used to, but given his rest over the week, we reckon he’ll be able to cope with tonight’s challenge.

Ultimately, Arsenal have to get something out of tonight’s clash with PSV to give the fans something to cheer about, and to give his team the best chance of doing just that, Arteta should drop Jorginho for Partey.

Berta must instantly axe Arsenal star who earns more than Gabriel & Timber

Arsenal are said to be closing in on a new sporting director to replace Edu.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Mar 3, 2025

Chelsea spent a total of around £220m in the 2024/25 summer transfer window, bringing 11 permanent new signings to the club, not including the loan signing of Jadon Sancho from Manchester United, who will become a permanent transfer next summer.

The likes of Omari Kellyman, Mike Penders, Aaron Anselmino, Caleb Wiley and Marc Guiu were signings very much for the future, whilst the likes of Pedro Neto, João Félix, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jorgensen, Renato Veiga and Tosin Adarabioyo were intended for the first-team set up.

Pedro Neto

£50.5m

João Félix

£43.7m

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

£29.8m

Filip Jorgensen

£20.6m

Omari Kellyman

£18.9m

Mike Penders

£16.8m

Aaron Anselmino

£13.8m

Renato Veiga

£11.7m

Caleb Wiley

£8.5m

Marc Guiu

£5m

Tosin Adarabioyo

£0

Many of these summer purchases have failed to stamp their mark on the team, with the likes of João Félix and Renato Veiga already leaving on loan in the January transfer window, just six months after joining in the summer.

However, there is one signing that has been something of a key figure and is really starting to prove his worth in recent weeks in the absence of Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke.

Pedro Neto's new striker role

Chelsea signed Pedro Neto from Wolves in the summer, with the Portugal international joining the Blues for a fee of around £51.4m with £2.6m in add-ons.

The 25-year-old has made 32 appearances for Enzo Maresca’s side this season, scoring five goals, providing seven assists and totalling 1,865 minutes played.

In recent weeks, however, Maresca has been forced into making some significant changes to his side with some big injuries being suffered.

That has seen Neto move into a centre-forward position. The forward has taken to this role nicely, working hard from the front, making runs into the channels and popping up with goals and assists.

Against Leicester, Neto was all action yet again, having 54 touches, making 31/36 accurate passes, registering four key passes and winning four of his ten ground duels.

The 25-year-old is now in a run of promising run of form, but could be ousted for another signing Chelsea made in 2024.

Chelsea's "future Ballon d'Or winner" could replace Neto

Another dazzling winger who signed in the summer, but will join the Blues next summer is Estevao, who joined Chelsea from Palmeiras for an initial fee of around £29m.

The Brazilian has made 12 appearances in the Campeonato Paulista in the 2024/25 season, scoring five goals and totalling 909 minutes played. It’s safe to say, at the age of just 17, he’s one of the finest young talents on the globe.

The teenager’s value has already risen since Chelsea purchased the teenage sensation, now being valued between £42m and £53m by CIES Football Observatory, meaning they have already struck gold by sealing his signature.

Estevao has already been labelled as a “future Ballon d’Or winner” by Ben Mattinson, with many Chelsea fans anticipating his arrival and contribution to the first team next season.

So, how does he compare with Neto? Well, he’s streets ahead.

Stats (per 90 mins)

Estevao

Neto

Goals

0.50

0.26

Assists

0.32

0.17

xG

0.45

0.13

xAG

0.30

0.27

Progressive Carries

6.22

5.56

Progressive Passes

3.95

2.31

Shots Total

3.45

2.10

Key Passes

2.10

1.94

Shot-Creating Actions

5.97

3.69

Successful Take-Ons

3.61

1.50

When comparing Estevao’s underlying numbers to Neto’s this season, you can see the Brazilian comes out on top in all the metrics analysed, providing a higher output, having a higher shot volume and having the creative tendencies to contribute via carries and passing.

Maresca’s system will perfectly suit the quality Estevao offers in wide areas, dominating his 1v1 battles against the full-back (seen by his take-on numbers) and providing the moments of quality needed to unlock opposition defensive schemes.

Next season is bound to be an interesting one with the Brazilian joining the club, who will provide competition for Madueke, Neto and even Cole Palmer in the number ten position, as Estevao has previously stated his ambitions to play as a number ten in the past.

Chelsea can replace Colwill with "elite" 19-year-old who's like David Luiz

He’s on the cusp of making his mark in Enzo Maresca’s first team at Chelsea.

ByAngus Sinclair Mar 10, 2025

Chelsea have notoriously spent big since the arrival of Todd Boehly in 2022, with the American owner splashing over £1.2b on new additions in the near three years he’s spent at the helm.

Various areas of the squad have been subject to huge change, aiming to provide Enzo Maresca with the goods to help the Blues mount a push for a place in the top four of the Premier League.

Since his arrival, the Italian has bolstered his side with the additions of multiple players, most notably Pedro Neto, who cost the hierarchy £54m from fellow top-flight side Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Portuguese star has already registered 11 combined goals and assists across all competitions, helping the club edge one step closer to a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.

However, the move to land the 24-year-old in the summer meant numerous departures for multiple attacking players, with various options leaving Stamford Bridge on loan.

The form of Chelsea attackers out on loan in 2024/25

Armando Broja came through the ranks at Chelsea, eventually making the leap to the first team back in the 2022/23 season, but an ACL injury would halt his progress in West London.

He’s since fallen down the order, subsequently joining Everton on loan for the current campaign, but his injury issues have restricted him to just six appearances across all competitions to date – failing to find the back of the net too.

Raheem Sterling is another big-money signing made by Boehly, joining for £50m from Manchester City in the American’s first window in charge of the club.

However, the move hasn’t gone to plan, registering just 19 goals in 81 appearances, with Maresca deciding to loan the Englishman out to Arsenal for 2024/25, also struggling to make an impact, scoring just once in 22 outings.

The aforementioned pair aren’t the only players currently out on loan away from the Bridge, with one other former first-team member enjoying his spell away from the club.

The Chelsea dud who has cost £680k-per-game

There’s no denying that huge money has been wasted on players not up to the level required in 2025, as seen by Sterling’s addition, which is likely to see them lose a fortune on their investment.

However, the mammoth investments were apparent even before Boehly’s arrival, with the previous ownership forking out £72m for the signature of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in the summer of 2018.

Such a fee was a world record for a goalkeeper, undoubtedly putting huge pressure on the Spaniard to perform and demonstrate why such a hefty fee was splashed out for his services.

Despite making 163 appearances during a five-year spell, his time in London was as glittered with penalty shootout errors, refusing to be withdrawn against Manchester City before missing the decisive spot kick against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

He’s since endured a loan spell at Real Madrid as a backup goalkeeper before joining up with Bournemouth on a temporary basis for the current campaign – keeping five clean sheets under boss Andoni Iraola.

It was reported in recent days that the 30-year-old wants to make his move permanent this summer, with Maresca desperately needing to cash in on the ‘keeper who has previously been dubbed “shocking” by creator Alex Goldberg.

He earns £150k-per-week on his current deal at the Bridge, which expires in the summer of 2026, earning a total of £7.8m per season – taking his total pay to £39m, a staggering amount given his lack of positive impact.

When combining his £72m fee with his total wages, he’s cost £111m, which works out to £680k per appearance, with the Blues needing to prevent losing any further funds by getting rid of him in the coming months.

1

Reece James

£250,000

£13,000,000

2

Wesley Fofana

£200,000

£10,400,000

=

Ben Chilwell

£200,000

£10,400,000

4

Christopher Nkunku

£195,000

£10,140,000

5

Enzo Fernández

£180,000

£9,360,000

6

Marc Cucurella

£175,000

£9,100,000

7

Pedro Neto

£160,000

£8,320,000

8

Moises Caicedo

£150,000

£7,800,000

=

Kepa Arrizabalaga

£150,000

£7,800,000

9

Cole Palmer

£130,000

£6,760,000

There’s no denying that they will lose a huge amount of money on their investment, but ultimately, the time has come to finally get rid of the goalkeeper on a permanent basis.

His impressive form on the South Coast could allow the Cherries to decide to buy Arrizabalaga permanently, putting an end to his disastrous spell in the capital.

97 touches, 95% passing: Chelsea star is now as undroppable as Palmer

Chelsea made a huge step in qualifying for the next stage of the Europa Conference League last night.

ByEthan Lamb Mar 7, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have carried an air of unpredictability this term and could now be at risk of losing one of their star players amid long-standing interest from Real Madrid.

Tottenham's inconsistency places unwanted spotlight on Ange Postecoglou

Few managers in the Premier League have been under the spotlight more than Ange Postecoglou this campaign, with more scepticism coming his way off the back of a disappointing London derby defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Now, Spurs sit level on points with 16th-placed West Ham United and have only nine top-flight matches left to put some respectability on a domestic campaign fraught with inconsistencies.

Tottenham’s last five results – all competitions

Fulham 2-0 Tottenham

Premier League

Tottenham 3-1 AZ Alkmaar

Europa League

Tottenham 2-2 Bournemouth

Premier League

AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Tottenham

Europa League

Tottenham 0-1 Manchester City

Premier League

Rumours are rife over a potential managerial change in N17. According to reports, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Fulham boss Marco Silva are on Tottenham’s radar to replace Postecoglou, who has cut a frustrated figure despite continued backing from Daniel Levy.

USA manager Mauricio Pochettino is also linked with a return to his former club, and speculation he could become a candidate has been fuelled recently after he was spotted having coffee with the Lilywhites’ chairman.

What does that mean for Postecoglou? One has to assume the matter comes as nothing more than a coincidence. Still, there is scope for curiosity among supporters that change could be afoot before too long at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Extending to the playing squad, movement could be on the horizon involving one of Spurs’ prize assets if recent murmurs are to be believed.

Cristian Romero open to leaving Tottenham for Real Madrid

According to a report in Spain, Tottenham star Cristian Romero is willing to join Real Madrid this summer, and the Champions League giants retain a long-standing interest in the Argentina international amid the possibility he could seek a new challenge away from N17.

The 26-year-old, called ‘a key piece in Postecoglou’s scheme’, is set to enter the final two years of his deal in North London, so Spurs could look to cash in during the upcoming window if he doesn’t agree on a contract extension.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, the Premier League outfit may need to consult whether it would be better to offer substantial terms in the hope Romero stays or if selling one of their best players before his value on the market dwindles would be best. Despite hamstring problems this term, the former Atalanta man has scored once in 17 appearances this campaign.

Heralded as an “unbelievable player” by teammate Micky Van de Ven in 2023, Romero has been a mainstay within Tottenham’s backline and would be incredibly difficult to replace.

Even within a short sample size, he has won 25 tackles on Premier League duty alongside 32 aerial duels, bailing out a defence bombarded with injury problems circa 2024/25.

Now, Spurs’ main mission has to be convincing Romero that their project is the right one for him to stick with at this stage of his career, as he is someone the club can’t afford to lose any time soon.

When it comes to superstars, few clubs in England have had more than Arsenal.

With the likes of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp, Mesut Özil and most recently, Bukayo Saka, the Gunners have long been a club that can boast a tradition of fielding icons of the game.

However, the North Londoners have also had more than their fair share of cult heroes over the years, from Santi Cazorla to Emmanuel Eboue and Lukas Podolski.

The former German international didn’t spend much time with the club, but he certainly ingratiated himself with the fans, and based on recent reports, the club could be about to sign a player who could be a repeat of the powerful ace.

Arsenal's summer plans

It’s no secret that the one position Arsenal need to strengthen above all others this summer is striker, and based on reports from the last few weeks or so, that’s where most of their attention seems to be at the moment.

For example, just a couple of days ago, The Athletic’s David Ornstein revealed that the club were developing a ‘strong interest’ in Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.

Just a day later, reports claimed that the North Londoners were also incredibly keen on RB Leipzig’s up-and-coming Benjamin Sesko, who has scored 23 goals in 37 appearances this season.

That said, while a new striker is of paramount importance, it’s not the only area of the frontline that needs to be addressed, nor is it the only position the club are looking to bolster.

According to a recent report from Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Arsenal are interested in signing Bayern Munich star Leroy Sané.

Plettenberg claims that while the winger wants to stay in Bavaria and is negotiating a new deal, he has also held “concrete talks” with the Gunners regarding a free transfer in the summer.

However, according to other reports, North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur have also held talks with the player’s camp, so moving fast could be imperative to seal a deal.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Sané’s ability and experience, it is worth fighting for, especially as he could be Arsenal’s next Podolski.

Why Sane would be Arsenal's new Podolski

So, to kick things off, the pair would have joined the Gunners from the Bundesliga, with Podolski moving to the Emirates in a £10.9m deal from FC Koln in the summer of 2012.

Moreover, the Gliwice-born star also spent a few years playing for FC Hollywood, scoring 26 goals and providing 20 assists in 106 appearances between July 2006 and July 2009.

In addition to their similar careers at club level, the pair are also left-footed attackers who have amassed an impressive number of senior caps for Germany.

The former Manchester City star is now on 69, and the Górnik Zabrze ace retired from international duty with 130.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the pair are both positionally versatile players who can thrive out on the left and have an impressive track record of scoring and providing assists in their careers.

Appearances

403

678

Goals

111

227

Assists

101

136

Goal Involvements per Match

0.52

0.53

For example, in 403 senior appearances, the Bayern star has scored 111 goals and provided 101 assists, which comes out to a stellar average of a goal involvement every 1.90 games. Is it really any surprise that Julian Nagelsmann once proclaimed he was “one of the best players in Europe.”

The former Gunners star, on the other hand, has scored 227 goals and provided 136 assists in 678 appearances, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.86 games, which is remarkably similar to his younger compatriot.

Ultimately, Arsenal need more than just a striker this summer, and Sane looks like he could provide them with more threat off the left, just like Podolski did during his time with the club.

Arteta can finally axe Merino by unleashing Arsenal's £27m "wizard" up top

The dangerous international could be the answer for Arsenal.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 1, 2025

This summer could be make or break in terms of Ruben Amorim’s future as Manchester United manager, needing to make the right decisions in the transfer market if they are to progress next season.

The Red Devils currently sit in 13th position in the Premier League, with their only hope of securing European football next season relying on their success in the Europa League.

Their lowly league standing is huge evidence that the board need to back the 40-year-old in the window, allowing him to make the additions he wants to fit his 3-4-2-1 system.

He’s so far only had one window to implement his own changes, largely having to operate with the players signed under the guidance of former manager Erik ten Hag.

However, he appears to have wasted no time in identifying players to improve his first-team squad, targeting one player who could massively improve the situation at Old Trafford.

Man Utd already in talks to land huge PL talent

According to GIVEMESPORT, United are already in talks with Wolverhampton Wanderers over a summer deal to sign their star man, Matheus Cunha.

The Brazilian only signed a new contract back in February but has stated his desire to depart Molineux this summer, with any club wanting him needing to trigger his £62.5m release clause.

The 25-year-old has registered 13 goals and four assists in the league to date, undoubtedly playing a huge role in maintaining the club’s top-flight status this campaign.

The report claims he’s interested in making a move to Old Trafford this summer, potentially making personal terms a forgone conclusion should the Red Devils trigger his release clause.

Whilst it would be a huge sum to fork out on yet another attacker at the Theatre of Dreams, it would be a worthwhile investment, providing a better option than another player already on their radar.

Why Cunha would be a better signing than Delap for United

Over the last week or so, reports have emerged that United have made Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap their number-one choice to become their new talisman next season.

The 22-year-old is set to be a man in demand this summer, with Chelsea also in the race to land the forward who has a £30m relegation release clause within his current contract.

The former Manchester City youngster has been the Tractor Boys’ key man in 2024/25, registering 12 goals in 30 appearances – scoring 39% of Kieran McKenna’s outfit’s efforts to date.

However, despite the huge difference in fee, Cunha would undoubtedly be the better option for Amorim’s side, having the ability to feature in a centre-forward or attacking midfield role.

When comparing the pair’s respective figures from 2024/25, the Brazilian massively outperformed Delap, showcasing why the hierarchy should pay the added difference between the player’s different clauses.

Games played

26

30

Goals & assists

17

14

Progressive carries

3.9

2.2

Progressive passes

4.7

1.1

Shots on target

1.5

1.1

Pass accuracy

70%

61%

Take-ons completed

2.1

1.4

The Wolves star, who’s been labelled “sensational” by current boss Vitor Pereira, has managed to register more combined goals and assists, whilst also registering more shots on target per 90 – showcasing his clinical nature in attacking areas.

He’s also completed more progressive passes per 90, whilst completing more take-ons per 90, achieving a higher pass completion rate – highlighting his all-round nature with the ball at his feet.

Whilst the club would pay more than double if they were to land Cunha, it’s evident that he would be a better option for the Red Devils based on the stats he’s produced in England’s top flight in 2024/25.

If they are to return to the summit of the Premier League in the next couple of years, it’s pivotal they learn from their mistakes in the market, needing to invest in top-quality talent rather than players who have only impressed over one season.

64 touches, 93% passes: Man Utd's 8/10 star is now as important as Bruno

Manchester United could only secure a 2-2 draw with Lyon in the Europa League last night.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 11, 2025

In partnership with TalkSPORTBET, Football FanCast had a quick chat with former Rangers star and manager Ally McCoist to catch up on everything Rangers, from his favourite teammates to new manager candidates. Catch the full interview and transcript below.

"Ferguson and McCall were my two most underrated teammates"

Asked if any of his former Ibrox teammates went under the radar surrounded by stars like Brian Laudrup and Paul Gascoigne, McCoist heaped praise on two former Scotland midfielders: “Probably two underrated ones would be Stuart McCall and Ian Ferguson. Stuart was a brilliant midfielder, as was Ian.

“The first thing that struck you about Stuart was his energy and his willingness to run about and work hard, and I think in many ways that masked his ability in some people’s opinions, because he was a far better football player perhaps than the way he played.

“What caught your eye when he played was his work rate and his closing down, getting the ball back, but far cleverer with the ball and a better player than a lot of people imagined.

“And Ian Ferguson was the exact same. Those two guys could’ve played in any team at any level. Fergie came from St. Mirren as a younger man and Graeme (Souness) and Walter (Smith) turned him into a very mature, level-headed midfield player who was aggressive and he had one of the hardest shots out of any player I played with.

“The one thing about Fergie that helped was that he was a Rangers boy growing up so he absolutely loved every minute of putting on that blue jersey.”

"I'd have loved to have played with and managed Nicolas Raskin"

Looking at today’s Rangers squad, the legendary striker had no hesitation when asked which current Gers stars he’d have liked to have lined up alongside: “(Nicolas) Raskin, I’ve gotta say his attitude to play and his desire and the way he works. Obviously, he just got into his international side and came off the bench and played for Belgium. I just think he’s one of those boys that has a steady improvement in him.

“I think he’s actually a player I would have liked to have played and managed at the same time. (Vaclav) Cerny’s another one. I enjoy watching Cerny, that left foot of his. He can come inside, go outside. Cerny’s one I wouldn’t mind playing with as well.”

"I was the only person the new owners could talk to"

With 49ers Enterprises now closing in on a deal to take over at Ibrox, McCoist recalled his experience with a changing of the guard, as the Gers entered administration during his time in the dugout: “It’s a funny one, because you’re not really involved in it as such. The position I was in I was sitting down and getting interviewed by one or two potential buyers but that’s all you can do. You don’t have an influence on it at all. All you’re trying to do is effectively sell the football club to people.

“Nowadays it’s completely different because there’s other people to do that. The guys coming in from San Francisco will be doing their due diligence and their background work and they won’t really be asking anybody in the football management side of things.

“It was different when I was there because there was nobody. There was no board of directors, there was no chairman, no chief executive. I was effectively the only person at the club that you could talk to, so thankfully that’s not the case now and the potential buyers will be going through their due diligence and with a bit of luck it can get done and dusted in the foreseeable future.”

"Big changes are needed at Rangers"

It goes without saying that the big task on the new owners’ hands now will be to bridge the gap to Celtic, which McCoist believes starts with hiring a sporting director: “They’re going to have to do it prudently. The first thing they have to do is clearly appoint somebody that they’re going to trust with potential finances. I would rather see them take their time if I’m to be brutally honest. I’d rather see hopefully new owners come in with a business plan, because it’s not gonna be an overnight fix. There’s no chance.

“The disappointing thing for me has been the dramatic decline since they were a penalty kick away from winning the Europa League. It’s just went south very very quickly for whatever reasons. But I don’t think it’s gonna be an overnight fix.

McCoist: One change new Rangers owners must make amid £25m war-chest claim

The Rangers legend has delivered his verdict.

ByTom Cunningham Apr 11, 2025

“A little bit like they’ve done at Leeds. They’ve not come in and went crazy at Leeds – it looks as though hopefully they will get promotion back to the top flight. But they’ve (49ers) not come in and made sweeping changes.

“Although changes are needed at Rangers, and some big ones, I don’t see them making them all at once. I see them coming in, taking their time, having a business plan, appointing someone and moving the club forward gradually.

“I think that’s a far better idea than just going out and spending money willy-nilly on four or five players. I think there has to be a business plan, you’ve gotta build and take it from there – a steady improvement all of the time.”

"Sean Dyche would be an interesting one"

If a new sporting director is objective number one, then finding a new permanent manager isn’t far behind, and the former Gers boss named some eye-catching options: “Kevin Muscat, who played at Rangers, and won the league in Australia and Japan, was spoken about before Philippe Clement. I would imagine he will come back into the craze as well and get spoken about.

“I mentioned Russell Martin at Southampton, he will be desperate to get back into football and management. Also, there’s other guys. Sean Dyche would be an interesting one for me. His teams have always been very very competitive but particularly his Everton side, it’s always a struggle and a fight. I’d like to see him in a team that are expected to win every week. I think he would enjoy that as much as anything, I really do.

Everton (2023-2025)

83

1.23

Burnley (2012-2022)

425

1.34

Watford (2011-2012)

49

1.37

“So, it’s a well-sought after job and there will be no shortage of people going for it. Mourinho was obviously there recently and he is somebody who certainly a lot of Rangers fans would take to and appreciate but I just think the most important thing is they’ve gotta get it right.”

It’s been a very frustrating season for Arsenal supporters, but it could still end with the ultimate glory.

On Wednesday night, goals from Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli saw the Gunners win 2-1 at the Bernabéu, actually smashing Real Madrid 5-1 on aggregate in the end, despite all the talk of a remontada.

The Gunners will now take on Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals, just the third time the club have ever reached the Champions League’s last four, with Gooners worldwide dreaming of making the pilgrimage to Munich for the final on 31 May.

Before PSG visit North London on Tuesday week, Mikel Arteta’s team do have two Premier League fixtures to fulfil, which started with a trip to Ipswich on Sunday and then Crystal Palace in midweek with this huge European tie in mind.

Thomas Partey's importance

With only five minutes remaining on the clock in Madrid, Thomas Partey, needlessly and stupidly, got himself booked by referee François Letexier, which was his third caution in as many Champions League appearances, meaning he will be suspended for the first leg against PSG.

Alex Howell of BBC Sport describes this as a ‘big blow’ considering how ‘important’ he has been this season, with James Olley of ESPN adding that, arguably, the Ghanaian has enjoyed his best campaign for the club, managing to stay injury-free.

The table below underlines how important Partey has been since arriving from Atlético Madrid for £45m on deadline day in the summer of 2020.

2024/25

63.41%

33.33%

2023/24

80%

63.63%

2022/23

66.67%

71.43%

2021/22

66.67%

42.86%

2020/21

46.88%

56.25%

Note: Only Premier League and UEFA competition matches are included.

Meantime, Toby Rathborne of Breaking the Lines believes Partey is amongst the best in the world when it comes to ‘technical skill and physical dominance’ as well as his ability to operate in tight spaces.

Thus, he will be a major miss as Arsenal seek to combat les Rouge-et-Bleu’s midfield trio of João Neves, Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz, which Graham Ruthven of Total Soccer Show believes to be the ‘best in the world’.

So, how will Arteta fill the Partey void against PSG? He faces quite the conundrum.

Arsenal's alternative midfield options

The most obvious Partey deputy would be the vastly-experienced Jorginho however, he suffered a suspected broken rib against Brentford last weekend, therefore the Italian did not travel to Madrid in mid-week, with his participation against PSG currently in serious doubt.

Thus, alternatively, Arteta could move Mikel Merino back into midfield, with Leandro Trossard therefore coming into the side as the false nine but, speaking on the Arsecast, Andrew Mangan and Ryan Hunn both agreed they would not want to tinker with the Spaniard’s position, given his excellent form as the makeshift centre-forward.

So, if Jorginho is injured and moving Merino is off the table, what options is Arteta left with?

This may feel like a rogue suggestion, although it really shouldn’t be, but should Arteta consider using Oleksandr Zinchenko in midfield something, as noted by Andrew Mangan and Phil Costa on the Arsecast, we have ‘almost never seen’?

The Ukrainian international’s importance at Arsenal has significantly diminished this season, starting only six matches across all competitions, although he did get the nod to deputise for Martin Ødegaard as an attacking midfielder during recent home draws with PSV Eindhoven and Brentford.

Teammate Saka has previously praised Zinchenko’s “quality”, adding that “he’s an outstanding player” who “controls the game”. He was also previously described as “absolutely unbelievable” by Armand Traore upon his arrival at the Emirates.

Furthermore, Sam Dean of the Telegraph exclaims that he is a “playmaking warrior”, while James Lloyd of Breaking the Lines believes there are few better in world football when it comes to ‘ball circulation and line-breaking passes’.

Thus, despite his lack of match action, Zinchenko has to be under serious consideration to start against PSG so, given this, Arteta should certainly trial him in midfield.

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Liverpool will win the Premier League this season, but the celebrations will prove to be the finale for several members of Arne Slot’s squad.

While Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to sign for Real Madrid when his contract at Anfield expires this summer, all of a Reds persuasion would love nothing more than a dramatic twist that keeps the Scouser in their team where he is.

Unlikely. However, there are further stars who may actually be shown the door, which would probably be a good thing if Liverpool are to challenge for the biggest honours once again next year.

Liverpool looking to sell this summer

Liverpool have reached a critical juncture, though in truth, the same could be said every year.

The priority, at least in terms of needing an upgrade, lies at the front of the ship, with Darwin Nunez likely to be sold having fallen by the wayside in Slot’s system. A more reliable goalscorer is needed to challenge with Mohamed Salah and ease his burden.

Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are also expendable, for the right price. Neither will be shown the door, but neither will FSG’s suits stand in the way of their potential departures.

Harvey Elliott, 21, is also at something of a conundrum in his fledgling career. The boyhood Liverpool fan is one of the most talented young playmakers out there, but has yet to start in the Premier League this season and will want playing-time assurances going forward.

He falls more into the Alexander-Arnold park of being a player who fans would want to stay put. But there’s another Liverpool forward who FSG could hit the jackpot by selling this summer without too much grumbling.

Liverpool must cash in on Slot's flop

When Liverpool signed Federico Chiesa from Juventus last summer, it was regarded as a low-risk deal, worth just £12.5m, for a player who would add that little bit of extra depth to a talented and balanced frontline.

Salah rarely misses action due to injury, but with Ben Doak heading out to Middlesbrough on loan it made sense to sign a deputy. Talented and technically gifted, Chiesa was once considered among Europe’s best forwards, hailed for his “world-class” level by retired Italy star Alessandro Pierini.

However, injuries have gotten the better of him in recent years, and he’s missed chunks of his maiden campaign in English football that have been to the detriment of his role in Slot’s team.

Just 12 times has Chiesa graced the field in a Liverpool shirt, and like Elliott, he hasn’t started a single Premier League match. He’s had his moments, though, notably scoring a crisp consolation goal in the Carabao Cup final.

However, the 27-year-old’s minimal involvement doesn’t look likely to change all that much next year, especially now the Egyptian King has renewed his deal for two more campaigns.

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, the Italian ace is attracting interest ahead of the summer transfer window from several Premier League suitors along with AC Milan over in Italy, and Liverpool are willing to entertain offers in the ballpark of €30m (£26m).

This feels like a no-brainer, not least because it would see FSG bank double their investment just one year ago, having not used all that much of Chiesa’s quality. It would actually equate to a 108% increase on the figure paid to the Old Lady last year.

Premier League

4

0

0

33′

Champions League

3

0

1

107′

FA Cup

3

1

1

120′

Carabao Cup

2

1

0

135′

The £150k-per-week wideman is talented and could revivify his career elsewhere, but it feels like a deal for a transfer away this summer, Premier League winner’s medal around his neck, would be the best outcome for all parties.

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Glasgow Rangers will have new owners and a new manager at Ibrox by the time pre-season comes along.

The deal for the 49ers Enterprises appears to be close to completion and this could give the Gers a massive boost ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Appointing a new manager is first up on the priority list for the 49ers and this decision could be the most important one Rangers make in their recent history.

Get it right and the Ibrox side could challenge Celtic for all three domestic trophies next season, reasserting their dominance of Scottish football.

Bring in the wrong man, however, and the same vicious cycle that has plagued the club since Gerrard left in 2021 will be repeated.

Whoever arrives in Glasgow as the new manager will have plenty of work to do. The first-team squad needs to be stripped of the deadwood, which will allow the manager to raise funds and clear the wage bill.

The likes of Ben Davies, Kieran Dowell, Rabbi Matondo and Tom Lawrence should all be moved on when the window opens.

On the other hand, several players have massive futures, notably Nico Raskin, Hamza Igamane and Mohamed Diomande.

The former two are attracting interest due to their performances of late, but Diomande also has an extraordinarily high ceiling in the game.

Why Diomande has such a high ceiling

While Raskin and Igamane have been generating plenty of interest of late, Diomande has gone about his business in a quieter manner.

That isn’t to say he isn’t as important, as the midfielder can operate in a few roles within the midfield area.

The 23-year-old has spent time as a number ten on occasions this term, contributing five goal involvements. While he has also played a number of games in a more deep-lying role for the Gers, he has still chipped in with seven goal involvements.

Crucially, the Ivorian starlet helped lead the Light Blues into the quarter-finals of the Europa League this season, and when compared to his peers in the competition, Diomande ranks in the top 6% for passes into the final third (4.11), the top 10% for interceptions (1.26) and in the top 20% for take-ons attempted (2.51) per 90.

These statistics prove that the midfielder can mix it with the best in Europe’s sister competition regarding those performance metrics.

Metric

Premiership

Europa League

Goals

4

1

Assist

7

2

Big chances created

11

3

Key passes per game

1.2

0.9

Total duels won per game

4.3

5.3

He was even better in the Scottish top flight. Going forwards, Diomande has created 11 big chances, averages 1.2 key passes, and succeeds with 64% of his dribble attempts.

Defensively, the midfielder wins 55% of his total duels contested, along with making 1.2 tackles, recovering 4.3 balls and making 0.6 interceptions per game for the Gers.

This combination of defensive solidity and attacking dynamism has seen the player shine at Ibrox throughout the current season. There is no doubt that he can continue to get better and better.

With a deal that runs to 2028, Diomande should be at Ibrox for the long haul. He currently earns just £12k-per-week which places him among the lower-earning players at the club.

There are several at the club who are taking more home than the African star, despite failing to impress.

Dowell and Matondo are notable examples, but it is Jose Cifuentes, someone who makes more than Diomande, who should be given the boot.

Why Rangers signed Jose Cifuentes

Michael Beale was in the market for a new midfielder ahead of the 2023/24 campaign and earmarked Cifuentes as someone who could offer plenty to the club’s cause.

His performances for LAFC during his time in America were certainly impressive. Across 121 games, he registered 35 goal contributions – 15 goals and 20 assists – while even helping the club win the MLS Cup during the 2021/22 campaign.

He even played twice at the 2022 World Cup for Ecuador, and it surely wasn’t going to be long before he sealed a move away from North America.

Enter Rangers. Given his contract was due to expire in December 2023, Beale spent only £1.2m to secure his services a few weeks before the transfer window closed.

On the surface, the “dynamic” midfielder – as dubbed by LAFC assistant manager Marc Dos Santos – appeared to be an excellent signing, especially judging by the fee. The reality, however, was rather different.

What went wrong for Jose Cifuentes at Rangers

Despite the hype surrounding his arrival at the club, the Ecuadorian would only go on to play 20 times for Rangers, scoring just one goal.

Chalkboard

He failed to have an influence on the pitch, and it was evident that Philippe Clement didn’t have him in any future plans.

The midfielder was thus sent out on loan to Brazilian side Cruzeiro, but this spell was cut short after six months, before he was shipped out to Aris Thessalonki last summer on another temporary deal.

In Greece, Cifuentes’s performances slowly improved and, at the time of writing, he has registered four goal contributions – one goal and three assists – while helping his club to fifth in the top flight.

It looks as though he could be set to depart Rangers this summer after admitting he wishes to turn his loan move into a permanent one when the campaign comes to an end.

The Light Blues have slapped a £2.2m price tag on his head, a fee which Aris will be looking to bring down should any potential move go through.

The Ecuadorian is currently earning £16k-per-week which is slightly more than what Diomande is taking home.

Hopefully, the new manager will be able to move Cifuentes this summer. Not only will it bring in a couple of million to spend on future transfers, but it will also help free up some of the wage budget.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite meant to be at Ibrox for the former LAFC star, despite a solid reputation upon arriving in Scotland.

Making a profit on him would be an excellent piece of business by the club, that’s for sure.

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