All posts by z3u9t.icu

A busy summer awaits for Rangers.

Now that Russell Martin has officially been unveiled as the new Rangers manager, he has plenty of work to do if his team are going to be ready for the start of Champions League qualifying on 22/23 July, with Panathinaikos, Servette or Brann their potential opponents; the draw takes place next Tuesday.

With pivotal European ties just around the corner, Martin is eager to get his transfer business done early, so could it be all change in the striker department?

Rangers seeking a new striker

According to a report by Scott McDermott and Anthony Evans of the Daily Record, Rangers remain in talks with Maccabi Tel Aviv over the signing of striker Dor Turgeman, who they claim is valued at £4m.

Liav Nachmani of Israel Hayom previously documented that Turgeman has ‘expressed a willingness’ to join the Scottish giants, who have ‘been monitoring him for several months’, although the Israeli champions do not want to let him leave easily.

Born in Ashdod, Turgeman joined the Yellows as a 15 year old, making 109 senior appearances since his senior debut five years ago, scoring 32 goals.

This season, he was the third-highest scorer in Ligat HaAl with 16 goals, also on target four times in the Europa League, netting against Panevėžys and then TSC Bačka Topola twice as Maccabi Tel Aviv made it through qualifying, before also getting on the scoresheet against Real Sociedad in October.

Turgeman has international experience too, a key figure in the Israel side that reached the U21 Euros semi-finals two summers ago, earning eight senior caps to date, scoring against Norway in a World Cup qualifier in Debrecen back in March.

So now, could the 21 year old swap the Israeli Mediterranean coastline for Glasgow’s west end?

How Turgeman compares to Dessers

According to a report by Andrew Newport of the Daily Record, Greek side AEK Athens ‘are willing to spend big’ to sign Cyriel Dessers this summer, adding that the Nigerian striker is valued at £5m.

On top of this, Greek journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos of SporTime claims that the Yellow-Blacks are “in talks” with Rangers, so is now the right time to cash in?

Let’s assess Dessers’ statistics for the club since he arrived from Cremonese for a reported £4.5m two summers ago.

Appearances

109

Minutes

6,845

Goals

51

Assists

16

Big chances missed

58

As the table outlines, Dessers’ scoring record at Rangers has been impressive, on target every 134 minutes on average, but the fact he has missed 58 big chances across the Scottish Premiership and Europa League goes a long way to explaining why Alan Pattullo of the Scotsman describes him as a complex ‘enigma’.

So, would Turgeman be an upgrade? Let’s try and find out.

Appearances

55

44

Minutes

3,423

2,887

Goals

29

20

Minutes per goal

118

144

Assists

7

6

Big chances missed

31

4

Big chances created

4

12

Shots on target (per 90)

1

0.7

Shots on target %

50%

37.5%

Touches per 90

29.1

31.6

Touches in opposition box per 90

5.5

3.1

Average Sofascore Rating

6.81

7.10

As the table outlines, while Dessers did score more goals this season, Turgeman’s underlying statistics are broadly more impressive, missing 27 fewer big chances, creating eight more big chances and registering a greater number of touches per 90.

Writer Kai Watson describes the Israeli international as a strong ball carrier and “lethal inside the box”, while Nene Afadzinu of Football Talent Scout praises his ‘excellent first touch’, hold-up play and close-control, adding that he is capable of being deployed as a team’s ‘focal point’ considering he ‘relishes a duel’ and ‘presses intensely’.

Meantime, Rui Martins of Total Football Analysis outlines how Turgeman’s physical attributes give him a ‘significant competitive advantage’, believing he ‘is ready to be tested at a higher level’.

Thus, if Rangers are able to sell 30 year old Dessers and sign 21-year-old Turgeman for a lower fee, this would appear a no-brainer of an upgrade.

The new Lundstram: Martin wants to make £18m star his first Rangers signing

As Russell Martin starts his overhaul of Rangers’ squad, could he sign a “class” midfielder in a deal reminiscent of John Lundstram’s move to Ibrox?

Jun 8, 2025

In what would be a bargain deal, Aston Villa are now reportedly in the race to sign a midfield star who has already confirmed his next steps ahead of this summer.

Aston Villa's final UCL push

It all comes down to Sunday for Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side travel to square off against a heartbroken Manchester United side who are fresh from their Europa League defeat and simply must compile the Red Devils’ misery. As things stand, they sit outside of the top five on goal difference and must desperately hope to see at least one of Manchester City, Chelsea or Newcastle United slip up.

There’s no denying just how important this weekend’s action is and Emery hasn’t tried to play things down in the build-up. The Spaniard told reporters in his pre-match press conference: “In our hands is only our result on Sunday, how we can respond and how we can perform against Manchester United.

“That’s the only issue I want to focus on with the players. I don’t want to know other results.

“I want only to play our match, only to focus on our match in 90 minutes and try to focus the dressing room on the first half on everything tactically and individually. We will not focus on other results. We must win, we must compete and we must get our result. We must respect Manchester United. That’s the only way I want to focus on Sunday.”

The impact that Champions League football would have on Villa’s summer business also cannot be overstated. It could instantly put them in a position to attract top talents for the second season on the bounce, which may yet include an England international for a bargain price.

Aston Villa chasing Angel Gomes deal

According to Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Aston Villa are now battling to sign Angel Gomes, who has already confirmed that he will be leaving LOSC Lille at the end of his current contract next month.

Martinez upgrade: Aston Villa in contact for one of the 'most talented GKs'

Aston Villa could be on the search for a new goalkeeper this summer

ByRoss Kilvington May 24, 2025

The England international said in a statement on Instagram: “After four unforgettable years at LOSC Lille, it’s time for me to say goodbye.

“This club has been more than just a team – it’s been a family, a home, and a place that has shaped me both on and off the pitch. Like any journey, there were ups and downs, highs and lows, but I’m truly grateful to my teammates and the fans for sticking with me throughout.”

Gomes’ time at the French club will be looked back on as a pivotal turning point for his career. From a Manchester United reject, the midfielder transformed into a deep-lying midfielder who is now ready to step back into the Premier League.

Dubbed a “smart” passer by analyst Ben Mattinson, Gomes is set to become one of the best bargains of the summer transfer window wherever he ends it playing for Aston Villa or, indeed, another club.

Everton have been born again under the wing of David Moyes, and the exciting part is the Scottish coach is only just getting started.

Sure, recent results have been a little patchy, but Everton have come on leaps and bounds since Sean Dyche was replaced in January, just as solid in defence while more at ease in their forward play, working coherently and fluidly. Beto’s firing once again, and the Toffees as a whole have found a long-lost level of attacking intent.

But there’s only so much that can be done without signings. Indeed, Everton need to invest in the transfer market this summer, especially with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Armando Broja both slated to leave when their contracts expire next month.

Everton chasing new striker

While Everton would love to get their hands on Liam Delap, the £30m-rated Ipswich striker is giving priority to Manchester United, and it’s a race that Moyes may not win with interest from the Toffees reported just a few weeks ago.

Transfer Focus

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

Instead, The Friedkin Group may head down a shrewder path and target Brighton & Hove Albion’s Evan Ferguson, 20, who has endured a difficult loan spell at West Ham United this season.

The rumoured price was thought to be £40m when he joined the Hammers this winter, but that should be lower now.

According to GIVEMESPORT, the Republic of Ireland international could be one option this summer to complete Moyes’ frontal ranks.

Why Evan Ferguson could flourish at Bramley Moore

Ferguson has only started once in the Premier League for West Ham, and he was hooked at half-time at that. Still, once regarded as a “phenomenal” finishing ability by James Milner, the up-and-comer has merely suffered a blip in a promising rise to the fore.

Football is a fickle game, and it’s important to remember that while players ebb away, they can bounce right back in a warmer climate.

West Ham hasn’t exactly been a breeding ground for positivity this season, but Everton are building something with Moyes at the helm and he could help coax Ferguson back toward the ascendancy that carried him through his maiden years in the Premier League.

His goalscoring prowess won’t go away, and while there are other areas of his game that need work, Moyes could get the best out of him, for sure.

Of course, his one-goal campaign pales in comparison to Delap’s, with the 22-year-old scoring 12 goals from 35 Premier League outings for his relegated side, missing just ten big chances, as per Sofascore.

But Ferguson has demonstrated his ability before. For Brighton, across the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, the teenage prodigy scored 12 goals and missed only nine big chances, with his powerful performances at the front of the ship leading to a great fanfare.

24/25 – West Ham

8

0

0

24/25 – Brighton

15

1

0

23/24 – Brighton

34

6

2

22/23 – Brighton

25

10

3

21/22 – Brighton

4

0

1

Such fanfare, actually, that Brighton slapped a £100m price tag on him, with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur lurking.

Delap might be the talk of the town right now, but Ferguson has proven himself a big-money talent in the past, with the raw properties to become something special.

Given that Everton could be able to engineer an affordable deal and have Beto firing on all cylinders, this could be an astute piece of business indeed, one which might just bear dividends.

He'd be Moyes' next Cahill: Everton plot move for "incredible" EFL star

Everton could be about to land a player who could follow in the footsteps of a former fan-favourite.

ByEthan Lamb May 15, 2025

In an attempt to weaken their top-five rivals, Nottingham Forest are now reportedly readying a big transfer play to sign a Manchester City star who’s not short on potential suitors.

Leicester clash now a must-win for Nottingham Forest

After one win in their last five Premier League games, Nottingham Forest are in danger of derailing their season at the worst moment possible, with just three games remaining to claim Champions League qualification.

A 1-1 draw against Brentford last time out at least ensured that they avoided three consecutive defeats in all competitions, but Nuno Espirito Santo will be well aware how important victory against Leicester City is this weekend.

The Nottingham Forest manager told reporters in his pre-match press conference: “We are always aware of the quality of our opposition, and this is the responsibility of the players no matter what situation the team is in.

“Both sets of players are going to give their all, and as long as we are the better team, we should be proud. We expect a tough match and it’s an East Midlands derby and it means a lot for all of us at the club.

Nottingham Forest believe they can sign "exceptional" £50m star this summer

The Tricky Trees are keen to sanction reinforcements.

BySean Markus Clifford May 10, 2025

“Looking back at our last game, we insist we have to be more clinical, improve on set pieces, create more and defend properly. Everything we have done during the week we have to bring to the game. This is what we have to evaluate if we’re going to the fundamentals that we want to.”

What Champions League qualification would do for Nottingham Forest in the transfer window this summer cannot be overstated, especially as they reportedly go in pursuit of signing one particular Manchester City midfielder.

Nottingham Forest readying McAtee move

According to The Boot Room, Nottingham Forest are now readying a big transfer play to sign James McAtee from Manchester City this summer. The midfielder is reportedly keen to leave the Etihad in pursuit of a starting place elsewhere, opening the door for those at the City Ground to make their move.

That said, Forest aren’t alone in the race for his signature. Reports have also revealed that the likes of Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in the City graduate and see him as an ideal player to replace Florian Wirtz.

Of course, the advantage that the Bundesliga club have is that Manchester City are one of the reported clubs chasing a deal to sign Wirtz this summer.

Described as “talented” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, McAtee is likely to have a decision to make when the summer transfer window arrives. However, whether that ends with a move to Nottingham Forest remains to be seen.

The Premier League champions have defied pre-season predictions to take gold medals this season. However, Arne Slot’s Liverpool have their work cut out this summer.

It’s curious that a title-winning team with such depth and balance in attack have found repeated calls in recent months for upgrades in the final third.

Liverpool, after all, have outscored their divisional rivals and then some this season. Moreover, Mohamed Salah is surely going to complete a clean sweep of individual accolades after his incredible campaign.

1.

Liverpool

1st

80

2.

Man City

4th

66

3.

Newcastle

3rd

65

4.

Arsenal

2nd

63

5.

Tottenham

16th

62

But several stars haven’t lived up to the billing, with Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota’s woes accentuating the need for an out-and-out striker.

Credit to Luis Diaz, whose versatility and tireless efforts have been crucial in Slot setting his name alongside the illustrious list of Premier League-winning managers; however, he’s not a true number nine and he’s gone stretches of the campaign without finding the back of the net.

Liverpool need to sign a centre-forward, but they shouldn’t sign Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak. Big claim, but here’s why.

Why Liverpool shouldn't sign Isak

If we’re going purely off suitability within Slot’s system and the level of quality Liverpool want to augment their ranks with, Isak would be the perfect summer signing.

However, FSG simply won’t authorise a package in excess of £150m to bring him to Merseyside, which is what Newcastle are likely to demand if they qualify for the Champions League.

And given that the Magpies are third in the Premier League with four games to go, they have a real chance to claim a seat back at Europe’s elite table.

Hark back two years. In April 2023, Liverpool pulled out of the race to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, concerned about the finances involved in striking a deal and Real Madrid’s vested interest.

This was met with derision from rivals, but FSG knew what they were doing. A range of signings were needed to refurnish the midfield, and who can say the decision was a poor one? Now, Liverpool are champions, having lifted the Carabao Cup last year.

The same outlook must be applied to Isak’s situation. The Sweden star has been “the best striker in the Premier League” this season, in the view of Jamie Carragher, but he’s not the only goalscorer available, and bagging him would likely come at the expense of much-needed investment across other areas.

Luckily, Liverpool are not so blinkered as to place all eggs in one basket.

Liverpool scouting exciting striker

As per The Telegraph’s Chris Bascombe, Liverpool may well turn their attention to Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike as they (potentially) close the door on Newcastle’s star striker.

Transfer Focus

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

However, FSG’s chiefs are understood to have internal reservations about forking out a figure which could stand at £80m for a raw talent whose qualities have not yet been solidified at the highest level over a proven number of years.

The frustrations behind the failed shot at Nunez still live in the club’s mind, but Liverpool have doubled down on their data-driven approach since Klopp’s departure and Ekitike ticks a lot of boxes.

He ticks a lot of boxes for multiple high-level suitors, though, with Arsenal and Manchester United both also reportedly keen on striking a deal.

What Hugo Ekitike would bring to Anfield

Frankfurt signed the 22-year-old Ekitike from Paris Saint-Germain on loan for the second half of the 2023/24 season before his deal was made permanent for a reported €35m (£30m) fee last summer.

Always well regarded for his gifted skills on the ball, his multi-faceted attacking approach, Ekitike has gone from strength to strength since moving to Germany, thriving as the main man after languishing on the periphery of PSG’s swollen ranks.

According to analyst Ben Mattinson, Ekitike is “one of the best strikers out there” right now, scoring 22 goals and supplying ten more assists across 45 matches in all competitions. He’s certainly making waves, with journalist Graeme Bailey citing a few years ago the fact that many in France feel he could be “the next Mbappe.”

He netted a fantastic goal in the first leg of Frankfurt’s Europa League quarter-final tie against Tottenham Hotspur, though failed to advance to the penultimate stage.

Liverpool are interested not just because he has the trappings of a first-class goalscorer, but boasts a dynamic range of qualities. As per FBref, the Les Bleus star ranks among the top 4% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shots taken, the top 7% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for progressive carries and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.

What an interesting profile. Direct but smooth in his darts into the danger area, Ekitike is an artful dribbler and intelligent in his decision-making under pressure, hailed for his “incredible” quality by teammate Rasmus Kristensen.

These qualities have actually led the data-driven site to record Isak as Ekitike’s most statistically similar player. The plot very much thickens, then. You can see why Liverpool are so keen to snap this young talent up, replacing Nunez with an exciting new striker.

Ekitike isn’t Isak Lite, per se, but he’s definitely not on the level of the 25-year-old, whose completeness is truly a thing to behold. Of course, goalscoring is Isak’s bread and butter, scoring 22 Premier League goals this season (his one-term record) and missing just 18 big chances, as per Sofascore.

Such a conversion rate is impressive, for sure, but Ekitike’s showcasing his own brand of ball-striking potential in the Bundesliga, with 15 goals put away and only 13 big chances missed.

Similarities there, but Isak also ranks among the top 14% of strikers for both assists and shot-creating actions, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90 (also FBref).

Transfer Focus

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

Isak’s the dream, but dreams are so often rooted in unreality, and Ekitike would be a more pragmatic signing who could still turn into a world-class player under the wing of Slot.

All the while ensuring there is ample room to make important improvements across the park.

Liverpool willing to table £51m to make West Ham star Bowen marquee signing

He has scored 3 times against the Reds in the past.

ByHenry Jackson Apr 28, 2025

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is now ready to cash in on a £150,000-a-week player who is happy to leave the club, according to a new report.

Aston Villa face Man Utd in two separate transfer battles

As the Premier League enters the month of May, transfer business is expected to heat up, and at Villa Park, there is an expectation there is going to be a lot of coming and going, as there has been ever since Emery joined the club.

Aston Villa's "little warrior" out on loan could be their next Asensio

Aston Villa have a star out on loan who could be a dream replacement for Marco Asensio.

ByDan Emery Apr 30, 2025

The transfer window has yet to open, and already the Villans find themselves in two separate battles with Manchester United. The first is for goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who currently plays for Espanyol.

The shot-stopper has impressed in La Liga, and he is now wanted by both Premier League teams, as they have their eyes on strengthening their goalkeeper department. Villa are looking to win the race for Garcia by acting fast, and they are willing to trigger his release clause, which stands at £21 million. United are not out of the race though, as they have made contact with the player’s representatives over a deal to come to Old Trafford.

The second battle Villa face against United is signing teenager Christian Kofane from Albacete Balompié. The 18-year-old is wanted by Villa, United and Newcastle United, as well as many other top teams across Europe. His recent form in front of goal has put him further in the spotlight, and once again, he is a player who has a release clause, but this time a low one, as he would cost as little as £4.2 million.

Emery ready to wave goodbye to Emi Martinez

Winning the race to sign Garcia may be more significant for the Villans, as according to TBR Football, Emery now wants to sell goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who is ready to leave the Premier League club.

The report states that Saudi Pro League clubs are ready to make a move for Martinez, who won the World Cup with Argentina back in 2022. It goes on to add that Villa are interested in doing business over a possible sale, despite the fact that he is still under contract until 2029. Meanwhile, Martinez is also interested in a move away from Villa Park, after joining the club in September 2020.

The 32-year-old, who earns a weekly wage of £150,000 at Villa Park, has become one of the strongest keepers in the Premier League as well as European football. But the fact that Villa have shown an interest in Garcia could mean they see now as the ideal time for the club to cash in and bring in a younger replacement.

Apps

33

Clean Sheets

5

Goals conceded

45

Goals conceded per game

1.4

Saves made

87

Penalty saves

1/2

Saves per game

2.6 (66%)

Errors leading to a shot

5

Errors leading to a goal

1

This season has been a slight struggle for Villa and Martinez in terms of keeping out the goals, as they have conceded 45 goals so far in the league with Martinez in goal, and the Argentine has kept just five clean sheets, which is lower than the nine he kept last season.

As The Friedkin Group look to send shockwaves throughout the Premier League in their first summer in charge at Everton, the Toffees have reportedly joined the race to sign a young English talent.

Everton transformed under David Moyes

As if those at Goodison Park have gone back in time to the days of Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar, Everton have been a side transformed under David Moyes, who is thriving in his second stint in charge. The experienced manager returned with the club battling relegation once again but, since his arrival, has turned Everton into a side performing at the level needed to qualify for European football if they continue into next term.

After arguably his most impressive victory back in charge of the Toffees yet – a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest – Moyes told reporters: “I have got to say it was a great goal but thoroughly deserved. It certainly merited a win and I thought we played very well, when you come to a team sitting third in the Premier League and the semi-final of the FA Cup. I think if anyone was going to score, it was us.

“I have had a lot of games and sometimes football can go that way for you. I am getting a brilliant response from the supporters and the players but I am also calm enough to know it could change. Today we have put on a good show and I am proud of how the players are performing. We are trying to make small steps every week.”

He won't start again: Everton's £40k-p/w star looks finished under Moyes

Everton are undergoing a series of changes with David Moyes back at the wheel.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 15, 2025

Those in Merseyside will be hoping that their recent run is only the sign of things to come before they potentially launch one of the most unexpected moves of the summer transfer window.

Everton join race to sign Jarell Quansah

According to Caught Offside, Everton have now emerged as shock contenders to sign Jarell Quansah from Merseyside rivals Liverpool this summer. The young defender has endured a tough season under Arne Slot having done plenty to impress Jurgen Klopp in the last campaign. Now, he could be heading for the exit door.

It’s not just Everton interested in his signature either. Joining the Toffees, Newcastle United’s interest has been well-documented and now Brentford, Bournemouth, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen have also reportedly joined the race. Amid such interest, Everton would be landing a major coup by signing the £30k-a-week defender, especialy considering the reputation of the German duo for transforming British talents abroad.

An England international, the 22-year-old earned plenty of praise from Klopp last season, who told reporters after handing the defender his debut: “I have to say he did really well. He was good.

“In possession as well he was calm. It was like we had just met in the car park before the game with the organisation in the first-half. But he played really well. In such a disorganised team like we were in the first half, he was the one who looked alright. It was a statement and he is really happy at the moment.”

Leeds United looked on course for a triumphant return to the Premier League when convincingly putting Sheffield United to the sword 3-1 at Bramall Lane back in February.

Now, however, everything has seemingly gone pear-shaped again on the end of Daniel Farke and Co, with the once confident table-toppers tumbling out of the Championship top two after a third successive draw in the division against Luton Town.

Much like last season when Leeds failed to win promotion, there are a number of underperformers who have failed to reach the heights expected of them across the last few worrying clashes, with one player in Farke’s camp now replicating Jaidon Anthony’s poor loan stint.

Anthony's poor stint at Leeds

Sometimes in football, certain moves just don’t go to plan, with Anthony’s forgettable season-long loan spell at Elland Road last campaign seen as one of those.

The AFC Bournemouth loanee would only start two Championship games all campaign for Farke’s Whites, with just one meagre goal coming his way off the back of such sparse game-time.

Thankfully for the former fringe Leeds winger, he has since bounced back on loan with new employers Burnley, with the Clarets amazingly now top of the second tier at the expense of his ex-outfit.

The two golden strikes that took Scott Parker’s men to the very summit actually came about from Anthony, with six goals and six assists in total for the Lancashire side in league action across 2024/25 far outweighing his measly Elland Road output.

Leeds will just hope another situation similar to Anthony’s isn’t playing out in West Yorkshire right now, with Farke sparingly using this attacker much like the now rejuvenated 25-year-old.

Farke's next Anthony at Elland Road

The German has shown across recent crunch games in the Championship that he can go against the grain with his team selections, seen in first-choice goalkeeper Illan Meslier being axed.

But, even though Farke has shown some signs of flexibility by dropping the ex-Lorient shot-stopper, he has still left Largie Ramazani mainly rooted to the substitutes bench.

Ramazani hasn’t always found himself on the periphery at the promotion chasers, however, with the ex-UD Almeria attacker racing out of the blocks all guns blazing after his summer move from Spain, with this strike against Norwich City his second goal from five Leeds outings in the league.

He has since notched up two more goals in the unpredictable second tier, alongside also registering a promising two assists, but Farke’s reliance on starting the likes of Manor Solomon and Daniel James week in week out down the wings has seen the Belgian’s own minutes disappointingly deplete.

Games played

26

Games started

7

Average minutes

29

Goals scored

4

Assists

2

Indeed, the £17.5k-per-week attacker has started just seven of his 26 league clashes for Leeds so far this campaign, with a worry that Ramazani will just fade into the background now despite such promising beginnings.

Farke didn’t even bring on the “explosive” winger – as he was previously branded by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – in any capacity during the 1-1 draw away at Luton, stating that the £10m man needs to “step up” his game in order to be considered for more first team opportunities.

The door hasn’t been completely slammed shut, but Ramazani’s time at Leeds hasn’t exactly been a rip-roaring success so far, with a concern that any possible departure down the line could see him shine much like Anthony is now proving for one of the Whites’ fierce promotion rivals.

Leeds thought they had "the new Van Dijk", but Farke sold him for just £2m

Leeds United may have prematurely sold a player who could follow in Virgil van Dijk’s footsteps.

1 ByEthan Lamb Apr 4, 2025

Liverpool haven’t been very good this season. That’s an understatement, too, with Arne Slot’s side having fallen so far below expectations after so dominantly winning the Premier League last year.

Though the Reds have stopped the rot that was spreading after nine losses from 12 fixtures in all competitions, winning at West Ham before drawing against Sunderland at Anfield, there is still so much to be desired from this group, whose mini-revival is presently built atop a house of cards.

Whether the head coach finds the formula that will shift Liverpool back into a winning outfit is anyone’s guess, but it’s clear that performances and results have been so far below the firmly set standard that it beggars belief, and Slot needs to make changes before he finds himself on borrowed time, with potential successors already being touted in the media.

Liverpool looking at Slot replacement

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool chiefs Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes are putting serious thought into appointing Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner to replace Slot.

Glasner, 51, has defied the odds at Selhurst Park over the past few years, winning the FA Cup in May and then the Community Shield (against Liverpool) at the start of the current campaign. They are currently fifth in the Premier League.

It’s important to stress that there have not been any talks with Palace or the Austrian’s entourage. FSG remain committed to guiding their Dutch coach through this storm.

However, if it doesn’t abate, sources indicate Glasner is emerging as the preferred candidate to take the Anfield hot seat.

What Oliver Glasner would bring to Liverpool

Glasner has achieved great things with Crystal Palace, and his past Europa League-winning success with Eintracht Frankfurt corroborates the claim that he is a “top-five manager in the world”, as suggested by one English football content creator.

Though appointing Glasner would require something of a tactical transformation on Merseyside, with the Palace boss typically fielding a 3-4-2-1 formation, he is relaxed about the minutiae of his systems, which are interchangeable and open to tweaks. This tactical pliability suggests that he could be an interesting pick from the FSG hierarchy.

Glasner gets it. And, moreover, he speaks with the clarity and intellect to throw down with any top manager in the Premier League, perhaps even having the credentials to wage tactical battle against the likes of Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.

The ever-outspoken Jamie O’Hara has even gone as far as to suggest that Glasner is “a better manager” than Arteta, with his trophy-winning credentials and the instant level-up he has overseen in south London bearing testament to that claim.

O’Hara’s football allegiances may lend themselves to a dislike of the high-flying Gunners project, but there is something to be said of Glasner’s success in taking over a Palace side that had lost their way under Roy Hodgson and have since achieved superstardom, plying their craft in Europe and enjoying new status as multi-trophy holders.

There is an urgency to Palace’s creative play that does not detract from their grace and elegance. They have created more big chances this season than both Arsenal and Liverpool. In fact, Manchester City are the only outfit with a higher count at this stage.

Man City

35

46

Chelsea

25

41

Brentford

21

41

Crystal Palace

18

41

Arsenal

27

40

Palace’s inherent playmaking prowess under Glasner’s wing suggests that he could be the perfect fit for a Liverpool side chock-full of devastating attacking quality.

Things might have gone stale in Slot’s system, but Glasner would prove the likes of O’Hara right by joining the Anfield side and elevating this Reds side back to illustrious heights.

Glasner could be the project manager Liverpool need to rival Arteta and Arsenal and reclaim their place on their perch, should Slot indeed face the axe in the coming months.

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ByAngus Sinclair Dec 4, 2025

Everton very much need a victory away at Sunderland this coming Monday night after a pretty disastrous October to date.

The month did open with the Toffees battling it out at home to Crystal Palace and picking up a hard-fought 2-1 win, but since then, it’s been two Premier League defeats on the spin, with the most recent loss at home to Tottenham Hotspur – with Thomas Frank’s men running out emphatic 3-0 victors – exposing Everton’s clear weaknesses from set-pieces.

Moyes will have also left those two defeats frustrated by what Beto is offering his side up top, with a few missed chances here and there from the goal-shy number nine, leaving him rooted on just one goal for the season so far.

Even more frustratingly, Everton have been blessed with some top attacking talent this campaign – excluding the ex-Udinese striker from the conversation – despite things often falling apart at the final decisive moment.

Everton's best attackers this season

This late winner against the Eagles very much sums up the Merseyside giants this season, with Beto missing a glorious chance, before someone else – thankfully – mops up the next opportunity.

In that case against Oliver Glasner’s tricky visitors, it was Jack Grealish who managed to be in the right place, at the right time, to fire home, handing himself his first Premier League goal since 2023 in the process.

Away from breaking his goalscoring duck, though, the Manchester City loanee has been a “revelation” in Everton blue so far – as pundit Chris Sutton recently put it – with the disenchanted playmaker at the Etihad now a focal point of many a Toffees attack, as seen in him creating a Premier League-best 19 chances from open play.

Next to him in attack, who has also turned around his playing days after a failed big move, is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, with the 27-year-old able to quickly move on from his Chelsea disappointment under Moyes’ wing.

The brand-new number 22 has also created four big chances, himself, with 4.6 duels won on average across his eight league outings, as per Sofascore, also displaying a tenacious number ten option.

Yet, it’s neither Grealish nor Dewsbury-Hall that could now be considered one of Everton’s biggest talents since the golden days of Romelu Lukaku, with suggestions even emerging that the star in question is one of the best in his position in such a daunting league.

Everton's biggest talent since Lukaku

Everton would love to have a striker of Lukaku’s clinical edge on their side at the moment, with the Belgian a firm fan favourite throughout his 166-game spell on Merseyside.

Indeed, the intimidating centre-forward would hammer home a weighty 87 goals in total for the Toffees, leading to one of his ex-managers in Ronald Koeman, heralding him as a “world-class” finisher.

In the here and now, Iliman Ndiaye is also being lauded week in week out for his standout showings in attack, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher – despite his Liverpool connections – going out of his way to label the ex-Sheffield United man as a “superstar” earlier in the year for his electric ability to bamboozle any defender in his path.

He certainly showed off why he’s been considered a maverick since leaving Marseille behind for Everton against Manchester City, with Ndiaye constantly bombing down the right wing at the Etihad to harass the home side’s defence, much like Lukaku would consistently terrorise defenders during his Toffees pomp.

Journalist Patrick Boyland, after the 2-0 loss, even hailed Ndiaye as being “one of the best in the league in his position” after he proved to be a major thorn in the side of Pep Guardiola’s hosts all afternoon.

Indeed, Boyland also noted that his “mesmeric” nature against City has further been matched with plenty of grit and fight this season for Moyes and Co.

Games played

9

Goals scored

3

Assists

1

Expected assists

2.16

Ball recoveries*

6.4

Ground duels won*

6.6

Total duels won*

7.0

His first Premier League season in Everton blue saw him tally up a whopping nine league goals in total, but he wasn’t always the most creative talent, away from cutting a lethal presence in front of goal.

Now, he looks to be a far more well-rounded talent, worthy of being in the conversations Boyland has started, with the Senegal international leading the way overall with his expected assists numbers this campaign, on top of also beating out the likes of Bukayo Saka down the right by winning a high seven duels on average, next to the Arsenal forward’s 6.4.

He does need to fine-tune certain aspects of his game, but Ndiaye is undoubtedly in these conversations now, as a talent capable of “standing out a mile” with his genius, as ex-Toffees player Mark Pembridge noted last season.

While true superstars have been few and far between in recent times, Ndiaye certainly stands aloft as arguably the club’s biggest talent since £75m man, Lukaku – a fact only further enhanced by his soaring £49m market value, as per CIES.

Like the Belgian, he has that knack for tearing through a defence and winning games on his own for Moyes and co, seemingly relishing that talismanic status.

Long may he continue to dazzle at the Hill Dickinson.

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