All posts by z3u9t.icu

Over the last couple of years, Tottenham Hotspur haven’t been afraid to splash the cash in the transfer market, in an attempt to try and achieve Premier League glory.

The Lilywhites have a net spend of over £500m in the last five years alone, a figure which puts them fourth out of any team in the division for the same time period.

Daniel Levy was often criticised for his lack of spending in North London, but it’s clear that the 63-year-old did financially back various managers during his two decades at the club.

However, it’s clear in the modern game that money doesn’t equal success – especially in the Premier League – with numerous players often failing to live up to their big-money transfer fees.

The likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Roberto Soldado and Steven Bergwijn have all cost a pretty penny in recent years – with many of them leaving North London in deals much lower than what they arrived for.

In 2025/26, Thomas Frank has a couple of examples already within his first-team ranks, with two of his players arguably going down as some of their additions in recent history.

Richarlison & Simons’ form for Spurs in PL during 2025/26

Back in the summer of 2022, Spurs forked out a staggering £60m, including add-ons, for the signature of Richarlison from fellow Premier League side Everton.

Undoubtedly, given the nature of the transfer fee, his transfer generated huge excitement among the supporters in North London, but over three years on from his transfer – it’s safe to say it’s been a disaster.

The Brazilian has registered a total of 108 appearances for the Lilywhites, but has only scored 24 times – with half of his efforts coming in 2023/24 alone.

However, Frank has kept faith in the 28-year-old this season, but he’s failed to return the favour, as seen by his measly conversion rate of just 21% in the Premier League this season.

He’s also missed six big chances in his 11 outings to date, often being a wasteful option in attacking areas and falling way below the standards expected of a £60m addition.

Richarlison isn’t the only big-money addition to struggle under the Dane’s guidance this season, with Xavi Simons also unable to match the expectations many placed on him after his own move to North London.

The Dutch international, who cost a total of £52m in the summer, has racked up a total of 14 appearances across all competitions, but has only registered two assists in such a period.

The attacking midfielder is yet to find the back of the net, but has also struggled to provide the creative nature many would have expected, given the nature of the fee.

Simons has only achieved a total of 0.8 chances completed per 90, whilst also only completing 38% of the dribbles he’s attempted – showcasing his inability to impress with the ball at his feet.

He’s also only registered a tally of 0.17 shots on target per 90, a figure which ranks him in the bottom 14% of all attackers in the division – further highlighting his lack of quality in the final third.

The Spurs star who’s becoming their worst signing in recent history

After Spurs’ measly 17th-placed finish in the Premier League last season, Frank was always going to have a huge task on his hands to push the club back in the right direction.

The Dane has settled on a 4-3-3 system over recent weeks, but it still appears as though he’s yet to figure out his best starting eleven – as seen against Manchester United last weekend.

He utilised Richarlison in a wide-left position, leaving the likes of Wilson Odobert on the bench – with such a decision undoubtedly costing the side all three points in North London.

The Brazilian has mainly struggled to take the responsibility of leading the line for the Lilywhites, with Randal Kolo Muani also yet to find the back of the net after his loan move on deadline day.

However, the manager has been unable to call upon Dominic Solanke during the vast majority of his time at the club, with the Englishman massively struggling with constant injury setbacks.

The 28-year-old cost a club-record £65m from Bournemouth last summer, with his signature providing the side with the replacement to Harry Kane they were crying out for.

It has not all been plain sailing for the striker, with his tally of just nine goals in the Premier League throughout his debut campaign ultimately falling way below the standards many expected.

Other figures, such as 71% passes completed and just 33% aerials won last season, showcase his inability to operate as a target man – often struggling to offer an imposing figure at the top end of the pitch.

However, Frank’s arrival in North London will have given the talisman a new lease of life, but as seen by his recent setbacks, he’s so far been unable to make the desired effect under the Dane.

Games played

27

Goals scored

9

Pass accuracy

71%

Shots on target

0.9

Chances created

0.5

Dribble success

35%

Aerials won

33%

Fouls committed

1.5

Solanke has been suffering continuously with an ankle issue over recent months, subsequently undergoing surgery that has kept him on the sidelines for an extended period.

He’s not featured since the 2-0 triumph over Manchester City on the 23rd of August, with the Englishman subsequently missing a total of 81 days of first-team action.

As a result of his fitness issues, he’s only accumulated a total of 31 minutes of league action this campaign – an unacceptable tally given the fee forked out for his signature.

Solanke has only racked up 29 league appearances for the Lilywhites in his near 18-month stint at the club, something which is nowhere near the level expected given the mammoth price tag paid for his services.

In that time, he’s also managed to register a goal in every three matches, with Solanke so far being unable to fill the boots vacated by Kane a couple of years prior to his move.

Given his transfer fee and lack of form in North London, the 28-year-old has so far been a huge waste of money, with a new centre-forward desperately needed in the near future if Frank is to be a success at the club.

Frank can end Bentancur's Spurs career by unleashing "future £100m" talent

Tottenham Hotspur have a huge talent on their hands, but his progress is being halted by Rodrigo Bentancur.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 12, 2025

Some of the best players in the world are in football’s engine room, possessing an array of qualities, whether that be protecting their defence, dictating the flow of the play or creating goalscoring opportunities for teammates.

With such a range of playing styles across the midfield spectrum, working out the best in this position can be an unenviable task. But we have given it a go anyway, with plenty of star power in this list of the top 15 midfielders in the world today.

Ranking factors

To help rank the players in order, we have considered the following criteria:

Current form – how well a player has performed in the past few months Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their teams’ performances Role – how unique their skillset is Reputation – what others say about them

Rank

Player

Age

Club

Nation

Pedri

22

Barcelona

Spain

Jude Bellingham

22

Real Madrid

England

Moises Caicedo

24

Chelsea

Ecuador

Declan Rice

26

Arsenal

England

Vitinha

25

PSG

Portugal

Rodri

29

Man City

Spain

Jamal Musiala

22

Bayern Munich

Germany

Federico Valverde

27

Real Madrid

Uruguay

Dominik Szoboszlai

25

Liverpool

Hungary

Joao Neves

21

PSG

Portugal

Scott McTominay

28

Napoli

Scotland

Bruno Fernandes

31

Man Utd

Portugal

Kevin De Bruyne

34

Napoli

Belgium

Martin Odegaard

26

Arsenal

Norway

Florian Wirtz

22

Liverpool

Germany

15 Florian Wirtz Liverpool and Germany

Florian Wirtz had a magical couple of seasons with Bayer Leverkusen, which resulted in Liverpool spending an initial £100m on his services in 2025.

Despite often playing behind the main strikers, Wirtz is still a goal machine in attacking midfield. Still a youngster at 22, it is frightening to think where Wirtz could go if he can stay injury-free and adapt to the demands of English football.

However, so far, he has struggled in the Premier League, showing signs of brilliance in the Champions League.

14 Martin Odegaard Arsenal and Norway

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has had to battle back from numerous injury setbacks over the last 12 months.

In a way, his temporary unavailability to Mikel Arteta’s side only served to prove how vital he is to the Gunners, who suffered creatively during his absence in attacking midfield.

Labelled as “world class” by Paul Merson, the Arsenal star possessed the maturity and level of talent that handed him the captaincy, and could yet be the man to lead the Gunners to their next trophy under Arteta having continued to improve at the Emirates Stadium.

13 Kevin De Bruyne Napoli and Belgium

Kevin De Bruyne may well be past his peak, but he is still showing his world-class ability after leaving Man City for Serie A champions Napoli.

The 34-year-old still has what it takes to be a leading figure, whether that be at club or international level, and has already scored numerous goals and registered assists for his new employers.

12 Bruno Fernandes Man Utd and Portugal

Bruno Fernandes has been Man Utd’s shining light in recent memory, with the Portugal international arguably the only world-class player on the books at Old Trafford.

At his best in an attacking midfield role, Pep Guardiola has even called Fernandes one of the best creative players he has ever seen.

11 Scott McTominay Napoli and Scotland

Scott McTominay has shown Man Utd what they have been missing after leaving Old Trafford for Napoli in 2024.

The Scotland international starred in his first season in Italy, being named Serie A’s Most Valuable Player after helping Napoli to the title. His displays were even recognised at the 2025 Ballon d’Or, where he finished 18th and his sensational bicycle kick helped Scotland reach the World Cup.

10 Joao Neves PSG and Portugal

Joao Neves’ first full season at the Parc des Princes couldn’t have gone any better, playing regularly under Luis Enrique and lifting all there was to be won, including the Champions League.

The ball-playing midfielder was key to PSG’s success in Europe and has continued to star in the French capital, making his initial £50m move from Benfica look a real bargain.

9 Dominik Szoboszlai Liverpool and Hungary

As part of a relentless Liverpool side, Dominik Szoboszlai has become a giant in the Reds midfield. The Hungarian improved on his goal threat from his first season at Anfield, coming amid a slight change in position, showcasing his versatility in a more advanced role under Arne Slot.

Now looking right at home in England, Szoboszlai is on the path to greatness on Merseyside, with his manager labelling him as “unbelievable” amid his role in Liverpool comfortably sauntering to the Premier League title.

8 Federico Valverde Real Madrid and Uruguay

A versatile and clinical technician, Federico Valverde hardly looks out of place among the best in the game following his recent performances for Real Madrid.

An almost guaranteed starter for one of the best teams in the world, there’s little to suggest there is anything other than the highest respect from his manager, Carlo Ancelotti.

In fact, the Italian has dubbed the Uruguayan as “the most complete player in football”. As of now, it is difficult to picture a Real Madrid side succeeding without him, as displayed through his vital winner against Athletic Club as the team’s title bid looked set to fall flat.

7 Jamal Musiala Bayern Munich and Germany

Jamal Musiala’s rise to stardom in Germany has been a rapid one, while his prominence in a Bayern Munich side, of all sides, is an illustration of his current status in the game.

Being able to dominate games for the Bavarians or on the international stage for Die Mannschaft is a sign of his rightful place at the elite level.

Statistically one of the best chance creators in the league from midfield, Musiala will hope to continue to blossom under the wing of Vincent Kompany, having worked his way up to the top in a short space of time.

6 Rodri Man City and Spain

2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has unfortunately suffered some injury issues, but he is perhaps the epitome of someone who shapes how his team plays and performs, as illustrated by his long unbeaten run when starting for Manchester City, which came to an end after the 2024 FA Cup final.

Man City’s form – and season – fell apart following the Spaniard’s layoff, and there is arguably no player as good as he is in his position of defensive midfield. But having been out for so long, he perhaps relies on returning to top form to reclaim his place as the best midfielder in the game.

Liverpool were unable to return to winning ways once again in the Premier League last night, that’s despite a late equaliser at Anfield against high-flying Sunderland.

Arne Slot’s men looked to be staring down the barrel of yet another home defeat, but Florian Wirtz’s deflected effort late on secured a needed point to help stop the rot.

It could have been a lot worse for the Reds last night had they not found a leveller, with Chemsdine Talbi putting Regis Le Bris’ side ahead with just under 20 minutes remaining.

However, the picture still looks incredibly bleak for the Dutchman and his side, as the Dutchman’s side currently occupy eighth place and sit 11 points off leaders Arsenal.

During the draw, it was yet another evening to forget for one player, with his selection by the manager once again coming under huge criticism after failing to deliver.

The stats behind Ibrahima Konate’s display against Sunderland

After a mistake against PSV in the Champions League last week, Slot has continued to operate with Ibrahima Konate at the heart of the backline for Liverpool.

The Frenchman has previously been one of the club’s leading talents in their recent success, but the 2025/26 campaign has been one to forget to date.

His showing against the Black Cats was yet another to forget for the 26-year-old, with his underlying figures showcasing his struggles on Merseyside once again.

Konate nearly misjudged a header, which led to the visitors going ahead before their eventual game, no doubt contributing to his measly tally of 57% aerials won.

He also won just 50% of the tackles he entered, whilst making just one interception – resulting in the club once again being unable to keep a clean sheet in England’s top-flight.

The defender desperately needs replacing over the coming months, with the same potentially being said about another player who failed to deliver on Wednesday night.

The Liverpool star who needs to be dropped after Sunderland

The draw against Sunderland last night now extends Liverpool’s run to just one win in their last five outings, highlighting the issues Slot currently has to deal with.

He definitely needs to find a solution to the recent issues, with the club facing a real possibility of missing out on all forms of European football if such a trend continues.

Whether that be a formation change or a personnel change in certain areas of the pitch, the Dutchman has a real task on his hands – potentially finding himself out of a job should he fail to do so.

Alongside Konate, numerous players have failed to deliver in the Premier League, with Cody Gakpo also massively underperforming against the newly-promoted outfit.

The winger has been a consistent starter for the Reds so far this season, as seen by his tally of 12 starts in the first 14 league outings of the ongoing campaign.

However, last night was one of his worst to date, so much so Slot decided to substitute the 26-year-old at the break and replace him with fan-favourite Mohamed Salah.

He was very predictable in the first half of the clash at Anfield, often cutting inside onto his favoured right foot, something which full-back Trai Hume read on the vast majority of occasions.

Gakpo’s underlying stats against the Black Cats further demonstrate his lack of quality, which led to hefty criticism being directed his way at the final whistle.

During his 45-minute showing, the attacker only managed to complete a total of seven passes, with none of which being into the final third – showcasing his lack of creativity at Anfield.

Minutes played

45

Touches

26

Passes completed

7

Passes into final third

0

Dribbles completed

0

Crosses completed

1

Shots taken

1

Duels won

1/5

He also failed to complete any of his attempted dribbles, whilst managing to register just one successful cross – reaffirming his struggles on Merseyside.

Gakpo’s lack of impact was topped off by his tally of just one shot, which was blocked, resulting in John O’Sullivan saying he was sick of the winger’s “1/10 performances”.

With players on the bench such as Federico Chiesa and Hugo Ekitiké, it’s vital that Slot drops the winger ahead of their next outing at the weekend in an attempt to end the recent barren run.

There’s no understating the struggles at Anfield at present, but the manager desperately needs to get a grip of the situation if any credibility is to come out of the ongoing campaign.

Fabinho 2.0: Liverpool in pole position to sign £35m midfield "machine"

Liverpool look set to be making a move for one star during the upcoming January transfer window.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 3, 2025

In an early blow for new manager Wilfried Nancy, Liverpool have now reportedly agreed terms to sign a young Celtic defender.

Nancy outlines "proactive" style as Celtic announce manager

Celtic took their time, but the Bhoys finally have their new manager in the form of Nancy. The Frenchman has arrived fresh from MLS side Columbus Crew and will be looking to pick up where interim boss Martin O’Neill left off. The 73-year-old took the Scottish giants from title despair back into the race with Hearts, but now it’s up to Nancy to complete the job.

Speaking to reporters after arriving, the new manager said: “I don’t consider myself as a boss. I am a leader. And for me the definition of a leader is create a good environment to help people express themselves. For me, that is so important. Because of my background, I was able to connect with people.

“My style of play is about the way I live. I like to be proactive in my life, I like to discover things. I also like to try things because the more you try things, the more you learn and the more you’re going to maximise your chance to have success in your life.

“We want to take care of the ball. The ball is the only tool in our life, without talking, that we can connect people. So can we use the ball to create emotions? Can we use the ball to score goals? Can we use the ball to have messages between us? So that’s why I want proactive football.”

Doak 2.0: Celtic lost "superstar" for £225k, now he's worth more than Engels

Celtic lost a young talent last year who is now valued at more than club-record signing Arne Engels.

1 ByDan Emery Dec 5, 2025

Before the new manager’s even had the chance to look at emerging stars, however, he’s set to lose young defender Dara Jakiemi to Premier League giants Liverpool.

Liverpool agree terms to sign Jakiemi

As reported by The Secret Scout, Liverpool have now agreed terms to sign Jakiemi from Celtic. They described the 15-year-old defender as “aggressive” and there’s no doubt that he would have been one to watch in Scotland. Now, however, Nancy will seemingly never get the chance to work with him.

Whilst Jakiemi is one for the future, it still represents a frustrating blow for Celtic and shows where they’re at right now. Having lost the likes of Ben Doak in previous seasons to Liverpool, the last thing the Bhoys would have wanted is a repeat.

Nancy should be keen to turn towards the academy if given the chance, even if he is to lose one of his young defenders in the early stages of his tenure. An emerging star would, of course, save Celtic the desperate need of adding several January additions.

Celtic star with 'high ceiling' could be biggest winner of Nancy's arrival

The demand Sean Dyche made “clear” in talks to take over as Nottingham Forest manager has now been revealed, as the Englishman closes in on a City Ground move.

Dyche agrees to take over as Nottingham Forest boss

Evangelos Marinakis has moved swiftly to replace Ange Postecoglou, who lost his job after the 3-0 defeat against Chelsea on Sunday, with it recently emerging that Dyche is set to take over as manager after holding positive talks.

The former Everton manager has a big job on his hands, given that he will be tasked with bringing a ten-game winless run in all competitions to an end, but the 54-year-old is used to working under pressure, having spent nearly two years working under difficult conditions at Goodison Park.

The Toffees had to deal with point deductions and a relegation battle during the Kettering-born manager’s stint on Merseyside, but he ultimately achieved his main goal, which was keeping the club in the Premier League.

That said, Everton ended up deciding the ex-Burnley boss wasn’t the right long-term fit, replacing him with David Moyes earlier this year, at which point his side were the second-lowest scorers in the top flight.

Nottingham Forest's most expensive sales of all time

The biggest departures from the City Ground.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 9, 2025

As such, there was uncertainty about whether Forest were targeting Dyche as part of a long-term project, or merely to guide them to safety, but Ben Jacobs has now revealed the Englishman requested it be the former before he agreed to join.

Dyche needs to make instant impact at the City Ground

It is a little early for Forest fans to be panicking, but there will certainly be a great deal of concern about the way in which they have started the season, having collected just five points from their opening eight Premier League games.

After securing a long-awaited return to Europe last term, the Tricky Trees spent heavily in the summer, so Marinakis would’ve been hoping to kick on, but it has been nothing short of a shambles so far, with Nuno’s departure proving to be a real blow.

The Forest owner’s decision to sack Ange after just 39 days has received criticism, with Jamie Redknapp and Steve Sidwell discussing the move on Sky Sports, but any manager who fails to win any of his first eight games is likely to find himself under pressure.

With Dyche well-known for a more pragmatic style of play, Nottingham Forest will be hoping to get back to basics and start grinding out more results, starting against FC Porto in the Europa League on Thursday.

Well, that was about as perfect a game as Chelsea are going to have this season.

Following their win over Burnley at the weekend, Enzo Maresca’s side were given the daunting task of hosting Barcelona in the Champions League.

However, instead of wilting under the pressure, the Blues stepped up and completely blew the Spanish giants aside.

From the first minute to the last, Chelsea were exceptional, and there were more than a few standout performers, including Estevao and someone who made light work of what should’ve been a challenging task.

Estevao's magical night vs Barcelona

When Chelsea secured the services of Estevao last summer, there was a lot made of the youngster.

In fact, just a few months before that, respected analyst Ben Mattinson had labelled him a “future Ballon d’Or winner.”

Now, while there is still some way to go for that prediction to be proven true, the youngster certainly helped make it look like a good one on Tuesday night.

From practically the first minute until he came off in the 83rd, the 18-year-old was a massive threat, both in terms of his own goalscoring ability and creativity.

He was the scorer of the Blues’ all-important second goal on the night, beating two defenders with some quick feet and firing the ball into the roof of the net.

It means he is now the second-youngest player to score in his first three starts in the competition, after only Kylian Mbappé.

Unsurprisingly, the teenager left quite the impression on the watching press as well, with the Express’ Charlie Griggs awarding him a 9/10 match rating and writing that he ‘led the attacking charge at times.’

Perhaps the best thing that can be said about Estevao’s performance against Barcelona is that he totally outshone the other wonderkid in Lamine Yamal.

Although the Brazilian wasn’t the only Chelsea player to get the better of the young Spaniard.

Chelsea's other standout star vs Barcelona

The brilliant thing for Maresca and Chelsea fans is that you could realistically make the case for any number of their players being the best on the pitch on Tuesday night.

Chalkboard

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

However, when it comes to the starter who really shone, potentially even more so than Estevao, it’s hard to look past Marc Cucurella.

The Spanish full-back was utterly superb against Barcelona, and even though he had the challenging task of trying to stop their free-flowing attack, he didn’t once look flustered.

Moreover, he came out comfortably on top in his duel with Yamal.

In fact, he was so dominant and so on top of the young wonderkid that he was practically anonymous throughout the match, so much so that the Stamford Bridge faithful were safe to openly mock him.

Now, it’s not the first time the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace has locked down a superstar attacker, but given the competition, it’s undoubtedly one of the more high-profile examples.

Understandably then, he also left quite the impression on Griggs, who awarded him a 9/10 match rating at full-time, writing that he ‘locked down the left flank with ease and posed a danger up front.’

That might sound like hyperbole, but the 27-year-old’s statistics prove otherwise.

Minutes

93′

Expected Assists

0.59

Tackles (Won)

5 (4)

Interceptions

1

Clearances

2

Blocked Shots

1

Recoveries

4

Aerial Duels (Won)

1 (1)

Key Passes

1

Passes

55/63

Touches

97

In his 93 minutes of action, he produced an expected assists figure of 0.59, won four of five tackles, made one interception, played one key pass, recovered the ball four times, took 97 touches, made two clearances and blocked one shot.

Ultimately, it was yet another performance that proved Cucurella is one of the best left-backs in the world, and as one content creator said, if he keeps it up, he’s well on his way to becoming “a Chelsea legend.”

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Chelsea could already be about to sign a replacement for Liam Delap.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 25, 2025

After a dismal defeat against ten men last Monday, Manchester United bounced back with a 2-1 win away to Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

The Red Devils were behind at half-time after a Jean-Philippe Mateta penalty, but two goals from set pieces were enough to ensure they would take all three points back to Manchester.

Both goals were impressive finishes from United. First, the lesser-spotted Joshua Zirkzee got himself on the scoresheet with a fantastic finish.

He controlled a Bruno Fernandes free-kick on his chest before superbly volleying low and hard into the back of the net.

That was the strike which drew United level, and the goal which won them the game, from Mason Mount, was just as good. The Red Devils’ number 7 walked onto a Fernandes layoff from yet another free-kick, driving his effort through the Palace wall and into Dean Henderson’s goal.

Despite the result and an energetic second half showing, it was far from a perfect afternoon for United. Ruben Amorim’s side could only muster an expected goals tally of 1.25 xG, and just 0.26 xG in the second half. It was an important win, but there is still a lot to improve on.

Indeed, it was a tough day at the office for some United players, including young defender Leny Yoro.

Leny Yoro's day to forget vs Palace

Young French defender Yoro did not have the best outing at Selhurst Park on Sunday lunchtime. It was his foul on Mateta, a challenge late from behind his countryman, which led to Palace’s penalty and Oliver Glasner’s side taking the lead.

Indeed, there were bright moments against the South Londoners for the former Lille star, who has struggled to find his best form for the majority of this season. He made a crucial block in the first half to prevent Palace from scoring, an important moment in the game.

Yet, it was still not the day Yoro would have hoped for. His foul on Mateta, which was ultimately quite a clumsy challenge, and the fact that he won just three duels from the six he contested, meant Amorim took him off for Noussair Mazraoui after Zirkzee’s goal.

Despite what is a tough moment for Yoro, the United squad is rallying around him. Mount was one of the players quick to support his teammate at full-time, something that football presenter Dylan Penketh said he was “glad to see” after the final whistle.

It was a disappointing day for Yoro, but he was not the only United player who struggled.

Not just Yoro: Man Utd star struggles vs Palace

Coming up against Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada was always going to be tough for United’s pivot at Selhurst Park, and Casemiro was a player who felt the brunt of that.

The Brazilian was said to be “haunted by Adam Wharton” according to journalist Samuel Luckhurst.

Indeed, it was not an easy day against the Eagles’ energetic midfield pivot, especially in the first half. The Brazilian had 65 touches in total across the game, losing the ball 11 times and creating one chance. He also won just seven of his 15 duels.

Touches

65

Pass accuracy

80%

Number of times ball lost

11

Ground duels won

5/9

Aerial duels won

2/6

Fouls

4

Chances created

0

The United number 18 received a 5/10 rating from the Manchester Evening News journalist Steven Railston. He said Casemiro did improve throughout the game, although he described his start to the game at Selhurst Park as “shaky.”

After a tougher game for Casemiro, and the fact that he is one yellow card away from suspension, it will be interesting to see if he keeps his place in the side ahead of United’s next game. Next up, they have a clash with West Ham United on Thursday at Old Trafford.

It is also a game where United are likely to have the lion’s share of possession. Perhaps Amoirm opts to bring Kobbie Mainoo into their midfield, a man who is better on the ball and more capable of retaining possession and sustaining attacks.

On top of that, the Brazilian played 90 minutes at Selhurst Park. With the game as soon as Thursday and a hectic December coming up, it would not be a surprise to see him rotated out of the side to help aid his recovery.

Haaland 2.0: Man Utd can sign "one of the best STs in Europe" for £44m

Manchester United could be about to sign a new talisman like Erling Haaland in January.

ByEthan Lamb Nov 29, 2025

A new update has emerged regarding Vitor Pereira’s potential replacement at Wolves, with the club eyeing a cheap alternative option to him if he is sacked.

The Old Gold have suffered a dire start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, picking up just two points from nine matches and sitting rooted to the bottom of the table. Their only points have been draws away to Tottenham and at home to Brighton.

After a promising period in charge last season, Pereira now finds himself battling to save his job, with the manager having to be dragged away from the supporters after last weekend’s dramatic 3-2 defeat at home to Burnley, and asking for their support after the game.

“We understand the frustration of the people and supporters but what I must say, if we fight united with them, we can win games and compete and achieve our targets – without them, it is impossible. If we win two or three games in a row, things will change.”

Potential replacements for Pereira have already been mentioned, including Brendan Rodgers, who left Celtic earlier this week after a disappointing start to the season, and who may like the idea of a return to the Premier League.

On Saturday afternoon, Wolves make the trip to Fulham, with defeat at Craven Cottage potentially proving to be the final nail in the coffin for the Wanderers boss.

Wolves have cheap managerial plan to replace Pereira

According to Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, Wolves “would hope to find an out-of-work manager” to replace Pereira in charge, should he be relieved of his duties in the near future.

The Premier League strugglers “will be looking for a cheap option” instead of “poaching a manager from another club”, and Wanderers “would prefer not to pay the compensation fee needed to release a working boss from their current contract”. That’s partly due to Pereira getting a big payout if he is sacked.

There is plenty of sense in this approach by Wolves, rather than bringing in a manager who is already in charge elsewhere, immediately making it a more expensive venture.

Wolves targeting Brendan Rodgers amid doubts about Vitor Pereira

The Old Gold have made a very poor start to the season.

2 ByDominic Lund Oct 29, 2025

Ideally, though, Pereira will turn things around at Molineux, overcoming this dreadful start to mastermind a great recovery as the seasons goes on.

Wolves targeting Brendan Rodgers amid doubts about Vitor Pereira

Sadly, that feels unlikely at the moment, with Wolves’ performances so disappointing on a regular basis, and the fact that a chunk of the fanbase has already turned on him feels like the writing is on the wall.

In Rodgers, Wolves could have a good option to bring in, with the Northern Irishman proving himself in the Premier League in the past, not least coming so close to winning the title with Liverpool back in 2013/14, playing some stunning attacking football along the way.

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has been urged to play a youngster who former Spurs right-back Pascal Chimbonda says is just like Mohammed Kudus.

Spurs head into next Sunday’s North London Derby at the Emirates Stadium with genuine hope that their star attacker will be fit to face Arsenal, though he missed their last two crucial matches and didn’t travel with the Ghana squad to face Japan and South Korea.

The 25-year-old, who started every Premier League game this season before his recent knock, has been one of Spurs’ most effective players, registering four Premier League assists and scoring his first goal for the club away to Leeds just before the last international break.

Kudus’ impact since arriving from West Ham in the summer has been transformative, and he’s established himself as the creative heartbeat of Tottenham’s attack. The forward’s absence was pretty evident in their 2-2 draw with Man United, where Spurs lacked the directness and spark that has made Kudus such a pivotal figure in Frank’s system.

The Lilywhites boss has been optimistic about his chances of featuring at Arsenal, though, telling the media that Kudus should be available for the clash.

With Tottenham already decimated by injuries to key players, Kudus’ potential return would be a massive boost. The winger’s excellent form before his knock makes him arguably Tottenham’s most important attacking player, and Frank will be desperate to have him available for a fixture where Spurs desperately need to end their Emirates hoodoo.

Dejan Kulusevski

Knee

29/11/2025

James Maddison

ACL

01/06/2026

Radu Dragusin

Knee

22/11/2025

Ben Davies

Thigh

23/11/2025

Kota Takai

Ankle/Foot

23/11/2025

Mohammed Kudus

Knock

23/11/2025

Randal Kolo Muani

Jaw

23/11/2025

Yves Bissouma

Ankle/Foot

23/11/2025

Lucas Bergvall

Concussion

23/11/2025

Dominic Solanke

Ankle

23/11/2025

Archie Gray

Calf/Shin/Heel

23/11/2025

via Premier Injuries

According to WhoScored, no other player in the Premier League has averaged a greater number of completed dribbles per 90 than the ex-West Ham star this season, and he’s also the ninth-best performing player in the entire division overall.

Kudus could play a key role in breaking down a resolute Arsenal backline and the best defence in Europe’s top five leagues, but according to Chimbonda, Frank has another young, direct winger who could also provide that extra injection of threat.

Thomas Frank urged to play Wilson Odobert with Mohammed Kudus comparison made

Speaking to Spurs Web, the ex-Tottenham defender says Frank would have a lot more luck going forward if he started Wilson Odobert on the left-hand side more often.

The Frenchman was recently heralded for his ‘best performance in a Spurs shirt’ in their 4-0 rout of FC Copenhagen last week, and the winger bagged an assist against Man United after coming off the bench to replace the injured Randal Kolo Muani.

The 20-year-old contributed three goals during an injury-disrupted debut season, and enjoyed a memorable night against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League Round of 16, where his double helped Spurs overturn a 1-0 deficit.

Brennan Johnson has struggled since being displaced from his preferred right-wing position by Kudus too, failing to replicate form which saw the Welshman finish last term as their top scorer.

With the likes of Kudus, Xavi Simons and Mathys Tel all competing with him for a starting spot, rotation is hardly a surprise, but Johnson has failed to impress off the left, and Odobert has started to feature more in that role in recent weeks.

Tel has showed promise in brief cameos, doing in five minutes what Richarlison failed to do in 84 against United. However, he remains inconsistent and relatively raw. Simons can also play on the left wing, but Spurs need the Dutchman to inspire in a more central attacking midfield role.

Odobert represents the best option to start against Arsenal on November 23, with his pace and directness potentially giving Jurrien Timber something to really think about.

Rangers are now reportedly in ongoing talks to sign David Watson from Kilmarnock as early as the January transfer window, as they look to fend off competition from Scotland and the Championship.

The Gers are slowly but surely turning things around on the pitch, with new manager Danny Rohl aiming to make it four wins from four in the Scottish Premiership this weekend. And that progress must be matched off the pitch when the January transfer window arrives. It’s repeat or redemption for sporting director Kevin Thelwell, who has come under fire for his decisions in his first few months at Ibrox.

The former Everton man recently spoke about the club’s January plans, sharing that Rangers have given Rohl the chance to evaluate the players already at his disposal ahead of the winter window.

A number of names have already emerged as potential targets for the Gers ahead of 2026, too. According to recent reports, the Scottish giants have set their sights on signing Shea Charles from Southampton.

The former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder starred previously starred on loan under Rohl and could now reunite with the manager at Rangers. But he’s not the only name on their list of targets. Reports have also name-dropped Watson in recent weeks and it now looks as though Rangers’ move is advancing.

Rangers now in talks to sign Watson

As reported by TeamTalk, Rangers are now in ongoing talks to sign Watson from Kilmarnock in the January transfer window. The 20-year-old is out of contract next summer, but the Gers could fend off competition from the Championship and Scotland by securing his signature for a cut-price this winter.

Rohl is also reportedly a big fan of the young midfielder and believes that his energy, tenacity and technical ability would improve his current Rangers side when 2026 arrives.

One of the SPFL's 'most influential players' now can't get a game at Rangers

Rangers have a star who was one of the most influential players in the league last season, now he can’t get a game.

ByDan Emery Nov 19, 2025

The praise that Watson has received during his time at Kilmarnock only backs up the verdict that he’s one of the best young talents that Scottish football has to offer. His teammate, Robbie Deas, told reporters: “Davey’s fantastic, honestly. He’s one of the hardest workers you’ll ever meet. He’s absolutely fantastic. You see that today, and he’s putting those tackles in later on.

“Davey’s got all the ability to go to the top, and I’ve no doubt he does, but I’m glad he’s here and he’s playing for us week in, week out, because I would hate to play against him.”

Much of Rangers’ focus was on Championship talent in the summer, but in Watson they would have someone who knows exactly what it takes to thrive in the Scottish Premiership.

Rangers can avoid Gilmour repeat by playing teen who's a "heck of a player"