Leeds United now want to sign a new goalkeeper who keeps a clean sheet every three games, and a deal will cost less than what the 49ers Enterprises paid for Ao Tanaka.
Leeds eyeing new goalkeeper to replace Meslier
Daniel Farke’s decision to drop Illan Meslier for the promotion run-in spoke volumes, with Karl Darlow being trusted to do a job between the sticks at the back end of the 2024/25 season.
Darlow received high praise for his performances during the promotion charge, with the Welsh goalkeeper proving to be a dependable option, helping the Whites secure the Championship title on the final day.
However, long-term replacements have been under consideration for quite some time, with Meslier heavily linked with an Elland Road exit this summer.
Augsburg’s Finn Dahmen is among the targets, as are more proven Premier League goalkeepers, including the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Caoimhin Kelleher.
According to a report from Fotboll Direkt, Leeds also want to sign 6 foot 4 Mjallby goalkeeper Noel Tornqvist, who is being watched by several clubs from England and Sweden ahead of a potential summer swoop.
Tornqvist could be an affordable option for the Whites, as Mjallby are looking to hold out for a fee of just £1.5m, far less than the £25m it would take to lure Ramsdale to Elland Road, and the reported £40m asking price for Kelleher.
Caoimhin Kelleher for Liverpool.
Farke’s side are unwilling to give up in their pursuit of the shot-stopper, but it remains to be seen whether they make a move, given that a number of more proven goalkeepers on the shortlist.
Signing Tornqvist would be a risk as Leeds No.1
While a deal for the Mjallby goalkeeper would be on the cheap side, it would still be a risk for Farke to bring him in as the new number one, given that he is unproven in a major European league.
That said, the Swede has put in some impressive performances in his home country, and he retains a record of a clean sheet every three games for his current employers, shipping a total of just 83 goals in 78 games.
Leeds now want to sign £20m Championship star who outperformed Gus Hamer
The Whites are looking to raid one of their 2024/25 Championship rivals this summer.
1 ByDominic Lund May 28, 2025
As such, Tornqvist could be a savvy signing for Leeds as a back-up or long-term addition, given Darlow’s performances at the back end of last season indicate. The 23-year-old is still young for a goalkeeper, so he’d have plenty of time to adapt to life in the Premier League, potentially repalcing Meslier in the process.
By spending just £1.5m on a goalkeeper, less than the £3m the Whites spent on 24/25 Players’ Player of the Season Tanaka, Leeds should also have available funds to strengthen other areas of the squad, and they are clearly very keen on signing a new striker, with Rennes’ Arnaud Kalimuendo and Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson among the targets.
Rangers supporters surely can’t wait for this miserable season to finally end.
On Wednesday night, Barry Ferguson’s side fought back from a goal down win 3-1 at Ibrox, with Cyriel Dessers scoring twice, before Nicolas Raskin made the points secure for Rangers late on.
Having also smashed Aberdeen 4-0 on Sunday, the Gers have secured back-to-back home wins for the first time since 2 February; they were without a win in seven successive matches at Ibrox beforehand.
The Light Blues will conclude the campaign against in-form Hibernian at Easter Road on Saturday lunchtime, but most Rangers supporters are more preoccupied with wondering who their next manager will be.
Well, could we find out very soon?
The latest on Davide Ancelotti to Rangers
Earlier this week, a report by Madrid-based outlet AS claimed that Davide Ancelotti is one of the front-runners to become the new Rangers manager.
Anthony Evans of the Daily Record noted that it has ‘taken us all by surprise’ that Ancelotti is the ‘leading contender’, even if Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes he is ‘one of the most sought-after’ coaches in world football.
On Monday, it was confirmed that his father Carlo, will become the new Brazil manager, with Davide now hoping to pursue his own managerial career.
Nevertheless, it would surely be a major risk at this juncture for the new 49ers ownership group to appoint a 35-year-old with no prior experience of being a head coach, so here’s who they should hire, or should we say re-hire, instead.
Who should be the new Rangers manager?
According to a report by Mick Brown of Football Insider, Rangers are ‘set to step up their efforts’ to re-hire Steven Gerrard as manager, adding that the board are eager to appoint a new manager ‘quickly’ ahead of the transfer window opening and then pre-season.
Steven Gerrard
Mike McGrath of the Telegraph has previously documented that Gerrard is on the 49ers ‘longlist’ of candidates, but could he now be at the front of the queue to secure an Ibrox return?
The 44-year-old has been out of work since being sacked by Al-Ettifaq in January, with John Duerden of the Guardian describing his time in the Saudi Pro League as ‘mostly underwhelming’, winning just 19 of 55 matches in charge of the Dammam-based outfit.
However, the Liverpool legend was significantly more successful during three and a bit years as Rangers boss, as the table below outlines. His reputation became “amazing” in the words of former England defender Glen Johnson and it’s not hard to see why.
2016/17
3rd
67
SF
SF
Did not qualify
2017/18
3rd
70
SF
SF
Qualifying round
2018/19
2nd
78
QF
SF
Group stage
2019/20
2nd
67*
QF
F
Last 16
2020/21
1st
102
QF
QF
Last 16
2021/22
Gerrard departed after 13 Premiership games.
*season curtailed due to Covid
Indeed, Gerrard led Rangers to their only Premiership title since 2011, going the entire league campaign undefeated, winning 32 of 38 matches.
Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout describes Gerrard’s tenure as “impressive” considering he took on a “very difficult” job, while Ewan Murray of the Guardian documents how he was ‘adored’ by the Rangers support, despite requiring three attempts to ultimately topple Celtic, historically preventing ten-in-a-row in 2021.
StevenGerrard
Speaking on talkSPORT, Rangers legend Ally McCoist believes Gerrard “would be welcome back”, adding that a return could be best for all involved.
So, having proved he can deliver silverware in the past, Gerrard is surely the perfect candidate to be re-appointed.
He'd kickstart Ancelotti era with a bang: Rangers in talks for first signing
Rangers could kickstart the Davide Ancelotti era with a bang by signing this star.
Leeds United are set for a massive summer in the transfer market as they aim to make themselves a competitive outfit in the Premier League ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Daniel Farke led the side to the Championship title this campaign after achieving a staggering total of 100 points, ending their two-year stint in England’s second division.
However, the real test starts now for the German, looking to avoid relegation from the top flight, something which he’s been unable to do with his previous attempts with Norwich City.
If he is to achieve such a feat, the board will need to back him heavily this summer, with a £100m spending spree mooted around Yorkshire over the last couple of days.
With the transfer window rapidly approaching, the board have already made plans for potential additions, with one name already emerging as a key target for the summer.
The latest on Leeds’ pursuit of James McAtee
In recent days, Manchester City star James McAtee has remerged on Leeds’ shortlist after previously being a target on loan ahead of the 2024/25 season.
The 22-year-old has impressed within Pep Guardiola’s squad this campaign, registering seven goals in his 27 appearances throughout the current campaign.
Manchester City'sJamesMcAteecelebrates after the match
With his deal set to expire in 2026, the Whites have been touted as a potential destination for the youngster, but could face competition from the likes of Nottingham Forest and Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
A report from the Yorkshire Evening Post claims that Farke’s side have made an enquiry to sign the youngster this summer, but any deal would set the hierarchy back around £25m.
However, despite the links to the English star, the club already have a talent whose worth more than McAtee – showcasing the impressive recruitment conducted by the club in recent years.
The Leeds star who’s now worth more than McAtee
Over the last couple of seasons, Leeds have recruited well in the market, undoubtedly playing a massive role in their success they’ve endured this campaign.
Ethan Ampadu joined for just £7m from Chelsea back in the summer of 2023, now looking to be a bargain given his success in the side – registering 86 appearances in his two years at the club.
The Welsh international has even taken the captain’s armband during Farke’s reign, highlighting the impressive development he’s made at Elland Road since his switch.
He’s not the only person to exceed expectations, with winger Wilfried Gnonto thriving in Yorkshire over the last couple of years after his £3.8m transfer from FC Zurich in the summer of 2022.
The Italian has since made huge strides in the professional game, registering over 100 appearances for the club – producing numerous moments of magic in such a time period.
He’s managed to find the net on 22 occasions, including one of the goals against Plymouth Argyle on the final day – securing the club the Championship title as a result.
Such performances have seen him linked with huge moves away from the club in recent years, with Everton just one of the sides interested in his signature as of late.
Games played
43
Goals & assists
15
Pass accuracy
82%
Successful dribbles
1.7
Touches in opposition box
5.5
Chances created
1.8
Shots taken
3.2
Interest isn’t the only thing that has occurred as a result of his displays, with his market value taking a sharp upturn – now with millions more than the fee they paid for his signature.
Gnonto, who’s been labelled “monster” by one analyst, is now valued at £19.5m by FootballTransfers, an increase of over 410% since he moved to Yorkshire.
Such a value is higher than that of McAtee, who’s valued at just £15m – further highlighting the impressive work done behind the scenes over the last few seasons.
A deal for McAtee is certainly one that would bolster the attacking department at Elland Road, that’s if his goal tally from 2024/25 is anything to go by.
However, a repeat of a deal for Gnonto showcases that bargains are still there to be had in the current climate, with any subsequent deal banking the club a hefty profit in the years ahead.
Their answer to Hamer: 49ers lining up Leeds swoop for "special" £25m star
Leeds could land their own version of Gustavo Hamer in a move for this £25m star.
Set to return for his second spell behind the scenes at Tottenham Hotspur, Fabio Paratici has reportedly set his sights on signing a Premier League-winning defender this summer.
Tottenham eyeing back-to-back wins
After defeating Bodo/Glimt to take one step into the Europa League final in midweek, Tottenham now have the chance to secure back-to-back victories in all competitions for the first time since beating Manchester United and then Ipswich Town at the end of February. In a London derby no less, Ange Postecoglou has the opportunity to keep his side in the winning habit ahead of a vital second leg in the Europa League next week.
Tottenham in contact with "quick" target as Paratici plots first move back
Paratici has reportedly reached an agreement to return.
ByTom Cunningham May 3, 2025
The Australian spoke about Tottenham’s visit to the London Stadium in his pre-match press conference whilst confirming a number of injury doubts, telling reporters: “Dom is not too bad. He is still a bit sore from last night, but we don’t think it’s anything serious. Obviously, [Solanke is] a doubt for weekend. Madders, we’re a bit more concerned about.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou applauds fans after the match
“He was heading for a scan [on Friday]. We’re just wait to hear that outcome. Sonny is working hard. He’s out on the grass every day. We’ll see how he’s going by [next] Thursday.”
With next week’s Europa League trip in mind, it seems unlikely that any risks will be taken by Spurs even as a London derby awaits. Aside from bragging rights over their rivals, the North London club have nothing to play for as they head into their final four Premier League games in a season to forget domestically.
It’s become clearer every weeks that Spurs must welcome a number of reinforcements this summer if they are to turn thing around under Postecoglou and the return of Paratici should certainly help on that front. If reports are anything to go by too, the sporting director is wasting no time before setting his sights on key targets.
Tottenham chasing Eric Garcia deal
According to reports in Spain, Spurs now wants to sign Eric Garcia in what could be a cut-price deal given Barcelona’s financial struggles and also Paratici’s first capture back in the helm.
The former Manchester City defender has endured a mixed spell back in Spain, which included a loan spell at Girona, and could now be on his way back to the Premier League. Spurs aren’t the only side interested, however. They reportedly face competition from Girona, Real Sociedad, Real Betis and Como ahead of the summer transfer window – potentially leaving Garcia with a decision to make.
FC Barcelona'sEricGarciascores their fourth goal
Of course, the Spaniard already knows exactly what it takes to perform at the highest level in England’s top flight after he became a Premier League champion at Manchester City. And although the Tottenham challenge would throw up different obstacles, that experience would likely go a long way in North London.
It was during his time at The Etihad that Garcia earned impressive praise from manager Pep Guardiola, who told reporters: “Incredibly clear guy, and he’s able to lead the line. He’s so clever. Played incredible attention of that and played well. He’s going to play a lot of minutes,”
Will Leeds United be able to consolidate themselves as a Premier League-worthy outfit next season after finally breaking free of the Championship’s grip?
It will certainly be easier said than done, however, considering all three promoted teams that went up at Leeds’ expense at the end of the 2023/24 campaign are all tumbling straight back down to the EFL’s top league after a short-lived top-flight stay.
Moreover, Daniel Farke himself has a sketchy track record in the Premier League, having picked up just six career wins at the tricky level, leading to speculation surrounding his future at Elland Road that he could be let go of despite successfully guiding the Whites up to the big-time.
To help in their mission to stay afloat, one of Leeds’ tactics in the summer transfer window could be to poach some of the Championship’s cream of the crop.
Who Leeds could sign this summer
Before looking to bring in some of the EFL’s very best, it might be a case that the Whites look at strengthening courtesy of some Premier League players.
Inevitably, rumours linking Kalvin Phillips with a return have been lingering in the background over the last few months, while last week, West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek has reportedly become a target for the club.
Tomas Soucek for West Ham
But, who else is on their radar?
Well, heading into the 2024/25 campaign, they were persistently linked with Sheffield United playmaker Gustavo Hamer.
Leeds would, of course, snap up Jayden Bogle from the Blades, but this other switch wouldn’t go ahead, with the ex-Coventry City attacker then going on to win the coveted prize of Championship’s Player of the Season at the EFL awards this weekend for his efforts under Chris Wilder’s wing.
Gaining such recognition could well reignite the promoted side’s interest, with Hamer now having to fight it out for a place in the Premier League next season via the playoffs.
It’s a move pundit Lee Hendrie thinks has legs too, telling Football League World: “Obviously (Leeds) were interested (in Hamer), and particularly if the Blades don’t go up, I think that is going to be the key factor, isn’t it? He’s a very good player, and he has had a lot of clubs that were sniffing around him, even before going to Sheffield United. He’s proven that he has got that x-factor, one of the better players in the Championship arguably, in that position, anyway.”
Why Hamer would be a major upgrade on Aaronson
Described as an “unbelievable” player by former teammate Oli McBurnie, signing Hamer could finally see Brenden Aaronson pushed to one side in Farke’s starting lineups.
Aaronson should be commended for slotting back into the Whites set-up this season after his time at Elland Road had become sour but that doesn’t mean an upgrade shouldn’t be sought once their Premier League return is here.
The 24-year-old was loaned out to Union Berlin for all of the 2023/24 season right after his side’s demise down to the EFL, only for the number 11 to notch up nine goals and two assists from 44 Championship appearances the following campaign back among the first-team fold.
Unfortunately for the rejuvenated USA international, he has endured a poor personal end to the season even as his side sit pretty in the league’s top two, with a mere two goal contributions falling his way in the Championship in 2025.
Whereas, Hamer – as seen via his sumptuous free-kick against Coventry back in March – has been a constant menace all campaign long for Wilder and Co, with four of his impressive 16 goal contributions in league action coming during United’s last six contests.
Championship games played
163
44
Premier League games played
36
36
Champ goals
26
9
Champ assists
31
2
PL goals
4
1
PL assists
7
3
Shades of a certain Pablo Hernandez – a goalscoring and creative midfielder, Hamer certainly blows Aaronson out of the water with his standout Premier League output.
While goals certainly haven’t been hard to come by for Leeds in 2024/25, he would be a welcome addition to Farke’s ranks if a move whirred back into motion, with Hamer more than comfortable as a number ten option to usurp his ex-Red Bull Salzburg counterpart.
Also equally as lively down the left where he’s predominantly starred this season at Bramall Lane, Hamer would potentially give Farke a whole host of options in attack ahead of the step-up in quality, with this signing one that would undoubtedly boost Leeds in their fight for instant survival.
Farke is brewing a Piroe upgrade in Leeds teen with "masses of potential"
Leeds United could have a top star for the future in this highly rated youngster.
One title-winning manager is reportedly in love with the prospect of a potential move to Tottenham Hotspur, something which chairman Daniel Levy realises, as the under-pressure Ange Postecoglou faces a very uncertain future at the club.
Managers linked with potential vacant Tottenham job
Regardless of Spurs’ campaign in the Europa League, it is reliably believed that Levy could still part company with Postecoglou at the end of the season (Matt Law).
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Tottenham are just one game away from equalling their highest number of defeats in a single Premier League season, and with a tough trip to Anfield on the horizon, Postecoglou is staring down the barrel of that unwanted record on his resume.
Liverpool could finally be crowned champions by defeating Spurs on Merseyside this weekend, so odds are that Arne Slot’s men will throw the kitchen sink at a vulnerable Lilywhites side who’ve also lost four out of their last five top flight matches.
Liverpool (away)
April 27th
West Ham (away)
May 3rd
Crystal Palace (home)
May 10th
Aston Villa (away)
May 18th
Brighton (home)
May 25th
Postecoglou’s saving grace after a dismal domestic campaign lies in Europe, where the Australian has a chance to make history by guiding Spurs to their first piece of major silverware since their League Cup triumph in 2008, under Juande Ramos.
However, with victory in the competition not even a guarantee that Postecoglou keeps his job for next season, attention is beginning to turn to who could replace the former Celtic boss in N17.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, Fulham’s Marco Silva, Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Brentford’s Thomas Frank have all been linked in the last few weeks, while Fabrizio Romano has reported Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi is liked by Tottenham.
The Mail also claimed earlier this week that Burnley boss Scott Parker has some fans inside Spurs as well, but perhaps the most exciting appointment would be a return for ex-fan favourite Mauricio Pochettino.
The Argentine enjoyed a successful spell at the Tottenham helm from 2014-2019, which included an unprecedented run to the Champions League final in 2019, and you can argue the north Londoners haven’t enjoyed consistency akin to Pochettino’s tenure since he departed.
Mauricio Pochettino would "love" to return to Tottenham
Now manager of the USA national team, as they prepare to co-host the 2026 World Cup, journalist Graeme Bailey has reported for The Boot Room that Pochettino hasn’t quite settled into his first international role.
MauricioPochettinocoach of U.S. during the match
Alternatively, if he were to leave the States, Pochettino would “love” to re-join Tottenham, and Levy is said to be “aware” of this. The 53-year-old would also be Levy’s first choice to replace Postecoglou, given their already-close relationship and communication.
After a string of lacklustre results with the USA, Pochettino is also said to be under pressure, and he is very much in Levy’s thought process as a potential replacement for Postecoglou.
The former Southampton, Chelsea and PSG boss won a Ligue 1 title with the latter, and he appears to currently be one of three trophy-winning managers under consideration by Spurs – the other two being Glasner and Inzaghi.
Crystal Palace have now made contact over a move for an “aggressive” defender, who could be available for just £5m, according to a report.
Palace eyeing defender amid Marc Guehi uncertainty
Marc Guehi’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026, which means the upcoming transfer window will be Palace’s last chance to cash-in on the defender, and a number of Premier League clubs are in the race for his signature.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehicelebrates after the match
Chelsea are determined to win the race for Guehi, although the Blues may face competition from Tottenham Hotspur, who had a £70m bid knocked back in January, while Liverpool have also held talks over a potential deal.
As such, Oliver Glasner is likely to be tasked with bringing in a replacement this summer, and a number of targets have been identified, with IF Elfsborg’s Terry Yegbe recently becoming the latest player to be shortlisted.
Crystal Palace’s upcoming Premier League fixtures
Date
Manchester City (a)
April 12th
Newcastle United (a)
April 16th
AFC Bournemouth (h)
April 19th
Arsenal (a)
April 23rd
Nottingham Forest (h)
May 5th
The Eagles are leading the race for Yegbe, while they also hold an interest in Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof, who is set to be available on a free transfer at the end of the season.
As we approach the summer transfer window, Palace are not short on centre-back targets, and a report from Argentina (via The Hard Tackle) has revealed they have now made contact over a deal for Independiente De Avellaneda’s Kevin Lomonaco.
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Lomonaco could be a low-cost addition to Glasner’s squad, given that he is valued at just €6m (£5m), and the south Londoners are keen on securing his signature, although they may face competition.
London rivals West Ham United have also made an approach for the 23-year-old, with the race for his signature starting to heat up ahead of the summer transfer window.
"Aggressive" Lomonaco impressing in Argentina
There are some signs the centre-back could be an exciting acquisition for Palace, given that he has received high praise from an Argentine football expert.
The “aggressive” defender is an imposing figure at a colossal 6 foot 4, which he clearly uses to his advantage in aerial situations, but it is also important that he seems to be good with his feet, which is important for any modern-day centre-back.
It would, of course, be a gamble to sign Lomonaco, given that he is unproven outside Argentina, but at just £5m, it could be a risk worth taking for Palace, who are in need of a replacement for Guehi.
Arne Slot is hardly riding on Jurgen Klopp’s coattails, but it’s fair to say that the Dutch tactician has made use of his predecessor’s assembled Liverpool squad.
That’s why the forthcoming transfer window is so important. Liverpool need to sort out their lingering contractual concerns while targeting the right players to shore up the team this summer.
Trent, Salah, Van Dijk
Liverpool are firm favourites to win the Premier League, with the midfield engine driving the efforts. Slot has been reluctant to chop and change, but his formula, on this front, has worked a treat.
Liverpool's transformational rebuild
It’s May 2023 and Liverpool are staring down the barrel of a gun. For the first time in a full season under Klopp’s management, Anfield has failed to qualify for the Champions League.
naby-keita-liverpool-jurgen-klopp-premier-league
Triumph in the 2022/23 season’s curtain-raiser – a win over Manchester City in the Community Shield – issued delusions of grandeur.
But this false dawn was a product of hesitations and a lack of transfer investment. Liverpool’s midfield were tired, past their sell-by date. Jordan Henderson and Fabinho and co were actually branded “awful” by pundit Jamie Carragher after one embarrassing defeat against newly-promoted Nottingham Forest.
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho
Approaching the end of their contracts, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were all expected to leave at the end, ushering in a new group of talents to reshape the central fold.
But Saudi Pro League approaches for Fabinho and Liverpool’s captain were unforeseen, prompting a more dramatic rebuild that saw Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo brought in.
All four midfielders have played important roles since joining, each levelling up within Slot’s system. However, Endo was only brought in as a stop-gap option from Stuttgart for £16m.
Having now played 69 times for the Merseyside club, Endo has paid his due and then some, although, his continued presence in the team runs the risk of seeing him become the club’s next Milner, a modern legend but perhaps one who stayed in the mix for a tad too long.
Liverpool's new James Milner
The argument for Endo’s sale this summer is a strong one. Indeed, the Japan international hasn’t started a single game in the Premier League this season and isn’t getting any younger at 32.
Liverpool's Wataru Endo
However, he’s achieved cult status within Liverpool circles for his tough-tackling, all-important cameos in recent months, introduced late on to steer Slot’s side over the line.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 14% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 15% for tackles and the top 16% for clearances per 90, underscoring that point.
Premier League
14 (0)
–
–
137′
Champions League
6 (1)
–
–
140′
Carabao Cup
4 (3)
–
–
296′
FA Cup
2 (2)
–
–
169′
He might be a well-liked part of the team and a valuable defensive option besides, but Endo has played the equivalent of a game-and-a-half of football in the Premier League and we have reached the penultimate month of the campaign.
Moreover, Sky Germany have reported that Eintracht Frankfurt have already made enquiries for the £50k-per-week midfielder ahead of the summer window, and that Liverpool have confirmed his departure is a possibility.
There’s a possibility that Endo is indeed turning into the next Milner, having been compared to “one of the biggest Liverpool legends of my time” by Klopp for his ability to enter the fray late on and close games down.
James Milner
Milner, who joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Manchester City when he was 29 and went on to play 332 times for the Merseysiders – more than for any other club – is one of the more prosaic members of Anfield’s modern dynasty, but an important one all the same.
The former England international was 37 when he departed in 2023, finding a new home on the South Coast with Brighton & Hove Albion, but he ceded that the time was right to move on.
In fact, Liverpool could have been quicker in cutting ties with the veteran, who was very much a part of the malfunctioning midfield cohort across 2022/23, so sapped and tired after many years of tireless running in Klopp’s system.
Now, Endo, praised for his “special” qualities by Slot, is much younger than Milner was when he left Liverpool, but there’s little question about the Englishman’s prodigious fitness levels, so incredible in his ability to keep pace with his youngers.
Liverpool midfielder James Milner.
However, the signs of his regression were clear on that final campaign. As per Sofascore, he completed 81% of his passes, won 48% of his duels and averaged 0.4 key passes and 0.8 tackles per game.
Contrast that with the 2018/19 season: Milner succeeded with 75% of his dribbles, won 56% of his duels, made 1.4 key passes and tackles apiece on average each game and racked up nine goal involvements.
Milner’s still kicking in the Premier League, but it’s fair to say that Liverpool could have benefitted from acting quicker in crafting their midfield rebuild before Klopp left – though with the title on the horizon, it’s all worked out rather okay.
FSG’s Liverpool sporting director, Richard Hughes, will need to think long and hard about enforcing a few changes in midfield this summer. It’s not the priority area this summer, but with past mistakes highlighting the error in not being a bit more ambitious in the transfer market, it’s something worth considering for sure.
Were Endo to leave, a young and fresh new option could be welcomed to provide competition to Gravenberch, who has looked leggy in recent weeks. Time, of course, will tell.
He'd be a dream with Isak: Liverpool open talks to sign £45m Madrid target
Liverpool are ready to spend liberally in the transfer market this summer.
Chelsea have been tipped to ‘easily’ sign a ‘top player’ who could become a ‘superstar’ away from his current club.
Chelsea suffer Atalanta blow as Maresca crashes down to Earth
Chelsea’s aspirations of securing automatic Champions League knockout round qualification took a significant hit as they surrendered a half-time advantage to lose 2-1 against Atalanta in Bergamo on Tuesday evening.
Enzo Maresca’s side appeared on course for a crucial victory when Joao Pedro slid home his maiden Champions League goal in the 25th minute, capitalizing on Reece James’s delivery after a VAR review confirmed the captain had timed his run perfectly.
The Blues controlled proceedings during the opening period, with their man-to-man pressing disrupting Atalanta’s rhythm and limiting the Serie A outfit’s opportunities.
However, Josh Acheampong did have to produce a stunning goal-line block to deny Ademola Lookman what appeared a certain opener.
.
Maresca’s decision to withdraw the booked Trevoh Chalobah at half-time appeared to kickstart a dramatic shift in momentum.
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The Blues are short up front.
ByEmilio Galantini 3 days ago
James spurned an excellent opportunity to extend Chelsea’s lead early in the second period, firing wide from a promising position on the edge of the penalty area.
Atalanta immediately made Chelsea pay, with Charles De Ketelaere delivering an exceptional cross from the right flank, allowing former West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca to rise completely unmarked inside the six-yard box and nod past Robert Sanchez.
The Belgian forward then completed the turnaround with seven minutes remaining, his deflected strike looping over Sanchez after taking a wicked deflection off Marc Cucurella’s retreating leg.
Despite late opportunities for Alejandro Garnacho, James and Pedro, Marco Carnesecchi’s goalkeeping ensured Atalanta claimed all three points.
It was a humbling night for Chelsea, merely a fortnight after they were being talked about as genuine Premier League title contenders.
There is clearly still work to do before the west Londoners can be discussed in that manner, with Maresca lamenting Chelsea’s defending in a post-match press conference.
With holes still ever present and Maresca constantly rotating his first-team due to injuries, there may still be more work to do in the transfer market next year.
Chelsea spent nearly £300 million in the summer, but they remain pretty light in midfield with the constantly-injured Roméo Lavia sidelined for yet another extended period.
As a result, the west Londoners have been tipped to move for a new midfielder in 2026, and Man United’s Kobbie Mainoo could be available.
Chelsea tipped to 'easily' sign Kobbie Mainoo from Man United
Chelsea have been repeatedly linked with the Red Devils sensation these last 12 months, with Mainoo on the fringes of Ruben Amorim’s first team and potentially poised for the exit door.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, ex-United midfielder Nicky Butt has tipped Chelsea to sign Mainoo amid his current club’s ‘mind-boggling’ stance when it comes to young stars.
The 20-year-old, who burst on to the scene at Old Trafford in 2023/2024, was once a revelation under Erik ten Hag and one of England’s rising stars.
Mainoo’s excellent form that year, including an FA Cup final goal against Man City, earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.
He played in all but one of the Three Lions’ games that tournament, including a start in the final against Spain, so finding Mainoo in this situation at United is truly bizarre.
The talented and versatile midfielder seemingly doesn’t fit into Amorim’s tactical blueprint, with Chelsea believed to still be keen on Mainoo amid their search for world football’s most elite young talents.
After winning three games in a row, Manchester United’s run came to an end against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday with the Red Devils held by Sean Dyche’s side, made to settle for a 2-2 draw on the road.
Despite taking a first-half lead through Casemiro, Ruben Amorim’s side were behind five minutes into the second 45, after goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona. However, a sensational 81st-minute strike from Amad on the volley was enough for United to secure a point in the East Midlands.
Despite having the majority of possession, United struggled to break down the low block deployed by Dyche. The Red Devils managed 18 shots at the Forest goal, but, concerningly, ten of those were from outside of the penalty area.
Another concern for United is the fact that they didn’t create one big chance in the game. Forest did, and scored from it, but it did feel like Amorim’s side struggled to create chances against the deep block of Forest.
Someone who was directly affected by that was Benjamin Sesko, who struggled against the men in Garibaldi Red.
Why Benjamin Sesko struggled against Forest
It is certainly not ideal for your number nine to be so isolated when you are trying to break down a side that played as Forest did. After a run of good form, Sesko could barely get into the game at the City Ground.
Incredibly, the Slovenian striker has just 21 touches of the ball, fewer than any other starter for either side. He was incredibly isolated, which must have frustrated Amorim. Their summer signing has shown great instinct in the penalty box and excellent link-up play, so he needs to be in the game more.
Yet, Sesko did try and have an impact in front of goal. The 22-year-old had three shots, and whilst two of them were from inside the area, none of them found the target and tested Matz Sels.
After what was a largely anonymous performance from United’s number 30, he was given a 5/10 for his performance by Steven Railston of the Manchester Evening News.
He did praise the striker for the fact that he “provided a focal point” for United, although they didn’t use him much.
As tough a night as it was for Sesko, there was a United player who was certainly worse.
Worse than Sesko: Man United's biggest underperformer vs Forest
United’s struggles with breaking down the Forest low block were perhaps emphasised in Sesko’s performance, with the Slovenian barely involved. However, he was not the only person who struggled at the City Ground.
The Red Devils certainly lacked going forward, and one of those players was Diogo Dalot. The Portuguese full-back once again operated at left wing-back, but didn’t offer much going forward, and struggled defensively, notably making fewer passes than Senne Lammens.
Of course, with a 6-foot-5 striker in the box like Sesko, it is ideal for the United wingbacks to find him with crosses into the box.
Dalot, however, failed to complete a cross from two chances, and defensively, he only won three out of eight duels.
Touches
43
Passes completed
21/24
Possession lost
12
Ground duels won
2/5
Aerial duels won
1/3
Crosses completed
0/2
Key passes
0
Railston was certainly critical of the former FC Porto defender. He gave Dalot a 3/10 for his performance and said the Portugal international was “exposed at various stages of the contest” against Forest.
Well, he was certainly not the only person to feel frustrated with Dalot’s performance. United content creator Dev Bajwa said their number two has “got to be dropped” by Amorim ahead of their next game, a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face Thomas Frank’s Spurs.
At the end of the game, Amorim pointed out that Dalot can struggle to find crosses because “he’s a right-footer.” Well, factoring that in on top of this tough performance against Forest, it makes sense that the Portugal star might be dropped.
Amorim has options, too. Patrick Dorgu could operate as a left wing-back, a role for which he was signed by Amorim. Alternatively, Luke Shaw could play higher up with Ayden Heaven or Harry Maguire coming into the side, although this seems less likely.
All things considered, it is clear to see why Dalot might be rotated out of the side to face Spurs next week. Having a left footer in the side would surely be a benefit for the Red Devils, as they look to get back on track with a win.
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