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Bayer Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand cannot understand the criticism Florian Wirtz is currently facing. Signed by Liverpool for the second-highest transfer fee in British football history over the summer, the German international has been below par in the first two months of his career at Anfield. Hjulmand, however, is confident that Wirtz will "prove to everyone" what he is really capable of.

• Wirtz yet to hit the ground running for Liverpool

  After two outstanding seasons at Leverkusen under coach Xabi Alonso, Wirtz moved to Liverpool over the summer. If all bonus clauses are fulfilled, the Reds' transfer costs will amount to €150 million (£130m/$175m). So far, however, the 22-year-old has fallen far short of the high expectations.

  After seven league games and two Champions League matches, Wirtz is still waiting for his first goal for the reigning English champions. In the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea before the international break, the attacking player did not make it into manager Arne Slot's starting line-up. He has also failed to score for the German national team recently. His unimpactful displays have drawn intense criticism from large sections of the media, prompting the likes of former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp and ex-international team-mate Ilkay Gundogan to come to his defence.

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  Kasper Hjulmand confident in Wirtz's abilities

  "Come on, he's only just arrived there. Believe me, he'll prove himself to everyone. Even the experts in England. I'm sure of it," said Leverkusen boss Hjulmand in an interview with . "Show me the player who can perform at his best from day one in a new club and a new league. It's impossible. Florian is a fantastic footballer with outstanding qualities. We all know how fast-paced everything is in football: if he scores two great goals in the next two games, people will say, 'Now he's arrived.' That will be just as wrong as the recent criticism.

  "Give him time, let him play – and everyone in Liverpool will see how good he is. I have no doubt that he will prove himself."

• Wirtz unfazed by underwhelming start to Liverpool life

  Wirtz has no qualms about the fact he will turn things around sooner rather than later. Reflecting on his early struggles at Anfield, Wirtz recently said: “I know what I can do, and I know that eventually I’ll show it fully on the pitch. So I just stay calm. That’s good advice.

  “Of course, I’d like to have scored or assisted already, but I know that it will come. Sometimes things don’t go your way, but I work every day to improve. I know I can play good football, and it’s just a matter of time.”

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  Liverpool eager to end three-game losing streak

  With the international break now over, domestic duties will return this weekend. Slot's troops had lost three consecutive games heading into the international break. They will need a win against Manchester United on Sunday in order to reignite their hopes of retaining their Premier League crown.

Chelsea would have fancied their chances heading to Old Trafford.

After all, going into the contest away at Manchester United, the Red Devils had just succumbed to a disastrous 3-0 defeat in the Manchester Derby, with Enzo Maresca’s Blues still unbeaten in the bread and butter of the Premier League, despite just falling to a 3-1 loss in the Champions League against Bayern Munich.

However, any optimism heading into the tie would be instantly obliterated by Robert Sanchez’s reckless early red card, as the ropey Blues goalkeeper took out Bryan Mbeumo before the ex-Brentford attacker could even register an effort at his goal.

Of course, Casemiro did also receive his marching orders for a second yellow in first-half added-on time, but the damage of that earlier dismissal was already clear for all to see, as Ruben Amorim’s men raced into a two-goal advantage.

Trevoh Chalobah did score towards the end to give Chelsea some late hope, but Sanchez’s stupidity ultimately cost the Blues dear in the 2-1 defeat, with questions now needing to be asked about his first-team spot moving forward.

Sanchez's horror show

Amazingly, Sanchez’s dismissal after just five minutes is Chelsea’s earliest ever red card in Premier League action.

That isn’t exactly a badge of honour that the error-prone Spaniard will be wearing, however.

More so, it brings into view even clearer how much of an uphill battle the away side had on their hands in a first-half that ended up being largely dominated by the hosts, who aren’t free from a calamitous moment themselves.

Sanchez’s rash decision-making resulted in Chelsea’s attack being significantly stunted, as Maresca substituted off both Estevao and Pedro Neto in quick succession for a defensive focus. He even decided to bring off Cole Palmer after just 21 minutes, with the likes of Joao Pedro, who remained, offering very little.

If it hadn’t been for the major shock after five minutes, Chelsea might well have gained another three points or a draw out of the game. But, instead, in the torrential conditions, everything fell to pieces in a 2-1 loss.

Still, other individuals who did see out most of the contest aren’t completely blameless, despite the actions of Sanchez setting them up to fail.

The 4/10 star who must now be dropped

Indeed, there were still 85 minutes on the clock for Chelsea to turn their fortunes around, even if gaining a result seemed slim.

The defenders – minus Sanchez – who graced the Old Trafford turf for most of the turbulent clash didn’t cover themselves in much glory, either, with Marc Cucurella – in particular – struggling throughout, away from Reece James’ sliced clearance gifting Casemiro United’s second of the day.

At least James did win seven duels, as per Sofascore, to hold his head high somewhat. On the contrary, a shoddy Cucurella would win just two duels all match from the left-back spot, as he failed to grapple with the aforementioned Mbeumo.

On top of that, he further failed to impress in the forward areas, as the likes of Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu for Amorim and Co. showed the former Brighton and Hove Albion how it’s done when foraying up the pitch, with Dorgu going on to assist Bruno Fernandes’ opener.

The below-par defender would retreat into his shell in this capacity, unfortunately, with zero accurate crosses or successful dribbles tallied up, leading to Maresca hauling him off at the hour mark, among other poor moments.

The Sun’s Katherine Walsh didn’t wax lyrical about Cucurella’s 64-minute runout either, dishing out a low 4/10 post-match rating to the number three, who she stated was routinely ‘second best’ to the likes of Mbeumo.

Maresca will hope he can rule this defeat out as a fluke, with the stormy conditions making for a feisty affair kick-started by Sanchez’s brainless intervention.

But, he will also know who he can trust more now in some tough moments to come this season, as both the red-carded keeper and Cucurella potentially fear for their first-team futures going forward.

Sterling and Disasi receive Chelsea gift to hand them best chance of January move

The PFA have slammed Chelsea over their treatment of the duo.

By
Emilio Galantini

Sep 20, 2025

Everton’s 2025/26 season has begun with a mixture of promise and frustration.

The Toffees opened the Premier League campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat at Leeds, a match played in a raucous Elland Road atmosphere.

They bounced back impressively at home, securing a 2-0 victory against Brighton to restore confidence among fans.

A thrilling 3-2 win at Molineux demonstrated their attacking potential, while a 0-0 draw at home to Aston Villa highlighted some inconsistency.

Most recently, Everton fell 2-1 to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby, underscoring the challenges of competing at the top level. David Moyes’ side currently sit 10th in the league and face struggling West Ham at Goodison Park in their next fixture on Monday.

The Toffees’ attacking setup, led by Jack Grealish, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Iliman Ndiaye, has shown flashes of creativity and menace, but the lack of a top striker has limited their output.

Everton’s recent 2-0 exit from the Carabao Cup to Wolves adds to the sense of disappointment.

Moyes may now be looking for solutions within his squad to spark a more effective attacking threat.

Beto's struggles since joining Everton

Beto, the towering 27-year-old striker, has become a focal point for debate among Everton fans.

The Portuguese forward joined the club from Udinese in 2023 for £25m, bringing with him a strong Serie A record and international experience.

Standing at 1.94m, Beto has made 60 Premier League appearances for Everton, scoring 11 goals, per Transfermarkt.

Last season, he found the net eight times in 20 appearances, showing glimpses of his potential. Despite these credentials, Beto has struggled to establish himself as the man to lead Everton’s frontline.

He has scored just once in the current campaign and has struggled to impose himself in key moments.

Statistically, his contributions show limitations compared to some of his peers. Last season, Beto averaged 0.88 progressive carries per 90, 0.94 progressive passes per 90, and 1.35 shots on target per 90, per FBref.

His progressive passing distance of 16.6 per 90 and shot-creating actions at 1.52 per 90 indicate a forward with a more limited impact on a team shifting towards a more possession-based approach.

These metrics reflect a player capable of contributing in certain areas but not providing the dynamic presence Everton require in modern attacking football.

With Moyes increasingly looking to implement a more possession-oriented, technically fluid approach, Beto may not be the ideal fit for leading the line.

Why Everton should unleash Thierno Barry

Enter Thierno Barry.

The French U21 international signed from Villareal this summer for £27.6m, and offers a contrasting profile to Beto.

The 6ft 5in striker scored 11 goals from an xG of 12.41 last season and registered four assists, per Sofascore, showcasing his ability to dominate the penalty area while contributing to team play.

Described as a “serious No.9 prospect” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Barry’s style has drawn comparisons to Dušan Vlahović and Ollie Watkins, blending physical presence with technical awareness.

Barry excels in aerial duels, ranking in the 87th percentile with 3.84 aerials won per 90, winning nearly two-thirds of the aerial contests in the penalty area, per FBref.

His ability to carry the ball forward is also notable, ranking in the 74th percentile for progressive carries per 90 (1.70), while completing 62% of his take-ons.

He can stretch defensive lines and create space for teammates, a trait Moyes will likely value in Everton’s evolving system.

Despite needing time to adapt to the Premier League, Barry has already made five appearances this season, logging 142 minutes.

Compared to Beto, Barry’s 2024/25 stats indicate a player with greater overall influence: 20 goal involvements versus Beto’s 8, 1.71 progressive carries per 90 versus 0.88, 1.05 progressive passes per 90 versus 0.94, and higher involvement in shot-creating actions (1.78 per 90 compared to 1.52).

His progressive passing distance per 90 (21.2) also surpasses Beto’s 16.6, aligning with Moyes’ desire for a striker comfortable in possession-based play. Barry offers Everton the chance to implement a forward capable of linking play, finishing opportunities, and contributing to a more dynamic attacking structure.

As Moyes looks ahead to upcoming league fixtures, including the home clash with West Ham, deploying Barry over Beto, who should be ruthlessly dropped, could be the catalyst Everton need to maximise their offensive potential.

The Frenchman’s combination of physicality, technical skill, and aerial dominance marks him as the player to build around in attack, particularly in a team seeking to flourish in the Premier League.

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has revealed tough love has been the key to helping Carlos Baleba return to form ahead of Saturday’s clash with Manchester United. The Cameroon international was wanted by the Red Devils in the summer, but they opted to walk away from discussions after learning the south coast club's valuation of the midfielder.

• United ended talks for Baleba after discovering Brighton's asking price

  United targeted Baleba as they looked to strengthen in the middle of the park before the summer transfer window closed. However, after widespread reports indicated Brighton would not sell Baleba for less than the £115 million (€132m/$153m) they received from Chelsea for Moises Caicedo in 2023, United decided to end negotiations with Hurzeler’s side.

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  Midfielder made slow start to 2025-26 after summer of speculation

  And following an intense summer of speculation surrounding his future, Baleba subsequently made a slow start to the 2025-26 campaign. Having established himself as one of the Premier League’s most promising midfielders following his move from Lille in 2023, the 21-year-old has not completed a full 90-minute match so far this season.

• Cameroon international impressed in Brighton's win over Newcastle

  However, Baleba may have turned a corner after impressing in Brighton’s 2-1 victory over Newcastle last Saturday. While he was substituted once again, the Seagulls’ number 17 played a key role in helping his side stretch their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions. In addition to their win over Newcastle, Brighton have also earned victories over Chelsea in the league and Barnsley in the Carabao Cup, while they recorded draws with Tottenham and Wolves during the same run.

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  Hurzeler explains how he has managed Baleba following United's pursuit

  And Brighton boss Hurzeler has since lifted the lid on how he is helping Baleba slowly rediscover his form, urging the defensive midfielder to take responsibility for his performances by putting United’s interest to the back of his mind.

  In an interview with Hurzeler said of Baleba’s display against Newcastle: “I saw a Carlos Baleba who stepped up.

  “These were good actions and good behaviours he showed, but he has to make habits out of those good behaviours. That's the next step in his development, to bring consistency to his performance.

  “For me, it's always important that I'm very transparent with the players. I have a very good relationship with Carlos. We speak regularly, we are in touch. I always share my thoughts about his development and my thoughts about his performance.

  “It's important to be very clear about what you expect from players on the pitch, off the pitch. And it's important to build relationships where you can criticise or give personal feedback they might not be happy about, but they understand the intention behind it.

  “Carlos won't get better if he only gets compliments and claps from outside. I think he will get better if he has a safe environment, but also honest feedback where he knows what he needs to improve. That's where we try to support him and make him better.”

West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo oversaw a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Everton during his debut game in the Hammers dugout, and he’s now being told that there’s another world-class player in his new squad to rival Jarrod Bowen.

West Ham set for change under new boss Nuno Espírito Santo

Chairman David Sullivan followed the advice of fellow boardroom member Karren Brady, who was a big supporter of Nuno, and appointed the Portuguese on a three-year contract immediately after sacking Graham Potter last Saturday.

Potter was a popular figure among senior members of the West Ham squad and had significant backing behind-the-scenes, according to credible reports.

However, a string of poor results, not to mention the club’s second-worst win percentage of the Premier League era behind Avram Grant, forced Sullivan and co to pull the trigger.

Nuno wasted no time stepping into Potter’s shoes, with Tottenham’s former boss overseeing first-team training at Rush Green the very same day that Potter was sacked, as he prepared his team for a looming trip to Merseyside.

The tactician noticeably omitted midfielder James Ward-Prowse from his first ever West Ham matchday squad – a player he didn’t fancy at Nottingham Forest either – and it’s since been reported that the 30-year-old is resigned to leaving in January (GiveMeSport).

Ward-Prowse has already been told that he has no future at West Ham under Nuno, with the ex-Al-Ittihad coach wasting no time in stamping his authority on the team amid reports that Sullivan is also ready to back him in January.

There are suggestions that West Ham are prepared to bid up to £43m for AC Milan star Christian Pulisic, though it is highly debatable that the USA international would leave a potential Serie A title challenge midway through the campaign.

In any case, the squad is going to look slightly different under West Ham’s new manager.

That being said, alongside the obviously undroppable Bowen, summer signing El Hadji Malick Diouf is already making quite an impression.

West Ham told El Hadji Malick Diouf might be the best left-back in the world

The 20-year-old, who joined West Ham in July for around £19 million from Slavia Prague, is already looking like an absolute bargain.

Malick Diouf’s marauding pace down the left-hand side has already wreaked havoc at times, with the Senegal international bursting past two Everton players before putting in a delightful cross in the build up to Bowen’s equaliser at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday.

The defender undoubtedly sent a message to Nuno with that moment of sheer quality, and members of the media are convinced that he could be something special.

YouTuber and football content creator ‘CaniSports’ told West Ham they might have the best left-back in world football, while Sky presenter Joe Thomlinson has already called Diouf “one of the finds of the season”.

Elsewhere, presenter Jamie Boyce branded the African a “special” player amidst a tongue-in-cheek verdict that Diouf could be one of the best players to ever wear Claret and Blue.

Meanwhile, journalist Muhammad Butt has already called Diouf “massively superior” to Man United’s Patrick Dorgu, hailing West Ham’s often criticised recruitment team in the process.

It is still very early days, and a lot of these verdicts may be deemed excitable to say the least.

However, what is clear is that Diouf has stood far above West Ham’s newest recruits so far, and Nuno will be hoping that is set to continue.

Lyon winger Malick Fofana faces several months on the sidelines after suffering a serious right ankle sprain during a 2-1 win over Strasbourg. The Belgian winger, who has attracted strong interest from Liverpool and Chelsea, will likely require surgery dealing a major blow to Paulo Fonseca’s side as they push for a top-four Ligue 1 finish.

• Fofana stretchered off after horror challenge against Strasbourg

  Lyon’s promising winger has been ruled out for several months as he was stretchered off following a heavy challenge from Ismael Doukoure, who was shown a straight red card for the tackle. Fofana was taken to hospital immediately after the match, where scans revealed a serious right ankle sprain with additional ligament damage that will likely require surgery.

  The Belgian forward’s injury comes at a terrible time for Lyon, who have been heavily reliant on his pace and creativity following a difficult summer that saw the departures of key attackers Rayan Cherki and Georges Mikautadze. Coach Fonseca has also been dealing with a depleted squad, with winger Ernest Nuamah still sidelined by an ACL injury sustained in April.

  Before the injury, Fofana had made 12 Ligue 1 appearances this season, scoring twice and emerging as one of the standout young performers in France. His explosive dribbling, acceleration, and direct play had made him an indispensable part of Lyon’s attack and one of the brightest prospects in European football.

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  Lyon confirm long-term setback

  The French club confirmed the news in an official statement, outlining the extent of the injury and the expected recovery period. Lyon said they would do everything possible to support Fofana’s rehabilitation and eventual return to the squad.

  "Tests carried out overnight at the hospital, then confirmed today, revealed a serious sprain of the right ankle, accompanied by injuries which will most likely require surgery, which should keep him off the pitch for several months. Olympique Lyonnais will put in place all necessary measures to ensure Malick Fofana receives the best possible medical care and supports his rehabilitation, in order to plan for his return to the squad as quickly as possible."

  This injury marks another setback in what has been a turbulent season for Les Gones. Despite their strong domestic and European form sitting fourth in Ligue 1 with 18 points and boasting a perfect Europa League record, losing Fofana until well into 2026 represents a huge blow for Fonseca’s project.

• Liverpool & Chelsea keen on Fofana

  Even before his injury, the 20-year-old had been at the centre of significant transfer speculation. Both Liverpool and Chelsea have shown strong interest in signing the young Belgian, whose profile fits both clubs’ long-term recruitment strategies.

  The Reds' scouting team, led by sporting director Richard Hughes, have reportedly monitored the youngster for several months as they plan for life beyond Mohamed Salah. Fofana’s versatility, acceleration, and direct attacking instincts make him an ideal fit for Arne Slot’s high-pressing system.

  Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to target young, high-ceiling players under their youth-focused recruitment model. The club’s data-driven scouting department view Fofana as a player with immense developmental potential – one who could fit seamlessly into the club’s long-term rebuild.

  Fofana is currently under contract with Lyon until 2028, but reports suggest his representatives had already been exploring potential options for a move at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. Despite the injury setback, both Premier League clubs are expected to continue monitoring his recovery and form upon return.

  When asked about the reported interest last month, Fofana said: "There was interest from those two clubs [Liverpool and Chelsea], but ultimately nothing concrete. I've considered a transfer, but now I think it's more important that I play a lot, and that has to happen at Lyon. Because I still have some progress to make."

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  Lyon face difficult months ahead

  The Belgian international's absence has forced Fonseca to turn to an internal solution, with Afonso Moreira, the 20-year-old winger recently signed from Sporting CP, stepping into the spotlight. The youngster made an immediate impact – scoring a stunning stoppage-time winner against Strasbourg after coming off the bench in the 68th minute, just four days after netting against Basel in the Europa League. Two goals in 122 minutes have earned him the trust of Fonseca and the Lyon dressing room.

  However, replacing Fofana’s influence over several months will remain a major challenge. With both Fofana and Nuamah sidelined long-term, Lyon’s attacking depth will be stretched thin as they navigate crucial fixtures against Real Betis and Paris Saint-Germain. The club’s ability to maintain form through the winter could define their campaign and their hopes of staying within reach of league leaders PSG.

Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki combined to devastating effect as Manchester City comfortably beat Bournemouth 3-1 and provided the perfect response to last week's defeat at Aston Villa. The French playmaker started at No. 10 after impressing against Swansea City in midweek and proved to be the perfect foil to City's insatiable striker, who he provided with two goals.

City got an early scare when Eli Junior Kroupi finished off a lightning-quick breakaway move in the opening minute but he was offside. Their game plan was above all about getting the ball to Haaland in dangerous situations and it paid off in the 17th minute, when Cherki's cushioned header went behind Bournemouth's high defensive line and to Haaland, who sprinted clear from behind the halfway-line to slot past Djordje Petrovic.

Bournemouth levelled thanks to some suspect goalkeeping from Gianluigi Donnarumma, who tried to punch away a corner but instead swatted it into the air for Tyler Adams to volley home from close range. The Italian's protests that he had been fouled fell on deaf ears. City appealed for a penalty when a cross hit the body and then the arm of Alex Jimenez and it did not take long for fans to turn on referee Anthony Taylor. But they did not need any help when they regained the lead.

Cherki crafted a delicious first-time pass which split Bournemouth's defence and released Haaland, who powered his way into the area and rounded Petrovic to score his 13th league goal of the season in 10 games. The Norwegian could have had a hat-trick before the break when he was released by Jeremy Doku but this time Petrovic got the better of him and punched his chipped attempt away.

Bournemouth had three decent attempts to level after the break as Donnarumma denied Brooks and Kroupi, who also fired just wide. City made them pay down the other end with another slick move. Cherki and Foden combined to set Nico O'Reilly on his way and the academy product curled a low strike into the bottom corner, effectively ending the game on the hour-mark.

GOAL rates Man City's players from the Etihad Stadium…

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  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Gianluigi Donnarumma (5/10):

  His lousy punch was a stark reminder of his occasional weakness dealing with crosses and he didn't help himself by getting booked for his protests. To his credit he bounced back with important saves to deny Kroupi and Brooks.

  Matheus Nunes (6/10):

  Coped very well with the threat of Antoine Semenyo throughout. Made an important tackle on Brooks after the Ghana winger had surged forward. Didn't do too much damage going forward.

  Ruben Dias (6/10):

  Given a couple of scares by Kroupi but largely kept the visitors at bay with some astute defending.

  Josko Gvardiol (6/10):

  Had an early warning when Brooks raced past him in the move leading to the offside goal. Steadied himself and combined well with Dias to snuff out any future threats, including making a crowd-pleasing tackle on Semenyo.

  Nico O'Reilly (8/10):

  A powerful display in every sense. Played on the front foot and could have scored in the first half. Made amends with his brilliantly-taken strike.

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  Midfield

  Bernardo Silva (6/10):

  Took a back seat and rarely got forward but still played an important role in the victory with clever use of the ball.

  Nico Gonzalez (7/10):

  The best compliment you can pay him is that City are barely noticing the absence of Rodri. Put himself about to ensure City won the midfield battle and combined well with Cherki.

  Phil Foden (7/10):

  Was overshadowed by Cherki somewhat but still played his part in opening up the visitors, particularly with his pass to set up O'Reilly.

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  Attack

  Rayan Cherki (9/10):

  Weaved his magic throughout and no one benefitted more than Haaland. His headed assist was unexpected but exactly what City needed to open up their opponents while his first-time pass to the Norwegian was a work of art. Wasn't far from crowning his excellent display with a goal, being denied by Petrovic from a free-kick and blasting over in the second half.

  Erling Haaland (9/10):

  Simply inevitable. Had a telepathic understanding with Cherki and put the fear of God into Bournemouth's defenders whenever he latched on to a through ball. Produced two confident finishes and was mighty close to his first hat-trick of the season.

  Jeremy Doku (6/10):

  A hit-and-miss display. Lost the ball leading to Bournemouth's offside goal but probed well in attack, laying the ball on for Haaland on the one occasion the Norwegian failed to beat Petrovic.

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  Subs & Manager

  Savinho (5/10):

  Didn't capitalise on Bournemouth effectively throwing in the towel, misplacing a key pass which could have unlocked a fourth goal.

  Tijjani Reijnders (6/10):

  Tried to do damage on the break after replacing Cherki.

  Omar Marmoush (N/A):

  Replaced Haaland in the 82nd minute.

  Rayan Ait-Nouri (N/A):

  Came on in the 90th minute.

  Rodri (N/A):

  Came on in the 90th minute.

  Pep Guardiola (8/10):

  Playing Foden and Cherki together raised eyebrows against such a quick Bournemouth side but it worked a treat.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has provided fresh comments regarding Brendan Rodgers’ future at Celtic, following a frustrating period for him at the club.

Rodgers' summer frustration at Celtic

The Hoops haven’t always been at their brilliant best so far this season, highlighted by the fact that Hearts lead the way in the Scottish Premiership title race currently.

It was a summer transfer window to forget for Celtic, with a lack of top-quality new signings coming in, with Rodgers vocal about it at the time, saying: “It didn’t make me think of walking way, I just felt empty, if I’m honest.”

There is a feeling that all is not too well between the manager and the club at the moment, and he is yet to sign a new deal, which further suggests that the Northern Irishman is weighing up his future at Parkhead, deciding whether to stay on and move elsewhere.

Rodgers is only contracted to Celtic until the end of this season, which is why there is concern about his future, with the clock ticking down all the time.

"Massive concerns" regarding Rodgers' Celtic future

Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke admitted that Rodgers’ future is still up in the air at Celtic, with no real progress made over a contract extension amid how he was left “frustrated” at Parkhead.

At this point, it is hard to predict what will happen with Rodgers, but it is certainly easy to envisage him walking away at the end of the season.

He clearly felt disappointed by a lack of financial backing in the transfer market during the summer, which has played a part in his side not yet flourishing this season, and if that doesn’t change moving forward, he could part ways and head elsewhere.

Rodgers made to sweat over two Celtic stars amid international break injury scares

A potential blow for the Bhoys.

By
Tom Cunningham

Oct 12, 2025

Most supporters will hope that isn’t the case, given the success Rodgers has achieved, winning four Scottish titles and Scottish League Cups apiece, as well as three Scottish Cups.

The New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 10-1 on Thursday, clinching the AL East in the process. Aaron Judge hit his 58th home run of the season while Giancarlo Stanton mashed his 27th to go along with a double and four RBIs.

After the game, the Yankees celebrated in the locker room, which is where Stanton spoke with the media. One reporter asked if the Yankees were the team to beat in the postseason, and Stanton had a very confident answer.

"We better be," Stanton said. "That's the point."

Those will become famous last words if the Yankees fall short of the World Series for a 15th straight year. Last season, they missed the playoffs entirely. Before that, the Yankees had lost in the ALCS three times in six years.

The 2024 campaign marks the third time New York has won its division since Stanton joined the club in 2018.

Sunday’s League Cup semi-final was always going to be an unmissable event, but this latest Old Firm derby is even more intriguing than usual.

Both Glasgow giants have changed managers in recent weeks, with this only Danny Röhl’s fourth match in charge of Rangers, while Martin O’Neill is back in the Celtic hot seat on an interim basis, following Brendan Rodgers’ shock resignation on Monday.

For Röhl, it feels as though momentum is starting to build in Glasgow’s West End, following back-to-back Premiership victories over Kilmarnock and Hibs so far this week.

Nevertheless, there is nothing quite like an Old Firm derby to set the zeitgeist, so victory at the national stadium on Sunday would only enhance Röhl’s hero status among the Rangers support, but what lineup should he select against their fierce rivals?

Rangers team news vs Celtic

First and foremost, it has transpired this week that midfielder Connor Barron is suspended.

The £14k-per-week star has been cautioned during both League Cup ties so far this season, victories over Alloa Athletic and Hibernian at Ibrox, so will serve a one-match ban at Hampden.

Given that Barron started the mid-week win at Easter Road, at least one change to the lineup will be required, but a few more are forecast.

Elsewhere, Dujon Sterling remains sidelined long-term due to an achilles injury, still yet to feature this season, but attacker Oliver Antman could return, having missed the last two matches due to illness, which would be a boost.

In total, four changes are forecast when compared to the lineup that left Leith with all three points on Wednesday, but will this team have enough to defeat Celtic?

Rangers predicted XI vs Celtic

As Danny Röhl seeks to figure out which players he can count on, one man whose spot is not up for debate is Jack Butland.

He was the Gers’ hero against Hibs in mid-week, saving a late Jamie McGrath spot-kick, thereby preserving the club’s first clean sheet away from Ibrox since December last year, a sequence of 25 matches that broke the club-record set in Victorian times.

In front of him, Röhl is likely to stick with the back three deployed in both domestic matches so far.

This is good news for Nasser Djiga who, after high-profile mistakes against Dundee and Club Brugge in August, sent off in the former and rather gifting the Belgians a goal in the latter, found himself cast aside.

Nevertheless, the Wolves loanee will keep his place alongside Derek Cornelius and John Souttar.

At wing-back is where the first change will be made.

Having been introduced at half time in Edinburgh, James Tavernier will return, making his 43rd Old Firm appearance, but there is a question mark over who gets the nod on the other side.

The captain replaced Jayden Meghoma in the capital, with Max Aarons shifting across to left-wing-back, so it’s tough to forecast who Röhl will go for, but the teenager on loan from Brentford is the more natural option.

In the middle, given Barron’s suspension, Mohamed Diomandé is the obvious candidate to come in and partner Nicolas Raskin, the pair rekindling their partnership that was the most effective part of Rangers’ team last season.

In this system, Röhl needs two players who can cover a lot of ground, something that certainly is not Joe Rothwell’s forte.

Attack is, by a significant distance, the toughest area of the team to forecast, with seven players, realistically, vying for three spots.

Having scored in each of the last two matches, thereby on target in back-to-back Premiership appearances for the first time since December, Danilo is likely to keep his place, but could be the only member of Wednesday’s front three to do so.

After a generally anonymous performance in Leith, Mikey Moore is set to drop out, the Spurs loanee still yet to score for the Gers.

This would see Djeidi Gassama return to the forward line, having scored five times so far this season, albeit all of which have come in Europe, looking to change that at Hampden.

When he arrived, then-manager Russell Martin labelled the Frenchman “an exciting player who will get supporters on the edge of their seats”, and that has certainly proved to be the case so far.

To complete the forward line, Röhl seems to see something in Youssef Chermiti that supporters do not, the 21-year-old joining Rangers for £8m from Everton, a fee that could rise all the way to £10m, a club record in the post-liquidation era.

The big money signing has started two of the last three games, scoring his first goal for the club off the bench against Killie last Sunday.

However, deploying two centre-forwards against Celtic would be bold, which may well count against both Chermiti and Bojan Miovski, meaning Thelo Aasgaard is the most likely candidate to come in, chosen over Antman, given his recent bout of illness.

Röhl does have options and plenty of talent to work with, even if that certainly did not appear to be the case during Martin’s ill-fated tenure.

So, does this XI have enough quality to beat a depleted Celtic?

Only time will tell!

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