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.

A pair of October friendlies showed that Pochettino's side have a reliable system – and World Cup success could follow

Perhaps the most encouraging part is what happened after Christian Pulisic limped off the Dick's Sporting Goods Park field with a hamstring injury. That really should have been game over. The U.S. men's national team is supposed to lean on its star man, improve every time he touches the ball, and see their chances of winning improve exponentially when he makes things happen.

In short, they can't win without him. 

So much for that narrative. Pulisic was removed from last Tuesday's match against Australia in the 31st minute. The U.S. scored in the 33rd. They did so again in the 52nd. Without their main man, Mauricio Pochettino's side quite comfortably saw off an opponent set up to make their life a nightmare.

It is such a soccer cliche to suggest that "these are the kinds of games that they used to lose." But there is a thin veil of truth to that. The U.S. were supposed to lose in that scenario. But they didn't.

Of course, the USMNT are always better with Pulisic. But without him, they turned in the kind of performance that offered that most valuable of commodities in soccer: hope. Part of this is down to the intangibles – vibes, motivation, the apparently crucial "fighting spirit."

But it's also tactical, a change in formation and crucial flexibility around it that might just turn that hope into something even more tangible: winning.  

Getty ImagesA pair of good results

It's been a strange year for the USMNT. No one, it seemed, was quite sure what the goals were. Did Pochettino need results? Did he need to establish a culture? Did he have time to do both, with a World Cup on the horizon? Yes, and no. There were tactical ideas, new players brought in, speeches about how he was "not a mannequin."

But there weren't really any convincing scorelines. The U.S. got as far as they should have in the Gold Cup – falling to Mexico in the final – lost the games they should have lost, and won the games they were expected to win. Pochettino is 11-7-2 in 20 matches in charge.

In hiring the former Chelsea and PSG manager, US Soccer intended to bring in a "serial winner." What they got instead was a culture guy who didn't seem to know exactly what culture he wanted.

In that light, then, back-to-back good results is impressive. A 1-1 home draw with Ecuador doesn't make for excellent reading. But the South American side hadn't lost in 11, and had been the surprise of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. This was not a win, but there were positives to be taken.

Australia was better. The USMNT went down a goal, rallied, scored two, should have bagged a couple more, and went home with the most comfortable of 2-1 wins – against a side that had beaten Jesse Marsch's Canada just a few days before.

The dust has settled, and it now seems a pretty impressive October window.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportA shift in formation

It is worth asking, then, how this all happened. If the U.S. were so poor for so long, so averse to getting results, how is it that things are now revolutionary? Why has the optimism returned? Strip away the glaring fact that soccer has a short-term memory, and it really comes down to one big tactical change: a switch in formation from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-3. 

This isn't necessarily revolutionary. Pochettino isn't the first manager to play three at the back. He certainly won't be the last. But in context, it is pivotal. When Pochettino arrived, there were a two fundamental assumptions about playing style. The first was that he was a 4-2-3-1 truther. The second was that he believed, unwaveringly, in a high press.

He soon learned, it seemed, that the latter can be translated into defensive weakness. This is not club soccer, where you have days on end on the grass, and plenty of film to watch in the days in between. These are complex systems that have to be learned over time. And Pochettino didn't have any of it to work with. 

What he has done, then, is what most international managers do, and revert into the system that fits his squad the best. This seems obvious. Pochettino has a bunch of good players. This is the setup that, in theory, gets the best out of them. Simple? Yes, but not always so easy to pull off.

Getty ImagesAn act of compromise

Actually implementing such a change requires a remarkable act of compromise for a manager who likes control. Pochettino's brilliance is partially in his man management, but mostly due to his tactical nous. He has been so good for so long because his basic principles have been readily applied, tweaked, and reinvented for the relevant squad.

This is a guy who took a fundamentally flawed Tottenham, won 86 points in the Premier League, and carried them to a Champions League final. These things don't happen by accident. Relinquishing what he knows, then, is a difficult thing. He deserves plenty of praise for realizing that he had to change.

And he good news is that this still has the look of a Pochettino side. The USMNT don't press high. They don't scramble for the ball. But they still are fiercely vertical when they have it. They take risks in attack, allow for positional fluidity, and admit, by result, that their defensive structure might be a bit suspect when they lose the ball – it's how they conceded the first goal to Ecuador.

And that led to some results.

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Getty ImagesAttacking quality

It starts up front. Pochettino's best attacking trait is that he is willing to allow players to express themselves in the final-third. Yes, this is the bit where we have to talk about Pep Guardiola. So much of modern soccer ignores that. Guardiola's idea of "juega de posicion" limits players to specific zones or areas – and prevents them from moving outside of them.

The logic is that if you position a load of good players in specific areas, and allow them to be their best – within that very space – you can piece together a reliable attacking system. That makes sense, and every club practices some version of it.

Pochettino doesn't reject it outright, but his version of the U.S. is far more fluid. Max Arfsten, oddly, is the perfect example. The left wing back is encouraged to attack. But there is not necessarily a consistency in his movements. Sometimes, he overlaps. Sometimes, he cuts inside. Against Australia, he popped up in the middle. These things are not conventional. Some coaches might hate them. But for Pochettino, it's ideal. 

It also helps that, outside of Pulisic, the U.S. has a number of quality No. 10s who can recognize the movements of players around them. Malik Tillman played that role admirably against Ecuador, assisted on Folarin Balogun's goal and created six chances. Diego Luna, in a brief cameo, showed much of the same. 

Arsenal have made plenty of brilliant additions to the club this year.

The likes of Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, and Eberechi Eze, for example, have all significantly strengthened Mikel Arteta’s first team.

However, the powers that be have also made some excellent off-the-pitch additions, most notably new Sporting Director Andera Berta.

The Italian helped oversee the impressive summer transfer window and has done incredibly well on the contract front, and now he appears to be ensuring a first-team star is getting a deal reflective of his importance, a star who Gary Neville once lambasted.

Berta's contract magic at Arsenal

The first bit of business Berta got done after being appointed Arsenal’s new Sporting Director was tying the monstrous Gabriel Magalhães down to a new long-term contract.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast’s ‘First Impressions’ series has everything you need.

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The Brazilian titan put pen to paper on a new four-year deal in early June that saw his weekly wage increase to £150k, and while that is an enormous sum of money, he’s more than worth it, having helped the club produce the best defence for two seasons running, and potentially a third this year.

Not long after the former LOSC Lille ace agreed to new terms, Hale End gem Myles Lewis-Skelly was putting pen to paper a long-term deal of his own, one that runs until 2030, and is fully deserved after a breakout season that saw him make 39 first-team appearances, including ten in the Champions League, and two against Real Madrid.

The next renewal came a couple of months later, when, after plenty of speculation, most of which seems to have been unfounded, Ethan Nwaneri followed his fellow academy graduate by agreeing a five-year deal with the club.

The 18-year-old didn’t play as many minutes as the full-back last season, but he still made 37 appearances, and more importantly, scored nine goals and provided two assists, which for a teenager is incredibly impressive.

Nwaneri in 24/25

Appearances

37

Minutes

1378′

Goals

9

Assists

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.29

Minutes per Goal Involvement

125.27′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Finally, the most recent contract extension Berta has overseen is that of William Saliba.

Arguably the most important of the lot, the French centre-back is regarded by many as one of the best in the world and has been consistently linked with a move to Real Madrid over the last couple of years.

With him and Gabriel at the back, there is no reason the Gunners can’t aim to win every competition they take part in.

Interestingly, while there have been four contract extensions, two players have simply seen their pay increase; Leandro Trossard and someone who’s gone from a potential problem to world-class.

The Arsenal ace who is now "the best in the world"

Like Trossard in the summer, David Raya has reportedly been handed a pay rise by Arsenal, and based on his performances over the last two years, it would be hard to say he doesn’t deserve it.

However, while he is now practically undroppable and one of the most important players in Arteta’s squad, that hasn’t always been the case.

For example, when he was initially signed on loan from Brentford in the summer of 2023, pundits and fans alike were somewhat bewildered by the move, if not outright dismissive, as Aaron Ramsdale was the club’s number one at that point.

Former keeper turned pundit Shay Given didn’t hold back in his assessment of the move, claiming the manager was “signing a problem.”

However, it soon became clear that the Spaniard would be the club’s new number one going forward, but that didn’t stop the criticism whenever he made a mistake or looked a little shaky.

For example, in the home game against Manchester City that October, Neville slammed the Barcelona-born shot-stopper, claiming, “I can spot a goalkeeper a mile off who is a nervous wreck, and David Raya is that at the moment.”

Fortunately, Arteta took little notice of the outside noise, and eventually the Bees’ former keeper settled into life at the Emirates and went from a possible problem to someone who has kept the North Londoners in a number of games over the years.

Moreover, he won the Golden Glove in his first season and repeated the feat last season, and he looks likely to do the same again this year, as in seven games, he has conceded just three goals.

On top of that, FBref rank the 30-year-old in the top 3% of keepers in the Premier League for save percentage per 90, so his excellent clean sheet record is not just down to the players in front of him.

With all that in mind, it is pretty difficult to disagree with Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley that the Gunners’ unreal number one is now “in the conversation for the best in the world.”

Ultimately, while an extra year or two would have been perfect, Raya fully deserves his pay rise, and so long as he keeps playing the way he is, he may have a Premier League title to go along with a third set of golden gloves come May.

Related Big-money Berta signing could already be on borrowed time at Arsenal

Kai Havertz’s impending return is bad news for one player at Arsenal.

Posts ByBen Gray Oct 8, 2025

Liverpool are looking to retain their Premier League title and are now set to try and enact an intriguing deal at Anfield that could see a versatile star arrive.

Liverpool prepare for return to action against Man Utd

The international break may still be ongoing, but the Reds are verging towards a return to action against Manchester United in a fixture that will evoke plenty of emotions as they aim to get back on track.

Arne Slot has had to suffer an unusual sequence of three consecutive losses, though club football’s recent pause has enabled some much-needed time to reset at Anfield.

Despite a poor run of form, Michael Owen has backed Mohamed Salah to rediscover his mojo after the international break, claiming his recent displays are merely a bump in the road.

He said cited via The Mirror: “In terms of their forwards, going through them individually. Mo Salah’s obviously not going through his best of patches now, but you can never write him off. He’s still fit and healthy and injury-free and been top of his game for years. There’s no doubt, surely in anybody’s mind, that he’ll be banging him in again soon.”

However, defence could continue to be an issue for Liverpool after Ibrahima Konate pulled out of France’s squad due to a muscle problem, joining Giovanni Leoni on the sidelines.

Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether the Reds can recover after a bruising period. They started the campaign well, but a series of late winners masked the inconsistency in their early performances.

Either way, Liverpool are a side with character in abundance and would appeal to anyone, so it is no surprise to hear that they are now in the market to secure the signature of a premium French talent.

Liverpool vying to sign Tylel Tati

According to CaughtOffside, Liverpool are among a clutch of clubs eyeing FC Nantes defender Tylel Tati, who is capable of operating at the heart of the backline, left-back or as a defensive midfielder.

Known for sliding into a full-back position when the natural wide players in Nantes’ backline invert, he is a versatile presence who could resemble the style of full-backs deployed by Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, given he is more of a dominant ball-winner than a wide player by trade.

£870m release clause: Chelsea join race to sign "top class" Liverpool target

The Blues are looking to sign a new defender, following an injury crisis at centre-back.

ByDominic Lund Oct 12, 2025

Reflected in the fact he has won 12 duels and made six interceptions this season, per Fotmob, the 17-year-old is also being eyed by the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa in England.

Making his breakthrough this term, Tati has managed to add six senior appearances to his tally and is growing in stature on the field, showcasing his qualities as a rare commodity amid his existence as a left-footed central defender.

Scouts have been sent to watch the youngster by Liverpool, who have clearly been doing their work on him in the background, and he could well be the next cog in Slot’s machine if all goes to plan.

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.

Matches Played

5

Starts

1

Minutes

144

Progressive Carries

2

Progressive Passes

2

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.

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.

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  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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• AFP
  

  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.

Glasgow Rangers are back in action in the Scottish Premiership at Ibrox on Saturday after the end of the international break, but it remains to be seen who will be in the dugout.

The Light Blues parted ways with their last head coach after their last league match before the break, and Rangers have yet to agree a deal with a replacement.

As shown in the graphic above, the Gers endured a dismal start to the 2025/26 campaign, winning just five of their 17 matches, and they have to find a manager who can turn their fortunes around.

Rangers have held talks with English tactician

Steven Gerrard has withdrawn from contention to be the next Gers manager, after talks with the club, which means that they now have to look elsewhere for a Russell Martin replacement.

Manager Focus

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According to TEAMtalk, Rangers have held talks with former Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick as part of their process to find their next boss.

The English tactician, who left Boro at the end of last season, has had discussions with the Ibrox giants over a potential move to Scotland, and would not cost a penny in compensation.

TEAMtalk adds, though, that Danny Rohl, Kieran McKenna, and Rafael Wicky are also contenders for the role, as the Light Blues look for an alternative to Gerrard.

Why Rangers should appoint Michael Carrick

Carrick would be an intriguing option for the Scottish giants to go for because he has the potential to get Ibrox rocking again with his style of play and history in the game.

Rangers supporters could get behind the English tactician because he had an illustrious playing career, unlike Martin, winning five Premier League titles with Manchester United, making 464 appearances in all competitions, per Transfermarkt.

This means that he can bring a winning mentality to the club even if his coaching career has not started in a similar vein, as he impressed with Middlesbrough on a “limited budget”, as Mark Schwarzer put it.

League finish

8th

10th

xPTS (Expected league finish)

73 (5th)

71 (6th)

xG

69.5

67.4

xGA

55.0

56.4

xGD

+14.5

+11.3

As you can see in the table above, the results that Carrick’s team picked up did not quite get the rewards that his coaching deserved, which suggests that he did not have the quality of player that he needed to achieve real success down south.

If Rangers are happy with their recruitment work in the summer, the Light Blues may feel that they have the players to make the most of the former Manchester United star’s impressive and attack-minded coaching.

Carrick, who was hailed as an “insanely talented coach” by former Boro player Lukas Engel, has also shown that he can develop and get the best out of young players, like Morgan Rogers.

The England international explains in the clip above that the head coach helped him to take the next step in his development as a young player.

Rogers was valued at £1.5m by Transfermarkt at the time of his move to Boro from Manchester City. At the time of writing (14/10/2025), the 23-year-old star is valued at a whopping £48m by Transfermarkt.

This shows that Carrick can help to develop big-money talent, which aligns with the club’s strategy to bring in and improve young players, which is why another reason why he could be a fantastic appointment.

Overall, the 44-year-old head coach could get Ibrox rocking because his success and reputation in the game would command respect, and he is a manager who has shown that he can coach attacking football at Middlesbrough on a ‘limited budget’.

Tottenham now in contact to sign "complete" fast winger ahead of Rangers

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ByHenry Jackson Oct 12, 2025

It will now be interesting to see if the Light Blues decide to seriously pursue an agreement with Carrick or if they go elsewhere, with Rohl, McKenna, or Wicky.

يرى أحمد أبو مسلم لاعب الأهلي السابق، أن ارتفاع عقود اللاعبين سبب رئيسي في تراجع نتائج الفريق خلال الفترة الأخيرة من الدوري الممتاز.

وكان الأهلي قد تعادل سلبيًا مع نظيره المصري البورسعيدي، بالأمس بدون أهداف في الجولة الـ13 من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

طالع.. مجموعة الأهلي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا 2025-2026

وقال أبو مسلم في تصريحات على راديو ميجا إف إم: “هناك مشاكل كبيرة في الأهلي، مثلا ارتفاع عقود اللاعبين جعلهم ينظرون لبعضهم البعض، وهناك عدم سيطرة على أوضة اللبس، والأهلي يعاني من خط الدفاع بعد رحيل محمد عبد المنعم ورامي ربيعة، واشرف داري لم يفيد الأهلي بسبب إصاباته المتكررة”.

وأضاف: “هناك أزمة في الجبهة اليسرى واليمنى أيضا للأهلي، ولا بد أن يشارك محمد شكري بصورة أساسية، فالأهلي يعاني من مركز الظهير الأيسر بعد رحيل معلول والدبيس، ولا بد من إتاحه الفرصة لمحمد شكري” 

وتابع: “جراديشار ليس على مستوى النادي الأهلي ولديه نواقص فنية كبيرة، وإهدار الفرص مسؤولية التدعيم الخاطئ في الهجوم بعد رحيل وسام أبو علي، ولا بد النظر إلى ما يقدمه فيستون مايلي مع بيراميدز مقارنة بمهاجمي الأهلي في الوقت الحالي، والأزمة عند الأهلي في اللاعبين وليس في الجهاز الفني”.

وتابع: “أفشة أزمته نفسية وتراجع مستواه مع ديانج بسبب التهميش من الجهاز الفني، ويجب منح الفرصة لمحمد عبد الله على حساب زيزو، وانظروا مع فعله جوزيه مع حسام عاشور، عندما كان لاعبا صاعدا فتم استبعاد لاعبين كبار مثل حسام غالي من أجل مشاركة لاعبين صاعدين مثل حسام عاشور في التشكيل الأساسي”.

MatériaMais Notícias

OCorinthiansacertou o empréstimo do zagueiro João Gabriel Maklouf, do Sub-17, para a Roma, da Itália, nesta quarta-feira (27). O empréstimo tem duração de um ano e meio e os clubes estipularam uma opção de compra avaliada em R$ 8 milhões. Mas afinal, quem é João Gabriel Maklouf? O Lance! te conta mais sobre o jogador.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansDuílio esclarece declaração antiga sobre Mano e ataca candidato da oposição à presidência do CorinthiansCorinthians29/09/2023CorinthiansAO VIVO! Confira a entrevista coletiva de apresentação de Mano Menezes, novo técnico do CorinthiansCorinthians29/09/2023CorinthiansMano Menezes aparece no BID, e treinador tem data para estrear no CorinthiansCorinthians29/09/2023

+ Renove o seu estoque de camisas do Timão com o cupom LANCEFUT 10% OFF

Joia da base do Timão, João Gabriel Maklouf é zagueiro e tem apenas 16 anos. Justamente por ser menor de idade, a negociação com o clube italiano teve que passar pelo aval da Fifa, que permitiu o negócio pois o atleta possui cidadania italiana e estará acompanhado dos pais no país europeu.

+ Garanta a sua vaga no curso que formou craques como Pet, Dante e Léo Moura! Cupom: LANCE1000

Com 1,87m de altura, João Gabriel iniciou sua trajetória no futebol defendendo a camisa do Nacional-SP, no Sub-11. Depois, o zagueiro foi para o Osasco Audax em 2019 no Sub-13. Já em 2021, despertou o interesse do Corinthians e acertou a ida ao Timão para integrar o Sub-15 e logo depois o Sub-17.

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Nesta temporada, João Gabriel vinha recebendo poucas oportunidades do técnico Guilherme Dalla Déa, que vem optando por escalar William Magiezi e Rafael Venâncio como dupla de zaga titular. No total, o jovem zagueiro disputou 63 jogos pelas categorias de base do Timão, sendo campeão da Copa Votorantim Sub-15 2022, uma das competições mais importantes das categorias inferiores.

+ Duílio esclarece declaração antiga sobre Mano e ataca candidato da oposição à presidência do Corinthians

Além do futebol, ele pratica Kung-Fu e possui diversas medalhas por competições estaduais e brasileiras. Outra curiosidade é que, além do português, o jovem fala outros três idiomas: inglês, espanhol e italiano.

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O Corinthians é dono de 100% dos direitos econômicos de João Gabriel e, caso a Roma exerça a opção de compra,seria por 70% do passe do atleta, a depender de metas alcançadas pelo zagueiro durante o empréstimo durante o contrato.

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“We saw yesterday on day one the ball shoot low and then the next over it jumped up and created a wicket. I think that’ll probably be the same tomorrow,” Mitchell Starc says

Andrew McGlashan27-Jun-2025

Mitchell Starc does not see the surface at Kensington Oval going the same way as Lord’s did in the World Test Championship final as Australia look to set a big enough run chase to avoid back-to-back defeats to West Indies for the first time since 1999.In the Lord’s final earlier this month, Australia and South Africa traded low first-innings scores before batting became significantly easier on the third day under sunnier skies where, initially, Starc himself was able to make a half-century, and then Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma marshalled South Africa’s historic chase.But though the wickets’ tally on the second day in Barbados dropped to ten compared to 14 on the first, Starc thought it unlikely that batters would suddenly start to dominate over the latter stages of this game. Travis Head and Beau Webster will resume on the third day with a lead of 82.Related

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“I think the wicket at Lord’s was very flat when the sun came out,” Starc said. “I certainly found it easy to bat on. This [one], we’ve seen these two days, there’s so much variable [bounce] there. We saw yesterday on day one the ball shoot low and then the next over it jumped up and created a wicket. I think that’ll probably be the same tomorrow. And some good bowling that creates enough chances.”There was a little bit of a partnership there with Beau and Trav [27 so far] there at the end, so hopefully that can continue in the morning and then push it as far as we can [with] some lower-order runs and then go from there. I think there’s enough chances [being created] as we’ve seen for the last two days, that you’re never quite in and you never know what total is going to be enough.”When West Indies coach Daren Sammy was asked what he thought was chaseable, he joked: “I would love to chase 82. Somebody get a double-hat-trick or something.”It was a moment of levity from a clearly frustrated Sammy, who raised questions about the umpiring and was left exasperated by his team’s catching. They dropped Sam Konstas twice on 0, taking their tally of misses in the match to six, five of which have come off Shamar Joseph. Konstas, however, was only able to make 5 before falling to Joseph for the second time in the game.Australia’s bowlers will come into play in what they hope will be a big chase for West Indies•Randy Brooks/AFP/Getty Images

“Pretty sure they are going to get a nice bollocking. Not too angry, but for sure, it’s an attitude,” Sammy said. “The same way you practice your batting and your bowling, fielding and catching becomes equally important. Catching at slip is a skill. As somebody who fielded there, it’s a skill we constantly have to work on, putting time in it.”Good teams will make you pay. So far, it’s not been too costly, but this is something that in order for us to improve on the goals that we have for this team, this is going to continue. Our catching efficiency has to go up.”Regardless of the chances they have spurned, though, West Indies – and, in particular, Shamar Joseph – have left a significant early dent on Konstas’ series aspirations after scores of 3 and 5 with the innings on the second day proving especially awkward.”I think he had three chances and still scored five,” Sammy said. “Credit to our boys. The plans that we had against their top order and the areas that the guys bowled at him, they made it very difficult. Kudos to Shamar, [because] before the Test started, he did say he’s ready for Konstas when they asked about him.”