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Finishing with aplomb, Sunderland have now reportedly reached an agreement to sign another impressive star from a Champions League club.

Chelsea recall Marc Guiu from Sunderland

One of the many impressive deals that Sunderland struck earlier this summer was an agreement to take Marc Guiu on loan from Chelsea. The young forward is full of potential and was ready to challenge for a place in Regis Le Bris’ side until Liam Delap’s injury caused a frustrating domino effect.

Now, having only just started working his way into Sunderland’s Premier League plans, Guiu must compete for a place in a dressing room that is filled to the brim with young talent. Sunderland, meanwhile, have been forced to turn their focus back towards the transfer market.

On that front, it looks as though the Black Cats are in for a frantic deadline day. Despite already spending big this summer, Reports now suggesting that they’ve reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to Lutsharel Geertruida in yet another impressive move for a player from a European club.

Meanwhile, when questioned on potential deadline day moves, Le Bris told reporters: “The last couple of days are always a crazy period. I think every club waits until the last minute to decide.”

After such a strong start to their Premier League return – winning two out of their opening three games – any added reinforcements will be an even further boost for those at the Stadium of Light. With Geertruida agreed and Guiu heading back to Chelsea, Sunderland have also shifted their focus towards a Champions League ace.

Sunderland reach agreement to sign Brobbey

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Sunderland have now reached an agreement to sign Brian Brobbey from Ajax on deadline day. The forward has benefitted from Cheslea’s Guiu decision and a deal worth around €25m (£22m) with add-ons has now been struck. With a medical scheduled, the Dutchman looks poised to seal his move.

Granit Xhaka was an excellent coup earlier this summer, but Sunderland will arguably top that by signing both Geertruida and Brobbey on a fantastic double deadline day deal. The forward, in particular, would be a major upgrade on the more inexperienced Guiu.

Dubbed “powerful” by U23 scout Antonio Mango last year, Brobbey scored seven goals and assisted another six in all competitions last season as Ajax struggled, but it was the season prior that he showed his true potential.

Sunderland now "keen" to sign rapid £35m star similar to Vinicius Junior

The Black Cats are ready to make a late swoop…

1 BySean Markus Clifford Aug 31, 2025

After scoring 22 goals and assisting 11 more in all competitions in the 2023/24 campaign, it’s clear that Sunderland are signing a player that is capable of taking the Premier League by storm.

أعرب وليد صلاح الدين، مدير الكرة بالنادي الأهلي، عن سعادته بعد الفوز على كهرباء الإسماعيلية ومواصلة الانتصارات في الدوري المصري.

وقال وليد صلاح الدين في تصريحات عبر قناة “أون سبورت”: “الحمد لله، المكنة مطلعة قماش من أول يوم، الحمد لله”.

وواصل بخصوص وساطته لمصالحة ياسر إبراهيم مع ياسر عسكر، المسؤول الرياضي لشركة “نايل”: “هذا واجبنا وتلك أخلاق النادي الأهلي، وجعلت ياسر يتحدث مع أيمن يونس ومحمد فضل”.

وتابع: “ياسر لم يكن يعلم الجهة التي تختار رجل المباراة وهذا طبيعي فهو حماس ملعب، ولم يكن يعلم أن مروان عطية هو من فاز بالجائزة، لكنه عرف بعد هدوء الأمور وتلك أمور بسيطة”.

طالع.. عماد النحاس: لن نُعاقب لاعب الأهلي.. وهذا ما أخشاه في الفترة القادمة

وأكمل: “الرجل مشكور أنه تحمل الموقف، وقلت له المباراة المقبلة سيأتي للاعتذار لك، وياسر إبراهيم واحد من نجوم منتخب مصر، وإن شاء الله منتخب مصر يصل كأس العالم وياسر من الرجال الحقيقيين، ومن اللاعيبن الذي حملوا الفريق وواحد من القادة، ونحن الأهلي ليس أي شخص يدلي تصريحات”.

واستكمل: “عماد النحاس المدير الفني يحافظ على خصوصية الفريق ويركز بشكل كبير، وممنوع تصريحات اللاعبين لكن أحيانًا نسمع عن أمور مغلوطة، فبصفتي مدير الكرة أرد تفاديًا لأي مشاكل وغضب الجمهور”.

واسترسل: “هناك أمور كثيرة مثل تواجد زيزو في معسكر مباراة الزمالك وجلوسه مع عماد النحاس ووليد صلاح الدين، كلها شائعات تنتشر بسرعة، ومثل تلك الأمور إن لم نرد عليها تحدث بلبلة داخل الفريق”.

وأضاف: “لابد أن تعرف الجماهير أن اللاعبين ملتزمين من أول يوم، ويجب على جماهير الأهلي أن تعلم أن معنا لاعبين ملتزمين جدًا، وقلت لهم منذ أول يوم انتهت فكرة تجديد العقود، ولا أحد يتحدث في هذا الأمر”.

وقال: “في نفس الوقت ملف التجديد ما زال في بدايته، هناك أشهر أكتوبر ونوفمبر وديسمبر قبل يناير، بمعنى متبقي 3 أشهر، وفي نفس الوقت أعمل بطريقة مختلفة، فلابد أن أرى الأداء أولًا”.

وأردف: “في النهاية، نحن نعمل وفق نظام جديد وشرحناه للناس، أي هناك لجنة تخطيط، وهناك قيمة تُحدد لكل لاعب وفق معايير معينة لذلك، لا يزال الوقت مبكرًا، ولا تزال هناك بطولات، بما فيها السوبر، وفي الوقت نفسه يجب أن أتابع البدائل”.

وأشار: “هذه نقطة مهمة جدًا، يجب أن أؤمن نفسي بالبدائل، وسنناقش مع أنديتهم طلباتهم، هناك الكثير من الأمور، لأتمكن من وضع خطة كاملة أقدمها للكابتن الخطيب ولجنة التخطيط”.

وواصل: “سوف نقدم لكل لاعب عرضًا، سواء قبل اللاعب أو رفضه نحن نتمنى بالطبع أن يبقى جميع لاعبينا معنا، لكن إذا رفض أحدهم، سأكون قد حضرت البديل الكفء، وأعرف جميع المعايير التي تنطبق عليه، سواء العمر أو المهارة”.

وتابع: “وبالطبع، لدينا خبرات قوية جدًا، ولكن قدر الإمكان سيكون البديل قريبًا من اللاعب الذي يقدم له العرض، في نفس المركز، وقد يكون أصغر سنًا وهكذا”.

وتطرق إلى علاقته بمحمد يوسف المدير الرياضي وسيد عبد الحفيظ المرشح لعضوية مجلس الإدارة، قائلًا: “عبد الحفيظ حبيبي، هو أسطورة من أساطير الأهلي، أحد الذين لعبت معهم كثيرًا، وزاملتهم في الملعب، وهو أحد أكثر مديري الكرة خبرة في تاريخ النادي الأهلي مع الأساطير الكبيرة”.

وأكمل: “كل من يعمل في النادي الأهلي يعرف مهام عمله، أنا مدير الكرة، داخل غرفة الملابس ومع اللاعبين وجميع القرارات المتعلقة باللاعبين أو غرفة الملابس معي، والكابتن محمد يوسف، المدير الرياضي، لديه ملفات كثيرة، سواء قطاع الناشئين، الأكاديميات، الكرة النسائية، وملف الفريق الأول فيما يخص المدرب”.

واستمر: “سنجلس معًا في كل شيء وسيكون الكابتن سيد عضو مجلس إدارة، وقد حدث ذلك سابقًا مع الكابتن طارق سليم والكابتن الخطيب، ومع أساطير النادي، ووجود أحد أعضاء مجلس الإدارة كمشرف على ملف الكرة أمر مهم، إذا وضع الكابتن الخطيب التفاصيل سيُعلن ذلك للناس جميعًا”.

وذكر: “سيد عبد الحفيظ إضافة قوية جدًا جدًا، ونحن أيضًا على المستوى الشخصي متفاهمون بشكل غير عادي، تحديدًا أنا وسيد، لأننا عملنا معًا سابقًا، نحن تلميذان للكابتن محمد رمضان”.

وأوضح: “الكابتن محمد رمضان، أول من تولى إدارة أكاديميات النادي الأهلي، جلبني أنا وسيد عبد الحفيظ، وشرح لنا فكرة الإدارة وكل شخص يدير بشخصيته، تمامًا كما كان في الماضي عندما تولينا قيادة الأهلي، كنت أنا قائد الفريق رقم واحد، وخلفي هادي خشبة، وخلفه سيد عبد الحفيظ”.

واستمر: “كان قائد الفريق في الماضي يعنف اللاعبين ويصرخ بشدة، وتكون هناك طريقة محددة، لكن عندما جئنا، غيرنا هذا الشكل، وأصبح لدينا أسلوب مختلف قليلًا، قد يكون هادئًا ويحتوي على مزيد من الحب، وكسبنا جميع البطولات، بما فيها دوري أبطال أفريقيا”.

وأضاف: “بعد ذلك، استمر الجيل الكبير من تريكة وجمعة وعماد متعب على نفس الفكرة، هذه مدارس، كل شخص يدير حسب شخصيته، ولكن في النهاية كلنا أولاد الأهلي، ونخدم النادي في أي مكان، ولا أحد يتدخل ولا يتحدث في هذا الموضوع الآن، كل شيء مغلق منذ اللحظة الأولى، والله”.

وأتم عن إصابة حسين الشحات: “شعر بشد في الخلفية، سنقوم بعمل آشعة أولًا، ثم سنتأكد إن شاء الله ألا تكون الإصابة كبيرة”.

MatériaMais Notícias

Logo em sua primeira entrevista como novo técnico do São Paulo, um dos aspectos elogiados por Dorival Júnior em relação ao trabalho do antecessor Rogério Ceni era o aproveitamento de jogadores vindos das categorias de base do clube.

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Palavras que não para menos. Em sua última passagem como comandante do Tricolor, Ceni se tornou o técnico que mais aproveitou atletas revelados no próprio São Paulo no time principal. Ao todo foram 13 deles promovidos pelo ex-goleiro (Thiago Couto, Nathan, Moreira, Luizão, Beraldo, Patryck, Léo Silva, Pablo Maia, Palmberg, Rodriguinho, Maioli, Matheus Belém e Caio Matheus).

+ ATUAÇÕES: Pablo Maia marca golaço, e São Paulo tem grande atuação coletiva na vitória sobre o Internacional pelo Brasileirão

Dorival assumiu um elenco com nada menos que 16 nomes vindos de Cotia (veja lista completa no final). E o número pode aumentar. Na última semana o treinador promoveu para treinos na Barra Funda com os profissionais outros seis atletas: Iba Ly, Negrucci, Paulinho, Pedro Afonso, Pedro Reis e Talles Wander.

Dessa lista, pelo menos dois nomes chamam a atenção. Capitão do time sub-20 na disputa do último Campeonato Brasileiro da categoria, Negrucci, de 19 anos, está desde o sub-11 no Tricolor e foi ‘promovido’ por Dorival no início da semana, ganhando a oportunidade de viajar para a Colômbia e integrar a delegação no empate sem gols com o Tolima, pela Copa Sul-Americana.

A ideia é analisar como Negrucci se comporta como o desejado segundo homem de meio-campo, jogando à frente do volante, função na qual o técnico vem encontrando dificuldades em arrumar uma peça que execute as funções.

A segunda peça que se destaca nas atividades com o elenco principal é o senegalês Ly. O meia chegou ao Tricolor no decorrer desse ano e já chamou a atenção de Ceni. Foi observado por Dorival, que também elogiou internamente as qualidades do africano.

– Aos poucos, nós vamos tentando observar um pouco mais a base. Ele (Negrucci) chamou a atenção num trabalho… eu tirei várias informações, todas muito positivas. Ele está vindo e ficando um período conosco. De repente, pode acontecer de ele poder atuar. Se não acontecer, ele volta, faz alguns jogos na base e retorna ao profissional – destacou Dorival, após a vitória sobre o Internacional.

– Tudo é uma questão de tempo, para que ele possa ganhar minutagem… um pouco daquilo que nós desejemos… ele já vai entendendo a forma como nós atuamos. Eu acho que isso tem sido importante. Alguns outros poderão estar na Barra Funda daqui a pouco. Eu tive apenas uma oportunidade até agora. Então, vamos com calma, porque eu tenho que acertar a nossa equipe primeiro e depois tentar encontrar algumas soluções – completou o comandante são-paulino.

COMO ANDA COTIA NA BARRA FUNDA

Promovidos em definitivo e integrantes fixos do plantel

Atletas que só sairão do São Paulo em negociações

Young*, Beraldo, Diego Costa, Welington, Moreira, Patryck, Luan, Pablo Maia, Nestor e Juan

Recém-promovidos, mas em testes e trabalhos específicos

Atletas promovidos ao profissional, mas que passarão por uma temporada de treinos na Barra Funda e relaiconados em alguns jogos antes de se tornarem opções de vez no plantel

Pedrinho Vilhena, Matheus Belém, Rodriguinho** e Caio Matheus**

Sonho meu…

Atletas observados por Dorival e que devem treinar na Barra Funda esporadicamente, mas em tese continuam como opções na equipe sub-20

Negrucci, Talles Wander, Vinícius, Iba Ly, Paulinho, Pedro Afonso e Pedro Reis

* Young tem contrato até o fim de agosto e já comunicou a diretoria que não renovará o seu vínculo.

** Rodriguinho e Caio Matheus fazem trabalho especial de ganho de massa muscular e, por isso, voltaram ao sub-20 para manterem o condicionamento físico

Arsenal chiefs are still working to back manager Mikel Arteta with just weeks remaining of the summer transfer window.

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The Gunners also have just over a fortnight remaining before their opening game of the new Premier League season, with Arteta’s side set to face off against Man United at Old Trafford.

In an ideal world, sporting director Andrea Berta would have concluded the majority of Arsenal’s transfer business by that point, but regardless, the Italian has still made a sensational start to life in his new role at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

25/26 – summer

£208m

Berta has splashed north of £200 million on deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and headline-dominating number nine, Viktor Gyokeres, in that order, and these moves could be key to Arsenal ending their two-decade-long wait for a league title.

Gyokeres made his first ever cameo in red and white during a pre-season friendly defeat to Tottenham earlier this week, with Arteta praising the energy he brought alongside fellow new arrival Mosquera.

“I’m really happy to have them here,” said Arteta in a post-match press conference.

“I think they are going to add a lot of value. You see straight away the energy and the quality they are going to bring. It was a short one, but at least that one is over now and when they play against Villareal now, I’m sure it will be different.”

Despite their priority to sell players right now, Arsenal are still pursuing Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze.

The 27-year-old is regarded as a different-style number 10 to that of club captain Martin Odegaard, and one who can provide a more direct threat in terms of goals compared to the Norwegian (Sky Sports).

Eze can also fill in on either wing, with his versatility and proven record in the final third (14 goals and 11 assists last season) coming as other major attractions for Arteta’s side.

Arsenal reach "agreement" on first payment for Eberechi Eze

Reliable reports now claim that Eze’s £60 million release clause, which could rise to £68 million with bonuses, actually expires tonight at 11:59pm – giving Berta and co mere hours to activate it.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal take the plunge, or opt to negotiate with Palace after the deadline, but Football Transfers claim that some progress has been made on a deal for the England international.

The outlet states that Arsenal have reached an agreement over the first down payment for Eze, which they state will be around £30 million, with the north Londoners expected to eventually pay a total of £68m – which is a similar fee to his clause.

FT believe that the main issue holding up Eze’s switch is Palace’s search for a replacement, with Oliver Glasner’s side looking to secure a suitable heir before they green-light the former QPR star’s exit.

Arteta, meanwhile, is believed to be “prioritising” Eze deal and thinks his signing is nearly as important as their deal for Gyokeres.

According to Sky Switzerland’s Sacha Tavolieri, Palace are eyeing Leicester City playmaker Bilal El Khannouss as one option, but it hasn’t stretched beyond interest just yet.

حدد نادي بيراميدز، موعد مغادرته إلى مدينة جدة استعدادا لمواجهة الأهلي السعودي في إطار مباريات بطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال والتي ينظمها الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم، فيفا، لأبطال القارات.

ويلتقي بيراميدز مع نظيره الأهلي السعودي، مساء الثلاثاء 23 سبتمبر في تمام التاسعة مساءً، على ملعب الإنماء (الجوهرة المشعة) بمدينة جدة.

وتقام المباراة ضمن منافسات دور ربع النهائي من بطولة كأس الإنتركونتيننتال وأيضًا المنافسة على لقب بطولة كأس القارات الثلاث.

ووفقًا للمركز الإعلامي لنادي بيراميدز، فإن بعثة الفريق ستغادر القاهرة مساء اليوم السبت، بعدما يختتم تدريباته على ملعب الدفاع الجوي.

طالع | مدرب الأهلي السعودي: حققنا المعجزة أمام الهلال.. وهدفنا الآن الفوز على بيراميدز

وسيؤدي فريق بيراميدز تدريبين في جدة، وسيكون الأول مساء الاحد بالملعب الفرعي لاستاد الإنماء، على أن يخوض مرانه الأخير مساء الإثنين بملعب المباراة.

وكان بيراميدز، استطاع أن يحقق الفوز على أوكلاند سيتي النيوزيلندي بنتجة 3-0، في المباراة التي أقيمت بالقاهرة ضمن مواجهات الدور التمهيدي الأول للبطولة العالمية.

Manchester United finished 15th in the Premier League last season, with emphasis on the word ‘last’.

Ruben Amorim didn’t mince his words when talking about the need to turn things around and use the 2024/25, and all the baggage that came with it, as a springboard for the future, finally ending these endless years of frustration for one of the game’s biggest superpowers.

Fixing the frontline was always going to be among the chief priorities for the Old Trafford side, and INEOS started on a strong footing there, signing Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a £62.5m fee, the Brazil forward rejecting interest from a host of Premier League suitors to join the Red Devils.

Efforts for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo are ongoing, but the pointers suggest that the right-sided forward will join up with Amorim’s squad in the coming weeks, having expressed a burning desire to make the switch.

This is all well and good, but Man United still need to sign a central striker.

Why Man Utd need a new striker

By all accounts, Amorim wanted to commence pre-season with Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho all sold. That hasn’t happened, and they have all informed the hierarchy of their wish to depart.

More concerning, perhaps, is Rasmus Hojlund’s continued presence in the Man United senior squad.

The Danish striker, 22, was well out of sorts last term, and has been heavily linked with a summer exit, Inter Milan showing the most interest in his signature.

​​​​​

Hojlund is clearly a talented forward, but after such an abject run across the recent campaign, it might be a good idea for him to leave, not least because Sir Jim Ratcliffe openly admitted that the young talent was inherited from the past regime, and that he would “have to sort that out”.

Well, whether Hojlund goes or not, United’s movements in the market thus far suggest that a central frontman is on the agenda.

And they’ve been locked in talks for one of the best that Europe has to offer.

Man Utd open talks for new striker

According to talkSPORT, Manchester United have made a fresh enquiry for Eintracht Frankfurt centre-forward Hugo Ekitike, who is one of the hottest commodities in the market this summer.

Ekitike has been coveted by a host of Premier League sides this summer, with United joined in their interest by Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.

However, with the Gunners closing in on Gyokeres, Jason Wilcox might feel he has a good shot at securing the talented Frenchman’s signature.

Transfer Focus

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

Frankfurt value their man at €100m (£85m), a figure they are unwilling to budge on and suitors are as yet unwilling to meet.

What Hugo Ekitike would bring to Man United

Ekitike is only 22 years old, but he’s already established himself as “one of the best strikers out there”, as said by analyst Ben Mattinson.

After leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Frankfurt in January 2024, initially on loan, he’s only gone from strength to strength, scoring 22 goals and supplying 12 assists across 48 matches in all competitions last season.

Ekitike’s natural finishing ability is neat and all, but his high-speed movements and all-round presence in the final third have led journalist Graeme Bailey to dub him “the next Mbappe”, with such a skill set surely perfect for the frontline Amorim is trying to build, namely with Mbeumo circling in on the Theatre of Dreams.

Runners – and confident ones at that – were in short supply at Old Trafford last season. Adding Mbeumo and Ekitike would do wonders, building back up a will to win and work which would pour over to the rest of the squad.

He’s certainly performing at a superior level to Hojlund, and could in that sense prove the perfect centre-forward for Mbeumo to combine with and rekindle the United attack.

Goals scored

0.53

0.18

Assists

0.28

0.00

Shots taken

4.00

1.44

Shot-creating actions

3.55

1.53

Touches (att pen)

6.88

3.32

Progressive passes

1.86

0.82

Progressive carries

3.27

1.26

Successful take-ons

1.83

0.40

Ball recoveries

3.06

1.57

Tackles + interceptions

0.81

0.22

Quite comprehensively, Hojlund was outstripped by his French counterpart, like bark from a sun-weathered tree.

Ekitike’s dynamic movements and innate creative flair suggest he could be perfect for a pair of goal-focused wide forwards such as Cunha and Mbeumo.

Of course, Mbeumo isn’t only about goalscoring. The Cameroonian racked up seven assists in the Premier League last season, creating 17 big chances across the campaign and averaging 1.8 key passes per game, as per Sofascore.

He also finished the campaign ranked among the top 9% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers for crosses completed per 90 (FBref), so he would be well equipped to turn provider for the rangy striker when required.

The fact that the Red Devils have tweaked their strategy and appear to be intent on signing Prem-proven quality alongside the rising phenoms from overseas like Ekitike bespeaks the new era, incipient but inspired by the struggles of recent years, of ensuring that a corner will be turned.

United were at their nadir last season, and no mistake. However, Amorim is a tactician worth his salt, and he might just piece together a squad capable of competing at the top once more, with the likes of Mbeumo playing with the perfect frontman in Ekitike.

Let’s see how this one pans out over the coming weeks.

Cunha 2.0 for Amorim: Man Utd in talks to sign "unstoppable" £35m star

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Whilst England are lucky to have the likes of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Phil Foden to choose from at the heart of their midfield these days, it wasn’t so long ago that Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes were all available in the engine room.

The current generation is special, but England’s last ‘golden generation’ still arguably had the most talent at their disposal in pursuit of a first honour since the 1966 World Cup.

It wasn’t just in midfield that the Three Lions were spoilt for talent. It’s a squad which also featured Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. And the list could go on.

Many have had their say as to why England were dumped out of the 2002 World Cup and then on penalties against Portugal at Euro 2004, including Lampard. The former England and Chelsea midfielder told reporters: “I think at times, we [the Golden Generation] were too rigid. I talk from my own personal experience of playing at World Cups against teams that were not at our level.

“I’m not talking about France and Italy, more teams like Ecuador, who were keeping the ball in midfield because they were outnumbering us in the centre of the park. The things that maybe me and Stevie [Steven Gerrard] were used to doing where we had numbers, now we are just trying to cover space and you get a bit mentally done with it in the game wondering why this is happening.”

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Outnumbered or not, there’s no denying the quality that England particularly had in the middle of the park. But finding the right balance between Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes often proved to be The Three Lions’ biggest problem, and that sparked a midfield debate which has rumbled on for decades since.

Rooney named Gerrard as his greatest ever England teammate

Having played with all three at international level and Scholes with Manchester United too, Rooney should be an expert in the age-old England midfield debate, and he delivered his official verdict to The Overlap in 2024.

Whilst praising all three, Rooney went on to reiterate that Scholes could not achieve what Gerrard did in a Liverpool side which often struggled to compete with the very top honours: “All were world-class players. Stevie could come to Manchester United and be a top player and do what Scholes could do. But I don’t think Scholes could do what Stevie did at Liverpool.”

The numbers certainly don’t help to end the debate after Rooney’s verdict, but what they do highlight is England’s clear failure with all three at their disposal in a golden generation.

In a double blow for those in the Midlands, Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has now reportedly set his sights on signing both Emiliano Martinez and another Aston Villa ace this summer.

Simeone driving Atletico Madrid's Martinez move

Amid profit and sustainability (PSR) concerns, Aston Villa have looked likely to sell at least one star man for some time. For the last few months, however, it’s been a question of who.

Morgan Rogers, following an excellent season, has found himself among the headlines and on Chelsea’s reported radar but his importance at Villa Park may be too much to let go. Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins has also been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in a transfer that would strengthen a Champions League rival.

In truth, Unai Emery should be desperate to keep hold of both stars and take Villa’s summer sales down a different route. That’s where Martinez could surprisingly come in. The 32-year-old appeared to be waving a tearful goodbye to Villa Park in his side’s final home game of the season last Friday and Emery failed to rule out a summer exit for the goalkeeper.

The Spaniard told reporters: “We will see. Of course, it is the last match here [this season], and I don’t know. We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field.”

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Sparking several rumours, Simeone now personally wants Atletico Madrid to sign Martinez if Jan Oblak leaves the Spanish club this summer. The La Liga giants aren’t alone in the race for the Argentine’s signature, either, with Manchester United also reportedly eyeing the chance to solve their Andre Onana problem using the Aston Villa shot-stopper.

If it is to be Atletico Madrid though, then Aston Villa could lose two players to the Spaniards in the same summer amid reports that Simeone is also a fan of another one of Emery’s men.

Atletico Madrid eyeing Barrenechea

According to Caught Offside, Simeone also wants to sign Enzo Barrenechea alongside Martinez from Aston Villa this summer. The midfielder has spent the campaign on loan at Valencia, impressing many away from the Midlands, and could now seal a permanent move away from the club just one year on from his arrival.

Despite being described as a “destroyer” by U23 scout Antonio Mango whilst on loan at Valencia this season, Emery has reportedly given Aston Villa the green light to sell Barrenechea this summer.

For all his potential, it would be an understandable sale as Aston Villa look to navigate their PSR problems. Selling a player who has thrived on loan, but one who may still struggle to break into Emery’s best side, should be the way forward for the Villans if they want to avoid any financial troubles this summer.

Following their heroics against Real Madrid, there is now a real chance Arsenal’s season could end in Champions League glory.

However, while that would be all fans will remember this campaign for years down the line, it would still be fair to describe their domestic season as a disaster.

While a significant reason for that has been the near-constant stream of injuries Mikel Arteta and Co have had to deal with, it’s also been down to several star players not performing at their best, with club captain Martin Odegaard perhaps the worst offender in this regard.

Since returning from his ankle injury in November, the Norwegian hasn’t been able to hit the heights of the last two years, and that may cost him next season, as recent reports have linked Arsenal to someone who could be a significant upgrade this summer.

Arsenal transfer news

On top of a new midfielder, Arsenal have also been linked with a plethora of wide talent in recent weeks, with perhaps the most consistent being Nico Williams.

The Athletic Bilbao star was touted for a move to the North Londoners last summer as well, but it seems like he could really be available for around £50m this year, and given his tally of 11 goals and seven assists in 42 games this season, that may be a fee well worth paying.

Likewise, the Gunners have long been linked with Raphinha, even before his move to Barcelona, and those rumours have once again reemerged this year, with reports suggesting he could be available for around £80m.

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While that’s an awful lot of money, it doesn’t seem too unreasonable considering he’s amassed a sensational tally of 30 goals and 23 assists in just 48 appearances this term, although if the North Londoners are going to sign Florian Wirtz, they might not be able to afford the Brazilian winger.

Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several top sides keen to sign the Bayer Leverkusen gem this summer.

Alongside the Gunners, the report claims that Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are all interested in the German international, who could cost up to €130m, which is about £111m.

It would be an incredibly costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Wirtz’s immense quality and potential, one well worth fighting for, even if his arrival would be bad news for Odegaard.

How Wirtz compares to Odegaard

So, if Arsenal were to get ahead of the chasing pack and splash the cash on Wirtz this summer, they’d likely do so with the intention of having him start most games as an attacking midfielder, which would put him in direct competition with Odegaard.

With that said, who comes out on top when we compare them both? Well, from a pure output perspective, it’s an overwhelming victory for the Leverkusen star.

For example, in just 41 appearances this season, totalling 3040 minutes, he’s scored 15 goals and provided 13 assists, which comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every 1.46 games or every 108.57 minutes.

In comparison, the former Real Madrid gem has only been able to amass a tally of five goals and nine assists in 38 appearances, totalling 2896 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.71 games of every 206.85 minutes.

What about their underlying numbers, then? Who comes out on top when we take a look under the hood?

Unfortunately for the Gunners’ captain, he once again comes out on the losing side of this comparison, as the Pulheim-born gem, whom former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes has described as “the best midfielder in the world,” does better in most relevant metrics.

For example, he does far better in metrics like expected and actual non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive carries, shots and shots on target, shot and goal-creating actions and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while it would require a club-record bid, Arsenal should be doing all they can to bring Wirtz to the Emirates this summer, even if it sees Odegaard relegated to a squad role.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 21, 2025

After a season of progress, Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic side will be striving for even better next time round, and planning for the summer has already begun at Parkhead.

Sat 13 points clear at the top of the Premiership with only seven games to go, the Hoops are on course for a sixth treble in just nine seasons.

Meanwhile, Rodgers guided the Bhoys to the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in 12 years, so they’ll be determined to go even further next year, entering in the play-off round in late August.

So, with one fans’ favourite poised to return to Paradise, the Celts could have been even stronger had they not released a 15-year-old who would go on to become the best on the planet in his position.

As it happens, he’s now even better than the incoming Kieran Tierney…

The latest on Kieran Tierney's return to Celtic

Back in January, Rodgers confirmed that Tierney will rejoin Celtic on a free transfer in the summer, after Arsenal decided against ‘activating an option to extend his contract’, as reported by David Ornstein of the Athletic.

The 27-year-old made 170 appearances for his boyhood club before moving to the Gunners for £25m in 2019, still a joint-club-record sale, but his time in North London has been severely hampered by injuries.

So far this season, the Scotland international has seen just 261 minutes of club action, notably starting as part of a makeshift front three against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last month.

He has also featured at left-back, the position he’ll be taking up on his return to Glasgow in the summer.

He’ll return north of the border in search of more regular football, but did Celtic have an even better left-back in their academy, one that’s gone on to have an even more decorated career than his compatriot?

Celtic's world-class academy talent is now better than Tierney

Back in 2009, Celtic released a 15-year-old by the name of Andrew Robertson because, according to Robertson himself, he was “too small”.

After that, Robertson joined Queen’s Park, then of Scottish League Two, making 43 appearances for the Spiders, revealing to Darrell Currie that his big breakthrough came when Rangers visited Hampden Park because the game “was on the tele”.

He did enough to catch the eye of Dundee United, who signed him in June 2013, appearing 44 times in tangerine, before moving to Hull City and then ultimately Liverpool.

With the Reds, Robertson is set to hoist aloft a second Premier League title in the coming weeks, having also won the Champions League, the FA Cup, two EFL Cups and a selection of other honours, making his 337th appearance for the club during Wednesday’s Merseyside derby victory at Anfield.

Ben Webb on Twitter believes he was ‘the best left-back on the planet’, while Andy Jones of the Athletic labels him ‘integral to the team’s transformation under Jürgen Klopp’ as well as Liverpool’s ‘most consistent performer’ during this era of success.

At international level too, Robertson took his tally to 82 caps against Greece last month, only Kenny Dalglish (102) and Jim Leighton (91) have accumulated more, while no man has captained the Tartan Army on more occasions.

Scotland spent years attempting to solve the conundrum of how to get both Tierney and Robertson into the same starting lineup, but let’s compare how the pair have performed at their respective Premier League giants.

Appearances

337

135

Goals

11

5

Assists

66

13

Matches missed due to injury

29

65

Trophies

8

3

Appearances

82

49

Goals

4

1

Assists

10

4

Matches missed due to injury

10

35

As the table clearly outlines, Robertson has had a more stellar career to date, both for club and country, with Tierney’s matches missed due to injury statistics startling in comparison.

Back in 2022, Robertson revealed his desire to play for Celtic one day, stating “every time I watch Celtic, I consider it. When you… see a packed Celtic Park, as a fan, you always have that dream”.

So, now 31-years-old, could we see the Scotland skipper bedecked in green and white hoops one day, or does Tierney’s return preclude that from ever happening?

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