Sir Alex Ferguson always had an eye for homegrown talent, building his Manchester United dynasty on the backs of British and Irish stars like Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and Roy Keane.
The legendary Scottish manager was well known for not always seeing eye to eye with even his greatest stars however, and was not afraid to dish out punishment to some of the biggest names in the game.
Gary Neville recalled a dispute after he swore at the 83 year-old during their time together at United: “He fined me a week’s wages, battered me after the match.
“Did it again the day after in his office. Then he proceeded to leave me out for the next two weeks, put me on the bench. He shouted something on to me [in the game] and I knew it. I spent the next 15 minutes of the match thinking, ‘I am done. I’m done.’”
Perhaps the most well-known case of ‘Fergie’ taking on one of his own players came in 2005, leading to Keane’s departure as Red Devils captain.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder had been in and out of the team since an injury sustained due to a poor tackle from Liverpool’s Luis Garcia, and had also taken issue with the quality of the team’s accommodation during a pre-season camp in Portugal.
And after an outburst criticising his teammates on MUTV as well as several rows with Ferguson and assistant manager Carlos Queiroz, Keane left Old Trafford by mutual consent in November 2005.
Ferguson: Gerrard was the best midfielder in the Premier League
Suddenly United had a gaping hole in a team that had dominated the Premier League for years, and Sir Alex has since revealed the only man capable of filling that void at the time was Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
It’s little surprise the Scot was so appreciative of Gerrard’s talents either. At a time when United were dominating their north-west counterparts domestically, Gerrard was the sole constant thorn in their side.
Appearances
35
Wins
13
Draws
2
Losses
20
Goals
9
Assists
5
Yellow cards
6
Red cards
2
The Premier League has seen some of the best midfielders in the world throughout the years, leading to fierce debates as fans rank the likes of Keane, Gerrard, Vieira, Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard.
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Sir Alex wasn’t the only one full of praise for Liverpool’s skipper though, with the legendary Jose Mourinho once admitting he tried to sign him both with Internazionale and while he was in charge at Chelsea.
It’s truly difficult to comprehend how England’s ‘golden era’ was unable to succeed with the likes of Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes leading the charge.
Everton are set for a summer of change as they move to Bramley-Moore Dock and now have a talented defender lined up who could arrive for an inexpensive fee, according to a report.
Everton set for an overhaul this summer
David Moyes has managed to take Everton to the relative comfort of bottom-half obscurity in the Premier League and has earned due adulation for the way he has carried himself despite members of his playing squad facing uncertain futures.
Several of his key stars, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Seamus Coleman and Abdoulaye Doucoure, have yet to agree contract extensions, while Jack Harrison, Armando Broja and Orel Mangala are loanees that could be set for the exit door.
Everton manager David Moyes andBetoafter the match
Of course, there is plenty of talent embedded within his group at Finch Farm, but Moyes will be expected to carry out an overhaul as the Friedkin Group begin to make their mark on the blue half of Merseyside.
Making an early start on identifying targets, Everton are doing everything they can to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich Town as his £30 million relegation release clause continues to attract the attention of top-flight clubs.
Honing in on adding creativity to his midfield, Moyes is also pursuing Sheffield United star Gustavo Hamer in a deal that could be worth £15 million.
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The Toffees are set for an emotional few weeks as they bid farewell to Goodison Park. That said, the future could shine brightly over their new stadium should transfer funds be used wisely by those in charge.
Finding value for money will be key, and Everton are now reportedly well in the hunt to seal a bargain signing after carrying out a detailed scouting mission.
Everton look to sign Torino defender Jackson Tchatchoua
According to Tuttosport (via Cuore Toro), Everton have scouted Hellas Verona right-back Jackson Tchatchoua and are now looking to bring the 10-cap Cameroon international to English shores in the summer window.
Valued at around €8m (£6.7m), the 23-year-old has registered two goals and two assists in 34 appearances across all competitions this season.
Successful crosses
23
Duels won
102
Chances created
33
Successful dribbles
18
Aerial duels won
28
Interceptions
12
Marseille are also in the hunt for his signature and have sent representatives to watch him in action, while Torino are also watching on with interest to see how the situation develops.
Ashley Young and Everton club captain Coleman are two vastly experienced operators in the full-back areas. Nevertheless, it appears that Tchatchoua may be a younger alternative to take over their role in the years to come.
Nathan Patterson hasn’t been a frequent starter this term, so it makes sense that an alternative has been identified to provide strength in depth as the Toffees prepare for life at their new stadium.
Celtic travel away from Parkhead to take on Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, knowing that a point will be enough to seal the title.
The Hoops simply have to avoid defeat to clinch their fourth league title in succession, which means that this could be the weekend that they are crowned champions once again.
Brendan Rodgers’ side beat St. Johnstone 5-0 in the semi-finals of the SFA Cup last time out at Hampden Park, but the Northern Irish boss could make some changes to his side, starting with dropping James Forrest to the bench.
Why James Forrest should be dropped
The long-serving Celtic winger was selected to start on the right side of the attack against the Saints last weekend and, once again, failed to contribute much at the top end of the pitch.
Celtic winger James Forrest.
Forrest has started the last two matches and has not been involved, with a goal or an assist, in any of the ten goals scored by the team, which has been the story of his season.
The Scottish forward has played 27 matches in all competitions this season without scoring a single goal for the Hoops, which illustrates his lack of impact in the final third.
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With this in mind, Rodgers must take the ineffective winger out of the starting XI for this trip to Dundee United, who are not an easy team to play against. They have only conceded 40 goals in 33 matches, which suggests that Celtic need their best attackers on the pitch, including Nicolas Kuhn.
Why Nicolas Kuhn could win Celtic the title
Dundee United, as shown by their defensive record this season, will be tough to break down and that is why the German attacker must be unleashed to win the title for the Hoops.
Forrest has shown, with zero goals in 26 games, that he is unlikely to make much of an impact as a starter on Saturday. Whereas, Kuhn has been in excellent form this season at the top end of the pitch.
The left-footed forward has racked up 18 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for the Scottish giants this term, including two assists in his last four league starts.
Appearances
28
Goals
10
Big chances created
10
Key passes per game
1.7
Assists
8
As you can see in the table above, Kuhn has delivered 18 goals and assists combined in the Premiership so far this term, which shows that he can get on the end of passes to score, or he can be the player who makes the killer pass to split open a defence.
The former Rapid Vienna star, once hailed as “magical” by Rodgers, could provide the cutting edge in front of goal that is seemingly going to be required to break down the Dundee United backline, whilst Forrest’s form this season suggests that he is not the man for that job.
Therefore, Rodgers could increase his team’s chances of winning the title on Saturday by dropping the Scottish forward in favour of Kuhn on the right flank.
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Leeds United are interested in signing a “great” new player this summer and have already made contact, according to one Sky Sports reporter.
Leeds preparing for Oxford with Championship promotion a real possibility
The Whites have just four Championship fixtures remaining and are currently top of the table on goal difference ahead of Burnley.
More importantly, though, the gap to third place Sheffield United now sits at five points with the Blades losing their last three games against Oxford United, Millwall and Plymouth Argyle. Leeds still have to travel to both Oxford and Plymouth, with a clash with the former up next on Good Friday.
Leeds (88 pts)
Sheffield United (83 pts)
Burnley (88 pts)
Oxford United (a)
Cardiff City (h)
Watford (a)
Stoke City (h)
Burnley (a)
Sheffield United (h)
Bristol City (h)
Stoke City (a)
QPR (a)
Plymouth Argyle (a)
Blackburn Rovers (h)
Millwall (h)
A third win in a row for Daniel Farke’s side will see them need a maximum of four more points to guarantee promotion, with the manager looking for his side to be more ruthless in front of goal after the 2-1 win over Preston North End last time out.
“It feels pretty good after an exhausting week with three difficult games. It was a priceless three points for us. It was a really good performance and we could have made life easier by taking a few of our chances, it must have been one of our highest expected goals of the season. We should have scored six or seven.”
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Joel Piroe is currently without a goal in his last eight Championship games, however, with Leeds close to promotion, transfer targets are being identified.
The club are unsure if Piroe and Patrick Bamford are Premier League quality, but someone who the Whites do like is a Germany international who plays in midfield.
Leeds in contact to sign Borussia Monchengladbach captain Weigl – Sky Sports
According to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, Leeds have made initial contact over a deal to sign Borussia Monchengladbach captain Julian Weigl.
Weigl earns a minimum of £50,000-a-week in Germany and has worked under Farke before, with the pair still having a “good relationship”.
The 29-year-old, who can play as a holding midfielder, central midfielder or even as a centre-back, would only move to Elland Road if Premier League football is on offer, Plettenberg adds.
Reports elsewhere from Sky Germany have said it would be an “expensive deal” for the Whites to sign Weigl, who Farke praised back in 2023.
“Julian is a great footballer and person. He could enrich many teams with his qualities.”
Now, it looks as if a reunion between the pair could be on the cards, making this one to keep an eye on.
Leeds United have been given a boost in their efforts to sign Manor Solomon on a permanent transfer this summer.
Leeds on course for Premier League return after crucial Championship weekend
The Whites and Daniel Farke enjoyed a brilliant afternoon in the Championship on Saturday, winning 2-1 against Preston North End at Elland Road thanks to goals from Solomon and Jayden Bogle.
Promotion rivals Sheffield United also threw away a victory at bottom placed Plymouth Argyle, conceding twice late on at Home Park to lose 2-1.
As a result, Leeds now sit top of the table and are five points clear of the Blades in third, while also having better goal difference with four games to go.
Sheffield United also have to go to second place Burnley, meaning Leeds need a maximum of seven points from their remaining four games to all but guarantee promotion on goal difference, providing the Blades win all four of their remaining fixtures.
Leeds (88 pts)
Sheffield United (83 pts)
Burnley (88 pts)
Oxford United (a)
Cardiff City (h)
Watford (a)
Stoke City (h)
Burnley (a)
Sheffield United (h)
Bristol City (h)
Stoke City (a)
QPR (a)
Plymouth Argyle (a)
Blackburn Rovers (h)
Millwall (h)
If Leeds go up, 49ers Enterprises may quickly look to seal a number of new signings while also expanding Elland Road, and one target is loanee Solomon.
Leeds given boost in permanent Solomon deal
There have been claims that the winger, on loan from Tottenham, is wanted by Leeds on a full-time basis, should promotion be achieved.
Now, according to reliable reporter Alasdair Gold for football.london, ‘Solomon would certainly consider a move to Leeds if they got promoted after enjoying his time at the West Yorkshire club’.
The Isreal international is expected to have more interest from Premier League clubs and from teams abroad, but it seems as if the 25-year-old is open to moving to Yorkshire on a permanent basis.
Back in January, Solomon said on Leeds: “I love it here. I love the fans. I love the club. I love the players, the manager. Especially now, I’m really enjoying it and I love living here. Of course, it’s different to London, less things to do and we have less friends here. All the Israelis, they live in London, but we found our place here.”
Farke was also quick to hail Solomon on the weekend after he scored his eighth goal of the campaign and registered his 10th assist.
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“Always a joy to work with. A top character. Yes can be tricky, he’s emotional! Especially when he doesn’t finish a game. But top.”
It has been rumoured that Solomon could cost up to £20m this summer amid interest from Everton, so it is a boost for Leeds knowing that the attacker will consider a permanent transfer to Yorkshire.
Liverpool have veered down into that later-season dip that seems to be a perennial occurrence for the Anfield side.
You could say that Arne Slot’s side have run out of steam, but then this would be a shallow and overblown viewpoint on a team that has been nothing short of brilliant for so long and now, perhaps, is feeling the effects of such gruelling, incredible efforts.
After all, Liverpool are set to lift the Premier League despite losing to Fulham at the weekend. That loss, bitter though it was, was Slot’s first on the road this season, ending a 26-game unbeaten run in the division.
Multiple players were culpable at Craven Cottage, but away from the error-strewn nature of the defensive efforts, those further up the field toiled too.
Dominik Szoboszlai, so impressive in recent months, certainly flattered to deceive, raising a question once again: do Liverpool need more creativity in midfield?
A look at Liverpool’s Szoboszlai
Saudi swoops for Fabinho and captain Jordan Henderson widened the scope of Liverpool’s summer rebuild in 2023, but the plan was always to sign a creative and robust midfielder in the mould of Szoboszlai.
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho
Red Bull Leipzig’s attacking midfielder moved to Anfield after stand-in sporting director, Jorg Schmadtke, activated his £60m release clause.
The 2024/25 Premier League title will soon be added to the Reds’ bulging trophy cabinet and Szoboszlai has played a crucial part, hailed as a “vital cog in Slot’s slick Liverpool machine” by The Athletic’s James Pearce.
However, he’s only scored seven goals and added six assists this term, with his 3/10 performance against the Cottagers on Sunday, as per The Liverpool Echo, underlining his lack of bite. A lot of running but not much substance.
Minutes played
55′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
34
Shots (on target)
2 (0)
Accurate passes
22/28 (79%)
Key passes
0
Dribbles
0/0
Tackles + interceptions
0
Duels (won)
1/2
More is needed, and Liverpool wouldn’t be unwise to turn to the transfer market, should the right chance reveal itself.
While attacking midfield isn’t FSG’s priority, there’s little question that Liverpool would pounce on one of the world’s finest if they could. That opportunity may have presented itself.
Liverpool join race for elite midfielder
As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have joined Manchester City in the race for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz.
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The four-in-a-row champions need to replace the outgoing Kevin De Bruyne, but Liverpool could strike a deal themselves given their need for more attacking impetus.
And few stars shine brighter than Wirtz, whose performances under Xabi Alonso’s wing over the past several years have seen him valued at a whopping €100m (£87m).
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz.
Though Bayern are unquestionable favourites in the race, Wirtz will be sure to keep his options open and might just be tempted by the Premier League.
Liverpool will need to weigh up their options, especially when considering the efforts that must be focused across other areas of the park, but Wirtz is the gold standard and would surely dovetail right into Slot’s starting lineup.
Why Liverpool should sign Florian Wirtz
Wirtz, still only 22, has already completed 191 appearances for Leverkusen, racking up 119 goal involvements. He was invaluable through the staggering success achieved last year, winning the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal without swallowing a single defeat.
While Die Werkself have struggled to reach the same heights this year, Wirtz has still been an elite-class option from attacking midfield, notching 15 goals and 13 assists across all competitions.
While he isn’t quite the same type of player, Wirtz could prove to be Anfield’s own version of Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in a deal worth £115m in 2023, a race that Liverpool ceded defeat in months earlier.
Real Madrid'sJudeBellinghamcelebrates
While Bellingham is one of his era’s generational talents, Liverpool packaged their midfield with Szoboszlai and more and are now heading toward the Premier League title.
Industriousness aside, though, you feel that a player of Bellingham’s technical level, with his flair, could take Liverpool to the next stage, and that man might be Wirtz.
As per FBref, he ranks among the top 2% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for passes attempted, the top 5% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for progressive passes and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90.
Positionally, this pertains to attacking midfielders and wingers, however, while most are restricted to one particular role, Wirtz has proven that he can maintain absurd levels across a vast range of areas.
Attacking midfield
153
47
52
Centre-forward
15
7
7
Right winger
11
4
3
Left winger
9
2
3
Central midfield
5
0
3
Interestingly, Wirtz maintains his potency no matter his positional placement, something that could play right into his possible future in Slot’s Liverpool system.
However, like Bellingham, he’s at his best when occupying the number ten role, playing as his team’s attacking “mastermind,” something noted by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz
Such a decisive factor could prove a trump card for Liverpool in the years ahead. Expected success in the Premier League is fantastic, but fans have been left frustrated after poor efforts in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain and the Carabao Cup final, losing to Newcastle United.
Couple that with the woeful loss against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round and you see why something a bit different, someone truly devastating in attack, could bear dividends for the Reds in the long run.
Bellingham, indeed, has posted 13 goals and 13 assists apiece for Los Blancos this term – almost identical to Wirtz – which add to last season’s haul and take the Three Lions star’s haul to 62 contributions across 86 matches for the Spaniards.
Real Madrid'sJudeBellinghamreacts
Szoboszlai, by comparison, has scored 14 goals and added 11 assists across 87 Liverpool outings. You can see where his deficiencies lie.
Bellingham is out of reach, but make no mistake, signing Wirtz could be a goal for FSG to work towards. It might just make all the difference over the coming years.
Liverpool hit gold on "special" academy ace playing like a £66m superstar
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has reportedly been a busy man just days into his tenure as Edu Gaspar’s replacement, and it is now believed the Italian has Mikel Arteta’s side as favourites to sign a Brazil international.
Andrea Berta's first priority as new Arsenal director
While a lot of rumours are centering around Berta’s transfer activity, his reliably reported number one priority right now is tying star winger Bukayo Saka down with fresh terms.
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The £195,000-per-week forward’s current deal expires in 2027, and Saka displayed his importance to Arsenal almost immediately after returning from a hamstring injury which sidelined him since December last year.
Everton (away)
April 5th
Brentford (home)
April 12th
Ipswich Town (away)
April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)
TBD
Bournemouth (home)
May 3rd
Saka scored on his immediate return in a 2-1 Arsenal win over Fulham earlier this week, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the agreement of a new contract for him is “top” of Berta’s to-do list at the Emirates Stadium.
“I wanted to start with the top priority, which is absolutely Bukayo Saka,” said Romano on the Here We Go podcast.
“Bukayo Saka is out of contract in summer 2027, so it’s not something urgent, it’s not a worrying situation for Arsenal. But in general, Arsenal want to give a new contract to Bukayo Saka.
“So some contacts have already started. Now Bukayo and his agents will have the opportunity to meet with Andrea Berta to understand the strategy from the new director, and that’s always something important. You can start the conversation already months ago, of course, but then you need to speak to the new director to understand the view, to understand the project, and this is what’s going to happen with Bukayo Saka.”
Amid their attempts to make Saka commit, the next priority for Berta will be Arsenal’s summer transfer window.
According to some reports, Berta is considering the signing of an alternative to Saka on the right-hand side, as part of a potential seven-signing summer spree where they could spend around £300 million (GiveMeSport).
Arsenal have also been repeatedly linked with a move for Wolves star Matheus Cunha, a player who could deputise for Saka on the right given his excellent versatility.
Arsenal in "pole position" to sign Wolves star Matheus Cunha
The Brazil international has starred on the right-wing, left-wing, in centre-attacking midfield, as a second-striker and at centre-forward for Wolves this season, with Cunha enjoying the season of his life.
Wolverhampton Wanderers'MatheusCunhain action with AFC Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier and Lewis Cook
He’s bagged 15 goals and four assists in 29 appearances this term, and Premier League sides are taking interest given the £62.5 million release clause inserted into his new contract.
According to CaughtOffside, Berta has Arsenal in “pole position” to sign Cunha as things stand, and the director’s connections with him through their time together at Atlético Madrid are tipped to play a key role in convincing the 25-year-old.
In a further boost for Arteta, the outlet reports that Wolves will sell Cunha for even less than his release clause in a potential cut-price deal – so this move is looking more and more like a no-brainer given the player’s outstanding form throughout 2024/2025.
Quite simply, Liverpool have been a shambles in defence this season. Arne Slot’s side have a slew of problems, mounting by the matchweek, but the crux of it comes down to disorganised, error-strewn defending.
Five defeats from six Premier League games, nine losses from 12 in all competitions, successive Anfield defeats against Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven, seven goals shipped, this is a crisis for the Reds.
It beggars belief. And right at the struggling heart of it is Ibrahima Konate, whose future on Merseyside is very much up in the air.
Ibrahima Konate's Liverpool future
It really cannot be understated how dismal Konate has been throughout the 2025/26 campaign. He has been indescribably weak in key battles, his resolve far too brittle.
Errors have littered the France international’s campaign, and Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher even suggested that it has been a “sackable offence” on Slot’s part for continuing to field the 26-year-old after such consistent inconsistency.
It’s clear that the centre-back’s contractual conundrum, out of a deal next summer, has been weighing heavily on his mind, especially since Real Madrid have made their vested interest known over the past year.
However, the £70k-per-week defender has been so unconvincing that Los Blancos have ended their pursuit. Liverpool remain committed to renewing their struggling star’s deal, even with interest from further suitors sure to intensify come January.
There is surely a way back to the ascendancy for a player who served so confidently in a title-winning campaign, but with Virgil van Dijk getting old, it’s clear that FSG need to find new defenders regardless.
There’s no doubt that sporting director Richard Hughes will feel rueful after missing out on Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, a deal effectively in place on deadline day and the Three Lions star ready to complete his medical before the Eagles failed to source a replacement.
However, there is another who could end up succeeding Konate, though this Liverpool prospect has endured a tough start to his career at the club.
Liverpool have a teenage Konate upgrade
Liverpool’s dearth of defensive options this season have meant that Slot has been unable to drop Konate and bring in another. However, Giovanni Leoni was slated to be that man.
Leoni, 18, joined Liverpool from Serie A side Parma this summer in a £27m deal, Hughes drawn to his potential to become one of the best in the business. The Italian is powerful, dynamic and prodigiously talented on the ball, with his long and limber frame making him the perfect fit in the Premier League.
However, disaster struck on his debut in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup win over Southampton, when Leoni ruptured his ACL, sidelining him until the end of the season.
It was only one fixture – and against second-tier opponents at that – but Leoni showed a lot of promise for his new club, very much at place on the ball and winning four of five contested duels, including each of his three aerial battles.
It was the kind of display that proved Leoni is “one of the best young centre-backs in the world”, something noted by Liverpool reporter James Wathland as the fanbase chews on their frustration over losing such a shrewd defensive solution for the campaign.
Minutes played
81′
Touches
102
Accurate passes
88/91 (97%)
Possession lost
3x
Recoveries
3
Tackles won
0/1
Interceptions
3
Clearances
6
Ground duels
1/2
Aerial duels
3/3
Liverpool’s defenders are often tasked with initiating forward moves from the back, and while Leoni is not refined in this regard, there is undeniable promise that Slot and Liverpool’s coaching team will be developing even in the teenager’s period of convalescence.
Liverpool have a sensational defensive talent in their mix, and while fans won’t be able to witness him in action again until the latter months of 2026, they can rest assured that Leoni has what it takes to reach superstar status down the line.
This may be considered when Hughes and co weigh up Konate’s value and whether they should extend his time on Merseyside for his prime years.
Best signing since Szoboszlai: Liverpool lead race for "world-class" talent
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Eddie Howe didn’t rip things up ahead of Newcastle United’s crunch Premier League clash against Manchester City, but instead opted for smaller tweaks to arrest the slide in form that had cast an air of frustration across Tyneside.
Hope reigned across the November international break that the Toon would undergo a systematic reset, with three defeats from four leaving the club down in the bottom half. But Howe got it right, and Pep Guardiola was sent packing with none of the spoils.
With Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga, ostensibly the Magpies’ two most talented wide forwards, out of sorts, it was crucial that Howe saw some other attacking stars step up.
Newcastle's evolving frontline
When Newcastle sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a British record fee, it was a poignant moment. But Newcastle have evolved, and Nick Woltemade has proved by this stage his potential to be a star in the Premier League.
Theoretically, the 23-year-old German’s technical quality on the ball and his willingness to roam, dropping deep and aiding the pacy wingers either side of him, should give rise to Gordon and Elanga’s qualities, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Harvey Barnes is thriving, though. The prolific left winger scored twice to sink City, and that’s three in two Premier League matches for him.
Then, of course, Jacob Murphy continues to add flair and industriousness down the right flank. This is important, given Elanga’s own woes. Murphy, 30, worked so hard against his tide of the opposition, and he still managed to showcase his creativity, creating three chances and completing four of six attempted crosses, as per Sofascore.
We haven’t even mentioned Yoane Wissa, who was involved in Saturday’s celebrations but remains sidelined after joining from Brentford this summer. The DR Congo striker will add a new dimension to Howe’s frontline and offer a more traditional take than Woltemade, an interesting counterpoint.
These are all influential forwards, but it might be that Newcastle are developing another more influential member of their squad. This player offers shades of Erling Haaland, and yet he’s anything but a striker.
Newcastle's own version of Haaland
Haaland is one of the best players in the world, and, at Manchester City, his influence is unmatched.
Newcastle might not have anyone in their side who comes close to the Norwegian in terms of attacking output, but Malick Thiaw is beginning to single-handedly define his side’s defensive strength, and in this, he could curiously become United’s own version of the free-scoring machine.
Newcastle completed a £35m move for Thiaw in August, reinforcing a backline that was crying out for some extra depth last season.
Hailed as an “absolute steal” of a signing by one United content creator, who lauded Thiaw’s “Saliba-esque” presence in central defence, this is a defender who has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, and this was underscored and then some upon keeping Haaland at bay on Saturday.
Haaland failed to score, but his physicality and the scare factor that comes into play when he’s involved were both negated by the Germany international, whose willingness to go one-on-one and engage with crisp and combative challenges emphasise the level of player Newcastle have reeled in. One podcast host actually marvelled at the display and said, “he might be the Premier League’s next elite centre-back.”
Mentality is just as important as technical mastery, and luckily, the £75k-per-week Thiaw offers both elements in bucketloads.
Sofascore record that he made seven clearances and six ball recoveries against City, timing a last-man challenge just right.
Moreover, Thiaw is already sitting pretty across some intriguing statistical metrics. In the Premier League this season, for example, the 24-year-old ranks among the top 15% of centre-backs for interceptions, the top 13% for blocks, the top 9% for ball recoveries, the top 15% for progressive passes and the top 9% for progressive carries per 90 (data provided by FBref).
Couple that with his remarkable success rate in the duel, both in the Premier League and out on the continent this season, and you begin to see why so many Newcastle supporters are boarding the hype train at this early stage of his English career.
Matches (starts)
9 (8)
4 (3)
Goals
0
0
Assists
0
0
Touches*
52.7
57.0
Accurate passes*
35.1 (86%)
43.8 (91%)
Recoveries*
4.1
4.8
Tackles + interceptions*
2.4
1.8
Clearances*
5.0
3.3
Ground duels*
1.4 (68%)
1.5 (55%)
Aerial duels*
3.1 (72%)
3.3 (76%)
Errors made
0
0
Error-free, confident on the ball and commanding in defensive phases, Thiaw is a “monster” of a centre-half, in the words of journalist Martino Puccio, and he’s only going to keep getting better as he settles into his role on Tyneside.
Given the current struggles of Sven Botman – who started from the bench at St. James’ Park at the weekend – and the ageing legs of Dan Burn and Fabian Schar – Newcastle’s new central defender may well far outstrip his positional competition and enter a league of his own.
In this way, he could emulate Haaland’s own matchless presence at the Etihad Stadium and establish himself as a one-of-a-kind talent on Tyneside, becoming not just one of the best players in Newcastle’s first team but a figure to be feared across the entire continent, just as Haaland is right now.
PIF can fund Anderson move by selling Newcastle star who's a "nightmare"
Newcastle are proving themselves to be a team in transition this season.
Chelsea have made an approach to sign a former Real Madrid sensation, and it is believed that the west Londoners could even strike a deal in January.
Enzo Maresca’s side, despite some shock defeats at home to Brighton and Sunderland recently, have made a solid start to the season overall — losing just once in their last nine matches and climbing up to third in the Premier League table.
However, even taking into account their form on paper, not to mention Chelsea’s near-£300 million spend in the summer, there are suggestions that Maresca is dissatisfied with his current squad and could look to upgrade key areas in the winter.
Rank
Club
Gross Spend
Sales
Net Spend
20.
Bournemouth
£136.7m
£202.5m
+£65.8m
19.
Brighton
£67.7m
£127.5m
+£59.8m
18.
Brentford
£92.8m
£152m
+£59.2m
17.
Wolves
£105.6m
£126.5m
+£20.9m
16.
Chelsea
£296.5m
£314.4m
+£17.9m
Chelsea have lost all of Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwil, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo to injury at various points already this season, with Maresca reportedly prioritising the addition of a new centre-back in January.
Now that injury-ridden midfielder Romeo Lavia is also set to be out for “at least” a month with a quadriceps injury (Fabrizio Romano), Chelsea are said to be looking at new midfield options ahead of 2026 as well.
Nico Paz now keen to join Chelsea with approach made to Como
Indeed, it is reported by TEAMtalk that Chelsea have identified Como starlet Nico Paz as their most viable January midfield target, with Maresca looking to strengthen his squad in the engine room as well as further forward.
Chelsea have apparently opened discussions with both the Serie A club and Paz’s representatives through direct enquiries, as they look to address squad depth issues that have been exposed by recent injury problems.
The Blues are actively compiling a shortlist of midfield reinforcements, with Lavia’s latest injury lay-off prompting urgent action.
Paz, who came through Real’s academy system and is valued at around £62 million, has emerged as the leading candidate to arrive at Stamford Bridge in January ahead of both Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton and Man United’s Kobbie Mainoo.
What makes the potential deal particularly encouraging for Chelsea is the player’s own enthusiasm about the move. Paz is understood to be genuinely interested in a transfer to England and sees Chelsea as an ‘ideal’ next career step.
His technical ability on the left foot and creativity is said to have caught the eye of Chelsea’s scouting department, who believe he fits perfectly within their current recruitment philosophy.
The young Spaniard represents exactly the type of signing Chelsea have been targeting under BlueCo’s leadership – a player with high potential who ticks multiple boxes in terms of age profile, quality and future sell-on value.
However, Paz still won’t be an easy signing by any means.
Real Madrid basically own the player in practice if not officially, possessing full matching rights on any deal for him, not to mention a 50 per cent sell-on clause and multiple buy-back options worth just £8 million for the summer of 2026 and £8.5m in 2027.(Football Italia).
This means that Xabi Alonso’s side have a massive say over Paz’s future, so Chelsea may even have to negotiate with the La Liga giants alongside Como to make this deal happen.