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Already planning for life in the Premier League, Sheffield United are now reportedly plotting a double summer swoop to sign two young Liverpool players who have impressed on loan in the Championship.

Sheffield United transfer news

As things stand, the Blades are on course for yet another promotion to the Premier League under Chris Wilder and remain in control of their own fate after easing past Middlesbrough to win 3-1 last time out.

With just three points between themselves and a strong Burnley side in third, Sheffield United won’t be getting ahead of themselves anytime soon, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be at least planning ahead.

The last time that the Blades were in the top-flight, of course, they crashed and burned to suffer instant relegation back down to the Championship. Since then, the Premier League hasn’t got any easier and if Wilder’s side are to earn promotion again, they must be better prepared.

With that said, those at Bramall Lane are already reportedly setting their sights on summer reinforcements they could bring with them to England’s top tier.

Sheffield United now plotting move to sign "immense" Championship rival

He’s in impressive form…

ByTom Cunningham Feb 13, 2025

According to Lewis Steele of the Daily Mail, Sheffield United now want to sign both Lewis Koumas and Owen Beck from Liverpool this summer if they earn promotion to the Premier League this season.

The Liverpool duo have both enjoyed impressive seasons in the Championship, with Wales international Koumas on loan at Stoke City and Beck on loan at Blackburn Rovers. Yet, Anfield may not await. Instead, if Sheffield United come swooping in, they could be reunited at Bramall Lane sooner rather than later.

Two rising stars, the Blades would be wise to make their moves as soon as possible before their respective price tags increase or potential loan interest arrives from elsewhere.

Koumas and Beck both on the rise

Beck, 22 years old, and Koumas, just 19 years old, have both stood out at times on loan. The former has consistently played a part in a Blackburn Rovers side aiming for a play-off place by the end of the campaign – starting 20 of 32 games at left-back. Meanwhile, the younger Koumas has stolen the headlines more than once – scoring six goals in all competitions from the left-hand side.

Both have enjoyed their fair share of praise too, with former Blackburn boss John Eustace telling reporters when asked about Beck earlier this season: “Owen was exceptional, that is why he’s here.

“He’s a very young, talented player. He’s got other good young players around but also experience around him too. They want to help him and they’re always talking to him. He’s had a brilliant game against a couple of really tricky wingers today for Swansea. He dealt with them very well.”

The only factor that Sheffield United may need to get past is the price tag of both players. Whether Liverpool will be willing to sell their two academy products at a feasible price remains to be seen this summer, which could force the Blades to settle for loan deals.

Whilst Newcastle United are yet to act on the incomings front, they have now reportedly reached an agreement to sell one of Eddie Howe’s players who has been moving closer and closer to the exit door for quite some time.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have once again felt the full frustration of profit and sustainability rules this month. With the richest owners in the Premier League, it’s easy to assume that Newcastle’s spending power would be far greater than those around them, but that is not the case. Those at St James’ Park, like others, must sell before they can buy.

Newcastle now stepping up interest in £98k-p/w "monster" instead of Bade

Eddie Howe is keen to bring in a defender before the deadline.

ByDominic Lund Jan 25, 2025

That PSR struggle has resulted in several exit rumours, from the likes of Alexander Isak all the way to Anthony Gordon – two sales which would instantly grant Newcastle some much-needed spending power. Both would be quite the sacrifice, however, and not ones that Newcastle should be quick to make either this month or in the summer transfer window.

Instead, those at St James’ Park have seemingly set their attention on finally showing an out-of-favour forward the door in what should at least give them some breathing room in the market.

According to The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, Newcastle have now reached an agreement to sell Miguel Almiron to Atlanta United this month with the one remaining hurdle being the winger’s personal terms with the MLS club. Whilst those talks are ongoing, however, they are expected to reach a conclusion.

It’s a sale which has looked on the cards for some time and now one that Newcastle are finally closer than ever to completing.

Newcastle needed to show Almiron the door

Almiron’s departure is one that Newcastle simply need to get over the line. If they are to put themselves in a position to spend their riches, then keeping hold of players who remain on the fringes of Howe’s strongest side is something that the Tyneside club should avoid every chance they get.

The £60,000-a-week winger’s departure shouldn’t discredit the hard yards that he put in during his time at Newcastle though. Whilst there were times when he seemed destined to fall into a case of what might have been, Almiron more than redeemed himself during an excellent 2022/23 campaign when his goals helped fire the Magpies towards Champions League qualification.

The 30-year-old is also someone who has been at the centre of Howe’s praise up to the very end of his Newcastle career, with the manager telling reporters as relayed by NUFC Feed earlier this week: “I think Miggy’s head has been very, very solidly here. He’s been brilliant in training this week and I’ve seen not one moment where I thought ‘oh, I need to address this or speak to him or have a deeper conversation’.”

Rockets’ Australian legspinner pays tribute to inspiration provided by Shane Warne

ECB Reporters Network13-Aug-2022Alana King paid a touching tribute to her hero Shane Warne after taking her first ever hat-trick, with the feat coming at Emirates Old Trafford, the ground where the late Australian icon made his name almost 30 years ago.Aussie legspinner King claimed a stunning treble as part of a haul of 4 for 15 as Trent Rockets beat Manchester Originals to make the perfect start to their women’s Hundred campaign, winning by 44 runs in defence of a 120 target.The 26-year-old Commonwealth Games gold medalist – who narrowly missed out on taking a hat-trick in the group stage against Barbados – bowled Cordelia Griffith, trapped Sophie Ecclestone lbw and bowled Kate Cross to etch her name into history with the first hat-trick in one-and-a-bit seasons of the women’s Hundred.Related

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“Will I get my name up here at Old Trafford?” she asked. “That would be brilliant. Hopefully right next to Warnie. He took poles here for fun, and I’m sure he was looking down pretty happy.”King was of course referring to Warne’s ball of the century to Mike Gatting here in 1993.”He was a massive inspiration, but it wasn’t just me. It was kids all around the world who he inspired to pick up legspin. He was definitely the reason I picked up legspin. Hopefully he’s been proud watching down on me spin a few.”When I was a bit younger, I did a couple of sessions with him. All I remember from that was him saying, ‘Spin it hard and have some fun’. I live by that every single day.”That’s my first hat-trick. Not even in juniors did I take one. My first hat-trick at Old Trafford, I couldn’t have written it.”As soon as I got that first wicket, I knew I had to keep aiming for the stumps. I’m just stoked that I can play my part for this team. Kate Cross came up to me after the game and said, ‘I can’t believe I gave that wicket to you’.”Not only did King shine with the ball, she contributed two sixes in a crucial unbeaten 19 off nine deliveries at the end of the Rockets innings, boosting them to 119 for 5. She also took a smart low catch out at deep midwicket.King added: “The atmosphere was absolutely incredible. To get our first win was pretty special. We knew we were under par with the bat, and we needed to stick to our game plan with the ball. We wanted to take some early wickets in the powerplay, which we did. As soon as we got their two openers out, we knew the pressure was back on them.”Originals’ coach Paul Shaw said: “In the first half, I thought we bowled and fielded really well, and we were happy chasing 120. But then the second bit, we didn’t play like we wanted to play.”Alana King’s a quality performer who will be around for a long time. She bowled really, really well. But we didn’t play her that well.”

The standout innings of the game went in vain largely because India’s top order came undone

Karthik Krishnaswamy10-Jul-2022Trent Bridge has arguably pushed the boundaries of white-ball cricket farther than any other international ground in recent times, and Sunday’s third T20I contained an innings that did just that. It didn’t come in a winning cause, but it pointed to what the future of T20 batting might look like.Suryakumar Yadav scored 117 off 55 balls, and he did this in a chase of 216 where no other India batter passed 30 and only one other passed 20. He did this with a control percentage of nearly 91%. That’s an excellent figure in a Test innings, and a positively surreal one in the shortest format. For large swathes of his innings, he seemed to hit any line or length to any part of the field he wished to target, and England’s bowlers could seemingly do nothing to contain him.Getting him to the other end was their best bet, usually; the other members of India’s top seven scored 64 off 57 balls between them. Even so, Suryakumar kept India in their chase; he brought the equation down to 25 with nine balls left, with an offspinner bowling the penultimate over, and with an impending over-rate penalty about to force England to have only four boundary fielders in the last over.But off the penultimate ball of that penultimate over, Suryakumar’s ball-striking failed him for perhaps the first time in his innings, and he walked back to a standing ovation. The over-rate penalty was suddenly less of an issue for England, and Chris Jordan, bowling with a lower-order pair at the crease, closed out the game with a three-run final over. England had avoided being blanked 3-0 at home, but only just, no matter that the victory margin may have been a healthy-looking 17 runs.Malan feasts on new-look attack
Having wrapped up the series win, India rung in the changes, most of which impacted their bowling. No Bhuvneshwar Kumar, no Jasprit Bumrah, no Yuzvendra Chahal and perhaps most significantly no Hardik Pandya. Without the cushion of the allrounder, India were down to five bowling options who would each have to bowl their full quotas, irrespective of how they fared on the day.They didn’t do too badly at the start, as Jos Buttler chopped on after a promising start, and Jason Roy struggled for fluency, hacking his way to 26 off 26 before top-edging a slash off Umran Malik.But Dawid Malan played an excellent hand, getting off to a quicker-than-usual start and rushing along thereafter, taking particular toll of two bowlers whose styles perfectly suit his game. He scored 17 off eight balls against the quick and generally short-of-a-length Malik, and 28 off 11 balls against Ravindra Jadeja, whose left-arm spin is usually hidden away from left-hand batters. With no sixth bowler to turn to, India didn’t have that option here.Malan had got to 77 off 38 balls and looked set for a hundred when Ravi Bishnoi struck two key blows in the 17th over. His exaggerated angle across them and his propensity to get his wrong’un to dip sharply make him a major threat to left-handers, and he dismissed both Malan and Moeen Ali in the space of three balls to bring India much-needed respite after an 84-run fourth-wicket stand between Malan and Liam Livingstone.But it was short-lived respite, as Livingstone, Harry Brook and Jordan ransacked 46 runs off the last 19 balls of the innings to propel England to 215.Dawid Malan was typically fluent through the off side•PA Photos via Getty imagesIndia stutter at the top
Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant opened once again for India, but they didn’t repeat their successes from Saturday’s game at Edgbaston. Both David Willey and Reece Topley got the new ball to swing just enough to keep their scoring down in the first two overs, in which time Pant fell to a bottom-edged swipe across the line.Then Virat Kohli came out and played an unusual sort of T20 innings by his standards, indicative of India’s target today, but perhaps also of the demands of the new coaching regime. He stepped out of his crease to the first four balls of Willey’s second over, whipped one of them for four, drove one for a handsome straight six, and then slapped one into the hands of short extra-cover.Then Rohit, having hit two fours earlier in the over, failed to manufacture enough power to clear deep midwicket off a Topley slower ball in the fifth over. India were 31 for 3.The full 360, but only from one end
Playing his first game of the series, Shreyas Iyer played an innings that would have provided ample ammunition to his doubters. Against the spin of Moeen and Livingstone, he hit two sixes and scored 16 off eight balls. Against the quicker bowlers, he scored 12 off 15 balls and failed to find the boundary even once. And he was out while shuffling to make room against a short ball.And yet, his 23-ball 28 was part of a partnership of 119 in just 61 balls.The runs mostly flowed from the blade of Suryakumar, and they came in every possible direction: over mid-off and extra-cover, with left elbow high; wide of long-on with a whip of the wrists; behind square on the leg side with the shovel-sweep; and, most unstoppably, in the arc between cover point and third man with open-faced slices between or over the 30-yard ring. Of the 14 fours and six sixes he hit on the day, perhaps the most astonishing were his sixes over the off-side square boundary off Richard Gleeson and Jordan, off near-yorkers angling into the stumps.There were never enough boundary fielders when Suryakumar was on strike, but he was off strike often enough for England to remain in control of the game. And eventually, the target remained just beyond India’s reach. Along the way, however, Suryakumar ensured that he’ll be one of the first names on India’s team sheet, fitness permitting, when the World Cup rolls round in October.

أصدر نادي غزل المحلة بيانًا شديد اللهجة بداعي تعرضه لمؤامرة قبل مباراة فريق الكرة الأخيرة أمام إنبي في الدوري المصري.

وتعرض غزل المحلة للهزيمة أمام إنبي بنتيجة 1-0 في المباراة التي جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات الدوري المصري.

وبهذا الفوز، رفع إنبي رصيده إلى 18 نقطة صاعدًا إلى المركز السابع في مجموعة الهبوط، بينما تجمد رصيد غزل المحلة عند 20 نقطة ليحتل المركز السادس.

طالع.. فيديو | إنبي يحقق فوزًا ثمينًا على غزل المحلة في صراع الهبوط بـ الدوري المصري

وتُقام منافسات الدوري المصري الممتاز هذا الموسم بنظام استثنائي، حيث تم تقسيم الأندية الـ18 إلى مجموعتين بعد نهاية الدور الأول، تضم كل منهما تسعة فرق، حيث تتنافس أندية المراكز من العاشر حتى الثامن عشر في مجموعة الهبوط لتفادي السقوط إلى الدرجة الثانية.

وأكد غزل المحلة في بيانه، أنه تعرض لمؤامرة مكتملة الأركان بداية من نقل ملعب المباراة إضافة إلى اختيار طاقم تحكيم اللقاء.

وأوضح النادي، أنه يحتفظ بكامل حقوقه القانونية في التصعيد واتخاذ كل الإجراءات اللازمة أمام جميع الجهات المختصة.

كما طالب المحلة بفتح تحقيق فوري وشفاف في كافة ملابسات نقل المباراة وتعيين طاقم التحكيم، مع محاسبة جميع الأطراف المتورطة في هذا العبث بمصير المسابقة وعدالتها. بيان غزل المحلة بشأن مباراة إنبي في الدوري المصري

من نقل الملعب إلى تعيين حكم موقوف.. غزل المحلة تعرض لمؤامرة مكتملة الأركان في مباراة إنبي

يعرب مجلس إدارة شركة غزل المحلة لكرة القدم عن استنكاره الشديد وإدانته الكاملة لما تعرض له الفريق من مؤامرة مكتملة الأركان خلال مباراة نادي إنبي الأخيرة، والتي تجاوزت كل حدود العدالة والروح الرياضية وأساءت إلى نزاهة المسابقة.

لقد بدأت المؤامرة مبكرًا بقرار نقل المباراة من ملعبها الأصلي (ستاد المقاولون العرب) إلى ستاد بتروسبورت، في محاولة مكشوفة لإقصاء الجماهير عن دعم فريقها، مرورا بتجاهل اعتراضات النادي الرسمية، وانتهاء بفضيحة إسناد إدارة اللقاء إلى حكم كان موقوفا ، في سابقة غير مقبولة تضرب مصداقية المسابقة في الصميم.

وقد شهدت المباراة تحكيمًا منحازا منذ البداية وقرارات فادحة أسهمت بشكل مباشر في التأثير على مجريات اللقاء ونتيجته من احتساب ركلة جزاء وهمية قبل أن يتدخل حكم تقنية الفيديو (VAR) لإلغائها، مرورًا بترصد واضح ضد مجلس إدارة النادي الحاضر في المدرجات، وصولا إلى إيقاف المباراة وطرد نائب رئيس مجلس الإدارة في مشهد غير مسبوق.

إن تصرفات حكم المباراة أكدت بما لا يدع مجالا للشك صحة ما أثير من تحفظات حول تعيينه لإدارة اللقاء رغم عودته حديثا من الإيقاف، وهو ما يطرح تساؤلات خطيرة حول دوافع القرار وتوقيته.

بناء عليه، يؤكد مجلس إدارة شركة غزل المحلة لكرة القدم

أن ما حدث يمثل استهدافًا مباشرًا للنادي وجماهيره، وكشفًا واضحًا عن خلل جسيم في إدارة المنظومة الكروية في مصر.

أن النادي يحتفظ بكامل حقوقه القانونية في التصعيد واتخاذ كل الإجراءات اللازمة أمام جميع الجهات المختصة.

أن النادي يطالب بفتح تحقيق فوري وشفاف في كافة ملابسات نقل المباراة وتعيين طاقم التحكيم، مع محاسبة جميع الأطراف المتورطة في هذا العبث بمصير المسابقة وعد التها.

ويجدد مجلس إدارة شركة غزل المحلة لكرة القدم تأكيده على أنه لن يصمت أمام هذه المهزلة، وسيواصل الدفاع عن تاريخه، وجماهيره، وقيم المنافسة الشريفة بكل السبل القانونية والمؤسسية المتاحة.

After just eight minutes of the 2014 FA Cup final, Arsenal found themselves 2-0 down to Hull City.

Wembley hadn’t seen anything much like this before. This was an opportunity for Arsene Wenger to finally end the Gunners’ trophy drought but their chances were evaporating before they’d even had a sniff.

Luckily, there’s always been something in the air when it comes to Arsenal and the FA Cup. No club has won it more than their 14 times and that special day at the national stadium proved why they have such a love affair with the great competition.

Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey fought back with an equaliser in the second half and then a winner in extra time but it was a certain Santi Cazorla who kickstarted the comeback.

Placing a free-kick down a considerable distance from goal, he whipped a remarkable set-piece beyond Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

It was just one of many magical moments Cazorla provided in Arsenal colours. It’s a pity his stay in north London ended in such traumatic circumstances.

Santi Cazorla's time at Arsenal

The diminutive Spaniard signed for the Gunners in August 2012 for just £15m. Yeah, remember when transfer fees were that low?

It turns out that was one of the biggest bargains in the club’s history as Cazorla went on to provide some incredible goals and assists while at the Emirates Stadium.

Remember that hat-trick against Reading? Remember the corners on his weak foot? Remember that dazzling mazy run against Manchester City?

The Spain international is one of the most technically gifted footballers we’ve seen at Arsenal in the last 15 years, boasting some of the quickest and most elegant feet the Emirates has seen.

Hailed by Wenger for his qualities, Cazorla’s time in the Premier League hardly ended in fairytale fashion.

After 180 games, 29 goals and 44 assists, he departed in 2018 at the end of his contract following a period of injury hell.

It was an extremely sad period in the career of someone so gifted as the Spanish technician was even being told he may never walk again.

Games

49

Goals

12

Assists

13

Minutes played

4,251

PL Starts

37/38

What was the issue? Well, Cazorla cracked a bone in his ankle and suffered knee ligament damage in November 2015 and played in increasing pain until October 2016 when he was withdrawn during a match against Ludogorets.

Wenger admitted it wasn’t a “big injury” but the former Malaga star was never seen in an Arsenal shirt again. Why? Well, a terrible infection impacted his right ankle that wasn’t fixed until a skin graft took place.

Calling himself “a jigsaw puzzle”, Cazorla has a bit of his left forearm on his right ankle, a piece of thigh in its place and the back of a leg in one heel. It’s pretty gruesome but remarkably it’s now kept him playing until the age of 40 where he is at Real Oviedo.

So, although the Spanish star never got the farewell from Arsenal that he deserved, the club could bring their next Cazorla to the club next year…

Arsenal could sign their next Cazorla

Reports emerged in the run-up to Christmas from Spain that Arsenal are on course to sign Las Palmas midfielder Alberto Moleiro.

Transfer Focus

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

It’s suggested that the Premier League outfit have already reached an ‘agreement in principle’ to sign the 21-year-old after the Gunners made it clear they would pay his £50m release clause.

So, who is Moleiro and what could he bring to the club? Well, the clip below shows you everything you need to know about the youngster’s qualities.

He’s very much cut from the same cloth as Cazorla, possessing quick feet and the ability to manoeuvre the ball and keep possession in tight spaces and when surrounded by opponents.

Described as an “agile, electric” talent by Spanish football expert Neal Gardner, he also calls the Spanish sensation “an excellent dribbler” to elevate those Cazorla comparisons.

If that wasn’t enough then they can both feature off the wings and from central areas, using their crafty skillset to beat defenders in multiple zones on the pitch.

Often popping up in the final third, Moleiro has the ability to score and assist on a frequent basis like Cazorla, netting four goals this term and having a hand in eight goals last term despite his tender age (4 goals & 4 assists).

He may not be producing awe-inspiring numbers quite yet but he’s got an eye-catching toolkit at his disposal, notably ranking among the top 17% of positionally similar players in LaLiga for attempted take-ons and the best 14% for pass completion percentage (82.5%), statistics that showcase his flair and composure.

£50m sounds like a lot of money to spend on such a raw talent but the rave reviews are there, as is the experience of elite level football at such a young age.

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As the January transfer window approaches, Brendan Rodgers now personally wants Celtic to sign an attacking reinforcement worth as much as £5m next month, according to reports.

Celtic transfer news

Almost everything has gone to plan for the Bhoys so far this season. Rodgers’ side sit top of the Scottish Premiership – 11 points clear of Rangers and nine clear of closest challengers Aberdeen with a game in hand – and just defeated their Old Firm rivals in dramatic fashion to win the Scottish League Cup. Following Danilo’s late equaliser, Celtic were forced into extra time and then penalties, which they won 5-4 to secure the silverware.

Having also impressed in the Champions League at times this season, things could be about to get even better for the Scottish champions when the January transfer window arrives. If the gap between the Bhoys and Old Firm rivals Rangers is too much for the Gers to handle now, then the winter window could blow them out of the water.

According to The Daily Mail, Rodgers now personally wants Celtic to sign Michel-Ange Balikwisha from Royal Antwerp in the January transfer window in a deal that may be worth £5m, which could see the Bhoys re-open talks with the winger’s representatives after discussions took place in the summer.

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It looked as though the Bhoys were in for Balikwisha in the summer before an ill-timed injury struck to bring an abrupt end to any potential move. Now back from a lengthy absence, however, the 23-year-old could finally get his move.

Given recent rumours that Premier League sides are keeping an eye on Nicolas Kuhn too, adding an attacking reinforcement wouldn’t exactly be unwise from Celtic.

"Amazing" Balikwisha could replace Kuhn

With Celtic yet to get their answer as to whether Kuhn will be able to resist the chance to swap Scotland for the Premier League, signing Balikwisha as the potential heir to the winger’s current attacking throne would instantly ease any fears around struggling to replace his star power.

Still just 23 years old, the Belgian has been at the centre of praise over the last year, with Ben Mattinson going as far as saying that he’d have been an “amazing” replacement for Crysensio Summerville at Leeds United last season. Now, six months later, it’s Celtic who could benefit from his highly-rated talent.

After scoring 10 goals and assisting a further eight in all competitions for Royal Antwerp last season, Balikwisha must pick up where he left off now back fit and firing on all cylinders, before possibly getting his potential move next month.

After watching Ruben Amorim lose for the first time as Manchester United manager, INEOS are now reportedly ready to offer a blank cheque in the race to sign a target that the former Sporting boss loves.

Man Utd transfer news

It was the goals show under Amorim until his side faced the trip to title contenders Arsenal in the new manager’s first big test. His side had drawn at Ipswich Town, defeated Bodo/Glimt 3-2 and put four past Everton to reach eight goals in three games.

Any goalscoring problem that the Red Devils had during Erik ten Hag’s tenure at least looks likely to be solved under Amorim, but the Arsenal game was always going to be a step too far for Manchester United this early into his tenure.

Whilst Amorim’s tenure is as young as it is, it’s quickly become clear that those at Old Trafford must turn their attention back towards the transfer market in 2025 if their new manager is to finally end the trend of false dawns in Manchester.

With that said, according to Nacional, INEOS are now ready to offer a blank cheque to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting in 2025. Valued at a reported £65m by the Portuguese club, the Manchester United target would be a transformative striker to end the Red Devils’ woes going forward once and for all.

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A player who’s already enjoyed such impressive success under Amorim too, the deal would make perfect sense for all involved. As one of the only strikers capable of matching Erling Haaland’s goalscoring numbers, there’s no limit to the heights that Gyokeres could drag Manchester United back to.

"Strong" Gyokeres would transform Man Utd

Although Rasmus Hojlund is a player with plenty of potential and Joshua Zirkzee has shown glimpses of what he is capable of in recent weeks, if Manchester United want to make their way back to the top of English football then Gyokeres is the answer. The former Coventry City forward is one of Europe’s best – as 24 goals in 21 games so far this season highlights.

The Swede has received the praise to match his form too, including the iconic Marco Van Basten, who told Ziggo Sport as relayed by Footboom: “He is a true footballer. A forward who can also play football. He is strong, scores easily and remains calm in front of goal. He can also dribble past the goalkeeper; he is a very good forward.”

Some at Old Trafford will have plenty of caution when it comes to big-money signings after seeing a few too many big names reach flop status, but all signs are pointing towards Gyokeres becoming a star wherever he ends up. It feels a fairly safe bet that Amorim – of all managers – would instantly get the best out of the forward once again.

It’s no secret that Chelsea haven’t been afraid to splash the cash since the arrival of owner Todd Boehly back in May 2022 – spending over £1.2bn on new signings in the process.

The money spent has allowed for a complete overhaul of the first-team squad, handing boss Enzo Maresca all the tools to be a success during his debut season at the helm in West London.

Various big-money attackers have arrived at Stamford Bridge over the last couple of years, with the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Pedro Neto up there with the biggest fees spent on players during the American’s reign as owner.

The Ukrainian cost the club a whopping £88.5m, with Neto setting Boehly back around £54m after his surprise summer transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, neither have yet been able to reach the level of one star who captured the hearts of the fanbase during his own time as a player with the Blues.

Eden Hazard’s time at Chelsea

Belgian winger Eden Hazard arrived at Chelsea back in the summer of 2012 as an unknown quantity to many, but quickly introduced himself to the Blues faithful, rapidly becoming a fan favourite.

He quickly caught the eye with his direct dribbling ability, breezing past many opposition players – with his eye for goal also notable during his seven years at the Bridge.

Hazard registered a total of 110 goals within his 352 appearances for the Blues, winning six major trophies during his time in England, which includes two separate Europa League triumphs in 2013 and 2019.

The one goal that could sum up his talent during his time with the Blues is his solo effort against London rivals Arsenal, picking the ball up just inside the opponent’s half before shrugging off multiple players before dinking the ‘keeper and slotting the ball home.

He would subsequently leave the club back in the summer of 2019, joining Real Madrid in a £150m deal – a move that would see his career rapidly decline with injuries plaguing his time in Spain.

However, it will never tarnish his legacy as a Chelsea player, undoubtedly going down as one of the very best players in their recent history – with no player more able to turn a game on its head like Hazard did.

Arguably, the club have struggled to replace him five years on from his departure, but they could be handed an opportunity to finally end their hunt in January with a move for one talent.

Transfer Focus

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

The player who could be Chelsea’s next Hazard

According to reporter Graeme Bailey, Chelsea have sent scouts to keep a close eye on Lyon winger Rayan Cherki over a potential move to Stamford Bridge.

However, they aren’t alone in their pursuit of the French talent, with fellow Premier League side Newcastle United also firmly in the race for his signature.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed a phenomenal start to the 2024/25 campaign, registering two goals and three assists in his first nine outings in all competitions.

Cherki has previously been compared to Hazard, with French football expert Jonathan Johnson previously saying:

Such a comparison may seem far-fetched, but when delving into his stats from the Europa League so far this season, it’s clear he possesses serious talent which could see the Blues land another version of the Belgian.

In his three European outings this season, he’s averaged a staggering nine progressive passes per 90, along with five successful take-ons – with both figures ranking him within the top 1% of players in the competition. Hazard was one of the finest dribblers in the Premier League so the comparison begins to make sense here.

Games played

3

Goals & assists

3

Progressive passes

9

Progressive carries

6.2

Successful take-ons

5

Key passes completed

5.8

Through balls

2.5

Take-on success

71%

The “world-class” Cherki, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has also averaged 5.8 key passes and 2.5 through balls per 90, showcasing his ability to find teammates in attacking areas, potentially benefitting the likes of Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.

Whilst it’s unknown how much any potential deal would set Maresca’s side back in January, it’s evident that he would be a superb addition that would bring added firepower in attacking areas.

His comparison to former fan-favourite Hazard would see him bring huge excitement to Stamford Bridge in the club’s hunt to return to a Champions League finish this season.

Boehly must permanently axe Chelsea flop who earns even more than Palmer

Chelsea need to sell a player who’s earning even more than Cole Palmer.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 5, 2024

Sir Jim Ratcliffe asked Man Utd women's captain Katie Zelem what she does when he first met her after investing in the club.

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• Ratcliffe has had difficult first year at club
• Has shown little interest in women's team
• Asked captain what she does

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ratcliffe became United's minority owner in February 2024, placed in charge of running the football operations at the club, but has not made the best first impression, report . When he was being given a tour of the women's training facilities, he did not recognise then captain Zelem – who had been with the club since she was eight, but has now left – and asked her what her job is.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ratcliffe's treatment of the women's side has not impressed, with the businessman said not to have had a single meaningful conversation about them with former sporting director Dan Ashworth, who was considered an ally of the team before being sacked. Ratcliffe did not attend the women's FA Cup final in 2024, which United won by beating Tottenham 4-0, and the club only arranged a post-match party at the last minute.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The same report states many of the women's team were only given a small ticket allocation for that Wembley final. When men's first-team players Bruno Fernandes and Tom Heaton discovered the situation, they covered the cost of more tickets using the money accrued by the fines system throughout the season.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  United sit second in the Women's Super League table, seven points behind leaders Chelsea with eight games to play. However the prospect of further investment from within the club appears bleak.