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Alisha Lehmann was among the stars to represent Como Women at Milan Fashion Week, with the Switzerland international stepping into “the Prada World” following a styling session at Nike’s headquarters. Lehmann was joined at the event by a couple of club colleagues, with exciting opportunities being embraced on and off the pitch following a summer transfer from Serie A title holders Juventus.

New challenge: Lehmann loving life on & off the field

Lehmann headed to Italy in 2024 when bidding farewell to the WSL ranks – having represented the likes of West Ham, Everton and Aston Villa in English football. Her debut campaign in Turin delivered tangible success, as major silverware was secured, but regular starts proved hard to come by. With that in mind, another change of scenery was sought by the 26-year-old forward.

She is now living the dream on the banks of an iconic lake, with the picturesque surrounds of Como providing the ideal backdrop for professional endeavours. Lehmann is also being given the chance to indulge in passions away from the field, with fashion – as someone that likes to look as good on the field as she does off it – something that has always been taken seriously.

AdvertisementComo Women looking to break the mould

Lehmann got to strut her stuff when being invited along to the legendary Milan Fashion Week. Como Women formed part of that glitzy parade, with a club that prides itself on standing out from the crowd and breaking from the norm ensuring that they got to enjoy a moment in the spotlight.

Como said in a social media post alongside images of Lehmann and Co modelling new threads: “F.C Como Women steps into Prada World at Milan Fashion Week. After a styling session at Nike’s headquarters, @alexckerr, @alishalehmann7, @ramona__ramirez stepped into the Prada event wearing pieces from our FC Como Women essentials line, our @art_of capsule collection and our 25/26 away jersey. We’d like to thank Prada and Nike for this incredible experience. A moment that highlighted women in football who feel free to express themselves on and off the pitch.”

Why Lehmann swapped Juventus for Como

Lehmann is feeling very much at home with Como Women, having told of her reasons for joining that project after seeing a switch from Juve confirmed in August: “It’s an independent club, fully focused on women’s football – and that really matters to me. From the start, I could see this wasn’t just another team; it’s a project with real purpose and vision. [So] signing with FC Como Women just felt right.”

Lehmann added on joining a club that has an important point to get across: “It sends the message that being strong, ambitious and expressive can all go hand in hand; that’s important for the future of the sport.

“We’re in a moment where women’s football can define itself on its own terms, and independent clubs like Como Women have the opportunity in leading the movement. [It] isn’t just about winning matches. It’s about building something that lasts. This is the first time I’ve joined an independent club. That was a big part of my decision. It shows there is a different way of doing things.

“I came here to play football and hope to earn my place by working hard. I came here to compete and to grow as an athlete. The rest will come if I stay true to that. For me, it’s simple: I want to play as much as possible, help the team, and enjoy football. What I love is that they [Como] take the game seriously, but also create space for players to be themselves.”

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New season: First up for Lehmann & Como Women

Lehmann has made an immediate impact at Como, with her goal account for new employers being opened during pre-season. She is now raring to go as competitive action resumes in the Italian top-flight.

Time has been spent in Germany prior to that, with Lehmann forming part of the Oktoberfest festivities in Munich, but she will be back in Italy ahead of a 2025-26 Serie A season opener that sees Como Women play host to Lazio on Sunday.

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Fabrizio Romano has now shared another update on Tottenham and their pursuit of Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze, with chairman Daniel Levy serious about backing new manager Thomas Frank in this latter stage of the summer window.

Spurs are in dire need of a fresh number 10 option, and were so even before James Maddison’s lengthy injury lay-off.

The Lilywhites were on the verge of striking a £60 million deal for Morgan Gibbs-White this time last month, but an unprecedented chain of events involving legal threats saw the attacking midfielder remain at Nottingham Forest – where he’s since penned a new deal.

Maddison’s ACL rupture has merely accelerated Levy’s plans to reinforce Frank’s central attacking options, with Spurs now actively pursuing a deal for Eze as their chief solution.

Reports earlier this week claimed that Tottenham want to pay a similar fee to that of Mohammed Kudus, who they signed from West Ham for around £55 million, whereas Palace are demanding close to £70m.

“Eze a longstanding target, but earlier in the window Spurs had decided not to move,” wrote journalist Ben Jacobs, via X.

“Spurs aware Arsenal have player buy in, but believe Eze has not discounted their project. Spurs also prepared to move quickly. Both Spurs and Arsenal view Eze as a No.10. Understand Spurs’ starting valuation similar to the £55m paid for Mohammed Kudus. Palace want £68m release clause triggered or matched, even after it expires.”

In some exciting news for Spurs supporters, a deal for the 27-year-old wouldn’t have any impact on their pursuit of Man City winger Savinho, who’s viewed as a separate move entirely to Eze and not an alternative.

In quick succession, Levy and technical director Johan Lange are attempting to both fill the creative void left by Maddison’s absence and sign a replacement for club legend Son Heung-min, who departed for MLS side LAFC nearly two weeks ago.

Fabrizio Romano shares what he's now heard about Tottenham and Eberechi Eze

Taking to X on Thursday, Romano shared an update on Tottenham’s negotiations for Eze.

The reliable transfer journalist claims that Spurs are prepared to open formal talks for the England international, and confirmed that Eze would be keen on a move to N17 if Palace and their London rivals can agree on a fee.

The former QPR star bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season, not to mention Palace’s FA Cup final-winning strike against Man City at Wembley – a moment of heroics which saw Oliver Glasner’s side lift the club’s first ever major trophy.

He also averaged more shots, key passes and successful takes-ons per 90 than any of his teammates in the top flight, with Tottenham now working to hijack Arsenal’s long-term interest in Eze by moving ahead first.

Michail Antonio will go down as one of West Ham United’s modern-day greats.

Earlier this week, the club confirmed that the Jamaican international had left the club following the expiration of his contact.

Thus, in need of a new striker, has Graham Potter identified his top target?

West Ham's search for a new striker

Antonio joined the Hammers from Nottingham Forest a decade ago for a reported fee of £7m, initially signed as a right-back, but ultimately transformed into their best centre-forward of the 21st century, scoring 83 goals in claret and blue, making him the club’s record scorer of all-time in the Premier League.

His final appearance for West Ham came in December, suffering a life-threatening car crash soon after, stating himself “I was close to dying”, before returning to competitive football earlier this summer, featuring in all three of Jamaica’s matches at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June.

Even at 35, Antonio will take some replacing, but have the Irons identified their man?

Transfer Focus

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

Well, according to French outlet wiw Sports, West Ham have reached an agreement in principle on personal terms to sign Idrissa Gueye from Metz, adding that negotiations have reached the final stages.

Elsewhere, a report by Foot Mercato claims that the deal will cost €15m (around £13m), adding that both Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund had previously been interested in the youngster.

Well, if his West Ham career turns out to be even half as successful as the aforementioned Antonio, that’ll prove to be a bargain.

What Idrissa Gueye will bring to West Ham

Given that he is just 18 years old, not a lot is widely known about Gueye, so what do we know?

Well, he came through the famous Génération Foot academy in Senegal, before following the familiar pathway from there to Metz, a path trodden by Sadio Mané, Papiss Cissé, Ismaïla Sarr, Pape Matar Sarr and former hammer Diafra Sakho, as well as many others, in recent years.

What makes Gueye interesting is that he only made this jump in January, scoring five goals in 17 regular-season Ligue 2 games, thereby averaging a goal every 222 minutes.

This saw les Grenats finish third, subsequently beating both Dunkerque and then Stade Reims in the play-offs as they won promotion back to Ligue 1.

Speaking to French outlet Lesoleil, Metz sporting director Frédéric Arpinon stated that Gueye “reminds me a little” of Olivier Giroud, adding “I hope for him that he will have the same trajectory”.

Elsewhere, Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider labels him ‘one of the hottest properties’ in European football, while Sébastien Denis of Foot Mercato asserts that he is a “diamond” of a striker.

Gueye won Metz’s player of the month, as well as Ligue 2 young player of the month during an eye-catching February, so let’s assess his statistics.

Goals

0.41

14th

Shots

2.53

18th

Goals-per-shot on target

0.45

18th

Big chances missed

0.4

54th

Average Sofa Score rating

6.97

20th*

*amongst strikers only.

As the table emphasises, Gueye is a player of enormous talent, but one who is still very raw, which shouldn’t be too surprising considering, as recently as January, he was plying his trade in the Senegalese Premier League which, according to the CAF association rankings, is the 17th strongest league in Africa.

So why will he be the ideal Antonio replacement?

Well, West Ham already boast Niclas Füllkrug and have also signed Callum Wilson on a free transfer, both of whom are vastly experienced, allowing Gueye to learn from them, and not demanding that he is a starter from day one.

According to Global Football Rankings, Ligue 2 is the 30th strongest league in the world, making it the fifth best second-tier on the planet, behind the EFL Championship (11th), the Zweite Bundesliga (17th), Serie B (19th) and the Segunda División (24th).

Thus, Gueye has already proven he can score goals at a relatively high level, Ligue 2 is one place above the Saudi Pro League interestingly, and he appears to have all the attributes to thrive in the Premier League.

Dream Ramsey alternative: West Ham plot late move for £50m "massive talent"

As West Ham search for a new midfielder, could they shelve their interest in Jacob Ramsey and move for a “massive talent” valued at £50m by his club?

Aug 8, 2025

A Manchester United forward, who Michael Carrick described as “terrific”, is now heading for the exit door, as a new club have agreed a transfer fee, according to a report.

Man Utd's attacking rebuild underway

There were many reasons behind Man United’s extremely disappointing 2024-25 campaign, but their attack was one of the most glaring issues, scoring just 44 goals all season in the Premier League.

Consequently, it is no surprise Ruben Amorim has set out to strengthen his forward line as a priority, having already sealed deals for Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, and the next task for recruitment chiefs will be to bring in a new striker.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has now revealed United have two main options in mind at centre-forward, saying: “Ollie Watkins has options and Aston Villa are looking at their options too – there is a real chance that he could leave Villa Park this summer, and Man United like him a lot – he is seen as a very good fit.”

“Sesko is ongoing too – United, though, are working on this situation. Could it be Watkins or Sesko? United certainly believe so,”

However, considering the Red Devils are well-known to be treading a fine line PSR-wise, there will also have to be some outgoings this summer, and they are now close to sealing a deal to sell one of their forwards.

That is according to a report from Italy (via Sport Witness), which states a deal is now in place to sell Jadon Sancho to Juventus for £15m, and the winger has already agreed personal terms with the Italian club.

Man Utd present offer to agents of "phenomenal" £78m star, talks ongoing

The Red Devils are vying to sign a centre-forward, and they are currently in direct negotiations with his entourage.

5 ByDominic Lund Jul 29, 2025

However, the deal is currently on pause, with Juventus looking to offload Timothy Weah and Nico Gonzalez, while they could also look to move on Dušan Vlahović before fully turning their attentions to Sancho.

Some final details also need to be finalised, such as bonuses, and the player himself is now growing impatient, as he is keen to seal a move to the Serie A side.

Sancho needs to move on this summer

Despite once being described as “terrific” by Michael Carrick, the English winger has never really managed to make an impact at United, and he clearly didn’t do enough to impress Enzo Maresca last season, with Chelsea paying a £5m penalty to avoid signing him.

As such, a move abroad could be ideal for the £25-year-old, given that his best years were spent outside England, picking up a combined 34 goals and assists for Borussia Dortmund in the 2019-20 Bundesliga season.

It is disappointing that Man United are only set to recoup £15m for Sancho, but he clearly has no future at Old Trafford, and there is every indication that Cunha and Mbeumo could be real upgrades.

Player

PL appearances in 24/25

Goals

Assists

Jadon Sancho

31

3

5

Bryan Mbeumo

38

20

8

Matheus Cunha

33

15

6

Chasing 110 for victory, Bouchier and Wyatt-Hodge hit quick half-centuries to complete the win in exactly ten overs

Vithushan Ehantharajah13-Oct-2024

Maia Bouchier cracked 62 not out in 34 balls, the highest score of the tournament so far•Getty Images

England have gone top of Group B at the women’s T20 World Cup with a game to play after demolishing Scotland by ten wickets in Sharjah. By chasing down a modest target of 110 with ten overs to spare, they overtook South Africa, who are also on six points but have played a game more, on net run-rate.The manner of the victory, sealed with a boundary by Maia Bouchier, whose unbeaten 62 is now the tournament’s highest individual score, also saw England boast an NRR higher than West Indies. They square off on Tuesday in what is a knockout encounter, though both teams could mathematically still go through together at the expense of South Africa.Danni Wyatt-Hodge also registered a half-century, 51* off 26, in an opening stand with Bouchier that now ranks as the highest at this World Cup. It was a boundary-laden affair – 76 runs coming in fours – that ended Scotland’s maiden women’s World Cup campaign with a fourth straight defeat.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Scotland were able to sign off with their highest total after winning the toss and electing to bat. Skipper Kathryn Bryce’s 33 off 28 – the only Scottish batter to strike at more than a run a ball – provided the backbone of the innings, as she batted through to the end of the 17th over, having arrived for the start of the ninth. Her sister Sarah Bryce opened with 27 from 31, the only other score of note, though Alisa Lister had the honour of hitting Scotland’s first six at a major tournament when she slog-swept Sarah Glenn in the 13th over.England kept their opponents in check throughout, though they did fail to take a wicket in the powerplay for the first time in six matches as Sarah and Saskia Horley made it through the opening six overs, albeit for just 29. Sophie Ecclestone, as ever, was the pick of the bowlers, the left-arm spinner finishing with 2 for 13 from her four overs.Lauren Bell, making her first appearance of the tournament with England keen to make use of a pitch now conducive to seam, finished with 1 for 16. She was one of two changes for Heather Knight’s charges, with Sophia Dunkley replacing Alice Capsey. Capsey had been unwell in the week, with the management deciding not to take any risks, especially with the heat in England’s day game of the competition.Bell bowled Lorna Jack-Brown, who ended her international career with a three-ball duck. She finishes as the most-capped player in Scotland’s history.Danni Wyatt-Hodge scored a half-century in just 26 balls•ICC/Getty Images

Bouchier and Wyatt-Hodge choose aggressionThe peculiarity of England’s day was clear when they left their hotel for this match as Bangladesh were checking out to head home. The 2009 champions had only played two so far while some other teams had completed their group-stage programme.That included South Africa, who sat top of Group B on Sunday morning, with West Indies level on four points with England but in second with a greater NRR – by 1.055 – but having played a game more.With everything laid out before England, the calculations at half-time were straightforward. Reach the necessary 110 in 11.5 overs or fewer to wrestle away the top spot from South Africa, and 9.3 overs or fewer to trump West Indies’ NRR. Though they did not manage the latter, Bouchier’s step across and heave over the leg side for four at the end of the tenth over saw England achieve both side quests with the necessary win.Though Scotland were particularly wayward with their lines, Bouchier and Wyatt-Hodge were brutal. They struck England’s first century opening stand in T20 World Cups since 2012, from just 54 deliveries. They also pocketed the fastest team fifty of this edition in just 4.4 overs, and the largest powerplay at 66 for 0.Bouchier began the chase with three fours from the first three balls, delivered by left-armer Rachel Slater, on her way to a third career half-century from just 30 deliveries. Wyatt-Hodge’s 17th 50-plus score in T20Is was six balls quicker. Nothing summed up the pair’s understanding of the assignment more than the ten clinical fours they hit in a 16-ball sequence from the start of the fourth over.England can do it the easy way by beating West Indies on Tuesday•ICC/Getty Images

Get the calculators outThe winners of England versus West Indies on Tuesday will be guaranteed a spot in the final four of this World Cup. But the losers could still make it through in the event of two extreme scenarios.Should West Indies make 201 or more and win, England could still sneak in if the margin of defeat is just a single run. Similarly, they could lose in a Super Over and make it through provided they match a West Indies score of 194 or more in the regulation 20 overs.Both seem highly unlikely given the way the pitch has been playing at Sharjah. But fans of South African cricket know all too well that World Cup heartbreak can take many peculiar forms…Lorna Jack-Brown fell for a duck in her farewell match•Getty Images

Growing pains for ScotlandIt was dispiriting for Scotland to end their first women’s World Cup with three heavy defeats. Callous ones at that, given West Indies, South Africa and England knew they had to match each other’s dominance against the international tournament debutants.After a promising opener against Bangladesh, the gulf between Scotland and the top tier of women’s cricket has been made abundantly clear over the last seven days. But the tournament as a whole has been a necessary growing pain for a team looking to establish themselves at this level.There were flashes of promise alongside the expected quality of Kathryn and Sarah Bryce, who ended as the team’s leading run-scorers. Had Olivia Bell held on to a return catch from Bouchier when the batter had just 17, she would have maintained her streak of taking a wicket in every match. That three of their four matches were day games – this was England’s first – was its own unique challenge, with temperatures in Sharjah constantly in the mid to late 30s.Considering they were granted ODI status in 2022, with professional contracts only introduced in 2023, this can be marked down as another important step in the right direction for Scottish women’s cricket.

India captain Rohit Sharma has credited his players for embracing the risk involved in forcing a result in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, where there was no play for two days because of rain. Overall only 35 overs were bowled across the first three days, but despite that, India found a way to beat the weather, clock, and Bangladesh for a 2-0 series sweep, which extended their lead at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings.After India’s attack bowled Bangladesh out for 233 in the post-lunch session on day four, Rohit laid down the marker by launching the first two balls he faced for sixes. The other batters also bought into this approach, even if it mean that the result might go either way.”The bowlers came to the party first,” Rohit told . “They got the wickets that we needed, and then when we came inside, we had to take a little bit of risk to get a result. I know the result could have gone either way, but I was okay with it. So was the coach [Gautam Gambhir] and the other players as well because you have to be brave enough to take those decisions and go and play that way. When things fall in place, everything looks good. And that is where it can change quickly, when things doesn’t fall in place. Everybody would’ve started criticising the decision that we took and all of that but what matters is what we think inside this changing room. And that is what mattered. And that is what we went with in this game.”It was a clear plan that we want the result, how we can get the result. Everybody started finding answers for that. I think it was an exceptional series. It may go unnoticed.”Related

• Rohit's legacy: Rewiring his generation, encouraging the next

• Rohit Sharma and the sixes that woke up a dead game

• Stats – Rohit and Jaiswal give India speed-scoring records

• Rohit Sharma and India earn their rewards for being brave

Under Rohit, India have adopted an aggressive approach across formats, even at World Cups, and it was no different in Kanpur, where WTC points were up for grabs. So, what does aggression mean to Rohit?”For me aggression is all about your actions,” he said. “It’s not about my reactions: the kind of batting we do, the kind of field positioning we do, the kind of bowling we do; that to me is aggression.”Look, without the help of the other ten players, and, obviously people who are sitting in the dressing room as well, this wouldn’t have been possible when we had lost two days, two-and-a-half days actually, it’s very easy for everyone to just drift away from the goal that we had of winning this test match. When we came here on the fourth day of the morning, first things first, they [Bangladesh] were batting and we needed to get them out. We needed seven wickets quickly, so I thought everything started there.”1:43

Decoding Yashasvi Jaiswal’s superb slip catch

Both as a batter and leader, Rohit has transformed India into prioritising winning over everything else. He said that his captaincy style is based around trusting his judgement and decisions.”When you are playing at such a high level, you need to have a bit of everything,” Rohit said. “You need to be calm, to think wisely. There are a lot of decisions that you have to take on the field. Not every decision will go your way, but you have to back it and use your experience, use your knowledge. So that is what I do. I, I’ve been there enough to trust my judgment that I do take on the field, the decisions that I take on the field, I trust on it. And then, then I go by it. There are players around me who are open to giving suggestions, but at the end of the day, I trust my mind and I trust my judgment, and that’s all that matters.”

Rohit: Some crucial catches turned the game

Rohit was also impressed with India’s fielding, especially their slip catching, during the home Test series against Bangladesh. It was Yashasvi Jaiswal who had set the tone on the first day in Kanpur, where he took a smart, low catch to dismiss Zakir Hasan for a duck. Then, in Bangladesh’s second innings, Jaiswal completed another sharp catch, this time at gully, to send back a well-set Shadman Islam for 50 and hasten India’s push for victory.”I was just informed out of the 24 catches that came our way, we took 23 of them, which is a great result especially in the slips,” Rohit said.”You don’t often see in India ball carrying through the slips. But the guys who were standing behind were so sharp and to take those catches, it may look easy on television, but it is not, trust me, because they are standing way ahead than they normally do. So all those catches that come the way, they are very hard to take those catches. The reaction time is very less, and I have seen it. They put everyone puts a lot of effort in getting those things right.”And the Dilip [T Dilip, fielding coach] obviously is helping with the players. Some crucial catches as well, which actually turned the game around.”

أصدر نادي برشلونة بيانًا رسميًا منذ قليل، للكشف عن تشخيص إصابة فرينكي دي يونج التي تعرض لها خلال فترة التوقف الدولي الحالي.

دي يونج تعرض للإصابة خلال مواجهة منتخب هولندا يوم الخميس الماضي أمام بولندا، ضمن التصفيات المؤهلة لبطولة كأس العالم العام المقبل في كندا والولايات المتحدة الأمريكية والمكسيك.

طالع .. ”سبورت” تصب غضبها على أنشيلوتي بسبب رافينها: فضيحة.. وتحيز واضح لريال مدريد

وقال برشلونة في البيان الرسمي عبر “تويتر”: ”تعرض اللاعب فرينكي دي يونج لإصابة طفيفة في العضلة السدادية الخارجية لساقه اليمنى، وسيحدد تعافيه مدى جاهزيته”.

ولم يكشف برشلونة عن مدة غياب دي يونج المتوقعة عن الملاعب، لكن من المحتمل ألا يغيب الدولي الهولندي كثيرًا عن الملاعب ولن تتجاوز مدة غيابه أسبوعين بحسب التقارير الأخيرة.

وحسبما ذكرت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية، فإن مشاركة دي يونج في مباراة برشلونة وفالنسيا يوم الأحد المقبل محل شك.

ولا يرغب المدرب هانز فليك في التعجل بشأن دي يونج حتى لا تكون هناك مخاطرة قبل مباراة برشلونة ونيوكاسل في دوري أبطال أوروبا يوم 18 سبتمبر الجاري.

الجدير بالذكر أن برشلونة يعاني كذلك من بعض الغيابات الأخرى، من بين أبرزها جافي إلى جانب أليخاندرو بالدي أيضًا الذي سوف يغيب لنحو ثلاثة أسابيع من الآن.

ولن يشارك دي يونج بذلك خلال لقاء برشلونة أمام فالنسيا يوم الأحد المقبل، ضمن الجولة الرابعة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني للدرجة الأولى.

Steven Gerrard once called a Liverpool teammate better than Lionel Messi after being stunned by his abilities at Anfield.

Steven Gerrard names greatest Liverpool teammates

The Reds legend spent 17 senior years on Merseyside after coming through Liverpool’s academy, making his debut back in 1998.

During that time, Gerrard would never win the Premier League, however, he has gone down as one of the greatest players the top flight has ever seen. Across the world, Gerrard also became a superstar, having everything you need to be a top midfielder, and was known for scoring goals from distance.

He could have left Liverpool on numerous occasions during his career but remained a Red until 2015, and, following a brief stint in the MLS with LA Galaxy, would call time on his career.

Over the years at Anfield, Gerrard would play with some of the best around, including names such as Xabi Alonso, Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres. The English legend has actually named his greatest Liverpool XI of stars he played with, and Gerrard quite rightly named himself in the side.

GK:

Pepe Reina

RB:

Glen Johnson

CB:

Sami Hyypia

CB:

Jamie Carragher

LB:

John Arne Riise

CM:

Xabi Alonso

CM:

Javier Mascherano

CM:

Steven Gerrard

FWD:

Fernando Torres

FWD:

Robbie Fowler

FWD:

Luis Suarez

However, one name not in that XI once came in for high praise from Gerrard, with the midfielder comparing him to a certain Argentine icon.

Steven Gerrard said Arsenal star was the Premier League 'GOAT' and better than Ronaldo

The Liverpool legend weighed in on the debate…

ByBen Goodwin May 21, 2025 Gerrard once called Liverpool flop Joe Cole better than Messi

In 2010, Messi was already a one time, and soon-to-be two time Ballon d’Or winner, regarded as one of the best on the planet.

However, Liverpool had just signed Joe Cole on a free transfer following his departure from Chelsea, and in his early days at Anfield, caught Gerrard’s eye.

In fact, Gerrard said Cole left him shocked in training and said that his fellow Englishman can do things better than Messi.

Gerrard may have backed Cole for the Player of the Year award in 2010/11, however, he scored just two Premier League goals in 20 appearances, and the following season, was sent out on loan to Lille before eventually leaving to join West Ham on a permanent basis in January 2013.

Games

42

Goals

5

Assists

3

Yellow cards

2

Red cards

1

Minutes played

2,117

Things didn’t work out for Cole at Liverpool the way he and Gerrard imagined, and it’s fair to say his and Messi’s careers went in completely different directions after that 2010/11 campaign.

The summer transfer window officially opens for business next month, and Leeds United are likely to be busy as they prepare for a season in the Premier League.

One player who is on the club’s radar is Tottenham Hotspur winger Manor Solomon, who spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Elland Road, and the forward is reportedly open to talks over a permanent switch to West Yorkshire.

The 25-year-old attacker ended the season with ten goals and 12 assists in the Championship, and Leeds are now eyeing a new target who could be amazing for Solomon in the Premier League.

Leeds eyeing Premier League defender

According to journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon (25/05/2025), Leeds United are eyeing a new target in the form of West Ham United left-back Aaron Cresswell.

Transfer Focus

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

The reporter claims that Daniel Farke is lining up a move to snap up the experienced defender on a free transfer when his contract with the Hammers expires at the end of next month.

Nixon adds, however, that there is also interest from celebrity-owned Championship side Wrexham, who have just been promoted from League One, which means that there is competition for the 35-year-old star’s signature.

The journalist also reveals that Leeds would view the veteran full-back as a squad player, rather than a guaranteed starter, but that does not mean that he would not be an incredibly valuable addition, particularly for Solomon.

Why Leeds should sign Aaron Cresswell

Junior Firpo’s contract is set to expire this summer, and it still remains to be seen whether or not he will put pen to paper on an extension, which means that there is a vacant spot at left-back to be filled as it stands.

Cresswell, as Nixon’s report suggests, may not come in to start all 38 games in the Premier League next term, but he is a vastly-experienced top-flight performer who could be relied upon to deliver quality displays when called upon.

Capped three times by England, he played 312 Premier League matches for the Hammers, and 369 games in total, during his time at the London Stadium, which means that Farke would have a defender who has been there and done it at that level.

Appearances

18

Starts

10

Pass accuracy

87%

Dribbled past

0.1x

Ground duel success rate

67%

Aerial duel success rate

50%

As you can see in the table above, Cresswell, who played as a left-back or as a wide centre-back in a three, started ten Premier League games this season and delivered solid defensive displays.

The veteran full-back, whose ball-striking was described as “lovely” by teammate Ryan Fredericks when lauding his left foot, has shown that he still has the physicality and quality to dominate opposition defenders in duels, whilst rarely being dribbled past.

This suggests that he could be amazing for Solomon, who is a direct winger who wants to constantly attack to score and assist goals, because he is not a defensively weak left-back who needs constant support and doubling up from his forward ahead of him.

This means that the Israel international, should he sign permanently at Elland Road this summer, could love to have Cresswell behind him because his defensively solidity could allow him more freedom to stay higher up the pitch to influence games in the final third.

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Arsenal have made one “top” player an offer to join them this summer, after new sporting director Andrea Berta helped to sway Mikel Arteta into a summer switch-up.

Mikel Arteta reacts as Arsenal lose Champions League semi-final to PSG

The north Londoners will end 2024/2025 without any silverware, which comes as a real disappointment for Arsenal after they were widely tipped to end their 21-year wait for a Premier League title at the beginning of the campaign.

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A combination of debilitating injuries and their failure to put teams away, with Arsenal chalking up more draws than any other side in the top ten apart from Brighton, has resulted in Arteta’s side ending the domestic campaign empty-handed.

Arsenal sparked brief hope that they could make history by winning their first ever Champions League crown, especially after their statement 5-1 aggregate win over 15-time European champions Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

Southampton (away)

May 25th

However, they were eventually outdone by Ligue 1 champions PSG in the semis, with their lack of ruthless finishing, alongside Gianluigi Donnarumma’s heroics, ultimately crushing Arsenal’s European dream.

“It’s probably difficult with words,” said Arteta on Arsenal’s emotions after being knocked out of the Champions League.

“The work that we put [in], the enthusiasm, the belief and whatever happens, you come here, and you do what we’ve done, it’s the first time for 95% of these guys because they’ve never played a semi-final. To do what they did in Paris today against this team is remarkable, but the fact is that we are out, and we want to improve, and we want to win it. We can never look back on it yet, but if we did or whatever, it’s just, why is it still on us to reach that and unlock that door to get to the final and then actually win it? And that’s the way it might be.”

Arsenal make offer to Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap

Now that Arsenal will be ending 24/25 without any silverware, attention is continuing to turn towards the summer transfer window and how they’ll prepare for next campaign, in a bid to go again.

It is no secret that Arsenal are targeting a goalscoring striker, and it is believed by some media sources that Berta is making serious progress on a move for Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

However, as per Football Transfers, Ipswich Town star Liam Delap could now join the Sweden international.

They report that Arsenal could bring in two centre-forwards, one to lead the line as a starter and one to work as an understudy. Gyokeres would arrive as the star front man, with Delap coming in as a back-up option to the 26-year-old.

The Englishman, who has a £30m release clause, has been made fully aware of this by Arsenal, who’ve also outlined exactly how they’d utilise him next term. Berta is also prepared to pay the 22-year-old’s clause, just one year after Ipswich signed him from Man City.

Football Transfers also state that Arsenal have made an offer to Delap and his representatives, coming after Berta “successfully convinced” Arteta to change their transfer strategy this summer.

Delap has been a rare bright spark for Kieran McKenna’s relegated side, bagging 12 goals in all competitions, with pundit Paul Robinson calling him a “top player” and an absolute “nuisance” to deal with.