He doesn’t suit the system: Amorim must drop 6/10 Man Utd star after Wolves

It wasn’t perfect, but Manchester United secured three points at Molineux to return to winning ways in the Premier League and gear up for another charge toward Champions League contention.

Bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers crumbled away after the break, and the Red Devils made them pay, with Bruno Fernandes’ brace coming either side of second-half strikes from Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount.

The home side might be at the centre of a catastrophic failure this season, but take nothing away from United’s slick attacking play, creating a platform to build on after labouring to a draw against West Ham United at Old Trafford last week.

How Man Utd beat Wolves

Amorim’s Red Devils have rekindled the feel-good factor. There is work still to be done, and the Portuguese tactician’s system leaves something to be desired, but Manchester United are just one point behind fourth-placed Crystal Palace.

Amorim knew his side would dominate the ball, and dictate the flow of possession they did, but he would have drilled into his troops at half-time a lesson about wayward shooting. As per Sofascore, United chalked up an xG total of 4.01 across the match, with 3.06 of that total coming after the interval despite 14 of the 27 shots on the evening being lashed across the first half.

It’s also worth noting that five of United’s seven shots on target came during the first half. This may have smacked of desperation in other circumstances, but at Molineux illustrated a tactical tweak orienting toward greater variation, a ramping-up of the gas that outfoxed a Wolves backline that crumbled under pressure.

One way of looking at it would be that United toiled, to little avail, before the break, but we also saw tactical adaptation from a manager who has been criticised for his obstinacy.

Content creator Adam Joseph said that “tonight doesn’t solve any issues”, but he praised the victory all the same. Now, Amorim needs to go one step further and deepen the nuances of his system, surely ending one protracted experiment which might have seen the visitors come unstuck, had they been playing a higher calibre of opponent.

Amorim must boldly drop Man United talent

Amad Diallo is one of the most talented players in Manchester United’s squad, but he’s also been played out of position for the lion’s share of the Amorim era, and the contest at Molineux issued a reminder that he cannot continue in an unnatural wing-back berth forever.

Not only does it hinder the 23-year-old’s attacking play, but it also fails to offer United’s system the balance and fluency it requires down the right channel.

Amad Diallo vs Wolves

Match Stats

#

Minutes played

90′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

68

Accurate passes

39/44 (89%)

Chances created

4

Possession lost

9x

Crosses

1/3

Dribbles

2/4

Recoveries

3

Tackles won

1/1

Duels won

5/9

Data via Sofascore

This was by no means a, quote unquote, disasterclass, but Amad did leave something to be desired, lacking end product and culpable for a few defensive lapses. The Manchester Evening News recognised this, handing the Ivory Coast international a 6/10 match rating.

Amad, after all, was perhaps at fault for the Old Gold’s parity-restoring goal before the break, failing to close David Møller Wolfe as the wing-back cut back to Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who scored.

There were flashes of quality, for sure, but we must remember that Amad is performing, dutifully, in a role that is not his own, and this was picked up by analyst Raj Chohan, who remarked that it has been “completely unserious squad planning” on Amorim’s part, shoehorning a fleet-footed forward into a position that he “does not suit playing” in.

This season, ten of Amad’s 15 appearances have come as United’s right-sided wing-back, with five outings made in an attacking role off the central striker.

There he plays his best stuff, and if Amorim is to succeed at the club and lead the squad for the long run, he will need to find a way to maximise this talented forward’s skills in a position that he can call his own.

Bad news for Mainoo: INEOS make £70m "passing machine" Man Utd’s no.1 target

Man United’s need for a new centre-midfielder is as pressing as ever.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 8, 2025

Kylian Mbappe and Neymar's relationship breakdown: Ex-PSG star sheds light on 'rift' that developed between two superstars

Former Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva has revealed the circumstances behind the "rift" which developed between Kylian Mbappe and Neymar during the latter stages of their time together at the Parisian giants. The pair, signed as the world's two most expensive players ever and amongst the biggest stars in the game at the time, shared a close friendship at first but saw issues between them grow over their period at the club.

  • Mbappe and Neymar relationship at PSG revealed

    Silva was PSG captain during the first three seasons of the pair’s time at the club, before departing for Chelsea in 2020 and winning the Champions League at Stamford Bridge. Such European success had not been repeated during his time in Paris despite the record-breaking signings of Neymar and Mbappe, whose relationship deteriorated over time, revealed Silva.

    The 41-year-old, now with Fluminense, revealed in an interview relayed by Tribuna that the pair were close early on during their time as team-mates, amid a “beautiful story” prior to their arrival where Mbappe told Silva that even if Neymar joined PSG, he wanted to sign for the club and play alongside him.

    The pair were close, enjoying each other’s company on a daily basis, but this changed as a “rift” appeared between them. Silva expressed how unfortunate this was and explained that he does not have all the answers for why this occurred, as it was after he had already departed Paris for west London.

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    'It made me sad' – Silva speaks on Mbappe and Neymar falling out

    Silva explained: "At Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe and Neymar got along well at first, but their relationship deteriorated. Why? It was a beautiful story. I remember the Trophee des Champions match against Monaco, Kylian Mbappe's team, in Morocco [a 2-1 victory for PSG on 29 July 2017 in Tangier]. At the end of the match, Mbappe wanted to talk to me. He said, 'Even if Neymar signs, I also want to come and be part of this team. If you could talk to the president…' They both arrived that summer, and their relationship was incredible. They were very close, among those who had the most fun on a daily basis.

    "I didn't understand why they drifted apart. I was no longer at PSG. I don't know which of the two caused the rift, but it made me sad. They are two great guys, and it's disappointing that it ended like that."

  • Both Neymar and Mbappe have publicly had their say

    Speaking on a podcast with Brazil legend Romario earlier this year, Neymar gave his side of the story.

    "I have my things with him [Mbappe], we had a little fight, but he was fundamental for us when he arrived," Neymar said, as relayed by TNT Sports.

    "I used to call him golden boy. I always played with him; I said he was going to be one of the best. I always helped, talked to him, he came to my place, we had dinner together.

    "We had some good years of partnership, but after Messi came he was a little jealous. He didn't want to split me with anyone. And then there were some fights, a change in behaviour."

    Meanwhile, the Frenchman responded to these claims of jealousy in an interview with TNT Sports Brasil: "The truth is I have nothing to say. I’m very concentrated on what I’m doing here in Madrid. I have a lot of respect for Neymar.

    "I could talk many times about Neymar but I want to remember the positives, of a unique footballer in the history of football and all the moments we had in Paris.

    "Now I’m in Madrid and I want to enjoy being in Madrid. All the best to Neymar and to all his family and friends."

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    Mbappe and Neymar both aiming for 2026 World Cup dream

    With both players and their former captain having spoken, it is possible that the entire truth may never be revealed about why Neymar and Mbappe fell out in Paris.

    Both players have gone on their own unique paths in their careers since, as Neymar spent a period in the Saudi Pro League before returning to boyhood club Santos, while 26-year-old Mbappe is at the peak of his powers shining for Real Madrid.

    The France international will compete at the World Cup next summer barring injury, while Neymar is hoping to force his way back into the Brazil squad to get what could be his final chance to play on the global stage.

Odegaard upgrade: Arsenal have made a move to sign £88m “generational talent”

Arsenal got back to winning ways on Wednesday night, with a 3-0 demolition of Club Brugge in the Champions League.

It was a much-needed result following their 2-1 loss away to Aston Villa in their last Premier League match, and the fifth time this season the Gunners have won after dropping points.

There is something different about Mikel Arteta’s side this season, a sense that this is finally the year in which they’ll get over the finishing line.

Perhaps in a bid to ensure that happens, reports now suggest Arsenal are making a move to sign a seriously exciting attacker next year, someone who could be an upgrade on Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal target Odegaard upgrade

Arsenal did go unusually big in the summer transfer window, but with a potential league title and more on the line this season, they’re being linked with a plethora of potential game-changing talents ahead of the January window.

Transfer Focus

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

RB Leipzig’s £87m Yan Diomande, for example, has been touted for a move to the Emirates, as has Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

However, as brilliantly talented as those two players are, their positions mean that neither would represent an upgrade on Odegaard, unlike Arda Güler.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal have reignited their interest in the Turkish wonderkid.

In fact, alongside the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United, the report claims that the Gunners have already made their move to sign the Madrid star.

However, the Spanish giants are reportedly still unsure whether they want to keep the 20-year-old, and if not, another report from earlier this month stated that a fee of £88m might be required to get them to sell.

In all, this could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but given Güler’s ability and potential, it’s one Arsenal should fight for, even if it’s bad news for Odegaard.

How Güler compares to Oedegaard

Now, one of Güler’s best traits is the fact that he can be moved around a bit and, if the manager needs him to, do a job out wide.

However, while he can do this, it would be foolish to sign him to play him in wide areas, as he is now spending most of his time in attacking midfield and playing very well there.

In other words, were Arsenal to sign the Madrid star, one of his main rivals for game time would be Odegaard, but who’d come out on top?

Well, starting with their raw output, it’s the Turkish superstar who comes out on top, and quite comfortably at that.

For example, in 21 appearances this season, totalling 1365 minutes, the “generational talent”, as described by journalist Dean Jones, has scored three goals and provided seven assists, averaging a goal involvement every 2.1 games, or every 136.5 minutes.

In contrast, the Gunners’ captain has provided just two assists in 12 appearances this season, totalling 587 minutes, which is a goal involvement every six games, or every 293.5 minutes.

Okay, what about their underlying numbers, then? Who comes out on top when you take a look under the hood?

Unfortunately for the Norwegian maestro, it is once again his potential rival who comes out looking better, although it is a little closer this time.

For example, the former Fenerbahçe gem comes out on top in most relevant metrics, including shot-creating actions, key passes, non-penalty expected goals plus assists, tackles won and more, all per 90.

Güler vs Odegaard

Statistics per 90

Güler

Odegaard

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.74

0.28

Progressive Passes

7.64

11.7

Shots

2.64

1.73

Shots on Target

1.00

0.86

Passing Accuracy

85.2%

81.1%

Key Passes

3.27

2.39

Shot-Creating Actions

6.18

5.61

Goal-Creating Actions

0.64

1.08

Tackles Won

1.36

0.65

Successful Take-On %

52.2%

50.0%

Aerial Duels Won

0.36

0.22

Ball Recoveries

4.27

5.00

All Stats via FBref for the 25/26 League Season

What’s even more impressive about all of this is that the Ankara-born gem is doing all this and outperforming the North Londoners number eight despite being six years younger than him.

Ultimately, Odegaard is a brilliant player and could play a huge role in Arsenal’s success this season, but Güler looks to be the better player, and therefore, Andrea Berta should do what he can to sign him for the club.

Not just Madueke: Arsenal star had his best ever game for the club v Brugge

It was a night to remember for Noni Madueke and one of his new Arsenal teammates.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

4 days ago

Video Shows Emotional Moment Marcelo Mayer Learned Red Sox Were Calling Him Up

Boston Red Sox top prospect Marcelo Mayer is getting called up to the big leagues, and now we have video of the moment he learned he was joining the MLB club.

Mayer was playing for the Triple A Worcester Red Sox when manager Chad Tracy called him into his office. He informed Mayer that he wouldn't be playing in the second game of the team's doubleheader against the Durham Bulls on Saturday. Then Tracy revealed the reason Mayer would miss the game is that he'd be starting at Fenway Park for the Red Sox.

Video is below.

That's a great moment.

The Red Sox will be starting Mayer at third base in his big league debut after Alex Bregman hit the injured list with a right quad strain. It could be a long injury, so the 22-year-old is likely to get a long look in the lineup.

Boston selected Mayer with the No. 4 pick in the 2021 MLB draft out of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, Calif. Through 43 games at Triple A, he was slashing .271/.347/.471 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs.

Ange Postecoglou tipped for shock return to management with Premier League strugglers but faces competition from Brendan Rodgers

Ange Postecoglou has reportedly been tipped for a shock return to management with Premier League strugglers Leeds United, but is likely to face competition from Brendan Rodgers. The Whites find themselves in the relegation zone, winless in their last four matches and spiralling into a crisis that now threatens to sweep away manager Daniel Farke, only months after he masterminded a 100-point promotion campaign.

  • Leeds plunge toward crisis as pressure mounts on Farke

    Seven defeats in 12 games have left the Whites 18th in the table, and according to , there are no reassurances coming from Elland Road’s hierarchy regarding Farke’s future. His Premier League record, dating back to his Norwich City days, now gives him the lowest points-per-game return of any manager with more than 50 matches in the competition’s history (0.61). With Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool looming in their next three fixtures, Leeds appear to be edging toward a tipping point. 

    Postecoglou, who was once hailed as the charismatic architect behind Celtic’s resurgence, has unexpectedly become a name floated for the Leeds hot seat. His brief, bruising stint at Nottingham Forest, where he lasted a record-short 39 days, may have dented his Premier League credentials, but not his admirers within the Leeds boardroom. Figures at Elland Road are said to be intrigued by his front-foot philosophy, believing it fits the club’s identity.

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    Rodgers emerges as a serious contender

    Rodgers, who stunned Celtic supporters last month by resigning and exiting Parkhead for the second time in his career, is reportedly eager for a Premier League return. His departure sparked a furious statement from Celtic chief Dermot Desmond, who accused him of behaviour that was "divisive, misleading and self-serving". 

    He told Celtic's official club website: "Brendan Rodgers has today tendered his resignation as manager of Celtic Football Club. I want to acknowledge Brendan’s contribution across his two spells as manager, during which he helped deliver success that forms part of the club’s modern history. However, I must also express my deep disappointment at the way the past several months have unfolded.

    "When we brought Brendan back to Celtic two years ago, it was done with complete trust and belief in his ability to lead the club into a new era of sustained success. Unfortunately, his conduct and communication in recent months have not reflected that trust. In June, both Michael Nicholson and I expressed to Brendan that we were keen to offer him a contract extension, to reaffirm the club’s full backing and long-term commitment to him. He said he would need to think about it and revert. Yet in subsequent press conferences, Brendan implied that the club had made no commitment to offer him a contract. That was simply untrue."

    Despite the acrimony, Rodgers’ coaching reputation remains largely intact. His time at Leicester saw him deliver an FA Cup triumph and consecutive European qualifications before the Foxes’ late nosedive in 2023.

  • Will Postecoglou accept the offer?

    Reports indicate Postecoglou has privately ruled himself out of any immediate managerial return, including the vacancy at Celtic. After an emotionally draining few months, he is believed to be deliberately stepping back from frontline football to rest and recharge before deciding his next move. To many Celtic supporters, Postecoglou remains a beloved figure who delivered five domestic trophies in two years and revolutionised the club’s style of play. But for now, he appears committed to pause rather than plunge into another high-pressure environment, making a Leeds move far from guaranteed.

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    What comes next for Leeds?

    Farke arrived at Elland Road with a clear mandate to lead Leeds back to the big time, stabilise the squad and embed a long-term identity. For a year, he did exactly that. But the Premier League has exposed his tactical rigidity and the limitations of a squad still adapting to top-flight intensity. Leeds look vulnerable in transitions, short on creativity and low on confidence. The issues are exacerbated by the relentless fixture list. The next three matches may prove terminal. Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool represent an unforgiving gauntlet for a side battling to stay afloat. Anything less than a shock turnaround could leave the Leeds hierarchy with a decision they already appear to be preparing for.

Their own Rice: BlueCo enter race to sign £70m "duel monster" for Chelsea

Not every transfer has panned out in the way they would’ve hoped, but Chelsea have built an incredible squad over the last few years.

Whether it’s Reece James, Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana at the back; Estevao and Cole Palmer in attack or Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernández in the middle of the park, there is talent everywhere.

However, for all the incredible players they have signed, the Blues have also famously lost more than a few current superstars when they were still young, players like Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala and perhaps most frustrating of all, Declan Rice.

The Arsenal star would be the dream partner for Caicedo, so fans should be delighted about reports linking Chelsea with an international game-changer who could be their Rice.

Chelsea target their own Rice

It feels like it only just closed, but the transfer window will be open again in under a month, and unsurprisingly, Chelsea have started to be linked with a plethora of brilliant players.

Transfer Focus

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

For example, Juventus’ incredibly exciting young winger Kenan Yıldız has been touted for a move to Stamford Bridge, as has Nottingham Forest’s £79m Murillo.

However, as talented as those two are and as much of an impact as they’d have on Enzo Maresca’s squad, neither could be described as remotely like Rice, unlike Eduardo Camavinga.

Yes, according to a recent report from Spain, Chelsea are one of several Premier League teams keen on the Real Madrid monster.

Alongside the West Londoners, the report has revealed that their rivals, Arsenal and Liverpool, are also interested in the 23-year-old.

However, competition isn’t the only potential barrier to this transfer being done, as Real Madrid value their midfield monster at €80m, which is about £70m.

It could therefore be a costly and complicated deal to get over the line, but given Camavinga’s quality and further potential, it’s one Chelsea should fight for, especially as he could be their Rice.

Why Camavinga could be Chelsea's Rice

So when it comes to what makes Rice such an incredible player, most fans and pundits alike would probably point to his ability as an all-action midfielder.

He’s someone who can play as a six if needed, but also thrives as an eight, someone who can help break up play in the middle of the pitch and then create an attacking move for his side.

This is a skill set Camavinga also possesses, and the underlying numbers prove it.

For example, FBref ranks the midfield “war machine” as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for tackles won and tackles plus interceptions, the top 4% for blocks, the top 8% for progressive carrying distance, the top 12% for passes into the final third and more, all per 90.

Moreover, FBref ranked Rice as the eighth-most similar midfielder to the Frenchman in the 23/24 Champions League campaign.

To understand how this conclusion was reached, you need to look at some of the underlying metrics in which the pair ranked closely.

Camavinga & Rice

Statistics

Camavinga

Rice

Non-Penalty xGoals

0.03

0.03

Expected Assists

0.08

0.06

Passes into the Penalty Area

0.68

0.43

Goal-Creating Actions

0.12

0.11

Shots Blocked

0.68

0.75

Ball Recoveries

5.34

5.81

Aerial Duels Won

1.36

1.18

All Stats via FBref for the 23/24 UCL

These included things like non-penalty expected goals, expected assists, passes into the penalty area, shots blocked, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.

In other words, even back then, the Madrid “duel monster,” as dubbed by analyst Raj Chohan, was showing that impressive balance of attacking and defensive nous he still has today, and that, combined with the fact he’s still just 23, is probably why Xabi Alonso described him as someone with “enormous potential.”

With all that said, there is something the Cabinda-born monster has over the Gunners star: experience of winning the biggest trophies, as he has two Champions League titles and two La Liga titles under his belt.

Ultimately, while it won’t be easy, Chelsea should do what they can to sign Camavinga, as he could become their own Rice.

Maresca can fix Caicedo blow by unleashing Chelsea's "one-man machine"

The hugely promising Chelsea gem could be the perfect solution for Enzo Maresca’s Caicedo blow.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Dec 1, 2025

Chelsea could land a big Jackson upgrade by signing "clinical" £59m striker

Chelsea’s Champions League ambitions are still in their own hands.

On Friday night, in a game that lacked quality for long periods, the Blues battled to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, with Marc Cucurella the night’s only scorer, heading home a Reece James cross at the back post.

This goal prevented Enzo Maresca’s team from slipping out of the top five, and victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on the final day will secure Champions League qualification, although anything less would almost certainly see them miss out.

With the Conference League final in Wrocław to come, followed by the Club World Cup stateside, it’s set to be a busy summer on the pitch for the Blues, while, off it, you can better your bottom dollar that they’ll be active in the transfer market, with a new striker top of their list of priorities.

The latest on Nicolas Jackson's future

One man not involved in the victory over Man United was Nicolas Jackson, commencing his three-match suspension, having been sent off, following video review, for colliding with Sven Botman’s face last Sunday.

The Senegalese striker will also be banned for next weekend’s trip to Nottingham, as well as the opening day of next season in August, but where will he find himself in the pecking order by then?

Well, Maresca certainly views Jackson as an important figure, praising his out-of-possession work rate, and he has certainly been a key figure this season, scoring 12 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions, with nine of his ten in the Premier League coming before Christmas, which Ed Dove of ESPN described as the ‘finest goal-scoring run of his Chelsea career’.

Chelsea'sNicolasJacksonreacts after sustaining an injury

So let’s assess Jackson’s Premier League statistics this season, and how they compare to the rest of the division.

Nicolas Jackson 2024/25 Premier League statistics

Statistics

Jackson

PL rank

Minutes

2,220

129th

Goals

10

19th

Goals per 90

0.41

28th

Shots

76

15th

Shots on target

34

9th

Shots on target%

44.7%

28th

Goals per shot

0.13

65th

Goals – xG

-2.3

555th

Big chances missed

19

4th

Statistics courtesy of FBref.com and SofaScore

The table underlines that Jackson is certainly not a clinical finisher, with only 13 players, out of 569, registering a lower goals – xG figure in the Premier League this season, while only three players have missed more Opta-defined big chances.

In summary, Jackson takes a lot of shots but not a lot of them are goals, so, if Chelsea are going to be competing to win the biggest trophies again, they probably need a better centre-forward, so could one be available?

Chelsea could land Nicolas Jackson upgrade

According to a recent report by Jörg Weiler and Yannick Hüber of Bild, Chelsea have been given the opportunity to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy, claiming that he has a €70m (around £59m) release clause in his contract.

They added that Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Real Madrid are also interested, even if die Schwarzgelben’s sporting director Lars Ricken is insistent the striker will not move this summer.

So why are so many of Europe’s top clubs interested in Guirassy’s services?

Well, after scoring 30 goals for Stuttgart last season, he joined Dortmund for a reported fee of £14.7m in the summer, netting 33 times across all competitions during this campaign, including 13 in the Champions League, making him the joint-top scorer in the tournament, alongside Raphinha.

His Bundesliga statistics across the last two seasons are pretty impressive too.

Bundesliga’s highest scorers: 23/24 & 24/25 combined

Players

23/24 goals

24/25 goals

Total goals

Harry Kane

36

25

61

Serhou Guirassy

28

20

48

Loïs Openda

24

9

33

Ermedin Demirović

15

14

29

Tim Kleindienst

12

16

28

Benjamin Šeško

14

13

27

Omar Marmoush*

12

15

27

*joined Manchester City in January 2025.

All statistics courtesy of FBref.com

As the table shows, only Harry Kane has scored more Bundesliga goals than Guirassy this season and last, the Guinean doing so in a largely dysfunctional Dortmund team this season, making his exploits all the more impressive.

As a result, Andrews Sefa of 3Sports labels him “clinical”, while Abdullah Mamaniyat of Breaking the Lines praises his ‘great movement’ and his ‘ability to create goals out of nothing’.

So, the big question remains: how does he compare to Jackson?

Well, let’s find out.

Nicolas Jackson vs Serhou Guirassy 23/24 & 24/25 comparison

Statistics

Jackson

Guirassy

Appearances

77

74

Minutes

5,891

6,101

Goals

29

63

Assists

11

12

Goals – xG

-6

+6

Shots

179

221

Shots on target %

45.8%

44.8%

Shot-creating actions

166

171

Goal-creating actions

22

32

Touches per 90

26

35

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt and FBref.com

As the table outlines, Guirassy comes out on top for almost every single metric included, with his goals – xG figure of +6 in stark contrast to the -6 posted by Jackson, which speaks to the gulf in quality between the two centre-forwards.

Ryan Benson of Opta’s the Analyst labels Guirassy ‘the complete striker’, an assertion all available statistics support, so it is clear that he would be a massive upgrade on Jackson, and his potential arrival, for just £59m, could take Chelsea to the next level with his clinical finishing in front of goal.

Worse than George: Maresca must axe 3/10 Chelsea dud to clinch UCL football

Chelsea saw off Man United to restore their place in the Premier League’s top four.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

May 17, 2025

Like a younger Isak: Arsenal already doing work to sign "electric" £70m gem

Arsenal will surely sign a new striker for big money this summer, but the question remains, who will it be?

The Gunners have scored just 64 goals in the Premier League this season, down from 91 last year and 88 the season before that, which is a major factor why they will conclude the campaign trophyless.

So, given that they’re unlikely to be unable to land Mikel Arteta’s dream target, are they about to snap-up an “electric” alternative?

Arsenal's search for a new striker

According to a report by Miguel Delaney of the Independent, Arsenal have ‘laid the groundwork’ as they continue to pursue RB Leipzig attacker Benjamin Šeško.

The Gunners attempted to sign the Slovenian international early last summer before the European Championships, but the 21-year-old decided to sign a new contract with Leipzig instead of moving to North London.

Now though, Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Deutschland claims that Šeško has a release clause worth €80m (around £68m), adding that a move ‘is also possible without triggering the clause’.

Transfer Focus

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

Philipp Hinze, also of Sky Sports Deutschland, reports that Leipzig ‘don’t want to let’ him go but, with die Roten Bullen on course to miss out on Champions League qualification, all the indications are that Šeško will be on the move this summer, so could it be to Arsenal?

Why Benjamin Šeško would be a good signing for Arsenal

Of course, Šeško is not Arteta’s dream striker signing, that is Alexander Isak, with Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport outlining how he is top of the manager’s wishlist, while acknowledging that this move is very unlikely to happen, with Phil McNulty of BBC Sport adding that he cannot see Newcastle selling their ‘best player’ to a direct Premier League rival.

Meantime, speaking on the Arsecast Extra, James McNicholas adds that it is going to be near-impossible for Arsenal to sign the Swede if Newcastle qualify for the Champions League, which they’re very much on course to achieve, thereby meaning they’ll surely have to look elsewhere.

So, should Šeško be the next name on the list?

Well, analyst Ben Mattinson labels the Slovenian “electric”, praising his “two-footed ball-striking” ability, while Lee Scott of Total Football Analysis notes that he ‘possesses the ability to score a wide variety of goals’, which is certainly a useful skill to have, one that many members of Arsenal’s forward line do not.

Meantime, Luis Kircher of Total Football Analysis describes Šeško as an ‘exceptional talent’, while Alex Barker​​​​​​​ of Breaking the Lines believes the ‘hot prospect’ is destined for the top, sighting Matthias Jaissle, his former manager at RB Salzburg, who labelled him “a dream of a player”.

A 6 foot 4 monster of a centre-forward, much like Isak, the Leipzig man is very much a young version of his Newcastle counterpart. So let’s assess how the duo compare this season.

Benjamin Šeško vs Alexander Isak 2024/25 comparison

Statistics

Šeško

Isak

Appearances

43

40

Minutes

3,186

3,144

Goals

21

27

Assists

6

6

Goals – xG

+2.8

+2.2

Shots

121

129

Shots on target %

47.9%

43.4%

Shot-creating actions

56

89

Goals-creating actions

9

14

Big chances missed

18

20

Touches in opposition area per 90

4

7

Touches per 90

26

25

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, FBref.com, SofaScore and Squawka

As the table outlines, in a near-identical number of minutes this season, Šeško and Isak’s statistics are often very similar, but with a few key differences.

RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskobefore taking a penalty

Šeško boasts a slightly better goals – xG figure, while a higher percentage of his shots find the target, missing two-fewer Opta-defined big chances.

Meantime, Isak comes out on top when it comes to goals, shot-creating actions and pure total shots, while the Swede takes a higher proportion of his touches inside the opposition’s penalty area.

Nevertheless, if Isak is the unascertainable dream target, Šeško’s statistics suggest he would be a more than adequate, youthful alternative, firing Arsenal to the big trophies that they so desperately crave.

​​​​​​​

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Huge upgrade on Colwill: Chelsea plot move for £40m Huijsen alternative

Chelsea’s academy has played a huge role in their success over the years, with numerous players who have come through the ranks having a huge impact on the first-team squad.

Enzo Maresca has done a superb job of implementing such talents into his side, aiding them in their quest to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League this season.

Reece James has taken the armband when fit this campaign, featuring 15 times in the league and playing a key role in their hopes of claiming a Europa Conference League title in the coming weeks.

Chelsea captain Reece James

Tyrique George is another star who’s staked his claim in recent weeks, scoring a crucial goal against Fulham to put the side level before eventually going on to win the important clash.

However, despite the success of the youth department, the hierarchy have often dipped into the transfer market, looking to do just that again ahead of the summer window.

Chelsea’s pursuit of landing a new defender this summer

Over the last couple of weeks, Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen has emerged as a key target for Chelsea in their ambitions of tightening up their defence in 2025/26.

The Spaniard has huge admirers, with Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United just a handful of other outfits also in the race for the 20-year-old star.

His £50m release clause could be a potential bargain, but the Blues may look elsewhere to improve their defence, given the other parties interested in his signature.

According to TEAMtalk, Maresca’s side are plotting a £40m summer move for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, just four years after they sold him for £18m.

The report claims that the hierarchy are monitoring his progress very closely, potentially landing him for a cut-price deal given that his contract is set to expire in the summer of 2026.

Why Chelsea’s CB target would be a huge upgrade on Colwill

Centre-back Levi Colwill is just another player in a long list of Chelsea stars who have come through the Cobham academy, making his mark within the first-team setup at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill

The 22-year-old has racked up 65 appearances for his boyhood club since his debut in 2023, becoming a regular starter within Maresca’s backline in recent months.

Whilst the England international has registered one goal and is playing an important role in their nine clean sheets this campaign, he’s come under fire for his showings in recent weeks.

He’s been labelled “terrible” by journalist Japtej Ghura as a result of his performances, potentially putting his place at the heart of the defence in danger ahead of 2025/26.

There’s no denying that he still has bags of time to develop, but a move for Guehi during the off-season could allow the manager to land an upgrade on the academy graduate.

Crystal Palace's MarcGuehireacts

When comparing their respective figures from the ongoing campaign, the Palace star has massively outperformed Colwill in various key areas – highlighting what a superb addition he would be for the Blues.

Guehi, who’s been labelled “sensational” by content creator Ollie Thomas, has registered more combined goals and assists, offering the side an added attacking threat despite his defensive role.

How Guehi compares to Colwill in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Guehi

Colwill

Games played

32

31

Goals & assists

5

2

Tackles made

1.8

1.2

Blocks made

1.7

1.1

Clearances made

4.6

3.1

Aerials won

60%

59%

Interceptions made

1

0.3

Stats via FBref

However, he’s been just as impressive at the back, winning more tackles, registering more blocks and more clearances per 90 – certainly bolstering the options at the manager’s disposal.

He’s also won more aerial battles in 2024/25, offering more solidity in the backline, massively bolstering Maresca’s chances of taking the side back to the top of the Premier League.

It’s unclear how much the Eagles would demand to part ways with their captain this summer, but it’s evident that he would be a huge catalyst in their chances of success.

It may be a brutal call to drop Colwill for Guehi, but if the Blues are to return to the summit of the division, huge decisions need to be made, with a move for the England international one that has to be completed.

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Moyes now happy for Everton to get rid of one of their highest earners

A long-serving Everton player is now “all but certain” to leave the club at the end of the season, according to a fresh claim regarding his future.

Everton ramp up summer plans with safety certain

It’s fair to say that the Blues’ Premier League season is petering out now, having initially come alive when David Moyes replaced Sean Dyche as manager. Their top-flight status has once again been preserved and the focus will now be on new signings ahead of their move away from Goodison.

In terms of long-term transfer business, Everton are thought to have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated Hearts teenager John Dodds. The 16-year-old is a player with a bright future in the game, so Moyes could have a gem in his ranks to gradually turn into a first-team star.

Meanwhile, the Blues are reportedly confident of completing the signing of West Brom ace Tom Fellows, having unsuccessfully attempted to snap him up midway through the season.

A new striker also has to be high up on Everton’s agenda this summer, with Liam Delap and Evan Ferguson both seen as options to come in, and with several current Toffees stars out of contract, it’s clear Moyes and Dan Friedkin are plotting somewhat of an overhaul come the off season.

£80,000-a-week Everton defender Michael Keane set to leave as free agent

According to a new update from Football Insider, Everton centre-back Michael Keane is “all but certain” to depart when the 2024/25 season reaches its conclusion. The 32-year-old is out of contract at Goodison Park in June, and with “up to 14 first-team players” potentially moving on in the summer window he will be one of the first to go when his deal expires on June 30.

AFC Bournemouth's Illya Zabarnyi shakes hands with Everton'sMichaelKeaneafter the match

Allowing Keane to leave on a free transfer makes complete sense for Everton, considering he isn’t seen as an important part of the future under Moyes and is currently one of their highest earners.

Jeff Stelling once hailed his ability to get on the end of things in the opposition box as “absolutely brilliant”, but this season the veteran defender has only started nine Premier League games, and his performances from a defensive sense have simply not been good enough when he has played.

Selling Keane would free up wages at the club, with the former Manchester United player on £80,000-a-week currently, and it will allow him to be a regular elsewhere during the autumn of his career.

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