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Jurgen Klopp would typically play down the notion that his side are firmly at the front of the Premier League title race, but with each passing matchweek, the chances of gleaning the glinted trophy increase.

Liverpool were abject last season; limp and listless, a fifth-place finish spelt the end of an illustrious run in the Champions League and forced Klopp to enforce sweeping changes to the midfield – something that, frankly, was long overdue.

It wasn't that the Anfield bosses were… circumspect, but perhaps a little too fixated on landing the perfect player to enhance the existing ranks, though last summer the right moves were made to charge the pursuit of silverware this season.

And now, past the Premier League season's midpoint, Liverpool are to travel to AFC Bournemouth to maintain their grasp on the top position, though given that the Cherries have won seven and lost just one of their past nine outings across all competitions, this won't be easy.

Liverpool team news vs Bournemouth

Klopp is juggling more than a few absences at present, though the German will still be convinced that his available members have what it takes to level the Vitality Stadium with all three points.

Victory this afternoon will take the Reds five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, albeit having played an extra match.

Player

Reason

Expected Return Date

Joel Matip

ACL injury

01/09/2024

Stefan Bajcetic

Stress response

24/02/2024

Thiago Alcantara

Groin/Hip injury

24/02/2024

Kostas Tsimikas

Shoulder injury

04/02/2024

Andrew Robertson

Shoulder injury

04/02/2024

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Knee injury

30/01/2024

Dominik Szoboszlai

Thigh injury

30/01/2024

Wataru Endo

No return date

Asia Cup

Mohamed Salah

No return date

African Cup of Nations

With an extended list of absentees, Liverpool will need to produce a cohesive and fluent performance against Andoni Iraola's men, with the likely return of Alexis Mac Allister to the starting fold in the Premier League coming at the perfect time, having now recovered from a knee injury.

Why Alexis Mac Allister must start vs Bournemouth

Liverpool signed Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion for a bargain fee of £35m in June, with the dynamic midfielder basking in a brilliant 2022/23 campaign that saw him win the World Cup with Argentina and lead the Seagulls toward European qualification for the first time in the club's history.

Liverpool's weary midfield was at the epicentre of the struggles last term and Mac Allister, energetic, intelligent and enterprising, was viewed as the perfect fit to rekindle the fire at the heart of Klopp's system.

He hasn't played quite the role that he might have expected, deployed as the holding midfielder across 18 of his 21 appearances, but he has been vital for the fluency and progression.

As per Sofascore, the 25-year-old has completed 88% of his passes in the top-flight this term, averaging 2.1 tackles and 5.9 ball recoveries per match and succeeding with 64% of his attempted dribbles.

Asserting control against a Bournemouth team that will look to break with a high-intensity approach and inflict damage on the counter will be paramount, and Mac Allister offers the technical control to ensure that Liverpool make good use of their best qualities and craft openings to kill the game off.

Strengths

Weaknesses

Passing

Discipline

Dribbling

Tackling

Direct free-kicks

*Sourced via WhoScored

Indeed, as per FBref, the £150k-per-week dynamo ranks among the top 16% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 8% for shots taken, the top 20% for progressive carries and the top 19% for progressive passes and successful take-ons per 90.

While fellow summer signing Wataru Endo's industriousness and tenacity in his defensive midfield duties have allowed him to serve well in Mac Allister's absence over the past month, there is a gulf in technique between the respective players and the latter will be essential in ensuring Liverpool grab all the goods on the south coast.

On the note of absentees, influential vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold is also still in a period of convalescence after injuring his knee in the FA Cup victory over Arsenal earlier in the month, and, with Joe Gomez deputising at left-back, youngster Conor Bradley could be in line to continue his exciting run of form.

Conor Bradley could shine again

Hailed for his "eye-catching cameo" at the Emirates Stadium by The Athletic's James Pearce, Bradley was handed his first domestic start of the season several days later as Liverpool hosted Fulham in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals, producing an arresting display down the right channel and being crowned the Man of the Match.

During that game, the 20-year-old made six tackles, won ten ground duels, completed 88% of his passes, made two key passes for his teammates and succeeded with two dribbles, performing admirably against the fleet-footed Antonee Robinson.

Having spent the 2022/23 term on loan in League Two with Bolton Wanderers, earning the club's Player of the Season award after achieving promotion, Bradley was touted for a senior role this season but was struck with injury in pre-season and only made his first appearance at the end of November, against Union Saint Gilloise in the Europa League.

Calm and composed in possession and eager to join attacking surges when the opportunity permits, Bradley has the trappings of a rounded full-back and will relish the opportunity to impress in the Premier League.

It's a big ask to entrust a relatively untested youngster with a starting berth in a big match, but Klopp has full confidence in Bradley's abilities and he has already demonstrated his potential against high-class opposition earlier this month, receiving effusive remarks after efforts against Arsenal and Fulham.

Unleashing the promising full-back – as well as Mac Allister – could prove the perfect formula to help ruin Bournemouth's day, and their fine recent run, at the Vitality Stadium.

Former Everton striker Wayne Rooney has revealed the best teammate he has during his time as a Blues player, with Pele even watching his debut at another club.

Rooney's love for Everton

For a while, Rooney’s reputation at Everton was damaged because of his decision to join Manchester United as a teenager, having emerged as the most exciting young player in the country.

The England legend returned to Goodison Park later in his career, however, which went down well, and he has revealed in the past how much it hurt to leave the Blues first time around.

“I knew before Euro 2004 that I was getting touted to other teams because Everton needed the money. Certain individuals were going in to other clubs saying, ‘Would you take Wayne Rooney for £30 million?’. I was heartbroken. I mean, I loved the club and wanted to play for Everton but once I found that out, I was devastated.

“To be honest, I would have left at some point – of course, I would have to better myself and go and win trophies – but I was devastated. So I thought, you know what? Okay. I was getting pushed to join Chelsea because they were offering the most money but I didn’t want to go. I wanted to go to Manchester United. It was less money for Everton but that’s where I wanted to play.”

Rooney revealed "best" ever Everton teammate

Speaking to Everton’s X account in the past, Rooney revealed that Thomas Gravesen is the best player he shared a pitch with for the Blues: “I would probably say that Thomas Gravesen is the best player I’ve played with.”

Gravesen is a choice that will likely be met positively by Everton fans, with the Dane a hugely popular player during his time at Goodison.

He possessed both technical ability on the ball and tenacity out of possession, and his quality is highlighted by the fact that he earned a move to Real Madrid in 2005.

In fact, Pele was even present to watch his debut at the Santiago Bernabeu, and legendary manager Fabio Capello heaped praise on him at the time.

“He has been playing very well in front of the Madrid defence and is also very effective at helping build their attacks. He is turning into a very important player for them, as Madrid had problems in that position before he arrived. They were all over the place there. Now, with his arrival, there is more balance to the team.”

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ByAngus Sinclair Sep 19, 2025

If Gravesen were asked the same question, Rooney could easily get his vote, considering he is among the greatest English footballers of his generation, and it’s just a shame that they didn’t spend longer together at Everton.

Celtic are interested in signing a new midfielder, but face competition from clubs in both Italy and Greece, according to a new report from a Sky Sports journalist.

Celtic transfer news

Celtic are flying high nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership, but that hasn’t stopped the Hoops being linked with a number of new players ahead of the January transfer window.

Among those rumoured to be Glasgow-bound is Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka. The 21-year-old has found opportunities scarce this season under Enzo Maresca, failing to make the squad for any of Chelsea’s 15 Premier League games, and managing just five cameo appearances in the Blues’ other competitions.

AC Milan are also interested in the Englishman, but according to Calciomercato, the Hoops are in pole position to land him, with a loan move with an option to buy touted.

Celtic lead European giants in race to sign "powerful" £100k-a-week player

He could be a brilliant addition for Brendan Rodgers.

1 ByHenry Jackson Dec 9, 2024

Another potential target is Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen. But while the Danish midfielder would no doubt be an experienced addition to Rodgers’ midfield, his current weekly wage is a huge roadblock. The playmaker currently earns £150,000-per-week at Old Trafford, which is over four times the amount Celtic’s top-earner, captain Callum McGregor, takes home.

Bhoys want Tahirovic

Another player understood to be on Celtic’s radar is Ajax midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic. According to Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, the Bhoys are one of a number of clubs interested in the 21-year-old, with Lazio and Greek side PAOK also keen.

Tahirovic was a regular feature for Ajax last season, making 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and assisting five more. This term, however, the Bosnia and Herzegovina international, who has been capped 14 times by his country, has been limited to just 215 minutes of football.

Di Marzio claims that Tahirovic recently changed agents and now “wants to leave” Ajax in search of regular first-team action. Despite Celtic’s interest, however, the versatile midfielder would, according to Di Marzio, prefer a return to Italy.

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The club is in reported debts of £75 million…

1 ByBarney Lane Dec 12, 2024 Tahirovic's career to date

Tahirovic began his professional career in Sweden with Vasalunds IF, before joining Roma in 2021. After just 13 appearances for the Italian club, however, he then moved to Ajax in the summer of 2023 for a fee of £6.2 million.

Upon joining Ajax, Tahirovic said: “I love to play as a six the most. I think that position fits my qualities as a player best. I am good when it comes to the technical aspect, have a good pass and play from ball possession.”

The club’s now former director of football Sven Mislintat, meanwhile, described him at the time as “one of the biggest talents I’ve ever seen in this position”.

Manchester United have now joined the race for a “sensational” Champions League midfielder, with manager Ruben Amorim personally an admirer.

Man Utd eyeing new midfielder amid Mainoo issues

After scoring in the shock 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in 2024, few would’ve predicted Kobbie Mainoo’s Man United career would pan out the way it has, with the midfielder falling down the pecking order considerably.

Former striker Teddy Sheringham has made it clear he doesn’t believe Amorim is a fan of the youngster, saying: “He’s [Mainoo] obviously not Amorim’s type of player. He’s very casual on the ball, but obviously plays the game in his own way. I’m not saying that in a derogatory manner; I’m saying that he has a certain style that Amorim obviously doesn’t appreciate.

The 20-year-old has featured for just 113 minutes in the Premier League this season, and it has now been suggested he could be the next player to leave United and go on to flourish elsewhere.

With Mainoo’s future up in the air, the Red Devils are now looking to sign a new young English midfielder, according to a report from BILD (via Sports View), which names Borussia Dortmund’s Jobe Bellingham as a target.

Amorim is said to be a fan of Bellingham’s robustness and physicality, with Man United now plotting a move for the former Sunderland man, who is a few months younger than Mainoo. There is set to be competition for his signature, with Crystal Palace also named as potential suitors.

The 20-year-old only arrived at Dortmund in the summer, joining in a package widely reported to be worth £31m, but his start to life in Germany has been far from ideal, with his dad causing controversy after entering the dressing room after a draw against St. Pauli in August.

"Sensational" Bellingham would be risky signing for Amorim

Given that Jude Bellingham has already established himself as one of the world’s best midfielders at just 22, the Dortmund youngster is likely to be feeling the pressure, although it is important to remember he is still just 20-years-old.

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The Red Devils hold him in high regard and he would be a big loss…

BySean Markus Clifford Oct 13, 2025

Much like his brother, the starlet has been impressing at senior level since a very young age, with journalist Josh Bunting hailing him for a top display for Sunderland just over two years ago.

That said, Bellingham would be a risky signing for Man United, given that he is yet to establish himself at the top level, making two Champions League appearances, and it may be a better idea to bring in a midfielder who has more experience.

Sunderland have a reputation for being a hotbed that allows young talents to shine and prosper, going all the way back to Jordan Henderson’s emergence up the ranks at the Stadium of Light.

Henderson would go on to be a household name in the Premier League with Liverpool after kickstarting his career in the senior game on Wearside, whilst the likes of 19-year-old Jobe Bellingham in today’s squad are expected to go on and achieve similarly big things when leaving the Black Cats.

Bellingham also has a teammate in the middle of the park who is being tipped to be a superstar as he continues to develop, with Chris Rigg already a first-team face week in week out for Regis Le Bris’ side in the Championship at the tender age of 17.

Rigg's time at Sunderland

Rigg only being a wide-eyed teenager still must stun those looking in from the outside, considering the Black Cats number 11 has been in and around the side since early 2023.

When making his first professional appearance in January of that year, the teen went down as the second youngest player ever to don a Sunderland jersey, with the starlet never looking back as more and more first-team chances opened up.

Now, Rigg has made 40 appearances in the senior mix with six goals fired home across that span of games, as the introduction of Le Bris in the dug-out has managed to get even more out of the raw youngster.

Three of those strikes have come in Championship action under the Frenchman, including a stunning flicked finish against Middlesbrough back in September, which narrowly won his table-topping side the contest 1-0 against Michael Carrick’s men.

There could be some regret on the end of the second-tier outfit now that they didn’t try and keep another Rigg-like homegrown product over the summer, particularly considering Le Bris’ tutelage is seemingly working wonders on other young faces in the squad.

The Sunderland youngster who could have been the first Rigg

The former academy prodigy here is Ellis Taylor, who walked away from the Sunderland U21 structure in May after not being gifted a new contract at his boyhood employers.

He has since moved on to League Two Harrogate Town, but it will feel like a case of what could have been when it comes to the 21-year-old, especially when you consider how quickly Rigg has taken to Le Bris’ new managerial methods.

LB

13

3

2

LM

10

1

0

RM

8

4

0

RB

8

6

1

CF

5

2

2

CM

3

0

0

AM

2

0

0

RW

1

1

0

DM

1

1

0

Playing in a staggering nine different positions for Sunderland when on the roster of their U21s, everyone at the club must have been anticipating that the Hartlepool-born youngster would eventually make a name for himself in the first-team fold.

He was even touted as having a “really bright future” at the Stadium of Light by Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman in 2021, only for him to go on to make a disappointing five first-team appearances in total before Harrogate picked him up for nothing.

He has since gone to be a hit for the Sulphurites – after being labelled as an “exciting” new signing by Harrogate head of recruitment Lloyd Kerry when the capture was announced – with the versatile 21-year-old scoring three times from 20 games, matching Rigg’s goal numbers for the season in the process.

Of course, the Black Cats ace is shining two leagues above his counterpart, but Taylor hasn’t allowed his career to fall off a cliff after departing his boyhood club.

Instead, he has taken to his new League Two environment well, with the potential there one day for Taylor to face off against Le Bris’ men down the line, if he can rise up the EFL ladder.

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A concern for Regis Le Bris….

ByTom Cunningham Nov 13, 2024

Just a matter of weeks ago it looked like Chelsea were in the title race but things have rather unravelled for Enzo Maresca and Co in recent weeks.

The Blues did pick up a point against Arsenal with ten men but results since then have been bleak, losing 3-1 to Leeds United and drawing 0-0 with Bournemouth.

Cole Palmer’s return to fitness has been timely, but according to the manager, he’s still not up to full speed just yet.

The latest Chelsea injury news

Palmer returned from the bench against Bournemouth at the weekend but in a fresh blow to Maresca and Co they have decided that the attacking midfielder will not travel with the squad for the Champions League trip to Atalanta.

That said, no fresh injury has been sustained. The manager has confirmed the forward is simply being rested as part of his recovery.

Palmer had missed a period courtesy of a groin injury and then had to spend an extra week out after breaking a toe at home.

That said, he is now slowly working himself back. Maresca said: “Cole is in part of his process in this moment. He’s not available, he can’t play two games in a row in three days. So we planned that, and it’s just a way to protect him.”

As far as Liam Delap is concerned, the news isn’t ideal there. The striker injured his shoulder against the Cherries and will now miss a period of time.

Commenting on the striker’s situation, the Chelsea boss stated: “Liam, fortunately, there is not any fracture, so that is good news. In terms of how long he will be out, we are not sure at this stage to be honest.”

What Delap's injury means for Chelsea

Well, it certainly means that Joao Pedro is likely to play a lot of minutes over the festive period and there could well be a rare slice of minutes for Marc Guiu who has barely kicked a ball this season after being recalled from his early-season loan spell with Sunderland.

That said, it’s unlikely we’ll see a recall for a certain Raheem Sterling who remains out in the cold alongside centre-back Axel Disasi.

A January exit looms for both players and it would be a surprise if we saw either in a Chelsea shirt again.

Maresca said in his press conference: “In terms of Raheem, once again it’s the same thing I said about Axel, they are Chelsea players. Now also we are in December, January is coming, so anything can happen, obviously.”

Sterling signed at Stamford Bridge in a deal worth £47.5m back in the summer of 2022 but has not lived up to expectations, scoring just 19 goals in 81 outings. A season-long loan spell with Arsenal in 2024/25 failed to get his career back on track either.

As for Disasi, he had a loan spell with Aston Villa in the back end of last campaign but has not been seen in Chelsea blue this season. He once cost the club a whopping £38.5m but there is seemingly no way back for him.

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Chelsea and Maresca need to move on from the walking disaster as soon as possible.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes 3 days ago

Arne Slot has engineered victories over Real Madrid and Manchester City in the past week, dispatching both without conceding a goal and consolidating Liverpool’s position as Premier League and, to a lesser degree, Champions League favourites.

The nine-point Premier League lead over Arsenal and Chelsea, united in second place, bears testament to the Dutch coach’s unflappable mentality and innovative tactics, shaping Jurgen Klopp’s talented team to his own design.

Redmen from all angles have stepped up to bring elation to the Merseyside masses, who can scarcely believe the incredible start to the season that has suggested an illustrious finish is on the horizon.

At the front, though, is Mohamed Salah. The 32-year-old’s future is up in the air but this is hardly affecting his performances, notching a brace against Pep Guardiola’s withered crop to raise his haul to 11 goals and seven assists across 13 top-flight appearances this term. He’s posted six goal contributions from seven matches in further competitions.

1.

Wayne Rooney

Man United

276

2.

Ryan Giggs

Man United

271

3.

Harry Kane

Tottenham

259

4.

Thierry Henry

Arsenal

249

5.

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

241

It’s clear that Salah wants to renew his £350k-per-week salary, but whether FSG bypasses their strict wage structure remains to be seen. Time’s ticking. Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes is prudently looking at potential successors, and he’s found an excellent choice to possibly replace the Egyptian king.

Liverpool eyeing Salah replacement

The Athletic have reported that Salah is open to extending his Liverpool contract by a single year but is frustrated by FSG’s handling of the situation. It’s not a good look, whichever angle it is viewed from.

The fact is, FSG have their parameters and will not acquiesce to Salah’s demands if they are deemed untenable. If the dreaded eventuality becomes reality for the Reds, Omar Marmoush is the player who is being lined up to take his place according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.

Marmoush, Salah’s teammate with Egypt, has been in remarkable form for Eintracht Frankfurt this season and carries the kind of dynamic attacking qualities that would allow him to dovetail into Slot’s high-flying system.

The £50m-rated forward has been brilliant this season, for sure, and could forge a deadly partnership with Liverpool’s attacking options, especially Cody Gakpo.

Imagine Omar Marmoush & Cody Gakpo

Marmoush, who is 25, scored 17 goals across 41 appearances for Frankfurt last season as he established himself as one of the most promising forwards in German football.

This season, the Egypt international has been on a different level, harvesting 17 goals and 11 assists across 19 matches in all competitions, meaning that he is incredibly outscoring Liverpool’s very own Salah.

Transfer Focus

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

As per FBref, the 5 foot 9 ace also ranks among the top 1% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 2% for shot-creating actions per 90, thus showcasing a creative side to his game that would see him emulate Salah as an elite multi-faceted attacking outlet.

1.

Harry Kane

12

14

7

21

2.

Omar Marmoush

12

13

7

20

3.

Mohamed Salah

13

11

7

18

4.

Robert Lewandowski

15

15

2

17

4=

Raphinha

15

9

8

17

While Marmoush is typically found at centre-forward, his pace and movements allow him to operate on the left wing too, promoting his playmaking side. This could see him flourish alongside Gakpo, whose own positional versatility has been streamlined this term, and he is now reaping the rewards.

Goals against Real and Man City have taken the Netherlands international’s haul to eight goals under Slot’s wing, though it’s more impressive still when seeing that he has actually only been handed ten starting berths.

Exclusively posting his strikes from that left channel, it’s fair to say that Gakpo is loving life under his compatriot’s wing, and is actually thriving with Luis Diaz as the pair jockey for placement on the left.

As you can see below, Salah’s defence-splitting arced pass undid the shaky City backline on Sunday, finding the surging Gakpo and sending Anfield into an exultant roar. He had no trouble bundling the ball in, and it’s something that Marmoush might have taken note of.

Gakpo’s hardly just a marksman either, once hailed for his “special skill set” by Klopp’s former assistant manager Pep Lijnders, endowed with physical strength, shifty motions and impressive technicality that might just see him forge an innate bond with the equally dynamic Marmoush.

Though it’s easy to get ahead of the track, Liverpool fans must remember that there is plenty of football still to be played this season, with twists and turns and bumps and blocks all sure to threaten the Anfield side’s place in the ascendency.

Salah might be the cream of the crop, but players such as Gakpo are proving to offer quality fit for the biggest and shiniest titles.

To lose Salah at the supposed height of his powers is unthinkable, and surely must not be allowed to happen, but Liverpool will need to replace their 32-year-old phenomenon at some stage, and Marmoush is blessed with the talent to succeed in his stead.

Alongside Gakpo and co over the coming years, it might even be a move that maintains Liverpool’s position at the very summit of English and European competition.

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1 ByAngus Sinclair Dec 2, 2024

Chelsea are believed to be the favourites to sign a big-name striker in a potential mega-money transfer this year, according to one journalist.

Chelsea eyeing new forward

The Blues appear to be on the hunt to secure the services of a marquee forward in 2024, with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen both linked with moves to Stamford Bridge.

Mauricio Pochettino has Nicolas Jackson and Armando Broja as his go-to options at this moment in time, although the former has had a tricky start to life in England and is away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while the latter has been linked with a Stamford Bridge exit.

Therefore, Todd Boehly may need to get the chequebook out again over the coming months, and there have been claims that the Blues had recently failed with a £73m offer for Gyokeres.

Things look to be more positive when it comes to Osimhen, though, with the Napoli star reportedly open to a transfer after Chelsea held “positive” talks with the player’s entourage.

“I understand Chelsea have had contact with Osimhen’s entourage in recent weeks/days to discuss the possibility of the Napoli striker joining Chelsea. The feedback they have had is positive, with there being an understanding that Osimhen would be open to joining Chelsea", journalist Simon Phillips said earlier this month.

“Behdad Eghbali has initiated this contact and now has good relations with Osimhen’s agent. Now, that doesn’t mean Chelsea are 100% signing Osimhen, and it doesn’t mean that he would also not be open to joining other clubs if they come in.

“But right now, Chelsea’s ownership are very keen to try and do something to get Osimhen in the door at Chelsea and one source has even said they are still looking for a way to try and make that happen this month.”

It now looks as if Chelsea are in a good position to get a transfer done at some point this year, following a new claim from journalist Dean Jones.

Victor Osimhen transfer latest

According to Jones, writing for GiveMeSport, Chelsea are the current “favourites” to win the race for Osimhen. The Blues are in pole position for the Nigeria international ahead of Real Madrid, with sources in Spain insisting he is not currently a key target at the Bernabeu.

Chelsea, who have been in early contact over a move for Osimhen through intermediaries, were worried about potential interest from the European giants. However, Jones adds that Madrid ‘spending over £100million on Osimhen has not been factored into that at this stage, giving Chelsea further hope as they prepare their pitch for the Nigerian goal machine’.

Osimhen, whose release clause stands at €130m (£110m) has gone from strength to strength in front of goal with Napoli and has been dubbed a goal-scoring "machine" and "Napoli’s heart and soul" by journalist Mina Rzouki.

82

20

18

18

7

2

146

93

62

3.89

2.43

2.04

345

120

100

Career stats, as per FBref

Meanwhile, football talent scout Jacek Kulig has hailed the player as a “superman”.

If Chelsea were to get a deal over the line for Osimhen, it could help take Pochettino’s side to the next level, especially after the forward’s 31-goal tally during the 2022/23 season.

Last season, Tottenham Hotspur were made to bemoan defensive injuries. Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven missed extensive periods through injury. As did full-back Destiny Udogie.

Is it any great surprise, therefore, that Ange Postecoglou’s backline looked such a mess? Perhaps not, but the Aussie was still stubborn enough to refuse change.

Thomas Frank certainly seems more flexible with his style of football but one of the first things he has corrected is that leaky backline.

Only three teams, Arsenal (3), Manchester City (6) and Sunderland (6), have shipped fewer goals than Spurs (7) in the top-flight this term.

Yet, are things beginning to unravel in similar circumstances to Ange? Like the club’s former boss, Frank has now suffered his first big injury blow at the back.

Romero limped off during the warm-up of their game with Aston Villa and after initially being selected, was not fit enough to start. Without their captain, the Lilywhites suffered a 2-1 defeat.

Frank won’t fret quite yet, but he must find a way to get more of a tune out of his attack. Big-money summer signing Xavi Simons will play a big part in that.

Why Spurs need to see improvement from Xavi Simons

Even before James Maddison suffered a terrible ACL injury during pre-season, Frank and Co had made efforts to bring Nottingham Forest talisman Morgan Gibbs-White to north London.

We all know how that saga ended but Spurs’ pursuit of a new dynamic number 10 seemed cursed at one point.

It looked for all the world as though they were set to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. A deal was agreed and he was allegedly on his way to Spurs. Instead, a last-minute U-turn saw him head to boyhood club Arsenal. The solution was Simons.

The Dutchman had been courted by Chelsea but it was the Blues’ London rivals who eventually concluded a deal, snapping him up for £52m, a move that made him Spurs’ fifth-most expensive signing of all time.

This was an exciting acquisition. After all, he did score 11 goals and register eight assists for RB Leipzig in Germany last season.

Sadly, we’re yet to see the best of him in white. He is yet to complete a full 90 minutes in the Premier League and his only goal involvement, an assist against West Ham, came on his English top-flight debut. The Netherlands maestro has not scored or assisted since then.

West Ham (A)

71

1

Brighton (A)

29

0

Wolves (H)

78

0

Leeds (A)

74

0

Aston Villa (H)

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For such a big-money signing, Frank needs to see more from him but it’s not as though he isn’t trying. Perhaps there’s a simple solution to all of this; Spurs need better players in their forward line.

How Spurs can get more out of Xavi Simons

How supporters must long for the days of Harry Kane and a prime Heung-min Son.

The duo aren’t showing any signs of slowing down away from Spurs with Kane simply in the form of his life this campaign, netting 19 times in 11 games for Bayern Munich.

As far as Son is concerned, he’s been lighting up MLS with his displays for LA FC. The South Korean has nine goals and three assists in his first ten outings for the club.

So, to see where the Spurs forward line is now will no doubt make a few fans hide behind the sofa. Combine the loss of Son with injuries to Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski and you have a real patched-together front line.

Dominik Solanke has played just 31 minutes of league football due to injury in 2025/26 while Richarlison has only beaten the goalkeeper once in his last seven Premier League matches.

As for the French youngster, Wilson Odobert, he is yet to score at all across ten games in all competitions.

With such a glut of misfiring players, is it any surprise that Simons has endured a difficult beginning at Spurs?

Assists

0.3

0.3

Chances created

2.1

1.7

Passes attempted

46.2

33

Forward passes

12.2

9.3

Sideways passes

22

15.5

A look at the numbers tells us that the Dutch midfielder is struggling without a fluid forward line. Worryingly, he’s playing fewer passes per 90 minutes than he did last season at Leipzig. That ultimately means he’s creating fewer goalscoring opportunities for his teammates.

He needs the players in front of him to make better runs and there is no better example of that than the aforementioned Odobert.

The former Burnley man, signed for £25m, is still a particularly raw prospect. He’s exciting and fleet-footed but he needs to be doing more to help Simons out.

The big-money summer arrival traditionally operates in the pockets of space on the left-hand side and it’s on the left flank where Odobert tends to operate. The clip below demonstrates precisely what we’re talking about.

Mathys Tel has the ball on the edge of the box and all he needs is for a few defenders to be dragged away by an overlapping run from Odobert to potentially feed Simons in acres of space.

What does the Frenchman do? He surges right into the area where Tel is aiming for, reducing the space and cutting out a chance to get a shot or pass away.

Had Odobert made an overlapping run, he’d have created more room for Spurs’ number 7 and potentially even received the ball himself. As Jamie O’Hara said after the game, he and Tel can be “painful” to watch.

The 20-year-old is a marmite figure. He did a fair bit right against Aston Villa, completing four of his five dribbles but he needs better end product.

He missed an OPTA-defined big chance on Sunday and only completed one key pass. If Odobert can marry his trickery with the ability to make better runs and make himself an option for Simons then things will improve.

Until then, however, it would be better if the Netherlands star operated from the left flank instead or someone like Brennan Johnson operated there.

Looking to take full advantage of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s stance, Barcelona have now reportedly set their sights on signing a Manchester United star who has already earned the praise of new manager Ruben Amorim.

Man Utd transfer news

With defeats against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest sandwiched in between the shock exit of sporting director Dan Ashworth, before Manchester United needed a late winner to defeat Viktoria Plzen, the difficulty of Amorim’s task has never been clearer.

Attempting to organise the chaos that Erik ten Hag left on the pitch whilst INEOS and Ratcliffe continue to steal the headlines for the wrong reasons away from the action, Amorim desperately needs the January transfer window to arrive.

It’s not just incomings that could take place when 2025 arrives, however, with several names likely to head for the exit door as Amorim looks to mark his own stamp on the current side. And that could yet see one shock player head for the exit door.

According to reports in Spain, Barcelona have set their sights on signing Marcus Rashford, who Ratcliffe is reportedly ready to sell for as little as £40m when the opportunity arrives.

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The academy graduate has struggled to rediscover his best form in the last year or so, which far from helped Ten Hag’s tenure, and it remains to be seen whether he will find a permanent role under Amorim, given his system without wingers.

This comes despite the new manager’s early praise and encouragement for Rashford, telling reporters as relayed by Reuters after a 4-0 victory over Everton: “He can do so much, so he has to continue to improve, he has the ability to do it, he already proved that. But he can play so much better, as can the other guys. Was a good performance, (but) tomorrow he has to recover and start thinking about Arsenal.”

"Great" Rashford needs fresh start

Manchester United may be his boyhood club, but if Rashford is to rediscover his best form then he must do what many before him have decided to do by leaving Old Trafford for pastours new. Old Trafford has seen the likes of Angel Di Maria, Danny Welbeck all those years ago and, more recently, Andreas Pereira all depart before finding their best form in better environments elsewhere. Now, Rashford should do the same.

If it’s Barcelona who come knocking too, then the England international should swing the door straight open and take hold of what should be a dream move for almost any player.

Despite how it ended under Ten Hag, the Dutchman was so often full of praise for Rashford, praising his “great” form at the end of 2022 when he was at his very best in a Manchester United shirt. With Ten Hag gone and Rashford yet to find his form under Amorim, however, a shock exit seemingly looms.