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Marcelo Bielsa is a man who will forever be adored by every Leeds United supporter after his period in charge as manager at Elland Road.

The Argentine transformed the club on the pitch, with his relentless pressing game allowing the fanbase to fall back in love with the side after years of discontent under various other managers.

However, Bielsa largely worked with the same squad that was at the club upon his arrival back in 2018, only making subtle changes, but implementing a style very few sides could live with.

They may have narrowly missed out on promotion during his debut campaign at the helm, but his men would go one better the following season and secure their long-awaited return to the Premier League.

The 69-year-old was sacked in February 2022, with the Whites now featuring in the Championship once more – but current boss Daniel Farke will be hoping that he can secure promotion at the second attempt, as Bielsa did, potentially relying on one player to provide the goods in attacking areas.

Joel Piroe’s stats at Leeds United

After relegation back to England’s second tier for the start of the 2023/24 campaign, it was crucial that Farke recruited well to give himself the best chance of securing Leeds an immediate return to the Premier League.

As a result, he decided to fork out a fee in the region of £10m for Joel Piroe, hoping that he could replicate his goalscoring figures from his time at Swansea City, which saw him register 20-plus goals in both his full seasons in South Wales.

The 25-year-old would notch an impressive tally of 14 goals in his first year at Elland Road, but ultimately wasn’t enough to secure promotion, as the Whites lost to Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley.

Piroe had remained a key player in Farke’s side this time around, featuring in every match so far, scoring five times – making him the club’s leading goalscorer so far this campaign.

Despite his impressive goalscoring record for the club, the forward has often come under fire from the supporters, with many unhappy with his performances of late, including his display in the defeat against Millwall last night where they failed to find the net.

The 25-year-old may have cost a hefty sum, but his weekly wages are among the cheapest in the current squad.

They just so happen to be cheaper than one of their biggest flops of the Bielsa-era too.

Leeds wasted money on Victor Orta signing

During the summer of 2019, Bielsa wanted to improve his squad to aid his promotion push, signing winger Helder Costa on a season-long loan, before becoming permanent the following summer.

The winger joined on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, registering 43 league appearances during the promotion-winning campaign, registering a combined eight goal contributions in the process.

Leeds paid £16m for his signature after promotion to the top-flight, only making 22 league appearances that season – a year that would be his final one as a first-team member in Yorkshire.

Costa would subsequently spend various loan spells at Valencia and Al Ittihad, before having his contract terminated in October 2023 – in what was an all-round shocking deal for the club.

The 30-year-old earned £32k-per-week during his two full campaigns with the club, earning a total of £3.4m which, when combined with his huge transfer fee, saw the hierarchy spend £19.4m on the Angolan.

His subsequent wage is over two times higher than current first-team member Piroe, who only earns around £15k-per-week despite his big-money transfer last summer.

Costa only made 71 appearances for the Whites in all competitions, which saw him cost around £275k-per-game he played – undoubtedly going down as one of the club’s worst pieces of business in recent years.

Terminating his contract 12 months ago was the right call, preventing him from costing the club unnecessary wages and potentially burning a hole in the financial department.

He’s only just found himself a new club, failing to score in his first five appearances for Portuguese side Estoril – further highlighting that offloading the floor was the best thing to do given his high wages and lack of tangible impact.

Leeds sold "brilliant" star for £500k, now he's an EFL record-breaker

The former Leeds United centre-forward has smashed records since moving on from Elland Road.

By
Dan Emery

Nov 6, 2024

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has urged his team-mates to prove their worth in their Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.

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• Van Dijk motivates team-mates
• PSG unbeaten in Ligue 1
• Liverpool face French champions

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  A mouth-watering European clash is on the cards as Premier League leaders Liverpool lock horns against Ligue 1 champions PSG in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 fixture on Wednesday in the French capital. Both the Reds and Les Parisiens have a 13-point lead at the top of their respective leagues and are runaway favourites to win the titles. Ahead of the mega clash, Van Dijk has urged his colleagues to step up at the biggest stage in the Champions League.

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• WHAT VIRGIL VAN DIJK SAID

  Speaking to reporters, the Dutch defender said: "It will be a very good game, I expect over there, against a team in form. I think they played very well in their last Champions League game against Brest.

  "It will be difficult but these are the games you want to compete in and I am really looking forward to it. Before that we've had some time with our family, a chance to spend some time with the kids and reflect on the last couple of weeks and then we look ahead to what is coming."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Van Dijk added: "Yes, of course, it feels like [the Champions League] goes up a level now. We are in the knockout stages and there is no time for errors or bad games, basically. There are two games to get through and we want to be so good that we deserve to go through.

  "But you have to fight for it, you have to do everything in your power to win the game. That is what we are going to try and do, but we are definitely aware of them. We will be aware of them in Paris and then obviously back here [to Anfield]. These are the nights that you want to perform in and you want to show the whole world."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  After their trip to Paris in the midweek, the Merseyside club will be back in action in the Premier League on Saturday as they host Southampton at Anfield.

Everything you need to know about the new soccer documentary series that follows key players through the 2024 NWSL playoffs and Championship

The NWSL is one of the most exciting soccer leagues in the world, featuring global superstars and many of the most accomplished players in the sport. In the four-part documentary series "NWSL: For The Win" Prime Video followed the 2024 NWSL playoffs through the experiences of some of game's biggest stars.

The documentary will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on March 6.

The docuseries takes fans behind the scenes into one of the most thrilling seasons in NWSL history. The series gives fans access to exclusive interviews and insights, brings match highlights to life and provides an inside look at the drama and excitement of the iconic 2024 playoffs.

INDIVISA brings you everything you need to know about "NWSL: For The Win."

• Where to watch NWSL: For The Win

  You can stream "For The Win: NWSL" exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Prime Video, a partner of the NWSL, will also kick off a 25-game regular season Friday night schedule beginning on March 14 when the reigning champions, the Orlando Pride hosts Chicago Stars FC.

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  When is the documentary series released?

  The documentary series will be released on Thursday, March 6. The following day, Prime Video will also be home to the 2025 Challenge Cup, which will feature a rematch of last year’s championship, the Orlando Pride vs. the Washington Spirit.

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  What is the documentary series about?

  The documentary is a four-part series that provides "unprecedented access" into the 2024 NWSL playoffs and Championship. Fans will get to see their favorite players in the locker room, getting taped up for training, and on the pitch minutes before the biggest match of the 2024 season.

  The series will show all the emotion that goes into a playoff run, from the winning team hoisting up the trophy, to the team that fell short. The documentary series follows legendary stars such as Alex Morgan and Marta, while also providing an inside look into the lives of emerging stars like Trinity Rodman and Croix Bethune.

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  Who are the featured players?

  Recently retired U.S. women's national team star Alex Morgan is featured in the series as well as Orlando Pride and Brazilian legend Marta. Rising standouts on the Washington Spirit, Trinity Rodman and Croix Bethune, also star throughout the four episodes. The NWSL Championship brought NWSL Shield winning Pride to face a scrappy and electric Washington Spirit side.

It’s safe to say that West Ham United haven’t yet matched the ambitions shown by the owners in recent months, struggling to make a huge impact in the Premier League.

Max Kilman and Jean-Clair Todibo were both brought into the London Stadium to try and bolster the options in the centre-back department, with the duo potentially costing around £75m with the latter originally arriving on loan with an obligation to buy.

However, the Hammers have still had their struggles at the back, conceding 19 times in the opening 11 league matches so far this campaign – keeping just two clean sheets in the process.

Such a record sees the club currently occupy 14th place as we head into the third international break of 2024/25, but it’s not just defensively where they have failed to impress most in recent months.

Crysencio Summerville and Niclas Füllkrug were also signed during the off-season, hoping to add the firepower needed to push the club closer to a return to Europa League football come the end of May.

However, the Dutchman has largely been limited to just substitute appearances, with £27m signing Fullkrug massively being hampered with injuries, which has resulted in him only featuring for a combined 63 league minutes this season.

Despite the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus still being present in the first-team, the Irons have only notched a total of 13 goals, with only five other sides in the division scoring fewer at this stage.

As a result, it’s led to huge questions being asked about the future of the club’s current manager, despite huge excitement over his arrival in the summer.

Julen Lopetegui’s time at West Ham

The departure of Europa Conference League-winning boss David Moyes at the end of the 2023/24 campaign allowed for a fresh start for the side after many fans registered their discontent towards the Scotsman.

His final season at the London Stadium saw the Hammers register a ninth placed league finish, but given their European success and lack of exciting football – the hierarchy opted for a change in manager.

It led to the appointment of Spanish boss Julen Lopetegui, who was out of work after leaving fellow English side Wolverhampton Wanderers 12 months prior after a fallout with the board.

His move to East London brought about a new sense of positivity after his recent success with Sevilla, which saw him claim the Europa League title in 2020/21 – with hopes that he could replicate said success with the Irons.

However, in his first 11 matches as manager, he’s failed to pull up many trees, achieving just a 31% win rate, achieving all three points on just three occasions in the Premier League.

Such a record, coupled with the hefty recruitment with the lack of impact, has already led to question marks about his long-term future at the club, potentially leading to an early departure for the 58-year-old.

Names such as former Benfica boss Roger Schmidt have already been thrown into the mix over a potential move to the London Stadium, but as of yet, there’s yet to be any form of update on the Spaniard’s future.

However, the club could look to move to another boss who’s previously been interested in taking the reins in East London, before the hierarchy opted for the appointment of Lopetegui.

The man who West Ham should appoint if Lopetegui’s sacked

Italian boss Massimiliano Allegri will forever be an eye-catching managerial name after his stint with Juventus in Serie A over the last few years.

The 57-year-old had two separate spells in charge of The Old Lady, between 2014-2019 before returning for a second spell at the helm in 2021-2024 – subsequently being replaced by Thiago Motta this summer.

His first spell was by far his most successful, winning five successive Serie A titles, along with two Super Cups and four Coppa Italia’s – making Juve a force to be reckoned with.

Any West Ham fan would give anything to have any form of consistent success, with Allegri a perfect option to allow the club to reach the next level and match the ambition shown by the hierarchy in the transfer market.

Whilst, on the face of it, any deal would seem super ambitious for the Hammers, the Italian was reportedly interested in a potential move to the London Stadium this summer, but as previously mentioned, other targets such as Lopetegui were chosen.

Allegri’s success is no accident, with his 3-5-2 system getting the best out of his players, leading to Frosinone’s Guido Angelozzi dubbing him a “mastermind”.

It could see him get the best out of one current Hammers talent who has failed to demonstrate his best form since Lopetegui’s appointment a couple of months ago.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast's Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

The man who Allegri would make unplayable for West Ham

Attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta arrived at the London Stadium in a club-record £51m deal back in the summer of 2022, with huge expectations placed on his shoulders given the size of the transfer fee.

Whilst he’s undoubtedly shown glimpses of his ability, the Brazilian has yet to demonstrate such levels on a consistent basis, failing to produce the goods under the Spaniard.

In the Premier League this season, he’s only registered two goals and failed to provide any assists for his teammates, but Allegri’s arrival could allow the 27-year-old to spark into life.

As seen from his time at Juve, the Italian took forward Paulo Dybala under his wing and allowed the Argentine to flourish in Serie A, often featuring in the number 10 role behind the two centre-forwards.

During the five consecutive league title triumphs, Dybala notched a huge tally of 105 combined goals and assists – playing a real driving role in their success.

Such a record could leave Paqueta licking his lips over any potential move for the experienced boss, allowing him to fulfil the potential he once had upon his big-money move to the Premier League.

The Brazilian has all the tools to be a success, with his flair, set-piece ability and creativity allowing for endless opportunities under the right manager.

Allegri’s attacking system could fall perfectly into his hands, with the prospect of a fully firing Paqueta an exciting prospect.

It would undoubtedly be a dream appointment given his success elsewhere, but the 57-year-old could transform the current-sinking ship should the board lose patience with boss Lopetegui.

West Ham wanted to sign "unplayable" star who's outscoring Bowen by a mile

West Ham wanted to sign an incredible striker under Moyes who is now scoring goals aplenty.

By
Connor Holden

Nov 11, 2024

Arne Slot has been hurled straight into the scrutiny of Premier League football, but given that his Liverpool side are five points clear at the summit of the division after 11 matches, he’s dealing with the pressure very well indeed.

The forthcoming winter period will look to claim Liverpool in its choking grip and pull Slot away from the limelight, but with the likes of Mohamed Salah playing at such an almighty level, fans anticipate further positivity from their side.

Salah, of course, is currently out of contract next summer, and while FSG would love to keep their talisman on Merseyside, contingency plans are being drawn up.

Liverpool looking at Salah successor

One report this week – via the Daily Mail – has revealed that Liverpool are looking to lock horns with Newcastle United in 2025 for Bryan Mbeumo’s signature.

Liverpool haven’t tabled an official offer but are aware that the Bees will be looking for a figure in excess of £50m for the goal machine’s sale.

Mbeumo’s versatility offers shades of Sadio Mane, but it is Salah who might be passing him the baton in 2025.

What Bryan Mbeumo would bring to Liverpool

Salah has been one of the most potent forwards across Europe this season, but he’s being matched by Mbeumo, 25, in the Premier League, with the Cameroon international actually boasting superior striking metrics.

Both forwards have scored eight goals from 11 fixtures, but Salah’s expected goals (xG) is almost two times higher than Mbeumo’s – who has also missed three big chances to the Egyptian’s five.

It’s for this reason that Mbeumo would be the best option for Liverpool next year if indeed the 32-year-old Salah departs. Lyon’s Rayan Cherki has also been linked, but he might not be the best choice for an outfit that will need to replace one of their greatest-ever goalscorers.

As you can see above, the difference between the two forwards in terms of productivity is night and day. Cherki might be available on the cheap due to Lyon’s financial woes, but it’s clear to whom FSG should invest their attention.

Transfer Focus

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

Analyst Ben Mattinson has described Cherki, 21, as a forward with “Ballon d’Or potential,” but he’s got a questionable disciplinary track record and is hardly going to bring goals of even a portion that Salah delivers.

Mbeumo has been described as an “incredible” player by his Brentford boss Thomas Frank, and indeed, is making all the right moves as he heads toward true prominence in the Premier League.

Though an up-and-coming talent such as Cherki would bring something new to Slot’s team, it’s hard to argue that he would be the perfect addition when Mbeumo is effectively matching his playmaking while far outstripping him in regard to goalscoring.

Move over Bradley: Liverpool can replace Trent with "titanic" £60m PL star

Liverpool might need to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2025.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Nov 20, 2024

Inter Miami have big names and cache in the U.S., but the MLS side will be challenged to make a deep run this summer

Inter Miami were always going to be here. It made literally no sense of them not to be. This is the Club World Cup, FIFA's flagship new tournament in America. Lionel Messi plays soccer here. Even if they had undergone a middling season, they would find a way to participate.

And so it came to pass, the 2024 MLS Supporters' shield winners were named to the competition and are hosting the opener of what FIFA hopes will be a crucial part of the fabric of world football for years to come.

All of the storylines center around one player, of course. Fans from all over want to see Lionel Messi play. But look closer, and there's a semblance of a good team to be found. Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba may be well past their best, but they still have experience in bunches.

Meanwhile, new manager Javier Mascherano has been tactically astute to open MLS's campaign. Making a run in the Club World Cup, though, is another matter. What's possible for Messi and Miami?

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played in 12 stadiums in 11 U.S. cities, from the opener on June 14 until the final on July 13. In the U.S., fans can stream or watch matches on DAZN or TNT. Leading up to kickoff, GOAL will provide scouting reports on each of the 32 participating teams in the expanded field.

Next up is Inter Miami, with a look at key players to watch, and expectations for one of the two MLS sides participating in this summer's tournament.

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  The Basics

  DOMESTIC LEAGUE: MLS

  CLUB WORLD CUP HISTORY: None

  GROUP: A (Inter Miami, Palmeiras, FC Porto, Al Ahly FC)

  OPENING MATCH: Al Ahly – June 14, 8 p.m., Miami

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  How they got here

  There didn't seem to be very clear criteria, honestly. Miami got here because FIFA sort of wanted them to be. There was a bit of controversy involved in their qualification. When Miami won the Supporters' Shield at the end of last year, FIFA announced that they would be playing this summer. MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy, meanwhile, will watch from home.

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  The player to watch

  The competition notwithstanding, the subtext of the 2025 Club World Cup is about the spread of soccer in the United States, and what better to do it than have Lionel Messi play a central role? Of course, it's not that Messi will be particularly easy to miss.

  The Argentine is 37, and doesn't move as much these days, but is still among the best in the world (those eight Ballons d'Or didn't win themselves).

  He sort of strolls his way through MLS, and if the pieces were better shaped around him, he would be entering this with a winner's medal around his neck already. The question is what sort of impact he might be able to have against the bigger teams.

  He is still elite for Argentina, but there were signs at last year's Copa America that he could be stifled. Either way, when you have Messi, you have a chance. Welcome to the Leo show.

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  Realistic expectations

  It depends on results elsewhere in the group, of course. Miami absolutely to beat Al Ahly in their opener, and hope that results elsewhere go their way. Four points, historically, tends to be enough to get out of a four-team group.

  A result against Palmeiras, and hope that Porto win out – which they really should – and Miami could sneak through in second place.

  After that, all bets are off. A kind draw might get them through the last 16, but – in a tournament featuring the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich, among others – anything beyond that would be a minor miracle. MLS clubs just aren't at that level yet.

Paul Pogba attended LAFC's clash against Austin on Saturday amid talk of the Frenchman moving to MLS.

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• Pogba enjoyed LAFC game amid talks of MLS move
• Doping ban ended on Tuesday
• Frenchman could also move to the Saudi Pro League

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The World Cup-winning French midfielder is finally eligible to play professional football again after his doping ban ended on Tuesday. Pogba was originally handed a four-year suspension but saw that cut to 18 months on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). He will be available to sign for a new club as a free agent after Juventus terminated his contract back in November 2024.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 32-year-old has been closely linked with a move to the MLS on a free transfer, although he could also head to the Saudi Pro League. Amid speculation over his future, the French international was spotted attending LAFC's MLS clash against Austin on Saturday. Pogba caught up with his former France team-mate Olivier Giroud, who missed the match due to a leg injury.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  France head coach Didier Deschamps recently provided an update on Pogba as he remained confident that the midfielder can return to the highest level of the game, although it will take some time.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR PAUL POGBA?

  It remains to be seen if Pogba would consider moving to the United States or choose to join a Saudi Pro League side, where top French stars like Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante ply their trades.

Glasgow Rangers return from the international break with a key run of fixtures between now and the start of January.

They face two European ties, several Premiership matches, with an Old Firm League Cup final sandwich in between everything. There is no doubt the next few weeks could make or break the Light Blues campaign.

Will Philippe Clement be in charge for much longer, however? As rumours about his future have been ongoing for the previous few weeks.

Philippe Clement’s Rangers future

The Belgian looked like his time in Glasgow was up just a few weeks ago, as the Gers suffered domestic defeats to Aberdeen and Kilmarnock, slipping nine points behind the former in the table.

With the chase for a 56th league title seemingly over after just a few months, Clement was a man under pressure. He did sign a contract extension in August, however, which would cost the club a fortune to pay off early.

In the latest turn of events, the 50-year-old has been linked with the Belgium job due to his former CEO at Club Brugge, Vincent Mannaert, securing a top role within the Belgian FA.

If they did turn to Clement, a compensation fee would need to be paid to the Gers, saving the club from shelling out millions in the process.

While unlikely, in football, anything can happen. Who could the Glasgow side approach as their new manager should Clement depart in the coming weeks?

One name stands out more than the others and he is currently a free agent…

Why Rangers should turn to Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Ruud Van Nistelrooy finds himself back in the job market after leaving Manchester United upon Ruben Amorim’s appointment a few weeks ago.

The 48-year-old joined United in the summer as an assistant to Erik ten Hag, but after a caretaker spell which saw him win three of his four matches in charge, he wasn’t retained.

Hailed as “very ambitious and very driven” by Ten Hag, the former United striker has prior experience of managing a big European team.

During the 2022/23 campaign, Van Nistelrooy was in charge of PSV Eindhoven, operating with a 4-3-3 system which could work well with the current Rangers squad.

While he may have suffered a two-legged defeat to the Ibrox side in the Champions League qualifiers, PSV did win the Dutch Cup that term, while scoring 127 goals across 50 competitive matches, losing just eight games all season.

It was certainly a positive season which built the foundations for the club to win the Eredivisie title last term and the Dutchman would be seen as a progressive appointment by the Ibrox faithful.

He won’t be available for long, as his short caretaker spell at Old Trafford has boosted his profile considerably, therefore the club must act swiftly.

Much will depend on Clement’s situation, but Van Nistelrooy would make a wonderful replacement, no doubt about that.

Rangers must sack Clement to appoint manager with 3 league title wins

The Glasgow Rangers head coach has endured a difficult start to the season.

By
Dan Emery

Nov 21, 2024

It feels like things are starting to come to a head down Anfield Road. Contractual concerns have descended on Liverpool’s season like a brooding cloud, and time is now running out.

Admittedly, such issues have failed to disrupt the brilliant football being played by Arne Slot’s men, who are four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand, also first-placed in the Champions League and awaiting a Carabao Cup last-eight tie against Southampton.

It’s all rather exciting, not least because this is starting to look like a campaign that, at the very least, presents an incredible opportunity to win the biggest silver prizes.

But skipper Virgil van Dijk can talk to suitors from overseas in just three weeks; as can Liverpool’s homegrown vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold.

And so can Mohamed Salah, whose own contract, set to expire at the end of the season, has attracted the most noise. He’s been vocal, but recent reports suggest that all is not lost on this pivotal front.

Mohamed Salah's contract update

When David Ornstein speaks, the Premier League’s legion of fans listen. The Athletic correspondent has recently revealed that FSG are accelerating talks to extend the stay of, perhaps, Liverpool’s three biggest superstars.

By the time he is enjoying pre-season ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, the Egpyt star will be 33. There is an understandable hesitance on FSG’s part.

But Salah’s astounding potency simply cannot be overlooked. Having played 21 matches this term, the right winger has scored 15 goals and added 12 more assists. It’s Ballon d’Or-winning form, to be sure.

Liverpool need to accept that Salah leaving is a possibility. Should that unthinkable scenario become a reality, a prize-winning replacement will need to be brought in.

Liverpool eyeing Salah replacement

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are thick in the battle for Juventus prodigy Kenan Yildiz, who the Serie A side would consider selling for a mammoth €80m (£69m) figure.

Yildiz, aged 19, has been among the finest breakout stats in Italy over recent years, with Liverpool joined by Manchester United, Aston Villa and Borussia Dortmund in sending scouts to watch him in action.

A versatile forward, Yildiz would be a worthy successor for a superstar like Salah, albeit one who would need time and patience to give rise to the height of his potential powers.

Transfer Focus

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

Why Kenan Yildiz could be a star at Liverpool

Yildiz might still be a teenager but he’s already earned a range of experience in Italy’s top flight, racking up nine goal contributions from 42 matches since leaving Bayern Munich’s youth set-up for Juventus.

Though he more frequently cuts inside from the left wing, Yildiz has been said to be “almost perfectly two-footed” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and it might be that as he develops, the young Turk becomes Slot’s starring focal frontman.

Although this is a player with the quality to replace Salah, he may actually assume the positional role of someone like Darwin Nunez, whose continual struggles for goals suggest that he won’t be the star number nine over the coming years.

But then again, the Turkey international isn’t someone who exists solely to score goals himself; instead, he brings a multi-dimensional technical arsenal that suggests he will become one of the silkiest and most dynamic forwards in Europe, should he continue to place sufficient blocks for his development.

As per FBref, the nifty teenager ranks among the top 7% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion, the top 6% for passes attempted and progressive passes, the top 13% for shot-creating actions, the top 3% for progressive carries and successful take-ons and the top 1% for tackles per 90.

This is quite a lot of data to consume, but succinctly, it reveals a many-layered approach to Yildiz’s craft that is coated in natural-born prolificness.

Indeed, the up-and-coming talent has notched five goal contributions from just 11 starts in the Serie A this season, while also averaging 1.1 key passes, 1.6 dribbles and 5.0 successful duels per game, as per Sofascore.

It’s been such an exciting rise that Yildiz has even been compared against players of the highest calibre.

The Turkish native’s former coach, Sokyan Baskar, has actually claimed that his protegee is “more talented than Cristiano Ronaldo.”

Whether that is actually the case is dubious, but it does make for an interesting comment on the player’s capacity for success at the very highest level of the game.

And anyway, a natural liking for a header perhaps suggests that the 6 foot 2 ace is endowed with some of the athletic qualities that have shaped CR7 into one of the greatest sporting figures of his generation through a long and storied career.

Salah may well pen an extension to his lucrative Anfield deal, but the plain fact is that the 32-year-old will skid onto a downward curve at some point, and it would be prudent to land a young gun with the qualities to take his mantle.

Yildiz wouldn’t be expected to hit the same staggering heights from the offing, but he could find great success in learning from one of the greatest Premier League players to do it, before stepping up as Liverpool’s main man down the line.

Gravenberch replacement: Liverpool want "one of the best" midfielders

Liverpool have been excellent under Arne Slot but could do with a bit more in midfield.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 7, 2024

GOAL takes a look at the biggest keys as the USMNT pushes for a fourth straight CONCACAF Nations League trophy

LOS ANGELES – When he was first hired as U.S. men's national team coach, Mauricio Pochettino outlined the importance of winning. He wanted to make this program a serial winner, one that embraced the expectations on their shoulders. Win the training session, win the friendly, win the game, win the tournament – that's how you build a foundation. That's how you compete at a World Cup.

Generally, the USMNT has done a lot of winning at the CONCACAF Nations League. The team has lifted the trophy in each of the first three iterations of this tournament and, heading into the semifinals of a fourth, they're eager to defend that title. Up first is Panama at 7 p.m. ET Thursday at SoFi Stadium, with a date against Mexico or Canada waiting in a potential final on Sunday night.

Before Pochettino even arrived, the expectations for this tournament were made clear: win it.

And now that Pochettino is here? Now that he's had six months to start building his culture? Well, Pochettino knows it'll be tough, tougher than many are willing to admit but, no matter: win.

"I want to win the competition," he said this week, "because that is going to help us to build our confidence and trust in the way that we are going to need. At the same time, we need to be intelligent, to try to discover the best players and to build a strong core of the team that has the possibility to fight for big things. That mentality is about now, winning.

"There's not too much preparation, but being on together is to show there that we want to compete this weekend and we want to win. The objective is the World Cup, and I think we are translating the idea that we need to compete in our best way and win the tournament because I think it's important for the future. In one year, we want to compete for the big trophy: the World Cup."

The USMNT, admittedly, head into this tournament shorthanded. Some pre-tournament injuries meant several stars were never going to be involved. Late injuries ruled out three more, including superstar fullback Antonee Robinson, who was forced to withdraw from the squad this week because a recurring tendon issue. This will be a test of the USMNT's depth. More than anything, though, it'll be a test of Pochettino's culture.

GOAL takes a look at five key storylines as the USMNT take on Panama, look for more Nations League glory and continue the journey toward the 2026 World Cup.

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  Lessons from the fall

  Normally, revisiting past games as comparisons is apples to oranges, particularly when you've experienced as much change as the USMNT has in the last year. Not this time. This is the first repeat opponent of the Pochettino era, which means we have some history to look back on ahead of Thursday's match.

  In October, the USMNT faced Panama in Pochettino's first match in charge, winning 2-0 in Austin to give this new regime a positive start.

  "Panama has grown a lot in the last few years, and much of the credit goes to their coach [Thomas Christiansen], who I know very well," Pochettino said on Tuesday reflecting on that win. "It's a very dangerous opponent and it's going to be tough because they have very good players and they are so clear about the ideas with how they need to play. I think it's a very good challenge for us.

  "It was a challenge in Austin and it's going to be a challenge again. It's going to be exciting to watch the game and we're going to try and enjoy and have fun."

  In that first Panama match, the goals were scored by Yunus Musah and Ricardo Pepi and, although the latter won't be here, the play of the former could offer some insight into how the USMNT may line up on Thursday. Musah was deployed as something of a wingback in that match, with Pochettino pointing to his prior knowledge of the American star's game as a backbone for that tactical switch.

  "When he arrived, we were talking to him and trying to raise his confidence, maybe starting in a different position, but it was just one he's played in the past," Pochettino said at the time. "I think that was a good decision. It's always worth trying to build his confidence to make a player feel that he can perform on the pitch. By the way, I knew him when was young and played in the academy of Arsenal and then moved to Valencia and played in the position that today we used. I think it's not new for him."

  Given the absences at fullback, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Pochettino do something similar, deploying Musah, Tim Weah or both as wingbacks. There's evidence that it worked before.

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  Life without Robinson

  There are probably only two truly irreplaceable players in the USMNT player pool. Christian Pulisic is one, of course. The other is Antonee Robinson. There's just no left-back playing anywhere near his level for club or country. It's why he's been leaned on so heavily throughout the last few years: he plays at a different speed than everyone else.

  Robinson is out with an injury, which leaves the USMNT without one of its most important pieces – and arguably the one this group is least-equipped to replace. The U.S. can't just jam another player into that left-back spot as a like-for-like swap. None provide the same combination of speed, energy, crossing ability and defensive chops of Robinson. He's the type of player whose absence forces a coach to change systems, and that might end up being what Pochettino has to do.

  The U.S. could move Joe Scally to that side or put faith in Marlon Fossey. They could shift Weah or Musah to fullback. They could get creative with some other options, too. None will be anywhere as good as having Robinson in camp, and his absence is a massive blow as they head into these two games.

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  Captain Adams reshapes midfield dynamic

  There's no doubt about it: a midfield looks different with Tyler Adams in it. Look to Bournemouth as a prime example. Since Adams' return, the Cherries have improved immensely, with the USMNT midfielder being recognized for his impact with the club's Player of the Month award in February.

  It's been too long since he's had that type of impact for the USMNT. We've had glimpses, most notably his stunning goal against Mexico in this competition last year. Adams, though, hasn't really been 100 percent ready for a USMNT match since the 2022 World Cup.

  A regime shift happened and Adams has missed out due to injuries. So for the first time, we'll get a look at what Pochettino can do with Adams.

  "Good to be back in camp for the first time," Adams said this week. "Obviously, new manager – and I have had a bunch of different managers in my career – but to work with another great one like Mauricio is a huge honor. I'm excited to understand the processes and his thinking and the way that he looks at the game. But, obviously, having competed with some of the teams he's managed himself, I know the style of play that he plays. It's exciting."

  Pochettino is getting the best version of Adams, too, which is something the U.S. has sorely lacked throughout this cycle. It's all coming together at the right time and, as long as Adams can stay fit, Pochettino can start to shape his midfield ahead of next summer's World Cup.

  Adams, in more ways than one, is the base and foundation of that midfield. His return allows Pochettino to build – and that begins now.

  "Before we know it, we're going to blink and the World Cup will be here," Adams said, "so we want to treat every training session and every game with significance and continue to build."

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  The Reyna situation

  Gio Reyna's situation at Borussia Dortmund has been discussed ad nausum. He hasn't played much. When he has, he's looked like a player who is clearly lacking the confidence and form that come with consistent minutes. That's Dortmund, though, and this is the USMNT. Will things be different this week?

  Reyna is part of a crowded group of No. 10s, which is one of the key reasons Brenden Aaronson was left out of the squad. Reyna is joined by Diego Luna and Weston McKennie as candidates to play in that position, while Christian Pulisic could also conceivably feature as some sort of No. 10 in certain systems. That all points to one thing: Reyna's spot isn't guaranteed.

  If he does see the field, the pressure will be on. Pochettino admitted that it was important to get Reyna into this camp largely because opportunities may be limited going forward. The Club World Cup with Dortmund could keep him out of the summer Gold Cup squad, which means this may be the last real chance for Reyna to play for the U.S. until fall friendlies.

  Of course, much can change between now and then, particularly with Reyna, who remains the USMNT's biggest wildcard.