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Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has broken ranks with his fellow club legends by naming Eddie Howe as the man he wants to see replace under-pressure manager Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. Despite Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s backing for the Portuguese coach, speculation over Amorim’s future continues to swirl — and Scholes is convinced that Howe is “definitely” the right fit.

Scholes wants Howe to replace stuggling Amorim

Scholes has made his opinion clear on who should succeed Amorim if the Portuguese manager fails to turn things around. Speaking on The Overlap, the Manchester United legend said: “Eddie Howe, Eddie Howe. I’m not sure about his mate [assistant manager Jason Tindall], but definitely him.” His statement, though lighthearted, underscored a serious belief in Howe’s capabilities as a tactician and man-manager.

Scholes praised Howe’s ability to transform struggling teams, pointing to his success at Newcastle United, where he led the Magpies from the brink of relegation to consecutive Champions League qualifications. His comments stand in contrast to those of Roy Keane and Gary Neville, who have instead championed Diego Simeone as the ideal candidate to bring toughness and authority to Old Trafford. Scholes, however, favors a more progressive, hands-on approach akin to Howe’s methods at Newcastle and Bournemouth. Although he joked about not wanting Tindall on the United touchline, his admiration for Howe’s managerial credentials was evident.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesAmorim has flopped since Old Trafford arrival

Amorim’s position at Manchester United has come under scrutiny after a disappointing start to the campaign, despite easing the pressure slightly with a 2-0 victory over Sunderland. Questions persist over his tactical setup, particularly his 3-4-3 formation, which critics argue fails to maximize the influence of key players like Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Benjamin Sesko. Even with minority owner Ratcliffe’s backing, Amorim’s record — just 19 wins in 50 matches — has done little to calm speculation about his long-term future.

United’s struggles date back to last season’s poor finish, when Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag and failed to lift the team out of mid-table mediocrity. The Portuguese coach has yet to register back-to-back league victories since taking over in November 2024, a statistic that has drawn widespread concern among fans and pundits. Though the hierarchy insists on patience and a long-term approach, the club’s inability to sustain momentum has kept the debate alive over whether Amorim is truly the right man to lead the rebuild.

Adding to the uncertainty, Amorim himself has admitted that his position depends on results, acknowledging that “nobody here is naive” about the expectations at Old Trafford. While he insists he will not resign, the mounting pressure is clear, particularly with the fanbase growing restless over performances that lack consistency and clarity. As United prepare for a testing run of fixtures, whispers about possible replacements continue to dominate headlines, with several high-profile names already being mentioned.

Eddie Howe's Newcastle success story

Howe’s rise at Newcastle has been remarkable, turning a relegation-threatened team into one capable of competing among Europe’s elite. Under his guidance, the Magpies secured their first top-four finish in two decades and re-established themselves as a force in English football. 

Scholes' comments also come amid persistent reports linking other candidates to the United job, including former Barcelona boss Xavi, Atletico’s Diego Simeone, and Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner. Yet Scholes’ endorsement of an English manager reflects his belief that United need someone who understands the Premier League and can nurture homegrown talent. For Scholes, Howe represents a modern, methodical coach who builds from the ground up rather than relying on short-term fixes.

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Getty Amorim needs an immediate turnaround

For now, Amorim remains in charge and will look to use the international break to regroup ahead of a crucial trip to Liverpool. The clash at Anfield, against an out-of-form Arne Slot side, could prove decisive in shaping perceptions about Amorim’s progress. A positive result would buy him more time, but defeat could once again spark calls for change among fans and pundits alike.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues to preach patience, reiterating that Amorim is in the early stages of a three-year project designed to restore United’s identity. For Amorim, the challenge is clear: build on the recent Sunderland win, deliver results against tougher opposition, and prove he is the man to lead United’s rebuild — before his critics convince the board otherwise.

Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh – 147 off 66 ballsThe rest of Lucknow Super Giants – 55 off 55 ballsIt was an innings of two halves in Delhi Capitals’ opening game against LSG in Visakhapatnam. When Marsh and Pooran were going the way they were, LSG looked set for more than 250. Then came an implosion and LSG found themselves well short.That’s saying something because, despite the late quick wickets, LSG finished on 209 for 8. Yet, DC will feel relatively happy going into the break.Marsh, who is playing IPL 2025 as a batter, piled on the runs in the powerplay – 43 off just 19 balls, the most he has ever scored in the phase in the IPL. His countryman, Mitchell Starc, was at the receiving end.Starc started with four dot balls and a single to Aiden Markram in the first over. Then he bowled a length ball on leg stump, and Marsh walloped him over deep square leg for a huge six first ball. Starc’s next over was when Marsh took full toll. The first ball was tonked for a six over long-off by Markram. Then Marsh went 4, 6, 4 against Starc, an over which went for 21.Vipraj Nigam, on IPL debut, was pulled for four by Marsh, but he soon had his revenge as he sent back Markram for 15. That brought Marsh and Pooran together and they pummelled the DC bowlers. Pooran was dropped on 17 by Sameer Rizvi, and once he got that reprieve, there was no stopping him. He carted three sixes in a Nigam over and then hammered four back-to-back sixes and a four off Stubbs, an over which went for 28. Marsh brought up his fifty off 21 balls, Pooran took 24 and the duo added 87 off 42 balls.Marsh fell for 72 off 36 balls, while Pooran was cleaned up for 75 off 30 by a swinging Starc fall. But the wickets brought DC back into play. Rishabh Pant fell for a six-ball duck on LSG debut, while none of the other LSG batters did much.The last seven overs cost DC only 49 runs with LSG losing six wickets, and that included two David Miller sixes off the final two balls.

A Spanish publication reported last week that Real Madrid want to sign Ryan Gravenberch, which would make sense, in fairness. Toni Kroos is still sorely missed at the Santiago Bernabeu after retiring after Euro 2024, as doubts persist over the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga to fill the void left behind by the genius German.

During the same story about Madrid's interest in Gravenberch, though, it was claimed that the Liverpool midfielder was 'valued at €65 million' – to which the obvious response is, by whom?! Nobody who had watched Gravenberch in action in the Merseyside derby at Anfield the day before would have put such a paltry price tag on the best player in the best team in England.

In his new role as a No.6, the Dutchman was absolutely integral to Liverpool running away with last season's Premier League – but having been given "a bit more freedom" to attack this term by Arne Slot, he's now showing why Rafael van der Vaart once described Gravenberch as "better than Jude Bellingham in every way"…

GettyTwo sliding-doors moments at Anfield

It's funny to think about it now but had Liverpool bought Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund for a nine-figure fee in the summer of 2023 – as was their dream – they wouldn't have signed Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo Gravenberch, the £34m deadline-day signing from Bayern Munich that felt like an after-thought, a last-minute attempt to address Jurgen Klopp's shortage of options in midfield.

What's more, had Liverpool managed to complete a deal for Martin Zubimendi last summer, it's highly unlikely that we'd have seen so much of Gravenberch in the defensive midfield position that he's made his own over the past year. 

They say, though, that necessity is the mother of invention, and Slot's need for a No.6 specifically suited to his style of play completely changed the course of a career that was in danger of going off the rails in Munich.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportGoing 'crazy' under Nagelsmann

Gravenberch had arrived at the Allianz Arena in 2022 touted as one of the most exciting prospects in world football, the latest in a long line of potential superstars to come out of Ajax.

However, Gravenberch got very little game time under then-Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann, who has since claimed that he wasn't solely to blame, alleging that he felt under pressure to pick Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka ahead of the new arrival from the Netherlands.

"I was the new coach at FC Bayern and it wasn't easy to put players from the German national team on the bench," Nagelsmann told .

Whatever the truth, what we know for sure is that Gravenberch was devastated by spending so much time on the bench.

"Under Nagelsmann, I would go three matches in a row spending 90 minutes watching my team," he admitted. "That is when I started to go crazy in my head.

"In the winter, I was totally done with it, but during the last two months of the season under (Thomas) Tuchel, I got more minutes than in the entire period before."

Even when Bayern won the league, though, Gravenberch couldn't bring himself to properly celebrate the success.

"I was happy we were champions, but my contribution was small," he said. "I know we stood there as champions but I did not feel like a champion at all. It was a totally different feeling from all the other times I won trophies."

And particularly Liverpool's 2024-25 title win.

'Something I'll never forget'

Gravenberch was blown away by the outpouring of emotion that followed Liverpool winning a record-equalling 20th Championship.

"It was honestly something really special, something I'll never forget. The scenes on the bus as we approached Anfield before the Spurs game, that afternoon we won the league, will stay with me forever," the Premier League Young Player of the Season told Numero Netherlands.

"The passion on the fans' faces, the red flares, the noise, the songs, just seeing what it meant to them, it gave me goosebumps. That image will never leave me. 

"The celebrations with the lads afterwards, that moment when it really hit us that we'd done it, was incredible. Liverpool's second Premier League title in five years, and my first.

"From my point of view, as a small child, you dream of these moments, so to achieve this is really special. I'm proud to have played a part in what was an unforgettable season."

Of course, Gravenberch hadn't just played a part, he'd been utterly integral to his team's triumph.

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Getty Images Sport'This is it'

Gravenberch's talent was obvious during his first season at Liverpool under Klopp but he had still looked a little lost at times. After the Zubimendi U-turn, though, Slot found the perfect position for the Netherlands international in front of the back four.

However, Gravenberch adapted better – and quicker – to the change than even Slot imagined. Indeed, the player's father knew after the second match of the 2024-25 season, against Brentford, that everything was about to change for his son.

"One minute before the game ended, Arne took Ryan off so he could get the applause," Gravenberch senior told . "I was in the stands and the whole stadium stood up and applauded.

"I just broke down because I thought: 'They're doing this for my boy.' That was the moment where I thought: 'This is it.'" And it was.

As well as winning possession more times (193) in the Premier League last season than any other Liverpool player, and making more interceptions (60) than any other midfielder, Gravenberch also demonstrated a remarkable ability to break the opposition press that Slot attributes to a unique gift for gliding past opponents.

"This is a special quality Ryan has, that he can turn away from his man," Slot enthused. "He is one of the few holding midfielders, pivots, that can create an overload with a dribble.

"Mostly, these players pass a lot, and Ryan is good in passing as well. But to create an overload with a dribble, you don't see this many times from a No.6."

Slot really is right, then, when he says that Gravenberch is "unique". There are few better midfielders in the world right now.

Pedri and Vitinha are both absolutely outstanding while Rodri remains the standard by which all others are judged – but there isn't another No.6 in the game has Gravenberch's particular set of skills and the crazy thing is that, at 23, he's only going to get better.

We're already seeing an improvement, in fact. 

Nottingham Forest have now submitted a £15m offer for an “elegant” midfielder, as they look to move ahead of West Ham United in the race for his signature.

Forest keen on another midfielder after Luiz

The noise surrounding Nuno Espirito Santo’s future will be an unwanted distraction, with the manager’s future now in doubt after publicly making it clear his relationship with Evangelos Marinakis has deteriorated since last season.

However, up to this point, the Tricky Trees have enjoyed a very positive summer transfer window, having brought in the likes of Omari Hutchinson, Dan Ndoye and James McAtee, although securing Morgan Gibbs-White’s future was arguably the most important piece of business.

Forest have also recently added another midfielder to their ranks, with Juventus’ Douglas Luiz arriving on an initial season-long loan, which includes a conditional obligation to buy next summer.

Despite adding a proven Premier League midfielder to their ranks, Nottingham Forest remain keen on bringing in a more defensive option before the September 1st deadline, and an offer has now been submitted for AS Monaco’s Soungoutou Magassa.

That is according to a report from Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness), which states Forest have now tabled a proposal of €17m (£15m), which is slightly higher than West Ham’s offer of €16m (£14m).

Both offers are currently still on the table, but there could be competition from elsewhere, with Atalanta also keen on the defensive midfielder, having recently contacted his entourage to assess the possibility of a deal.

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As such, there could be an intense battle for Magassa’s signature before the transfer deadline, which would be beneficial for Monaco, should a bidding war break out.

"Elegant" Magassa could be excellent signing for Forest

As previously mentioned, Forest have made major improvements to their midfield this summer, but the majority of their signings flourish going forward, while the Monaco maestro has more of a defensive mindset.

In fact, the Frenchman has performed extremely well across a number of important defensive metrics over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

Statistic

Average per 90

Tackles

3.54 (97th percentile)

Interceptions

1.80 (96th percentile)

Blocks

1.73 (90th percentile)

Scout Jacek Kulig has described the 21-year-old as an “elegant” player in the past, while also revealing the youngster is capable of slotting in at centre-back, which would make him a versatile addition to Nuno’s squad.

Not only that, but scout Ben Mattinson believes the Monaco starlet is very comfortable in possession of the ball, saying: “On the ball he has a forward-thinking mindset looking to play through into the midfielders high up or spray passes wide out to the wings. His passing range is top.”

As such, Magassa, who made seven Champions League appearances for Monaco last season, could be an excellent addition to Nuno’s squad, and a move to the City Ground would surely be a more attractive proposition than joining West Ham, given their recent struggles.

Nic Maddinson would have been a contender to open before his injury while Cameron Bancroft is part of Sydney Thunder’s squad

AAP11-Dec-2024David Warner is leaning towards preferring Sam Konstas over Cameron Bancroft as his opening partner as the Test legend prepares for his first full BBL season with Sydney Thunder.Only weeks after both pushed ultimately unsuccessful cases for the Test opening vacancy, Bancroft and Konstas are set for more internal competition at Thunder.Related

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Nic Maddinson’s finger surgery has left the pair as the two clearest options to partner new captain Warner at the top to start the BBL, which the pair enters with varying recent records.Konstas, yet to make his BBL debut, memorably announced himself with twin centuries in New South Wales’ first Shield game of the summer before making another for the Prime Ministers’ XI in a 50-over match against the Indians last month.Bancroft has failed to pass 20 in 15 of 19 digs across red and white-ball cricket this summer, but did make an unbeaten 105 in Western Australia’s penultimate Sheffield Shield game before the break. Warner said a firm decision had not yet been made on the opening partnership.”We’ll speak about it this week, we’ll see in the warm-up game. I’m probably erring between myself and probably Sammy Konstas at the top,” he said.Warner has been impressed by Konstas, but wants to talk shop with the 19-year-old ahead of Thunder’s first game against Adelaide Strikers next Tuesday.”We know he’s talented but it’s about going out there in the Twenty20 stuff and trying to work out how to sort of play that format as well, and what he’s going to bring to the table,” Warner said. “I’ll have a chat to him about how he wants to play and what his style of cricket is as well.”We’ll have these conversations in the next couple of days about how we want to play and making sure that everyone’s on the same page.”After being signed as a foundation player for the first BBL summer, Warner has dipped in and out of Thunder for the past two summers around Australian duties.Now retired from internationals, the 38-year-old is set to play the entire tournament for the first time in a big boost for a competition that has long struggled for star power in the absence of Test players.”I’m excited,” Warner said of the BBL. “It’s another challenge for me. I’ll uphold my own standards and make sure I’m contributing to the team and getting us off to a good start and leading by example of the field with the captaincy.”With West Indies globetrotter Sherfane Rutherford and rising star Ollie Davies also on the books, Warner said he held high expectations for Thunder’s batting order after a last-placed finish last summer.”There’s questions for all us to answer the last couple of years, the way that we’ve played,” he said. “We’ve got some craft in the middle and hopefully at the top of the order we can fire as well.”

Everton’s pre-season preparations have left plenty to be desired. Still, David Moyes proved his wherewithal upon replacing Sean Dyche last season and will remain confident that a successful season lies ahead.

Against the backdrop of the Premier League’s heavy expenditure this summer, Everton has forked out comparatively little. A new striker has been signed in Thierno Barry, while an initial £25m deal has been agreed with Chelsea for the transfer of robust midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

However, there was a blue-shaded exodus on Merseyside in June, with so many unwanted players filtering out. Two of those players were Jesper Lindstrom and Jack Harrison, whose loan deals remained temporary.

Now, a replacement is needed.

Everton submit bid for new attacking midfielder

Dewsbury-Hall, 26, will add impetus to the Everton midfield. He’s strong, cultured and confident on the ball, having starred during Leicester City’s promotion-winning campaign of 2023/24, posting 12 goals and 15 assists under Enzo Maresca’s wing that year.

His time at Stamford Bridge might not have worked out, but he stands a fantastic chance of becoming a mainstay in Moyes’ Everton system, potentially forging a neat partnership with another top target.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Everton have tabled a second bid for Southampton prospect Tyler Dibling worth £40m including add-ons.

An earlier summer offer has already been rejected, and the 19-year-old is also on Aston Villa and Newcastle United’s radar. Southampton, it is felt, want £50m for their prized playing asset.

This said, Everton will not – cannot – pay over the odds for this talented teenager, and the Friedkin Group are prepared to walk away if Saints fail to reduce their exorbitant valuation.

Why Everton should sign Tyler Dibling

Southampton suffered a wretched return to the Premier League last season, narrowly missing out on the unwanted record of bearing the division’s all-time lowest points total.

But they were relegated all the same. However, Dibling shone as a beacon of solace throughout, making good on the praise from Southampton’s academy manager, Andy Goldie, that he is a “world-class talent.”

He scored four goals and supplied three assists across the 2024/25 campaign, but, as per Sofascore, to have completed 84% of his passes and averaged 4.2 successful duels in the Premier League, in a rotten Southampton side, that’s an indicator of sky-high potential.

And he’s dynamic in a positional sense too.

Tyler Dibling – Career Stats by Position

Position

Apps

Goals

Assists

Right winger

35

7

1

Attacking midfield

26

11

5

Central midfield

8

1

3

Left winger

2

–

2

Data via Transfermarkt

He’s versatile all right. But given the lack of depth on the right flank at Everton, coupled with his blistering speed and ability to manipulate tight spaces, it’s clear that Moyes wants to field him on the wing.

Especially with the Merseysiders set to wrap up a move for Dewsbury-Hall, who is very much a central midfielder. But he’s a creative one at that, hailed by former Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers in the past as being a player who “typifies everything we want to be,” bringing energy and intensity and creativity.

The Englishman ranked among the top 5% of centre-midfielders in the Conference League last term for progressive passes and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref, highlighting the smooth passing game which could open up a world of opportunity for the fleet-footed Dibling as he surges forward, into the danger area.

With these kinds of signings, Everton are bound to evolve, and Moyes’ vision for the future might just begin to take shape.

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Having already welcomed Anthony Elanga, Newcastle United are now reportedly “pushing” to sign Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth over £60m this summer.

Securing their second signing of the summer and their biggest so far following Antonio Cordero’s initial arrival, Newcastle will be glad to have got Elanga over the line. The Swede enjoyed an excellent campaign with Nottingham Forest last time out – scoring six goals as well as assisting a further 12 in all competitions – and will now form one of the Premier League’s deadliest trios alongside Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.

Speaking for the first time since welcoming Elanga, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told the club website: “I’m delighted to welcome Anthony to Newcastle United. He has been a key target for us so I’m delighted to secure him at this early part of pre-season.

“He is an exciting talent with attributes that make him a unique attacking threat. His pace, energy and ability to create and score goals will strengthen us and complement the way we want to play. Anthony is hungry to develop even further with us and to achieve success here, and we’re all looking forward to working with him.”

However, after spending around £55m to reinforce Newcastle’s frontline, PIF still reportedly have unfinished business in the summer transfer window. Recent reports have linked the Magpies with moves for the likes of Giorgio Scalvini, who would be an impressive defensive addition, while a move for James Trafford has been on the cards for some time.

What’s more, fresh reports are now claiming that those at St James’ Park are “pushing” to welcome another talented attacking option.

Downie: What Hugo Ekitike bid means for Alexander Isak

According to Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle are now “pushing” to sign Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt after submitting a bid worth over €70m (£61m). Jumping ahead of the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea in the race to sign the Frenchman, the Magpies could be about to form quite the strike partnership between Ekitike and Isak.

Starts

31

34

Goals

15

23

Assists

8

6

Expected Goals

21.6

20.3

Keith Downie has since added comment on the concerns around Isak’s future, speaking to Sky Sports live from outside St James’ Park on Tuesday morning.

While the reporter does confirm the Magpies want the Sweden superstar to sign a new contract and hope to begin talks soon, he claims the club will be in a “completely different scenario” next summer if a new deal is not signed and may well be getting their ducks in a row for Isak to leave in 2026.

There will be some concerns over how Ekitike underperformed his expected goals total last season, but keeping hold of the clinical Isak – at least for now – would instantly nullify those concerns.

The forward’s rise is one that former Reims manager Oscar Garcia saw coming from the start of his career, having told reporters: “There is something very special about him. He’s young, and he has the quality to become a very good player. He’s a young man with a lot of quality but also a lot to improve on, but he works hard in training.”

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Now, that “special” player could be on his way to Newcastle to stand next to Isak in one of the best attacks that the Premier League has to offer.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been a busy man over the previous few weeks. Not only has he led the Blues to the semi-finals of the Club World Cup, but the Italian has significantly bolstered his first-team squad.

In came striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, before defender Mamadou Sarr joined the club from Strasbourg.

This was only the beginning. Since the start of last week, Maresca has secured a deal to sign forward Joao Pedro for £60m, giving Delap some competition.

Furthermore, Jamie Gittens has made the move to Stamford Bridge from Borussia Dortmund, costing Chelsea £51.5m in the process.

The revolving door at Stamford Bridge means plenty of players will be departing over the coming weeks, but it is evident that Maresca wants to overhaul his attacking options ahead of next season.

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Remarkably, he doesn’t appear to be finished with those three signings.

Despite the arrival of Estevao from Palmeiras, another of the globe’s top talents, Ethan Nwaneri, could make their way to Bridge over the next year.

Why Chelsea are looking at Ethan Nwaneri

The Arsenal sensation might be on the market next summer due to a stall in contract negotiations with the club.

Nwaneri has just one year left on his current deal with the Gunners and a new contract is yet to be agreed. Fabrizio Romano broke the news recently on X regarding Chelsea’s interest, saying:

“Chelsea have been showing interest in Ethan Nwaneri situation, only in case new deal won’t be sealed with Arsenal. Nwaneri & Arsenal, in talks over new deal while player wants game time guaranteed.”

There is no doubt that convincing Nwaneri to swap the Emirates for Stamford Bridge would be a real statement of intent by the Italian, especially considering his superstar potential.

Goals

4

2

Assists

2

0

Big chances created

1

1

Key passes per game

0.6

0.3

Successful dribbles per game

1.4

1

Last season saw the right-winger enjoy a stunning breakthrough. Across 37 matches in all competitions for the Gunners, the teenager scored nine goals and grabbed two assists.

When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, the 18-year-old not only ranked in the top 7% for non-penalty goals (0.48) per 90, but also ranked in the top 1% for successful take-ons (3.54) per 90 over the previous 365 days.

This certainly proves how effective the youngster is when taking on opposition defenders. Combine it with the fact he is excellent in front of goal and Nwaneri would make for a stunning signing.

Why signing defenders makes more sense for Chelsea

Maresca does have a plethora of options in the final third, however. The likes of Estevao, Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens, Tyrique George and Cole Palmer could play out wide, while Delap, Nicolas Jackson and Pedro will be used in a central role next season.

In an ideal world, adding Nwaneri to this lineup would make Chelsea contenders for both the Premier League and Champions League, no doubt about that.

Other areas need to be bolstered, however, which indicates that a move for a Serie A defender would turn into a much better signing than the Arsenal teen.

Sarr is the only defensive signing that Maresca has made so far this summer, but the supporters will be hoping he won’t be the last.

Benfica duo Antonio Silva and Tomás Araújo have both been linked with a move to the Blues since the transfer window opened, but both potential moves have gone cold recently.

Now, it looks as though Chelsea are keen on making a move for Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini.

That’s according to Caught Offside who further report that Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen on the youngster, so the Blues won’t have it easy trying to lure him to the Premier League.

The report states that Scalvini could cost up to €60m (£51m), but still only 21, this could be a wonderful long-term signing by Maresca.

Transfer Focus

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

Given the need for high-quality defenders, Scalvini might just turn out to be a better recruit than Nwaneri.

What Giorgio Scalvini could bring to Chelsea

The Atalanta starlet missed the majority of last season due to suffering a cruciate ligament injury, derailing the fine progress he had made during the 2023/24 campaign.

Hailed as a “top talent” by none other than Fabrizio Romano back in 2022, Scalvini enjoyed what was a breakthrough season in Serie A that term.

Defensively, he ranked in the top 4% for interceptions, in the top 16% for aerials won and in the top 22% for tackles per 90 when compared to his peers.

It was going forward that the young centre-back really stood out among his positional peers, however.

Indeed, not only did he rank in the top 16% for shot-creating actions, but the Atalanta defender also ranked in the top 5% for successful take-ons and in the top 11% for touches in the opposition penalty area per 90 in Serie A.

This proves that Maresca wouldn’t just be getting a solid centre-back who is able to command his backline, but one who can shine while going forward, playing in a way that is “so similar to [Declan] Rice” at Arsenal in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson.

The Italian could certainly add something different to his Chelsea defence by making a move for the 21-year-old this summer, no doubt about that.

He might still be raw, but as the statistics suggest, Scalvini has demonstrated his credentials in one of the toughest leagues on the continent.

Signing Nwaneri might inject yet more dynamism into the final third and give the supporters a major jolt, but the more important signing would be that of Scalvini.

“Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles” said Sir Alex Ferguson during his spell at Man United, so prioritising a move for up-and-coming defenders, rather than young attackers, might just turn Maresca’s team into serious challengers for major honours.

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Kieran Tierney is back at Celtic.

On Tuesday, the club officially confirmed Tierney’s return to Parkhead, re-joining on a free transfer, six years after he departed Glasgow initially, heading for Arsenal.

Safe to say, Celtic supporters are excited to see the beloved left-back bedecked in green and white hoops again, but could Brendan Rodgers now land a winger to play in front of the returning hometown hero?

Celtic chasing a new winger

So, with Tierney through the door and the Bhoys chasing more recruits, who’s up next at Paradise?

Transfer Focus

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

Well, according to a report by RMC SPORT, Celtic are ‘back in the race’ to sign Michel-Ange Balikwisha this summer, adding that ‘discussions regarding personal terms’ have already begun.

The Hoops have a long-standing interest in the winger, with Royal Antwerp general manager Sven Jaecques admitting that they had been negotiating with both Celtic and Stade Rennais last summer, only for Balikwisha to suffer an injury that curtailed these talks.

Well, as outlined by Manuel Meza of Sports Illustrated, Balikwisha now has just one year remaining on his contract with Antwerp, hence why the Belgian outfit ‘are looking to cash in’, especially after they failed to qualify for Europe, defeated 2-1 by Royal Charleroi in a Jupiler Pro League play-off at Bosuilstadion last month.

According to Transfermarkt, the 24-year-old is worth around £5m, having been valued at close to double that as recently as December 2023, so could he be on his way to Glasgow?

How Michel-Ange Balikwisha would improve Celtic

A Belgian U21 international, Balikwisha made his professional debut for Standard Liège, before joining Royal Antwerp in 2021, making 141 appearances for the Reds, scoring 29 goals and registering 17 assists.

He was a key figure in the Antwerp side that won the league and Coupe de Belgique double in 2022/23, Antwerp’s first Belgian title since 1957, before scoring against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League the following season.

Balikwisha’s career has been blighted by injuries in more recent times, requiring knee surgery in January 2024, before making just 17 appearances this season due to a torn thigh muscle, albeit he started each of Antwerp’s final 11 fixtures of the campaign.

So, let’s assess his statistics.

Minutes

1,784

99th

Goals

7

17th

Assists

6

9th

Progressive carries

85

10th

Carries into penalty area

34

9th

Shot-creating actions

69

30th

Goal-creating actions

10

13th

Big chances created

6

40th

Key passes per match

1.5

24th

Average SofaScore rating

7.32

14th

As the table shows, Balikwisha generally ranks very highly for all the attacking metrics included, which is very impressive considering that he missed seven matches due to injury during the 2023/24 campaign, as well as the fact that the Jupiler Pro League is the eighth-strongest division in the world, according to Global Football Rankings.

Analyst Ben Mattinson describes him as a “two-footed” left-wing who is certainly “capable of beating a defender” both inside and out, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout believes he operates best as an “inside forward”, praising his “pace, dribbling and finishing” as his main attributes.

Thus, one can certainly envisage Balikwisha and Tierney linking up well together down the Celts’ left-hand side. The Scot was simply sublime in green and white last time, registering as many as 37 assists. Safe to say he was one of the best left-sided players in the whole country.

Now, with the returning hero bombing down the left flank again, as is very much his want, the Belgian would be given the license to cut inside and get shots away.

On paper at least, it sounds like they would form a devastating duo.

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Jun 10, 2025

The morning after the night before. The dust has begun to settle on what was a grim night for Manchester United and Ruben Amorim, having come up short against a stubborn Tottenham Hotspur side in Bilbao.

A brilliant defence performance from the north Londoners, which included an acrobatic goalline clearance from Micky van de Ven to deny Rasmus Hojlund, was enough to keep United at bay, with the Old Trafford side again failing to fire in the final third.

Indeed, Wednesday’s 1-0 loss marked the 16th time this season that the Red Devils have failed to score in a game in all competitions, 15 of which have come amid the club’s dour Premier League campaign.

As was evident at San Mames, there really is a lack of cutting edge when it matters most, with Amorim – should he remain at the helm as expected – needing to find a way to revive and reinvigorate his floundering frontline next term.

Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore

How Man Utd's attacking came up short again

The obvious place to start is, of course, with that man Hojlund, with the 22-year-old on the periphery for large spells of the game, aside from that one rare opening following Guglielmo Vicario’s wayward parry.

While the Dane could have done little more to try and convert that chance, there was a sense that it simply wouldn’t be United’s night when Van de Ven heroically sprung into action, having offered little else in the way of creativity or productivity.

Indeed, the usually influential Bruno Fernandes also chose the wrong time to go off the boil, with the 30-year-old notably losing the ball twice in the build-up to Brennan Johnson’s decisive strike, while registering just three key passes in total, as per Sofascore.

There was none of the usual genius from the Portuguese star, while ahead of him, the initially lively Amad Diallo swiftly went off the boil, having at one stage looked like Amorim’s key threat down the right flank.

The Ivorian speedster did produce a fierce effort that fizzed across the box in the first half, although he was unable to conjure much else after the break, notably losing the ball on 19 occasions, while winning just six of his 16 total duels.

In truth, United’s tactic appeared to be to give the ball to Amad and pray, with little other inspiration provided elsewhere, namely from a certain Mason Mount…

The Man Utd star who will be replaced by Cunha

Despite fading late on, Amad showed enough to prove why he will likely be a key figure for Amorim next term, with the 22-year-old no doubt hoping to nail down that right-sided number ten berth for the long term.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

On the opposite side, it would appear that the club are closing in on the capture of Wolverhampton Wanderers talisman, Matheus Cunha, with the Brazilian expected to sign regardless of United’s failure to secure Champions League qualification.

With 15 goals to his name in the top-flight this season, the former Atletico Madrid man has been earmarked to bolster Amorim’s options in those playmaking berths, having already thrived in that role at Molineux.

On the evidence of Wednesday evening, the 25-year-old could well walk into the side next term at Old Trafford, not least with Mount proving unable to warrant the faith placed in him by his manager.

In Amorim’s defence, there was logic in selecting the Englishman for a game of such magnitude, with the 26-year-old having started in that role for both Chelsea and England in the Champions League and European Championship finals in 2021, respectively.

Equally, the £55m playmaker had also scored a stunning brace to “change the game” against Athletic Club in the semi-final, second-leg – as Amorim noted – while the man he had replaced, Alejandro Garnacho, was guilty of missing a “big opportunity” in that last-four clash.

Mount subsequently got the nod at San Mames, although much like his United career as a whole, it was a largely forgettable outing. There were a few nice twists and turns, particularly prior to his withdrawal, although nothing of substance.

2017 vs Ajax

2021 vs Villarreal

2025 vs Spurs

GK – Sergio Romero

GK – David De Gea

GK – Andre Onana

RB – Antonio Valencia

RB – Aaron Wan-Bissaka

RCB – Leny Yoro

CB – Chris Smalling

CB – Eric Bailly

CB – Harry Maguire

CB – Daley Blind

CB – Victor Lindelof

LCB – Luke Shaw

LB – Matteo Darmian

LB – Luke Shaw

RWB – Noussair Mazraoui

CM – Paul Pogba

CM – Paul Pogba

CM – Casemiro

CM – Ander Herrera

CM – Scott McTominay

CM – Bruno Fernandes (C)

CAM – Marouane Fellaini

CAM – Bruno Fernandes (C)

LWB – Patrick Dorgu

LM – Henrikh Mkhitaryan

LW – Marcus Rashford

RAM – Amad Diallo

RM – Juan Mata

RW – Mason Greenwood

LAM – Mason Mount

ST – Marcus Rashford

ST – Edinson Cavani

ST – Rasmus Hojlund

That is best illustrated by the fact that he recorded just 25 touches in total, three fewer than teammate Andre Onana achieved in the sticks, while also registering just eight passes in total as he remained on the fringes.

In truth, those watching on were merely waiting for the moment that Amorim would throw Garnacho into the fray, with Mount unable to repay the public faith shown to him by the former Sporting CP boss of late.

With just four goals to his name in 45 games for United to date, the ex-Blues star is running out of time to turn things around at the Theatre of Dreams.

The problem is, with an in-form figure like Cunha set to enter the building, he seemingly won’t be afforded the time he needs. Football is a ruthless game, if you don’t take your chances – as Mount did not on Wednesday night – there can be few complaints.

Not just Hojlund: 4/10 dud must now never play for Man Utd again

Man Utd’s grim season ended with a whimper in Bilbao on Wednesday evening

1 ByRobbie Walls May 22, 2025