2025 is likely to be a big year of change at Tottenham Hotspur.

Manager Ange Postecoglou himself admits that the ‘general sentiment’ is that he’ll be sacked, even if Spurs win the Europa League, set to face Bodø/Glimt in the semi-finals, after ousting Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.

So, with the club currently 15th in the Premier League table, Daniel Levy could be searching for a new manager come the summer, while the first-team squad may require a mass rebuild too.

So, do Tottenham lead the chase to sign a highly-rated youngster?

Tottenham's teenaged transfer target

According to a report by Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider, Tottenham Hotspur are one of many top European clubs ‘tracking’ Gambian ‘sensation’ Gibril Sima, with Levy said to be ‘ready to pay big’ get a deal over the line.

Considering the 17-year-old plays for Gambian Dutch Lions FC in his native country, very little is known about him, but Pete O’Rourke describes him as “the next big talent to emerge from Gambia”, adding that both Internazionale and Borussia Dortmund are also interested in securing his signature.

A report by Ebrima KB Sonko of Gambiana praises Sima’s ‘standout performances’, labelling him a ‘highly-rated young talent’, while also noting that he has signed a two-year contract extension with his club, thereby protecting his transfer value.

Transfer Focus

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

So, could he be on his way to North London this summer?

Tottenham's transfer strategy

As outlined by Jay Harris of the Athletic, Tottenham’s transfer strategy last summer was clear; sign young players, as the table below illustrates.

Lucas Bergvall

19

£8.5m

43

Archie Gray

19

£40m

40

Dominic Solanke

27

£65m

38

Wilson Odobert

20

£25m

14

Yang Min-hyeok

18

£3m

Zero

Antonín Kinský

22

£12.5m

8

Kevin Danso

26

£21m*

8

Mathys Tel

19

£60m*

12

*loan with an obligation to buy included

As the table presents, of the eight players Spurs have recruited throughout this season, six are aged 22 or under, with Dominic Solanke the oldest at 27.

This though, is nothing new, and Sima’s potential arrival, coming in from a lower level with very little known about him, is reminiscent of a recent Spurs legend.

Dele Alli signed for Tottenham in January 2015 from Milton Keynes Dons for a reported fee of £5m, still only 18 years old at the time, having made just 88 senior appearances at League One level, scoring 24 goals and providing ten assists for MK.

Well, fair to say this was money well spent, considering Dele would go on to make 269 appearances for Spurs, registering 67 goals and 59 assists, a key member of the Spurs side that regularly finished in the top four and reached a Champions League Final.

Even after his powers began to wane, then-manager José Mourinho described Dele as “very, very important for Tottenham”, having become the youngest Englishman to score 50 Premier League goals, as noted by Charlie Eccleshare, Tom Worville and Jack Pitt-Brooke of the Athletic.

In his prime, Dele was comparable to the best Premier League midfielders of all time, simply now seeking to resurrect his career in Italy, having joined Serie A side Como in January.

Nevertheless, Dele proves that a club can find a gem in the transfer market at a low fee and turn them into a star; given that Tottenham might not be in European competition next season, this has to be the strategy, and Sima seemingly fits the bill.

As another young rising star – having even earned comparisons to Arsenal icon Thierry Henry, as per O’Rourke – it certainly bodes well for the impact that the Gambian make, should he be plucked from obscurity.

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ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 18, 2025

Aston Villa had an ideal chance to reach their first FA Cup final in a decade at the weekend. With Crystal Palace standing in the way, Unai Emery’s men let the occasion overawe them as the club slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Wembley.

Having been knocked out of the Champions League by PSG just 11 days prior, the FA Cup represented the last chance for the club to end a near 30-year wait for a major trophy.

Despite the result, Emery must gather his men for the crunch tie against Fulham this afternoon. A win is a must if the Midlands side wants to play in Europe’s premier club competition next term.

The Spaniard will certainly be making a change or two, especially in his attacking department…

Why Ollie Watkins should be dropped for Aston Villa

Ollie Watkins started the semi-final against Palace, yet delivered one of his poorest performances in a Villa shirt.

In a game of such high magnitude, the striker completed only eight passes throughout the match and lost possession seven times.

He failed to even register a single shot against the Eagles, while also failing with both his dribble attempts and winning just one of his seven duels.

Ollie Watkins’ Premier League statistics this season

Goals

15

Assists

7

Goal conversion percentage

19%

Shots per game

2.3

Big chances created

6

Big chances missed

24

Via Sofascore

It was a performance that the Englishman will be keen to forget, that’s for sure. Marcus Rashford looks certain to miss the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury, otherwise, he may well have started against Palace.

This leaves the door ajar for another January signing to be unleashed against the Cottagers today – Donyell Malen.

The Aston Villa star who could replace Watkins

It’s safe to say that Malen hasn’t quite enjoyed the start to life many expected of him after his £20m move from Borussia Dortmund in the winter transfer window.

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Indeed, across 14 games for the club, he has started just three times, scoring three goals in the process.

He might not start often, but Malen has recorded a goal conversion percentage of 25%, showcasing his finishing abilities.

Furthermore, he averages 1.1 shots per game as well as scoring once every 96 minutes. Perhaps he offers more coming off the bench against tired legs, but with Watkins performing so poorly last week, it is now time for Malen to shine.

When compared to peers across Europe’s big five leagues, the Dutchman ranks in the top 11% for touches inside the opposition penalty area (6.44) and in the top 1% for non-penalty goals (0.71) per 90 over the previous 365 days.

This suggests Emery must not have any reservations about unleashing him in the starting XI, that’s for sure.

Dubbed “very dangerous” and “extremely fast” by his former teammate, Mario Götze, the former Dortmund man has plenty to offer Villa over the next few weeks.

Having scored three Premier League goals since the start of April, another one or two this afternoon would help Villa get over the FA Cup disappointment and spearhead their charge towards a top-five finish.

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Posts ByBrett Worthington May 1, 2025

Glasgow Rangers already know that they will finish the Scottish Premiership season in second place after their city rivals won the title at the end of last month.

The Light Blues held Celtic to a 1-1 draw at Ibrox on Sunday in a game that was meaningless in terms of the league table, but still meant a lot to the fans who saw their team put in a spirited display to avoid a defeat.

Rangers will want to put up more of a fight overall in the Premiership next season, though, as they bid to avoid finishing second for the fifth year in succession.

Appointing the right manager to lead the club forward is pivotal, and it does not look like Barry Ferguson will be that man, as the team are currently on a winless run of six matches under his management.

The Light Blues have been linked with external appointments to replace the Scottish boss, who is currently in interim charge after Philippe Clement was sacked earlier this year.

Gerrard lined up for Rangers return

It was recently reported by Football Insider that the English manager is the ‘favourite’ to return to Ibrox to replace Ferguson in the dugout this summer.

The outlet revealed that he is currently the leading candidate to take the job ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, as the 49ers and Kevin Thelwell look to find the club’s new head coach.

It was claimed that Gerrard is at the top of the club’s shortlist of managerial options to come in, ahead of former RB Leipzig tactician Marco Rose.

Of course, it would be the iconic former Liverpool midfielder’s second stint at Ibrox, having left the Glasgow giants to manage Aston Villa in 2021, after he had joined the Light Blues from working in academy football at Anfield down south.

Matches

38

12

Wins

32

8

Draws

6

3

Defeats

0

1

Points

102

27

Points per game

2.68

2.25

League position

1st

1st

As you can see in the table above, Gerrard’s last 50 matches in charge of Rangers in the Premiership were nothing short of extraordinary, with just one defeat and 40 wins, including an unbeaten title-winning campaign in the 2020/21 season.

The Gers boss had some terrific players to work with during that period in the club’s history. One of the key players in that title success was, for example, central midfield star Glen Kamara, who provided a metronomic presence in the middle of the park.

Why Glen Kamara was important for Steven Gerrard

The impressive central midfielder, who signed for Gerrard’s side in January 2019 from Dundee, played a pivotal role in midfield in the 2020/21 campaign.

Kamara played 33 of the 38 league matches, starting 29 of those games, and provided quality in and out of possession for the English tactician in his 4-3-3 system.

The Finnish star only scored one goal in the Premiership that term, as shown in the clip above, but he contributed in other ways with his brilliant midfield performances.

Kamara utilised his physicality, mobility, and technical quality to dominate the middle of the park by winning his duels and being incredibly reliable with the ball at his feet in the Premiership.

Appearances

33

Goals

1

Assists

1

Pass accuracy

91%

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.0

Ground duel success rate

59%

Aerial duel success rate

57%

As you can see in the table above, the Finland international won the majority of his battles on the ground and in the air, whilst rarely giving the ball away with his passes.

These statistics illustrate how important Kamara was to Gerrard’s side because he could combine technical quality with physical robustness to provide balance in midfield for the Light Blues.

Now, Rangers have a promising young talent on their hands who could develop into being Gerrard’s new version of Kamara, if the Gers appoint the English head coach for a second time, in the form of Bailey Rice.

Why Bailey Rice could be the new Glen Kamara

Like the Finnish ace, the 18-year-old midfielder is a player who has the potential to provide technical quality in possession with strong defensive qualities in the middle of the park.

Of course, Rice is not the finished article and should not be expected to be, at the age of 18, and is a starlet who could develop and improve under Gerrard’s management, with a view to him becoming a star further down the line.

The teenage dynamo has played 12 times for the first-team so far in his young career, and nine of those games have been in the current campaign.

In those matches, Rice has shown glimpses of the kind of quality he could consistently provide in the future if his development continues on the right track, and he is given enough opportunities by managers moving forward.

The Rangers starlet did enough to leave TNT Sport pundit and Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand in awe against the Red Devils in the Europa League earlier this term, as the former England international hailed his “wonderful” pass and how “composed” the midfielder was, whilst admitting that he liked the look of the youngster.

Rice won 75% of his aerial duels and created one ‘big chance’ for his team in his three appearances in Europe this term, whilst he has also shown glimpses of quality in the Premiership.

Appearances

4

Starts

1

Pass accuracy

80%

Long pass accuracy

67%

Duels won per 90

5.93

Duel success rate

60%

Aerial duel success rate

70%

As you can see in the table above, the Light Blues teenager has showcased his defensive ability for the Gers by winning the majority of his physical battles, despite being just 18, and almost won six duels per 90.

Analyst John Walker claimed that one of Rice’s qualities is his “aggressive nature to break lines with forward passes”, but his 80% pass accuracy suggests that there is still work to be done to translate that to first-team level effectively.

Therefore, the qualities are all there for the young midfielder to develop into a star who can play in a similar way to how Kamara did for Gerrard in the 2020/21 campaign, due to his ability in and out of possession.

If Gerrard is the next Rangers manager, the former England international, who played in midfield in his playing career, could work with Rice on the training pitch to turn him into his next version of Kamara at Ibrox in the years to come.

Bad news for Dessers: 4-3-3 boss becomes leading candidate for Rangers job

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ByDan Emery May 5, 2025

Nicolas Jackson is becoming a hot topic again at Chelsea, having returned recently from injury after missing five Premier League games due to injury.

Whilst the 23-year-old has scored nine times this season, also providing five assists, he is now without a goal in his last 11 Premier League games, last netting against Brentford in December.

Enzo Maresca has made it clear he is a fan of Jackson and his contribution to the team, making relentless runs in behind, pressing from the front and putting in those extra yards.

However, his lack of goals, paired with the likes of Cole Palmer’s drop in form, has seen Chelsea struggle to find the back of the net in recent months.

It seems almost inevitable Chelsea will sign a striker in the summer as they look to provide Maresca with another centre-forward to compete with Jackson. There is one man in particular who is dominating the links in the media as of late.

The latest on Chelsea's interest in Liam Delap

Liam Delap is being heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, with Manchester United also said to be in the running for the 21-year-old Ipswich Town striker.

The latest on any prospective move is that the Blues have reportedly held talks with Ipswich regarding a possible summer move.

The English forward has made 31 appearances this season in the Premier League, scoring 12 goals and providing two assists.

The 6 foot 1 forward is built perfectly for the Premier League, having the physical capacity to bully defenders with his broad build, whilst having the technical quality to match, having joined the Manchester City academy in 2019 after coming through at Derby.

Goals

0.45

0.42

Assists

0.07

0.23

xG

0.35

0.56

Progressive Carries

2.23

1.99

Progressive Passes

1.15

1.48

Shots Total

2.25

3.33

Goals/Shot

0.17

0.13

G-xG

+0.12

-0.14

Shot-Creating Actions

2.31

3.06

Aerial Duels Won

1.92

0.79

When comparing Delap’s underlying metrics to Jackson’s, you can see how their two profiles differ, with the former offering a higher level of clinical finishing and box presence, winning 1.92 aerial duels per 90.

Both players have the ability to progress via their carrying quality and run the channels, but Jackson has shown a higher level to link and provide for his teammates so far, making more progressive passes and creating more shots.

However, rather than splashing the cash, perhaps Maresca could look towards Cobham to unleash their own Delap.

Chelsea's Cobham "jewel"

Looking back down the ranks at Chelsea and you will quickly notice a cracking young striker coming through the academy by the name of Shumaira Mhueka, often shortened to “Shim”.

Mheuka came over from Brighton’s academy in 2022, spending two years at Cobham before making his first senior breakthrough this season.

The 17-year-old possesses an innate ability to create his own shooting angles, having excellent agility and ball manipulation in and around the box. He has the ball-striking qualities to match and is already showing signs of utilising his body mass to protect the ball and unsettle defenders.

Mheuka has been described as “Cobham’s finest” by Jacek Kulig, who also labelled the young striker an “amazing talent” and it’s clear to see why.

The teenager has made 16 appearances for the U21 side in Premier League 2 this season, scoring four goals and providing two assists. In total he has scored ten goals in 21 appearances at youth level throughout 2024/25.

Last term he was on fire, however, bagging ten in 17 fixtures. His form in the youth ranks has already earned Mheuka four senior appearances, racking up 73 minutes across those four games.

Given the chance, Mheuka could prove to be the striker Chelsea need in years to come, saving the club a lot of money and fixing their goal-scoring woes all in one go. How long that takes and which development path is taken is another story.

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ByDan Emery Apr 14, 2025

As Graham Potter looks towards the summer transfer window to turn the early days of his tenure around, West Ham United have reportedly joined the race to sign a £47m defender who kept Erling Haaland quiet this season.

Potter's West Ham struggles continue

From Julen Lopetegui’s disappointing few months to Potter’s current struggles, it has been a season to forget for the Hammers. When they decided to part ways with the Spaniard, there would have been plenty of hope that Potter, in his first return to management since leaving Chelsea, had the ability to get the true potential out of an impressive side on paper. That has so far proved anything but the case, however.

Graham Potter at West Ham

Record (via Transfermarkt)

Games

15

Wins

3

Draws

8

Defeats

4

Whilst West Ham have had their injury struggles and January arrivals such as Evan Ferguson haven’t quite worked out, three wins in 15 games is a fairly inexcusable record for Potter and one that he simply must turn around next season.

After summer signing Niclas Fullkrug failed to hold back his criticism of his own side recently, Potter issued a critical response of his own, telling reporters: “I think he [Fullkrug] wears his heart on his sleeve.

“I would disagree with him in some things and agree with him in others. But he’s entitled to his opinion. As a senior player, we’ve had lots of honest conversations. And I think for me it’s better to have the conversations in private, not in public.”

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As problems continue to arise, the former Brighton & Hove Albion desperately needs to mark his own stamp on his side in his first summer in charge and desperately needs to instil his style on a struggling squad at long last.

West Ham battling to sign Yann Bisseck

Already turning their attention towards the summer transfer window, those at the London Stadium have reportedly set their sights on a Champions League semi-finalist. According to Caught Offside, West Ham are now battling Manchester United to sign Yann Bisseck from Inter Milan, who will allow their defender to leave for around €55m (£47m) this summer.

The 24-year-old recently started for the Italian giants against Barcelona in a thrilling affair which ended in a 3-3 draw to make next week’s clash at the San Siro all the more important. It was earlier on in Inter Milan’s European journey that Bisseck truly impressed, though, as he helped to keep Manchester City’s Erling Haaland quiet in a 0-0 draw.

By the end of the 90, Haaland had been limited to just 0.33 expected goals, two touches in the Inter Milan box and just 14 touches overall. Bisseck, meanwhile, came away with four recoveries, a ground duel success rate of 75% and was not dribbled past once, as per Fotmob. If there were any doubts that he could perform on the big stage, they were put to bed that night, as he simply outmuscled the Norwegian superstar.

Dubbed “commanding” by analyst Ben Mattinson for performances like that one, Bisseck is exactly the type of player who could spearhead Potter’s West Ham turnaround this summer.

Chelsea already have one foot in the Europa Conference League final after a convincing 4-1 victory over Swedish outfit Djurgarden away from home last night.

Goals from Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke and a double from substitute Nicolas Jackson secured the victory for the Blues, handing them a three-goal lead ahead of next week’s return leg.

Youngster Isak Alemayehu Mulugeta registered a late consolation goal for the hosts, with Enzo Maresca’s side having the advantage after a dominant showing.

The Italian could claim his first title come the end of the season with the Conference League, potentially coming up against Real Betis or Fiorentina in the final should they reach it.

Numerous players managed to impress during the victory in Sweden, potentially handing the manager a selection headache ahead of the second leg next Thursday at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s star performers against Djurgarden

Enzo Fernández started the game at the heart of the Chelsea midfield, once again performing to the high standards he’s set for himself, registering two assists within the first 45 minutes.

The Argentine completed 88% of the passes he attempted, three of which were into the final third, aiding Sancho and Madueke – subsequently allowing them to find the back of the net.

He wasn’t the only first-team player to star throughout the triumph, as centre-back Tosin impressed at the heart of the defence, registering a staggering 111 touches and two tackles won – the most of any player.

The 27-year-old also managed to complete 102 passes and 100% of the dribbles he attempted, having a huge impact with and without the ball at his feet against the Allsvenskan opposition.

The Europa Conference League has been a superb competition for various Blues players to stake their claim to Maresca, with multiple other players doing just that in the win last night.

The Chelsea star who’s rapidly becoming a bigger star than George

Academy graduate Tyrique George has integrated into a first-team player at Chelsea this season, taking full advantage of the opportunities that have been handed his way.

After scoring against Fulham in the Premier League nearly two weeks ago, the 19-year-old was handed a start at the top end of the pitch in the semi-final, but was unable to produce his best display.

George featured for 88 minutes of the contest, only managing 30 touches and 13 passes, unable to make a huge impact on proceedings despite the four-goal showing.

He only managed two efforts on goal, neither of which were on target, unable to take full advantage of the opportunity handed to him by Maresca to start in the final third.

However, the same can’t be said for right-back Josh Acheampong, who had an evening to remember, certainly giving the manager something to think about going forward.

The 18-year-old was handed just his sixth start of 2025, but produced a showing way beyond his tender years, playing a vital role in their victory last night.

He registered a total of 109 touches, completing 86 passes at a completion rate of 98% – thriving with the ball at his feet, looking composed despite coming under constant pressure.

Minutes played

90

Touches

109

Passes completed

86/88 (98%)

Duels won

5

Fouls won

3

Tackles won

1

Dribbles completed

1

The teenager also managed to win five duels – the most of any player on the pitch – along with three fouls won, often being a nuisance to the Swedish opposition.

As a result of his showing, Acheampong was handed a 7/10 match rating by Goal’s Richie Mills, showcasing how impressive he was during the win away from home.

After such a showing, Maresca now has a huge decision to make over his future between now and the end of the season, with the teenager more than deserving of a consistent run in the side.

There’s no denying that George ultimately failed to take his chance, with more hype needing to be directed towards Acheampong, who could save the Blues millions in the years ahead.

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ByEthan Lamb May 1, 2025

Celtic turn their attention away from the Scottish Premiership this weekend as they prepare to take on St. Johnstone in the semi-finals of the SFA Cup on Sunday.

The Hoops are hoping to win the SFA Cup in order to complete a domestic treble for the second time in the last three seasons, after Ange Postecoglou did so in the 2022/23 campaign, as they have already won the League Cup.

Brendan Rodgers is aiming for a perfect domestic campaign despite losing Matt O’Riley to Brighton & Hove Albion last summer and Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes in January.

The Scottish giants sold their Japanese forward to the French side for a reported fee of £10m earlier this year, but they also managed to bring Jota back to Parkhead in return.

Celtic reportedly paid a fee of £8m to sign the Portuguese winger, 18 months on from selling him to Al Ittihad for £25m, which essentially meant that the club received Jota and £2m from Rennes, in a roundabout way, for Kyogo.

There may not be too many complaints about the way that things turned out for the Hoops in that window, because the forward has hit the ground running in his second spell at Parkhead.

Why Jota has been a good signing for Celtic

The former Benfica whiz had big expectations on his shoulders upon his arrival in Glasgow in the January transfer window, due to what he had produced in his two seasons under Ange Postecoglou.

As you can see in the graphic above, Jota delivered consistent quality at the top end of the pitch in those two Premiership seasons under the Australian head coach, with 21 goals and 21 assists.

This meant that it was a reasonable expectation for Jota to come in and immediately bolster the squad with instant performances on the pitch when he arrived in January, and the forward has met those expectations.

24/25 Premiership	Jota
Appearances (starts)	10 (6)
Goals	4
Big chances missed	1
Big chances created	3
Assists	2
Dribbles completed	10
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Portuguese starlet has already contributed with seven goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in six Premiership starts this year.

This shows that he has provided the instant impact that was expected of him, and rightly so, given his proven quality at that level, which is why he has been an excellent signing for the Hoops.

It was a terrific opportunity for all parties involved to bring Jota back to a club where he knows he can be a star player, and the forward will hopefully continue to impress in the final third in the months and years to come in Glasgow.

Despite all of this, Celtic are now being linked with an interest in a young talent who could go on to become even better than the Portuguese sensation at Parkhead.

The latest on Celtic's interest in Premier League starlet

According to Football Insider, the Scottish giants are one of a number of clubs chasing a deal to sign Crystal Palace youngster Jesse Derry in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that both Celtic and Rangers are interested in a swoop for the 17-year-old attacker, and that teams across Europe have also made contact with the player about a possible move this summer.

It states that teams have become aware of his potential availability after the England youth international turned down a professional contract to remain at Selhurst Park.

Football Insider adds that PSG, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Atletico Madrid have all sent scouts to watch him in action, whilst there are also Premier League teams looking at the teen sensation.

Transfer Focus

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

The outlet reveals that Derry would be open to moving abroad, whether that is to one of those European sides or to Scotland, but it remains to be seen where he will end up next season.

There looks set to be plenty of competition for the 17-year-old talent’s signature this summer, and Celtic must push to win the race for his services, because he could become even better than Jota.

Why Jesse Derry could become even better than Jota

The current Hoops forward came up through the Benfica academy with a return of nine goals and eight assists in 47 matches for the B team, and four goals and eight assists in 17 games in the Youth League.

This shows that the Portuguese dynamo enjoyed an impressive, but not completely outstanding, career at youth level before coming to Scotland to shine under Postecoglou with roughly ten goals and ten assists per season in the Premiership.

Derry, son of former Palace and QPR defender Shaun, has shown incredible promise at youth level for Palace in recent years, to the point where he looks like an even better prospect than Jota did at Benfica.

Per Football Insider, the teenage ace has scored 20 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions for the Eagles at youth level in the current campaign, including nine goals in eight U18 Premier League matches.

As you can see in the clip of one of those 20 goals above, Derry is similar in style to Jota as a left-winger who likes to cut in on his right foot to find the far corner.

The Palace youngster, who U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed has been “tearing things up” at youth level, also scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 17 matches in the 2023/24 campaign.

This means that the England U19 international has scored 31 goals in 44 games for Palace since the start of last season, which is a far superior youth record in comparison to what Jota did with Benfica’s academy before his move to Celtic, whilst playing in the same position.

This, therefore, suggests that the potential is there for Derry, who is reportedly being looked at by some of Europe’s biggest clubs, to become even better than Jota on the left wing by providing an incredible goalscoring threat by cutting in on his right foot.

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That is why Celtic must push to sign the teenage starlet in the summer because he could be an exceptional long-term addition to the squad, as a winger with the qualities to emerge as a first-team star in the future if he can translate his academy form over to senior football to be even better than Jota.

Jurgen Klopp’s decision to leave Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 season pulled cascades of tears from many of a Liverpool persuasion.

But, in a documentary chronicling the German’s last hurrah at the helm, he issued a sharp closing statement that proved to presage Arne Slot’s incredible Premier League triumph.

“They will be fine, or maybe even more.” Maybe Klopp knew that he was doing something drastic when stepping down, something that would create not ripples but waves across Merseyside and beyond. Rivals tittered, and why not?

After Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger left their respective long-held posts, both Manchester United and Arsenal fell by the wayside. Surely the same would be true for Liverpool, whose resurgence was crafted almost single-handedly by Klopp’s brilliance?

It hasn’t proved to be true. Liverpool have equalled the Red Devils’ 20-time title-winning record as they consolidate their position as England’s most successful club.

Slot replaced Klopp and Liverpool went up a level. The fact that transfer investment has been so minimal over the past 20 months bears testament to FSG’s model, but fresh faces are now required to defend their crown and challenge down other lanes.

Liverpool's budding search for a striker

After Liverpool failed in their bid to sign Martin Zubimendi last summer, FSG made the bold decision to cease efforts to add a player to Slot’s midfield. This was met with dismay from some circles of the fanbase, but it paved the way for Ryan Gravenberch to make his name.

Instead of redoubling their efforts, Liverpool turned toward the frontline and signed Federico Chiesa for a cut-price £12.5m fee. The injury-prone Italian hasn’t started a Premier League game and he’s the only arrival of the Slot era so far.

Chiesa has been linked with a move back to Italy after his disappointing term, while the under-fire Diogo Jota could also leave.

Liverpool need forwards. Darwin Nunez is also expected to depart at the end of the season and Alexander Isak has been listed as the perfect signing to front Slot’s project.

He’s so far ahead of Nunez that it’s clear to see why Liverpool are keen. Salah, soon to be 33, will need some assistance next year, after all.

Matches (starts)

31 (31)

26 (8)

Goals

22

5

Assists

6

2

Shots (on target)*

2.9 (1.3)

1.2 (0.5)

Big chances missed

18

6

Pass completion

76%

71%

Big chances created

11

3

Dribbles*

1.4

0.3

Duels won*

3.0

2.2

While Nunez has featured infrequently from the starting whistle this season, it’s clear to see the disparity in quality between him and Isak, one of the best in the business.

If Liverpool can bag the Sweden striker, they could leap even higher next year, but with Chiesa’s future uncertain and Jota’s too, FSG look ready to invest in another attacking player who could prove perfect for the Anfield side.

Transfer Focus

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

Liverpool ready to bid for new forward

Liverpool are interested in signing West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen this summer, with Caught Offside revealing that the Merseysiders are considering submitting an offer in the coming months.

Though Bowen is the centrepiece of Graham Potter’s plans, West Ham have fallen by the wayside following David Moyes’ departure last summer, languishing in 17th place in the Premier League.

The 28-year-old, who can play off the right in a central striking berth, wouldn’t come cheap, with the east Londoners set to face bids of €60m (£51m) for the England international.

It won’t be a one-horse race either with Tottenham Hotspur also said to be keen.

Why Jarrod Bowen could be a fantastic signing

West Ham’s talisman over the past five years, Bowen has been synonymous with the club’s rise into European competition and, indeed, glory, scoring the winning goal to seal the Conference League title in 2022/23.

Regarded as a “club legend” by his former Irons teammate Declan Rice, Bowen has paid his dues at the London Stadium but is sure to be disgruntled by the club’s regression this season, and Liverpool present an attractive package for sure.

If he were to join an already deep and devastating frontline that may yet add a number nine of Isak’s ilk, it’s got to be a no-brainer for the £150k-per-week talent, whose leadership and experience would be exactly what the Reds need to compete across multiple fronts.

Bowen might be regarded as something of a natural goalscorer, but he’s far more dynamic than that, ranking among the top 8% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.

This could see him serve well in Salah’s stead when rotation is needed, providing the clinical Isak with a flowing stream of creative support that has been proven in its consistency over the past years at West Ham.

24/25

30 (30)

9

9

23/24

34 (34)

16

6

22/23

38 (36)

6

6

21/22

36 (34)

12

12

20/21

38 (35)

8

5

19/20

13 (11)

1

4

Such a consistent and balanced attacking player would be perfect for Liverpool’s system. It’s not likely he would start all the time, with Salah nailed down on the right wing, but Bowen has ample experience at centre-forward too and could finally play in the Champions League with a move to Merseyside.

He’s certainly got the ability to do so. In fact, Bowen was remarked in the past to have joined the “Salah club” by talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino, owing to his skill in swerving inwards and curling unstoppable strikes into the back of the net.

He’s cut from the same cloth as the Egyptian King. Of course, Bowen isn’t on Salah’s level, but he shares similar base properties that Slot could make excellent use of.

If a striker such as Isak is brought in, a dynamic partnership really could be forged over the coming years, with the Newcastle man not just a goalscorer either, actually hailed as “a better all-round centre-forward” than Erling Haaland by pundit Ally McCoist.

Fruits could grow from such a dynamic duo, completing Liverpool’s frontline and filling in the gaps which prevented Slot from winning multiple pieces of silverware this season.

Still, bagging the Premier League in your first year is nothing to be sniffed at.

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ByMatt Dawson Apr 27, 2025

After such a dismal season in 2024/25, Manchester United have a huge opportunity to end the campaign on a high with the Europa League final on the horizon.

Ruben Amorim’s men face Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao on Wednesday night, looking to claim his first trophy in charge and secure a place in the Champions League next year.

Such an achievement could be vital in their pursuit of landing new talent this summer, with the manager already targeting new additions to help revitalise his current squad.

Qualifying for the biggest club competition in Europe could hand the Red Devils a boost of offering top-level talents an exciting project despite their lowly Premier League standing.

With the summer window rapidly approaching, work has already been done behind the scenes to hand Amorim with the tools needed to be a success at Old Trafford.

The latest on United’s pursuit of new talents this summer

Matheus Cunha appears to be edging ever closer to completing a switch to join United this summer, with the deal entering its final stages, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 25-year-old has already accepted a proposal to move to Old Trafford this summer, with the hierarchy ready to trigger his £62.5m release clause in four instalments.

However, he could be joined at the Theatre of Dreams by one of his compatriots, with Atalanta’s Ederson the latest player on their radar, according to reports in Italy.

They claim that the Red Devils have been in contact with a move to land the Serie A star, currently having the advantage over Manchester City and Juventus in the race for his signature.

The journalist also confirmed that the 25-year-old would cost a fee in the region of £50m this summer, but that the hierarchy are set to enter negotiations after the Europa League final.

Why United’s £50m target could be Amorim’s own Pogba

Paul Pogba still holds the club-record for the highest fee paid for a player, costing £89m from Juventus back in the summer of 2016, just a couple of years after departing on a free transfer.

The Frenchman made over 200 appearances during his second spell at Old Trafford, helping them win the Europa League – something which Amorim could hope to replicate this week.

The midfielder caught the eye in his box-to-box role for the Red Devils, often producing a moment of magic with the ball at his feet, resulting in countless excellent strikes in the North West.

Despite leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, his spell at the club was a success, potentially replicating such a deal with a move for Ederson in the coming months.

The Atalanta star could follow in Pogba’s footsteps by completing a switch from an Italian outfit, also possessing a similar skillset, which could make him a key component in Amorim’s overhaul at the club.

When comparing his stats to those of Pogba’s from his first year at United, the Brazilian has managed to star at both ends of the pitch, making him a superb option as a box-to-box in the manager’s 3-4-2-1 system.

Ederson, who’s been labelled “monster” by The Mirror’s Ryan Taylor, has achieved a higher pass completion rate, handing other players at Old Trafford the chance to improve their own tallies.

Games played

36

30

Goals & assists

5

9

Shot-on-target accuracy

31%

23%

Goals per shot-on-target

0.4

0.3

Pass accuracy

86%

83%

Tackles won

1.6

1.3

Interceptions made

1.2

0.8

Despite registering fewer combined goals and assists, the Brazilian has notched a higher shot-on-target rate along with a better goal-per-shot-on-target rate – highlighting the clinical edge he possesses in attacking areas.

He’s also won more tackles per 90 and completed more interceptions, offering Amorim the added defensive cover he needs within the midfield department at Old Trafford.

£50m may seem to be another hefty investment from the hierarchy this summer, but it’s one that would drastically improve the options currently at Amorim’s disposal.

Should he manage to reach similar levels to those produced by Pogba, it would be an excellent pickup, potentially playing a key role in any success down the line under the current management team.

Man Utd flop who should be "fourth choice" has been even worse than Onana

This Manchester United flop has been an even worse signing than Andre Onana.

ByDan Emery May 20, 2025

After crashing out of the Champions League on Wednesday night, it looked like Arsenal were set to end the week with a humbling at the hands of Liverpool at half-time on Sunday afternoon.

Fortunately, Mikel Arteta’s team talk seemed to do the trick, and his side came out, fought back to parity and ensured the travelling fans at least had something to celebrate.

While a fair few of the Gunners’ starters put in a good showing in the second 45, Gabriel Martinelli was the most impressive, and thanks to his goal and general centre-forward play, he was awarded the man of the match award.

However, even though the 23-year-old looked bright, his time in the starting lineup could be coming to an end, as recent reports have linked the club with another Premier League star who’d be a significant upgrade on the Brazilian.

Arsenal's winger search

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other wide players who have been linked with moves to Arsenal this summer, such as Nico Williams and Rodrygo.

Transfer Focus

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

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The former is set to be available for just £48m thanks to a release clause in his contract, and, just like last year, has enjoyed a stellar campaign in which he’s scored 11 goals and provided seven assists in 44 games.

Likewise, Rodrygo has been relatively effective for Real Madrid this season, scoring 13 goals and providing ten assists in 50 appearances, although with a reported price tag of £85m, he might be a little out of range if Andrea Berta and Co also plan to invest heavily in a striker.

Moreover, the Gunners might want a Premier League-proven winger to come in and bolster the team, which is where Antoine Semenyo comes in.

According to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal have maintained their interest in the Bournemouth star.

In fact, the report goes a step further, revealing that due to growing problems in the North Londoners’ attack, their pursuit of the 25-year-old, who is valued at €50m – £42m – has now gained momentum.

While he might not be the big name some fans are after, Semenyo is a sensational footballer and one Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign, even if his arrival could spell trouble for Martinelli.

How Semenyo compares to Martinelli

Now, one of the really significant advantages of signing Semenyo is that, thanks to him being so strong with both feet, he’s able to play in a multitude of positions on both sides of the pitch.

However, while this would certainly allow Arteta to rest Bukayo Saka more often, there is no way that the Bournemouth star would replace the Englishman on the right on a permanent basis.

Therefore, to get regular game time, the Ghanaian international would have to start on the left, putting him in direct competition with Martinelli, but how do the pair stack up against one another?

Well, when it comes to the most important metric of all, raw output, it’s the Cherries ace who comes out ahead.

For example, in 40 appearances this season, totalling 3382 minutes, he’s scored 11 goals and provided seven assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.22 games, or every 187.88 minutes.

In contrast, the former Ituano gem has scored ten goals and provided six assists in 49 appearances, totalling 3403 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.06 games or every 212.68 minutes.

Unfortunately for the Gunners’ ace, the one-sided nature of this comparison only continues when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

Semenyo vs Martinelli

Statistics

Semenyo

Martinelli

Non-Penalty G+As

0.43

0.40

Progressive Passes

3.18

1.88

Progressive Carries

4.08

4.71

Shots

3.60

2.07

Shots on Target

1.15

0.93

Passing Accuracy

73.1%

71.0%

Shot-Creating Actions

3.78

2.82

Goal-Creating Actions

0.39

0.23

Tackles Won

0.99

0.53

Successful Take-Ons

1.99

1.53

Ball Recoveries

4.52

3.15

Aerial Duels Won

1.85

0.65

All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 Season

For example, in almost every relevant metric, the “unplayable” 25-year-old, as dubbed by journalist Ed Aarons, comes out top; metrics such as non-penalty goals plus assists, progressive passes, passing accuracy, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, aerial duels won, tackles won and more, all per 90.

Ultimately, while Martinelli could certainly still be an incredibly valuable squad player next season, it’s evident that Semenyo is the superior winger in practically every way. Therefore, Arsenal should do what they can to sign him this summer.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes May 12, 2025