Shifting their focus towards the summer transfer window, Chelsea are now reportedly in pole position to sign a Bundesliga talent worth £37m as they look to reinforce Enzo Maresca’s frontline once again.
Chelsea transfer news
The wheels are threatening to fall off of Chelsea’s season, which initially saw them get off to an excellent start under new manager Maresca. Defeat over Southampton was not enough to get their place back in the top four and as Manchester City look to avoid a nightmare of their own in a campaign to forget, the Blues could face an uphill battle.
Failure to qualify for the Champions League doesn’t look set to change Todd Boehly’s spending habits, however, with the transfer rumours already coming thick and fast at Stamford Bridge.
The likes of Dean Huijsen have been among those linked with a move to the London giants in recent days and it must be said that the defender would be making a deserved move. Following an excellent debut season at Bournemouth, the centre-back looks destined for great things with or without Chelsea this summer.
Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen
He’s not the only one on the Blues’ radar though. According to Caught Offside, Chelsea are now leading the race to sign Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
Not satisfied with the arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto last summer, the Blues are seemingly in the market for another winger to add to a list of attacking options already filled to the brim with recent arrivals.
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Like Neto and others, Adeyemi wouldn’t come cheap. The Dortmund star has reportedly been valued at as much as €45m (£37m) by the German club as he sets his sights on the Premier League. Alas, money is rarely an obstacle for Chelsea, which could see them add yet another winger to Maresca’s side this summer.
Adeyemi would face same struggles as Neto and Sancho
If Chelsea are to sign another winger, then they simply cannot pursue mediocrity yet again. Whoever arrives must have a Cole Palmer-like impact and represent an instant upgrade on the likes of Neto and Sancho. Adeyemi, as harsh as it is, simply does not tick that box. In fact, the stats suggest that the 23-year-old would only face similar struggles to those before him in West London.
Starts
9
14
14
Goals
2
3
2
Assists
3
4
4
Key Passes
15
27
26
Adeyemi’s struggles in front of goal come as quite the shock given how he looked likely to kick on at the beginning of the campaign, earning praise from Jacek Kulig for a “superb” week on U21 international duty in November.
Since then though, the German has only edged closer to the exit door at Dortmund and has failed to become the threat that they’ve so desperately needed at times. With just nine Bundesliga starts to his name too, it’s becoming clear that he should move on this summer.
Whilst the injury crisis at Tottenham Hotspur this season has derailed their European chances, it has allowed numerous players to stake their claim for a regular starting role.
Djed Spence is one player who’s forced himself into Ange Postecoglou’s plans, forcing himself into the starting eleven, starring with regular minutes in the first team after previously being left in the dark.
The full-back has made 15 appearances in the Premier League to date, even being nominated for February’s Player of the Month – an indication of how impressive he’s been in recent weeks.
Tottenham star Djed Spence
It’s been a welcome surprise for the supporters, undoubtedly being the shining light in what has been a dismal period on the pitch, which has seen the Lilywhites drop to the bottom half of the table.
Such an emergence from Spence could potentially spell the end of one player’s time in North London, with Daniel Levy and Co potentially needing to offload the star in the summer should one side come knocking again.
Pedro Porro’s stats for Spurs in 2024/25
Right-back Pedro Porro has been a player who’s been inconsistent throughout 2024/25, struggling to live up to the expectations placed on him after his £39m move in 2023.
The Spaniard has been Postecoglou’s first choice on the right side of the backline but has failed to deliver in recent weeks – as seen in the draw against Bournemouth, misplacing his pass and being caught out of position for the opener.
However, despite his recent form, he’s previously been touted with a move to Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants previously interested in his services over the last couple of months.
The 25-year-old has been dribbled past 1.1 times per 90 in the Premier League this campaign, with his attacking nature often restricting him in defensive areas.
Given the emergence of Spence this season, the club could be tempted to cash in, potentially joining another player out of the exit door in North London.
Not just Porro:
After such a crisis, there’s no denying that additions are needed in the summer to prevent such a situation from happening again and offer the depth needed to boss Postecoglou.
However, if he is to make the additions he wants to improve the squad, he will need to offload multiple players, including Porro and midfielder Yves Bissouma.
The Malian joined Spurs back in the summer of 2022 from Brighton for £35m but has been an inconsistent figure in the side, often failing to deliver when called upon.
He’s been prone to a mistake, subsequently having to make fouls to prevent them being costly, as seen by his tally of six yellow cards – with his most recent coming in the draw against Bournemouth.
As a result, he’s struggled to nail down a regular starting role in the starting eleven, making just 13 league starts to date – with one analyst dubbing him “shambolic” due to his lack of quality at times.
Games played
21
Goals & assists
2
Pass accuracy
89%
Fouls committed
1.6
Dribbled past
1.3
Duels won
51%
Yellow cards
6
Ange must look to sell him, with Bissouma currently halting the progress of midfielder Archie Gray, who joined the Lilywhites for £40m in the summer from Championship side Leeds United.
The 18-year-old has often featured in various defensive roles, covering multiple absentees due to the injury situation – doing an admirable job in the process, given it’s an unnatural role for the teenager.
With the returns of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven over the last few games, the Aussie now has the opportunity to hand him minutes in his preferred position and allow him to showcase his talents.
Gray deserves the chance to play at the heart of the side given his versatility at his tender age, having the potential to be a key player for the club for many years to come.
However, he’s been unable to do so with Bissouma somehow still receiving more minutes ahead of him despite his own lack of form in the middle of the park.
At 29, he’s coming into the back end of his career, with the club needing to cash in on his services in the summer to allow Gray to thrive with frequent opportunities.
Tottenham Hotspur's YvesBissoumareacts after being substituted
It may seem a harsh call to sell him and Porro in the coming months, but ultimately, Ange needs to be ruthless if he is to turn around the current situation and lead the club to a long-awaited trophy.
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As England kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign with victory over Albania on Friday evening, it was a muted night for those of a Chelsea persuasion, even with former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel now at the helm for the Three Lions.
With Cole Palmer sidelined with injury, the only two Chelsea representatives in Tuchel’s matchday squad were Levi Colwill and Reece James, albeit with neither man earning a place in the starting lineup at Wembley.
As it proved, Colwill was an unused substitute for the 2-0 triumph, while James was introduced in stoppage time in place of goalscorer, Myles Lewis-Skelly, with the German coach favouring the veteran Kyle Walker at right-back.
It is still early days, however, with James no doubt hoping to cement a starting berth for himself moving forward, having begun to feature more regularly at club level following an injury-hit last few years at Stamford Bridge.
Reece James
The 25-year-old – who has made just 14 appearances at club level this season – will be aiming to get back to the levels that he showcased under Tuchel’s watch, having enjoyed an initially meteoric rise from academy prospect to first-team sensation.
Reece James' Chelsea record under Tuchel
Captain of the side that claimed FA Youth Cup glory in 2017/18, having been named Academy Player of the Year that season to boot, the versatile full-back was made to wait until September 2019 to make his Blues debut, after spending the previous campaign on loan at Wigan Athletic.
Under the tutelage of Frank Lampard, the then-youngster would amass 37 first-team appearances in total in 2019/20, alongside the likes of Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount, as the west London side secured Champions League qualification.
That bright start was followed by a real rise amid Tuchel’s appointment in January 2021, with James playing a central role in the side that claimed European glory just a few months later.
Operating in a right wing-back berth, the Englishman flourished in an attacking sense under the former Borussia Dortmund boss, having chalked up seven goals and 12 assists in 74 games during Tuchel’s tenure.
It is no surprise then that even amid his recent injury woes, he has still been recognised as being “as good as any right-back in the world” when at his best, according to pundit Eni Aluko, with the Chelsea skipper still having ample time to return to such lofty heights.
Whatever the case, James still represents a real academy success story of the modern era at the Bridge, having seemingly overtaken one of his positional rivals to soar to the top.
The Chelsea star who was once ahead of Reece James
Mount, Abraham, Colwill, Conor Callagher, Dominic Solanke, Marc Guehi, Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The list goes on.
While not all have made their mark at first-team level for the Blues, the west London side have certainly developed a reputation for producing some of the best young talent about – and deservedly so.
For every Reece James, however, there are those who don’t quite push on in a similar vain, with that perhaps true of another once-promising Cobham gem, in the form of Dujon Sterling.
Chelsea 5-1 Man City, second leg
GK – Jamie Cumming
CB – Reece James
CB – Marc Guehi
CB – Trevoh Chalobah
RWB – Dujon Sterling
CM – Tariq Uwakwe
CM – Jacob Maddox
LWB – Juan Castillo
RW – Callum Hudson-Odoi
ST – Ike Ugbo
LW – Mason Mount
The current Rangers star – who, like James, is now 25 – was actually promoted into the first-team ranks a long time prior to his former colleague, having been handed a first-team debut by Antonio Conte as early as 2017.
The 6 foot 1 starlet was seemingly deemed a viable option as a wing-back in Conte’s 3-4-3 set-up, with reports also suggesting that he was ‘rated as highly as James’ in the academy system at one stage. Indeed, praise flooded in from academy coach Adi Viveash at the time:
Unfortunately for Sterling, while the current Chelsea captain has gone on to make 172 appearances for the club, the Islington-born defender was unable to build on the two chances he was handed in that 2017/18 campaign.
The former England youth international subsequently spent the next four seasons out on loan at a variety of EFL clubs, including Wigan, before the Todd Boehly regime allowed him to depart on a free transfer, following the expiry of his contract in 2023.
Sterling has since made 67 appearances in Glasgow, while registering four goal involvements, albeit with few of a Chelsea persuasion – including Boehly and co – likely to regret letting him depart on the cheap.
Rangers midfielder Dujon Sterling.
Having at one stage been viewed as ‘one of the best talents’ to come from Cobham, as per journalist Nizaar Kinsella, the £3m-rated ace was ultimately usurped by James in that right-back pecking order.
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Once again in his Manchester City tenure, Pep Guardiola will need to oversee something of a squad rebuild this summer, with the treble-winning side of 2023 looking to have perhaps run its course.
When the Catalan coach arrived through the door in 2016, he inherited an ageing side that also needed revamping, with the likes of Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero slowly being phased out over the next few years.
History looks set to repeat itself in the present day, albeit with there more likely to be a swift mass exodus this time around, rather than a gradual transition.
Of those who helped the Citizens to treble glory less than two years ago, Kyle Walker has since moved out on loan to AC Milan, while reports have indicated that both Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne could follow suit at the end of the season.
A new goalkeeper could also be on the cards, while 2023 arrival, Mateo Kovacic, has also been heavily linked with a return to Spain, amid interest from former rivals, Atletico Madrid.
It also remains to be seen whether long-serving star, Bernardo Silva, will finally secure a long-awaited exit, with the Portuguese playmaker having endured a muted campaign at the Etihad.
Bernardo Silva's future at Man City
Once again, those of a City persuasion head into a summer window anticipating speculation surrounding the former Monaco man, with the 30-year-old having repeatedly been linked with an exit in previous years.
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva,JackGrealishand Ilkay Gundogan celebrate after the match
As per The Athletic, the midfielder’s contract – which is set to expire next year – is now ‘dealt with on a summer-by-summer basis due to his previous desires to leave’, with a move to Barcelona having long been touted.
Perhaps, the £300k-per-week star will actually depart this time around, with recent reports indicating that he may have even agreed terms over an exit, with Paris Saint-Germain viewed as a likely destination.
That potential switch to the French capital would bring to an end what has been a magical eight-year spell with the Citizens for Silva, with Guardiola memorably lauding the diminutive talent as “one of the best players [he’s] ever seen” back in 2023.
Since signing on a £43m deal back in 2017, the Lisbon-born genius has racked up 69 goals and 69 assists in 394 games in all competitions, playing a vital part in the string of major honours that Guardiola and co have claimed.
Stat (*per game)
2023/24
2024/25
Games
33
26
Goals
6
2
Assists
9
4
Big chances created
13
8
Key passes*
1.9
1.6
Pass accuracy*
89%
89%
Tackles*
1.5
1.5
Interceptions*
0.5
0.7
Successful dribbles*
1.2
0.9
For all his majestic quality, however, Silva’s impact has been limited in 2024/25 it must be said, having contributed just three goals and four assists in all competitions, albeit while largely operating in a deeper role.
Even though he has previously been described as “irreplaceable” by his manager in the past, now might actually be the perfect time for City to cash in, with the club already boasting the ideal replacement.
Man City's in-house Bernardo Silva replacement
It’s fair to say that the Etihad outfit aren’t short of creative talents who could fill the shoes of Silva in the side, with Guardiola blessed with a raft of young stars, namely Phil Foden, Oscar Bobb and James McAtee.
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That said, one man who could represent the “ideal successor to Bernardo” – as per analyst Ben Mattinson – is recent arrival, Claudio Echeverri, with the 19-year-old making his belated move to Manchester earlier this year.
The highly-rated Argentine was actually signed by City from River Plate back in January 2024, on a £12.5m deal, although he was immediately loaned back to the club for the year.
Now officially confirmed as a Man City player, the teenager is still waiting to make his first appearance for his new side, albeit while having been pictured pitchside for Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Brighton.
Guardiola had previously teased that he would like to introduce the Argentina U20 international before the end of the season, or ahead of the Club World Cup, albeit with it set to depend on how quickly Echeverri can adapt.
City supporters may not have seen much of their new man yet, although, in the words of Mattinson, they now have a “proper superstar” on their hands, with talent scout Jacek Kulig previously suggesting that the playmaker is “destined for greatness”.
Much like Silva, Echeverri has typically operated in an attacking midfield role in his career thus far, having recorded four goals and eight assists for his former employers, from 48 senior outings.
Claudio Echeverri
It will take time for the teenager to adapt to life in his new surroundings, although if he can follow in the footsteps of another ex-River Plate star, Julian Alvarez, then the Citizens could well be on to a winner.
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The 2024/25 Premier League season was disappointing for West Ham United with the Hammers coming 14th in the Premier League.
Whilst they were never in any real danger of relegation, they would have been hoping for a much better performance across the board. They lost 17 games in total in the top flight.
It could be all change for Graham Potter this summer with some big outgoings on the cards. One of those is Mohammed Kudus, who, as recently as the 6th of June, was reportedly offered to Chelsea, according to Sky Sports.
If someone as prominent as Kudus does leave the London Stadium this summer, they will, of course, need a replacement.
West Ham's potential Kudus replacement
It does indeed seem like Kudus could be on his way out of West Ham this summer and considering his performances since moving to the English capital, he will be hard to replace.
Fortunately, the Irons seem to have someone in mind already.
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Indeed, if the Ghanaian attacker does leave West Ham in the next few weeks or months, they could be set to replace him with Anderlecht attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens.
A report from Belgian outlet Votebal Belgie suggests that he has been on the Hammers’ ‘wish list for some time’.
In fact, they are already believed to have made a bid for the talented 20-year-old.
The report suggests West Ham made an £8.5m offer, which was promptly rejected by the Belgian giants. Instead, they could ask for as much as £17.1m to make a deal happen.
Why Stroeykens would be a good signing
Belgium U21 international Stroeykens has certainly made a big impression for Anderlecht last season. After coming through the club’s youth academy, the attacking midfielder has gone on to become a key player.
Last season in all competitions, Stroeykens featured 39 times across all competitions, contributing to five goals and seven assists. After starting the season strong with nine goal involvements in 13 league games, he suffered from a ligament injury, which slowed his progress.
The 20-year-old, who was born in Zellik, just outside of Brussels, would also bring European pedigree to the London Stadium. He played 430 minutes in the Europa League last term, both scoring and assisting in that time. The goal he scored was a sublime effort, showing his excellent technical quality.
Replacing the 24-year-old Kudus would not be easy for Stroeykens. The Ghana international has impressed for the Hammers in the 80 appearances he has made, scoring 19 times and registering 13 assists.
His first season in Claret and Blue saw him score and assist 23 times, including five goals in nine Europa League appearances. However, last term was not as fluid, with the Hammers’ number 14 managing just nine goal involvements.
Despite the struggles Kudus endured last season, there is no doubt about his importance to Potter’s side when at his best. That leaves Stroeykens with a big job to replace him, but as football scout Antonio Mango said, he is a “creative force” and can certainly look to match the output of the Ghana star.
The underlying stats via FBref suggest that the Belgian youngster, who tends to operate as a number 10, can indeed step up in Kudus’ absence.
For example, last term he averaged 1.54 key passes and 6.63 progressive passes each game, compared to 1.08 key passes and 2.74 progressive passes per 90 minutes for the Hammers star.
Goals and assists
0.41
0.28
Key passes
1.54
1.08
Progressive passes
6.63
2.74
Shot-creating actions
4.02
3.72
Goal-creating actions
0.77
0.35
Ball recoveries
5.21
4.79
Those stats highlight the creativity that Mango was talking about. They certainly suggest that Stroeykens has the ability to step into Kudus’ boots and take on some of the creative burden that will be there if, or when, he leaves.
FC Porto's Otavio in action with Anderlecht'sMarioStroeykens
For just £17m, this could be a brilliant addition for the Hammers, who will be hoping Stroeykens can become a key player for the club in the long term.
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Results remain inconsistent, yet Ruben Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 system is starting to come to fruition at Manchester United, with the Red Devils heading into the international break in buoyant mood after convincing wins of Real Sociedad and Leicester City.
Even in Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, there were further signs of encouragement, albeit with Amorim himself admitting that his side “need to be better” in the final third.
That narrow defeat saw United fire off 23 shots without getting on the scoresheet, with the fact remaining that Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have scored just six Premier League goals between them this season.
Such a return from the Red Devils’ only senior options at centre-forward simply isn’t good enough, with the wait still on at Old Trafford for a proven and consistent number nine to lead the line.
As showcased below, not since Robin van Persie’s debut campaign has a player reached 20 league goals in a season for the club. Elsewhere in Manchester, by contrast, Erling Haaland has reached that milestone in each of his three seasons at the Etihad to date.
Season
Player
Goals
2024/25*
Bruno Fernandes
8
2023/24
Bruno Fernandes & Rasmus Hojlund
10
2022/23
Marcus Rashford
17
2021/22
Cristiano Ronaldo
18
2020/21
Bruno Fernandes
18
2019/20
Marcus Rashford & Anthony Martial
17
2018/19
Paul Pogba
13
2017/18
Romelu Lukaku
16
2016/17
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
17
2015/16
Anthony Martial
11
2014/15
Wayne Rooney
12
2013/14
Wayne Rooney
17
2012/13
Robin van Persie
26
Having actually only scored 37 goals in 30 top-flight games as a collective in 2024/25, it’s evident where the problem lies, with it seemingly no surprise that work is already being done on potentially trying to solve those goal-scoring woes.
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In each of the last two summers, United have forked out for a ‘striker’ in the form of Hojlund and Zirkzee, with the pair costing just over £100m combined following their respective arrivals from Serie A.
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As alluded to above, however, that extensive investment has not solved the Red Devils’ woes at the top end of the pitch, with the club almost back to square one in that regard, heading into the upcoming summer window.
Recent reports in Germany have named the likes of Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres among a raft of targets that INEOS are believed to be considering, with the latter man having scored 66 goals in just 68 games under Amorim’s watch at Sporting CP.
According to the latest claims, however, the Old Trafford side could look closer to home to find a new number nine, with the Daily Mail reporting that the club are stepping up their interest in Ipswich Town talisman, Liam Delap.
As per the report, United have held internal talks regarding a move for the in-demand striker, with as many as five clubs seemingly battling for his signature.
Liam Delap against Manchester United for Ipswich Town.
The suggestion is that the presence of technical director Jason Wilcox – who knows the 22-year-old from their time at Manchester City’s academy – could have given Amorim and co an ‘advantage’ in that race, with the Englishman set to be available for around £40m, amid Ipswich’s looming relegation.
Such a move would be the first time United have plucked a new senior striker from within the top-flight since landing Romelu Lukaku back in 2017.
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Let’s face it, Lukaku’s time in Manchester is likely not looked upon favourably by all parties, with the Belgian star departing after just two years at the club, having been criticised by journalist Samuel Luckhurst for his “woeful and costly” finishing during Jose Mourinho’s final days in charge.
Romelu Lukaku
There were also criticisms made due to the fact that the now-Napoli man had “bulked up too much” ahead of his second season at Old Trafford, as Luckhurst noted, with those woes culminating in a swift £74m exit to Inter in the summer of 2019.
The one-time Chelsea man may not have delivered quite what was expected upon his £75m move from Everton in 2017, yet his goal return has aged impressively, when considering the woes of Hojlund et al.
Indeed, Lukaku – who was just 23 when he made the switch from Goodison Park – finished off with a respectable total of 42 goals in 96 games. Hojlund, by contrast, has scored just 24 times in 83 outings in all competitions.
Lukaku arrived with a fearsome reputation amid his tally of 87 in 166 for the Toffees, with the same perhaps true of young Delap, with the Man City youth product having scored ten times in his first full season in the top-flight for the Tractor Boys.
That return – which betters every United player in the league in 2024/25 – has seen the England U21 star described as a “problem for every Premier League defence” by data analyst Ben Mattinson.
Also described as a “wrecking ball” by Sky Sports reporter, Lewis Jones, Delap mirrors Lukaku in being able to offer that physical focal point in attack, having seemingly relished the battle with Harry Maguire in the meeting between the two sides at Old Trafford.
What has been particularly evident this season is the Ipswich star’s ability to drive his side forward, as he ranks in the top 18% of European strikers for progressive carries, and in the top 16% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
Lukaku in his pomp at Everton was also that kind of bull-dozing centre-forward – as illustrated in his catalogue of goals below – with it having been understandable as to why Mourinho and co were so keen to land his services.
There may be a risk of Delap enduring similar woes to Belgium’s all-time record scorer, not least considering he is far less experienced in top-flight football, yet he does mirror a young Lukaku in being a high potential centre-forward who has showcased what he can do up against Premier League backlines.
He is a handful, no doubt about that.
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Rangers have been hit with a massive injury blow to an “immense” player, following an update from interim manager Barry Ferguson.
Rangers hold Bilbao in spirited display
The Gers produced an impressive performance at Ibrox on Thursday evening, drawing 0-0 at home to Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie.
Robin Propper was shown a red card with only 13 minutes played, giving Rangers a huge uphill battle, but they held on in the end, with Liam Kelly saving an Alex Berenguer penalty in the second half, leading to scenes of joy inside the stadium.
While Ferguson’s side still have a huge amount of work to do to make the semi-finals ahead of their daunting trip to Bilbao next week, they still have a fair chance of progressing.
However, one of the few negatives for Rangers on the night was a serious-looking injury to Dujon Sterling, with the 25-year-old stretchered off, leading to concerns about the length of his absence.
Ferguson confirms huge Rangers injury blow
Speaking to reporters on Friday (via Sky Sports), Ferguson confirmed that Rangers defender Sterling suffered a long-term injury against Bilbao, with his season definitely over:
“I just got a bit of bad news about Dujon – he’s going to be out long-term. He’s had a serious one. I’m devastated for him for a few reasons.
“He’s come in and been immense for me at the back. He’s had his injury issues and now we need to suffer another lengthy spell on the sidelines, which I’m devastated about. We’ll get around him, he’s a popular member of the dressing room and has been a big player for me.
“We just need to get him back fit as quickly as we can. I don’t know exactly [how long he will be out for] but I mean long-term. I’m no medical expert, but I’ve spoken to the doctor, he’ll go for surgery on Monday and we’ll just need to wait and see how that surgery goes.”
Glasgow Rangers defender Dujon Sterling.
This is a cruel blow for Sterling, who has been a solid performer since arriving from Chelsea back in 2023, making 70 appearances for Rangers to date.
This season, the Englishman has made 20 appearances in the Scottish Premiership, while Andy Halliday has shown his appreciation for him, saying:
“I’m sure I’m sitting here along with a lot of other people thinking, ‘Where’s Dujon Sterling been all season?’. For me, his two performances since he’s come into the team have been nothing short of incredible.”
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Hopefully, Sterling returns the same player as before when he does eventually return – and at 25, that should be the case – but he will be a big loss for Rangers as an effective squad player, especially in the Europa League.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou was gifted a rare bit of breathing room after Spurs’ statement performance in the Europa League, but there remains the possibility that he won’t be at the helm next season.
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A penalty from striker Dominic Solanke, who cooly slotted home beyond the Spurs-linked Kaua Santos in Eintracht Frankfurt’s goal, ended up being enough for Postecoglou’s side to edge into the Europa semi-finals after a hard-fought battle.
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Postecoglou earned rare praise after his Lilywhites side put in the dogged, mature display which they’ve sorely lacked all season – shutting Eintracht out with some truly exceptional defending and putting bodies on the line to preserve Tottenham’s slender one-goal advantage.
Nottingham Forest (home)
April 21st
Liverpool (away)
April 27th
West Ham (away)
May 3rd
Crystal Palace (home)
May 10th
Aston Villa (away)
May 18th
The atmosphere was hostile right from the off, but while the home crowd did their utmost to unnerve Postecoglou’s side in Germany, Spurs kept their cool and booked their place in the next round, where they will face off against unlikely semi-finalists Bodø/Glimt, who knocked out Serie A side Lazio on penalties.
There is a very strong chance that the north Londoners will put Bodø/Glimt’s fairy tale Europa League journey to an end and become European finalists for the first time since 2019, but even that might not be enough to save Postecoglou.
The Tottenham boss has been under mounting pressure after an historic low Premier League season, where they’ve tasted defeat on 17 separate occasions and currently lie 15th in the table.
Reports in the build up to their quarter-final second leg claimed that Postecoglou could be sacked by Tottenham regardless of their Europa League campaign (The Mirror), and Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is believed to be among the contenders to replace him.
Tottenham have reached out to the representatives of Glasner to express their interest recently, according to media sources in Germany, but face competition from RB Leipzig for the £4.5 million-per-year Palace boss.
John Wenham makes Oliver Glasner claim after Tottenham contact
Speaking to Tottenham News, pundit John Wenham stated his belief that Glasner would be an “exciting” appointment for Tottenham, above other linked candidates like Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, Fulham’s Marco Silva and Brentford’s Thomas Frank.
“He has an aura about him, the way he charges around on the touchline, I quite like him,” said Wenham.
“He was flying with Palace last season. I know they made a slow start this season, but they lost some key players. However, since then, he has rebuilt well.
“He has led Palace to an FA Cup semi-final, and he is far more exciting than most names that have been linked. Therefore, he is someone I would be happy for Tottenham to appoint. I think with better players he would excel, and I find him more exciting than Marco Silva or Thomas Frank, to be honest.”
The ex-Eintracht boss also guided his former club to Europa League glory in 2022, and is one of the only trophy-winning coaches rumoured to be on Spurs’ managerial shortlist.
His “outstanding record” has also been lauded by Palace chairman Steve Parish, that being said, if Postecoglou ends up winning Tottenham their first piece of silverware since 2008, the club will still have a majorly tough decision to make.
As they look to build on a stunning Premier League title win in Arne Slot’s first season in charge, FSG are reportedly on high alert as Liverpool race to sign a talented Champions League star this summer.
Liverpool's summer plans begin to take shape
The Reds may be in celebration mode, and rightly so after an emphatic campaign, but that hasn’t stood in the way of some early summer planning. Even as champions, it’s clear that Slot’s side have another level to reach and the Dutchman, himself, still has his own stamp to mark on the squad at his disposal. And that should be seen as no bad thing at Anfield.
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Without any significant incomings last summer, the former Feyenoord boss managed to achieve what many believed to be the unthinkable this season. Now, if FSG back Slot in the form of arrivals this time around, the possibilities could be endless.
On the transfer front, the rumours are already coming thick and fast too. Names such as Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike have both been mentioned as reported targets in recent weeks and it’s clear that a forward will be among Liverpool’s priorities in the coming months.
What that will mean is the likely end for Darwin Nunez at Anfield. The struggling striker is reportedly expected to depart following three frustrating years, which have been full of moments or glimpses of quality rather than the star No.9 that Liverpool were looking to sign in 2022.
Liverpool'sDarwinNunezreacts
In a season of strengths, one of Liverpool’s weaknesses has come within their frontline amid inconsistencies from Diogo Jota, Nunez and even Luis Diaz at times – leaving Mohamed Salah to drag the Reds to victory.
The Egyptian has enjoyed a historic season whilst those around him have struggled to stand out and could yet have a new-look attack to work with as a result next season.
FSG attentive to Morgan Rogers' situation
One player who would certainly help light a fresh spark in Liverpool’s attacking play is Morgan Rogers. According to Fabrizio Romano for Give Me Sport, FSG are on high alert in the race to sign Rogers and Liverpool have scouted the Aston Villa star several times. Any deal will not be easy, however, given Villa’s place as a European competitor these days and their reluctance to sell one of their best players.
Whilst Rogers wouldn’t feature directly in Liverpool’s frontline, his influence from midfield would only add another outlet for the Premier League champions, just as it has done for Villa this season.
Praised for his “fantastic season” by scout Jacek Kulig, Rogers has scored 14 goals in all competitions whilst assisting a further 13 throughout the current campaign. To put it simply, the interest of the Premier League champions should come as little surprise.
The relief was evident on the face of Rasmus Hojlund on Sunday afternoon, with the struggling striker guiding the ball home in the last knockings of stoppage time to snatch a draw for Manchester United at Bournemouth.
The Danish speedster showcased his rarely-seen centre-forward instincts to direct the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga from close range, with the visitors managing to avoid what would have been a 16th Premier League defeat of the season against their ten-man hosts.
Hopefully, that late strike should help to instil much-needed confidence in the 22-year-old heading into a crucial week in the Europa League, with the former Atalanta man the only senior striker available to Ruben Amorim, amid Joshua Zirkzee’s recent injury blow.
With 17-year-old sensation, Chido Obi, also ineligible to feature in Europe, the onus is now on Hojlund to deliver on the continent, with the Red Devils desperately needing their leading number nine to hit form over the coming weeks.
Rasmus Hojlund, Chido Obi
Whatever occurs between now and the end of May, however, it would appear that the fate of the 6 foot 4 marksman has already been sealed, with the signing of a new striker now hot on the agenda heading into the summer transfer window.
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Work is already being done to bring in Wolverhampton Wanderers star, Matheus Cunha, to Old Trafford ahead of next season, although the in-form Brazilian is set to strengthen the number ten berth, rather than replacing Hojlund through the middle.
As for a potential new number nine, recent reports have suggested that Ipswich Town talisman Liam Delap is under consideration, albeit with the £30m man still something of a gamble due to his lack of top-flight experience, despite netting 12 league goals this term.
Elsewhere, meanwhile, Napoli’s Victor Osimhen has been touted as a leading target for Amorim, with United said to be pushing for a cut-price deal to land the prolific Nigerian.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhencelebrates after the match
The 26-year-old would be a worthwhile addition, although the suggestion is that the Red Devils have turned their attention to another leading figure, with Football Insider reporting that a move for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres could be a ‘done deal’.
Indeed, as per the report, it is claimed that United feel they are in a ‘strong position to finalise an agreement’ for the Swedish striker, with the 26-year-old deemed to be the ‘top target’, amid his prior relationship with Amorim.
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There is said to be a ‘growing confidence’ that INEOS can win the race for his signature, ahead of rivals Arsenal, with Gyokeres potentially the transformative signing that Amorim is in desperate need of.
How Man Utd could land a better signing than Osimhen
Hojlund’s latest effort can’t cloud what has been a miserable season for the one-time Sturm Graz starlet, with that strike on the south coast having been just his fourth league goal in 2024/25 to date.
Rasmus Hojlund
Five goals have come his way in the Europa League, although the £85k-per-week asset hasn’t actually scored in the competition since December, with questions rightly being asked over his long-term future at the Theatre of Dreams.
It’s fair to say that either Osimhen or Gyokeres would represent a significant upgrade on Hojlund next term, with the former having scored 31 times while on loan at Galatasaray this season – taking his overall career tally to 145 goals in just 259 senior club appearances.
As for Gyokeres, while the former Coventry City man has enjoyed a slower rise to stardom, amid his days in the EFL and on the books at Brighton and Hove Albion, he has simply soared following his £17m switch to Lisbon in 2023.
Plucked from the Championship by Amorim, the towering goal machine has since scored 95 times in just 98 games for the Liga Portugal side, with 66 of those coming in just 68 games under Amorim.
Viktor Gyokeres
38
1.5
57
Mo Salah
28
2
56
Robert Lewandowski
25
2
50
Harry Kane
24
2
48
Mateo Retegui
24
2
48
Kylian Mbappe
22
2
44
Alexander Isak
22
2
44
Mika Biereth
24
2
42.5
Ousmane Dembele
21
2
42
Erling Haaland
21
2
42
Omar Marmoush
21
2
42
A recent four-goal haul against Boavista ensured that Gyokeres has now reached 52 goals in just 48 games in all competitions during the current campaign, thus far eclipsing Osimhen’s own record in Turkey.
What also stands out regarding arguably the “hottest striker in Europe” – as per ESPN’s Mark Ogden – is that he also boasts 12 assists in 2024/25 to date, again placing him ahead of Osimhen (eight assists) with regard to that creative streak.
Osimhen vs Gyokeres
Of course, taking the leap from operating outside of Europe’s top five leagues to then trying to thrive in the Premier League is a big step, although Gyokeres’ prior work under Amorim’s watch should be reason for excitement.
With Hojlund misfiring this season, the race is on for the new United boss to find his next, Gyokeres-esque attacking talisman. Osimhen, of course, would certainly be a more than adequate replica – yet why not go for the man himself?
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