All posts by z3u9t.icu

Leeds United have been linked with moves for Joseph Paintsil and Nadiem Amiri before the end of the summer transfer window, and now a fresh update has emerged.

Do Leeds want Joseph Paintsil and Nadiem Amiri?

The Whites are continuing to work hard on potential additions in the next few days, as they look to build the strongest squad possible to seal a speedy return to the Premier League.

Former Swansea City striker Joel Piroe has arrived at Elland Road as a hugely exciting signing – one who scored 19 goals in the Championship last season – and he hopefully won't be the last of the new faces through the door between now and next Friday.

Two players who have continued to be linked with switches to Leeds in recent weeks are Paintsil and Amiri, who are plying their trade at Genk and Bayer Leverkusen respectively. A bid has been tabled for the former by the Whites, but it has also been reported that they may walk away from the deal, while the latter's situation has also been a very on-off one, with his future constantly up in the air.

Now, a new update has emerged regarding Leeds' pursuit of both players, in what has the potential to be a busy end to the transfer window at Elland Road.

What's the latest on Joseph Paintsil and Nadiem Amiri to Leeds?

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic on Saturday [via MOT Leeds News], reliable reporter Phil Hay said that moves for both Paintsil and Amiri are still on the cards with bids on the table despite recent claims, with both situations described as "fast-moving" at the moment:

"In terms of incomings, Leeds have bids on the table for Nadiem Amiri at Bayer Leverkusen and Joseph Paintsil at Genk. There are conflicting reports about them but our understanding as of yesterday evening was that Leeds don’t think either bid is dead. It’s fast moving at this stage of the window though."

This is a largely positive update from Hay, suggesting that Leeds still feel they can land both Paintsil and Amiri to bolster their squad in the Championship promotion battle between now and the end of the campaign.

Paintsil has 57 goal involvements (32 goals and 25 assists) in 143 appearances for Genk, outlining the end product that he has in his game, and he could add so much in the right-sided attacking role that he prefers to play in, having been described as "superb" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

Meanwhile, Amiri could also be a shrewd signing for Leeds, further boosting their midfield options, with the Leverkusen man an impressive central attacking midfielder who All Leeds TV presenter Oscar Marrio has said would be "absolutely ideal" for Daniel Farke, winning five caps for Germany, which is no mean feat.

The outcome of both pieces of business could ultimately be so key for the Whites this season, and bringing both could make them better equipped to battle for the Championship title all season long, especially having already brought in Piroe, so they appear to be deals to watch.

Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah's future is still up in the air this summer, but a new update suggests the forward could have made his mind up.

How old is Mohamed Salah?

The Reds legend, who is now 31 years of age, has been constantly linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad in recent days, with a huge £150m bid for him rejected by the club.

Liverpool's stance is clear at the moment, as they don't even appear to be entertaining the thought of losing him at this point in his career, but the Saudi transfer window doesn't shut until next week, and there is no sign of Al Ittihad's interest going away.

It could be that they return with an even bigger offer, as they look to test the Red's resolves, and there is also the concern that Salah himself could decide that he wants to move there and become one of the stars of the new league.

Now, a new update has emerged regarding the Egyptian's future at Anfield – one that may leave supporters feeling concerned that some late-summer business could still happen.

Will Mohamed Salah leave Liverpool?

According to The Mirror, Salah's head does appear to have been turned by a move to Al Ittihad, telling friends that a move there could appeal to him:

"And although there have been no protests from the player over the club’s stance he has told close friends that he is being tempted by the promise of a stunning wage packet worth £1.5m a week and the chance to become the poster boy of his native Middle East.

"Klopp wants Salah to stay for one more season and make the inevitable move to super rich Saudi Arabia next summer. But Klopp has been forced to bow to FSG’s business arm on a number of occasions in the past few seasons regarding signings and departures.

"The concern for him is that there is a policy of bringing in younger players with a sell on potential while clearing the decks of players who are 30 plus. It’s why Salah remains vulnerable to a last gasp grab by Al-Ittihad who have money to burn and won’t take no for an answer."

The fact that Salah is potentially interested in moving to Al Ittihad has to be considered a worry for Liverpool, but they simply can't afford to sell him now, considering he is a genuinely world-class talent and they aren't able to bring in a replacement.

Had this interest emerged earlier in the summer window, the Reds may at least have contemplated the financial benefits of letting him go, but this could be a huge blow for them so early in the new Premier League season, hampering their chances of getting back into the Champions League greatly.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

As the report alludes to, there almost seems to be an acceptance that this will be Salah's last season at Liverpool, assuming he does stay, and in truth, few would begrudge him leaving for Saudi Arabia this time next year.

He would be 32 by that point and possibly on the decline, and the Reds could still receive massive money for him and use it to further transform the squad.

Crystal Palace have been the home to a host of fine talent over the years, with the club making valuable purchases in the transfer window throughout their time in the Premier League.

Roy Hodgson continued the fashion of bringing in young talent this summer, welcoming 19-year-old Matheus Franca for a fee of £26m, making him the Eagles’ fifth most expensive addition of all time.

Selhurst Park has seen some great success stories and disappointing transfer playouts in new signings, with the club showing the rest of the Premier League that cost doesn’t always define the quality of the talent that comes with the price tag.

A prime example of such is arguably the current poster boy of the club, Eberechi Eze, who cost just £20m in 2020 after making the move from Queens Park Rangers.

The winger was quoted to be valued around £70m this summer by Palace by Manchester Evening News, who suggested that treble winners Manchester City were interested in signing the 25-year-old.

Eze wasn’t the only talent that was eyed by other Premier League sides in the window, with the south Londoner’s potential for future profit an interesting topic of conversation with reference to the quality they have in their squad at present.

How much did Crystal Palace sign Michael Olise for?

Last month, Palace were worried by the news that Chelsea had activated the £35m release clause of Michael Olise, a move that the 21-year-old snubbed in favour of staying at Selhurst.

The Frenchman penned a new four-year deal with the Eagles in response to the Blues’ attempt to capture his signature, prompting the club to reconsider the value of his current release clause.

As reported by the Evening Standard this week, Olise’s release clause is now ‘significantly higher’ than it was at the point of Chelsea’s activation.

Signed for just £8m from Reading in 2021, the youngster’s value has rocketed thanks to his strong performances in red and blue, leaving Palace in an inevitably profitable situation should another side come knocking in the future.

What is Michael Olise worth now?

Now that a clause higher than £35m has been added to his contract, as well as additional years on his new deal, the Eagles can heavily increase their asking price for the exciting young talent, perhaps more in line with the £50m asking price that was set when PSG were interested.

That is quite the price hike, one that represents a staggering 525% increase on their initial investment.

When Brighton learned of the interest in Moises Caicedo in January, the Seagulls agreed an extended deal with the Ecuadorian in the bid to bolster his value in the summer, a move that paid off as the south coast side earned a record £115m for his services.

Considering this, imagining just how much Olise is worth to his club is near impossible, with the versatile attacker being at the heart of most things impressive in the current side.

Last term, the £100k-per-week France U21 international scored two goals and registered an impressive 11 assists in 37 Premier League appearances for Palace, showcasing his talents to those admiring his work in the side.

What makes Olise so attractive to other clubs is his versatility in the front line, with the ability to play central as a striker or attacking midfielder, as well on either flank as a direct winger, with his style identified as “dangerous” by scout Antonio Mango.

Mango also hailed as a “wonderful technician” for his creative ability, telling of the calibre of player Palace have on their hands and the levels he is yet to hit in the Premier League.

The Eagles struck gold in bringing the Frenchman to south London, in an £8m dip that will almost certainly equate to far more in the future.

Brentford and Everton have been facing off against one another on and off for the last 87 years, with their first encounter coming in April 1936 when the Bees travelled to Goodison Park and emerged as 2-1 victors.

Football FanCast has everything you need to know before the two sides once again meet in the Premier League this weekend.

We are just over a month into the new season now, and while that doesn't feel very long, both teams have already played six games across the league and EFL Cup, so we can start to get a better idea of their form how they're likely to fair going into the game on Saturday.

The hosts have enjoyed a great start to their season, a season many thought they'd find much tougher without their start forward Ivan Toney.

Thomas Frank's men find themselves 11th in the table after one win, one defeat, and three draws from their opening five games in the league. While we're sure the charismatic manager would prefer more wins on the board, they have looked very good thus far, and they are also into the third round of the EFL Cup.

For their part, Everton have not had such a great start to their own campaign.

The Toffees find themselves down in 18th and just a single point above 20th. They have already racked up four defeats and just a single draw after their first five games, which does not bode well for the prospects of avoiding a third successive relegation battle this season.

They can at least celebrate making it into the third round of the cup – although we aren't sure that is enough at the moment.

Brentford vs Everton: What's their head-to-head record?

Given that the sides' first meeting was 87 years ago, you'd be forgiven for thinking this fixture would've likely been played at least 50 times by now, but that isn't the case. In fact, Brentford and Everton have only played one another 22 times since that initial meeting in 1936.

The main reason for that is the Bees' extended absence from the English topflight – resulting in no games being played between the teams from 1954 to 2010.

When they have competed against each other, though, it's generally been a tightly contested affair, one with no outright winner.

In their 22 games, Brentford and Everton have come away with nine wins a piece, with the other four being draws. There also haven't really been periods of dominance for either team, with the longest win streak between them being two games.

Brentford Wins

9

Draws

4

Everton Wins

9

Brentford vs Everton: What's their record at Goodison Park?

The balanced nature of this fixture generally comes from how strong both teams have been when hosting the other at home. In Everton's case, they have won eight of the 11 games hosted at Goodison Park, giving them a seriously impressive win rate of 72.7%.

For their part, the Bees have at least won three games when playing in the blue half of Liverpool, and there has never been a draw between the sides at Goodison.

Brentford Wins

3

Draws

0

Everton Wins

8

Brentford vs Everton: What's their record at Brentford?

Games played in West London have generally tended to favour Brentford in this fixture, with the Bees coming away with maximum points six times out of 11, which gives them a slightly lower – but still impressive – win rate of 54.5%.

Interestingly, Everton have been far less successful in the capital than Brentford have been in Liverpool regarding wins – they have just one – but they have managed to earn four draws when playing away.

Will the Toffees be able to improve their record at the weekend or will they add to the draw tally?

Brentford Wins

6

Draws

4

Everton Wins

1

Brentford vs Everton: What's their First Division/Premier League record?

When it comes to their games in the top flight, it's Brentford who come out slightly ahead of their Merseyside opponents. In all, the West Londoners have won seven of 14 games played at the highest level, whereas, the Toffees have just managed four wins and drawn three.

That said, if you're just looking at how the sides have gotten on in the Premier League, then it's a bit closer, with the Bees taking two wins, while Everton have one win to their name and a draw.

Brentford Wins

7

Draws

3

Everton Wins

4

Brentford vs Everton: What's their Second Division record?

While the majority of the meetings between the two teams have happened when they have both been in the top flight, they have also played six games against one another in the old Second Divison.

It's in the Second Division that the scorecard flips around, and instead, the Toffees come out on top.

In the six games the teams played in the second tier from 1951 to 1954, Everton came away winners on four occasions, with Brentford winning the other two.

Brentford Wins

2

Draws

0

Everton Wins

4

Brentford vs Everton: Which team has the most goals?

There has been a total of 67 goals in this fixture, which, considering there have only been 22 games thus far, is pretty good going from both teams – and good value for the fans.

Everton have scored 38 of the 67 goals, giving them an impressive ratio of 1.72 goals per game. Brentford's 29 goals, in comparison, gives them a ratio of 1.3 goals per game, which is still impressive in its own right.

Will the fans be treated to another goal-fest in West London this weekend?

​​​​​​

Brentford Goals

29

Everton Goals

38

Brentford vs Everton: What happened in last season's fixtures?

Despite the Toffees' incredibly close shave with relegation last season, the two games against Brentford went pretty well for them as they picked up four points out of six.

The first encounter between the sides was in West London and saw the Merseysiders take the lead courtesy of a 24th minute goal from Anthony Gordon. However, the visitors couldn't hold onto the lead, with Vitaly Janelt bringing the hosts level on 84 minutes, and the game ended 1-1.

The reverse fixture took place in March of this year and saw new boss Sean Dyche pick up all three points as his side won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Dwight McNeil in the first minute of the game.

Brentford vs Everton: What is Brentford's biggest win?

Brentford's biggest win against Everton came back in April 1936, in the old First Division. It was only the second meeting between the sides, but that didn't stop the Bees putting four past their opponents, conceding only one in the process.

The scoring was opened by Jack Holliday before Dai Hopkins grabbed a brace, and Billy Scott added one more. The Toffee's goal came through Torry Gillick.

Brentford vs Everton: What is Everton's biggest win?

In their 22 games against the Bees, Everton have registered some fairly hefty wins: 4-2 in 1952, 5-0 in the same year, and 4-1 in 2021, but their biggest win came in February 1953.

It was a game in the Second Division, and it ended 5-0 in favour of the hosts – Everton. The scoring was opened by Ted Buckle before Dave Hickson scored a hat-trick, and Tommy Eglington added the fifth.

Brentford vs Everton: What are the recent results?

There have been five instances of this fixture since Brentford's return to the top flight two seasons ago, four in the league and one in the FA Cup, and much like the fixture as a whole, the results have been incredibly balanced.

The Toffees have won one of the league games and the FA Cup tie, whereas Brentford have won two of the league games, drawing the third one. The last three games have seen both sides win once and draw the third one.

And as if it wasn't already close enough, bar the FA Cup game, the other four have all been won by a one goal margin. So, we should be in for an entertaining game this weekend.

Brentford vs Everton: When is it?

Brentford host Everton at the GTech Community Stadium on Saturday, 23rd September, at 5.30pm British Summer Time. While the fixture isn't one of the most storied in the league, both teams have their reasons for wanting to win, and given how it has gone in the past, it should be a cracker for the neutral as well.

The visitors will be looking to forget about their loss to Arsenal last weekend and instead build upon the point they earned against Sheffield United before the international break. Dyche's men desperately need to start picking up points on the road this season if they want to avoid another nail-biting conclusion to the season in May – surely they can't risk that for a third year running?

For the hosts, they'll be looking to add some more wins to their impressive performances this season, and a home tie against a team struggling in the way that Everton are could well be the perfect opportunity for that.

Overall, it should be an entertaining game for neutrals and fans alike, so make sure you don't miss it!

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has revealed he will speak to Djed Spence about his negative reaction to being substituted in the 3-0 loss at Nottingham Forest, four years after Neil Warnock’s infamous criticism of the defender’s attitude.

Spence in the spotlight as Spurs defeated at Forest

The England international was seen gesturing and shaking his head when his number came up during the second half at the City Ground.

Spence was replaced on the hour mark after a Callum Hudson-Odoi double put the hosts in complete control, but Ibrahim Sangare’s wonder goal sealed Spurs’ fate in a dismal afternoon which saw them drop further behind the European places.

“I didn’t see it,” Frank said. “Of course I will look back to be aware of it.

“I think there can be three reasons. He can be disappointed with his own performance, the team’s performance, he can be disappointed with being subbed off. I’ll ask him about that.”

Minutes

59

Tackles (won)

1 (1)

Duels (won)

9 (6)

Passes (completed)

21 (16)

Dribbles (completed)

5 (3)

It is not the first time Spence has shown dissent towards his manager after he appeared to snub a handshake after the defeat to Chelsea.

Spence has been one of Tottenham’s best performers this season, something Frank alluded to after the incident following the defeat to Chelsea, but it’s not the first time his attitude has been under the spotlight.

What did Warnock say about Spence?

After making his senior debut in 2018, Spence was fast-tracked into the first team at Middlesbrough under Jonathan Woodgate and eventually his successor, Neil Warnock.

The young defender’s playing time plummeted in the second half of the 2020/21 campaign, when Warnock revealed his attitude could prevent him from fulfilling his potential.

The England international was loaned out to Forest, and was part of the Reds team who won promotion back to the Premier League, after which he couldn’t resist a jab at his former boss on Twitter.

Warnock responded again, congratulating the full-back on taking his advice.

The 77 year-old is not the only boss to take issue with Spence either, as Antonio Conte pinned the blame for his signing on the Tottenham board during his time in North London, referring to the youngster as “club signing”.

Since then, a resilisent Spence has not only earned his place in Frank’s best XI but also potentially in Thomas Tuchel’s, racking up three senior England caps.

And while it seems unlikely Warnock’s “non-league” prediction will come true in the next 12 months, it is certainly fair to suggest the defender has used two of his three strikes when it comes to causing Frank headaches at Tottenham.

Tottenham now discussing sacking Frank and appointing "intelligent" manager

Thomas Frank is under pressure after the 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

ByDominic Lund 1 day ago

Celtic underwent a summer of change throughout the transfer window as they lost their manager and made a host of new signings to bolster the squad.

Ange Postecoglou was poached by Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and majority shareholder Dermot Desmond reacted to that with a swoop for Brendan Rodgers, who is now in his second spell at Parkhead.

The Hoops were also hit by the sale of star forward Jota to Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ittihad for a reported £25m and the retirement of central midfielder Aaron Mooy.

Appearances

83

Goals

28

Assists

26

Trophies

5

Rodgers was then backed by the board as they allowed him to make nine signings; including Gustaf Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki, Paulo Bernardo, Nat Phillips, Odin Thiago Holm, Luis Palma, Hyun-jun Yang, Hyeok-kyu Kwon, and Marco Tilio.

The Northern Irish head coach also sanctioned a number of departures, on loan and permanent deals, from Paradise ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

One player who he may already be regretting his decision on is Montenegro international Sead Haksabanovic, who has been in fine form for Stoke City in the Championship and could have been a better option than Yang out wide.

Why was Haksabanovic loaned out?

Football Insider reported that the talented forward pushed for his loan move to the Potters due to his lack of game time at the start of the season.

The outlet claimed that the player felt he was getting mixed messages from the Hoops as they told him that he would be a key part of the squad but that was not reflected in his minutes on the pitch.

He played 45 minutes across two substitute appearances, in the Scottish Premiership and League Cup combined, at the start of the current campaign and decided that it was best for him to move on.

How much did Celtic pay for Haksabanovic?

The Bhoys reportedly splashed out a fee of £1.75m to sign the ex-West Ham prospect from Rubin Kazan for Ange Postecoglou ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

However, he failed to nail down a regular place in the starting XI over the course of the season. Haksabanovic only started eight Premiership games for the Australian head coach, with a further 18 appearances off the bench.

The 24-year-old gem was still able to showcase his attacking talent in spite of his limited time on the pitch with five goals and six 'big chances' created from a wide position, along with zero 'big chances' missed, as per Sofascore.

He also registered two assists in five SFA Cup outings and played three League Cup games for the Hoops on their way to a domestic treble.

Despite catching the eye in the few minutes that Postecoglou afforded him, Rodgers was seemingly unwilling to provide him with a chance to prove his worth with more time on the pitch, which led to his move to Stoke on loan before the end of the summer transfer window.

How many chances has Haksabanovic created for Stoke?

The 5 foot 9 ace, who was dubbed a "little diamond" by former coach Jan Jonsson, has enjoyed a terrific start to life with the Potters as he has created eight chances in four Championship matches so far.

He has hit the ground running in England with one goal and one assist in three league starts for Alex Neil's side since his temporary move from the Hoops.

His dribbling ability has also been on full display as the former Malaga loanee has completed 1.8 dribbles per game, which is more than any of his teammates have managed, with an outstanding success rate of 88%.

Haksabanovic has earned an exceptional Sofascore rating of 7.33 for his performances for Stoke.

This is the highest score within his current team's squad and would place him sixth within the Celtic team, based on their Premiership ratings this season, and above the likes of Callum McGregor and David Turnbull.

These statistics suggest that Rodgers had a mare with his decision to move the skilful winger on this summer as he could have been an excellent option for the Northern Irish coach if he had been given an opportunity to impress.

Instead, Yang was brought in to bolster the club's wide options and has not enjoyed as much success at Parkhead as Haksabanovic has in England this season.

How many assists has Yang managed this season?

The 21-year-old forward has assisted one goal in eight appearances for the Hoops since his move to the club from Gangwon FC over the summer transfer window.

He has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.82 across six Premiership outings, which has included three starts, and contributed with zero goals and one assist so far.

The South Korean gem has created four chances for his teammates in that time and this means that he has made 0.7 key passes per game on average, whereas Haksabanovic has made two per match for Stoke.

Yang has also struggled to make an impact in transition with 0.7 dribbles per outing at a dismal success rate of 33%. This suggests that opposition defenders are finding it far too easy to take the ball off him when the young ace is attempting to progress up the pitch.

His slow start to life in Scotland should not come as a huge surprise as the 21-year-old's form for Gangwon this year was less-than-impressive.

He scored one goal and provided one assist in 20 K League 1 matches throughout 2023 before his switch to Celtic, which earned him a Sofascore rating of 6.66.

This means that Yang has contributed with one goal and two assists in his last 28 league matches throughout this year, to go along with his struggles when it comes to creating chances and dribbling past opponents.

Haksabanovic, on the other hand, has scored six goals and assisted two in 30 games, and 11 starts, for Stoke and Celtic in the league since the start of last season.

Therefore, Rodgers made a big blunder in the summer by not offering the Montenegro international the opportunity to start some matches in order to see how he would fare.

His performances for the Potters, and his contributions in limited minutes for the Hoops last term, suggest that the quality was there for him to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch, particularly in comparison to Yang and his struggles so far.

Manchester United secured a last-gasp victory over the weekend just gone, the largely flat Red Devils dragged over the line to victory versus Brentford courtesy of a Scott McTominay double at the death.

Many of the stalwarts who have been in and around the Man United team for years are often scapegoated as the under-performers – Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire are notable targets – but some of the newer faces at the Red Devils are also now on the receiving end of flak.

Lisandro Martinez hasn't been without his critics since joining from Ajax alongside head coach Erik ten Hag. Gabriel Agbonlahor criticised the defender on talkSPORT after the Red Devils were humbled by Brighton at home in a recent 3-1 loss.

He said: "Martinez for the Gross goal, he has tried to make a block, he’s got fake-shot by Gross and scored in the back of the net.

"If that was Harry Maguire, you would not hear the end of it, ‘he’s terrible get him out the side’.

Harry Maguire must be looking around that changing room now thinking, ‘how am I not getting a chance in this team?’"

Likewise, young attacker Rasmus Højlund has arrived on the scene with huge expectations on his soldiers – joining Erik ten Hag's group with a £64m transfer fee above his head.

He has been goal-shy in the Premier League which has led to some questioning the move, but his three goals in the Champions League so far away from English football shows what the 20-year-old can be capable of.

The main issue lies in goal for Manchester United, with the signing of Andre Onana causing issues in the net after David De Gea's exit from Old Trafford.

How has Andre Onana performed this season?

Onana has struggled for form since joining Manchester United this summer, the 27-year-old finding his start to life in Manchester hard at the moment.

He's already conceded 19 goals in a Red Devils goalkeeper strip, playing 11 games in total so far for his new employers.

It's not been helped by Onana making costly errors in matches to lead to goals finding their way in, bizarre goalkeeping in Manchester United's home clash with Nottingham Forest saw Taiwo Awoniyi score after two minutes.

The Red Devils did go on to win the match 3-2, but it was an unnecessary mountain that had to be climbed.

Seven of the goals he's conceded have come in the Champions League, Bayern Munich putting Manchester United to the sword 4-3 in Germany whilst Turkish giants Galatasaray dramatically won 3-2 on their trip to Old Trafford.

To sum up the stopper's oes, such dismal form has seen him labelled as a "comedic liability" by journalist Muhammed Butt.

Leaking goals at the rate Ten Hag's team are could mean the Dutchman freshens up who he selects in goal, with backup keeper Altay Bayındır waiting in the wings.

Will Altay Bayındır be given a chance?

Another of Manchester United's summer buys, Bayındır has yet to be given an opportunity with zero appearances to his name in any competition so far.

The 25-year-old impressed with Fenerbahce in his native Turkey, leading to a call-up to the national team and the United transfer happening.

The extended International break could well work in the Turkish goalkeeper's favour, with Ten Hag given more time to deliberate over what his strongest Manchester United XI is.

Former Tottenham player Garth Crooks, whilst writing for the BBC, criticised Onana's start to the season – a poor start that could signal Ten Hag to switch it up in net.

He said: "It's hard enough trying to win matches when your goalkeeper is in good form, but when he's making errors almost on a weekly basis, it makes life very difficult for all concerned."

With 6 foot 6 Bayindir waiting in the wings, then, perhaps his chance to dislodge Onana could well be forthcoming.

Liverpool could look to add even more talent to their midfield in the coming transfer windows, and journalist Fabrizio Romano has dropped a key update over their pursuit of a "one-man army" in the middle of the park.

Liverpool transfer updates

The summer transfer window ended up being a busy one at Anfield, although the midfield ended up being the only area of focus. The Reds had huge issues in that position throughout last season, with age seemingly catching up with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, neither of whom could cover the ground they once did.

Injuries to others such as Thiago, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also proved to be problematic, so in order to solve that issue, Jurgen Klopp brought in Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch.

So far this season, it has made a clear difference, with fresh legs alleviating those past problems – Szoboszlai has been particularly impressive – but that's not to say that further additions aren't necessarily needed in the middle of the park.

The hope is that a new defender comes in at some point in the near future, too, in order to provide Klopp with more options there, but for now, another midfielder looks to be on the cards.

Manu Kone to Liverpool news

In a new transfer update, Romano told Caught Offside that Liverpool are still linked with Manu Kone, with news of an extended Borussia Monchengladbach deal untrue:

"Kone could also be one to watch in January as it’s not true that he’s signed a new contract with Borussia Monchengladbach, despite reports elsewhere.

"Kone’s current contract is valid until 2026, but he could leave in 2024. We’ll have to see what happens, though, because at the moment there are no contacts or negotiations ongoing with any other clubs, despite interest in him during the summer.

"Juventus and Liverpool were two clubs who considered him as an option but then did not call again after August. So we will see in 2024 what happens, but the player remains open to trying a new experience, while his asking price would likely be around €40m (to) €45m."

A recent claim from 90min said that Kone to Liverpool is still on the cards and Romano's update only adds fuel to the fire that he could become a Reds player once January arrives.

The 22-year-old could certainly be an exciting option for Klopp, having been hailed as a "fantastic" player by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, not to mention a "one-man army in midfield", such is his all-round dominance in his position.

Dribbling

Gets booked too often

Passing

Inconsistency

Wins the ball back

Very raw

Kone's stats suggest that he could be ideal to come in and master the No.6 role for Liverpool, having averaged 2.5 tackles per game in the Bundesliga so far this season, as well as exactly the same tally during the 2023/24 campaign.

Mac Allister is not at his best in that position, as has been highlighted in recent weeks, and Kone could be a long-term option who allows the Argentine to push further up the pitch and play his best football.

Chelsea's most successful manager in recent times has been Thomas Tuchel.

The German tactician, who led the Blues to Champions League glory over Manchester City in 2021, was the last manager to deliver any sort of silverware to Stamford Bridge.

He recorded 63 wins in 100 matches and only tasted defeat 18 times in 20 months while reaching both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals in the 2021/22 season.

Despite this success, Todd Boehly and co ultimately decided that Tuchel wasn't the right man to take the club forward and according to his ex-wife, he was dismissed in September 2022 due to "off-field reasons and because the players lost respect for him".

While Tuchel's spell in charge ended on a sour note, so too did Chelsea's business during his time at the club, with the 50-year-old misfiring across all fronts in the transfer window.

He brought in the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Saul Niguez and Marcus Bettinelli – who all failed in the blue shirt – and also sold a whole host of talented stars, including Tammy Abraham, Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori, Marc Guehi and Olivier Giroud, the latter of which has gone on to make the Blues regret selling him in 2021.

How did Olivier Giroud perform for Chelsea?

Throughout his career, Giroud has become such a likeable figure everywhere's been. During his six-year stint at Arsenal, the Frenchman earned plaudits for his consistent goal-scoring and his ability to produce the spectacular, scoring 105 times and assisting a further 41 in 253 appearances for the Gunners.

So it came as no surprise to see many Arsenal fans frustrated at the club's decision to sell him to their rivals for £18m in 2018, with Arsene Wenger claiming a year earlier that the striker was performing at the pinnacle of his powers.

He said: "I know how important he is not only as a player – he’s a fantastic player – but also in the group he has a big weight. It was a relief for me he decided to stay. Giroud in his prime is at the top of his game."

After moving to west London, Giroud would become a pivotal figure in the club's quest for European dominance and the "top level" forward – as formerly claimed by Wenger – would perform exceptionally in Europe's top two competitions.

In 2018/19, his eye-watering 11 goals and five assists in 14 appearances helped the Blues win the Europa League, ironically scoring the winner against his former club in the final.

Then in the 2020/21 campaign, the 6 foot 4 phenom would play an integral role in the Blues' run to the Champions League final, having scored a sensational six times in eight appearances, including all four goals in their 4-0 victory over Sevilla.

Given those standout performances on the big stage, it begs the question as to why Tuchel sold him to AC Milan for a measly £1m in the summer of 2021.

How many goals has Giroud scored since leaving Chelsea?

While supporters have been made to sit through the transfer saga involving Romelu Lukaku, the toothless Kai Havertz and the struggling displays of Nicolas Jackson since Giroud's departure, the Frenchman has been a revelation for AC Milan.

At the remarkable age of 37, the sublime finisher has showcased his final-third expertise at the Rossoneri and left Chelsea fans frustrated with the form he's producing.

In 95 appearances for Milan, he's scored 36 goals and supplied 14 assists, a total that has seen him outscore every Chelsea player since his departure.

The 126-cap international also outperformed the majority of his positional peers in the Serie A last season, ranking in the top 16% for non-penalty goals, top 4% for aerials won, top 18% for assists and top 2% for touches in the attacking penalty box, as per FBref.

Giroud's powers in front of goal have also shown no signs of slowing down in this campaign either with four goals and three assists in eight appearances in the Serie A.

The talented Frenchman may be approaching the twilight years of his career, but if anything, he's aged like a fine wine and he continues to make Chelsea regret selling him for such a nominal fee.

Manchester United may soon be on the search to replace manager Erik ten Hag, and one reporter has claimed the ‘hottest property in management’ could be a target.

Man Utd update – Erik ten Hag

Ten Hag enjoyed a productive first season in charge at Old Trafford, winning the EFL Cup, finishing in the Premier League top four and reaching the final of the FA Cup, however, he hasn’t had the same success so far this season. The Dutchman watched his side lose 3-0 to rivals Manchester City on Sunday and were dumped out of the EFL Cup by the same scoreline to Newcastle United. Prior to their cup exit in the week, there were reports claiming that both the Glazers and Ratcliffe were in agreement that Ten Hag’s position in charge was safe for now.

However, with the club now losing eight of their first 15 matches in all competitions, something they last suffered in the 1962/63 campaign, Ten Hag’s days could be numbered if he fails to turn things around quickly. As a result, talkSPORT reporter Callum Vurley shared a story following the defeat on Wednesday evening, looking at who could possibly replace Ten Hag as Man Utd manager. He identified a number of potential contenders, one of which being Brighton & Hove Albion’s Roberto De Zerbi, saying:

“Arguably the hottest property in management right now, De Zerbi has turned Brighton into a force to be reckoned with despite regularly losing players and coaches. Their attractive style of football is easy on the eye and has taken them to the Europa League where fans have dreams of going far. Several clubs have already been keeping tabs on the Italian while some have even mentioned him as a potential Pep Guardiola replacement at Manchester City. If United could snap up the Brighton boss instead, it would be hailed as quite the coup.”

Roberto De Zerbi profiled

De Zerbi has made an eye-catching impact on the south coast after taking over from Graham Potter last year. In total, the Italian, formerly of Palermo, Benevento, Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk, has won 25 of his 53 games in charge of the Seagulls so far. (Roberto De Zerbi stats – Transfermarkt)

Roberto De Zerbi against Man Utd

Date

Brighton 0-0 Man Utd (6-7 on penalties)

April 2023

Brighton 1-0 Man Utd

May 2023

Man Utd 1-3 Brighton

September 2023

The 44-year-old guided Brighton to the semi-finals of the FA Cup against Man Utd and into the Europa League last season and recently came in for praise from Pep Guardiola, who admitted De Zerbi is one of the coaches that he admires the most in world football. There have even been discussions that the Brighton boss could go on to become the best manager in the world, so if Man Utd do decide to part ways with Ten Hag in the near future, it wouldn’t be a shock if someone like De Zerbi is on their radar.