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Liverpool’s defence have borne the brunt of the criticism for the club’s landslide in form this season. Such reproval has hardly been undue. However, Arne Slot’s forwards have also struggled to implement his tactics.

The plain truth is that the Reds have so many punctures across their system, and the boss has an increasingly slim period to overturn the plummet in form that has led to nine defeats across 12 matches in all competitions.

Ahead of their trip to West Ham United on Sunday, Liverpool languish in 13th place in the Premier League, and there are so many creases for Slot and his staff to iron out if a turnaround is to be found.

Mohamed Salah has for so long been an unstoppable force for the Anfield side, but he’s been among the most disappointing members of the team this season, and the right wing is becoming a weak link.

Liverpool considering Mo Salah successor

If Salah sees out the £400k-per-week contract he extended back in April, he will leave Liverpool in 2027, marking a decade on Merseyside.

He has scored 250 goals and provided 116 assists across 419 appearances in a Liverpool shirt, and he is one of the greatest players in Premier League history.

Goals scored

0.77

0.34

Assists

0.48

0.17

Shots taken

3.23

2.43

Shot-creating actions

4.51

3.27

Touches (att pen)

9.50

6.21

Pass completion (%)

70.6

68.1

Progressive passes

3.84

4.19

Progressive carries

4.14

3.94

Successful take-ons

1.55

0.92

Ball recoveries

2.70

2.77

But there’s no denying the 33-year-old has been miles south of his usual standards this season, wasteful in the final third and drifting on the edge of Slot’s malfunctioning system.

There remains hope that Salah will rediscover his form, but a success plan needs to be put in place, and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh has been earmarked as a possible option.

According to Spanish sources, Liverpool are ‘seriously considering’ a move for the 21-year-old winger, who has established himself in the Premier League since the start of last season.

It’s unclear at this stage what Brighton would demand for their rising star, but he wouldn’t come cheap, certainly more than the £35m figure the Seagulls paid Newcastle to bring him to the south coast in 2024. Some sources suggest discussions could enter the £100m ballpark.

Why Liverpool want Yankuba Minteh

Minteh has actually worked under Slot’s wing before, scoring nine times across 36 matches on loan during the 2023/24 season, assisting five goals too.

Newcastle were then forced into selling their Gambian prospect to ease PSR-related concerns, and he has become a star in the Premier League, hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as “one of the standout wingers” in the division back at the start of the term.

While he’s only scored once across 12 matches, Minteh has assisted four goals and maintained the kind of athletic level of performance that would raise the bar at Liverpool, with Sofascore recording that he has averaged 2.5 dribbles and won 6.3 duels per game.

His qualities are further underscored by FBref’s data. In the Premier League this term, Minteh ranks among the top 6% of positional peers for progressive carries and successful take-ons, the top 1% for goal-creating actions and the top 11% for tackles won per 90.

This blend of physicality and potency – the wide forward scored seven goals last year – is almost reminiscent of Sadio Mane in his Liverpool pomp.

This was actually picked up by one football scout, who has said that Minteh can “can reach Sadio Mane[‘s] level” if he continues to foster his natural qualities.

Minteh is still so young. He is 21. Mane, for what it’s worth, was 24 when moving from Southampton to Liverpool in a £34m deal.

Mane didn’t match Salah’s jaw-dropping output, but he certainly came close, and 120 goals and 46 assists over 269 outings during Jurgen Klopp’s golden years is hardly a poor return.

Unlike Salah, the 34-year-old always had a bit more fury in his game, so combative and electric on the ball.

If Minteh could capture even a portion of the form Mane projected at Anfield over so many years, he would more than endear himself to the Reds fanbase.

But, as those in the know would tell you, he has what it takes to emulate the Senegalese icon.

He'd revive Isak: “Best manager in the world” now Liverpool's top target

Arne Slot is losing grip on his position as Liverpool manager after a shocking run of form.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Nov 29, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur will feel hard done by after salvaging a draw against Newcastle United on Tuesday evening, having come unstuck after Anthony Gordon dispatched a controversially won penalty for the home side.

There’s a case to be made that Rodrigo Bentancur had infringed play in the box, but the tussle was waged between two players – one of whom was the 6 foot 7 Dan Burn – and there’s also a case to be made that Bentancur was pulled to the floor by the Newcastle defender.

Even as Cristian Romero’s brace rescued his side, Thomas Frank will know the pressure valve has not been released, and he still has much to prove if he is to cement his managerial berth in north London.

Frank's struggles at the Spurs helm

Tottenham have been something of a mixed bag in the Premier League this season. Their home performance woes have spilt from last year into the current term, with the defeat to Fulham meaning three have been lost on the bounce in the top flight.

Tactically, Tottenham are not creating enough. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are sidelined, have been since the summer, but this is no excuse for the stunted playmaking quality that has been on show. Spurs’ players are not maximising their own skillsets.

Frank is a more pragmatic manager than Ange Postecoglou before him, but his Brentford side still produced clinical and concise attacking play.

Man City

2nd

26.7

Chelsea

4th

24.0

Arsenal

1st

23.5

Crystal Palace

5th

22.7

Liverpool

8th

22.2

(18) Tottenham

11th

12.6

Now, much has been left to be desired in his Lilywhites team, and ENIC Group could be forced into cutting off their new manager and replacing him with a summer target.

Indeed, Daniel Levy (remember him?) interviewed Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, as per TalkSPORT, who confirm that he has his sights set on a move up the ladder, albeit with a preference to see out the season.

Given the depth of Tottenham’s interest, this could be a deal revisited. And anyway, it’s not like the Spanish tactician has done anything to deter suitors this year.

Why Iraola is a better stylistic fit

Iraola is a young manager, but he has taken to the Premier League with ease, inculcating his aggressive, attack-focused football at the Vitality Stadium and recording Bournemouth’s highest-ever points total (56) last year.

He has transformed Bournemouth from a band of hard-batting, relegation-contending troops to an easy-on-the-eye attacking force, so intense and energetic. The fact he boasts a superior points-per-game record to Frank in the Premier League only adds fuel to the argument.

It’s a style of football that feels tailor-made for a club like Spurs. To dare is to do, after all, and one of the biggest criticisms of Frank’s tactics has been a pragmatism and lack of creative ambition.

The Spaniard has even been generously named “the best coach in the Premier League” by journalist James Horncastle for his impact on the south coast, and though the Cherries are struggling for form right now, with four losses from five outings, there’s little question that he has laid out his credentials at the top.

Talented players like Xavi Simons are struggling. Tottenham are in a rut. Could Iraola provide the solution? His ability to adapt – evidenced after a summer exodus – could also play favourably into a north London outfit who have undergone a fair amount of chopping and changing in recent years.

It is not yet time for ENIC chiefs to push for a managerial change, but Frank will know that he will soon be on borrowed time if unable to prove that his tactical vision is slowly taking root at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Should push come to shove, Iraola may well prove the perfect replacement, his self-defined “rock and roll” brand of football aligning with Spurs’ free-flowing identity.

The new Son: Spurs prepared to pay £65m to sign "world-class" talent

Tottenham Hotspur could be about to fork out a hefty sum to land a new attacker for Thomas Frank.

ByEthan Lamb Dec 3, 2025

Oliver Glasner’s Eagles have managed to climb the Premier League table with a recent upturn in form, finding themselves now 12th in the division, sitting on 27 points after 22 games played, winning six times, drawing nine times and losing seven times.

Since the start of December, Crystal Palace have only lost two games, both of those losses coming against Arsenal, once in the Premier League and once in the EFL Cup.

This run of form has seen draws against the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, and some big wins against the likes of West Ham, Brighton and Leicester.

It looks as though they’re finally getting over Michael Olise’s summer exit.

Michael Olise's record at Palace

Glasner’s side have started to find the back of the net on a more regular basis over the last few games, with the front three now establishing itself and beginning to gel after Olise departed for Bayern Munich.

Of interest to plenty of Europe’s biggest teams, he left Selhurst Park behind having dazzled their adoring fans on a regular basis.

In total, the French winger scored 16 goals and registered 25 assists in 90 outings with 16 of those goal invovlements coming in just 19 matches in 2023/24.

So, replacing him was always going to be a tricky one, but Ismaila Sarr is beginning to prove his worth.

Ismaila Sarr's form at Palace

Once Olise left Palace in the summer, the Eagles went ahead and signed Sarr from Marseille, joining the club for a fee of around £12.5m.

He now is finally starting to settle, having an impact on games and helping the Eagles to get points on the board. Since the 26-year-old signed, he has made 27 appearances, scoring four goals, providing three assists and totalling 1,635 minutes played.

It took until the end of November for Sarr to fully impact games with his output, but since then, the Senegalese winger has shown why Steve Parish and Co struck gold by bringing him to the club. He’s found a real nice balance in attack with Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta, which has seen Glasner’s side go on a good run in the Premier League.

Sarr’s transfer valuation has already risen slightly since joining, with his market value now sitting at £17m according to Transfermarkt.

Market Movers

Football FanCast's Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club's star player or biggest flop worth today?

For context, that is already worth more than their new signing, Romain Esse, who joined from Millwall this month for a fee of around £12m (potentially rising to £14.5m with add-ons).

How Ismaila Sarr compares to Romain Esse

Esse made 26 appearances for Millwall this season, scoring five goals and providing one assist in 2,165 minutes. He has shown his versatility playing on both the left and right wing, as well as through the middle when needed.

Goals

0.3

0.2

Assists

0.2

0.1

Shots

1.8

0.8

Chances Created

1.5

1.2

Take-Ons Completed

0.6

2.3

Take-On Success %

36.36%

50.5%

Touches (Opp Box)

5.1

3.1

Labelled a “freak talent” by Ben Foster, who played with the Senegal international at Watford, Foster has previously spoken of how Sarr makes things happen, even if he doesn’t know what he’s going to do, which fits nicely with his direct nature, often looking to attack the box as often as possible, create chances and get shots off when possible. That’s rather similar to Esse who has been lighting up second-tier defences already this term.

Dubbed a “superstar in the making” by Millwall manager, Gary Rowett, the youngster could benefit from challenging Sarr for a starting spot alongside Eze behind the striker, both offering slightly different attributes in that role.

Having Sarr ahead of Esse could allow the young winger to settle at the club with less pressure, not being thrust immediately into the limelight, building up his experience and showing quality with rotated/substitute appearances, which are likely to spark support from the fans with his excellent technical ability.

Crystal Palace could sign immediate upgrade on Esse all for £25m

Crystal Palace announced the signing of Romaine Esse on Saturday.

ByConnor Holden Jan 19, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur have made contact with intermediaries as they eye a late January move for one “remarkably” fast defender, with manager Ange Postecoglou arguably in need of more centre-back options.

Spurs urged to sign new centre-back before deadline day

As the Lilywhites wait for Mathys Tel’s decision over join them, after agreeing a fee with Bayern Munich (Fabrizio Romano), technical director Johan Lange and the Spurs recruitment team remain hard at work on other potential incomings.

Lange travels for January talks as Tottenham push to sign "strong" £40m ace

The Dane has held in-person negotiations.

ByEmilio Galantini Jan 30, 2025

Tottenham have apparently guaranteed Bayern a £50 million payment for Tel’s signature before the end of this January window, coming as good news for supporters who could see the highly-rated Frenchman bolster Postecoglou’s attacking options.

However, despite Micky van de Ven’s return to the team and Cristian Romero being back in training, you can make a serious case that the north Londoners should at least attempt to sign central defensive cover before the window shuts in four days time.

Brentford (away)

February 2nd

Man United (home)

February 16th

Ipswich Town (home)

February 22nd

Man City (home)

February 26th

Bournemouth (home)

March 9th

Van de Ven, Romero and Ben Davies’ absences from the side in recent months forced teenager Archie Gray into an unfamiliar role, partnering Radu Dragusin at the heart of Postecoglou’s defence, and the Australian will be keen to not be left so short in that area during the second half of 24/25.

Spurs have been urged to sign a fresh defender before the clock runs out, and many were linked in the build up to January.

A rumoured option under consideration by Lange is AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori, with the Englishman ticking many boxes as a homegrown player and one who possesses plenty of experience at the highest level.

Tottenham are considering a bid for Tomori, according to some reports, and Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari says that the 27-year-old remains in their thinking.

Tottenham reach out to agents over signing Fikayo Tomori in January

Longari, via X, claims that Tottenham have probed intermediaries to gauge Tomori’s availability – with the £25 million ace one of many potential San Siro exits as we approach the final days of this window.

The former Chelsea defender started his career at Milan in impressive fashion, earning call-ups to the England squad, but his place in the starting eleven has been less guaranteed this campaign.

This could hand Spurs an opportunity to tempt him with a move back to the Premier League, and his sheer pace could suit Postecoglou’s high-line down to the ground.

“He is remarkably quick, but the way he comes out and closes down people and spaces is tremendous to see,” said Rio Ferdinand on TNT Sports. “He is a student of the game, he is intelligent, he will keep on growing.”

Arsenal summer signing Cristhian Mosquera has piled praise on two Hale End academy gems he’s noticed since his arriving in North London, claiming they boast maturity far beyond their years.

Hale End prospering with conveyor belt of Arsenal sensations

Arsenal’s academy has long been a cornerstone of the club’s identity, and in recent years, it has blossomed into one of the Premier League’s most established talent factories.

Since the rise of England winger Bukayo Saka, whose breakthrough into the first team has been nothing short of spectacular, the academy’s reputation for developing technically gifted, versatile and exciting young players has only grown stronger.

Appearances

270

Goals

73

Assists

71

Bookings

31

Red cards

0

Minutes played

20,448

Saka, who’s about to be rewarded with a brand-new contract which could make him the club’s only £300,000-per-week player, set a very high benchmark for Hale End graduates.

His success has inspired a new generation of starlets emerging from the club’s youth ranks, many of whom are now knocking on the door of the senior squad or making waves in loan spells elsewhere.

15-year-old Max Dowman is chief among them, having just become the second-youngest debutant in Premier League history behind fellow rising Arsenal star Ethan Nwaneri.

Ethan Nwaneri

15 years, 181 days

Arsenal

Max Dowman

15 years, 235 days

Arsenal

Jeremy Monga

15 years, 271 days

Leicester City

Harvey Elliott

16 years, 30 days

Fulham

Matthew Briggs

16 years, 68 days

Fulham

Dowman, after coming on against Leeds United, marked his first Arsenal league appearance by winning a penalty for Viktor Gyokeres to fire home in a 5-0 thrashing of the newly-promoted side.

Meanwhile, left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, despite his ongoing battle with Riccardo Calafiori for a starting place this season, established himself as an England international during his breakthrough campaign last term.

The teenager started every Champions League knockout game for Arsenal in 24/25, including both of their semi-final legs against PSG, with Lewis-Skelly making 39 senior appearances in all competitions as a firm regular in Mikel Arteta’s starting eleven.

Sporting director Andrea Berta awarded both Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri with new long-term contracts in the summer to stave off interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, and Mosquera has already been blown away by what he’s seen from the pair.

Cristhian Mosquera piles praise on Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri at Arsenal

Speaking to The Athletic, Berta’s recruit lavished praise on Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri, saying the youngsters already “play like they’re 30” and it’s “incredible” to behold.

As Lewis-Skelly fights for his left-back spot, Nwaneri is yet to start a single Premier League game so far this season — but that is testament to the abundance of attacking quality in Arsenal’s squad.

Martin Odegaard’s new injury could free up space for the latter to accumulate more minutes, if Eberechi Eze doesn’t completely steal the number 10 role, but it is important to remember that Nwaneri is still very much in his infancy.

Interestingly, Arsenal chiefs hold very high hopes for Mosquera too, and there is a belief behind-the-scenes that their new defender could soon become one of the best centre-backs in world football.

Nottingham Forest are simply blessed with attacking talent in their current crop of forwards. The men in Garibaldi Red have been on fire this season, and find themselves flying high in the Premier League in third.

Chris Wood has certainly remembered his shooting boots this term. The New Zealand striker is the in-form player in the Forest side, with 13 goals in all competitions this term, more than any of his teammates.

The midfield trio behind him are equally as productive. Callum Hudson-Odoi has four goal involvements this term, Morgan Gibbs-White has seven to his name and Anthony Elanga is flying with eight goals and assists.

Incredibly, it seems like Forest could be looking to add more firepower to their already deadly attack with one Premier League star.

Nottingham Forest's search for a striker

The player in question here is Bretford forward Yoane Wissa. The DR Congo attacker has been on fire this term for the Bees, but could well depart the club before the transfer window slams shut in February.

At least, that is according to a report from John Percy of The Telegraph. Forest are expected to ‘explore a move’ for the 28-year-old in the coming days, as they look to add to the depth in attacking areas, should Taiwo Awoniyi depart.

However, they will not be alone in the chase for the Brentford star. North London giants Arsenal, who are one of only two teams above Forest in the Premier League table, also have the forward on a list of new recruits for attack. At this stage, a price for the attacker remains to be seen.

Why Wissa would be a good signing

It has been an exceptional season for Wissa so far in 2024/25, starring up front for the Bees alongside Bryan Mbuemo. The pair have really stepped up since Ivan Toney left the club in the summer for Suadi Arabian side Al-Ahli.

This term, Wissa has scored 11 times in the Premier League, grabbing two assists along the way, in 18 appearances in the top flight.

He has scored and assisted multiple goals in a game four times, which included two crucial strikes against Bournemouth to give his side a 3-2 win. He has certainly been “massively underrated”, as football analyst Ben Mattinson explained.

The DR Congo star could be a fantastic long-term upgrade on Awoniyi. The Nigerian striker seems like he could be on the way to Forest, with Percy explaining he is a ‘target’ for West Ham but they are yet to make a bid.

Although the former Union Berlin striker has shown some promise in that Garibaldi Red shirt, with 18 goals in 71 games for the club, he has not performed well this term.

He has just one goal in 16 Premier League appearances all season, with that strike coming in the recent 3-0 win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In fact, when looking at the statistics of the pair over the past two and a half seasons, since Awoniyi first moved to the Premier League, you can see the quality Wissa possesses compared to the Forest number nine.

For example, according to FBref, the Brentford attacker takes an average of 2.31 shots and averages 0.36 goal-creating actions per game. In comparison, Awoniyi averages 2.19 shots and 0.34 goal-creating actions.

Although those numbers are fairly close, Wissa is a superior player when it comes to his dribbling ability. The Bees’ number 11 averages 1.66 progressive carries each game, compared to 1.01 progressive carries per 90 minutes from the Nigerian striker.

Stat (per 90)

Wissa

Awoniyi

Shots

2.31

2.19

Goal-creating actions

0.36

0.34

Assists

0.13

0.13

Key passes

0.9

0.71

Progressive carries

0.66

1.01

Given his hot form this term, Wissa seems like he would be a big upgrade on Awoniyi, who seems destined to leave the club. He would certainly add to the attacking firepower at the City Ground this term.

The former Lorient star could be exactly the player Forest are looking for to help spur them on to Champions League qualification.

Imagine him & Anderson: Nottingham Forest targeting "ball-carrying machine"

Nottingham Forest are targeting another addition to bolster their Premier League title ambitions.

ByEthan Lamb Jan 16, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou is under immense pressure at N17, amid claims that Spurs are targeting Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi as a replacement for the Australian.

Tottenham identify potential replacements for Postecoglou

The Lilywhites lie 14th in the Premier League table, losing 13 games already this season and winning just one of their last eight top flight matches.

Club debate summer deal for Tottenham ace after dropping social media hint

They’re holding internal discussions.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 13, 2025

Tottenham’s current injury crisis has been well-documented, with Postecoglou’s side into double digits when it comes to missing senior players. However, there is also a genuine case to be made that Spurs’ form still hasn’t been good enough, and criticism aimed at Tottenham’s manager has centered around his lack of a plan B approach.

Man United (home)

February 16th

Ipswich Town (away)

February 22nd

Man City (home)

February 26th

Bournemouth (home)

March 9th

Fulham (away)

March 16th

Spurs are believed to be doing their due-diligence on potential replacements for Postecoglou, with Brentford boss Thomas Frank, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and ex-Borussia Dortmund head coach Edin Terzić all linked with the role recently.

Another tactician they’re believed to be very interested in, according to reports out of Italy this week, is Nerazzurri boss Inzaghi.

The 48-year-old guided Inter to a Scudetto last season and a Champions League final the campaign before that, with Inter also contending for another Serie A title this season, as they fiercely challenge Antonio Conte’s Napoli at the top of the Italian top flight.

Inzaghi is turning heads with the job he’s done at Inter, so much so that Tottenham are being privately urged to consider appointing him as a possible successor to Postecoglou, should they opt to sack the 59-year-old.

Inter Live.it reported this week that Fabio Paratici is pushing Spurs to consider Inzaghi as manager, and if they do fire Postecoglou, then the Lilywhites are apparently ready to offer the coach a “very rich contract”.

Fabrizio Romano shares Simone Inzaghi to Tottenham update

Now, amid claims of Tottenham’s serious interest, reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Inzaghi’s future at the San Siro.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the reporter claims that Inter want to hand Inzaghi a new contract as an “urgent priority”, despite him only just signing a new deal around eight months ago, with the Lilywhites and other top clubs seemingly lurking.

“It’s now an urgent topic at Inter,” said Romano on Inzaghi’s potential new contract.

“Full focus on Serie A, Champions League, they’re still fighting in all competitions and nothing will be discussed now, also because he signed a new deal 8 months ago.”

Spurs’ interest is justified considering the Inter boss’ glowing reputation among critics and players alike, but it looks like the Serie A giants will fight tooth and nail to keep him.

“He knows more about tactics than any of the other coaches that I’ve had,” said former striker Felipe Caicedo. “By playing simple football, he gets you feeling good. He makes you feel important. He makes you understand right away that he lives for football. He loves it, and he wants to win.”

Journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed that an “awesome” Sheffield United could depart alongside Gustavo Hamer in the summer transfer window.

Hamer has been linked with Sheffield United exit

The Blades suffered Championship playoff final heartbreak on Saturday, losing 2-1 to Sunderland in the dying seconds at Wembley, bringing an end to an ultimately disappointing season.

Hamer has been sensational for United this season, scoring 10 goals and registering eight assists in the league, not to mention winning the Championship Player of the Year award, highlighting what a magnificent individual campaign he enjoyed.

Sadly, the Blades now face a real battle to retain the services of the 27-year-old, who may want to test himself in the Premier League or another top division moving forward, rather than staying put in the Championship for another year. Everton have already been linked with a move for Hamer earlier this month, whereas Leeds United tried to sign him last summer.

Hamer may be far from the only United player to move on to pastures new, however, with plenty of other heroes potentially wanting a new challenge after the misery of Saturday and failure to get back into the top flight. Now, a worrying update has emerged regarding one such figure.

Sheffield United could also lose "awesome" star

Speaking to EFL Analysis, Bailey said that Sheffield United could also lose Vinicius Souza this summer, ahead of a potential exodus:

“I don’t see how they can hang onto their Brazilian stars, though. Gustavo Hamer ran the final before going off injured, which is a very strange repeat of what happened to him whilst with Coventry City. The other is Vinicius Souza – a huge talent, quite literally – the giant Brazilian has been awesome for United but there are a host of clubs looking at him. I also think their Bosnian star Anel Ahmedhodzic is unlikely to want another Championship season.”

Souza is another key man for United, so losing him would be a major setback, following a season that has seen the 25-year-old shine at the base of Chris Wilder’s midfield.

The Brazilian averaged an impressive 3.2 tackles per game across 38 Championship appearances, as well as two clearances per match, while Jimmy from Blades Ramble has hailed his performances, admitting he has proven him wrong:

“I have to hold my hands up because I did not think there was a player in there and one performance does not make an absolute superstar, but everything he’s showing at the minute is showing that he can definitely cut it at this level. It was one of the most impressive performances on Friday night, and he won Player of the Match. If we can keep hold of him, I think we’ll do really well.”

3 amazing defenders Sheffield United can sign to replace Robinson in the PL

Sheffield United could look to axe Jack Robinson with the experienced defender’s contract nearly up.

ByKelan Sarson May 20, 2025

United must do all they can to convince Souza to remain at the club and try his luck again this season, but in truth, it is easy to see him joining Hamer out of the Bramall Lane exit door.

Ipswich Town could buckle under the strain of the battle to stay up in the Premier League over the course of the next few contests, with two tough clashes against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United coming the way of the Tractor Boys in quick succession.

However, both reverse fixtures did see Kieran McKenna’s men impressively pick up a stunning away victory at Spurs, whilst also collecting a deserved point during Ruben Amorim’s first clash in the Red Devils dug-out.

Off the back of a battling draw with Aston Villa too, McKenna’s men won’t go into either encounter riddled with fear, especially if Liam Delap is on top form attempting to cause both inconsistent teams trouble.

Delap's red-hot form for Ipswich

It goes without saying now that the £20m capture of Delap last summer was a masterstroke of a buy on the newly promoted side’s end, with the ex-Manchester City wonderkid turning into a deadly Premier League centre-forward in Suffolk.

Indeed, as a result of his opener against Unai Emery’s shellshocked Villa, Delap is now up to ten goals for the season in the league, with Sammie Szmodics way behind his bumper total with four as Ipswich’s second top scorer.

McKenna will be hoping Delap’s continued excellence in front of goal gives his underdogs a fighting chance at survival, because if Ipswich do go down, there will be a whole host of higher-up suitors wanting to win the exceptional 22-year-old’s services.

But, whilst his bumper goal total is an obvious joy to behold for the Portman Road masses, there is one former Tractor Boys attacker who is actually bettering the 6 foot 1 forward’s electric goalscoring form now all the way down in League Two.

The unexpected star who's outscoring Delap

This ex-Ipswich man did have the unfortunate reality of being in a side that was languishing all the way down in League One, instead of one punching above its weight in the top flight.

Still, Armando Dobra’s lacklustre output of two goals and four assists from 30 largely forgettable appearances would see the Albanian attacker be moved onto Chesterfield in 2022 on a free transfer, with McKenna the cutthroat manager to finally wave him on his way.

Burton Albion 2-1 Ipswich, 14th of August 2021

1. GK -Vaclav Hladky

2. RB – Kane Vincent-Young

3. CB – Janoi Donacien

4. CB – Luke Woolfenden

5. LB – Matt Penney

6. RM – Armando Dobra

7. CM – Rekeem Harper

8. CM – Lee Evans

9. LM – Scott Fraser

10. AM – Louie Barry

11. ST – Joe Pigott

Whilst Vaclav Hladky and Luke Woolfenden would go on to be key parts of the jigsaw under McKenna – who both lined up alongside Dobra during his final ever Tractor Boys start – the 23-year-old had to go and repair his career with the Spireites and he has done just that based off his superb showings in League Two this campaign.

Where Are They Now

In all competitions, the one-time Ipswich reject is amazingly trumping Delap’s weighty ten goals with 11 of his own, alongside also boasting two assists as a constantly creative option for Paul Cook’s lower league side.

As assistant manager Danny Webb has stated, amid January interest in the forward, he is “a massive player” for the lower league outfit.

It’s not as if Dobra has suddenly sparked into life for Chesterfield either and become this rejuvenated presence, having now collected a bumper 32 goals and 15 assists from 116 clashes donning a more comfortable shade of blue.

Cook and Co even have an outside shot of the League Two playoffs in their sights, whilst Dobra’s former club have one simple survival aim etched into their brains all the way up in the Premier League.

Worth more than Hutchinson: Ipswich have struck gold on "remarkable" star

Ipswich Town struck absolute gold when signing this star.

1 ByKelan Sarson Feb 18, 2025

Chelsea have been in constant contact to discuss the signing of an “unbelievable” Barcelona player who they absolutely love, according to a report.

Blues' summer transfer plans taking shape

The Blues’ form in the second half of the Premier League season has been patchy to say the least, but they have returned to form in recent weeks, securing two wins on the spin to ensure they are firmly in contention for the Champions League places.

As such, Enzo Maresca should be well-positioned to attract some top players this summer, and the manager appears to be especially keen on signing a new striker, with Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy and Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap among the targets.

Maresca is also eager to bolster his options at the opposite end of the pitch, with a new centre-back of interest, and the west Londoners are now believed to be the favourites to sign AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, having proposed a seven-year contract.

Chelsea now have "strong" chance of signing £206k-per-week Barcelona star

Enzo Maresca’s side have thrown their hat in the ring.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 26, 2025

Huijsen is attracting widespread interest, however, which means Maresca may have to move on to alternative targets, and a report from The Boot Room has revealed Chelsea absolutely love Barcelona defender Jules Kounde.

The Blues have been in constant contact with Kounde’s agents, such is their level of interest, with the Frenchman’s future now up in the air, given that he is yet to commit to a new contract to extend his stay at the Camp Nou beyond 2027.

Barca want to keep hold of the defender, and talks have been held over a new deal, but a move could be possible if the two parties are unable to make any progress, with Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool also in the picture for his signature.

"Unbelievable" Kounde could upgrade Maresca's backline

It is little wonder the Blues are so keen on signing the France international, given that he has been a vital player for a Barca side on course to win a treble this season, after defeating Real Madrid 3-2 in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.

Kounde scored the winning goal with just minutes left to play in extra time, finding the back of the net for the fourth time this season, while he has also showcased his attacking threat by picking up eight assists.

The 26-year-old has predominantly featured at right-back, but he is also very much capable of playing in the centre of defence, and he has impressed manager Hansi Flick with his fitness levels, which were lauded as “unbelievable” earlier this season.

The £223k-a-week defender could be a fantastic signing for Chelsea this summer, but it looks like it could be difficult to pull off, given that he has been one of Barcelona’s most important players this season, and his recent performance against Real Madrid may make them even more hesitant to sanction a departure.