An “unbelievable” manager has now emerged as Manchester United’s top target to replace Ruben Amorim, who has made a poor start to the new campaign.
Doubts over Amorim's Man Utd future after slow start
With Man United winning their final game before the international break, defeating Burnley 3-2 at Old Trafford, Amorim appears to be safe in the short-term, but there are doubts about how long the 40-year-old will be able to last in the job.
Former Arsenal defender William Gallas has even suggested the Portuguese coach could be gone by the end of the year, saying: “He looks lost. I don’t think his body language and emotional response are giving a good impression to his players or the Manchester United fans,
“Looking at him, I’m not sure he’ll make it to Christmas, to be honest, because it feels like United are one poor performance or defeat away from a crisis.”
The former Sporting CP boss has struggled ever since his arrival at Old Trafford, with his points per match ratio particularly concerning, and the shock defeat at the hands of Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup certainly won’t have done the manager any favours.
Games
46
Wins
17
Draws
12
Losses
17
Points per match
1.37
Consequently, according to a report from Football Insider, Man United have now started to identify potential replacements for Amorim, and they have selected Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as their top target.
INEOS are not actively looking to bring in a replacement for their manager straight away, but they have now started to assess the market, and Emery has emerged as an appealing option, given the job he has done at Villa.
The 53-year-old replaced Steven Gerrard at Villa Park in November 2022, taking over when the Villans were just above the relegation zone, and he has since led them to the Champions League and Europa League in back-to-back seasons.
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While the Spaniard has undoubtedly done a fantastic job at Aston Villa, there are doubts over how much further he can take them, given his current employers’ PSR issues, which limited their spending in the summer transfer window.
As such, a move to Old Trafford could potentially appeal to the Villa boss, who has enjoyed an incredibly successful career up to this point, winning 11 trophies across spells with Sevilla, Villarreal and Paris Saint-Germain.
Villa striker Louie Barry, who is currently on loan at Sheffield United, has also praised the former PSG manager’s training sessions, saying: “Unai Emery is an unbelievable coach for improving players. It was crazy to me how similar the training was to my time in Barcelona.”
Should they sack Amorim, Man United could do with bringing in a proven Premier League manager, who has a history of winning trophies, and Emery ticks both boxes.
Tottenham Hotspur avoided an embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat last night, subsequently claiming a 3-0 victory over League One Doncaster Rovers.
The win keeps Thomas Frank’s hopes of claiming a trophy in his first year as Lilywhites boss alive, with a trip to face current holders Newcastle United awaiting them in round four.
It may have only been against a team two divisions below them, but the Dane will have been impressed with the relentless nature of the performance, which saw the Lilywhites have 55% possession.
Such an outing gave numerous fringe players a chance to stake their claim for a regular role in the starting eleven, with the Dane having some incredible strength in depth currently at his disposal.
However, the victory also allowed one other player to finally get the opportunity he’s craved to feature in his natural position after being forced to operate in an unnatural role as of late.
Xavi Simons’ performance against Doncaster
After joining in a £52m deal from RB Leipzig during the summer transfer window, Xavi Simons became a player with huge expectations at Spurs, but he’s so far struggled to reach the levels many hoped for.
He’s mainly operated in a wide left role, but he was handed a start in a more familiar central role against Doncaster last night – taking advantage of the opportunity handed his way.
The Dutchman featured for a little over an hour, but had a huge impact on proceedings – as seen by the underlying stats that he produced in North London.
Simons created seven chances and won four fouls – with both tallies being the most of any player on the pitch – subsequently highlighting the threat he posed to Grant McCann’s side.
He also completed 97% of the passes he attempted, with four of his efforts being into the final third – allowing him to create one big chance in the process.
Whilst he was unable to register a goal or assist last night, the 22-year-old looked a constant nuisance in the number ten role, with Frank needing to stick with him in such a position.
However, one other first-team player managed to impress, now arguably being just as important as the Dutchman, given his own impressive display against Donny last night.
The Spurs star who is becoming as important as Simons
Given the sheer volume of competitions this season, Frank needs to have every Spurs player up to scratch to try and allow for success in various tournaments.
His side have already claimed wins in three separate competitions in 2025/26, with the side already impressing in the Premier League, Champions League and the Carabao Cup.
Simons has started all but one game since making his big-money move to join the Lilywhites, but the Dutchman has rapidly developed into a key player for the Dane as a result of his creativity.
However, he’s not the only summer addition who’s already impressed in North London, with Joao Palhinha immediately exceeding all expectations placed upon him after his loan move to the club.
The Portuguese international joined from Bayern Munich, but to the disappointment of many, with the 30-year-old not seen as the man to improve the first-team squad.
He’s already scored twice despite his deep-lying role, with his latest effort coming against Doncaster last night – producing an incredible acrobatic effort which opened the scoring.
Palhinha also featured out of position at centre-back, but still managed to thrive, producing numerous incredible figures that helped the Lilywhites claim a crucial victory.
The former Fulham star completed 63 passes, at a completion rate of 90%, with the former of the two stats the most of any player who featured during the contest on home soil.
Despite his defensive role, he also managed to complete four passes into the final third, able to provide those ahead of him with the chances to impress in front of goal.
Joao Palhinha – stats against Doncaster
Statistics
Tally
Minutes played
90
Touches
82
Passes completed
63
Pass accuracy
90%
Tackles made
2
Clearances made
6
Interceptions
1
Passes into final third
4
Stats via FotMob
However, Palhinha dominated without the ball, making two tackles, six clearances and one interception – helping the Lilywhites keep their fifth clean sheet of the 2025/26 campaign.
As a result of his showing, the loanee was handed a superb 9/10 match rating by The Standard’s journalist Matt Verri, further showcasing how impressive he was during the victory.
After such a display, Frank simply can’t afford to drop the Portuguese international from his starting eleven, with the experienced talent on a phenomenal run of form in the first team of late.
Should he continue his current impressive form for the Lilywhites, there’s no reason as to why Palhinha can’t be as undroppable as Simons, with the pair able to catapult the side to new heights in the months ahead when operating together.
Fewer touches than Kinsky: Frank must bench 5/10 Spurs star after Doncaster
Tottenham Hotspur secured their place in the next round of the Carabao Cup last night with a win over Doncaster.
Manchester United have the long term in their sights under Ruben Amorim, though they could now face a decision on whether to sell one of their prize assets to Real Madrid.
Man Utd look for gradual progression under Ruben Amorim
The Premier League campaign has ignited quiet optimism at Old Trafford over the direction Amorim’s young squad may be headed. However, there is still plenty of work to do before debates can take place over quantified success.
Taking difficult decisions to improve his pool of talent, Andre Onana’s departure to join Trabzonspor on loan has impressed supporters as the Red Devils streamline their squad appropriately for years to come.
Onana stated upon his arrival: “I am very happy. I can say that I am very happy. I am starting a new project, a new adventure for me, I am very happy to be here. This is a feeling that makes me so happy. I’ve never felt so much love from people around me.”
Feeling love in a new environment is important, something reflected in Rasmus Hojlund scoring his first goal for Napoli over the weekend, but Amorim has shown courage to discard big-money signings in pursuit of an improved product on the field.
In statistics recorded before Manchester United’s tussle with Manchester City, the Red Devils had taken the most shots and also faced the second-fewest efforts in the Premier League across their last ten top-flight matches, illustrating that slow change is taking place.
CSKA Moscow midfielder Kirill Glebov has his heart set on moving to Old Trafford, showing a buy-in from young players desperate to join Amorim’s project, albeit not everyone is feeling the same way amid recent developments.
Kobbie Mainoo wants to leave Man Utd for Real Madrid
According to reports in Spain, Kobbie Mainoo is pressuring Manchester United to sell him to Real Madrid and views a move to the Santiago Bernabeu as a dream destination in January.
This term, the England international has fallen out of favour under Amorim and hasn’t been a regular starter, though any transfer could depend on Los Blancos running into injury trouble or selling Dani Ceballos. Mainoo still wants out of Old Trafford and ‘his inner circle is working on finding a club that can guarantee him minutes’
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BySean Markus Clifford Sep 13, 2025
INEOS may now be left with a decision to make on Mainoo’s future, which is complicated further by the fact he has two years left on his contract at Old Trafford.
Amorim stated earlier this week that the Carrington graduate needs to improve in the engine room to fulfil his potential fully: “I believe in him a lot. He is a top player. But some of you think that Kobbie Mainoo is already done [a complete player]. I think he can do so much better.
“For some guys (talent) is enough, but for him it is not. Maybe it’s not fair, but I think I’m helping Kobbie, and that’s it.”
After Mainoo asked to leave Manchester United on loan before the window closed, it appears there may still be work to do at Old Trafford to convince him to stick around amid interest from Champions League giants.
Newcastle United are in talks over the signing of a towering Scandinavian attacker this summer, who could join alongside one of Yoane Wissa or Nicolas Jackson.
Newcastle watch on as striker dominoes fall
The striker situation at St James’ Park has dominated their summer, with Alexander Isak’s future still in doubt amid continued interest from Liverpool and seemingly every other European rival in the top flight landing their own superstar striker.
If Isak does depart, he would be the second big Swedish striker transfer of the summer aftter Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal, with the pair joining the likes of Erling Haaland and Alexander Sørloth in what is a growing crop of Nordic strikers thriving in major European leagues.
Brentford’s Yoane Wissa and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson have emerged as two of the leading options to arrive at St James’ Park to replace Isak, with both potentially needed if the Magpies lose both Isak and Callum Wilson in the same summer transfer window.
Like Isak, Wissa is refusing to play for his current club, in order to try and force a move away, while Jackson finds himself struggling for a starting berth at Stamford Bridge after the signing of Joao Pedro from Brighton. Now, an update has emerged regarding another Premier League attacker.
Newcastle join teams tapping into Scandinavian striker market
According to The Athletic‘s David Ornstein on X, Newcastle are in “talks” over signing Wolves and Norway striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, with the 25-year-old liking the idea of joining the Magpies.
“Newcastle retain firm interest in Jorgen Strand Larsen. Not more advanced than other options but 25yo Wolves forward among small group being considered. Talks via intermediaries + Norway int’l keen on NUFC but not agitating to exit.”
Strand Larsen stands out as another good option for Newcastle, having developed massively in recent years. According to Transfermarkt, the striker was worth just €600k (£500k) at Groningen, a number which has ballooned to €30m (£26m) after moves to Celta Vigo and then Wolves.
The Wolves ace has 14 goals in 39 appearances, which is a good return for a team that struggled in the Premier League last season, and Magpies legend Alan Shearer is a big admirer, hailing his qualities back in April.
“He was a nuisance. His hold-up play was excellent and I thought his touch and his control were superb. “Wolves didn’t play that well in the first half, but they certainly improved in the second. When you’ve got a guy who’s 6’4, you have to get balls into the box, and they certainly did that in the second half.”
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Strand Larsen is arguably a better option than Jackson, considering he scored more league goals than him in a weaker team last season, so he and Wissa could be ideal business to make up for the loss of Isak, if it happens.
New Zealand came close in the 219-run chase, but Sri Lanka did enough to get a consolation win
Madushka Balasuriya02-Jan-2025In the end, Sri Lanka did enough. That’s not something you’d expect to say about a team that had racked up 218 runs in their first innings, but it speaks towards just how well New Zealand had set about their chase for most of the innings. It was a victory set up largely by Kusal Perera’s maiden T20I ton, the fastest ever by a Sri Lankan, coming off just 44 deliveries.For about 15 overs of the chase New Zealand were keeping up with the nearly 11-an-over required rate, and when Daryl Mitchell struck Charith Asalanka for four consecutive sixes in a 25-run 15th over they might have even been ahead.Sri Lanka then thought they had done enough with a couple of wickets at the death, before Zachary Foulkes’ final-over fireworks provided yet another scare. But despite frayed nerves, Sri Lanka held on to close out a consolatory seven-run win.Having entered inside the powerplay, Perera fell with less than two overs left in the innings, and such was the impact of his innings even a run-a-ball final two overs couldn’t prevent Sri Lanka from registering their second-highest T20I total ever.Asalanka also played a starring role – despite the treatment meted out by Mitchell – backing up his 46 with the bat with a three-wicket haul that derailed New Zealand’s well-planned chase. He also took a scorcher of a catch at extra cover to cap an impressive outing. There was however no looking beyond Perera for the player of the match award.Jacob Duffy, a thorn in Sri Lanka’s side throughout the series, picked up just the solitary wicket this time round, although his economy rate of 7.50 was still the best of any bowler who bowled at least two overs in the game. He was deservedly named player of the series.SL and NZ trade early blowsThe rollercoaster nature of the game was telegraphed right from the start. Sri Lanka lost three of their top four inside the opening 10 overs, and their openers inside the powerplay, but they didn’t let that slow them down.Kusal Mendis struck 22 off 16, Pathum Nissanka 14 off 12 and Avishka Fernando 17 off 12, as Sri Lanka kept a steady rate of around eight an over.Despite the early wickets, it could have been better too, had New Zealand held on to miscued reverse sweep off Perera when he was on just 15.Despite taking two excellent grabs to dismiss both Nissanka and Mendis, it was the chance they will likely look back on and regret.Mitchell Santner celebrates Kusal Mendis’ wicket•MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty ImagesPerera and Sri Lanka turn on the afterburnersDespite losing three wickets, Sri Lanka’s score of 85 after the first 10 overs constituted their best score at the halfway mark of an innings all series. But the 10 overs to follow would put that tally comfortably in the shade.Led by a belligerent Perera, and aided by some short boundaries at Nelson, Sri Lanka proceeded to plunder 133 runs off the final 10 overs – and that could have been considerably more if not for two excellent overs at the death from Mitchell and Duffy.Those two overs went for six each, but that Sri Lanka still ended up on a mammoth 218 speaks towards the damage done in the overs that preceded them – particularly devastating was a four-over period from overs 14-18 that brought 75 runs. Much of that was down to Perera, whose century came at a strike rate above 200 and included 13 fours and four sixes.While he initially targeted the boundaries behind square with a catalogue of sweeps, switch hits and outright slogs, by the end his knock was a true 360 exhibition – a monster six over cover to bring up his century emphatically ramming home the point.He was kept company by an equally combative Asalanka, who struck 46 off 24 during a 100-run fourth wicket stand that came off just 45 deliveries.Well prepared New Zealand come out firingRegardless of the match situation you can always count on New Zealand to come out with an effective plan, and their chase in Nelson was a prime example.Most sides would be overawed when hunting down a target of 219, but from the very first over of the chase New Zealand set the tone as Tim Robinson and Rachin Ravindra each took Chamidu Wickramasinghe for a boundary each.This was followed by a five-run over by Nuwan Thushara, but New Zealand made up for that by taking on Sri Lanka’s most effective seamer this series, Binura Fernando, for 18 off his opening over.Sixty-three runs were scored inside the powerplay, but the onslaught only continued afterwards. By the halfway point New Zealand had run up 108 runs and still had eight wickets in hand.Charith Asalanka struck in three consecutive overs•MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty ImagesAsalanka the unlikely heroWith Thushara and Binura being saved for the death overs and Theekshana having an off day, Asalanka was left with a conundrum through the middle overs. Was he going to rely on the green Wickramasinghe to handle the fifth bowler quota on his own, or would he bowl a few himself?He ended up opting for the latter, and it might just be what swung the game in Sri Lanka’s direction. In his first over the Lankan skipper removed Mark Chapman, before taking out Glenn Phillips in his second. But it was his third that brought the big fish, sliding one past Ravindra’s inside edge to dismiss the New Zealand opener for a 39-ball 69.Perhaps Asalanka overestimated his capabilities in bowling himself out, and was duly punished by Mitchell. But his breakthroughs meant New Zealand would be forced to score heavily off Sri Lanka’s frontline bowlers at the death.New Zealand can’t stick the landingDespite Asalanka’s strikes, Mitchell’s monster striking had brought the equation down to 51 from 30 with six wickets in hand.At that point it seemed like the hard work had been all but done, but New Zealand just couldn’t stick the landing. Hasaranga’s double-wicket 16th over did much to reverse to momentum that had swung New Zealand’s way through Mitchell’s onslaught. And then when Mitchell fell an over later, looking to take on Thushara, the writing seemed on the wall.Foulkes however ensured Sri Lanka were made to work for their win with some powerful hitting at the death, but the visitors just about managed to hold on.
Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin will not be pleased with the way his team have started the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season.
The Light Blues failed to win both of their opening matches in the division, drawing 1-1 with Motherwell on the opening day before drawing 1-1 with Dundee at Ibrox.
There is still plenty of time left in the summer transfer window for the Scottish giants to do more work to ensure that their team is ready to compete for trophies this season, though.
Whilst there will be a focus on incoming additions to excite the supporters and improve the current starting line-up, a new report suggests that Martin could be losing a player from his playing squad.
According to Brazilian journalists Andre Hernan and Bruno Andrade, Palmeiras are in the process of finalising a deal to sign Jefte from the Light Blues this summer, in what will be a permanent move for the defender.
After just one year at Ibrox after moving from Fluminense, the 21-year-old talent appears to be on his way out of Glasgow to return to his home country.
Why selling Jefte will be a blow for Rangers
Losing the left-footed ace will be a blow to Rangers in the short-term because he is the only senior left-footed left-back who has been utilised by Martin so far this season.
Jefte
Ridvan Yilmaz has not made a single matchday squad in the 2025/26 campaign, and it was recently reported that he has reached an agreement with Besiktas over a return to Turkey. This means that Jefte’s proposed move to Palmeiras would leave Martin without a left-footed left-back in his side, which would result in Max Aarons going back to that position, a role in which he looked incredibly uncomfortable against Panathinaikos and Motherwell.
Whilst Jefte is not the finished article or the perfect left-back for Rangers, the 21-year-old gem does offer balance to the team as a naturally left-footed player in that position, which cannot be said for the right-footed Aarons.
24/25 Premiership
Jefte
Starts
30
Goals
1
Assists
4
Tackles + interceptions per game
3.3
Dribbled past
17x
Ground duel success rate
52%
Aerial duel success rate
57%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Brazilian defender did not have a completely awful first season at Ibrox in the Premiership, starting 30 of their 38 games and winning the majority of his physical duels on the deck and in the air.
However, Jefte had issues that are not easy to track on a stats sheet. Too often, the full-back would not be aware of the player over his shoulder and would get caught sleeping at the back post for goals.
Jefte
The Palmeiras target also did not have his best game against Dundee in the Premiership last weekend. He only completed one of his five attempted crosses and was tackled in four of his five attempted dribbles, per Sofascore, which shows that the left-back struggled both technically and with his decision-making.
Putting all of this together, it is a blow for the Light Blues to lose their first-choice left-back in the short-term, but it also provides them with an opportunity to improve their team by swooping for a new option in that area of the pitch.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Rangers and Celtic were both recently linked with an interest in Monaco full-back Kassoum Ouattara, who is currently valued at a fee of around £13m by the French side.
It was claimed that a permanent deal, which would be a club record for both clubs, is unlikely and that the Glasgow giants may look down the loan route for the 20-year-old dynamo, if possible.
Why Rangers should sign Kassoum Ouattara
The Gers should push to beat Celtic to Ouattara’s signature before the end of the summer transfer window with a move for him this month, because he could be a fantastic addition to the squad as a replacement for Jefte.
Should the Brazilian’s move to Palmeiras go through as reported, Rangers will need to find a left-footed left-back who can provide enough quality on the pitch to improve Martin’s team, and the Monaco youngster appears to fit the bill.
The young defender only started five of his 12 appearances in the French top-flight during the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore, but showcased his quality in those limited outings for Monaco.
Ouattara also played in Ligue 2 with Amiens in the 2023/24 campaign and caught the eye with 3.3 tackles and interceptions and 6.1 ball recoveries per game, which shows that he can offer a strong defensive presence at left-back when needed.
However, his performances in Ligue 1 for Monaco in the most recent season showed what he is best at: attacking. The £13m-rated full-back was an effective attacking force down the left flank with his ability to create chances for his teammates on a regular basis in the final third.
24/25 season *per 90
Ouattara (Ligue 1)
Jefte (Premiership)
xA*
0.29
0.11
Chances created*
1.38
1.14
Successful crosses*
1.62
1.00
Cross accuracy
41.2%
28.3%
Assists*
0.23
0.13
Dribbles completed*
1.15
1.17
Stats via FotMob
As you can see in the table above, Ouattara’s attacking output was even more impressive than Jefte’s was in the Premiership in a Rangers side that ultimately finished second in the division.
These statistics show that the French starlet has outstanding potential as an attack-minded left-back, as he created almost three times as much xA per 90 in comparison to the Brazilian.
Kassoum Ouattara in action for Monaco.
Analyst and writer Kai Watson described Ouattara as a “very offensive” full-back and these statistics certainly back up that claim, as he is an exceptional passer and crosser on the evidence of his form in one of Europe’s major leagues last term.
The task for him, though, is to prove that he can do it over the course of an entire season. A move to Ibrox would provide him with a platform to do exactly that, with a vacant spot at left-back if Jefte moves on, and in a team that will be competing for the title this term.
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Therefore, the Light Blues should be making a move to sign Ouattara from Monaco this summer because he could come in as a dream replacement for Jefte as an attack-minded full-back for Martin.
Ishan Kishan marked his return to first-class cricket with a counterattacking 126-ball 111 that helped India C dominate proceedings on the opening day of the second round of matches in the Duleep Trophy, in Anantapur.Not originally part of the revised squads named by the BCCI on September 10, Kishan was a late inclusion on match-eve. Having made a late dash from Bengaluru, 200 kilometers away, Kishan slotted in for India C, not India D who he was originally set to play for, before picking up a groin injury that forced him to miss the first round of matches last week.Kishan dominated during the course of a 189-run stand for the third wicket with B Indrajith, which formed the bedrock of India C’s batting performance; they ended on 357 for 5 after 79 overs. Indrajith contributed 78, his second half-century in three innings.Kishan, who brought up his seventh first-class century, hit 14 fours and three sixes in all during his knock, which officially marks his comeback to proper red-ball cricket for the first time since his Test debut in the Caribbean in July 2023.Last month, he had led Jharkhand in two games of the pre-season Buchi Babu Invitational in Tamil Nadu – the scores of which aren’t classified under first-class records. There, Kishan had struck a hundred in his very first outing against a Madhya Pradesh XI.Three of the five India C wickets were picked up by seamer Mukesh Kumar, while Navdeep Saini and legspinner Rahul Chahar picked up one apiece.India C, however, will be encouraged by the return of Ruturaj Gaikwad, their captain, who had retired hurt in the very first over after twisting his ankle. Gaikwad, who returned to bat at the fall of Indrajith’s wicket, added 42 more to his score to remain unbeaten on 46 at stumps.B Sai Sudharsan and Rajat Patidar, both seeking to firmly cement themselves as first back-up middle order picks, couldn’t build on strong starts, making 43 and 40 respectively.
Sunderland are now reportedly part of a seven-club battle to sign a huge young talent this summer, with six other English clubs also in the mix to snap him up.
Sunderland agree move for Xhaka
The Black Cats are edging closer to their return to the Premier League, with their opening clash at home to West Ham now less than three weeks away, arriving on August 16th.
Regis Le Bris is still eyeing important summer transfer business for Sunderland, with more quality required within his squad, and Granit Xhaka is now on the verge of joining from Bayer Leverkusen, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie. The Swiss will join on a three-year deal, arriving for an initial fee of £13m, with a total of £4.3m in add-ons for the former Arsenal midfielder.
Meanwhile, the Black Cats are also thought to be pushing to sign Galatasaray forward Nicolo Zaniolo, with the Italian earning some Premier League experience on loan at Aston Villa in the past.
New attacking signings appear to be the order of the day for Sunderland after Xhaka is signed, and now a young player with a potentially big future ahead of him has been linked with a switch to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland make contact with England international
According to a fresh claim from Football Insider, Sunderland have “enquired” about the availability of young Metz striker Idrissa Gueye, who is valued at £17m by his current club.
The Black Cats are far from the only club in the race to bring in the 18-year-old, however, with Liverpool, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Southampton and Ipswich Town all mentioned as potential suitors.
Sunderland's Stadium of Light.
Gueye is described as “one of the hottest properties in Europe” in the report, so Sunderland beating the other six clubs to his signature, among others dotted around Europe, would be a real statement of intent by the Premier League newcomers.
The Metz ace has already scored five goals in 20 appearances for the French outfit at senior level, not to mention already winning one cap for Senegal at international level at a tender age.
Gueye wouldn’t necessarily arrive at Sunderland as a more polished attacking player like Zaniolo, but he would be seen as a footballer with a high ceiling who could grow into something special over time.
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Admittedly, £17m is a lot to pay for a player who is still only 18 years of age, but if the Black Cats see him as someone who can become a superstar at the Stadium of Light eventually, he could be worth every penny.
“Brendon just brings this energy, it helps being somebody who’s been there and done it, in the way he played.”
Andrew Miller08-Sep-2024
Moeen Ali was an integral member of two World Cup-winning squads, in 2019 and 2022•AFP/Getty Images
Moeen Ali believes that Brendon McCullum is “100 percent” the right man to revive England’s flagging white-ball fortunes, and backs him to bring out the best in his captain Jos Buttler too, after confirming that he is calling time on his own international career at the age of 37.Moeen, who played 138 ODIs and 92 T20Is in a ten-year England career, was an integral member of two World Cup-winning squads, in 2019 and 2022, the latter as Buttler’s vice-captain and on-field sounding board.Having also featured at the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Moeen went on to play a key role in the white-ball revolution under Eoin Morgan and Trevor Bayliss. Now, he backs McCullum and Buttler to forge a similarly successful partnership, as the squad seeks another rebuild after their poor defences of both the 50- and 20-over titles in 2023 and 2024.Related
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'Felt the time was right' – Moeen Ali retires from international cricket
Ollie Pope is a potential weak link for England at No. 3
McCullum takes over the white-ball role from Matthew Mott, who was sacked in July after England’s semi-final exit at the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. Speaking to Sky Sports during the ongoing Oval Test match, Moeen suggested that McCullum’s aura, as a former New Zealand captain and one of the great white-ball batters of all time, would give him a standing in the dressing-room that his predecessor never had.”Brendon just brings this energy,” Moeen said. “It helps being somebody who’s been there and done it, in the way he played.”Sometimes, when the coach says ‘go and do this’, and they never did it themselves, it’s quite difficult to take on. But Brendon brings that energy, and I think it’d be great for Jos more than anything, because he’s got so much on his plate with batting, bowling, keeping, captaining and all that.”Brendon will take the pressure off Jos, and he can just play as captain on the field. Brendon will be more in control, I think.”Speaking in the wake of his appointment, McCullum noted that Buttler had cut a bit of a “miserable” figure in recent months, with some noticeably terse exchanges with the media during the World Cup, and with a long-standing calf injury preventing him for playing any competitive cricket since that semi-final exit against India.Moeen had been an increasingly influential figure in the field throughout Buttler’s captaincy, often ringing the changes in the field and communicating with the bowlers from mid-on and mid-off while Buttler focussed on his role as wicketkeeper. He led England on 13 occasions (12 T20Is and a one-off ODI in Australia), including England’s entire seven-match series in Pakistan in October 2022 that doubled as a warm-up for their T20 World Cup victory.But, with a new generation of white-ball cricketers coming through, Moeen insisted that Buttler would not lack lieutenants as he embarks on England’s rebuild. Phil Salt will captain next week’s T20I series against Australia, while Harry Brook is on standby to lead the ODI squad if Buttler does not recover from his calf injury in time.”When Morgs initially took over, he didn’t really have a right-hand man, but a good, tough captain produces leaders, and I think over time you’ll get that,” Moeen said. “At the moment, obviously you’ve got Sam Curran and these guys who can lead, but sometimes as a vice-captain you can almost talk too much, and give too much advice.”I felt that sometimes, maybe, I did that, but I think Jos will make everyone feel like they can come and speak to him. He’s very approachable, but I think he will do his own thing. There’s a lot of leaders out there who potentially can be great leaders in the future.”
Chelsea can officially start to make moves during the summer transfer window after it opened for business on Sunday, and that includes exits as well as incomings.
Towards the end of last month, the Daily Mail reported that Crystal Palace could make a move to bring Trevoh Chalobah back to Selhurst Park, after they qualified for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup.
It remains to be seen whether or not the Blues would be willing to part ways with the academy graduate, whom they recalled in January, but they were willing to send him out on loan to Palace last summer.
Chalobah started the Conference League final against Real Betis, but was also an unused substitute in the last two Premier League games as Chelsea chased a top-five finish.
Chelsea eyeing deal for new centre-back
The 25-year-old defender, whose sale would represent pure profit for the Blues as a homegrown player, could find himself on his way out of Stamford Bridge amid talk that the club are interested in bringing another centre-back to the club.
He is already behind Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, and Wesley Fofana, when available, which suggests that the addition of another player in that position could send him too far down the pecking order.
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With a move for Liam Delap all but sewn up, now according to The Guardian, Chelsea are ‘considering’ a swoop to sign England international Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the Blues are eyeing up a deal for the English centre-back, who is ‘widely expected’ to move on from Selhurst Park ahead of next season.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehi
The Guardian recently reported that Palace value Guehi at a fee of around £65m, although it remains to be seen whether or not Chelsea would be willing to pay that much for their former defender.
Why Chelsea should sign Marc Guehi
The Conference League champions should swoop to sign the £65m-rated England international this summer because he would arrive as a big upgrade on Trevoh Chalobah, due to the defensive qualities that the former Cobham star can bring to the side.
Guehi, who has previously been hailed as “unbelievable” by podcast host Aaron Moniz, is a proven Premier League performer who has been there and done it and could hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge.
As a former academy graduate, he would also not need much time to adapt to life at Cobham and with some of the players with whom he would already be familiar, like the captain Reece James, which could work in his favour.
24/25 Premier League
Marc Guehi
Trevoh Chalobah
Appearances
34
25
Tackles + interceptions per game
2.6
2.4
Clearances per game
4.6
4.2
Blocks per game
0.2
0.1
Duels won per game
4.9
4.2
Duel success rate
59%
59%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Guehi’s performances in the Premier League this season also suggest that he would be a big upgrade on Chalobah as an out-and-out defender.
Whilst the individual statistics may not show a big difference, with only 0.4 more clearances per game or 0.2 more tackles and interceptions per game, it is the fact that he is ahead of the Chelsea defender in every category that stands out.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehicelebrates after the match
This means that Guehi could come in and offer more to Enzo Maresca’s side as a centre-back in every aspect of defending, from winning duels, to making blocks, to being in the right place at the right time to make vital clearances.
He is also less prone to making mistakes. Chalobah made two errors that led to goals in the Premier League, whilst Guehi did not make a single error that led directly to a goal, which suggests that the Palace star would be more reliable at the heart of the defence.
Big Sancho upgrade: Chelsea step up move for 'one of the world's best'
Chelsea could be ready to land an upgrade on Jadon Sancho this summer
1
By
Robbie Walls
Jun 1, 2025
Therefore, Chelsea should press ahead with a deal to sign the £65m-rated English star this summer because he could come in as a big upgrade on Chalobah to improve Maresca’s defence next season.