Aston Villa have now joined the race to sign an “agile” Emiliano Martinez replacement, who has been in impressive form so far this season.
Villa eyeing new goalkeeper amid Martinez uncertainty
Martinez is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but he has looked shaky at times this season, off the back of major interest from Manchester United during the summer transfer window, before they ultimately decided to bring in Senne Lammens.
The Argentinian was criticised for not doing more to prevent Lukas Nmecha’s goal in the 2-1 victory against Leeds United, although the performances against AFC Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers were much more encouraging.
That said, with the shot-stopper now 33-years-old, and Villa willing to accept January bids, potential replacements are now being identified, including Manchester City’s James Trafford and Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin.
According to a report from Sky Sports, a Bundesliga star is also of interest to Unai Emery’s side, namely Borussia Monchengladbach’s Moritz Nicolas, who wants to move to a top club next summer, given his ambitions to play in Europe.
A number of clubs are in the race for Nicolas, who stands at 6’3, including Villa, who view the colossus as a successor to Martinez, although the Argentina international remains under contract until the summer of 2029.
Aston Villa plotting £18m bid for "tremendous" defender, Martinez is a big fan
The Villans are planning a move for a new centre-back, who is also being targeted by Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
By
Dominic Lund
Nov 27, 2025
"Agile" Nicolas in top form in the Bundesliga
The 28-year-old was nominated for Borussia Monchengladbach’s Player of the Season award last season, as a result of being the second-best goalkeeper in the Bundesliga in terms of xG prevented, conceding just 25 from an xG of 33.5.
After the nomination, the Monchengladbach star received plaudits from board member Roland Virkus, who said: “Mo is very agile for his height and is also really good with his feet.”
Having averaged a save percentage of 74.8% per 90 over the past year, the German places in the 81st percentile, when compared to other goalkeepers, which suggests he could be a solid replacement for Martinez, with the Villa goalkeeper averaging 71.1%.
Not only that, but the former Roda JC man has already amassed five Bundesliga clean sheets this season, including three in his last four matches, most recently making four saves to keep RB Leipzig at bay in a 0-0 draw.
Nicolas clearly has the quality to be Martinez’s successor, but Aston Villa should look to keep hold of their goalkeeper if possible, given that he is already proven in the Premier League, showcasing his quality by making three saves from inside the box against Wolves last time out.
Everton have now reportedly joined the race to sign a Champions League goalscorer in the January transfer window who Erling Haaland loves.
Everton offered chance to sign Evan Ferguson
Thierno Barry may have broken his goal drought, but that won’t be enough to stop Everton from targeting another forward in the January transfer window, according to reports. The Toffees, with their European ambitions in mind, have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Evan Ferguson if AS Roma cut his loan spell short.
Everton now ready to pounce to sign £35m Premier League striker in January
The Toffees are in the race for a new centre-forward
ByDominic Lund 5 days ago
Whether those in Rome do send the Republic of Ireland striker back to Brighton & Hove Albion is the big question, however. Just when the rumours began to arrive, Ferguson scored a brace against Celtic in midweek and Brighton released the news that Stefanos Tzimas has suffered an ACL injury.
That could see Everton drop down the pecking order in the race to sign the forward, who Roma may now want to keep and who Brighton may now need back at The Amex following Tzimas’ season-ending injury.
Following his brace against Celtic, Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini told reporters: “During the game he did what he often does in training. He’s a young lad and we have to be patient. His second goal was beautiful. His performance was great, and it’s important that he plays with this spirit and shows his qualities.”
With a deal for the Brighton forward becoming more complicated overnight, Everton could decide to turn towards Bodo/Glimt star Jens Pettter Hauge when the January transfer window swings open, according to reports.
Everton join race to sign Jens Petter Hauge
According to TeamTalk, Everton have now joined the race to sign Hauge after completing their scouting mission on the Bodo/Glimt winger. The 26-year-old has rediscovered his best form since returning to Norway and is now reportedly interested in a move to the Premier League amid interest from the Toffees, Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Brighton.
After scoring in the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund in midweek, it’s easy to see why Everton are interested and it’s easy to see why Haaland is such a big fan.
After disappointing stints at AC Milan and Eintracht Frankfurt, Hauge will be hoping to make it third time lucky if he secures another big move in the January transfer window.
With 11 goals and 11 assists to his name in all competitions in Norway this season, the talent is certainly there for all to see as Everton eye a potential 2026 move ahead of their Premier League rivals.
Dewsbury-Hall repeat: PL talent ready to leave his club with Everton keen
Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League triumph at the end of the 2024/25 campaign has brought added expectations, after finally ending their 17-year wait for a piece of silverware.
Ange Postecoglou’s triumph in Bilbao ended a generational wait for a trophy, but he was sacked after such victory, handing the responsibility to Thomas Frank in the process.
The Dane was handed a huge sum of money to try and build on the triumph, with the hierarchy backing the new manager after taking the reins ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Over £100m was spent on new additions, which has led to the Lilywhites already making an impact in the Premier League – as seen by their fifth-placed standing after the third international break.
Mohammed Kudus has already hit the ground running, registering one goal and one assist in the league, but the same can’t be said for one of their big-money summer additions.
How Simons compares to other PL midfielders in 2025/26
During the summer transfer window, Spurs forked out a total of £52m for the signature of attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, with the youngster joining the club from RB Leipzig.
The move ended their summer-long pursuit of a new attacking midfielder, with numerous options being targeted before completing a deal for the Dutch international.
Premier League options such as Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze were both considered, but various factors saw the Lilywhites miss out on both of the player’s signatures.
As a result, Simons was the man chosen to fill the void, with such a move generating huge excitement within the fanbase – undoubtedly aided by the sizable transfer fee.
However, a couple of months on from his big-money transfer to North London, the 22-year-old has ultimately failed to deliver, as seen by his tally of just two assists in his first 14 outings.
His underlying stats further showcase his lack of quality, with the youngster being massively outperformed by numerous players also in a single position in England’s top-flight.
He’s only created an average of 1.01 chances per 90, with such a tally ranking him in the bottom 25% of all other midfielders in the league, with right-back Pedro Porro creating more chances in the same time period.
Simons has also been dispossessed an average of 2.1 times per 90, subsequently placing him in the bottom 18% of all players in the division for the same category.
He will certainly need time to settle into life in England after his big-money transfer, but there’s little denying that he’s been a huge disappointment in recent months.
As a result, he could find himself struggling to nail down a starting role in the near future, especially if one player continues his phenomenal development at the club.
The Spurs star who could end Simons’ Spurs career
Over the years, the Spurs faithful have been blessed with countless talents who have operated in the attacking midfield role – subsequently handing the fanbase moments to last a lifetime.
James Maddison was the latest player in the role before his ACL injury, with the Englishman achieving some phenomenal levels during his spell in the first team in North London.
He’s racked up 16 goals and 19 assists in his 75 appearances for the Lilywhites, with his tally of 12 goals in 2024/25 the highest he’s managed after his £40m switch.
Dele was another Englishman who filled such a role in the years prior, with the former first-team star managing to win the PFA Young Player of the Year award on two separate occasions.
However, whilst he failed to match the expectations over a sustained period, Frank could be about to rely on Luca Williams-Barnett during his spell in North London.
The 17-year-old has generated huge excitement over the last couple of months, with the youngster making huge waves within various age categories in the academy.
He’s been starring way above his age group over the last few seasons, with the youngster featuring in the U18s side for the vast majority of the previous campaign.
He ended the year with a staggering 23 goals and nine assists in his 24 outings for the Lilywhites, resulting in a jump up once again – now becoming a key member of the U21 side.
At just 17, he’s arguably made himself one of the age group’s biggest stars, with his numbers from the ongoing season further reflecting his star quality despite his tender age.
Most Goals and Assists – Spurs U21s (25/26)
Player
Tally
Luca Williams-Barnett
10
Rio Kyerematen
5
Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny
4
Tynan Thompson
4
Yusuf Akhamrich
4
Oliver Irow
3
Dane Scarlett
2
Dante Cassanova
2
Stats via FotMob
Williams-Barnett has made just eight appearances, but it hasn’t stopped him from catching the eye, as seen by his remarkable tally of seven goals and five assists.
Back in September, he registered three goals and an assist in the 6-3 victory over Leicester City – with such a display undoubtedly his best in the 2025/26 campaign to date.
As a result of his performances, the youngster was named in the England U17 World Cup squad, with the midfielder already scoring twice during the ongoing competition.
Williams-Barnett has also made his senior debut during Frank’s tenure, as he was brought on in the 87th minute of the Carabao Cup victory over League One Doncaster Rovers back in September.
His performances across various teams in 2025/26 has led to huge praise being directed his way, with analyst Ben Mattinson labelling him as “one of England’s best talents”.
At just 17, the club will certainly have to manage the expectations placed upon him, but it’s undeniable that the Lilywhites have a phenomenal young prospect on their hands.
It’s unclear what his route to first-team success would be, but the hierarchy need to prepare a plan to allow him to match the potential he currently possesses at present.
As for Simons, he will need to rapidly buck his ideas up after his big-money transfer, with his spell in North London certainly being one to forget in recent months.
His future at the club could be in huge jeopardy in the years ahead, especially if Williams-Barnett is able to continue on his current development path in the youth ranks.
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Bryan Mbeumo cut a heartbroken figure after Cameroon's World Cup hopes collapsed in dramatic fashion, with the Manchester United star storming off alone after a stoppage-time defeat to DR Congo. The Indomitable Lions suffered a crushing 1-0 loss in the CAF play-offs, ending their bid to reach the 2026 tournament and leaving their talisman visibly emotional in the rain.
Cameroon knocked out of World Cup qualifying
Cameroon’s bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup ended in brutal fashion as they fell to a late 1-0 defeat against DR Congo in the CAF knockout play-offs. Having finished second in their group behind first-time qualifiers Cape Verde, the Indomitable Lions entered the play-offs as favourites but struggled to create clear chances in a tense, cagey encounter. One minute into second-half stoppage time, Chancel Mbemba headed home from a corner, crushing Cameroon’s hopes of reaching the expanded 48-team tournament across North America.
The late goal sparked despair among the Cameroonian players, many of whom fell to the turf in disbelief as DR Congo celebrated wildly. Manchester United winger Mbeumo, who had been one of Cameroon’s key performers throughout the campaign, reacted with visible frustration as he walked straight off the field. A video shared on social media showed him leaving alone in the pouring rain, needing to be consoled as he headed toward the tunnel after one of the toughest nights of his international career.
AdvertisementMbeumo cuts a heartbroken figure after the loss
AFPTurbulence surrounding the Indomitable Lions
The defeat marked the end of a turbulent qualification journey in which Cameroon won only five matches and struggled for consistency despite the presence of top talents such as Mbeumo, Andre Onana and Carlos Baleba. Their failure to top Group D, as they finished four points behind Cape Verde, forced them into the play-off path, where their hopes evaporated in the most agonising manner imaginable. It leaves a talented squad and manager Marc Brys facing intense scrutiny after missing out on a World Cup for only the fourth time since 1982.
Their elimination carries heavy symbolic weight, given their long-standing history as Africa’s most frequent World Cup participants with eight qualifications. The disappointment is amplified by the fact that the 2026 tournament will feature 48 teams and additional African berths, making this one of the most accessible routes to a World Cup in modern history. Yet despite the expanded format, the Indomitable Lions were unable to navigate a qualification campaign that exposed their tactical flaws and organisational instability.
The responsibility for the failure will fall not just on the players but also on the chaotic backdrop surrounding the national team setup. Brys’ appointment by the Ministry of Sports against the wishes of federation president Samuel Eto’o created internal tension from the outset, affecting preparation and harmony.
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AFCON: A chance for Cameroon to bounce back
DR Congo’s triumph sends them into the final stage of CAF qualifying, where they will face Nigeria in their own bid to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Cameroon must now regroup and confront the structural issues that contributed to their undoing in the qualifiers, starting with the uncertainty surrounding the head coach position. Brys’ tenure has been defined by controversy, and his future will likely come under immediate review following the failure to reach the World Cup, as the Indomitable Lions look ahead to the Africa Cup of Nations next month.
For Mbeumo, the focus shifts back to club football with Manchester United, but the emotional toll of missing a World Cup cannot be understated. As one of the squad’s leaders, he will be central to Cameroon’s rebuilding efforts. He has scored seven goals in 26 international appearances and is widely regarded as Cameroon’s attacking talisman, but he now faces the reality of missing out on the sport’s biggest stage.
O Internacional anunciou a renovação de contrato do volante Gabriel nesta terça-feira (17). O vínculo anterior do jogador terminaria do fim deste ano. Agora, com o novo acordo, o jogador está comprometido com o Colorado até o final de 2025.
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– Depois de quase dois anos de clube, eu continuo com a mesma mentalidade de ganhar e ser campeão. Muito feliz. Espero continuar escrevendo a história. Tenho certeza que vamos chegar em coisas grandes. O próximo passo são as conquistas. O desejo de continuar da minha parte e desejo do clube de me manter aqui. Saber que eu tive uma temporada passada muito boa e ela foi interrompida por uma lesão que me tirou por nove meses. Isso me deixou muito mal em termos físicos e mentais, mais pelo fato de ficar fora. Fui muito forte e resiliente. Procurei fazer a melhor recuperação. O Inter cuidou muito bem de mim. Hoje, estou me sentindo muito bem. A próxima temporada vai ser ainda melhor – disse Gabriel em entrevista ao canal do Internacional no Youtube.
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Gabriel está no Inter desde fevereiro de 2022 e assumiu rapidamente uma posição de liderançã no time. Em outubro do ano passado, o volante sofreu uma lesão grave no joelho e ficou nove meses afastado dos gramados.
Desde o retorno, Gabriel fez apenas 12 jogos pelo Colorado. O jogador acabou perdendo espaço por conta do excelente momento de Jhonny, com quem disputa posição.
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A próxima partida do Internacional será nesta quarta-feira (18), contra o Bahia, pelo Campeonato Brasileiro. O Colorado vive momento crucial para se afastar da zona de rebaixamento e ainda sonha com uma classificação para a Libertadores do ano que vem.
January 17th 2016 was the last time Liverpool lost a game of football at Anfield to their dear old rivals.
That day it was a Wayne Rooney strike that sealed the win for Manchester United over the Reds. How times have changed since then. Liverpool have won the league on two occasions; their friends across the way have not.
Ruben Amorim came into this clash with slim hopes. Yes, Liverpool were in a rough run of form but United’s own form has been troublesome ever since the Portuguese took over.
Yet, for the first time during his tenure, they were able to secure back-to-back league victories. Perhaps Amorim is the right man for the job?
Regardless of the feeling among the Red Devils, questions may now be emerging about Arne Slot’s position.
This 2-1 defeat was a really tough one to swallow. Liverpool hit the post on a few occasions and registered a higher xG (expected goals) tally but failed to take their opportunities.
Cody Gakpo equalised but a late Harry Maguire header condemned the hosts to a third straight league defeat.
They are now four points behind Arsenal in the race for the Premier League title. It’s worrying, certainly when you consider just how much they spent over the summer.
So, where did it all go wrong?
What went for Liverpool against Manchester United
Well, where to begin? When things aren’t going your way, curious things happen, and that was certainly the case for Slot’s charges on Sunday evening.
Before scoring from close range in the second half, Gakpo hit the woodwork a staggering three times, the most notable came in the opening 45 minutes when Liverpool surged forward on the counter-attack.
The Dutchman found plenty of room to surge towards the penalty area but bent his shot against the post.
Liverpool could and should have equalised sooner. On another day, they win the game, such are the slim margins of Premier League football.
It wasn’t just their lacklustre finishing that cost them, however. Last term, the Reds were resilient and rock solid at the back but they are really paying the price for not investing further in the centre-back pairing.
Milos Kerkez has signed but is still struggling to get going in Liverpool colours with Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo – the scorer of United’s first goal – running rings around him.
Yet, skipper Virgil van Dijk is perhaps the most worrying of the lot, given his experience. Not for the first time in a game this term he was caught out and should have done better for the opening goal.
Mbeumo was allowed to ghost in behind the big Dutchman and he got on the end of Amad’s cute pass to fire home.
Whether Van Dijk has regressed is very much up for debate but perhaps a more pressing matter is the form of the Premier League’s most expensive signing.
Liverpool's biggest problem after Man United defeat
In the summer, Liverpool looked as though they had won the transfer window. £116m for Florian Wirtz? Don’t mind if we do. £125m for Alexander Isak? Yeah, go on then.
The Swede was at the centre of an almighty saga. He refused to go on Newcastle’s pre-season tour and then trained away from the Toon’s first-team squad for a few months before finally getting his move to Anfield.
However, since heading to Merseyside, he has scored just once, ultimately battling with fitness having not featured at all during pre-season.
Well, heading into the game with United, Slot declared that now was the time to judge him. “Fitness-wise he is close to the level he should be and we can judge him in a fair way from now on.”
Judge him is exactly what we shall do. Unfortunately, it was not a great showing from the Premier League’s record man.
For the sixth straight game, the centre forward failed to find the net and arguably, he should have done inside Anfield this weekend.
Isak had two shots and missed one OPTA-defined big chance, one of which he stuck straight at Senne Lammens’ right boot. It was unsurprising he left the game with a 4/10 match rating courtesy of GOAL, who rightfully suggested that the striker will be “hugely disappointed with his performance.”
Isak vs Man United
Minutes played
72
Touches
19
Accurate passes
7/11 (64%)
Key passes
0
Shots
2
Shots on target
1
Expected goals
0.34
Big chances missed
1
Dribbles
0
Possession lost
8x
Stats via Sofascore.
At Newcastle last season, when the goals were flowing, he’d definitely have scored, such is his ruthless nature. You can point to a lack of sharpness but as Slot says, he’s now ready to go.
It’s incredibly difficult to leave your biggest signing of all time on the bench but Isak’s lack of form has had consequences, notably for Hugo Ekitike, arguably Liverpool’s player of the season so far.
He bagged five goals in his first eight games of the season for the Reds and registered an assist as well.
The Frenchman was ruthless in the final third; he was everything Isak has been over the last few seasons and he looked the full package doing it.
It’s perhaps no coincidence that since Ekitike became less of a regular starter Liverpool’s form has dwindled. During Isak’s three Premier League starts, Slot’s side have lost all three. It’s time for Ekitike to get a run from the start instead in the Champions League on Wednesday in Frankfurt.
Mirassol e CRB se enfrentamnesta quinta-feira (28) às 19h, no Estádio Campos Maia, em Mirassol (SP) A partida é válida pela 30ª rodada doBrasileiro Série B e terá transmissão do Sportv e do Premiere (pay-per-view).
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ONDE ASSISTIR / TRANSMISSÃO: SporTV e Premiere (pay-per-view).
O time paulista ocupa a 10ª posição da Segundona, com 43 pontos somados em 29 jogos. Na última rodada, o Mirassol venceu a Ponte Preta, em Campinas, por 3 a 0.
Já os visitantes estão uma colocação acima, em nono, com 45 pontos. O CRB vem de vitória sobre o Guarani, em casa, pelo placar de 1 a 0.
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FICHA TÉCNICA MIRASSOL X CRB
30ª rodada do Brasileiro Série B
Data e hora:28 de setembro de 2023, às 19 horas (de Brasília) Estádio:Estádio Campos Maia, em Mirassol (SP) Árbitro:Felipe Fernandes de Lima (MG) Assistentes:Marcia Bezerra Caetano (RO) e Marcyano da Silva Vicente (MG) VAR:Charly Wendy Straub Deretti (Fifa/SC) Onde assistir: Sportv e Premiere (pay-per-view).
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MIRASSOL (Técnico: Mozart Santos) Alex Muralha; Lucas Ramon, Rodrigo Sam, Luiz Otávio e Guilherme Biro; Neto Moura, Danielzinho, Chico Kim e Gabriel; Negueba e Zé Roberto.
CRB (Técnico: Daniel Paulista) Diogo Silva; Hereda, Ramon, Fábio Alemão e Guilherme Romão; Falcão, Lucas Lima e João Paulo; Léo Pereira, Renato e Anselmo Ramon.
La Liga president Javier Tebas has defended the decision to stage the Villarreal vs Barcelona clash in Miami in December, calling it a move driven by fans, clubs, and players. Amid criticism from Real Madrid and others, Tebas dismissed opposition, arguing global exposure is vital for Spanish football, while insisting the match preserves competition integrity and benefits international fans.
Tebas says exposure will benefit La Liga in the long-term
The Villarreal vs Barcelona match has been given approval to go ahead in Miami and is scheduled for the weekend of December 20. While clubs like Barcelona and Villarreal support the move, Madrid have openly opposed it, arguing that domestic league games should remain in Spain to preserve tradition and fairness. La Liga president Tebas has countered the criticism, asserting that the clubs, players, and fans themselves want the game overseas, and insisting that taking the league game international will not compromise the competition.
In a similar move, it has also been confirmed that the Serie A match between AC Milan and Como on January 16 will be held in Perth, Australia citing more exposure and revenue for the Italian league games.
AdvertisementgettyJavier Tebas paints a broader purpose for the critics
Tebas addressed the backlash firmly during a press conference. He argued that claims against the match were “demagogic,” emphasising that Villarreal fans, the clubs and players are all on board.
"A rather demagogic narrative is being constructed. It's Villarreal's own fans who want to come to Miami, it's the clubs that want to come to Miami, it's the players who want to come to Miami and we're talking about one match out of 380," he said. "It's about bringing our culture, our language, and our universities to the world. We don't put anything at risk."
Speaking on the Spanish players' union (AFE) and Madrid not being onboard with the idea, the president said: "See what they say now, but I know players from both teams want to come. Madrid has nothing to say on this issue. Not even the League itself. The regulations establish that the clubs request it from the Federation. La Liga gives its opinion and it is favourable.
"But with the current leaders [Madrid] it's impossible. It makes me sad because they don't like everything La Liga does. If it weren't Miami it would be something else. We're very bad and we don't do anything right. To have the squads we have, we have to remember that 42% of our audiovisual income comes from outside Spain. We have to respect those fans who pay to watch football. Because if not, we wouldn't have them."
Players and coaches speak out against the decision
Not everyone is happy with the Miami move with some citing it's only to benefit the league and the clubs for commercial purposes. Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong criticised the long journey and said it is not fair for the competition. Former Barca defender and Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman added that Villarreal could lose home advantage, as more Barcelona fans might attend. Serie A’s Adrien Rabiot expressed similar frustration over Milan’s upcoming match in Australia, citing travel strain and packed schedules. Furthermore, with the amount of games increasing and the World Cup also on the horizon, these factors further causes unnecessary stress to the players and the managers alike.
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Getty Images SportWill more La Liga games be held internationally?
La Liga aims to continue internationalising its brand while balancing competition integrity and player welfare. Compensation measures for season-ticket holders, fan engagement initiatives in Miami, and UEFA’s conditional approval signal cautious expansion. Tebas remains confident that global exposure benefits Spanish football’s long-term growth. Whether more matches abroad will follow remains a question, but La Liga is set on establishing a stronger presence in international markets. However, with no specific laws on taking games abroad, this can open up a whole different aspect of the case.
Manchester City are already looking ahead to the January window and appear primed to commence talks with a prime target to strengthen their forward line.
Manchester City prepare to face Manchester United in derby clash
Despite their dominance in the fixture since 2010, Manchester City take on Manchester United this Sunday in a match that Pep Guardiola will be hoping to see a vast improvement from his side in following a poor Premier League start.
The Citizens’ opening day victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers delivered some early promise for supporters to work with, but back-to-back defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion have left the club in an unusual position of 13th.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland shakes hands with managerPepGuardiolaafter being substituted
In what could be a potential baptism of fire for Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Italy international has signalled his excitement to work under Guardiola and outlined his hopes to be a major part of future success at the Etihad Stadium.
“I think his history speaks for itself. The fact that he wanted me here is a reason to be proud of. It’s an indescribable emotion. Being coached by him I think is the best for a football player.
“I can’t wait to follow him and take to the pitch with him. I’m sure he will help me a lot and we will do great things together, this season as well as in the following years. As we said, it’s been an era of unbelievable success here.”
Looking ahead, January could be a big month at the club and Manchester City are reportedly plotting a mid-season move for Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo, though he isn’t the only high-profile star they are considering to add some inspiration to their forward line.
Manchester City preparing bid to sign Bradley Barcola
According to reports in Spain, Manchester City are set to commence talks as they prepare to bid for Bradley Barcola in January, who has been identified as a target due to uncertainty over Savinho’s future at the Sky Blues.
Establishing himself as a key figure at Paris Saint-Germain, the France international is said to be valued at around £87 million and has registered 27 goals and 31 assists in 107 appearances across all competitions.
The report states Guardiola thinks Barcola could be key in the second half of the season alongside Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Jeremy Doku.
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He could have a big future in the game.
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Dubbed “one of the best dribblers in Europe” by Luis Enrique, he has already put that to the test this campaign, evading his marker four times and creating six chances in Ligue 1, per Fotmob.
Guardiola sees the arrival of Barcola as a priority to strengthen his frontline, which already includes the likes of Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Oscar Bobb and his versatility on both flanks is something that he feels would offer balance in the long-term.
Manchester City have enacted a notable squad refresh this summer and being able to secure another talented star with a high level of pedrigree would be a statement to their competitors across Europe.
It feels like it could be a long old season for West Ham United this year.
The East Londoners may have beaten Nottingham Forest last time out, but with three defeats before that, it feels like Graham Potter is already on borrowed time.
It’s not just the defeats that have been worrying, but the manner of them, losing 3-0 to newly promoted Sunderland, being thrashed 5-1 by London rivals Chelsea, and blowing a lead away to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Unsurprisingly, the Irons have been linked with a host of potential replacements in recent weeks, including former player Frank Lampard.
Frank Lampard could replace Graham Potter
With just six wins in 23 games, it’s not hard to imagine any number of managers doing a better job than Potter in East London, including Lampard.
The Hammers have reportedly already been in contact with the former player, and it’s easy to see why they might consider him a worthwhile gamble.
Since taking charge of Coventry City, the 47-year-old has won 20 games, drawn seven and lost 12, which isn’t too bad at all considering the hyper-competitive nature of the Championship.
Moreover, since the season began, the Sky Blues have been absolutely flying, scoring 14 goals, conceding just six and taking eight points from a possible 12.
Moreover, while the former Chelsea legend didn’t exactly blow anyone away the last time he managed in the Premier League, he was still able to keep Everton from going down and averaged 1.75 points per game during his first stint in the Stamford Bridge dugout.
In all, Lampard looks to have further developed as a manager and could be the answer to West Ham’s Potter-shaped problems.
However, there is another manager on the market who we think would do an even better job at the London Stadium and help the likes of Jarrod Bowen reach another level.
The manager West Ham should hire over Lampard
Now, although we think Lampard would do a better job managing West Ham than Potter, an even better option than him might be Marco Rose.
Manager Focus
Granted, the German manager hasn’t actually been linked with the club yet, but since leaving RB Leipzig in March of this year, he has been without a club.
So, why would the East Londoners want to hire the 48-year-old?
RB Leipzig coachMarcoRosebefore the match
Well, one of the most significant reasons is that he’s a manager who tends to get the very best out of his attacking talent, and as a result, plays some exhilarating football.
For example, in the 20/21 season, Borussia Dortmund scored 75 goals in the Bundesliga, but then by the end of the following season, when Rose was in charge, they’d moved up a place in the table and scored 85 goals.
Mönchengladbach
88
47%
0
Dortmund
55
59%
0
RB Leipzig
128
56%
3
The same happened at Borrussia Mönchengladbach, as they finished the 18/19 season having scored 55 goals, which increased to 66 the following campaign and 64 the year after that.
Moreover, while the effectiveness of Leipzig’s attack did vary a bit more during his tenure, the former RB Salzburg boss led them to a DFB Pokal triumph.
So, just imagine what the “outstanding” tactician, as dubbed by Dortmund legend Marco Reus, could do with players like Jarrod Bowen, who, even in this system, continues to be a real goalscoring threat.
Finally, even if you ignore the argument that he’ll bring a more entertaining brand of football to the club, you can just look at his overall managerial record.
Games
458
235
463
Wins
274
103
191
Draws
84
47
123
Losses
100
85
149
Points per Game
1.98
1.51
1.50
In 458 matches, he has managed to maintain an average of 1.98 points per game – and win two league titles in Austria – whereas Lampard has averaged 1.51 points per game and Potter an even less impressive 1.50.
Ultimately, even though he hasn’t been linked with the club, West Ham should do what they can to hire Rose, and not only would he be an upgrade on Potter, but his attacking style could get even more out of Bowen.
West Ham make contact with ex-Everton manager to replace Graham Potter
Potter’s job is far from secure at the London Stadium…