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Jamie Carragher has sent Liverpool manager Arne Slot a warning about the “dangerous” game he is playing tweaking the Reds’ system following back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray.

Slot admits Liverpool must "find answers" to form

After spending around £400m in the summer, many expected Liverpool to look better than ever under Slot, who switched his system to work new signings into his side. So far, however, they’ve looked at their most vulnerable and, Hugo Ekitike aside, it’s fair to say that a lot of their fresh faces are yet to get going.

How Liverpool perform without Alisson as Arsenal title race advantage shared after new injury

The Brazilian is set for another spell on the sidelines.

By
Tom Cunningham

Oct 3, 2025

Last weekend’s defeat against Crystal Palace looked on the cards since Liverpool’s 4-2 victory over Bournemouth on the opening day and a second-consecutive defeat against Galatasaray didn’t do anything to ease concerns. Now, Slot has admitted that his side must “find answers” after recent results.

One of the most disappointing aspects about Liverpool this season has been the form of Florian Wirtz. The £116m midfielder has looked a shadow of the midfield star that the Reds signed from Bayer Leverkusen and hasn’t been involved in a goal since the Community Shield.

Carragher wasted no time before taking aim at the German in midweek and the Liverpool legend has now doubled down on his criticism whilst firing Slot a “dangerous” warning.

Carragher sends Slot warning

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Carragher warned Slot of the “dangerous” nature of persisting with a faltering system. He believes Slot’s plan was to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold’s creativity with Wirtz, and the manager now has a choice to stick with it – possibly with disastrous consequeneces – or pull the plug until the team has settled back to form without the German.

Carragher wrote: “He (Wirtz) is yet to add what Liverpool are missing without Alexander-Arnold, while at the same time the team has lost the intensity which made them so difficult to play against.

“It means Slot has a dilemma as he tries to defend the title going through a transitional phase that might take longer than many thought. He must decide whether to regroup and temporarily revert to the strategy of last season, accommodating Wirtz in a different role or leaving him out entirely until he is up to speed with English football.

“Or he might persist with his vision believing more short-term pain might be necessary until it clicks. The latter would be dangerous because even with all the credit in the bank from his title win, there is immense pressure to keep winning, especially when you have spent a combined £230m on two players who are supposed to be ready-made to take a championship-winning side to the next level.”

German football legend Lothar Matthaus believes 17-year-old Lennart Karl could be the next Jamal Musiala, a fearless and technically gifted prodigy destined for Bayern Munich stardom under Vincent Kompany. After scoring on his Champions League debut and in the Bundesliga against Borussia Monchengladbach in the same week, Karl has captured Germany’s attention, with Matthaus seeing in him the same blend of boldness and intelligence that made Musiala a modern Bayern jewel.

• The rise of Bayern's new teen sensation

  When Karl marked his Champions League debut with a curling strike against Club Brugge, the Allianz Arena erupted. At 17, he became Bayern’s youngest-ever scorer in the competition, breaking a record once set by Musiala. But beyond the goal, it was his composure, creativity, and quiet confidence that truly turned heads.

  Bayern’s 4-0 win over Brugge was emphatic, but Karl’s performance was the story. From his first touch to his explosive runs, he looked every inch a Bayern player – technical, decisive, and unafraid. His journey, however, has been anything but instant. Karl began in Germany’s fifth tier with Viktoria Aschaffenburg, before stints at Eintracht Frankfurt’s youth system and a return to Viktoria in 2022. Bayern signed him later that year, drawn to his intelligence and discipline. From scoring 17 goals in nine matches for Bayern’s U17 side to dazzling in Europe, his rise is a story of persistence and purpose, not hype.

  It’s no surprise that his performances have impressed former German captain Matthaus. The World Cup-winning legend has spoken glowingly about the young winger, setting the stage for wider recognition of Karl’s rapid rise in the Bundesliga.

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  Matthaus claims “Karl will be deployed regularly”

  Among those watching Karl’s evolution closely is German football legend Matthaus, who has hailed the teenager as one of the Bundesliga’s most exciting young prospects. In his column, Matthaus drew parallels between Karl and his teammate Musiala, praising both for their confidence and technical flair.

  "Can Karl follow the path Jamal Musiala took before him? The possibilities are always there; it's up to the player himself, and he needs a coach who trusts him. I think Kompany trusts him based on his recent performances and isn't worried about benching or substituting a seasoned player for him. And I believe Karl will get regular playing time because he's delivered when he's been on the pitch," Matthaus said.

  The former Bayern player further added: "Karl will be deployed regularly. Vincent Kompany has slowly introduced Karl to the team, with brief appearances in the Bundesliga, the DFB Cup, and last week, his first full 90 minutes in the Champions League. Karl caused a sensation with his goals against Bruges and Gladbach, but he still needs to show up in training every day. He's ambitious and wants to develop – those are the basic requirements."

  For Matthaus, the 17-year-old's rise reflects deeper philosophy, as he explains: "This presents a great opportunity for FC Bayern to integrate another player from the campus into the first team, after Pavlovic and Stanisic, as Uli Hoeneß has always wanted. I believe Karl can become an important player for Kompany, who just extended his contract until 2029."

• Jonas Urbig also finding his stride at Munich

  While the headlines belong to Karl, another young name is staking a claim, Jonas Urbig. Signed by Bayern in January 2025 on a long-term deal, Urbig’s trajectory has been quietly impressive. A product of Koln’s youth system, he gained senior experience on loans at Jahn Regensburg and Greuther Furth, compiling 33 appearances and 11 clean sheets across those spells, including a run of over 600 minutes without conceding in 2023.

  Urbig’s Bayern breakthrough came under pressure when Manuel Neuer’s absence handed the youngster sudden responsibility. Urbig replaced Neuer in a Champions League tie against Bayer Leverkusen and kept a clean sheet in a 3-0 win. Over the 2024-25 season he made eight Bundesliga appearances and four in Europe, showing command in the box, calm distribution and an ability to deal with heavy workloads.

  Speaking about Urbig, Matthaus said: "Urbig has done well at Bayern so far, apart from one mistake in Berlin, and was there when it mattered most. He can learn from Manuel Neuer every day in training . If he develops accordingly, he may eventually become Neuer's successor."

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  Kompany’s calm amid the noise

  “This isn't normal. I'm not a fan of the hype he'll get now” Kompany said after Karl's debut in Champions League. "I'm a fan of training and calm. We'll see what he shows and just move on." 

  The coach's words remind the young star that it is okay to celebrate the moment, but one should know when to return to fundamentals. It’s the same approach that has allowed Urbig to grow: steady exposure, ownership of errors, and daily work.

  With Kompany recently signed until 2029, Bayern have signalled they want continuity. Karl and Urbig are beneficiaries of that stability. Karl will continue to receive minutes in cup ties, rotational league appearances and carefully selected European outings; Urbig will keep accumulating high-pressure experience until a permanent succession plan is clear.

West Ham United chairman David Sullivan has held talks with a top candidate to replace Graham Potter, with the tactician seemingly making his demands crystal clear.

The managerial candidates to replace Graham Potter at West Ham

Potter has recorded the second-worst win percentage of any West Ham manager in Premier League history, behind only Avram Grant, with pressure mounting on the Englishman as he faces a stay of execution.

David Moyes, who guided West Ham to successive European campaigns and ended their 43-year wait for a major trophy during his time at the London Stadium, could even be the man to put one of the final nails in Potter’s coffin this weekend.

In a real piece of irony, Moyes’ Everton side, who are faring much better than West Ham right now, may have a big say in whether Sullivan, Karren Brady and the Hammers board elect to hand Potter a P45.

It is hard to see Potter remaining in the West Ham hot seat if they suffer a humbling defeat at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with club insider ExWHUemployee previously reporting that, if he does survive past that point, the ex-Chelsea boss is likely to be sacked after their trip to Arsenal.

West Ham are deep into their contingency plans to replace Potter, and there are a number of very interesting names under consideration.

Sullivan, as ever, is dipping into the free agent market.

Former West Ham midfielder Gary O’Neil is a favourite for the potential job, according to Miguel Delaney, with another ex-Hammer in Slaven Bilic — who was in charge between 2015 and 2017 — also in the frame.

Bilic is even said to be making plans for his West Ham backroom, in the event he is chosen as a short-term option until the end of the season, and Sullivan is believed to be personally in favour of bringing the Croatian back to East London (Pete O’Rourke).

Managers who are already in work haven’t been definitively ruled out, either. West Ham have internally discussed the possibility of appointing Scott Parker, following his rise to the Premier League with Burnley, but one man stands out above all the aforementioned names.

Nuno Espírito Santo's demand after holding West Ham talks with Sullivan

Former Tottenham, Wolves and Nottingham Forest boss, Nuno Espírito Santo, is believed to be the favourite to succeed Potter as things stand.

As per the reliable ExWHUemployee, Nuno has already held talks with Sullivan over a potential move to West Ham if Potter leaves, and the Portuguese’s stock is at an all-time high after making history at Forest last season.

However, according to Sports Boom, West Ham face another roadblock in pursuit of Nuno, following some reports that ‘legal issues’ are delaying his arrival too (Pete O’Rourke).

The outlet reports that Nuno’s big wage demands are a hindrance to West Ham and could prove to be a real obstacle, with Bilic ready to join the Irons as an alternative.

Why West Ham must not give up on Nuno

Nuno guided Forest back to Europe for the first time since 1995, and if it wasn’t for a public fallout with Evangelos Marinakis, he’d still be at the City Ground now.

The appeal for West Ham is obvious. Nuno steered Forest away from the drop zone in his first season, transforming them into a robust, hard-to-break-down outfit with a clear counter-attacking identity.

He also helped to fix Forest’s glaring set-piece weakness, something which has really plagued West Ham this season, having conceded 7 of their 13 Premier League goals so far directly from corners.

Managing to get the best out of his players, Forest ended up being last season’s major surprise package thanks to Nuno’s work, and the 51-year-old’s availability as a free agent makes this potential appointment an arguable no-brainer.

The final game of the night in Major League Baseball takes place at Coors Field with the Colorado Rockies hosting the Milwaukee Brewers.

These teams are in totally different spots this season, as the Brewers are in first in the NL Central with 50 wins already in 2024 while the Rockies are over 20 games out in the NL West, sitting in last place. 

However, oddsmakers aren’t setting Milwaukee as a massive favorite in this one, and it could have to do with an interesting pitching matchup. Let’s dive into the odds and my best bet for this NL clash on Monday. 

Brewers vs. Rockies Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line

• Brewers -1.5 (-105)
• Rockies +1.5 (-115)

Moneyline

• Brewers: -155
• Rockies: +130

Total

• 11.5 (Over -102/Under -118)

Brewers vs. Rockies Probable Pitchers

• Milwaukee: Bryse Wilson (5-3, 3.89 ERA)
• Colorado: Austin Gomber (1-5, 4.63 ERA)

Brewers vs. Rockies How to Watch

• Date: Monday, July 1
• Time: 8:40 p.m. EST
• Venue: Coors Field
• How to watch (TV): Bally Sports Wisconsin, AFN, MLB Network
• Brewers record: 50-34
• Rockies record: 28-55

Brewers vs. Rockies Key Players to Watch

Milwaukee Brewers

Christian Yelich: Christian Yelich rocked a homer on Sunday, and he’s now hitting .321 with eight homers, 36 runs batted in and 18 stolen bases in 2024. Yelich has an OPS+ of 149, and he’s on pace for his best season since he was last an All-Star back in 2019. 

Colorado Rockies

Austin Gomber: Austin Gomber was awful at Coors Field in 2023, posting a 7.05 ERA in 15 starts, but he’s flipped the script this season with a 3.57 ERA in six starts. The Rockies are just 5-10 in his outings, but Gomber could be a sneaky pitcher to back on Monday. 

Brewers vs. Rockies Prediction and Pick

Regression is coming for Bryse Wilson, who has a 4.65 xERA this season and a Fielding Independent Pitching of 4.89. 

While he did throw six shoutout innings in his last outing, he still posted a 5.19 ERA in June, and now he has to go to a hitter-friendly park in Coors Field.

Last season, Coors Field was a nightmare for lefty Austin Gomber, but he’s turned things around at home in 2024. The Rockies starter has a 3.57 ERA in six home starts, holding opponents to a .226 batting average. On the road, opponents are hitting .288 against Gomber. 

Backing the Rockies in any scenario is a risky proposition since they’ve won just 28 games all season, but a few blowup outings by Wilson in June completely took the Brewers out of games. 

I’ll fade him on the road here. 

With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba retiring and Luis Suarez' slowing, its time for Messi and Miami to deliver

Lionel Messi bringing together the remnants of great Barcelona teams past in Miami was a beautiful thing. It was a side for the football romantics. Many who watched Messi in Barca would have seen him connect, play and win with his compadres.

Jordi Alba was the left back who had assisted Messi more than anyone else. Luis Suarez developed the kind of attacking chemistry that many can only ever dream of. And Sergio Busquets was at the base of midfield, winning everything and metronomically ticking the game over. 

That quartet was the spine of one of the best sides in the history of the sport. Their reunification in Florida just right. You can imagine the "We're getting the band back together" style meeting. It was probably over WhatsApp. Maybe there was a Zoom call involved. Honestly, it may have gone through agents. 

They reunited, and the assumption was that they would win, early and often. The reality has been far from the case. The vibes are immaculate. The romanticism is clear to see. Their desire to continue to perform at a high level cannot be questioned, either. But results have remained elusive.

And time, it seems, is running out. Alba and Busquets are retiring at the end of the season. Suarez may yet do the same. And even if Messi just signed a three-year extension with the club, there is a sense that this is the last ride for the Catalonian boys in Miami. The band is breaking up, and on the dawn of MLS playoffs, they have one last chance at a big hit.

• Imagn
  

  The Barcelona connection

  There is a beautiful circularity to the story of these four. They last played for the same Barca team in 2020. That iteration of Barca underperformed slightly, in the sense that they had the sheer audacity to win La Liga. Still, the currency of playing for is trophies, and the quartet ultimately failed. 

  After that, they dispersed. Suarez bolted for Atletico Madrid once it became clear that Barca were going through something of a transition. Messi, unthinkably, left soon after, starting the strange fever dream era in which he played for PSG (a saga that was defined by him skipping a couple games, scoring some outrageous goals, and ultimately winning a World Cup with Argentina). Then the move to Miami in 2023.

  Alba and Busquets stuck around, the elder statesmen on what was a strange era of La Liga. Barca and Real Madrid were both in transition. Xavi – if only to complete the old-teammate vibe – came in as manager. They won La Liga in 2023, and then both bolted for Miami. 

  Suarez did the same, albeit after a sabbatical in South American soccer with Gremio. His signature was surprising; he had spoken openly about his body breaking down in real time. But the appeal of Miami – and reunification with his old friends – was too much to turn down.

  Miami, in turn, were a strange outfit. They barreled their way through the 2024 regular season, making a mockery of the league, setting a new points record and claiming the Supporters' Shield. They were, by extension, playoff favorites. And they failed to live up to that tag in quite remarkable fashion, losing in the first round to eighth-seeded Atlanta United. 

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  The challenges of a new season

  Heading into this campaign, the writing was on the wall. There was scattered talk that Suarez could retire at the end of last season, but he stuck around. Busquets and Alba were playing on expiring contracts. All of the signings Miami made over the winter – Tadeo Allende, Telasco Segovia, Maxi Falcon – seemed shrewd options, the kind of foreign talent that, in theory, makes a win-now MLS team.

  The addition of Javier Mascherano as manager, meanwhile, was a massive keep-Messi-happy move.

  Miami have gone about their business admittedly well – especially given the flaws. There was always going to be a hefty workload, with CONCACAF Champions Cup, Club World Cup and Leagues Cup added to an already packed MLS schedule. Across all competitions, they played 57 matches, won 31, lost 12 and drew 14.

  They are scoring more than two goals per game, possess the best attack in MLS and, crucially, have managed to stay relatively healthy throughout. 

  Some midseason transfer activity was smart. Benjamin Cremaschi openly criticized his coach, and was swiftly sent to Parma – his Miami future seemingly over. Rodrigo De Paul's signing was an immense upgrade in the midfield, and also perhaps a signifier of Busquets' impending retirement.

  Sure, they missed out on a centerback that they badly needed. But zoom out, consider the angles and think about the scope of MLS – a league in which playoff success is everything – and they are better set up for a run than last year's group. 

• Getty Images Sport
  

  What would success be?

  It's important to consider, though, what exactly success for Miami would look like. The numbers suggest that this is a good MLS side, led by someone who is, to say the least, a clear difference-maker. But their finish in the Eastern Conference – third, and one point off first – is indicative of where they are as a team.

  FC Cincinnati (second) are more well-rounded and have plenty of weapons. First-place Philadelphia Union are wonderfully consistent and will likely be able to deal with the rough and tumble of three-game playoff series. 

  In truth, Miami are right where they should be – especially given they have played 16 games more than Cincinnati and 18 more than Philadelphia with the other competitions. This is an older team being asked to play more games, and still came within one point of first place. In abstract, by the normal variables of modern soccer, this is effectively an overperformance.

  Miami don't have the time to recover, regroup, coach and train. They take it game-by-game . Anyone else would struggle. But of course, none of that really matters. Miami cannot point to heavy workloads, or make the "excuses" other clubs routinely use. Talent alone renders all of that irrelevant. 

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  Nashville and the realities of a tough matchup

  On MLS Decision Day, Miami looked something close to their scintillating best. They turned in a very Miami performance. They were battered for 20 minutes, and really should have gone down a goal or two. And then, the main men woke up. Alba found Messi, who scored. Nashville responded twice and went up 2-1 at halftime. 

  Then, the Blaugrana boys turned it on properly. Messi scored twice more in the second half, and set up a third. Alba purred up the left wing. Suarez was a constant irritant and saw a couple of shots well denied. Still, 5-2 wins don't always keep coaches happy. Sure, it's nice to score five. But conceding twice isn't the hallmark of a team in control.

  Control, however, has never been Miami's thing. And that's why they are so dangerous. This side can wake up in an instant, and rattle off four second-half goals without breaking a sweat. They sacrifice defense in the name of a rip-roaring attack. Is it borderline reckless, and the kind of thing that might see them undone? Sure, but it's the way they play. 

  Nashville, Miami's opponent in this rematch from Decision Day, will be tricky. Last's week's loss notwithstanding, they are structured, disciplined, well coached, and have excellent attacking players, Hany Mukhtar and the ruthless Sam Surridge. There likely won't be any more 5-2 Miami wins here. 

Liverpool will have to cope without having Hugo Ekitike at their disposal when they travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

The French centre-forward is set to be suspended for the trip to London because of the red card that he picked up in the 2-1 win over Southampton in the League Cup at Anfield on Tuesday night.

Ekitike came off the bench at half-time in the win over the Championship side. He made an impact as a substitute by netting the winner late in the second half, converting into an open net from Federico Chiesa’s pass.

However, joy quickly turned to confusion as the referee showed a red card to the forward, who had taken his shirt off to celebrate his finish in front of the Anfield crowd.

This means that Arne Slot will be without the summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt for the clash with Palace, after Ekitike started the first five matches of the Premier League season.

The Liverpool head coach now has a decision to make on whether or not to play club-record signing Alexander Isak from the start at Selhurst Park.

Why Alexander Isak may not start against Crystal Palace

Despite arriving at Anfield from Newcastle for £125m, a British record fee, during the summer transfer window, it is not a certainty that the Sweden international will start against the Eagles.

Because of the drawn-out transfer saga, Isak did not have a pre-season with the Magpies and did not feature in the opening weeks of the 2025/26 campaign, which means that he is still short on match fitness.

The Liverpool number nine has yet to play more than 58 minutes in any of his three appearances for the club, per Sofascore, and came off at half-time against Southampton after scoring his first goal for the Reds.

This shows that Slot and the medical team are being careful with Isak and slowly building him up, rather than chucking him straight into full 90-minute appearances.

As you can see in the table above, Isak has far from a spotless injury record during his career, which is why they may want to be extra careful with him to avoid causing any unwanted muscle injuries.

With his fitness and Ekitike’s suspension in mind, Liverpool may save Isak to come off the bench because of their lack of senior centre-forward options to play in the crucial stage of the match.

Assuming, based on how his appearances have gone so far, that the Swedish striker is not ready to play the full 90 minutes, Liverpool would be in danger of potentially having to substitute the £125m forward in the second half whilst chasing a result.

Instead of running that risk, the Reds could go with a wildcard replacement for Ekitike by unleashing a different player in that role and subbing Isak on to finish the match in the second half.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Slot brought Jayden Danns on in the second half against Southampton on Tuesday night, and the 19-year-old academy graduate could be the wildcard replacement for Ekitike to lead the line until Isak is introduced on Saturday.

Why Liverpool should unleash Jayden Danns

The teenage centre-forward provided the fans with a reminder that he is physically ready for first-team football by winning all three of his duels in 15 minutes off the bench against the Saints, per Sofascore.

Danns has scored two goals for club and country at youth level so far this season, per Sofascore, and looks to be getting back to his best after an injury put an end to his loan spell at Sunderland in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.

The England U20 international first arrived on the first-team scene under Jurgen Klopp with two goals against Southampton in the FA Cup in 2024.

Danns also scored off the bench against Accrington Stanley in a 4-0 win for Liverpool in the FA Cup under Slot at the start of this year, before his loan move to Sunderland and subsequent injury troubles ended his campaign.

This means that he has already had a tiny bit of success at first-team level at Anfield, with three senior goals under his belt, which is why throwing him in from the start against Crystal Palace may not be the worst idea in the world.

As you can see in the table above, Danns has scored goals at an impressive rate for almost every team he has played for at senior and youth level.

U23 scout Antonio Mango described the striker as being “extra prolific” because of his intelligence and movement off the ball. His goal against Southampton in the earlier clip is a great example of those attributes in action.

The 19-year-old star, who made one appearance in the Premier League last season, is an exciting prospect and appears to have the physical and technical qualities to hold his own in the first-team already.

This is why he could be an ideal option to lead the line from the start against Crystal Palace on Saturday. That would provide Danns with a huge opportunity to showcase his quality, whilst also allowing Liverpool to end the game with Isak leading the line.

Not Ekitike: Liverpool have Sturridge 2.0 in star who's "making an impact"

Liverpool may have found their new version of Daniel Sturridge in this Reds star.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 24, 2025

It could be an ideal solution to the problem facing Slot, with Ekitike’s suspension, as it would prevent the Reds from being in a position where they are chasing a result but have to substitute their star striker whilst doing so.

West Ham United have made another disastrous start to the season, with under-fire manager Graham Potter at the centre of reports that he could be sacked after just nine months in charge of the east London club.

Graham Potter's terrible West Ham start in numbers

Numbers never lie, and the statistics from Potter’s tenure at West Ham so far make for pretty grim reading.

Potter’s men have shipped 11 goals already this term, and out of every West Ham side in Premier League history, only Avram Grant’s Hammers from 2010/2011 have conceded more at this stage of the season — they were relegated.

Potter has also recorded the second-worst Premier League win percentage of any West Ham manager since the competition’s inception, behind only Grant, and even the maligned Julen Lopetegui fared better last season.

West Ham’s losses so far have all come by a three-goal margin too, and it’s the joint-earliest a Premier League team has lost this many games by such a score since Bournemouth in 2022/2023 — who eventually avoided a drop to the Championship by the skin of their teeth.

To make matters even less flattering for Potter, he also boasts the worst overall record of every single present Premier League club since his appointment in January.

Taking all of this into consideration, alongside the lack of a real playing identity under the 50-year-old, it is hardly surprising that West Ham are backing Potter for now but have a number of managers on their shortlist in case they decide to part company.

According to reliable media sources, like GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs, West Ham have internally discussed hiring Sean Dyche, Nuno Espírito Santo and former boss Slaven Bilic.

The latter, who was a fan favourite and managed the Irons from 2015 to 2017, took charge of 109 games before David Sullivan and the board replaced him with David Moyes on an interim basis.

Now, Bilic is emerging as a favourite for the potential West Ham job, as Sullivan apparently favours re-hiring the Croatian over alternative candidates (Ben Jacobs).

The 57-year-old’s stance on a return to east London has now emerged too, courtesy of Jack Rosser in The Sun.

Slaven Bilic would love to re-join West Ham amid Graham Potter uncertainty

According to Rosser, Bilic would be open to a West Ham comeback as senior figures present him as an option, but there is an err of caution as it is also believed that the tactician has offers from elsewhere.

In his opening season, Bilic guided the club to one of their highest ever league finishes, seventh, which also earned them a place in the early Europa League qualifying rounds.

West Ham finished 11th in his second campaign before Bilic was shown the door early in his third season, having left with the club sitting in the relegation zone, but Rosser also reports that Bilic would come in on an initial caretaker basis.

Amid the fierce backlash from West Ham supporters, who are planning protests this Saturday before their home game against Crystal Palace, the board is under mounting pressure, and it is vital they get their next appointment right if Potter does leave.

Bilic has been out of management for well over a year, departing Saudi side Al-Fateh in 2024, and it is very debatable whether the ex-Hammers defender is really the right man to take them forward, especially with Nuno also readily available.

That being said, Bilic was once a popular figure, with Aaron Cresswell hailing his passion.

Aston Villa’s season now rests on finishing inside the top five spots in the Premier League with an FA Cup semi-final heartbreak still fresh, on top of crashing out of the Champions League to the might of Paris St. Germain.

Of course, finishing inside those coveted few positions will be a hard feat to pull off, with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest also vying for a place amongst Europe’s elite alongside Unai Emery’s Villans.

But, when Villa are at their free-flowing, dangerous best, they can hurt any side that comes their way in the top-flight. Amazingly, however, the West Midlands giants could become even more of an entertaining outfit to watch if they were to land this top-drawer attacking midfielder shortly.

Aston Villa's early transfer targets

It’s not only incomings that are the talk of the town at Villa Park at the moment, with Emiliano Martinez reportedly being looked at by clubs out in Saudi Arabia, alongside Morgan Rogers taking up space on Chelsea’s ever-growing shopping list.

Rogers leaving might well have sparked Villa’s curiosity in looking for fresh blood in the number ten spot, with 18-year-old Sverre Nypan being looked at as one for the future, alongside Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer deal.

Football Insider has revealed that Villa are looking to snap up the Premier League veteran as an alternative to landing loan star Marco Asensio permanently.

The Villans are exploring a move for the former Chelsea man as it could prove far cheaper than the deal needed to lure Asensio to England for good, considering the need to cover the Spaniard’s wages, alongside a transfer fee.

After all, the 33-year-old would be able to gift Emery and Co some class as an ageing operator in midfield, on top of perhaps being the best switch Villa have signed off on since De Bruyne’s fellow compatriot Youri Tielemans entered the building back in 2023.

Why De Bruyne could be their best signing since Tielemans

Before delving deeper into why he could be held in such high esteem, Villa have picked up some top talents since Tielemans’ arrival almost two years ago.

Rogers’ signing sticks out as a memorable one – among the likes of Amadou Onana joining for big bucks – considering Chelsea will have to splash out far more than the initial £8m Emery and Co paid for his services, off the back of his 16 goal contributions in league action this season.

Even the loan moves for the likes of Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Donyell Malen have caught the eye, although a bargain deal for De Bruyne would surpass even that trio, considering his status as the “greatest” Premier League midfielder of all time, according to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp.

Much like the City number 17’s potential switch, Tielemans would also join the Villa ranks in 2023 as a free transfer pick-up, with the Villans capitalising on Leicester City’s dire relegation situation to land the exceptional midfielder.

Ever since joining, the 75-time Belgium international has pulled the strings for his employers on a regular basis, leading to Tielemans amassing 25 goal contributions and counting from 97 overall contests.

The “unique” De Bruyne – as described by Pep Guardiola – has still managed to show flashes of his excellence for City this season, even as his team’s form on the pitch has been unexpectedly choppy, meaning he might well link up with Tielemans to devastating effect if a deal is signed off on.

Indeed, the six-time Premier League title winner has still been able to register a healthy five goals and eight assists in all competitions. To add context, Tielemans is only one ahead of his potential new teammate’s numbers for the campaign, despite being six years younger.

A man of De Bruyne’s “unbelievable” pedigree – as he’s been hailed in the past by Guardiola himself – doesn’t just his lose his star-quality overnight, with Emery perhaps the perfect manager to get the 5 foot 11 ace back to his ridiculous best, having worked wonders when reviving Rashford’s own career.

Therefore, if everything goes to plan and De Bruyne can prove his age is merely a number by showing off his world-class ability, this would go down as the best switch signed off on since Tielemans’ arrival onto the scene.

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Aston Villa will be considering who they can swoop in for if Morgan Rogers departs the club.

By
Kelan Sarson

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Newcastle United are in the market for some statement additions this summer and have taken a step forward to landing one of England’s most talented upcoming stars, according to a report.

Newcastle United look to enjoy exciting summer window

While the Magpies’ desired outcome from their remaining Premier League matches is to secure Champions League qualification, it remains to be determined whether they will return to Europe’s premier competition by elbowing their divisional rivals aside.

In turn, should they manage to achieve their goal, Newcastle will be in a promising position to attract some of Europe’s best to accelerate their project to become one of the English top-flight elite for years to come.

Nevertheless, retaining Alexander Isak at St James’ Park amid interest from Liverpool will be a difficult task. PSR could dictate that a sizeable sale or two may be needed to avoid conflict with regulations, making any rumours surrounding the Sweden international worth watching over the next few months.

Reports suggest Strasbourg forward Emanuel Emegha could replace Isak or even be signed if their star man stays put – Callum Wilson is primed to leave on a free transfer and would leave another void to be filled in attack after a distinguished spell in the North East under Eddie Howe’s stewardship.

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Newcastle United will be looking to do some transfer business this month.

By
Ross Kilvington

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Movement is expected in both directions this summer and there is plenty to be excited about regardless of what European competition Newcastle end up in come 2025/26. PIF’s presence at St James’ Park has placed the club on a steady upward trajectory, and they could be about to receive another boost after Howe’s involvement in their latest transfer pursuit.

Newcastle boss Howe initiates personal talks with Liam Delap

According to reports, Newcastle United boss Howe has held personal talks with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap over a potential move to the North East in the summer, with his £30 million relegation release clause set to become active if the Tractor Boys go down.

Recently, the Magpies have enjoyed ‘very positive conversations’ with the former Manchester City star’s representatives and Howe has now taken a special interest in sealing the deal to bolster his offensive options.

Statistically, Isak may hold the edge over his potential competitor in several attacking metrics. However, Delap has fared exceptionally well for Ipswich when considering their status as a bottom three Premier League club. In a different system, you get the impression that his numbers will only improve if he were to earn a move to the North East to add some firepower to their forward line.

Manchester United remain in competition for his signature, but Howe’s involvement could tip the scales in Newcastle’s favour as they look to conclude a deal for Delap, who has been labelled “fantastic” by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

Manchester City staged an excellent comeback from two goals down to seal a 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League this afternoon.

When Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards put the away side 2-0 up, it looked as though it was going to be another poor result for the Etihad side in the top flight.

They rebounded wonderfully well to seal all three points and they remain fourth in the table at the time of writing as they chase a Champions League spot next season.

All the talk this week was on Kevin De Bruyne finally departing City, and he was outstanding against Palace.

Kevin De Bruyne’s stats vs Crystal Palace

The Belgian won’t go out winning another league title, but he is doing his best to make sure City finish in the top four.

Against Palace, he was pushed into a more advanced role and not only scored, but he also grabbed an assist during the tie.

De Bruyne also registered six total shots, missed two big chances, made four key passes and hit the woodwork in what was an energetic display in Manchester.

He might be advancing in age, but there is no doubt that when he is at his peak, few come close to performing like this. That’s for sure.

Pep Guardiola wasn’t relying on him solely, however, as there was a young talent making his first Premier League start for the club who shone today.

Man City shown why they don't need Gibbs-White

It appears as though City are keen on replacing De Bruyne with Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White this summer.

Despite registering 14 goal contributions this season, Forest have reportedly slapped a £100m price tag on the attacking midfielder.

Do they really need him? James McAtee was superb this afternoon at the Etihad. On his first ever league start for the club, he scored a delightful goal in the second half along with creating two big chances and making two key passes throughout the game.

The youngster may have been deployed on the right flank against Palace, but he is at home in the number ten slot, playing there on numerous occasions this season to excellent effect.

McAtee’s maturity is getting better with each game. He only lost possession seven times during the clash, while making one tackle and winning two ground duels.

Chief Manchester City writer for the Manchester Evening News, Simon Bajkowski, gave the Englishman a match rating of 7/10, stating that he ‘made a lot happen’ when he was on the pitch.

Guardiola will need to bring in another big-name signing or two this summer to please the supporters and give the club a shot at winning another league title.

Is spending around £100m on Gibbs-White the right option, however? Especially with McAtee proving today that he can step up when it matters most.

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By
Tom Cunningham

Apr 11, 2025