All posts by z3u9t.icu

Liverpool have made a shock offer for a £400k-a-week star who is now keen to play in Europe next season, according to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

Reds' summer transfer plans taking shape

After two quiet transfer windows since replacing Jürgen Klopp in the dugout, Arne Slot will be tasked with strengthening his squad in a number of key areas this summer, and FSG are prepared to back their manager with significant financial backing.

A new striker could be required, with Darwin Nunez’s future in doubt, and the aforementioned report names Napoli’s Victor Osimhen as a potential option, alongside RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and prolific Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold recently confirming his decision to leave his boyhood club this summer, the Reds have also ramped up their pursuit of a new right-back, and David Ornstein believes Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong is keen on a move to Anfield.

The dream Isak alternative: Liverpool working on deal for £60m goal machine

Liverpool could be about to land a star who could allow fans to forget about Alexander Isak.

ByEthan Lamb May 7, 2025

Having perhaps overrelied on Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, there have also been suggestions that Slot could look to bring in a new midfielder this summer, and there is serious interest in Stuttgart maestro Angelo Stiller.

However, a surprise move for a Premier League attacking midfielder could also be on the cards, according to Di Marzio, with the Sky Sports journalist recently stating Liverpool have now made a shock offer for Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne.

De Bruyne is set to leave Man City on a free transfer this summer, with Pep Guardiola’s side taking the decision not to extend his contract, but the Belgian wants to remain in Europe, despite widespread links to the MLS.

Napoli are making a concrete attempt to sign the 33-year-old, so there could also be competition for his signature from some of Europe’s top clubs.

"World-class" De Bruyne likened to Gerrard

In truth, the Man City legend moving to Anfield doesn’t seem particularly realistic, given that he was in direct competition with the Reds for a number of years, during which time he impressed Klopp, who described the maestro as “world-class”.

Wayne Rooney has also likened the Belgium international to Steven Gerrard in the past, saying: “De Bruyne reminds me a bit of Steven Gerrard. He drifts out to that right-hand side and plays some brilliant balls whipped in, like Stevie used to. What I like most is he takes chances, he takes risks, he doesn’t go for the easy ball – he plays the hard pass.”

The £400k-a-week star is evidently in the twilight years of his career, given City’s willingness to sanction a departure, but he has still impressed in the Premier League at times this season, while also catching the eye in the FA Cup.

Competition

Appearances

Goals

Assists

Premier League

25

4

7

FA Cup

3

2

1

As such, De Bruyne could still be a difference-maker for a top club, but a move to Anfield would be extremely controversial.

Tottenham Hotspur and a player have now agreed to part ways this summer after behind-scenes talks, with the man himself making an admission about his future in N17.

Ange Postecoglou likely to leave Tottenham as Spurs plan for summer

Ange Postecoglou suffered his nineteenth top-flight defeat of the season against Liverpool on Sunday, which equalled the Lilywhites’ record for most league losses in a single Premier League campaign.

Tottenham talking about appointing "special" manager wanted by Real Madrid

Spurs decision-makers now want to show ambition.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 26, 2025

Dominic Solanke surprisingly opened the scoring for Spurs at Anfield, but their joy was short-lived, as goals from Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, Mohammed Salah and Destiny Udogie (OG) cemented Liverpool’s status as champions of England on another afternoon to forget for the north Londoners.

West Ham (away)

May 3rd

Crystal Palace (home)

May 10th

Aston Villa (away)

May 18th

Brighton (home)

May 25th

Reports in the build up to that match indicated that Postecoglou could leave Tottenham regardless of their Europa League campaign, with Spurs facing Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their semi-final on Thursday.

A plethora of top coaches have been tipped as candidates to succeed Postecoglou, including Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth), Marco Silva (Fulham), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace), Thomas Frank (Brentford) and Scott Parker (Burnley).

GiveMeSport have also reported that Tottenham have discussed hiring Jürgen Klopp, Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso, with some key decision-makers determined to showcase ambition in their pursuit of a new manager.

Alongside Postecoglou, a few players may be joining the former Celtic boss in departing the club this summer. Cristian Romero is a top target for Atlético Madrid, and a report from The Telegraph’s Matt Law this week claims Tottenham are in for a ‘sell to buy’ window, so the Argentine’s exit is entirely possible.

Richarlison has also been linked with a summer exit from Spurs recently, amid rumoured interest from David Moyes’ Everton, while those within Tottenham are growing more open to selling Pedro Porro to fund their transfer plans (Graeme Bailey). There is also the matter of players currently out on loan elsewhere, like Manor Solomon and Bryan Gil.

Bryan Gil confirms decision to leave Tottenham this summer

The latter was on a temporary deal at Girona, where he managed four goals and three assists in 32 total appearances for the club.

However, the 24-year-old’s season is now over due to a ligament tear which required surgery, and that has also given him time to discuss his long-term future with the press.

Speaking to Estadio Deportivo, Gil confirmed his decision to leave Tottenham, and it is a totally mutual call, as both parties seek to part ways with no hard feelings.

“That’s something my agent will tell me where things are going, but they [Spurs] told me, and I told them, that the best thing is for us not to continue being linked to Tottenham,” said Gil.

“They bet on me when I was young, and they’ve treated me fairly well, but if I have to go back there, I’ll focus on giving my best as always. I’m calm because no one can have a bad word to say about me not being professional. Without playing, I’ve always trained well, I’ve done what I had to do, so whatever has to happen, will happen. We’ll see where we are next year.”

The Spaniard was signed by Fabio Paratici in a £21.6 million swap deal involving Erik Lamela, but after four years at Spurs dominated by loan moves elsewhere, it appears the “very exciting” Gil is destined to leave for good – if Daniel Levy can find a buyer.

Aston Villa’s hopes of securing a place in the Champions League next season were dealt a blow when they lost 2-1 to Manchester City at The Etihad on Tuesday night.

The Villans, sat in seventh, remain two points behind Newcastle United in fifth place, but have now played a game more than Chelsea, Newcastle, and Forest above them.

A last-gasp goal from Matheus Nunes secured all three points for the home side, after Bernardo Silva and Marcus Rashford’s first-half goals had the game level, and Axel Disasi will not want to see his involvement in the goal replayed.

Axel Disasi's game-changing mistake

The French defender was brought on to replace Matty Cash at right-back in the second half and was skipped past with ease by Jeremy Doku in the build-up to the winning goal.

Disasi, as shown in the clip below, tried to tackle the Belgium international and completely missed the ball, which allowed the winger to spring past him before delivering a perfect cross for Nunes to score.

The centre-back, playing outside of his natural position, could have tried to show Doku down the line and attempted to block the cross, but tried to cut the attack out at source and got it all wrong, which was a costly mistake in the end.

Disasi did, however, win three of his four duels – making three tackles – prior to that lost duel with the winger, which shows that he was having a good cameo until that moment in stoppage time.

The Chelsea loanee was not the worst performer on the pitch for Unai Emery, however, as Boubacar Kamara put in a disappointing display in the middle of the park.

Why Unai Emery must drop Boubacar Kamara

The Villa head coach must ruthlessly drop the French enforcer from the starting XI because it was a tired performance by the former Marseille star.

He seemed to be laboured in his approach to duels in midfield and that led to Manchester City’s players winning the vast majority of their battles against him. Kamara ended the game with a duel success rate of 23%, losing seven of his nine duels, which shows how easy it was for the opposition.

Chalkboard

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

Maybe it was a game too far for Kamara, who has played 37 times in all competitions this season, and Emery may need to drop him from the team to provide him with the rest that his display on Tuesday night suggests that he needs.

Pass accuracy

87%

89%

Duels won

2

4.4

Duel success rate

23%

54%

Tackles

0

2.1

Interceptions

0

0.7

Dribbled past per game

2x

1.1x

As you can see in the table above, he was below his usual standards in the Premier League this season. Instead of being his usual combative, assured, strong self, the midfield flop made it too easy for Manchester City to control the middle of the park.

He also played the full 90 minutes, and that is why he was even worse than Disasi, who only had one poor moment off the bench, because the midfielder was consistently underwhelming throughout the game.

To end the match with zero tackles and zero interceptions, as a defensive midfield, whilst playing the full game, is disappointing and not the standard that he has set this season, which is why now could be the time for Emery to take him out of the side.

Clubs now tempting £120k-a-week Aston Villa star and he's open to leaving

One of Aston Villa’s highest earners is reportedly open to leaving Villa Park amid a lack of game time this season.

ByBarney Lane Apr 22, 2025

When the transfer window opens for business in the summer, Arsenal fans will be screaming at Andrea Berta to sign a new striker.

The new sporting director is only just getting his feet under the table at the Emirates Stadium but the expectation is that the Gunners will spend big, regardless of how they finish their Champions League campaign.

Arsenal’s Premier League season has been a bitter disappointment and although they are a game away from a European semi-final, spending and spending right is of utmost importance.

Bringing in a shiny new centre forward must be the first priority. Alexander Isak is everybody’s dream.

The latest on Arsenal's hunt for a new striker

Last summer, Mikel Arteta wanted a striker and they set their sights on RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, only for the Slovenian to sign a new contract with the Bundesliga club.

The striker is a reported target again this summer but according to David Ornstein, there are two names that the recruitment team at the Emirates are more keen on; Sporting goal machine Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle’s Isak.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

A number of the Premier League’s elite are interested in prising Isak away from the Toon, including Chelsea and Liverpool.

However, with a reported £150m asking price, a deal is likely to be incredibly difficult to complete unless the player demands an exit.

Newcastle look well set to qualify for next season’s Champions League and should they do so, getting Isak will become even harder.

So, will it by Gyokeres or Sesko instead? Time will tell.

Perhaps it could even be someone else, as Jeremie Aliadiere exclusively told Football FanCast this week.

Aliadiere is a big fan of £85m Isak alternative

FFC sat down with former Gunner Aliadiere this week to chat all things Arsenal.

The forward – who featured alongside the likes of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp at Highbury – certainly knows a thing or two about what Arsenal need in central areas, but the player-turned-pundit has recommended a potentially surprising Isak alternative they should sign.

When asked if there was one striker he could pick for the north Londoners to go out and buy, he said:

“I’m a big fan of Darwin Nunez. I really like Nunez, I’ve always been a fan of the guy. I love his work ethic, and I still think there’s a good goalscorer in him.”

Nunez signed for Liverpool in a whopping £85m deal during the Jurgen Klopp era but has been incredibly inconsistent at Anfield, something Aliadiere acknowledged:

“He hasn’t had the opportunity and the confidence of his coach and his club to play week-in, week-out for a long period of time. A goalscorer needs to play week-in, week-out to keep scoring goals. When you are in and out of the team all the time, confidence is hard to get. It’s so important – to score more goals, you need to be on the pitch.”

Indeed, the Uruguayan attacker has only scored seven times in 42 games this term, hardly form worthy of his transfer fee.

Still, Aliadiere hasn’t been deterred by a player who missed 27 big chances in the Premier League last term, the second-worst tally in the division behind Erling Haaland.

“I’m a massive fan of him, and if he became available, I’d love to see him at Arsenal. I love that type of player. Arsenal have been crying out for a player like him, who keeps making runs in behind, who can press with energy.”

Well, there’s no denying that Nunez brings chaos to whichever front line he’s a part of but whether Arteta could find a way to extract the potential the forward has remains to be seen.

He's like Saka & Yamal: Arsenal in talks to sign "world-class" £39m star

The incredible winger would bring so much experience and quality to Arsenal’s squad.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 15, 2025

Arsenal are now willing to make a £75m offer to get an “unbelievable” striker through the door quickly this summer, as they are ready to make a move, according to a new report.

Gunners pursuing top striker

Mikel Merino has performed well in a makeshift striker role, with the Spaniard bagging the third goal in the Gunners’ stunning 3-0 victory against Real Madrid last week, but Mikel Arteta remains keen on signing a top forward in the summer transfer window.

RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is a major target, with the north Londoners recently entering talks over a deal for the Slovenian, who’s scored 19 goals for the German side in all competitions this season.

New sporting director Andrea Berta is also likely to have a big say in which striker is brought in this summer, and the Italian has personally identified Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres as a target, given that the Swede may be more attainable than Alexander Isak.

Arsenal leading race to sign 21 y/o La Liga star with "enormous potential"

The Gunners have set their sights on a 21-year-old midfielder, who they are convinced is a perfect fit for Mikel Arteta’s system.

ByDominic Lund Apr 13, 2025

A number of strikers are being considered from abroad, but there have also been suggestions a proven Premier League forward could be brought in, with a report from Spain revealing Arsenal are vying to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha.

The Gunners are clearly very keen on signing Cunha, as they are ready and willing to make a £75m bid to ensure they win the race for his signature, but there could be fierce competition from a number of their Premier League rivals.

A total of six Premier League clubs are set to battle it out for the Brazilian, including north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, with all the interested parties now ready to make a move.

"Magnificent" Cunha impressing at Wolves

Much to Arsenal fans’ delight, it has been a very difficult campaign for Tottenham, with Ange Postecoglou’s side now 15th in the Premier League, following a 4-2 defeat against Wolves at Molineux yesterday afternoon.

Cunha was once again on the scoresheet for the Old Gold, netting his 14th Premier League goal of the season, in what has been a very impressive campaign for the Brazil international, having already eclipsed his goal tally of 12 from the 2023-24 campaign.

Premier League legend Alan Shearer has also been full of praise for the Wolves star, saying: “He was unbelievable again.

“The goal he scored, the one he bent in the top corner was an unbelievable finish. He was superb, Gary O’Neil had to talk about him again after the game, there’s no doubt he’s getting the best out of him. He’s been one of the players of the season up to now, he’s been magnificent as he was again (vs Fulham).”

Cunha has proven he deserves a big move this summer, and he could be the missing piece of the jigsaw for Arteta.

Whilst it still looks far-fetched, Ipswich Town did manage to breathe life back into their faint Premier League survival hopes with a mightily impressive 2-1 win on their travels to AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday night.

The away masses making the long trip to the South Coast for the mid-week clash would have been anticipating a defeat, considering the home side harbours aspirations of Europe far away from relegation trouble, but Kieran McKenna’s men would flip the script to secure their first league victory of 2025.

The game-clinching man of the hour would unsurprisingly be Liam Delap, with the ex-Manchester City striker’s price tag only increasing more and more if he can put in further displays like this before the campaign is out.

Delap's performance in numbers vs Bournemouth

Being looked at intensely by most of the Premier League’s elite sides – with Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal sniffing around just to name a few – Ipswich face a losing battle attempting to keep their 22-year-old hotshot around, particularly if an expected relegation is served up.

Still, before any major money move is signed off on, Ipswich supporters will want to bask in the goalscoring prowess of their clinical number 19 whilst they still can, with his well-worked goal against Andoni Iraola’s Cherries taking his top-flight tally to a sturdy 11.

Combining well with left-back talent Conor Townsend before slotting an effort home, it was a much-improved showing from Ipswich in the attacking areas when contrasted with their recent 1-0 loss away at Crystal Palace, with Nathan Broadhead also getting in on the act in the first half.

Whilst Broadhead and Delap managed to shine bright throughout, there were some notable underperformers on the end of the Suffolk side, including one of their attacking teammates who could now face the axe.

Chalkboard

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

Ipswich's worst performer against Bournemouth

Despite the Tractor Boys being obviously jubliant at the end with their efforts, not everyone came away from the contest having put in a sterling individual offering.

Ben Johnson fits into that unwanted category, with the ex-West Ham United man noticeably wasteful on the ball with possession squandered a sizeable 21 times across a torrid 89 minutes against the Cherries.

Minutes played

89

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

46

Accurate passes

10/17 (59%)

Key passes

1

Possession lost

21x

Accurate crosses

1/7

Successful dribbles

0/1

Total duels won

3/12

Stats by Sofascore

Indeed, the table above makes for some pretty uninviting reading, with the versatile number 18 only managing to amass ten accurate passes from his 46 touches of the ball, alongside only one accurate cross being registered down his right flank.

Moreover, Johnson – who often lines up as a defender down the right – could only win three duels all night, with a miscued clearance late on also allowing Evanilson the chance to fire home Bournemouth’s only goal.

With no Omari Hutchinson available for selection, McKenna was is in a slight pickle about who he picked on the right wing, but based off this showing on the South Coast, he would be better off not persisting with Johnson as his chosen man here.

Instead, there are other faces such as Jaden Philogene-Bidace who could work better in this role moving forward, with the former Hammers figure a body McKenna can rely on as a utility presence if needed.

As is often the case in the beautiful game, it’s the hope that inevitably kills you, but wins such as these on road will give Ipswich some drive that survival against all the odds can still be achieved, even as the season quickly ticks away to its end point.

He cost just £1.5m: Ipswich already have their perfect Delap replacement

Ipswich Town might not need to splash the cash if Liam Delap departs.

ByKelan Sarson Apr 1, 2025

Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke is looking to follow in Marcelo Bielsa’s footsteps by steering the club clear of relegation in their first season back in the Premier League.

After a run of four straight losses, the Whites have picked up four points and scored six goals in two matches against Chelsea and Liverpool in the top-flight, which has pushed them out of the bottom three.

Farke has needed his players to step up in recent games to climb back out of the relegation zone, and several stars have shown that they have what it takes to deliver in the Premier League.

Ranking Leeds United's top performers this season

Joe Rodon, who has started all 15 games, has proven to be a reliable option at the heart of the defence, winning 69% of his ground duels in the top-flight, per Sofascore.

Gabriel Gudmundsson, signed from Lille in the summer, has also caught the eye at left-back, with 3.1 tackles and interceptions and 1.3 dribbles completed per game, per Sofascore, whilst exciting fans with his bombing runs down the left flank.

£17.4m signing Anton Stach has been one of the top three performers for the Whites, though, with his return of two goals and two assists as a box-to-box midfielder.

1

Ethan Ampadu

2

Sean Longstaff

3

Anton Stach

4

Gabriel Gudmundsson

5

Joe Rodon

As you can see in the ranking above, we have placed Sean Longstaff in second place. He leads the team in ‘big chances’ created (six), but he has also only started ten of the 15 league games, per Sofascore.

That leaves the captain, Ethan Ampadu, in first place as Leeds United’s best Premier League performer since they sold Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City in 2022.

Why Ampadu is Leeds United's best Premier League player since Phillips

After Phillips was sold to City for £45m, after emerging as an England regular at Elland Road, the Whites were relegated from the top-flight in the 2022/23 campaign. No other player was able to step up and save them from trouble.

The English star was particularly impressive with Marcelo Bielsa, as shown in the graphic above, and he averaged 3.9 tackles and interceptions per game in midfield in his last Premier League season with Leeds.

Ampadu, now, is looking like the club’s best top-flight performer since Phillips departed. He was judged as an “indispensable” part of Leeds’ midfield in the words of scout Jacek Kulig when promotion was being eyed up, and since moving up a division, he has been a rock on the pitch in the middle of the park. It’s safe to say he could be the first player to lead the team to safety since the Man City midfielder was at the club.

Off the pitch, teammate Karl Darlow described him as a “brilliant” person who has “handled the pressure” of captaining Leeds in the Premier League, which speaks to the qualities that he provides as a leader within the group, and perhaps explains how the team pulled off the last two results despite such a poor run of form that preceded them.

On the pitch, his performances have been impressive. Ampadu lined up in the middle of the park in the games against Chelsea and Liverpool and caught the eye with his defensive nous.

Minutes

90

87

Pass accuracy

86%

87%

Tackle success rate

100%

100%

Duels won

6/11

3/6

Interceptions

2

1

Dribbled past

0x

0x

As you can see in the table above, the Wales international was perfect in his tackles and did not allow an opposition player to dribble past him a single time, which shows how combative and reliable he was in midfield.

Ampadu has started all 13 of his appearances in the Premier League this season, per Sofascore, and averaged an eye-catching 3.7 tackles and interceptions per game, which is just shy of the 3.9 that Phillips averaged in his final season with the club.

The former Chelsea starlet offers a similar presence to the England international at the base of the midfield for Leeds, sitting in front of the back four and screening play, making vital defensive interventions to regain possession and start attacks for his side.

He has won 60% of his ground duels and 53% of his aerial duels, per Sofascore, whilst only being dribbled past 0.6 times per match, which shows that Ampadu has been efficient and reliable in the middle of the park for Farke, as an ever-present when fit.

The new Rutter: Leeds open talks to sign £21m star in "the last few days"

Daniel Farke could win himself a new Georginio Rutter by securing this £21m star at Leeds United.

ByKelan Sarson 4 days ago

Overall, the Welshman may well be the club’s best Premier League player since Phillips, not just for the quality that he clearly provides as a holding midfielder, but also for his leadership skills and how he handles the pressure of leading a Premier League side.

It’s been a great week for Chelsea, and an even better one for Estevao.

Enzo Maresca handed the Brazilian a start in the club’s Champions League game against Barcelona, his third on the bounce in the competition, and to say he shone would be an understatement.

The Catalan side couldn’t live with him, and thanks to some brilliant close control, he was rewarded with a goal early in the second half.

The teenage sensation looks destined to be a world-beater, so fans should be excited about reports linking Chelsea with a striker who’d be a dream teammate for him.

Chelsea target a dream signing for Estevao

While he has been billed as one of the next big talents for over a year now, nobody would have expected Estevao to have had the start to the season he has.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Across all competitions so far, the youngster has made 17 appearances, totalling 740 minutes, in which he has scored five goals and provided one assist.

Moreover, three of those goals have come in the UCL, while his only Premier League goal came against Liverpool.

In other words, the Franca-born gem has already proven that he’s more than capable of performing in the biggest games for the Blues, and that might explain why the club are now targeting a striker who’d be a dream teammate for him.

At least that is according to a recent report from Spain, which has claimed Chelsea are interested in Samu Aghehowa.

In fact, the report has revealed that the West Londoners are plotting to swoop for a couple of promising young stars in January, one of whom is the Porto star.

However, the Blues are not the only ones keen on the Spaniard, with reports from earlier this week linking Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur with a £79m move.

In all, it could be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Samu’s immense ability and potential, it’s one Chelsea should fight for, especially as he’d be a dream teammate for Estevao.

Why Samu would be a dream signing for Estevao

The first reason, and the most crucial reason Samu would be an excellent signing for Estevao and Chelsea overall, is that he’s a proven and reliable output machine.

For example, across all competitions last season, the Spanish international made 45 appearances, totalling 3400 minutes, in which he scored 27 goals and provided three assists.

In other words, he averaged a goal involvement every 1.5 games, or every 113.33 minutes, which is all the more impressive given that it was his first campaign in Portugal.

Fortunately, that level of output does not look like an outlier, as so far this season, the Melilla-born monster has been even more dangerous.

For example, in 15 appearances, totalling 885 minutes, he has scored nine goals and provided one assist, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.5 games, or more impressivley, every 88.5 minutes, which is a rate of return that lends to journalist Zach Lowy’s description of him as “one of the best STs in Europe.”

Appearances

45

15

Minutes

3,400′

885′

Goals

27

9

Assists

3

1

Goal Involvements per Match

0.66

0.43

Minutes per Goal Involvement

113.33′

115.57′

Points per Game

1.67

2.53

Now, on top of utterly bossing it in Portugal, the 6 foot 4 titan has also got some decent experience in a top-five league, as he spent the 23/24 season on loan with Deportivo Alavés, where he made 34 appearances in La Liga, totalling 1924 minutes, in which he scored eight goals and provided one assist.

Finally, on top of being someone who could help bolster Estevao’s assist tally with his impressive finishing, the four-capped international is still relatively young at just 21 years old.

This means that he could develop alongside the Brazilian and, over the coming years, create a potentially game-changing partnership with him.

Ultimately, given his ability and potential, Chelsea should do what they can to sign Samu in January, as he’d make the team far more dangerous and could be a perfect teammate for Estevao.

Shades of Estevao: Chelsea have another "left-footed magician" out on loan

Chelsea and Enzo Maresca could have another Estevao-type talent on their hands next season.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 27, 2025

A proud part of Arsenal’s DNA has long been their development and promotion of young academy talents.

This has been especially true over the last few years, with the emergence of players like Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly and, of course, Bukayo Saka.

The latest player who seems ready to make the leap from the youth sides to regular senior football is Max Dowman.

However, the talented 15-year-old certainly won’t be the last, and there is already one youngster making waves in the academy who could soon find himself in the first team.

Dowman's rapid rise to stardom at Arsenal

Even before this season, Arsenal fans have been at least somewhat aware of Dowman.

After all, respected talent scout Jacek Kulig boldly proclaimed him as the “most exciting prospect” he had seen “since Lamine Yamal.”

That might sound absurd, but over the course of last season, the youngster ended up scoring 19 times and providing five assists in just 23 appearances, totalling 1945 minutes, for the youth sides.

Appearances

23

Minutes

1945′

Goals

19

Assists

5

Goal Involvements per Match

1.04

Minutes per Goal Involvement

81.04′

That comes out to a sensational average of 1.04 goal involvements per match, or one every 81.04 minutes, made all the more astonishing by the fact he was playing for the u18s and even the u21s.

With performances like that in age groups well above his own, it wasn’t much of a surprise to see the Chelmsford-born dynamo included in the first team’s pre-season tour.

The 15-year-old made his debut against Newcastle United, and in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson, spent his short cameo “humiliating Premier League players.”

His competitive debut came at home to Leeds United in the Premier League, and then he became the youngest player to ever start a game for the club against Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup.

The superstar in the making then broke another record in the Champions League a week later, and was described as “a miracle player” by Slavia Prague defender David Zima.

In all, it certainly seems like Dowman is destined to reach the top of the game with Arsenal, although he might be joined by another academy gem this season.

Hale End's next superstar

It’s been a good season for Hale End this year, as on top of Dowman, Andre Harriman-Annous has also been given his full competitive debut by Mikel Arteta.

It could get even better, though, as there is another youngster in the system, who, like the record-breaker, could find himself becoming more involved with the senior side as the campaign goes on: Ife Ibrahim.

The 17-year-old has been with the club since May 2016, and while he started out as a striker, he has since moved back down the pitch, into defensive midfield.

However, he’s not limited to just one position, as the highly rated youngster has also played at right-back, in central midfield, and even as a centre-back.

It’s no surprise that he has been used in the defence before, as even though he’s still so young, the versatile prospect is huge and towers above some of the first team in pictures taken of the time he trained with them. It is no wonder that analyst Harvey Diamonds said that he has a “languid frame like [Patrick] Vieira and [Abou] Diaby.”

Don’t let his size and physicality fool you, though; the Hale Ender is no slouch on the ball.

In fact, academy expert Will Balsam described him as someone who makes everything look so “effortless.” Moreover, this and his height mean “he eats up space, recovers the ball, and glides past players with ease.”

He has also made an impression on U23 scout Antonio Mango, who has described him as “composed, technically talented in possession and calculated out of possession.”

Overall, while he plays in a totally different position to Dowman, Ibrahim sounds like the sort of Hale End product who could come in and have a serious impact on the first team soon enough.

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That was certainly an entertaining game, but not for the reason Chelsea would’ve been hoping for.

Enzo Maresca’s side travelled to Baku to take on Qarabağ in the Champions League, but instead of building on their derby win at the weekend, they drew 2-2.

While there were a few players who looked good on the night, such as Estevao, most of the team played seriously poorly.

In fact, some of the team, like Jorrel Hato, have almost certainly played themselves out of the team for the Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Hato's dire display vs Qarabağ

When Chelsea signed Hato from Ajax in the summer, there was considerable excitement from the fanbase, as the 19-year-old is regarded as one of the best young defenders in world football.

After all, before the move, he had already made over 100 appearances for the Amsterdam side and won six senior caps for the Netherlands.

However, even with this experience, he’s years away from being in his prime years, and so there was an expectation that he would make mistakes for the Blues, and unfortunately, that is what happened on Wednesday night.

Appearances

111

Starts

102

Minutes

9121′

Goals

4

Assists

9

Goal Involvements per Match

0.11

Minutes per Goal Involvement

701.61′

Points per Game

1.86

For Qarabağ’s first goal, the Dutchman was outmuscled and left on the floor for the first shot and then out of the way entirely for the rebound.

Now, one mistake in a game can be down to bad luck and happen to anyone.

Unfortunately, it was the teenager who, via a handball, gave away the penalty for the hosts’ second goal just ten minutes later.

In all, it was, as one content creator put it, a “horror” showing from Hato on Wednesday and one that should see him dropped for Saturday.

Unfortunately for Maresca, other starters also played themselves out of the team.

The Cheslea star who played himself out of the team

There really are a few players you could name here, such as Hato’s defensive partner, Tosin Adarabioyo, who looked just as inexperienced at the back.

Chalkboard

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

However, in this instance, the starter who has to be on the bench for Wolves on the weekend is Tyrique George.

The Cobham graduate was preferred to Marc Guiu and Liam Delap from the start on Wednesday night, and unfortunately, he did not repay the manager’s faith in him.

In his defence, he did not make a mistake that cost the side a goal, but he also did nothing to help them score one, which, given his position and the opposition, is just as bad.

In fact, the youngster was so anonymous that Maresca decided to hook him at halftime, and while Liam Delap didn’t set the world alight either, he was at least noticeable when the Blues had the ball.

That might sound overly harsh, but it’s an opinion shared by football.london’s Bobby Vincent, who gave the Englishman a 5/10 match rating and generously described it as ‘a fairly quiet evening’ for the striker.

Unfortunately, his statistics don’t make for pleasant reading either, as in 45 minutes of inaction, he produced a combined expected goal and assists figure of just 0.22, took a single shot which was blocked, took just 13 touches – 26 fewer than Robert Sanchez – lost the ball four times and completed just six passes.

Minutes

45′

Expected Goals

0.05

Goals

0

Expected Assists

0.17

Assists

0

Shots on Target

0

Touches

13

Lost Possession

4

Passes Completed

6/7

Dribbles

0

Ground Duels (Won)

2 (0)

Ultimately, George isn’t a bad player, but he was utterly anonymous against Qarabağ and, therefore, must be dropped for the Wolves game.

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