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Gianluigi Donnarumma joked about not taking his mother to the Etihad Stadium for the Champions League opener against Napoli on Thursday. The Manchester City goalkeeper, who arrived at the end of the summer transfer window, revealed that his family members are big supporters of the current Serie A champions. However, he remains determined on helping his new team kick-off their continental campaign with a win.

Man City to lock horns with Napoli in UCL opener

After a rather underwhelming start to their Premier League campaign, Manchester City will turn their attention towards Thursday's Champions League opener against Serie A champions Napoli at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola's side will be eager to prove themselves after their pre-round of 16 playoff exit last season. They have responded by showcasing their financial muscle in the summer, including Champions League winner Donnarumma.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDonnarumma hopes his 'mother will get over' Napoli's defeat

Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Wednesday, Donnarumma said: "I'm leaving Mum at home tomorrow night. I'm very attached to the city, I have many friends on and off the team, but I play for City and I hope to win this match. Mum will get over it."

New goalkeeper has big shoes to fill

The £26 million (€30m/$35m) signing has arrived on the back of a historic campaign with Paris Saint-Germain. The Italian was perhaps the best goalkeeper in the Champions League, as his heroics went a long way in helping Les Parisiens capture their maiden European title. However, he has started a new chapter at the Etihad, where he has replaced Ederson, who joined Fenerbahce. Given he is among the finest custodians in the world at the moment, he is likely to rise to the challenge. But question marks have already been raised about how he would fit in, considering his profile is completely different to what Guardiola usually prefers.

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Getty Images SportCity confident after derby win

Guardiola and his troops head into Thursday's clash riding high on confidence, as they registered a comfortable 3-0 victory over cross-city rivals Manchester United on Sunday. As per the manager, City are "apparently not one of the favourites" to lift the coveted European trophy this season.

New Zealand may have lost the first ODI in Dambulla on Wednesday by a fairly comprehensive 45-run margin, but for a youthful outfit with no less than three debutants in the playing XI, it was an opportunity to grab the “best seat in the house” in terms of learning how to play in unfamiliar conditions.”I think the experiences that you get in this part of the world, they’re obviously very different conditions from what we face back home in New Zealand,” Michael Bracewell said after the game. “Those experiences you bank and you learn from and hopefully come back better, that’s the true challenge of international cricket.”So as much as playing against them [Sri Lanka], you sort of watch them with the best seat in the house and see how they go about their business.”Related

• Kusal Mendis credits bowlers for getting the job done in rain-hit game

• Kusal Mendis 143 and Avishka Fernando 100 put Sri Lanka 1-0 up

• NZ vs SL ODIs: New faces, spin pitches and Champions Trophy watch

• Hasaranga ruled out of NZ ODIs with hamstring injury; Hemantha called up

In that context, for around 35 overs they observed a masterclass in how to navigate a sometimes sluggish surface. While rain in the first over of the day had ensured that any dryness in the pitch would be mitigated, this still wasn’t an entirely batter friendly track.Getting in was crucial, and so proved Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando during a 206-run second-wicket stand off just 215 deliveries, one that effectively took the game away from the visitors.”It was difficult looking to start on as we saw, because after that big partnership between Fernando and Mendis, it was hard for the guys to come in and score straight away,” added Bracewell. “Partnerships are obviously hugely important and we saw that partnership in the first innings of some 200 runs. I think that’s what changed the game.”The majority of the time is obviously favourable here in Sri Lanka for spin, but batters can still play well on those wickets and put you under pressure. And I think we probably saw that today. The batters played really well and we’ll have to keep coming up with different answers and throwing different things at the Sri Lankan batters throughout the series, to try to break those partnerships a little bit earlier.”After Pathum Nissanka fell early, Mendis and Avishka ensured the scoring rate remained stable between five and six runs an over, rotating strike with the odd boundary thrown in. It was only closer to the halfway stage of the innings that they felt comfortable enough to up the scoring.Between the start of the 23rd over and end of the 28th over, they struck 52 runs, with the 200 coming up in the 35th over. Sri Lanka at this point were well set, but the new batters coming in after both Mendis and Avishka fell struggled to push the score to that 350 mark.Sri Lanka though, with their eventual 324 on the board, had done enough to ensure that even with a DLS-adjustment New Zealand would have a challenging target of 221 off 27 overs. In their chase, New Zealand got off to a similarly good start, as the opening pair of Will Young and Tim Robinson put on 88 off just 80 deliveries. But once they fell, the innings began to fall apart.”I think you look at the fine margins of when guys got out in our innings and things like that. And obviously there’s a little bit of scoreboard pressure, so guys coming in had to get going straight away.”So that that always makes it a challenge, but that’s part of the job of coming in that middle order. And we obviously didn’t get it right. But we’ll come again in a couple of days and we’ll be looking to resurrect that again.”Among those who perhaps could have done more was Bracewell himself. He remained unbeaten on a 32-ball 34, but with wickets tumbling at the other end he was left ruing over what could have been.”I think it was one of those ones where to chase to 221 in 27 overs was always going to be a pretty tough ask. I think we gave it a pretty good shot but we perhaps could have fired a few more shots there through the middle as well.”I’ll put my hand up and and say I could have taken the game on a little bit earlier, but yeah, I just don’t think we quite timed the chase very well.”

Leicestershire trail by 111, four wickets down in second innings as Yuzvendra Chahal strikes again

ECB Reporters Network18-Sep-2024James Sales hit an excellent career-best 135 as Northamptonshire piled on the runs on day two of this Vitality County Championship match against Leicestershire at Wantage Road.The Northamptonshire youngster made the most of his recent elevation up the order, stroking 16 boundaries in more than four hours at the crease, facing 197 deliveries in an innings of real maturity.While he was dropped on 86 and 121 off two rare false shots, his innings was notable for his fluency, placement and timing. It stood in contrast to his maiden first-class ton in April, scored against the kookaburra ball on a docile pitch which had offered little for the Middlesex attack.Sales and Rob Keogh (49) extended their overnight partnership to 117, before runs kept flowing during Sales’ stand of 131 off just 134 deliveries with a resourceful Saif Zaib. Stroking a run-a-ball 71, Zaib garnered most of his runs from the sweep and reverse sweep as he put the spinners to the sword, a wayward Rehan Ahmed taking the brunt of his offensive.Leicestershire seamer Ian Holland, who found some inswing with the second new ball to end Sales’ innings, helped wrap up the Northamptonshire tail to finish with figures of four for 53 as the hosts were bowled out for 383 to take a first innings lead of 180.When Leicestershire replied, Northamptonshire tied them down, runs coming at a pedestrian rate with legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal finding plenty of turn. The Indian international claimed two wickets as Leicestershire closed on 69 for four still trailing by 111.Earlier Sales, 21, quickly got into his work, driving Sam Wood through the covers for four and dispatching him down the ground as he reached his half-century off 82 balls. He smashed Rehan over long-on for four, but otherwise manoeuvred the ball into the gaps nicely, driving sweetly and playing a delicate late cut.Despite nursing a bad back, Keogh provided good support, twice pulling Rehan over long-on before he was trapped lbw, struck on the back leg as he went back to a full delivery from the England legspinner.Zaib got off the mark first ball, cutting Ahmed square for four and sweeping Liam Trevaskis effortlessly behind square. Proving an ideal partner for Sales, he ran sharp ones and twos to keep the scoreboard ticking over and the pressure on the fielders.Sales survived his first false shot when Louis Kimber put him down at short cover off Trevaskis, the fielder injuring his hand in the process.Undeterred, Sales reached his century shortly after lunch by slapping Rehan through the covers for his 13th boundary as he and Zaib plundered 86 off the first 10 overs after the interval.Zaib meanwhile was tucking into some increasingly loose bowling from Rehan, sweeping with ease as he brought up his half-century off 55 deliveries before pulling a half-tracker square for six. At the other end, Sales benefited from another drop in the covers off Trevaskis, responding by smashing the bowler down the ground for four.But both batters departed in quick succession to spark a mini Northamptonshire collapse, four wickets falling for 21 in 6.1 overs. First Zaib was trapped lbw as he played another sweep, to give Sol Budinger his maiden first class wicket. Then, when Leicestershire took the new ball, Holland swung one back in to bowl Sales as he attempted to drive.Justin Broad was next to go when he pushed at one from Holland and was well caught by a diving Rishi Patel at first slip. Next Ben Sanderson was denied the three runs he needed for 1,000 career first-class runs when Holland trapped him lbw without scoring.A counterattacking Lewis McManus extended Northamptonshire’s lead as he took on the new ball clubbing five boundaries in a knock of 27 before becoming the sixth lbw casualty of the innings, Holland claiming his fourth wicket. Wood then wrapped up the innings by demolishing Jack White’s stumps.White struck immediately with the fifth ball of Leicestershire’s reply. Budinger, top scorer in the first innings, fell without scoring when he played inside the line of one which hit the top of off-stump.Patel (35) and Holland (11) found scoring tough going, accumulating at just 1.5 an over. Holland was eventually stumped off Chahal as he advanced down the wicket.With Keogh unable to bowl due to his back injury, Northamptonshire turned to Zaib to bowl his slow left-armers and he soon accounted for Patel when he flicked a half volley on leg stump straight to Sales at short midwicket. Leicestershire quickly lost another when Rehan danced down the wicket to Chahal, missed and was stumped by McManus.

This summer is shaping up to be one of Arsenal’s best in a very long time.

It might sound hyperbolic, but it’s really not, as, following a slow start to the transfer window, the club have already officially announced four signings, including Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke.

Add to that the renewed contracts of Gabriel Magalhaes, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, plus the fact that Cristhian Mosquera is already reportedly out in Singapore, and it’s easy to see why some fans are getting very excited.

Moreover, while he’s not been announced yet, the club appear to have finally agreed a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres, and based on reports, they’re also keen on someone who’d be his dream winger.

Arsenal target dream winger for Gyokeres

The most significant transfer saga involving Arsenal this summer has undoubtedly been about Gyokeres.

Transfer Focus

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

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At first, it looked like Benjamin Sesko was the club’s first-choice option to lead the line next season, but once RB Leipzig priced him out of a move, the North Londoners turned their full attention to the Swedish international.

Finally, after what had felt like weeks of stalemate between Sporting CP and the Gunners over the add-ons in the deal, Fabrizio Romano gave the transfer the ‘here we go’ treatment yesterday afternoon.

It’s a potentially game-changing addition to a team that needed a clinical number nine last season, and better yet, the club are now being linked with someone who could be the striker’s dream winger.

According to a recent report from The Athletic, Arsenal are interested in Anthony Gordon.

The report claims that the Newcastle United star is a player the Premier League runners-up currently ‘admire’, but that the futures of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard could determine whether that admiration develops.

In terms of how much the Englishman may cost, reports from earlier this summer claimed a fee of around £100m could be enough, and while that’s a lot of money, it might prove worth it to sign someone who could be Gyokeres’ dream winger.

Why Gordon would be a dream teammate for Gyokeres

So, to first determine which wingers would be dream teammates for Gyokeres, we need to take a moment to look at how the striker plays the game.

While Arteta and Co will surely be able to further develop the way in which the Swede plays, it’s crystal clear from both his heat map last season that he spends most of his time in and around the penalty area.

Moreover, when we take a look at his shot map in all competitions last season, it becomes even more apparent that he is a traditional number nine, a fox in the box, if you will.

So, to get the most out of him and maximise his strengths, the Gunners need a winger who is effective at getting the ball into dangerous areas, and based on some of his underlying numbers, Gordon fits the bill.

For example, FBref placed him in the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League last season for crosses into the penalty area and the top 15% for passes into the penalty area.

Additionally, FBref ranked him in the top 1% for penalty kicks won and the top 3% for goal-creating actions the previous season, suggesting that the Englishman will create chances for his teammates, either through winning a foul or ingenious play.

Finally, you don’t just have to look at the underlying metrics to see the Liverpool-born “nightmare,” as he described himself, could be a real game-changer for the Gunners and Gyokeres, as his output also makes the case.

For example, since the start of the 23/24 campaign, he’s scored 21 goals and provided 23 assists in 90 appearances, totalling 6815 minutes.

In other words, that means the 24-year-old ace has averaged a goal involvement every 2.04 games, or every 154.88 minutes.

Gordon’s recent form

Season

23/24

24/25

Appearances

48

42

Minutes

3869′

2946′

Goals

12

9

Assists

16

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.58

0.38

Minutes per Goal Involvement

138.17′

184.12′

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Ultimately, Gyokeres looks like he’ll be an incredible addition to this Arsenal squad, but if Arteta and Co want to get even more out of him, they’d do well to bring in Gordon as well.

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Posts ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 23, 2025

Several ICC officials have visited Pakistan to inspect arrangements and, it is understood, the PCB has received positive feedback

Danyal Rasool10-Jun-2024The PCB has proposed a February 19 start to the Champions Trophy next year in Pakistan. ESPNcricinfo understands the PCB has pencilled the tournament to be played from February 19 to March 9, across Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore. Karachi will host three games, including the tournament opener as well as a semi-final, while Lahore plays host to seven, including the final. The other semi-final will be one of five contests to take place at Pindi Cricket Ground.Several ICC officials have visited Pakistan to inspect arrangements to host the first ICC tournament in Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup. They include security and event officials as well as chief pitch inspector Andy Atkinson, and it is understood the PCB has received positive feedback from the ICC concerning logistics and arrangement, allowing it to press ahead with its plans.The current dates, should they be finalised, mean the last third of the tournament will he held during Ramadan, just as the knockout stage of the PSL was last year. Some knockout games in Karachi saw an extremely low turnout during Ramadan. The PCB did try and accommodate for that by moving start times to a later 9pm, though with the Champions Trophy being an ODI tournament, that will not be possible. That means large parts of games will take place during the sunrise to sunset window where players observing Ramadan cannot eat or drink.As ESPNcricinfo reported earlier, every game involving India at the tournament is slated to take place in Lahore. This means one semi-final will be moved from Karachi or Rawalpindi to Lahore should India qualify for the last four. Basing India in one city is thought to have been proposed because it avoids what could be considerable logistical and security complications around their travel. Additionally, by being based in Lahore, which is close to the Wagah border crossing between the two countries, it allows Indian fans a relatively easier option to visit.As ever the main question in the run-up to the event will surround India’s participation. The Indian team has not played in Pakistan since the Asia Cup in 2008, and there has been no bilateral series between the two since a white-ball visit by Pakistan in 2012-13. When the PCB hosted the Asia Cup last year, the workaround involved deploying a hybrid model that saw the bulk of the games – including all of India’s – take place in Sri Lanka with the final, which India won, held in Colombo. The BCCI has maintained the decision to travel to Pakistan rests in the hands of the Indian government.Every side other than India involved in the upcoming Champions Trophy has travelled to Pakistan since cricket returned to the country in 2015. Pakistan will also host an ODI tri-series featuring South Africa and New Zealand before the tournament.Pakistan are the defending champions, having won the last Champions Trophy in 2017.

West Bromwich Albion’s action-packed summer has been full of change so far.

Obviously, the first notable change occurred in the dug-out when Ryan Mason was finally unveiled as Tony Mowbray’s late successor, but more alterations have taken place since.

Centre-back titan Semi Ajayi has exited the Hawthorns for Hull City, on top of Grady Diangana reportedly looking as though he’s heading to Valencia in Spain.

Mason could instantly soften the blow of Ajayi departing the West Midlands by securing the signature of Nat Phillips, with reports now suggesting that the Liverpool colossus will move to West Brom permanently this summer.

Unfortunately, this is unlikely to be the only major loss Mason will have to stomach as the enthralling transfer window chugs along, with rumours already coming back to the surface that first-team star Tom Fellows might also be off.

Fellows' future at West Brom

It did feel as if it was going to be inevitable that any interest in Fellows would be reignited, with the England U21 international very firmly back on the radar of David Moyes’ Everton, as per a report by TEAMtalk last week.

The exciting attacker is just fresh off a breakout Championship season that saw him collect a jaw-dropping 14 assists in league action, on top of also powering home four strikes for his failed playoff-chasing outfit.

Therefore, it’s not a shock to see the Toffees chasing him, with Mason desperate to keep hold of him as he aims to guide the Baggies to promotion, especially as Josh Maja – who linked up with Fellows to devastating effect last season – edges closer to being back from injury.

But, Fellows might well feel he’s ready for the step-up to the Premier League now, as a reported price-tag of £10m begins to be circulated.

Whilst bolstering their centre-back numbers was a top priority in the wake of Ajayi upping and leaving, adding in more dynamic, creative attackers will be seen as more paramount if Fellows does exit.

West Brom's ideal Fellow replacement

According to a report by the Express and Star, West Brom could soon swoop in for AFC Bournemouth ace David Brooks on a loan basis, with Mason and Co just one of several Championship clubs keeping close tabs on the Welshman’s situation at the Cherries.

Transfer Focus

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

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He might well come in, therefore, and be a necessary short-term option for the Baggies to get over their homegrown product’s departure.

Indeed, the 27-year-old’s last electric loan spell away from Bournemouth down in the EFL resulted in Southampton clinching promotion at the close of the 2023/24 season.

Fellows might well even attempt to follow in Brooks’ footsteps if a Premier League switch soon opens up for him, with the 27-year-old – away from firing home two strikes for the Saints during that campaign – first getting to grips with the senior game in the Championship with Sheffield United.

Rising through the ranks with the Blades, he scored three goals and supplied eight assists in South Yorkshire.

As a result, a bumper £11.5m to the South Coast occurred, and whilst he does have a healthy 11 goals and six assists next to his name too in the luxuries of the Premier League, it’s his productive numbers in the second tier overall that will be solely catching Mason’s eye.

Brooks’ Championship numbers by season

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

23/24

17

2

5

21/22

7

1

0

20/21

32

5

6

17/18

30

3

5

Sourced by Transfermarkt

In total, Brooks has a sterling collection of 11 goals and 16 assists at the challenging level, with that assist haul particularly eye-catching as West Brom aim to effectively replace Fellows’ creative flair.

Hailed as “sublime” by Eddie Howe during his early Bournemouth days, this is a signing that will be seen as a statement to the rest of the Championship.

Throw Phillips into the mix and West Brom might well be deemed as serious promotion candidates, irrespective of high-profile exits souring the mood.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Jun 20, 2025

When will Rangers unveil their new manager at Ibrox?

On Saturday, the Gers concluded their generally miserable campaign at Easter Road, held to a 2-2 draw, with top-scorer Cyriel Dessers and Rangers Player of the Season Nicolas Raskin on target in Edinburgh.

As Scottish Premiership runners-up, the Light Blues will start next season early with a Champions League second qualifying round tie on 22 or 23 July, currently projected to face one of Brann from Norway, Swiss side Servette or Austria Vienna.

Thus, with that first leg a mere 62 days away already, 49ers Enterprises are under pressure to appoint a new Rangers manager very quickly, so who is on their shortlist?

Rangers' new manager search

According to a report by Sky Sports News, six men are ‘under consideration’ to become the new Rangers manager.

They are: Steven Gerrard, Davide Ancelotti, Russell Martin, Rob Edwards, Danny Röhl and Gary O’Neil.

Ever since it was confirmed that his father, Carlo, will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season, becoming the new Brazil manager, it has been widely reported, including by Madrid-based outlet AS, that Davide is one of the front-runners to land the Rangers job.

Meantime, Gerrard remains one of the leading candidates too, with Mike McGrath of the Telegraph documenting how the 49ers have held a longstanding interest in bringing the Englishman back to Ibrox.

Of the six names mentioned, only Röhl is currently employed by a club, and he is ‘considering’ leaving Sheffield Wednesday, as reported by David Ornstein of the Athletic, but Rangers should not go for him, nor Gerrard nor Ancelotti, with another member of the short list making the most sense.

Who Rangers should appoint as their new manager

Rob Edwards may be a name unfamiliar to a large majority of the Rangers support, but he could be an excellent appointment.

Let’s have a look at the 42-year-old’s senior managerial career so far.

AFC Telford United

2017-18

49

20

Forest Green Rovers

2021-22

53

26

League Two title

Watford

2022

11

3

Luton Town

2022-25

104

33

Championship promotion

Edwards’ biggest career achievement to date is, without question, leading Luton Town into the Premier League which was a miraculous achievement.

The Hatters were relegated after one season in the top-flight, before Edwards departed by mutual consent back in January of this year, with the club actually going on to suffer a second successive relegation, now finding themselves in EFL League One.

Nevertheless, this should take away from Edwards’ impact at Kenilworth Road, with journalist James Cunliffe noting that he did an “outstanding” job at Luton, while Mark Ogden of ESPN praises his “ultra-positive” ​​​​​​​style of play, something that would no doubt go down well with those at Ibrox.

Meantime, Exeter City midfielder Edward Francis, who played for Edwards at youth level, praised his exceptional “man-management​​​​​​​” and “communication skills”, adding “he always treats people well and is honest with them”.

So, Edwards is clearly a young manager on the up, which is in contrast to Gerrard.

The 44-year-old’s time at Aston Villa was disastrous, as documented by Gregg Evans of the Athletic, while he was then also sacked by Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq​​​​​​​ back in January following an underwhelming 18-month stint in the Middle East.

So, Gerrard’s last two managerial jobs do not suggest he is the right man for the Ibrox dugout, although he was successful during his first stint in Govan, delivering the club’s first Premiership title for a decade, historically ending Celtic’s quest for ten-in-a-row.

So, reappointing Gerrard would probably be the safe option, as he is a known quantity in Glasgow, but the 49ers should be braver and hire an up-and-coming coach with the potential to get even better, and Edwards certainly fits that bill.

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ByDan Emery May 19, 2025

Arsenal will surely sign a new striker for big money this summer, but the question remains, who will it be?

The Gunners have scored just 64 goals in the Premier League this season, down from 91 last year and 88 the season before that, which is a major factor why they will conclude the campaign trophyless.

So, given that they’re unlikely to be unable to land Mikel Arteta’s dream target, are they about to snap-up an “electric” alternative?

Arsenal's search for a new striker

According to a report by Miguel Delaney of the Independent, Arsenal have ‘laid the groundwork’ as they continue to pursue RB Leipzig attacker Benjamin Šeško.

The Gunners attempted to sign the Slovenian international early last summer before the European Championships, but the 21-year-old decided to sign a new contract with Leipzig instead of moving to North London.

Now though, Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Deutschland claims that Šeško has a release clause worth €80m (around £68m), adding that a move ‘is also possible without triggering the clause’.

Transfer Focus

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

Philipp Hinze, also of Sky Sports Deutschland, reports that Leipzig ‘don’t want to let’ him go but, with die Roten Bullen on course to miss out on Champions League qualification, all the indications are that Šeško will be on the move this summer, so could it be to Arsenal?

Why Benjamin Šeško would be a good signing for Arsenal

Of course, Šeško is not Arteta’s dream striker signing, that is Alexander Isak, with Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport outlining how he is top of the manager’s wishlist, while acknowledging that this move is very unlikely to happen, with Phil McNulty of BBC Sport adding that he cannot see Newcastle selling their ‘best player’ to a direct Premier League rival.

Meantime, speaking on the Arsecast Extra, James McNicholas adds that it is going to be near-impossible for Arsenal to sign the Swede if Newcastle qualify for the Champions League, which they’re very much on course to achieve, thereby meaning they’ll surely have to look elsewhere.

So, should Šeško be the next name on the list?

Well, analyst Ben Mattinson labels the Slovenian “electric”, praising his “two-footed ball-striking” ability, while Lee Scott of Total Football Analysis notes that he ‘possesses the ability to score a wide variety of goals’, which is certainly a useful skill to have, one that many members of Arsenal’s forward line do not.

Meantime, Luis Kircher of Total Football Analysis describes Šeško as an ‘exceptional talent’, while Alex Barker​​​​​​​ of Breaking the Lines believes the ‘hot prospect’ is destined for the top, sighting Matthias Jaissle, his former manager at RB Salzburg, who labelled him “a dream of a player”.

A 6 foot 4 monster of a centre-forward, much like Isak, the Leipzig man is very much a young version of his Newcastle counterpart. So let’s assess how the duo compare this season.

Appearances

43

40

Minutes

3,186

3,144

Goals

21

27

Assists

6

6

Goals – xG

+2.8

+2.2

Shots

121

129

Shots on target %

47.9%

43.4%

Shot-creating actions

56

89

Goals-creating actions

9

14

Big chances missed

18

20

Touches in opposition area per 90

4

7

Touches per 90

26

25

As the table outlines, in a near-identical number of minutes this season, Šeško and Isak’s statistics are often very similar, but with a few key differences.

Šeško boasts a slightly better goals – xG figure, while a higher percentage of his shots find the target, missing two-fewer Opta-defined big chances.

Meantime, Isak comes out on top when it comes to goals, shot-creating actions and pure total shots, while the Swede takes a higher proportion of his touches inside the opposition’s penalty area.

Nevertheless, if Isak is the unascertainable dream target, Šeško’s statistics suggest he would be a more than adequate, youthful alternative, firing Arsenal to the big trophies that they so desperately crave.

​​​​​​​

Rice's dream: Arsenal have "wrapped up" deal for "world-class" £51m monster

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ByJack Salveson Holmes May 10, 2025

Glasgow Rangers may end the season without any silverware, but with the 49ers Enterprises reportedly having ‘productive conversations’ with the Ibrox side, next season could be a different story.

A deal is expected to be completed ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, and it will see Andrew Cavenagh and the 49ers gain 51 percent of the shares at the club. This could suggest a boost to the finances, allowing the new manager flexibility in the transfer market.

Building a side that can challenge Celtic domestically is a must for the US-led consortium, especially having not won a Premiership title since 2021.

That, plus continued improvement in Europe, will go a long way to pleasing the Ibrox faithful.

The summer transfer window doesn’t open for another few weeks, but it looks as though the club are trying to get some deals completed as early as possible.

Having already raided Dundee to sign talented midfielder Lyall Cameron on a pre-contract agreement, it looks like the Light Blues are set to lure another youngster from the Dens Park outfit…

Rangers eye move for Premiership starlet

According to Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie, the club are showing interest in bringing Josh Mulligan to the club from Dundee this summer, which could make him the first signing of the 49ers era after the takeover is complete.

Taking to X, he said: “Rangers are interested in Dundee’s Josh Mulligan. 22-yo is out of contract at Dens this summer and on the club’s radar.

“Capable of playing at full-back or in midfield. Mulligan’s viewed as a player with strong physical attributes and potential.”

These types of low-risk, potentially profitable, signings are exactly the sort of deals the club should be doing. Mulligan won’t cost a penny, but if he performs in Glasgow, there is no doubt he could go on to brighter things in the next couple of years.

The 49ers are certainly looking to get things in motion, and this move could work well for all parties involved.

Although typically used on the right side of the midfield for Dundee this season, a move to Rangers could see the Scot drop deeper into a right-back role.

If so, this may allow the Gers to move James Tavernier on after ten seasons with the club, especially as this summer represents the final chance for them to properly cash in on the Englishman.

James Tavernier’s future is uncertain at Rangers

The defender has certainly enjoyed a productive spell in Scotland when it comes to attacking statistics.

Across 508 appearances at the time of writing, Tavernier has scored 130 goals while recording 141 assists in that time. These are truly incredible numbers from a right-back; there is no doubt about that.

He has bailed the club out on so many occasions over the years during tricky spells in matches. Perhaps his most telling contribution was during the knockout stages of the 2021/22 Europa League campaign.

Having scored no goals during the group stage, Tavernier netted three goals against Borussia Dortmund, twice against Braga and even netted in the semi-final against RB Leipzig to help steer the Light Blues to their first European final in 14 years.

This season has looked like a step too far, however. The 33-year-old has managed just five goals and 12 assists across 48 matches, a far cry from his 36 goal contributions last term.

He even missed a penalty against Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup that would have sent the tie to extra time. With one year left on his contract, perhaps now is the time to bid farewell while trying to secure a transfer fee for the player.

In Mulligan, Rangers have a young, vibrant replacement who has the potential to improve as time goes on.

Why Rangers want to sign Josh Mulligan

As mentioned, Mulligan has played the majority of this season out wide on the right side of the midfield. Occasionally, he has been tasked with slotting into the middle of the park, but it is clear he is best on the flank.

Five assists in 36 matches for a struggling Dundee side isn’t too bad and is an improvement on the two he registered during the 2023/24 season for the club.

2024/25 (so far)

36

0

5

2023/24

23

1

0

2022/23

42

2

5

2021/22

37

6

2

Scottish analyst Kai Watson has kept tabs on the Scot and praised him on X amid the reported interest from Rangers, saying: “Been a fan of Josh Mulligan for a while now and think signing him on a free would be smart business for Rangers.

“An aggressive, high energy wingback/CM that’s consistently improving technically and in the final third.

“Future Scotland international for me.”

His Premiership stats are certainly encouraging. In 29 matches for Dundee this season, Mulligan has created eight big chances, averaging one key pass per game while also succeeding with one dribble per match.

These are decent attacking statistics from someone playing in a team that currently stands 11th in the domestic table, just five points ahead of the bottom side.

His defensive statistics are also fairly impressive, as Mulligan wins five total duels per game, along with making 1.8 tackles, 0.6 interceptions, and recovering 4.6 balls per match in the top flight.

Mulligan also has plenty of pedigree at international level, making a total of 14 appearances for the Scotland U21 side since making his debut in June 2022.

A move to Rangers would certainly help bolster his ambitions for a senior cap in the coming months, that’s for certain. He has the talent, now he needs to make the move to a bigger side to finally showcase it at a higher level.

Will this signing signal the end for Tavernier at Rangers in the summer? Or will he hang around for one more season before departing on a free transfer in the summer of 2026?

Only time will tell, but one thing looks certain: the 49ers won’t be playing the sentiment card when it comes to improving the squad ahead of one of the most important seasons in the club’s recent history.

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1 ByRoss Kilvington Apr 22, 2025

Chelsea are now eager to sign a £40k-a-week full-back who’s “one of the best” in Europe, but there is set to be fierce competition from their Premier League rivals, according to a report.

Pressure building on Maresca

Fans are starting to lose patience with Enzo Maresca, given that performances have fallen way short of expectations in recent weeks, drawing 2-2 at home to Ipswich Town before suffering a 2-1 defeat against Legia Warsaw at Stamford Bridge.

However, the manager is likely to have bought himself some more time with the 2-1 victory at Fulham on Sunday afternoon, with Tyrique George and Pedro Neto striking late to secure a comeback victory at Craven Cottage.

By and large, the Blues’ backline has not been the issue this season, retaining the joint-fourth best defensive record in the league, and Maresca is likely to be far more concerned by the performances of his strikers.

Fabregas a fan: Chelsea want to sign £8m gem with "left foot made of gold"

The Blues are closely monitoring a “wonderful” midfielder ahead of a potential summer transfer swoop.

ByDominic Lund Apr 20, 2025

After once again drawing a blank on Sunday afternoon, Nicolas Jackson is without a goal in his last 12 Premier League games, while Christopher Nkunku has just three league goals to his name all season.

As such, bringing in a new striker may be a priority for Chelsea this summer, but they are also keen to strengthen in defence, according to a report from Caught Offside, which has revealed they are now eager to sign Nottingham Forest right-back Ola Aina.

Aina’s performances this season have attracted serious interest from a whole host of Premier League clubs, with Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur also keen, and the latter two clubs are set to open agent talks soon.

Forest are eager to tie the full-back down to a new contract, which could see his £40k-a-week wages increased, but a free transfer is possible, should an agreement not be reached, with the 28-year-old’s contract set to expire this summer.

Aina enjoying impressive campaign at Forest

The Nigerian has been an indispensable member of the starting XI for Forest this season, making 30 Premier League appearances prior to recently sustaining a calf injury, and his side have gone on to lose both of the games he’s missed.

Having performed very well for the Tricky Trees, the London-born defender received high praise from Zach Lowy last month, with the journalist saying: “Ola Aina has genuinely been one of the best fullbacks in Europe this season. So effective going forward but above all, rarely drops anything less than a 7/10. Forest are lucky to have him.”

Not only has the former Chelsea man impressed on the front foot, but his ability to win back possession has also been on display regularly throughout the campaign.

That said, Chelsea are already well-stocked at right-back, with Reece James and Malo Gusto on the books, so Aina may not be a necessary signing unless one of Maresca’s current options moves on this summer.