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Inter's 2-0 win over Lazio may not have been pretty, but it was effective. Under coach Cristian Chivu, the Nerazzurri are learning to value substance over style, a shift Paolo Di Canio describes as “aesthetics going to hell”. Lautaro Martinez ended his goal drought while Inter returned to the top of Serie A as Di Canio insists that Chivu’s gritty new philosophy might just be the secret to long-term greatness.

Di Canio weighs in as Inter win to top Serie A table

Inter cruised to a composed 2-0 victory over Lazio at San Siro, with goals from Martinez and Ange-Yoan Bonny securing a vital three points that sent them back to the top of Serie A alongside Roma. Inter dominated from start to finish, dictating the tempo and exposing Lazio’s defensive lapses with crisp transitions and positional control.

The breakthrough came just three minutes in when Martinez finally broke his five-game Serie A goal drought. The Argentine captain struck from inside the box with a scuffed but perfectly placed shot that curled into the far top corner which was not the most aesthetic finish, but one that mattered most.

Paolo Di Canio had his say on the goal, saying on : “Did Lautaro want to shoot like that? No, because he wants to anticipate his opponent and he almost doesn’t let go of his leverage: he’s good at striking quickly, but for me he wants to shoot with his neck. If someone really thought of this thing, he’s truly five put together, a genius of genius: no, come on, it’s also aesthetically ugly, but the way the ball goes in is so beautiful.”

Lautaro’s opener, though not a highlight-reel strike, embodied what Di Canio later called Inter’s “new identity”, one that values grit, efficiency, and mental fortitude over flair. With his latest goal, the Argentine striker has now scored four goals and registered two assists in 11 league matches.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDi Canio’s verdict: Chivu’s Inter are learning to ‘win ugly’

Di Canio believes Inter are evolving under Chivu, not just tactically, but psychologically, embracing the idea that beautiful football sometimes needs to “go to hell” to achieve results.

"They know their strength, they know that's what's missing: it's a step forward and an individual awareness, first on their part, and then through a coach who transmits it. Because maybe the other coach, who was very good at many other things, didn't make them feel this way because it's not his way of managing: it's not a fault, but a different approach. And in some moments, you don't have to shout, but look at the boys and say: 'What have we done?'"

Di Canio further highlighted a psychological shift that Inter no longer rely solely on technical dominance, but on a ruthless mindset: "It's a clear and important general realisation, and today it was confirmed. Inter are strong, especially in the league. It's a revenge against them; they feel a real obligation to win because last year the Scudetto slipped away in a foolish way from their point of view. I said it here, but they think worse of themselves for how they lost it: they are important players and have built this important status with [Antonio] Conte and Inzaghi."

The former Italy international added: "Have they been fighting on all fronts for a while now? But a top team has to do this. Sometimes aesthetics have to go to hell if you want to reach your goal: there's concreteness . I like Inter too, but Chivu doesn't want to let them do it: today he approached it differently."

Di Canio points out that Chivu is stripping away the old obsession with aesthetic football and instilling in Inter a culture of discipline and tactical pragmatism. "What's missing? Those details that come from the coach, breaking the mould. I'll put Lazio with three midfielders, I'll put Carlos Augusto. That's why Chivu is taking away their beauty and grace, he wants to take it away. Just as they've acquired awareness: I've never seen a team that gives 12 points out of 12 and comes away beaten. It's a huge realisation. The others have changed a lot, Inter is the only one that has had continuity with what it takes to become great: a great Italian management that had to cut and that built piece by piece. They protected Inzaghi and were right with him because they worked together," Di Canio said.

Inter now sit on top of the Serie A table alongside Roma with 27 points. The team will now turn their focus to the much-anticipated Milan Derby on November 23, their first match since the two Milanese giants jointly acquired San Siro, marking the beginning of a new era for both clubs.

Mkhitaryan’s injury opens the door for Zielinski

Inter’s midfield depth faces a test as Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been ruled out for at least a month after sustaining a left thigh strain in the defeat to Napoli. The veteran playmaker, who has been a key figure in Chivu’s setup, will miss at least seven fixtures, including the Milan derby and two Champions League clashes.

His absence, however, opens the door for Piotr Zielinski, who has started to find his rhythm in recent games. Zielinski replaced Mkhitaryan in the Lazio clash and nearly found the scoresheet, though his goal was controversially disallowed by VAR due to a handball by Federico Dimarco in the buildup.

Zielinski’s energetic pressing, ball-carrying, and willingness to take shots from distance have added new dimensions to Inter’s midfield. With Mkhitaryan sidelined, Chivu will rely on Zielinski’s creativity to maintain balance between attack and defence as Inter navigate a congested fixture list.

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(C)Getty ImagesWhat next for Chivu’s Inter?

Chivu’s biggest challenge now lies in maintaining momentum amid mounting injuries and high expectations. Inter’s disciplined yet pragmatic approach has kept them unbeaten in their last four Serie A outings, but tougher tests await. The international break provides a much-needed breather for Chivu to reassess tactics and manage player workloads. Upon return, Inter face Milan, followed by a Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid on November 26.

England quick averaged 76mph during furious spell that helped England to snatch victory in third T20I

Valkerie Baynes08-Jul-2025Blazing a trail for cricket’s fast-bowling women suits Lauren Filer just fine, but she’ll gladly pull others along with her.Filer averaged 76mph in bowling the fastest recorded over in women’s cricket during England’s thrilling five-run victory over India in the third T20I at The Oval on Friday. She was twice clocked at 79mph in her fourth over – the 16th in India’s pursuit of 172 – and she said the magical 80mph mark was firmly on her radar.”Not to sound cocky, but I think I knew that I’d be able to push close to 80,” Filer said of that over. “I sort of touched on 78 every so often over the last year and, for me on Friday, the great thing about it was the fact that it was more consistent, that’s what I’ve been trying to do.Related

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“It’s not necessarily hitting that one ball that’s 80, that’s not going to make the difference. The difference is the consistency of increasing my speed. From the game in Trent Bridge, I think I was averaging 73, then I went up to 75 in Bristol and now obviously 76 at The Oval.”That’s what I’m trying to aim for and hopefully again I can hit that 80 number. I’m just going to try and keep consistently bowling at that mid-70s and in the women’s game that’s not heard of very often, so that’s my aim.”Filer has made some technical changes, including increasing her run-up since returning from the knee injury which kept her out of England’s T20I series against West Indies earlier in the season. As a result, she feels more “in time”.”Bowling’s all about feel,” she said. “It’s not about trying to lug it down as fast as you can because on Friday I didn’t necessarily feel at my quickest, but actually it’s usually then is when you probably are bowling your quickest, it’s all about flow and rhythm.”So it is more just getting into time and cleaning up my action. I’m quite limby, it’s all limbs go everywhere, so it’s all just bringing it together and that’s what’s happened over the last couple of games.”Filer has a propensity to fall over in her follow-through, which particularly stood out during the Ashes in January. There, she said her front foot was sliding a long way along the surfaces, causing her to fall over, which wasn’t a problem in the moments when she went tumbling in London last week.”It’s nothing that’s to be massively concerned about,” she said. “Sometimes it’s the pitch and then sometimes it’s just me.”Sometimes I just land and I just get in a position where I end up having to just tuck and roll and I’ve sort of mastered that, which is good because it just hurts less.Filer is hoping to breach the 80mph barrier•ECB via Getty Images”We’re not too concerned as long I’m staying on my feet the majority of the time. It’s not affecting me massively and I can still generally bowl quick with this action. If I can do that, I don’t want to tweak with it too much because it could end up affecting it negatively.”Last year, Shabnim Ismail breached 130kph (80.7mph) for the first time in the women’s game, playing for Mumbai Indians against Delhi Capitals at the WPL, reaching 132.1kph (82.08mph) nine months after she retired from international cricket.South African Ismail also holds the record for the fastest delivery in women’s international cricket – 128kmph (79.54mph) against West Indies in 2016.The prospect of putting herself in that 80mph bracket brings a sense of excitement for Filer in terms of highlighting fast bowling in the women’s game.”That’s probably the reason why I want to hit it,” she said. “It’s not necessarily a personal milestone in myself, but actually proving that women can get to that milestone and hopefully others can follow as well.”I don’t want it just to be one or two people. We want loads of women to be able to be bowling at that speed. After Friday people are probably talking about it more than they were and hopefully if I can hit it then it encourages other people to try and aim for that and actually make the game even more exciting than it already is.”Filer isn’t the first bowler in this England women’s team to speak of bowling at 80mph. Five years ago, a then-17-year-old Issy Wong said she had ambitions to reach the milestone because it had “never been hit by a girl yet”.Wong is still re-establishing herself in England’s T20I squad after battling problems with her rhythm and run-up in 2023, having made her international debut the previous year. She took 1 for 36 from her four overs at The Oval, her first outing of the series with India, having played two T20Is against West Indies.Filer took 2 for 30 in the latest game against India, that pivotal over resulting in a dropped catch off Harmanpreet Kaur, the key wicket of Smriti Mandhana for 56 and a spicy welcome for Richa Ghosh, pinged hard on the helmet, all in the space of three deliveries.England will need more of the same as their next encounter, at Old Trafford on Wednesday, remains a must-win game for the hosts if they are to keep the five-match series alive. India lead 2-1 after a thumping 97-run win in the opening match at Trent Bridge and 24-run victory in Bristol.Winning matches for England, Filer says, is her main aim and the reason she has her eye on the speed gun.”I’ve always sort of kept a number on the speeds, but it’s not necessarily a judgement piece for me. It probably shows me whether I’m doing my technical stuff right,” she said.”If I don’t do some of the technical stuff that I have been doing right then I end up being slower. So for me it’s more of a thing to see if I’ve done my stuff well. I generally come off a pitch and ask the analyst what my average speed was and what my fastest ball was just to see where I was at.”I want to help us win games and if that means bowling 80 miles an hour or getting close to it, if that’s the way, then great. If it’s not, then I’ve got to focus on my variations or doing something else that’s going to help us win games.”

Tottenham Hotspur chiefs are enamored with another young “potential superstar” at the club who could be set to rival teenage duo Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall.

Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray making real progress at Tottenham

When called upon, Thomas Frank could hardly ask for more from both men.

The youngsters have played key roles at times under Frank, and not just the Dane, with Gray forced to play out of position with extreme professionalism and stuck to his duties as best he could during Spurs’ injury crisis last season.

Gray’s versatility was invaluable for Ange Postecoglou, who struggled for options throughout 2024/2025, and he can certainly feel hard done by when it comes to match action this term.

The former Leeds United starlet has played just one Premier League minute since starting against Burnley on the opening day, but he showed flashes of true quality when coming off the bench away to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League recently.

Frank, despite barely picking him so far, has tipped the Englishman for a “big future”.

Gray is looking to battle his way into a stacked Tottenham midfield where Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha have formed an indomitable partnership in his position, with the 19-year-old also having to contend against Bergvall.

Every time the latter plays, Bergvall makes his £8.5 million transfer fee from Djurgardens look like daylight robbery.

Appearances

55

Goals

2

Assists

7

Bookings

9

Minutes played

2,881

via Transfermarkt

In the space of a few days against West Ham and Villarreal earlier this season, the Swede picked up two Player of the Match awards, scoring his first ever Premier League goal against Spurs’ London rivals and impressing when given the nod ever since.

The Lilywhites also signed 22-year-old Dutch sensation Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig in the summer, in a deal which could be worth £125 million when factoring in wages over a possible seven-year contract (Paul O’Keefe).

The attacking midfielder notched his first Premier League assist for the club against West Ham, swinging in a corner for Pape Sarr to head home, but hasn’t managed to register a goal contribution since then.

Tottenham convinced Xavi Simons is a "potential superstar"

Some minor concerns have surrounded the Netherlands international’s form as a result, but according to journalist Graeme Bailey, there are zero worries inside Tottenham.

It is quite the opposite, as Spurs insiders are “so impressed” by Simons and believe the North Londoners have a “potential superstar” on their hands.

Interestingly, Ruud van Nistelrooy has already said that Simons has an “unprecedented” mentality, and this appears to be coming to fruition at Hotspur Way as the versatile forward turns heads behind-the-scenes.

Simons could’ve joined Chelsea, but according to super agent Ali Barat, Frank was key in convincing the former PSG sensation to choose the other side of London instead.

The search for Rangers’ next manager is heating up and, as such, a new name has reportedly emerged as the “favourite” to take the vacant role at Ibrox.

Rangers manager update

Some may still be in shock at Rangers that it’s not set to be Steven Gerrard in the dugout when domestic football returns. The Liverpool legend looked destined to return to Ibrox, before dealing the 49ers their latest blow. Forced back to the drawing board after their top candidate cited bad timing for rejecting the job, the new owners have quite the task on their hands.

Given that the Gers already sit as many as nine points behind Celtic and 11 behind unexpected leaders Hearts in the Scottish Premiership, to say that they can’t afford to get things wrong with their next appointment would be an understatement.

So far, similar names to the summer as well as some new faces have emerged as candidates. Danny Rohl, for example, has reportedly been discussed once again, whilst the likes of Graham Potter and Raphael Wicky have been mentioned for the first time.

It’s a case of choosing experience or youthful exuberance for those at Ibrox. Rohl would be an exciting choice, but not the safest option in current circumstances amid his inexperience. Potter, meanwhile, has the experience but would also be coming in off the back of failing at both West Ham United and Chelsea.

Other options include Hearts boss Derek McInnes. For Rangers, if they can’t match the league leaders, then hiring their manager may be their next best option. Former Ibrox star Kris Boyd believes the ship has sailed on that front, however.

It may also be none of those aforementioned options, with fresh reports now indicating that another name has emerged as the “favourite” to take the Rangers job.

Kevin Muscat now "favourite" for Rangers job

As reported by talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Kevin Muscat is now emerging as the “favourite” for the Rangers job, overtaking Rohl in the process. The 52-year-old is currently in charge of Shanghai Port, but may yet be on his way to Scotland.

Whether the Gers wait until the Chinese Super League season concludes on November 22 or target the manager right away is the big question. After such a poor start to the campaign, the Gers could certainly do with an immediate boost, but the ball may be in Muscat’s court on that front.

It’s also not the first time that Muscat has been linked with a move to Rangers. In previous years, the likes of Philippe Clement have beaten him to the job, but this time could finally be different.

Having won the Australian league twice and the Australian cup with Melbourne Victory, the Japanese league and Japanese Super Cup with Yokohama Marinos, and the Chinese league and cup with Shanghai Port, Muscat has won everywhere he has been. Now, Rangers could be next.

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The favourite for the job has also worked as Ange Postecoglou’s assistant with Australia in the past and may yet hand the Gers similar success that his compatriot gave the Bhoys.

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.

9. Sam Allardyce

30.7%

10. Julen Lopetegui

30%

11. Gianfranco Zola

27.8%

12, Graham Potter

27.3%

13. Avram Grant

18.9%

via StatMuse

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.

Matches

109

Wins

42

Draws

30

Losses

37

Goals scored

160

Goals conceded

167

Points

156

Average points per game

1.43

via Transfermarkt

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.

Can you hear it, the din from the summer transfer window? Newcastle United’s tumultuous market has been placed in the background, now, and Eddie Howe must be delighted that he can crack on and write another chapter into this wonderful story.

But there’s no denying the events of recent months have taken a toll on the Tyneside outfit, who have started their Premier League campaign with just two points from three games, losing that ridiculous clash against Liverpool and blanking in stalemates against Aston Villa and Leeds United.

Still, United are organised and efficient, and having signed forwards such as Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa among a host of other signings, there is hope that the disappointing departure of Alexander Isak can be offset and that targets might still be hit.

But it hasn’t all been sunshines and rainbows. Isak is bound to carry his prolific nature over to Anfield, but perhaps more frustrating is the recent success of Elliot Anderson, who was sold to Nottingham Forest over a year ago to ease the strain of PSR regulations.

Why Newcastle sold Elliot Anderson

The way Isak forced his way out of Howe’s Newcastle will sting for many years. Never again will the Sweden striker receive the ball at St. James’ Park without being the recipient of a venomous chorus of boos.

But Anderson was one of the club’s own, homegrown and sold for pure profit to avoid financial ramifications. His success with Nottingham Forest over the past two years has been quite a thing, and his recent performances for the Three Lions have underscored his value.

Newcastle sold the centre-midfielder to the Tricky Trees for around £35m in 2024, but he has since become something more, hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson as a “do-it-all midfield warrior” and regarded in the Premier League as one of the driving forces of Nuno Espirito Santo’s success last season.

The 22-year-old could have been something special for Newcastle, and now serves as a reminder to keep onto those top talents who show such promise but perhaps aren’t yet equipped to maintain the consistency of their more experienced peers.

Take, for example, Anderson’s countryman Lewis Hall, who has lulled of late but remains one of the most exciting up-and-comers within the Premier League scene.

Newcastle have struck gold on Lewis Hall

Hall has spent more time than he would have liked in 2025 in the infirmary, with the full-back’s fitness problems taking away from him the building noise after an emphatic start to life at Newcastle.

It was not that long ago that Toon reporter Dominic Scurr declared Hall to be “the best left-back in the country, bar none.”

Likewise, talent scout Jacek Kulig called the 21-year-old “one of the best left-backs in the Premier League” in December 2024, with Hall firing on all cylinders and instrumental in building the form that would lead United back toward the gates of the Champions League and the Carabao Cup title.

But injury struck in the days before that Wembley meeting with Liverpool, and Hall would be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.

Matches (starts)

18 (8)

27 (24)

Goals

1

0

Assists

0

4

Touches*

39.2

70.6

Pass completion

83%

85%

Key passes*

0.2

1.3

Dribble success

55%

61%

Ball recoveries*

3.1

4.4

Tackles*

1.6

2.1

Interceptions*

0.7

0.7

Clearances*

0.9

1.9

Duels (won)*

2.9 (53%)

4.4 (54%)

Hall has also featured twice in the Premier League this season, but both times as a substitute and for a total of 43 minutes as he gets back up to speed. He will hope to reclaim his starting berth in the weeks to come, and on the basis of the evidence, his improvements last season suggest Howe will soon deploy him from the opening again.

Data-led platform FBref reveal Hall to rank among the top 12% of positional peers in the Premier League last year for passes attempted, the top 15% for assists and the top 20% for shot-creating actions and progressive passes per 90, so it’s clear that his technical quality is crucial to erecting the build-up patterns that define Howe’s transitional approach.

It’s also clear that this ball-playing skill aligns with the methods of some of England’s finest. Indeed, Caught Offside revealed in the months preceding the summer transfer window that Liverpool and Manchester City had both registered their interest in the young England international, who Newcastle valued at a floor of £60m.

Of course, this puts Hall above a former Toon talent such as Anderson, who left for £35m and has since seen a market growth toward the ballpark of £45m, as per Football Transfers.

The aforementioned Premier League giants both signed left-backs this summer, which perhaps signals the strength of Newcastle’s response when Hall’s name was discussed in negotiations.

Hall is a defender who can do it all. After all, he played most regularly as a robust central midfielder during his younger days, since refashioned into a wide defender. Perhaps there is a future for him in the middle of the park, where he might rival players such as Anderson for a prominent role in England’s national squad.

Newcastle might have entered something of a transitional campaign, but Howe will remain steadfast in his belief that last year’s success can be used to prop up the riches still to come at St. James’ Park.

In any case, with such exciting talents as Hall set to star for years to come, there’s every reason for excitement.

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Newcastle will need to replace Alexander Isak’s goals with a range of different attacking talents.

1 ByAngus Sinclair Sep 3, 2025

The clock is ticking and Celtic have minutes rather than hours to rescue their summer transfer window by landing the attacking reinforcements that they need.

Adam Idah was allowed to complete a permanent transfer to Swansea City earlier today, leaving Shin Yamada and Johnny Kenny as the only ‘senior’ strikers in the building.

Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph claims that Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana has turned down the chance to join the Hoops in order to sign for English side Charlton Athletic in the Championship on loan.

Celtic make late bid for new striker

The Scottish Premiership champions are still pushing to the wire to bring in a new forward before the deadline passes to improve their options up front.

Transfer Focus

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

According to the Scottish Sun, Celtic have made a last-gasp bid to sign Sevilla centre-forward Kelechi Iheanacho to reunite him with Brendan Rodgers.

The report claims that the Nigeria international has emerged as a deadline-busting transfer target for the Hoops, after they failed to land Kasper Dolberg and Datro Fofana.

It adds that Sevilla will not stand in his way if he wishes to make the move to Scotland before the deadline, but it remains to be seen what the £52k-per-week marksman wants to do.

What Kelechi Iheanacho could bring to Celtic

The left-footed forward is a vastly experienced number nine who could come in as an even better option than Datro Fofana in the number nine position for the Scottish giants.

Datro Fofana has only scored five goals in Europe’s top five leagues in his playing career and has not scored more than four league goals for a club in a season since the 2022 campaign for Molde, per Sofascore.

Kelechi, who was once hailed as “incredible” by Rodgers, scored a respectable 43 goals in 143 matches for the Celtic manager during their time together at Leicester, per Transfermarkt, which shows that the Northern Irish boss can get the best out of him.

22/23 (28)

5

5

21/22 (26)

4

5

20/21 (25)

12

2

19/20 (20)

5

5

18/19 (30)

1

3

17/18 (21)

3

3

16/17 (20)

4

3

15/16 (26)

8

1

As you can see in the table above, Kelechi has plenty of experience in the Premier League and consistently showed that he could deliver goals and assists, at a decent, if not spectacular, rate.

His best season, with 12 goals in the 2020/21 campaign, also came with Rodgers in the Foxes dugout, which, again, shows that they have a relationship that could bring him success at Parkhead.

Kelechi has significantly more experience and more goals in a major European league than Datro Fofana has and outscored (four) the Chelsea youngster (two) in all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign, per Sofascore.

This suggests that the 28-year-old marksman, who still has plenty left to give at that age, could be a shrewd addition to the squad when you consider his relationship with Rodgers and his goal return at Premier League level under the current Hoops boss.

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It may not be a glamorous, big-money, signing that supporters may have wanted, but if they can get this deadline-busting move over the line, Celtic will have a potentially lethal striker on their hands.

يستهدف نادي تشيلسي الإنجليزي، التعاقد مع أحد لاعبي فريق برشلونة الإسباني، ويجهز عرضًا للتفاوض وحسم الصفقة لصالحه.

وسبق أن ارتبط تشيلسي بضم لاعبين من برشلونة في السوق الصيفي، بينهم فيرمين لوبيز، قبل غلق سوق الانتقالات السابق.

وبحسب ما ذكرت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية، يرغب تشيلسي في ضم مارك كاسادو من برشلونة.

ووفقًا للتقرير، تشيلسي يُجهّز عرضًا بقيمة 35 مليون يورو تقريبًا لضم مارك كاسادو، وأفادت الصحيفة أن آرسنال يُقدّم عرضًا مشابهًا، إذ يسعى الفريقان إلى التعاقد معه.

ويأتي هذا العرض في الوقت الذي تراجعت فيه مشاركة كاسادو مع برشلونة، تحت قيادة المدرب الألماني هانز فليك.

اقرأ أيضًا | برشلونة ينافس 4 أندية على برناردو سيلفا

رحيل كاسادو سيفيد برشلونة على الجانب المالي، لكن على إدارة النادي الكتالوني إقناع اللاعب بالرحيل حيث يرغب في البقاء مع البلوجرانا.

ويحتل برشلونة المركز الثاني في ترتيب الدوري الإسباني برصيد 19 نقطة خلف ريال مدريد المتصدر بـ 21 نقطة.

وفي الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، يتصدر آرسنال الترتيب بـ 16 نقطة، وتشيلسي في المركز السابع بـ 11 نقطة.

 

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has made no secret of the fact that he would like to see the club bring in more attackers before the end of the summer transfer window.

At the time of writing, Lukas Nmecha is the only attacker signed by the Whites so far, having joined on a free transfer from Wolfsburg early on in the window.

The Championship champions have still yet to replace Manor Solomon, who returned to Spurs at the end of his loan spell last season, with a new winger to bolster the squad.

However, Farke is reportedly on course to land a new option to pick from in the centre-forward position, in the form of free agent Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that the former England international is set to undergo a medical before completing a switch to Elland Road.

It currently remains to be seen whether or not he will be signed in time to make his debut against his former club at Elland Road in the Premier League on Monday.

What Dominic Calvert-Lewin could bring to Leeds

Above all else, Calvert-Lewin is a proven Premier League striker who has been there and done it in the division over a number of years at Everton.

The 28-year-old star scored 71 goals in 273 matches in all competitions during his time with the Toffees, as per Transfermarkt, and will bring experience that Farke does not currently have in that position with Nmecha and Joel Piroe.

Even when he is not at his best from a technical perspective, the 6 foot 2 marksman will also provide a physical presence in the number nine position for Leeds. As per Sofascore, the forward won 3.3 aerial duels per game at a success rate of 51% in the top-flight last term, which shows that he can hold his own against towering defenders.

However, there may be some understandable concerns about his goalscoring record over the last four seasons or so, as he has been far from prolific of late.

24/25

26

3

23/24

32

7

22/23

17

2

21/22

17

5

20/21

33

16

19/20

36

13

18/19

35

6

17/18

32

4

16/17

11

1

As you can see in the table above, Calvert-Lewin has not hit double figures for goals in the Premier League since the 2020/21 campaign, when fans were not allowed in grounds, and only scored three times last season.

This suggests that Leeds will need plenty of creativity in their side to ensure that enough chances are created to boost the English striker’s output, and a fresh report suggests that they could be on course to add a big creative threat.

Leeds have held talks to sign Championship star

According to CaughtOffside, Leeds United have already held talks with the representatives of Leicester City attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss.

The report claims that the Whites have already offered contract terms to the Morocco international, with a £50k-per-week deal waiting for him at Elland Road if he opts to make the move.

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It adds that the number ten has a £24.5m release clause in his contract with the Championship side, and that the West Yorkshire outfit are willing to pay it to snap him up this summer.

CaughtOffside reveals, though, that Newcastle United, RB Leipzig, and Borussia Dortmund are also interested in the 21-year-old playmaker, which means that it will not be an easy deal for Leeds to get over the line.

It is now down to the Championship champions to convince El Khannouss that a move to Elland Road is the best next step for him, and this report suggests that is exactly what they are trying to do at this moment in time.

Why Calvert-Lewin would love El Khannouss

Signing the Leicester playmaker shortly after agreeing a deal to sign Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer could make a lot of sense, because they have the potential to strike up a partnership for the Whites in the upcoming season.

El Khannouss is an attacking midfielder who plays behind the striker, as a number ten in Farke’s 4-2-3-1 system, and this means that he would be directly behind the former Everton man and tasked with supplying him with chances to score.

As aforementioned, Calvert-Lewin has not been in the best of form in front of goal in recent seasons, which means that it is imperative that the Whites supply him with plenty of opportunities to get him back on the goal trail and back to his best.

El Khannouss may have been relegated from the Premier League with the Foxes in the 2024/25 campaign, but he was still able to showcase his quality at the top end of the pitch.

The 21-year-old talent delivered three goals and five assists in all competitions for Leicester, per Sofascore, but his underlying numbers in the Premier League were even more eye-catching.

xAG

0.19

Top 46%

Assists

0.12

Bottom 35%

Passes attempted

43.85

Top 15%

Progressive passes

5.28

Top 14%

Passes into the final third

3.67

Top 10%

Key passes

1.73

Top 37%

Through balls

0.45

Top 16%

As you can see in the table above, El Khannouss ranked highly among his positional peers in a host of creative metrics in the top-flight, but was not rewarded with the assists that his excellent play deserved.

These statistics show that the Moroccan youngster is an attacking midfielder who likes to find his teammates in dangerous positions in the final third, with progressive passes, key passes, and through balls to cut open opposition defences on a regular basis.

His creative prowess was on display for Leicester in their opening game of the Championship season against Sheffield Wednesday, as he recorded two assists and created three ‘big chances’ in a 2-1 win for his side, per Sofascore.

The £24.5m-rated talent would be a dream for Calvert-Lewin, therefore, because he has the creativity, the passing quality, and the Premier League experience to be a dream number ten for the striker to play ahead of.

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Whilst it will then be down to the forward to make the most of those chances, the former Everton man will be delighted to have a player who can consistently tee him up for shots at goal.

It has been a busy summer for Nottingham Forest so far, although not in the way they, nor their fans, might have expected. Earlier in the window, they lost one of their key attackers, Anthony Elanga. The Swedish star made the move up north to Newcastle for a fee of £55m.

They also came close to losing star midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. He was subject to a bid from Tottenham Hotspur, in what was reportedly a £60m deal. He was scheduled to have a medical in North London, but the deal fell through and the England international has since signed a contract extension.

It seems as though the East Midlands side might now look to recruit someone this summer, and have been strongly linked with a former Premier League star.

Forest’s latest target

It has certainly been a hectic few weeks for those at the City Ground, losing one and almost two key attackers. However, it does seem like they are working on signing depth out wide, if recent reports are to be believed.

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According to a recent briefing from David Ornstein, Forest are firmly in the race for Ipswich Town and England under-21 international Omari Hutchinson. The Athletic journalist reported on Wednesday that talks are ‘ongoing’ between the two clubs.

Indeed, Forest actually placed a bid for the winger, but their £35m offer was not deemed enough for the Tractor Boys, who rejected the bid.

Ornstein says it would need a ‘higher fee’ for Ipswich to sell one of their key players. Forest are not alone in this race, with Brentford also interested in a deal.

Why Hutchinson would be a good signing

At just 21 years of age, Hutchinson has shown great promise for the Tractor Boys in the Championship and the Premier League. He initially spent time on loan at the club before moving permanently last summer from Chelsea. He is a graduate of their academy, having also represented Arsenal as a youth player.

The versatile attacker has made 82 appearances for the first team at Portman Road, scoring 14 times and grabbing eight assists. His stats from Sofascore in the Championship and Premier League show just how well he has performed.

For example, Hutchinson averaged 1.6 key passes in the second tier and 1.1 in the top flight for Ipswich per 90 minutes.

Hutchinson key stats for Ipswich

Stat (per 90)

23/24 Championship

24/25 Premier League

Key passes

1.6

1.1

Big chances created

0.3

0.2

Dribbles completed

2.1

1.8

Passes completed

24

23.1

Tackles and interceptions

2.8

1.5

Expected goal involvements

0.43xGI

0.18xGI

Stats from Sofascore

Over the summer, the former Chelsea and Arsenal academy star was part of England’s successful under-21 European Championship-winning side.

Hutchinson played in all six of the Three Lions’ matches, assisting once and scoring this well-taken effort in the final against Germany.

When looking at this deal, it may remind Forest fans of a past signing, that of Callum Hudson-Odoi. The pair share a fairly similar career path, with the Forest winger, who has recently swapped to wear the number seven, also coming through the Chelsea academy.

Like Hutchinson, he is a graduate of the esteemed Cobham academy, and also went on loan before securing a permanent move away.

Fans at the City Ground will remember his contributions last season fondly. The 24-year-old, who was born in London, bagged five goals and assisted eight in the Premier League, including a memorable winner in a 1-0 victory over Liverpool.

It is not only the early career paths of each player which is so similar, and suggest Hutchinson could become the second coming of Hudson-Odoi. Their versatility also stands out and is a real feature of their respective games.

The Ipswich star can operate on either flank or as a number 10, which he has done 32 times for the Tractor Boys. As for his potential new teammate, Hudson-Odoi can also play on either wing and has been known to play behind the striker, too, which he did at times last season.

How Forest fans would love for Hutchinson to become the new version of Hudson-Odoi. Both versatile attackers and Cobham graduates, they offer tactical flexibility to Nuno Espirito Santo and quality on the ball.

Described as an “outstanding” player by football scout Antonio Mango, Forest fans would surely love to see Hutchinson line up alongside Hudson-Odoi in Garibaldi Red next season at the City Ground.

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