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Newcastle United have bid farewell to striker Callum Wilson, who departs the Magpies after five years on Tyneside.

The centre-forward struggled with injury throughout his spell with the club, scoring 49 goals across 130 appearances.

However, with a Carabao Cup winner’s medal around his neck, he will leave Tyneside with fond memories of the club.

The positive news concerning his departure means that it does leave room for Eddie Howe to bring in another striker this summer, especially with European football on the horizon.

James Trafford and Anthony Elanga look set to move to St James’ Park in the coming days. Will another new attacker follow after them?

Newcastle in advanced talks for English striker

Howe was keen on bringing Joao Pedro to Newcastle, but Chelsea’s offer of £60m was beyond what the Magpies were willing to spend.

Despite Champions League football to look forward to next term, Howe is going to have to be diligent in the transfer market and hunt for alternatives.

Well, according to reports, the Toon are now currently in advanced talks to sign former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin following his departure from the Toffees.

The Englishman has been admired for a while now by Howe, but he will have to fend off interest from Manchester United to secure his man.

Transfer Focus

Even though he has scored only 11 goals since the start of the 2023/24 campaign, could he return to form at Newcastle, however?

Especially with someone like Elanga creating plenty of chances for him.

Why Calvert-Lewin could be a good signing for Newcastle

Last season, Elanga notched up 12 assists for Nottingham Forest in all competitions. Furthermore, he created nine big chances and averaged 1.3 key passes per game in the top flight.

If that wasn’t enough, the Swede ranked in the top 6% for assists and in the top 3% for crosses when compared to his positional peers in the Premier League.

Thus, should Calvert-Lewin make the move to Newcastle, he would surely shine alongside a player like Elanga.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

2024/25

26

3

2

2023/24

38

8

3

2022/23

18

2

1

2021/22

18

5

2

2020/21

39

21

5

2019/20

41

15

1

2018/19

38

8

3

2017/18

44

8

5

2016/17

20

5

2

While the previous few years have been tough, the 28-year-old did score 13 league goals in 2019/20 and 16 the season after, proving that when he is fit, the striker is among one of the best in the country.

It was around this time that the player received plenty of praise from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who said:

“Calvert-Lewin, I really expected him to make big steps in the next few years and he did. He has everything you need in a top striker: size, mobility, speed, desire, technically really, really good, in the air, finishing with his head, both feet.”

Signing the former Sheffield United starlet on a free transfer could turn into a shrewd piece of business for Howe. But only if he remains fit and healthy.

Adding both Elanga and Calvert-Lewin will certainly give Newcastle more depth in their attacking department and it could well be that the Forest winger is the chance generation machine that the latter needs to revive his career.

Still only 28, the former Everton striker could shine in the northeast.

Their new Gordon: Newcastle "close" to signing "electric" big-money star

As Eddie Howe looks to bolster his attacking options, Newcastle are “negotiating” to sign an “electric” winger who will be sensational Gordon repeat.

ByBen Gray Jul 7, 2025

Celtic are looking to improve their options in the wide areas during the summer transfer window ahead of the 2025/26 campaign getting underway.

The Hoops are already closing in on their first addition on the flanks, as reporter Anthony Joseph has claimed that the club have agreed a fee of £1.7m to sign FC Nordsjaelland attacker Benjamin Nygren.

The Sweden international, who scored 15 goals in 30 league matches for the Danish club this season, is set to arrive to compete for a place on the right wing, but the club are also looking at a left-sided addition.

Journalist Sacha Tavolieri has claimed that talks are ongoing between Celtic and Michel-Ange Balikwisha over a potential move from Belgian side Royal Antwerp.

The Belgian reporter added that the 24-year-old winger is keen to make the move to Parkhead this summer, but it remains to be seen whether or not terms will be agreed between all parties to make it happen.

Celtic are looking to bring in a new left-winger after Jota suffered a long-term knee injury in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, and there are reasons for and against a move for Balikwisha.

The Celtic case for Michel-Ange Balikwisha

One of the reasons why Celtic may want to sign the Belgian forward is because he has the potential to deliver quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals at the top end of the pitch.

The right-footed flanker has produced 29 goals and 17 assists in 141 appearances in all competitions for Royal Antwerp to date, which includes four goals and three assists in ten games during the Pro League play-off round this season.

Balikwisha has shown that he has the potential to make a big impact in the final third at a good level in Belgium’s top-flight, which is why Celtic may feel that he could hit the ground running in Scotland.

At the age of 24, the Belgian forward is also at a good age where he still has time to develop and improve, but is not inexperienced, which could make him an ideal signing.

24/25

3

205

29

23/24

1

49

10

22/23

2

103

14

21/22

2

51

10

As you can see in the table above, though, there are also reasons to be concerned about a potential deal for the winger, as he has missed 63 matches through injury in the last four seasons combined, and this means that the attacker may not be available week-in-week-out.

Balikwisha has also only played more than 17 games in one role, as a left winger, in his career, which does not suggest that he is supremely versatile across the frontline.

Transfer Focus

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

Celtic could, however, land an even better winger signing this summer by moving for Blackburn Rovers dynamo Tyrhys Dolan over a swoop for Balikwisha.

Why Celtic should sign Tyrhys Dolan

The Hoops are reportedly in the running to land the 23-year-old attacker on a free transfer, as his contract at Ewood Park is due to expire at the end of this month.

This means that he would be significantly cheaper than Balikwisha, who has a reported price tag of £5m, and that would allow the Scottish Premiership champions to save money to spend in other areas of the pitch.

Not only would Dolan be a cheaper alternative, the English forward would also arrive as a player who is more likely to be a reliable option for Brendan Rodgers from a fitness perspective, as he has not suffered any notable injuries in his career, as per Transfermarkt.

The 23-year-old ace, who has racked up 210 appearances for Blackburn already, is durable and can be relied upon to be available most weeks as Celtic compete across four competitions, as he has been used to 46-game seasons in the Championship.

Dolan, once hailed as “outstanding” by manager John Eustace, also has the positional flexibility to make him a useful option even when Jota is back fit. He has played 25 games or more in four different positions throughout his career, and is capable of playing on the right or left flank, as an attacking midfielder, and as a centre-forward.

This suggests that he is more likely to be a viable option in other positions than Balikwisha, who is predominantly a left-winger, would be, which is another reason why he could be a more valuable signing for Rodgers moving forward.

Goals

0.17

Top 45%

Shot on target percentage

44%

Top 11%

Non-penalty xG per shot

0.13

Top 22%

Goals per shot

0.12

Top 33%

Goal creating actions

0.48

Top 11%

Defensive actions leading to goal

0.06

Top 2%

Assists

0.17

Top 37%

As you can see in the table above, Dolan also caught the eye with his contributions at the top end of the pitch in the second tier of English football, ranking highly in a host of key attacking metrics.

He ended the campaign with a return of seven goals, seven ‘big chances’ created, and six assists, compared to Balikwisha’s haul of four goals, seven ‘big chances’ created, and three assists.

These statistics, with both his goal and assist numbers as well as his underlying data, suggest that the potential is there for the potential free agent signing to deliver quality as a scorer and a creator of goals for Celtic.

Overall, Dolan would be a better signing for the Scottish giants than Balikwisha because he would arrive at Parkehad for less money, offer more reliability with his fitness, offer more versatility with the positions that he can play, and offer a similar threat in front of goal.

Dream Miller alternative: Celtic ramping up move to sign £1.6m star

Celtic are reportedly keen on signing a star who would be a dream alternative to Lennon Miller.

ByDan Emery Jun 18, 2025

It is now down to Rodgers to push the board to strike an agreement with Dolan to bring him in on a free transfer instead of pursuing a big-money deal for Balikwisha this summer.

Chelsea’s activity within the transfer market has been there for all to see over the last couple of seasons, spending over £1.3b since the takeover in May 2022.

The Blues have wasted no time in already bolstering Enzo Maresca’s side this summer, landing Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr to provide depth in key areas of the pitch.

After securing Champions League football and winning the Conference League, the club are heading in the right direction, needing to build on the impressive work conducted in 2024/25.

If they want to go to the latter stages and Europe and mount a serious push for the Premier League, quality and depth are desperately needed, as seen by the business already conducted in recent weeks.

However, such moves don’t appear to be slowing down, with the manager and board already working hard to land more additions when the window reopens on the 16th of June.

The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for new additions this summer

Jamie Gittens has been the name on the lips of all Chelsea fans over the last couple of weeks, with the Blues having two separate bids rejected for the Borussia Dortmund star.

Maresca desperately wanted to sign the 20-year-old winger ahead of the Club World Cup, but no doubt will return after the competition to secure a deal for the Englishman.

However, he could be joined at Stamford Bridge by Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, after the England player emerged on their shortlist, according to Football Insider.

They claim that the Blues have been monitoring a deal for the 25-year-old in recent weeks, with Nuno Espírito Santo’s side demanding a fee in the region of £100m for his signature.

It also states that he wants to play Champions League football next season, something he could do in West London after Maresca’s side beat the Reds 1-0 at the City Ground on the final day.

Why Gibbs-White could be Maresca’s own Wirtz

Over recent weeks, Florian Wirtz has been a name almost every English football fan has become familiar with after Liverpool’s attempts to sign the Bayer Leverkusen star.

The German attacking midfielder has caught the eye in recent times, registering 30 combined goals and assists across all competitions, making him one of the hottest prospects in European football.

It’s been reported that he’s agreed a €150m (£127m) deal with Arne Slot’s side to move to Anfield this summer, massively increasing their chances of retaining their Premier League title.

However, Maresca could land his own version of the superstar this window by pursuing a move to sign Gibbs-White, with the Forest sensation having the tools to thrive at the Bridge.

When comparing his stats with those of the German international this season, he’s managed to outperform in numerous key areas – showcasing how much of an impressive addition he would be for the Blues.

Gibbs-White, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one journalist, may have registered fewer combined goals and assists, but has managed to register more goals per shot on target – showcasing his excellent ability in front of goal.

He’s also managed to match him for passes completed, with the Forest star registering more passes into the final third per 90, handing the attackers ahead of him the chance to thrive in the final third.

Games played

34

31

Goals & assists

15

22

Goals per shot on target

0.4

0.2

Pass accuracy

78%

78%

Passes into final third

4.1

3.6

Aerials won

42%

20%

Tackles won

1.4

1.2

Key passes made

2.6

2.1

The Englishman’s talents don’t stop there, winning more aerials and more tackles, handing Maresca another excellent option without possession in West London.

While £100m may appear a ludicrous figure for the 25-year-old, he has the talents to take his game to the next level, especially if he’s operating around elite-level stars.

Given how he’s managed to outperform Wirtz in some key areas, it would be a superb signing and one that could catapult the club into a Premier League title battle in 2025/26.

A bigger talent than Gittens: Chelsea still looking at "special" £50m star

Chelsea are looking for new attackers this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Jun 11, 2025

Celtic recently confirmed their first signing of the summer transfer window when they unveiled left-back Kieran Tierney as the newest arrival to Parkhead.

The Scotland international is joining from Premier League side Arsenal on a free transfer when his contract with the Gunners expires at the end of this month, six years on from his move to The Emirates in 2019.

Tierney, as you can see in the graphic above, won five Scottish Premiership titles during his first spell in Glasgow, and he will be hoping to add to that tally in the years to come.

Whilst the Hoops will be looking to add more options to their squad before the end of the summer transfer window, Brendan Rodgers will also have to deal with speculation over the future of his star players.

Football Insider reported last month that Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda have both attracted interest from other clubs this summer, and it remains to be seen whether or not they will remain in Glasgow beyond the end of the window.

Rodgers will, of course, not want to lose any of his star attackers ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, as Kuhn, for example, would leave a big hole to fill on the right flank.

Why losing Nicolas Kuhn would be a big blow for Celtic

The German winger leaving Parkhead before the end of the summer transfer window would be a big blow for the Scottish giants because of the quality that he can provide at the top end of the pitch.

Kuhn, who joined the club from Rapid Vienna at the start of 2024, had six months to settle into the Premiership in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, before he hit his stride this term.

The 25-year-old ended the season with an eye-catching haul of 21 goals and 15 assists in 51 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, which included three goals and one assist in ten outings in the Champions League.

Nicolas Kuhn (Celtic)

8

Ianis Hagi (Rangers)

7

Daizen Maeda (Celtic)

7

Danny Armstrong (Kilmarnock)

6

Shayden Morris (Aberdeen)

6

James Forrest (Celtic)

5

Nicky Cadden (Hibernian)

5

Martin Boyle (Hibernian)

5

Hyun-jun Yang (Celtic)

3

Glen Middleton (Dundee United)

3

As you can see in the table above, the bulk of his assists came in the Premiership, where he led the league for assists among wingers and in all positions.

The former Bayern Munich academy star also provided a big goal threat in the Scottish top-flight, though, with a return of 13 goals in 32 appearances in the division.

His contributions at the top end of the pitch, as both a scorer and a creator of goals, are why losing him would be such a blow for Celtic, but they are reportedly eyeing up a star who could be their next Kuhn.

Celtic in talks to sign £2m attacker

According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, Celtic are in talks with Nordsjaelland winger Benjamin Nygren’s representatives over a potential move to Parkhead this summer.

The reporter claims that the Hoops have already approached the Danish club to seek permission to speak to the forward, and they are now in discussions with his agents.

Transfer Focus

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

Joseph adds that the Hoops will move on to talks with Nordsjaelland if they can agree personal terms with the attacker, as they are yet to agree a fee with his current team.

Meanwhile, CeltsAreHere adds that a fee of £2m will be enough to secure a deal for the 23-year-old star’s services, as his current contract with the Danish outfit is due to expire at the end of December, and that there is also interest from clubs in Belgium and Germany.

Celtic must, now, work hard to convince Nygren to make the move to Glasgow this summer because he could come in as a natural replacement for Kuhn, or as fantastic competition for his place in the team.

Why Nygren could be Celtic's next Kuhn

The 23-year-old star would be a fantastic replacement for the German attacker from a stylistic perspective, as they are both left-footed forwards who like to drift infield from the right flank.

This means that Nygren could play a similar tactical role to the one that Kuhn currently plays for Rodgers in Celtic’s team, which suggests that he could slot into the side with ease, either as a replacement or as competition for him.

The Sweden international, who was described as an “underrated” talent by Danish Scout on X, also has the quality on the ball to replicate Kuhn’s impact in front of goal in that position.

Nygren produced 15 goals in 34 games during the 2023/24 campaign and 16 goals in 32 matches in all competitions this season, which speaks to his ability to make a difference on a regular basis in the final third.

xG

10.90

Top 4%

xG on target

16.95

Top 1%

Shots on target

40

Top 1%

Goals

15

Top 1%

xA

5.97

Top 8%

Assists

2

Top 50%

As you can see in the table above, he was one of the top-performing wingers in the Superliga during the 2024/25 campaign, ranking incredibly highly among his peers as both a scorer and a creator.

His meagre assist tally of two should not be a cause for concern because of his xA of 5.97, which suggests that he was let down by wasteful finishing from his teammates, rather than only having two assists due to a lack of creativity.

Therefore, Rodgers could find his next version of Kuhn by completing a deal to sign Nygren, because he is another left-footed right winger who has the potential to deliver goals and assists, or at high-quality chances created, on a regular basis for the Scottish giants.

It is now down to Rodgers and the club to convince the player to turn down interest from Belgium and Germany in order to win the race for his signature before the start of pre-season next month.

More exciting than Osmand: Celtic in the running to sign "terrific" winger

Celtic are interested in a deal to sign a winger who would be an even more exciting signing than Callum Osmand.

ByDan Emery Jun 12, 2025

Leeds United have now been hit with a worrying development as a key player is unhappy with the way contract talks are progressing, according to a recent report.

49ers chasing multiple transfer deals for Leeds

As with any team that is promoted to the Premier League, the Whites are expected to be in for a busy summer as they look to form a squad that is capable of doing what other promoted teams haven’t done in recent years, and that is staying in the Premier League. Daniel Farke and co. have managed to put together a very competitive Leeds team, but stepping up another level means the German will want more quality and depth.

He must go before Bamford: Leeds have told £11m flop he will now be sold

Leeds have told this flop that he must leave this summer, and the dud must go before Patrick Bamford.

1 ByDan Emery Jun 9, 2025

The Yorkshire side appear keen to strengthen the spine of their team, as it’s been reported that Leeds are chasing a deal to sign goalkeeper Yahia Fofana, who is seen as a replacement and upgrade on Illan Meslier. As well as looking to sign Fofana, the Whites are also interested in signing his teammate Himad Abdelli, who also plays for French side Angers. Abdelli is an attacking midfielder, and his potential arrival would bolster Farke’s creativity and midfield depth.

The Championship title winners also have targets to strengthen their defence and forward line, with the 49ers lining up a move to sign Dara O’Shea from Ipswich Town.

Meanwhile, Leeds have made contact with striker Rodrigo Muniz over a possible move to Elland Road. The Fulham and Brazil forward is very much a wanted man this summer, and now the Whites have added him to their list of attacking options.

Daniel James contract update

But while the Whites look at bringing in new players, they are also hoping to keep hold of some of their best talents this summer. According to Alan Nixon, relayed by The Leeds Press, Leeds are struggling to reach a contract agreement with winger Daniel James.

That is because the Whites have offered the Welsh international a two-year deal, but James is looking for a longer contract offer, as he feels his performances over the last couple of seasons have earned him the right to a long-term deal.

James, who is one of Leeds’ biggest earners on a weekly wage of £50,000, has been at Elland Road since August 2021, joining from Manchester United. After his season on loan at Fulham, James has taken his game to the next level, scoring 25 goals in the last two Championship seasons combined.

Apps

123

Goals

29

Assists

22

Back in March, James put Farke’s management style as the reason why his form has been so impressive, perhaps showing why he is willing to commit his future to the club but on the right terms.

He told BBC Radio Leeds: “When he first come in, he put his arm around me and said what he wanted from me. We had a good relationship from the start, and it’s one I’ve tried to continue with.

“The way he sets up the team suits me down to the ground, and that’s where I get the benefits from.”

A crucial afternoon awaits for Chelsea.

Going into the final day of the Premier League season, the Blues kick off in fifth place, thereby occupying the final Champions League spot, but are far from guaranteed to remain there.

Their hosts, Nottingham Forest, are just a point behind Enzo Maresca’s team, so, defeat at the City Ground would see them slip out of the Champions League places and, assuming Aston Villa avoid defeat at Old Trafford simultaneously, the Blues would end up seventh.

This would mean, if they’re then also beaten by Real Betis in Wednesday’s Conference League Final in Wrocław, they would end up back in next season’s Conference League, which absolutely no Chelsea supporter wants to come to pass.

Given all of that, there is so much for Maresca’s men to play for on the pitch while, off it, plans are already coming together for next season, so could Chelsea land a new striker?

Chelsea's search for a new striker

According to a report by Cahê Mota of Brazilian outlet Globo, Chelsea have made a €60m (around £51m) offer to sign Brighton & Hove Albion forward João Pedro, adding that the Blues are attempting to ‘speed up negotiations’, hoping to have the star in place ahead of the Club World Cup.

Well, the 23-year-old appears likely to be on the move at some point this summer because, as documented by Steve Sutcliffe of BBC Sport, Pedro will not be involved when the Seagulls face Spurs on Sunday, have also not been in the matchday squad to take on Liverpool last Monday either, following a ‘training ground altercation’ with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke.

Despite this, the Brazilian is still a sought-after striker, with presenter Sam Ucko labelling him a ‘special player’ who is destined to go to ‘the very top’, so could he be on his way to Stamford Bridge?

Chelsea's search for their next great striker

As noted by Richard Jolly of Four Four Two, Chelsea have had their fair share of striker flops through the years; the names Andriy Shevchenko, Chris Sutton, Adrian Mutu, Mateja Kežman, and many others immediately spring to mind.

In fact, one could argue that Chelsea have not had a clinical centre-forward since the days of Diego Costa.

After arriving from Atlético Madrid in the summer of 2014 for a reported £32m, the Spanish international scored 59 goals in 120 appearances for the Blues, winning two Premier League titles and the EFL Cup, also named in the PFA Team of the Year at the end of his first campaign in England.

The table below outlines all the Blues’ highest-scoring centre-forwards in the last decade.

2014/15

Diego Costa

20

21

2015/16

Diego Costa

12

16

2016/17

Diego Costa

20

22

2017/18

Álvaro Morata

11

15

2018/19

Olivier Giroud

2

13

2019/20

Tammy Abraham

15

18

2020/21

Tammy Abraham

6

12

2021/22

Romelu Lukaku

8

15

2022/23

Kai Havertz

7

9

2023/24

Nicolas Jackson

14

17

2024/25

Nicolas Jackson

10

12

As the table outlines, no Chelsea centre-forward has reached 20 goals across all competitions since Costa’s departure, while noting that Eden Hazard in 2018/19 as well as Cole Palmer last season did reach this milestone, albeit, of course, neither of those are strikers.

So, could João Pedro change this fact?

Well, let’s look at his statistics this season to help answer this question.

Minutes

1,948

170th

Goals

10

19th

Goals per 90

0.46

17th

Assists

6

26th

Goals + assists per 90

0.74

9th

Shots per 90

1.94

59th

Goals – xG

+1.1

65th

Shot-creating actions

72

72nd

Goal-creating actions

9

63rd

As the table outlines, despite limited minutes, Pedro has managed ten Premier League goals this season, thereby ranking very highly for goals-per-90 in particular.

This is on top of the 20 goals he managed last season, six of which came in the Europa League, a very impressive return during his debut campaign with the Seagulls and would have been the highest by any Chelsea striker since Costa left.

Adrian Clarke of the Premier League praises the Brazilian’s ‘versatility’ as well as his quick movement and ability to ‘dribble past players with ease’, while Liam Tharme of the Athletic underlines how his ‘technical prowess’ allows him to drop deep and get involved in the build-up play.

Meantime, Shay Hicks of Talent Football Scout asserts that Pedro ‘would thrive with higher-quality teammates’, so could he be on his way to Chelsea, possibly becoming the striker they’ve spent nigh on a decade searching for?

A younger Isak: Chelsea make contact for "one of the best STs out there"

Chelsea are looking to sign a striker or two this summer

ByRoss Kilvington May 23, 2025

And so, it all comes down to this. A pivotal game that could not only define a season, but also define the future of Manchester United.

Victory in the Europa League final would see United sneak into next year’s Champions League, providing the benefit of additional funds and an extra negotiating tool for upcoming transfer negotiations.

It would also provide a welcome boost for the early Ruben Amorim regime, a moment to kickstart a tenure that has been largely wretched on the Premier League front.

The Portuguese coach has repeatedly stated that winning the competition would not be enough to “save” the club’s season, although the prospect of potentially finishing empty-handed and in 17th in the table is too grim to ponder.

In truth, the Red Devils simply have to win. The problem is, the same will be true of Tottenham Hotspur, amid the need to end their own 17-year barren run with regard to silverware.

With so much riding on a game of immense magnitude, Amorim and co can’t afford any passengers – something which a certain Rasmus Hojlund is looking like right now.

Rasmus Hojlund's game in numbers vs Chelsea

While Ange Postecoglou took the decision to rest his key men against Aston Villa on Friday – with Micky van de Ven among those left out of the matchday squad at Villa Park – Amorim opted for a different approach at Chelsea, having deployed what could well be his starting lineup for tonight’s clash in Bilbao.

The worry for the former Sporting CP boss will be that despite an encouraging opening, which saw Harry Maguire’s fine finish chalked off for offside, the Red Devils still ended up on the losing side, having again failed to provide that cutting edge in the final third.

Amid what was the eighth league game in succession without a win for the Old Trafford side, chances were few and far between, with Amad Diallo coming closest with an effort from the angle late on.

For Hojlund, meanwhile, it represented yet another game this season in which he failed to even register a shot in the top-flight, having merely been a bystander to proceedings at Stamford Bridge.

Indeed, the struggling Dane lost the ball on 13 occasions from his 26 touches, as per Sofascore, having also failed to complete a single successful dribble, alongside recording a 65% pass accuracy rate.

Chalkboard

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

A particular issue remains the 22-year-old’s desire to engage in needless battles with opposition centre-backs, as he ultimately won just two of his 11 total duels, getting little change out of Tosin Adarabioyo and Levi Colwill.

Amorim subsequently stated that he is “really happy” with the former Atalanta man, although perhaps the Portuguese is merely attempting to gee up the misfiring marksman, amid the lack of an obvious alternative through the middle.

Games (starts)

14 (10)

Goals

6

Shots*

1.5

Big chances missed

4

Goal frequency

154min

Assists

2

Big chances created

5

Key passes*

1.3

Total duels won*

36%

Possession lost*

5.4

Indeed, it might be time to consider actually replacing Hojlund with a wildcard solution, even if it would be a risk in a game of such importance…

How Man Utd can replace Hojlund

With just ten goals to his name in 2024/25, including just four in the top-flight, Hojlund is approaching the end of a miserable second season in Manchester, having failed to build on a debut campaign that saw him finish as the club’s highest scorer in all competitions.

Those woes have ensured that it would be worth considering a potential centre-forward replacement for Wednesday night’s clash, albeit with options limited due to Joshua Zirkzee’s recent absence through injury.

The Dutchman has been pictured in training, alongside Leny Yoro and Diogo Dalot, although whether he will be rushed back into the action this evening remains to be seen.

One solution may be to trial Kobbie Mainoo in that role once again, following his surprise start as a striker against Crystal Palace in February, albeit with that experiment failing to work out as the youngster ‘faded after the first 15 minutes’, as per journalist Samuel Luckhurst.

The aforementioned Maguire, meanwhile, should surely only be a last resort in the dying embers of a game, with the Englishman needed to hold the fort defensively, amid concerns over the likes of Matthijs de Ligt.

With that in mind, Amorim may instead need to call upon talismanic skipper, Bruno Fernandes, to slot into a false nine berth, with the 30-year-old yet to be trialled in that role in this 3-4-3 system.

The Portugal star has previously played in that central berth in the past, having notably worked in tandem with Scott McTominay as part of a front two in last year’s FA Cup final win over Manchester City.

A player of invaluable versatility and quality, the playmaking “genius” – as hailed by Erik ten Hag – appears to thrive wherever he is deployed, with such a switch then allowing Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte to offer greater defensive solidity as part of the midfield two.

Fernandes, meanwhile, could then be flanked by two of Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Mason Mount in the number ten berths, with that fluid frontline potentially able to cause problems for a Spurs side who have endured their own notable woes this term.

A further benefit of that switch would be Fernandes’ ability to drop deep and drag the likes of Van de Ven and Cristian Romero with him, rather than the alternative of Hojlund attempting to engage in a duel with the stellar duo.

As The Athletic’s Jay Harris has noted, ‘with Van de Ven and Romero in the starting XI, Spurs can play thrilling football and look capable of competing for trophies. Without them, they look mediocre.’

Trying to get the better of the centre-back pairing will be vital at San Mames, with Fernandes able to give the two men something more to think about, rather than being content in dealing with the hapless Hojlund.

Yes, it would be a bold call to make such a switch for a final, yet with his performance at Stamford Bridge having been so underpar last time out, Hojlund can’t merely be guaranteed of start simply because of the lack of alternatives.

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Derby County are now plotting a summer move for a record-breaking defender, whose contract is set to expire next month, according to a report.

Derby looking to kick on after final-day survival

After securing promotion back to the Championship in the 2023-24 campaign, Derby’s main aim last season was always likely to be avoiding the drop, and they just about managed to get the job done.

A goalless draw against Stoke City on the final day ensured the Rams will remain in the second tier for another season, with manager John Eustace taking the time to praise his players’ efforts after avoiding an instant return to League one.

“What a fantastic effort from everyone connected with the football club. The players have been outstanding every day in training they have dedicated themselves to getting to this moment and I couldn’t be any more proud of them.”

After securing their Championship status, however, Eustace’s side will be looking to kick on next season, and plans are being made for the summer, with the manager recently confirming he would like to sign loanee Nat Phillips on a permanent basis.

Alongside the centre-back, Derby could also look to make an addition at left-back, with a report from Football League World revealing they are now plotting a move for Charlton Athletic’s Thierry Small, whose contract is set to expire next month.

As such, Small could be available for a low fee, with compensation required seeing as the defender is just 20-years-old, although his current employers are still hopeful of keeping hold of him, should they secure promotion via the League One play-offs.

There is widespread interest in the youngster, with the Rams joined by Championship rivals Preston North End, Blackburn Rovers, Millwall and Oxford United in the race for his signature, having caught the eye in the third tier this season.

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Back in 2021, the left-back broke Jose Baxter’s record by becoming Everton’s youngest-ever player, and while he didn’t manage to kick on by becoming a regular starter for the Blues, there are signs he could be capable of reaching the Premier League.

The full-back has been a vital player for promotion-chasing Charlton this season, making 39 appearances in League 1, and he has proven himself to be useful on the front foot, picking up two goals and three assists.

Not only that, but Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes the starlet has “bags of potential”, while manager Nathan Jones has described him as a “fantastic athlete”, perhaps in part due to his pace.

Small’s performances in the third tier this season indicate he could be more than capable of making the step-up to the Championship soon, so it is promising news that Derby are now plotting a summer move.

Tottenham Hotspur lost for the 19th time in the Premier League this season when they were hammered 5-1 by champions Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Spurs took a shock lead on Merseyside when Dominic Solanke found the back of the net with a brilliant header from James Maddison’s corner, but it was not a sign of things to come for Ange Postecoglou’s side in the game.

Defensive frailties were on display yet again for the Whites on a dismal afternoon at Anfield, as Liverpool had 25 shots on goal and seven efforts on target.

The Daily Mail recently reported that Postecoglou is ‘likely’ to move on from the club at the end of the season, and results like this will not do his chances of keeping his job any favours.

Tottenham’s manager cannot be spared any blame for the team’s poor form this term, because they have lost 19 matches in the division, but he has not been helped by the performances of some of the players on the pitch.

Spurs have an incredibly youthful squad, with the hope that they will develop and improve over time, and that was on display at Anfield, as Archie Gray struggled.

Why Archie Gray has struggled this season

Tottenham reportedly splashed out a fee of £30m to sign the 19-year-old midfielder from Leeds United last summer, and it has been a difficult year for the teenager.

Gray made his 24th appearance and 15th start of the Premier League season against Liverpool on Sunday, and he is still trying to establish where his best position on the pitch is.

It was his fourth start as a defensive midfielder, to go along with five starts at left-back, eight starts at right-back, and 19 starts at centre-back due to the injury issues Spurs have had in that area of the park.

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Gray, who played as a right-back typically for Leeds last season, has not had a settled position that he could make his own and deliver consistent performances in, which may be why his campaign has been fairly unimpressive on paper.

Appearances

24

Goals

0

Big chances created

0

Assists

0

Tackles + interceptions per game

1.0

Error led to shot

1

Error led to goal

1

Duel success rate

47%

As you can see in the table above, the England U21 international has failed to deliver much in the way of quality on or off the ball, with zero goal contributions and a below-average success rate in duels.

His first-half display against Liverpool before being withdrawn at the break was more of the same. Gray did not create any chances or register a shot on goal, and he only won one duel, whilst completing 80% of his attempted passes.

As you can see in the clip above, Ryan Gravenberch found it far too easy to hold off the midfielder to allow Alexis Mac Allister to fire in from range to put Liverpool 2-1 up.

It was a disappointing display from Gray, who is still learning and adjusting to Premier League football at the age of 19, but his fellow 19-year-old Lucas Bergval was even worse than him.

Why Lucas Bergval was even worse than Archie Gray

The teenage talent was selected alongside the Englishman for the trip to Anfield, leaving Spurs with a very young midfield despite having Yves Bissouma available and on the bench.

It was a difficult match for both Gray and Bergval, and that is reflected in their statistics, as the Swedish flop was even worse than the former Leeds man, notably taking fewer touches (43) than even goalkeeper Vicario (49).

Minutes

45

90

Pass accuracy

80%

72%

Dribbles completed

1/1

0/1

Possession lost

5x

13x

Dribbled past

0x

1x

Ground duels won

1/1

5/8

Interceptions

2

1

As you can see in the table above, the Sweden international was far more wasteful with the ball at his feet, completing a lower percentage of his passes, failing with his only attempted dribble, and losing the ball almost three times as much.

Bergval did win more duels than Gray but had a worse success rate and was dribbled past once, in what was a disappointing overall display from the youngster.

Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore

Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville went as far as to say that his efforts to clear the ball from a corner for Cody Gakpo’s goal were “appalling”, as his weak headed clearance fell straight to the Dutch forward inside the box.

Going to Anfield to face the champions is never an easy task, and it was a big ask from Postecoglou to put Gray and Bergval in midfield together without an experienced midfielder alongside them, as they only had James Maddison, who is an attacking player by nature, around them.

That resulted in a poor evening for both players and Spurs, who now have to prepare for a first-leg clash with Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals of the Europa League on Thursday.

Tottenham cannot afford for their midfield to be as below-par as it was against Liverpool, as this is their last chance to win a trophy this season, and that is why Postecoglou must ruthlessly ditch Bergval from the starting XI for the clash with the Norwegian outfit.

Bissouma was an unused substitute against Liverpool on Sunday and may, now, be in contention to come back into the side after Gray and Bergval’s disappointing performances in the middle of the park.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion man has averaged 3.1 tackles and interceptions per game and won 61% of his duels in the Europa League so far this term, which suggests that he could provide some steel at the heart of the midfield on Thursday night.

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It is now down to Postecoglou to drop Bergval from the starting line-up in order to make room for Bissouma to come back into the team against Bodo/Glimt.

Manchester United remain in the hunt for Europa League glory and Ruben Amorim could receive a major boost in his hunt to sign a talented attacker this summer should his side emerge victorious.

Manchester United set sights on Europa League crown

The Premier League season is more or less over for Manchester United bar the formalities of playing out their final fixtures of a disappointing domestic campaign for all involved.

Ruben Amorim isn’t blameless for their inability to claim consistent results in the top-flight, but he has hardly been given an easy task in trying to get a squad made up of players brought in during a different era to perform under him.

Nevertheless, the Europa League could be the catalyst for a long and successful reign at Old Trafford after Manchester United’s heroic comback victory over Lyon on Thursday to set up a semi-final tie against Athletic Club.

Alongside the financial benefits of winning the trophy and securing Champions League qualification, there could be added impetus to claim the prize for Amorim as he looks to convince prospective arrivals that Manchester United is the place to be.

Per reports, the Red Devils are frontrunners to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, though will need to stump up around £70 million to bring the Ghana international to Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s run-in across all competitions

Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)

Premier League

Bournemouth (A)

Premier League

Athletic Club (A)

Europa League semi-final first leg

Brentford (A)

Premier League

Athletic Club (H)

Europa League semi-final second leg

West Ham United (H)

Premier League

Chelsea (A)

Premier League

Aston Villa (H)

Premier League

Much will depend on whether United are successful in their European endeavours, with INEOS not exactly making a secret of their watertight cuts to avoid reckless spending at the club. On the flip side, they may be willing to make an exception should the Europa League trophy end up in their cabinet.

Tyler Dibling could join Manchester United if they win Europa League

According to ESPN, Manchester United could swoop for Southampton’s Tyler Dibling if they win the Europa League, even if their interest is entirely dependent on securing a backdoor route to Champions League qualification.

His previously mooted £100 million price-tag is said to be ‘unlikely’ to come to fruition, which may offer a little more wiggle room if negotiations were to take place to sign the 19-year-old.

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Enjoying a fine personal season despite the Saints’ dismal form, Dibling has registered three goals and four assists in 33 appearances across all competitions, becoming a shining light in a time of darkness on the South Coast.

Southampton will hold out for a considerable sum for his services, though Manchester United may be able to reach that ballpark if they win the Europa League. They will also need to fend off reported interest from Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig among others.

Dibling has proved that he is worth fighting for this term; it all now depends on whether the Red Devils can afford to press ahead in their bid to sign the England Under-19 international.