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يستضيف فريق ليفربول خصمه مانشستر يونايتد في مباراة قوية، مساء الأحد، وذلك في إطار منافسات بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز لكرة القدم.

ويلتقي ليفربول مع مانشستر يونايتد في الجولة الثامنة من الدوري الإنجليزي، موسم 2025/26، على ملعب “الأنفيلد”.

ويحتل ليفربول المركز الثالث في جدول الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 15 نقطة، في حين أن مانشستر يونايتد لديه 10 نقاط ويحتل المركز الحادي عشر.

طالع | تشكيل ليفربول الرسمي أمام مانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي.. موقف محمد صلاح

ويأمل النجم المصري محمد صلاح استعادة مستواه في مباراة اليوم خاصة وأن مانشستر يونايتد يُعد خصمه المفضل بعدما ساهم في 19 هدفًا أمامه، بواقع 13 هدفًا و6 أسيست. تشكيل ليفربول المتوقع أمام مانشستر يونايتد في الدوري الإنجليزي

حراسة المرمى: جيورجي مامارداشفيلي.

خط الدفاع: دومينيك سوبوسلاي، إبراهيما كوناتي، فيرجيل فان دايك، ميلوس كيركيز.

خط الوسط: جرافنبيرخ، كورتيس جونز.

خط الوسط الهجومي: محمد صلاح، فلوريان فيرتز، كودي جاكبو.

خط الهجوم: هوجو إيكتيكي.

ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.

The Thomas Frank era got off to an agonising start as Tottenham Hotspur fell short against Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, but there was much to admire from a spirited and, for the most part, organised north London outfit.

There was a lot to like, but Spurs fell short against the continent’s finest outfit, who clambered back from a two-goal deficit in the late stages. Lots to like, but work to be done, with the need for an attacking midfielder accentuated by the loss.

James Maddison’s injury is a tough one to take. Certainly, the Three Lions playmaker has been left stricken given the promising nature of Tottenham’s season ahead, with the World Cup then on the horizon across the pond.

Looking at the situation through a pragmatic lens, Spurs’ need for an attacking midfielder has been heightened. Dejan Kulusevski is still recovering from a patella injury, and the controversial failed bid for Morgan Gibbs-White preceded Maddison’s return to the infirmary.

With Heung-min Son having completed a £20m transfer to LAFC in the United States, signing Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze feels like something of a no-brainer, with that deal in the works. Well, insofar as Tottenham must remain apace with Arsenal in the battle.

But though Frank’s side showed great promise against PSG on Wednesday night, it’s clear that the club are calling out for more than just the arrival of a Maddison replacement, with a deal for Manchester City’s Savinho being chased too.

The latest on Savinho to Spurs

With Son gone and Eze operating frequently from the middle, thrusting forward with electric strides, completing a deal for Savinho feels important.

The Brazilian, 21, joined Pep Guardiola’s side from French club Troyes for around £31m last summer, and he registered 13 assists across 48 matches last term, albeit only scoring three times.

But there’s a lot to like, and Tottenham have opened talks for the rising talent as City pursue a deal for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo.

Savinho’s lack of bite in the final third is equalised by his snappy physicality and natural creativity. The goals will come, especially if he heads down N17 to work under Frank’s tutelage.

Savinho, who can play across both flanks, would be a fantastic addition, but with Man City holding out for a £67m fee, Daniel Levy and his coterie appear to have earmarked an exciting alternative.

Spurs have made bid for new winger

As per Spanish sources, Tottenham have seen an offer rejected for Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo, worth somewhere in the region of €40m (equating to £34m).

Transfer Focus

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

The sought-after Japan international believes Sociedad’s ambitions do not match his own, with Spurs hoping to entice him over to London, offering the promise of Champions League.

Daniel Levy will be keenly aware of rival English interest: Bournemouth, Everton, and West Ham have all placed bids of their own, and AC Milan are now emerging as suitors too.

With such thick competition for Spurs’ Savinho alternative, Kubo’s outfit want his €60m (£51m) release clause paid in full.

What Takefusa Kubo would bring to Spurs

Savinho has proven that he has what it takes to impress in the Premier League, with Manchester City expert Steven McInerney remarking that he’s “on the precipice of being a world-class footballer.”

However, £67m is a tall order for a young winger who only scored one league goal for one of the most dangerous attacking outfits in the world last season, and Kubo could be an exciting alternative who might even prove the better pick.

A high-speed and nimble winger, Kubo is typically housed on the right flank, though like Savinho, his dynamism lends itself to roles across the frontline.

And his desire to leave Real Sociedad bespeaks his ambition. Despite maintaining a steady creative presence for the Basque side last year, he was let down by his teammates, finishing 11th in the league and creating only 42.5 xG (expected goals), via FBref.

In spite of this, Kubo, who has been described as a “special talent” by journalist John Bunting, enjoyed a promising individual campaign.

Like Savinho, Kubo hasn’t established himself as a free-scoring wide forward yet, but there’s no question that he’s the more clinical of the two.

The Japanese’s flaw in the final third is that he doesn’t work himself into space with enough regularity, instead hugging the touchline and creating for his teammates.

Savinho does this too, of course, and it’s worth drawing attention to the fact that Kubo failed to register even one assist in La Liga last year. However, his underlying playmaking numbers suggest that he has what it takes to enrich Tottenham’s attacking fluency and build-up play.

Ultimately, Frank’s proven record with wingers, taking talented players and fashioning them into stars, suggests that both Savinho and Kubo could go from strength to strength under his leadership.

But, in all likelihood, Tottenham can only sign one. And if that is indeed the case, Kubo has the skill set and the hunger to prove himself at the highest level, having only featured eight times in the Champions League and having yet to reach the potential that was recognised from an early age.

Spurs’ initial offer suggests their interest is genuine, and if Man City stand unwavering on their £67m valuation, he is the winger to go for.

Dream Maddison replacement: Spurs chasing incredible £30m Eze alternative

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be eyeing up another Premier League star instead of Eberechi Eze.

By
Ethan Lamb

Aug 13, 2025

An “unbelievable” £50m striker is ready to step in and join Manchester United if they do not complete a deal for Benjamin Sesko, according to a report.

Man Utd making progress in Sesko pursuit

Man United have been going head-to-head with Newcastle United for the signature of Sesko, and there has now been a promising new update, with The Athletic’s David Ornstein suggesting the Slovenian would rather make the move to Old Trafford.

However, given that an agreement is yet to be reached with RB Leipzig, it remains to be seen whether United will be able to get a deal over the line, and it has been revealed that there are some alternative options on the shortlist.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Paris Saint-Germain’s Goncalo Ramos is of interest, while it is also well-known that Ruben Amorim’s side hold an interest in Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.

According to a report from The Sun, Watkins is now really keen on a move to Old Trafford, with the Villa striker ready to step in and join instead of Sesko, if the Red Devils are unable to get a deal for the Slovenian over the line.

Aston Villa are treading a fine line PSR-wise, and having failed to cash-in on the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey, they may be forced to sell their centre-forward, who could command a fee in the region of £40m – £50m.

However, there are other Sesko alternatives on the shortlist, with FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic and Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis also named as potential options.

"Unbelievable" Watkins could excel at Old Trafford

Unlike Sesko, the Villa star has already proven himself in the Premier League, and he enjoyed a very impressive 2024-25 campaign, recording attacking numbers which suggest he could now be ready to test himself at one of the world’s biggest clubs.

Former footballer Stephen Warnock also lauded the England international as “unbelievable” for his performances in the 2023-24 campaign.

That said, a deal for the Torquay-born striker could still be on the expensive side at £50m, and there may be little re-sale value, given that he is now 29-years-old, which poses a problem for Man United, who are already well-known to be struggling PSR-wise.

Man Utd eyeing move to sign £50m+ CF with 25 G/A in 24/25 alongside Sesko

The Red Devils are in the race for a striker, who could be brought in instead of Benjamin Sesko.

By
Dominic Lund

Aug 5, 2025

Consequently, it is clear to see why Sesko has emerged as Man United’s number one target, and it is exciting news that they are in a strong position to win the race for his signature.

The Premier League is finally back, and Chelsea kick off their campaign tomorrow afternoon.

It’ll be a challenging game away to FA Cup and Community Shield winners Crystal Palace, but Enzo Maresca’s men look like they could do something really special this year.

They’ve been practically faultless in their short pre-season and the board have only made them stronger with the business they’ve conducted.

Moreover, it appears the club will only make more signings over the next two weeks, with Alejandro Garnacho set to be the next in line.

However, if reports are to be believed, the club is also targeting another international who’d be an even better pick-up.

Chelsea target better signing than Garnacho

Chelsea have been interested in Garancho for some time now, with stories first emerging on the topic back in the winter window.

Transfer Focus

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

However, the Blues have stepped up their pursuit of the Manchester United star in recent weeks, and while some fans are against the move, it now looks like he’ll be making his way to Stamford Bridge before September 1st.

However, the West Londoners don’t look like they’ll be calling it a day after that, as they’re now eyeing a move for another international, someone who’d be an even better signing than Garnacho.

At least that is according to a recent report from BolaVIP, which claims that Chelsea are very interested in Piero Hincapié.

In fact, the report has revealed that the Blues are now ready to pay around €60m for the centre-back, which is about £52m.

However, the same story also points out that while Bayer Leverkusen would be willing to let him leave, they want around €70m to do so, which is about £60m.

Even if Chelsea need to pay a little more than they’d like, they should, as Hincapié is a brilliant player and would be a better signing than Garnacho.

Why Hincapié would be a better signing than Garnacho

Now, the first thing to say is that, while some are opposed to the deal, we do not think that Garnacho to Chelsea is a bad transfer.

After all, even though he played for a truly terrible Manchester United side last season, the youngster was still able to score 11 goals and provide ten assists in 58 appearances, which is not a bad return at all.

However, there are still several reasons why Hincapié would be a better signing this summer, and the first relates to what the squad need.

As things stand, the Blues’ attack feels particularly stacked with quality across most positions, and with Xavi Simons still being linked with a move, it feels like adding even more attack-minded players isn’t a necessity.

On the other hand, the team’s defence has been made markedly weaker by Levi Colwill’s ACL injury, and while Jorrel Hato has joined the team, he’s still just 19 years old and has never played in a top-five league, so throwing him in right away feels like a recipe for disaster.

Therefore, bringing in the Leverkusen ace is a far more pressing concern, and Maresca told the press as much yesterday afternoon, when he openly admitted “we need a central defender.”

The second reason the Ecuadorian international would be the better signing relates to why he would have to start ahead of Hato: his experience.

Bundesliga

115

10

Europa League

26

1

Champions League

14

1

DFB-Pokal

8

0

DFL Super Cup

1

0

For example, across his career to date, the “absolute beast,” as journalist Antonio Mango dubbed him, has made 115 appearances in the Bundesliga, 26 in the Europa League, 14 in the Champions League and eight in the DFB Pokal since moving to Europe.

He’s also no stranger to winning things, either, as he played a pivotal role in the German side’s undefeated league and cup double a couple of years ago.

Ultimately, Garnacho will likely be a good signing for Chelsea, but due to the need for a new centre-back and his immense experience, Hincapié would be a better one.

Chelsea plot Nkunku and Jackson sale before formalising deal for £50m star

The west Londoners are busy with both incomings and outgoings.

ByEmilio Galantini Aug 15, 2025

Wicketkeeper-batter leaves Warwickshire in pursuit of opportunities across formats

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Sep-2024Kent have signed wicketkeeper-batter Chris Benjamin from Warwickshire on a three-year contract.Benjamin, 25, made headlines when drafted as a replacement player during the 2021 Hundred, having only played one senior T20 for Birmingham Bears. He scored 24 off 15 balls to see Birmingham Phoenix over the line and went on to feature regularly over the tournament’s first three seasons.Benjamin also scored a century on first-class debut for Warwickshire but had limited opportunities in the longer format, making 10 appearances for the county and averaging 22.23.His arrival will strengthen Kent’s options in the wicketkeeping department, with Ollie Robinson and Jordan Cox having left over the last two seasons, and Sam Billings signing a white-ball contract. The club’s keeper in Championship cricket this summer has been Harry Finch.”We’re delighted to have attracted a player of Chris’ talent to Kent on a long-term contract,” Kent’s director of cricket, Simon Cook, said. “He is still a young player with a lot of potential to improve further, and we’re pleased to Kent to be the place for him to do so.”Although Benjamin was born in South Africa, he is a British passport holder through his father and has played in the UK since moving to study in 2018.”I’m excited to be joining Kent and having the opportunity to play regularly across multiple formats,” Benjamin said. “There is a young squad here that will only improve over time, and there’s a clear plan for Kent to return to the highs of their recent successes in the future. It’s an exciting project to be a part of.”Kent were relegated in the County Championship earlier this month, ultimately ending up bottom of Division One. They also finished last in the South Group of the Vitality Blast and seventh in Group A of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.

Chelsea are just one win away from claiming the Club World Cup and the $125m prize money that goes with it.

This would give Enzo Maresca a significant boost heading into the next few weeks, especially as it looks like he still has unfinished business in the transfer market.

So far this summer, Chelsea have signed Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Mamadou Sarr. Brazilian prodigy Estevao is set to join the Blues before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.

His squad is very top-heavy, but the Italian will be looking to move certain players on to balance the books.

Noni Madueke looks set to join Arsenal in a deal worth £52m. Elsewhere, the likes of Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix could be set for moves away from Stamford Bridge.

These sales will ensure Maresca doesn’t breach any profit or sustainability regulations while allowing the club to have a significantly stronger squad at the end of the window compared to how they started it.

Delap and Pedro have already proven their worth at the Club World Cup, but it could be Gittens who turns out to be one of the club’s most exciting signings this summer.

Why Jamie Gittens could be Chelsea’s best signing

Throughout his spell at Borussia Dortmund, Gittens demonstrated why he was one of the finest young talents on the continent.

Last season, he registered 17 goal involvements – 12 goals and five assists – across 42 games for the German side, despite falling out of favour slightly during the second half of the season under new coach Niko Kovač.

Despite struggling during the second half of the campaign, Gittens still ranked highly across several metrics when compared to his peers.

Indeed, not only did the youngster rank in the top 1% for successful take-ons (3.57) per 90 across Europe’s top five leagues, but he also ranked in the top 9% for progressive carries (5.53) and in the top 15% for non-penalty goals (0.41) per 90.

On this basis, Gittens is certainly one of the most promising wingers on the continent and should he hit the ground running at Stamford Bridge, Maresca will have pulled off an excellent coup.

Goals

8

Assists

3

Key passes per game

0.7

Total duels won per game

4.9

Goal conversion percentage

15%

Big chances missed

4

The 20-year-old is capable of playing across either flank, while he has even played in a more central role. Maresca will likely use him on the left, as that is the position where he is at his best.

Given his skills and statistics over the previous 12 months, landing a talent like Gittens could make Chelsea challengers for both the Premier League and Champions League next season.

As mentioned earlier, however, the Italian isn’t going to stop there in terms of improving his squad. Could he be targeting another swoop on the Bundesliga giants in the coming days?

Chelsea learn fee for Borussia Dortmund talent

Recently, the Blues have been linked with moves for Emiliano Martinez, Giorgio Scalvini and Antonio Silva in a bid to bolster their defensive options.

Transfer Focus

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

With plenty of attacking options joining the club, Maresca still needs to add another defender or two to his squad ahead of next season.

Despite this, there are still links appearing for attacking players, and the latest one sees the club being touted with a move for Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi, according to reports from German outlet Bild (via Sport Witness).

Indeed, they are battling it out with Newcastle United for his signature, while Juventus were preparing a bid of €40-45m (£35m – £39m) for the player, but this figure won’t be high enough to convince Dortmund to sell the forward.

As per the report, the German side have placed a price tag of between €65-70m (£56m – £60m) for their prized asset, with Dortmund’s management only willing to engage in negotiations if an offer of at least £56m is submitted.

With the likelihood that the Blues could see a bid accepted if an offer is made in that region, Maresca could be getting a major Gittens upgrade.

Why Chelsea must sign Karim Adeyemi

While Gittens registered 17 goal contributions last season, Adeyemi went and scored 12 goals while also registering 11 assists in all competitions for the club.

His positional flexibility will also be a huge plus point for Maresca. Not only did Adeyemi play on either flank last term, but the German also featured through the middle as a centre-forward, giving the Blues several options on how to utilise his talents.

In the Bundesliga last season, he also created nine big chances, averaged 1.1 key passes and registered 1.8 shots per game.

Comparatively, Gittens managed six big chances created, averaged just 0.7 key passes and 1.6 shots per game in the top flight.

Delving even deeper, Adeyemi also registered more goal-creating actions (0.69 vs 0.51) per 90 than Gittens, while also registering more shot-creating actions (3.61 vs 3.57) per 90 and more shots on target (1.23 vs 1.06) per 90 across the Bundesliga and Champions League last season.

Back in 2020, football talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed Adeyemi as a “world-class” talent, while also stating that the youngster had “electric pace” and was “intelligent & unselfish” when profiling the player.

Since then, the Dortmund star has exuded all of these qualities and more as he has gone on to establish himself as one of the best players in the German top flight.

Maresca wouldn’t just be improving his attacking department by signing Adeyemi; he would also be landing an immediate upgrade on Gittens.

Although the Englishman comes with plenty of hype, it remains to be seen whether he has the maturity to succeed in the Premier League.

Adeyemi has plenty more experience; thus, he could turn out to be a better signing, especially if he starts well. For £56m, Maresca could be sealing yet another impressive signing that will bolster his frontline this summer.

If he manages to sell the likes of Madueke, Nkunku and Felix over the coming weeks, there is no doubt Adeyemi will fit right in.

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This summer could be a game-changing one for Chelsa.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 12, 2025

Birmingham City fans will be counting down the days now until the bumper Championship fixture schedule is released, with the full set of matches finally out in the open for eager Blues fans next Thursday.

Then, it will be full steam ahead with pre-season matches galore, as the expectant St. Andrew’s masses clamour to see some new, major signings in the flesh.

So far, only Phil Neumann has hopped on board the Birmingham train, but there will surely be more fresh purchases to come, especially as the clock gradually starts to tick down to the start of the hotly anticipated second-tier season.

Chris Davies and Co. could be about to land a surprise new signing from the Eredivisie if reports are correct, away from ongoing pursuits of former heroes such as Demarai Gray.

Birmingham offered chance to sign Eredivisie talent

Journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed that Birmingham have been offered to chance to snap up Finnish talent Oliver Antman this summer.

Bailey does further state that Blackburn Rovers have also been offered up the same opportunity, but the Blues will hope they can flex their muscles once more in the market by snapping up the standout Go Ahead Eagles winger over Valerien Ismael’s men.

The Finland international has been a top performer in the Netherlands for some time now, and whilst there is a lot of sentimentality attached to Birmingham wanting to bring Gray back to St. Andrew’s, landing the services of Antman instead could be seen as an even more exciting purchase.

Why Antman could be a more exciting signing than Gray

After all, it’s not as if the former Blues winger has been setting the world alight in the Saudi Pro League as of late.

Transfer Focus

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

Worryingly, his output across 2024/25 so far for Al-Ettifaq has only seen the Jamaica international collect a solitary assist from 25 games, with no goals coming his way.

Therefore, the declining 28-year-old might not be cut out for the pressures of Championship football anymore, irrespective of his previous eight goals and four assists at the level with his hometown side.

On the flip side, when assessing the table above, Antman looks more than ready to cause havoc in the demanding division, with the 23-year-old very much at the peak of his powers in the Dutch top-flight currently.

Whilst Gray has unfortunately receded into his shell in the Middle East, the ex-FC Nordsjælland attacker has exploded into life on the books of the Eredivisie side, with a mammoth 16 big chances created across his 32 league clashes, away from tallying up a stellar record of six goals and 15 assists.

To add further context, the waning Al-Ettifaq number 11 only managed to create four big chances across the same period, with Birmingham needing to cut all emotion from their transfer dealings if they want to significantly strengthen their options.

Instead of going after Gray, they must prioritise a move for Antman, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig even going on to hail the 23-year-old’s “creative” prowess recently.

With seven goals under his belt too on the international stage with Finland, it feels as if the Go Ahead Eagles ace could soon take the English game by storm.

Antman’s creative excellence will also be music to the ears of the likes of Jay Stansfield and Alfie May, as a new, exciting Championship campaign begins to hurtle into view.

Stansfield 2.0: Birmingham City keen on signing "dynamite" £10m forward

Birmingham City would seriously improve their attacking options in the Championship by snapping up this promising talent.

1

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 19, 2025

Already closing in on signing Zepiqueno Redmond on a free transfer, Aston Villa have now reportedly followed that by opening talks to sign another teenage talent this summer.

Redmond completes Aston Villa medical

Welcoming their first striker since losing Jhon Duran in the January transfer window, Villa are set to officially sign Redmond at the start of next month after he passed a medical at the club. The 18-year-old will leave Feyenoord at the end of his current deal this summer, before becoming a free agent and arriving in the Midlands in a bargain deal.

Despite his place as a rising star rather than an established mainstay at the top level, Redmond has already earned impressive praise.

Speaking to reporters, the forward’s former coach at Zwervers, Ricardo Veerman, revealed how talented Redmond was at a young age, saying: “What stood out was that he was younger than the other boys around him. You can tell pretty quickly if a kid has something, but he had something truly special.

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“He could dribble past defenders with ease and scored a lot — often three times per match, sometimes even more. He was one of the key players, although that’s a funny thing to say about someone that age. Coaches around us were always asking who he was and how old he was.”

Since then, Redmond has risen through the ranks at PSV to earn opportunities in the Eredivisie and Champions League. Now set to become an Aston Villa player, the young forward could be joined by another emerging attacking talent as the Villans look to go two for two in this summer’s transfer window.

Aston Villa open talks to sign Jesus Rodriguez

According to Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa have now opened talks to sign Jesus Rodriguez from Real Betis this summer. The 19-year-old winger impressed many in Spain last season and even managed to get on the scoresheet twice to only add to a growing reputation.

Described as “fearless” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Rodriguez could become an unexpected replacement for Marcus Rashford if he hits the ground running. The latter is set to return to Manchester United now that his loan spell is over and it remains to be seen whether Aston Villa attempt to secure his signature on a permanent deal.

Rodriguez, at just 19 years old, could offer Unai Emery to perfect solution. Having already signed Redmond, it looks as though Villa’s current focus is on welcoming young talent and the Real Betis star is seemingly next on the list.

A talented winger who has already made his mark on senior football, it’s clear to see why the Midlands club are so interested in Rodriguez.

Aston Villa stand on the edge of glory. While their Champions League may have ended by PSG, Unai Emery’s side have a wonderful chance to reach a first FA Cup final since 2015.

The club have not won this competition since 1957. Indeed, they haven’t won a major honour since 1996, and it would be fitting to finally end this drought under a man who has lifted them from the doldrums.

2014/15

Liverpool

Won 2-1

2009/10

Chelsea

Lost 3-0

1999/00

Bolton

Won 4-1 on penalties

1995/96

Liverpool

Lost 3-0

1959/60

Wolves

Lost 1-0

In midweek, the Midlands side suffered a 2-1 loss to Manchester City in the Premier League. While not disastrous, it represented a chance to cement their place in the top five of the table.

Several of the starting XI failed to perform as expected, most notably Boubacar Kamara in the heart of the midfield.

Why Emery must drop Boubacar Kamara

There is no doubt Kamara has been excellent when called upon this season, but against City, he didn’t quite look himself.

He played the full 90 minutes alongside Amadou Onana for Villa and succeeded with 87% of his passes, but the Frenchman could only win one of his seven contested ground duels, along with losing possession eight times.

Kamara also failed to make a single tackle during the match and was dribbled past on two occasions. Despite his tireless shift, it wasn’t enough to see Villa take home all three points.

With an FA Cup final place at stake this weekend, Emery might just switch things up ahead of the match against Crystal Palace.

This could see Kamara dropped from the starting XI, with Youri Tielemans slotting back into a deeper role.

Chalkboard

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

If so, there is only one man who should be deployed as Villa’s number ten – Marco Asensio.

Marco Asensio must be unleashed by Aston Villa

The Spaniard has been a truly inspired signing by Emery, even if it is just on a temporary basis.

Indeed, the former Real Madrid starlet has scored eight goals and chipped in with a solitary assist for the club across 20 matches.

In the Premier League, Asensio has created one big chance, averaging 1.3 key passes and succeeding in 58% of his dribble attempts.

These statistics are made even better considering he has started only five matches in the top flight since arriving back in January.

Dubbed as “world-class” by former Arsenal and Birmingham City defender Matthew Upson in March after his exploits against Club Brugge in the Champions League.

If the club have a chance of signing him on a permanent deal, then Emery must do everything in his power to do so.

Starting him against Palace at Wembley could give Villa the best chance of reaching the final of the competition, no doubt about that, because of the attacking quality that he can provide with his ability to both score and create.

The PSG loanee has scored twice in the tournament so far, netting a double against Cardiff. If he is unleashed, expect him to conjure up some more magic for the Villa faithful.

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ByJoe Nuttall Apr 23, 2025

This summer transfer window is a huge one for Tottenham Hotspur if they are to rise up the Premier League next season, making amends for the dismal campaign endured in 2024/25.

The club’s bottom-half standing has led to questions being asked about Ange Postecoglou’s future at the club, with it unclear whether he’ll be in charge for 2025/26.

However, their progression into the Europa League semi-final against Bodo Glimt may save his career in North London – potentially able to end their 17-year wait for a trophy.

If the Aussie does manage to pull off such a feat over the next couple of weeks, he will need to be backed in the market by the owner to allow him to take the side to the next level.

It appears no time has been wasted ahead of the summer transfer window, already making serious moves to strengthen the side in numerous key areas.

The latest on Spurs’ pursuit for new attackers this summer

Over recent days, Spurs have been targeting reinforcements within the final third, leading to huge rumours over a move for Wolves’ star Matheus Cunha.

The Brazilian only signed a new contract in recent months, but has stated his desire to leave, with any side wanting to land him needing to trigger his £62.5m release clause inserted within his new deal.

The Lilywhites aren’t alone in their hunt for the 25-year-old, with Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Arsenal also touted with a big-money move for his signature.

The likes of Tyler Dibling and Liam Delap have also been mentioned as potential targets, but not to the extent of Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, who’s been hugely mentioned as a summer target.

According to one Spanish outlet, Spurs are preparing a £50m bid for the Cherries attacker, who’s reportedly a supporter of North London rivals Arsenal.

Why the £50m target would be the perfect Son replacement

Winger Heung-min Son has been a tremendous servant to Spurs over the last decade, often being the shining light in their side after moving from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2015.

The South Korean international has racked up a staggering 448 appearances for the Lilywhites, scoring on 173 occasions, putting himself fifth in the club’s all-time scoring charts.

However, with the attacker being 33 come the start of next season, it’s safe to say he’s entering the final years of his career as a professional, with a plan needing to be put in place to replace him.

He’s also started to pick up more frequent injury issues, currently being sidelined with a foot issue, missing the Europa League triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt and being ruled out of Monday’s clash with Forest.

As a result, Postecoglou could turn to Semenyo as a summer target, with the Ghanaian certainly the perfect replacement for the fan-favourite during the off-season.

When comparing his stats to Son from the Premier League in 2024/25, the 25-year-old has massively outperformed him in numerous key areas, showcasing how much of a superb addition he would be.

Semenyo, who’s been labelled “world-class” by The Athletic’s Richard Amofa, has registered more goals in the league to date, whilst also managing more shots on target per game, highlighting his threat within attacking areas.

How Semenyo compares to Son in the PL (2024/25)

Statistics (per 90)

Semenyo

Son

Games played

32

28

Goals scored

8

7

Shots taken

3.7

2.4

Shots on target

1.2

1

Tackles & Interceptions

1.9

1

Take-ons completed

2.1

1.3

Aerials won

1.9

0.3

Stats via FBref

He’s also completed more take-ons per 90, along with more aerials won, offering Ange an all-round presence in the final third, playing a massive role in their potential success next campaign.

£50m may be a huge investment from the hierarchy, but it’s needed should the side return to the heights they’ve set for themselves in numerous seasons in North London.

Semenyo has demonstrated the qualities he possesses this season, with a big move needed, opening the door for a transfer to Spurs, and giving him a great platform to take his own career to the next level.

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