Alexander Isak start to life at Liverpool has been far from smooth, and Arne Slot has shared a disappointing injury update ahead of their Premier League fixture against Aston Villa. There were high hopes when Isak arrived to spearhead the Reds' attack after his British-record move from Newcastle United, but his battle with fitness issues has derailed those ambitions. The forward limped off during their 5-1 demolition of Eintracht Frankfurt and hasn't featured since.
Six defeats in seven: Slot's storm intensifies
Six losses in their last seven matches, the latest a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, have left Liverpool on the edge of crisis. Four consecutive league defeats have allowed Arsenal to open a seven-point gap to them at the summit. The manager's task isn't getting easier with mounting injuries. Alongside Isak, several key players remain unavailable for Saturday’s clash with Villa. Star goalkeeper Alisson Becker continues to recover from a muscle issue, while Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Midfielder Curtis Jones, who was forced off in the recent loss to Brentford, is also ruled out. Teenage defender Giovanni Leoni is still nursing a long-term injury, which might keep him out until the business end of the campaign if not the entirety of it. Amid the gloom and despair, there is a flicker of good news as Ryan Gravenberch has returned to full training. The Dutch midfielder twisted his ankle against Manchester United earlier this month and has missed three crucial matches, during which Liverpool conceded seven goals. However, there is a growing sense of optimism regarding his availability if he comes through training unscathed.
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Slot provides injury updates on Isak & Gravenberch
Slot offered a mixed update in his pre-match press conference, outlining the fragile state of his squad.
"Ryan trained with us yesterday. The other two (Isak and Jones) didn't yet," Slot said. "In the end phase of the injury, things can slow down a bit or things can go faster but Ryan trained with us yesterday and he will train with us today and then we will make the call whether he is able to start. The other two are 99.9% sure not in the squad on Saturday."
Slot happy with Liverpool's squad depth despite previous comments
Slot made wholesale changes to his squad that bowed out of the Carabao Cup following the loss to Palace. However, despite the mounting criticism about his team selection, the Dutch manager remained defiant and hit back at suggestions that his squad lacks quality or depth. Instead, the former Feyernoord coach blamed the club’s injury crisis and the gruelling fixture schedule for the team’s collapse in form.
"We have enough to play the games, but I have to take care of a few of them, why I made the decision not to play seven or eight," he said. "I am happy with the team, the quality we have and convinced by the strategy and policy we have. But that makes it the issue, not all of them had a proper pre-season or have been injured, so when three or four are injured you go back to 15 or 16. I am convinced 20 is enough but we are struggling to keep them fit for obvious reasons.
"Alex came to us on September 1, and it has been harder to keep them fit, so if a few aren't available, it comes to the same players. Maybe last season we were lucky, and now unlucky? But we've had a few away games with only a few days' rest in between. No excuses, before people say…We have to manage the situation, three games in seven or eight days. So nothing to do with squad depth, more just injuries and availability of players."
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Villa visit comes at a crucial time
With Isak sidelined, the stage is set for Hugo Ekitike to lead the Liverpool attack against Villa. The visitors have a few injury issues of their own. Andres Garcia, Youri Tielemans, and Emiliano Buendia are all doubts for the trip to Merseyside, while young midfielder Harvey Elliott, who is on loan from Liverpool, is ineligible to face his parent club.
Fortaleza eGrêmioempataram em 1 a 1 na tarde deste sábado (30), no Castelão, pela 25ª rodada doCampeonato Brasileiro.Na saída de campo após o duelo, o zagueiro Pedro Geromel lamentou o resultado e falou sobre sua condição física. O camisa 3 voltou de lesão depois de um mês longe dos gramados e afirmou estar preparado para o restante da temporada.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasBrasileirãoGrêmio arranca empate com Fortaleza no fim e assume a vice-liderança do BrasileirãoBrasileirão30/09/2023BotafogoShows fazem Botafogo buscar alternativas para mandar a partida contra o GrêmioBotafogo29/09/2023GrêmioPróximos jogos do Grêmio: datas e horários das partidasGrêmio12/10/2023
+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui
– As duas equipes tiveram chances de ganhar, buscaram a vitória o tempo todo. Nosso objetivo eram os três pontos, infelizmente não conseguimos. Sabemos que jogar aqui é sempre complicado – disse Geromel.
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– Eram o líder do returno, jogo difícil. Espero poder jogar 90 minutos o resto da temporada agora. Tive bastante tempo para treinar, consegui me preparar bastante – completou o zagueiro.
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+ Próximos jogos do Grêmio: veja calendário, datas, horários e onde assistir às partidas
Com o empate, o Imortal subiu momentaneamente para a vice-liderança do Brasileirão, com 44 pontos, ultrapassando o Palmeiras, que ainda joga neste domingo (1). Com uma semana livre para treinos, o Grêmio volta a campo somente na próxima rodada. A equipe de Renato Gaúcho disputa o clássico com o Internacional no domingo (8), às 16h, no Beira-Rio.
PRÓXIMOS JOGOS DOGRÊMIO; CONFIRA DATAS, HORÁRIOS E ONDE ASSISTIR
Internacional x Grêmio- domingo, 8/10, às 16h. Beira-Rio. Brasileirão. Onde assistir: Globo e Premiere Grêmio x Athletico- quarta-feira, 18/10, às 19h. Arena do Grêmio. Brasileirão. Onde assistir: SporTV e Premiere São Paulo x Grêmio- domingo, 22/10, às 18h30. Morumbi. Brasileirão. Onde assistir: Premiere Grêmio x Flamengo- quarta-feira, 25/10, às 21h30. Arena do Grêmio. Brasileirão. Onde assistir: Globo e Premiere
Litton Das has shown enough potential to hold on to the role of Bangladesh’s T20I captain till next year’s T20 World Cup, according to assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin. The endorsement came after questions were raised about Litton’s appointment following Najmul Hossain Shanto relinquishing the job earlier this year.Litton has just a solitary half-century and a strike rate of 101.76 in the last 12 months in the format. He has also lost his place in the ODI team and was recently rested from the Test side. But he is all set to lead Bangladesh in the two-match T20I series against UAE in Sharjah next week.Salahuddin feels Litton showed enough leadership skills during Bangladesh a 3-0 win against West Indies in their backyard last December. Litton himself scored just 17 runs but took some proactive decisions under pressure, which helped Bangladesh dominate the home side.”From the Litton I knew for a long time to the one I saw leading the team [in the West Indies], it is like night and day,” Salahuddin said in a press conference in Dhaka on Sunday. “If you see one of his recent interviews, you will notice the difference. I think if the boys are guided properly, they can adjust to the situation faster. We all have to support the captain. I think Litton has all the ingredients of a good captain. He can motivate the players. He is good with strategy. He is trying to take it forward. I think he will do well if allowed to work independently. You can’t just make a leader.”Salahuddin also emphasised the challenges that come with Bangladesh’s captaincy. “We must realise that he is the captain of Bangladesh, which for us stands for the whole country. Leading Bangladesh is a very difficult job, although it may seem easy from the outside. Those who think that it is an easy thing are living in a fool’s paradise.”After Shanto stepped down, Litton is probably the only choice for captaincy in Bangladesh’s current T20I side. With Mehidy Hasan Miraz dropped from the format, there is no clear leadership group in the team. Mahedi Hasan being named as the vice-captain suggests as much.”We haven’t performed collectively,” Salahuddin said. “We have to admit that we are not consistently performing at the highest level. It is a big challenge. We have rapid ups and downs in our performance. Our people are emotional, so they have a hard time accepting how their performance isn’t the same every game.”Bangladesh have a long summer of T20 cricket. If their schedule remains as it is, they will play two T20Is against UAE, five against Pakistan, three against Sri Lanka, then three more against Pakistan in July and three against India in August.Salahuddin said that it was critical for the team to work on their batting ahead of this busy schedule. “We had some training sessions targeting skill development. We have also stressed on the players’ fitness. It is rare for us to get such time as we go from one series to another so rapidly. We want their improvement in skills and fitness. There are certain shots that we are unable to apply in the middle, so we worked on those skills that would b
Chelsea and Todd Boehly have splashed the cash in recent years on a number of new players, with the Blues winning the Club World Cup in 2025. Following their triumph in the USA, those at Stamford Bridge once again spent big in the transfer window.
Here at Football FanCast, we’ve taken a look at Chelsea’s most expensive signings in their history, as per Transfermarkt and news reports, with a detailed look at the top 10.
Moises Caicedo
£115m
Brighton
2023
Enzo Fernandez
£107m
Benfica
2023
Romelu Lukaku
£97.5m
Inter
2021
Kepa Arrizabalaga
£71m
Athletic Club
2018
Kai Havertz
£71m
Bayer Leverkusen
2020
Wesley Fofana
£70m
Leicester
2022
Mykhailo Mudryk
£62m
Shakhtar Donetsk
2023
Marc Cucurella
£60m
Brighton
2022
Alvaro Morata
£60m
Real Madrid
2017
Joao Pedro
£60m
Brighton
2025
Romeo Lavia
£58m
Southampton
2023
Christian Pulisic
£58m
Borussia Dortmund
2019
Pedro Neto
£54m
Wolves
2024
Christopher Nkunku
£52m
RB Leipzig
2023
Fernando Torres
£50m
Liverpool
2011
Jorginho
£50m
Napoli
2018
Jamie Gittens
£48.5m
Borussia Dortmund
2025
Raheem Sterling
£47.5m
Manchester City
2022
Timo Werner
£47.5m
RB Leipzig
2020
Joao Felix
£46.3m
Atletico Madrid
2024
Here's a detailed look at Chelsea's 10 most expensive signings: 10 Joao Pedro £60m from Brighton
Chelsea’s biggest signing in 2025 was centre-forward Joao Pedro, who was signed in time to link up with the Blues during their Club World Cup campaign.
The Brazilian became an instant hit with his goals in the USA, and he is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2033.
9 Alvaro Morata £60m from Real Madrid
The oldest arrival in this top 10 is Alvaro Morata, who joined Chelsea in a club-record £60m transfer from Real Madrid back in 2017. The striker’s move to England ultimately didn’t work out, though, with the Spaniard returning to La Liga with Atletico Madrid on loan in 2019 before making that move permanent a year later.
Morata is currently the captain of the Spanish national team and scored 24 goals in 72 games for the Blues.
8 Marc Cucurella £60m from Brighton
Chelsea won the race ahead of Manchester City to sign left-back Marc Cucurella from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022 for just over £60m, with the Spaniard making the left-back role his own at Stamford Bridge.
A former Barcelona youngster, Cucurella impressed in his first year in England with the Seagulls under Graham Potter, and the pair would soon be reunited when the Blues brought in the latter as manager a month later.
7 Mykhailo Mudryk £62m from Shakhtar Donetsk
Mykhaylo Mudryk for Chelsea
Chelsea swooped in ahead of Arsenal to sign winger Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 for £62m, with the Ukraine international signing a huge eight-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
His Chelsea deal could reach a total of £89m, but having not had much success thus far, Shakhtar look set to miss out on nearly £30m worth of bonuses.
6 Wesley Fofana £70m from Leicester City
Centre-back Wesley Fofana was brought to Stamford Bridge from Leicester City in 2022, but the Frenchman’s stay with Chelsea so far has been hampered by injury.
However, considering he signed a seven-year deal, the Blues still have plenty of time to get the best out of the Frenchman, who cost the west Londoners a handsome £70m – proving Leicester sure know how to get a decent sum for a promising centre-back.
5 Kai Havertz £71m from Bayer Leverkusen
Kai Havertz Chelsea
Versatile attacker Kai Havertz was brought to England by Chelsea in 2020, joining in a big-money £71m deal from Bayer Leverkusen.
The German went on to score the winning goal for the Blues in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City before being sold to rivals Arsenal in 2023, with Chelsea bringing in the majority of the fee they spent on the player.
Chelsea's most expensive sales of all time
A look at the record departures from Stamford Bridge.
ByCharlie Smith Oct 8, 2025 4 Kepa Arrizabalaga £71m from Athletic Club
Kepa Arrizabalaga is the most expensive goalkeeper in history, but he only sits 4th in Chelsea’s record signings list, showing the Blues’ spending power in the years that have followed.
Famously remembered in a Chelsea shirt for refusing to be substituted in extra time of an EFL Cup final under Maurizio Sarri, Kepa signed for the Blues back in 2018 from Athletic Club for just over £71m and was allowed to join Arsenal for just £5m in 2025.
The best EFL Cup finals of all time – ranked
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ByStephan Georgiou Feb 8, 2024 3 Romelu Lukaku £97.5m from Inter
Striker Romelu Lukaku returned to Chelsea for a second Stamford Bridge stint back in 2021, with the Blues paying Inter what was a club-record fee of £97.5m for the Belgian.
It appeared to be a masterstroke at first, with Lukaku scoring freely back in a Chelsea shirt, but over time, it has proven to be a costly mistake, with the player spending recent years on loan in Italy with Inter and Roma before finally being sold by Chelsea for the second time, this time to Napoli.
2 Enzo Fernandez £107m from Benfica
Midfielder Enzo Fernandez joined Chelsea in a £107m deal from Benfica in 2023 shortly after winning the World Cup with Argentina.
It was a British record at the time, and although the midfielder is arguably still working to pay off that price tag, he has become a vital member of the team under Enzo Maresca, wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of Reece James.
1 Moises Caicedo £115m from Brighton
Moises Caicedo
Central midfielder Moises Caicedo only made 53 appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion between 2021 and 2023, but that was enough for Chelsea to spend big on the Ecuador international.
The Blues won the race ahead of Liverpool for Caicedo, who endured a tough start to life at Stamford Bridge before eventually showing his best form. He’s under contract until 2031, so he has plenty of time to become an important Chelsea star.
A arrastada novela da criação da liga brasileira ganhou oficialmente mais uma vertente. Na noite desta quinta-feira (6), Botafogo, Coritiba, Cruzeiro e Vasco sacramentaram acordo e formaram um bloco unificado que faça um contrato separado com as empresas Serenguetti e LCP.
O grupo atribuiu a criação do novo grupo a uma forma “na qual podemos escrever e discutir as regras da nossa nova liga e definir o produto que devemos apresentar ao mundo”. Além disso, o objetivo é “combinar os benefícios econômicos oferecidos pelos financiadores da LFF com as iniciativas de governança que antes pareciam possíveis com a LIBRA”. Entre as propostas, estão o rebaixamento e promoção de de três clubes por divisão, deixar a governança da liga nas mãos dos clubes, implementação de fair play financeiro “com modelos testados na Europa” e criação de propriedades comerciais controladas pelos clubes.
Os clubes disseram que acreditam “na unificação do futebol profissional brasileiro, reunindo todos os clubes da Série A e da Série B em uma parceria comum para impulsionar o Brasil como líder global no futebol mundial”. Segundo ela, “um diálogo e entendimento aprimorados entre os clubes participantes podem abrir caminho para alcançar nossa visão de unificação e colaboração sustentável”.
O bloco afirmou que houve uma “luta incansável para conciliar as divergências entre a Libra e a Liga Forte Futebol” e atribuíram a falta de acerto a “dois obstáculos fundamentais e difíceis de ultrapassar”.
Os quatro clubes esclareceram que convidaram “todos os clubes a deixarem de lado as divergências históricas e trazerem suas melhores ideias para o centro conosco, em apoio aos princípios de evolução do futebol brasileiro”.
VEJA A NOTA NA ÍNTEGRA
Acreditamos na unificação do futebol profissional brasileiro, reunindo todos os clubes da Série A e da Série B em uma parceria comum para impulsionar o Brasil como líder global no futebol mundial. Em nossa perspectiva, um diálogo e entendimento aprimorados entre os clubes participantes podem abrir caminho para alcançar nossa visão de unificação e colaboração sustentável.
Nos últimos meses, na luta incansável para conciliar as divergências entre a LIBRA e a Liga Forte Futebol, nos deparamos com dois obstáculos fundamentais e difíceis de ultrapassar. O primeiro foi o desejo de manter o status quo na indústria. A outra foi a disputa entre diferentes atores que estão mais preocupados com suas próprias agendas do que com o futuro do futebol no país.
Decidimos nos posicionar de forma independente e respeitosa no centro. É com muita alegria que anunciamos que Botafogo, Coritiba, Cruzeiro e Vasco da Gama formam agora um grupo unificado para firmar um contrato separado com Serenguetti e LCP.
Com a formação do nosso grupo, buscamos combinar os benefícios econômicos oferecidos pelos financiadores da LFF com as iniciativas de governança que antes pareciam possíveis com a LIBRA. No final, descobrimos que se tornou muito mais fácil para nós formar um novo grupo, com uma folha em branco na qual podemos escrever e discutir as regras da nossa nova liga e definir o produto que devemos apresentar ao mundo.
Convidamos todos os clubes a deixarem de lado as divergências históricas e trazerem suas melhores ideias para o centro conosco, em apoio aos princípios de evolução do futebol brasileiro.
Aqui estão nossos princípios para a formação da futura nova liga brasileira:
– A Governança da Liga será exclusivamente responsabilidade dos Clubes, com representação de cada Clube no Conselho de Administração.
– A liderança da Media Co será uma colaboração separada entre a Liga e o Parceiro Financeiro Estratégico.
– Implementação do Fair Play Financeiro, com ajustes para suprir deficiências dos mecanismos amplamente testados na Europa.
– Estabelecimento de padrões mínimos para instalações e superfícies de jogo, visando atingir a paridade com os mais altos padrões do futebol mundial
– Gestão direta de oficiais de jogo e árbitros, em colaboração com a CBF, incluindo padrões de educação e responsabilidade.
– Rebaixamento e promoção de apenas 3 clubes por divisão, seguindo o padrão mundial e proporcionando maior estabilidade ao produto brasileiro no mercado.
– Busca e desenvolvimento de tecnologias avançadas para posicionar o Brasil como líder mundial em qualidade da experiência televisiva e eficiência na distribuição global de conteúdo.
– Criação de propriedades comerciais controladas pelos Clubes, a serem exploradas individualmente por cada clube, seguindo o padrão europeu.
– Venda de direitos comerciais e de mídia com valuation apropriado.
Por fim, valorizando nossas conversas com bons amigos de ambos os lados, continuaremos trabalhando incansavelmente para criar uma liga unificada por meio de um diálogo aberto com todos os clubes.
Benjamin Sesko has yet to impress on the field for Manchester United since his big summer move from RB Leipzig. The Slovenian has faile to score a goal for the Red Devils despite playing close to 300 minutes. The search goes on, but a picture from training has shown Sesko mimic Old Trafford icon Mark Hughes and his famous 1989 volley against Manchester City.
Sesko shows off skills in Man Utd training
Sesko's arrival from RB Leipzig this summer was supposed to bring with it a flurry of goals to a struggling Manchester United side. However, the same form he displayed in Germany has not been showcased on the field in England.
But fans were given a treat on Thursday when the club shared a picture of Sesko attempting a side-on scissor volley, the type of which Hughes was a master of in his 1980s and 1990s heyday.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportSesko shows sharp form in training
While Sesko's overall form on the field has failed to suggest it, reports from inside the Manchester United camp have suggested that the Slovenian has been doing well behind closed doors since joining the club, described as “very sharp” in front of goal. He has also, at times, drawn “ripples of applause” from teammates marvelling at his finishing.
Sesko's stats so far at Man Utd
Sesko has played five games so far, totalling nearly 300 minutes in the Premier League and the Carabao Cup. However, the striker has only managed to take five shots, with just one of them troubling a goalkeeper. Additionally, the Slovenian has only managed a total of eight touches in the opposition's box and won nine of his 17 aerial duels despite his dominating 6ft 5in stature.
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GettyMan Utd to face off against Brentford with Sesko starting
Sesko will likely be a starter in Manchester United's crucial Premier League clash against Brentford on Saturday, as the Red Devils look to string together two wins for the first time this season.
England captain will join Charlie Dean and Dani Gibson in playing county cricket at Taunton
ESPNcricinfo staff29-Nov-2024England captain Heather Knight has become the latest player to agree terms with Somerset ahead of the launch of Tier 1 professional women’s county cricket next summer.Knight had previously represented Berkshire, having come through the Devon pathway, and captained Western Storm to two Kia Super League titles in the regional system. She was appointed to the Somerset board in an advisory role earlier this year.Her signing follows that of England spinner Charlie Dean and allrounder Danielle Gibson, a Western Storm team-mate of Knight’s, whose moves were announced earlier in the week. All three are centrally contracted to England, and will play for their county when international commitments allow.”Somerset is a club that holds a special place in my heart, so I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity,” Knight said. “The South West has played an integral role in my journey and it’s a privilege to be able to represent the region that means so much to me.”We have a genuine opportunity to create something special. This is the first Somerset women’s team of the professional era, and we have a duty to those who have gone before and laid the foundations to make sure that we are a team that competes on the field and inspires young people across the region. There is a special heritage surrounding the club and that is something that we will be taking very seriously.”The Cooper Associates County Ground is a special place to play, and I can’t wait for some of the younger players to experience the atmosphere that the members and supporters can generate. The Taunton crowd is passionate and knowledgeable, and we will be doing everything that we can to win games of cricket and give them something to celebrate.”A World Cup-winner, Knight has captained England across formats since 2016, and is currently leading the team on their tour of South Africa.Somerset Women head coach, Trevor Griffin, said: “Heather is a player I’ve worked with for many years, and I’m delighted she will be playing for Somerset when her England commitments allow. She is a true professional who impacts games both on and off the pitch and is an invaluable addition to any side.”I’m sure our supporters will be looking forward to seeing Heather in a Somerset shirt and winning games of cricket for us.”Somerset’s director of cricket, Andy Hurry, added: “Heather is a world-class performer who has shown her quality on the biggest stages across the world. She is hugely respected within and outside the game, and the experience she can share both on and off the field will have a major impact on the team, the club and the region.”It’s an honour to have the England captain committed to the club, and there is no doubt that she will inspire future generations of Somerset players, members and supporters.”
ذكرت تقارير صحفية أن مانشستر يونايتد وضع قائمة من 3 مرشحين لخلافة المدرب البرتغالي الشاب روبن أموريم، في حالة رحيله عن تدريب الفريق.
وبحسب “TEAM TALK” العالمية، فإن جاريث ساوثجيت دخل قائمة المرشحين الثلاثة، حيث لم يتول أي منصب إداري منذ نهايته ولايته التي استمرت ثماني سنوات مع منتخب إنجلترا من 2016 حتى 2024.
وحقق منتخب إنجلترا تحت قيادة ساوثجيت المركز الثاني في نهائيات كأس الأمم الأوروبية 2020 ويورو 2024 وحقق إنجازات أخرى، وقاده لنصف نهائي مونديال 2018 واحتل المركز الرابع في أفضل أداء منذ عام 1990.
وإلى جانب جاريث ساوثجيت هناك مرشحان آخران وهما أوليفر جلاسنر مدرب كريستال بالاس وأندوني إيراولا مدرب بورنموث.
اقرأ أيضاً.. تقارير: ثنائي قطبي مانشستر يفكران في الرحيل إلى الدوري السعودي
ويرتبط كل من جلاسنر وإيراولا بعقدين مع نادييهما وسيتعين على يونايتد دفع تعويضات كبيرة للحصول على أي منهما.
ويبقى معرفة ما إذا كان كل من جلاسنر وإيراولا مهتمين بتدريب مانشستر يونايتد بالنظر لأدائهما المتميز في كل من كريستال بالاس وبورنموث.
ويحتل فريق كريستال بالاس المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي حتى الآن وتوج بلقب الدرع الخيرية هذا الموسم، وقاد إيراولا فريق بورنموث ليكون منافسًا أوروبيًا حقيقيًا واحتل المركز التاسع الموسم الماضي وهو أفضل مركز له في تاريخ النادي.
وعلى الرغم من خسارة بورنموث لعدد من لاعبيه الأساسيين في سوق الانتقالات الصيفية، لكنه لا يزال يقدم أداء رائعًا ويحتل المركز الخامس في جدول الترتيب بعد ست مباريات.
ويحتل مانشستر يونايتد حالياً تحت قيادة روبن أموريم المركز الرابع عشر في جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز بعد بداية كارثية لموسم 2025-2026.
A Manchester City academy player who hasn't played for the club in years has joined Polish side Radomiak Radom on a season-long loan.
Man City player on the fringes
Last appearance in 2022-23 season
Secures loan move to Polish side
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WHAT HAPPENED?
City have confirmed that the 22-year-old will spend the season with the Polish Ekstraklasa outfit. The full-back, who had a loan stint at Stoke City last term, could make his debut for the Polish team this month.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Wilson-Esbrand joined City from West Ham in 2019 as a 16-year-old but since making his debut in 2021, he has made just three appearances for Pep Guardiola's side. His long-term future is almost certainly away from the Etihad, and now he will hope to impress at Radom.
DID YOU KNOW?
Since joining City six years ago, the England Under-21 international has had loan spells at Coventry City, Reims, Cardiff City, Stoke, and now Radom. To date, he has made 50 appearances in his career, scoring one goal during his stint with Reims.
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WHAT NEXT?
Radom currently sit eighth in the Polish top-flight after seven matches this season. Wilson-Esbrand could make his debut for his new team on Sunday when they travel to 12th-placed Legia Warsaw.
Liverpool have set their sights on signing a striker this summer, with FSG finally tiring of Darwin Nunez’s wastefulness in front of goal and engaging in transfer talks with Serie A champions Napoli.
The Uruguayan joined Liverpool from SL Benfica in a deal initially worth £64m back in 2022, but three years on, he’s only scored 25 times across 94 Premier League appearances, missing 55 big chances in the process, as per Sofascore.
Liverpool'sDarwinNunezreacts
The maverick’s troubles led to Luis Diaz being placed in a focal role at number nine, with Arne Slot recognising the Colombian’s dynamic qualities to establish him as a moonlit striker, a move which proved invaluable given Liverpool fought their way to the league title – winning comfortably in the end.
Diaz is one of the best around, but he’s 28 and entering the second-to-last year in his £55k-per-week contract. With FSG reluctant to extend the versatile forward’s deal, he may well be playing in different colours come August.
The latest on Luis Diaz's Liverpool future
When Barcelona came calling for Diaz at the start of June, Liverpool’s chiefs responded in the negative. Emphatically. Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards had concurred that it might be best to run the South American’s contract down, thus eking out his value on the field.
However, suitors have persisted, and Diaz appears keen on a switch, with Saudi clubs and Bayern Munich also showing a vested interest.
Liverpool’s winger-striker scored 17 goals and supplied eight more across all competitions last season, but he ebbed and flowed on the clinical front, his potency often coming in rich bursts.
If Liverpool were to cash in this summer, they’d be looking for a significant amount. And while Cody Gakpo has nailed down a starting berth on the left flank and Liverpool have signed Florian Wirtz in a move rising to a British-record £116m too, a direct replacement would be needed.
Luis Diaz
Ideally, someone with similarly electric qualities and a natural versatility. FSG have just the man in mind.
Liverpool plot bid for Diaz heir
According to Football Insider, Liverpool are now planning to launch a late-window bid for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, the interest likely a product of Diaz’s potential sale.
Anthony Gordon celebrates for Newcastle
Last summer, the Reds were heavily linked with a move for the Three Lions star, but Newcastle ended up managing to balance the books through less damaging means, thus keeping Gordon on board.
The 24-year-old is believed to have told friends he was “very keen” on re-joining the club he left as an 11-year-old, and though Slot would love to sign him in the coming weeks, the Magpies privately value him at £100m.
Why Liverpool want Anthony Gordon
Liverpool’s interest in Gordon has stood long enough that faith should be placed in Hughes and Edwards and the club’s data analysts, who are so envied across the Premier League.
For have they not earned our trust? Have Liverpool not proved time and time again that they are capable of hitting the jackpot when it comes to signings which might at first split opinion?
Diaz is a fantastic player, more refined and accomplished than Gordon, but that’s not to say that the England international doesn’t have the skill set to succeed him.
Indeed, in January 2023, after joining Newcastle from Everton in a £45m deal, Gordon went on to win Newcastle’s 2023/24 Player of the Year, notching 26 goal contributions in the Premier League.
It’s for this reason that he could emulate Diaz, especially when considering the gains he could make in Slot’s system, coached by a man who has raised talents like Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch, turned them into elite-level players.
Diaz’s haul for the Reds last season, after all, totalled 25 contributions, the same as Gordon in 2023/24.
He might have taken a step down somewhat last season, but injuries played their part there, and he demonstrated previously an ability to step up when his team needed him most, something Diaz did with such aplomb on Merseyside last year.
Anthony Gordon – Newcastle Stats by Position (23/24 & 24/25)
Position
Apps
Goals
Assists
Left winger
65
18
17
Right winger
10
1
6
Centre-forward
7
2
0
Attacking midfield
4
0
0
Data via Transfermarkt
He’s also positionally versatile in a similar manner to Diaz, strengthening the argument that he would be a fitting heir. While Gordon would expect to play in his favoured left-wing role, where he has described himself as being “a nightmare for anyone” he comes up against, he will expect to be fielded across various positions, as he has done at Newcastle.
Liverpool’s ability to adapt and overcome is a staple that runs deeper than Slot’s tenure, than Jurgen Klopp’s legendary dynasty. It’s woven into the club’s very fabric. It’s what makes Liverpool special.
Liverpool forward Luis Diaz
Gordon will know this, of course, for he is a boyhood fan and would leap at the chance to return. FSG have a big decision to make, but Diaz is approaching 30 and perhaps renewing his contract wouldn’t be the most prudent move, even if he is a high-level player.
Wirtz and Gakpo would help Gordon transition, and Slot’s coaching would indeed help the Three Lions talent bloom into something truly frightening.
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Who knows, maybe this time next year we’ll be celebrating more silverware at this special football club, with the new Luis Diaz having played an instrumental role in the success.
Slot's next Wirtz: Liverpool preparing ambitious bid for £69m "genius"
Liverpool are still planning to invest in the transfer market this summer.