Dominic King has been full of praise for Alex Iwobi’s performance as Everton won 1-0 at home to Chelsea in the Premier League this afternoon.
The Lowdown: Big win for Everton
It was a big win for the hosts at Goodison Park as they climbed to within two points of both Leeds United and Burnley in the table, courtesy of a goal from Richarlison in the early second half exchanges.
The Toffees still have a game in hand on their two relegation rivals as well, so their destiny is still in their hands.
The Latest: Iwobi hailed by King
Taking to Twitter, Daily Mail journalist King was especially pleased with Iwobi’s performance, claiming that the 25-year-old may have gone ‘under the radar’ given some huge saves that Jordan Pickford made in the second half.
King gushed: “It may go under the radar but the shift Alex Iwobi has put in needs highlighting. He’s a player Frank Lampard loves because of his attitude and determination to play wherever for the team. He hasn’t put a foot out of place, superb.”
The Verdict: Huge shift from Iwobi
Like the rest of the team, Iwobi put in a huge shift for Everton to ensure that they took all three points on Merseyside today.
The former Arsenal ace won four of his duels in total and also recorded one successful dribble, three clearances, one interception, two tackles, one key pass and three accurate long balls (SofaScore).
He had 47 touches of the ball in total, more than any of his team-mates, showing his bravery to get his team out of tight situations in what would have been much appreciated by Lampard and the supporters, as King pointed out.
In other news, find out what ‘very strange’ incident from today’s match left Adam Jones stunned
After a run of poor results, Chelsea got back to winning ways in the Premier League, overcoming Everton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
It is the first time since 22nd November that Enzo Maresca’s side have tasted victory in the top flight.
It only took the Blues 21 minutes before they went 1-0 up. On his first start at the Bridge since August, it was always going to be Cole Palmer who fired Chelsea into the lead.
It was a well-taken goal, too, with the England star making a well-timed underlapping run between the Everton defence and firing home past Jordan Pickford.
Chelsea had chances to double their lead, which they squandered. However, they did find the back of the net again on the stroke of half-time. It was Malo Gusto who got on the scoresheet this time, capping off an incisive counterattack by slotting home Pedro Neto’s cross.
It was a fantastic performance on the whole from the West Londoners. They shoot up to fourth in the Premier League, although most teams around them have a game in hand. Maresca will be hoping his side can build some momentum ahead of a busy few weeks.
There were a couple of real standouts for the Blues, and not just Palmer and Gusto…
Chelsea's best players vs Everton
It was inevitable, in many ways, that Palmer was going to have his say on this game. His first home start in months did not disappoint, with the Wythenshawe-born attacker proving why he is one of the Premier League’s most dangerous players.
It was a showing worthy of an 8/10 rating from Goal journalist Richie Mills. He said the Chelsea number 10 ‘showed good speed and a smart finish’, describing his performance as ‘a good day at the office’ in front of the home faithful.
The same could certainly be said for Gusto. He set Palmer up with a through ball that threaded the needle superbly, before getting on the score sheet himself for the second time in that famous Blue shirt.
Indeed, his stats from the game are superb. Gusto was constantly involved, having 81 touches, and completed 90% of his passes, as per Sofascore. Not only did the Frenchman create two chances, but he also made four ball recoveries and was impressive off the ball.
However, Palmer and Gusto were not the only two Chelsea players who stood out against Everton.
Chelsea duo look made for Mourinho
It was yet another clean sheet for the centre-back pairing of Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana. As a partnership, they have begun to string together some impressive performances and have become more than reliable for Maresca.
That was no different against the Toffees. They each received a 7/10 rating from Mills for their afternoon’s work. The journalist was full of compliments for the pair and said they are perhaps the ‘best centre-back pairing’ available to the Blues at the moment.
The stats from the game show just how well the pair, who earn a combined £250k per week, performed against the Toffees.
Some of the standouts included Fofana’s impressive 11 clearances and Cobham graduate Chalobah’s five successful duels out of seven.
Pass accuracy
97%
99%
Touches
84
83
Clearances
11
9
Ball recoveries
5
3
Duels won
6/15
5/7
Looking at the numbers in more detail, the West Londoners are unbeaten in their last seven games when the Frenchman and their academy graduate have started together.
Six of those games have been clean sheets.
Those numbers are superb and would certainly not look out of place in the era of Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese manager famously oversaw a team that conceded just 15 league goals in a single season in 2004/05 – still the best-ever record in the division.
With the performances that Chalobah and Fofana have put in this season, it certainly feels very Mourinho-era coded. The ex-Blues boss is a famously pragmatic coach, so he would no doubt appreciate a record like six clean sheets in seven games.
Indeed, it is helping Maesrca’s side, and the current Chelsea gaffer surely has his centre-back pairing locked in for the foreseeable future.
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It’s not even November yet, and Nottingham Forest have already gone through two managers in quick succession.
The ever enigmatic and controversial Evangelos Marinakis must have thought that results would instantly turn when ditching Nuno Espirito Santo for Ange Postecoglou, but after his disastrous 39 days at the helm pushed the Tricky Trees further into the relegation spaces in the Premier League, the former Tottenham Hotspur boss ended up being brutally dismissed.
Now, it’s Sean Dyche’s turn to come in and – hopefully – be a safe pair of hands at the City Ground, with a 2-0 victory over Porto on his managerial debut last time out in the Europa League instantly calming any jitters.
It’s the bread and butter of the Premier League that next awaits the ex-Burnley boss as a tough away trip to AFC Bournemouth beckons, with Oleksandr Zinchenko potentially being out injured for this journey to the South Coast, after hobbling off mid-week.
Even if he wasn’t in the treatment room, his starting spot might well have been at risk…
Why Zinchenko is likely to be dropped
It does sound as if the four-time Premier League title winner will be touch-and-go surrounding his availability right up until the teams are announced later today.
If there are any lingering doubts, Dyche won’t feel too uncomfortable in throwing Nicolo Savona into the first-team mix in his place, with the 22-year-old summer recruit from Juventus sticking out as a positive influence against Porto on Thursday night, when replacing the injury-stricken Ukrainian.
Ultimately, the number 37 would ensure a 2-0 win was secured against Porto, when a rare foray forward from the Italian would result in a penalty kick being given, which was then coolly dispatched to hand Dyche a debut win in the dug-out.
The former Juventus youngster will surely fancy his chances of retaining a first-team spot, therefore, with all 100% of his duels being successfully won, too, further showing off a defender that’s content at doing the dirty work, which Dyche, who is known to be an attritional manager in style, will love.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
To make matters worse for his ex-Manchester City counterpart, Zinchenko has already picked up three defeats donning Garibaldi Red from just six appearances, with his new manager also potentially preparing to axe this other Forest figure, even though the attacker in question impressed in the Europa League.
Dyche could ruthlessly drop "incredible" star
Although their Premier League form has fallen off a cliff, Forest have looked far more at home in European competitions this season, with a win and a draw collected from their opening three clashes in the Europa League.
They have Igor Jesus to also thank for that confidence-boosting win being secured against Porto, with the Brazilian now up to three goals exclusively in this competition for his new employers, on top of also collecting a brace in the EFL Cup when Postecoglou was still around.
Games played
7
Minutes played
146 mins
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
However, despite Jesus living up to his billing as an “incredible” finisher of chances – that was once handed to him by journalist Zach Lowy – up against the likes of the Portuguese giants, he remains without a goal in the Premier League, with Dyche perhaps wary that the number 19 could fold in front of goal again if he’s retained for the away day at the Cherries.
In Jesus’ defence, he is yet to be handed a start in the daunting division, but after hitting the woodwork against Chelsea from a 45-minute cameo, which also saw him win just one duel, Dyche might well opt to start Taiwo Awoniyi in his place instead, who at least has 17 Premier League goals next to his name, away from being frozen out of the side under previous regimes.
In an even more ideal reality, the 54-year-old could have Chris Wood back available for this tie on the South Coast – having sat out the clash versus Porto through injury – with the New Zealand workhorse already amassing 53 goals under Dyche’s watchful eye when the pair were together at Burnley, per Transfermarkt.
It does look like a bold call from the outside looking in, considering Jesus ensured Dyche’s start at Forest was a victorious one. But, with his ropey Premier League record to date, and other options at the Forest boss’ disposal who could cause Bournemouth more issues, the South American might well drop out of the XI alongside Zinchenko.
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The Forest boss is looking to strengthen his forward line.
West Ham United are reportedly making transfer plans for January in an effort to back new manager Nuno Espírito Santo, and a former Barcelona forward is said to be on their radar heading into the winter.
West Ham make transfer plans for January to back Nuno
West Ham remain without their first win under Nuno’s tenure after drawing away to Everton and tasting defeat at the hands of Premier League title-chasers Arsenal, but there have been small signs of improvement.
Arsenal are the division’s in-form team right now and getting a result there was always going to be a tall order for Nuno, despite West Ham winning two of their previous two Premier League games at the Emirates.
There is little to go on so far, but you can make a case that West Ham look slightly less vulnerable than under Graham Potter already.
Sunderland 3-0 West Ham
West Ham 1-5 Chelsea
Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham
West Ham 0-3 Tottenham
West Ham 1-2 Crystal Palace
Everton 1-1 West Ham
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
David Sullivan and the Hammers hierarchy, thanks largely to vice-chairman Karren Brady, who pushed for Nuno (Alex Crook), handed the Portuguese a three-year contract in a public statement of backing for West Ham’s new head coach.
Sullivan was in favour of re-appointing Slaven Bilic on a short-term interim contract, but with Nuno given a long-term show of faith instead, reports suggest that West Ham are prepared to back him with new recruits in January.
The consensus thus far is that the Irons are looking at attacking options, with AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic, Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini, Galatasaray’s Baris Yilmaz and Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee all mentioned as potential West Ham transfer targets.
It is crystal clear why they’re considering a new forward too.
Only Nottingham Forest and bottom side Wolves have scored fewer league goals than West Ham so far, and on the basis of overall play, they’re in dire need of creativity.
Adama Traoré could decide to join West Ham after Nuno's arrival
Former Barcelona and Wolves forward Adama Traoré, who worked with Nuno to great effect at Molineux, is now being linked with a move to the London Stadium after his former manager’s move there.
The Spain international, now at Fulham, has played a bit-part role under Marco Silva so far this season and could leave for free at the end of this season when his contract expires.
Despite being a regular last season, racking up nine assists in 41 appearances across all competitions, Fulham may well be open to cashing in on Traore when the winter window opens.
Speaking to Football Insider, former West Ham employee and scout Mick Brown has said that Traore could choose to reunite with Nuno in East London.
The 29-year-old’s flashes of quality were at their most consistent under Nuno, and Premier League managers have often piled praise on Traore as a very difficult player to deal with.
Klopp praised Traore yet again soon after that message, calling the winger’s speed “undefendable” at times.
Nuno Espirito Santo is in the new manager at West Ham United and the Irons are already eyeing his first potential signing as they look to make improvements come the January window.
Nuno sets out his stall at West Ham Utd
Graham Potter was relieved of his duties by West Ham on Saturday after a poor run of results at the London Stadium, leading to the Hammers acting swiftly to appoint Nuno after his departure from Nottingham Forest.
Availability as an unattached manager and Karren Brady’s desire to see the Portuguese boss take the reins meant he was always the outstanding candidate, albeit his exploits at the City Ground last term shouldn’t go under the radar.
Speaking after his appointment, the former Spurs boss has vowed to try and build a sense of unity among the players, supporters and management staff, claiming that his arrival will be a chance to press the reset button.
He said in his inaugural press conference: “Now it’s a new beginning for everybody. It’s a new process that we really have to know, and we find out who we are and what we want to be. First of all, we have to realise who we are, and then we can create an identity. But first of all, we have to know each other really, really well.
“The supporters are very important, very important. That’s why I truly believe what we want to achieve is a platform. Now is not the moment to ask the fans. Now is the moment to deliver to the fans. When we have this bond, when other teams come to play against us, it’s going to be hell. But we have to achieve this bond first.”
While Paul Merson has voiced his opposition to West Ham appointing Nuno, he was probably the best and most sensible option available, and he could now be set to ramp up efforts to secure his first signing.
West Ham eyeing Juventus star Manuel Locatelli
According to Mark Brus in his Daily Briefing, West Ham are eyeing a January move for Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli, who may be available for £35 million if the Serie A giants decide to cash in on his services.
Chelsea, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen are also mooted as suitors, albeit the Old Lady would prefer not to lose the engine room operator if they manage to have it their own way.
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Labelled “exemplary” by Massimiliano Allegri, Locatelli has made five appearances this term and possesses the calibre necessary to make an impact in the Premier League.
The Hammers have struggled for inspiration of late and lack leadership in what has been a difficult period on and off the pitch. However, Nuno’s appointment offers a clean slate, and some high-profile signings would improve the mood at the London Stadium.
The transfer window is really heating up at Rangers.
On Wednesday, the Light Blues signed not one but two new players, with Joe Rothwell and Emmanuel Fernandez both arriving, the latter for a reported fee of £3.5m.
So, with the start of Champions League qualifying now less than three weeks away, Russell Martin’s mass overhaul of the squad he has inherited continues, with more new signings seemingly set to follow soon.
Rangers looking to bolster their back line
This Rangers squad requires a lot of surgery this summer, and this is no more so the case than in defence.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Leon Balogun has departed, joining Aris Limassol on a free transfer, while Robin Pröpper appears set to return to FC Twente too.
Meanwhile, Max Aarons has arrived on loan from Bournemouth, with Fernandez now signing too, but Martin is certainly still seeking to improve his defensive options.
Southampton manager Russell Martin.
Well, as reported by Anthony Joseph of Sky Sports News, Rangers are “in talks” with Wolverhampton Wanderers as they aim to sign Nasser Djiga on a season-long loan.
This would be a straight loan, with no option or obligation to buy, for the Burkina Faso international, who only joined Wolves from Crvena zvezda for a reported fee of £10m as recently as February.
The 22 year old made just six appearances in old gold following his arrival, his sole Premier League start coming at Crystal Palace in May, when Vítor Pereira made wholesale changes, with David Irvine of the Glasgow Times noting that Wolves are keen on this loan move to Ibrox so that he can ‘gain experience’ of British football.
Thus, could Djiga be a transformational addition for Rangers?
How Nasser Djiga will improve Rangers
The young defender is certainly highly-rated, described by Serbian Football Scout as a “duel monster” who reads the game well, but is also capable of a “last-ditch tackle” when required.
Nasser DjigaNasser Djiga
Meantime, writer Kai Watson believes he is the “ideal” centre-back for Martin’s possession-oriented style, labelling him a “strong passer” who possesses a “good understanding” of defensive play.
Before moving to Wolves, he caught the eye representing Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League, helping them dump out Bodø/Glimt in the play-off round, before also enjoying league phase victories over Stuttgart and Young Boys, so let’s take a look at his statistics.
Minutes
720
1st
Completed passes
322
1st
Progressive passes
33
4th
Pass completion %
89.4%
3rd
Tackles
10
5th
% of dribblers tackled
100%
1st
Interceptions
4
5th
Blocks
7
4th
Clearances
27
2nd
Ball recoveries
28
4th
Touches
433
3rd
As the table outlines, Djiga ranks very highly in the Champions League for all statistics included, when compared to his former teammates, doing so at a very high level, considering Crvena zvezda came up against Barcelona, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Benfica, PSV, Monaco and others during the league phase.
The centre-back’s defensive metrics are universally impressive but, more notably, so are his in-possession statistics, which will make him the perfect fit for a Martin team.
So, why will he be a more impactful signing than Aarons?
Well, in short, it’s due to what Rangers really need.
Aarons has presumably joined Rangers to play regularly, having seen just 338 minutes of action last season at Bournemouth and then Valencia, which raises serious question marks over current right-back and captain James Tavernier’s future.
Meantime, the Light Blues are desperate for central defensive reinforcements, with John Souttar and new arrival Fernandez currently the only options available to face Panathinaikos in a pivotal Champions League qualifier in just 19 days’ time.
So, while Djiga is clearly a high-potential player, he is also one that Rangers desperately require, making him a welcome and much-needed addition for Martin.
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Tottenham Hotspur have a huge season ahead of them if they are to right the wrongs of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, which saw them finish in a measly 17th place.
Ange Postecoglou may have ended their near-two-decade wait for a trophy, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to keep his job, with owner Daniel Levy handing the Aussie his marching orders.
The subsequent responsibility now falls into the hands of Thomas Frank, after the Dane moved to North London after spending nearly seven years in charge at Brentford.
Within his first interview since taking the reins, the 51-year-old stated the importance of building on their European success, aiming to transform the club into serial winners during his tenure.
However, if he is to achieve his ambitions, he will need backing from Levy in the transfer market, with key work already seemingly taking place behind the scenes.
The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer
In recent days, it’s emerged that Spurs are preparing a £50m bid for West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus, as Frank evidently wants to improve the options within the final third.
He’s not the only Premier League talent currently on their radar this summer, with Brentford star Yoane Wissa also an option, potentially following the Dane in making the switch to North London.
However, another new name has been touted with a move to the club, in the form of OGC Nice star Evann Guessand, that’s according to TBR Football’s latest report.
They claim that the Lilywhites have made contact with the Ligue 1 outfit over a potential move for the 23-year-old forward, who netted 13 goals across all competitions this campaign.
It also states that the Ivorian international is keen on a move to England this window, with Leeds United, Crystal Palace and Brighton all pursuing a move for his signature.
Why Spurs’ latest target would be a better signing than Mbeumo
As a result of Frank’s appointment, striker Wissa hasn’t been the only talent touted with a move to follow his former boss, with winger Bryan Mbeumo another Bees star on Spurs’ radar.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
The 25-year-old has been a key player in 2024/25, often causing numerous sides endless trouble, as seen in his tally of 20 league goals – with one of his efforts coming against the Lilywhites.
However, such form hasn’t gone unnoticed, leading to Manchester United also making a beeline for his signature, currently leading the race for the Cameroonian’s signature.
His desire to move to Old Trafford this summer has seen other targets being considered, with Kudus appearing as the main alternative to Mbeumo this window.
Despite such interest in the Hammers star, Guessand has also emerged as a key target, with the forward’s versatility a huge factor in any potential deal.
Evann Guessand in action for Nice in Ligue 1.
He can operate off either flank, as a central striker or even slightly deeper in a number ten role, offering Frank a viable option in numerous areas – something which Mbeumo would be unable to provide.
He’s also managed to outperform the Brentford star in numerous key areas for an attacker, whilst likely to cost a hefty whack less in the process, subsequently making him a better addition.
Games played
33
38
Goals & assists
20
27
Shot-on-target accuracy
44%
43%
Pass accuracy
73%
66%
Passes into final third
1.8
1.6
Take-on success
48%
46%
Aerials won
42%
31%
Guessand, who’s been labelled “one of the best young attackers” by one writer at The Athletic, may have registered fewer goals this campaign, but has matched the Bees star in goals per shots on target, showcasing he has the clinical nature needed in attacking areas.
He’s actually managed to direct more of his efforts on target than Frank’s former star boy, taking advantage of more opportunities that fall his way, demonstrating his ability to find the net when needed.
However, the Nice ace has also managed to complete more passes into the final third and complete more take-ons, having the skillset to offer players around him the chance to better their own goalscoring tallies.
Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal for the 23-year-old would cost this summer, it’s clear that he would be a sensational option for Spurs this summer, likely being a cheaper option than Mbeumo.
Despite Guessand being a cheaper option, it doesn’t take away from the talent he possesses, having the opportunity to play a key role in the club’s revival should he move to North London this summer.
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Celtic players are slowly starting to filter back in for pre-season, and they could be joined by yet another new addition sooner rather than later, according to reports.
Celtic's transfer state of play with pre-season already underway
Several Celtic stars were spotted being put through their paces at Lennoxtown earlier this week, and it is anticipated that the bulk of the main group will join before long, but who could accompany them from elsewhere over the coming weeks?
Kieran Tierney, Ross Doohan and Benjamin Nygren have already been announced. Fulham youngster Callum Osmand is set to follow the trio to Celtic and has already been spotted at their training base before being officially confirmed as a new asset.
With Greg Taylor out of contract and set to depart, Djurgarden left-back Keita Kosugi is the latest name on the Bhoys’ radar as they plot a replacement for the Scotland international.
Despite some swift moves to bolster their pool of talent, Chris Sutton believes Celtic should be doing more in the transfer market with the Champions League qualifiers around the corner.
He explained: “Unless Celtic are going to start paying silly money, I’d imagine they may have to wait, perhaps even until the end of the window, for some of the key targets.
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“But it still feels a little lacking to me at this precise point of proceedings and, at the very least, Rodgers will surely want the majority in his squad for the start of the domestic season.”
Managers will never be content with that they’ve got, there will always be an appetite for as many useful options as possible to offer cover across the pitch.
Either way, Sutton’s wish could now have been granted as Celtic are now on the brink of bringing in a talented central defender.
Celtic set to land Hayato Inamura with medical scheduled
According to Sponichi, Celtic are set to land defender Hayato Inamura from Albirex Niigata, and he will travel to Europe to undergo a medical before signing on the dotted line at Parkhead.
The 23-year-old took on his final fixture in current club colours against Machida Zelvia this weekend, and is set to become the ninth Japanese player to join the Hoops once his move is ratified.
Hayato Inamura’s record at Albirex Niigata
Appearances
35
Goals
1
Assists
2
Predominantly a central defender, Inamura is also capable of featuring at left-back and has two years left on his current deal at the Denka Big Swan Stadium. He is considered an impressive talent back home, evidenced by the fact he shares an agent with two of Japan’s top stars in Europe – £20m Arsenal man Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mainz star Kaishū Sano.
Enjoying a productive J League campaign, the Tokyo-born man has won 63 duels and 75% of his tackles and would likely arrive in Glasgow for a nominal fee, although the specifics on that front haven’t yet been confirmed.
Either way, Celtic appear primed to venture back into a market that has been a happy hunting ground in recent years, so there is every chance Inamura will become a shrewd addition with plenty of potential to develop.
Leeds United are now reportedly pushing to sign a midfield star after already announcing the arrival of Lukas Nmecha and reportedly agreeing a deal to sign Udinese’s Jaka Bijol.
Leeds set to sign Bijol after Nmecha
Following a quiet few weeks, Leeds’ summer transfer window has suddenly burst into life. First through the door has been Nmecha on a free transfer from Wolfsburg. The Manchester City graduate has returned to English football for the first time since leaving the Citizens and will be on the hunt to finally make his mark on Premier League football.
Set to join the forward at Elland Road is Bijol. The central defender enjoyed a solid season in Serie A with Udinese and is now reportedly set to join the Whites in a deal worth €22m (£19m).
The 49ers have wasted little time on the transfer front and they may just be getting started. Like Burnley and Sunderland, Leeds will be well aware of the importance of getting things right in the transfer window if they are to stand any chance of avoiding instant relegation back to the Championship.
All three sides will be desperate to end a worrying trend which has seen all of the last six promoted sides suffer instant relegation from the Premier League. Having so far backed Daniel Farke and his side, however, it seems as though the 49ers are particularly ready to interrupt that trend.
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Only adding to that belief, the American owners have already reportedly turned their attention towards another summer target after Nmecha and Bijol.
Leeds pushing to sign Noah Sadiki with £8.5m bid
Noah Sadiki has been a name at the centre of headlines this week. According to Sacha Tavolieri, Leeds have submitted an initial offer worth €10m (£8.5m) to sign Sadiki and have made contact with Union Saint-Gilloise about a potential deal.
In a contrasting report, however, reporter Joe Donnohue has claimed that a bid is yet to take place, but Sadiki is a name on Leeds’ radar this summer. Tavolieri, who reports for Sky Sports, has insisted that an offer has been made to only add to the headlines and belief that the 20-year-old midfielder could be on his way to Elland Road sooner or later.
Praised for an “excellent” performance against Ajax by U23 scout Antonio Mango last season, Sadiki is certainly one to watch this summer. Whether Leeds reported move is successful remains to be seen, however.
Glasgow Rangers appear to be closing in on their next head coach as Russell Martin is being heavily touted with a move to Ibrox ahead of next season.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that the Scottish manager has accepted the project in Glasgow and is ready to join the Light Blues this summer.
Martin, who had a loan spell at Ibrox in the second half of the 2017/18 campaign, has been out of work since he was relieved of his duties by Premier League side Southampton at the end of 2024.
Whilst supporters may be concerned by his sacking in the top-flight in England, the ex-Norwich City centre-back also did a lot of good work in the Championship with the Saints, and has been backed to be a success by a former teammate.
As you can see in the clip above, Steven Naismith believes that Martin would bring a clear style of play to Ibrox that has been lacking with recent managerial appointments.
The style of play Russell Martin could bring to Rangers
If you look at the way his Southampton team played in the Championship, as a team expected to challenge at the top of the table, you can get an idea of how his Rangers team could look in the Scottish Premiership.
He coached a ball-dominant team that constantly wanted to control the game whilst also being progressive and creative in possession, rather than just having possession for the sake of having possession.
Martin wants his side to play with a purpose – to create chances and score goals – and his Southampton team did that effectively in the Championship in the 2023/24 campaign.
Pass accuracy
87.7%
1st
Passes into the penalty area
594
1st
Progressive passes
2556
1st
Shot-creating actions
1255
1st
xG
79.8
2nd
Points per game
1.89
4th
As you can see in the table above, the Saints ranked first in the league for progressive passes and passes into the penalty area, which shows how forward-thinking and incisive they were with the ball.
Southampton typically started matches in a 4-3-3 formation in that campaign, often with one winger who can drift infield to form a front two with the striker and one more traditional wide man on the other side.
This means that Rangers, should they go through with appointing Martin, should look to recruit players who would suit his ball-dominant and positionally flexible system in the summer transfer window.
With this in mind, the 49ers could land the Scottish head coach a dream first signing at Ibrox by swooping for a Leeds United star who has been linked with a move to Glasgow.
The Leeds star Rangers have been linked with
Earlier this month, TEAMtalk reported that Rangers have emerged as a potential suitor for Leeds forward Largie Ramazani ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The outlet claimed that the Premiership giants are ‘monitoring’ his situation at Elland Road, a year on from his £10m move from Almeria to England.
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It stated that Ramazani aligns with how the club want to recruit talent in the transfer market, as they are looking for young and dynamic players who can thrive in the Premiership and European competitions.
However, it remains to be seen whether or not the £10m-rated forward will be available for a move this summer because Daniel Farke is yet to make a final decision on his future in West Yorkshire.
Largie Ramazani
The 49ers and sporting director Kevin Thelwell should, though, push hard to agree a deal for the Belgian forward because he would be a dream first signing for Martin at Ibrox, should he be appointed in the coming days or weeks.
Why Largie Ramazani would be a dream signing for Russell Martin
As aforementioned, the Scottish coach’s Southampton team typically had a traditional, direct, winger on the left and more of a central player on the right in the Championship.
Ramazani would be a perfect fit for Rangers on the left in Martin’s system as a natural wide player who likes to take players on and make things happen in the final third, using his dribbling and pace to cause opposition teams problems.
In fact, talent scout Jacek Kulig once described him as a “mini Vinicius”, referring to Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, because of his “electric” and “explosive” play style, and the fact that they are both nimble and dynamic right-footed left wingers.
Whilst he may not have racked up 21 goals and 15 assists like Vinicius Jr did for Real in the 2024/25 campaign, Ramazani’s form in limited minutes for Leeds suggests that the potential is there for him to be an exciting addition for the Gers.
Non-penalty xG
0.53
Top 1%
Non-penalty goals
0.68
Top 1%
Assists
0.23
Top 18%
Non-penalty xG + Expected Assisted Goals
0.69
Top 1%
Progressive passes
4.29
Top 18%
Progressive carries
4.63
Top 8%
As you can see in the table above, the 24-year-old attacker ranked highly among his positional peers in the league for scoring and creating goals, whilst also progressing the ball consistently through carries and passes.
This suggests that he would be an ideal fit for Martin’s system, which requires players to constantly progress the play, whilst also having the quality in the final third to be a difference-maker in matches.
Ramazani ended the season with six goals and two assists in the division, despite starting just seven of his 29 appearances, which shows that he can be productive in front of goal.
Now, imagine the Belgian winger in a Rangers team managed by Martin that could consistently create chances for him to score, whilst starting week-in-week-out.
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Ramazani would be a dream first signing for both Martin and the 49ers because of the potential he has to be a game-changing addition on the wing, whilst also suiting the potential new manager’s style of play perfectly.