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Leeds United were given a reality check on Saturday when they were hammered 5-0 by Arsenal at The Emirates in their first away game of the Premier League season.

The Whites beat Everton 1-0 at Elland Road on the opening day of the season, lifting the mood instantly, but were brought crashing back down to earth against the Gunners.

During the Sky Sports commentary of the clash with Arsenal, Gary Neville noted that the starting front three for Leeds needed everything to be “perfect” for them to make an impact, due to their lack of physicality.

That front three included Dan James, Joel Piroe, and Wilfried Gnonto, who were all key players in the Championship title-winning campaign last term. The Premier League is a different beast to the Championship, as Neville explained, and Daniel Farke needs more physicality in his frontline.

Leeds will be well aware that they will not be able to be in control in matches as much as they were in the second tier, which means that they will have to do a lot more scrapping and fighting to earn points at this level.

That is why the 2024/25 Championship top goalscorer, Piroe, may eventually find himself watching on from the sidelines more often than not.

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To his credit, Farke has tried to remain fairly faithful to the players who got the club to the Premier League in the first two matches, starting the Dutch striker in both games ahead of Lukas Nmecha.

Unfortunately, however, Piroe’s lack of physicality has already been very apparent. The striker has lost ten of his 11 duels in the top-flight so far, per Sofascore, which shows that oppostion centre-backs have found it far too easy to get the better of him in physical battles.

This is not a new concern over the former Swansea City marksman, though, as the left-footed centre-forward struggled with the physicality of the Championship at times in the 2024/25 campaign as well.

Dribble success rate

31.8%

Bottom 27%

Successful dribbles

0.41

Bottom 35%

Fouls won

0.44

Bottom 9%

Duels won

2.24

Bottom 3%

Duel success rate

26.9%

Bottom 10%

Aerial duels won

0.90

Bottom 12%

Aerial duel success rate

21.4%

Bottom 17%

As you can see in the table above, Piroe ranked very poorly among his positional peers in a host of physically-based metrics, which is why his start to the Premier League season has not been a surprise.

Leeds were a dominant team that did not need to scrap for second balls and constantly engage in duels in the Championship, which allowed the striker to simply focus on tucking away chances, which he did very well.

Piroe scored 19 goals for Leeds last season, per Sofascore, but his lack of physicality may prevent him from making a similar impact in the Premier League.

Leeds make contact to sign LaLiga star

That is why a fresh report linking the Championship champions with interest in a physical forward should come as very bad news to the current Whites striker.

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According to AS, as relayed by Sport Witness, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs to have made an approach to Getafe over a potential deal to sign Christantus Uche this summer.

The report claims that the Whites have made contact with the Spanish side to register their interest in the versatile attacker, but they have not formalised their interest with an offer as of yet.

It adds that Sunderland, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Burnley have also made contact with Getafe in pursuit of a possible deal for the Nigeria international.

AS also reveals that Getafe are preparing to cash in on Uche to improve the club’s finances and have currently set an asking price of around £17m, but it remains to be seen whether or not any of the four mentioned clubs are prepared to pay that much for him.

Why this is bad news for Joel Piroe

As aforementioned, Piroe’s lack of physicality appears to be an issue for him, and the team, in the Premier League, and it could cost him his place in the starting XI.

The club’s reported interest in signing Uche is, perhaps, a sign that Farke recognises the need for more physicality at the top end of the pitch, because the Getafe star is an incredibly physical attacker.

In fact, the Nigerian star has played 31 times as a central or defensive midfielder in his career, per Transfermarkt, and U23 scout Antonio Mango claimed that he could be developed into a “midfield monster”.

Whilst, due to his experience and potential to play in that role, Farke could utilise Uche in the middle of the park, the 22-year-old played as a striker for Jose Bordalas against Celta Vigo on the opening day of the LaLiga season.

Uche scored and grabbed an assist in a 2-0 win for Getafe away at Celta Vigo, and the clip above shows how the attacker used his mobility and strength to find the back of the net.

Appearances

33

1

xG

3.73

1.01

Goals

4

1

Big chances created

7

1

Assists

6

1

Duels won per game

6.8

9.0

Aerial duel success rate

42%

75%

As you can see in the table above, the £17m-rated forward also showcased his physicality in LaLiga last season, winning 6.8 duels per game on average, compared to Piroe’s 2.24 in the Championship.

Whilst, perhaps because of his outings in midfield as well as up front, Uche is not a prolific goalscorer who is likely to go and score 15 or 20 goals in the Premier League, the Getafe star could be the physical outlet that Leeds are currently lacking.

Having a ‘monster’ like Uche to hold the ball up, win flick-ons, and compete with Premier League centre-backs in duels could help the Whites in tight games where they will not be in complete control of the ball.

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Not just Gruev: Farke must drop 4/10 Leeds star who lost 100% duels

Daniel Farke should ruthlessly drop this Leeds flop as well as Ilia Gruev for the next Premier League game.

ByDan Emery Aug 24, 2025

This is why the club’s interest in the forward is bad news for Piroe, because the 22-year-old star is the profile of player who could send the Dutchman down to the bench.

He will also take the gloves ahead of Phil Salt – who will open with Ben Duckett – and Jos Buttler

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Feb-2025

Jamie Smith will have a new role in his first ever match at an ICC event•Getty Images

Jamie Smith will bat at No. 3 for the first time in his ODI career and keep wicket for England in their Champions Trophy opener against Australia in Lahore on Saturday.Joe Root has been England’s first-choice No. 3 for the best part of a decade, but slid down to No. 4 in the final match of their recent ODI series in India – which they lost 3-0 – and will retain that role against Australia. Smith has only batted at No. 5 or 6 in his seven-match ODI career to date, but will be thrown into a new role in his first match at an ICC event.England struggled to balance their side after Jacob Bethell’s injury in India, looking one batter light in the second ODI and short on bowling in the third. They have retained their batting-heavy balance for the start of the Champions Trophy, with Liam Livingstone carded at No. 7, which means that Livingstone and Root will have to share 10 overs between them.Related

Onus on Head to ignite Australia's Champions Trophy campaign

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Root has batted at No. 4 in 56 of his 163 ODIs innings, but the vast majority were in the early years of his international career. The decision to bat Smith at No. 3 means that England’s engine room of Root, Harry Brook and Jos Buttler will bat from No. 4-6 rather than No. 3-5, bolstering their middle order after a series of collapses in India.Smith only played two of England’s eight games on their white-ball tour to India after sustaining a calf injury which ruled him out of the end of the T20I series and all three ODIs. But he has been declared fit to face Australia, and will take the gloves ahead of Phil Salt – who will open with Ben Duckett – and Buttler.Brydon Carse has also been passed fit after a toe injury ruled him out of the second and third India ODIs, and has been picked ahead of Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton and Saqib Mahmood. He will bat at No. 8 and is England’s third seamer, with Jofra Archer and Mark Wood set to share the new ball.Australia’s Champions Trophy squad has been depleted by the late withdrawals of five senior players: Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh (all injured), plus Marcus Stoinis (retired from ODIs) and Mitchell Starc (personal reasons). The two sides last met in the format at the end of the 2024 English summer, with Australia winning the series 3-2.England XI vs Australia: 1 Phil Salt, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Jamie Smith (wk), 4 Joe Root, 5 Harry Brook, 6 Jos Buttler, 7 Liam Livingstone, 8 Brydon Carse, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark Wood.

Duckett gave Stars hope with 67 off 49 balls in big chase but lacked support

Tristan Lavalette28-Dec-2024

Sam Billings’ half-century rebuilt for Sydney Thunder•Getty Images

Sam Billings smashed a half-century after capitalising on a bizarre non-appeal on a run out as Sydney Thunder beat hapless Melbourne Stars by 18 runs in Canberra.After Thunder were sent in on a flat Manuka Oval surface, Billings top-scored with 72 off 39 balls having on 16 survived a run out when Stars failed to appeal.Chasing 183, in-form opener Ben Duckett gave Stars hope with 67 off 49 balls but he lacked support as they slumped to a 0-5 record with their finals chances almost over.Fresh after a week off, Thunder (2-1) were sharp in the field while quick Wes Agar led a disciplined attack with three wickets.Warner again can’t fire, Billings makes Stars payWith Sam Konstas taking centre stage at the MCG, Thunder reshuffled their batting order with Cameron Bancroft moving up from No.3 to partner David Warner in a reunion for the former Test openers.Warner has brought plenty of energy since taking Thunder’s leadership reins, but had yet to fire with the bat. He looked in a determined mood with a second-ball boundary and his placement through the offside was a feature.Warner ran hard between the wickets and looked to rattle the bowlers with inventive strokes. His best was a switch-hit for six off allrounder Beau Webster as he added 41 runs with Bancroft, who made an unbeaten 70 against Sydney Sixers.But Warner was clean bowled by Webster to trigger a Thunder collapse before Billings and Jason Sangha steadied Thunder’s innings with a 60-run partnership.Billings received a major reprieve in the 13th over when he was short of his ground at the non-striker’s end after a direct throw from Joel Paris hit the stumps, but Stars did not appeal.”You’re kidding me…sounds about right,” grinned Glenn Maxwell when he found out while speaking on the broadcast.Billings cashed in and added 56 off 23 runs. He targeted the quicks down the ground, while he reverse swept legspinner Usama Mir for three consecutive boundaries.Billings powered to a half-century off just 29 balls but couldn’t stay at the crease in the death overs after he chopped a slower ball from quick Peter Siddle onto his stumps.”I actually did,” laughed Billings after he was asked on the broadcast if he knew he was out.Ben Duckett’s knock wen in vain for Melbourne Stars•Getty Images

Usama redeems himselfStars’ spirit sank in the fourth over when Usama dropped Bancroft on 19 at short third after he lost his footing.Usama was brought on in the sixth over and redeemed himself by bowling Bancroft with a quicker delivery. He deceived Ollie Davies on the next delivery by slowing his speed as he held onto a sharp return catch to his right before setting off in celebration.Usama was unable to claim a hat-trick and things got harder for him later in the innings amid an onslaught from Billings. Webster claimed three wickets after his release from Australia’s Test squad, but veteran quicks Siddle and Joel Paris were Stars’ most reliable bowlers as they cleverly mixed up their speeds.Sangha suffers injury after picking up MaxwellWarner’s aggressive captaincy paid major dividends after he called upon Sangha’s handy legspin in the ninth over of Stars’ chase with Maxwell fresh to the crease. Warner had been egging on Maxwell, who couldn’t contain himself and mistimed a slog to short fine leg.A cackling Warner was overjoyed as Thunder celebrated with gusto, but Sangha emerged gingerly and in discomfort with a bicep injury. He bowled two more deliveries before leaving the field and he threw his cap in frustration as he entered the changerooms.Sangha suffered a bicep strain last month while bowling in the One-Day Cup as he faces a nervous wait on the severity of his latest injury.Duckett again delivers in vainAfter smashing 68 runs off 29 against Sixers, all eyes were on Duckett who single-handedly kept Stars on track. He had an early reprieve when a thin under edge off allrounder Daniel Sams was dropped by Billings behind the stumps in a low chance.Duckett made them pay as he looked a class above his team-mates. He batted calmly and mostly in orthodox fashion to reach his half-century off 37 balls.But Duckett finally fell to Sams as Stars’ chase ran out of puff despite some late hitting from Webster.

Benfica presidential candidate Joao Noronha Lopes has revealed his ambitious plan to bring Bernardo Silva back to his boyhood club from Manchester City. Speaking ahead of elections later this year, Lopes claimed that a contract is already 'waiting' for the Portuguese star, who is under contract at the Etihad until 2026. He hopes to convince City to part ways with the midfielder as early as January.

• Benfica presidential candidate promises Silva return if elected
• Contract 'waiting' for Man City midfielder, says Noronha Lopes
• January move targeted, however, summer arrival also possible

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Lopes, who is running for Benfica’s presidency, which is set to take place on October 25, has made Silva’s return to As Águias a central part of his campaign. He outlined plans to negotiate with Manchester City for a January move, though a summer arrival is also on the table with Silva's contract set to run out in 2026.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT LOPES SAID

  Speaking to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Lopes said: "Yes, I can confirm that a contract is waiting for Bernardo Silva. And I really want to bring him in in January. He embodies everything I want for Benfica: identity, a winning culture, and he's a true Benfica fan. And I can assure you that we won't stop here."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Silva, now 31, came through Benfica’s academy before moving abroad in 2014. The midfielder has long been linked with a return to Lisbon, where he remains a beloved figure among Benfica supporters. Despite signing a new contract at Manchester City in 2023, speculation over his future has continued. Lopes’ pledge could be a powerful campaign tool, though convincing City over a mid-season transfer may not be easy.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR SILVA?

  Benfica’s presidential elections take place on October 25, and Lopes’ promise could sway voters eager to see Silva return. If elected, negotiations with Manchester City would likely begin immediately. Whether in January or the summer, Silva’s next chapter could well be back where his career began.

The former Love Island star is still wearing her wedding ring but admits footballer husband Bradley Dack has been upset by recent photos of her with Pete Wicks.

Attwood married to footballer DackRelationship has been in the spotlightTV star still wearing wedding ringFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Attwood's private life has been in the spotlight after she was spotted cosying up to former TOWIE star Pete Wicks in Ibiza recently. The Loose Women star, who married footballer Bradley Dack back in 2023, was spotted reuniting with Wicks again at the weekend in London but was still wearing her wedding ring, as reported by the .

AdvertisementWHAT ATTWOOD HAS SAID

This is not the first time that Attwood and Dack's relationship has been in the spotlight and she has opened up on her marriage struggles in an interview with the Mail. She said: "Me and Brad never pretend to have a perfect relationship, we have been up, down, left, backwards, and the last six months have been really challenging for us.' My work and his work take precedence over everything, we have to navigate our relationship all the time. It's the boring side of being an adult in a long-term relationship, we constantly have to work at it and that's just the truth. No one else really wants to say that part out loud but it is difficult at times. It's great to post a picture on Instagram but we're transparent people and it's not always like that, there are ups and downs, there are things on his side which haven't been great, there's a mix of things. I have f***ed up and done stuff, Brad has f***ed up. It's really easy to pretend you're perfect but no one is if you just dig a little deeper."

THE GOSSIP

Attwood has also admitted her husband was upset at seeing cosy pictures of her in Ibiza with Pete Wicks. She said: "I get why Brad didn't like it, we were all on the boat, drinking and hugging each other and being best friends, it was family vibes. But if it was the other way around, of course I wouldn't like it either, me and Brad are very similar people, we were drawn together because we're both quite out there personality-wise, we know how to have fun. But I completely understand why he was a bit miffed but it was never as deep as anyone made out. People were like, oh my God, they're getting a divorce because Pete hugged her but that's not the case. Also, Pete is hugging me, I was just there! It was just a holiday to Ibiza, who knew it would cause so much trouble? I was there with KISS, which is why Pete was there and we were hosting for them, we hosted an O beach event and a couple of my pals joined and we had a few extra days."

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Getty Images EntertainmentWHAT NEXT?

Attwood says the couple are now trying to "spend more time together" but admits it's a challenge due to their busy schedules. Dack is currently preparing for a League Two clash with Notts County on Saturday, while Attwood has built a successful TV career after originally finding fame on Love Island.

The PCB believes any notions of a UK blackout are alarmist and remain confident a deal will be reached

Danyal Rasool24-Aug-2024The PCB, as well as cricket fans in England, continues to wait for a deal to secure television broadcast rights for Pakistan’s home series against England in October. In a market where the appetite for bilateral cricket is drying up, a PCB official acknowledged to ESPNcricinfo that the initial reserve price put out for the series was excessive, and tha it failed to draw broadcasters to enter negotiations was unsurprising.While the reported on Thursday that and have shown little interest in picking up the rights, the PCB believes any notions of a UK blackout are alarmist and remain confident a deal will be reached. Privately though, officials at a broadcast company that ESPNcricinfo spoke to suggested there remain questions about whether the board’s methods of secure broadcasting rights are helping the monetary potential of these deals being realised.The PCB was compelled to accept a valuation of more than a billion Pakistan rupees less than its reserve price for domestic rights for home series from August 2024 to December 2026. It is understood that the board’s quote was approximately PKR 3.1 billion (USD11.2 million) and while final broadcast figures were not made public, it is believed they eventually had to settle for a fee between USD 6 to 6.5 million.ESPNcricinfo understands the public and transparent nature of the bidding process allowed the broadcasters who conventionally go head-to-head to come together and make arrangements which ensured they did not bid beyond a pre-agreed price, much lower than the PCB’s valuation. Eventually, the rights were acquired by ARY, which runs the TV channel A Sports, and Tower Sports, which operates the Ten Sports Network.The PCB pointed out, at the time of the announcement, that the domestic rights had sold for double the previous two-year cycle. The ICC, meanwhile, was able to sell its rights in Pakistan for several times that number, believed to be in the region of USD 25 million. PTV and Tower Sports landed the TV rights to broadcast six ICC events in 2024 and 2025: 2024’s Men’s and Women’s T20 World Cups, the 2024 Women’s Cricket World Cup, and the ICC Champions Trophy, the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup and the World Test Championship final in 2025.A PCB official said direct comparisons between ICC rights and domestic rights did not directly scan, given there are several India-Pakistan fixtures guaranteed across ICC events. Pakistan also remains the only major cricketing nation that does not get to play India in bilateral series, invariably resulting in a reduced value for those rights than would otherwise be the case.England are set to play three Tests in Pakistan in October, two years after they became the first side to whitewash Pakistan in the country. The BBC have picked up radio broadcasting rights for the tour, but as things stand, an agreement that guarantees England cricket fans will be able to watch them attempt to repeat the feat remains elusive.

Everton are interested in signing another Liverpool player alongside Ben Doak in the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update.

Doak heads list of Everton winger targets

The Blues are reportedly interested in making a shock move for Reds winger Doak before next season gets underway, in a transfer that would cause plenty of controversy.

An update from Sky Sports suggested that Everton are one of the clubs who are interested in acquiring the services of the 19-year-old this summer, with the Scot seen as an attacking player with a big future in the game, spending the 2024/25 season on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough.

Liverpool have a big decision to make with Doak, with the young Scotland international someone who could potentially be an eventual successor to Mohamed Salah on the right wing, but also not quite mature enough to fully make the grade at Anfield just yet.

From an Everton perspective, the idea of the teenager heading to Bramley Moore Dock is certainly exciting, not only because they would be signing a great young talent, but also due to them snapping up a player from their nearest and biggest rivals. Now, another Reds player is also reportedly wanted by the Blues.

Everton keeping tabs on Gomez's situation

According to a new claim from Empire of the Kop, Everton are “keeping close tabs” on Liverpool defender Joe Gomez, as they eye a summer move for him alongside Doak. The Blues are one of eight Premier League teams who are believed to be in the mix to snap him up, including Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Leeds United.

The £85,000-a-week Gomez could be a really shrewd addition by Everton in the summer, although as is the case with Doak, it remains to be seen if Liverpool will be hesitant to sell to them.

The 28-year-old is now the Reds’ longest-serving current player, winning two Premier League titles and always proving to be an excellent squad player, with Jurgen Klopp a huge admirer.

“He is a lifesaver, to be honest, that he was here, that he could play. People forget how important Joey was in the best years we had. I don’t know how many games he played in the year when we became champions and how many games he played when we won the Champions League – a lot and rightly so because he’s a top-class player.”

Everton eyeing summer deal to sign "complete" 6-cap Ivory Coast international

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By
Henry Jackson

Jun 2, 2025

Gomez may like the idea of being a regular for Everton, having had to accept being behind Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the centre-back pecking order, and he also wouldn’t have to up sticks and move away.

Joe Gomez’s trophy wins at Liverpool	Season
Premier League	2024/25
Premier League	2019/20
Champions League	2018/19
FA Cup	2021/22
EFL Cup	2023/24
EFL Cup	2021/22
Club World Cup	2019/20
UEFA Super Cup	2019/20
Community Shield	2022/23

That said, the England international may not want to risk tarnishing his Liverpool legacy by making a controversial switch, so a move elsewhere, or staying put at Anfield, feels more likely.

Chelsea transfer chiefs have reportedly opened discussions with the representatives of a marquee Real Madrid star, and one who Los Blancos president Florentino Perez is prepared to let go this summer.

Chelsea's plans ahead of June 1 transfer transfer window

Chelsea are set for a blockbuster Premier League final day clash against Nottingham Forest to determine their European status for next season, but once their quest to qualify for the Champions League has been fulfilled, attention will begin switching to their Club World Cup campaign.

£60m Premier League forward has spoken to friends about joining Chelsea

He’s apparently interested.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 21, 2025

Just three points separate third and seventh following Man City’s victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday. Nothing but a win will do against Forest to guarantee Chelsea’s place in the Champions League next term, and grant BlueCo all the riches that come with competing in Europe’s most prestigious competition.

Race for Champions League qualification with one game remaining	Points
3. Man City	68
4. Newcastle	66
5. Chelsea	66
6. Aston Villa	66
7. Nottingham Forest	65

Confirming their spot will have a direct effect on their recruitment plans this summer, as already confirmed by Maresca, and it is believed that Chelsea want to get a couple of their signings through the door early.

Stamford Bridge chiefs will have a small window of opportunity, from June 1 to June 10, to strengthen their squad ahead of the CWC. Around £97 million worth of prize money is on the line if Maresca’s side perform well at the tournament, leaving little wonder Chelsea wish to bolster their team and give themselves the best possible chance.

A striker, centre-back and winger are believed to be among Chelsea’s top priorities (Simon Phillips), with Real Madrid forward Rodrygo mentioned alongside an array of possible targets.

Despite murmurs of a £130 million price tag, Chelsea would “love” to strike a deal for Rodrygo, even if it has previously been thought of as unlikely. However, that being said, recent reports have claimed that Real are now willing to sell the Brazilian this summer.

“Rodrygo is a new name I’m hearing, there’s nothing advanced between Chelsea and Rodrygo, but what I can tell you is that Madrid are willing to let Rodrygo go,” said journalist Ben Jacobs recently.

“He’s been forced to play at Real on the right side because of Mbappe and Vini Jr, but his best position, and where he really likes to play, is on the left side. Chelsea are aware of that market opportunity, so keep an eye on Premier League clubs and Rodrygo.”

Chelsea open talks with Real Madrid forward Rodrygo

According to GOAL and journalist Ritabrata Banerjee, there’s been a significant update on proceedings.

The outlet shares information that Chelsea are set to launch a “shock” bid for Rodrygo, and the west Londoners have apparently opened talks with his representatives ahead of a potential swoop.

While no formal negotiations or contacts have been held at club level, this could still represent a significant step in Chelsea’s pursuit of the 24-year-old.

Rodrygo has impressed when called upon by Carlo Ancelotti this season, albeit in his undesired role. The South American attacker boasts 13 goals and 10 assists from 50 appearances in all competitions this term, leaving little doubt he would add great quality to Maresca’s left-wing options, all while potentially contributing at centre-forward on occasion.

Steven Gerrard is probably the most influential and peerless Liverpool affiliate of the 21st century, and that reputation isn’t going to budge.

Maybe, Trent Alexander-Arnold stood a chance of knocking his hero away from top spot, but he’d have needed to devote the entirety of his career to his boyhood club to achieve this, and instead will sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer aged 26.

Trent’s decision heightens the situation going on at both of Liverpool’s defensive flanks. Andy Robertson, 31, still has a year left on his deal but has waned in influence and security this term, and heirs are being considered ahead of the transfer window.

Despite the issues Liverpool have faced at left-back, Cody Gakpo has still managed to go from strength to strength on the left wing, lacking the desirable stream of creative support though he has.

Cody Gakpo's season in numbers

It’s interesting that Gakpo should have hit his smoothest stride in a Liverpool shirt this season despite Robertson’s declining creative output.

This isn’t to say that the left-back has completely lost his way, but there’s no question things have been taken down a notch. That’s not true in Gakpo’s case, though, with his efforts this year leading to a return of 17 goals and six assists across all competitions, including 29 starts.

A shrewd and dynamic grtasp of the fundamentals had led Jurgen Klopp to play the Dutchman across a wide range of roles last season, but Arne Slot has shaved the fat off Gakpo’s game, limited him to a goalscoring duty off the left flank.

Centre-forward

27

12

4

Left winger

12

3

3

Right winger

7

1

0

Central midfield

7

0

0

It’s paid dividends, with pundits Joe Cole and Peter Crouch agreeing that he has “gone up another level” in his countryman’s tactical set-up.

As per FBref, the 25-year-old ranks among the top 5% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for non-penalty goals scored per 90, highlighting Slot’s success in sharpening his clinical edge into something keen and deadly.

Robertson still plays his part, crisp in possession and with a close-knit connection with Virgil van Dijk, but Liverpool are ready to sign an upgrade who could take Gakpo to the next level.

Liverpool chasing new left-back

Following the latest from TEAMtalk, Liverpool are indeed ready to address their left-back conundrum after Robertson’s up-and-down season, with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez at the top of the shopping list.

With the Cherries, who are pushing for Europe, ready to sell the 21-year-old for a £45m figure, this is one FSG will be giving their full consideration to.

However, Kerkez is the prototypical modern full-back and would make Slot’s system that much better.

Imagine Gakpo & Milos Kerkez together

Gakpo is chiefly a goalscorer, but he’s also a forward of impressive physicality, causing problems for opponents and getting stuck in with duels and dribbles.

Kerkez will take his game to the next level.

The Bournemouth man might only be young but he’s made quite the name for himself across the past year, posting two goals and five assists in the Premier League this year, creating eight big chances, as per Sofascore, winning 60% of his ground duels and averaging 4.5 ball recoveries per game.

Also ranking among the top 14% of full-backs in the English top flight this term for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref, the Hungary international has the burners to apply pressure on his opponents ahead of him, thus allowing Gakpo the time and space to find better positions and maybe lift his goal tally even higher next year.

It’s worth noting Robertson, having failed to register a goal contribution in the league this year, has averaged 0.2 dribbles per game, evening out to one every five matches.

Luckily, Gakpo has stepped up and produced the goods, impressively winning 56% of his ground duels, completing 60% of his dribbles and missing just six big chances in the Premier League, as per Sofascore, having converted nine strikes.

With something young and hungry behind him, overlapping and proving a general thorn in his opponents’ sides, Kerkez is exactly what Liverpool need, having already been singled out as a “machine” by Sky Sports’ Izzy Christansen for his tireless and combative performances.

Kerkez’s strengths as an attacking full-back are exactly what Slot needs, perhaps demonstrating a style of football that Robertson would have been able to match and even surpass back in his pomp, but Father Time has crept up on the Scotland skipper after so many years of gruelling service at Liverpool.

While Robertson should keep his place in the Liverpool squad (meaning Kostas Tsimikas will need to be sold), Kerkez should find himself taking the first-choice spot, not only completing the defence and restoring some much-needed creativity to the wide positions but driving Gakpo’s journey even further into the limelight.

Athletic and adventurous, Kerkez has dazzled for Bournemouth this season, a core part of Andoni Iraola’s efforts and, just maybe, success in securing a place on the continent for the first time in the Vitality Stadium’s history.

But Liverpool need a new left-back, and he fits the bill. Bringing such pace and potency down the channel, such energy and enthusiasm, Kerkez would be sure to elevate Gakpo’s game to the next level, striking the perfect balance that could see Slot defend his Premier League crown.

Better than Rogers: Liverpool could see £65m bid accepted for 18-goal star

Liverpool are in the market for new forwards this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair May 5, 2025

Tottenham have been given some encouragement over the prospect of signing a Brazil international as his agents work to find him a new club.

Tottenham targeting new attacker in January amid creativity issue

Thomas Frank faces mounting pressure at Tottenham just six months into his tenure, with serious questions surrounding the Dane’s future.

Spurs sit 11th in the table with just 19 points from 13 games, and their home record tells a catastrophic story.

With only one Premier League win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium all season, not to mention 10 home defeats this calendar year, they currently boast the joint-worst record in that regard in the club’s history.

Winless in five matches across all competitions, including losses to Arsenal, PSG and Fulham, their controversial 2-2 draw at Newcastle on Monday evening prevented a fourth straight defeat.

16. Burnley

2

1

4

7

-2

17. Nottingham Forest

2

1

4

7

-5

18. West Ham

2

0

5

6

-9

19. Tottenham

1

2

4

5

-1

20. Wolves

0

1

6

1

-11

Cristian Romero rescued Frank with a dramatic stoppage-time overhead kick. The Argentine scored twice at St James’ Park, his header and acrobatic finish earning a vital point, and his heroics seriously spared Frank’s blushes.

Dressing room unrest is reportedly growing, with reports suggesting players are confused by Frank’s constant tactical tinkering.

Fabrizio Romano shares Thomas Frank update amid mounting Tottenham pressure

The reliable journalist has some information.

ByEmilio Galantini Dec 4, 2025

Summer signing Xavi Simons symbolises Frank’s struggles. The £55 million playmaker has started just six league games, relegated to the bench for crucial fixtures despite Spurs’ creative drought, and former defender Ramon Vega has accused Frank of “changing his mind every two seconds.”

Frank apparently retains board backing until at least new year, but improvement must arrive quickly.

January reinforcements remain crucial, with FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa heavily linked alongside Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo, who has a tantalising £65 million release clause in his contract which will be active next month.

If Spurs cannot win the race for Semenyo amid interest from Man City, then RB Leizpig’s Yan Diomande is believed to be an alternative, with Sky Switzerland’s Sacha Tavolieri reporting they’ve already held advanced discussions on the player’s side.

Tottenham given Rodrygo boost as agents work on Real Madrid exit

Now, according to TEAMtalk and journalist Graeme Bailey, the north Londoners have been given a boost in their pursuit of Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

It is believed that Tottenham have emerged among the Premier League clubs that Rodrygo would consider joining, with his representatives actively working to secure a January departure from the Bernabeu.

The Brazilian has seen his situation deteriorate dramatically since Xabi Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti over the summer, becoming the most high-profile casualty.

Only four of his 15 appearances this season have exceeded 45 minutes, with Rodrygo regularly deployed as an impact substitute and falling behind Arda Güler in the pecking order.

Intermediaries representing the 24-year-old are working diligently to identify potential destinations, with Arsenal and Liverpool already engaged in discussions.

Rodrygo himself has made clear he would welcome moves to Man City, Man United, Chelsea or Tottenham too, though currently only Arsenal, Liverpool, City and Spurs are actively monitoring his availability.

Real value him between £70-79 million, and the Spanish giants ideally want to retain Rodrygo until the summer, when Nico Paz’s expected return will likely accelerate his departure.

It isn’t an easy deal to do by any means, with Spurs potentially needing to break their transfer record whilst fending off elite competition from their rivals.

However, there is little doubt this would be a statement move by the Lewis family as they look to usher in a new era post-Daniel Levy.