The Pulse of Football

Jun

2025

Preview: Chelsea need a result against Tunisian side Esperance

Chelsea require a positive result and performance to bounce back from losing to Flamengo and make the next round of the Club World Cup.

By Graham Ruthven

Response required

The 3-1 defeat to Flamengo was damaging for Chelsea. Not only did it put Enzo Maresca’s team on the back foot at the Club World Cup, it highlighted how the Blues remain a work-in-progress this summer.

Chelsea were distinctly second best against the Brazilian league leaders. It didn’t help that they were reduced to 10 men following Nicolas Jackson’s moment of madness minutes after the Senegalese striker was introduced off the bench.

Maresca needs a positive response from his players against Espérance, not just to reset the tone within the dressing room, but to secure a place in the last 16 of the Club World Cup. An early exit would be humiliating.

A draw would be enough for Chelsea to progress. Espérance, however, can make the last 16 by beating the Premier League outfit after seeing off Los Angeles FC in their last game.

The Tunisians have only lost once in all competitions since the start of April and will look to play on the break as they did against Flamengo when the Brazilians found it challenging to break through.

Key players

Liam Delap will lead the line for Chelsea with Jackson unavailable through suspension. The former Ipswich Town striker already looks to have dislodged Jackson from the lineup and is searching for his first goal in blue.

Cole Palmer was deployed on the right side of Chelsea’s midfield for the game against Flamengo, limiting his influence as an attacking threat. Maresca could therefore shift Palmer back into a central role to face Espérance.

Pedro Neto has enjoyed a strong tournament to date, scoring in back-to-back games. The winger will be a threat once more with his direct running and determination to get into the final third.

Youcef Belaïli scored the winning goal for Espérance against LAFC and the 33-year-old attacker is expected to be the Tunisian’s most dangerous player when they come up against Chelsea in Philadelphia.

Elias Mokwana will be another threat to the Chelsea backline with the 25-year-old set to start on the right wing where he will be up against Marc Cucurella. At the back, Yassine Meriah will be charged with organising the defensive line.

Team news

Maher Kanzari has a fully fit and available squad to choose from as Espérance attempt to reach the knockout rounds of the Club World Cup with what would be the biggest result in the Tunisian club’s history.

Jackson is suspended after seeing red in the loss to Flamengo, as mentioned. However, it’s likely Delap would have started as Chelsea’s first-choice centre forward regardless of Jackson’s availability.

Levi Colwill and Reece James are doubts due to illness. The pair missed training on Monday and might not have recovered in time. This could force Maresca to reshuffle his defence and midfield, meaning Roméo Lavia and Tosin Adarabioyo might be in line to start.

Prediction

After the embarrassment caused by Flamengo on Matchday 2 we’re fully expecting the Premier League side to respond and seal their progression safely through to the knockout stages of the competition: Espérance 0-2 Chelsea.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Club World Cup with FotMob this summer – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jun

2025

Why Malick Fofana is a man in demand this summer

Sometimes, stats just don’t tell the whole story.

By Sam McGuire

At a glance, Malick Fofana hasn’t done much since the move to Lyon to justify the Ligue 1 side doubling his valuation. He signed for the French side in January 2024 having caught the eye at Gent. He’d been deployed as a wing-back in Belgium but was, naturally, a winger.

Lyon took a gamble on the versatile attacker. Unfortunately for him, they put their faith in him during a tricky period for the club. OL needed a remarkable second half of the 2023/24 campaign to claim a sixth placed finish, winning 15 of their final 20 Ligue 1 matches, having won just one of their first 14.

Last term, Lyon claimed another sixth place finish. Results were a little more consistent but everything else wasn’t. Pierre Sage was sacked in late January and was eventually replaced by former Lille boss Paulo Fonseca. Jorge Maciel was in the dugout for the team from March onwards following the suspension of Fonseca.

Fofana finished his first full season in France with five goals and four assists. Across all competitions, he chipped in with 11 goals, just one shy of Rayan Cherki.

Despite his relatively disappointing return in Ligue 1, the 20-year-old is now one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe, if reports are to be believed.

Newcastle United, Everton, Chelsea, Brighton, Spurs and Liverpool are all thought to be interested in the youngster. In a recent piece for the Daily Mail, Lewis Steele claimed that Premier League champions Liverpool ‘want versatile young forwards. Someone who can play sort of all three positions. Arne Slot is keen on that versatile aspect.’

And Fofana certainly fits the bill. The Belgium international impressed for Gent in their 3-4-1-2 shape as a left wing-back. For Lyon, he has primarily played on the left side of the attack. However, due to the fact he’s confident with either foot, he can be used on either flank. There are still question marks over which foot is his strongest.

*Fofana shot map, left foot only, Ligue 1 2024/25*

For Lyon last term, he had a total of 12 shots on his left foot, scoring two goals in the process. As you can see from his shot map (above), his efforts are coming from good areas in the penalty area. He’s as much of a threat on the outside as he is when cutting inside.

*Fofana shot map, right foot only, Ligue 1 2024/25*

He took 18 shots with his right foot, scoring three goals in Ligue 1. The two shot maps aren’t too dissimilar. This highlights his dual threat with either foot. What we can take from this, however, is that he wasn’t much of a volume shooter for Lyon. In total, he had just 31 shots in Ligue 1 last season across 29 appearances. There’s a bit more context here to be factored in, with the 20-year-old racking up just shy of 1,600 minutes in the French top-flight. On average, it was 1.5 shots per 90.

In a better, more dominant side, you have to assume that he would be an even greater goal threat. The numbers look scalable. Everything points to him being a goalscoring winger in the right team, with the right opportunities.

His involvement in the final third may have been fairly limited, all things considered, yet he still managed to contribute to Lyon’s sixth placed finish.

As a creator, he pulled his weight too. Only Cherki (0.52) within the OL team could better Fofana’s Expected Assists per 90 average of 0.25. The Belgian also ranked third for successful dribbles in the Lyon squad last term.

Fofana finished with an Expected Assists total of 4.39 but claimed just four assists. If teammates finished off the chances he carved out, there’s no reason the same chances he created couldn’t have resulted in 10 assists. And no, that isn’t an exaggeration.

Against Lens, he showed blistering pace on the left flank. He initially slowed down play before bursting past the full-back and clipping in a left-footed cross to the back post. Ainsley Maitland-Niles wins his header, and should do better, but puts his effort wide of the bottom post.

In this still, you can’t see Fofana. But the winger had blitzed his opponent down the Lyon left before fizzing a pass across the face of goal. It is beyond Alexandre Lacazette but the man at the back post should slide the ball into an open goal. His effort, however, cannons back off the post.

They’re just two examples of how, had his teammates been better finishers, Fofana’s assists tally would’ve been much higher. That is why, in some cases, stats don’t tell the whole story.

The one-cap Belgium international is being chased by a host of top clubs because the potential is there for him to be one of the most devastating wingers in world football. He’s bubbling away nicely and he looks set to explode in the near future. Even at the reported £45million fee, clubs could be getting themselves a bargain.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can track all the summer moves via the FotMob Transfer Centre. Download the free app here.

Jun

2025

Preview: Inter Miami meet Palmeiras in Group A showdown

Inter Miami return to the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens to face Palmeiras in their final group stage match of the Club World Cup, with progress to the knockout stages looking likely.

By James Nalton

It will take a win for Al Ahly against Porto and a four-goal swing in goal difference to deny Inter Miami a place in the last 16.

The tournament had its Lionel Messi moment in Inter Miami’s previous game against Porto, and Inter Miami fans, and maybe some neutrals, will be hoping for more of the same.

Inter Miami have one foot in the last 16

In a reflection of Inter Miami’s 2025 season so far, both their results in the Club World Cup group stage have not gone according to pre-match expectations.

They might have been expected to defeat Al Ahly in the tournament opener, but drew 0-0.

Then, a defeat might have been predicted for them against Portuguese giants Porto, but they ran out 2-1 winners thanks to a classic Messi free-kick, having come back from a goal down.

It leaves them well placed in the group going into the final round of games. Because the tiebreakers are judged first on record between the teams tied in the table, rather than overall goal difference, the win against Porto puts them in a strong position.

Only Al Ahly can take Inter Miami’s place, and the Egyptian side would need to defeat Porto, and Inter Miami would need to lose to Palmeiras, along with a four-goal change in goal difference for that to happen.

If there is only a three-goal swing, it could come down to the fair-play table.

Though Inter Miami’s qualification looks all but assured, this is an unpredictable team playing in what has at times been an unpredictable tournament.

A South American edge

Given the large number of South American players in Inter Miami’s squad, this game could well have a Copa Libertadores feel to it.

Some of the entertainment seen in Conmebol’s premier continental club football competition has been transferred to this Club World Cup, and it’s been all the better for it.

From the atmosphere provided by the fans to the often frantic action on the pitch, this tournament has been at its best when teams from the south have been involved.

Inter Miami boast a large South American contingent, not least Messi himself, and fellow experienced big-name forward Luis Suárez, so this could provide similar entertainment.

A place at the top of Group A is up for grabs in this game, though, depending on what happens in Group B — who will be opponents of Group A teams in the last 16 — finishing top might not be a bonus.

The Palmeiras Messi

The Brazilian team features teenage star Estêvão, who will move to English Premier League side Chelsea after this tournament.

The highly-rated 18-year-old earned the nickname Messinho during his time in youth football, due to his likeness to Messi when dribbling on his left foot.

Though that moniker has since worn off as he made a name for himself, a match against his idol will provide additional intrigue.

Elsewhere, Palmeiras remains one of only two teams, along with Manchester City, not to have conceded a goal at this tournament.

They face the considerable task of keeping Messi quiet if they are to maintain that record.

Prediction

Draw. Palmeiras will be fancied to win this game, but having shown against Porto that they can mix it with European teams, Inter Miami will be looking to prove they can do the same against South American opposition.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the Club World Cup with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jun

2025

Preview: USMNT take on Haiti aiming to make it three wins from three at Gold Cup

Mauricio Pochettino’s lads are through to the next round with two wins from their first two Group D games while Haiti are in desperate need of a win if they have any hope of progressing. The two face-off at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas on Sunday.

By Alex Roberts

The former Chelsea and Tottenham boss has the luxury of being able to rest some of his key players ahead of the latter stages where they will likely face tougher opposition than the one’s they’ve met in the group.

An impressive turn around

After four consecutive defeats ahead of the tournament, USMNT fans were worried this tournament would be a complete wash out for their side. They’ve very quickly blocked out the haters and look like a completely different set of players.

Two wins and six goals scored without conceding one is a genuinely impressive start to the campaign. Poch’s war of words with star man Christian Pulisic suddenly seems like a lifetime ago and the talking is being done on the pitch.

Malik Tilman in particular has impressed, scoring a brace in the 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago before being the main creative force in the 1-0 win over our favourite North/Central American nation, Saudi Arabia.

Experience is key

Martin Experience that is! The 26-year-old left-back is gonna have busy evening marking Tilman and likely having to keep an eye on Diego Luna at the same time. Thankfully, as his name implies, he knows what he’s doing.

He was a key member of this season’s Nancy side that earned promotion back to Ligue 2, playing 29 league games and providing three assists in the process. Yes, it’s not an elite European league but it remains a competitive one.

A speedy full-back who’s surprisingly good in the air, Experience has a 100% aerial duel win for Haiti so far in the Gold Cup. He also made three interceptions and seven blocks during his two games so far. He’ll doubtless be hoping his campaign doesn’t end here.

Where is Johnny Cardoso?

The Real Betis midfielder was a stand out for his club last season, so much so that the likes of Tottenham and Atlético Madrid have both heavily been linked with a move in the summer transfer window. So why has he only played two minutes in the Gold Cup?

Well, the most likely answer is, that Posh is limiting his minutes after a season that has seen him already play 46 games across all competitions, in which he lost a major European final against Chelsea.

At the same time, in the international games he has played, he’s hardly impressed. His 45 minutes in the 2-1 friendly defeat to Türkiye was arguably the worst of his season, failing to win a single tackle, and making the error that led to the equaliser.

As the tournament reaches its latter stages, he will likely get more chances to make amends. Don’t be surprised to see him get some minutes here so he can gain a little confidence.

Prediction

The USA are heavy favourites for this one but considering they will likely rotate a little, we think Haiti will get something even if they won’t qualify. We gonna call it as a 1-1 draw.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Gold Cup with FotMob this summer – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jun

2025

Preview: Man City meet Al Ain in Atlanta

Manchester City continue their adventure in the money-making machine that is the new Club World Cup and a second win in two games will be the expectation, even if the lineup is shuffled around as Pep Guardiola’s team face Al Ain.

By Karl Matchett

New chances for new faces

While some matches have the feel of pre-season, this competition still feels somehow more like the end of last term than the opening of the new one, perhaps as there wasn’t exactly much of a break between the two. Despite that, a hastily fashioned transfer window has been arranged and new deals have been concluded. Man City, of course, certainly needed a refresh. It started in January, but it’s the likes of Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri who have arrived more recently and who might make City seem like more of their old selves: more technical ability and creativity from the former, more speed and a proper left-sided outlet from the latter.

Final reminder of old faces

Depending on the leagues you usually watch, some of the Asian sides appearing in the US this summer might feel a bit nostalgic, given their squad lists. There aren’t quite as many former Premier League stars in this Al Ain side, but several who have experience around Europe. Rui Patrício in goal, formerly of Wolves, is the biggest name but Fábio Cardoso was briefly at Rangers and is owned by Porto, while centre-back Ramy Rabia had a spell with Sporting CP in his younger days.

Recent form

City beat Wydad Casablanca 2-0 in their Club World Cup opener, making it three wins in a row for them after they ended the Premier League campaign with victories over Fulham and Bournemouth. Prior to that, however, they lost the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace and were held to a goalless draw by the league’s worst team, Southampton. Al Ain ended their own campaign in the UAE with three wins and two draws in the last five, but opened their Club World Cup with a 5-0 thumping by Juventus.

Team news

Rico Lewis is suspended after his late red card against Wydad and Mateo Kovačić is injured for Man City. Jack Grealish was left out of the squad entirely for the competition. Ai Ain have no squad concerns and have a full list to choose from.

Key player

Given Omar Marmoush started up front in the last game, a return for Erling Haaland wouldn’t be a surprise and he could look to fill his boots given a very lean spell since his return from injury: just one goal in five games. Al Ain were shaky defensively against Juve and Haaland is elite – even after not quite as incredible a season, he is still higher ranked than 96% of strikers in Europe for goals and 97% for shots. Just get him chances again and he’ll plunder several – this could be a good starting point for that.

Prediction

The Premier League side should make fairly short work of this encounter and a repeat scoreline of Juve’s game wouldn’t be a huge surprise: Man City 5-0 Al Ain.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Club World Cup with FotMob this summer — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jun

2025

Preview: Real Madrid meet Pachuca in search for first win at Club World Cup

Xabi Alonso’s new look Madrid side will be looking to kickstart their campaign while Liga MX’s Pachuca need a result if they are to prolong their stay in the United States.

By Ian King

Form

Real Madrid endured a disappointing 2024/25 season by their own lofty standards, finishing as runners-up to Barcelona in LaLiga and losing the final of the Copa del Rey to the same opposition. They didn’t start this tournament particularly strongly either, with a 1-1 draw against Al Hilal in their opening match. Pachuca ended up in eighth place in Liga MX’s Clausura campaign, earning them a place in the play-offs. They were, however, beaten 2-1 by RB Salzburg in their opening match in this tournament.

Intercontinental rivalry

There is a bit of history here. These two clubs met each other in the 2024 Intercontinental Cup match in Qatar at the end of last year, with Madrid winning 3-0. But this was the first and only competitive meeting between these two clubs.

Key Players

Aurélien Tchouaméni could be the key player for Real Madrid. With a lot of absentees, the midfielder put in a decent shift in their opening match and is likely to start again in the centre of the park. A lot of eyes will also be on Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had a mixed debut for them in their opening match, playing 65 minutes before being withdrawn.

There’s a few familiar names in the Pachuca team for those watching in Europe. Salomón Rondón played there for West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle and Everton, as well as in Russia and Spain, and now has 118 international appearances for Venezuela. And former Chelsea, Newcastle United, and star of LaLiga Kenedy should join Rondón in the forward line.

Team News

The big question hanging over the Real Madrid team ahead of this match is whether Kylian Mbappé will be fit. Having dropped two points in their opening match, Real need a result from this one. Mbappé missed that match with illness. Gonzalo García deputised for him in that match, and will be expected to do so again should he still be absent.

Otherwise, Real have a lengthy injuries and illnesses list. Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, Endrick and Antonio Rüdiger all have injuries or illnesses which keep them out of the team. Pachuca’s only absentee will be Andrés Micolta, who won’t be appearing in this tournament at all.

Prediction

Real Madrid were the first winners of the European Cup and the first winners of the Intercontinental Cup. They like to be early adopters, and winning this tournament may mean more to them than it does to other European entrants. Those two dropped points in their opening match mean that a win in this one will be pretty much essential if they’re to progress with confidence.

Pachuca didn’t embarrass themselves in their opening match against Salzburg, and defeat leaves them needing a result of some description from this match if they’re to proceed to the next stage of the competition.

Their form, however, hasn’t been great at home and there’s little to suggest that they’ll have enough about them to get past even a depleted Real Madrid team. It’s unlikely that this match will be as clear-cut as their previous meeting at the end of 2024, but Real Madrid’s Big Club Arrogance should be enough to get them through this. I’ll go 2-1 Madrid, and a little nervousness going into their final group match.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow the Champions League Final with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jun

2025

Dortmund are getting their mojo back under Niko Kovac

It has been a rollercoaster few years for Borussia Dortmund. They entered the final matchday of the 2022/23 season in pole position to claim their first Bundesliga title in 11 years, only to end up drawing 2-2 to Mainz and relinquishing the Meisterschaft to Bayern Munich. One year later, they reached the biggest stage in club football, only to end up losing 2-0 to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Final.

By Zach Lowy

It seems that this scar tissue took a toll on Dortmund’s confidence, with the club struggling for form over the opening months of the 2024/25 campaign under Nuri Şahin, who replaced Edin Terzić as manager in the summer of 2024. The German behemoths endured a dismal start to the campaign and descended to midtable mediocrity, prompting the club hierarchy to sack their rookie manager and bring in Niko Kovač, who had previously coached Croatia, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, and Monaco.

Optimism was in short supply amongst the Dortmund fanbase, with Kovač suffering more defeats (26) than victories (23) during his most recent coaching spell at Wolfsburg. And when they lost four of their first six league matches under Kovač, it seemed that Dortmund were resigned to missing out on European football for the first time in 16 years.

Instead, Dortmund managed to hit their stride following the March international break, winning each of their last seven Bundesliga matches (apart from a 2-2 draw at Bayern) and narrowly sneaking into fourth place, thus qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the 10th year in a row. But just how have Dortmund managed to turn around their fortunes under Kovač and book their ticket to Europe’s premier competition? FotMob spoke to various key figures of the BVB team in order to understand the club’s meteoric transformation.

“When you’re in a positive way, it’s always better,” revealed Dortmund midfielder Marcel Sabitzer to FotMob. “We had a bad start, but in the end, we were one of the best teams in Europe once again, which gave us a lot of confidence. The opposing teams know that we are strong, that we’re a bit of a tournament team, and we show that in the Champions League every year. We did well last season, and this season against Barcelona…we’re ready for everyone and we want to beat everyone.”

Having taken notice of Dortmund’s defensive struggles, Kovač decided to eschew the previous back four and transition to a 3-5-2 system. Suddenly, the team was no longer leaking counter-attacking opportunities and getting exposed in transition – they were getting numbers back and defending diligently. Whereas BVB would previously lose possession and immediately get torn apart on the counter, this time, they were able to minimize the threat and keep things tight at the back. What’s more, they were exhibiting the kind of heavy-metal football and aggressive pressing that delivered plenty of success under legendary manager Jürgen Klopp.

“When I arrived, I saw a team without self-confidence,” admitted Kovač to FotMob. “At the beginning of my time, we started to build the self-confidence and give the players the mental strength. As you saw at the end of the season, these players can compete at the highest level with confidence, which is very important for every single player. As a coach, you have your own ideas, but we said at the beginning, ‘keep it simple.’ We gave them our structure and spine which is important to win matches, we needed a bit of time, but it got better and better. When the players have these automatisms, it works better.”

Despite losing defensive talisman Nico Schlotterbeck to injury, BVB managed to shore things up at the back and become a sturdier unit. When Kovač took charge on January 29, Dortmund were sitting 11th in the table thanks to a catastrophic defensive unit that had conceded 33 goals in 19 matches. Over the next 15 matches, they would allow just 18 goals, enough to see them end the season in fourth place.

On the other side of the pitch, however, they also became far more efficient in terms of going forward. The decision to drop Jamie Gittens from the line-up raised quite a few eyebrows, but it worked like a charm, with BVB’s attacking players showing far more diligence off the ball and composure on the ball. Despite not having as much possession, BVB scored 26 goals over the final eight matches of the campaign, more than any other team in the Bundesliga.

“This momentum is important…we’re in good shape, we have confidence, we have a clear idea of how we want to play, and we’ve worked hard as a group, so I think we’re ready,” stated Pascal Groß to FotMob.

Rather than having possession for the sake of it, Dortmund started to excel at picking their moments to go forward and hit on the counter, stringing together a couple of passes and immediately finding themselves in the opposition box. It is clear that Kovač’s no-nonsense approach has helped to give several underperforming players a shot in the arm, with the Croatian stressing the importance of making piercing runs into the box and retaining their shape out of possession. This change in philosophy has bore plenty of fruit for the likes of Serhou Guirassy, who scored six goals in the final five matches, Julian Brandt, who has been transformed as a reliable attacking midfielder, and Sabitzer, whose natural leadership qualities and incisive passing has dovetailed nicely in the new-look system.

Whilst expectations were high for their FIFA Club World Cup opener, Dortmund failed to parlay that momentum into a seventh consecutive victory in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In their first match in a month, BVB escaped with a goalless stalemate against Brazilian powerhouse Fluminense thanks to a Man of the Match display from Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who made five saves throughout Tuesday’s contest. However, they remain well-positioned to advance from the group, with two matches in Cincinnati yet to come against South Korean outfit Ulsan and South African side Mamelodi Sundowns.

After several years of heartbreaking collapses, can Borussia Dortmund finally give their fans something to cheer about by winning the FIFA Club World Cup?

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow the every game from the Club World Cup on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jun

2025

Preview: Chelsea set for reunion with Flamengo coach Filipe Luis

Flamengo and Chelsea go head-to-head in the Club World Cup, with both sides searching for their second win in as many games in the competition.

By Matt Smith

Flamengo enjoyed a 2-0 victory against Espérance in the opening game, while Enzo Maresca’s side defeated Los Angeles FC by the same scoreline. The two sides previously met back in 1998 during an international friendly tournament, with Chelsea coming away with a 5-0 win.

Team news

Flamengo were without Nicolás de la Cruz for their opening game of the tournament, but he has been named in their squad for the competition, meaning there is a chance he could make his return.

Roméo Lavia and Reece James only completed 45 minutes each in Chelsea’s game against Los Angeles, so it will be interesting to see whether they are able to start once again. Liam Delap made his debut off the bench, setting up Enzo Fernández’s goal, so he’ll be pushing for a place in the starting XI.

Two possession-based styles go head-to-head

Maresca is known for his possession-based style at Chelsea, but Filipe Luís is looking to implement a similar system with Flamengo. In their opening game, the Brazilian side dominated proceedings with 69% of the possession.

Brazilian league leaders Flamengo play in the same way domestically, with no side in the league averaging more possession than them this season. It looks set to be an interesting battle between two similar styles on Friday night.

Chelsea searching for repeat of LA performance

Although Los Angeles showed some threat in transition against Chelsea, it was a dominant display from the Blues in their opening game of the competition. Maresca’s side created 2.24 expected goals, producing 17 shots with six of those being on target.

A win for the Blues would guarantee a place in the round of 16 if LAFC win or draw in their game against Espérance. Considering the squad Maresca has at his disposal, qualification for the next round will be a bare minimum target.

Liam Delap pushing for a start

Delap came off the bench in the game against LAFC, and he produced a performance that will have excited Chelsea fans ahead of the 2025/2026 season. The England youth international was a constant threat running in behind, while he was constantly battling with defenders and getting into the box.

Delap provided an assist for Enzo and created two chances, despite being on the pitch for just over 25 minutes. Nicolas Jackson, who Delap replaced in the second half, also created a goal, so it will be interesting to see how Maresca decides to line up in the second game. The Chelsea boss has even hinted that he could try fit the pair into the same starting XI.

Prediction

Chelsea should have too many quality in this one, but Flamengo will certainly be no pushovers. We’re going for a 2-1 victory to Maresca’s side.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Club World Cup with FotMob this summer — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jun

2025

Mauricio Pochettino’s fringe players are getting a chance to impress for the USMNT

Mauricio Pochettino and Christian Pulisic’s public war of words has been an unwelcome backdrop to the USA’s last summer before the 2026 World Cup.

By Graham Ruthven

For the first time in a while, the first question asked of Mauricio Pochettino in a press conference wasn’t about Christian Pulisic. Instead, the US men’s national team head coach spoke about a 5-0 demolition of Trinidad & Tobago to open the 2025 Gold Cup. Pochettino, also for the first time in a while, had something to smile about.

It’s been a tough stretch for the USMNT. With the 2026 World Cup on home soil now less than a year away, Pochettino is struggling to get to grips with the squad he has been handed. He’s also struggling to get some of his best players in line, not least his captain Pulisic who isn’t playing in this summer’s Gold Cup.

This, according to the Milan winger, was to give him the best chance of a successful 2025/26 season leading into the World Cup. Pulisic has a long history of injury troubles and so it’s understandable that after a gruelling 2024/25 campaign which saw him play over 3,500 minutes in all competitions he is mindful of his body’s needs.

The USMNT have needs too, though, and many, possibly including Pochettino, believe Pulisic has turned his back on his team when they need him most. Indeed, the former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur boss didn’t respond warmly to Pulisic’s suggestion that he could play two friendlies against Türkiye and Switzerland before skipping the Gold Cup.

“Players need to listen and to stick with our plan,” said Pochettino. “They cannot dictate the plan. The most important thing is that we explain why we decided not to include him in the two friendly games. And then if you have some problems, no, that is not my problem to understand. When I signed my contract in the federation, I am the head coach. I am not a mannequin.”

It’s not just Pulisic who is missing from the USA’s Gold Cup squad, it’s Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest, Tim Weah, Gio Reyna, Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi too. Some are absent through injury. Others are at the Club World Cup. The consequence is that Pochettino is is counting on a squad of youngsters and fringe players this summer.

This, however, might be to the USMNT head coach’s preference. His best players have so far failed to embrace his ideas and methods, as demonstrated by the lacklustre CONCACAF Nations League defeats to Panama and Canada in March, and so this is an opportunity for Pochettino to get a closer look at some alternatives.

A number of those alternatives caught the eye against Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday. Malik Tillman was chief among them, scoring his first two goals in a USA jersey. Not only this, the PSV playmaker was a creative influence, completing more passes in the final third and key passes than any other USA player. It was the sort of performance USMNT fans have long wanted from Tillman.

Jack McGlynn also made an impact. Deployed in an unorthodox role on the right wing, the Houston Dynamo midfielder opened up angles for the USMNT with his passing range. This was after McGlynn found the back of the net from distance in the recent friendly defeat to Türkiye. He offers something different.

Then there’s Diego Luna, the USMNT player who reflects what Pochettino wants better than anyone else. The Real Salt Lake number 10 plays with the sort of energy and intensity Pochettino craves from the rest of his squad. Luna is always looking for the ball. He wants to get in between the lines.

Six months ago, Luna had yet to make his senior international debut. Now, he’s the beating heart of Pochettino’s USA, and therein is the encouragement for the fringe figures looking to make a good impression at the Gold Cup. A good showing this summer could change the World Cup outlook for several players.

Alex Freeman surely has his sights set on a place in Pochettino’s World Cup roster. The 20-year-old is enjoying a breakthrough year for Orlando City and already looks comfortable in the USMNT set-up as Pochettino’s starting right back for the Gold Cup. Freeman is well-rounded and gives the US a number of different looks in an attacking and defensive sense.

Matt Freese is also making his case for a World Cup spot, and not just as a squad player either. Matt Turner’s lack of first team action at club level and repeated mistakes for the USMNT means Freese could be Pochettino’s first-choice goalkeeper should he continue to look solid at the Gold Cup.

It could be strongly argued that this summer is a wasted opportunity for the USMNT as the clock counts down to a home World Cup. Pochettino, on the other hand, might see it as a chance to send a message to his under-performing stars while opening the door to others who could, at the very least, reinvigorate things.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Gold Cup with FotMob – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Jun

2025

Preview: USMNT face first serious Gold Cup test against Saudi Arabia

Group D favourites USA will face a similarly depleted Saudi Arabia side in a match where the winner can almost certainly seal progression to the knockouts.

By Neel Shelat

Pressure still on the USMNT

The USA endured their first four-match losing streak since 2007 in the lead up to the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Having also suffered a surprise defeat in the CONCACAF Nations League to Panama in that run, pressure certainly was mounting on Mauricio Pochettino and his rather depleted squad going into the Gold Cup.

Their 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in their opening game might have helped ease nerves a little, but that result should count for little in the wider scheme of things. The challenge for the Argentine coach is not to thrash significantly weaker sides but to set his team up to consistently get results against opponents of a more similar stature. The upcoming match will be more meaningful in this respect, though it will not be entirely representative either.

Saudi Arabia also missing key players due to Club World Cup

While the USMNT are without their core group of players due to a myriad of reasons, Gold Cup invitees Saudi Arabia also have to make do without some stars for the tournament. Seven of their players were not available for selection due to domestic giants Al Hilal’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup. The absentees include star forward Salem Al-Dawsari, scorer of the famous goal against Argentina at the last World Cup and the Green Falcons’ leading active goal-scorer, as well as key midfielder Mohamed Kanno.

Looking to make the most of the situation, head coach Hervé Renard handed out starts to four players aged 23 or younger in their tournament opener against Haiti. While Saudi Arabia came away with a win, their performance was far from convincing, so they will need to step things up if they are to really challenge the USMNT.

Saudi Arabia preparing for World Cup qualification challenge

While Saudi Arabia will have an eye on the Gold Cup title like all strong competitors, their biggest task of the year is to seal World Cup qualification. Six Asian teams booked their berths in the 2026 edition of the tournament earlier this month at the conclusion of the AFC’s third qualifying round, including Japan and Australia who finished ahead of the Green Falcons in their group. So, they will have to go again in the fourth round, which they will co-host along with Qatar.

Ticket sales remain slow

Between the volatile political situation in the United States, reports and fears of ICE agents operating around stadiums and an over-saturation of summer soccer action in the country, it should be no surprise that ticket sales for the Gold Cup have not gone well in the States. At the time of writing, at least half of the seats for this match are unsold.

Prediction

The USMNT should be considered clear favourites for this match after Saudi Arabia’s performance against Haiti, so they should aim to win by a multi-goal margin.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Gold Cup with FotMob this summer – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.