The Pulse of Football

May

2025

The big Championship playoff final preview

There is nowhere more deafening than Wembley Stadium. No, I’m not talking about 90,000 screaming supporters, fireworks and flypasts. Nor do I mean AC/DC’s two gigs last July or the screams of adulation for Taylor Swift across her EIGHT nights in August. If you’re off to the home of English football this weekend, then think back to your school days and learning about how the Egyptians would remove the brains of soon-to-be-mummified Pharaohs.

By Sanny Rudravajhala

On our greatest stage, all the colour, passion, tension and celebration will inevitably be blurred out by, and I’ve Shazammed it from the FA Cup final so you don’t have to, James Hype’s drum and bass track ‘Don’t Wake Me Up’, on the most intrusive and ear-shattering PA system in the universe.

Perhaps the Wembley DJ is unaware that the greatest advert for our game needs no soundtrack but for that of its fans. And for the Championship playoff final, we have two historic clubs from Britain’s industrial heartlands, ready to turn the volume up to 11 for a place in the Premier League.

Sheffield United with a point to prove

Chris Wilder says his players have shut out any negativity they may have faced after failing to seal automatic promotion. And across what was the longest press conference I have ever attended, he got it all off his chest in the space of 57 minutes on Tuesday.

He’s seen them lose at this stage from the stands at both the Millenium Stadium and Wembley but now the fan-turned player, turned two-time Blades boss can break the playoff curse and take them up, at what would be the club’s tenth time of asking in the EFL’s most brutal of knock-out competitions.

Gus Hamer

Combative and productive, Gus Hamer continues to be the Blades’ cutting edge. With nine goals and seven assists, his battle in the middle with Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham will certainly be tasty. The Dutchman was one of few positives from their previous Premier League campaign, having arrived from Coventry in August 2023.

Those nine goals come from an xG of just 5.7 and include an audacious lob against Preston North End and two superb free kicks from distance. His goal against his old employers was one of the strikes of the season.

*Gus Hamer shot map, Championship 2024/25*

Michael ‘Chill’ Cooper

When asked to describe himself as a goalkeeper in a word, Michael Cooper replied ‘chill’ to a reporter’s question on Tuesday. Signed from Plymouth Argyle in the summer, I think he’ll soon be mentioned in conversations about an England call up if he plays in the Premier League glare.

But none of that seems to phase the 25-year-old. 21 clean sheets is outstanding but his goal prevented figure of 5.7 means that he essentially should have conceded 39 goals rather than just 33 this season. It’s been down to brilliant shot stopping, excellent positioning, his confidence, and a consistency in high claims that puts his teammates at ease.

Callum O’Hare

An ACL rupture at Brammall Lane whilst playing for Coventry City ruled Callum O’Hare out of their shoot-out defeat to Luton two seasons ago but this will be the 27-year-old’s third trip to Wembley in as many years. Last year’s ludicrous FA Cup semi-final saw him miss from 12 yards in their defeat on penalties to Manchester United. The way that the game has evolved means being a ‘finisher’ from the bench may be vital on what can be an energy-sapping day. His goals as a substitute in both semi-finals against Bristol City show he can be just that.

Kieffer Moore

The human-battering ram that is Kieffer Moore will be giving Dan Ballard a run for his money on Saturday. Both are combative and towering aerial threats. If Moore starts, then it will be an excellent sub-plot. The Welshman was instrumental in their playoff semi-final success over Bristol City.

Winning a penalty for the opener in the first leg, the 6’5” striker bagged in the second leg and across their 6-0 aggregate win, we saw all the traits that make him either an excellent Plan A or off-the-bench Plan B. I expect him to see him getting on the end of Harrison Burrows’ crosses from the left flank.

Sheffield United fan’s view

“I would have preferred to avoid Sunderland”, Sam Parry from The Pinch tells me. “They were the better team in both the games we played them, which were in the first part of the season. Wilson Isidor had the number of our centre-halves but they’ve only been ahead for a total of eight minutes across their last five matches. It’s a tricky one, I really don’t know what their level is.

Although they’re dangerous on the counter, I don’t really buy that they’re a physical team and if they go and try and play this robust defence then I’m pretty convinced that suits us. We’re a big side with big physical players who relish a battle, so I’m quite hopeful. But right now, the nerves are jangling!”

Sunderland’s steely starlets

Régis Le Bris is quiet in tone, but his team have been doing the talking for him. They’re solid defensively and have pace to attack up front, particularly in transition. With a PhD in sport physiology to his name, his reputation working with young players brought him from France to coach Sunderland and he’s been getting the best out of a squad full of potential, having switched their style up to be a solid, counter-attacking unit.

Jobe Bellingham

Signed from Birmingham City while his brother Jude was joining Real Madrid, comparisons with his sibling feel lazy and the 19-year-old deliberately plays with ‘Jobe’ and not ‘Bellingham’ on his back. However, their similarities are uncanny.

His stretching lunge for a red card against QPR back in November might sugget Jobe is still finding his feet but he can score the odd spectacular goal, is strong in the tackle, and uses his fast feet and strength to get him out of trouble to beat his man. His chance creation is one of the best in the division and his continued grounding in the Championship has given two full campaigns at senior level full of improvement.

Dan Neil

Approaching 200 games at just 23 years old, Dan Neil is already a seasoned pro thanks to the last four campaigns of hard graft in the middle for Sunderland.

One of the stats that really jumps out are his 251 recoveries this season. And, at a time where systems can be so structured, his ability to beat a man before starting an attack has been a brilliant asset for the Mackems’ attack. The man from South Shields will be living the dream of every Sunderland fan on Saturday and unlike being an unused sub in their COVID-era EFL Trophy success 2021 at an empty Wembley, he’ll be right in the thick of it this time around.

*Dan Neil’s defensive numbers from midfield, Championship 2024/25*

Enzo Le Fée

The pocket-rocket wide man has been hampered with a hamstring injury but has shaken that off to show us what he’s about. Having worked with Le Bris at Lorient, the 25-year-old joined on an audacious loan move from AS Roma in January.

Tellingly, the 5’7” Frenchman set up goals in both semi-finals. His inch-perfect pass set Wilson Isidor on his way for Sunderland’s opener at Coventry and it was Le Fée’s right-footed in-swinging corner that Dan Ballard got on the end of for those dramatic 120th minute scenes at the Stadium of Light last week.

Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda

With devastating turns of pace, I hope Regis Le Bris continues with starting two up-top in what is something of a much-missed throwback these days. At 20, Mayenda showed his poachers instinct by reading a wayward pass before rounding the goalkeeper to give them a crucial 88^th minute lead at Coventry. That was the Spainish U21 international’s eighth of the season and all bar one have come inside the box. He’s a fearless finisher who may just make the difference.

As I said last week, Isidor is Djibril Cisse reborn. I haven’t seen a more instinctual player as hellbent on hitting the ball as hard as possible since his French compatriot. It’s led to the spectacular, with two missed penalties against Burnley and a ghost goal against Derby County but he can be cute, as he was with his flicked finish in their Boxing Day draw at Blackburn Rovers. Worryingly though, his goal against Coventry was his first in 13 matches.

Sunderland fan’s view

The Roker Report’s Michael Dunne is flying over from Ireland for the final. “I think it really is a 50:50 game. It could be just one moment, or one decision that goes our way because the two league games between us were both tight affairs. But, if we get our best players playing in Bellingham, Neil and Mayenda, I think we have a good chance, especially if like the Coventry game we can try and nullify their attackers.

But to be honest, we have exceeded expectations. Most fans are just looking forward to the day. There’s more pressure on Sheffield United than us, so we’re going in just hoping for the best.”

So, what other tunes will you hear at this weekend? Tiesto’s ‘The Business’ will do the rounds pre-match, as will DJ Fresh’s 2010 hit ‘Goldust.’ Thankfully the scourge of Sweet Caroline has been consigned to history but before kick-off we’ll hear Sunderland belting out Elvis Pressley’s ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ and Sheffield United with their ‘Greasy Chip Butty’ to the tune of John Denver’s ‘Annie’s Song’. As for which one of those club anthems will be playing out after the final whistle, that’s anyone’s guess.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

Adam Wharton deserves a role in Thomas Tuchel’s England side

Adam Wharton is a FA Cup winner and could help England become World Cup contenders by performing an important role for Thomas Tuchel’s team.

By Graham Ruthven

Manchester City know what an elite level midfield anchor looks like. Or at least they used to before Rodri suffered a season-ending injury in September, preventing the Ballon d’Or winner from featuring in Saturday’s FA Cup final. In Adam Wharton, though, there was still a standout number six on the pitch.

Wharton was key to Crystal Palace’s history victory. While the 21-year-old didn’t get much opportunity to showcase his ability on the ball due to the Eagles’ game plan, he was crucial to his team’s strategy out of possession. Indeed, Wharton was prolific in breaking up Manchester City attacks time and time again.

City couldn’t get past Wharton. The 21-year-old wasn’t dribbled past once. Only Chris Richards made more blocks than Wharton who also registered four ball recoveries and won five duels. Crystal Palace needed someone to offer protection in front of their back four and Wharton was that figure for them.

It’s not just what Wharton can do against the ball that makes him such an exciting prospect, it’s what he can do on it. Crystal Palace didn’t have many prolonged periods of possession in the FA Cup final, but Wharton was still important as a valve in the centre of the pitch. More than once his passing started a counter-attack.

One wonders what Thomas Tuchel made of Wharton’s performance against Manchester City. The former Chelsea manager is moulding England ahead of the 2026 World Cup and the Crystal Palace midfielder is surely in his thoughts. Tuchel must find a place for Wharton in the Three Lions’ central unit.

Gareth Southgate struggled to find the right midfield balance over the course of his England tenure. This culminated in a messy Euro 2024 campaign which saw Southgate use several options including Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo and even Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside Declan Rice. The Alexander-Arnold experiment in particular was a failure.

England’s lack of midfield balance is a historic problem that goes back generations. Famously, Sven-Goran Eriksson failed to mesh Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard as a duo when someone like Michael Carrick might have given England’s so-called ‘golden generation’ a stronger framework as a team.

Tuchel has inherited one of the strongest and deepest pools of players anywhere in international football. England have top-quality options all over the pitch. At Euro 2024, Southgate struggled for left backs. It was a problem position. Since then, Myles Lewis-Skelly has emerged as one of the best young left backs in the world. Lewis Hall has also enjoyed a breakout season.

In midfield, England similarly boast some of the best central operators in the game right now. Jude Bellingham is a proven difference maker, but his profile makes him a challenge to fit into a midfield unit. For Real Madrid, the 21-year-old has the freedom to get forward as a de facto number nine. For England, though, Harry Kane restricts his movement.

Rice continues to improve, but he is now more of a number eight than the number six many saw him at when he first established himself as an England starter. Then there’s Mainoo, who also played in a more advanced position for his club this season. There is a clear need for an anchor at the base of the midfield.

*Wharton’s passing stats per 90, Premier League 2024/25*

“He receives well, he’s very composed, he plays forward,” said Southgate when explaining the strengths of Wharton after overlooking the Crystal Palace midfielder at Euro 2024 when the England manager favoured over options. “That sounds simple but it’s not a simple thing to do. He plays a lot of one-touch football, he sees a picture when the ball arrives to him.”

For England, Wharton will be expected to do more with possession than he currently has to for Crystal Palace. The Three Lions will dominate the ball in certain matches at the 2026 World Cup, particularly in the group stage and the early rounds. However, Wharton’s key passing and ability to play through the lines suggests he would adapt easily.

Wharton’s biggest impact for England could be in the sort of games the Three Lions have fallen short in of late. Against Spain in the Euro 2024 final, for example, England lacked the guile to play through the likes of Gavi and Pedri in the centre of the pitch. They were suffocated by the pressure applied by the tournament’s eventual winners.

It was a similar story in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup when England were outplayed by an opposition midfield that included Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić and Marcelo Brozović. This is where the integration of Wharton could change the landscape for his country just as it has for his club.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

Will Ange Postecoglou ditch ‘Ange-ball’ to win Spurs the Europa League?

Ange Postecoglou has been remarkably pragmatic in guiding Tottenham Hotspur to the Europa League final. Will ‘Ange-ball’ return against Manchester United in Bilbao?

By Graham Ruthven

Wednesday won’t be the first chance Tottenham Hotspur have had to make history this season, but it could be the first time they want to be remembered for something in the record books. After suffering their worst-ever Premier League campaign, the North London club can end their 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League.

Victory over Manchester United in Bilbao might not be enough to save Ange Postecoglou whose position as Spurs manager has been loudly questioned recently. Nonetheless, the Australian can do something none of his predecessors – Antonio Conte, José Mourinho, Mauricio Pochettino etc. – were able to.

This would be proclaimed as a triumph for ‘Ange-ball,’ except Tottenham haven’t really played much of Postecoglou’s trademark high-risk, high-intensity style during their run to the Europa League final. In fact, the Australian has been uncharacteristically pragmatic in the way he has set up his team.

Away to Bodø/Glimt in the semi-final, Spurs had just 31% of possession. They largely sat back and invited pressure before hitting out on the counter attack. Against an opponent widely seen as underdogs, Postecoglou was willing to take a reactive approach and play to the circumstances after a first leg win.

*13 teams have averaged more possession than Spurs in the Europa League*

It was a similar story away to Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-final. Again, Spurs had the minority share of possession and were content to absorb opposition pressure. The situation was different in that Tottenham Hotspur needed to win after drawing the first leg at home, but this didn’t stop Postecoglou from ditching ‘Ange-ball.’

Many Spurs supporters have been pleased to see their manager take a more pragmatic approach. They had been calling for this as Postecoglou’s team buckled under the weight of their own ambition. Tottenham didn’t have the players to play ‘Ange-ball’ in its purest form, even more so when injuries decimated their squad earlier in the season.

Previously, Postecoglou stuck with his trademark style of play because he believed it would benefit Tottenham in the long-term. He wanted to establish a framework to build around for seasons to come. While he recognised Spurs’ squad weaknesses, the Australian insisted this was best for the club’s future.

Yet while Postecoglou argues he is still standing by his principles, anyone who has watched Tottenham in their run to the Europa League has seen something different. Spurs have shown a different side to their game. It’s a side that could give them an advantage over Manchester United on Wednesday night.

“I could be going: ‘Let’s just win a trophy this season and everything will be fine,’” said Postecoglou when asked how winning the Europa League would change his future. “But if we win a trophy, finish 10th and five games into next year I get sacked – not that it’s about me – but then the club has to change direction again. So have you really done anything? I don’t think so. It’s not going to be one simple thing that opens the floodgates.”

Not for the first time this season, injuries could force Postecoglou’s hand against Manchester United. Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison will both miss the final, robbing Tottenham of creativity through the midfield. This could thrust Wilson Odobert into the starting lineup as a very different kind of attacking threat.

Odobert is someone who is most effective attacking open space. Of the players available for Spurs against Manchester United, only Djed Spence, Mathys Tel and Son Heung-min are averaging more dribbles per 90 minutes than the Frenchman who is mobile enough to drift across the forward line. He gives Tottenham fluidity.

He doesn’t, however, offer much in possession, particularly against a low defensive block. Spurs’ best chance of creating the opportunities needed to win the Europa League final could involve recycling the approach that worked against Bodø/Glimt and Eintracht Frankfurt. They could play on the counter attack again.

*Spurs’ goals for and goals against averages in the Europa League*

The bizarre paradox of Tottenham Hotspur’s current situation is that at the end of their worst-ever Premier League season they could still make themselves legends by winning a trophy. Champions League qualification would also give Spurs a platform to build on that many believe they don’t truly deserve. Nonetheless, this is the opportunity in front of them.

Postecoglou himself has become a paradox. Renowned for not pulling any punches with his tactical approach, the Australian has in fact compromised his long-term vision in order to achieve results in the immediate term. That still might not be enough to earn Postecoglou another season in charge and it would ironic if a pragmatic set-up ended up delivering his defining moment.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

Premier League Team of the Week: Matchday 37

The penultimate FotMob Team of the Week is now here.

By Sam McGuire

There were some big performances in must-win games for a number of teams. Arsenal, for example, guaranteed second place in the Premier League with a hard-fought win over Newcastle United. Everton picked up three points in their final ever game at Goodison Park, while Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have all taken it to the final game in their quest for a Champions League finish.

So, who made the XI and why?

Goalkeeper: David Raya

Raya was the player of the match in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United. Declan Rice was the match-winner but the shot-stopper was the main man for the Gunners at the Emirates, making five saves having faced efforts with an Expected Goals on Target total of 1.94. Without his exploits between the sticks, Mikel Arteta’s side lose that game having struggled to contain a Newcastle team chasing a second placed finish.

Right-Back: Matty Cash

The Aston Villa full-back put in a solid showing in the 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park. Cash completed 87% of his passes and 100% of his attempted dribbles. He won 50% of his tackles, made two clearances and recovered the ball on seven occasions. The 27-year-old also won 87% of his ground duels and 100% of his aerial duels, playing his part in Unai Emery’s side keeping a clean sheet.

Centre-Back: Ezri Konsa

Konsa scored for Villa in their win over Spurs. He was also outrageously proficient in possession, completing 98% of the passes he attempted, misplacing just two passes throughout the entire game. He also created a chance for the Villans, won half of his tackles and made five ball recoveries. The 27-year-old won four of the six duels he was involved in, capping off a fine showing on his way to a FotMob rating of 8.7.

Centre-Back: Nikola Milenković

Milenković had the fewest number of touches of any player to play 90 minutes in Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 win over West Ham, registering just 37 touches. The powerhouse centre-back scored what turned out to be the winner. He attempted four tackles, made seven clearances and won 60% of his duels as Nuno Espírito Santo’s side kept their Champions League hopes alive.

Left-Back: Marc Cucurella

The Spain full-back scored the winner against Manchester United as Chelsea clung onto the final Champions League place. The 26-year-old also completed 70% of his attempted passes, won 100% of his tackles, made three interceptions and was dribbled past just once. Cucurella also won five of his eight ground duels and two of his four aerial duels as Enzo Maresca’s side managed to repel the Europa League finalists. His showing earned him a FotMob rating of 8.5.

Midfield: Bernardo Silva

It may have been Kevin De Bruyne’s final game for Manchester City at the Etihad but it was his teammate, Bernardo Silva, who stole the show for Pep Guardiola’s side. The versatile Portuguese attacker scored in a 3-1 win over Bournemouth. He created one chance, won 80% of his duels and was fouled three times, the most of any player in this match. He kept things ticking over, completing 90% of his passes, scored a decisive goal and was robust without the ball. It was a Silva showing in a nutshell.

Midfield: Harvey Elliott

Elliott was given the opportunity to impress for the Premier League champions and he did just that. Liverpool lost 3-2 to Brighton but the versatile attacker scored the opener and assisted Dominik Szoboszlai for the second. He created four chances at the Amex, completed 88% of his passes and attempted two dribbles on his way to an 8.6 rating.

Midfield: Brajan Gruda

Gruda was a menace for Brighton as they claimed a 3-2 win over champions Liverpool on Monday night. The German playmaker carved out the most chances in the game (five), claimed an assist, had a total of four shots, completed 75% of his attempted dribbles and won 80% of his ground duels. With the ball, dangerous, without it, dominant. He certainly caught the eye for the Seagulls.

Midfield: Iliman Ndiaye

Ndiaye was the difference-maker and match-winner for Everton in their final game at Goodison Park. The former Sheffield United attacker scored twice in the victory over Southampton. The 25-year-old completed 94% of his passes, 100% of his dribbles, and won 80% of his ground duels in what was a memorable performance in a historic game for the Toffees.

Attack: Romain Esse

Oliver Glasner changed things up following Crystal Palace’s FA Cup triumph on Saturday. The Eagles rested a few players and Esse was given the nod in the XI ahead of Eberechi Eze. The 20-year-old impressed. He claimed an assist in the 4-2 win over Wolves in a game he carved out two chances and won the most duels (11). He also won four of his six tackles in what was a dominant showing out of possession by the attacking midfielder.

Attack: Eddie Nketiah

Nketiah was another to benefit from Glasner looking to rotate his team. The former Arsenal man started ahead of Jean-Philippe Mateta and responded with two goals in the victory against Wolves. Remarkably, he had just two shots during the game. The 25-year-old finished with a 100% pass success rate, attempted eight dribbles and won 100% of his tackles. It was a really positive showing from the centre-forward.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every match from the Premier League live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG and player ratings. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Tottenham vs Man United: Two Failed Seasons, One Shot at Redemption

Tottenham and Manchester United are not supposed to be here. Not after the dismal seasons they’ve had in the Premier League. Yet somehow, they’ve both landed in the Europa League Final. It’s part comedy, part credibility reset. And strangely, it might just save their seasons.

By David Skilling

This isn’t some fairytale cup run story. It’s a collision of two crisis clubs who’ve found clarity in Europe while collapsing at home. The contrast is wild, Jekyll and Hyde football in its purest form.

Tottenham got here by beating Bodø/Glimt in the semi-final. Not a powerhouse opponent, but at this stage, there are no apologies. Ange Postecoglou’s side, once flying in the Premier League with belief and swagger, have been forced to evolve. Injuries hit. Confidence wobbled. But in Europe, Spurs rediscovered something: discipline, clarity, and a way to win.

The club’s relationship with silverware is complicated. Their last major trophy came in 2008. Since then: heartbreak in the 2019 Champions League final, a League Cup final loss in 2021, and a steady stream of near-misses. But historically, Spurs are not strangers to Europe. They were the first British club to win a European trophy, taking home the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963. They followed it with two UEFA Cups in 1972 and 1984. There’s European DNA there, even if it’s been dormant for decades.

Manchester United’s semi-final was a little more dominant. A 7–1 aggregate demolition of Athletic Club was one of their few complete performances this season, albeit helped with a first-leg sending off for Dani Vivian. That’s the thing about United, for all the dysfunction, they still have some players who can turn it on. But when that is, is anybody’s guess.

Their domestic campaign has been an identity crisis in motion. Injuries, tactical confusion, and boardroom uncertainty, it’s been a mess. But this competition has offered refuge. European nights seem to bring out the clarity they lack on weekends. And that’s not new. United won this competition in 2017 under Mourinho. They lost the 2021 final on penalties to Villarreal, and their Champions League record speaks for itself. Even when their football is unconvincing, their presence still carries weight.

This will be a final built on tension, not triumph.

Let’s be clear, this isn’t a final between two elite teams at their peak. It’s a match between two big clubs trying to avoid disaster. And that makes it fascinating.

A win here won’t erase the damage done across 38 league games. But it will offer something both clubs desperately need: some narrative control. Trophies don’t fix everything, but they do quiet the noise.

*The Premier League table with one round to play*

For Tottenham, this is about more than silverware. It’s about validation. Postecoglou has transformed the energy around the club, but if it ends in collapse and nothing to show for it, the belief starts to leak. A win in Bilbao would be their first European trophy in 40 years. It would also open the door to Champions League football next season, huge for recruitment, revenue, and rebuilding momentum.

United face a different kind of pressure. We’ve seen it all over Ruben Amorim’s face. The ownership hasn’t helped the public perception of the club. Fans are unhappy. Winning this final wouldn’t convince everyone that the nightmare is over, but it would strike some confidence in potential new signings that could ignite a brighter future. Lose, and it’s an absolute disaster of a season.

It’s easy to forget these two clubs haven’t faced off in Europe before. Their domestic battles go back decades, but this is their first European meeting, a final that adds a new layer to their rivalry.

Over the decades, United have traditionally had the edge. Spurs have pulled off big wins in recent years, but have rarely carried it through a full season. At the moment, on their day, either side can blow the other away. But that’s the problem. You don’t know which version of either club will turn up.

That’s what makes this final so hard to call. Spurs have looked more cohesive in this competition. United have looked more explosive. But neither team has been consistent. This match might not come down to talent, it might come down to nerve.

When you strip away the noise, this is what’s really on the line: who gets to walk into the summer with something to build from, and who gets buried under their own dysfunction.

There’s a version of this where one team lifts the trophy, attracting players in the summer and starts again. There’s another where the loser finishes the season with no trophies, no Champions League, and no excuses. The rebuild resets again. Questions come back louder. Players come and go. Pressure mounts.

This final won’t fix the chaos that’s unfolded across either club’s season, but it does offer a reset button. For both clubs, it’s a chance to salvage pride and restore a sense of direction. One night in Bilbao won’t rewrite the season, but it might just be the moment that shifts what comes next, for the fans, the players, and the perception of what these clubs still stand for.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow the Europa League Final on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Spurs and Man United meet in Europa League Final

If it seems laughable that either of the finalists deserve a European trophy this season, that’s because it is. It’s Manchester United vs Spurs in the Europa League final, for some reason!

By Ian King

Solace found on the continent

In the Premier League, both teams are in abysmal form. Manchester United have taken two points from their last eight games while Spurs have taken four points from their last nine, with three of those coming against Southampton.

In Europe, it’s a different matter. Both sailed through their semi-finals and have shown their best sides in the Europa League. But in domestic competition, both clubs have had their worst seasons in decades.

First meeting in European competition

These two have never met each other in European competition, but they have each played in one all-English European final. In 2008, Manchester United beat Chelsea on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Moscow to win in the Champions League.

In 1972, Spurs played Wolves in a two-legged final of the UEFA Cup. Spurs won the first leg 2-1 at Molineux thanks to two goals from Martin Chivers. A 1-1 draw in the return match at White Hart Lane was enough for them to lift the trophy.

Key Players

If there’s one player more than any other who Manchester United could be dependent upon in this match, it’s goalkeeper André Onana. If the FA Cup final taught us anything, it was that goalkeepers can make or break a one-off match over 90 minutes, and United can’t afford anything like some of the antics he’s been guilty of this season. No pressure, there, André.

Spurs have been mis-firing of late, but it has been good to see Micky van de Ven back in the centre of the defence. A player who lends a little confidence that, “You know, maybe things aren’t going to turn out so bad after all”. Otherwise, Dominic Solanke scored in their last three European matches and has enjoyed this competition more than he’s enjoyed the Premier League, this season.

*Top scorer comparison in the Europa League*

Team News

Both teams have been trying to protect their remaining players ahead of this match. Spurs, for example, played eleven dustbins with shirts pulled over them at Aston Villa on Friday night, though this doesn’t alter the fact that they’ve already lost Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison for this one. United will be missing Lisandro Martínez while Matthijs de Ligt is doubtful. But Amorim has stated that Diogo Dalot, Joshua Zirkzee, and Leny Yoro are all fit to play.

Prediction

*Throws hands to the sky in absolute exasperation*

Where on earth does this end up, then? These are the clown princes of English football at the moment. Both have been decent in Europe and desperate in the Premier League season, yet one of them is going to be dancing around a half-empty stadium celebrating a trophy and a place in next year’s Champions League.

It’ll probably come down to who makes the most mistakes, and I think they can cancel each other out in this respect over 120 minutes, though both teams do still contain some extremely capable players. With that in mind, I’m going for a 2-2 draw and a penalty shootout to decide this most unfathomable final. Who wins that? They could still be going by Thursday morning…

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2025

What Jeremie Frimpong signing tells us about Liverpool’s big summer of transfers

Few would have predicted Jeremie Frimpong to be the first signing of Liverpool’s much-feted “big summer,” but a £29.5 million deal for the Dutch wing-back explains a lot about their plans for the transfer window.

By Jack Lusby, ThisIsAnfield.com

With a medical completed and his contract signed, Frimpong will officially become a Liverpool player when the transfer window opens on June 1, as the first signing of a window that will see Arne Slot reshape his title-winning squad.

In many ways it is a necessary signing, coming on the back of Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s public confirmation that he will leave the club on the expiry of his contract, but there was surprise as the story developed.

*Frimpong’s player traits compared to other fullbacks in Europe’s top five leagues*

Liverpool were widely reported to be focusing on other areas in the squad, with left-back a priority position, as Slot repeatedly stressed his faith in Conor Bradley as first-choice right-back.

That belief remains, with Bradley now signing a new long-term contract and starting both games since Alexander-Arnold’s announcement, but the addition of another right-sider certainly adds to the intrigue heading into the 2025/26 campaign.

Opportunity

Put simply, the opportunity to sign a player who, still only 24, has played 190 times for a Leverkusen side who went unbeaten to lift the Bundesliga title last season, is a regular starter for the Netherlands and qualifies as homegrown in the Premier League was too big to pass up.

To do so for just £29.5 million owing to a release clause in his contract at the BayArena made sure the numbers on the balance sheet matched up with those on analytics charts in Liverpool’s boardroom.

It is that word, opportunity, which has hallmarked Liverpool’s transfer strategy in recent years – and that will certainly remain the case this summer despite more of an emphasis on actively strengthening the squad.

*Frimpong’s career summary at Leverkusen*

While in Slot’s first transfer window he and sporting director Richard Hughes were minded to stay patient and only strike if the right deal presented itself – namely Federico Chiesa as inexpensive, experienced forward cover at just £10 million – now there are key positions to target and more opportunities to pursue.

Take the shock interest in Frimpong’s Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz for example.

Such has been Liverpool’s reluctance to engage in top-table tugs-of-war in recent years that there is a disbelief over the club genuinely committing as much as £125 million to sign one player.

But, again, weigh up the overall metrics and that could still resemble value for money for a player of Wirtz’s age, quality, experience and, perhaps above all, versatility.

Versatility

Like Frimpong, who is expected to compete with not only Bradley at right-back but also provide cover for Mohamed Salah higher up on the right flank, Wirtz is a player who excels in a variety of roles.

The 22-year-old is at his best occupying the space between the lines as an attacking No. 10, but he is also comfortable deeper, on either flank and even as a central striker.

Seven goals and seven assists in 15 games as a No. 9 of sorts may have convinced Liverpool further in a summer where moves could develop for Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz and perhaps even Diogo Jota.

While certain positions require specialists, as would be the case in signing Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez for the left-back spot, those working within the offices of the AXA Training Centre will consider versatility to be a premium.

That also informs the profile of striker Liverpool will target with Núñez at the very least set to move on; rather than the battering-ram centre-forward Jürgen Klopp and Pepijn Lijnders pushed for in 2022, Slot has outlined his preference for a nine-and-a-half.

*Liverpool’s top scorers in the Premier League this season*

Atlético Madrid’s Julián Alvarez would fit that mould, as would Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike and similarly Benjamin Šeško, as strikers who are capable of drifting and covering vast spaces in the final third while also providing that cutting edge.

Of course, as with Wirtz, any of those players would require a significant outlay, with Liverpool almost certain to break their transfer record at least once this summer.

Big money and early deals

That also appears to be a marker of things to come: on the back of Slot’s outstanding maiden campaign, owners Fenway Sports Group are prepared to invest heavily to ensure continued success with a squad shaped in his own image.

There will be an awareness of an increasingly inflated market and the pool of players who can break into the starting lineup growing smaller and smaller, and therefore it may be necessary to spend big on a talent of Wirtz’s ilk than, as has largely been their approach before, taking a calculated risk on potential at a lower price.

Liverpool are, after all, seated at the top table and seem ready to armour themselves to remain there – which, in a summer furnished with the first edition of an expanded Club World Cup, will also necessitate early business for elite clubs whether involved or not.

Frimpong’s arrival at Anfield stands to be the first of many, and though a signing that came out of the leftfield for those with reservations over his profile as a wing-back rather than a natural right-back, that £29.5 million deal may tell us more about Liverpool’s plans than it may seem.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2025

Preview: Man City play Bournemouth with the focus on Champions League qualification

Manchester City can get over the disappointment of losing Saturday’s FA Cup final by taking another step towards Champions League qualification.

By Graham Ruthven

Top five ambitions

There is no time for Manchester City to linger on what happened at Wembley on Saturday. Indeed, Pep Guardiola and his players must quickly get over defeat in the FA Cup final to secure their place in next season’s Champions League.

Weekend wins for Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have put pressure on City to beat Bournemouth on Tuesday night. Their spot in the top five could depend on it.

Bournemouth have already beaten Manchester City once this season, but enter Tuesday’s match at the Etihad Stadium on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa over a week ago. The Cherries have won just two of their last 10 games in all competitions.

City need six points from two matches this week to maximise their chances of finishing in the top five. They can’t count on favours elsewhere, making Tuesday’s match one of their most important of the entire campaign.

Key players

Erling Haaland passed on the chance to score from the spot against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final and hasn’t looked as sharp in front of goal since returning from injury two weeks ago. Nonetheless, the Norwegian will lead the line on Tuesday night.

Kevin De Bruyne has found a rich vein of form in recent weeks, scoring a winning goal in his last home match for City against Wolves. The Belgian is still City’s most reliable creative player even as he prepares to leave the club.

Phil Foden could be in line for a start after only coming off the bench for a second half cameo against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final. Jérémy Doku and Savinho did little to impact the match and could be dropped for other options.

Evanilson, Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo will all pose an attacking threat at the Etihad Stadium. Bournemouth are one of the most dangerous vertical teams in the Premier League and City will give them space to exploit in behind.

Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook will start as the double pivot at the base of the Bournemouth midfield while Dean Huijsen will play his first game since his summer transfer to Real Madrid was confirmed. The Spaniard will have another opportunity to demonstrate his level.

Team news

Rodri, John Stones, Nathan Aké and Oscar Bobb are all still sidelined for Manchester City. Otherwise, Guardiola has a fully fit and available squad to choose from.

Guardiola faces a decision over who to play in the wide areas, both in the defence and further forward. Matheus Nunes could come into the lineup at right back while James McAtee could start ahead of him.

Ryan Christie, Dango Ouattarra and Luis Sinisterra will all miss Bournemouth’s trip to the Etihad Stadium with Alex Scott and Enes Ünal also sidelined at the moment for the Cherries.

Prediction

Failing to reach the Champions League, both in its expanded format, and with the amount of places on offer to English teams would be unthinkable. Pep Guardiola must, therefore, be able to rescue something from the season, starting with a win tonight that will set up Sunday’s dramatic final round: Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2025

Preview: Liverpool visit Brighton on Monday night

The Monday night clash between Brighton and Liverpool is a strange one. The Reds have already wrapped up the title and have nothing to play for while the Seagulls can’t gatecrash the European places, they’re simply looking to finish as high up as possible. Right now, an eighth place finish is their best hope.

By Sam McGuire

There’s not a lot at stake at the Amex, but it still looks set to be an intriguing match-up.

Liverpool have eased up

We’ll address the elephant in the room. Liverpool haven’t won a game since securing the title with a 5-1 victory against Spurs. They lost to Chelsea (3-1) before giving up a 2-0 lead against Arsenal, at Anfield, last Sunday.

The team don’t seem to care though. The title is secured.

They’re enjoying themselves. The squad have been in Dubai all week while Arne Slot was pictured in Ibiza. The Reds really are on the beach. On the pitch they’re going to just be going through the motions.

Well, all but one player, anyway.

Mohamed Salah continues to chase records

Salah needs two assists in the final two matches to become the first player since Thierry Henry to register 20+ goals and 20+ assists in a single season. He’s also just one goal involvement away from matching a record currently held by Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer.

Everyone else might be on the beach, mentally, but Salah is still focused on influencing things in the final third. In truth, he should’ve had at least one assist in his last outing. He put it on a plate for Luis Díaz, only to see David Raya pull off a remarkable save to thwart the Liverpool No. 7.

He spent the rest of the game trying to assist teammates, even opting to pass up opportunities to shoot in favour of creating an opportunity instead.

The Liverpool No. 11 is going to be looking to finish the season on an individual high as well as a collective one. He has a good record against the Seagulls, scoring the winner when the two sides met at Anfield last time out.

What will happen with Trent Alexander-Arnold?

For a second successive week, Alexander-Arnold has been a hot topic of debate.

He replaced Conor Bradley at Anfield last weekend and every touch was met by a chorus of boos from the Anfield crowd. This has divided opinion online, but it is quite clear that Liverpool fans are not happy with his decision to leave the club to join Real Madrid.

It soured the atmosphere on Merseyside last weekend.

Does Slot risk ruining the feel good vibe again by naming him in the starting XI? Does the Dutchman risk having him in the squad at all?

There are plenty of unknowns right now.

The Seagulls are soaring, kind of

Brighton are doing well over recently weeks. They’ve taken eight points from a possible 15, losing just one of their last five in the Premier League.

However, they have scored at least two in three of these matches. They beat an in-form Wolves side 2-0 last time out and managed to hold Champions League chasing Newcastle United to a 1-1 draw.

They have the quality and the personnel to cause problems.

Injury issues

The hosts are without some key names in James Milner, Solly March, Ferdi Kadıoğlu and Georginio Rutter. They do, however, still have a talented squad to pick from, so naming a competitive XI to face the champions should not be an issue for Fabian Hürzeler.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have everyone available to them with the exception of Joe Gomez. Slot has some big decisions to make ahead of the game. He has too many players for his matchday squad.

Prediction

We’re going to go with a narrow 2-1 win for the hosts.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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May

2025

Preview: Inter Miami face Orlando City in the Florida Derby

It’s rivalry week in Major League Soccer, and Inter Miami will be looking to turn things around against fellow Floridians Orlando City as they return home after a difficult road trip.

By James Nalton

Rivalry return

On returning from a winless run of away games that saw a heavy defeat to Minnesota United and a 3-3 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes, maybe the last thing Inter Miami would want is a match against a naturally motivated rival, Orlando City.

The game is part of MLS’s rivalry week, a part-forced, part-intensely genuine group of games where rivalries old and new are renewed.

Maybe it will be the spark and motivation Inter Miami need to recover from a disappointing run that has seen them win just three times in 11 games in all competitions.

Orlando will be no pushovers, though, and will be up for this local rivalry as they look to get one over on their high-profile opponents.

Suárez also returns

Despite missing the last two games, Luis Suárez still sits joint top of the league’s assists charts with six.

Inter Miami will be glad to have his guile and experience back in the side, and the Uruguayan is always handy to have around for rivalry games.

Suárez remains a game-changer, and having missed out on the disappointing pair of away games, the 4-1 win at home to New York Red Bulls at the start of the month was his previous Inter Miami experience, and he and his team will be hoping it can be repeated.

Defensive struggles

Inter Miami have never been the most convincing team defensively, but at the beginning of this season it looked like head coach Javier Mascherano had found a way to make them more solid at the back.

At one point, they had one of the best defensive records in the league, but there were always signs they could be got at.

*Inter Miami concede more goals than 20 MLS teams, including Orlando*

They conceded no more than one goal per game for a run of seven earlier in the campaign, but the barriers soon broke, and they have now conceded 12 goals in their last four MLS games.

There isn’t much that Suárez, Lionel Messi, et al can do about this, other than try to outscore the opposition at the other end.

Opposition: Orlando City

Given their opponent’s struggles, Orlando City might be relishing this particular installment of the Florida rivalry.

City’s own Argentine attacker, Martín Ojeda, has been in good form so far this year, netting eight goals and adding three assists in 11 starts, putting him joint-second in the league for goals and assists combined.

With assistance from the Colombian former Atalanta and Sampdoria striker Luis Muriel and Croatia international Marco Pašalić, Orlando have one of the best attacks in the Eastern Conference.

Seeing as Inter Miami’s defence looks like one of the worst in the league in recent games, Orlando will fancy their chances, as teams increasingly are against Mascherano’s side, despite the star power they boast in attack.

Prediction

There’s always a chance Messi and the returning Suárez can do enough to win any game, but this could be set for another score draw given Orlando’s own attacking threat.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

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