Introducing the Van der Sons: The second generation Dutch footballers

Introducing the Van der Sons: The second generation Dutch footballers

They might sound like a Dutch Eurovision act that clung to the early-2010s folk revival way longer than they should have, but in fact, it’s a nickname (coined by the editor) for the surge of former Dutch footballers’ sons emerging to take up the family business.


By Alex Roberts


Nepotism in football isn’t quite as simple as it is in say, finance or real estate, due to the fact it takes actual skill. Yet for many, the luxurious life of being the child of a footballer doesn’t necessarily instill the work ethic needed to succeed.

It’s not a particularly new phenomenon, Ronald Koeman, Daley Blind, and Steven Berghuis all had fathers that were professional footballers. It just doesn’t happen anywhere else nearly as much as is does in the Netherlands.

The House of Kluivert, arguably the most successful Dutch footballing dynasty, recently enjoyed a remarkable spell. All four of Patrick Kluivert’s sons are footballers, and on October 2, three of them found the back of the net on three consecutive days.

First there was Shane Kluivert, who scored the equaliser in Barcelona Under-19’s 2-1 UEFA Youth League win over PSG. Then came Ruben Kluivert, the only defensive Kluivert, who bagged his first goal for new club Lyon in their 2-0 Europa League victory over RB Salzburg.

Finally, there was Justin Kluivert, the most famous of the Kluivert children. He capped a fine performance for high-flying Bournemouth with a well-placed long-range effort to give his side the lead against Fulham.

In the summer of 2010, a star-studded Dutch side played their way to the World Cup final. Although they ultimately fell at the final hurdle, losing 1-0 to Spain, Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Rafael van der Vaart, Mark van Bommel, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar all etched their names into their nation’s footballing history.

Now, 15 years later, their kids will be hoping to go one step further, although they certainly have some big boots to fill.

Perhaps the furthest along in their development is Ruben van Bommel, son of Dutch hardman Mark. Unlike his defender old man, Ruben is a left winger, who learned his trade at AZ Alkmaar, breaking into the first team in 2023 and going on to score 17 goals and provide six assists in his 73 games for the club.

This summer, champions PSV came knocking, and Van Bommel Jr. joined for a reported fee of €16 million. Standing at 6’4”, the 21-year-old has absolutely no right being as technically gifted as he is, using his rapid pace to beat his man to burst into the opposition box.

He’s already making waves at PSV, scoring four goals in his eight games across all competitions (three in the league). Unfortunately, after picking up a serious knee injury in the 2-2 draw with arch-rivals Ajax, it looks like he’ll be out for the rest of the season.

“The moment it happened, I immediately sensed that something was wrong,” Van Bommel said on the club website. “This is a significant setback, as I was highly motivated to make this an unforgettable season with PSV. However, I am quickly adjusting my mindset. I will do everything I can to return to the pitch in the best possible condition, and in the meantime, I will continue to support the team from the sidelines.”

Of all the second-generation stars, perhaps the highest hopes are pinned on Shaqueel van Persie, son of all-time Oranje top scorer Robin van Persie. Shaqueel came through Feyenoord’s academy, just like daddy dearest, who now happens to be first team manager.

The former Arsenal and Man United gun man is yet to give Shaqueel his professional debut, largely because they currently have Eredivisie top scorer Ayase Ueda up top banging them in for fun with eight goals in his eight games.

He certainly has his dad’s eye for goal. Blessed with quick feet, Shaqueel has been a nuisance at youth level, scoring 30 goals in his 53 games for Feyenoord’s various ranks. Funnily enough he’s only provided a single assist, so he clearly doesn’t care for much else than finding the net.

Rafael van der Vaart may genuinely be one of the most underrated players of his generation, his son Damian, will be hoping he can make up for that. Like Rafael did, the 19-year-old is playing for Ajax’s famous academy.

While Rafael was a number ten, Damian is a little more defensive minded, operating primarily as a six, although he does display the same comfort in possession that defined his father’s game.

Born in Madrid when his father Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was at Real, 16-year-old Sebastian left Vitesse this summer with the Dutch’s club future still very much in the air, joining PSV’s academy for a respectable €200k. A striker just like his father; he needs to be studying one of the most clinical forward the Netherlands has ever produced.

19-year-old Jessey Sneijder signed his first professional contract with FC Utrecht, the club his father Wesley supported, despite the fact he never played for them, last season. He’s since trained with the first team on several occasions, playing in the number ten role much like his dad. He’s understood to be quite the freekick specialist.

Finally, the “cut-in king” Arjen Robben has two sons in the academy of his former club, FC Groningen. The eldest, 16-year-old Luka, is beginning to show glimpses of that fearless, old-school winger style — the kind who loves to take on defenders and cause chaos down the flank. Sound familiar?

There is something deeply romantic about these young men wanting to follow in the footsteps of their fathers, and for those of us who grew up watching such a talented generation of Dutch players, if offers a comforting sense of familiarity.

It’s fair to say the Netherlands haven’t been quite the same since these daddies retired, perhaps their sons can help bring them back to the centre stage.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


You can follow the Eredivisie on FotMob during the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, xG, and player ratings, where available. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
Preview: England face Wales in Wembley ‘friendly’

Preview: England face Wales in Wembley ‘friendly’

England and Wales take a short interlude from World Cup qualifying as the two rivals meet in an international friendly at Wembley on Thursday evening.


By Ross Kilvington


Both nations have started their qualifying campaigns off solidly. England have won all five of their fixtures so far, scoring 13 goals and conceding zero as they bid to reach an eighth successive World Cup.

Wales currently occupy third place in Group J, however, they have only lost once in five matches and sit just one point behind leaders North Macedonia.

Craig Bellamy will be looking to snap Wales’ seven game winless streak against England, a run that stretches all the way back to 1984.

Indeed, since a 2-1 victory over England in the British Home Championship in 1955, Wales have defeated their rivals on just three occasions – 1977, 1980 and 1984.

Team news

Reece James was forced to withdraw from the England squad on Monday after sustaining an injury during Chelsea’s win over Liverpool at the weekend.

Noni Madueke and Tino Livramento are both sidelined because of injury, but Declan Rice will be fit, despite limping off against West Ham last week.

Thomas Tuchel left out Jude Bellingham, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden from his latest squad, sparking rumours that there was perhaps a rift between the German and Bellingham.

He was quick to dispel that, however, stating that he had no issue with the Real Madrid midfielder: “To make it fully clear, we can have the same harmony, the same level of performance with him.”

There is no such controversy in the Wales squad. Bellamy will be without influential figure Aaron Ramsey due to injury. Elsewhere, winger Dan James is also absent from the squad.

Aside from that, there are no further injury issues.

Wales will have one eye on Belgium clash

While Bellamy will be looking to seal a historic victory at Wembley, the manager surely has one eye on the qualifying tie against Belgium just four days later.

A victory against the Belgians could give the nation a major boost in their chances of qualifying for back-to-back World Cups.

Will Bellamy sacrifice the chance to get one over on England in order to secure three points on Monday evening? Only time will tell.

Tuchel eyes further progress with England

Safe to say, the German didn’t enjoy the most productive of starts with England. Across his first five matches, England scored just nine goals and suffered a 3-1 defeat to Senegal in June.

Since then, England have defeated Andorra, before putting in their finest performance yet under Tuchel, with a sublime 5-0 win over Serbia in Belgrade.

Another positive display against Wales will further demonstrate that perhaps Tuchel is the right man to guide England to silverware next summer at the World Cup.

Prediction

While both teams have more important games on the horizon, Wales’ clash with Belgium holds more significance compared to England’s match against Latvia.

As such, expect the home side to secure a relatively straightforward 2-0 win at Wembley.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


You can follow every World Cup qualifier on FotMob in the build up to the 2026 finals – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
Jude Bellingham facing the first serious questions of his career

Jude Bellingham facing the first serious questions of his career

England will take on Wales and Latvia without Jude Bellingham after the 22-year-old’s omission by Thomas Tuchel.


By Graham Ruthven


Jude Bellingham has watched more football from the sidelines than he would have liked this season and he’ll have to watch some more as England face Wales and Latvia. The midfielder’s omission from Thomas Tuchel’s latest squad raised some eyebrows, but reflected how for the first time in his career Bellingham is facing questions.

Tuchel’s decision not to call up Bellingham could simply be attributable to the 22-year-old’s delayed start to the season through injury. Having undergone shoulder surgery in July, Bellingham has started just one game for Real Madrid this term. That one start came in the 5-2 derby demolition against Atlético Madrid when the midfielder looked off the pace.

Bellingham in LaLiga this season

“He is a special player, and for special players there can always be special rules,” said Tuchel. “Jude always deserves to be here. There is also the situation that he has not quite gathered his full rhythm again at Real Madrid – he has not finished a full match. He wanted to be called up. We had a phone call.”

One wonders, however, if Tuchel is using this as an excuse to look at other options ahead of the 2026 World Cup. While Bellingham was undeniably impactful at Euro 2024 – England wouldn’t have made a run to the final without him – he looks to be an awkward fit for The Three Lions under their new manager.

Similar could be said of Bellingham as a Real Madrid player. The arrival of Xabi Alonso has changed the landscape at the Santiago Bernabéu with Los Blancos going through a tactical transition. That transition has so far taken place without Bellingham who is now behind the curve.

Arda Güler has been most commonly used as the number 10 in Alonso’s team this season. The Turkish international has been transformed under the new manager who sees Güler as a central creator rather than a wide difference-maker, as had been the case under Carlo Ancelotti.

With Güler as Real Madrid’s new number 10, Bellingham will have to adapt his game to become a two-way midfielder as part of Alonso’s double pivot. This is where the 22-year-old might lack the defensive instincts for the role, especially when compared to Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Fede Valverde.

There’s stiff competition in Tuchel’s England squad too. Declan Rice is a more accomplished two-way midfielder than Bellingham while Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are more nimble as natural creators further up the pitch, particularly in matches where England have most of the ball.

For England and Real Madrid, Bellingham previously produced his best form when he had the freedom to get forward from midfield as a box-crashing threat. There were times for Real Madrid when he essentially operated as a de facto centre forward following Karim Benzema’s departure. Bellingham helped bridge the gap.

He had a similar role for Gareth Southgate’s England. Indeed, Bellingham’s desire and willingness to get forward frequently offered a different dimension in games The Three Lions were otherwise lacking in an attacking sense. At the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024, Bellingham was integral.

Now, though, Tuchel is remoulding the national team and Bellingham’s role will surely change. If the idea is to accommodate two of Eze, Foden and Palmer in the forward line, Rice might require someone like Elliot Anderson or Adam Wharton alongside him to anchor things in central midfield.

Bellingham could add defensive fibre to his game to become a midfield anchor, but that would rob him of the attacking verve that makes him such a special talent. The 22-year-old might be squeezed out by England and Real Madrid who both want to become more modern and proactive in their respective approaches.

The best players find a way to make themselves useful. It was only a couple of seasons ago that Bellingham was widely considered one of the best players in the world. He was a Ballon d’Or contender. Bellingham’s future for club and country is bright even if he has to make a few adjustments.

To date, Bellingham’s career has been on a solid and sustained upward trajectory. From Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid, he made every step with ease. There was a fairytale element to his career, as exemplified by how he won his first Champions League title against his former club at his national stadium.

It’s possible that Bellingham’s upward trajectory will continue with World Cup glory next summer. For the time being, though, he must prove himself all over again. He won’t be able to do that against Wales and Latvia, but English football’s golden boy must somehow find a way to make his game shine again.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


You can follow every World Cup qualifier on FotMob in the build up to the 2026 finals – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
The stakes are high as Steve Clarke dreams of a World Cup with Scotland

The stakes are high as Steve Clarke dreams of a World Cup with Scotland

Scotland can take a big step towards World Cup qualification with a win over Greece at Hampden Park on Thursday.


By Graham Ruthven


Greece know what it’s like to silence the famous ‘Hampden Roar,’ as it has been dubbed through the decades. Indeed, it was only a few months ago that they beat Scotland on their own patch, securing their Nations League promotion at the expense of Steve Clarke’s side. The stakes will be even higher when the two teams meet again on Thursday.

In a four team group as competitive as the one Greece and Scotland have landed in, there is no room for a misstep. A defeat for either team would be catastrophic, especially for Greece who suffered a 3-0 loss at home to Denmark in their last outing. It would also be difficult to envisage Scotland finishing top should they lose on Thursday.

This is the sharpest of knife-edge matches Scotland have played in years, since their last World Cup qualifying campaign which ended with a disappointing defeat to Ukraine in the playoffs. Even if Scotland win on Thursday, the ‘Hampden Roar’ might be quietened by the sheer nervousness of the occasion.

The match could be a referendum on Clarke’s entire time as national team manager, certainly the latter part. While the 62-year-old succeeded in ending Scotland’s long wait for a major tournament appearance, qualifying for the last two Euros, the World Cup remains the golden carrot he has yet to bite.

Clarke must learn lessons from the way March’s defeat to Greece panned out. Scotland were picked off by a team with more urgency and energy in the attacking third. They afforded too much space to Konstantinos Karetsas, the teenage prodigy many believe is destined for the top of the sport. The same thing can’t happen again on Thursday.

The second leg of the Scotland vs. Greece tie in the Nations League

At their best, Clarke’s Scotland have been difficult to beat and steadfast in their conviction to hit teams in quick transition. At their worst, they have been limited in their attacking ambition. This was certainly true of them at Euro 2024 when Clarke was heavily criticised for not taking the handbrake off with a place in the round of 16 at stake.

Many believed Scotland’s group stage exit in Germany should have marked the end of Clarke’s tenure. After five years in charge, it was argued that a new voice was needed in the dressing room. Still some believe this, although a respectable Nations League campaign stopped the spiral that looked to have started at the Euros.

Scotland have the quality to make it to a World Cup. In fact, their record of just one defeat in 16 qualifiers, a run dating back to 2016, makes it something of an anomaly that they haven’t already done so under Clarke. Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell recently called World Cup qualification the “last piece of the jigsaw.”

Clarke’s record with Scotland

In Scott McTominay, Scotland boast a player who finished 18th in this year’s Ballon d’Or voting. The Napoli midfielder finished Euro 2024 qualifying with seven goals and is most effective when he has the freedom to crash the box and cause chaos in the final third. Scotland need McTominay to be sharp against Greece.

They also need John McGinn to carry over the sort of form he has recently rediscovered at club level. The 30-year-old has scored three times in his last four Aston Villa appearances. It’s been a while since McGinn was truly influential for Scotland, but he could make the difference on Thursday night.

Ben Gannon-Doak could be the most important player in dark blue. The teenage winger gives Scotland a different dimension, a different route to goal. Clarke doesn’t have another player like Gannon-Doak, someone who can dribble past an opponent and create something out of nothing.

It will be on Billy Gilmour to control possession at the base of the midfield with Andy Robertson still an important and experienced figure at left back. On the right side of the defence, Aaron Hickey’s return from injury has given Scotland the sort of security on the ball they desperately missed at Euro 2024.

Against Greece in March, Scotland struggled in moments of defensive transition. Against Croatia and Portugal in the Nations League, though, they kept clean sheets in front of their own supporters. It’s this sort of defensive solidity Scotland require to top a group that includes Denmark, Greece and Belarus.

In many ways, Scotland have been building to this moment for years. They are accustomed to high stakes games having played at two major tournaments in the last four years. They possess their strongest talent pool in a generation or two. Key players are fit and rounding into form. Fail to beat Greece on Thursday, however, and it could all matter for little.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


You can follow every World Cup qualifier on FotMob in the build up to the 2026 finals – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
Minnows Cape Verde are ready for the World Cup

Minnows Cape Verde are ready for the World Cup

Cape Verde are on the brink of making history. Following their September victory over one of Africa’s footballing behemoths, Cameroon, the tiny archipelago nation are now one win away from qualifying for their first World Cup.


By Alex Roberts


The brilliantly nicknamed Blue Sharks have been punching above their weight in the African Cup of Nations for some time now, reaching the quarterfinals in the 2013 and 2023, but compared to Cameroon, they’re nothing but a lemon shark.

The breakthrough came in the 54th minute, when Dailon Rocha Livramento shrugged £100 million+ rated Carlos Baleba off the ball deep in his own half and drove forward. Bursting straight through the spine of the Cameroon defence, he carried the attack into the box before coolly slotting past André Onana from just inside the area.

Cameroon struggled to mount any meaningful response, with Man United forward Bryan Mbeumo seeing a penalty appeal waved away and home goalkeeper Vozinha denying Flavien Boyomo’s stoppage-time volley.

At the final whistle, the stadium erupted as jubilant fans poured onto the pitch, waving flags and setting off flares in wild celebration of a historic triumph.

Sitting at the top of Group D in CAF World Cup qualifying, all they need to do is travel to Libya and win today’s game. If they succeed, they will become the second smallest nation in terms of population ever to reach football’s ultimate stage.

It almost happened in 2014, but after fielding an ineligible player, Fernando Varela, Cape Verde were disqualified from the World Cup CAF qualifying play-offs. As a result, Tunisia were awarded a 3–0 victory (instead of Cape Verde’s 2–0 win), and they advanced to the play-offs.

Ironically, Cape Verde were handed the points from their March fixture, in which Varela was sent off, after FIFA ruled that Equatorial Guinea had fielded an ineligible player. Equatorial Guinea had originally claimed a 4-3 victory, but the result was overturned when it was confirmed that striker Emilio Nsue López did not meet the nationality requirements.

The ruling also had knock-on effects for Tunisia, who thought they had secured a play-off spot in June with a 1-1 draw in Malabo. Instead, those sanctions against Nsue’s inclusion altered the standings and denied them progression.

Still, when all was said and done Tunisia finished top of Group B with 14 points, with Cape Verde second on nine points, and they were denied their chance to play in the 2014 World Cup in beautiful Brazil.

This time around their qualifiers have been a little less fraught with controversy. It started all the way back in November 2023 with a drab 0-0 home draw against Angola. We’d love to go into more detail but the only thing that happened was there were some substitutions.

The next game against Eswatini was a little more entertaining. Cape Verde travelled to the Mbombela Stadium and ended up 2-0 winners thanks to goals from 35-year-old winger Ryan Mendes and 31-year-old attacking midfielder Jamiro Monteiro.

When the final whistle blew in their first game against Cameroon, any hope of reaching the tournament proper felt a long way off. The home side ended the game as 4-1 winners, and Cape Verde were sent home with much to ponder.

Bubista’s lads needed to rally, knowing that defeat to Libya in their next game would likely end their chances of catching that flight across the Atlantic Ocean to the promised land of the Americas.

Centre-back Diney Borges put his side ahead inside ten minutes, finishing off a brilliantly executed corner routine. Jovane Cabral played it short to Monteiro, who teed up Patrick Andrade to deliver a high, looping ball into the box.

Libya goalkeeper Murad Al Wuheeshi flapped at it but he couldn’t quite reach it. After a little bit of classic penalty box pinball, it dropped to Borges who slotted the ball into an open goal and secured a much-needed win.

It would be nearly a year before the players met up again to face Mauritius. With only one win at the time, this game should have been routine for Cape Verde, but it took an incredibly tense 85 minutes before Yannick Semedo broke the deadlock and earned another hard fought 1-0 win.

Five days later Cape Verde headed to Angola. By the time this game came around, the four goals Cameroon scored were the only goals Cape Verde had conceded, and when Livramento gave them a 1-0 lead just before the break after a devastating counterattack, it looked like it would be business as usual.

Whatever Angola boss Pedro Goncalves said at half-time appeared to work. His side exploded out of the gates, with Gelson Dala bagging the equalizer in the 50th minute from an indirect freekick.

Cameroon’s 0-0 draw with Eswatini during the same international break saw Cape Verde leapfrog them into the top spot. The Indomitable Lions went on to win the reverse fixture 3-1, in the first international break of the 2025-26 season, but it wasn’t enough to regain their position.

Now sitting four points ahead of Cameroon, Cape Verde need just three points from their final two games to make what seemed impossible happen. That’s a lot of pressure put on the shoulders of those who would write their names in history.

The small archipelago of ten islands boasts distinct cultures and traditions on each, but when the national team gathers, those differences quickly fade, and there are plenty of them.

At last year’s AFCON, their 25-man squad was drawn from 25 different clubs across 16 countries, including Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Russia, the USA, Spain, France, Italy, and Ireland.

Historically, Cape Verdean-born talents like Nani and Rolando have opted to represent Portugal in pursuit of international success. But this could mark the beginning of a new era, one of footballing independence, where future stars choose to stay and shine for Cape Verde.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


You can follow every World Cup qualifier on FotMob in the build up to the 2026 finals – with in-depth stat coverage, xG, and player ratings, where available. Download the free app here.

Posted by Bill Biss
EFL Championship: How things stand at the October international break

EFL Championship: How things stand at the October international break

The international break gives us the perfect opportunity to jump back in and take a look at how the season is progressing in the Championship. Nine games in, broadcaster Sanny Rudravajhala checks in with Coventry, Sheffield United and Preston fans who have lots to talk about but for very different reasons.


By Sanny Rudravajhala


I’m not the biggest romcom fan but who knew that 1998’s ‘Sliding Doors’ starring Gweneth Paltrow would have such an impact on the English language? How else could you succinctly describe the concept of fate going in two different directions, all upon one chance event? For Paltrow, it was the consequence of either making or missing a train. And in the Championship, the ripple effects from last season are still being felt.

Let’s flash back to 24 May, the playoff final and what happens if Sheffield United’s Kieffer Moore doesn’t try a first-time lay off that ended up setting up Sunderland’s Tommy Watson for a 96th minute winner? At 1-1, the Blades could have still found a Wembley winner. Right now, Moore could be their top flight front man rather than the latest big name at Wrexham. For Sheffield United, their fortunes couldn’t be starker.

That failure saw Chris Wilder leave and replaced as Blades boss by Rubén Sellés. Six games and six defeats later Wilder was back for a third spell but in the three weeks since, they remain at the foot of the table.

“It was right to part ways with Sellés. The new owners’ experiment had failed, drastically shown by the 5-0 loss to Ipswich, which proved to be the final straw.” David Taylor from The Pinch fanzine and podcast tells me. 

“The players look like shadows of the ones who were a few kicks away from the Premier League and our new signings haven’t shown why they might be an improvement on, or even worthy replacements for, those that left too. Wilder has tried to re-install his version of Sheffield United, but it hasn’t worked out yet. We’re not conceding goals by the tonne, but at the same time, we don’t look like a team that can control a match.”

Saturday’s defeat to Hull City, in which Harrison Burrows had a late penalty saved, only accentuated Sheffield United’s problems. When I was in the city battling wind and rain to break Wilder’s return live on TV, every fan that I spoke to was almost jubilant. There was an expectation that he would hit the ground running but looking at the data, goalkeeper Michael Cooper is a good illustration of their issues.

Cooper and James Trafford were the outstanding shot stoppers in the division last season. Cooper prevented 4 more goals than he was expected to concede but this season, from an xG of goals on target of 12, he’s conceded 16. 

Michael Cooper’s save map, Championship 2025/26

Gus Hamer continues to show flashes of his old self – what if his effort which crashed off the post against Hull had gone in? A combination of errors and misfortune have hurt them dearly. For Blades fans, it’s already feeling like a Sliding Doors season.

Continuity key for Lampard’s Coventry

I hope you can feel my smugness through your screen when I tell you that I called this! Coventry are unbeaten, free-scoring and top the table. Continuity has been key and in a samey division, having a quality, well-drilled core has given them the edge.

“To this day, we’ve only lost to [promoted] Leeds and Burnley at home under Frank Lampard”, says Tom Ward of the Sky Blues Extra Podcast

“We’re carrying on from last season, but players have raised their levels. Brandon Thomas-Asante and Jay Dasilva, for example, had spells where they weren’t great, but now they’re two of the first names on the teamsheet. Collectively and individually, we’ve come out firing on all cylinders.”

Coventry are overwhelming in attack. They’ve scored 27 already and the seven against QPR in August have been followed up more recently with four put past Millwall and another five beyond a beleaguered and multiple-embargoed Sheffield Wednesday. There’s an endless stream of players arriving in the box at just the right time, none more so than Haji Wright. He’s put long-term injury behind him to become a fox in the box for all eight of his goals so far.

Coventry have two of the top three scorers in the division

“It’s great to have him back and firing”, says Tom who explains that Lampard has shifted Wright from the left flank to become a number nine. 

“I think he’s done a lot with him mentally as well. He has loads of talent, but he did go missing a bit last season. In the playoff semi-final at Sunderland, he just wasn’t really in the game and probably cost us it a little bit. But it feels like we’re seeing the rewards of Lampard’s work with him now.”

Sliding Doors reflections on that Stadium of Light night are being banished.

Preston no small fry

Time to swap smugness for humble pie, or better still, a gourmet jacket potato. Yes, I said Preston would go down. They survived. And, having been at their summer sponsorship extravaganza, the feelgood factor and new faces have kicked them on. PNE are perched in fourth.

“The SpudBros have helped with the vibes around Deepdale because they’re just two local lads giving us some positivity.” Kimberley Ramshead, season ticket holder and PNE Her Game Too Ambassador tells me. 

Lewis Dobbin has impressed on loan from Aston Villa. He scored a cracker in their 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough and was alive to get the ball to Thierry Small, who was manic in celebrating scoring against his old Charlton side. There’s definitely desire in the new boys.

“On the pitch I think getting rid of those who didn’t look interested in playing helped and Paul Heckingbottom had a full summer to get things sorted. Daniel Iversen back in goal has given confidence to the defence and some of his saves this season have been outstanding. We’d be lost without him.” concludes Kimberley.

David Iversen’s save map, Championship 2025/26

I was at Leicester’s draw with Wrexham last week and the home boos at the whistle were certainly justified. Wrexham’s Lewis O’Brien showed all the desire that Leicester were lacking in setting up Nathan Broadhead’s equaliser and I saw enough from the visitors to think they’ll be okay this season. 

Middlesbrough’s bright beginning under Rob Edwards is slowing and the stats on their starting XI show that their attacking players need to raise their levels. At the other end of the table, I’m worried for Liam Manning at Norwich. Investment in the squad hasn’t paid dividends. They’re still overly reliant on Josh Sargent and crumpling to rivals Ipswich Town has only added more weight to the visit of Manning’s old club, Bristol City, next time out.

Even though it’s 27 years old, I won’t spoil the end of Sliding Doors for you. There is a twist, though, and I think we will still see that in the Championship. Even the worst performing teams can come good. If the game is made up of little moments, then there’s still plenty of time before the doors slide shut.


(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.

Posted by Bill Biss
Man Utd are breaking new ground in the UWCL but refuse to just make up the numbers

Man Utd are breaking new ground in the UWCL but refuse to just make up the numbers

Manchester United begin their first ever foray into the Women’s Champions League proper with the matchday one visit of Norway’s Vålerenga this week.


By Jamie Spencer


“I don’t want us to go and just experience the Champions League,” Marc Skinner had said, five days before Manchester United’s opening league phase fixture at home against Vålerenga.

Moments earlier, United saw out a real statement WSL performance against Chelsea. The game finished 1-1, yet there was still a sense of major progress from Skinner’s side, whose only win in 16 previous games against the perennial domestic champions was a self-admitted FA Cup smash and grab two seasons before. This time, the Red Devils took the game to Chelsea and never once looked inferior. With more clinical finishing, it might have been three points instead of one, and perhaps the ultimate compliment was opposing manager Sonia Bompastor calling the draw “not a bad result”.

The timing couldn’t be better. At last competing on more of an even keel than ever before with the club that has reached the Champions League semi-finals or better in six of the last eight years is big, just as United prepare to embark on their own maiden European adventure.

The Champions League is the standard bearer and yardstick like no other.

For Skinner and United, getting to that promised land has been the goal all along, finally achieved after navigating two qualifying rounds and successfully seeing off PSV Eindhoven, Hammarby and Brann across four games by an overall cumulative 8-1 scoreline. 

It hasn’t been the smoothest of rides, agonisingly missing out two years ago in a third qualifying round defeat to two-time finalists Paris Saint-Germain, after which came the club’s worst WSL finish (5th in 2023/24) just 12 months on from their best (2nd in 2022/23). High profile and senior players have left at various junctures, but United rebuilt, in many ways going back to basics by focusing on defensive structure, and came storming back into the WSL’s top three. This past summer was about adding polished quality to that newly solid foundation – Fridolina Rolfö, Julia Zigiotti Olme, Jess Park.

All three have played in the Champions League before, with Rolfö in particular a veteran of the competition with each of her last four clubs, a five-time finalist and two-time winner. The Swede brings a certain class to the left-hand side of the pitch, with Zigiotti a tenacious force in the centre of midfield – arguably a previous weak point, and Park capable of breaking defensive lines at will.

Qualifying for the Champions League may have always been the target, but it was never the end game. Hosting PSG (again), this time at Old Trafford, and record eight-time winners OL Lyonnes in the weeks to come is not viewed as a prize for what has been achieved so far, but another – still early – step in a much longer journey that is far from over.

“Don’t go in eyes wide open,” Skinner urged. “Focused” and “mature” is the instruction.

“I want us to show our maturity that we’ve had over the last four or five seasons together, in [FA] Cup finals. We have to be mature in moments, knowing that referees are different, games are different, different tactics, different nationalities you’re playing against. Don’t be naïve.”

In addition to Vålerenga, PSG and OL Lyonnes at home, United are tasked with European away days against Atlético Madrid, Wolfsburg and Juventus in the quest to finish in the top 12 of 18, in what is a new format for the Women’s Champions League to mirror the men’s 2024 shift to a league phase. The first four get a bye to the quarter-finals, with fifth to 12th contesting a knockout play-off. United will feel confident that avoiding a bottom six finish, especially if this week kicks things off with a win in arguably the most favourable fixture of the lot, is more than doable.

United’s UWCL fixtures

The acid test this season will be how the squad copes with six midweek European matchdays interspersed with the usual WSL commitments between now and Christmas. Depth is what critics have earmarked as a potential issue. In the early weeks of this season, a number of players have suffered fitness problems. Against Liverpool at the end of September, only four outfield players were named on the bench, but that situation has already improved and it was a full quota by the time United faced Chelsea six days later – including Hannah Blundell’s return and Simi Awujo back fit.

Millie Turner could be out until Christmas, which is a blow and does affect centre-back cover, but Leah Galton is the only other player currently sidelined and is nearing fitness.

If United are to successfully juggle WSL and Champions League calendars, making good on their determination to be competitive on both fronts, it can only be a full squad game.

For more than a decade, Manchester United was a name conspicuously absent from the women’s game. During a period of development and growth that laid crucial foundations for the post-2022 explosion we continue to witness, the club didn’t operate a senior side – until reforming in 2018. Now, seven years on and into the Champions League, they feel this is where they are meant to be. The challenge that comes with that is to prove that they are ready to belong.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


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Posted by Bill Biss in league_9227, league_9375, Manchester United Women, team_954396, Trending, Women's Champions League, World News, WSL
Preview: Barcelona visit Sevilla in LaLiga

Preview: Barcelona visit Sevilla in LaLiga

Sevilla will be looking to snap a ten-year winless streak against Barcelona when they face the Catalan giants at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Sunday afternoon.


By Ross Kilvington


The Andalusian side currently occupy tenth place in the table after seven matches, yet they have only won three of those games.

Indeed, Sevilla have lost three and drawn one of their last four home matches in the league. Stretching back to the start of 2025, the club have claimed just a solitary victory at home in LaLiga. This is fewer than any side who have featured in both the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.

Barcelona are fresh off a 2-1 defeat at home to PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

In La Liga, however, the club are unbeaten after seven games and sit second in the table with 19 points, just two points behind Real Madrid.

Barcelona are unbeaten in their previous 15 away games in the top flight, winning 11 and drawing four. This is their best run since October 2022.

Team news

Hansi Flick will be without Raphinha, Joan García, Marc-André ter Stegen, Gavi and Fermín López for the clash against Sevilla on Sunday.

This could see the German coach rejig his team following the PSG loss as he looks to maintain their unbeaten league start.

For Sevilla, Adnan Januzaj, Alfon González, Joan Jordán and Tanguy-Austin Nianzou due to various injury issues.

Key players

Ferran Torres opened the scoring for Barcelona against PSG in midweek and this effort took his tally to five for the season.

The Spaniard has found the back of the net four times in LaLiga, most recently with a double against Getafe last month and he could certainly ease the blow of losing Raphinha.

Marcus Rashford is looking like a solid addition to the squad under Flick. While he might not have scored in LaLiga, the Englishman netted twice against Newcastle and has registered an assist in each of his previous three games.

Elsewhere, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal are continuing where they left off last season. At the time of writing, the duo have combined to score six goals and record three assists this season.

Ruben Vargas has been key for Sevilla this season. The Swiss winger has already registered four goal contributions so far and if the home side wish to achieve a result on Sunday, the 27-year-old has to continue his fine form.

Cesar Azpilicueta offers plenty of experience at the heart of the defence and was impressive in the recent win over Deportivo Alavés. The centre-back won 83% of his aerial duels during the game, while making four recoveries and three interceptions.

His commanding presence at the back could perhaps make all the difference against Barcelona this weekend.

Prediction

The loss to PSG may prove to be a wake up call for Flick’s men. Given their impressive record against Sevilla of late, I expect the away side to record a straightforward 2-0 win.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


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Posted by Bill Biss
Preview: Brentford take on Manchester City at the Gtech

Preview: Brentford take on Manchester City at the Gtech

Did Brentford complete the first half of a Manchester double last weekend against United, or will City make it a Blue Sunday in London? 


By Ian King


Brentford may have turned a corner, while City keep slipping just as they seem to be flying

After one win in their first five games left them 17th in the table, it was starting to feel as though Brentford had one asset too many stripped during the summer. But last weekend against Manchester United, albeit against abject opposition, they gave their season a kick-start with their best performance of the campaign so far. 

Manchester City haven’t quite built up a head of steam yet, following up their 5-1 shellacking of Burnley last weekend by conceding a last minute penalty to Monaco on Wednesday night for a 2-2 draw. They look excellent around 85% of the time, but they do seem to pay for that other 15%.

Brentford’s record against Manchester City is… not great

Other than the 2022-23 season, when Brentford did the double over them, Manchester City have only dropped two points to the Bees since the latter’s promotion to the Premier League in 2021. Last season they drew 2-2 in this corresponding fixture, but with their head coach and several key players having left the club since then, a lot of water has passed under the bridge at Brentford since January.

One particular name has the potential to really upset Brentford’s weekend

It’s obvious, it’s predictable, it’s Erling Haaland. But the numbers are absurd. He’s scored eleven goals in eight games for Manchester City so far this season. Eight in six, in the League. He’s scored in both of their games in the Champions League and every Premier League match apart from their 2-0 home defeat to Spurs and their 2-0 win at Huddersfield in the EFL Cup. He’s scored more than the rest of the team put together – they’ve scored 20 goals in all competitions – and their next highest goalscorers are Phil Foden and Own Goals, who have two each.

Igor Thiago was Brentford’s star turn last weekend with two in the first twenty minutes against Manchester United. He hasn’t quite got the record that Haaland has overall, but he has scored five in six games. Like City, Brentford’s next highest scorer is also on two goals, and that’s midfielder Fabio Carvalho. Brentford have scored in all eight – six in the Premier League and two in the EFL Cup – of the games that they’ve played so far this season.

Four missing each for both Brentford and City

Manchester City are missing four. Rayan Cherki, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Omar Marmoush, and Abdukodir Khusanov are all expected to be missing. Brentford are also missing four. Gustavo Nunes, Paris Maghoma, Reiss Nelson and Fabio Carvalho have all been out for Brentford of late, though Nelson and Carvalho are set to be in contention to return this weekend.

Brentford have to somehow stop Erling Haaland, if they want to stop Manchester City

Brentford and Manchester City have played 17 games between them so far this season and only once have they failed to score. What happens to Brentford on Sunday afternoon will ultimately come down to what they can do to quell that Nordic Goalgotha that City have got playing up front for them. Strap him down, like the Lilliputians did to Lemuel Gulliver on the first of his Travels, and they can take something from this. But should he break free of his shackles he could well run amok again. 

That said, City’s defending hasn’t been outstanding this season. Donnarumma is an obvious upgrade in goal, but they’ve only kept two clean sheets in the League, and while they deserved to win in Monaco – they hit the crossbar twice – they were ultimately undone by their own defensive profligacy. But nevertheless, I’ll go for a rakish 3-2 City win.


(Cover image from IMAGO)


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Posted by Bill Biss in Brentford, league_47, Manchester City, Premier League, Preview, SendAsPush, team_8456, team_9937, World News
Preview: Inter Miami take on the Revolution

Preview: Inter Miami take on the Revolution

Lionel Messi is still in line to finish as the top scorer in Major League Soccer as Inter Miami face New England Revolution on Saturday night. 


By James Nalton


The team’s chances of retaining their Supporters’ Shield are becoming increasingly slim, though, after they failed to pick up a win in their last two games.

The story of the season

Inter Miami’s 5-3 defeat at home to Chicago on Tuesday summed up their 2025 season in MLS.

On one side, the defensive performance was terrible, but Luis Suárez scored a second-half brace to make sure they stayed in the game.

The defence never sorted itself out, though, and Chicago scored two late goals to reach their own aim for the season, while Miami’s remain in the balance.

Chicago were fired up for the game in Fort Lauderdale as they knew a win would secure their own place in the 2025 postseason.

Achieving such a feat away at Inter Miami would make people sit up and take notice, and to some extent, that is what happened.

But much of the focus remained on Miami’s defeat, and there were more of the same weaknesses that have been seen all season.

Just when it looked like they were about to put a good run together ahead of the playoffs, looking like they could catch Philadelphia Union at the top of the table, they fell apart.

They will still be expected to defeat New England Revolution this weekend, but the Union might now be more worried about the challenge from FC Cincinnati and Vancouver Whitecaps than the one from Miami.

Individual awards still in play

Lionel Messi still leads the goalscoring charts in MLS with 24. He’s one ahead of Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga, whose performances have been boosted by the arrival of new teammate Son Heung-min, and two ahead of Nashville’s Sam Surridge, who helped his team lift the US Open Cup in midweek with the match-winner from the penalty spot.

Inter Miami had finalists in six of the major awards last year in MLS, but that’s unlikely to be the case in 2025.

MLS Golden Boot race

Arguably, only Messi has stood out, but he has done so to such an extent that he might still be the favourite to win the MVP award, as he did in 2024.

While these last three games, against New England, Atlanta United, and Nashville SC, might not be enough to win Miami the Supporters’ Shield, they could still be enough to see Messi walk away with the Golden Boot and MVP awards.

At the end of this game against New England, the club will also celebrate the career of Sergio Busquets, who recently announced he will retire at the end of the season, with a special tribute.

Opposition watch: New England Revolution

New England have little left to play for, having already missed their chance to reach the playoffs this season.

They have only won nine of their 32 MLS games in 2025, but one of these victories came in their last game, against Atlanta United, which they won 2-0.

As a result of their failure to reach the postseason, they sacked head coach Caleb Porter last month, with his assistant Pablo Moreira taking over on an interim basis until the end of the season.

In Carles Gil, once of Aston Villa, the Revolution still have one of the league’s best creative players.

Gil is second in the league for chances created with 94, and third in MLS for expected assists (11).

Prediction

Inter Miami should return to winning ways with a convincing scoreline.


(Cover Image from IMAGO)


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Posted by Bill Biss