Page 10 – The Pulse of Football

May

2025

Back at Basel and loving life, Xherdan Shaqiri

Basel MAY or MAY NOT win their first Swiss Super League title since 2016-17 on Sunday and no-one will have had a bigger hand in making that happen than Xherdan Shaqiri. Back where it all began, the little fella is in the form of his life.

By Alex Roberts

It’s all just a matter of time really, lifting that giant, golden trophy is just a formality for Basel at this point. Sitting at the summit, six points ahead of second-placed Servette, who they play next, the stage is set.

In the previous season, the Swiss giants had just endured one of their worst seasons in living memory, finishing in eighth as Young Boys won their fourth title in five years.

*All eyes on Saturday’s virtual title decider*

After an underwhelming two and a half seasons in the MLS with Chicago Fire, Shaqiri answered the call and put pen to paper on a three-year deal with his boyhood club, returning 13 years after he left to join Bayern Munich all the way back in 2012.

Before signing with Basel this season, he had been at risk of becoming one of those ‘streets won’t forget’ players millennials on Twitter love to go on about, never quite living up to his potential despite playing for some of the biggest clubs in the world. Remember how good Michu was!?

There is still an argument to be made. Ahead of 2024-25, the winger turned playmaker had never broken double digits in terms of goals or assists, with his most prolific season been back in 2017-18 in which he scored eight goals and provided seven assists while at Stoke City.

He’s completely blown that out of the water this time around. At the time of writing this hopefully enjoyable piece, Shaqiri has bagged 16 goals and provided 17 assists in his 33 games across all competitions.

In the league alone, he has contributed to 52% of Basel’s goals, an impressive feat, especially given that his side have been by far the most potent attacking side in Switzerland, scoring 72 goals with a goal difference of +40, 31 more than their nearest challengers, Servette.

It took him a little while to get going, his first four games were, in all honesty, pretty poor. It was clear Shaqiri wasn’t fit enough, all that deep-dish pizza back in the windy city may have caught up with him. He needed to get up to scratch, and quick.

On October 6^th, Basel hosted Super League holders Young Boys. It was too early to be a title decider, but the winner would receive a significant boost in the race regardless. Shaqiri stepped up to the plate and shone, providing the assist for Adrian Leon Barišić’s 52^nd minute winner with a lovely in-swinging free-kick.

He hasn’t looked back since. Playing in the number ten role rather than on the wing and given complete creative freedom by manager Fabio Celestini, all parties are reaping the benefits of Shaqiri’s innate talent.

At 33 years of age, geriatric in footballing terms, Celestini has seemingly come to terms with the fact that Shaqiri is unlikely to track-back and make a last-ditch tackle to prevent an opposition goal.

*Shaqiri’s shot map in the Swiss Super League, including an Olimpico goal*

Instead, he has complete faith in his ability to be an incredibly potent attacking threat. His best game so far this season was probably the 6-1 away win over Winterthur, in which he scored two goals and provided three assists, but it wasn’t his most important. That was the 3-1 win over Servette.

Much like the win over Young Boys, it was still a little too early to consider it a title decider, considering it was played in November and all. Shaqiri opened the scoring in the 40^th minute, curling in the freekick he had won just two minutes before.

Fifteen minutes later Timothe Cognat levelled things up with a close-range effort and the two sides looked set to share the points. Finally, after a lengthy VAR intervention, Basel were given the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot in the 91^st minute.

Shaqiri’s initial shot was saved by Servette ‘keeper Jeremy Frick, but all he could do was parry it directly back into his path, and Basel once again took the lead. About a minute later, he turned Theo Magnin inside out before securing his hattrick and all three points with a fairly timid effort that was just beyond Frick’s reach.

*Shaqiri’s passing stats in the Swiss Super League, including 17 assists*

Now, the reverse fixture is fast approaching, and Shaqiri will doubtless be wanting to put in an equally monumental performance to secure the league title for Basel and their young squad.

Shaqiri is a new man back at Basel. He’s led by example, becoming a beacon for those who are coming through the club’s academy, as well as the ones who are already in the first team, just like he did all those years ago.

Players like Bénie Traoré, Anton Kade, and Bradley Fink can learn a lot from arguably the best player Basel have ever produced, the man who has been there, done that, and picked up several t-shirts along the way.

With that been said, the diminutive attacker isn’t done just yet, he still has plenty to show, although he doesn’t have to prove himself to anyone, not anymore. This season has proven one thing, Shaqiri is, and always was, a star.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

Ups, downs and title-deciders – a survival guide to the final day in the EFL

Match day forty-six. We’ve made it. Whether you’re dipping your toe in for the first time, or you’ve been swimming lengths since August, you’re all welcome at our EFL final day pool party. In glorious Saturday sunshine this will be English football at its finest. So, get your flip flops on, watch your step, we’ll have a walkthrough before cannonballing into the deep end come kick off.

By Sanny Rudravajhala

Championship: It’s Leeds or Burnley’s trophy but who is going down?

Win at the all-but-relegated Plymouth Argyle and Leeds will be crowned champions on Saturday lunchtime. Burnley are level with them on points and amazingly, both can finish by reaching triple figure but with a goal difference 13 better than Burnley, it is in Leeds’ hands. They just need to match Burnley’s result against Millwall, but any slip up and Scott Parker’s side will be lifting the trophy instead.

Leeds are unbeaten in nine and in brushing aside Bristol City 4-0 on Monday night, made it five victories in a row ahead of facing Argyle. I’ll be working from Burnley’s Turf Moor on Saturday but it’s all set up for Leeds and I can’t see them falling at this final hurdle.

With the play-offs, we are looking at five clubs fighting for two spots. Sheffield United and Sunderland are already there but it’s been unrelenting. Bristol City and Coventry City are both wobbling with successive defeats and that has opened the door to the others. Millwall lead the charge and have popped up from nowhere. From the last 10 games, they’re the form side after Burnley and Leeds but now having to go to Burnley on the final day, with their title challenge and 32 game unbeaten run, this is the last game Millwall needed.

Trying to get through that door too are Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough. It’s ridiculous really! When Boro beat Rovers 2-0 at the start of April, the mood at Ewood Park was mutinous. But a draw and then four victories on the bounce mean Blackburn are still in the hunt but they will have a tough task playing away at Sheffield United.

And here is where it gets interesting! Middlesbrough trail by two points but a goal difference of +10 gives them the edge and, would you believe it, they go to Coventry City in a game that essentially becomes a play-off for the play-offs!

Prediction: I’ve given it the big sell… but I think it will stay as it is! Coventry’s fans are superb on the big occasion, and I’ll think they’ll roar them home. Bristol City will join them in dreaming of the Premier League, especially when we see who they’re playing.

Relegation hot take: Preston to go down

Results have played out exactly as I thought they would since my ‘brave’ prediction last week. North End haven’t been in the relegation zone since September but their wretched run continued last Saturday. In giving Plymouth Argyle just their second away win all season, they made it a fourth successive defeat. Their last victory was seven games ago and they have two since January. Losing goalkeeper Freddie Woodman to an ankle injury he picked up in the gym in March left them exposed and I can’t see them picking up points at Bristol City.

Cardiff are already relegated and Argle’s shambolic goal difference means they’ll be joining them in League One, despite a magnificent overall turnaround under Miron Muslić. Argyle will bounce back. Cardiff are in a tailspin.

The final spot is between Hull, Luton, Preston, Derby and Stoke. Derby’s brilliant back-to-back victories mean safety is in their hands. Pride Park will be rocking, and I think they’ll get the three points to rubber stamp survival, with Stoke glad they reached 50 points when they did. Their 6-0 hammering by Leeds was followed up by falling at home to Sheffield United. Mark Robins has a lot of remedial work to do over the summer.

Having had such a strange season, where performances have often not reflected their results, Luton finally climbed out of the relegation places with a chaotic 90th minute winner over Coventry City. They have everything to play for at The Hawthorns when they face a managerless West Brom side who have let their season peter out. I can see Matt Bloomfield’s side heading back down the M6 with a win and raucous celebrations when they get back to Bedfordshire.

*Thelo Assgaard’s last five performances have helped Luton save themselves*

Hull City occupy the final relegation place and their home defeat to Derby has left them in the mire. Thankfully for Ruben Selles, they go to a Portsmouth side that will be in a party mood after John Mousinho masterminded their survival with several games to spare. Even struggling Hull should be able to get a point at a relaxed Fratton Park, and it’s for these reasons that, unfortunately, I’m sticking with my Preston prediction.

League One – Birmingham’s record haul, Reading defying the odds and cheers to Bowyer’s Burton

Champions Birmingham have already secured a record EFL points haul thanks to their midweek win at Blackpool. They can make it 111 points as they lift the title at relegated Cambridge.

Wrexham have secured second and Stockport, Wycombe and Charlton are in the play-offs. But, will it be Leyton Orient or Reading joining them? Orient’s superior goal difference edges out Reading ahead of their trip to Huddersfield.

Reading’s financial crisis continues to see them risking EFL expulsion, which makes their efforts one of the stories of the season. I think they’ll get victory over Barnsley but unfortunately for them, Huddersfield are well and truly on the beach. They were insipid as I saw them fall to Cambridge last month and I think Richie Wellens’ Orient will have no problems despatching Huddersfield and securing that final play-off spot.

At the other end, Shrewsbury, Cambridge, Bristol Rovers, and Crawley have already been relegated.

Crawley’s late surge was too little too late with the four relegated clubs having miserable campaigns. But they can all feel somewhat aggrieved at just how brilliant Burton have been under Gary Bowyer. Bottom in mid-January and eleven points from safety, their 1-1 draw with Wigan confirmed safety with a game to spare. For the Brewers, Bowyer is the toast of the town.

League Two – Doncaster or Port Vale for the title, promotion madness and Carlisle’s calamity

Last Saturday was fantastic. I was at Doncaster reporting on the radio on their epic promotion winning match with Bradford City. With 38 goals between them, their front four have fired them up the charts but it was 39-year-old Billy Sharp, in his fourth spell with the club, who bagged what would be the winner. They lead Port Vale in the race for the title by a single point. The Valiants had their own promotion party last weekend too though, thanks to a battling 2-0 victory at Wimbledon.

Now it’s time to get your calculators out! Doncaster go to Notts County, who still have an outside chance of automatic promotion, whilst Vale host Gillingham, who have nothing to play for. Port Vale trail by a point, so they need to better Doncaster’s result. If Vale draw and Doncaster lose by two goals, then they’ll have the same points and goal difference. Next to settle it is goals scored, and that’s where that Donny front four of Molyneux, Clifton, Gibson and Street give them the edge. Vale have 65 goals this campaign but Doncaster are six better on 71.

*Donny’s Luke Molyneux has 28 goal contributions this season*

Three go up in League Two and this is where it gets even messier! Walsall may have led the table by 12 points but their drop off once loanee Nathan Lowe returned to Stoke City in January has meant promotion is now out of their hands. Bradford will be promoted with a win or a draw, if 13-winless Walsall fail to get three points at Crewe. I can’t see Bradford losing at home to Fleetwood but even then, they can still go up if Walsall lose and Notts County can’t beat Doncaster!

The final two play-off places are between Wimbledon, Salford, Grimsby, Chesterfield and Colchester. With Grimsby playing Wimbledon, it means one of them will definitely make the play-offs.

This is all too close to call. Salford are in the box seat, and it depends on what performance Carlisle put in, in what will be their final EFL appearance after joining Morecambe in being relegated out of the league.

Morecambe have been beleaguered on and off the pitch. Carlisle’s owners say lessons will be learned over a calamitous campaign that’s seen them suffer back-to-back relegations. Allowing Mike Williamson to bring in 11 players in the January transfer window, only to sack him almost immediately afterwards was one such aberration. I hope Mark Hughes stays on and gives their suffering supporters something to cheer this time next year.

And there you have it. I’ve tried to predict the unpredictable across three divisions and could well be completely out of my depth but, at least, you’re now ready to jump in!

(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

Nico Williams is the key to Athletic Club’s Europa League dream

Nico Williams has peaked at the right time to drive Athletic Club towards Europa League glory at the Basque club’s own stadium.

By Graham Ruthven

Every match Athletic Club play at home in the Europa League this season is a dress rehearsal. That’s what the Basque club hope they are, anyway, what with the competition’s final taking place at San Mamés. If all goes to plan, Ernesto Valverde’s team will have one more home game at the end of May.

The quarter-final win over Rangers was Athletic’s most momentous European night so far this season. Having got through a first leg with 10 men, the Glasgow outfit were stubborn opponents. Athletic had to dig deep to make it through, but their players came up with enough quality, Nico Williams more than anyone else.

Williams scored the second goal of the 2-0 win over Rangers, ghosting in at the back post to head home a deep cross 10 minutes from the end. It was at this moment that Athletic Club knew they were through to the final four and that their most eye-catching difference-maker was back to his best.

This season has been a struggle for Williams. Last summer was a breakout moment for the winger who was a key player for Spain as they won Euro 2024. This led to intense speculation about a big money transfer to Barcelona which failed to materialise when the cash-strapped Catalans couldn’t find the money.

While Williams registered 16 goal contributions in LaLiga for Athletic Club last season, he has only notched 10 this term. The 22-year-old has struggled for consistent form with blaming the transfer speculation for distracting him. To make matters worse, Williams’ Spain counterpart Lamine Yamal is getting better and better at club level while Raphinha – the player Williams was meant to replace at Barca – is thriving.

*Williams season summary – last two campaigns*

Now, though, Williams is once again producing the goods when it matters most. He has found the back of the net in each of his last two starting appearances, also scoring twice in Athletic Club’s Europa League round of 16 victory over Roma. Williams once more looks like the player that lit up Euro 2024 last summer.

Manchester United have plenty to be wary of as they prepare to face Athletic Club on Thursday night. Ruben Amorim’s team are relying on the Europa League to save their season, but there’s not much to suggest they will get past an Athletic outfit that has momentum on their side and an attacker in the form of Williams.

Lyon came within a few minutes of knocking United out of this season’s Europa League, but Athletic Club will pose an even greater threat. This is a team sitting comfortably in LaLiga’s top four and a team that has won eight of their 12 Europa League matches. Nobody earned more points than Athletic (19) in the League Phase.

United’s chances of spoiling Athletic’s party by making the final at San Mamés have been improved by the news that Oihan Sancet will miss the first leg of the semi-final encounter and is an injury doubt for the second leg. Sancet has registered 17 goals this season and is considered one of the best attacking midfielders in Spanish football right now.

Nonetheless, Athletic will carry enough threat through Williams and his brother Iñaki Williams who are expected to start on either side of the forward line. Manchester United have been vulnerable in the space between the wide centre backs and the wing backs. This is an area Athletic Club will almost certainly target.

By most measures, Iñaki is having a better season than Nico. The older of the two brothers has scored more goals. He has also created more Big Chances and has a higher Expected Assists (xA) over the course of the campaign. Nico, however, is Athletic’s most prolific dribbler by some distance and gives them a different dimension.

*Nico Williams sits fourth for successful dribbles per 90 in LaLiga this season*

That Williams only came off the bench for last week’s match against Las Palmas said something about how important Valverde considers the winger to Athletic’s chances of winning the Europa League. Without Williams, the Basque side might not have the attacking dynamism to make the final and win the whole thing.

Europa League glory could be the perfect way for Williams to sign off as an Athletic Club player. Barcelona’s interest might have cooled due to the incredible, and unexpected, form of Raphinha, but Arsenal have been linked with the Spanish international. Many clubs will be tempted to activate the €60m release clause in Williams’ contract.

Athletic Club supporters believe winning the Europa League this season is their destiny. So does José Mourinho who mischievously implied UEFA is favouring the Basques to ensure they play in their own final. Athletic, however, have to earn that destiny and Williams is working hard in every dress rehearsal to put his team on the big stage.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Europa League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings, and a new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Chelsea are in Stockholm for Conference League semi against Djurgarden

We’ve reached the business end of the Europa Conference League campaign, and, as everyone predicted, Chelsea are right there. This time, Enzo Maresca’s side make the trip to Sweden to face Djurgården.

By Alex Roberts

The Swedish side have somewhat overachieved on the continent but that doesn’t mean they haven’t earned the right to be where they are. Wins against more established sides such as Panathinaikos, Legia Warsaw, and Rapid Wien in the quarters have made them a dark horse.

Chelsea are a different beast all together, however. There is roughly £1.3 billion difference between the two sides in terms of squad value, and in this game, money certainly talks.

Cobham have done it again

Tyrique George is the latest Chelsea academy star making a name for himself. Unlike 95% of those that came before him, he’s done it without going on loan first. The youngster has grasped his opportunity and ran with it.

The equaliser against Fulham earlier this month was the moment that put his name on the lips of Chelsea fans across the globe, but in the very next game against Everton, he was only given a few minutes by under-pressure boss Maresca.

He’s got two goals and four assists in just 846 minutes across all competitions so far this season. This is exactly the kind of game that would give George the opportunity to carry on his momentum and fight for a regular place.

The Swedes have problems in front of goal

For those that don’t know, the Allsvenskan, Sweden’s top division, is topsy turvy. It turns out playing football in the country’s harsh winters is ill advised, who’d have thought it, so they play through the summer instead.

Djurgården’s domestic season has only just begun, but they’re struggling. Sitting down in 11^th with seven points, they’ve remarkably only scored one goal in their five games, and that came from right-back Adam Stahl.

None of their current crop of forwards have a history of being prolific and coming up against the fourth best defence in the Premier League may just be a bridge too far.

“Play a right-back Enzo”

The Italian coach has come under considerable fire for multiple reasons in recent months, with one of the most confusing being what he is currently doing with the right-back position. Central midfielder Moisés Caicedo was given the nod over Reece James in the 1-0 win over Everton.

At his best, James is one of Chelsea’s most potent attacking threats. That has been nullified by Maresca’s insistence that he inverts into midfield or plays him as a CM from the start.

It’s also impacted Cole Palmer’s form. The playmaker likes to play on the right and drift into the number ten role, without someone overlapping he’s unable to draw out opposition defenders and get into positions that would allow him to score or assist. All this micromanaging has gone too far. Play a right-back Enzo.

Prediction

This may sound a little harsh but we simply can’t see Djurgården getting anything from this one. We’re going to go with a comfortable 3-0 win for Chelsea here.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Europa Conference League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings, and a new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Arctic adventurers Bodø/Glimt head to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium

Spurs’ season has become car crash, but can they continue their attempts to rescue something from it in the Europa League against Bodø/Glimt?

By Ian King

Form

Are we talking about Europe or domestically, here? Because Spurs have been the Jekyll and Hyde of the Premier League recently, losing their last three in a row while conceding eleven goals, but also putting in two of their most accomplished performances of the season in their quarter-final win against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bodø/Glimt run to a different schedule. Because Norway has a summer league they’ve only just started their domestic season. The two-time defending Eliteserien champions are currently second with three wins and a draw from their opening four matches.

History makers

This is the first time that a Norwegian club has ever reached the semi-finals of a European competition, but Bodø/Glimt’s record against English clubs is pretty bad. They played Arsenal in 2022/23 and lost twice, and played Manchester United in the League Phase of this year’s tournament, losing 3-2 at Old Trafford.

Spurs have a 100% record against Norwegian clubs in Europe. In 1972/73 they beat Lyn 12-3 on aggregate, and they beat Tromsø 3-0 and 2-0 in the group stage of the 2013/14 Europa League.

Key Players

High points have been thin on the ground for Spurs this season, but the form of Dejan Kulusevski remains among them. He remains one of the keys to unlocking any opposing defence and has eight goals and six assists in all competitions this season. Glimt’s main goal threat is striker Kasper Høgh, who’s the joint-top goalscorer in this competition with seven and has started their League season with four in four appearances.

Team News

Spurs made eight changes for their shellacking at Anfield on Sunday, and most will be returning. Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero should return to central defence, replacing Ben Davies and Kevin Danso, while Rodrigo Bentancur will return to midfield. But Heung-min Son remains doubtful after having missed the last four matches and will sit this one out, with a return in the second leg looking more likely. They will be without Radu Drăgușin, while Antonin Kinsky and Timo Werner are not registered for the knockout stages of this competition.

Bodø/Glimt have Andreas Helmersen, captain Patrick Berg and Håkon Evjen suspended, while defender Odin Bjørtuft and winger Ole Blomberg were injured last weekend and may be missing.

Prediction

The result of this match will come down to whether Spurs bring their European or Premier League form into it. If they play as they have in recent League matches, then a surprise could be on the cards, but if they can replicate what they achieved in Frankfurt a couple of weeks ago a win should be expected. Bodø/Glimt have had an outstanding run to get this far in this competition and have it in them to keep themselves in the tie for the return match. 2-1 Spurs, so all to play for in the second leg.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

May

2025

Preview: Athletic Club welcome Manchester United to the Basque Country

Athletic Club are targeting a Europa League final in their own stadium while Manchester United are looking to salvage their season.

By Graham Ruthven

Home comforts

If all goes to plan for Athletic Club, they will have one more home match in this season’s Europa League. With the final at San Mamés, the Basque outfit are determined to win a continental trophy for the first time in their 126-year history.

Ernesto Valverde’s side have won all six of their Europa League matches at home this season, overcoming AZ Alkmaar, Sparta Prague, Elfsborg, Viktoria Plzeň, Roma and Rangers on their way to the final four.

Manchester United more than earned their place in the Europa League semi-finals by staging a remarkable comeback against Lyon in the last round, scoring three goals in the final seven minutes of extra time.

With the Old Trafford club suffering their worst-ever Premier League campaign, Ruben Amorim and his players have pinned everything on winning the Europa League. This is their only route to redemption.

Key players

Nico Williams has peaked at the right time of the season, scoring in each of his last two starting appearances for Athletic Club including in the Europa League quarter-final win over Rangers.

Iñaki Williams will also pose a threat with the two brothers expected to line up on either side of the Athletic Club forward line. They could expose the space in behind the Manchester United backline.

Oihan Sancet has been exceptional for the Basques this season, scoring 17 goals in all competitions, but the attacking midfielder will be sidelined for the first leg through injury. Unai Gómez is in line to start in his place.

Bruno Fernandes will be the player Manchester United look to for some magic on Thursday night. For all that the Reds Devils have floundered badly this season, the Portuguese remains a reliable difference-maker, scoring 17 goals in all competitions.

Rasmus Højlund will lead the line for the visitors to San Mamés and might have more confidence after scoring a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Bournemouth. The Dane needs to show greater cutting edge on a more consistent basis.

Luke Shaw could be in line to feature after starting his first game of the season at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday with Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire likely to make up the rest of the back three.

Meanwhile, there will be a spotlight on André Onana after the Cameroonian goalkeeper’s mistakes against Lyon. Manchester United need him to be stronger in the semi-final.

Team news

Sancet is sidelined for Athletic Club, leaving a sizeable hope in the number 10 position. Besides the 25-year-old, however, Valverde has a fully fit and available squad.

Manchester United, on the other hand, have a long injury list. Indeed, Amorim will be without as many as five starting players with Lisandro Martínez, Amad Diallo, Joshua Zirkzee, Diogo Dalot and Ayden Heaven missing.

Matthijs de Ligt is also an injury doubt for the trip to the Basque Country while Chido Obi will play no part in the match.

Prediction

Form and that famous football notion of romance dictates a home win for Athletic Club to continue their fairytale run to the final. But with United’s season depending on this two legged tie, perhaps tonight’s result with leave things open for next week’s return game at Old Trafford: Athletic Club 2-1 Manchester United.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Apr

2025

Five changes Arne Slot made to make Liverpool Premier League champions

Liverpool are officially Premier League champions and made that so in dominant fashion, establishing a 15-point lead over rivals Arsenal, and it was all down to the tweaks of head coach Arne Slot.

By Jack Lusby, ThisIsAnfield.com

Slot‘s task in succeeding one of the most legendary managers in Liverpool history was not an enviable one. After all, how do you go about following an act like Jürgen Klopp?

Well, by crushing all in his path and becoming one of only five coaches to win the Premier League title in his first season in England.

The Dutchman is also one of only three Liverpool managers to win a top-flight title in his first campaign, following Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish, and – obviously – joins Klopp as the only other manager to win the Premier League for the club.

Klopp’s success came in his fifth season in charge, not his first, and while Slot has credited the German for laying the foundations for his own glory, he himself deserves recognition for how he has achieved it.

With Federico Chiesa the only new signing and the oft-injured Joel Matip and Thiago and fringe players Adrian and Fabio Carvalho the only first-teamers to depart, Slot has led a title-winning revolution from within.

Here are five changes Slot made to make Liverpool champions of the Premier League.

Less running, fewer injuries

While Slot has retained the core principles of Klopp’s system there have been some notable tweaks, not least in how Liverpool approach play on and off the ball.

During pre-season, Curtis Jones explained that he and his fellow midfielders would go from “runners” under Klopp to “the heart of the team” for Slot.

“I feel in the past it was a rush to get the ball back and it was a little bit too direct, up and down, up and down,” he told reporters.

“Now it’s going to be where he wants us to have all the ball and just completely kill teams.”

While there has been no major shift in Liverpool’s numbers in terms of overall possession it is the way in which they use it that has changed; more deliberate and more economical.

*Premier League possession leaders, 2024/25*

That extends to the approach in training, with a less-intense style leading to fewer injuries as players are not required to overexert themselves.

Keeping key players fit is, after all, key to performance – and that has been central to Liverpool’s success.

Making Van Dijk and Salah even better

Two players who have been consistently available throughout Slot’s debut season are his leaders, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.

That is fortunate, as the head coach has unsurprisingly installed them as two of the most important cogs in his system: Van Dijk as a progressive, ball-playing centre-back and Salah as a phenomenal source of goals and assists.

“I told him ‘as long as you rest me defensively, I will provide offensively’,” Salah explained after the 5-1 victory over Tottenham which clinched the title.

“Try to rest me as much as I can, then I will show you the numbers. So I’m glad that I did.”

Salah is on course to record his most productive season ever and that emphasis on Van Dijk bringing the ball out from the back – and Trent Alexander-Arnold lofting balls over the top – has been key to allowing him to do so.

Simplifying roles

One criticism that can be levied against Klopp in his final season in charge was that his setup – increasingly inspired by assistant Pepijn Lijnders – became too complicated.

Lijnders’ innovations were certainly effective, but often in bursts, with comparisons to be made between the Dutchman and Klopp’s predecessor Brendan Rodgers.

It became clear early on that Slot would not follow suit.

Cody Gakpo, who played a utility role under Klopp – most often as a central striker but even at times as a midfielder – was swiftly restored to his natural position on the left wing and has flourished.

*Gakpo’s shooting numbers, Premier League 2024/25*

Alexis Mac Allister, shunted into the No. 6 role after failed bids for Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia, has been one of the most influential players in the league having been freed up as a more advanced No. 8.

And Alexander-Arnold, who became a hybrid of right-back and midfielder in Klopp’s final season, was reinstated as a more orthodox full-back, no longer burdened by a mess of duties and no longer creating holes in his own defence.

Building around Gravenberch

The decision to push Mac Allister forward may have been an even bolder one considering Liverpool again failed to land their priority target for the No. 6 role last summer.

But Slot took a late U-turn from Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi as a blessing in disguise as he instead turned to his compatriot, Ryan Gravenberch.

Having followed him closely during his time in the Netherlands with Ajax, Slot will have been confident Gravenberch was capable of developing into a top-level No. 6.

Even he is unlikely to have predicted how quickly the 22-year-old would produce world-class form, but it is a welcome revelation as Liverpool were able to build around him toward success.

Changing routines

Throughout Slot’s first season the players have often spoken of the benefits of freshening things up.

Klopp himself acknowledged that with his decision to move on last summer rather than endure and see out the contract he had agreed to, and it has clearly had an impact on how they perform.

Central to this new era have been a number of changes to the squad’s routine.

For example, whenever possible they no longer stay at a team hotel before games, with Slot recognising the importance of sleeping in their own beds at home in getting the best results.

Their days at the AXA Training Centre are longer, with Slot implementing a communal breakfast, but they are also less demanding in terms of workload.

It is perhaps notable that Lee Richardson, the psychologist appointed in 2019, has been a more focal presence around training sessions, with the new head coach clearly not shying away from the value of therapy in sports.

While Klopp is rightly credited as a world-class man-manager, there is a sense that the Liverpool squad are now being treated more as people rather than machines in terms of their workload.

This has clearly paid off, and this should only be the start of an exciting new era for the club under Slot.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Apr

2025

Barcelona’s Pedri has his eyes on the prize

Pedri made the difference for Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final and could deliver more success in the final stages of the Champions League.

By Graham Ruthven

Saturday’s Copa del Rey final culminated in such mayhem that it was easy to forget the magic that opened the scoring. Indeed, Pedri’s long-range stunner into the top corner of Thibaut Courtois’ net to give Barcelona a 1-0 lead over Real Madrid was one of the best moments of his career to date.

These moments are piling up for the 22-year-old who has reached an even higher level this season. Pedri’s potential has been clear for some time, but his recent performances have demonstrated his ability as a pace-setter, a creator and the beating heart of Hansi Flick’s Treble-chasing Barca team.

There was a period not so long ago when Pedri’s development was in question. He was over-worked in his first full season at Barcelona, playing a total of 52 games in all competitions over the 2020/21 campaign. This led to injuries in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons when Xavi Hernández essentially ran his best young player into the ground.

On his return to action, Pedri looked to have lost some of his sharpness. Some made comparisons to Ansu Fati, another prodigious La Masia talent who was never the same after a long period on the sidelines. There was no guarantee Pedri would fulfil the promise he demonstrated as a teenager.

However, Flick’s arrival at Barcelona last summer proved to be a watershed for Pedri. The former Bayern Munich boss immediately installed Pedri as the creative heart of his team. While Xavi used the youngster in an advanced position close to the opposition box, Flick saw someone who could dictate play for Barca in a deeper role.

Only Iñigo Martínez had more touches of the ball against Real Madrid in Saturday’s Copa del Rey final than Pedri despite the midfielder only playing eight minutes of extra time. The 22-year-old also played 10 passes into the final third and created three Big Chances. It was a performance that showcased everything Pedri offers, including his goal.

Many believe Pedri could offer more goal threat from midfield. He has only scored six goals in all competitions this season, a tally that pales in comparison to some of his teammates. Barcelona are the most dangerous attacking outfit in Spanish and European football right now yet Pedri isn’t all that prolific in front of goal.

Pedri is, however, the perfect Barcelona midfielder for the modern age. Initially seen as the natural successor to Andrés Iniesta, there is just as much Xavi influence in his game these days. With Sergio Busquets no longer in blaugrana, Pedri has also added some defensive qualities to his play – he is averaging 1.1 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per 90 minutes this season.

*Pedri defending stats, LaLiga 2024/25 – bar chart comparison against all players in LaLiga*

“It’s great to be recognised that you’re doing well, but I try to focus on improving,” said Pedri when asked about his development. “I’m only 22 years old and I have room to improve. In fact, the coach also tells me that in training. What could I improve? Many things… you can always lose fewer balls, you can always improve your goal tally, choose better when it’s time to speed up or calm down the game… everything can be improved.”

*Pedri passing stats, LaLiga 2024/25 – bar chart comparison against all players in LaLiga*

This season could be a special one for Barca. The Catalans have already won the Copa del Rey after overcoming Real Madrid on Saturday and hold a four-point advantage over their historic rivals at the top of LaLiga. Next Sunday’s Clásico could effectively be when Flick’s team are crowned as champions.

It’s in the Champions League, though, where Barcelona are making the most profound impact. Real Madrid have won five European titles since the Catalans last got their hands on the famous trophy, back when they had a forward line of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez. 10 years is a long time for a club of Barca’s stature to go without Champions League success.

Such is the attacking talent in Flick’s team, few would bet against Barcelona proving themselves as the best in Europe once again. Lamine Yamal is the best teenager in world football. Robert Lewandowski is still one of the sharpest finishers in the game while Raphinha has been so impressive this season many view him as a Ballon d’Or candidate.

Pedri, however, is the purest embodiment of Barcelona in 2025. He is a reflection of the club’s glorious past despite joining from Las Palmas rather than coming through La Masia, but also the epitome of what they have become under Flick. Pedri is the best midfielder of his generation and his performances this season prove it.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings, and a new super-intuitive knockout stage bracket. Download the free app here.

Apr

2025

Preview: Crunch time for Barcelona and Inter in Champions League semifinals

Barcelona host Inter Milan with a place in the Champions League final at stake just like it was in 2010 when José Mourinho enjoyed his moment.

By Graham Ruthven

Champions League heritage

In the pantheon of great Champions League moments, Barcelona and Inter Milan produced one that lives long in the memory. Certainly in the memory of José Mourinho whose greatest night arguably came when the two sides met in the competition’s semi-finals.

Mourinho conquered Pep Guardiola that night, and celebrated by sprinting across the Camp Nou turf. Simone Inzaghi might be tempted to celebrate in a similar way should Inter achieve a similar result against Barca such is the Italians’ poor form right now.

Inter are winless in their last three games. They have fallen off the pace at the top of Serie A and are out of the Coppa Italia. Their season will be defined by what happens in the Champions League.

Barcelona’s Treble challenge is in better shape. Hansi Flick’s team won the Copa del Rey by beating Real Madrid in a manic final on Saturday and are leading the way at the top of LaLiga. Champions League glory is also within reach.

Key players

Lamine Yamal shone brightly as Spain won Euro 2024 last summer and the prodigious teenager is also driving Barcelona to continental glory as their creator in-chief. Indeed, the 17-year-old is Barca’s one-man attacking hub, recording four goals and three assists in this season’s Champions League.

Raphinha has frequently benefited from Lamine Yamal’s creativity, but the Brazilian will have to be in sharper shooting form than he was against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final when he was wayward.

Pedri, on the other hand, was in excellent form against Real Madrid, finding the back of the net with a stunning strike. Gavi and Frenkie de Jong will look to control the midfield on Wednesday night.

*Raphinha tops the Champions League for Goals + Assists this season*

Inter will set up to expose Barcelona’s high defensive line with Lautaro Martínez sure to be a threat. The Argentinean forward has scored eight times in the Champions League this season and was key against Bayern Munich in the previous round (we gave him his flowers – here.)

At his best, Nicolo Barella is one of the best two-way midfielders in Europe. However, Inter have looked tired in central midfield in recent weeks, meaning there’s a risk they could be overrun by Barcelona.

To get out from the back, Inter will need direct running and pace in the wide areas which is where Carlos Augusto or Federico Dimarco could be so important down the left side.

Team news

Robert Lewandowski will miss Barcelona’s meeting with Inter through injury meaning Ferran Torres will lead the line for the Catalans as he did in the Copa del Rey final.

Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal are also sidelined with Alex Balde a doubt. Marc-André ter Stegen might be back on the bench after missing much of the season, but Wojciech Szczęsny is expected to start.

Marcus Thuram’s absence has been keenly felt in recent matches. Inter will be made to sweat on the attacker’s fitness before Wednesday’s game. Benjamin Pavard is definitely ruled out, though.

Prediction

Barcelona have been almost irrepressible since the turn of the year, particularly at home, and will have been buoyed by last Saturday’s success in the Copa final. We think that form will probably continue but with Inter another side who’ve been at their best in Europe this season, the away side might be do enough to keep next week’s second leg interesting: Barcelona 2-1 Inter.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

Apr

2025

Jean-Philippe Mateta has proven his worth in the Premier League

There’s been a lot of love for the likes of Chris Wood, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha this season. The trio have all impressed this term for their respective clubs. Wood is one goal shy of 20 for the campaign, Mbeumo is on 18 heading into Brentford’s Thursday night clash with Nottingham Forest while Cunha added his 16th of the season on Saturday as Wolves claimed a 3-0 win over Leicester City.

By Sam McGuire

All three players are having the most prolific seasons of their careers in the English top-flight.

However, the fact these players are performing so well has meant a few attackers have gone a little under the radar in the Premier League this term. One such player is Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Many wondered if the Crystal Palace attacker could replicate his 2023/24 form for the Eagles. The 27-year-old scored 13 goals in the final 13 games of the season under Oliver Glasner to end the campaign with 16 goals to his name. It was a career-high return in one of the top five European leagues. He did once score 19 in Ligue 2 during the 2017/18 season.

It seemed to be a bit of a purple patch. Was it going to be another Jesse Lingard on loan at West Ham type spell? Maybe the 2024 version of Michu, where everything he touches just seems to result in a goal?

It did look as though that might be the case too. Mateta started the 2024/25 campaign with four goals in 19 appearances for the Eagles. He’s since scored 10 in 14 in the English top-flight. His last goal in the Premier League was a delightful effort against Arsenal. He capitalised on a William Saliba mistake and floated an effort over David Raya and in off the underside of the crossbar.

*Shot map for Mateta’s goal vs. Arsenal*

“When I started on the bench, I watched the first half. He [Raya] was very high, so I knew if we won the ball high, I could try – so I did, and scored!,” Mateta said to Sky Sports after the match.

“Yes [it’s one of the best goals of my career]. I was scared when the ball hit the crossbar, and I just waited – and after the ball goes in.”

He followed that up with an assist in the FA Cup semi-final win. He did miss a penalty in that game, with his effort striking the post, but it was still an impressive showing from the Palace No. 14. The former Mainz man claimed an assist, won the most duels (seven) in the match, and created two chances for the Eagles, proving himself to be troublesome for Villa. He also completed 100% of his attempted dribbles at Wembley.

His turnaround in form under Glasner has been nothing short of remarkable. Since the Austrian tactician arrived at Crystal Palace in February 2024 only Alexander Isak (33), Erling Haaland (31) and Mohamed Salah (31) have scored more Premier League goals than Mateta (27).

Former Palace forward Clinton Morrison says the reason for these numbers is because of the backing the one-time Bayern Munich managerial target has given his centre-forward.

“I remember speaking to Dougie Freedman, the [former Palace] director of football, and he said ‘he’s a talent, he just needs a run of games’,” Morrison said.

“Glasner has given Mateta confidence, if a manager comes in and tells you ‘you’re playing week in, week out’ and you’re not going to get dragged off after 60 minutes [it will give you belief]. He’s been a revelation, the goal is fantastic, that is a centre-forward in great form.”

It hasn’t all been straightforward though. For example, Mateta was hauled off at half-time against Manchester City recently with Glasner unhappy with the forward’s first-half showing.

“It was a tactical decision to sub Mateta,” Glasner revealed. “Now, I have to say it was the wrong decision. Not taking him off, but changing the formation to a 3-5-2. We wanted to control the midfield more, but it didn’t work.

“Subbing him wasn’t a mistake, he can do better than he did in the first half. He lost too many duels and balls. That’s why we decided to change something. The mistake I made was to change the system, not subbing JP.”

Neither appears to hold a grudge though. Glasner has Mateta back in his team while Mateta continues to perform well.

*Mateta season summary for this season and last*

His form hasn’t gone unnoticed. Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on his situation. Mateta has just 12 months left on his deal at Selhurst Park and despite the club wanting to extend his contract, there could be a move on the cards this summer. Manchester United are also believed to be interested as they look to reshape their attack under Ruben Amorim.

Why wouldn’t they be? They need a reliable goal threat. And Mateta is exactly that. He ranks eighth for Expected Goals in the Premier League this term and ninth for goals.

*Mateta shooting stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Mateta has an xG per 90 of 0.45 in the top flight for the Eagles from a relatively low shots average of 2.28. In a better team, creating more chances, there’s no reason he couldn’t scale his output.

In a summer in which the likes of Isak (£120million) and Hugo Ekitike (£65million) could be moving for huge money, Mateta could be one of the bargains of the transfer window if a team manages to pry him away from Palace.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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