Page 13 – The Pulse of Football

May

2025

Preview: Spurs head to Norway with one foot in the Europa League final

A late goal in the first leg added an unnecessary furrowing of the brows, but Spurs should still see their way through to the Europa League final.

By Ian King

Form

A 1-1 draw for Tottenham Hotspur at West Ham on Sunday looked like exactly what it was; a local derby between the two worst sides in the Premier League who aren’t the three already cast adrift. It says something for Spurs’ performances that this was an improvement on their previous three League matches.

But Europe has been a different matter. Despite conceding that late goal, Spurs were dominant in the first leg of this tie and 3-1 is a decent lead to take to Norway, especially now away goals have been abolished. Bodø/Glimt haven’t featured since then, but are unbeaten in the four games they have played in their domestic season.

Unchartered territory for Glimt

Bodø/Glimt still have a chance of becoming the first Norwegian club to reach a European final but their record against English clubs remains bad. They’d lost all three of their previous meetings with Premier League sides, and now they’ve lost to Spurs, too. Should Spurs get to the final of the Europa League this season it would be the fourth time they’ve done so, although these all happened so long ago that it was called the UEFA Cup at the time. They beat Wolves in 1972 and Anderlecht in 1984, and lost to Feyenoord in 1974; all over two legs.

Key Players

Brennan Johnson hasn’t scored in his last four Premier League games, but he did in the first minute of the first leg of this tie and Spurs could do with him being on his game in front of goal. Otherwise, Cristian Romero needs to have one of those days when he, well, doesn’t do a Cristian Romero thing.

Bodø/Glimt’s goal in the first leg was scored by midfielder Ulrik Saltnes, who is the closest thing that you can be to a one-club player without being a one-club player. He’s made 389 appearances for them since 2011 – he’s 32 now –and only blotted his one-club copybook by having played one game in the Danish third division for a club called Brønnøysund Idrettslag beforehand.

*Glimt’s top scorers in the Europa League this season*

Team News

For Glimt, captain and midfield lynchpin Patrick Berg, Andreas Helmersen, and Håkon Evjen all return after being suspended for the first leg. Odin Bjørtuft missed the first leg and will be assessed ahead of time.

Spurs’ latest casualty is James Maddison, who’s damaged his knee and will definitely miss this match, and may well be out for the rest of the season. On the up-side, Dominic Solanke and Son Heung-min could be available.

Prediction

On an artificial pitch at a small ground just north of the Arctic Circle is exactly the sort of place where you might expect Spurs to come a cropper, and the realistic among us have to admit that yes, this is a possibility.

But the fact remains that they have saved their absolute best for the Europa League this season, and throwing away a three-goal lead over two legs, even if it was Peak Spurs, seems unlikely. 1-1 and a few nerves, but they should still get fairly safely through.

(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: Man United look to get the job done against Athletic Club

Manchester United are erratic, but their handsome win in the first leg of this match should be enough to see them past Athletic Club.

By Ian King

It’s been a busy week for both sides

As unpredictable as they are at the moment, Manchester United’s 3-0 Europa League semi-final first leg win in Bilbao was a commanding performance. For half an hour they were under siege, but they soaked it up, took their chances when they fell, and came away from the Basque Country with a handsome win. But then they went to Brentford on Sunday, forgot how to defend for an hour, and ended up losing 4-3.

Athletic Club drew their weekend game – a goalless derby at Real Sociedad – and remain fourth in LaLiga, although they’ve now only won five of their last 14 games in the league, with others around them gaining ground.

A match up with a long history

These two have a history going back to the early days of European club football, and their first meeting was a very curious one. The Busby Babes travelled to Bilbao in the European Cup quarter-finals in January 1957 and lost 5-3, but won the second leg 3-0 three weeks later in a match played at Maine Road because Old Trafford didn’t have floodlights installed at the time. Having beaten Athletic 6-5 on aggregate they got them installed for their semi-final against Real Madrid, but lost 5-3 on aggregate.

Key Players

If Manchester United are going to get through to the final of this year’s Europa League, they’ll need a strong defensive performance, and this could mean a busy night for Harry Maguire at the centre of it all. Their lead is a comfortable one, but it can hardly be said that United haven’t got the yips when put under pressure in the past.

The flip-side to this is that Athletic need goals, and the problem there is that they’ve only scored one in their last four games. And with the attacking players they’ll be missing in Manchester, that issue may be critical.

Team News

Matthijs de Ligt had to be withdrawn during their weekend defeat at Brentford and will be assessed before the match. At 17 years and 156 days old, Chido Obi-Martin became the youngest player to start for Manchester United in the Premier League (and their 13th youngest overall) last weekend, but he’s ineligible to play in the Europa League, so Rasmus Højlund should return.

*Harry Maguire still compares well to other centre backs in the top five European leagues*

For Athletic, Dani Vivian is suspended after getting sent off in the first leg, while the Williams Brothers, duel attacking threats Nico and Iñaki have been left at home due to fitness issues, along with top scorer Oihan Sancet.

Prediction

The biggest hurdle that Athletic Club face in this match is pulling back a three-goal deficit when they’ve only scored one in their last four games. An early goal could see the colour drain from United faces and turn the pressure up, while Athletic probably can’t have a worse evening than they did last Thursday. That said, a 2-1 home win should provide a relatively stress-free night at Old Trafford.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

May

2025

Youri Tielemans: Villa’s do-everything midfielder

Youri Tielemans is pushing Aston Villa towards Champions League qualification for the second consecutive season.

By Graham Ruthven

It wasn’t the sort of moment usually associated with Youri Tielemans as a player, but his headed winner against Fulham on Saturday illustrated just how forcefully the Belgian is driving Aston Villa forward right now. If Villa qualify for the Champions League again this season, it’ll be due in no small part to Tielemens’ contribution.

Of course, Tielemans has been an important figure at Villa Park for a while. He played over 1,600 minutes in the Premier League last season for a team that earned their place in the top four. This season, though – and particularly over the last couple months – the 27-year-old has reached an even higher level.

*Tielemans player traits – comparison to similar players in top five leagues*

Tielemans scored the winner against Fulham, but it was his all-round performance that was most impressive. He was everywhere. Boubacar Kamara was the only Villa player to have more touches of the ball than the Belgian. Nobody made more passes into the final third than Tielemens who also had two shots of his own.

On top of this, Tielemans was extremely effective on the defensive side of the ball. He made five recoveries and wasn’t dribbled past once despite coming up against a Fulham attack that likes to play in quick transition. Tielemeas was the player who gave Aston Villa control of a crucial match in their top five challenge.

“He is really doing fantastic work. He is very, very professional,” Unai Emery said after the 1-0 win over Fulham at Villa Park, highlighting the impressive performance of Tielemans in the centre of the pitch. “The mentality he has… really I appreciate in the highest level we can achieve. He has been excellent.”

The way Tielemans is playing is evocative of Kevin de Bruyne at his Manchester City peak. This is the sort of authority Tielemans’ countryman used to play with as Pep Guardiola’s do-everything operator in the centre of the pitch. Tielemans has become Aston Villa’s de Bruyne as the player himself prepares to depart the Etihad Stadium.

Emery has moulded and remoulded his midfield unit over the course of the last two seasons. Aston Villa spent £50m to sign Amadou Onana from Everton last summer in the belief that the Belgian international would be the perfect number six to anchor their team in the centre of the pitch.

Ross Barkley also arrived from Luton Town as a depth option, strengthening a midfield that already included John McGinn and Kamara. Emery (and President of Football Operations Monchi) knew how important squad depth would be for a team competing on multiple fronts and built out his squad as fully as Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) would allow.

*Tielemans possession stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Tielemans, however, has made himself the lynchpin around which everything else revolves for the Villa Park outfit. He has played over 3,000 minutes in the Premier League this season and will play a further 270 minutes against Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United as Aston Villa look to finish the 2024/25 campaign on a high.

The latter two teams wish they had a midfielder like Tielemans. Used in a deeper role and a more advanced position over the course of his career, the Belgian has matured into a two-way operator who can do it all. Now entering his peak years at 27, Tielemens deserves to be playing at the top of the European game.

*Tielemans defensive numbers, Premier League 2024/25*

Champions League qualification for the second straight season could make Aston Villa a permanent member of the English and European football elite. It would allow them to build on top of the success of the last two years with the January capture of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford illustrative of the ambition Villa have to get even better.

Villa’s final league position will determine what they can do in the summer transfer window. Ideally, they will be in the market for a new central defender and possibly a new right back. Asensio and Rashford returning to their respective parent clubs at the end of the season could also force Aston Villa to sign at least another attacker. It could be a busy summer on all fronts.

Tielemans, however, will give Villa continuity as the player who sets the tone for them on and off the ball. The 27-year-old has started more games (52) than any other player in Europe’s Big Five leagues this season “He’s getting better and better and for me, he’s our best player by a mile this season,” said McGinn.

“He keeps churning out performance after performance and he’s enjoying it,” continued the Villa captain on his midfield teammate. “For us to get him on a free transfer was a massive credit to the club. His first year was a bit stop-start but he’s a huge player for us and he’s versatile. he can play as a 10, a eight or a six.” Indeed, Tielemans has never been better than he is now.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

Evanilson: Bournemouth’s record signing has found his form in the Premier League

Bournemouth had it all to do in August. Just one week before the 2024/25 campaign kicked off, Spurs swooped to sign Dominic Solanke.

By Sam McGuire

The former Liverpool wasn’t just a key part of Andoni Iraola’s forward line. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that he was the forward line. Solanke netted 19 goals in the league last term. No other player scored more than eight for the Cherries. He was responsible for 35% of the goals and had a hand in 41% of the goals scored by Iraola’s men.

Losing him in August was a monumental blow to the team. How would they replace the England international? Could they even replace the one-time Chelsea academy star? If they couldn’t, the likelihood was they’d find themselves in a relegation battle.

To the surprise of, well, everyone, the Cherries managed to pry Evanilson away from Porto just six days after parting ways with Solanke. It was some coup. During his stint in Portugal, the Brazil international was linked with Champions League clubs on a regular basis. In fact, Liverpool were rumoured to be interested in the centre-forward before he’d made the move to Europe. The Reds looked at him in 2019 while he was turning out for Fluminense.

*Evanilson player traits – comparison based on time playing in top five leagues*

Like they do so often, though, Porto swooped to sign the South American talent.

He wasn’t prolific in Portugal by any stretch of the imagination, but he was a regular goalscorer and, more importantly, a genuine goal threat. In two of his three full seasons with the Dragões, Evanilson hit double figures (13 and 14) in the league. He finished with 20+ in all competitions on two occasions too. He played second fiddle to Mehdi Taremi with the Iran international scoring 48 league goals (and 68 in all competitions) for Porto during this period.

Still, Evanilson was regularly linked with a big money move. Manchester United were looking at him during the Erik Ten Hag era.

Seeing him sign for the Cherries caught a lot of people out.

This was a high calibre player. Bournemouth had an exciting project but many had them tipped for a bottom half finish, at best.

They believed in him, making the forward their club record signing, with the fee believed to be in the region of £40million.

At the time, the club knew it was a coup.

Upon his unveiling, Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake said: “Evanilson is a hugely sought-after striker and for us to bring him to the club in a record-breaking deal shows our ambition and intent. Having scored 25 goals last season, including goals in the Champions League, we feel that his experience and ability despite only being 24 will help us to match our ambitions moving forward.

“It’s well known that we were keen on bringing a striker to the football club and for us to complete this deal so quickly is a testament to our recruitment team.”

*Evanilson’s last full season with Porto – Games, Goals, Assists, FotMob rating*

And here we are now in May, the Cherries are eighth in the Premier League table following their recent 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates. The match-winner in the game against Mikel Arteta’s men was Evanilson.

Sent off in his last outing against Manchester United, his red card was overturned and he made the most of this good fortune versus the Gunners as he scrambled in the winning goal in the 75th minute.

It was his tenth Premier League goal of the season. It’s an impressive return for a player with a little over 2,000 minutes to his name. Only Justin Kluivert (12) has more goals for the Cherries and six of his have come via the penalty spot.

*Evanilson shooting and passing stats, Premier League 2024/25*

Evanilson has 11 goals involvements in the English top-flight and his form since returning from a broken foot has been encouraging. He has seven goals in his last 10 outings across all competitions. He’s stepped up in the big games too, scoring twice against Manchester City while also scoring against Arsenal and assisting against Manchester United.

The 25-year-old, who couldn’t speak English upon his arrival in August, has settled in well. This was revealed by manager Iroaola in November: “It’s true that he’s been very, very important for us. He’s growing, he’s giving us every game more things on the ball, without the ball.

“Even if he doesn’t speak the language, he understands football very well and he smells the danger and he reads very well the opposition, where to place for the next ball. And I think this is very valuable, especially in the number nine.”

*Evanilson shot map, Premier League 2024/25*

He’s improved as the season has progressed. Evanilson is finding his form at an interesting time for Iraola. The signs are encouraging too, with an xG of 11.7 this term and having landed 45% of his efforts on goal. Expect to see his numbers improve next season when he’s fully acclimatised to the rigours of the Premier League. If this is the case, you can expect clubs to be queuing up to sign him sooner rather than later.

The Cherries get a lot of praise for their recruitment over the years. Evanilson could turn out to be one of the best signings they’ve made.

(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.

May

2025

Preview: Arsenal head to Paris for season defining second leg

Paris Saint-Germain host Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final second leg at the Parc des Princes, as the Gunners look to overturn a 1-0 deficit against the Ligue 1 champions.

By Matt Smith

In the first leg, PSG secured an important victory by a single goal, with Ousmane Dembélé striking after just a few minutes. Luis Enrique’s side held on to take the advantage heading into the second leg on their own turf.

Team news

Arsenal received a major boost this week with both Martin Ødegaard and Jurrien Timber involved in training ahead of the second leg. Timber missed the Gunners’ game against Bournemouth at the weekend, while Ødegaard suffered a knock against the Cherries.

Dembélé was forced off against Arsenal in the first leg, but the French forward did return to training earlier this week. With the Ligue 1 title already wrapped up, Enrique was able to make 10 changes for their defeat at Strasbourg over the weekend, meaning his squad should be fit and rested for the Champions League fixture.

PSG’s defensive solidity doesn’t get the credit

When discussing PSG in the Champions League this season, Enrique’s attacking quality is regularly praised, and rightly so. The likes of Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Bradley Barcola are frightening options, and as a result, their defensive solidity might not get the credit it deserves.

PSG have conceded just 0.9 goals per game in the Champions League this campaign, with only Arsenal, Liverpool, and Inter Milan managing fewer. The French side will need to be at their best defensively, as the Gunners will be looking to assert control in search of a way back in the tie.

Arsenal almost perfect at both ends

The Gunners have enjoyed an impressive campaign in Europe after struggling to keep up with Liverpool in the Premier League title race. Mikel Arteta’s side are known for their defensive solidity, but they’ve also been scoring for fun on the continent.

*Arsenal top scorers, Champions League 2024/25*

A lot has been said about Arsenal’s need for a striker, but they’ve been spreading goals around the team. Only Barcelona have scored more goals per game in the Champions League, despite no Arsenal player scoring more than five times in the competition.

Mendes vs. Saka battle could be the difference

Bukayo Saka is undoubtedly the danger man for the Gunners, but Nuno Mendes managed to keep him relatively quiet in the opening leg. Shutting down Saka can often be the key to beating Arsenal, and if they do so once again, we could see PSG advance into the final.

Mendes won six out of seven of his ground duels and all of his aerial battles against the Gunners last time out, with Saka able to produce just one shot, a long-distance effort that barely troubled the goalkeeper. Arteta will be desperate to see more from the England international, but Mendes won’t let him have it easy.

Prediction

PSG have looked deadly in transition this season, so setting up to defend and hitting Arsenal on the counter could suit them. We’re going for a 1-0 PSG victory, taking them through to the final with a 2-0 aggregate win.

(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.

May

2025

A tribute to Jamie Vardy and his time at Leicester

Pour out two cans of Red Bull in tribute, Jamie Vardy is leaving Leicester City. It’s been 13-years since his first rocked up at the King Power. Corner flags have been broken, 199 goals have been scored, and trophies have been won.

By Alex Roberts

Now 38-years-old, Vardy has come a long way from the prosthetic limb factory he used to work at while playing non-league football. It’s just a shame his final season with the club comes with a relegation rather than something altogether more cheerful.

Released by Sheffield Wednesday at the age of 16, Vardy didn’t give up on his dream of becoming a professional footballer. He made it the hard way, earning £30-per-week while at Stocksbridge Park Steels before finding himself in the beautiful West Yorkshire town of Halifax.

Vardy ripped it up with the Shaymen, playing in a stadium that has been half-built for around 20 years. Twenty-six goals in his 37 games earned him a move to Fleetwood Town, where, again, he was a goal-scoring machine.

Back in 2012, Leicester were a thoroughly unremarkable side in the Championship. Vardy joined that summer, putting pen to paper on a three-year deal with the club splashing a massive £1m on the unproven striker, a non-league record.

People laughed, dumbfounded that Leicester would spend so much money on a player no one had heard of. If they were going off that first season, they would have been right to criticise. Vardy nearly quit football before being convinced to stick at it by then manager Nigel Pearson and his assistant, the late Craig Shakespeare.

In 2013-14, we started to see signs of the striker Vardy would become. He bagged 16 goals in his 37 Championship games, helping Leicester earn promotion to the Premier League as champions.

His first season in the big time was pretty rough, but the same can be said for every Leicester player during that campaign. The Foxes were glued to the bottom of the table for four-and-a-half months before winning seven of their last nine games to secure safety, finishing in 14^th.

2015 was a simpler time. Pre-Brexit, pre-Trump and pre-COVID, we could still dream back then. After a season that saw them survive by the skin of their teeth, you’d struggle to find anyone who would have predicted what happened next.

Pearson was replaced by all-round good bloke Claudio Ranieri. The Italian had Premier League experience with Chelsea and a reputation as one of the most reliable coaches around, but he never really set the world alight.

Everyone knows what happened next. Leicester were predicted to go down but instead they only went and won the whole thing in arguably the greatest underdog story in the history of sports.

As is often the case, the vultures started to circle but the only major exit in the summer of 2016 was N’Golo Kanté. The Frenchman joined Chelsea and went on to become one of the best midfielders of his generation.

In the title winning season, Vardy became that ‘run-in-behind’ forward we all grew to love, using his electric pace to find the space between defenders, getting in their blind-spot before cooly finishing beyond any unsuspecting ‘keeper.

Vardy very nearly followed Kanté out of the club. Arsenal courted him, pretty intensely if reports at the time are to be believed. He had a £22m release clause in his contract, which Arsene Wenger decided to trigger, but Vardy didn’t fancy it, he had found a home.

In 2016/17 Leicester would play in the Champions League for the first time in their history, and they did well, reaching the quarter-final before being knocked out by Atlético Madrid. Vardy scored twice in their Champions League campaign, including the equaliser in the second leg with Atlético, which ended 1-1.

He may have performed a miracle, but it wasn’t enough to keep Ranieri in the job. About seven months after lifted the Premier League title, he was sacked. Shakespeare was given interim control before Claude Puel was later named as the new manager in October 2016.

It’s fair to say the Leicester fans never really took to Puel but Vardy’s form didn’t drop off during his disastrous tenure, scoring 16 goals in the Frenchman’s only full season at the club.

Puel came and went, and football’s David Brent took over. Brendan Rodgers’ time at the club was the most consistent among the managers Vardy worked with, finishing fifth in consecutive seasons, and beating Chelsea in the 2020-21 FA Cup final to lift the famous old trophy.

Rodgers was sacked in April 2023, probably later than he should have been, and Leicester would be relegated. At this point, it was pretty clear Vardy’s age was starting to catch up with him. Those famous runs in behind weren’t happening as frequently as they used to.

Even after relegation, Vardy stayed. He would lead the charge under Enzo Maresca to secure promotion back to the Premier League, leading the club’s scoring charts with 18 in 35 league games.

In a perfect world, Vardy would have scored another hatful of goals and Leicester would have stayed up comfortably, but this season hasn’t played out like that. The great man himself admitted the campaign has been a “total embarrassment.”

*Vardy shot map, Premier League 2024/25*

At least he was still able to have a laugh, blowing the ref’s whistle in the 2-0 win over Southampton after the official sustained a head injury.

There is no one in professional football like Jamie Vardy. Sinking Red Bulls, taking the preverbal, and bagging goals, he is one of a dying breed. With 110 Premier League goals after the age of 30, Vardy’s legacy goes well beyond Leicester.

Chat sh*t, get banged. We love you Jamie.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

How Liverpool will replace Trent Alexander-Arnold

Football’s worst kept secret is out, Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, on a free transfer, and Real Madrid will be his new club.

By Matt Ladson, ThisIsAnfield.com

The Spanish side are seeking a deal with Liverpool that would see the England international arrive before July 1st, allowing him to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup tournament.

Quite what happens between now and then, in terms of how Liverpool operate now that the news is out in public, will be extremely interesting.

*Summary of Alexander-Arnold’s nine seasons at Liverpool*

Arne Slot has, if you listened closely to his recent press conferences, indicated that these final games of the season were an opportunity to give Conor Bradley a run of starts, but the Northern Irishman cannot seem to remain fit and therefore Alexander-Arnold has started the Reds’ last two games.

However, should Bradley be fit for these remaining three games against Arsenal, Brighton and Crystal Palace, it would surely make sense for the 21-year-old to start all three. Quite where that leaves Alexander-Arnold will be intriguing.

The player has no future at the club and any appearance could and probably would create a sideshow that isn’t wanted or needed when the club’s attention should be on celebrating winning the title.

Slot does not appear to be a manager who has much room for sentiment, either. There’s no need for Alexander-Arnold to play in these games and create a shadow over what has been a sensational debut campaign for the Dutch boss.

Having Bradley play these three remaining fixtures would also allow Slot to get a better look at whether he can step into the right-back role. “It’s going to be very important for him (Bradley), to become an even better player than he is now, to play many games in a row,” said Slot late last month.

Quite clearly, Bradley is a very different player to Alexander-Arnold. After all, nobody really in world football is quite capable of doing what Alexander-Arnold does. Liverpool are losing a generational talent with unique capabilities to play progressive passes from deep and unlock defences.

Replacing Alexander-Arnold, therefore, will not be a case of a like-for-like right-back or simply playing Bradley. That creativity and output needs to be replaced from other areas.

Some will call it ‘replacing him in the aggregate’ (get used to that phrase this summer) as you cannot just replace him with one other player.

Of course, a starting point would be having a more prolific goalscorer – not that Alexander-Arnold offers goals, but it would make Liverpool stronger overall and relinquish the pressure of needing to create in the way Alexander-Arnold does. Signing a number nine is clearly a very high priority.

There’s also a strong argument for an improvement or change of approach from midfield. A player like Adam Wharton, who offers line-breaking capabilities in the manner Alexander-Arnold does, would make sense. Liverpool are linked with a move for Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller, a player who would be an example of replacing Alexander-Arnold via other areas of the team (‘in the aggregate’).

Stiller, 24, has been compared to Toni Kroos and is capable of opening defences with left-footed passes in behind. The German has eight assists this season, ranking very highly in all passing metrics – including in the top 97 percentile for chances created. He ranks in the top 98 percentile for progressive passes per 90 this season.

*Stiller’s passing stats for Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, 2024/25*

And while Liverpool have had huge success with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai this season, Slot will know that improvements can be found as he adapts the side more to his style of play. He’ll also be fully aware that the season is extremely long and demanding and more than three players are required for those positions, a player such as Stiller, who is fairly versatile, too, aids the whole centre of the side.

For Liverpool to prosper in a post-Alexander-Arnold world – and they surely will – they’ll need to find improvements throughout the team, not a like-for-like replacement. That work in the background appears to already be well underway ahead of what we’re expecting to be a busy summer of recruitment at Anfield.

(Images from IMAGO)

To keep up to date with everything Liverpool, make sure you click follow on the team profile in the FotMob app. Download the free app here.

May

2025

Preview: Inter and Barcelona prepare to go again

After a six-goal first leg, can Inter Milan make home advantage count against Barcelona to make another Champions League final?

By Graham Ruthven

Rivalry resumed

Not for the first time, Barcelona and Inter Milan produced a classic in the Champions League semi-final when they met last week.

In contrast to the 2010 encounter between the same two clubs when José Mourinho edged a cagey, conservative affair against Pep Guardiola’s team, the first leg of this particular semi-final was sheer chaos, finishing in a 3-3 draw.

This leaves Tuesday’s second leg on a knife-edge. Inter will have opportunities to score again. They will look to expose the space in behind Barca’s high line with set pieces another area where they can hurt the Catalans.

Barcelona, however, boast the most fearsome attack in European football. Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Pedri showcased their potency in the first leg and will be influential at San Siro too.

Robert Lewandowski could feature after missing last week’s match through injury. The Polish striker’s return would give Barca an even sharper cutting edge in front of goal, although Hansi Flick already has several goal threats to count on.

Key players

Inter need Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram at their sharpest to get the better of Barcelona and make their second Champions League final in three seasons.

Thuram opened the scoring last week with a wonderful backheel finish. Martínez, however, was forced off early through injury and missed the weekend win over Verona. There are questions over his fitness.

Defensively, Inter have one of the best records in this season’s Champions League. This is down to the quality of players like Alessandro Bastoni and Yann Bisseck with Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries key outlets on the wings.

*The top rated performances in last week’s first leg*

Even by Lamine Yamal’s incredible standards, his performance in the first leg against Inter was remarkable. The 17-year-old registered more shots and dribbles than anyone else on the pitch, scoring an outrageous goal to get Barcelona back into the game at 2-1.

Raphinha also made his mark by assisting Ferran Torres with a neat header at the back post before forcing the Yann Sommer own goal to make it 3-3, smashing a long-range strike off the bar and in off the goalkeeper.

The midfield battle between Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong and Nicolo Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be key to determining the dynamic of the match.

Team news

Martínez might not be fully fit, but the Argentina forward is expected to start for Inter such is his importance to the Nerazzurri’s chances of making the Champions League final.

However, Benjamin Pavard will definitely miss Tuesday’s semi-final second leg with Valentín Carboni also an injury absentee.

Marc-André Ter Stegen made his return from injury against Real Valladolid on Saturday and will start against Inter. Next to return – Lewandowski will be named on the bench. Jules Koundé, however, will miss the game after coming off during the first leg, as will left back Alejandro Balde.

Prediction

This one could go all the way, and equally, it could go either way, if last week’s intense first leg is any indicator. Overall, though, with Barcelona’s determination and ability to always find a way to win something that has been on display since the turn of the year in particular, we’re going with Barca to edge it. But don’t hold us to it! Inter 1-2 Barcelona (4-5 agg).

(Cover image from IMAGO)

May

2025

Premier League Team of the Week: Matchday 35

Shock results and huge performances. That’s probably the best way to describe Matchday 35 in the Premier League.

By Sam McGuire

The recently crowned champions lost at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea boosted their chances of Champions League football and Arsenal fell to defeat against Bournemouth while Brentford and Manchester United played out a 4-3 thriller.

So who made the FotMob Team of the Week and why?

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez

Emi Martínez kept a clean sheet as Aston Villa eked out a 1-0 win over Fulham on Saturday. The World Cup winning goalkeeper, believed to be a transfer target for Saudi clubs this summer, made three saves against the Cottagers on his way to an 8.6 rating. He also completed 80% of his passes, proving himself to be valuable in possession for Unai Emery‘s side.

Right-Back: Michael Kayode

Kayode is quickly proving to be the signings of the winter. The 20-year-old full-back is on loan from Fiorentina and he’s made himself right at home with Brentford. He’s started the last three for the Bees and Thomas Frank‘s side have taken nine points. Against Manchester United, Kayode claimed his first assist in the Premier League. He created two chances, completed the most dribbles (five), won the most duels (nine) and was the most accurate passer to play 45 minutes or more, finding a teammate with 97% of his attempts.

Centre-Back: Murillo

The 22-year-old centre-back was back to his best for Nottingham Forest in their 1-1 draw with the in-form Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Brazilian defender scored the goal for the away side and completed 89% of his attempted passes. He made 11 clearances, two interceptions, five recoveries and won 100% of his ground duels, playing his part in a big point for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side.

Centre-Back: Joško Gvardiol

Gvardiol is enjoying his new role at centre-back for Manchester City. The versatile defender claimed an 8.0 FotMob rating in the 1-0 win over Wolves on Friday night. The 23-year-old completed 93% of his passes, was accurate with 78% of his attempted long passes, made two interceptions and won 100% of his duels. He played a key role in City keeping a clean sheet and boosting their hopes of a top four finish.

Left-Back: Neco Williams

Williams ran riot for Nottingham Forest down their left flank against Crystal Palace. He had a total of four shots, he chipped in with an assist and completed 91% of his passes. The versatile full-back had a total of 93 touches, a figure that only Elliott Anderson (106) could better. He made a total of six clearances, won four of his six ground duels and half of his aerial duels.

Midfield: Bernardo Silva

Silva was the Player of the Match for Pep Guardiola’s side in the 1-0 win over Wolves. He completed 89% of his passes, created three chances and attempted four dribbles against the in-form visitors. The versatile midfielder won two of his three tackles, recovered the ball three times and was involved in 13 duels, winning seven of those. He’s stepped up over recent weeks, just as City have needed it.

Midfield: Cole Palmer

Palmer was brilliant against the champions as Chelsea defeated Liverpool 3-1 at Stamford Bridge to give their hopes of playing in the Champions League a significant boost. He ended his goal drought with a late penalty but he was key throughout the game, even without a goal involvement, just ask Gary Neville. The Sky Sports commentator fawned over the former Manchester City youngster for his part in the opener having sat Curtis Jones down with some intelligent movement into space. He also had a hand in the Chelsea second. It backed up the idea that he’s pivotal to Enzo Maresca’s side. If he plays well, they play well.

Midfield: Youri Tielemans

The match-winner for Aston Villa against Fulham. The Belgian maestro made it 10 goal involvements for the Premier League campaign with this strike. He wasn’t at his best in possession, failing to create a chance for the Villans while completing just 75% of his attempted passes at Villa Park. But he did complete 100% of his dribbles, win 100% of his tackles and came out on top in five of his seven duels to go alongside his game winning strike.

Midfield: Kevin Schade

Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have stolen the show for Brentford in attack this season. It has allowed Schade to go a little under the radar. The 23-year-old has 10 goals and two assists in the Premier League now following his double in the 4-3 win over Manchester United. The winger caught the eye against the Red Devils with two goals, three shots, two attempted dribbles and he won seven of his seven aerial duels. The showing earned him a FotMob rating of 8.9.

Attack: Alejandro Garnacho

The young attacker didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. Garnacho scored and assisted in Manchester United’s 4-3 loss to Brentford. He created the most chances (five) of anyone on the pitch, he also created a big chance. The 20-year-old attempted two dribbles and was involved in seven duels, showing why he can be an asset for Ruben Amorim moving forward, if the versatile attacker remains at Old Trafford.

Attack: Evanilson

Back in the team after his red card against Manchester United was overturned. He made it count against Arsenal, scoring what turned out to be the winner as he capitalised on a penalty box scramble late on. It was one of four shots he had against Mikel Arteta‘s side. He was a nuisance throughout, winning four of six ground duels, and won two fouls as the Cherries shocked the Gunners.

(Images from IMAGO)

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

May

2025

Preview: Chelsea vs. Champions Liverpool

The champions will receive their first guard of honour this weekend as Liverpool make the trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Champions League chasing Chelsea.

By Sam McGuire

Arne Slot’s side wrapped up the title last weekend with a 5-1 win over Spurs at Anfield. They’ll hope to end the season on a high still, so expect a full strength team on show on Sunday afternoon, much to Chelsea’s dismay.

Goals change games

Despite spending a lot of money on attackers over recent years, it hasn’t really clicked for Chelsea in attack this term. They’re the sixth highest scorers in the league with 1.7 goals per 90 but they’ve struggled to find the back of the net over recent weeks, with six in their last five outings. It has come at the worst time for the Blues.

The goals have dried up for Enzo Maresca’s side.

Their two top scorers this term are Cole Palmer (14) and Nicolas Jackson (10). Jackson netted his first of 2025 last weekend while Palmer is without a league goal since February.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have 11 goals in their last five outings. They hit five against Spurs last time out. They’re the top scorers in the Premier League with 80. After that, the second highest scorers are Manchester City with 66. The Reds are rampant and it is why they’re the champions. The Blues are struggling in the final third and it is why they’re battling it out for a top five finish now after such early promise.

Records for Mo Salah

The Mohamed Salah farewell tour has been prolonged for a further two years. Still, though, there’s a lot up for grabs in the final few weeks. The former Chelsea winger can break a few records before the campaign comes to an end.

He’s two goals off 30 for the season and two assists away from 20. He’d be the first player in Premier League history to score 30 and assist 20. He’s one goal involvement away from matching the record for the most in a single campaign (47) currently shared by Alan Shearer and Andrew Cole.

Salah scored in his last match against Spurs and has a fairly decent record against Chelsea. In fact, he has a fairly decent record against most sides, doesn’t he? The Liverpool No.11 has five goals and four assists against his former club. He registered a goal and an assist in the meeting between the two teams earlier on in the season.

Form does matter

It’ll come as no surprise to hear that Liverpool have the best away record in the Premier League. Slot’s men have won 11 of their 17 games and lost just once as Fulham claimed a shock 3-2 win a few weeks back.

On the road, the Reds have scored 41 goals and conceded just 19. They’re ruthless on their travels.

Chelsea aren’t quite as ruthless at home. They’ve won 10 of their 17 games at Stamford Bridge and have lost just twice. They’re unbeaten in front of their home fans, in the league, since December and have won six of their last eight. However, their last three wins have been 1-0 and they’ve been far from convincing. They’ll need a much better showing on Sunday if they’re to take maximum points off the champions.

Injury situation

Chelsea could be without Robert Sánchez, Christopher Nkunku and Malo Gusto for the game against Liverpool. Wesley Fofana is definitely ruled out of the clash. His injury record is why the Blues are reportedly keen on adding Dean Huijsen to their ranks this summer.

The Reds are without Joe Gomez but should otherwise have a fully fit squad to pick from. Conor Bradley missed the win over Spurs but has been pictured in training this week. This could give Slot a bit of a dilemma at right-back, does he trust the youngster or start Trent Alexander-Arnold?

Prediction

Liverpool won’t want to end the season on a low, so positive results and performances are on the agenda. We’re backing the champions here to eke out a 2-1 win.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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