Page 3 – The Pulse of Football

Mar

2025

Ten games stand between Bournemouth and a historic sliding doors moment

Given they now feel so established as a Premier League team, it’s easy to forget that even as recently as a decade ago, the Cherries had never played in the top flight before. Now they are facing another opportunity to add a new chapter of history – but also to alter their future.

By Karl Matchett

Andoni Iraola’s team have impressed this term enormously: a tactically astute side making the most of a decidedly mixed top end of the table to perhaps go further than they ever have before. They almost did that last season – a 12th-place finish was the joint-second best in their history, with only one occasion in more than a century of existence seeing them finish among the ten best clubs in the land.

They very much have the chance to eclipse that this time around; with nine fixtures left in the 2024/25 campaign, they sit tenth in the congested top half just four points off fourth. Perhaps they’ll feel it would be warranted to be even higher – they have registered the third-highest total xG for the season (53.7), created the third-highest tally of big chances (88), won possession in the final third more than any other team (6.3) and put over the joint-second highest volume of accurate crosses (4.9 per 90).

Impressively, Bournemouth have not just one but two chances to write history this term: they are in the FA Cup quarter-final too, and while they face a big ask to beat Man City, if they do then the trophy is there for the taking, for themselves or for any of the other seven remaining sides.

Combative, energetic and deadly down the flanks, Iraola has structured this team into one which is equal parts technique and tenacity, while coaching individuals to get more out of them than many have managed in previous seasons. Kepa Arrizabalaga’s resurgence is a noteworthy point. Justin Kluivert has finally added consistency to his productivity. And as for the younger talents…well, more on those in a moment.

But Bournemouth have even more to aim for here across this final stretch – not just for a record finish in their history, but to potentially alter their immediate future.

Because while finishing seventh or eighth would be justifiably celebrated, it would also feasibly be…well, if not the end of the journey, then more than likely a turning point, with no guarantee the new direction would remain as forwards. After all, Iraola has done such a good job that there will inevitably be clubs hoping to lure him away and with just one year left on his contract, the Cherries might feel it’s better to take a big fee for him rather than force him to stay. But what comes after has no guarantees.

And it wouldn’t just be Iraola lured away either. Already rumours have linked Antoine Semenyo with a possible move away, while in defence, all three talents clearly have a much higher ceiling: Illya Zabarnyi (22 years old), Milos Kerkez (21) and most excitingly, Dean Huijsen (19) have all shown maturity in their game as well as quality. All three could feasibly form a defensive unit for the next half-decade, were they already in place at a bigger club.

*Huijsen player traits – comparison made against top five leagues*

While Bournemouth might not have to sell each of them immediately, there’s doubtless a ticking clock on one or two at least; it’s great to be at such a progressive club and playing regularly, but ultimately, there is financially only so much the Cherries can do given the current stadium capacity of just over 11,000.

So a different carrot is required, and it’s here Bournemouth must group together and hope to play their trump card for players and head coach alike: qualify for Europe.

While sometimes that might not seem an enormous deal these days, there’s a good chance it might be for at least a handful of those aforementioned names. After all, while two of that defensive trio have limited exposure to continental action – Zabarnyi at Dynamo Kyiv, Kerkez very briefly with AZ – there’s still a huge amount of progression to come in their games and getting game time in Europe will significantly aid that.

For Huijsen it would be entirely new – and so too for Iraola, clearly a coach with huge potential who will doubtless manage many games in Europe in the future, but is yet to start that part of his journey.

There is a very, very big case to make that most of those individuals would be well-served by taking initial steps into the arena outside of the spotlight that the biggest clubs operate in, gaining a year in the Europa or the Conference League before perhaps moving on to those with expectations to win one or the other whenever they’re in it. And, of course, there’s nothing to say Bournemouth themselves wouldn’t be capable of challenging for one of those trophies, if the manager and star names remained for a year.

All that has knock-on effects too: it’s possibly easier to recruit better names if you’re in Europe, probably easier to retain them, potentially giving the club more chance to stay among the contenders once they are there the first time. The reverse is also true too though – if they miss out this year and others improve next term, this opening might well be closed for several seasons to come.

They’ve never won a cup. They’ve never played in Europe. Bournemouth now have the chance to do both, and secure another shot at challenging next year into the bargain.

(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.

Mar

2025

Como 1907: Coach Fabregas is eying Serie A safety and the tourist trade

It turns out there is more than just a lake in Como, Italy. Having earned promotion to Serie A for the first time in 21 years last season, Cesc Fàbregas and his lads are making waves both on and off the pitch.

By Alex Roberts

Sitting in 13^th at the time of writing, many had expected Como to go straight back down, and although they can’t rest on their laurels, AND there is still a chance of exactly that happening, all signs are pointing towards survival.

Much of that is down to Fábregas, who is also a minority owner, the latest trendy young Spanish manager to burst onto the scene. Those of us who’re older than 15 will remember him as a player, it wasn’t so long ago he was tearing it up for Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea.

There are a few players who appear destined to become a top coach, Fábregas was one of them. The way he controlled the game, his eye for a pass, it was easy to tell he has the kind of mind that would translate well to his new role.

Unsurprisingly, the centre of the park plays a crucial role in the Spaniard’s style of play. Como primarily play with a 4-3-3, focusing on quick, short passing while maintaining a compact midfield.

Fábregas loves a quick transition, overloading the midfield with versatile midfielders who rotate through the three positions, catching opponents who believe they may have escaped the best ball winner out.

That’s exactly what club president Mirwan Suwarso wants to see. Instead of ceding ground to the bigger sides, Como go at them toe-to-toe. Boring, defensive football was never an option, entertainment value had to come first.

Indonesian tobacco magnates and brothers Roberto Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono purchased the club over five years ago, while they were still in Serie D, with one mission, establishing Como as a brand.

Suwarso hasn’t shied away from that either, saying: “We chose to invest in Como because investing exclusively in soccer comes with unpredictable risks. Here we’re relying on a brand: We want to make this the top soccer tourism destination in the world.”

The club’s transfer activity reflects that. Como have brought in a good mixture of well-known veterans like Pepe Reina, Raphaël Varane (who was forced to retire after picking up an injury in his debut), and now Dele Alli with foreign prospects.

Nico Paz is undoubtedly the most exciting of those prospects. Joining from Real Madrid last summer, the wonderkid has starred in that number ten role, scoring six goals and providing five assists in his 27 game across all competitions so far.

*Nico Paz player traits – comparison made across top five leagues*

Perhaps most impressively, a lot of those goal contributions have come against the bigger clubs. Paz has either a goal or an assist against Roma, Atalanta, Fiorentina, Napoli, and AC Milan. Each of those sides are battling it out at the top end of the Serie A table.

The deal to bring him to Como came with a certain stipulation, however. Real Madrid have an incredibly favourable buy-back clause in his contract, retaining the option to re-sign him for €8 million this summer, €9 million in 2026, and €10 million in 2027.

Paz’s stock is high, but Madrid’s squad is pretty well stocked, especially in the final third. Don’t be surprised to see the Spanish giants activate the clause and then sell him for triple the value shortly after.

The powers that be at Como aren’t stupid though. They know things on the pitch can change at any given time. Players get injured, form is fickle, and star players can be picked off by the big boys at any given moment.

As part of their brand building initiative, Como have seen multiple Hollywood A-listers attend their games. The area has long been a hotspot for the rich and famous, George Clooney famously owns a property on the lake.

Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Michael Fassbender, Kate Beckinsale and Benedict Cumberbatch are just a few famous faces to have been spotted at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia so far this season.

They may all be massive football fans, Knightley’s breakout role was as Juliette Paxton in Bend It Like Beckham after all, but it’s unlikely they would have made the time to go to a Como game without some sort of initiative.

*Fassbender and Knightley at Como this season*

Finally, there are the kits. Fellow water-based Italian side Venezia proved just how powerful a really nice shirt and a beautifully executed marketing campaign can be a few years ago. Unfortunately for them, it didn’t translate on the pitch.

While Venezia focused on the artistic history and landmarks of their fine city, Como once again turned to Hollywood. Actors Emma Roberts, Chace Crawford, and Tom Ellis were utilised to show off their home, away, and third shirts in a recent campaign.

As a result, roughly 40% of Como tickets are purchased by tourists. That should come as no surprise. Como the town is beautiful, but when it comes to things to do, don’t expect to be too busy outside of sightseeing and lounging by the lake.

Should Como survive their first season back in the Italian top flight, the club will have a fantastic footballing foundation to build upon. Yes, it may feel a little bit plastic, but it’s hard to argue with the work that has already been put into establishing the club as a destination.

Como will be busy in the coming transfer window, and they might make a few moves that surprise a lot of people. At a time when Italian football is struggling financially, perhaps it’s not such a bad thing after all.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: The final piece in the puzzle for Luis Enrique’s PSG?

Back in January, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a difficult decision to make: Liverpool or Paris Saint Germain.

By Ben Bocsák

Back in his homeland on the streets of Tbilisi and the coastlines of Batumi, conversations around Kvaratskhelia’s future were the main topic in bars, cafes and football pitches.

“There was a lot of feedback in Georgia,” one of Kvaratskhelia’s former coaches Gela Davitadze recalls to FotMob.

“One side was divided by saying that he should move to Liverpool and the other side said PSG was the right team for him, which led to discussions everywhere.”

Georgians have a profound love for Kvaratskhelia, who has very much put the country on the map.

In the end, the 24-year-old made the decision to follow in the footsteps of some of the modern era’s best players such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar by opting to for Paris.

It was a bold decision. Paris Saint Germain are undergoing a metamorphosis at the moment.

Under Luis Enrique, the squad has been transformed from elite superstars to a young exuberant side full of ravenous appetite to prove themselves among Europe’s elite.

Kvaratskhelia’s arrival is very much the beginning of Paris’ emergence from that cocoon and the dawn of the club’s transformation into a breathtaking butterfly ready to spread its wings.

Since the Georgian has joined PSG, Enrique’s side have been unbeaten in Ligue 1 and knocked out Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League with Kvaratskhelia playing a key role dismantling the side he could have been lining up for had he made a different choice in January.

“I think Luis Enrique makes the most of his abilities,” Davitadze says.

“Sometimes he tactically takes up in three different positions during the game which makes him unpredictable, and this is a great luxury for the coach to him as well as a great puzzle for opponent defenders to solve.”

Indeed, if we look at his time in Paris so far, Kvaratskhelia has predominantly played on the left flank, but he’s also started games in a central position, playing as a false nine and has at times been shifted to the right-wing as well.

Davitadze believes this flexibility to pop up anywhere on the pitch combined with his ability to dazzle defenders in one vs. one situations is his strongest asset.

“He has many qualities, but I will tell you just one of his most valuable qualities, and the most valuable quality in football in general is that he is an unpredictable player, you don’t know where he will be and what he will do with the ball.

“I think he is becoming more and more unpredictable under Luis Enrique.”

You can see that in some of his performances. Kvaratskhelia is flourishing in PSG colours. He’s attempted 64 dribbles and completed 32 of them so far – the most of any PSG player in the same period.

A huge benefit has also been the fact that he hasn’t been burned out in his minutes since arriving at PSG. Unlike, Napoli, Enrique’s side isn’t over reliant on Kvaratskhelia.

He’s started 11 matches from a possible 14, in all competitions, but has played the full 90 minutes in just four appearances.

This is largely because Enrique possesses an embarrassing of riches at his disposal when it comes to PSG’s attack, enabling him to rotate and rest his players accordingly – something that could be of huge benefit to the longevity of Kvaratskhelia’s career.

“PSG is a very good team and they have very good young players,” Davitadze agrees.

“When they played with Liverpool when extra time began, they made substitutions and took advantage of extra time, they have the great potential to win the Champions League in the future.”

That future might not even be as distant. PSG are one of the best teams remaining in the competition. Their route to the final is undoubtedly more difficult than other teams but there is a strong possibility they can advance to the semi-finals at the very least. From there on, anything is possible. Kvaratskhelia will know that first hand, having led his Georgian national team to historic heights over the last few years.

In terms of the most important markets for an attacker, he’s averaging 0.57 goal contributions per 90. He’s netted two goals although his xG suggests that number should be three (not to mention he’s had a few goals disallowed by VAR too) and he’s provided three assists as well.

*Kvaratskhelia’s season summary at both Napoli and PSG*

These numbers are not incredible, but they are a good sign of things to come. Importantly, Enrique is giving Kvaratskhelia more of the ball, he’s averaging 10 more passes per 90 minutes for PSG than he was averaging for Napoli – and this will in turn make him a better and more rounded player.

It’s an exciting notion to think, there’s still a lot more that Kvaratskhelia can offer this PSG side. For the rest of Europe, that’s a frightening prospect.

“I think he’s still in the adaptation period and if he can fully manoeuvre, he’ll bring more benefit to the team. He probably needs to improve his physical abilities,” Davitadze says.

“We’ll probably see his full potential next season, he has even greater potential.”

What that potential can be remains to be seen. The sky is the limit, and Paris may not even be the final destination according to his former coach.

“He can become a PSG legend, but I think in a few years time he should find another team like Liverpool or Barcelona because those teams will take him to a different level.

“I think he can play at the highest level in both the Premier League and LaLiga.”

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

The Côte d’Azur Derby: Where luxury meets local pride as Monaco and Nice battle for Europe

Rivalries in football often thrive on geography, but few feel as uniquely intimate and complex as AS Monaco versus OGC Nice. This weekend’s derby is more than a meeting of neighbours. It’s a clash of philosophies, histories, and cultures distilled into 90 minutes with a Champions League spot on the line. Both are locked on equal points, and the stakes haven’t felt this high in years.

By David Skilling

The cities could hardly be more different despite sharing the shimmering coastline of the French Riviera, with just 22 kilometers separating the two stadiums. Monaco, the tax haven playground of billionaires, boasts yachts bigger than most apartment blocks and a royal family lending prestige to everything it touches. Nice, by contrast, is the heart of the region, gritty, working-class roots wrapped in Belle Époque beauty, where locals guard their identity fiercely against the creeping gloss of the Riviera’s wealth.

Yet, on the pitch, their football stories overlap more than many realise.

Only five teams have played more Ligue 1 seasons than AS Monaco and OGC Nice. The rivalry traces back to the 1950s when both clubs jostled for prominence in France’s top flight. OGC Nice were kings first, lifting four league titles between 1951 and 1959. Their success reflected the post-war optimism that swept through France, with local players and fans propelling them to national prominence. Back then, Nice was seen as the pride of the South.

AS Monaco arrived soon after, securing their first league title in 1961. But unlike Nice’s localised energy, Monaco’s rise was fuelled by the principality’s growing ambitions to punch above its size on the global scene. The club became a magnet for stars and future legends. Later on, Arsène Wenger, Thierry Henry, and George Weah, to name a few, would all pass through Monaco, adding layers of prestige.

Despite their proximity, this derby never quite became as venomous as the North London Derby or the Madrid Derby. Still, local pride simmers under the surface. Every meeting is a chance to prove who truly owns the Côte d’Azur, a battle not just for points but for identity.

What makes this fixture so fascinating is the cultural tug-of-war it represents. AS Monaco feel like an outsider in football’s traditional landscape, playing in the half-empty Stade Louis II, perched between cliffs and the sea, more postcard than fortress. Yet, the club has built a reputation as an elite finishing school, producing and polishing stars like Kylian Mbappé, Henry, and Bernardo Silva before cashing in for massive transfer fees.

Nice, on the other hand, is a city where football runs in the blood. Allianz Riviera echoes with ultras’ chants, tifos unfurling stories of working-class pride. For Nice supporters, beating Monaco is personal, it’s about showing that local passion and identity can outshine wealth and glamour.

*This season’s first derby, won by Nice*

Zoom out, and this derby reflects the contradictions modern football thrives on. Monaco, a city-state with fewer than 40,000 residents, playing in France’s top league. Nice, a regional capital battling for relevance in a game increasingly dictated by global money.

Both clubs are, in many ways, success stories. Monaco’s ability to remain competitive at the highest level while exporting stars is impressive. Nice’s visits to European competitions in recent years are a testament to the club’s growing push to enter the Champions League conversation.

This year, the Côte d’Azur derby lands with more than just local pride at stake; there’s a Champions League place hanging in the balance. Monaco sit third with Nice in fourth; both are locked on 47 points heading into the weekend. But it’s the congestion around them that makes this match feel even more decisive.

Just two points ahead of Monaco are Marseille, another Southern powerhouse, who hold second place. Two points behind are Lyon, while Lille lurk only three points back from the derby teams. The margins are razor-thin. One result could swing momentum entirely, shifting a club from leading the pack behind Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League race to the edge of missing out altogether.

For both Monaco and Nice, this is about more than bragging rights on the Riviera. Automatic qualification for Europe’s top competition means millions in revenue, the ability to attract top players, and the validation of each club’s long-term ambitions. Slip now, and it could unravel an entire season’s work.

That’s what makes this derby so perfectly timed. It’s not just a local rivalry; it’s a high-stakes battle playing out on the big stage, with the momentum of both projects on the line. Whichever way it goes, the outcome will ripple beyond the Riviera coastline.

When the referee blows the whistle this weekend, it won’t just mean the end of a game. It will be another chapter in a rivalry that deserves more recognition, a derby defined by its subtlety, its culture, and its fight to remain relevant in a sport that often forgets the local in favour of the global.

For Monaco and Nice, this is about more than Europe. It’s about proving there’s still magic and meaning in football’s regional rivalries.

(Images from IMAGO)

You can follow every Ligue 1 game on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Mar

2025

FA Cup Preview: Looking ahead to an open quarterfinal draw

The early exit of several big clubs has opened up this season’s FA Cup field ahead of this weekend’s quarter-finals.

By Graham Ruthven

Of the eight teams left in this season’s FA Cup, only one (Manchester City) have won it before this century. Four (Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Fulham) of them have never got their hands on the oldest trophy in club football. The FA Cup field is primed for an underdog to go all the way.

Aston Villa and City remain in the competition and are the bookmakers’ favourites to add to their sizeable trophy collection, although the former last won the FA Cup in 1957. The safe money would be on Erling Haaland bludgeoning his way through the opposition to add a silver lining to Manchester City’s otherwise dull season.

City, however, aren’t the force they were 12 months ago. Pep Guardiola’s team have already lost to Aston Villa this season. And Bournemouth. And Brighton. And Nottingham Forest. They have drawn against Palace too. In fact, the only teams left in this season’s FA Cup not to have taken points off City this season are Fulham and Preston North End.

Forest surely fancy their chances of going the distance. Nuno Espírito Santo’s team have been the biggest surprise package of the Premier League season so far. The way things are going with Forest sitting third in the table, the famous Champions League anthem will be heard at the City Ground next season.

FA Cup glory, however, would give Nottingham Forest their greatest day at Wembley for 65 years. Not even Brian Clough got his hands on the trophy during his time at Forest. Nuno can do something that not even the greatest manager in the club’s history achieved. Forest’s Premier League form shows they are genuine contenders.

Bournemouth are another underdog who have proved they have bite in the Premier League this season. Under Andoni Iraola, the Cherries have exceeded all expectations. They are capable of holding their own in possession, but are at their most dangerous when they have open space to attack at speed.

In Evanilson, Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier, Bournemouth boast a fearsome frontline supported by the dynamic midfield duo of Tyler Adams and Ryan Christie. Any opponent that attempts to press high on the south coast outfit must be wary of the threat that could come at them in the other direction.

Only Liverpool are averaging more shots per league match than Bournemouth this season, highlighting just how potent the Cherries are. If Iraola can balance his squad to balance the charge for European qualification and a FA Cup run, this season could culminate in something special on the south coast.

Brighton also have a good chance of bringing the trophy back to the south coast. While the Seagulls’ form has peaked and dipped at various points over the course of the campaign, Fabian Hürzeler’s side are capable of dismantling even the strongest of opponents on their day. They are on a run of just two defeats in their last 16 games in all competitions.

Like Bournemouth, Brighton’s true potency is in the way they attack at speed. João Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma are their biggest difference makers in the final third, combining pace with the highest degree of technical ability. Danny Welbeck and Yankuba Minteh are also regular contributors to one of English football’s most watchable teams.

Crystal Palace can’t be discounted either. While the Eagles struggled to get going in the early part of the season, Oliver Glasner’s team now have some momentum behind them. Indeed, Palace have won nine of their last 11 games in all competitions and have fully unlocked the likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta, Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton once more.

Then there’s Fulham who have flown under the radar somewhat this season despite sitting a lofty eighth in the Premier League table. Marco Silva’s team might not be as dynamic as the likes of Bournemouth and Brighton, but their effectiveness can’t be doubted. Raúl Jiménez could provide the firepower to make the Cottagers FA Cup winners for the first time in their history.

*Jiménez’s impressive international break*

In modern football, the FA Cup often struggles to find its place. Clubs at the elite level are more concerned with league and continental football. The game has moved on from the era when a day in the sunshine at Wembley was seen as the culmination of an entire season. Teams, players and managers are judged on much more than that.

And yet the field in this season’s FA Cup means the competition surely matters more to many. Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Fulham and Nottingham Forest all have a legitimate shot at history. The league might be where these teams can truly prove their quality, but FA Cup glory would make them legends.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Preview: Barcelona play rearranged fixture vs. Osasuna

Barcelona host Osasuna on Thursday evening in a highly controversial fixture that has prompted anger from both clubs.

By Graham Ruthven

Playing catch-up

This fixture was originally postponed earlier this month due to the death of Barca team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia.

The rearranged fixture was therefore always likely to congest the schedule for both teams, but neither are happy with the game being played so close to the international window when some players won’t be long back from national team duty.

Barca and Osasuna both failed in their appeals for the fixture to be moved, meaning the two teams faced the prospect of two games in just four days – Barcelona play Girona on Sunday with Osasuna up against Athletic Club.

Despite the scheduling controversy, Barca start the final stretch of the club season in excellent shape. They have won their last seven league games in succession and sit top of LaLiga. The Catalans are title favourites at this point.

For Osasuna, though, the hope is that the international break gave them the opportunity to reset after a six-game winless run across all competitions.

While Vicente Moreno’s team have a six-point cushion on the relegation places, they must find form quickly to avoid being sucked into trouble near the foot of the table.

Key players

For club and country, Lamine Yamal is the brightest spark on the pitch. He proved this by scoring a crucial goal for Spain in their UEFA Nations League win over the Netherlands. The teenager will likely be Barca’s main threat against Osasuna too.

Nobody has scored more goals for Barcelona this season than Robert Lewandowski and the Polish striker is expected to lead the line for the Catalans on Thursday, although Ferran Torres could be a rotational option.

*Barcelona’s top scorers in LaLiga, 2024/25*

Pedri and Gavi will control the game in central midfield with Frenkie de Jong currently in good form as the midfielder who gives Barcelona a different dimension due to his eye-catching dribbling ability.

Osasuna have already beaten Barca once this season and will look to recycle the game plan that worked back in September by exploiting the Catalans’ high defensive line.

Ante Budimir netted in that match, and has 15 goals to his name in LaLiga this season. The Croatian will pose a threat once more at Montjuïc with Rubén García and Aimar Oroz two others to keep an eye on.

Team news

Ronald Araújo and Raphinha are expected to be back in the Barcelona squad, but after playing for Uruguay and Brazil respectively on Tuesday night it’s possible both players could start Thursday night’s game on the bench.

Pau Cubarsí is a doubt after picking up an ankle injury while playing for Spain in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. However, Iñigo Martínez is back in training after recovering from a knee issue.

Osasuna will be without Bryan Zaragoza after the on-loan Bayern Munich winger was forced off against Getafe before the international break.

Lucas Torro will serve a suspension while Enzo Boyomo will be in the same situation as Araújo and Raphinha having played for Cameroon earlier this week.

Prediction

We’re expecting Barca to head in to the weekend with a three point advantage at the top of LaLiga, winning this game with a minimum of fuss, despite all the noise pre-match: Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Mar

2025

Why Liverpool are becoming Bournemouth’s most valued customers

Are Bournemouth about to become the new Southampton? Perhaps, if Liverpool’s expected transfer business is anything to go by.

By Jack Lusby, ThisIsAnfield.com

Such was the frequency that Liverpool conducted business with Southampton in the mid-to-late 2010s that it was often joked that they should be given a loyalty card.

Five players were signed in the space of three summers, while another was attempted the next, only to be delayed by a public apology for tapping up and completed seven months later.

It may have become a running joke, but all but one of those six signings were successes, with Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne becoming important squad players and Sadio Mané and Virgil van Dijk among the best to ever represent the club.

Rickie Lambert stands out as an anomaly, the boyhood Liverpool supporter scoring three goals in 36 games in his one season at Anfield, but the club’s then-director of research Ian Graham has since described the £4 million signing as an “experiment” to test out Brendan Rodgers‘ “obsession” with signing a target man in Christian Benteke.

Nevertheless, the quips are starting again as the Reds are increasingly linked with a number of players from another south-coast club: this time, Bournemouth.

Arne Slot‘s second summer transfer window is expected to be decidedly busier than his first, when Federico Chiesa stood as the club’s only immediate signing while another deal was struck to bring Giorgi Mamardashvili in for 2025.

That includes interest in a new centre-back, a left-back and another wide forward, all of whom could feasibly be plucked from Andoni Iraola‘s Bournemouth squad.

As it stands, Liverpool’s chief target for the left-back role is Milos Kerkez, the 21-year-old Hungary international who is close friends with Dominik Szoboszlai, while there is mounting speculation over a move for Dean Huijsen, the 19-year-old Spain centre-back with a £50 million release clause.

There are further reports of interest in winger Antoine Semenyo – who terrorised Trent Alexander-Arnold in an eventual 2-0 win for Liverpool in February – amid doubts over the futures of Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah.

Clearly, there are similarities between the Southampton of the mid-2010s and this current Bournemouth iteration; both were upwardly mobile sides with one of the Premier League’s most talented young managers and an enviable recruitment structure.

Those at Liverpool will know that better than most, not least as Richard Hughes, their new sporting director, joined the club from Bournemouth last summer, having previously held the position of technical director at Dean Court since 2016.

Hughes brought with him chief scout Mark Burchill and Craig McKee, another scout, as part of a new-look transfer setup in the halls of Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre. Given those ties to Bournemouth, the ongoing links start to make more sense.

While Liverpool are not beholden to the opinions of only a handful of recruitment heads, instead employing a legion of scouts, analysts and data scientists to inform their decisions on signings and sales, it certainly helps that the background work has already been conducted once before on the likes of Kerkez and Huijsen.

There will be a conviction over each player’s character along with what they can offer to the side, and more so how they would fit into a particular system. Hughes, Burchill and McKee will also have a better understanding of the ceiling of those players, as Liverpool will be buying as much for the long term as they are the immediate term this summer.

The connection between the two clubs runs deeper than those new faces within Liverpool’s hierarchy, though, including a long-standing relationship between Bournemouth and Michael Edwards, now installed as Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of football.

Edwards fostered a strong bond with not only Hughes but also future Bournemouth coaches Eddie Howe and Gary O’Neil when he worked as chief analyst at Portsmouth and they were part of Harry Redknapp’s first-team squad.

The friendship remained beyond their playing days and, in their future roles as sporting director at Liverpool and technical director at Bournemouth respectively, it often saw Edwards and Hughes in contact over transfers.

That included the sales of Dominic Solanke, Jordon Ibe and Brad Smith to Bournemouth, as well as loans for Harry Wilson, Nat Phillips and Nathaniel Clyne, but also direct competition for a number of players both clubs wished to sign.

Hughes had hoped to sign Andy Robertson, Harvey Elliott and Joe Gomez only to lose out to Edwards’ Liverpool, while the latter saw interest in the likes of Lloyd Kelly, Lewis Cook and David Brooks fall short as they opted for Dean Court over Anfield.

Bournemouth may have lost the core of their recruitment setup in the summer but they are still enjoying the fruits of their labour, not least the appointment of Iraola as head coach and the squad Hughes and Co. helped build.

The Cherries sit 10th in the Premier League as the final international break of the campaign plays out, but they are only five points off fourth and can harbour genuine hopes of securing European football for the season to come.

It is an unfortunate reality that much of the squad that would lead them to the continental stage could be picked apart before they are able to experience it for the first time, but that could certainly benefit Liverpool.

In Kerkez and Huijsen in particular, Bournemouth possess two players who appear capable of making the step up to life at Anfield – and there will be testimonies to that effect on offer from those within the club.

So while there may be jibes from the outside about Bournemouth following Southampton as their next unofficial feeder club, there will be every confidence that any stamps on their new loyalty card will be a worthwhile investment for Liverpool.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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Mar

2025

Bilal El Khannouss: One Leicester success story this season

Leicester City got a fair few things wrong during the summer transfer window.

By Sam McGuire

The Foxes appointed Steve Cooper to replace Enzo Maresca after the Italian tactician decided to move to Stamford Bridge to manage Chelsea.

They also parted with a rumoured £20million fee to bring Oliver Skipp to the King Power Stadium from Spurs. We’re almost into April and the midfielder has started just seven Premier League games and has just 773 minutes to his name in the English top-flight. It wasn’t exactly money well spent.

Caleb Okoli arrived from Atalanta, Abdul Fatawu made his loan spell from Sporting into a permanent move, while Odsonne Édouard and Facundo Buonanotte arrived on loan from Crystal Palace and Brighton respectively. The biggest deal of the summer for Leicester, though, was the one to bring Bilal El Khannouss to England.

This one raised a few eyebrows.

The 20-year-old playmaker had caught the eye for KRC Genk in Belgium, the country of his birth. However, he hadn’t really done enough to justify the rumoured £21million that Leicester agreed to pay to secure his services.

During his final season in Belgium, he scored three goals and chipped in with six assists across almost 2,200 regular season minutes. And then no further goal contributions in another 10 appearances following the league split. The Foxes weren’t paying for the finished product. They were paying for potential. It was risky on their part given they had a Championship standard squad for the most part and needed real quality if they were to retain their status as a Premier League club.

It hasn’t gone to plan. Cooper was replaced by Ruud Van Nistelrooy and the former PSV coach appears to be out of his depth. He’s won just two matches in the Premier League in the dugout for the Foxes and they have lost 13 of their last 14 matches in the English top-flight.

*El Khannouss player traits – comparison against similar players in top 5 leagues*

Buonanotte and Ayew have been shrewd additions with a combined 10 goals between them. However, it is El Khannouss who is the most intriguing Leicester player this term.

He’s found the back of the net just twice and has a single assist to his name. But his goal involvements come in the two games that the Foxes claimed all three points in under Van Nistelrooy.

El Khannouss assisted Jamie Vardy’s opener and scored himself in a 3-1 victory over West Ham in the Dutchman’s first game in charge. He struck the winner in the 2-1 win at Spurs in January.

He caught the eye in a 2-0 loss to Manchester City, attempting the most dribbles of any player on the pitch (five) and having the highest success rate (80%). He also had a 100% tackle success rate against the reigning champions.

While his performances haven’t been enough to land him into any Team of the Season conversations, bigger teams have taken note of his work rate and quality.

According to reports recently, Lazio are wanting to sign him for €30million this summer while RB Leipzig want to bring him in on loan, possibly to replace the departing Xavi Simons. That alone should be enough for the rest of Europe to realise he’s a talent.

RB Leipzig have an eye for final third players.

There’s also interest in the 20-year-old from within the Premier League. Arsenal are the ‘most interested’ while league leaders Liverpool have him on their radar as they plot an attacking overhaul this summer.

Despite his low attacking returns this term, you can understand why teams might be interested.

*El Khannouss passing stats, Premier League 2024/25*

In an interview with Sky Sports earlier in the year, Miguel Ribeiro, Genk’s first-team technical and individual coach, heaped praise on the young playmaker, saying: “I used to tell people that he had eyes in his back, because he sees everything. When you watch him, you see he is always checking around him and looking over his shoulders.”

And you can see this now, even in the Premier League.

Despite Leicester’s struggles, and El Khannouss having to adapt to the rigours of the English top-flight, he’s managed to still post encouraging numbers.

*El Khannouss defending stats, Premier League 2024/25*

For example, this term in the Premier League, he’s completed over 60% of his attempted dribbles. He’s press resistant and a space-creator. Top teams love these profiles in their forward line. He’s also fairly accurate as a passer for someone who is a creator. He can retain possession and progress play – more boxes ticked. Without the ball, he’s a grafter. Again, this is an invaluable trait these days. For the Foxes this term, he’s won over 55% of his tackles and duels, he’s also handy in the air too despite being just 5″11′ and coming up against physical midfielders.

He’s got potential in possession and he does what is required without the ball to fit into a top six team. If he develops as hoped, he could be another Genk academy graduate to dominate the Premier League, just like Kevin De Bruyne.

Leicester’s biggest summer gamble appears to have been their most successful purchase.

(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.

Mar

2025

Argentina looking to the future as they take on Brazil without Lionel Messi

Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina can confirm their place at the 2026 World Cup with a victory over Brazil on Tuesday night.

By Graham Ruthven

Not for the first time, Argentina needed a diminutive attacker to produce a moment of magic to win a match last week. The only difference was that it wasn’t Lionel Messi who conjured it up. Instead, it was Thiago Almada who netted a stunner to give La Albiceleste a narrow 1-0 victory in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.

Messi watched from Miami where he is undergoing rehab for an injury picked up playing for Inter Miami before the international break. The Major League Soccer club are tight-lipped at the best of times when it comes to Messi’s fitness status and so it’s unclear whether the adductor strain will keep him out for any great period of time.

Even if Messi is back in action quickly, Argentina must look to build something in preparation for when their greatest-ever player finally calls it a day. With the 37-year-old currently sidelined, the 2022 World Cup winners will get a glimpse of what a post-Messi future will look like when they face Brazil on Tuesday night.

Against Uruguay last week, Lionel Scaloni set up his attack to play off Julián Alvarez with Almada in the left half-space and Giuliano Simeone on the right side. Argentina were happy to concede a lot of possession to open up space in quick transition with Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Leandro Paredes comfortable controlling the ball in the middle when they could.

Alvarez led the line for Argentina as they won the 2022 World Cup, but he has developed a lot as a centre forward since then. In Qatar, the then Manchester City player was used as something of a ‘False Nine.’ He was in the team to create space for others around him. Now, Alvarez is a difference-maker in his own right, as he has demonstrated for Atlético Madrid this season.

Simeone is another who has made an impact for Atleti recently with the 22-year-old an irrepressible force in and out of possession. He might not be the most refined in a lot of his attacking play, but Simeone is carrying his winning mentality into the Argentinean national team. He is an asset.

Almada produced the game-winning moment, finding the back of the net with a laser from outside the box. The 23-year-old has made a good start at Lyon since making the move to Ligue 1 from Botafogo in January and is also growing in stature for Argentina. He will surely have a role to play at the 2026 World Cup.

Nico González came off the bench in the second half while Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios was also introduced to offer more muscle in the centre of the pitch as Argentina protected their lead. The highly-rated Nico Paz was also in the squad having caught the eye for Como in Serie A this season.

Of course, none of these players are Messi. Nobody is. If all goes well, Argentina will still be able to call on the former Barcelona number 10 next summer when La Albiceleste will be defending their title. Messi might be playing in MLS, but at his best he is still capable of winning a match at the top level.

The concern for Scaloni must be that Messi’s recent injury record casts doubt on his ability to play high-intensity matches in quick succession. He has missed a lot of football since making the move to Inter Miami two years ago. This season, Messi has started just two out of five MLS fixtures. Last season, he started only 16 games.

For the 2026 World Cup and beyond, Scaloni must build something for Argentina that makes sense and functions with or without Messi. There are signs he is already doing this – it wasn’t just Messi who missed last week’s World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay, but Lautaro Martínez and Paulo Dybala too.

*The qualifying picture ahead of Argentina vs. Brazil*

“The national team is a team. When one is missing, another steps up,” explained Scaloni after Almada’s goal put Argentina on the brink of rubber-stamping World Cup qualification. “We had some very important absentees, but we have great players to go out on the field. The team is always more than just the names.”

Argentina enter Tuesday’s match against Brazil seven points clear of their rivals at the top of CONMEBOL qualifying. The Seleção have recovered after a slow start to the campaign, but Argentina are very much seen as the dominant force in the region right now. A home victory on Tuesday would further confirm this while showing La Albiceleste are looking ahead to the next generation. A generation without Messi.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage including player ratings. Download the free app here.

Mar

2025

Preview: Argentina face Brazil in the Superclasico

South America’s two biggest footballing nations face off in the World Cup qualifiers for the first time since 2023. Argentina are without the great man himself, Lionel Messi, but Brazil are struggling to convince.

By Alex Roberts

Last week, Lionel Scaloni’s side came out 1-0 winners in their previous qualifier against Uruguay

thanks to a 68^th minute goal from Lyon’s Thiago Almada, keeping them at the summit of the CONMEBOL table.

It was a mixture of magic and luck that spared Brazilian blushes in their 2-1 win over Colombia. Deep in to stoppage time, Vinícius Júnior struck a hopeful shot from around 20 yards out, it took a deflection off Jefferson Lerma and ended up in the back of the net.

*The top six qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with the 7th placed team entering the intercontinental playoff*

The elephant in the room

Argentina have plenty of attacking talent, but a lack of Messi would be detrimental for any club or international side, no matter his age. He was ruled out of this one after picking up a groin injury during Inter Miami’s 2-1 MLS win over Atlanta United.

With Lautaro Martínez a major doubt, having missed the win over Uruguay with a hamstring issue, Julián Alvarez has been given the opportunity to be Argentina’s main attacking threat for this international break.

He impressed last time out, providing the assist for Almada’s winner. Messi won’t be there forever, and it will take more than one player to replace him, but Alvarez has it in him to become a major player for the World Cup holders.

Blocking out the haters

Brazil boss Dorival Júnior has had plenty of critics, most notably from the likes of Ronaldinho, but he was bullish after their win over Colombia, saying “time puts everyone in their place.”

Dorival’s side were undoubtedly better than Colombia in their game, but they didn’t exactly dominate. An early penalty and some Vini Jr. magic have done little to calm the voices of discontent, and Argentina are a different beast all together.

It would take a monumentally huge collapse for the five-time World Champions to not qualify for the 2026 tournament, they currently sit third with 21 points from their 13 games.

It’s what they’ll do when they get there that has people concerned.

Argentina’s new generation

Scaloni appears to be looking to the future, calling Bologna duo Santiago Castro and Benjamín Domínquez up to the senior team for the first time in their young careers. Neither have made an appearance… yet, but the chance to train at the highest level is just as important.

Como wonderkid Nico Paz received the call last year, providing an assist in Argentina’s 6-0 win over Bolivia. Like the other two, opportunities have been hard to come by, but time is on his side.

Whether any of them feature against Brazil is the big question. Their inclusion proves Scaloni know he can’t rely on the old guard for much longer. Their win in Qatar proved how close-knit the side were, taking time over any potential rebuild may not be such a bad thing.

Raphinha is a new man

Few could have predicted the season Raphinha would have. He’s been tearing it up for Hansi Flick’s free-scoring Barcelona side, and that incredible form is translating on the international stage too.

He was the man of the match in the win over Colombia, and he’s Brazil’s top goal scorer and assist provider in their qualification campaign so far. Dorival Júnior isn’t exactly known for the Joga Bonito that made Brazil virtually invincible in the early 2000s, but he’s given the former Leeds man a chance to shine.

Argentina’s defence is aging, they still have Nicolás Otamendi knocking about. Of course, experience is important, but having Raphinha running at you in the form he’s in would be a test for the very best.

Prediction

Matches between these two countries are usually a lot cagier than many may think, it’s a massive rivalry and neither side ever wants to lose. That being said, we reckon this one will be a 1-1 draw.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.