Page 4 – The Pulse of Football

Aug

2025

Everton’s slow summer is putting that all-important new season optimism at risk

Everton have a new stadium, new owners and new hope, but have they done enough in the summer transfer window?

The sound of the Z Cars anthem as Everton walked out for Saturday’s friendly against Roma was familiar even if the surroundings certainly weren’t. Playing in their new stadium for the first time, the excitement among the Toffees support was palpable. This was a moment they’d waited years (decades, even) for.

Of course, a stadium is only bricks and mortar. The real excitement around the construction of Hill Dickinson Stadium relates to how its opening marks the start of a new era. Everton have a new stadium, new owners and new hope, yet there is concern over how little the club has done in the transfer market this summer.

Everton lost six squad members at the end of last season. This might have been necessary to clear the decks ahead of a summer rebuild, but that reconstruction process has stalled with just three notable additions made. The 2025/26 Premier League season will kick off this weekend with the Toffees decidedly short-handed.

David Moyes knows this. The 62-year-old has publicly called for new signings, expressing his belief that Everton need “nine or 10” additions to be ready for the Premier League campaign. The Toffees have captured two more since Moyes made those comments, but their squad is still a long way from where it needs to be.

Jack Grealish’s impending arrival will help. The 29-year-old is set to join Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City in a move that reflects the ambition of new owner Dan Friedkin. However, Grealish is an award fit for a team that already has a top-level left winger in the shape of Iliman Ndiaye who scored nine Premier League goals last term. Grealish only scored once.

It’s possible Moyes could deploy Grealish as a number 10. However, this is where Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall operates best with the 26-year-old only just in the door from Chelsea. What is the plan to get Grealish, Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall into the same lineup without making the team too top-heavy?

*Ndiaye vs. Grealish top stats compared, Premier League 2024/25 season*

Liam Delap had been a target earlier in the window. The 22-year-old was identified as the perfect centre forward to lead a new-look frontline with the £30m release clause in Delap’s Ipswich Town contract making a deal realistic. When Delap decided to join Chelsea instead, Everton turned to Thierno Barry.

Barry has potential. The 22-year-old scored 11 goals for Villarreal in LaLiga last season and has the physicality to succeed in the Premier League. Beto has enjoyed an unexpected resurgence since Moyes’ appointment, but now faces stiff competition from Barry for his place as Everton’s starting striker. The two could even play as a pair.

*Barry’s shot map at Villarreal, LaLiga 2024/25*

Carlos Alcaraz has been signed permanently after an encouraging spell on loan from Flamengo last season. The Argentine is another attacking midfielder who would prefer to play through the centre. However, it’s likely Alcaraz will play on the right side to give Everton at least some sense of balance in the final third.

There are bigger gaps in midfield where Everton lack a natural pace-setter. James Garner and Idrissa Gueye will likely start Monday’s season-opener against Leeds United as a double pivot, but neither are particularly comfortable at progressing the ball. This is something that will hold Everton back when it comes to imposing their own game on opponents.

Defensively, there are also concerns. Everton still haven’t added a new right back to their squad despite Ashley Young leaving and Nathan Patterson still chronically injury-prone. Jake O’Brien can play there, and has played there through pre-season, but the Republic of Irishman doesn’t offer much in an attacking sense.

If everyone can stay fit, Everton have the players to be solid this season. They still boast England’s starting goalkeeper in Jordan Pickford and a reliable centre back pairing in Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski. However, the long-suffering Toffees support had hoped this season would be more than just solid.

What is the point of building a new £800m stadium as a symbol of Everton’s new ambition if it’s the same old story on the pitch? Everton have a duty to forge a team worthy of playing in one of the most impressive venues in the Premier League. The supporters expect Friedkin to put his money where his mouth is. They – and Moyes – expect more new signings before the end of the summer.

After years of fighting relegation, it won’t be easy for Everton to immediately change direction. As Moyes said, the club must “rebuild trust in people who should come to Everton.” That process could be a slow one, as demonstrated by the struggles of the summer transfer window, but it has at least started.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow all Everton games on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2025

Meet Dastan Satpaev, the Champions League youngest goalscorer and future Chelsea star

Rightly or wrongly, Chelsea have been accused by many of playing video games in real life when it comes to their transfer strategy. At worst, it’s felt scattergun, at best, they’ve signed some of the most exciting young talent in the world.

By Alex Roberts

Dastan Satpaev, a 16-year-old striker from Kazakhstan is every Football Manager player’s dream, he clearly has 200 PA (if you know you know). At the moment, Chelsea’s decision to sign him for a reported fee of €4 million, including add-ons, is looking like a master stroke.

Compared to Sergio Agüero, who came close to joining the West London club as a teen before finally landing at Manchester City and becoming a Premier League great, has been with current club Kairat Almaty since the age of eight.

It’s not an unfair comparison, physically at least, he still has some way to go if he wants to have the type of career the little Argentinian did. Like Agüero, he has a low centre of gravity and incredible balance, along with that trademark burst of pace that catches defenders completely off-guard.

As a result, his link up play is one of his best assets. Not afraid to make a nuisance of himself, he brings teammates into the fold with an impressive touch, playing a one-two, and using his speed to get in the right position and get a shot off on goal.

*Satpaev is top scorer for the Kazakh league leaders this season*

Of course, given his age, there is still room for improvement. He’s not the best in the air but then again, he’s only 5’5”, he’s due a growth spurt over the next few years, if he keeps eating his Beshbarmak, Satpaev will be a big strong boy in no time.

After impressing in the academy, scoring a total of 27 goals and registering 10 assists in 28 matches, during the 2023 and 2024 seasons in the QJ League, Kazakhstan’s premier youth competition, he was promoted to the senior team.

He went on to make his debut on 26 May 2024 in their 9–0 Kazakhstan League Cup win against Akzhayik, coming on to replace Élder Santana in the 80th minute. He wasn’t among the scorers, but you could tell he had something special.

Despite the minimal number of appearances, the European elite were starting to take notice and in March, it was announced that he would be joining Chelsea for a Kazakhstan league record fee.

Since then, he’s arguably been the first name on the team sheet, scoring his first senior goal in the first game of the 2025 season, an equaliser against FC Astana, the biggest side in Kazakhstan.

The young man hasn’t looked back since. He’s played a key role in taking Kairat Almaty to the top of the Kazakhstan Premier League, scoring eight goals and providing one assist in his 19 games, as they look well on their way to a second consecutive title.

Domestically, Satpaev is already a relatively big fish in a small pond. On the continent, he’s just another kid, looking up at the grown up’s table, hoping to get a bite of the cake while they’re distracted by their phones.

Kairat Almaty entered the Champions League at the first qualifying round, where they would face Slovenian champions Olimpija Ljubljana, with the first game held in the historic and scenic city of Ljubljana.

After 59 minutes, a record was broken. Running alongside teammate Jorginho, not that one, he was in the right place at the right time to tap the ball home after his fellow forward broke free to go one-on-one with the ‘keeper.

And just like that, 16 years, 10 months, and 26 days, Satpaev become the youngest goal scorer in the competition’s history – although technically Ansu Fati is still the record holder for the Champions League proper.

Olimpija equalised seven minutes later to end the game 1-1. Kairat Almaty would go on to win their second leg back in Khazakhstan 2-0, although Satpaev didn’t get on the scoresheet this time around.

Drawn against Finnish champions KuPS for their next qualifier, it was starting to look like Satpaev’s first foray into Europe’s elite club competition would come to an end after their lost the first leg 2-0.

As everyone who follows football knows, 2-0 is a dangerous scoreline, however, and Satpaev was the main man/boy in the game back at the Ortalyq Stadion, bagging a goal and providing an assist.

Nine minutes in, he took the iniative to latch on to a pass that didn’t appear to be meant for him, taking a touch, catching his breath, and shooting his shot through a sea of legs. The ‘keeper got a hand to it, but it wasn’t enough, and Kairat Almaty were back in it.

Jorginho got the tie level on the 29^th minute before Satpaev was involved once again, this time setting up Valeri Gromyko just before the break to make it 3-0 and win the tie outright. We’d like to say it was the best assist we’d ever seen but, in all honesty, Gromyko did most of the work.

Next up were Slovan Bratislava, a side that made it to the new-look league phase last season, where they would go on to face the likes of Man City, AC Milan, and Atletico Madrid. They didn’t pick up a single point but sometimes it’s about the friends you make along the way.

Kairat Almaty dominated the game but were unable to break their opponents down. Rahim Ibrahim’s red card left Slovan Bratislava more vulnerable, but it would take another 30 minutes for a goal to be scored.

Again, it was our boy. Kairat Almaty were awarded a penalty in added time and Satpaev showed bravery beyond his years to absolutely smash it into the back of the net and give his side the advantage going into the second leg.

That will be played on Tuesday, with a final qualifier against the mighty Celtic in the balance. Then, should Satpaev and co snatch an unlikely victory against Brendan Rodgers’ lads, they can call themselves a proper Champions League side.

Looking to the future, Chelsea will be delighted with the progress he’s already made, and the maturity he’s shown in some of his club’s biggest moments. Perhaps, the next big thing in football, is a kid from Khazakstan.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Champions League game on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2025

Preview: All-Floridian Derby for Orlando and Inter Miami

Inter Miami return to Major League Soccer action against Orlando City following the break for the Leagues Cup group stage.

By James Nalton

There are stars to watch out for on both sides in this Florida derby, even if the MLS main attraction might be missing.

Messi injury status

Inter Miami managed to get the result they needed to remain in the Leagues Cup, defeating Pumas UNAM 3-1 to progress to the knockout rounds which begin later in the month.

They did so without the injured Lionel Messi, with Rodrigo De Paul scoring his first goal for the club and Luis Suárez and Tadeo Allende also getting on the scoresheet.

Messi remains out for the game against Orlando, but that win against Pumas gives the team encouragement that they can win without their main star.

The addition of De Paul to the ranks helps. He brings the teamwork and experience that Messi himself values so much, and can now rub off on the rest of the team.

Telasco and Tadeo’s time to step up (again)

All season, Telasco Segovia and Tadeo Allende have felt like key players in this Inter Miami team.

It’s OK having several star names, but the key to truly being successful is complementing that individual greatness with a functioning team and players being the big names.

Other parts of the recruitment model for MLS teams should be finding younger players to develop and prime-age players to fit in the middle.

The profile of 22-year-old Segovia makes him the replacement for Diego Gómez, who joined Brighton in January, while at the age of 26, Allende should be at his peak and playing his best football.

Both have contributed this season and are the second-highest scorers at the club, behind Messi on seven goals apiece in MLS.

It is they, alongside the additional guidance from De Paul, who will need to step up in Messi’s absence and match Orlando’s attacking stars.

Opposition watch: Orlando City

Orlando also progressed to the knockout rounds of the Leagues Cup, joining Inter Miami in the quarterfinals alongside Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy from the MLS side of the draw.

Óscar Pareja’s side have been one of the best teams in MLS this season when it comes to creating chances in attack, and are the second-highest scorers in the Eastern Conference with 46 (behind Miami’s 49)

They are second in the league for expected goals with 44.2 and also second for the number of big chances created, with 78, behind the San Jose Earthquakes on both counts.

Orlando have also missed the most big chances in the league with 54, which suggests they have even more goals in them than the 46 they have scored.

Martín Ojeda has been the standout player for Orlando this season and is one to look out for. He has been ably supported by Marco Pašalić and experienced Colombian forward Luis Muriel.

Prediction

Orlando City’s attack will be too much for Inter Miami’s defence, but it has the potential to be yet another high-scoring game.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Inter Miami game live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2025

Preview: Palace and Liverpool meet in traditional curtain raiser

Crystal Palace and Liverpool will face each other in the Community Shield curtain-raiser with the season’s first piece of silverware at stake.

By Graham Ruthven

Early statements

After a landmark 2024/25 campaign for Crystal Palace and Liverpool, Sunday’s Community Shield is an opportunity for both teams to make an early statement.

For Liverpool, the sight of Arne Slot and his players lifting another piece of silverware could hint at another dominant season to come. The Reds strolled to the Premier League title term and have made a number of blockbuster additions over the summer to, in theory, grow even stronger.

Crystal Palace’s summer has been challenging with the Selhurst Park club demoted to the Conference League. The Eagles have also struggled to recruit in the way that was surely hoped for with Borna Sosa the only notable addition.

Liverpool are firm favourites to win at Wembley on Sunday, but Palace have demonstrated their capacity for upsetting the odds against an elite opponent at the national stadium once before.

*The last five meetings between these two*

Key players

Palace’s defence won them the FA Cup final against Manchester City last season and the likes of Dean Henderson, Marc Guéhi, Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards must find top form to keep Liverpool at arm’s length on Sunday.

Eberechi Eze has been the subject of speculation linking him with Arsenal this summer, but is expected to start for Palace. His dribbling and creativity will be a threat to the Liverpool backline with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s physicality another danger.

Mohamed Salah netted an incredible 29 league goals for Liverpool last season and after penning a new two-year deal to stay at Anfield the Egyptian winger remains the Reds’ greatest threat in the final third.

Florian Wirtz has been signed to play as Liverpool’s new number 10. The German could operate in behind another summer signing, Hugo Ekitike. The young Frenchman is quick, skilful and will give Liverpool a different dimension in and around the box.

Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez could start as Liverpool’s new full back pairing while Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté will make up the rest of the back four.

Team news

Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucouré are long-term absentees for Crystal Palace while Eddie Nketiah will be missing for up to six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in a pre-season match.

Matheus Franca is also an injury doubt. Otherwise, Oliver Glasner has a fully fit and available squad to choose from.

Van Dijk, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez will all be assessed before the match for various reasons, but stand a good chance of being cleared to feature. Liverpool’s injury list is generally clear ahead of the start of the season.

Slot faces a number of selection decisions across the pitch. Should Giorgi Mamardashvili start over Alisson Becker having impressed in pre-season? Is Kerkez a better bet at left back than Andy Robertson?

Where does Wirtz fit into the midfield and which deep-lying player should be sacrificed? How will Ekitike be deployed in the attack? These are things Slot will have to consider.

Prediction

Glasner’s team know how to defend and Liverpool may take some time to bed in their shiny new signings but the Reds should have enough attacking options to make the difference: Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Aug

2025

Brentford heading in to the unknown

Brentford are in uncharted waters. For the first time in their Premier League tenure, Thomas Frank won’t be in the home dugout at the Gtech Community stadium. Add the departures of Bryan Mbeumo and Christian Nørgaard, along with Yoane Wissa’s uncertain future, should we be worried?

By Alex Roberts

After seven years at the helm, a ‘big’ club finally listened to all those pundits and took a chance on Frank. He’s the man tasked with leading Tottenham into their brave new era following their Europa League win under Ange Postecoglou.

Frank’s time at Brentford will be defined by their ability to punch above their weight. The Bees have consistently been the team with the lowest wage bill in the Premier League. Last season it was reported to be £44,343,000 per-year, only newly promoted Ipswich spent less (£40,768,000).

Unlike the likes of Ipswich, they’ve managed to establish themselves as mainstay in the English top-flight, with their lowest finish coming in 2023-24, ending their campaign all the way down in 16^th with 39 points, 13 above now League One side Luton Town.

While many sides, and managers, refuse to deviate from their preferred philosophy, Frank is a rare bread. He’s a coach that has no problem adapting; if the game calls for his side to go long, they’ll go long, if they need to be patient against a low block, then that’s what they’ll do.

Last season, his Brentford side primarily used a 4-3-3 or a 3-5-2, depending on the opposition. The formations may change but the general ideas remain the same, have a high back line when attacking, keep the ball, counter press, create high xG chances, stick ’em in the net. Simple right?

*Brentford had the eighth highest xG in the Premier League last season*

Brentford were seventh in terms of big chances created in the Premier League last season with 109, while overperforming their xG, scoring 66 goals from the predicted 60.2. It all points to a manager who knows how to get the best out of his players.

Now that the great Dane is gone, former set-piece coach Keith Andrews is the new gaffer. For those that watched any Brentford games last season, it’s fair to say they LOVED a set-piece, from both attacking and defensive perspectives.

Andrews may not have been jumping up and down on the touchline like Arsenal’s Nicolas Jover, but he was nearly as productive. Brentford ended their 2024-25 Premier League campaign with 13 set piece goals, the fifth most in the division, while only conceding three, the least. All he needs to do now is add more nonsensical hand gestures.

Like Frank, Andrews comes in as a complete unknown quantity. This is his first managerial position, but the boffins at Brentford don’t mess about, they’ll have crunched the numbers, hacked the system, and be confident they made the right choice. Let’s not forget, Frank lost his first three games when he took over from Dean Saunders.

If it was just Frank leaving, then there wouldn’t be too much cause for concern, it’s those on the pitch that have added to the increasing anxiety. Bryan Mbeumo, the man who scored just over 30% of Brentford Premier League goals last season has left to join Man United.

*Brentford’s top scorers in the league last season*

A tasty £66.7 million profit on the forward, who Brentford signed from French side Troyes when they were still in the Championship will make the pill a little easier to swallow, but he’s going to be a huge miss.

Questions remain whether he will be able to keep up his form in front of goal, like Brentford, Mbeumo overperformed his xG quite considerably, bagging 20 Premier League goals from a predicted 12.26, but that’s not all he’s about.

Not only did he score goals, Mbeumo’s work rate off the ball made him an absolute menace. He never gave the opposition a moment’s rest, winning 31 tackles, 179 duels, and making 156 recoveries. He also won the ball back in the final third 32 times.

As of writing this piece, Brentford haven’t signed a like-for-like replacement for Mbeumo. Antoni Milambo, who has joined from Feyenoord, is capable of playing as a right-winger, but he’s more of a midfielder. It’s hard to see where those types of numbers are going to come from looking at their current options.

*Our best rated Brentford players last season*

Christian Nørgaard’s move to Arsenal seemed to catch everyone off guard, although maybe it shouldn’t have. Mikel Arteta appears to be a fan of a 30-something defensive midfielder who can come on and shut the game down.

Considering his position, Nørgaard’s numbers in front of goal last season were pretty impressive. He ended the season with six goals and four assists, the most productive of his career so far.

Obviously, it’s at the other end of the pitch where he’s expected to make a real difference, and he did. Nørgaard won 62% of his tackles, 61.9% of his aerial duels, and made 49 interceptions throughout his 34 Premier League games.

Beyond the more tangible stuff, Nørgaard was a real leader at Brentford. He was made captain back in 2023 when Pontus Jansson left for Malmö leading the team 65 times in the Premier League and 68 times in all competitions.

Unlike the Mbeumo situation, Brentford have brought in a replacement for Nørgaard. Former Liverpool and Ajax captain Jordan Henderson has returned to England. He will absolutely make up for the void left by the Danish star off the pitch, but it remains to be seen whether he still has the legs for the Premier League.

On the bright side for Brentford fans, Yoane Wissa is still at the club… for now. Reports suggesting he would go on strike to force a move away appear to have been wrong after the club shared images of him back in training with his teammates.

He was the other member of arguably the best attacking duo in the league last season, scoring just one goal less than Mbeumo (19). Newcastle are getting pretty desperate though, and the transfer window remains wide open.

As the new season approaches, it’s hard to predict what’s going to happen with Brentford. What was once the most stable environment in the league is starting to show some cracks. We’re not saying it’s a full on crisis, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Brentford game on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2025

Wrexham squad overhaul sees them gearing up for new Championship campaign

Wrexham are preparing for life in the Championship after going back-to-back-to-back in rising from the National League to the second tier.

By Graham Ruthven

There have been so many ‘pinch me’ moments for Wrexham fans over the past few years that their limbs are surely getting sore. The journey the Welsh club has been on since Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ takeover in November 2020 defies belief and Saturday’s Championship opener against Southampton will be another big landmark.

Of course, this is no fairytale. Wrexham have moved up three divisions in three seasons thanks to the money ploughed into the club by McElhenney and Reynolds. They had the biggest budget in the National League and League Two. Birmingham City outspent them in League One last season, but Wrexham still had a financial advantage over the rest.

That advantage won’t be so evident in the Championship where several clubs are still receiving Premier League parachute payments. Wrexham’s opening weekend opponents Southampton, for example, have a reported wage bill of over £44m having been in the English top flight last season. Wrexham’s reported wage bill is a quarter of that.

So will Wrexham’s remarkable rise up the English league pyramid continue or will the Championship give them a reality check? Have the Welsh club been promoted ahead of schedule to their own detriment or will this season be just another step on their way to the Premier League, as is the stated aim?

It’s been a busy summer at the Racecourse Ground. It was always going to be as Wrexham retool their squad for a higher division and so no fewer than 12 players have been let go since the end of last season with seven new signings arriving in their place to the tune of roughly £10m. There will be more signings made before the window shuts.

Paul Mullin is gone. The 30-year-old who was the face of Wrexham’s charge through the National League and League Two has joined Wigan on loan after falling out of favour. Some fans may feel sentimental about Mullin’s departure, but the reality is Wrexham need better in attack if they are to survive and thrive in the second tier.

Ryan Hardie has been signed (for a fee of £700,000) to replace Mullin. The Scottish forward has been prolific at Championship level for Plymouth Argyle, scoring 22 goals over the last two seasons. Wrexham hope that with better service Hardie will put up even better numbers at the head of their attack.

Wales international Kieffer Moore also signed this week, with Wrexham one of the clubs to be linked with Jamie Vardy. The 38-year-old is still a free agent after leaving Leicester City at the end of last season and has reportedly received an offer from Wrexham. Vardy insists he has more in the tank and there would be a place for him at the Racecourse Ground.

*Hardie and Moore’s top stats from last season in the Championship*

Conor Coady has already made the switch from Leicester to Wrexham, joining in a deal worth £2m. The 32-year-old is a natural leader and will give Phil Parkinson a dominant defensive presence to build around at the back. Wrexham will need a sound backline to handle the attacking quality they will face from Championship opponents.

£3m was spent to bring in midfielder Lewis O’Brien from Nottingham Forest while full back Liberato Cacace was signed from Empoli for £2m. Danny Ward is Wrexham’s new starting goalkeeper, further bolstering the homegrown core within the squad. Parkinson has a lot of top-level experience at his disposal.

“I think it’s interesting because the jump in salaries is incredible, mind-blowing,” said Parkinson when asked about preparing Wrexham for the Championship. “That is a challenge, but what we’ve always tried to do is make sure the culture in the club is right and I think that’s key – no superstars, no egos in the dressing room and we’ve got to try and get that balance right again. You always need extra quality when you go up a level to make sure the right people come into the building.”

Nobody truly knows what to expect from Wrexham this season. Some believe they will be fighting relegation back to League One. Others argue they are destined for the top half of the Championship and could even force their way into playoff contention. There is a large element of the unknown about Parkinson’s team at the moment.

More will be known after Saturday’s opener against Southampton. Now could be the time for Wrexham to put in place foundations for next decade or so, when McElhenney and Reynolds have stated they want the club to reach the Premier League. Another promotion push may not be on the cards. This season’s documentary might not be a blockbuster.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Wrexham game on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2025

The BIG season preview for the EFL Championship

The Championship kicks off on Friday and broadcaster Sanny Rudravajhala returns to preview the season, with added hot takes!

By Sanny Rudravajhala

There’s something ‘real’ about football in the Championship. The passion, the huge crowds, and all that rich history, but without the lick and polish that comes with the Premier League. Instead, the edges are frayed. Scratch the surface and finances are precarious. But even when clubs turn up with their own documentary crews, there is nothing ‘reality tv’ about life in the second tier.

Premier League’s relegated three

The gap to the Premier League can be a chasm, and logic dictates that the three who went down will bounce back up.

Southampton have 32-year-old Will Still (pictured) now at the helm. From playing Football Manager as a teenager to becoming the youngest boss across Europe’s top five leagues when he took over at Reims, it’s been a hell of a ride. An immediate 17-game unbeaten run elevated his profile whilst he still completed his coaching badges, and his reputation has only grown from his last role at Lens. The Belgian-born Englishman arrives as an ‘unknown’ having never managed in England. But we said the same about Régis Le Bris who’s busy preparing Sunderland for the Premier League.

On the pitch Southampton were abysmal last season. Still has to turn around a group that are used to losing. Again they start the season with goalkeeping issues with Aaron Ramsdale joining Newcastle and Gavin Bazunu returning from serious injury. Cashing in on Tyler Dibling seems inevitable but keeping Shea Charles in the middle will be vital.

Leicester have the core attackers that helped them win the league under Enzo Maresca two seasons ago. Abdul Fatawu’s class is undiminished, as shown with his wonderful friendly goal against Fiorentina. With Bilal El Khannouss and Stephy Mavididi, that’s an attacking trio that can tear any side in this division apart. Martí Cifuentes has put down his trowel to take over at Leicester. After saving and stabilising QPR, his time at the club ended with gardening leave. However, a points deduction for alleged EFL rule breaches does hang over the club. Leicester supporters continue to be unhappy with what they see as an apathetic approach from the owners and the appointment and bungled dismissal of Ruud van Nistelrooy shows that, off the pitch at least, they’re lacking direction and clear strategy.

Kieran McKenna remains at Ipswich and they are the best placed of last season’s relegated sides. They’ve lost big Liam Delap but tied down the even bigger George Hirst. Having spent over £130m last campaign, they made a poor fist of their Premier League foray but given that was after incredible back-to-back promotions from League One, they are in a stronger position now than two years ago. Azor Matusiwa has been their main transfer outlay. Being in the 95^th percentile with his duels won last season in Ligue 1 with Rennes shows you that they’ve got a combative player ready to fill the boots of the departed Samy Morsy.

*Azor Matusiwa’s defensive numbers in Ligue 1, 2024/25*

Coventry to climb?

I’m backing Coventry City. Under Frank Lampard they were superb last season and they have kept the team together. Kaine Kesler-Hayden excelled in a very poor Preston side and arrives from Aston Villa. He can countenance the departure of Milan van Ewijk, if that happens.

Jack Rudoni has become the ‘manager’s son’ as one of Lampard’s favourite pupils but his performances at the back end of the season were stellar. His return of 12 assists and 9 goals, including dislocating his shoulder to score against Oxford, shows the 24-year-old can be counted upon. The players have a chastening play-off semi-final exit to Sheffield United to spur them on this campaign.

As for the Blades, Rubén Sellés is now in charge after Sheffield United’s play-off final heartbreak. I think it will take time for the players to adapt to his methods after working under Chris Wilder for so long though. The Spaniard was ditched by Hull City after less than six months on Humberside, despite previously working wonders at besieged Reading.

Goalkeeper Michael Cooper is the best in the division – his save map alone can show you that.

*Michael Cooper save map, Championship 2024/25*

The mercurial Louie Barry arrives on loan from Aston Villa. Injury ended his spell with Sellés at Hull but his outstanding efforts at Stockport County left him as one of League One’s players of the season, despite leaving in January.

Wrexham go big, Birmingham bullish

I’ll admit I’ve previously been a tad scathing towards Wrexham. But one signing alone means I’ll take some of it back. Bringing in Keiffer Moore is a masterstroke. The Welshman was instrumental in Sheffield United’s play-off semi-finals, although we won’t mention teeing up Tommy Watson’s 95^th minute Sunderland Wembley winner. It’s a fresh start for the 6’5” centre forward. At 32, he again adds to Phil Parkinson’s Dad’s Army, but they can stand the ball up and he will nod it in all day long.

For Birmingham, the further Tom Brady is away from the dugout, the better. Talented head coach Chris Davies can do his own motivational seminars and the ownership group have continued to back him. I’m looking forward to seeing Kyogo Furihashi in the flesh. Celtic’s key man left for Rennes mid-season before a management-change saw him frozen out and thoroughly miserable. Now the Japan international can link up with compatriots Tomoki Iwata and new boy Kanya Fujimoto and get his chance to shine. Added to that, Tommy Doyle impressed at Wolves and arrives on loan, as does goalkeeper James Beadle from Brighton, fresh from winning the U21 Euros with England. The bookmakers are backing the Blues to go up again, even if the Opta super computer is not – read those always interesting data-backed predictions here.

Relegation a foregone conclusion for Wednesday?

Sheffield Wednesday are in a mess. Staff and players are being paid late, and half the squad has left. Their 9,000 capacity North Stand has been shut down by the local council for being unsafe. Owner Dejphon Chanshiri has seemingly pulled the financial plug and is prevaricating on any potential sale. Danny Röhl has called time and been replaced by his assistant Henrik Pedersen. Only captain Barry Bannan, at the behest of his distraught daughter, has committed to the club. The spectre of one of our great football institutions going to the wall looms large.

Hull City have another new boss in Sergej Jakirović, but it is owner Acun Ilıcalı who has caused the biggest issues for the Tigers. Thanks to a late loan payment for Louie Barry, they’re under an embargo and unable to pay for any players. Surviving on goal difference after finishing seventh the season before, the broadcaster and entrepreneur touted as Türkiye’s Simon Cowell isn’t getting a ‘yes’ from me.

Oxford United will be mentioned in relegation conversations as a club with one of the smallest budgets in the division, but Gary Rowett will keep them solid. I predicted Preston for the drop last season and their biggest refresh has been bringing in social media stars and lifelong fans ‘Spud Bros’ as their sponsors. Having met them over the summer and asked them ‘what makes a good potato’ live on TV, there is a buzz and some much-needed positivity at PNE. I think that third spot will be a club that will find itself in a fight almost by accident, Preston will be hoping it isn’t them again this season.

Watford could do anything. Norwich with local lad Liam Manning are a wildcard, Ryan Mason has his chance at West Brom and Nathan Jones at least has his Charlton players singing from his hymn book.

There’s no Tunnel Club, the paint is peeling and if you have a pie that’s cooked all the way through then you’re onto a winner, but on the pitch there’s plenty to look forward to from the Championship this season.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Aug

2025

Preview: Pumas challenge Inter Miami with Leagues Cup progression on the line

Inter Miami go into their final game of the Leagues Cup group stage, against Pumas UNAM, still in with a chance of qualifying for the tournament’s knockout stages.

By James Nalton

Lionel Messi is currently an injury doubt and is being assessed on a game-by-game basis, leaving some doubts as to whether Javier Mascherano’s side can get the win they need to progress.

Messi injury update

Inter Miami confirmed that Messi picked up a “minor muscle injury” in the game against Necaxa, which saw him subbed off with just over ten minutes played.

“Yes, I spoke to him. The club issued a statement, and it’s [only] a slight injury, so within the bad news, it’s good news,” said Mascherano.

“We don’t like to estimate a return, especially in Leo’s case. He usually recovers very well from injuries and normally does so quickly.

“Clearly, for tomorrow, he is unavailable, but then we will see how he feels and how he progresses.”

Messi’s injury status can potentially have a big effect on ticket sales in the Leagues Cup and MLS, so the club will not want to rule him out for more than one game at a time, but he will definitely miss this game against Pumas.

Messi has missed four MLS games this season and his club have won two, drawn one, and lost one of those.

Opposition watch: Pumas UNAM

Pumas’ star goalkeeper Keylor Navas is suspended, having been sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity in the 95th minute against Atlanta United in the previous game.

The status of both players leaves the game without the eagerly anticipated face-off between Messi and Navas.

Pumas still won that game 3-2 and won their opener on penalties against Orlando City, leaving them in a similar position to Inter Miami, and still in with a chance of qualifying from the Liga MX side of the league phase.

The Liga MX outfit will still be able to call upon former Houston Dynamo midfielder and Panama international star Adalberto Carrasquilla.

The midfielder has scored three goals in the two matches Pumas have played in this tournament so far, including the all-important late winner against Atlanta, while striker Guillermo Martínez will be looking to get off the mark in this key matchup.

Inter Miami can still qualify

So far in this tournament, Inter Miami have one win on penalties and another in regular time. Penalty wins accrue two points, leaving them on five points with a game to play.

This means that Inter Miami will qualify for the next round with a win in regular time, but if the game goes to penalties, regardless of the outcome of the shootout, other MLS teams will have a good chance of getting in ahead of them.

With Pumas being in an almost identical situation, this game is a must-win for both, and Inter Miami will need to get the job done against Mexican opposition without Messi, which they were unable to do in the last game.

*Current top six in the MLS group: after three rounds the top four progress to the knockout stages*

Prediction

It will be a competitive game with both teams looking to win and progress, and could result in a narrow defeat for a Messi-less Miami despite home advantage.

(Cover Image from IMAGO)

You can follow every Inter Miami game live this season with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage including shot maps, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Aug

2025

Why Chelsea’s pursuit of Xavi Simons actually makes perfect sense

Sometimes, it appears as though Chelsea don’t have a plan when it comes to transfers. Under the ownership of BlueCo, the newly crowned Club World Cup champions have stockpiled talent.

By Sam McGuire

It’s why the likes of Lesley Ugochukwu (signed in 2023 for £23million), Axel Disasi (signed in 2023 for almost £40million), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (signed in 2024 for £30million), Renato Veiga (signed in 2024 for £12million) and Nicolas Jackson (signed in 2023 for £32million) could all be on the move this summer.

The Blues will make profit on some players but losses on others. The scattergun approach in the transfer market delivers successes and flops. It also forces young academy starlets to move elsewhere. That’s why there’s uncertainty over the futures of Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong this summer following the arrivals of Jamie Gittens and Jorrel Hato. Enzo Maresca is still looking to add to his ranks too. A move for Alejandro Garnacho would surely spell the end of George at Stamford Bridge.

Eyebrows were raised earlier in the summer when Chelsea moved for João Pedro just weeks after securing the signature of highly-rated forward Liam Delap. Talk recently has centred around their pursuit of Xavi Simons.

Why are the Blues blooding to add him to their squad when his position is currently occupied by their best player, Cole Palmer. In the eyes of many, it isn’t the smartest use of resources.

This time, however, it makes an awful lot of sense. As brilliant as Palmer is, he’s still a young player, just 23, and his minutes need to be managed carefully.

Look at what happened to him last season.

The former Manchester City man ended the campaign with 15 goals and eight assists. He claimed a FotMob average rating of 7.64, a figure that only Mohamed Salah could better in the Premier League.

On the surface, Palmer had another successful season for the Blues. However, their early season title push came to an abrupt halt around December and this coincided with the England international struggling.

In the opening 15 games of the season, Palmer scored 11 goals and helped Chelsea to nine wins. The Blues also registered four draws on their way to averaging 2.06 points per game. Over the course of an entire campaign, that would equate to 78 points. For context, Arsenal finished second with 74 points.

In the remaining 22 matches that Palmer appeared in, he scored just four goals as Chelsea claimed 11 wins and five draws for a points per game average of 1.72. That is a 65 point season – the same total that seventh placed Nottingham Forest finished with.

*Simons’ 2024/25 Bundesliga stats vs. Palmer’s 2024/25 Premier League top stats*

When Palmer was on it, Chelsea had the form of a team worthy of a runners-up position. When he struggled, the Blues were a team posting numbers that would’ve had them battling for a Europa League Conference position.

Dig a little deeper and his numbers take a bit of a hit again. For example, he netted four goals in a single game against Brighton and registered three assists against Wolves. Remove those games and 11 goals and five assists in 35 appearances isn’t as impressive, is it?

While Chelsea possess a number of players, they don’t own anybody quite like Palmer and this is what makes Simons such an important purchase.

The 22-year-old has the skillset and playing profile to line-up alongside the new Chelsea No. 10 as well as in place of him. He can alleviate the burden on the left-footed maestro and this makes Maresca’s side even more formidable. They’d no longer be, in the nicest possible way, Palmer FC.

Simons can play anywhere across the attack, including as a false-nine if required, as well as playing on either flank. His strengths differ from role to role but he makes things happen. And Chelsea need more players to make things happen.

Last season, in a dysfunctional RB Leipzig team, Simons claimed 10 goals and seven assists. He finished with an average FotMob rating of 7.64 in the Bundesliga, just behind the £100m-rated Florian Wirtz.

In the grand scheme of things, £60million for Simons, in the current market, could prove to be the signing of the summer, not just for Chelsea but across the Premier League. He could be an invaluable addition to their ranks, purely because it frees up Palmer. And this makes Chelsea even more dangerous as a team.

He’s a genuine threat too. Last season, he had an Expected Goals haul of 5.11 but an xG on Target total of 8.91, proving to be a good finisher. He also claimed an Expected Assists total of almost six. And this was while he was playing for a struggling team. Stick him in an XI with pace and quality and he could be a skeleton key, along with Palmer.

Instead of a title charge fizzling out in December, Chelsea’s pursuit of the title could be prolonged with the arrival of Simons. The signing of the Dutchman isn’t the Blues being greedy. It is an intelligent piece of business.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can track all the summer moves via the FotMob Transfer Centre. Download the free app here.

Aug

2025

Ruben Amorim has enjoyed a positive preseason with Manchester United

Ruben Amorim is finally getting his claws into Manchester United after an encouraging pre-season tour of the USA.

By Graham Ruthven

Manchester United have already lifted a trophy this season. The fact it was the Premier League Summer Series trophy dampened any euphoria the club’s fans might have felt (DVD sales of the triumph might be modest), but the sight of Ruben Amorim and his players with silverware in-hand was nonetheless a symbol of what has been an encouraging pre-season.

Of course, the online discourse around United’s summer contradicts this. Supporters are generally unhappy at the business that has done in the transfer market, which isn’t to say Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have been unpopular additions, but that most expected many more signings to have been completed by now.

This concern isn’t without justification. Bruno Fernandes himself has admitted the need for “one or two players more” before the start of the 2025/26 season with Amorim still lacking the tools required to truly make his high-energy, high-intensity approach work. His team is still very much a work-in-progress.

Nonetheless, Manchester United have looked a lot more like an Amorim team in pre-season. They have played at a much quicker pace, both in and out of possession. Amorim has placed a focus on fitness and United certainly appear capable of covering more of the pitch than was the case last season when opponents frequently out-worked the Old Trafford outfit in matches.

“We need to be a little bit more emotional in this team,” said Amorim when asked about the culture within his squad and the work that has been done to overhaul this since the end of last season. “With the emotion, we become more sacrifice, more pace, more energy. We are improving on that.”

As the captain, Fernandes has taken it upon himself to maintain high standards within the dressing room. Despite finishing the pre-season tour of the United States unbeaten, the Portuguese was unhappy with elements of United’s performance in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Everton in Atlanta.

“We didn’t want to finish in this way,” said Fernandes. “Our performance wasn’t the best and we were a little bit lazy. We want to avoid that because with laziness you can pay at any moment.” Manchester United have one last pre-season fixture against Fiorentina this weekend to set a more positive tone before their Premier League opener at home to Arsenal.

Amorim surely feels good about the impact Cunha has made since joining from Wolves. Deployed as one of United’s dual number 10s in behind the centre forward, the Brazilian has brought creativity and invention in the final third. While Cunha failed to score in the three Premier League Summer Series matches, a moment of magic is surely in the pipeline.

Mbeumo’s late arrival in the USA meant he started just one game and it’s clear the Cameroonian still has some fitness work ahead of him to get up to full speed. Even still, Mbeumo plays with the sort of authority Manchester United have been desperate for under Amorim. The 25-year-old has a certain gravity. The ball is drawn to him.

United still hope to sign a new starting number nine before the summer transfer window closes with Benjamin Šeško and Ollie Watkins both linked with a switch to Old Trafford. This would raise further questions over Rasmus Højlund’s future, although the Dane has shown signs of improvement in pre-season.

Against West Ham in particular, Højlund looked like the fast and physical striker that convinced Manchester United to part with £72m to sign him from Atalanta two years ago. The 22-year-old used his pace to get United into good goalscoring positions in the box, giving his team some much-needed threat in and around the area.

There was one moment that stood out, when Højlund made up roughly 15 yards on Max Kilman who was left in the Danish striker’s dust as he surged through on goal. While the West Ham defence did well to narrow the angle, Højlund still managed to get a shot away, pinging a ferocious effort off the post.

Amorim’s midfield is still an area of concern. Manuel Ugarte has looked solid in some pre-season matches and vulnerable in others. Casemiro appears leaner, but will never have the physicality he had as a Real Madrid player. Fernandes has been used as a number eight when he is more effective closer to goal and Amorim still doesn’t seem to fully understand Kobbie Mainoo.

Defensively, there have been shaky moments – like when Amad Diallo rashly booted a clearance off Ayden Heaven and into his own net against Everton on Sunday. The injured André Onana has played no part in pre-season which is far from ideal considering the questions around the Cameroonian goalkeeper.

Expectations of a successful 2025/26 campaign must be weighted against all the issues Amorim inherited and the problems he failed to solve after taking over last season. There’s no guarantee he will ever find a winning formula as Manchester United manager, but for the first time there is hope his team is finally heading in the right direction.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow all Manchester United games on FotMob in the 2025/26 season – with in-depth stat coverage, including xG, shot maps, and player ratings. Download the free app here.