Page 4 – The Pulse of Football

Nov

2025

Preview: Man City aiming to end losing streak against Leeds

For the second time this season, Man City are on a two-game losing streak. A 2-1 defeat to Newcastle in the Premier League was followed by a 2-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

By Ross Kilvington

The latter is perhaps not as significant, as City are still among the favourites to seal a top-eight spot in the expanded group stage, but another league defeat will sting.

Leeds United are the opposition this Saturday at the Etihad as they look to snap a three-game winless streak of their own.

Pep’s rotation in midweek could stand City in good stead

The new Champions League format simply doesn’t have the same jeopardy as the previous incarnation.

Despite losing to Leverkusen, the Cityzens remain just two points off the summit and will likely progress as one of the best eight teams in the group stage.

As such, Guardiola made 10 changes to his team that faced the Bundesliga side, with the likes of Erling Haaland, Rayan Cherki, Jérémy Doku and Rúben Dias among others were dropped to the bench.

It was evident the Spaniard was prioritising the Premier League clash against Leeds this weekend and he will hope this decision doesn’t come back to haunt him.

Leeds need to improve to avoid relegation dogfight

A 1-0 victory over Everton in their first game back in the top flight suggested they could break the mold and avoid a relegation fight.

Just five days later, they suffered a 5-0 thrashing by Arsenal. Since then, Leeds have won just twice in the Premier League. Both of those wins came against sides who were either 17^th or lower in the table.

The pressure is on Daniel Farke to start building momentum and taking the club away from the drop zone.

A trip to the Etihad, then, is the last thing he needs.

Team news

Ahead of the clash, Farke should be able to call upon a full strength squad. Against Aston Villa last week, summer signing Anton Stach suffered concussion and will therefore have to go through a concussion protocol.

If all is well, he will play against City.

Guardiola will be without midfielder Mateo Kovačić for the match due to an ankle injury. Elsewhere, Rodri has a thigh injury and he will be treated with plenty of caution given his injury history over the previous 12 months.

Aside from that, the manager has plenty of options available to him ahead of the game.

Prediction

With Arsenal showcasing their ruthless nature against Spurs last weekend, it is clear that City cannot slip up much further should they wish to remain in contention for the league title.

Resting several of his key players in midweek may well have benefitted City. Add in the fact they have won their previous four matches against Leeds, scoring 16 goals, indicates another three points.

We at FotMob are backing the home side to flex their muscles and seal a comfortable 3-0 win this Saturday afternoon.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Nov

2025

There’s so much more to Cesc Fabregas’ Como than just possession

Cesc Fàbregas’ first job as a senior head coach is, so far, going pretty well. Como dominate the possession stats in Serie A, as you might expect with a Spanish centurion in charge – but there’s so much more to them than dominating on the ball.

By Karl Matchett

Influence in ideas

At 38 years of age, let’s face it – former Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea playmaker Cesc Fàbregas could probably still be doing a pretty good job on the pitch, let alone off it. Especially in a possession-oriented team which tends to control the flow of the game, something which he excelled at across a career which included 110 caps with the Spanish national team at a time when the likes of Andres Iniesta and David Silva were at their peak.

Perhaps unsurprisingly – see somewhat similar influences in the early managerial careers of Xavi and Xabi Alonso – his approach to coaching stems from a similar ethos, with Como comfortably topping the possession stats in Serie A this season, averaging 61% each match ahead of Inter (60.5%) and Juventus (58.6%). It’s possession with production though: Como are an impressive sixth in the table after 12 rounds of games, suffering just one defeat so far and on a run of 11 unbeaten heading toward December.

Yet, while the immediate assumption might be forgiven considering its orchestrator, Cesc’s team is far from just one about retention and recirculation. This Como side is a relentless monster when out of possession. Their results right now are less about the on-ball work, and more about their out-of-possession intent. It’s aggressive, feisty, and fighting determination – a foundation which allowed them to go from relegation candidates last term to mid-table debutants last term, but which has held over this year as they progress to a more all-round dominant team.

Defend from the front – and everywhere else

Start looking at the defensive basics and it’s clear that the Como squad’s first rule of engagement is along the lines of don’t concede, don’t lose. The team has conceded just seven goals all season, only one more than table-toppers AS Roma to have the second-best defensive record overall. That isn’t fluke: Como have the fourth-best xG conceded rate (11.8). The approach to getting that kind of defensive resilience can be done in different ways, but what stands out for Como in particular is where and when they start defending – and how ferociously it’s done.

They are third for fouls per match (15.8) and fourth for bookings (28) – and joint-top for red cards, having had two dismissed already this term. Como rank second for tackles made and won, are top for tackles in the final third (32) and have regularly been at or near the top for fewest passes allowed by the opposition per defensive action made – in other words, as soon as possession is regained Cesc’s side swarm them. Como are also top three for percentage of aerial duels won – this is an all-encompassing approach to immediately winning back the ball or at least stopping the opposition from building up, starting from the front and by whatever means necessary.

It doesn’t always have to be pretty – or legal – for them to do so and, so far this term at least, Como haven’t been afraid to do what’s needed to halt or regain play. A double pivot midfield blocks off centrally and in channels, aggressive attacking midfielders filter across to stop passing lanes and a fluid 4-2-3-1 shapeshifts as needed.

All this makes them incredibly tough to play against, for teams to get into the swing of their own approach and to create big opportunities against them – but that same final point has been one of Como’s own issues: consistently creating decent chances.

Areas for improvement

For all that Como have kept teams at bay and stayed undefeated for a long spell, it’s important to add the context that they’ve won three of the last eight and until their most recent game had scored against just one of their previous four opponents, averaging out at around a goal per game across the season. Maybe the midweek 5-1 thumping of Torino marks a turning point there: they created seven big chances and amassed a 2.8 xG, quite the contrast to before that match where their 19 big chances would have placed them 19th out of the 20 top-flight teams. They remain only eighth for xG and seventh for touches in the opposition’s box.

Another factor of that old Spain team serves as a reminder: a lot of possession is dominance, but too much without movement and penetration might become sterile.

It’s unsurprising that Como have some areas to improve, of course – they were only promoted back to the top flight two years ago. Their best finish – seventh in 1950 – is a mere historical footnote and last term’s tenth place was their finest campaign since ninth in 1985/86. They’ve been down to the fourth tier and back since then, so this rise is essentially still in its infancy. It has, of course, been bolstered by off-pitch investment and Cesc’s own network of Spanish stars: Sergi Roberto, Alberto Moreno and Álvaro Morata among others remain decent squad boosters, if not regular starters.

And even Cesc himself will still have plenty of learning and refining to do in terms of his approach, both tactical and regarding man management, and with early improvement can come rapid expectation. But the start has been excellent, and the hype around team and head coach alike is likely to continue to grow.

(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.

Nov

2025

Elliot Anderson is Nottingham Forest’s prize asset

Elliot Anderson might already be readying himself for the next step in his career with some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs circling.

By Graham Ruthven

Anfield knows a good all-action midfielder when it sees one. The Liverpool faithful watched Steven Gerrard for over a decade. More recently, Ryan Gravenberch has stood out. On Saturday, it was an opposition player who dominated the centre of the pitch. Elliot Anderson was outstanding.

Nottingham Forest in general were outstanding. They limited Liverpool to only a handful of chances, countered at speed and converted their opportunities in the final third. Murillo, Nicolo Sivona, Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus were all excellent. Nobody, though, was at the level of Elliot Anderson.

He cleared an Alexis Mac Allister shot off the line, saving a certain goal that would have put Liverpool 1-0 up and might have changed the dynamic of the rest of the match. He sent in the corner kick from which Murillo netted the opener. Anderson was involved in almost everything Forest did well.

Only Murillo and Neco Williams made more defensive contributions than Anderson in the 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield. He made four tackles. Two interceptions. Two blocks. Six recoveries. As a barrier in front of the Forest defence, Anderson was a brick wall. Nothing got past him.

In possession, Anderson also had a big influence, registering more touches than any other Nottingham Forest player. He created more chances than any other player on either side besides Dominik Szoboszlai and fired off two shots of his own. This was a complete performance by a midfielder whose stock is very much on the rise.

Anderson’s potential has been clear for years. At Newcastle United, he was considered a star of the future, but it’s at the City Ground where he has developed into one of the best players in his position in the Premier League. It’s no wonder clubs are lining up to pay £100m for him.

*Anderson traits comparison against similar players in Top 5 leagues*

That’s the reported fee Nottingham Forest are demanding for their prize asset. This would make Anderson the seventh most expensive signing in Premier League history and the fourth most expensive central midfielder behind Enzo Fernández, Declan Rice and Moisés Caicedo. That’s how highly he is now rated.

By almost every measure, Anderson is a statistical standout. He is averaging more accurate passes per 90 minutes than any other Forest player this season. He has also created more Big Chances than anyone else in the City Ground dressing room. All this despite the chaos that has occurred at Forest this term.

Thomas Tuchel has clearly taken note. Anderson has grown into his role as a starting figure for England in 2025 with the 23-year-old in line to star at the 2026 World Cup. Alongside Declan Rice, The Three Lions have had much more security in the centre of the pitch. Anderson has become undroppable.

“Anderson is a key player for us at the moment,” said Tuchel. “He is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League – that’s why he is with us and starting for us. He deserves it because he has been nothing but impressive. He has to keep on going now though. He is a very complete and mobile midfielder, and that’s what he keeps showing me.”

By the time the 2026 World Cup kicks off next summer, Anderson could be playing for another club. Manchester United are reportedly in the market for a new midfielder and the 23-year-old would fit the bill perfectly. Anderson would offer the sort of central dynamism Ruben Amorim is desperate for.

Perhaps inspired by his performance in Saturday’s game at Anfield, Liverpool have also been linked with the Forest man. For whatever reason, Gravenberch and Mac Allister haven’t been the same force in central midfield this season and so Anderson might be an antidote to the Reds’ current ailments.

Midfielders like Anderson have become even more valuable as the game’s zeitgeist has shifted. With even the best teams now going more direct, playing into open space whenever possible, it’s important to have players who can cover ground and use their physicality to link all areas. Anderson can do that.

Technically, he is also more than capable of holding his own. He can pass. He can create. He can shoot. He is something of a unicorn, hence why Nottingham Forest feel entitled to demand at least £100m for him. West Ham did the same when selling Rice and now Arsenal look at his signing as a bargain.

This season has been chaotic for Nottingham Forest, but Anderson has emerged stronger for that experience. He has been the one constant at the City Ground and others have taken note. £100m would be a lot of money. What Anderson is producing on a regular basis, though, is worth an awful lot too.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Nov

2025

Gasperini has transformed Roma in to serious Serie A contenders

It hasn’t always been pretty, but Gian Piero Gasperini has, so far, been an inspired appointment at Roma, transforming them from Champions League qualification nearly-men to genuine Scudetto chasers.

By Alex Roberts

At the time of writing, Roma sit top of the table, with a HUGE game against current Scudetto holders Napoli coming up at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday (November 30). Max Allegri’s AC Milan are currently sandwiched between the two sides, in second, the porchetta between two slices of pizza bianca.

After some fantastic work from everyone’s favourite Italian grandad Claudio Ranieri, Roma came close to finishing in the Champions League spots last season, losing just once between the start of the new year and the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Gasperini didn’t need to change too much following the Tinkerman’s reign. Roma still set up with three at the back, with wingbacks Wesley and Mehmet Zeki Çelik providing the width while Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matias Soulé sit behind the striker as their main creative outlets.

During his nine years at Atalanta, Gasperini was a bit of a unicorn. An older Italian manager who wanted his side to play expansive, attacking football, and they reaped the rewards, going from an unremarkable league side to European regulars and even Europa League winners in 2023/24.

Now, we’re not sure what happened over the summer, but the 67-year-old appears to have had a hard factory reset and reverted to type, prioritising defensive solidity and often grinding out results.

Roma aren’t free scoring, far from it. They’ve only managed to bag 15 league goals from their 12 games, the least of the six sides currently sitting in the European spots, and 11 fewer than fourth placed Inter Milan.

But who cares? There is more than one way to play football and sometimes a manager needs to play the cards they’ve been dealt. Roma control most of the games they play, averaging 58.6% possession, and only conceding 0.5 goals per 90 minutes, the lowest in Serie A.

It’s the quality of the chances they concede that makes their defensive performances so impressive. Only 57.60% of opposition shots are inside the Roma box, averaging 0.11xG per shot, so, essentially, any team that faces Roma is limited to testing goalkeeper Mile Svilar from long-range, and he is eating them up.

Speaking of the big Serbian, he is currently FotMob’s highest rated player in the Roma squad. We’ll pause for applause… Svilar is finally living up to the hype that he was getting as a youngster at Anderlecht, and he’s probably the best ‘keeper in Italy at the moment.

Svilar has played every minute for Roma, and he has the highest save percentage in the league at 85.4%, has prevented 4.5 goals, kept six clean sheets, and conceded just six goals. He is key to everything good happening at Roma so far this season.

A little further ahead of him is Gianluca Mancini. He is, in all honesty, a pretty typical modern Italian defender, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, domestically at least, just don’t watch his recent performances for the national team.

Playing as the right-sided centre back, with the equally impressive Evan Ndicka in the middle, Mancini has completed the most tackles (23), interceptions (24), and blocks (8) amongst the Roma squad.

With all of that being said about how good Roma are at the back, their attackers have struggled, but their tidy little Argentinian playmaker Soulé deserves some flowers. One of Serie A’s few genuine entertainers, Gasperini will be thanking Jupiter he’s at Roma.

Soulé can play anywhere across the front line, but he’s mostly played as the right sided ten in Gasperini’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, with Lorenzo Pellegrini playing alongside him more often than not.

On loan from Brighton, Evan Ferguson hasn’t got going at Roma with just one goal and one assist in his 11 games across all competitions. Luckily for him, main striker rival Artem Dovbyk hasn’t been much better.

Pellegrini started the season well, scoring the winner against Lazio and then providing an assist in the Europa League win over Nice, but his form has since fallen off a cliff, and has been pretty anonymous up until the win over Udinese earlier in the month.

*Soulé’s player traits compared against similar players in top five leagues*

So, Soulé has carried Roma in the final third, not only scoring four goals and providing two assists in his 12 Serie A games, but creating ten chances, 34 touches in the opposition box, and 322 successful passes. He has been their best attacking asset bar none.

Perhaps Soulé’s most overlooked asset is his work rate. He never stops, constantly hunting down opposition defenders and force mistakes, winning possession in the final third 14 times, making 55 recoveries, and winning 42 duels. He’s a little Jack Russell of a number ten.

It’s been ten years since Roma sat at the top of the Serie A table after 12 games, and fans are daring to dream. Speaking after their 3-1 win over Cremonese on Sunday (November 23), Gasperini tried to temper those dreams

“To keep playing the way we’ve been playing,” he said. “I’ve already said this: there’s nothing wrong with dreaming when you’re doing great, but we know very well that dreams rarely come true. It’s very nice to experience this dream and we will enjoy it as long as we can. We pretend to wake up and sleep a bit longer – that way it will last longer.”

In all honesty, there is still a long way to go for Roma, and if their strikers don’t start bagging some goals, that Scudetto will be nothing more than a glint in Gasperini’s eye. But, after a chaotic few years on and off the pitch, progress is being made.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Serie A on FotMob – with in-depth stat coverage, xG, and player ratings, where available. Download the free app here.

Nov

2025

FC Porto have entered a bright new era under Francesco Farioli

FC Porto have not won the Portuguese title since the 2021/22 season. Since a run of seven domestic crowns in just eight seasons between 2005/06 and 2012/13, the club have claimed just three titles in 12 years.

By Ross Kilvington

Simply put, that record is nowhere near good enough for a club the size of Porto. Could things be changing this season, however? As Italian manager Francesco Farioli appears to have ushered in a bright new era at the Estádio do Dragão.

Francesco Farioli is enjoying a redemption arc

Farioli arrived in Porto with a big reputation, having managed clubs such as Nice and Ajax during the embryonic stages of his managerial career.

He might not have even made the move to Portugal if things went smoother towards the end of last season. After a campaign rejuvenating Ajax, the club went into the final five games holding a nine-point advantage at the top of the table.

What followed was one of the biggest collapses in modern football. Ajax went on to win just one of their final five games to finish second, beaten by PSV Eindhoven by a single point.

In the end, he left the club after a single season.

“It’s difficult. It’s not what I want, but I think it’s necessary for the club,” said Farioli. “The emotion and tears of the last 24 hours say it all.”

“It was difficult to change everything at once, so I thought it was better to change one thing. And that was me.”

Ajax’s loss is Porto’s gain, that’s for sure. After 11 league matches this season, the club have won ten and drawn one, leading the table by three points.

The 36-year-old tends to utilise an attacking 4-3-3 system, although he has switched things up and gone with a 4-2-3-1 in victories over Sporting and Braga, and also Red Star in the Europa League.

There is no doubt he is getting the best out of this group of players. With a wonderful defensive record, a vibrant midfield and attackers who are contributing goals and assists aplenty, Porto could be on the cusp of something special this season.

A stubborn defence could be key to Porto’s title ambitions

Last season, Porto conceded 30 goals in the top flight, recording the third-best defensive record in the process. Although that was only good enough to finish 11 points down on champions Sporting.

Farioli has certainly built on that impressive showing and at the time of writing, the club have conceded a paltry three goals across 11 matches, working out as just 0.3 goals conceded per game.

Furthermore, they have recorded eight clean sheets, which ranks as the best record in the league, something that has been built on a solid defensive partnership at the heart of the backline.

Jakub Kiwior and Jan Bednarek are shining in Portugal this season, developing a rapport which has gone a long way to Porto having the best defence in the league.

The duo have featured together in the previous seven league games for Porto, conceding just two goals in that time.

Goalkeeper Diogo Costa has played a big part also. He ranks third in the Liga Portugal for save percentage (83.3%), and obviously, no other ‘keeper has conceded as few goals.

Farioli earned plaudits last season as his Ajax side led the way in the Eredivisie from a defensive point of view. So far this term, he looks to be repeating that success with Porto. The great Sir Alex Ferguson once said “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles” yet Farioli could have the best of both worlds this season as he is able to count on a wonderful array of forwards who could each individually, or collectively fire Porto to a 31^st league title.

Samu Aghehowa can excel this season

So far this campaign, there have been 14 different scorers in all competitions for Porto, but centre-forward Samu Aghehowa leads the way with nine goals in just 15 matches played since the Club World Cup.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a stellar debut year in Portugal last season, netting 25 goals for Porto and it looks as though the Spaniard is getting better and better.

*Aghehowa’s season summary since joining Porto*

He currently ranks in the top 6% for shots on target (18) in the Liga Portugal this season, along with ranking in the top 1% for aerial duels (60%) and in the top 14% for touches in the opposition penalty area (41), demonstrating that he offers more than just a clinical nature in front of goal.

Wide support comes from summer signing Borja Sainz (five goals and two assists) and Pepe (two goals and three assists) with William Gomes also chipping in when required.

Despite the proficiency of the aforementioned quartet, one name is standing out among the rest – Rodrigo Mora.

The attacking midfielder has scored three goals for Porto this season, including one in the Europa League against Red Star.

Still only 18, the teenager is being touted as one of the most exciting youngsters in Europe (and is someone we profiled earlier in the year – here) . Under Farioli, he is gaining valuable game time and should he keep up this form, you can expect to see him turn out for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.

Porto face Nice in the Europa League on Thursday evening as they bid to bolster their chances of a place in the knockout stages.

The Dragões find themselves with a great chance of ending a four-year domestic title drought under the Italian. If so, his redemption arc would be complete and it could be the catalyst for another dynasty at the Portuguese heavyweights.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Nov

2025

Arsenal vs. Bayern could be the Champions League at it’s best

Arsenal and Bayern Munich are both enjoying excellent seasons with Champions League glory in their sights.

By Graham Ruthven

Arsenal and Bayern Munich both played like the champions of their respective leagues over the weekend. 24 hours after the latter put six goals past Freiburg in a 6-2 thumping to tighten their grip on top spot in the Bundesliga, the former claimed victory in the North London Derby to go six points clear in the Premier League.

Of course, Bayern already have the Bundesliga crown to prove their domestic dominance. Arsenal, on the other hand, are attempting to win the Premier League title for the first time since the days of Arsene Wenger. After years of development under Mikel Arteta, many believe this is finally their season.

It could be their season in Europe too. Arsenal have a perfect record in the Champions League, winning all four of their opening League Phase Fixtures. Bayern Munich have done the same, scoring 14 goals in the process. Wednesday’s meeting at the Emirates Stadium looks like being a clash between Europe’s two best teams right now.

Arteta and Vincent Kompany are two managers who want control above anything else, although the way Arsenal and Bayern Munich implement that control is rather different. While Kompany sets up his team to dominate the ball, Arteta puts just as much focus on his out of possession shape.

This isn’t to say that Bayern Munich neglect their defensive duties. In fact, only a handful of teams in the Champions League this season have won possession in the attacking third more times than the German champions. They press from the front and create opportunities from counter-pressing moments.

Arsenal, however, control games by covering space. Opponents have a tough time of playing through the double pivot of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi and even if they are able to get through the Gunners have the Premier League’s strongest defensive line to put up another barrier.

Bayern Munich’s defensive barrier tends to be positioned on the halfway line. Last season, this was a problem. Champions League opponents were able to hit the Bavarians on the break, exploiting the space in behind Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano. Inter Milan certainly did this as they knocked out Bayern in the quarter-finals.

This season, though, the space in behind the backline hasn’t been so much of a problem. Some of this is due to the additional protection now being offered in central midfield where natural number six Aleksandar Pavlović has made himself first-choice. Some of it has been down to the signing of Jonathan Tah whose positional sense is far superior to Min-jae’s.

Summer signings have also made an impact for Arsenal. Viktor Gyökeres has given them an orthodox attacking frontman, although the Swedish striker won’t face Bayern on Wednesday due to injury. Zubimendi has been an upgrade on Thomas Partey at the base of the midfield while Noni Madueke, Piero Hincapié, Christian Nørgaard and Cristhian Mosquera have all offered depth.

Eberechi Eze, however, is the new addition altering the landscape for Arsenal more than any other. The 27-year-old is an all-round creative threat, as he demonstrated by netting a hat trick in Sunday’s North London Derby. He can shoot, he can dribble, he can pass – Eze could prove to be Arsenal’s most significant signing in years.

*For more graphics like this – follow @fotmobapp on Instagram*

“Since the day that he came, he brought something else to the team,” said Arteta after Eze’s performance against Tottenham Hotspur. “So it’s a joy, it’s an aura that this team needed and hopefully it will give him a lot of confidence, to him and the team, that at any moment he can win us a game. And that’s the ability that he has and he certainly needs to fulfil that talent.”

Wednesday’s match could be decided by a variety of difference-makers. Harry Kane could add to his tally of 24 goals in all competitions. Bukayo Saka might find space and opportunity down the right side. Michael Olise could create something out of nothing. The game might be set up for Arsenal to convert yet another set piece play.

Arsenal and Bayern Munich could use the chance to size up each other ahead of a possible meeting further down the line in this season’s Champions League. Both teams are already all but assured of their place in the knockout rounds. Wednesday’s meeting could happen again later in the campaign.

The Champions League’s new format was designed to facilitate more matches between Europe’s best teams at an earlier stage. Wednesday’s game will be one to savour, and possibly one to learn something from if Arsenal and Bayern Munich are to clash again this season. This could be the Champions League at its best.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Nov

2025

Antoine Semenyo is a man in demand

Bournemouth are continuously being raided by some of the best clubs in Europe for their players.

By Sam McGuire

During the summer transfer window, they lost Milos Kerkez to Premier League champions Liverpool, Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain signed Illia Zabarnyi while Real Madrid won the race for Dean Huijsen amid interest from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. During the 2024 summer transfer window, the Cherries lost Dom Solanke to Spurs in what was a club record sale.

They simply go about unearthing new stars and entrusting Andoni Iraola to develop them. It’s why, despite such a huge turnover in personnel this summer, the Cherries are eighth in the Premier League, just two points off of a top four place and four points behind second-placed Chelsea.

You can’t just credit one player with being responsible for this impressive start to the campaign, but if you did have to single out someone this season, it’d be Antoine Semenyo.

His early season form has seen him alert a number of the Premier League big boys.

Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United are all reportedly keen on the Bournemouth No. 24.

He’s started the campaign like a player who believes he’s ready to make that next step.

Semenyo has six goals and three assists across his 11 appearances. Only Erling Haaland (15) has more goal involvements in the Premier League this season and only three players have more goals than the Bournemouth man (six) – Danny Welbeck (seven), Igor Thiago (nine) and Haaland (14).

The former Bristol City winger has decent underlying numbers too, highlighting how much of a threat he is. At the time of writing, he ranks sixth for Expected Goals.

In many ways, this explosive start to the campaign shouldn’t come as that much of a surprise. Ever since the move to Bournemouth in January 2023, he’s been slowly scaling his threat.

During the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, his first full season in the English top-flight, he scored eight goals. Last term, he racked up 16 goal involvements in total. He’s on course to finish with a career high haul for the third successive year.

It is quite remarkable that prior to the switch to Bournemouth, his career best was eight goals in the Championship. While always looking dangerous due to his profile, there weren’t really any clear signs that he’d make the leap from goal threat to goal scorer.

*Player traits compared with similar players in Europe’s Top Five leagues*

He’s done just that though. And while, at first glance, the new contract in the summer was reward for his fine form, it was, in fact, more than that for the 25-year-old. Reports have recently emerged which revealed the versatile forward only signed an extension with the Cherries because it included a release clause.

Teams can sign him during the winter window for £65million. At the end of the season, the release clause drops.

That fee might seem a little steep but in the current market, clubs might actually be able to justify it. For starters, he’s extremely versatile and can play anywhere across the forward line. He doesn’t just do a job on either flank. He performs as well on the left as he does on the right due to his two-footed nature.

Though primarily right-footed, he’s not shy when it comes to using his left. In fact, his six goals this term are split perfectly between left and right-footed goals. Last season, he struck six on his right and five with his left. He’s as two-footed as you can be.

Semenyo also qualifies as a homegrown player under Premier League rules, a key element to consider when assembling a squad. In terms of profile, he’s fairly unique right now.

Semenyo is pace and power. He’s robust, aggressive and direct. A lot of the time now, due to the modern way of playing, attackers want ball to feet and they want to drop to receive possession. The Bournemouth star is the opposite of that. He’ll fight for direct balls played forward. He’ll put himself about and chase lost causes. He’ll also pick up possession and just carry the ball forward, regardless of whether there’s space ahead of him or an opponent.

The 25-year-old is an outball. He’s a pressure reliever.

He posts decent numbers when looking at successful dribbles (1.91 this term and 1.94 last season), duels won (over six since the start of 2024/25) and aerial duels won (over 2.3 this season). Not only can Semenyo carry the ball, he can also win it back for you too. Combine that with his goal threat – 0.42 xG90 this season and 0.28 last term – and you have a forward who is a genuine handful.

The Ghana international likely going to be the next Bournemouth export. He might be the best of the bunch.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Nov

2025

Preview: The top two go head-to-head as Arsenal host Bayern

Once upon a time this fixture seemed to happen with regularity in the Champions League – and Arsenal would inevitably leave each time with their tails between their legs. This time around it all looks rather different for the Gunners as Bayern Munich come to town as the competition’s top two teams so far.

By Karl Matchett

Domestic dominance and title talk

One measure of just how well Arsenal are set for the season ahead is to compare their domestic efforts to those of their midweek rivals. Bayern Munich have, for most of the last quarter of a century, been the utterly dominant side in German football. This campaign looks no different, well out in front as they already are, with a gap of six points back to second place RB Leipzig and zero defeats in their tally of games.

Arsenal might have a sole loss to their name – at reigning champions Liverpool, just before their implosion began – but other than that they have been consistent and impressive…and also have a six-point lead in the Premier League, back to Chelsea. They’ve even managed that after a game more than Bayern have played in the Bundesliga.

There have been 14 meetings between the Gunners and the Bavarian giants since 2000 in the Champions League, with the north London side winning only three of those encounters, the last over a decade ago. Since then Bayern have won 5-1 three times, while a draw between the sides in April 2024 was no real respite for the English side, since they lost the second leg and exited at the quarter-final stage accordingly.

While there’s no such stakes at play this time around, there certainly is every reason to think Arsenal are the better, more confident and more well-rounded team right now and that they might celebrate a long-overdue win against one of Europe’s top names.

Recent form

Arsenal have 13 wins and two draws since their only loss of the campaign – it’s about as consistent as you can get. Bayern won a massive 16 in a row before their first draw, then won again at the weekend. Relentless. In Europe, both teams are four wins from four so far and sit in the top two spots accordingly.

Team news

Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz are both likely still out and Martin Ødegaard needs a check before he returns. Gabriel is also out for several weeks in defence.

For Bayern, Luis Díaz is out suspended and both Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies are long-term absentees.

Key player

If anybody is to upset the home side it’s almost certainly written in the stars that it will be an old enemy in former Spurs striker Harry Kane. He has 14 goals in ten league starts and five in four in Europe. It ranks him higher than 95% of European strikers for shots over the past year…and 100% for goals.

Prediction

A home win. Bayern are already in a decent spot so it won’t impact on going through, but it will send a message from the Emirates: Arsenal 2-1 Bayern.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Nov

2025

Preview: Real Madrid head to Greek champions Olympiacos in the Champions League

Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid are under pressure to end a run of three games in all competitions without a win.

By Graham Ruthven

Response required

Hired to carry Real Madrid into the modern age, Xabi Alonso is struggling to impose his own ideas and identity on a group of players that seems increasingly ill-suited to the new manager’s style of play.

Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Elche reflected everything Los Blancos have struggled to get a grip of this season. Indeed, Real Madrid were generally second-best and fortunate to salvage a point through Jude Bellingham’s late leveller.

Real Madrid struggled for control in and out of possession. They were wide open in defensive transition and failed to effectively press from the front. It was a long way from the Alonso-ball Bayer Leverkusen played.

Olympiacos will attempt to target some of these weaknesses although the Greek champions have struggled in the Champions League so far this season.

José Luis Mendilibar’s team have taken just two points from their opening four fixtures.

Key players

Ayoub El Kaabi will pose a threat for Olympiacos. The 32-year-old has netted 10 goals in 16 just appearances this season and will be a penalty box presence for the home team on Wednesday.

Former Wolves winger Daniel Podence is capable of influencing games at the highest level, although Fede Valverde could have that side of the pitch locked down for the Spanish champions.

Dani García is just one booking away from a suspension, but is still expected to face Real Madrid as someone whose experience could be key in the centre of the pitch.

Only Victor Osimhen has scored more goals in this season’s Champions League than Kylian Mbappé who will lead the line for Real Madrid. The Frenchman’s pace and directness means Olympiacos can’t afford to switch off at any moment.

*Champions League top scorers (prior to Tuesdays games)*

Bellingham registered a goal and an assist against Elche, but is facing questions over his wider role in Alonso’s team. He is expected to start in a hybrid number 10-number eight position.

Arda Güler has been installed as Real Madrid’s primary pace-setter this season. The Turkish international is averaging 2.6 key passes per game and will see plenty of the ball on Wednesday.

Dean Huijsen found the back of the net in the 2-2 draw against Elche and is an important part of how Real Madrid play out from the back. Meanwhile, Thibaut Courtois is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world. The Spaniards hope he’ll be quiet in Greece.

Team news

Alexandros Paschalakis and Konstantinos Angelakis are both missing for Olympiacos through injury. Otherwise the Greek champions have a fully fit and available squad to choose from.

Alonso could make wholesale changes to a team that struggled for a point away to Elche on Sunday with Vinícius Júnior, Eduardo Camavinga and Valverde all potentially in line for a start.

Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, David Alaba, Franco Mastantuono and Aurélien Tchouaméni are all either sidelined or will face a late fitness test.

Prediction

Olympiacos don’t lose many at home – in fact, they haven’t lost at home in any competition since March 2024 – but we think Madrid’s superiority will win out, narrowly: Olympiacos 0-1 Real Madrid.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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

Nov

2025

Preview: Liverpool face Eredivisie leaders PSV in the Champions League

Liverpool are once again hoping to use the Champions League as a springboard to get their 2025/26 campaign back on track as they host PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

By Sam McGuire

Match context

The Reds started the season with seven wins from seven across all competitions. They went five for five in the Premier League, dominated Atlético Madrid in the Champions League and defeated Southampton in the Carabao Cup, all without really breaking a sweat.

Everything was expected to click for the Reds once new signings had bedded in.

Yet since that 2-1 win over Southampton in September, Arne Slot’s side have lost eight of 11 across all competitions. They’re already out of the Carabao Cup and find themselves 11 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Big money signings Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz are all struggling to perform for the Reds, Mohamed Salah isn’t being properly utilised while Dominik Szoboszlai, the team’s best player this term, is being used as a utility player by Slot.

PSV, meanwhile, are leading the way in the Eredivisie. A shock defeat in August to Telstar was nothing more than a blip. Peter Bosz’s side are first for average FotMob rating (7.28) and they top the charts for goals per match in the Dutch top-flight with 3.2.

In Europe, they haven’t quite been as dominant.

A loss to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise was followed up with a draw against Leverkusen. They then dismantled Serie A title holders Napoli 6-2 before only managing to draw with Olympiakos.

They seem to scale their game against better opposition and that should worry Liverpool.

Key Players

For Liverpool, it is probably former PSV star Cody Gakpo.

He divides opinion but he continues to be the only reliable threat in the attack for the Reds. The Dutch international leads the way for Expected Goals within the team this term. Gakpo scored when the two sides faced last season and with Wirtz carrying a knock, the likelihood is that the No. 18 gets the nod against his old team on Wednesday.

*PSV’s top scorers in the Eredivisie this season*

For the visitors, it’s tough to pick between Guus Til and Joey Veerman.

Til ranks second for goals in the Dutch top-flight this season with nine but he’s yet to get off the mark in Europe, though he does have an assist. Veerman, meanwhile, has been a creative force for Bosz’s men. He has six assists and five goals this term and assisted against Napoli.

Team News

The visitors are without Alassane Pléa and Ruben Van Bommel for the trip to Merseyside but otherwise Bosz has a full squad of players to pick from.

Liverpool are without Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni. Wirtz could be back after missing the defeat to Nottingham Forest but Slot isn’t going to risk his No. 7.

Prediction

Surely Liverpool can’t lose another game. As Paul Joyce of UK newspaper The Times said on Monday, the pressure isn’t on Slot just yet but the team cannot keep losing. A win is desperately needed. A good performance is desperately needed. So, we’re going with a 2-1 Liverpool victory.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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